Seal member, toner carrying device including seal member, and image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide a developing device that has a new form of end seal.SOLUTION: A drum unit 8 applicable to an image forming apparatus 500 comprises: a photoconductor drum 4 that is rotatable and configured to carry toner; a cleaning container 15 that rotatably supports the photoconductor drum 4; and an end seal 300 that seals a gap between an end of the photoconductor drum 4 in a longitudinal direction of the photoconductor drum 4 and the cleaning container 15. The end seal 300 has a fiber surface layer 401 that rubs with the photoconductor drum 4. The fiber surface layer 401 includes lubricant-containing fiber threads 404 in which particles of solid lubricant are fixed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a seal member, a toner carrier device including the seal member, and an image forming apparatus, for example, a seal member used in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer that employs an electrophotographic system, and a toner carrier device including the seal member. [Background technology]

[0002] In conventional electrophotographic image forming apparatuses, toner replenishment and maintenance of various process means are required, and in order to facilitate toner replenishment and maintenance, a photosensitive drum, charging means, developing means, cleaning means, etc. are integrated into a frame to form a cartridge. The cartridge is put into practical use as a process cartridge that is detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus. According to the cartridge system, the user can perform the maintenance of the apparatus by himself, so that operability can be improved and an image forming apparatus with excellent usability can be provided. Therefore, this cartridge system is widely used in image forming apparatuses. A process cartridge is generally composed of a drum unit having a photosensitive drum and a developing unit that supplies developer to the photosensitive drum.

[0003] The drum unit includes a photosensitive drum, a charging roller for charging the photosensitive drum, a cleaning member for scraping and collecting the toner (waste toner) remaining on the photosensitive drum from the photosensitive drum, and a cleaning container for supporting the photosensitive drum, the charging roller, and the cleaning member. In the drum unit, the cleaning container is sealed with a plurality of sealing members so that the toner stored therein does not leak out of the drum unit. For example, cleaning side end seals are used as sealing members for both longitudinal ends of the photosensitive drum in the gaps between the cleaning container, the photosensitive drum, and the cleaning member (Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2014-081620 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENTS The present invention provides a development apparatus having an end seal of a new type. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention has the following configuration.

[0007] (1) A toner carrier device used in an image forming apparatus, comprising: a rotating member configured to rotate and carry toner; a frame body that rotatably supports the rotating member; and a sealing member that seals a gap between an end of the rotating member in the longitudinal direction of the rotating member and the frame body, wherein the sealing member has a surface layer that contacts the rotating member, and the surface layer includes fiber yarns to which particles of a solid lubricant are fixed.

[0008] (2) An image forming apparatus comprising the toner carrier device according to (1) above.

[0009] (3) A sealing member used in an image forming apparatus to seal a gap between a rotating body that carries toner and a frame that rotatably supports the rotating body, the sealing member having a surface layer including fiber yarns to which particles of a solid lubricant are fixed. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, a development device having an end seal of a new type is provided. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1]1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a process cartridge according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is an assembled perspective view of a process cartridge according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] 1 is an exploded view of a portion of the developing unit of the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is an assembled perspective view of a portion of a developing unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 6] Enlarged assembly view of a part of the developing unit of the first embodiment [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an end seal according to a first embodiment; [Figure 8] 1 is an exploded view of a portion of the drum unit of the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is an assembled perspective view of a portion of a drum unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 10] Enlarged assembly view of a part of the drum unit of the first embodiment [Figure 11] Enlarged view of the surface layer of the end seal in Example 1 [Figure 12] FIG. 1 is an enlarged schematic diagram of a fiber yarn produced by the production method of Example 1. [Figure 13] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the state of application of lubricant to the end seal of a modified example of the first embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] In the following examples, the embodiments of the present invention will be described by way of example. However, the configurations disclosed in the following examples, such as the functions, materials, shapes, and relative positions of the parts, are examples of forms related to the scope of the claims, and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims to the configurations disclosed in these examples. Furthermore, the problems solved by the configurations disclosed in the following examples or the actions and effects obtained from the configurations are not intended to limit the scope of the claims.

[0013] An electrophotographic image forming apparatus (image forming apparatus) is an apparatus that forms an image on a sheet-like recording medium such as paper using an electrophotographic image forming method. Examples of image forming apparatuses include copying machines, facsimile machines, printers (laser beam printers, LED printers, etc.), and combination machines (multifunction printers) of these. A cartridge is a unit that can be detached from the image forming apparatus described above, and is a unit that has a photoconductor and process means (e.g., a charging member, a developing member, a cleaning member, etc.) that act on the photoconductor. EXAMPLES

[0014] Example 1 will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 13. In the following embodiment, an image forming apparatus to which four cartridges (hereinafter referred to as process cartridges) can be detachably attached is exemplified. Note that the number of process cartridges to be mounted in the image forming apparatus is not limited to this, and may be appropriately set as required. In the embodiment described below, a laser beam printer is exemplified as one aspect of the image forming apparatus.

