Developer and image forming apparatus

Abstract

A developing device and an image forming apparatus, the developing device including: a developer holding body that holds a developer that contains a toner and a carrier and is supplied to an image holding body that forms an electrostatic latent image; and a transport member that stirs and transports the developer flowing in from the inflow port by means of a rotating member and causes the developer to flow out toward the developer holding body at the outflow port, the transport member including a first blade portion that transports the developer toward the outflow port and a second blade portion that transports the developer in a direction opposite to the outflow port as a portion constituting a part of the rotating member, the amount of the developer flowing in from the inflow port is greater than the amount of the developer flowing out from the outflow port.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a developer and an image forming device. Background Art

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a developing device comprising: a developer carrier that carries a developer containing a colorant and a magnetic carrier; a developer container that extends in a direction parallel to the axial direction of the developer carrier and contains the developer to be supplied to the developer carrier; a partition that divides the developer container into a first conveying space and a second conveying space and extends in a direction parallel to the axial direction so that the developer can be transferred between the first conveying space and the second conveying space on both end sides; a stirring conveying component that stirs and conveys the developer so that the developer circulates between the first conveying space and the second conveying space; and a flow adjustment portion that adjusts the flow rate between the first conveying space and the second conveying space. The developer container includes a first part corresponding to the developer carrier and a second part protruding from the first part in a direction parallel to the axial direction, the partition portion located in the second part is provided with an opening portion, the opening portion is used to connect the first conveying space with the second conveying space and circulate the developer in the second part, the second conveying space has an area facing the opening portion and an adjacent area adjacent to the area on the downstream side of the conveying direction in which the stirring conveying component conveys the developer, and the flow adjustment portion adjusts the flow of the developer circulating in the second part through the opening portion by adjusting the amount of developer passing through the adjacent area according to the change of the colorant amount.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-159810 Summary of the invention

[0004] Here, the amount of developer containing toner and carrier in the developer changes according to the toner consumption, etc. If the developer amount changes, the charge amount of the toner or the amount supplied to the developer holder becomes unstable, which may cause uneven image density and other quality degradation. Therefore, it is required to stably supply the developer to the developer holder even when the developer amount changes. Therefore, it is conceivable to increase the amount of developer in the developer when the toner consumption increases, for example, by controlling the detection result of the detection member to achieve a structure of stable supply. However, if this structure is adopted, the structure will become complicated.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to stably supply developer to a developer holder with a simple structure even if the consumption of developer including toner and carrier increases, compared to a case where the amount of developer is increased by control.

[0006] The invention described in Scheme 1 is a developer, which comprises: a developer retaining body that retains the developer, the developer containing a colorant and a carrier, and is supplied to an image retaining body that forms an electrostatic latent image; and a conveying member that stirs and conveys the developer flowing in from an inlet by a rotating member, and causes it to flow out toward the developer retaining body at the outlet, and a portion that constitutes a part of the rotating member comprises a first blade portion that conveys toward the outlet and a second blade portion that conveys in a direction opposite to the outlet, and the amount of developer flowing in from the inlet is greater than the amount of developer flowing out from the outlet.

[0007] The invention described in claim 2 is characterized in that in the developer described in claim 1, an end portion of the first blade portion that is away from the outflow port is located in a region corresponding to a width of the inflow port.

[0008] The invention described in claim 3 is characterized in that in the developer described in claim 2, the remote end portion is located on a side remote from the outflow port when the region is divided into two parts at the center in the width direction of the inflow port.

[0009] The invention described in claim 4 is characterized in that in the developer described in claim 2, the distal end portion is located on a side close to the outflow port when the region is divided into two parts at the center in the width direction of the inflow port.

[0010] The invention described in Scheme 5 is characterized in that in the developer described in any one of Schemes 1 to 4, the developer flowing into the inlet is transported through a transport path utilizing a rotating part different from the rotating part of the transporting member, and the direction of transport by the different rotating part is the same as the direction of transport by the rotating part.

[0011] The invention described in Scheme 6 is characterized in that in the developer described in any one of Schemes 1 to 4, the developer flowing into the inlet is transported through a transport path utilizing a rotating part different from the rotating part of the transporting member, and the transport force transmitted by the different rotating part is greater than the transport force transmitted by the first blade part.

[0012] The invention described in claim 7 is characterized in that in the developer described in claim 6, the magnitude of the conveying force is determined by at least any one of the magnitude of the pitch of the blade, the magnitude of the radius of the blade, and the speed of the rotation during conveyance.

[0013] The invention described in claim 8 is characterized in that in the developing device described in claim 5 or 6, the developer conveyed by the second blade portion can be discharged.

