JPH075756A - Developing device - Google Patents
Developing deviceInfo
- Publication number
- JPH075756A JPH075756A JP5168452A JP16845293A JPH075756A JP H075756 A JPH075756 A JP H075756A JP 5168452 A JP5168452 A JP 5168452A JP 16845293 A JP16845293 A JP 16845293A JP H075756 A JPH075756 A JP H075756A
- Authority
- JP
- Japan
- Prior art keywords
- developer
- developing device
- gap
- scraping
- toner
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
Landscapes
- Dry Development In Electrophotography (AREA)
Abstract
Description
【０００１】[0001]
【産業上の利用分野】本発明は、複写機、ファクシミ
リ、プリンター等の画像形成装置に採用される現像装置
に係り、詳しくは現像剤担持体と、該現像剤担持体に現
像剤を供給する現像剤供給手段と、該現像剤供給手段の
方向に該現像剤を送り込む少なくとも１つの現像剤搬送
部材とを有し、かつ、該現像剤供給手段の軸方向端部と
該現像剤供給手段を支持する側板との間に隙間を有する
現像装置に関するものである。BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a developing device used in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine or a printer, and more specifically, a developer carrying member and a developer carrying member for supplying the developer. It has a developer supplying means and at least one developer conveying member for feeding the developer in the direction of the developer supplying means, and further, an axial end portion of the developer supplying means and the developer supplying means are provided. The present invention relates to a developing device having a gap between a supporting side plate.
【０００２】[0002]
【従来の技術】従来、例えば、現像剤担持体とスポンジ
材等の弾性部材によって構成された現像剤供給手段とが
互いに圧接して回動する構成の現像装置においては、現
像剤供給手段が現像剤担持体に圧接する際に現像剤供給
手段内部の空気が吐き出され、この吐き出された空気
が、空気流路上にある現像剤を現像装置外部に飛散させ
ることがあった。そこで、従来、上記のような現像装置
内の空気流による現像剤の飛散を低減させるために、現
像装置内に遮蔽板やフェンスを設ける等の措置がとられ
ている。また、現像剤供給手段の軸方向端部と該現像剤
供給手段を支持する現像装置側板との間に隙間を設け、
現像剤供給手段の現像剤担持体に対する圧接により生じ
た空気の流れを現像装置の横方向に逃がす等の措置がと
られている。2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, in a developing device having a structure in which a developer carrying member and a developer supplying means composed of an elastic member such as a sponge material are pressed against each other and rotated, the developer supplying means is used for developing. The air inside the developer supply unit is exhaled when it is pressed against the agent carrier, and the exhaled air sometimes scatters the developer on the air flow path to the outside of the developing device. Therefore, conventionally, in order to reduce the scattering of the developer due to the air flow in the developing device as described above, measures such as providing a shielding plate or a fence in the developing device have been taken. Further, a gap is provided between the axial end portion of the developer supplying means and the developing device side plate supporting the developer supplying means,
Measures are taken such as allowing the flow of air generated by the pressure contact of the developer supply unit with the developer carrier to escape in the lateral direction of the developing device.
【０００３】また、本出願人は従来、現像剤が現像装置
外部に溢れたり、吹き出たりするのを防止するために、
現像剤担持体と現像剤供給手段との対向領域、又は現像
剤担持体の回転方向上流側に先端が位置し、その一部が
現像剤担持体に接触する現像剤遮蔽部材を設けた現像装
置を提案した（例えば、特開昭６１−１６５７７９号公
報参照）。また、現像装置の現像剤担持体が設けられた
開口の下部の両端部での現像剤の漏出を防止するため
に、現像剤担持体の軸方向での開口幅が現像剤供給手段
の同方向での長さよりも狭い現像剤流出規制用窓が形成
された中間壁を現像装置内部に設け、現像剤の現像剤供
給手段側への流出量を規制するようにしたものも知られ
ている（例えば、特開平３−８４５７３号公報参照）。In order to prevent the developer from overflowing or blowing out of the developing device, the applicant has been
A developing device provided with a developer shielding member whose tip is located in a region where the developer carrier and the developer supply unit face each other, or on the upstream side in the rotation direction of the developer carrier, and a part of which is in contact with the developer carrier. Has been proposed (see, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 61-165779). Further, in order to prevent the developer from leaking at both ends of the lower portion of the opening where the developer carrier of the developing device is provided, the opening width of the developer carrier in the axial direction is the same as that of the developer supply means. There is also known one in which an intermediate wall having a developer outflow restricting window narrower than the length is provided inside the developing device to restrict the outflow amount of the developer to the developer supply means side ( See, for example, JP-A-3-84573).
【０００４】なお、現像剤の現像装置外部への飛散は現
像剤の帯電量不足により生じることもある。そして、帯
電量が不足した現像剤が現像装置外部へ飛散すると、異
常画像の原因となることがある。そこで、本出願人は従
来、現像剤の帯電量不足等の理由による画像品質の劣化
を防止するために、現像装置のホッパの受容部に新たに
補給された現像剤が、現像剤供給手段を経ずに短絡的に
現像剤担持体上の現像剤層厚規制部材端部が当接する位
置より現像剤担持体回転方向上流側の位置に供給される
ことを防止する仕切り部材を設けた現像装置を提案した
（例えば、特開昭６１−１５６１６７号公報参照）。Incidentally, the scattering of the developer to the outside of the developing device may occur due to the insufficient charge amount of the developer. If the developer with insufficient charge is scattered outside the developing device, it may cause an abnormal image. Therefore, in order to prevent the image quality from deteriorating due to insufficient charge amount of the developer or the like, the present applicant has proposed that the developer newly replenished in the receiving portion of the hopper of the developing device is the developer supply means. A developing device provided with a partition member that prevents the developer layer thickness regulating member on the developer carrying member from being short-circuited without being supplied to a position on the upstream side of the developer carrying member in the rotation direction. Has been proposed (see, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 61-156167).
【０００５】[0005]
【発明が解決しようとする課題】ところが、上記従来の
遮蔽板やフェンスを設ける構成や、現像剤供給手段の軸
方向端部と該現像剤供給手段を支持する現像装置側板と
の間に隙間を設け、現像剤供給手段の現像剤担持体に対
する圧接により生じた空気の流れを現像装置の横方向に
逃がす構成は、経時的にみた場合や高速機に対応する現
像装置に適用した場合などを考えると、不十分であると
いう問題点があった。すなわち、遮蔽板やフェンスは経
時的に劣化し、その効果を十分に発揮できなくなる。ま
た、空気の流れを現像装置の横方向に逃がす場合、現像
装置側板と現像装置内の各種部材との間に十分な空気流
路が確保されていないと、現像剤供給手段や現像剤搬送
部材などの部材が高速回転したときに、現像剤の飛散を
生じてしまう。However, there is a gap between the structure of providing the above-mentioned conventional shield plate or fence and the axial end portion of the developer supplying means and the developing device side plate supporting the developer supplying means. The configuration in which the flow of air generated by the pressure contact of the developer supply unit with the developer carrier is released in the lateral direction of the developing device is considered when viewed with time or when applied to a developing device corresponding to a high-speed machine. There was a problem that it was insufficient. That is, the shielding plate and the fence deteriorate with time, and the effect cannot be sufficiently exerted. Further, when the air flow is released in the lateral direction of the developing device, if a sufficient air flow path is not secured between the developing device side plate and various members inside the developing device, the developer supplying means and the developer transporting member. When a member such as the above rotates at high speed, the developer is scattered.
