JPH1173014A - Developing device and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] To provide a developing device in which the gap between the layer regulating means and the developer supply means can be set to be always constant, and the set gap is not changed throughout the life. It is an object to provide an apparatus and an image forming apparatus. A developing roller (52) for supplying a developer to a photoreceptor (20) and a doctor blade (57) for regulating a layer thickness of the developer conveyed by the developing roller (52).
And a predetermined gap G provided between the developing roller 52 and the doctor blade 57 by being provided at both ends of the doctor blade 57 and abutting against the developing roller 52.
, And the doctor blade 57 is elastically urged toward the developing roller 52, and the guide rollers 61, 61 are pressed against the developing roller 5.
2 that are in contact with the spring member 65.

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 an image forming apparatus provided in, for example, an electrophotographic copying machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an electrophotographic apparatus or an electrostatic recording apparatus, an electric latent image is formed on the surface of an image carrier, and this latent image is developed by a magnetic brush method to obtain a visible image. ing.

In the magnetic brush method, a magnetic developer accommodated in a developing container is attracted to a magnet roll and transported to a developing area. The image carrier is disposed in close proximity to a magnet roll. As is well known, the image carrier is an inorganic photoconductor such as a layer in which photoconductive selenium or a photoconductive zinc oxide is dispersed in an insulating resin binder. And an organic photoconductor such as polyvinyl carbazole or poly-N-vinyl carbazole, or an electrostatic recording paper having a dielectric layer formed on a low-resistance substrate.

[0004] A doctor blade is mounted in the developing container at a fixed interval from the magnet roll.
The magnetic developer is supplied onto the magnet roll through a gap between the doctor and the magnet roll. The supplied magnetic developer is transported to the developing area by rotation of the magnet roll. The magnetic developer forms a magnetic brush on a magnet roll at least in a development area, and the toner in the developer is rubbed against the surface of the image carrier to form an electric pattern image on the surface of the image carrier. And is developed.

[0005]

However, in the prior art, since the doctor blade was attached to the developing container, it was very difficult to always set the same gap with the magnet roller.

Further, even if all settings can be made in the same manner, there is a problem that the gap between the doctor blade and the magnet roller is deformed in the following cases, for example. 1. If the ambient temperature is different from the time when the gap is set, for example, at a high temperature or at a low temperature, the gap changes due to the difference in the coefficient of thermal expansion between the doctor blade and the developing container. 2. The position of the doctor blade portion changes because the doctor blade portion continuously receives a large pressure for a long period of time. 3. Since the developing device is slightly distorted depending on the state in which the developing device is supported, if the state in which the developing device is supported in the copying machine is not reproduced at the time of setting the gap, the gap will be different from the setting at the time of actual use.

The gap between the doctor blade of the developing device and the magnet roller is an important part that regulates the amount of developer transported on the magnet roller. Therefore, if the gap changes due to the above reasons, the amount of toner to be developed will be different, which will cause a difference in image quality such as a change in image density, a change in reproducibility of fine lines, and a decrease in toner consumption. Will be different.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a developing device and an image forming apparatus which can always set a constant gap between a layer thickness regulating unit and a developer supply unit, and do not change the set gap throughout the life. I do.

