JPH11143203A - Developing device and process cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] To provide a configuration for separating a joint between a developing frame and a toner frame. SOLUTION: A disassembling V-groove 12v2 is provided along a ridge 12v provided for bonding to a toner frame by ultrasonic welding, and the area above the V-groove 12v2 is a round bottom. As a result, the longitudinal middle portion 12v21 of the V groove has a linear bottom and is deeper than the round bottom V groove 12v22 at both ends.
Cracks are prevented from entering both ends of the V-groove 12v2 due to thermal stress during ultrasonic welding.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a developing device and a process cartridge for an electrophotographic image forming apparatus employing an electrophotographic system such as a laser printer and an electrophotographic copying machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic image forming process, an electrophotographic photosensitive member and process means acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge, and this cartridge is used as an electronic device. A process cartridge system that can be attached to and detached from the photographic image forming apparatus main body is employed. According to this process cartridge system, the maintenance of the apparatus can be performed by the user himself without relying on a serviceman, so that the operability can be remarkably improved. Therefore, this process cartridge system is widely used in electrophotographic image forming apparatuses.

The above-mentioned process cartridge is a unit in which a charging unit or a cleaning unit, a developing unit and an electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge, and this cartridge is detachable from an electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body. is there. In addition, at least one of the charging means and the cleaning means, the developing means and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge so that the cartridge can be detachably mounted on the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body. Further, the electrophotographic photosensitive member and the cleaning means are integrally formed into a cartridge so that the cartridge can be detachably attached to the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body.

[0004] The developing device of the integrated process cartridge is usually composed of two parts, a developing frame for supporting a developing member and a container-like toner frame for storing a developer. To join the developing frame and the toner frame, one of the developing frames or the toner frame is provided with one welding rib substantially parallel to the left and right in the longitudinal direction around the opening of the container, and the other welding frame is formed by ultrasonic welding. It is connected and fixed. Further, a band-shaped sponge is fixed to both ends in the longitudinal direction of the developing frame or the toner frame with a double-sided tape or the like, and this sponge comes in contact with both ends of the other frame, and both frames are elastically deformed. It is in close contact and prevents toner from leaking from the side of the developing device.

[0005]

The present invention is a further development of the conventional developing device and process cartridge described later.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to reduce the strength of a container at a welding portion and to easily disassemble a developing container and a developer container when disassembling and reusing a used process cartridge.
An object of the present invention is to provide a process cartridge in which the strength of a container can maintain a required strength.

[0007]

The main aspects of the present invention are as follows with the same reference numerals as in the claims.

[0008] A first invention according to the present application is a developing device which is detachable from an electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body and develops a latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive member using toner.
The resin-made toner frame constituting the toner accommodating portion and the resin-made development frame constituting the support portion of the developing member are bonded and fixed, and the toner frame or at least one of the development frame is provided. The developing device is characterized in that a groove is provided in the longitudinal direction in the vicinity of the joint, and both ends of the groove are shallower than the middle part.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a developing device which is detachable from an electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body and develops a latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive member using toner.
A resin-made toner frame that forms the toner accommodating portion and a resin-made development frame that forms a support portion of the developing member are joined and fixed, and at least one of the toner frame and the development frame is formed of the toner frame. A groove having a V-shaped cross section is provided in the longitudinal direction in the vicinity of the joint, the groove bottoms are rounded at both ends of the groove, the intermediate portion has a linear bottom, and the groove bottoms at both ends are provided. Wherein the thickness of the developing device is larger than the thickness of the intermediate portion on the groove bottom side.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a process cartridge detachably mountable to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body, comprising: an electrophotographic photosensitive member; and a developing means for developing a latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member. Wherein the developing means includes a resin-made toner frame constituting a toner storage portion joined and fixed to each other, and a resin-made development frame constituting a supporting portion of the developing member. A process cartridge is characterized in that a groove is provided in the longitudinal direction near at least one of the joints of the frame and the developing frame, and both ends of the groove are shallower than an intermediate portion. .

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a process cartridge detachably mountable to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body, comprising an electrophotographic photosensitive member, and a developing means for developing a latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member. Wherein the developing means includes a resin-made toner frame constituting a toner storage portion joined and fixed to each other, and a resin-made development frame constituting a supporting portion of the developing member. In the vicinity of the joint of at least one of the frame and the developing frame, a groove having a V-shaped cross section is provided in the longitudinal direction, and a groove bottom is rounded at both ends of the groove, and Part has a linear bottom,
A process cartridge characterized in that the thickness at the groove bottom side at both ends is larger than the thickness at the groove bottom side at the middle part.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

Next, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the following description, the process cartridge B
The short direction means that the process cartridge B is
4, which is the same as the direction in which the recording medium is conveyed. The longitudinal direction of the process cartridge B is
This is a direction intersecting (substantially perpendicular to) the direction in which the process cartridge B is attached to and detached from the apparatus main body 14, a direction parallel to the surface of the recording medium, and intersecting (substantially perpendicular to) the conveying direction of the recording medium. . Further, the left and right of the process cartridge are right or left when the recording medium is viewed from above according to the transport direction of the recording medium.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view of a configuration of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus (laser beam printer) to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied, and FIG. 2 is an external perspective view thereof. 3 to 6 are drawings related to a process cartridge to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied. 3 is a side sectional view of the process cartridge, FIG. 4 is an external perspective view schematically showing the external appearance, FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the process cartridge as viewed from above (upper surface), and FIG. FIG.
Further, in the following description, the upper surface of the process cartridge B is a surface located above when the process cartridge B is mounted on the apparatus main body 14, and the lower surface is a surface located below.

(Electrophotographic Image Forming Apparatus A and Process Cartridge B) First, a laser beam printer A as an electrophotographic image forming apparatus to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of the process cartridge B.

