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; a restricting member that restricts the developer held by the developer holding body to a predetermined amount; and a member provided so as to reduce a space below the regulating member, and provided in a region of the regulating member that is less susceptible to deflection than other regions in an axial direction of the developer holding body.

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 conveying component that conveys a developer while rotating; a developing member that develops an electrostatic latent image on an image retaining member; a supply member that has a rotating member that rotates in a circumferential direction and that uses a magnetic force to adsorb the developer conveyed by the conveying component and releases the adsorbed developer from the rotating member to supply it to the developing member; and a variable mechanism that makes the amount of developer supplied from the supply member to the developing member variable.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-173336 Summary of the invention

[0004] Here, in a developer including at least a developer holding body for holding the developer and a limiting member for limiting the amount of the developer with respect to the developer holding body as components, if the developer limited by the limiting member stays in the space between the components, the amount of the developer used will be reduced.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to suppress a reduction in the amount of developer used, compared with a case where the developer continues to stay in a space between components.

[0006] The invention described in Option 1 is a developer, comprising: a developer retaining body that retains a developer, the developer containing a colorant and a carrier, and supplied to an image retaining body that forms an electrostatic latent image; a limiting component that limits the developer retained by the developer retaining body to a specified amount; and a component that is configured to reduce the space below the limiting component and is disposed in an area of ​​the limiting component that is less likely to bend than other areas in the axial direction of the developer retaining body.

[0007] The invention described in claim 2 is characterized in that in the developer described in claim 1, the region that is less likely to bend is provided in a region other than a middle portion in the axial direction of the developer holding member.

[0008] The invention described in claim 3 is characterized in that in the developer described in claim 2, the region other than the middle portion is the two end portions in the axial direction.

[0009] The invention described in claim 4 is characterized in that in the developer described in claim 1, the surface of the member facing the restricting member is defined by a positional relationship with the developer holding body.

[0010] The invention described in claim 5 is characterized in that, in the developer described in claim 4, the positional relationship is a relationship in which the distance between the developer holding member and the developer holding member does not change even when the developer moves downward.

[0011] The invention described in claim 6 is characterized in that, in the developer described in claim 4, the positional relationship is such that the distance from the developer holding body increases as the distance goes downward.

[0012] The invention described in claim 7 is characterized in that in the developer according to any one of claims 1 to 6, a component different from the component is provided in the area where the component is not provided, and the cross-sectional area of ​​the different component is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the component.

[0013] The invention described in Scheme 8 is characterized in that in the developer described in any one of Schemes 1 to 6, a component different from the component is provided in an area where the component is not provided, and with respect to the cross-sectional area of ​​the component, the end portion close to the different component in the axial direction is smaller than the end portion away from the different component.

[0014] The invention described in claim 9 is characterized in that in the developer described in claim 7 or 8, the cross-sectional area of ​​the different member decreases from the end portion toward the center of the different member.

[0015] The invention described in Scheme 10 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; a limiting component that limits the developer held by the developer holder to a specified amount; and a component that is configured to reduce the space below the limiting component and is configured in an area of ​​the limiting component that is less likely to bend than other areas in the axial direction of the developer holder.

[0016] Effects of the Invention

[0017] According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to suppress a reduction in the amount of developer used, compared to a case where the developer continues to stay in the space between the components.

[0018] According to the second aspect of the present invention, the amount of developer that falls from the space below the regulating member can be increased compared to a configuration in which the region not prone to bending is provided in the region other than the intermediate portion in the axial direction of the developer holding member.

[0019] According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to suppress a reduction in the amount of developer used, compared with a case where the region other than the middle portion is not configured as both end portions in the axial direction.

[0020] According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the amount of developer remaining in the space below the restricting member can be reduced compared to a structure in which the surface facing the restricting member is defined by the positional relationship with the developer holding member without a member.

[0021] According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the space below the regulating member can be made smaller than in a case where there is no structure in which the distance between the regulating member and the developer holding member remains the same even when the regulating member moves downward.

[0022] According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, compared with a case where there is no structure in which the distance from the developer holding member increases as it goes downward, the developer can be easily dropped from the space below the regulating member.