[0014] The invention described in Scheme 9 is an image forming device, which includes: an image holder that forms an electrostatic latent image; a developing component that develops the electrostatic latent image formed by the image holder into a colorant image; a transfer component that transfers the colorant image developed by the developing component to a recording material; and a fixing component that fixes the colorant image transferred to the recording material to the recording material, the developing component comprising: a developer holder that holds a developer, the developer containing a colorant and a carrier and supplied to the image holder that forms the electrostatic latent image; and a conveying component that stirs and conveys the developer flowing in from an inlet by a rotating component and causes it to flow out toward the developer holder at the outlet, and as a part constituting a part of the rotating component, comprises a first blade portion that conveys toward the outlet and a second blade portion that conveys in the direction opposite to the outlet, the amount of developer flowing in from the inlet is greater than the amount of developer flowing out from the outlet.

[0015] Effects of the Invention

[0016] According to the first aspect of the present invention, compared with the case where the amount of developer is increased by control when the consumption of developer containing toner and carrier increases, the developer can be stably supplied to the developer holder with a simple structure even if the consumption of developer increases.

[0017] According to the second aspect of the present invention, compared with a configuration in which the end of the first blade portion away from the outflow port is located in a region corresponding to the width of the inflow port, excess or deficiency of developer conveyed to the outflow port can be prevented.

[0018] According to the third aspect of the present invention, the amount of developer conveyed to the outlet can be increased compared to a case where the distal end portion is not located at the center of the width direction of the outlet to divide the region into two parts.

[0019] According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the amount of developer conveyed to the outlet can be prevented from becoming excessive, compared with a case where the structure is not provided in which the distal end is located at the center in the width direction of the outlet to divide the area into two parts on the side close to the outlet.

[0020] According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, compared with a case where the direction of transmission by a different rotating member is the same as the direction of transmission by the rotating member, it is possible to utilize inertial force when transmitting by the rotating member.

[0021] According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, compared with a case where the structure in which the conveying force transmitted by the different rotating member is larger than the conveying force transmitted by the first blade portion is not provided, the developer can be stably supplied to the developer holding member.

[0022] According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the design conditions of the developer can be relaxed.

[0023] According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the developer amount from being excessive.

[0024] According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, compared with the case where the amount of developer is increased by control when the consumption of developer containing colorant and carrier increases, the developer can be stably supplied to the developer holder with a simple structure even if the consumption of developer increases. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the following drawings.

[0026] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus;

[0027] Figure 2 is a schematic front view of a developer for explaining an image forming apparatus;

[0028] Figure 3 is a schematic top view illustrating a developer of an image forming apparatus;

[0029] Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the transmission force transmitted by the blade portion and the transmission force transmitted by the blade portion;

[0030] Figure 5 is a diagram for explaining the position of the blade portion relative to the inlet. Figure 5 (a) represents an example, Figure 5 (b) indicates another example;

[0031] Figure 6 A diagram illustrating a developer according to a first embodiment;

[0032] Figure 7 It is a diagram for explaining a developing device according to a second embodiment.

[0033] Explanation of symbols

[0034] 1-image forming device, 31-photosensitive drum, 33-developer, 41-intermediate transfer belt, 50a, 50c, 50d-transport direction, 51, 52-rotating parts, 52a, 52b-blade parts, 52c-end part, 54-inflow port, 54a-width, 54b, 54c, 54d-area, 55-outflow port, 80-fixing device, 334-developing roller, 337-second transport part, CL-center line, W-width direction. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0036] Figure 1 It is a diagram for explaining the image forming apparatus 1 .

[0037] The image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a paper feeding unit 1A, a printing unit 1B, and a paper discharge unit 1C.

[0038] The paper feeding unit 1A includes first to fourth paper accommodating sections 11 to 14 for accommodating paper P as an example of recording media.

[0039] The paper feeding unit 1A is provided corresponding to the first to fourth paper accommodating portions 11 to 14 , respectively, and is provided with delivery rollers 15 to 18 for delivering the paper P accommodated in each paper accommodating portion to a transport path connected to the printing unit 1B.

[0040] The printing unit 1B includes an image forming section 20 that forms an image on the paper P. The printing unit 1B is also provided with a control section 21 that controls each section of the image forming apparatus 1 .

[0041] Furthermore, the printing unit 1B includes an image processing unit 22 . The image processing unit 22 performs image processing on image data sent from the image reading device 4 or the personal computer (PC) 5 .

[0042] Furthermore, the printing unit 1B is provided with a UI (User Interface) 23 which is constituted by a touch panel or the like and which notifies information to the user and accepts input of information from the user.

[0043] The image forming section 20 as an example of an image forming member includes six image forming units 30T, 30P, 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K (hereinafter, sometimes simply referred to as “image forming units 30 ”) arranged in parallel at predetermined intervals.