As shown in FIG. 1, the laser beam printer A forms an image on a recording medium (for example, recording paper, OHP sheet, cloth, etc.) by an electrophotographic image forming process. Then, a toner image is formed on a drum-shaped electrophotographic photosensitive member (hereinafter, referred to as a photosensitive drum).
More specifically, the photoconductor drum is charged by a charging unit, and then the photoconductor drum is irradiated with laser light corresponding to image information from the optical unit to form a latent image corresponding to the image information on the photoconductor drum. Then, the latent image is developed by a developing unit to form a toner image. Then, in synchronization with the formation of the toner image, the recording medium 2 set in the sheet feeding cassette 3a is picked up by the pickup roller 3b and the conveying roller pair 3
It is reversed and conveyed by c, 3d and a pair of registration rollers 3e. Next, the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 7 of the process cartridge B is transferred to the recording medium 2 by applying a voltage to a transfer roller 4 as a transfer unit. Thereafter, the recording medium 2 to which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to the fixing unit 5 by the conveyance guide 3f. The fixing unit 5 includes a driving roller 5c and a fixing roller 5 including a heater 5a.
b. Then, heat and pressure are applied to the passing recording medium 2 to fix the transferred toner image. Then, the recording medium 2 is conveyed by a pair of discharge rollers 3g, 3h, and 3i, and is discharged to a discharge tray 6 through a reversing path 3j. The discharge tray 6 is provided on the upper surface of the apparatus main body 14 of the image forming apparatus A. It is also possible to operate the swingable flapper 3k and discharge the recording medium 2 by the discharge roller pair 3m without passing through the reversing path 3j. In the present embodiment, the pickup roller 3b, the transport roller pair 3c, 3d, the registration roller pair 3e, the transport guide 3
f, discharge roller pair 3g, 3h, 3i and discharge roller pair 3
The transport means 3 is constituted by m.

On the other hand, in the process cartridge B, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, a photosensitive drum 7 having a photosensitive layer is rotated and its surface is made uniform by applying a voltage to a charging roller 8 serving as a charging means. Charge. Next, a laser beam light corresponding to the image information from the optical system 1 is applied to the exposure opening 1.
The latent image is formed by irradiating the photosensitive drum 7 through the e.
Then, the latent image is developed by developing means 9 using toner. That is, the charging roller 8 is provided in contact with the photosensitive drum 7 and charges the photosensitive drum 7.
The charging roller 8 is driven and rotated by the photosensitive drum 7. The developing unit 9 supplies toner to a developing area of the photoconductor drum 7 to develop a latent image formed on the photoconductor drum 7. The optical system 1 includes a laser diode 1a,
It has a polygon mirror 1b, a lens 1c, and a reflection mirror 1d.

Here, the developing means 9 includes the toner container 1
The toner in 1A is rotated by rotation of the toner feeding member 9b.
It is sent to the developing roller 9c. Then, the developing roller 9c containing the fixed magnet 9n is rotated, and a toner layer provided with a triboelectric charge by the developing blade 9d is formed on the surface of the developing roller 9c, and the toner is supplied to the developing area of the photosensitive drum 7. I do. Then, the toner image is transferred to the photosensitive drum 7 in accordance with the latent image, thereby forming a toner image and visualizing the toner image. Here, the developing blade 9
“d” defines the amount of toner on the peripheral surface of the developing roller 9c and imparts a triboelectric charge. A toner stirring member 9e for circulating toner in the developing chamber is rotatably mounted near the developing roller 9c.

Then, a voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the toner image is applied to the transfer roller 4 to transfer the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 7 to the recording medium 2.
By 0, the residual toner on the photosensitive drum 7 is removed.
Here, the cleaning means 10 scrapes off the toner remaining on the photoconductor drum 7 by an elastic cleaning blade 10a provided in contact with the photoconductor drum 7 and collects it in the waste toner reservoir 10b.

In the process cartridge B, a toner frame 11 having a toner container (toner storage section) 11A for storing toner and a developing frame 12 for holding developing means 9 such as a developing roller 9c are connected. A cleaning means 10 such as a photosensitive drum 7, a cleaning blade 10a, and the like, and a cleaning frame 13 to which a charging roller 8 is attached are connected to this. The process cartridge B is moved by the operator to the image forming apparatus main body 14.
It is removable.

The process cartridge B is provided with an exposure opening 1e for irradiating the photosensitive drum 7 with light corresponding to image information and a transfer opening 13n for facing the photosensitive drum 7 to the recording medium 2. is there. More specifically, the exposure opening 1e is provided in the cleaning frame 13, and the transfer opening 13n is formed between the developing frame 12 and the cleaning frame 13.

Next, the configuration of the housing of the process cartridge B according to the present embodiment will be described.

The process cartridge B shown in the present embodiment has a housing in which a toner frame 11 and a developing frame 12 are connected and a cleaning frame 13 is rotatably connected thereto. A cartridge is formed by accommodating the drum 7, the charging roller 8, the developing means 9, the cleaning means 10, and the like. Then, the process cartridge B is detachably mounted on a cartridge mounting means provided on the image forming apparatus main body 14.

(Structure of Housing of Process Cartridge B) The process cartridge B according to this embodiment is
As described above, the housing is formed by combining the toner frame 11, the developing frame 12, and the cleaning frame 13. Next, the structure will be described.

As shown in FIG. 3, a toner feeding member 9b is rotatably attached to the toner frame 11. A developing roller 9c and a developing blade 9d are mounted on the developing frame 12, and a stirring member 9e for circulating toner in the developing chamber is rotatably mounted near the developing roller 9c. As shown in FIG. 3, the developing frame 12 faces the longitudinal direction of the developing roller 9c.
An antenna rod 9h is attached substantially parallel to c. Then, the toner frame 11 and the developing frame 12 are welded (in this embodiment, ultrasonic welding) to constitute a developing unit D (see FIG. 9) as an integrated second frame.

When the process cartridge B is removed from the main body 14 of the image forming apparatus, the drum shutter member 18 which covers the photosensitive drum 7 and protects the photosensitive drum 7 from exposure to light for a long time or from contact with foreign substances is used. D attached.

As shown in FIG. 6, the drum shutter member 18 has a shutter cover 18a for opening and closing the transfer opening 13n shown in FIG. 3, and links 18b and 18c for supporting the shutter cover 18a. One end of a right link 18c is pivotally attached to a hole 40g of the developing holder 40 as shown in FIG. 4 at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the shutter cover 18a and in the transport direction of the recording medium 2, as shown in FIG. As described above, one end of the left link 18c is pivotally attached to the boss 11h provided on the lower frame 11b of the toner frame 11. The other ends of the links 18c on both sides are pivotally mounted on the upstream side with respect to the mounting direction of the process cartridge B of the shutter cover 18a. The link 18c is a metal wire, and the portion pivotally attached to the shutter cover 18a is the process cartridge B.
And the left and right links 18c are integral with each other. The link 18b is provided only on one side of the shutter cover 18a. One end of the link 18b is pivotally attached to the shutter cover 18a at the downstream end in the transport direction of the recording medium 2 from the position where the link 18c is pivotally connected, and the other end is developed. It is pivotally attached to a dowel 12 d provided on the frame 12. This link 18b is a synthetic resin.