[0023] According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the amount of developer used can be suppressed from decreasing compared to a case where a member different from the member is provided in an area where no member is provided and the cross-sectional area of ​​the different member is smaller than that of the member.

[0024] According to the 8th scheme of the present invention, compared with a structure in which a component different from a component is not provided in an area where no component is provided, the cross-sectional area of ​​the component is such that the end portion close to the different component in the axial direction is smaller than the end portion far from the different component, thereby suppressing the reduction in the amount of developer utilized.

[0025] According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to suppress a reduction in the amount of developer used, compared with a case where the cross-sectional area of ​​the different member decreases from the end portion toward the center of the different member.

[0026] According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, compared with a case where the developer continues to stay in the space between the components, it is possible to suppress a reduction in the amount of the developer used. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the following drawings.

[0028] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus;

[0029] Figure 2 is a diagram for explaining a developer of an image forming apparatus, Figure 2 (a) represents the first structural example, Figure 2 (b) represents the second structural example;

[0030] Figure 3 is a perspective view illustrating a more specific structure of the developer involved in the first structural example;

[0031] Figure 4 is a perspective view illustrating a more specific structure of the developer involved in the first structural example;

[0032] Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating various shapes of the limiting component in the first structural example, Figure 5 (a) represents the first shape example, Figure 5 (b) represents the second shape example;

[0033] Figure 6 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating various shapes of the limiting component in the first structural example, Figure 6 (a) represents the third shape example, Figure 6 (b) represents the fourth shape example;

[0034] Figure 7 is a perspective view illustrating another structure of the limiting portion, Figure 7 (a)~ Figure 7 (c) indicates a limiting component;

[0035] Figure 8 : is a graph illustrating the size of a block corresponding to the position in the axial direction, wherein the vertical axis represents the size of the block and the horizontal axis represents the position in the axial direction.

[0036] Explanation of symbols

[0037] 1-image forming device, 31-photosensitive drum, 33-developer, 52-layer limiting component, 60-limiting part, 61, 62, 68-limiting component, 61a, 61b, 62a, 62b, 68a, 68b-end surface, 63a~63i-surface, 64, 65-end part, 66-central part, 334-developing roller, 339-pick-up roller, J-axial direction. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0039] Figure 1 It is a diagram for explaining the image forming apparatus 1 .

[0040] 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.

[0041] 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.

[0042] 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.

[0043] 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 .

[0044] 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 .

[0045] 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.

[0046] 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.

[0047] 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.

[0048] 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.

[0049] 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.

[0050] 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.

[0051] 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.

[0052] 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 .

[0053] 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 .

[0054] 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 .

[0055] 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.

[0056] The image forming section 20 performs an image forming operation according to a control signal from the control section 21 .

[0057] 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 .

[0058] 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 .

[0059] Thus, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 31 .

[0060] The formed electrostatic latent image is developed by the developer 33 , so that a magenta toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 31 .

[0061] 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.

[0062] 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 1A toner image superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 41 is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 41 rotating in the direction of arrow C.

[0063] 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.

[0064] 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.

[0065] 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.

[0066] 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 .

[0067] Then, the paper P to which the superimposed toner images are electrostatically transferred is conveyed to the fixing device 80 .

[0068] 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.

[0069] 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).

[0070] The photosensitive drum 31 is an example of an image holding member in the image forming apparatus, the developer 33 is an example of a developing member, the secondary transfer portion T2 is an example of a transfer member, and the fixing device 80 is an example of a fixing member.

[0071] Figure 2 FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a developing device 33 of the image forming apparatus 1. Figure 2 (a) represents the first structural example, Figure 2 (b) represents the second structural example. In addition, Figure 2 The developer 33 is shown as viewed from the rear side.

[0072] like Figure 2 As shown in (a) of FIG. 1 , the developing device 33 according to the first structural example includes a housing portion 331 that houses a developer. The housing portion 331 is composed of a housing frame 332 made of resin.

[0073] 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)'s front side is oriented toward the rear side, and has an inner side end not shown in the figure on the rear side, and has a front side end not shown in the figure on the front side.

