JPH03216685A - Developing device and process cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a developing device having a developer feeding member in a developer hopper containing developer, and a process cartridge including the developing device. (Prior Art) Fig. lθ shows a longitudinal section of the process cartridge 5.
The process cartridge 5 is configured as a unit by integrally incorporating a photosensitive drum l as an image carrier, a charger 3 disposed around the photosensitive drum l, a developing device 2, a cleaner 4, etc., and is used for image formation (not shown). It is attached to and detached from the main body of the device. Therefore, in an image forming apparatus equipped with such a process cartridge 5, it is possible to easily replenish toner, replace the photosensitive drum 1, dispose of waste toner, etc. by replacing the process cartridge 5. This eliminates the need for maintenance that was previously performed by service personnel. For this reason, the process cartridge 5 has been put to practical use, especially in small-sized image forming apparatuses. By the way, in the developing device 2 of the process cartridge 5, the developing chamber 2l and the developer hoeper 25 are separated by a partition plate 27.
The toner seal 29 is partitioned by a toner seal 29 adhered to the developer drawer 25, and the toner seal 29 prevents the toner contained in the developer drawer 25 from leaking to the outside while the process cartridge 5 is being transported. The L toner seal 29 consists of sheets 29a and 29b that are folded in two as shown in the perspective view of FIG. is glued around the opening 27a of the partition plate 27 shown in FIG. 12 (the eighted part in FIG. 12) so as to close the opening 27a. In this toner seal 29, the end of the sheet 29a is
Remove the other seat 29 by pulling strongly in the direction of the arrow in the figure.
b is peeled off from the partition plate 27, and the opening 27a of the partition plate 27 opens as shown in FIG. Thus, when the toner seal 29 is peeled off from the partition plate 27 and removed, the lth
The magnetic toner in the developer hopper 25 shown in the θ diagram is sent to the developing chamber 2l by the toner sending member 26, and
It is attached onto the sleeve 22 by the magnetic force of a magnet roller (not shown) included in the sleeve 2, and as the sleeve 22 rotates in the direction of the arrow shown in the figure, it is conveyed in the same direction. This conveyed toner is transferred to the sleeve 22 by the blade 23.
A layer is coated on the photosensitive drum, and then the latent image formed on the photosensitive drum is developed. A leak prevention sheet 28 is provided at the downstream opening of the sleeve 22 in the rotational direction to prevent toner from leaking. By the way, FIG. 13 shows a vertical cross section of an image forming apparatus loaded with the process cartridge 5, and the main body l2 of the image forming apparatus is composed of an upper main body 12a and a lower main body 12b, and the upper main body 12a is composed of an upper main body 12a and a lower main body 12b. 14 Axis l as shown in figure
It can be rotated in the direction of the arrow around 3, and when replacing the process cartridge 5 or when a paper jam occurs,
The upper main body 12a is opened as shown in FIG. As is clear from FIG. 14, the process cartridge 5 and exposure device M6 are attached to the upper main body 12a, and the paper cassette 7, paper feed roller 8, front conveyance guide 9a5, transfer charger l
O, rear conveyance guide 9b, fixing device l5, and paper output tray 11
is attached to the lower body 12b. (Problem to be Solved by the Invention) By the way, in the toner sealing method in the developing device 2, when the toner seal 29 is removed, the toner seal 29 may be cut in the middle or adhered to the partition plate 27 of the toner seal 29. Since some toner adheres to the surface on the side of the developer hopper 25, there is a problem in that when the toner seal 29 is removed, the user tends to get his hands dirty with the adhered toner. still,
In order to prevent the toner seal 29 from breaking in the middle, the adhesive part of the toner seal 29 to the partition plate 27 is shaped as shown by hatching in FIG. There is a method that allows the toner seal 29 to be started to be peeled off with a smaller force, but it is not perfect. Furthermore, when the upper main body 12a is opened and closed when replacing the process cartridge 5 or clearing a paper jam, toner spills from the developing device 2 of the process cartridge 5 onto the conveyance guides 9a, 9b, etc. due to vibration, resulting in the inside of the machine becoming dirty with toner. be. The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and its purpose is to be able to reliably seal the developer without using a special sealing member, and to protect the user's hands and the inside of the machine from the developer. An object of the present invention is to provide a developing device and a process cartridge including the same, which can effectively solve problems such as staining. (Means for Solving the Problems) In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a developing device having a developer feeding member in a developer hopper containing a developer, in which an opening of the developer hopper is connected to the developer. It is characterized by being closed by a feeding member. When the developing device or the process cartridge is not in use, the rotation of the developer feeding member is fixed so as to keep the opening of the developer hopper closed. Further, while detecting the position of the developer feeding member,
Based on this detection, the operation of the developer feeding member is controlled so that the developer feeding member closes the opening of the developer hopper when image formation is completed or when image formation is stopped. Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that a process cartridge is constructed including the above-mentioned developing device.