【０００６】本発明は以上の問題点に鑑みなされたもの
であり、その目的とするところは、経時的にみた場合や
高速機に適用した場合であっても、現像剤の飛散を防止
できる現像装置を提供することである。The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to develop a developer capable of preventing the scattering of the developer even when viewed over time or applied to a high speed machine. It is to provide a device.
【０００７】また、現像剤の飛散は上記のような現像剤
供給手段が現像剤担持体に圧接した時に現像剤供給手段
内部から吐き出された空気による他、現像剤搬送部材に
よって現像剤供給手段の方向に送り込まれる現像剤の圧
力によっても発生することがある。Further, the scattering of the developer is caused by the air discharged from the inside of the developer supplying means when the developer supplying means is brought into pressure contact with the developer carrying member as described above, and also by the developer conveying member. It may also occur due to the pressure of the developer fed in the direction.
【０００８】そこで、本発明の他の目的は、現像剤搬送
部材によって現像剤供給手段の方向に送り込まれる現像
剤の圧力によって発生する空気の流れによる現像剤の飛
散を防止できる現像装置を提供することである。Therefore, another object of the present invention is to provide a developing device capable of preventing the scattering of the developer due to the air flow generated by the pressure of the developer fed in the direction of the developer supplying means by the developer carrying member. That is.
【０００９】[0009]
【課題を解決するための手段】上記の目的を達成するた
めに、請求項１の発明は、現像剤担持体と、該現像剤担
持体に現像剤を供給する現像剤供給手段と、該現像剤供
給手段の方向に該現像剤を送り込む少なくとも１つの現
像剤搬送部材とを有し、かつ、該現像剤供給手段の軸方
向端部と該現像剤供給手段を支持する側板との間に隙間
を有する現像装置において、該現像剤搬送部材の軸方向
の幅を該現像剤供給手段の軸方向の幅以下とし、該現像
剤供給手段の軸方向端部と該側板との間の該隙間に、該
隙間に溜った現像剤を該隙間から掻き出す現像剤掻き出
し部材を設けたことを特徴とするものである。請求項２
の発明は、請求項１の現像装置において、上記現像剤搬
送部材が上記現像剤を上記現像剤供給手段の方向に送り
込む直前に、上記現像剤掻き出し部材が上記隙間に溜っ
た現像剤を掻き出すように該現像剤掻き出し部材を配設
し、該現像剤搬送部材と該現像剤供給手段各々の軸回転
数を同じにしたことを特徴とするものである。請求項３
の発明は、請求項１の現像装置において、上記現像剤掻
き出し部材及び上記現像剤搬送部材それぞれを回転軸に
複数の羽根部材が取り付けられた部材で構成し、該現像
剤掻き出し部材の羽根数をｎｋ1、回転数をｒｋ1、該現
像剤搬送部材の羽根数をｎA、回転数をｒAとしたとき、
ｎｋ1×ｒｋ1≧ｎA×ｒAの条件を満たすように該現像剤
掻き出し部材及び該現像剤搬送部材それぞれの羽根数や
回転数を設定したことを特徴とするものである。請求項
４の発明は、請求項１の現像装置において、上記現像剤
搬送部材の軸方向端部と該現像剤搬送部材を支持する側
板との間に隙間を設け、該隙間に現像剤を該隙間から掻
き出す第２の現像剤掻き出し部材を設けたことを特徴と
するものである。請求項５の発明は、請求項４の現像装
置において、上記現像剤供給手段の軸方向端部と上記側
板との間の上記隙間に設けられた上記現像剤掻き出し部
材と、上記現像剤搬送部材の軸方向端部と上記側板との
間の上記隙間に設けられた上記第２の現像剤掻き出し部
材それぞれを回転軸に複数の羽根部材が取り付けられた
部材で構成し、該第１の現像剤掻き出し部材の羽根数を
ｎｋ1、回転数をｒｋ1、該第２の現像剤掻き出し部材の
羽根数をｎｋ2、回転数をｒｋ2としたとき、ｎｋ1×ｒ
ｋ1≧ｎｋ2×ｒｋ2の条件を満たすように該第１及び第
２の現像剤掻き出し部材それぞれの羽根数や回転数を設
定したことを特徴とするものである。請求項６の発明
は、請求項４の現像装置において、上記現像剤搬送部材
が上記現像剤を上記現像剤供給手段の方向に送り込む直
前に、上記第２の現像剤掻き出し部材が該現像剤搬送部
材の軸方向端部と該現像剤搬送部材を支持する側板との
間に設けられた上記隙間の現像剤を掻き出すように該第
２の現像剤掻き出し部材を配設したことを特徴とするも
のである。In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the invention of claim 1 provides a developer carrier, a developer supplying means for supplying a developer to the developer carrier, and the developing device. At least one developer conveying member for feeding the developer in the direction of the developer supplying means, and a gap between an axial end portion of the developer supplying means and a side plate supporting the developer supplying means. And a width of the developer conveying member in the axial direction is equal to or less than an axial width of the developer supplying means, and the gap between the axial end portion of the developer supplying means and the side plate is A developer scraping member for scraping the developer accumulated in the gap from the gap is provided. Claim 2
In the developing device according to claim 1, the developer scraping member scrapes out the developer accumulated in the gap immediately before the developer transport member feeds the developer toward the developer supply means. The developer scraping member is provided in the above-mentioned, and the shaft number of rotation of each of the developer conveying member and the developer supplying means is the same. Claim 3
According to the invention of claim 1, in the developing device of claim 1, each of the developer scraping member and the developer transporting member is constituted by a member having a plurality of blade members attached to a rotary shaft, and the number of blades of the developer scraping member is where nk 1 , the number of revolutions is rk 1 , the number of blades of the developer carrying member is n A , and the number of revolutions is r A ,
The number of blades and the number of rotations of each of the developer scraping member and the developer transporting member are set so as to satisfy the condition of nk 1 × rk 1 ≧ n A × r A. According to a fourth aspect of the invention, in the developing device according to the first aspect, a gap is provided between an axial end portion of the developer transport member and a side plate supporting the developer transport member, and the developer is placed in the gap. A second developer scraping member for scraping out from the gap is provided. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the developing device according to the fourth aspect, the developer scraping member provided in the gap between the axial end portion of the developer supply unit and the side plate, and the developer transporting member. Each of the second developer scraping members provided in the gap between the axial end portion of the first side developer and the side plate is formed of a member having a plurality of blade members attached to a rotation shaft, and the first developer When the number of blades of the scraping member is nk 1 , the number of rotations is rk 1 , the number of blades of the second developer scraping member is nk 2 , and the number of rotations is rk 2 , then nk 1 × r
The number of blades and the number of rotations of each of the first and second developer scraping members are set so that the condition of k 1 ≧ nk 2 × rk 2 is satisfied. According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the developing device according to the fourth aspect, the second developer scraping member causes the second developer scraping member to transport the developer immediately before the developer transporting member feeds the developer toward the developer supplying unit. The second developer scraping member is arranged so as to scrape out the developer in the gap provided between the axial end portion of the member and the side plate supporting the developer transporting member. Is.