[0074] 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.

[0075] The developing roller 334 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and is arranged to extend in a direction from the front side toward 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.

[0076] 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.

[0077] The developing sleeve 334A is made of metal such as SUS, for example, and rotates in the direction of arrow D in the figure.

[0078] 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.

[0079] 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 .

[0080] And, if Figure 2 As shown, the developing device 33 is provided with a first transport member 336 and a second transport member 337 for transporting the developer.

[0081] The first conveying member 336 and the second conveying member 337 are disposed with the developing roller 334 interposed therebetween and at a position adjacent to the photosensitive drum 31 (see Figure 1 ) on the side opposite to the side of the ).

[0082] The first conveying member 336 includes a rotation axis along the rotation axis of the development sleeve 334A that is rotationally driven, and rotates around the rotation axis to convey the developer in the accommodating portion 331 .

[0083] In the developer 33 thus configured, new toner or toner to which a very small amount of carrier is added is circulated and transported by being stirred and transported between the first transport member 336 and the second transport member 337. More specifically, by transferring the developer through the connection ports formed at both ends of the partition extending in the axial direction, the developer stirred by the first transport member 336 can be stirred by the second transport member 337, and further stirred by the first transport member 336. A circulation path is formed in the developer 33, and the circulation path is a path that circulates in the axial direction by the rotation of the first transport member 336 and the second transport member 337.

[0084] The developing device 33 is provided with a third conveying member 338 adjacent to the second conveying member 337 . Furthermore, the developing device 33 is provided with a pickup roller 339 located above the third conveying member 338 .

[0085] The developer 33 includes a support member 51 located between the second transport member 337 and the pickup roller 339 and a layer restriction member 52 supported by the support member 51 and restricting the layer thickness of the developer held by the pickup roller 339. The layer restriction member 52 restricts the developer held by the pickup roller 339 to a predetermined amount.

[0086] Furthermore, the developer 33 is provided with a defining portion 60 which is supported by the supporting member 51 and is located below the layer restricting member 52. The defining portion 60 is provided so as to reduce the space S located below the layer restricting member 52.

[0087] The conveying path formed by the rotation of the third conveying member 338 is connected to the above-mentioned circulation path, and the developer from the circulation path is transferred. The third conveying member 338 supplies the developer to the pickup roller 339. The pickup roller 339 supplies the developer to the developing roller 334.

[0088] For example, the first transport member 336 transports toward the front side of the paper surface, the second transport member 337 transports toward the back side of the paper surface, and the third transport member 338 transports toward the front side of the paper surface.

[0089] The developing roller 334, the layer regulating member 335, the first conveying member 336, the second conveying member 337, the third conveying member 338, the pickup roller 339, the supporting member 51 and the layer regulating member 52 are arranged so as to be aligned with the photosensitive drum 31 (see FIG. Figure 1 ) are roughly parallel.

[0090] In the first structural example, the pickup roller 339 holds the developer supplied to the developing roller 334 .

[0091] The developing roller 334 is an example of an image holding member, the pickup roller 339 is an example of a developer holding member, the layer limiting member 52 is an example of a limiting member, and the limiting members 61 and 62 (see FIG. Figure 4 ) is an example of a component.

[0092] Figure 2 The second structural example shown in (b) shares the basic structure with the first structural example described above, so the same symbols are sometimes used for the common parts and their descriptions are omitted.

[0093] The developer 33 according to the second structural example is not provided with the pickup roller 339 and the layer restriction member 335 provided in the first structural example. In addition, in the second structural example, the positions of the support member 51, the layer restriction member 52 and the restriction portion 60 are different from those in the first structural example, and are located between the developing roller 334 and the third conveying member 338.

[0094] More specifically, in the second structural example, the developing roller 334 of the developing device 33 is kept facing the photosensitive drum 31 (refer to Figure 1 The layer restriction member 52 restricts the developer held by the developing roller 334 to a predetermined amount.

[0095] The photosensitive drum 31 is an example of an image holding member, the developing roller 334 is an example of a developer holding member, the layer limiting member 52 is an example of a limiting member, and the limiting members 61 and 62 (see Figure 4 ) is an example of a component.