[0044] Each image forming unit 30 includes a photosensitive drum 31 that forms an electrostatic latent image while rotating in the direction of arrow A, a charging roller 32 that charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 31, a developer 33 that develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 31, and a drum cleaner 34 that removes colorant and the like on the surface of the photosensitive drum 31.

[0045] The photosensitive drum 31 is an example of an image holding member.

[0046] Furthermore, the image forming section 20 is provided with a laser exposure device 26 for exposing the photosensitive drum 31 of each image forming unit 30 with a laser beam.

[0047] The exposure of the photosensitive drum 31 by the laser exposure device 26 is not limited to that by the laser beam. For example, a light source such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode) may be provided for each image forming unit 30, and the photosensitive drum 31 may be exposed using light emitted from the light source.

[0048] The image forming units 30 have the same structure except for the toner stored in the developer 33. The image forming units 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K form yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) toner images, respectively.

[0049] The image forming units 30T and 30P form toner images using toner corresponding to the corporate color, foaming toner for Braille, fluorescent toner, gloss-enhancing toner, etc. In other words, the image forming units 30T and 30P form toner images using special color toner.

[0050] Furthermore, the image forming section 20 is provided with an intermediate transfer belt 41 for transferring the toner images of the respective colors formed on the photosensitive drums 31 of the respective image forming units 30 .

[0051] Furthermore, the image forming section 20 is provided with a primary transfer roller 42 that transfers the color toner images of the image forming units 30 onto the intermediate transfer belt 41 at the primary transfer section T1 .

[0052] The image forming section 20 is provided with a secondary transfer roller 40 that transfers the toner image transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 41 onto the paper P at the secondary transfer section T2 .

[0053] Furthermore, the image forming section 20 is provided with a belt cleaner 45 for removing toner and the like on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 41 , and a fixing device 80 for fixing the secondarily transferred image to the paper P.

[0054] The developing device 33 is an example of a developing member, the intermediate transfer belt 41 is an example of a transfer member, and the fixing device 80 is an example of a fixing member.

[0055] The image forming section 20 performs an image forming operation according to a control signal from the control section 21 .

[0056] Specifically, in the image forming unit 20 , first, the image processing unit 22 performs image processing on the image data input from the image reading device 4 or the PC 5 , and the image data after the image processing is supplied to the laser exposure device 26 .

[0057] Then, for example, in the magenta (M) image forming unit 30M, after the surface of the photosensitive drum 31 is charged by the charging roller 32 , the photosensitive drum 31 is irradiated with a laser beam modulated by image data obtained from the image processing section 22 by the laser exposure device 26 .

[0058] Thus, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 31 .

[0059] The formed electrostatic latent image is developed by the developer 33 , so that a magenta toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 31 .

[0060] Similarly, yellow, cyan, and black toner images are formed in the image forming units 30Y, 30C, and 30K, and special color toner images are formed in the image forming units 30T and 30P.

[0061] The toner images of the respective colors formed in the respective image forming units 30 are electrostatically transferred to the primary transfer rollers 42 in sequence. Figure 1 A toner image superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 41 is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 41 rotating in the direction of arrow C.

[0062] The superimposed toner images formed on the intermediate transfer belt 41 are conveyed to the secondary transfer portion T2 constituted by the secondary transfer roller 40 and the backup roller 49 as the intermediate transfer belt 41 moves.

[0063] On the other hand, after being taken out from the first paper storage unit 11 by the delivery roller 15 , for example, the paper P is transported to the position of the registration roller 74 via the transport path.

[0064] When the superimposed toner images are conveyed to the secondary transfer portion T2 , the paper P is supplied from the registration roller 74 to the secondary transfer portion T2 at the timing.

[0065] Then, the superimposed toner images are electrostatically transferred onto the paper P at a secondary transfer portion T2 by the action of a transfer electric field formed between the secondary transfer roller 40 and the backup roller 49 .

[0066] Then, the paper P to which the superimposed toner images are electrostatically transferred is conveyed to the fixing device 80 .

[0067] In the fixing device 80 , the paper P on which the unfixed toner image is formed is pressed and heated, and a fixing process of the toner image on the paper P is performed.

[0068] Then, the paper P that has been subjected to the fixing process passes through a curl correction section 81 provided in the paper discharge unit 1C, and is then conveyed to a paper stacking section (not shown).

[0069] Figure 2 and Figure 3 FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a developing device 33 of the image forming apparatus 1. Figure 2 It is from Figure 1 A schematic front view of the developer 33 when viewed from the same direction as shown, Figure 3 This is a schematic plan view of the developing device 33 as seen from above.

[0070] like Figure 2 As shown, the developing device 33 includes a housing 331 for housing a developer (not shown) therein. The housing 331 is formed of a resin housing frame 332. The developer is a so-called two-component developer composed of a magnetic carrier and a colored toner.

