Developing device and image forming device having the same

Abstract

The present invention provides a developing device and an image forming device having the developing device. The developing device includes a developing container, a developer carrier, a limiting scraper, a pair of pressing structures and a scraper sealing member. The scraper sealing member includes: a first stacked body, which is arranged on the inner side of the pair of pressing members and is stacked on the upstream surface of the limiting scraper relative to the rotation direction; a second stacked body, which is stacked on the surface of the first stacked body on the opposite side of the limiting scraper and has greater rigidity than the first stacked body. The developing container has a pair of opposing surfaces that are opposite to each other in the direction of the rotation axis. The second stacked body has a positioning protrusion at a position that is closer to the inside than the two ends of the first stacked body in the direction of the rotation axis, and the positioning protrusion protrudes from the first stacked body in the direction of the rotation axis and contacts each opposing surface. The first stacked body is in pressure contact with the pressing member in the direction of the rotation axis when the second stacked body is positioned in the direction of the rotation axis.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a developing device and an image forming apparatus including the developing device. Background Art

[0002] Image forming devices such as copiers, printers, fax machines, and digital multifunction peripherals that utilize electronic photography are all equipped with a developing device for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the peripheral surface of the image carrier, that is, forming a colorant image (developer image) that makes the electrostatic latent image visible.

[0003] The developing device comprises: a developing container for accommodating a developer including a toner; and a developer carrier, which is arranged in contact with or close to an image carrier and carries the developer. The developing container has a container opening portion which opens toward the downstream of the developing device relative to the moving direction of the developing device. The developer carrier is arranged in a manner overlapping with the container opening portion. A portion of the developer carrier is exposed to the outside of the developing device through the container opening portion. The developer carrier can carry the toner in the developing container on the outer peripheral surface. The exposed portion of the developer carrier exposed from the container opening portion forms a developing area, which is opposite to the image carrier and supplies the toner in the developing container to the image carrier.

[0004] As such a developing device, there is a limiting scraper disposed upstream of the developing area in the rotation direction of the developer carrier. The limiting scraper protrudes toward the outer peripheral surface of the developer carrier along the entire area in the direction of the rotation axis of the developer carrier. The front end of the limiting scraper is in contact with or close to the outer peripheral surface of the developer carrier. The limiting scraper limits the layer thickness of the developer carried by the developer carrier.

[0005] A sealing member (scraper sealing member) is arranged between the limiting scraper and the developer container. The sealing member contacts the entire area of ​​the limiting scraper in the long side direction (rotation axis direction). The sealing member blocks the gap between the limiting scraper and the developer container, thereby preventing the developer in the developer container from flowing out to the outside.

[0006] In addition, a pair of pressing members are provided in the gap between the two ends of the developer carrier in the direction of the rotation axis and the developer container. The pressing members protrude from the inner surface of the developer container toward the outer peripheral surface of the developer carrier, and contact and press the outer peripheral surfaces of the two ends of the developer carrier. The gap between the developer container and the developer carrier is blocked by the contact and pressing of the pressing members with the outer peripheral surface of the developer carrier, thereby suppressing the outflow of the developer. Summary of the invention

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a developing device capable of suppressing outflow of a developer and an image forming apparatus including the developing device.

[0008] The present invention provides a developing device, which comprises: a developing container having an opening portion, in which a developer containing a colorant is accommodated; a developer carrier rotatably supported by the developing container, having a developing area in which a part of the outer peripheral surface carrying the developer is exposed from the opening portion and is opposite to the image carrier, and the toner is supplied to the image carrier in the developing area; a limiting scraper arranged upstream of the developer carrier in the rotation direction of the developing area, and limiting the layer thickness of the developer carried by the developer carrier; and a pair of pressing members contacting the two end portions of the developer carrier in the direction of the rotation axis, blocking the gap between the two end portions of the developer carrier and the developing container, wherein the developing device further comprises a scraper sealing member, and the scraper sealing member comprises: a first stacked body relative to The rotation axis direction is configured on the inner side of the pair of pressing members, and is stacked on the surface upstream of the limiting scraper relative to the rotation direction of the developer carrier; and a second stacked body, stacked on the surface of the first stacked body on the opposite side of the limiting scraper, has a stiffness greater than that of the first stacked body, the developer container has a pair of opposing surfaces opposite to the rotation axis direction, the second stacked body has a positioning protrusion at a position closer to the inside than the two ends of the first stacked body in the rotation axis direction, the positioning protrusion protrudes from the first stacked body along the rotation axis direction and contacts the pair of opposing surfaces, and is positioned in the rotation axis direction, the first stacked body is in pressure contact with the pressing member in the rotation axis direction when the second stacked body is positioned in the rotation axis direction.