[0009]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention is directed to a developer supply unit for supplying and supplying a developer to a developing portion, and a developer supply unit for supplying the developer to the development target portion. A layer thickness regulating unit that regulates the layer thickness of the developer to be formed, and provided at both ends of the layer thickness regulating unit, wherein the developer supplying unit and the layer thickness regulating unit are in contact with the developer supplying unit. A gap forming means for forming a gap having a predetermined dimension therebetween, and a means for elastically urging the layer thickness regulating means toward the developer supply means, and bringing the gap formation means into contact with the developer supply means. Force means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a developer supply unit for supplying and supplying a developer to a developing portion, a layer thickness regulating unit for regulating a layer thickness of the developer transported by the developer supply unit, Gap forming means provided at both ends of the layer thickness regulating means and forming a gap of a predetermined dimension between the developer supplying means and the layer thickness regulating means by being in contact with both end surfaces of the developer supplying means. And urging means for elastically urging the layer thickness regulating means toward the developer supply means and for bringing the gap forming means into contact with the developer supply means.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a developer supply means for supplying and supplying a developer to a portion to be developed, receiving members provided at both ends of the developer supply means, and a developer supply means. A layer thickness regulating unit that regulates the layer thickness of the developer to be applied, and the developer supply unit and the layer thickness regulation that are provided at both ends of the layer thickness regulation unit and abut against receiving members of the developer supply unit. A gap forming means for forming a gap having a predetermined size between the developing means and the developer supply means; and a gap receiving means for receiving the developer supply means. Biasing means for contacting the member.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a developer supply unit for supplying and supplying a developer to a developing portion, a layer thickness regulating unit for regulating a layer thickness of the developer transported by the developer supply unit, Provided at both ends of the layer thickness regulating means,
A gap forming unit that has a single roller unit that abuts both end portions of the developer supply unit and forms a gap of a predetermined size between the developer supply unit and the layer thickness control unit; Biasing means for elastically biasing the means toward the developer supply means and for bringing a roller portion of the gap forming means into contact with the developer supply means.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a developer supply means for supplying a developer to a portion to be developed, a layer thickness regulating means for regulating a layer thickness of the developer transported by the developer supply means, Provided at both ends of the layer thickness regulating means,
A gap forming unit having a pair of rollers abutting on both ends of the developer supply unit, forming a gap having a predetermined dimension between the developer supply unit and the layer thickness control unit, and the layer thickness control unit And a biasing means for elastically biasing the roller toward the developer supply means, and for bringing a pair of rollers of the gap forming means into contact with the developer supply means.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming means for forming an electrostatic latent image on an image carrier, and a developer supplied by supplying a developer to the electrostatic latent image formed by the image forming means. And a transfer unit for transferring a developer image formed by the developing unit to a material to be transferred, wherein the developing unit conveys and supplies the developer onto the image carrier. A supply unit, a layer thickness regulating unit that regulates a layer thickness of the developer conveyed by the developer supply unit, and provided at both ends of the layer thickness regulating unit, by contacting the developer supply unit. A gap forming means for forming a gap having a predetermined dimension between the developer supply means and the layer thickness regulating means; and the gap forming means for elastically biasing the layer thickness regulating means toward the developer supply means. To contact the developer supply means. ; And a stage.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming means for forming an electrostatic latent image on an image carrier, and a developer supplied by supplying a developer to the electrostatic latent image formed by the image forming means. And a transfer unit for transferring a developer image formed by the developing unit to a transfer-receiving material, wherein the developing unit includes a developer supply unit that conveys and supplies the developer to a development target portion. A layer thickness regulating unit that regulates the layer thickness of the developer conveyed by the developer supplying unit; and a layer thickness regulating unit that is provided at both ends of the layer thickness regulating unit and abuts on both end surfaces of the developer supplying unit. Gap forming means for forming a gap of a predetermined size between the developer supply means and the layer thickness regulating means, and elastically biasing the layer thickness regulating means toward the developer supply means, the gap The forming means is brought into contact with the developer supply means, It includes a biasing means.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming means for forming an electrostatic latent image on an image carrier, and a developer supplied to the electrostatic latent image formed by the image forming means. And a transfer unit for transferring the developer image formed by the developing unit to a transfer material, wherein the developing unit supplies a developer to the image carrier to supply the developer. Means, receiving members provided at both ends of the developer supply means, layer thickness regulating means for regulating the layer thickness of the developer conveyed by the developer supply means, and both end parts of the layer thickness regulation means A gap forming means for forming a gap of a predetermined dimension between the developer supply means and the layer thickness regulating means by contacting a receiving member of the developer supply means; and Elastically biases towards the developer supply means Comprising a biasing means to abut said gap forming means receiving member of said developer supply means.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming means for forming an electrostatic latent image on an image carrier, and a developer supplied to the electrostatic latent image formed by the image forming means by supplying a developer. And a transfer unit for transferring a developer image formed by the developing unit to a transfer material, wherein the developing unit supplies developer to the image carrier and supplies the developer. A layer thickness regulating unit that regulates the layer thickness of the developer conveyed by the developer supply unit; and a unit that is provided at each end of the layer thickness regulation unit and abuts on both ends of the developer supply unit. A gap forming unit having one roller portion, and forming a gap of a predetermined dimension between the developer supply unit and the layer thickness regulating unit; and a layer elastically moving the layer thickness regulating unit toward the developer supply unit. And the roller portion of the gap forming means is moved forward. ; And a biasing means is brought into contact with the developing agent supply means.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming means for forming an electrostatic latent image on an image carrier, and a developer supplied to the electrostatic latent image formed by the image forming means by supplying a developer. And a transfer unit for transferring a developer image formed by the developing unit to a transfer material, wherein the developing unit supplies developer to the image carrier and supplies the developer. A layer thickness regulating unit for regulating the layer thickness of the developer conveyed by the developer supply unit; and a pair of layer thickness regulation units provided at both ends of the layer thickness regulation unit and in contact with both ends of the developer supply unit. A gap forming means for forming a gap of a predetermined size between the developer supply means and the layer thickness regulating means, and the layer thickness regulating means elastically moving toward the developer supply means. Energizing the pair of rows of the gap forming means. Part of that and a biasing means is brought into contact with the developing agent supply means.