[0071] The housing frame 332 of the developer 33 is arranged along the Figure 2 The direction extending from the image forming device 1 (reference Figure 1 ) is oriented toward the rear side, and has a near-front part (not shown) on the front side and an inner part (not shown) on the rear side.

[0072] The accommodating frame 332 is in contact with the photosensitive drum 31 (refer to Figure 1 ) is provided at a position opposite to the photosensitive drum 31. The opening 333 is provided with a developing roller 334 that allows the developer to adhere to the surface of the photosensitive drum 31. The developing roller 334 holds the developer supplied to the photosensitive drum 31. The position where the developer of the developing roller 334 is supplied to the photosensitive drum 31 is sometimes called a developing position.

[0073] The developing roller 334 as an example of a developer holding member is formed in a cylindrical shape and is arranged to extend in a direction from the front side to the rear side of the image forming apparatus 1. In other words, the developing roller 334 is arranged along the longitudinal direction of the developing device 33.

[0074] The developing roller 334 includes a developing sleeve 334A which is formed of a cylindrical body and is driven to rotate, and a magnet roller 334B which is arranged inside the developing sleeve 334A.

[0075] The developing sleeve 334A is made of metal such as SUS, for example, and rotates in the direction of arrow D in the figure.

[0076] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, at the primary transfer portion T1 (refer to Figure 1 ), the developing sleeve 334A and the photosensitive drum 31 rotate in such a manner that the developing sleeve 334A and the photosensitive drum 31 move in the same direction.

[0077] The developing device 33 is provided with a layer regulating member 335 that regulates the layer thickness of the developer held by the developing roller 334 .

[0078] And, if Figure 2As shown, the developing device 33 is provided with a first conveying portion 336, a second conveying portion 337, and a third conveying portion 338 for conveying the developer. Hereinafter, the first conveying portion 336, the second conveying portion 337, and the third conveying portion 338 may be referred to as conveying portions 336 to 338.

[0079] The conveying parts 336 to 338 are provided at the same position as the photosensitive drum 31 (reference Figure 1 ) on the side opposite to the side of the ).

[0080] The conveying parts 336 to 338 are respectively provided with rotating members 51, 52, 53 extending along the rotating axis of the developing sleeve 334A which is driven to rotate, and rotate around the rotating members 51, 52, 53. That is, the conveying parts 336 to 338 are arranged to be close to the photosensitive drum 31 (refer to Figure 1 ) are roughly parallel.

[0081] The first conveying section 336 and the second conveying section 337 have different sizes (i.e., vertical positions). That is, the developer from the first conveying section 336 is conveyed to the second conveying section 337 located above the first conveying section 336. The so-called vertical conveying path is formed.

[0082] In addition, the developer 33 according to the present embodiment includes the vertical transport path, but a configuration without the vertical transport path is also conceivable. Also, as the vertical transport path, the second transport section 337 is shown as being located above the first transport section 336, but a configuration in which the second transport section 337 is located below the first transport section 336 is also conceivable.

[0083] like Figure 3 As shown, the rotating member 51 of the first conveying portion 336 includes a spiral blade portion 51a in the axial direction. As the rotating member 51 rotates, the developer is stirred and conveyed by the blade portion 51a.

[0084] The rotating member 52 of the second conveying portion 337 has a spiral blade portion 52a in the axial direction, and conveys the developer by rotating and stirring. The rotating member 53 of the third conveying portion 338 has a spiral blade portion 53a in the axial direction, and conveys the developer by rotating and stirring.

[0085] The developer in the housing portion 331 is supplied to the developing roller 334 through a conveying path in which the developer is conveyed in the order of the first conveying portion 336 , the second conveying portion 337 , and the third conveying portion 338 .

[0086] The developing roller 334 is supplied by the first conveying section 336 in the conveying direction 50a ( Figure 3The supply to the developing roller 334 is achieved by moving the developing roller 334 in the second conveying section 337 in the conveying direction 50c ( Figure 3 Furthermore, the supply to the developing roller 334 is achieved by moving the developing roller 334 in the third conveying section 338 in the conveying direction 50f ( Figure 3 This can be achieved by moving the

[0087] The conveying directions 50a and 50c are the same directions, and the conveying direction 50f is the opposite direction to the conveying directions 50a and 50c. The conveying direction 50a is an example of a direction conveyed by different rotating members, and the conveying direction 50c is an example of a direction conveyed by a rotating member.

[0088] The second conveying section 337 is provided on the downstream side ( Figure 3 The inlet 54 (on the left end side in the middle) is connected to the first conveying unit 336. Furthermore, the second conveying unit 337 is connected to the third conveying unit 338 via the outlet 55 provided on the downstream side of the conveying direction conveyed by the blade portion 52a of the second conveying unit 337.