[0009] In addition, the present invention provides an image forming device, which includes: a device body; an image carrier, which is arranged inside the device body and has an electrostatic latent image formed on the outer peripheral surface; and a developing device constructed as above, which can be detachably arranged inside the device body, and when installed inside the device body, the developer carrier is in contact with or close to the outer peripheral surface of the image carrier, and develops the electrostatic latent image into a colorant image.

[0010] According to the developing device of the present invention, since the second stack is stacked on the first stack, the scraper sealing member can be positioned by positioning the second stack. Since the rigidity of the second stack is greater than that of the first stack, the positioning of the scraper sealing member becomes easy by the contact between the positioning protrusion and the opposite surface. Moreover, in the state where the scraper sealing member is positioned, the first stack is in pressure contact with the pressing member, so that the gap in the direction of the rotation axis of the developing container and the scraper sealing member can be blocked by the pressing member, thereby blocking the outflow path of the developer.

[0011] Furthermore, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of suppressing the developer from flowing out to the outside of the developing device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Figure 1 It is a side sectional view showing a schematic structure of an image forming apparatus 1 according to the present invention.

[0013] Figure 2 It is a perspective view showing the entire developing device 33 .

[0014] Figure 3 This is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a part of the periphery of the photosensitive drum 31 and the developing device 33 in an enlarged manner.

[0015] Figure 4 It is a plan view of the developing device 33 showing a state in which the developing roller 37 , the regulating blade 64 , and the sleeve cover 63 are removed from the developing container 36 .

[0016] Figure 5 It is used Figure 4 The side cross-sectional view of the developing device 33 is taken along the line AA shown.

[0017] Figure 6 It is a perspective view showing the blade seal member 67 .

[0018] Figure 7 This is a partially enlarged view showing an enlarged view of the periphery of the end portion of the blade seal member 67 of the developing device 33 . DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 1 is a side cross-sectional view showing a schematic structure of an image forming apparatus 1 of the present invention. Figure 1 In the figure, the right side of the figure is set as the front side of the image forming device 1, and the left side of the figure is set as the rear side of the image forming device 1. Figure 1 In the figure, the upper side in the figure is set as the upper side of the image forming apparatus 1, and the lower side in the figure is set as the lower side of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0020] like Figure 1 As shown, the image forming apparatus 1 (here, a monochrome printer) includes a main housing 10 (apparatus body), a paper feed unit 20, an image forming unit 30, a developing device 33, and a fixing unit 40. The main housing 10 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped box structure. The paper feed unit 20 is accommodated in the main housing 10.

[0021] The main housing 10 is provided with a front cover 11, a rear cover 12, a main body opening 15, and an upper cover 16. The front cover 11 is located on the front side of the main housing 10. The rear cover 12 is located on the rear side of the main housing 10. The main body opening 15 is formed above the main housing 10. The upper cover 16 is provided on the upper surface of the main housing 10. The upper cover 16 can open and close the main body opening 15. By opening the upper cover 16, the inside of the main housing 10 can be approached through the main body opening 15.

[0022] A paper discharge unit 13 for discharging a sheet (recording medium) after image formation is provided on the upper surface of the upper cover 16. A paper discharge port 14 is provided on the upper portion of the main housing 10 so as to face the paper discharge unit 13 in the front-rear direction. The paper discharge port 14 is an opening leading to the interior of the housing 10. In the following description, the term "sheet" means copy paper, coated paper, OHP film, thick paper, postcard, tracing paper, or other sheet materials to which an image is formed.

[0023] The developing device 33 can be inserted and removed from the main body opening 15 when the upper cover 16 is opened. Each unit of the image forming unit 30 and the fixing unit 40 (except the developing device 33) can be inserted and removed from the rear side of the main body housing 10 when the rear cover 12 is opened.

[0024] The paper feed unit 20 includes a paper feed cassette 21. The paper feed cassette 21 stores sheets to be subjected to image forming processing. A portion of the paper feed cassette 21 protrudes forward from the front surface of the main body housing 10. The upper surface of the portion of the paper feed cassette 21 stored in the main body housing 10 is covered by a paper feed cassette top plate 21U.

[0025] The paper feed cassette 21 is provided with a paper storage space for storing a sheet stack, a lifting plate for lifting the sheet stack for paper feeding, etc. A paper extraction unit 21A is provided at the upper portion of the rear end side of the paper feed cassette 21. The paper extraction unit 21A is provided with a paper feed roller 21B for extracting the uppermost sheets of the sheet stack in the paper feed cassette 21 one by one.