The links 18b and 18c have different lengths, and form a four-bar chain mechanism in which a shutter cover 18a and a frame including the toner frame 11 and the developing frame 12 are linked. The side projections 18c1 provided on the links 18c on both sides come into contact with a fixed member (not shown) provided near the cartridge mounting space S of the image forming apparatus 14,
The movement of the process cartridge B operates the drum shutter member 18 to open the shutter cover 18a.

The shutter cover 18a and the link 18
b, 18c, the drum shutter member 18
The shutter cover 18a is biased so as to cover the transfer opening 13n by a not-shown torsion coil spring inserted into 2d and locked at one end by the link 18b and at the other end by the developing frame 12.

As shown in FIG. 3, the cleaning frame 13 is provided with a photosensitive drum 7, a charging roller 8 and a cleaning means 10 to constitute a cleaning unit C as a first frame.

The process cartridge B is constituted by connecting the developing unit D and the cleaning unit C to each other by a round pin connecting member 22 so as to be rotatable. That is, as shown in FIG. 9, at the tip of an arm portion 19 formed on both sides in the longitudinal direction (the axial direction of the developing roller 9c) of the developing frame 12, a round rotating hole 20 is provided in parallel with the developing roller 9c. (See FIG. 9). On the other hand, concave portions for entering the arm portion 19 are provided at two places on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning frame 13 (not shown). The arm 19 is inserted into the recess, the coupling member 22 is press-fitted into the mounting hole of the cleaning frame 13, and is fitted into the turning hole 20 at the end of the arm 19, and further the hole 13 e inside the cleaning frame 13 is inserted. The developing unit D and the cleaning unit C are rotatably coupled about the coupling member 22 by being press-fitted into (see FIG. 3). At this time, the compression coil spring 22a inserted and attached to a dowel (not shown) standing upright at the root of the arm portion 19 hits the upper wall of the cleaning frame 13, and this compression coil spring 2
By urging the developing frame 12 downward by 2a, the developing roller 9c is reliably pressed against the photosensitive drum 7. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 9, spacer rollers 9i having a larger diameter than the developing roller 9c are provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the developing roller 9c.
Is attached, the roller 9i is pressed against the photosensitive drum 7, and the photosensitive drum 7 and the developing roller 9c face each other at a constant interval (about 300 μm). Therefore, the developing unit D and the cleaning unit C are rotatable with respect to each other about the coupling member 22, where the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 7 and the peripheral surface of the developing roller 9c are moved by the elastic force of the compression coil spring 22a. Can be maintained.

(Structure of Guide Means for Process Cartridge B) Next, guide means for attaching and detaching the process cartridge B to and from the apparatus main body 14 will be described. This guide means is shown in FIGS. In addition,
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the left side when the process cartridge B is viewed in the direction (arrow X) to be mounted on the apparatus main assembly A (when viewed from the developing unit D side). FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the right side.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, guide means are provided on both outer side surfaces of the cleaning frame 13 as guides for attaching and detaching the process cartridge B to and from the apparatus main body 14. ing. The guide means are cylindrical guides 13aR, 13a as positioning guide members.
L, and detent guides 13bR and 13bL as guide members serving as attitude holding means at the time of attachment / detachment.

As shown in FIG. 4, the cylindrical guide 13a
R is a hollow cylindrical member, and a detent guide 13bR
Is formed integrally with the cylindrical guide 13aR, and projects almost radially integrally from the circumference of the cylindrical guide 13aR. The mounting flange 13a is attached to the cylindrical guide 13aR.
R1 is provided integrally. Thus, the cylindrical guide 13aR, the detent guide 13bR, the mounting flange 13
The right guide member 13R having aR1 is the mounting flange 1
The small screw is inserted into the small screw hole 3aR1 and screwed into the cleaning frame 13 to be fixed. The detent guide 13bR of the right guide member 13R fixed to the cleaning frame 13 is a developing holder 40 fixed to the developing frame 12.
Is provided on the side surface of the developing frame 12 so as to extend to the side of the developing frame 12.

As shown in FIG. 5, a cylindrical guide 13aL projects outward from a flat flange 29 fixed to the cleaning frame 13. As shown in FIG. A fixed drum shaft for rotatably supporting the spur gear 7n fitted on the photosensitive drum 7 is provided inside the flange 29 (see FIG. 6). The cylindrical guide 13aL and the drum shaft are coaxial. The flange 29 and the cylindrical guide 13aL
The drum shaft 7a is integrally or integrally made of a metal material such as an iron material.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the cylindrical guide 1
The detent guide 13bL, which is slightly distant from 3aL and substantially in the radial direction of the cylindrical guide 13aL, is formed integrally with the cleaning frame 13 so as to protrude to the side of the cleaning frame 13. The flange 29 is cut off at a portion where the detent guide 13bL interferes with the flange 29. The height of the protrusion of the rotation preventing guide 13bL to the side is such that the top surface substantially coincides with the top surface of the rotation preventing guide 13bL. The detent guide 13bL extends to the side of the developing roller bearing box 9v fixed to the developing frame 12. As described above, the left guide member 13L includes the metal cylindrical guide 13aL and the synthetic resin detent guide 1
3bL are provided separately as separate members.

Next, the upper surface 13i of the cleaning unit C
Will be described. Here, the upper surface is a surface located above when the process cartridge B is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body 14.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the right and left ends 13p and 13q of the upper surface 13i of the cleaning unit C in a direction perpendicular to the mounting direction of the process cartridge are regulated. A contact portion 13j is provided. The regulation contact portion 13j defines the position of the process cartridge B when the process cartridge B is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body 14. That is, when the process cartridge B is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body 14, the regulating contact portion 13j comes into contact with the fixed member 25 (see FIGS. 7 and 8) provided on the image forming apparatus main body 14, The process cartridge B has a cylindrical guide 13
Rotational positions around aR and 13aL are defined.