[0089] The inlet 54 is a connection portion that connects the first conveying unit 336 and the second conveying unit 337 to each other, and the outlet 55 is a connection portion that connects the second conveying unit 337 and the third conveying unit 338 to each other.

[0090] In this way, a conveyance path of the developer to the developing roller 334 is formed.

[0091] The developer in the first conveying portion 336 advances in the inflow direction 50 b at the inflow port 54 and flows into the second conveying portion 337 . The developer in the second conveying portion 337 advances in the outflow direction 50 e at the outflow port 55 and flows into the third conveying portion 338 .

[0092] To further explain, the rotating member 52 of the second conveying portion 337 has a blade portion 52a for conveying the developer in the above-mentioned conveying direction 50c (i.e., the direction from the inlet 54 to the outlet 55). In addition, the rotating member 52 has a blade portion 52b for conveying the developer in the conveying direction 50d (i.e., the direction away from the outlet 55) which is the opposite direction to the conveying direction 50c. In addition, the conveying direction 50c can be called the main direction, and the conveying direction 50d can be called the secondary direction. The conveying direction 50d is an example of a direction opposite to the outlet.

[0093] In this manner, the rotating member 52 includes the blade portion 52 a that sends the fluid toward the outflow port 55 , and the blade portion 52 b that sends the fluid in the opposite direction to the outflow port 55 .

[0094] As described above, the rotating member 52 is configured so that the conveying direction branches into two directions in the second conveying portion 337 .

[0095] The second conveying portion 337 is an example of a conveying member, the rotating member 52 is an example of a rotating member, and the rotating member 51 is an example of a different rotating member. Furthermore, the blade portion 52a is an example of a first blade portion, and the blade portion 52b is an example of a second blade portion.

[0096] Here, the inflow developer, which is the developer flowing into the second conveying portion 337 from the inflow port 54 , and the outflow developer, which is the developer flowing out from the outflow port 55 to the third conveying portion 338 , are described.

[0097] In this embodiment, when comparing the amount of developer flowing in and out in the second conveying portion 337 , the developer flowing in is different from the developer flowing out, and the developer flowing in is larger than the developer flowing out from the outlet 55 .

[0098] To further explain, the outflowing developer in the second conveying portion 337 is conveyed in the conveying direction 50c by the blade portion 52a of the rotating member 52, and the remaining developer obtained by subtracting the outflowing developer amount from the inflowing developer amount is conveyed in the conveying direction 50d by the blade portion 52b of the rotating member 52.

[0099] In addition, in this embodiment, the conveying direction 50a conveyed by the blade portion 51a of the first conveying portion 336 and the conveying direction 50c conveyed by the blade portion 52a of the second conveying portion 337 are the same direction, but are not limited to this. The conveying direction 50a and the conveying direction 50c may also be different directions.

[0100] In addition, if the conveying directions 50a and 50c are set to the same direction as in the present embodiment, in the second conveying section 337, the developer conveyed by the blade section 52a is conveyed in the conveying direction 50c by utilizing the inertial force when conveyed in the conveying direction 50a, thereby enabling the developer to flow stably from the outflow port 55 to the third conveying section 338.

[0101] Here, use Figure 4 The relationship between the conveying force F1 when the developer is conveyed by the blade portion 51 a of the first conveying portion 336 and the conveying force F2 when the developer is conveyed by the blade portion 52 a of the second conveying portion 337 will be described.

[0102] Figure 4 1 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the transmission force F1 transmitted by the blade portion 51 a and the transmission force F2 transmitted by the blade portion 52 a .

[0103] like Figure 4As shown, the developer in the first conveying portion 336 is conveyed to the inlet 54 by the conveying force F1 conveyed by the blade portion 51a. And, in the second conveying portion 337, the developer is conveyed to the outlet 55 by the conveying force F2 conveyed by the blade portion 52a. In this case, the conveying force F1 is higher than the conveying force F2 (F1>F2). This difference in conveying force, combined with the branching of the conveying direction in the second conveying portion 337, can stably supply the developer to the developing roller 334.

[0104] If the conveying force F1 is lower than the conveying force F2 or the conveying force F1 is equal to the conveying force F2, the developer flowing out from the outlet 55 to the third conveying portion 338 will gradually decrease, making it difficult to achieve the above-mentioned stable supply.

[0105] The transmission force F1 mentioned here is determined by at least one of the pitch P1 of the blade 51a, the radius R1, and the rotation speed K1 during transmission. In addition, the transmission force F2 is determined by at least one of the pitch P2 of the blade 52a, the radius R2, and the rotation speed K2 during transmission.