[0015] [General configuration of image forming device] Fig. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus 500 of Example 1. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a process cartridge P of Example 1. Fig. 3 is an assembled perspective view of the process cartridge P of Example 1 as seen from the driving side, which is one end side in the axial direction (also the longitudinal direction) of a photosensitive drum (rotating member) 4.

[0016] The image forming apparatus 500 is a four-color full-color laser printer using an electrophotographic process, and forms a color image on a recording medium S. The image forming apparatus 500 is of a process cartridge type, and a process cartridge P is detachably mounted on a main body 502 of the image forming apparatus 500. When the process cartridge P is mounted on the main body 502, a color image is formed on the recording medium S.

[0017] Here, with respect to image forming apparatus 500, the side where front door 111 is provided is referred to as the front side (front surface), and the surface opposite the front side is referred to as the back side (rear surface). The respective directions are referred to as the X2 and X1 directions (see FIG. 1). Moreover, when viewing image forming apparatus 500 from the front, the right side is referred to as the drive side, and the left side is referred to as the non-drive side. The respective directions are referred to as the Y1 and Y2 directions (see FIG. 3). The longitudinal directions are the Y1 and Y2 directions. Moreover, when viewing image forming apparatus 500 from the front, the upper side is referred to as the upper surface, and the lower side is referred to as the lower surface. The respective directions are referred to as the Z1 and Z2 directions (see FIG. 1). FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of image forming apparatus 500 viewed from the non-drive side.

[0018] In the main body 502, four process cartridges P (PY, PM, PC, PK) including a first process cartridge PY, a second process cartridge PM, a third process cartridge PC, and a fourth process cartridge PK are arranged in a substantially horizontal direction. Each of the first to fourth process cartridges P (PY, PM, PC, PK) has a similar electrophotographic process mechanism, and uses a different color developer (toner). A rotational driving force is transmitted to the first to fourth process cartridges P (PY, PM, PC, PK) from a driving output unit (not shown) of the main body 502. In addition, various voltages (charging voltage, developing voltage, etc.) are supplied from the main body 502 to each of the first to fourth process cartridges P (PY, PM, PC, PK) (not shown).

[0019] As shown in FIG. 2, the frame of each of the first to fourth process cartridges P (PY, PM, PC, PK) in the first embodiment rotatably supports the photosensitive drum 4. Each process cartridge P has a drum unit 8 equipped with a charging roller 5 as a charging means and a cleaning blade 7 as a cleaning means, which serve as process means acting on the photosensitive drum 4. Also, each of the first to fourth process cartridges P (PY, PM, PC, PK) shown in FIG. 1 has a developing unit 9 equipped with a developing roller (rotating member) 6 as a developing means for developing an electrostatic latent image (toner image) on the photosensitive drum 4. The drum unit 8 and the developing unit 9 are connected to each other. A more specific configuration of the process cartridge P will be described later.

[0020] The first process cartridge PY contains yellow (Y) toner in a developer container 25 serving as a toner storage section, and forms a yellow toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 4. The second process cartridge PM contains magenta (M) toner in the developer container 25, and forms a magenta toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 4. The third process cartridge PC contains cyan (C) toner in the developer container 25, and forms a cyan toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 4. The fourth process cartridge PK contains black (K) toner in the developer container 25, and forms a black toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 4.

[0021] A laser scanner unit 114 serving as an exposure means is provided above the first to fourth process cartridges P (PY, PM, PC, PK). The laser scanner unit 114 outputs a laser beam U corresponding to image information. The laser beam U passes through an exposure window 10 of the process cartridge P to scan and expose the surface of the photosensitive drum 4.

[0022] An intermediate transfer belt unit 112 is provided below the first to fourth process cartridges P (PY, PM, PC, PK) as a transfer member. The intermediate transfer belt unit 112 has a drive roller 112e, a turn roller 112c, and a tension roller 112b, and a transfer belt 112a as a flexible transfer member is stretched over the intermediate transfer belt unit 112. The lower surface of the photosensitive drum 4 (4Y, 4M, 4C, 4K) of each of the first to fourth process cartridges P (PY, PM, PC, PK) is in contact with the upper surface of the transfer belt 112a. The contact portion is the primary transfer portion. A primary transfer roller 112d is provided on the inside of the transfer belt 112a so as to face the photosensitive drum 4. A secondary transfer roller 106a is in contact with the turn roller 112c via the transfer belt 112a. The contact portion between the transfer belt 112a and the secondary transfer roller 106a is the secondary transfer portion.