Next, guide means on the image forming apparatus main body 14 side will be described. Opening / closing member 35 of image forming apparatus main body 14
Is rotated counterclockwise in FIG. 1 around the fulcrum 35a, the upper part of the image forming apparatus main body 14 is opened, and the mounting portion of the process cartridge B looks like FIG. 7 and FIG. When viewed from the mounting direction of the process cartridge B on the left and right inner walls of the image forming apparatus main body 14 from the opening where the opening / closing member 35 is opened, guide members 16R and 16L are provided on the left and right sides as shown in FIG. Is provided.

As shown in the figure, the guide members 16R, 16L
The guide portions 16a and 1 are obliquely provided so as to descend forward as viewed from the arrow X in the insertion direction of the process cartridge B.
6c and the cylindrical guides 13aR, 13a of the process cartridge B connected to the guide portions 16a, 16c, respectively.
It has semicircular positioning grooves 16b and 16d into which L just fits. The peripheral walls of the positioning grooves 16b and 16d have a cylindrical shape. The centers of the positioning grooves 16b and 16d are at the center of the cylindrical guides 13aR and 13aL of the process cartridge B when the process cartridge B is mounted on the apparatus main body 14.
Therefore, it also coincides with the center line of the photosensitive drum 7.

The width of each of the guide portions 16a and 16c is such that the cylindrical guide 13a is viewed from the mounting / dismounting direction of the process cartridge B.
R and 13aL have a width for loose fitting. Cylindrical guide 13
Although the detent guides 13bR and 13bL each having a narrower width than the diameters of the aR and 13aL fit loosely, the cylindrical guides 13aR and 13aL and the detent guide 13 naturally fit loosely.
The rotation of bR and 13bL is restricted by the guide portions 16a and 16c, and the process cartridge B is mounted while maintaining a certain range of posture. When the process cartridge B is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body 14, the cylindrical guides 13aR and 13aL of the process cartridge B are provided.
Are the positioning grooves 16b of the guide members 13R and 13L, respectively.
16 d and the right and left regulating contact portions 13 j of the cleaning frame 13 of the process cartridge B contact the fixed member 25 of the apparatus main body 14.

The process cartridge B is detached from the apparatus main body 14 in the opposite manner as described above. When the opening / closing member 35 of the apparatus main body 14 is opened and the hand is lifted up and down on the upper and lower ribs 11c forming the handle of the process cartridge B. , Cylindrical guides 13aR, 13a of process cartridge B
L rotates around the positioning grooves 16b and 16d of the apparatus main body 14, and the regulating contact portion 13j of the process cartridge B separates from the fixing member 25 of the apparatus main body 14. When the process cartridge B is further pulled, the cylindrical guide 13aR, 1
3aL escapes from the positioning grooves 16b, 16d and moves to the guide portions 16a, 16c of the guide members 16R, 16L fixed to the apparatus main body 14, and when the process cartridge B is pulled up as it is, the cylindrical guide 13aR, 13aL, detent guide 13b
R and 13bL are guide portions 16a and 16c of the apparatus main body 14.
The process cartridge B moves up and rises, whereby the attitude of the process cartridge B is regulated, and the process cartridge B is taken out of the apparatus main body 14 without hitting other parts of the apparatus main body 14.

As shown in FIG. 6, the spur gear 7n is provided at the end opposite to the helical drum gear 7b in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 7. When the process cartridge B is mounted on the apparatus main body 14, the spur gear 7 n meshes with a gear (not shown) coaxial with the transfer roller 4 provided on the apparatus main body 14 to rotate the transfer roller 4. The driving force to be transmitted is transmitted from the process cartridge B. (Toner Frame) The toner frame will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 3, the toner frame 11 is composed of two parts, an upper frame 11a and a lower frame 11b. The upper frame 11a bulges upward so as to occupy the space to the right of the optical system 1 of the main body 14 of the image forming apparatus as shown in FIG. 1, and without increasing the size of the image forming apparatus A, The amount of toner in the process cartridge B is increased. As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, a concave portion 17 is provided from the outside at the center in the longitudinal direction of the upper frame 11a, and has a function of a handle. Therefore, the operator holds the concave portion 17 of the upper frame 11a and the lower frame 1 by hand.
Hold the lower side of 1b. The longitudinal ribs 11c provided on one side of the recess 17 and below the lower frame 11b are non-slip when the process cartridge B is held. Then, as shown in FIG. 3, the flange 11a1 of the upper frame 11a is fitted to the flange 11b1 of the lower frame 11b having a peripheral edge, and is fitted to the welding surface U, and the welding ribs are melted by ultrasonic welding to thereby form the two frames. The bodies 11a and 11b are integrated.

The toner feeding member 9b is made of a rod-shaped iron-based material having a diameter of about 2 mm and has a crank shape. One of the journals 9b1 provided on one side as shown in FIG. The body 11 is pivotally connected to the hole 11r facing the inside of the opening 11i and the other is fixed to the coupling member 11e (the coupling portion is not visible in FIG. 12).

As described above, by providing the concave portion 11g as a relief for the toner feeding member 9b on the bottom surface of the toner frame 11, stable toner feeding performance can be obtained without increasing the cost.

As shown in FIGS. 3, 10, and 12, the joint between the toner frame 11 and the developing frame 12 is
1 is provided with an opening 11 i for sending toner from the developing frame 12 to the developing frame 12. A concave surface 11 is formed around the opening 11i.
k is provided. Grooves 1 are formed directly on both edges of the upper and lower flanges 11j, 11j1 of the concave surface 11k.
1n are provided in parallel. In addition, this concave surface 11k
The upper flange 11j has a gate shape, and the lower flange 11j1 is in a direction crossing the concave surface 11k.
As shown in FIG. 10, the bottom 11n2 of the groove 11n is located at a position protruding outward (toward the developing frame 12) from the concave surface 11k.

The surface of the developing frame 12 facing the toner frame 11 is a flat surface 12u. On the upper and lower sides and on both sides of the flat surface 12u, a flange 12e parallel to the flat surface 12u is located at a position retracted from the flat surface 12u. Is provided in a closed shape like a frame, and a ridge 12v that fits into the groove 11n of the toner frame 11 along the longitudinal direction is provided on the edge of the flange 12e. A triangular ridge 12v1 for ultrasonic welding is provided on the top surface of the ridge 12v (see FIG. 10). Therefore, the toner frame 11 after the parts are assembled respectively.
The developing frame 12 is fitted with the groove 11n of the toner frame 11 and the ridge 11v of the developing frame 12, and is ultrasonically welded along its longitudinal direction.