[0026] The image forming unit 30 performs an image forming operation. The image forming operation is an operation of forming a toner image (developer image) on a sheet fed from the paper feeding unit 20. The image forming unit 30 includes a photosensitive drum 31, a charging unit 32 disposed around the photosensitive drum 31, an exposure unit 35, a developing device 33, and a transfer roller 34. The developer used in the image forming is a non-magnetic single-component developer consisting only of a toner.

[0027] The photosensitive drum 31 (image carrier) has a rotating shaft and an outer peripheral surface that rotates around the rotating shaft. A photosensitive layer is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 31. The photosensitive layer is composed of, for example, a known organic (OPC) photosensitive body and is composed of a charge generating layer, a charge transporting layer, etc. After being uniformly charged by the charging unit 32 described later, the photosensitive layer is irradiated with light by the exposure unit 35 to form an electrostatic latent image obtained by attenuating the charge, and carries a toner image that is visualized by the developing device 33 to visualize the electrostatic latent image.

[0028] The charging section 32 (charging device) is arranged at a predetermined interval relative to the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 31, and uniformly charges the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 31 in a non-contact state. Specifically, the charging section 32 includes a charging wire 321 and a grid electrode 322 (both refer to Figure 3 The charging wire 321 is a linear electrode extending in the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum 31 and generates corona discharge between the charging wire 321 and the photosensitive drum 31. The grid electrode 322 is a grid-shaped electrode extending in the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum 31 and is disposed between the charging wire 321 and the photosensitive drum 31.

[0029] The charging section 32 generates corona discharge by passing a current of a predetermined current value through the charging wire 321 , and applies a predetermined voltage to the grid electrode 322 , thereby uniformly charging the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 31 facing the grid electrode 322 to a predetermined surface potential.

[0030] The exposure unit 35 (exposure device) includes a laser light source and optical system devices such as a reflector or a lens. The exposure unit 35 irradiates the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 31 with light modulated according to image data given from an external device such as a personal computer. Thus, the exposure unit 35 forms an electrostatic latent image corresponding to an image based on the image data on the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 31.

[0031] The transfer roller 34 has a rotation axis parallel to the width direction of the sheet and an outer peripheral surface facing the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 31. The transfer roller 34 is supported on the main body housing 10 so as to be rotatable around the rotation axis. The transfer roller 34 transfers the toner image carried on the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 31 to the sheet passing through the nip portion between the transfer roller 34 and the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 31. When performing the transfer, a transfer voltage with a polarity opposite to that of the toner is applied to the transfer roller 34.

[0032] The fixing unit 40 is located downstream of the transfer roller 34 in the sheet conveying direction, and fixes the toner image transferred on the sheet on the sheet. The fixing unit 40 includes a fixing roller 41 and a pressure roller 42. The fixing roller 41 has a heating source inside, and heats the toner transferred on the sheet to a predetermined temperature. The pressure roller 42 is in pressure contact with the fixing roller 41, and a fixing nip is formed between the pressure roller 42 and the fixing roller 41. When the sheet to which the toner image is transferred passes through the fixing nip, the toner image is fixed to the sheet by the heating of the fixing roller 41 and the pressing of the pressure roller 42.

[0033] A main conveying path 22F and a reverse conveying path 22B are provided in the main housing 10. The main conveying path 22F and the reverse conveying path 22B convey sheets. The main conveying path 22F extends from the paper extraction portion 21A of the paper feeding portion 20 to the paper discharge port 14 via the image forming portion 30 and the fixing portion 40. The reverse conveying path 22B is a conveying path for returning a sheet printed on one side to the upstream of the image forming portion 30 of the main conveying path 22F when double-sided printing is performed on the sheet.

[0034] The main conveying path 22F extends from the bottom to the top through the transfer nip formed by the photosensitive drum 31 and the transfer roller 34. In addition, the registration roller pair 23 is arranged upstream of the transfer nip of the main conveying path 22F. The sheet is temporarily stopped at the registration roller pair 23, and after the skew is corrected, it is sent to the transfer nip at a predetermined timing for transferring an image. A plurality of conveying rollers for conveying the sheet are arranged on the main conveying path 22F and the reverse conveying path 22B. The discharge roller pair 24 is arranged near the discharge port 14.