[0019]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawings. FIG. 1 shows the internal configuration of the electrophotographic copying machine. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an apparatus main body. On the upper surface of the apparatus main body 1, a document table 2 on which a document is placed and a document cover 3 for opening and closing the document table 2 are provided.

An illumination lamp 5 for illuminating the original placed on the original table 2, a reflection plate 6 for condensing illumination light generated from the illumination lamp 5 on the original, and an original below the original table 2. A first carriage 7 is disposed as an optical scanning unit for reflecting the reflected light from the optical disc toward a second carriage 8 (described later).

The first carriage 7 incorporates a first mirror 10 for bending light reflected from a document. The first carriage 7 is disposed so as to be movable in parallel with the document table 2,
It is moved in parallel along the document table 2 by a pulse motor (not shown) via a toothed belt (not shown) or the like.

The second carriage 8 has a first carriage 7
A second mirror 11 and a third mirror 12, which sequentially fold the reflected light from the original folded via the first mirror 10, are arranged at right angles to each other. The second carriage 8 is driven by the first carriage 7 by a toothed belt or the like (not shown) that drives the first carriage 7, and is moved at a half speed relative to the first carriage 7.
Are moved in parallel along.

Below the first carriage 7, a plane including the optical axis of the light turned back through the second carriage 8 is formed so as to be movable via a driving mechanism (not shown).
An imaging lens 14 is provided which gives convergence to the reflected light from the second carriage 8 and forms an image of the reflected light at a desired magnification by moving itself. Imaging lens 14
Fourth to sixth mirrors 16 to 18 for guiding reflected light to a photoreceptor 20 as an image carrier, which will be described later, are provided on the light emitting side of the light source. Image forming means 2 is provided below the sixth mirror 18.
2 are provided.

The image forming means 22 has a rotatable photosensitive member 20 on which an electrostatic latent image is formed. Around the photoreceptor 20, a charging device 24 for charging the photoreceptor 20 with a predetermined charge along the rotation direction thereof, an LED erasing array 29, and a toner are supplied to an electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor 20. The developing device 25 serves as a developing device for developing the toner image, the transfer device 26 serves as a transferring device for transferring a toner image formed on the photoconductor 20 onto a paper P as a material to be transferred, and the photoconductor 2
A peeling device 27 for separating the photosensitive member 20 from zero, a cleaning device 28 for removing the distribution of electric charges on the photosensitive member 20 while returning the charging characteristics of the photosensitive member 20 to the initial state and scraping off the remaining toner, and a discharging lamp 30 are sequentially arranged. I have.

A self-contained type for supplying a sheet P, for example, a copy sheet, an OHP sheet, etc., toward the photosensitive member 20 at a position corresponding to the rotation direction upstream of the photosensitive member 20 and directly below the photosensitive member 20. The paper cassette 32 is inserted. A manual tray 33 for feeding sheets P having various sizes one by one is disposed at a position corresponding to the rotation direction upstream of the photoconductor 20 and to the right of the photoconductor 20. I have. A pickup roller 35 for pulling out the sheets P one by one is disposed opposite to the sheet feeding cassette 32, and a sheet feeding roller 36 and the sheet feeding roller 3 are provided on the sheet feeding side of the sheet feeding cassette 32.
6 is provided with a separation pad 37 which rolls and separates the sheet.

A paper feed path 42 is provided between the paper feed roller 36 and the image transfer section. In this paper feed path 42, a pair of transport rollers 43 for transporting the paper P, the inclination of the paper P is corrected and A registration roller pair 44 for aligning the leading end of the toner image on the photosensitive member 20 with the leading end of the sheet P and feeding the sheet P at the same speed as the moving speed of the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive member 20 is provided. On the paper feed side of the manual feed tray 33, a manual pick-up roller 39 for taking out manual paper P, and a paper feed roller 40 for feeding the taken-out paper to a pair of registration rollers 44 are provided.