As shown in FIG. 13, a cover film 51 which is easily torn in the longitudinal direction is attached to the concave surface 11k so as to cover the opening 11i of the toner frame 11. The cover film 51 has the opening 1 on the concave surface 11k.
1i is attached to the toner frame 11 along the four edges. A tear tape 52 for tearing the cover film 51 is welded to the cover film 51 to open the opening 11i. The tear tape 52 is folded at one longitudinal end of the opening 11i,
For example, the developing frame 12 passes between the toner frame 11 and an elastic sealing material 54 such as felt (see FIG. 11) attached to an end in the longitudinal direction of a plane opposed to the toner frame 11. The end portion 52a which is pulled out and pulled out of the tear tape 52 is provided with a handle member 11t serving as a handle. The handle member 11t is formed integrally with the toner frame body 11 so that a portion connected to the toner frame body 11 is particularly thin so as to be cut off.
Is attached to the handle member 11t. A tape 55 of a synthetic resin film having a small coefficient of friction is attached to the inside of the surface of the sealing material 54.
Further, an elastic seal member 56 is attached to the flat surface 12e at the end opposite to the position where the elastic seal member 54 is attached and the longitudinal direction (see FIG. 11).

The above-described elastic seal members 54 and 56 are attached to the flange 12e at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the flange 12e in the entire width in the short direction. The elastic sealing members 54 and 56 coincide with the flanges 11j at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the concave surface 11k, and further overlap the ridges 12v over the entire width of the flange 11j in the lateral direction.

Further, the toner frame 11 and the developing frame 1
In order to facilitate the alignment of the two frames 11 and 12 when joining the two, the cylindrical dowel 12w1 and the square dowel 12w2 provided on the developing frame 12 are fitted to the flange 11j of the toner frame 11. A matching round hole 11r and square hole 11q are provided. Here, the round hole 11r is tightly fitted to the cylindrical dowel 12w1, the square hole 11q is tightly engaged with the square dowel 12w2 in the short direction, and roughly in the long direction.

When the toner frame 11 and the developing frame 12 are combined, the toner frame 11 and the developing frame 12 are independently assembled as a finished product. Thereafter, the cylindrical dowels 12w1 and the square dowels 12w2 for positioning the developing frame 12 are fitted into the round holes 11r and the square holes 11q for positioning the toner frame 11. The developing frame 1 is inserted into the groove 11n of the toner frame 11.
The second ridges 12v are fitted respectively. Then, the toner frame 1
When the developer frame 1 and the developing frame 12 are pressed against each other, the sealing material 54,
Reference numeral 56 denotes a flange 11 at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the toner frame 11.
The protrusions 12z which are compressed in contact with j and serve as spacers integrally formed in the transverse direction on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the plane 12u of the developing frame 12 approach the flange 11j of the toner frame 11. Here, to allow the passage of the tear tape 52,
The ridges 12z are provided only on both sides of the tear tape 52 in the width direction (transverse direction).

In the above state, the toner frame 11 and the developing frame 12
And ultrasonic vibration is applied between the ridge 12v and the groove 11n, and the triangular ridge 12v1 is melted by frictional heat and welded to the bottom of the groove 11n. Thereby, the toner frame 1
The edge 11n1 of the groove 11n and the ridge 12z for the spacer of the developing frame 12 are in close contact with the mating member, and are located between the opposing flat surfaces 12u of the developing frame 12 facing the concave surface 11k of the toner frame 11. A space where the periphery is closely attached is created. The cover film 51 and the tear tape 52 fit in this space.

In order to send out the toner stored in the toner frame 11 to the developing frame 12, the end 52 of the tear tape 52 protruding outside the process cartridge B is used.
a (FIG. 12), the root side of the handle member 11t is the toner frame 1
After separating or tearing off the handle member 11 from 11
Is manually pulled by the operator, the cover film 51 is torn, the opening 11i of the toner frame 11 is opened, and the toner can be sent from the toner frame 11 to the developing frame 12. The flanges 1 of the toner frame 11 are kept in a state where the elastic sealing members
1j is deformed so that only the thickness becomes small at both ends in the longitudinal direction, so that the sealing property is good.

As described above, the toner frame 11 and the developing frame 12
When the force to tear the cover film 51 is applied to the tear tape 52, the tear tape 5
2 can be smoothly pulled out from between the two frame bodies 11 and 12.

Further, the toner frame 11 and the developing frame 12
When ultrasonic welding is performed, frictional heat is generated, and the triangular ridge 12v1 is melted by the frictional heat.

The material for forming the toner frame 11 and the developing frame 12 is a plastic such as polystyrene or AB.
S resin acrylonitrile / butadiene / styrene copolymer, polycarbonate, polyethylene, polypropylene and the like.

Next, the structure of the joint between the toner frame 11 and the developing frame 12 by ultrasonic welding (vibration welding, heat welding or adhesion) will be described.

When the process cartridge B is used up,
Recycling takes place. At the time of recycling, the cleaning unit C and the developing unit D are separated when the pin of the connecting member 22 is removed. Next, when the toner frame 11 and the developing frame 12 are separated from each other, the joint is located near the outside of the developing unit D, and therefore it is preferable that a crack is formed near the joint to be bent. For this reason, it is necessary to reduce the material strength near the joint. On the other hand, if the rigidity is reduced due to the reduced strength, the accuracy is reduced due to the deformation.

In this embodiment, the toner frame 11 and the developing frame 12 may be deformed due to thermal stress caused by frictional heat caused by, for example, ultrasonic vibration.
The first groove 11n and the ridge of the developing frame 12 are fitted over substantially the entire range in the longitudinal direction, and the periphery of the welded portion of the two frames is surrounded by the triangular ridge 12v1 of the developing frame 12 and the toner frame. The wall portions of the edge 11n1 constituting the rectangular groove 11n are all thick. Therefore, the periphery of the welded portion of the joining portion has high rigidity and can reduce thermal deformation.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, as will be described later, a groove is provided in the longitudinal direction near the welded portion and a thin portion is provided for recycling. This thin portion should be easily broken during recycling. However, when the toner frame 11 is easily broken, the strength is remarkably reduced. Even if the thermal deformation when the toner frame 11 and the developing frame 12 are welded and joined by the above-described ultrasonic welding or the like is reduced, the deformation is still reduced. Cracks occur in the thin portions on both ends due to thermal deformation. Next, an embodiment for solving this problem will be described.