[0106] For example, when the rotation speeds of the blades 51a and 52a during transmission are the same (K1=K2), the pitch P1 and radius R1 of the blade 51a are larger than the pitch P2 and radius R2 of the blade 52a (P1>P2, R1>R2). Furthermore, when the rotation speeds of the blades 51a and 52a during transmission and the pitches P1 and P2 are the same (K1=K2, P1=P2), the radius R1 of the blade 51a is larger than the radius R2 of the blade 52a (R1>R2). Furthermore, when the pitch P1 and radius R1 of the blade 51a are the same as the pitch P2 and radius R2 of the blade 52a (P1=P2, R1=R2), the rotation speed K1 of the blade 51a during transmission is faster than the rotation speed K2 of the blade 52a (K1>K2).

[0107] In addition, in the present embodiment, the blade portion 52a and the blade portion 52b are provided on one rotating member 52, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Although not shown in the figure, for example, the blade portion 52a may be provided on the rotating member 52, and the blade portion 52b may be provided on a rotating member different from the rotating member 52. In this case, the rotation speed of the blade portion 52a and the rotation speed of the blade portion 52b may be set to different values. In addition, for example, the rotating member 52 and the different rotating member in this case are preferably provided coaxially.

[0108] Here, use Figure 5 The position of the blade portion 52 a relative to the inlet 54 will be described.

[0109] Figure 52 is a diagram for explaining the position of the blade portion 52a relative to the inlet 54. Figure 5 (a) represents an example, Figure 5 (b) shows another example.

[0110] like Figure 5 (a) and Figure 5 As shown in (b) of FIG. 5 , the end 52c of the blade portion 52a is located within the opening range of the inlet 54. That is, the end 52c is located in a region 54b corresponding to the width 54a of the inlet 54.

[0111] By adopting this structure, it is possible to prevent the developer from being excessively or insufficiently delivered to the outflow port 55, compared with the case where the end portion 52c is not located in the region 54b. That is, the amount of developer delivered to the outflow port 55 increases, compared with the case where the end portion 52c is located closer to the outflow port 55 side than the region 54b. Furthermore, it is possible to suppress the amount of developer delivered to the outflow port 55 from becoming excessive, compared with the case where the end portion 52c is located closer to the side opposite to the outflow port 55 side than the region 54b.

[0112] The region 54b mentioned here is a region of the rotating member 52 corresponding to the width 54a of the inlet 54. Furthermore, the end 52c mentioned here refers to the end of the blade portion 52a in the axial direction that is away from the outlet 55. The end 52c is an example of an end of the first blade portion that is away from the outlet.

[0113] When the region 54b is divided into two parts at the center line CL in the width direction W of the inlet 54, the side close to the outlet 55 is the region 54c, and the side far from the outlet 55 is the region 54d. The center line CL is an example of the center in the width direction.

[0114] exist Figure 5 In the example shown in (a), the end 52c of the blade portion 52a is located in the region 54d. That is, the end 52c away from the outlet 55 is located on the side away from the outlet 55. As a result, the amount of developer delivered to the outlet 55 increases. In particular, in the vertical delivery path (reference Figure 2 ) is a useful structure.

[0115] On the other hand, Figure 5 In another example shown in (b), the end portion 52c is located in the region 54c. That is, the end portion 52c away from the outlet 55 is located on the side close to the outlet 55. This prevents the amount of developer conveyed to the outlet 55 from becoming excessive.

[0116] Thus, in this embodiment, the inlet 54 (for example, reference Figure 3) is greater than the flow rate of the developer flowing in from the outflow port 55 (reference Figure 3 ) of the outflowing developer. The second conveying portion 337 includes: a blade portion 52a that conveys the developer in a conveying direction 50c, which is a direction in which the inflowing developer is conveyed toward the outflow port 55; and a blade portion 52b that conveys the developer in a conveying direction 50d, which is a direction opposite to the conveying direction 50c (see Figure 3 ). Furthermore, the blade portion 52a is arranged at a position extending across the width of the inlet 54. Thus, the developer can be stably supplied to the developing roller 334.

[0117] Next, use Figure 6 and Figure 7 The first embodiment and the second embodiment to which this embodiment is applied are described. Figure 6 and Figure 7 In the present embodiment, the same symbols are sometimes used for the components described in this embodiment, and their description is omitted.

[0118] <First embodiment>

[0119] Figure 6 It is a diagram for explaining the developing device 33 according to the first embodiment.

[0120] exist Figure 6 In the developer 33 according to the first embodiment shown, the developer flowing from the first conveying portion 336 to the second conveying portion 337 at the inlet 54 is split into two directions as shown by the conveying direction 50g. A part of the split developer flows out from the outlet 55 to the third conveying portion 338. The remaining developer is returned from the second conveying portion 337 to the upstream side of the first conveying portion 336 at the return port 56.

[0121] In addition, as shown in the conveying direction 50g, the amount of developer flowing out from the outflow port 55 is larger than the remaining developer.