【００１０】[0010]
【作用】請求項１の発明において、現像装置内の現像剤
は、現像剤搬送部材の軸方向の幅が現像剤供給手段の軸
方向の幅と同じ、若しくはそれ以下にされていることに
より、現像剤供給手段の軸方向端部と現像剤供給手段を
支持する側板との間の隙間に送り込まれにくく、また、
現像剤が該隙間に溜っても現像剤掻き出し部材によって
積極的に掻き出すようにしていることにより、該隙間に
現像剤を大量に溜めることを防止できる。また、上記の
ように現像剤搬送部材の軸方向の幅が現像剤供給手段の
軸方向の幅と同じ、若しくはそれ以下にされていること
により、現像剤搬送部材により搬送される現像剤の圧力
により発生する空気の流れを該隙間に極力働かせないよ
うにすることができる。請求項２の発明において、上記
隙間に溜った現像剤は常に現像剤搬送部材が現像剤を現
像剤供給手段の方向に送り込む直前に現像剤掻き出し部
材によって該隙間から掻き出されるので、現像剤搬送部
材によって新たに現像剤が現像剤供給手段の方向に送り
込まれるときには、該隙間は現像剤がほとんど溜ってい
ない状態となる。よって、新たに現像剤が現像剤供給手
段の方向に送り込まれても、該隙間に現像剤が大量に溜
ることがない。請求項３の発明においては、現像剤掻き
出し部材による現像剤の掻き出し能力が現像剤搬送部材
による現像剤搬送能力に比べて同等あるいは優れている
ので、上記隙間に現像剤が大量に溜ることを防止でき
る。請求項４の発明においては、現像剤搬送部材の軸方
向端部と該現像剤搬送部材を支持する側板との間の隙間
に溜った現像剤は、第２の現像剤掻き出し部材により該
隙間から掻き出される。ここで、現像装置内では、上記
現像剤搬送部材により搬送される現像剤の圧力により発
生する空気の流れや、例えばスポンジ材等の弾性部材で
構成された現像剤供給手段と現像剤担持体とが圧接して
回転する際に現像剤供給手段から吐き出された空気の流
れは、上記現像剤供給手段と側板との間の隙間を通った
後、現像剤搬送部材の軸方向端部と側板との間の隙間を
通るが、この現像剤搬送部材の軸方向端部と側板との間
の隙間は現像剤が掻き出されて空気流路が確保されてい
るため、現像剤供給手段や現像剤搬送部材が高回転にな
ったときでも、該空気の流れは該隙間をスムーズに流れ
る。請求項５の発明においては、上記請求項４の作用に
加えて、現像剤供給手段側に設けられた第１の現像剤掻
き出し部材による現像剤の掻き出し能力が現像剤搬送部
材側に設けられた第２の現像剤掻き出し部材による現像
剤搬送能力に比べて同等あるいは優れているので、上記
現像剤供給手段の軸方向端部と現像剤供給手段を支持す
る側板との間の隙間に現像剤が大量に溜ることを防止で
きる。請求項６の発明においては、上記請求項４の作用
に加えて、現像剤搬送部材の軸方向端部と該現像剤搬送
部材を支持する側板との間に設けられた上記隙間の現像
剤は常に現像剤搬送部材が現像剤を現像剤供給手段の方
向に送り込む直前に第２の現像剤掻き出し部材によって
該隙間から強制的に掻き出されるので、上記現像装置内
の空気の流路を確保できる。According to the first aspect of the invention, the developer in the developing device has the axial width of the developer conveying member equal to or less than the axial width of the developer supplying means. Difficult to be fed into the gap between the axial end of the developer supply means and the side plate supporting the developer supply means, and
Even if the developer collects in the gap, the developer scraping member positively scrapes the developer, so that a large amount of the developer can be prevented from being collected in the gap. Further, as described above, the axial width of the developer conveying member is equal to or less than the axial width of the developer supplying means, so that the pressure of the developer conveyed by the developer conveying member is reduced. It is possible to prevent the flow of air generated by the above from acting on the gap as much as possible. In the invention of claim 2, the developer accumulated in the gap is always scraped out of the gap by the developer scraping member immediately before the developer transporting member feeds the developer in the direction of the developer supplying means. When the developer is newly fed by the member in the direction of the developer supply means, the developer is hardly accumulated in the gap. Therefore, even if the developer is newly fed in the direction of the developer supplying means, a large amount of the developer is not accumulated in the gap. In the invention of claim 3, since the developer scraping ability of the developer scraping member is equal to or superior to the developer transporting capacity of the developer transporting member, a large amount of the developer is prevented from accumulating in the gap. it can. In the invention of claim 4, the developer accumulated in the gap between the axial end portion of the developer transport member and the side plate supporting the developer transport member is discharged from the gap by the second developer scraping member. Is scratched out. Here, in the developing device, a flow of air generated by the pressure of the developer conveyed by the developer conveying member, and a developer supply unit and a developer carrying member composed of an elastic member such as a sponge material are provided. The flow of air discharged from the developer supplying means when the roller is pressed against and rotates through the gap between the developer supplying means and the side plate, and then the axial end portion of the developer conveying member and the side plate. However, the developer is scraped out of the gap between the axial end portion of the developer transport member and the side plate to secure the air flow path. Even when the conveying member is rotated at high speed, the air flow smoothly flows through the gap. According to the invention of claim 5, in addition to the operation of claim 4, the developer scraping ability by the first developer scraping member provided on the developer supply means side is provided on the developer transporting member side. Since the second developer scraping member has the same or superior performance as the developer carrying ability, the developer is not present in the gap between the axial end portion of the developer supplying means and the side plate supporting the developer supplying means. It can prevent a large amount of accumulation. In the invention of claim 6, in addition to the action of claim 4, the developer in the gap provided between the axial end portion of the developer transport member and the side plate supporting the developer transport member is Since the developer conveying member is always forcedly scraped from the gap by the second developer scraping member immediately before sending the developer in the direction of the developer supplying means, it is possible to secure the air flow path in the developing device. .
【００１１】[0011]
【実施例】以下、本発明を画像形成装置である電子写真
複写機（以下、複写機という）の現像装置に適用した一
実施例について説明する。本実施例に係る複写機は、プ
リントボタンがＯＮされると、図示しない読取り系、除
帯電系、書き込み系を経て像担持体上に潜像が形成さ
れ、現像装置により該潜像がトナー像として顕像化さ
れ、該潜像の先端とタイミングをとりながら搬送されて
きた転写材に該トナー像を転写部において転写し、定着
・排紙部を経て一枚のコピーを得るものである。以下、
本実施例に係る現像装置について説明する。以下の説明
に係る現像装置は現像剤として非磁性一成分現像剤（以
下、トナーという）を用いるものである。図１は本実施
例に係る現像装置の概略構成図、図２は同現像装置の上
部断面図である。この現像装置１は、後部に板バネ１０
１と、該板バネ１０１に周面が接するように回動可能に
配設されたカム１０２が設けられており、プリントボタ
ンがＯＮされるとカム１０２が回転して板バネ１０１が
押圧されて装置全体が像担持体としての感光体ドラム１
００方向へ移動されるようになっている。そして、この
現像装置１は下ケーシング２と下ケーシング２に取り付
けられた左上蓋３及び右上蓋４とでその筐体が構成され
ており、感光体ドラム１００に対向する位置には下ケー
シング２と左上蓋３とで開口部５が形成されている。ま
た、現像装置１内には、開口部５から感光体ドラム１０
０に対向するように配設された現像剤担持体としての現
像ローラ６と、現像ローラ６にトナーＴを供給するため
に現像ローラ６に圧接して配設されたスポンジローラ７
と、スポンジローラ７方向にトナーＴを搬送する第１ア
ジテータ８と、第１アジテータ８方向にトナーＴを搬送
する第２アジテータ９とがそれぞれ現像装置１の前後側
板１０，１１に回動可能に支持されて設けられている。
ここで、現像ローラ６及びスポンジローラ７それぞれに
は、トナーＴが現像ローラ６へ向かうような電位差が生
ずるようにバイアス電圧が印加されている。DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a developing device of an electrophotographic copying machine (hereinafter referred to as a copying machine) which is an image forming apparatus will be described below. In the copying machine according to this embodiment, when the print button is turned on, a latent image is formed on the image carrier through a reading system, a decharging system, and a writing system (not shown), and the latent image is formed into a toner image by the developing device. The toner image is transferred to the transfer material which has been visualized as the above and is conveyed at the timing of the leading edge of the latent image, at the transfer section, and a single copy is obtained through the fixing and discharging section. Less than,
The developing device according to this embodiment will be described. The developing device according to the following description uses a non-magnetic one-component developer (hereinafter referred to as toner) as the developer. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a developing device according to this embodiment, and FIG. 2 is an upper sectional view of the developing device. This developing device 1 has a leaf spring 10 at the rear.