[0023] A feeding unit 104 is provided below the intermediate transfer belt unit 112. The feeding unit 104 has a paper feed tray 104a that holds and accommodates a stack of recording media S, and a paper feed roller 104b. A fixing device 107 and a discharge device 108 are provided in the upper left part of the main body 502 in FIG. 1. The top surface of the main body 502 serves as a discharge tray 113. The recording medium S has an unfixed toner image fixed thereon by the fixing device 107 as a fixing means, and is discharged to the discharge tray 113.

[0024] [Image formation operation] The operation for forming a full-color image is as follows: The photosensitive drums 4 of the first to fourth process cartridges P (PY, PM, PC, PK) are rotated at a predetermined speed (the direction of the arrow A in FIG. 2). The transfer belt 112a is also rotated in the forward direction (the direction of the arrow C in FIG. 1) relative to the rotation of the photosensitive drums 4 at a speed corresponding to the speed of the photosensitive drums 4.

[0025] The laser scanner unit 114 is also driven. In synchronization with the driving of the laser scanner unit 114, the charging roller 5 in each process cartridge P uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 4 to a predetermined polarity and potential. The laser scanner unit 114 scans and exposes the surface of each photosensitive drum 4 with a laser beam U in accordance with an image signal for each color. As a result, an electrostatic latent image in accordance with the image signal for the corresponding color is formed on the surface of each photosensitive drum 4. The formed electrostatic latent image is developed by the developing rollers 6 (6Y, 6M, 6C, 6K) that are rotationally driven at a predetermined speed (in the direction of arrow D in FIG. 2).

[0026] By the above-described electrophotographic image forming process, a yellow toner image corresponding to the yellow component of the full-color image is formed on the photosensitive drum 4 (4Y) of the first process cartridge PY. Then, the toner image is primarily transferred onto the transfer belt 112a. Similarly, a magenta toner image corresponding to the magenta component of the full-color image is formed on the photosensitive drum 4 (4M) of the second process cartridge PM. Then, the toner image is primarily transferred, superimposed on the yellow toner image already transferred onto the transfer belt 112a. Similarly, a cyan toner image corresponding to the cyan component of the full-color image is formed on the photosensitive drum 4 (4C) of the third process cartridge PC. Then, the toner image is primarily transferred, superimposed on the yellow and magenta toner images already transferred onto the transfer belt 112a. Similarly, a black toner image corresponding to the black component of the full-color image is formed on the photosensitive drum 4 (4K) of the fourth process cartridge PK. Then, the toner image is primarily transferred onto the transfer belt 112a, superimposed on the yellow, magenta, and cyan toner images already transferred onto the transfer belt 112a. In this way, a full-color unfixed toner image of four colors, yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, is formed on the transfer belt 112a.

[0027] Meanwhile, the recording medium S is separated and fed one by one at a predetermined control timing. The recording medium S is introduced into a secondary transfer section, which is a contact portion between the secondary transfer roller 106a and the transfer belt 112a, at a predetermined control timing. As a result, while the recording medium S is being conveyed to the secondary transfer section, the four-color superimposed toner image on the transfer belt 112a is transferred collectively onto the surface of the recording medium S. Thereafter, the toner image is fixed onto the surface of the recording medium S by the fixing device 107, and the recording medium S is discharged by the discharge device 108. Note that the image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 1, and may be configured to include, for example, a carrier belt that carries the recording medium S, or may be a monochrome image forming apparatus. In this case, the recording medium S corresponds to the transferred member.

[0028] [Overall structure of process cartridge] In the first embodiment, the first to fourth process cartridges P (PY, PM, PC, PK) have the same electrophotographic process mechanism, but differ from each other in the color of the toner contained therein and the amount of toner filled therein.

[0029] The process cartridge P shown in Fig. 2 includes a photosensitive drum 4 and a process means acting on the photosensitive drum 4. The process means includes a charging roller 5 as a charging means for charging the photosensitive drum 4, and a developing roller 6 as a developing means for developing a latent image formed by adhering toner to the photosensitive drum 4. The process means also includes a cleaning blade 7 as a cleaning means for removing residual toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 4. The process cartridge P is divided into a drum unit 8 and a developing unit 9. The unit or device including a sealing member described later may be called a toner carrying unit or a toner carrying device.