[0035] The reversing conveying passage 22B is formed between the outer side surface of the reversing unit 25 and the inner surface of the rear cover 12 of the main housing 10. In addition, a transfer roller 34 and a roller of one side of the registration roller pair 23 are provided on the inner side surface of the reversing unit 25. The rear cover 12 and the reversing unit 25 can respectively rotate around the axis of the fulcrum portion 121 provided at their lower ends. When a jam (paper jam) occurs in the reversing conveying passage 22B, the rear cover 12 is opened. When a paper jam occurs in the main conveying passage 22F or when the unit of the photosensitive drum 31 and the developing device 33 are taken out to the outside, in addition to opening the rear cover 12, the reversing unit 25 is also opened.

[0036] like Figure 1 As shown, in the main housing 10, the width direction of the sheet body ( Figure 1 A pair of side surfaces 17 facing each other (in the paper direction) are formed with guide rails 18. The guide rails 18 are track structures that are recessed in the width direction of the sheet. The guide rails 18 extend downward from the main body opening 15 to the mounting position P1 of the developing device 33 relative to the main body housing 10.

[0037] Figure 2 It is a perspective view showing the entire developing device 33 . Figure 3 This is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the photosensitive drum 31 and the surrounding area of ​​the developing device 33 . Figure 4 This indicates that the developing roller 37 is removed from the developing container 36 (see Figure 2 ), limiting scraper 64 (refer to Figure 2 ) and the sleeve cover 63 (refer to Figure 2 ) is an overhead view of the developing device 33.

[0038] like Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 As shown, the developing device 33 includes a developing container 36 , a developing roller 37 (developer carrier), a supply roller 38 , a stirring paddle 333 , and a guide portion 69 .

[0039] The developing container 36 contains a non-magnetic single-component developer consisting of only toner, a developing roller 37, a supply roller 38, etc. The developing container 36 has a stirring chamber 335, a container opening 60 (opening), and a sleeve cover 63. The stirring chamber 335 contains the developer in a stirred state.

[0040] The container opening 60 is located further back than the stirring chamber 335 in the front-rear direction. The container opening 60 is a rectangular through hole that opens to the rear side (close to the photosensitive drum 31 side) of the developing container 36. The container opening 60 is formed to be elongated along the width direction (axial direction) of the developing device 33.

[0041] The developing roller 37 is disposed inside the container opening 60 so as to overlap with the container opening 60. A portion of the outer peripheral surface of the developing roller 37 is exposed to the outside of the developing container 36 from the container opening 60. The developing roller 37 has a rotation shaft 39 extending in the width direction of the developing device 33 (the width direction of the sheet). The rotation shaft 39 is supported in the developing container 36 in a rotatable manner. In other words, the developing roller 37 is rotatable in the counterclockwise direction in the figure about the rotation shaft 39 (see FIG. 1 ). Figure 3 ) is supported by the developing container 36 via the rotating shaft 39. Hereinafter, the direction along the rotating shaft 39 will be referred to as the "axial direction (rotating shaft direction)".

[0042] The developing roller 37 can carry toner on its outer peripheral surface. When the developing device 33 is located at the installation position P1, the portion of the developing roller 37 exposed from the container opening 60 is in contact with or closely opposite to the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 31. In this state, the developing roller 37 can supply non-magnetic single-component toner (developer) to the photosensitive drum 31.

[0043] The supply roller 38 is provided between the developing roller 37 and the stirring paddle 333. The supply roller 38 supplies a non-magnetic single-component toner (developer) to the outer peripheral surface of the developing roller 37. The stirring paddle 333 is provided in the stirring chamber 335, and stirs the developer in the stirring chamber 335.

[0044] The sleeve cover 63 is detachably mounted on both ends of the developer container 36 with respect to the sheet width direction. The sleeve cover 63 constitutes the side wall portion of the developer container 36. The sleeve cover 63 is formed with a plurality of through holes extending in the axial direction, and the rotating shaft 39 of the developing roller 37 and the rotating shaft of the supply roller 38 are inserted into the through holes, so that the developing roller 37 and the supply roller 38 are rotatably supported.

[0045] The guide portion 69 is a cylindrical protrusion protruding from the sleeve cover 63. The guide portion 69 can engage with the guide rail 18. When the guide portion 69 engages with the guide rail 18, the developing device 33 can move along the guide rail 18 between the main body opening 15 and the mounting position P1.

[0046] The developing device 33 is mounted in the main housing 10 at the mounting position P1 and supplies toner to the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 31. Thus, the electrostatic latent image formed on the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 31 is developed (a toner image (visible image) is formed to visualize the electrostatic latent image).