1 and a cam 102 rotatably arranged so that the peripheral surface is in contact with the leaf spring 101. When the print button is turned on, the cam 102 rotates to push the leaf spring 101. The entire device is a photosensitive drum 1 as an image carrier.
It is designed to be moved in the 00 direction. The developing device 1 includes a lower casing 2 and an upper left lid 3 and an upper right lid 4 attached to the lower casing 2, which form a casing, and the lower casing 2 and the lower casing 2 are provided at a position facing the photosensitive drum 100. An opening 5 is formed with the upper left lid 3. Further, in the developing device 1, from the opening 5 to the photosensitive drum 10.
Developing roller 6 as a developer bearing member arranged so as to face 0, and sponge roller 7 arranged in pressure contact with developing roller 6 to supply toner T to developing roller 6.
A first agitator 8 that conveys the toner T in the direction of the sponge roller 7 and a second agitator 9 that conveys the toner T in the direction of the first agitator 8 are rotatable on the front and rear side plates 10 and 11 of the developing device 1, respectively. It is supported and provided.
Here, a bias voltage is applied to each of the developing roller 6 and the sponge roller 7 so that a potential difference that causes the toner T toward the developing roller 6 is generated.
【００１２】現像ローラ６には例えばＮ／Ｐ現像の場
合、トナーＴと同極性の現像バイアス電圧が印加されて
いる。また、現像ローラ６の玉軸受１２を介して前後側
板１０，１１に支持された軸６１の両端部には、現像ロ
ーラ６の径よりも若干大きな径の隙間保持コロ１３が取
り付けられている。この隙間保持コロ１３は、現像装置
１がカム１０２の回転により感光体ドラム１００方向に
押されたとき感光体ドラム１００の軸方向両端に形成さ
れたアルミニウム面（図２においては、Ａｌ面と示す）
に当接して現像装置１の移動を止め、現像ローラ６と感
光体ドラム１００との間に所定ギャップを形成する。ま
た、現像ローラ６と感光体ドラム１００との対向領域
（以下、現像領域という）Ａよりも現像ローラ６の回転
方向下流側には、現像ローラ６の回転方向に対して順方
向に腹当てされて配設された入口シール１４が設けられ
ている。この入口シール１４は現像領域Ａを通過した現
像ローラ６上に残留したトナーＴを掻き落とさず、現像
装置１内からのトナーＴの吹き出しを防止している。In the case of N / P development, for example, a developing bias voltage having the same polarity as the toner T is applied to the developing roller 6. A gap holding roller 13 having a diameter slightly larger than that of the developing roller 6 is attached to both ends of the shaft 61 supported by the front and rear side plates 10 and 11 via the ball bearings 12 of the developing roller 6. The gap holding rollers 13 are aluminum surfaces (indicated as Al surfaces in FIG. 2) formed on both axial ends of the photoconductor drum 100 when the developing device 1 is pushed toward the photoconductor drum 100 by the rotation of the cam 102. )
To stop the movement of the developing device 1 and form a predetermined gap between the developing roller 6 and the photosensitive drum 100. Further, a region in which the developing roller 6 and the photosensitive drum 100 are opposed to each other (hereinafter referred to as a developing region) A is provided on the downstream side in the rotating direction of the developing roller 6 in the forward direction with respect to the rotating direction of the developing roller 6. An inlet seal 14 that is arranged in the manner described above is provided. The inlet seal 14 does not scrape off the toner T remaining on the developing roller 6 that has passed the developing area A, and prevents the toner T from blowing out from the inside of the developing device 1.
【００１３】また、現像ローラ６とスポンジローラ７と
の圧接部Ｂよりも現像ローラ６の回転方向下流側には、
現像ローラ６より幅広に形成された現像剤層厚規制部材
としての薄層ブレード１７が設けられている。具体的に
は、薄層ブレード１７は腹の面が現像ローラ６に圧接
し、現像ローラ６の回転方向下流側に自由端部１７ａが
位置し、上流側に固定端部１７ｂが位置するように順方
向に配設されている。そして、薄層ブレード１７の固定
端部１７ｂは、左上蓋３及び右上蓋４に取り付けられた
ブレードホルダー１６に固定して取り付けられている。Further, on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the developing roller 6 with respect to the pressure contact portion B between the developing roller 6 and the sponge roller 7,
A thin layer blade 17 as a developer layer thickness regulating member formed wider than the developing roller 6 is provided. Specifically, the abdominal surface of the thin-layer blade 17 is in pressure contact with the developing roller 6, the free end 17a is located on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the developing roller 6, and the fixed end 17b is located on the upstream side. It is arranged in the forward direction. The fixed end portion 17b of the thin layer blade 17 is fixedly attached to the blade holder 16 attached to the upper left lid 3 and the upper right lid 4.
【００１４】スポンジローラ７は軸７１が玉軸受１９及
びＧシール２０を介して前後側板１０，１１に支持さ
れ、現像ローラ６に圧接して回動可能に構成されてい
る。また、スポンジローラ７の長手方向の長さは現像ロ
ーラ６より短く、かつ、感光体ドラム１００の画像域幅
より長くなるように構成されており、前後側板１０，１
１との間にそれぞれ隙間Ｄを形成している。また、軸７
１の長手方向両端部の隙間Ｄの部分にはカギ型に形成さ
れたトナー掻き出し部材７２が取り付けられている。こ
のトナー掻き出し部材７２は上記隙間Ｄ溜ったトナーを
掻きだすものである。A shaft 71 of the sponge roller 7 is supported by the front and rear side plates 10 and 11 via a ball bearing 19 and a G seal 20, and is configured to be in pressure contact with the developing roller 6 to be rotatable. The length of the sponge roller 7 in the longitudinal direction is shorter than the developing roller 6 and longer than the image area width of the photosensitive drum 100.
A gap D is formed between each of them. Also, axis 7
A toner scraping member 72 formed in a hook shape is attached to the gap D at both ends in the longitudinal direction of No. 1. The toner scraping member 72 scrapes out the toner accumulated in the gap D.
【００１５】第１アジテータ８はドライベアリング２２
を介して前後側板１０，１１に支持された軸８１に板状
部材８２が取り付けられており、板状部材８２の一方の
端縁には下ケーシング２に約３ｍｍ喰い込む長さのアジ
テータ部材８３が取り付けられている。アジテータ部材
８３の長手方向（軸８１方向）の長さは、スポンジロー
ラ７の長手方向の長さと同じ長さに設定されている。ア
ジテータ部材８３は第１アジテータ８が回転することに
より下ケーシング２に沿って摺動し、トナーＴをスポン
ジローラ７方向に搬送する。また、板状部材８２のアジ
テータ部材８３が取り付けられた端縁の長手方向両端部
にはカギ型に形成されたトナー掻き出し部材８４が取り
付けられている。このトナー掻き出し部材８４は前後側
板１０，１１近傍のトナーＴを循環させて、上記スポン
ジローラ７から吐き出された空気が上記遮蔽板２１と前
後側板１０，１１との間にそれぞれ形成された隙間Ｅを
スムーズに流れるようにするものである。The first agitator 8 is a dry bearing 22.