[0030] [Drum unit configuration] As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the drum unit 8 is composed of the photosensitive drum 4, the charging roller 5, the cleaning blade 7, the cleaning container 15, the waste toner storage section 15a, the driving side cartridge cover member 520, and the non-driving side cartridge cover member 521. The photosensitive drum 4 is rotatably supported by the driving side cartridge cover member 520 and the non-driving side cartridge cover member 521 provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge P. Also, as shown in FIG. 3, a coupling member 43 for the photosensitive drum 4 to which a driving force for rotating the photosensitive drum 4 is input is provided at one end side in the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum 4. The coupling member 43 engages with a coupling (not shown) as a driving output section of the main body 502, and the driving force of a driving motor (not shown) of the main body 502 is transmitted to the photosensitive drum 4. The charging roller 5 is rotatably supported by the cleaning container 15 so as to be in contact with the photosensitive drum 4 and to be rotated by the photosensitive drum 4. The cleaning blade 7 is supported by a cleaning container 15 so as to contact the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 4 with a predetermined pressure. The toner (also referred to as transfer residual toner) removed from the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 4 by the cleaning blade 7 is stored in a waste toner storage section 15a in the cleaning container 15. The drum unit 8 is provided with a waste toner sealing structure so that the waste toner in the waste toner storage section 15a does not leak out to the outside. The waste toner sealing structure of the drum unit 8 will be described in detail later.

[0031] [Developer unit configuration] As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the developing unit 9 is composed of the developing roller 6, the developing blade 30, the developing container 25, and the like. The developing container 25 has a toner storage section 29 that stores the toner to be supplied to the developing roller 6, and the developing blade 30 that regulates the thickness of the toner layer on the peripheral surface of the developing roller 6. The developing blade 30 is formed by attaching an elastic member 30b, which is a sheet metal having a thickness of about 0.1 mm, to a supporting member 30a, which is a metal material having an L-shaped cross section, by welding or the like. The developing blade 30 is attached to the developing container 25 at two points, one end side and the other end side, in the longitudinal direction by fixing screws 30c. The developing roller 6 is composed of a core metal 6c made of a metal material and a rubber part 6d. The developing roller 6 is rotatably supported by a driving side bearing 526 and a non-driving side bearing 27 attached to both ends in the longitudinal direction of the developing container 25.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 3, a coupling member 74 for the developing roller 6 is provided at one end of the developing unit 9 in the longitudinal direction, to which a driving force for rotating the developing roller 6 is input. The coupling member 74 engages with a coupling (not shown) as a driving output unit of the main body 502, and the driving force of a driving motor (not shown) of the main body 502 is input to the developing unit 9. The driving force input to the developing unit 9 is transmitted by a driving train (not shown) provided in the developing unit 9, so that the developing roller 6 can be rotated in the direction of arrow D in FIG. 2. A developing cover member 533 that supports and covers the coupling member 74 and the driving train (not shown) is provided at one end of the developing unit 9 in the longitudinal direction. The developing unit 9 is provided with a toner sealing structure (160, 210, etc., described later) to prevent the toner in the toner storage section 29 from leaking out to the outside. The toner sealing structure of the developing unit 9 will be described in detail later.

[0033] [Assembling the drum unit and developing unit] The assembly of the drum unit 8 and the developing unit 9 will be described with reference to FIG. 3. The drum unit 8 and the developing unit 9 are held by a driving side cartridge cover member 520 and a non-driving side cartridge cover member 521 provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge P. The driving side cartridge cover member 520 provided at one end in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge P is provided with a support hole 520a for supporting the developing unit 9 so that it can swing (move). Furthermore, the non-driving side cartridge cover member 521 provided at the other end in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge P is provided with a cylindrical support portion 521a for supporting the developing unit 9 so that it can swing. Furthermore, the driving side cartridge cover member 520 and the non-driving side cartridge cover member 521 are provided with support holes 520b, 521b for rotatably supporting the photosensitive drum 4, respectively.

[0034] Here, at one end, the outer diameter portion of the cylindrical portion 533b of the developing cover member 533 is fitted into the support hole 520a of the driven side cartridge cover member 520. At the other end, the support portion 521a of the non-driven side cartridge cover member 521 is fitted into the hole of the non-driven side bearing 27. Furthermore, both ends in the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum 4 are fitted into the support hole portion 520b of the driven side cartridge cover member 520 and the support hole portion 521b of the non-driven side cartridge cover member 521. Then, the driven side cartridge cover member 520 and the non-driven side cartridge cover member 521 are fixed to the cleaning container 15 by screws, adhesives, or the like (not shown).