As shown in FIG. 10, the width of the rectangular ridge 12v of the developing frame 12 for joining to the toner frame 11 is narrower than the width of the rectangular groove 11n of the toner frame 11.
The cylindrical dowel 12w1 and the square dowel 12w2 of the developing frame 12 shown in FIG.
In the state where each of them is fitted and positioned in the square hole 11q, the developing frame 12 of the toner frame 11 and the rectangular groove 11n for joining are formed.
Inner ribs 11n3 on both sides and the rectangular ridges 12 of the developing frame 12
There is a gap between both side surfaces 12v4 of v.
At the root on the inner side of the ridge 12v, a V-groove 12v2 is formed in the longitudinal direction on the flange surface 12v3 starting from the side surface 12v4.
Is provided. Both ends of the V groove 12v2 are close to the elastic seal members 54 and 56 as shown in FIG.
Then, from both ends shown in FIG. 11 (A), (I), (U),
The V-groove 12v2 (reference numeral 12v21) in the middle portion excluding the range of (e) is a V-groove (hereinafter, referred to as a linear bottom V-groove) whose bottom crosses at one point when viewed in cross section as shown in FIG. . Also, the V-groove 12v2 (reference numeral 12v22) in the range of (A), (I), (U), and (E) comes into contact with the flank near the bottom of the linear bottom V-groove 12v21 as shown in FIG. It has a rounded V-shaped groove with a curved surface such as a circular arc. Accordingly, the linear bottom V-groove 12v21 and the round bottom V-groove 12v22 have the same width c over the entire length, but have a central depth of the linear bottom V-groove 1v.
2v21 is b ', whereas the round bottom V-groove 12v22 in the range of (a) and (i) has b'> b even if the depth is b.
It is. Round bottom V groove 12v22 is (A), (I),
(U) and (E) are all in the range of 30 to 40 mm (in the case of a process cartridge of an image forming apparatus having a width of 210 mm and a width A4 of Japanese Industrial Standard Paper).

At a distance of 80 mm from both ends of the V-groove 12v2, a linear bottom V-groove 12v21 is formed at a right angle to a width of about 1 mm.
Are provided. The rib 12v5 extends from the bottom of the V groove 12v2 to near the mouth, and the top surface is parallel to the flange 12e. The cross section of the rib 12v5 in the longitudinal direction becomes wider from the top surface toward the bottom but is substantially parallel.

Here, when welding is performed by the above-described ultrasonic welding, the ultrasonic wave is applied while the triangular ridge 12v1 for welding the developing frame 12 and the bottom 11n2 of the groove for welding the toner frame 11 are pressed. By vibrating, the triangular ridge 12v1 and the bottom 11n2
Slides and is heated and welded, the developing frame 12
And the edge 11n1 of the groove 11n of the toner frame 11 is pressed. When the ultrasonic vibration is stopped, the melted triangular ridge 12v1 of the developing frame 12 and the bottom 11n2 of the groove 11n of the mating toner frame 11 are naturally cooled. Due to this cooling, heat deformation occurs in the flesh around the triangular ridge 12v1 and the bottom 11n2, and internal stress is generated.

Here, a sharp bottom shape having the V groove 12v2 of the developing frame 12 as a linear bottom over the entire length is formed by the linear bottom V groove 12v21 having the dimensions in the range described above, and the developing frame 12 is formed. When the toner frame 11 is ultrasonically welded, the V-grooves 12v2 of the developing frame 12 are removed from the bottoms at both ends of the V-grooves 12v2.
A crack is formed on the rear surface of the flesh portion (upper and lower flanges 12e) of the developing frame body 12 provided with 2. In order to avoid this crack, it is sufficient to increase the thickness of the flesh portion.
Since the purpose of providing the groove 12v2 is to separate the toner frame 11 and the developing frame 12, it is difficult to break the flesh from the bottom of the V groove 12v2.

Therefore, by providing the round bottom V-grooves 12v22 at both ends of the V-grooves 12v2 as in the present invention, it becomes easy to separate the toner frame 11 and the developing frame 12 from each other. When the developing frame 12 was ultrasonically welded, cracks did not enter the both ends of the V-shaped groove 12v2.

Here, in order to separate the joint portion between the toner frame 11 and the developing frame 12, a local impact is applied from outside the flange 12e at the position of the V groove 12v2 provided in the developing frame 12, for example. Alternatively, for example, (-) is provided in the gap g2 (see FIG. 10) of the joint portion between the toner frame 11 and the developing frame 12.
Insert a screwdriver and separate by leverage. Alternatively, the bending force is applied by sandwiching the flange 12e of the developing frame 12 and the outer flange 11e hanging from the upper flange 11j or the lower flange 11j1 of the toner frame 11 with, for example, a hand vise.

In the above description, V for breaking and decomposing
The groove 12v2 is a V-shaped groove. However, according to the V-shaped groove, the bottom portion is thin and easily broken, and the stress is concentrated on the bottom portion, so that the groove is more easily broken. Moreover, since the V-grooves at both ends of the V-groove 12v2 are round bottom V-grooves 12v22,
The thickness of the bottom side of 2v22 is increased and stress concentration can be avoided.

In the embodiment, the groove for separating the toner frame and the developing frame is a V-groove 12v2, but a groove including a V-groove having a linear bottom at the bottom as a square groove or a U-groove as a whole. It is the same as

In the embodiment, a groove for separating the toner frame from the developing frame may be provided in the developing frame.
This groove may be provided in the toner frame and the developing frame. The position of the groove provided in the toner frame body is determined by the flange 11i on the side near the inner side (opening 11i) of the edge 11n1 of the groove 11n for joining the toner frame body 11 to the developing frame body 12n.
At a portion facing the developing frame 12.