[0047] like Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 As shown in the figure, a pressing member 43, a flat portion 62, a front sealing member 65, a restricting scraper 64, and a scraper sealing member 67 are provided around the container opening 60. The pressing member 43 is provided at both ends of the axial direction of the developing roller 37. The flat portion 62 is located at a position further to the rear side (close to the photosensitive drum 31 side) than the container opening 60. The front sealing member 65 is provided on the flat portion 62. The restricting scraper 64 is fixed to the rear side end of the developing container 36. The scraper sealing member 67 is stacked on the back side of the restricting scraper 64.

[0048] Figure 5 It is used Figure 4 The side cross-sectional view of the developing device 33 is taken along the line AA shown. Figure 6 It is a perspective view showing the blade seal member 67 . Figure 7 The edge of the blade seal member 67 of the developing device 33 is surrounded by ( Figure 4 The area enclosed by the double-dashed circle B is a partial enlarged view. Figure 6 The scraper seal member 67 shown is a Figure 4 The scraper seal member 67 is shown in a state where the front-to-rear direction is reversed. Figure 4 and Figure 6 The left and right directions are opposite.

[0049] The pressing member 43 is located at a position that overlaps with both side ends of the container opening 60 in the axial direction (see Figure 2 ).like Figure 5 As shown, the pressing member 43 has a pressing surface 44. The pressing surface 44 is a surface that is curved so as to be concave toward the front side (stirring chamber 335 side) along the outer peripheral surface of the developing roller 37. The pressing surface 44 and the outer peripheral surfaces of both end portions 66 of the developing roller 37 are opposite to each other in the radial direction of the developing roller 37.

[0050] The thickness of the pressing member 43 is larger than the gap between the outer peripheral surface of the developing roller 37 and the inner surface of the developing container 36. Therefore, when the developing roller 37 is mounted on the developing container 36, the pressing surface 44 contacts the outer peripheral surface of the developing roller 37 and presses the developing roller 37 in the radial direction of the developing roller 37. The pressing surface 44 contacts and presses the two end portions 66, thereby blocking the gap between the two end portions 66 and the developing container 36, and suppressing the developer from flowing out of the inside of the developing container 36.

[0051] The pressing member 43 has a multi-layer structure (here, a two-layer structure) formed by stacking a plurality of sheets stacked in the radial direction of the developing roller 37. Among the multi-layer sheets, at least the sheet closest to the developing roller 37 in the radial direction is a sheet of polytetrafluoroethylene (so-called Teflon). The pressing surface 44 is formed on the surface of the sheet. Another sheet in the multi-layer sheet is formed of polyurethane foam such as sponge.

[0052] return Figure 2 , Figure 3 The flat portion 62 is a plane connected to a portion of the inner surface of the developer container 36 located below the developer roller 37. The flat portion 62 extends backward (in a direction approaching the photosensitive drum 31) from the container opening 60. When the developer device 33 is located at the installation position P1, the flat portion 62 becomes substantially horizontal.

[0053] The front sealing member 65 is a rectangular thin sheet formed of a PET film or the like. The front sealing member 65 is stacked on the flat portion 62 and bonded to the developing container 36 by an adhesive or the like. The front sealing member 65 is formed to be elongated in the axial direction. The front sealing member 65 extends across the two end portions 66 of the developing roller 37 in the axial direction.

[0054] The end edge of the front seal member 65, which is closer to the developing roller 37 (supply roller 38) of both end edges in the front-back direction (direction perpendicular to the sheet width direction), contacts the entire region of the region that carries the developer on the outer peripheral surface of the developing roller 37 with respect to the axial direction. The front seal member 65 blocks the gap between the developing container 36 and the developing roller 37 by contacting the outer peripheral surface of the developing roller 37, thereby suppressing the outflow of the developer in the developing container 36.

[0055] The front sealing member 65 has a first shielding portion 19. The first shielding portion 19 stands up in the surface direction of the front sealing member 65 from the end edge on the side away from the developing roller 37 (supply roller 38) of the two end edges in the front-to-back direction (the direction orthogonal to the width direction of the sheet). The first shielding portion 19 protrudes upward across the entire axial area of ​​the end edge of the front sealing member 65. The first shielding portion 19 is in a square shape formed of sponge or the like. The first shielding portion 19 is bonded to the surface of the front sealing member 65 by an adhesive or the like. The first shielding portion 19 holds the developer that slightly flows out from the gap between the developing roller 37 and the developing container 36 in a manner that prevents the developer from dripping to the outside of the developing device 33.

[0056] A second shielding portion 53 in the form of a plate protruding upward is provided outside both ends of the first shielding portion 19 in the axial direction. The second shielding portion 53 is located at a position overlapping with the pressing member 43 with respect to the axial direction. The second shielding portion 53 is formed integrally with the sleeve cover 63. When the sleeve cover 63 is mounted on the developing container 36, the second shielding portion 53 extends from the sleeve cover 63 in the axial direction to approach the first shielding portion 19.