At a position corresponding to the rotation direction downstream of the photoconductor 20, a toner image formed on the photoconductor 20 is transferred, and the transport device transports the paper P on which the toner is electrostatically attached. 46, a fixing device 4 for melting the toner transferred to the paper P by heating and fixing the toner to the paper P
7, and a discharge roller pair 48 for discharging the paper P on which the toner image has been fixed to the outside of the apparatus. Further to the left of the discharge roller pair 48, a sheet P on which the toner image is fixed
A receiving tray (not shown) is provided.

At the time of image formation, a document placed on the document table 2 is irradiated with light from the illumination lamp 5, and the first and second carriages 7 and 8 run. As a result, light is scanned on the original, and reflected light from the original is sent to the imaging lens 14 via the first to third mirrors 10 to 12, passes through the imaging lens 14, and then returns to the fourth to fourth mirrors. Sixth mirror 16-1
An image is formed on the photoconductor 20 via the photoconductor 8. At this time, the surface of the photoconductor 20 is charged to a predetermined potential by the charging charger 24, and the reflected light from the document is formed to form an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the document image. This electrostatic latent image is sent to the developing device 25 by the rotation of the photoconductor 20, and the developer is supplied from the developing device 25,
It is visualized. This visible image faces the transfer device 26 due to the rotation of the photoconductor 20. At this time, the paper cassette 3
The paper P is supplied from the second or manual feed tray 33 and sent to an image transfer section between the photoconductor 20 and the transfer device 26. The visible image facing the transfer device 26 via the sheet P is transferred to the sheet P by the operation of the transfer device 26. After the transfer, the developer remaining on the photoconductor 20 is removed by the cleaning device 2.
8 and then the residual charge is removed by the discharge lamp 30 to prepare for the next cycle.

The paper P to which the visual image has been transferred is conveyed to the fixing device 47 by the conveying device 46, where the visual image is fixed on the paper P. After the fixing, the sheet P is discharged to a sheet discharge tray (not shown) via the discharge roller pair 48.

FIG. 2 shows the developing device 25. The developing device 25 includes a developing container 51, in which a two-component developer T including a toner and a carrier is accommodated. Further, the photoconductor 20 is provided in the developing container 51.
A developing roller 52 is rotatably provided as a developer supply unit that conveys and supplies the developer in opposition to.
First and second transport mixers 53 and 54 for stirring and transporting the developer in parallel with the developing roller 52 are provided.

On the upper side of the developing roller 52, a doctor blade 57 as a layer thickness regulating member for regulating the layer thickness of the developer T conveyed by the developing roller 52 to a constant value is provided.

At the time of development, the developing roller 52 is rotated to transport the developer T. The developer T is supplied to the electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor 20 after being regulated to a predetermined layer thickness by the doctor blade 57. And develop.

FIG. 3 shows a mounting structure of the doctor blade 57. Guide rollers 61, 61 as gap forming means are rotatably attached to both end surfaces of the doctor blade 57 via shafts 59, 59. The lower side of the guide rollers 61 is a doctor blade 57.
From the lower end portion of the first member.

A receiving portion 6 is provided at the upper end of the doctor blade 57.
Both ends of the receiving portion 63 are urged downward by spring members 65, 65 as urging members attached to the developing container 51.

By this bias, the guide rollers 61, 61
Is in contact with the developing roller 52, and a gap G of a predetermined size is formed between the lower end of the doctor blade 57 and the surface of the developing roller 52.

The developer conveyed by the rotation of the developing roller 52 passes through the gap G between the doctor blade 57 and the developing roller 52, whereby the layer thickness is regulated to a predetermined size.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the guide rollers 6 are provided at both ends of the doctor blade 57.
1, 61, and the doctor blade 57 is connected to the spring material 65,
By urging with 65, the guide rollers 61 at both ends thereof are brought into contact with both end surfaces of the developing roller 52 to form a gap G between the doctor blade 57 and the developing roller 53. Gap G of fixed size
Can be formed.

Further, even if the atmosphere changes between when the gap is set and when the gap is used, and the doctor blade 57 and the developing container 51 thermally expand with different lengths, the doctor blade 57 and the developing container 51 can absorb the thermal expansion by the spring members 65, 65. Changes can also be prevented.

Further, even if the doctor blade 57 receives a large pressure for a long period of time, the pressure can be absorbed by the spring members 65, 65, and the position thereof is not changed.

Further, when the developing device 21 is supported in the apparatus main body 1, even if the developing container 51 is distorted, it can be absorbed by the spring members 65, 65 so that the gap G is formed in actual use. It does not change.