[0122] That is, as described above, when the amount of developer flowing in and the amount of developer flowing out are compared in the second conveying section 337, the respective amounts are different from each other, and more specifically, the amount of developer flowing in is greater than the amount of developer flowing out. And the difference is returned to the first conveying section 336. Thus, the amount of developer supplied from the outlet 55 to the third conveying section 338 becomes stable.

[0123] The developer not supplied to the developing roller 334 among the developer conveyed to the third conveying section 338 is returned to the first conveying section 336 from the return port 57 located at the downstream end of the conveying direction 50f. Thus, the developer can be stably supplied from the third conveying section 338 to the developing roller 334.

[0124] To further explain, in the first embodiment, a detection unit 60 located downstream of the second conveying unit 337 and detecting the amount of developer and a shutter unit (not shown) controlled to open and close based on the detection result of the detection unit 60 are provided.

[0125] When the amount of developer in the detection result of the detection unit 60 does not exceed a preset value, a shutter (not shown) is closed. When it exceeds the preset value, the shutter (not shown) is opened to return the developer from the return port 57 to the third conveying unit 338 .

[0126] <Second embodiment>

[0127] Figure 7 This is a diagram for explaining the developing device 33 according to the second embodiment. In addition, the description of the same parts as those in the first embodiment may be omitted.

[0128] exist Figure 7 In the developing device 33 according to the second embodiment shown, the developer of the second conveying portion 337 that has not flowed out from the outlet 55 to the third conveying portion 338 is discharged from the outlet 50j located at the downstream end to the outside of the developing device. This can prevent the developer from becoming excessive.

[0129] On the other hand, new developer is supplied through the supply port 50k to the first conveying portion 336. By supplying new developer from the supply port 50k, the increase or decrease in the developer amount in the developing device 33 is suppressed, and the image density is stabilized.

[0130] In addition, the second embodiment may also include the detection unit 60 and the shutter (not shown) included in the first embodiment.

[0131] <Note>

[0132] (1) A developer comprising:

[0133] a developer holding body that holds a developer containing a toner and a carrier and supplies the developer to an image holding body that forms an electrostatic latent image; and

[0134] A conveying member stirs and conveys the developer flowing in from an inlet by a rotating component, and causes it to flow out toward the developer retaining body at the outlet, and as a part constituting a part of the rotating component, has a first blade portion for conveying toward the outlet and a second blade portion for conveying in a direction opposite to the outlet, the amount of developer flowing in from the inlet is greater than the amount of developer flowing out from the outlet.

[0135] (2) The developer according to (1), characterized in that:

[0136] An end portion of the first blade portion that is away from the outflow port is located in a region corresponding to a width of the inflow port.

[0137] (3) The developer according to (2), characterized in that:

[0138] The remote end portion is located on a side remote from the outflow port when the region is divided into two parts at the center in the width direction of the inflow port.

[0139] (4) The developer according to (2), characterized in that:

[0140] The distal end portion is located on a side close to the outflow port when the region is divided into two parts at the center in the width direction of the inflow port.

[0141] (5) The developer according to any one of (1) to (4), characterized in that:

[0142] The developer flowing into the inlet is conveyed through a conveying path using a rotating member different from the rotating member of the conveying member,

[0143] The direction conveyed by the different rotating member is the same as the direction conveyed by the rotating member.

[0144] (6) The developer according to any one of (1) to (4), characterized in that:

[0145] The developer flowing into the inlet is conveyed through a conveying path using a rotating member different from the rotating member of the conveying member,

[0146] The transmission force transmitted by the different rotating member is greater than the transmission force transmitted by the first blade portion.

[0147] (7) The developer according to (6), characterized in that:

[0148] The magnitude of the conveying force is determined by at least one of the magnitude of the pitch of the blades, the magnitude of the radius of the blades, and the speed of the rotation during conveying.

[0149] (8) The developer according to (5) or (6), characterized in that:

[0150] The developer conveyed by the second blade portion can be discharged.

[0151] (9) An image forming apparatus comprising:

[0152] An image holding body for forming an electrostatic latent image;

[0153] a developing member that develops the electrostatic latent image formed by the image holding member into a toner image;

[0154] a transfer member that transfers the toner image developed by the developing member onto a recording material; and

[0155] a fixing member that fixes the toner image transferred onto the recording material onto the recording material,

[0156] The developing member comprises:

[0157] a developer holding body that holds a developer containing a toner and a carrier and supplies the developer to an image holding body that forms an electrostatic latent image; and

[0158] A conveying member stirs and conveys the developer flowing in from an inlet by a rotating component, and causes it to flow out toward the developer retaining body at the outlet, and as a part constituting a part of the rotating component, has a first blade portion for conveying toward the outlet and a second blade portion for conveying in a direction opposite to the outlet, the amount of developer flowing in from the inlet is greater than the amount of developer flowing out from the outlet.