Although the embodiment has been described with respect to the process cartridge detachable from the image forming apparatus main body, the developing device detachable from the image forming apparatus main body (the developing unit of the image forming apparatus main body is attached to the developing unit of the embodiment). The present invention is also applied to a developing cartridge configured as a mounting member (guide member) for mounting to a section.

[Embodiment 2] In this embodiment, a sectional shape of a groove 12v2 which can be divided at the time of recycling near a welded portion where the toner frame 11 and the developing frame 12 are in contact with each other is determined.

FIG. 15 shows that the flank of the linear bottom groove 12v21 has a curved surface convex toward the inside of the groove at the middle part in the longitudinal direction of the groove 12v2 (see FIG. 15A), and the round bottom grooves 12v22 at both ends. Is obtained by rounding the bottom of the linear bottom groove 12v21 with a curved surface, for example, an arc (see FIG. 15B).

FIG. 16 shows that at the longitudinally intermediate portion of the groove 12v2, the flank of the linear bottom groove 12v21 has a concave surface with respect to the groove (see FIG. 16 (a)), and this curved surface intersects the groove bottom. Then, the round bottom groove 12v22 at both ends is connected to the linear bottom groove 1
The bottom of 2v21 is rounded with a curved surface, for example, an arc (FIG. 16).
(See (b)).

[Embodiment 3] In this embodiment, the groove 12v2 such as a V-groove has the same depth over the entire length including the range of (A), (I), (U), and (E). Ah),
(I), (u), linear bottom groove 12v in the middle except for (e)
The thickness of the flange 12e on the bottom side of 21 is reduced. Specifically, the flange 12 on the opposite side to the surface on which the groove 12v21 is provided
On the surface e, a rectangular groove parallel to the groove 12v21 is provided in the range of the groove 12v21. When the groove 12v2 has the same depth, since the groove 12v22 at both ends preferably has a round bottom, the cross-sectional shape is different from the range of (A), (I), (U), (E) and the middle part. For example, in the case where the groove 12v22 is a V groove, if the angle between the flanks of the groove is the same, the groove width (width of the mouth) of the round bottom groove 12v22 at both ends is the linear bottom groove 12v21 in the middle. Larger than.

[0076]

According to the invention of the present application, the following effects can be obtained.

According to the first and eighth aspects of the present invention, a groove is provided in the longitudinal direction in the vicinity of the joint between at least one of the toner frame and the developing frame. Since the depth of the groove is shallower than that of the intermediate portion, the bottom wall of the groove at both ends is not cracked due to thermal deformation based on heat generated by ultrasonic welding or the like at the time of joining. Moreover, it is possible to easily apply an external force to split the groove in the intermediate portion.

According to the second and ninth aspects of the present invention, the thickness of the bottom of the groove at both ends is made larger than the thickness of the bottom of the middle groove at the same time. To play.

According to the third and tenth aspects of the present invention, the surface on which the groove is provided and the surface on the opposite side are linearly parallel in the longitudinal direction to the surface on which the groove is provided. The groove is a straight groove, and it is easy to provide the groove.

According to the fourth and eleventh inventions according to the present application, in the third and twelfth inventions according to the present application, the surface on the opposite side to the surface on which the groove is provided is flat, so that the groove is provided. Is easy.

According to the fifth and twelfth aspects of the present invention,
A groove having a V-shaped cross section is provided in the vicinity of the joint of at least one of the toner frame and the developing frame. The groove bottoms are rounded at both ends of the groove, and the intermediate portion is linear. Has a bottom,
Since the thickness at the bottom of the groove at both ends is greater than the thickness at the bottom of the middle, the concentration of stress at both ends is small even due to thermal stress due to ultrasonic welding and stress due to thermal deformation.
In addition, since the thickness is large, no cracks are formed, and it is easy to split the groove in the intermediate portion by an external force.

According to the sixth and thirteenth inventions of the present application, in the fifth and twelfth inventions of the present application, the depth of the groove on both ends of the groove is smaller than the depth of the groove on the middle part. Therefore, the surface on the side opposite to the surface on which the groove is provided need not bend in the longitudinal direction or have a step.

According to the seventh and fourteenth aspects of the present invention,
This is effective for the case where the joints are joined by vibration welding, ultrasonic welding, heat welding, or an adhesive.

In the process cartridge, according to any one of the fifteenth to seventeenth aspects of the present invention, a combination of an electrophotographic photosensitive member and a developing means or a combination thereof with another process means by an electrophotographic image forming method is used. Applicable to combined process cartridges to obtain favorable results.

[Brief description of the drawings]

 Each of the drawings shows an embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the process cartridge.

4 is an external perspective view of the process cartridge shown in FIG. 3 as viewed from the upper right side.

5 is an external perspective view of the process cartridge shown in FIG. 3 as viewed from the upper left side.

6 is an external perspective view showing the lower left side of the process cartridge shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is an external perspective view of a process cartridge mounting portion of the apparatus main body.

FIG. 8 is an external perspective view of a process cartridge mounting portion of the apparatus main body.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a developing unit.

FIG. 10 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of a developing unit.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a developing frame.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a toner frame.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a toner frame provided with a toner seal.

FIG. 14A is a sectional view of a linear bottom V-groove at an intermediate portion;
(B) is a cross-sectional view of the round bottom V-groove on both ends.

15A and 15B show a second embodiment, in which FIG. 15A is a cross-sectional view of an intermediate portion of a groove, and FIG. 15B is a cross-sectional view of both ends of the groove.