FIG. 4 shows an example of mounting a doctor blade 57 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, receiving rollers 71, 71 as receiving members are provided coaxially at both ends of the developing roller 52, and guide rollers 61, 61 of the doctor blade 57 are brought into contact with the receiving rollers 71, 71 to perform development. A gap G having a predetermined size is formed between the roller 52 and the doctor blade 57.

FIG. 5 shows a developing device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The same portions as those described in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

In the third embodiment, a pair of guide rollers 83, 83 are attached to both ends of the doctor blade 57 via attachment members 81, respectively. The pair of guide rollers 83 are arranged in the rotation direction of the developing roller 52 and are in contact with both end surfaces of the developing roller 52.

According to this embodiment, the developing roller 52
The movement of the doctor blade 57 in the tilting direction is restricted by the pair of guide rollers 83, 83 abutting on the surface of the blade.
Thereby, the angle of the lower edge of the doctor blade 57 is kept constant, and the layer thickness of the developer can be regulated with high accuracy.

According to the above-described embodiment, it is not necessary to adjust the gap of the doctor blade 57, the initial value of the gap does not change even at the end of life, the amount of toner to be developed becomes constant, and the image density is reduced. There is an advantage that there is no difference in image quality such as a change in image quality and a change in reproducibility of fine lines, and there is no difference in toner consumption.

[0046]

According to the present invention, as described above, the gap forming means is provided to the developer supply means by providing the gap forming means in the layer thickness regulating means and urging the layer thickness regulating means by the urging means. Since the gap is formed between the developer supply means and the layer thickness regulating means by being in contact with each other, the gap is always formed with a constant size.

Therefore, the gap adjusting step conventionally performed at the time of manufacturing becomes unnecessary, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced. Fluctuations due to differences in the coefficient of thermal expansion during use at high or low temperatures, and the effects of vibration, pressure, distortion, and the like during operation of the apparatus can be absorbed by the biasing member, and the gap does not fluctuate throughout the life. Therefore, the amount of the developer to be developed is constant, and there is no difference in image quality such as a change in image density and a change in reproducibility of fine lines, and no difference in consumption of the developer.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an electrophotographic copying apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram illustrating a developing device.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing a doctor blade mounting structure.

FIG. 4 is a front view showing a doctor blade mounting structure according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a doctor blade mounting structure according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 20 photoreceptor (image carrier) 22 image forming unit 25 developing device (developing unit) 26 transfer unit 52 developing roller (developer supply unit) 57 doctor blade (layer thickness regulating unit) 61 guide roller (Gap forming means) 65: spring material (biasing means) 71: receiving roller (receiving member) 83: a pair of guide rollers (gap forming means)

Claims (10)