[0096] Next, a more specific structure of the developing device 33 according to the first structural example will be described.

[0097] Figure 3 and Figure 4 1 is a perspective view for explaining a more specific structure of the developing device 33 according to the first structural example, and shows a state where the pickup roller 339 located on the upper side of the third conveying member 338 is removed. More specifically, Figure 3 The removal layer restriction member 52 is shown in FIG. Figure 2 The state after (a) Figure 4 The state where the layer limiting member 52 is installed is shown in FIG. Figure 3 and Figure 4 Sometimes the common Figure 2 Description of the parts of the symbols shown.

[0098] like Figure 3 As shown, the developing device 33 includes a mounting member 53 mounted on the lower surface of the supporting member 51. A regulating member 61 constituting a part of the regulating section 60 is mounted on the mounting member 53. That is, the supporting member 51 supports the regulating member 61 via the mounting member 53.

[0099] The limiting member 61 is disposed on the pickup roller 339 (for example, see Figure 2 (a)) end 64 on the axial direction J. The end 64 on the axial direction J mentioned here refers to the position of the plate-like component 54 close to the developing roller 334 etc. that holds the developer 33, and is an area that is less prone to bending than other areas other than the end 64 on the axial direction J (for example, the position of the central part 66).

[0100] If further explanation is given, Figure 3 In the illustrated case, the restricting member 61 is arranged at the end portion 64 in the axial direction J that is not easily flexed, but is not arranged at the center portion 66 that is easily flexed. In other words, the restricting portion 60 is arranged in the region other than the center portion 66 in the axial direction J.

[0101] The central portion 66 is an example of the middle portion, and the end portion 64 is an example of the region other than the middle portion. Figure 1 The same direction as the direction perpendicular to the paper surface).

[0102] The limiting unit 60 will be described in more detail.

[0103] like Figure 4 As shown, the limiting portion 60 is composed of a limiting member 62 provided at an end 65 in addition to the limiting member 61 provided at the end 64. The limiting member 62 is provided at a position close to the plate-like member 55.

[0104] Thus, the layer restricting member 52 is provided across the end portions 64, 65 and the central portion 66 of the entire section 67 sandwiched between the spaced plate members 54, 55. On the other hand, the restricting members 61, 62 of the restricting portion 60 are provided at the end portions 64, 65 which are regions other than the central portion 66.

[0105] Therefore, the developer restricted by the layer restriction member 52 stays in the space S (for example, see FIG. 1 ) between the second conveying member 337 and the third conveying member 338 and the pickup roller 339 due to the restriction portion 60. Figure 2 (a)). However, in the present embodiment, if attention is paid to the axial direction J, since the limiting portion 60 is formed by the limiting member 61 provided at the end portion 64 and the limiting member 62 provided at the end portion 65, and the central portion 66 is not provided with a limiting member, the limited developer falls from the central portion 66 and returns to the circulation path formed by the second conveying member 337 and the third conveying member 338. Therefore, the amount of developer that cannot be used due to staying in the space between the constituent members is reduced, and thus the reduction in the amount of developer that can be supplied to the developing roller 334 is suppressed.

[0106] In addition, in the present embodiment, the limiting members 61 and 62 are provided at the end portions 64 and 65 as both end portions, but a member constituting a part of the limiting portion 60 may be provided at either of the end portions 64 and 65. That is, the limiting member 61 may be provided at the end portion 64 and the limiting member 62 may not be provided at the end portion 65, or the limiting member 62 may be provided at the end portion 65 and the limiting member 61 may not be provided at the end portion 64.

[0107] Next, various shapes of the regulating members 61 and 62 will be described.

[0108] Figure 5 and Figure 6 1 is a longitudinal sectional view for explaining various shapes of the limiting members 61 and 62 in the first structural example. Figure 5 (a) is the first shape example, Figure 5 (b) is the second shape example, Figure 6 (a) is the third shape example, Figure 6 (b) is the fourth shape example.