(Function) According to the present invention, since the developer feeding member is also used as a developer sealing member, a special sealing member is not required.
This simplifies the process of loading the developing device or process cartridge into the main body of the image forming apparatus, and prevents the user's hands from getting dirty with developer. Further, according to the present invention, when the developing device or the process cartridge is not in use, or when image formation is completed or image formation is stopped, the developer is sealed by the developer feeding member, so that the inside of the developer hopper is prevented by vibration or the like. This prevents the developer from spilling and prevents the developer from contaminating the image forming device. (Example) Examples of the present invention will be described below based on the attached drawings. FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a developing device M2 according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and although not shown, the developing device 2 and the photosensitive drum 1
A charger, a cleaner, etc. (not shown) constitute a process cartridge 5 as shown in FIG. By the way, in the developing device 2, the developer hopper is
The l-component magnetic toner contained in the toner 25 is supplied to the developing chamber 2l through an opening 27a formed in the partition plate 27 by toner feeding members 26a and 26b rotating in the direction of the arrow in the figure. The toner supplied to the developing chamber 2l is carried on the sleeve 22 by the magnetic force of the fixed magnet roller 24, and as the sleeve 22 rotates in the direction of the arrow in the figure, it is conveyed in the same direction. A thin layer is coated on the sleeve 22 by this process, and the latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 1 is developed. The elastic plate 23 is made of urethane rubber, silicone rubber, phosphor bronze, or the like. Also, in Figure 1, 2B
This is to prevent toner from leaking from the opening on the downstream side in the direction of rotation of the sleeve 22 of the developing chamber 2l. By the way, as shown in detail in FIG. 2, the toner feeding member 26a is composed of a flexible sheet 262a and a support member 261a that holds the flexible sheet 262a, and when the developing device 2 is not in use, the sheet is 262a or the partition plate 2 as shown.
7 to prevent the toner in the developer hopper 25 from leaking into the developing chamber 2l. Furthermore, sheet 262
As a, various rubbers such as urethane rubber and silicone rubber having a thickness of about 100 μm to 1 mm, or PET. Various elastomers such as polyethylene, polyimide, and fluororesin are suitable. Furthermore, if the radius d at which this sheet 262a contacts the partition plate 27 is too small, toner from the developing chamber 2L will leak, so it should be at least 1 mm, preferably 2 mm or more larger than the width of the opening 27a of the partition plate 27. good. Additionally, the sheet 262 is installed to ensure that toner leakage is prevented.
It is better to seal a and the partition plate 27 with a filler such as vinyl rubber or silicone rubber, wax, or the like. On the other hand, when the developing device 2 or a process cartridge (not shown) including the developing device 2 is loaded into the main body of the image forming apparatus and used, the partition plate can be removed by rotating the toner feeding members 26a, (26b) from the state shown in the figure. Since the opening 27a of the developer hopper 27 is unblocked by the sheet 262a and the opening 27a is opened, the toner in the developer hopper 25 is released from the opening 27a.
a, and is now in a state where it can be supplied to the developing chamber 2l. usually,
In image forming apparatuses that use electrophotography, so-called pre-rotation is performed in which the photosensitive drum 1 is rotated for the purpose of averaging the potential of the photosensitive tram 1 and the temperature of a fixing device (not shown) during image formation. The opening 27a of the partition plate 27 can be opened by rotating the toner feeding members 26a, (26b) in conjunction with this pre-rotation operation. Note that during the pre-rotation operation, the toner feeding member 26
If a and (26b) are rotated one rotation or more,
The toner in the developer hopper 25 can be reliably supplied to the developing chamber 2L. In the above, in this embodiment, the toner seal 29 (FIG. 10 and FIG.
(see figure) is not used, this toner seal 2
This eliminates the problems that previously occurred, such as the toner seal 29 being cut in the middle and the user's hands getting dirty due to toner adhering to the toner seal 29. In this embodiment, the case where an l-component magnetic toner is particularly used as the developer has been described, but the present invention is also applicable to an l-component non-magnetic toner, a two-component developer formed by mixing a non-magnetic toner and magnetic particles, etc. Of course, the application also includes the developing device used and the process cartridge containing the developing device. Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be explained based on FIGS. 3 and 4. 2. FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the developing device according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 44 is a perspective view of the stopper mechanism.