[Claims] A developer supply means for supplying and supplying a developer to a developing portion; a layer thickness regulating means for regulating a layer thickness of the developer conveyed by the developer supply means; A gap forming means provided at both ends to form a gap of a predetermined dimension between the developer supply means and the layer thickness regulating means by contacting the developer supply means; Urging means for elastically urging toward the developer supply means, and urging the gap forming means into contact with the developer supply means. 2. A developer supply means for supplying and supplying a developer to a developing portion, a layer thickness regulating means for regulating a layer thickness of the developer conveyed by the developer supply means, and A gap forming unit provided at both ends and forming a gap of a predetermined size between the developer supply unit and the layer thickness control unit by contacting both end surface portions of the developer supply unit; Urging means for elastically urging the means toward the developer supply means, and urging the gap forming means into contact with the developer supply means. 3. A developer supply means for supplying and supplying a developer to a developing portion, receiving members provided at both ends of the developer supply means, and a layer of the developer transported by the developer supply means. A layer thickness regulating means for regulating the thickness, provided at both ends of the layer thickness regulating means, and a predetermined distance between the developer supplying means and the layer thickness regulating means by contacting a receiving member of the developer supplying means. A gap forming means for forming a dimensional gap; and a biasing means for resiliently biasing the layer thickness regulating means toward the developer supply means so that the gap formation means abuts against a receiving member of the developer supply means. And a biasing means. 4. A developer supply means for supplying and supplying a developer to a developing portion, a layer thickness regulating means for regulating a layer thickness of the developer conveyed by the developer supply means, and Forming a gap having a predetermined size between the developer supply unit and the layer thickness regulating unit, the unit having a single roller unit provided at both ends and abutting on both ends of the developer supply unit; Means for elastically urging the layer thickness regulating means toward the developer supply means, and urging means for bringing a roller portion of the gap forming means into contact with the developer supply means. Characteristic developing device. 5. A developer supply means for supplying and supplying a developer to a developing portion, a layer thickness regulating means for regulating a layer thickness of the developer conveyed by the developer supply means, and Gap forming means having a pair of rollers provided at both ends and abutting on both ends of the developer supply means, and forming a gap of a predetermined dimension between the developer supply means and the layer thickness regulating means. And an urging means for elastically urging the layer thickness regulating means toward the developer supply means, and for bringing a pair of roller portions of the gap forming means into contact with the developer supply means. A developing device. 6. An image forming means for forming an electrostatic latent image on an image carrier, and a developing means for supplying a developer to the electrostatic latent image formed by the image forming means to form a developer image. Transfer means for transferring a developer image formed by the developing means to a material to be transferred, the developing means comprising: a developer supply means for conveying and supplying a developer onto the image carrier; A layer thickness regulating unit that regulates a layer thickness of the developer conveyed by the developer supplying unit; provided at both ends of the layer thickness regulating unit, by contacting the developer supplying unit with the developer supplying unit. A gap forming means for forming a gap of a predetermined dimension between the layer thickness controlling means and the layer thickness regulating means; Biasing means for abutting the means. An image forming apparatus Rukoto features. 7. An image forming means for forming an electrostatic latent image on an image carrier, and a developing means for supplying a developer to the electrostatic latent image formed by the image forming means to form a developer image. Transfer means for transferring a developer image formed by the developing means to a material to be transferred, the developing means comprising: a developer supply means for feeding and supplying a developer to a developing portion; Layer thickness regulating means for regulating the layer thickness of the developer conveyed by the supply means; provided at both ends of the layer thickness regulation means, and contacting the developer supply means by contacting both end surfaces of the developer supply means. Gap forming means for forming a gap of a predetermined size between the means and the layer thickness regulating means; and said layer thickness regulating means is elastically urged toward the developer supply means, and the gap forming means Urging means for contacting the agent supply means, An image forming apparatus characterized by comprising. 8. An image forming means for forming an electrostatic latent image on an image carrier, and a developing means for supplying a developer to the electrostatic latent image formed by the image forming means to form a developer image. Transfer means for transferring a developer image formed by the developing means to a transfer-receiving material, wherein the developing means comprises: a developer supply means for feeding and supplying a developer to the image carrier; Receiving members provided at both ends of the developer supply means, layer thickness regulation means for regulating the layer thickness of the developer conveyed by the developer supply means, and provided at both ends of the layer thickness regulation means; A gap forming unit that forms a gap having a predetermined dimension between the developer supply unit and the layer thickness control unit by contacting a receiving member of the developer supply unit; and the layer thickness control unit is connected to the developer supply unit. Elastically biased toward the gap An image forming apparatus characterized by comprising a biasing means to abut the formed unit to receiving members of the developer supply means. 9. An image forming means for forming an electrostatic latent image on an image carrier, and a developing means for supplying a developer to the electrostatic latent image formed by the image forming means to form a developer image. Transfer means for transferring a developer image formed by the developing means to a material to be transferred, the developing means comprising: a developer supply means for conveying and supplying a developer to an image carrier; and the developer. A layer thickness regulating unit that regulates a layer thickness of the developer conveyed by the supply unit; and a single roller unit that is provided at each of both ends of the layer thickness regulating unit and abuts on both ends of the developer supply unit. A gap forming unit that forms a gap of a predetermined size between the developer supply unit and the layer thickness regulating unit, and elastically biases the layer thickness regulating unit toward the developer supply unit; The developer supply means may be a roller part of the gap forming means. An image forming apparatus comprising: an urging unit that makes contact with the image forming apparatus. 10. An image forming means for forming an electrostatic latent image on an image carrier, and a developing means for supplying a developer to the electrostatic latent image formed by the image forming means to form a developer image. Transfer means for transferring a developer image formed by the developing means to a material to be transferred, the developing means comprising: a developer supply means for conveying and supplying a developer to an image carrier; and the developer. A layer thickness regulating unit configured to regulate a layer thickness of the developer conveyed by the supply unit; and a pair of roller units provided at both ends of the layer thickness regulating unit and abutting on both ends of the developer supply unit. A gap forming unit that forms a gap having a predetermined dimension between the developer supply unit and the layer thickness regulating unit; and a biasing unit that elastically urges the layer thickness regulating unit toward the developer supply unit. The pair of roller portions of the gap forming means An image forming apparatus, comprising: an urging unit that makes contact with a supply unit.