A plate-shaped member 82 is attached to a shaft 81 supported by the front and rear side plates 10 and 11 via an agitator member 83 having a length that is about 3 mm into the lower casing 2 at one end of the plate-shaped member 82. Is attached. The length of the agitator member 83 in the longitudinal direction (axis 81 direction) is set to be the same as the length of the sponge roller 7 in the longitudinal direction. The agitator member 83 slides along the lower casing 2 as the first agitator 8 rotates, and conveys the toner T toward the sponge roller 7. Further, a key-shaped toner scraping member 84 is attached to both ends in the longitudinal direction of the edge of the plate member 82 to which the agitator member 83 is attached. The toner scraping member 84 circulates the toner T near the front and rear side plates 10 and 11, so that the air discharged from the sponge roller 7 is formed between the shield plate 21 and the front and rear side plates 10 and 11, respectively. To make the flow smoothly.
【００１６】第２アジテータ９はドライベアリング２３
を介して前後側板１０，１１に支持された軸９１に板状
部材９２が取り付けられており、板状部材９２の一方の
端縁には下ケーシング２に約１ｍｍ喰い込む長さのアジ
テータ部材９３が取り付けられている。The second agitator 9 is a dry bearing 23.
A plate-shaped member 92 is attached to a shaft 91 supported by the front and rear side plates 10 and 11 via an agitator member 93 having a length that is about 1 mm into the lower casing 2 at one end edge of the plate-shaped member 92. Is attached.
【００１７】以上の構成に係る現像装置１においては、
プリントボタンがＯＮされてカム１０２の回転により装
置全体が感光体ドラム１００方向へ移動し、隙間保持コ
ロ１３が感光体ドラム１００のアルミニウム面に当接し
て停止すると、図示しない駆動装置からの動力が現像ロ
ーラ６に伝達され、現像ローラ６、スポンジローラ７、
第１アジテータ８及び第２アジテータ９がそれぞれ図１
中に示した矢印方向に回転し始める。そして、第２アジ
テータ９及び第１アジテータ８によってスポンジローラ
７に供給されたトナーＴは、現像ローラ６との圧接部Ｂ
において摩擦帯電され、トナーＴと同極性の電圧が印加
された現像ローラ６上に付着し、現像ローラ６の回転に
よって搬送される。現像ローラ６上のトナーＴは現像ロ
ーラ６と薄層ブレード１７との当接部Ｃにおいて薄層ブ
レード１７により所定層厚に規制され、また同時に摩擦
帯電されて現像領域Ａに搬送され、該現像領域Ａにおい
て感光体ドラム１００上の潜像に飛翔して現像に供され
る。In the developing device 1 having the above structure,
When the print button is turned on and the cam 102 rotates, the entire apparatus moves toward the photoconductor drum 100, and when the gap holding roller 13 comes into contact with the aluminum surface of the photoconductor drum 100 and stops, the power from a drive device (not shown) is applied. Transmitted to the developing roller 6, the developing roller 6, the sponge roller 7,
The first agitator 8 and the second agitator 9 are respectively shown in FIG.
It begins to rotate in the direction of the arrow shown inside. Then, the toner T supplied to the sponge roller 7 by the second agitator 9 and the first agitator 8 is pressed against the developing roller 6 by a pressure contact portion B.
The toner particles are triboelectrically charged, adhere to the developing roller 6 to which a voltage having the same polarity as the toner T is applied, and are conveyed by the rotation of the developing roller 6. The toner T on the developing roller 6 is regulated to a predetermined layer thickness by the thin layer blade 17 at the contact portion C between the developing roller 6 and the thin layer blade 17, and at the same time, is triboelectrified and conveyed to the developing area A, where the development is performed. In the area A, the latent image on the photosensitive drum 100 flies to be used for development.
【００１８】ここで、この現像装置１における空気の流
れについて説明する。現像装置１においては、スポンジ
ローラ７が現像ローラ６によって圧縮される際に空気の
流れが発生する。すなわち、スポンジローラ７は図３に
示すように圧接部Ｂにおいて現像ローラ６と接して圧縮
されると内部に溜められたトナーＴと空気を同時に吐き
出す。このときトナーＴは現像ローラ６に転移され、一
方、吐き出された空気はスポンジローラ７と下ケーシン
グ２とで形成される隙間を左右に流れ、スポンジローラ
７と前後側板１０，１１との間にそれぞれ形成された隙
間Ｄを通って現像装置１の奥側（図１，２で示す矢印ａ
方向）に流れる。Now, the flow of air in the developing device 1 will be described. In the developing device 1, an air flow is generated when the sponge roller 7 is compressed by the developing roller 6. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, when the sponge roller 7 comes into contact with the developing roller 6 at the pressure contact portion B and is compressed, the toner T and the air accumulated therein are simultaneously discharged. At this time, the toner T is transferred to the developing roller 6, while the discharged air flows to the left and right in the gap formed by the sponge roller 7 and the lower casing 2, and between the sponge roller 7 and the front and rear side plates 10 and 11. The back side of the developing device 1 (arrow a shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) passes through the formed gaps D.
Direction).
【００１９】また、現像装置１においては、第１アジテ
ータ８からスポンジローラ７に搬送されるトナーＴの圧
力によっても空気の流れが発生する。ここで、図４
（ａ）に示すように第１アジテータ８と前後側板１０，
１１との間に隙間がない場合には、スポンジローラ７長
手方向端部において空気は、図中矢印Ｈａで示したよう
に第１アジテータ８側に戻るように流れ、そしてこの場
合、第１アジテータ８やスポンジローラ７が低速回転の
ときには空気はうまく流れるが、高速回転のときには空
気はうまく流れず、このことによって開口部５からトナ
ーＴが吹き出す（飛散する）ことがある。Further, in the developing device 1, an air flow is also generated by the pressure of the toner T conveyed from the first agitator 8 to the sponge roller 7. Here, FIG.
As shown in (a), the first agitator 8 and the front and rear side plates 10,
If there is no gap between the sponge roller 7 and the sponge roller 7, the air flows at the longitudinal end of the sponge roller 7 so as to return to the first agitator 8 side as indicated by an arrow Ha in the figure, and in this case, the first agitator. Although the air flows well when the 8 and the sponge roller 7 rotate at low speed, the air does not flow well when rotating at high speed, which may cause the toner T to be blown out (scattered) from the opening 5.