[0159] According to the invention (1), compared with the case where the amount of developer is increased by control when the consumption of developer containing toner and carrier increases, the developer can be stably supplied to the developer holder with a simple structure even if the consumption of developer increases.

[0160] According to the invention of (2), compared with a configuration in which the end of the first blade portion away from the outlet is located in a region corresponding to the width of the outlet, excess or deficiency of developer conveyed to the outlet can be prevented.

[0161] According to the invention of (3), the amount of developer conveyed to the outlet can be increased compared to a case where the distal end portion is not located at the center of the width direction of the outlet to divide the region into two parts.

[0162] According to the invention of (4), the amount of developer conveyed to the outlet can be prevented from becoming excessive, compared with a case where the structure is not provided in which the distal end is located at the center in the width direction of the outlet to divide the area into two parts on the side close to the outlet.

[0163] According to the invention of (5), compared with a case where there is no structure in which the direction of transmission by a different rotating member is the same as the direction of transmission by the rotating member, it is possible to utilize the inertial force when transmitting by the rotating member.

[0164] According to the invention of (6), compared with a case where there is no structure in which the conveying force transmitted by the different rotating member is greater than the conveying force transmitted by the first blade portion, the developer can be stably supplied to the developer holding member.

[0165] According to the invention of (7), the design conditions of the developer can be relaxed.

[0166] According to the invention of (8), it is possible to prevent the developer amount from being excessive.

[0167] According to the invention of (9), compared with the case where the amount of developer is increased by control when the consumption of developer containing colorant and carrier increases, the developer can be stably supplied to the developer holder with a simple structure even if the consumption of developer increases.

[0168] The above-mentioned embodiments of the present invention are provided for the purpose of illustration and description. In addition, the embodiments of the present invention do not fully and exhaustively include the present invention, and do not limit the present invention to the disclosed methods. Obviously, various modifications and changes are self-evident to those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs. The present embodiment is selected and described in order to most easily understand the principles of the present invention and its application. Thus, other technicians in the art can understand the present invention through various variations optimized for specific uses assumed to be various embodiments. The scope of the present invention is defined by the above claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A developer, comprising: a developer holding body that holds a developer containing a toner and a carrier and supplies the developer to an image holding body that forms an electrostatic latent image; and A conveying member stirs and conveys the developer flowing in from the inlet by means of a rotating component, and causes it to flow out toward the developer retaining body at the outflow outlet, and a portion constituting a part of the rotating component includes a first blade portion for conveying toward the outflow outlet and a second blade portion for conveying in a direction opposite to the outflow outlet, wherein the amount of developer flowing in from the inlet is greater than the amount of developer flowing out from the outflow outlet.

2. The developer according to claim 1, characterized in that: An end portion of the first blade portion that is away from the outflow port is located in a region corresponding to a width of the inflow port.

3. The developer according to claim 2, characterized in that: The remote end portion is located on a side remote from the outflow port when the region is divided into two parts at the center in the width direction of the inflow port.

4. The developer according to claim 2, characterized in that: The distal end portion is located on a side close to the outflow port when the region is divided into two parts at the center in the width direction of the inflow port.

5. The developer according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The developer flowing into the inlet is conveyed through a conveying path using a rotating member different from the rotating member of the conveying member, The direction conveyed by the different rotating member is the same as the direction conveyed by the rotating member.

6. The developer according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The developer flowing into the inlet is conveyed through a conveying path using a rotating member different from the rotating member of the conveying member, The transmission force transmitted by the different rotating member is greater than the transmission force transmitted by the first blade portion.

7. The developer according to claim 6, characterized in that: The magnitude of the conveying force is determined by at least one of the magnitude of the pitch of the blades, the magnitude of the radius of the blades, and the speed of the rotation during conveying.

8. The developer according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that: The developer conveyed by the second blade portion can be discharged.

9. An image forming device, comprising: An image holding body for forming an electrostatic latent image; a developing member that develops the electrostatic latent image formed by the image holding member into a toner image; a transfer member for transferring the toner image developed by the developing member onto a recording material; and a fixing member that fixes the toner image transferred onto the recording material onto the recording material, The developing member comprises: a developer holding body that holds a developer containing a toner and a carrier and supplies the developer to an image holding body that forms an electrostatic latent image; and A conveying member stirs and conveys the developer flowing in from the inlet by means of a rotating component, and causes it to flow out toward the developer retaining body at the outflow outlet, and a portion constituting a part of the rotating component includes a first blade portion for conveying toward the outflow outlet and a second blade portion for conveying in a direction opposite to the outflow outlet, wherein the amount of developer flowing in from the inlet is greater than the amount of developer flowing out from the outflow outlet.

Images