In these figures, the same elements as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and explanations thereof will be omitted below. In this embodiment, as shown in detail in FIG. 4, at least one end of the support member 261a of the toner feeding member 26a is brought out to the outside of the side plate 2a of the developing device M2, and is bent along the side plate 2a. The guide holes 263, 263 with which the stopper 264 engages are bored. When the developing device 2 or the process cartridge (not shown) including the developing device 2 is not in use, if the stopper 264 is engaged with the guide holes 263, the support member 2
61a engages with the stopper 264 and the toner feeding member 26
Since the rotation of a is fixed, the opening 27a of the partition plate 27 is maintained closed by the seat 262a as shown in FIG. Therefore, when opening and closing the upper body of the image forming apparatus when packing and transporting the developing device 2 or the process cartridge containing it, replacing the process cartridge, etc., or clearing a paper jam, the stopper 264 is used as described above. If the rotation of the toner feeding member 26a is fixed, problems such as toner in the developer hopper 25 spilling due to vibration and contaminating the inside of the machine will not occur. When using the developing device M2 or the process cartridge, the toner feeding member 26a can be rotated by pulling out the stopper 264 in the direction of the arrow as shown in FIG. I can do something. Note that in this embodiment, the stopper 264
Since the configuration other than the provision of is exactly the same as that of the first embodiment, it is clear that in addition to the above effects, the same effects as those obtained in the first embodiment can be obtained. Tokorote. In this embodiment, the stopper 264 is used to fix the rotation of the toner feeding member 26a, but an even simpler method is to simply fix the portion of the supporting member 261a exposed to the outside of the side plate 2a with adhesive tape. You can also use the method. Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be explained based on FIG. Note that FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the main parts of the developing device according to the third embodiment, and in this figure, the same elements as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals. Explanations about them will be omitted. In this embodiment, the support member 261 of the toner feeding member 26a
Both ends of a extend outward from the side plate 2a, a disc-shaped detection plate 265 is attached to one end, and a clutch 267 is attached to the other end. The clutch 267 is used to turn on and off power transmission from a drive source (not shown) to the support member 261a. By the way, the detection plate 265 rotates in the direction of the arrow shown in the figure together with the toner feeding member 26a, and has a slit 265a.
sheet 262a is formed and its position (that is, sheet 262a
M) is detected by the detector 266. Detector 2
66 has an LED. A light emitting element such as an incandescent bulb and a light receiving element such as a photodiode or phototransistor are provided facing each other, and when the slit 265a of the detection plate 265 comes to the position of the detector 266,
Light from the light emitting element enters the light receiving element and is output as a signal.
Otherwise, the light from the light emitting element is blocked by the detection plate 265, so no signal is output from the light receiving element. The operation of replacing the developing device 2 having the above configuration or the process cartridge containing the same will be described below. First, an image forming operation is performed, and the position of the detection plate 265 is detected by the detector 266 after the development process is completed and until the recording paper is ejected and the main body operation is completed. By turning off the clutch 267 when the slit 265a of the detection plate 265 is detected and a signal is output from the light receiving element, the rotation of the toner feeding member 26a is stopped, and at this time the rotation of the toner feeding member 26a is stopped. Itto 26
2a closes the opening 27a of the partition plate 27, the toner in the developer hopper 25 is kept sealed when the developing device 222 or the process cartridge is replaced. The only problem is that the inside of the aircraft may be contaminated due to spillage. Next, we will explain the paper jam handling operation. in general,
A paper jam is detected by a paper jam sensor (not shown) provided in the main body of the apparatus, and when a paper jam is detected, the image forming operation is stopped. Therefore, if a paper jam is detected, immediately turn off the clutch 267.
O after the signal from the light receiving element of the detector 266 is output.
Make it FF. Then, if a paper jam occurs and you need to deal with it, the developer hopper should be opened in the same way as above.
Since the toner inside the machine 25 is reliably sealed by the sheet 262a, the toner does not spill and contaminate the inside of the machine. Even if the image forming operation stops due to a malfunction in the fixing device, exposure device, paper feeding system, or other reasons, if you seal the toner as described above, you can avoid the problem of toner contamination inside the machine. or will be resolved. Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described based on FIGS. 6 to 9. 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the developing device according to the fourth embodiment, FIG. 7 is a view taken in the direction of the arrow {circle around (2)} in FIG. 6, and FIG. FIG. 9 is an enlarged view showing the mesh of the belt. In these figures, the same elements as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are given the same reference numerals, and the explanation thereof will be omitted below. In this embodiment, a belt 296 is used as the toner feeding member, and the belt 296 is connected to the roller 296 as shown in FIG.