[0057] like Figure 2 , Figure 3 As shown in FIG. 1 , the limiting scraper 64 is a rectangular plate-like body formed to be elongated in the axial direction. The limiting scraper 64 is provided at a portion above the opening edge of the container opening 60 and protrudes toward the developing roller 37. The front end portion of the limiting scraper 64 in the protruding direction is arranged to be in contact with or close to the outer peripheral surface of the developing roller 37. The toner supplied to the developing roller 37 enters between the limiting scraper 64 and the developing roller 37 as the developing roller 37 rotates, and is frictionally charged and carried on the developing roller 37 as a thin layer of a certain thickness.

[0058] like Figure 3 , Figure 5 As shown, with respect to the front-rear direction (direction orthogonal to the axial direction), a blade seal member 67 is provided between the restricting blade 64 and the developing container 36. The blade seal member 67 is composed of a multi-layer sheet body including a first stacked body 70 and a second stacked body 71 stacked in the front-rear direction.

[0059] The first stacked body 70 is stacked on the surface of the restriction blade 64 that is away from the photosensitive drum 31 side (the surface that is located upstream of the restriction blade 64 with respect to the rotation direction of the developing roller 37) with respect to the direction orthogonal to the axial direction (front-rear direction), and is bonded by an adhesive or the like. The first stacked body 70 is formed of sponge such as PORON brand polyurethane foam. The first stacked body 70 is formed to be elongated in the axial direction.

[0060] like Figure 4As shown, the first stack 70 is disposed between a pair of pressing members 43 in the axial direction. Both end portions of the first stack 70 in the axial direction are in pressure contact (contact and press) with the pressing members 43. The lower side end edges of the side end edges of the first stack 70 in the axial direction overlap with the upper edge of the container opening 60.

[0061] like Figure 4 , Figure 6 As shown in FIG. 1 , the first stacked body 70 is composed of a first sealing member 72 and a second sealing member 73 which are arranged in the axial direction. A connecting portion 74 is formed at the facing portions of the first sealing member 72 and the second sealing member 73 .

[0062] The first sealing member 72 is formed with a first protrusion 77 and a first recess 76. The first protrusion 77 and the first recess 76 are located at the end portion located on the central side of the container opening 60 with respect to the axial direction. The first protrusion 77 protrudes in the axial direction from the end portion of the first sealing member 72. The first recess 76 is recessed from the front end of the protruding direction of the first protrusion 77 in the direction opposite to the protruding direction. The first protrusion 77 and the first recess 76 are adjacent to each other in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction.

[0063] The second sealing member 73 is formed with a second protrusion 75 and a second recess 78. The second protrusion 75 and the second recess 78 are located at the end portion located on the central side of the container opening 60 in the axial direction. The second protrusion 75 protrudes in the axial direction from the end portion of the second sealing member 73. The second recess 78 is recessed from the front end of the protruding direction of the second protrusion 75 in the direction opposite to the protruding direction. The second protrusion 75 and the second recess 78 are adjacent to each other in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction.

[0064] The second protrusion 75 overlaps with the first recess 76 in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction (up and down direction). The length from the bottom of the second recess 78 to the front end of the second protrusion 75 is equal to or slightly smaller than the length from the bottom of the first recess 76 to the front end of the first protrusion 77. The first protrusion 77 is inserted into the second recess 78, and the second protrusion 75 is inserted into the first recess 76.

[0065] The connection portion 74 is composed of a first protrusion 77, a first recess 76, a second protrusion 75, and a second recess 78. The connection portion 74 axially joins the first sealing member 72 and the second sealing member 73 by an adhesive applied so as to block the space between the first protrusion 77 and the second recess 78 and the space between the first recess 76 and the second protrusion 75.

[0066] The second stack 71 is a sheet material that is elongated in the axial direction. The second stack 71 is formed of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The second stack 71 has a greater rigidity than the first stack 70. Figure 5 , Figure 6 As shown in FIG. 1 , the second stacked body 71 is stacked on the surface of the first stacked body 70 opposite to the contact surface with the restriction blade 64 (the surface away from the developing roller 37 in the front-rear direction). The second stacked body 71 is bonded to the first stacked body 70 by an adhesive or the like. One second stacked body 71 is stacked on each of the first sealing member 72 and the second sealing member 73.