[0109] In addition, Figure 5 and Figure 6 In the embodiment, the limiting member 61 and the limiting member 62 have the same shape, and thus the description is made without distinguishing between the two. Figure 2 In (b)), since it can be set to be the same as the first structural example (reference Figure 2 The shape is the same as that of case (a), so its description is omitted.

[0110] Figure 5 The limiting members 61 and 62 involved in the first shape example shown in (a) of FIG. 1 include, when mounted on the mounting member 53, a surface 63a located on the lower side of the layer limiting member 52 and extending along the vertical direction V, a surface 63b connected to the lower end of the surface 63a and inclined relative to the surface 63a in the direction toward the third conveying member 338, and a surface 63c extending from the lower end of the surface 63b in parallel with the surface 63a as surfaces facing the layer limiting member 52. The surfaces 63a to 63c are formed continuously.

[0111] In the first shape example, the surfaces 63a to 63c of the limiting members 61 and 62 are surfaces facing the layer limiting member 52 and are defined by the positional relationship with the pickup roller 339. More specifically, the surface 63b is defined so that the distance between the surface 63b and the pickup roller 339 remains the same even when the surface 63b moves downward in the vertical direction V.

[0112] Figure 5The limiting members 61 and 62 according to the second shape example shown in (b) of FIG. 1 include, when mounted on the mounting member 53, a surface 63d located below the layer limiting member 52 and extending laterally toward the pickup roller 339, and a surface 63e extending downward in the up-down direction V from an end of the surface 63d as surfaces facing the layer limiting member 52. The surfaces 63d to 63e are formed continuously.

[0113] In the second shape example, the surfaces 63d to 63e of the limiting members 61 and 62 are surfaces facing the layer limiting member 52 and are defined by the positional relationship with the pickup roller 339. More specifically, the surface 63e is defined so that the distance from the pickup roller 339 increases as it moves downward in the vertical direction V.

[0114] Figure 6 The limiting parts 61, 62 involved in the third shape example shown in (a) have a surface 63f located on the lower side of the layer limiting part 52 and extending from the upper end to the lower end along the up-down direction V as a surface opposite to the layer limiting part 52 when installed on the installation part 53.

[0115] In the third shape example, compared with the second shape example (reference Figure 5 Similar to (b)), the surface 63f is defined so that the distance between the surface 63f and the pickup roller 339 increases as the surface 63f moves downward in the vertical direction V.

[0116] Figure 6 The limiting members 61 and 62 according to the fourth shape example shown in (b) of FIG. 1 include, when mounted on the mounting member 53, a surface 63g located at the lower side of the layer limiting member 52 and extending obliquely upward toward the layer limiting member 52, a surface 63h extending downward from the upper end of the surface 63g and forming a gentle convex arc shape on the pickup roller 339 side, and a surface 63i extending from the lower end of the surface 63h in a direction away from the pickup roller 339 as surfaces facing the layer limiting member 52. The surfaces 63g to 63i are formed continuously.

[0117] In the fourth shape example, compared with the first shape example (reference Figure 5 Similar to (a)), the surface 63h is defined so that the distance between the surface 63h and the pickup roller 339 remains the same even when the surface 63h moves downward in the vertical direction V.

[0118] In the first and fourth shape examples described above, since the space S is configured to be small, a reduction in the amount of developer used is suppressed.

[0119] Furthermore, in the second and third shape examples described above, the developer restricted by the layer restriction member 52 does not stay in the space S but is easily dropped, thereby suppressing a reduction in the amount of developer used.

[0120] Figure 7 is a perspective view illustrating another structure of the limiting portion 60, Figure 7 (a) shows the limiting component 62, Figure 7 (b) shows the limiting component 68, Figure 7 (c) shows the limiting component 61. And, Figure 8 3 is a graph illustrating the size of a block corresponding to the position in the axial direction J. The vertical axis represents the size of the block, and the horizontal axis represents the position in the axial direction J.