16A and 16B show the second embodiment, in which FIG. 16A is a cross-sectional view of a middle portion of a groove, and FIG. 16B is a cross-sectional view of both ends of the groove.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Optical system 1a ... Laser diode 1b ... Polygon mirror 1c ... Lens 1d ... Reflection mirror 1e ... Exposure opening 2 ... Recording medium 3 ... Conveying means 3a ... Paper feed cassette 3b ... Pickup rollers 3c, 3d ... Conveyance roller pair 3e ... Registration roller pair 3f Transport guide 3g, 3h, 3i Discharge roller pair 3j Reverse path 3k Flapper 3m Discharge roller pair 4 Transfer roller 5 Fixing means 5a Heater 5b Fixing roller 5c
... Driving roller 6 ... Discharge tray 7 ... Photoconductor drum 7b ... Drum gear 7b1 ... Side end
7n: spur gear 8: charging roller 9: developing means 9b: toner feeding member 9b1: journal 9c: developing roller 9d: developing blade 9h ...
Antenna rod 9i: Spacer roller 9n: Fixed magnet 9
v: Bearing box 10: Cleaning means 10a: Cleaning blade 10b: Waste toner reservoir 11: Toner frame 11A: Toner container 11a: Upper frame 11b: Lower frame 11c: Rib 11e: Outer flange 11h: Boss 11i: Opening 11j, 1
1j1 ... Flange 11k ... Concave surface 11n ... Stripe 11
n1 ... Edge 11n2 ... Bottom 11n3 ... Inner wall 11q ... Square hole 11r ... Round hole 11t ... Handle member 11v ... Protrusion 12 ... Development frame 12e ... Flange 12u ... Flat surface 1
2v ... ridge 12v1 ... triangle ridge 12v2 ... V groove 12
v3 ... Flange surface 12v4 ... Both sides 12v5 ... Rib 12v21 ... Linear bottom 12v22 ... Round bottom V groove 12w
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Cylindrical dowel 12w2 ... Square dowel 12z ... Ridge 13 ... Cleaning frame (drum frame) 13a ... Cylindrical guide 13aR, 13aL ... Cylindrical guide 13b
R, 13bL: detent guide 13i: upper surface 13j: regulating contact portion 13L: guide member 13n: transfer opening 13p: right end 13q: left end 13R
Guide member 14: Image forming apparatus main body 16: Guide member 16a: Guide portion 16b: Positioning groove 16c: Guide portion 16d: Positioning groove 16
R, 16L ... guide member 17 ... concave portion 18 ... drum shutter member 18a ... shutter cover 18b, 18c ... link 18c1 ... projecting portion 19 ... arm portion 20 ... rotating hole 22 ... connecting member 22a ... compression coil spring 25 ... fixed member 29 ... Flange 35 ... Opening / closing member 35a ... Support point 40 ... Developer holder 51 ... Cover film 52 ... Tear tape 52a ... End 52b ... One end 54 ... Elastic sealing material 55 ... Tape 56 ... Elastic sealing material A ... Laser beam printer (image Forming device) B: Process cartridge C: Cleaning unit D: Developing unit g: Gap g2: Gap at the junction W1 ... Width (of the bent portion at the top of the magnet)

Claims (17)

[Claims] 1. A developing device for developing a latent image formed on an electrophotographic photoreceptor, which is detachable from an electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body, using a toner. And a resin-made developing frame constituting a supporting portion of the developing member is joined and fixed, and a groove is formed in a longitudinal direction in the vicinity of the joining portion of at least one of the toner frame and the developing frame. Wherein both end portions of the groove are shallower in depth than the intermediate portion. 2. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the groove bottom on both ends of the groove near the adhesive joint is larger than the thickness of the groove bottom on the middle part. 3. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the surface opposite to the surface on which the groove is provided is a surface parallel to the longitudinal direction with respect to the surface on which the groove is provided. 4. The developing device according to claim 3, wherein the surface on which the groove is provided is a flat surface, and a surface opposite to the surface is a flat surface. 5. A developing device for developing a latent image formed on an electrophotographic photoreceptor, which is detachable from an electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body, using toner, wherein a resin toner frame constituting a toner accommodating portion is provided. And a resin-made developing frame constituting a supporting portion of the developing member are joined and fixed, and at least one of a toner frame and a developing frame has a V-shaped cross section in the longitudinal direction in the vicinity of the joining portion. The groove bottom is rounded at both end sides of the groove, the middle part has a linear bottom, and the thickness of the groove bottom side of both ends is the thickness of the middle part groove bottom side. A developing device characterized by being larger than the thickness. 6. The developing device according to claim 3, wherein the depth of the groove at both ends of the groove near the joint is smaller than the depth of the groove at the intermediate portion. 7. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the bonding is performed by any one of vibration welding, ultrasonic welding, heat welding, and bonding via an adhesive. . 8. A process cartridge detachably mountable to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body, comprising: an electrophotographic photosensitive member; and developing means for developing a latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member. The means includes a resin-made toner frame that forms a toner storage portion that is bonded and fixed to each other, and a resin-made development frame that forms a support portion of the developing member, and includes at least the toner frame or the development frame. A process cartridge, characterized in that a groove is provided in the longitudinal direction in the vicinity of one of the joints, and both ends of the groove are shallower than an intermediate portion. 9. The process cartridge according to claim 8, wherein the groove bottom side thickness at both ends of the groove in the vicinity of the adhesive joint is greater than the groove bottom side thickness at an intermediate portion. 10. The process cartridge according to claim 8, wherein the surface opposite to the surface on which the groove is provided is a surface parallel to the longitudinal direction with respect to the surface on which the groove is provided. 11. The process cartridge according to claim 10, wherein the surface on which the groove is provided is a flat surface, and a surface opposite to the surface is a flat surface. 12. A process cartridge detachable from a main body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, comprising: an electrophotographic photosensitive member; and developing means for developing a latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member. The means includes a resin-made toner frame that forms a toner storage portion that is bonded and fixed to each other, and a resin-made development frame that forms a support portion of the developing member. A groove having a V-shaped cross section is provided in the longitudinal direction at least in the vicinity of the joint portion of one of the frame bodies, the groove bottom is rounded at both ends of the groove, and the intermediate portion has a linear bottom. A process cartridge wherein the thickness at the groove bottom side at both end portions is larger than the thickness at the groove bottom side at the middle portion. 13. The developing device according to claim 14, wherein the depth of the groove at both ends of the groove near the adhesive bonding portion is smaller than the depth of the groove at the intermediate portion. 14. The process according to claim 8, wherein the bonding is performed by any one of vibration welding, ultrasonic welding, heat welding, and bonding via an adhesive. cartridge. 15. The process cartridge according to claim 8, wherein a charging unit, a cleaning unit, a developing unit, and an electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge, and the cartridge is detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus main body. 15. The process cartridge according to any one of items 1 to 14. 16. The process cartridge according to claim 8, wherein at least one of a charging unit, a cleaning unit, a developing unit, and an electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge so as to be detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus main body. The process cartridge according to any one of the above. 17. The process according to claim 8, wherein the process cartridge and the developing means and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge so as to be detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus main body. cartridge.