[0067] The axial length of the second stack 71 is shorter than the axial length of the blade seal member 67. With respect to the axial direction, both ends of the second stack 71 are located further inward than both ends of the blade seal member 67. In the region from both ends of the blade seal member 67 in the axial direction to both ends of the second stack 71, a buffer portion 68 is formed where the first stack 70 protrudes from the second stack 71.

[0068] The second stacked body 71 is provided with sealing side positioning protrusions 79 (positioning protrusions) at positions symmetrically inwardly and axially inwardly of both ends. The sealing side positioning protrusions 79 protrude outwardly in the axial direction and in the vertical direction from the edge of the scraper seal member 67 (see Figure 7 ).

[0069] like Figure 4 , Figure 7 As shown in the figure, container side positioning protrusions 80 are formed at both ends of the container opening 60 in the axial direction. The container side positioning protrusions 80 protrude downward from a part of the inner side of the developing container 36. The container side positioning protrusions 80 are formed with opposing surfaces 81 on the surface of the container side positioning protrusions 80 that is close to the center side of the container opening 60 in the axial direction. The opposing surfaces 81 of each container side positioning protrusion 80 are opposed to each other in the axial direction with a part of the scraper sealing member 67 sandwiched therebetween.

[0070] The seal side positioning protrusion 79 is located inside each container side positioning protrusion 80 with respect to the axial direction. The seal side positioning protrusion 79 and the container side positioning protrusion 80 are located at a position overlapping in the vertical direction. The seal side positioning protrusion 79 and the container side positioning protrusion 80 are opposite to each other in the axial direction. By making the seal side positioning protrusion 79 contact with the container side positioning protrusion 80, the second stacked body 71 is positioned in the axial direction.

[0071] As described above, the second stack 71 is positioned by the contact between the sealing side positioning protrusion 79 and the opposite surface 81. Since the rigidity of the second stack 71 is greater than that of the first stack 70, the positioning of the scraper seal member 67 becomes easy by the contact between the sealing side positioning protrusion 79 and the opposite surface 81. Here, the second stack 71 is stacked and bonded with the first stack 70, and the first stack 70, that is, the scraper seal member 67 is positioned by positioning the second stack 71. In this state, since the first stack 70 is in pressure contact with the pressing member 43, the axial gap between the developing container 36 and the scraper seal member 67 is blocked by the pressing member 43, so that the outflow path of the developer can be blocked. Therefore, it is possible to provide a developing device 33 that can suppress the outflow of the developer.

[0072] In addition, as described above, both ends of the second stack 71 are located axially inwardly of both ends of the first stack 70, and the buffer portion 68 is formed in the portion of the first stack 70 from both ends of the second stack 71 to both ends of the first stack 70. Therefore, when the blade seal member 67 is positioned and both ends of the first stack 70 are in contact with the pressing member 43, the buffer portion 68 is compressed. As a result, the compression rate of the portion (buffer portion 68) where the first stack 70 is in contact with the pressing member 43 becomes high, so that the sealing performance between the first stack 70 and the pressing member 43 can be improved. Therefore, the outflow of the developer can be better suppressed.

[0073] In addition, as described above, the first stack 70 connects the first sealing member 72 and the second sealing member 73 formed separately through the connecting portion 74. Moreover, the second stack 71 is stacked on the first sealing member 72 and the second sealing member 73, respectively. Therefore, when the scraper sealing member 67 is arranged between a pair of pressing members 43 relative to the axial direction, it can be arranged in a state where there is a sufficient gap (gap) between each pressing member 43 and the first sealing member 72 and the second sealing member 73. In this state, the first sealing member 72 and the second sealing member 73 can be bonded by an adhesive at an interval that generates a specified contact pressure between the scraper sealing member 67 and the pressing member 43. As a result, the assembly performance can be improved, thereby suppressing the manufacturing cost of the developing device 33.

[0074] In addition, a first shielding portion 19 is provided that protrudes upward over the entire region of the end edge in the longitudinal direction of the front sealing member 65. Therefore, even if waste toner is accumulated around the container opening 60, when the developing device 33 is mounted to the main housing 10 with the orientation downward, the waste toner around the container opening 60 is blocked by the first shielding portion 19. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the waste toner from falling into the main housing 10.

[0075] Therefore, the developing device 33 can be provided which can suppress the developer from flowing out from the gap between the developing roller 37 and the developing container 36 and can suppress the developer from falling from around the container opening 60 of the developing device 33 into the main body casing 10 .