It is wrapped in 1,292,293. In addition, belt 29
6 is preferably a mesh-shaped one as shown in FIG. 9, or a mesh-shaped one, and if the opening width b of the mesh is too small, the toner will If the mesh is too thick, the toner will not be conveyed properly, so this opening radius
The preferred length is about 3 mm to 10 mm. By the way, the roller 292 is supported so as to be able to move up and down, and is supported upwardly (by the belt 297) by a spring 297.
96). Moreover, the roller 2
93 is supported so as to be horizontally movable, and the roller 29
3 is a spacer 2 as shown in FIG. 6 when the developing device M2 or the process cartridge (not shown) including this is not in use.
95 is pressed against the partition plate 27 together with the belt 296 to close the opening 27a. Therefore, at this time, the toner in the developer hopper 25 is sealed by the roller 293 and the belt 296, and does not leak to the outside. Incidentally, as shown in FIG.
The roller 293 is pressed with a predetermined pressure by being inserted between support stands 294, 294 fixed to the outer surface of the roller. When using the developing device 2 or the process cartridge, by pulling out the spacer 295 in the direction of the arrow in FIG.
Since the belt 296 is separated from the partition plate 27 by the tension of the belt 296 generated by the restoring force of the developer hopper 97, the opening 27a opens and the toner in the developer hopper 25 can be supplied to the developing chamber 21. That is, when the roller 291 is rotationally driven in the direction of the arrow in the figure in this state, the belt 296 and the roller 292,
293 move or rotate in the directions of the arrows, so that the toner in the developer hopper 25 is supplied to the developing chamber 2l. As described above, in this embodiment, when loading the developing device 2 or the process cartridge into the main body of the apparatus, the user can simply pull out the spacer 295. This prevents problems such as getting your hands dirty. (Effects of the Invention) As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, since the developer feeding member is also used as a developer sealing member, a special sealing member is not required, and the main body of the image forming apparatus of the developing device or process cartridge. This simplifies the loading process and prevents the user's hands from getting dirty with developer. Further, according to the present invention, when the developing device or the process cartridge is not in use, or when image formation is completed or image formation is stopped, the developer is sealed by the developer feeding member, so that the inside of the developer hopper is prevented by vibration or the like. This has the effect of preventing the developer from spilling and preventing the developer from contaminating the image forming apparatus itself.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a developing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a detailed sectional view of a developer hopper opening of the same developing device, and FIG. 3 is a developing device according to a second embodiment. Longitudinal cross-sectional view of
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the stopper mechanism of the developing device, FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the main parts of the developing device according to the third embodiment, and FIG. 6 is an I
A vertical cross-sectional view of the developing device according to the I44 embodiment, FIG.
A view in the direction of the arrow ■ in the figure, FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view explaining the action of the developing device, FIG. 9 is an enlarged view showing the mesh of the belt,
FIG. 10 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a conventional process cartridge, FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a partition plate formed by adhering a toner seal,
FIG. 12 is a front view of the partition plate with the toner seal removed, and FIGS. 13 and 14 are longitudinal sectional views of the image forming apparatus. ! @1
Figure 5 is a front view showing another embodiment of the partition plate. 2...Developing device, 5...Process cartridge, 2
5... Developer hopper, 26a, 26b... Toner feeding member (developer feeding member), 27... Partition plate, 27
a...Opening, 264...Stopper (member that fixes the developer feeding member). 265...detection plate, 266...
- Detector, 267... Clutch, 295... Subasa (member that fixes the developer feeding member). 296...Belt (developer feeding member).

Claims (5)

[Claims] (1) A developing device having a developer feeding member in a developer hopper containing developer, wherein an opening of the developer hopper is closed by the developer feeding member. (2) When not in use, the rotation of the developer feeding member is fixed so as to keep the opening of the developer hopper closed. developing device. (3) The developing device according to claim 2, further comprising a detachable member for fixing the rotation of the developer feeding member. (4) Detecting the position of the developer feeding member,
Based on this detection, the operation of the developer feeding member is controlled so that the developer feeding member closes the opening of the developer hopper when image formation is completed or when image formation is stopped. Developing device according to item 1. (5) A process cartridge comprising the developing device according to claim 1, 2, 3, or 4.