[0121] The limiting unit 60 is composed of Figure 7 (a) Figure 7 In addition to the limiting components 62 and 61 shown in (c), the Figure 7 The limiting component 68 shown in (b) of FIG. To further explain, the end face 62b of the limiting component 62 is adjacent to the end face 68a of the limiting component 68, and the end face 68b of the limiting component 68 is adjacent to the end face 61a of the limiting component 61. That is, the limiting components 62, 68, and 61 are arranged in a row in the order of the axial direction J.

[0122] If further explanation is given, Figure 7 In the structure of the restricting portion 60 shown, a restricting member 68 is also provided in the central portion 66 . Figure 7 The structure shown in this respect is different from the structure in which no component constituting a part of the limiting portion 60 is provided in the central portion 66. Figure 4 The structures shown are different.

[0123] like Figure 8 As shown, the size of the block of the limiting components 61, 62, 68 changes according to the position in the axial direction J. That is, the size of the block at the central position in the axial direction J when the limiting components 61, 62, 68 are arranged in a row is the smallest. And the size of the block increases as it moves away from the central position. The size of the block mentioned here refers to the size of the cross-sectional area.

[0124] like Figure 8 As shown, the cross-sectional area of ​​the limiting member 68 is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the limiting members 62 and 61. Also, regarding the cross-sectional area of ​​the limiting members 62 and 61, the end faces 62b and 61a close to the limiting member 68 in the axial direction J are smaller than the end faces 62a and 61b away from the limiting member 68. Furthermore, the cross-sectional area of ​​the limiting member 68 decreases from the end faces 68a and 68b of the limiting member 68 toward the center.

[0125] The limiting member 68 is an example of a different member.

[0126] Thus, the size of the block of the limiting portion 60 is large at the end portions 64 and 65 which are regions that are not easily bent, and on the other hand, the size of the block of the limiting portion 60 is small at the central portion 66 which is a region that is easily bent. Furthermore, the sizes of the limiting members 61, 62, and 68 gradually change in the axial direction J. Therefore, the developer that is limited by the layer limiting member 52 and located at the end portions 64 and 65 moves so as to advance to the central portion 66 side and fall, and thus a reduction in the amount of developer used is suppressed.

[0127] <Note>

[0128] (1) A developer comprising:

[0129] A developer holding body that holds a developer containing a toner and a carrier and is supplied to an image holding body that forms an electrostatic latent image;

[0130] a limiting member for limiting the developer held by the developer holding member to a predetermined amount; and

[0131] The member is provided to reduce the space below the restricting member and is provided in an area of ​​the restricting member that is less likely to bend than other areas in the axial direction of the developer holding body.

[0132] (2) The developer according to (1), characterized in that:

[0133] The less flexible region is provided in a region other than the middle portion in the axial direction of the developer holding member.

[0134] (3) The developer according to (2), characterized in that:

[0135] The regions other than the middle portion are both end portions in the axial direction.

[0136] (4) The developer according to (1), characterized in that:

[0137] The surface of the member facing the restricting member is determined by its positional relationship with the developer holding member.

[0138] (5) The developer according to (4), characterized in that:

[0139] The positional relationship is a relationship in which the distance between the developer holding member and the developer holding member does not change even when the developer holding member moves downward.

[0140] (6) The developer according to (4), characterized in that:

[0141] The positional relationship is such that the distance from the developer holding body increases as the distance goes downward.

[0142] (7) The developer according to any one of (1) to (6), characterized in that:

[0143] A component different from the component is arranged in an area where the component is not arranged.

[0144] The cross-sectional area of ​​the different component is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the component.

[0145] (8) The developer according to any one of (1) to (6), characterized in that:

[0146] A component different from the component is arranged in an area where the component is not arranged.

[0147] With respect to the cross-sectional area of ​​the components, an end portion close to the different component in the axial direction is smaller than an end portion far from the different component.

[0148] (9) The developer according to (7) or (8), characterized in that:

[0149] The cross-sectional area of ​​the different component decreases from the end toward the center of the different component.