[0076] In addition, as described above, the second shielding portion 53 is located at a position that overlaps with the pressing member 43 with respect to the axial direction. Therefore, even if the developer slightly flows out from the gap between the pressing member 43 and the developing roller 37, the second shielding portion 53 can prevent the developer from flowing out to the outside of the developing container 36. In addition, as described above, the second shielding portion 53 is formed integrally with the sleeve cover 63. Therefore, when the sleeve cover 63 is installed, the second shielding portion 53 is also positioned at a predetermined position. As a result, the number of man-hours for installation can be reduced, thereby suppressing the manufacturing cost.

[0077] In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and various changes can be made within the scope of the present invention. For example, in the above-mentioned embodiment, a black and white printer is described as an example of the image forming device 1, but the present invention can also be applied to a tandem or rotary color printer. In addition, the present invention can also be applied to image forming devices such as copiers, fax machines, or digital multifunction machines having these functions.

[0078] In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the first shielding portion 19 is formed of sponge, but it is not limited thereto and may be formed of other materials. In addition, the first shielding portion 19 may also be formed integrally with the front sealing member 65 and bent upward from the end edge of the front sealing member 65. In this case, the number of parts of the front sealing member 65 can be reduced, thereby suppressing the manufacturing cost.

[0079] In the above-described embodiment, the developer is a non-magnetic one-component developer composed only of a toner, but a two-component developer using a toner and a carrier may also be used.

[0080] The present invention can be applied to an image forming apparatus including a developing device for performing development using a developer containing a toner. By utilizing the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of suppressing outflow of the developer to the outside of the developing device.

Claims

1. A developing device, It is characterized in that include: A developing container having an opening and accommodating a developer including a toner therein; A developer carrier rotatably supported on the developer container, having a developing area in which a portion of an outer peripheral surface carrying the developer is exposed from the opening and faces the image carrier, and the toner is supplied to the image carrier in the developing area; a restriction scraper, arranged upstream of the developing area in the rotation direction of the developer carrier, and restricting the layer thickness of the developer carried by the developer carrier; as well as A pair of pressing members contact the two end portions of the developer carrier in the direction of the rotation axis to block the gap between the two end portions of the developer carrier and the developer container. The developing device further includes a scraper sealing member, the scraper sealing member comprising: a first stacked body, which is arranged on the inner side of the pair of pressing members relative to the rotation axis direction and is stacked on a surface upstream of the limiting scraper relative to the rotation direction of the developer carrier; and a second stacked body, which is stacked on a surface of the first stacked body on the opposite side to the limiting scraper and has a greater rigidity than the first stacked body. The developing container has a pair of opposing surfaces that are opposite to each other in the direction of the rotation axis. The second stack has a positioning protrusion at a position further inside than both ends of the first stack in the direction of the rotation axis, the positioning protrusion protruding from the first stack in the direction of the rotation axis and contacting the pair of opposing surfaces, and positioned in the direction of the rotation axis. The first stacked body is in pressure contact with the pressing member in the rotation axis direction in a state in which the second stacked body is positioned in the rotation axis direction.

2. The developing device according to claim 1, It is characterized in that Both ends of the second stack in the direction of the rotation axis are located on the inner side than both ends of the first stack in the direction of the rotation axis.

3. The developing device according to claim 1 or 2, It is characterized in that The first stacked body comprises: a first sealing member and a second sealing member arranged along the rotation axis direction; and a connecting portion formed at a portion where the first sealing member and the second sealing member face each other. The connecting portion comprises: a first protrusion protruding from an end of the first sealing member on the second sealing member side toward the second sealing member along the rotation axis direction relative to the rotation axis direction; and a first recessed portion recessed from the end of the first sealing member in a direction opposite to the protruding direction of the first protrusion; a second protrusion protruding from an end portion of the second sealing member on the first sealing member side in the rotation axis direction relative to the rotation axis direction and inserted into the first recess; and a second recessed portion, which is recessed from the end portion of the second sealing member in a direction opposite to the protruding direction of the second protrusion, the first protrusion is inserted into the second recessed portion, the first sealing member and the second sealing member are bonded by applying an adhesive between the first protrusion and the second recessed portion, and between the first recessed portion and the second protrusion, and the gap between the first sealing member and the second sealing member is blocked by the adhesive.

4. The developing device according to claim 1 or 2, It is characterized in that The first laminate is a sponge.

5. The developing device according to claim 1 or 2, It is characterized in that The second laminate is a sheet made of polyethylene terephthalate.

6. An image forming device, It is characterized in that include: Device body; An image carrier is disposed inside the device body and has an electrostatic latent image formed on its outer peripheral surface; as well as The developing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 can be detachably arranged inside the device body, and when installed inside the device body, the developer carrier contacts or approaches the outer peripheral surface of the image carrier to develop the electrostatic latent image into a colorant image.

Images