【００２０】ところが、本実施例に係る現像装置１にお
いては、図４（ｂ）に示すように第１アジテータ８と前
後側板１０，１１との間に隙間Ｅが設けられているの
で、第１アジテータ８やスポンジローラ７が高速回転の
場合でも空気は図中矢印Ｈｂで示したように隙間Ｅ側に
戻るように円滑に流れる。そして、本実施例に係る現像
装置１においては、スポンジローラ７が現像ローラ６に
よって圧縮される際に発生する空気の流れの流路である
隙間Ｄにトナー掻き出し部材７２が設けられ、また、第
１アジテータ８からスポンジローラ７に搬送されるトナ
ーＴの圧力によって発生する空気の流れの流路である隙
間Ｅにトナー掻き出し部材８４が設けられていることか
ら、それぞれのトナー掻き出し部材７２，８４が隙間
Ｄ，Ｅそれぞれに溜ったトナーＴを掻き出すことによ
り、空気の流路を確保でき、空気の流れを円滑に保つこ
とができる。However, in the developing device 1 according to this embodiment, the gap E is provided between the first agitator 8 and the front and rear side plates 10 and 11 as shown in FIG. Even when the agitator 8 and the sponge roller 7 rotate at high speed, the air flows smoothly so as to return to the gap E side as shown by the arrow Hb in the figure. Further, in the developing device 1 according to the present embodiment, the toner scraping member 72 is provided in the gap D which is the flow path of the air flow generated when the sponge roller 7 is compressed by the developing roller 6, and Since the toner scraping member 84 is provided in the gap E which is the flow path of the air flow generated by the pressure of the toner T conveyed from the 1 agitator 8 to the sponge roller 7, the toner scraping members 72, 84 are By scraping out the toner T accumulated in each of the gaps D and E, an air flow path can be secured and the air flow can be maintained smoothly.
【００２１】また、本実施例に係る現像装置１において
は、上述のようにアジテータ部材８３の長手方向（軸８
１方向）の長さをスポンジローラ７の長手方向の長さと
同じ長さに設定することによって、トナーＴをスポンジ
ローラ７の軸方向端部と前後側板１０，１１との間にそ
れぞれ設けられた隙間Ｄに送り込みにくい構成になって
いるため、隙間ＤにトナーＴが大量に溜まることを防止
でき、また、第１アジテータ８により搬送されるトナー
Ｔの圧力により発生する空気の流れを隙間Ｄに極力働か
せないようにすることができる。Further, in the developing device 1 according to this embodiment, as described above, the longitudinal direction of the agitator member 83 (the shaft 8).
By setting the length in one direction) to be the same as the length in the longitudinal direction of the sponge roller 7, the toner T is provided between the axial end of the sponge roller 7 and the front and rear side plates 10 and 11, respectively. Since it is difficult to send the toner T into the gap D, a large amount of the toner T can be prevented from accumulating in the gap D, and the air flow generated by the pressure of the toner T conveyed by the first agitator 8 can be made into the gap D. You can try not to work as much as possible.
【００２２】以上、本実施例に係る現像装置１の構成に
よれば、現像装置１内に空気の流路を確保でき、また、
隙間ＤにトナーＴが大量に溜まることを防止でき、ま
た、第１アジテータ８により搬送されるトナーＴの圧力
を隙間Ｄに極力働かせないようにすることができるの
で、隙間ＤのトナーＴが現像ローラ６が設けられた開口
部５から現像装置１外部へ飛散することを防止できる。
また、隙間ＤのトナーＴはトナー掻き出し部材７２によ
って掻き出され、隙間ＤにはほとんどトナーＴがない状
態なので、スポンジローラ７から吐き出された空気によ
って隙間ＤのトナーＴが現像ローラ６が設けられた開口
部５から現像装置１外部へ飛散することを防止できる。
また、第１アジテータ８がトナーＴをスポンジローラ７
の方向に送り込む直前に、トナー掻き出し部材８４が隙
間Ｅに溜ったトナーＴを掻き出すようにトナー掻き出し
部材８４が配設されていることによって、スポンジロー
ラ７や第１アジテータ８が高速回転になったときでも、
第１アジテータ８によってスポンジローラ７の方向に送
り込まれるトナーＴの圧力によって発生する空気の流路
を確保でき、よって、トナーＴが現像ローラ６が設けら
れた開口部５から現像装置１外部へ飛散することを防止
できる。また、第１アジテータ８、トナー掻き出し部材
７２，８４の動作のタイミングを設定するというシンプ
ルな構成で隙間Ｄ，ＥにトナーＴが大量に溜ることを防
止できるので、トナーＴの飛散を防止できる現像装置１
のコストダウンを図ることができる。As described above, according to the configuration of the developing device 1 according to the present embodiment, the air flow path can be secured in the developing device 1, and
It is possible to prevent the toner T from accumulating in a large amount in the gap D, and to prevent the pressure of the toner T conveyed by the first agitator 8 from acting on the gap D as much as possible, so that the toner T in the gap D is developed. It is possible to prevent scattering from the developing device 1 through the opening 5 provided with the roller 6.
Further, since the toner T in the gap D is scraped out by the toner scraping member 72 and there is almost no toner T in the gap D, the toner T in the gap D is provided to the developing roller 6 by the air discharged from the sponge roller 7. It is possible to prevent scattering from the opening 5 to the outside of the developing device 1.
Further, the first agitator 8 transfers the toner T to the sponge roller 7
The toner scraping member 84 is arranged such that the toner scraping member 84 scrapes the toner T accumulated in the gap E immediately before the toner scraping member 84 is fed in the direction of, so that the sponge roller 7 and the first agitator 8 rotate at high speed. Sometimes
The flow path of the air generated by the pressure of the toner T sent in the direction of the sponge roller 7 can be secured by the first agitator 8, and thus the toner T is scattered from the opening 5 provided with the developing roller 6 to the outside of the developing device 1. Can be prevented. In addition, since the toner T can be prevented from accumulating in a large amount in the gaps D and E with a simple configuration in which the operation timings of the first agitator 8 and the toner scraping members 72 and 84 are set, the toner T can be prevented from scattering. Device 1
The cost can be reduced.
【００２３】次に、空気の流れを良くするために隙間Ｄ
にトナーＴを溜めないようにするための他の実施例につ
いて説明する。図５に示すように、トナー掻き出し部材
７２の羽根数をｎｋ1、回転数をｒｋ1、第１アジテータ
８の羽根数をｎA、回転数をｒAとしたとき、ｎｋ1×ｒ
ｋ1≧ｎA×ｒAの条件を満たすようにトナー掻き出し部
材７２及び第１アジテータ８それぞれの羽根数や回転数
を設定すれば、トナー掻き出し部材７２によるトナーＴ
の掻き出し能力が第１アジテータ８によるトナーＴの搬
送能力に比べて同等以上になり、隙間ＤにトナーＴが大
量に溜ることを防止できる。また、図６に示すように、
トナー掻き出し部材７２の羽根数をｎｋ1、回転数をｒ
ｋ1、トナー掻き出し部材８４の羽根数をｎｋ2、回転数
をｒｋ2としたとき、ｎｋ1×ｒｋ1≧ｎｋ2×ｒｋ2の条
件を満たすようにトナー掻き出し部材７２及びトナー掻
き出し部材８４それぞれの羽根数や回転数を設定すれ
ば、トナー掻き出し部材７２によるトナーＴの掻き出し
能力がトナー掻き出し部材８４によるトナーＴの搬送能
力に比べて同等以上になり、隙間ＤにトナーＴが大量に
溜ることを防止できる。Next, in order to improve the air flow, the gap D
Another embodiment for preventing the toner T from being accumulated will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, when the number of blades of the toner scraping member 72 is nk 1 , the number of rotations is rk 1 , the number of blades of the first agitator 8 is n A , and the number of rotations is r A , nk 1 × r
If the number of blades and the number of rotations of the toner scraping member 72 and the first agitator 8 are set so that the condition of k 1 ≧ n A × r A is satisfied, the toner T by the toner scraping member 72 is set.
The scraping ability is equal to or more than the carrying ability of the toner T by the first agitator 8, and a large amount of the toner T can be prevented from accumulating in the gap D. Also, as shown in FIG.