[0150] (10) An image forming apparatus comprising:

[0151] An image holding body for forming an electrostatic latent image;

[0152] a developing member that develops the electrostatic latent image formed by the image holding member into a toner image;

[0153] a transfer member that transfers the toner image developed by the developing member onto a recording material; and

[0154] a fixing member that fixes the toner image transferred onto the recording material onto the recording material,

[0155] The developing component comprises: a developer retaining body that retains a developer, the developer containing a colorant and a carrier and supplied to the image retaining body that forms an electrostatic latent image; a limiting member that limits the developer retained by the developer retaining body to a specified amount; and a member that is configured to reduce a space below the limiting member and is disposed in an area of ​​the limiting member that is less susceptible to bending than other areas in the axial direction of the developer retaining body.

[0156] According to the invention of (1), it is possible to suppress a reduction in the amount of developer used, compared to a case where the developer continues to stay in the space between the components.

[0157] According to the invention of (2), the amount of developer that falls from the space below the regulating member can be increased compared to a configuration in which the region not easily bent is provided in the region other than the middle portion in the axial direction of the developer holding member.

[0158] According to the invention of (3), it is possible to suppress a reduction in the amount of developer used, compared with a case where the region other than the middle portion is not configured as both end portions in the axial direction.

[0159] According to the invention of (4), the amount of developer remaining in the space below the restricting member can be reduced compared to a structure in which the surface facing the restricting member is defined by the positional relationship with the developer holding member without a member.

[0160] According to the invention of (5), the space below the regulating member can be made smaller than in a case where there is no structure in which the distance between the regulating member and the developer holding member remains the same even when the regulating member moves downward.

[0161] According to the invention of (6), compared with a case where there is no structure in which the distance from the developer holding member increases as the positional relationship increases downward, the developer can be easily dropped from the space below the regulating member.

[0162] According to the invention of (7), compared with a case where a member different from the member is provided in an area where no member is provided and the cross-sectional area of ​​the different member is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the member, a reduction in the amount of developer used can be suppressed.

[0163] According to the invention of (8), compared with a structure in which a component different from a component is not provided in an area where no component is provided, the cross-sectional area of ​​the component is such that the end portion close to the different component in the axial direction is smaller than the end portion far from the different component, thereby suppressing the reduction in the amount of developer used.

[0164] According to the invention of (9), it is possible to suppress a reduction in the amount of developer used, compared with a case where the cross-sectional area of ​​the different member decreases from the end portion toward the center of the different member.

[0165] According to the invention of (10), compared with a case where the developer continues to stay in the space between the components, it is possible to suppress a reduction in the amount of developer used.

[0166] 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 is supplied to an image holding body that forms an electrostatic latent image; a limiting member for limiting the developer held by the developer holding member to a predetermined amount; and The member is provided to reduce the space below the restricting member and is provided in an area of ​​the restricting member that is less likely to bend than other areas in the axial direction of the developer holding body.

2. The developer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The less flexible region is provided in a region other than the middle portion in the axial direction of the developer holding member.

3. The developer according to claim 2, characterized in that: The regions other than the middle portion are both end portions in the axial direction.

4. The developer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The surface of the member facing the restricting member is determined by its positional relationship with the developer holding member.

5. The developer according to claim 4, characterized in that: The positional relationship is a relationship in which the distance between the developer holding member and the developer holding member does not change even when the developer holding member moves downward.

6. The developer according to claim 4, characterized in that: The positional relationship is such that the distance from the developer holding body increases as the distance goes downward.

7. The developer according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: A component different from the above-mentioned component is arranged in an area where the above-mentioned component is not arranged, The cross-sectional area of ​​the different component is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the component.

8. The developer according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: A component different from the above-mentioned component is arranged in an area where the above-mentioned component is not arranged, With respect to the cross-sectional area of ​​the components, an end portion close to the different component in the axial direction is smaller than an end portion far from the different component.

9. The developer according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that: The cross-sectional area of ​​the different components decreases from the ends toward the center of the different components.

10. 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 component comprises: a developer retaining body that retains a developer, the developer containing a colorant and a carrier and supplied to the image retaining body that forms an electrostatic latent image; a limiting member that limits the developer retained by the developer retaining body to a specified amount; and a member that is configured to reduce a space below the limiting member and is disposed in an area of ​​the limiting member that is less susceptible to bending than other areas in the axial direction of the developer retaining body.

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