The number of blades of the toner scraping member 72 is nk 1 , and the number of rotations is r.
k 1 , the number of blades of the toner scraping member 84 is nk 2 , and the number of rotations is rk 2 , each of the toner scraping member 72 and the toner scraping member 84 satisfy the condition of nk 1 × rk 1 ≧ nk 2 × rk 2. If the number of blades and the number of rotations of the toner are set, the ability of the toner scraping member 72 to scrape out the toner T becomes equal to or more than the ability of the toner scraping member 84 to transport the toner T, and a large amount of toner T accumulates in the gap D. Can be prevented.
【００２４】以上の構成によれば、隙間ＤにトナーＴが
大量に溜ることを防止するための設定条件としてはトナ
ー掻き出し部材７２，８４及び第１アジテータ８それぞ
れの羽根数や回転数があり、これらの設定条件は上記条
件を満たすように設定されていればよいので、設定条件
の自由度の高い選択が可能となる。According to the above construction, the setting conditions for preventing a large amount of toner T from accumulating in the gap D are the number of blades and the number of rotations of the toner scraping members 72, 84 and the first agitator 8, respectively. Since these setting conditions only need to be set so as to satisfy the above conditions, it is possible to select the setting conditions with a high degree of freedom.
【００２５】[0025]
【発明の効果】請求項１の発明によれば、現像剤供給手
段の軸方向端部と現像剤供給手段を支持する側板との間
の隙間に現像剤を大量に溜めることを防止でき、また、
現像剤搬送部材により搬送される現像剤の圧力により発
生する空気の流れを該隙間に極力働かせないようにする
ことができるので、該隙間の現像剤が現像剤担持体が設
けられた開口部から現像装置外部へ飛散することを防止
できるという効果がある。また、現像剤供給手段がスポ
ンジ材等の弾性部材で構成され、該現像剤供給手段と現
像剤担持体とが圧接して回転し、圧接時に吐き出された
現像剤供給手段内の空気が該隙間を通って流れるような
構成の場合でも、該隙間の現像剤は現像剤掻き出し部材
によって掻き出され、該隙間にはほとんど現像剤がない
状態なので、現像剤供給手段から吐き出された空気によ
って該隙間の現像剤が現像剤担持体が設けられた開口部
から現像装置外部へ飛散することを防止できるという効
果がある。請求項２の発明によれば、現像剤搬送部材と
現像剤掻き出し部材との動作のタイミングを設定すると
いうシンプルな構成で上記隙間に現像剤が大量に溜るこ
とを防止できるので、現像剤の飛散を防止できる現像装
置のコストダウンを図ることができるという効果があ
る。請求項３の発明によれば、上記隙間に現像剤が大量
に溜ることを防止するための設定条件としては現像剤掻
き出し部材及び現像剤搬送部材それぞれの羽根数や回転
数があり、これらの設定条件は上記条件を満たすように
設定されていればよいので、各設定条件の自由度が高い
という効果がある。請求項４の発明によれば、現像剤供
給手段や現像剤搬送部材が高回転になったときでも、現
像装置内の空気の流れは現像剤搬送部材の軸方向端部と
側板との間の隙間をスムーズに流れるので、本発明に係
る現像装置を高速機対応の現像装置として用いた場合で
も現像剤の飛散を防止できるという効果がある。請求項
５の発明によれば、上記隙間に現像剤が大量に溜ること
を防止するための設定条件としては第１及び第２の現像
剤掻き出し部材それぞれの羽根数や回転数があり、これ
らの設定条件は上記条件を満たすように設定されていれ
ばよいので、各設定条件の自由度が高いという効果があ
る。また、請求項４と同様の作用を有するので、高速機
対応の現像装置としても用いることができるという効果
がある。請求項６の発明によれば、現像装置内の空気の
流路を確保できるので、上記開口部からの現像剤の現像
装置外部への飛散を防止できるという効果がある。ま
た、請求項４と同様の作用を有するので、高速機対応の
現像装置としても用いることができるという効果があ
る。According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent a large amount of developer from being accumulated in the gap between the axial end of the developer supply means and the side plate supporting the developer supply means. ,
Since it is possible to prevent the air flow generated by the pressure of the developer conveyed by the developer conveying member from acting on the gap as much as possible, the developer in the gap is discharged from the opening provided with the developer carrier. There is an effect that it is possible to prevent scattering to the outside of the developing device. Further, the developer supplying means is composed of an elastic member such as a sponge material, and the developer supplying means and the developer carrying member rotate in pressure contact with each other, and the air in the developer supplying means discharged at the time of pressure contact causes the gap. Even if the developer flows through the gap, the developer in the gap is scraped by the developer scraping member, and there is almost no developer in the gap. There is an effect that the developer can be prevented from scattering from the opening provided with the developer carrier to the outside of the developing device. According to the second aspect of the present invention, a large amount of the developer can be prevented from accumulating in the gap with a simple configuration in which the timings of the operations of the developer transport member and the developer scraping member are set, so that the developer is scattered. There is an effect that it is possible to reduce the cost of the developing device that can prevent the above. According to the third aspect of the invention, the setting conditions for preventing a large amount of developer from accumulating in the gap include the number of blades and the number of rotations of each of the developer scraping member and the developer conveying member. Since the conditions may be set so as to satisfy the above conditions, there is an effect that the degree of freedom of each setting condition is high. According to the invention of claim 4, even when the developer supply means and the developer conveying member rotate at high speed, the air flow in the developing device is between the axial end of the developer conveying member and the side plate. Since it smoothly flows through the gap, there is an effect that the scattering of the developer can be prevented even when the developing device according to the present invention is used as a developing device compatible with a high speed machine. According to the invention of claim 5, the setting conditions for preventing a large amount of developer from accumulating in the gap include the number of blades and the number of rotations of each of the first and second developer scraping members. Since the setting conditions have only to be set so as to satisfy the above conditions, there is an effect that each setting condition has a high degree of freedom. Further, since it has the same effect as that of claim 4, there is an effect that it can be used as a developing device compatible with a high speed machine. According to the invention of claim 6, it is possible to secure the flow path of the air in the developing device, and therefore it is possible to prevent the developer from scattering from the opening to the outside of the developing device. Further, since it has the same effect as that of claim 4, there is an effect that it can be used as a developing device compatible with a high speed machine.
【図１】実施例に係る現像装置の概略構成図。FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a developing device according to an embodiment.
【図２】同現像装置の上部断面図。FIG. 2 is an upper sectional view of the developing device.
【図３】現像ローラとスポンジローラとの圧接部におけ
る空気の流れについての説明図。FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an air flow at a pressure contact portion between a developing roller and a sponge roller.
【図４】（ａ）は第１アジテータと側板との間に隙間が
ないときの空気の流れについての説明図。（ｂ）は第１
アジテータと側板との間に隙間があるときの空気の流れ
についての説明図。FIG. 4A is an explanatory diagram of an air flow when there is no gap between the first agitator and the side plate. (B) is the first
Explanatory drawing about the flow of air when a clearance exists between an agitator and a side plate.
【図５】第１アジテータとスポンジローラ側トナー掻き
出し部材との条件設定に関する説明図。FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram related to condition setting of a first agitator and a toner scraping member on the sponge roller side.
【図６】第１アジテータ側トナー掻き出し部材とスポン
ジローラ側トナー掻き出し部材との条件設定に関する説
明図。FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram relating to condition setting of a first agitator-side toner scraping member and a sponge roller-side toner scraping member.
６ 現像ローラ ７ スポンジローラ ８ 第１アジテータ ９ 第２アジテータ １７ 薄層ブレード ７２ トナー掻き出し部材 ８４ トナー掻き出し部材 6 Developing Roller 7 Sponge Roller 8 First Agitator 9 Second Agitator 17 Thin Layer Blade 72 Toner Scrape Member 84 Toner Scrape Member
フロントページの続き (72)発明者 西土 和宏 東京都大田区中馬込１丁目３番６号 株式 会社リコー内 (72)発明者 小室 一郎 東京都大田区中馬込１丁目３番６号 株式 会社リコー内 (72)発明者 岩田 尚貴 東京都大田区中馬込１丁目３番６号 株式 会社リコー内 (72)発明者 沢 茂樹 東京都大田区中馬込１丁目３番６号 株式 会社リコー内 (72)発明者 島 信広 東京都大田区中馬込１丁目３番６号 株式 会社リコー内Front Page Continuation (72) Inventor Kazuhiro Nishido 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Ricoh Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Ichiro Komuro 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Ricoh Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Naoki Iwata 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Tokyo, Ota-ku, Tokyo (72) Inventor Shigeki Sawa 1-3-3 Nakamagome, Tokyo, Ota-ku, Tokyo (72) Invention Nobuhiro Shima No. 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Within Ricoh Co., Ltd.
Claims (6)
を供給する現像剤供給手段と、該現像剤供給手段の方向
に該現像剤を送り込む少なくとも１つの現像剤搬送部材
とを有し、かつ、該現像剤供給手段の軸方向端部と該現
像剤供給手段を支持する側板との間に隙間を有する現像
装置において、 該現像剤搬送部材の軸方向の幅を該現像剤供給手段の軸
方向の幅以下とし、該現像剤供給手段の軸方向端部と該
側板との間の該隙間に、該隙間に溜った現像剤を該隙間
から掻き出す現像剤掻き出し部材を設けたことを特徴と
する現像装置。1. A developer carrying member, a developer supplying means for supplying a developer to the developer carrying body, and at least one developer conveying member for sending the developer in the direction of the developer supplying means. A developing device having a gap between an axial end portion of the developer supply means and a side plate supporting the developer supply means, wherein the developer conveying member has an axial width of the developer. A width less than the axial width of the supply means, and a developer scraping member for scraping the developer accumulated in the clearance from the clearance is provided in the clearance between the axial end of the developer supply means and the side plate. A developing device characterized by the above.
像剤供給手段の方向に送り込む直前に、上記現像剤掻き
出し部材が上記隙間に溜った現像剤を掻き出すように該
現像剤掻き出し部材を配設し、該現像剤搬送部材と該現
像剤供給手段各々の軸回転数を同じにしたことを特徴と
する請求項１の現像装置。2. The developer scraping member is arranged so that the developer scraping member scrapes the developer accumulated in the gap immediately before the developer transporting member feeds the developer toward the developer supplying means. 2. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the developer conveying member and the developer supplying means are provided with the same shaft rotational speed.
送部材それぞれを回転軸に複数の羽根部材が取り付けら
れた部材で構成し、該現像剤掻き出し部材の羽根数をｎ
ｋ1、回転数をｒｋ1、該現像剤搬送部材の羽根数を
ｎA、回転数をｒAとしたとき、ｎｋ1×ｒｋ1≧ｎA×ｒA
の条件を満たすように該現像剤掻き出し部材及び該現像
剤搬送部材それぞれの羽根数や回転数を設定したことを
特徴とする請求項１の現像装置。3. The developer scraping member and the developer transporting member are each composed of a member having a plurality of blade members attached to a rotary shaft, and the number of blades of the developer scraping member is n.
where k 1 , the number of revolutions is rk 1 , the number of blades of the developer carrying member is n A , and the number of revolutions is r A , then nk 1 × rk 1 ≧ n A × r A
2. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the number of blades and the number of rotations of each of the developer scraping member and the developer transporting member are set so as to satisfy the condition of.
剤搬送部材を支持する側板との間に隙間を設け、該隙間
に現像剤を該隙間から掻き出す第２の現像剤掻き出し部
材を設けたことを特徴とする請求項１の現像装置。4. A second developer scraping member for scraping the developer from the gap by providing a gap between an axial end portion of the developer transport member and a side plate supporting the developer transport member. The developing device according to claim 1, further comprising:
板との間の上記隙間に設けられた上記現像剤掻き出し部
材と、上記現像剤搬送部材の軸方向端部と上記側板との
間の上記隙間に設けられた上記第２の現像剤掻き出し部
材それぞれを回転軸に複数の羽根部材が取り付けられた
部材で構成し、該第１の現像剤掻き出し部材の羽根数を
ｎｋ1、回転数をｒｋ1、該第２の現像剤掻き出し部材の
羽根数をｎｋ2、回転数をｒｋ2としたとき、ｎｋ1×ｒ
ｋ1≧ｎｋ2×ｒｋ2の条件を満たすように該第１及び第
２の現像剤掻き出し部材それぞれの羽根数や回転数を設
定したことを特徴とする請求項４の現像装置。5. The developer scraping member provided in the gap between the axial end portion of the developer supplying means and the side plate, and the axial end portion of the developer conveying member and the side plate. Each of the second developer sweeping members provided in the gap between is composed of a member having a plurality of blade members attached to a rotation shaft, and the number of blades of the first developer sweeping member is nk 1 Where rk 1 is the number of blades, nk 2 is the number of blades of the second developer scraping member, and rk 2 is the number of rotations, then nk 1 × r
5. The developing device according to claim 4, wherein the number of blades and the number of rotations of each of the first and second developer scraping members are set so that the condition of k 1 ≧ nk 2 × rk 2 is satisfied.
像剤供給手段の方向に送り込む直前に、上記第２の現像
剤掻き出し部材が該現像剤搬送部材の軸方向端部と該現
像剤搬送部材を支持する側板との間に設けられた上記隙
間の現像剤を掻き出すように該第２の現像剤掻き出し部
材を配設したことを特徴とする請求項４の現像装置。6. The second developer scraping member immediately before the developer conveying member feeds the developer toward the developer supplying means, and the second developer scraping member and an axial end portion of the developer conveying member and the developer. 5. The developing device according to claim 4, wherein the second developer scraping member is arranged so as to scrape out the developer in the gap provided between the side plate supporting the conveying member.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP16845293A JP3224638B2 (en) | 1993-06-15 | 1993-06-15 | Developing device |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP16845293A JP3224638B2 (en) | 1993-06-15 | 1993-06-15 | Developing device |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| JPH075756A true JPH075756A (en) | 1995-01-10 |
| JP3224638B2 JP3224638B2 (en) | 2001-11-05 |
Family
ID=15868376
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP16845293A Expired - Fee Related JP3224638B2 (en) | 1993-06-15 | 1993-06-15 | Developing device |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JP3224638B2 (en) |
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US6473585B2 (en) * | 2000-01-20 | 2002-10-29 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Developer accommodating container, and developing device |
| US7627264B2 (en) | 2005-09-30 | 2009-12-01 | Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Developing device and image forming apparatus |
| JP2011242608A (en) * | 2010-05-18 | 2011-12-01 | Canon Inc | Developing device |
-
1993
- 1993-06-15 JP JP16845293A patent/JP3224638B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US6473585B2 (en) * | 2000-01-20 | 2002-10-29 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Developer accommodating container, and developing device |
| US7627264B2 (en) | 2005-09-30 | 2009-12-01 | Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Developing device and image forming apparatus |
| JP2011242608A (en) * | 2010-05-18 | 2011-12-01 | Canon Inc | Developing device |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JP3224638B2 (en) | 2001-11-05 |
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