[0035] Therefore, the driven side cartridge cover member 520 and the non-driven side cartridge cover member 521 are integrated with the cleaning container 15 to form the drum unit 8. Furthermore, the developing unit 9 is supported by the driven side cartridge cover member 520 and the non-driven side cartridge cover member 521 so as to be swingable (movable) relative to the drum unit 8 (photosensitive drum 4), and is integrated and assembled as the process cartridge P.

[0036] [Toner seal configuration of development unit] Next, the toner seal configuration of the developing unit 9 will be described with reference to Figs. 4 to 7. Fig. 4 is an assembled perspective view seen from the drive side when the developing blade 30, the lower seal 160 of the developing blade 30, and the sheet member 210 on the developing side are assembled to the developing container 25. Fig. 5 is an assembled perspective view seen from the drive side of the developing unit 9 after the developing blade 30, the lower seal 160 of the developing blade 30, and the sheet member 210 on the developing side are assembled to the developing container 25. Fig. 6 is an assembled enlarged view seen from the front of a part of the driving side of the developing unit 9 after the developing blade 30, the lower seal 160 of the developing blade 30, and the sheet member 210 on the developing side are assembled to the developing container 25. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the driving end seal 400g on the developing side.

[0037] 4 to 6, as a toner seal configuration for sealing the toner in the developing container 25, an end seal 400 as a sealing member on the developing side, a lower seal 160 of the developing blade 30, and a sheet member 210 on the developing side are arranged in the developing container 25. The end seal 400 on the developing side is a driving end seal 400g and a non-driving end seal 400ng. The end seal 400 seals the gap between the developing roller 6 and the developing container 25 at the end of the developing roller 6 in the longitudinal direction.

[0038] The end seal 400 on the development side is curved and arranged on the development container 25 so as to be in close contact with the peripheral surface of the development roller 6. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the drive end seal 400g on the development side. The drive end seal 400g on the development side is composed of a fiber surface layer 401, an intermediate adhesive layer 406, an intermediate layer 407, and a container adhesive layer 408. When the development roller 6 is driven, the fiber surface layer 401 of the development side end seal 400 in contact with the development roller 6 is in a rubbing state. In addition, the development side end seal 400 has a container adhesive layer 408 on the development container 25 side, and is adhered and fixed to the development container 25. The development side end seal 400 will be described in detail later.

[0039] 4 to 6, a flexible developer-side sheet member 210 is disposed on the upstream side in the rotation direction (DK direction) of the developing roller 6 on the side of the developer-side end seal 400 that slides against the developing roller 6. On the other hand, an elastic member 30b of the developing blade 30 is disposed on the downstream side in the rotation direction (DK direction) of the developing roller 6.

[0040] The developing blade 30 is composed of a support member 30a and an elastic member 30b. The elastic member 30b is made of a stainless steel plate or phosphorus bronze plate having a thickness of about 0.1 mm. The support member 30a is made of a steel plate having a thickness of 1 to 2 mm. The support member 30a and the elastic member 30b are positioned by a positioning mechanism (not shown) and joined by spot welding using a laser or the like. The support member 30a is provided with a first cutout portion 131 for positioning in the developing container 25, which fits into a positioning portion 225 of the developing container 25 to determine the longitudinal position of the process cartridge P. The support member 30a is fixed by screws 118 (118R, 118L) in a state where it is abutted against the blade mounting surface 121b (121bR, 121bL) of the developing container 25. In addition, in the short direction of the elastic member 30b, the side opposite to the side joined to the support member 30a is a free end, and a part of this free end comes into contact with the peripheral surface of the developing roller 6, thereby regulating the amount of toner held by the developing roller 6.

[0041] Here, the developing-side sheet member 210 is sandwiched between the developing-side end seal 400 and the developing roller 6. This provides a range where the developing-side sheet member 210 and the developing-side end seal 400 come into contact, a range where the developing-side end seal 400 and the developing roller 6 come into contact, and a range where the developing roller 6 and the developing-side sheet member 210 come into contact.

[0042] In addition, the elastic member 30b of the developing blade 30 is sandwiched between the end seal 400 on the developing side and the developing roller 6, and the elastic member 30b and the end seal 400 on the developing side, the end seal 400 on the developing side and the developing roller 6, and the developing roller 6 and the elastic member 30b are respectively in contact with each other. This fills the gaps at the ends in the longitudinal direction inside the developing container 25, and seals the toner on the end seal 400 on the developing side.

[0043] The lower seal 160 of the developing blade 30 has a double-sided tape 160a and an elastic foam member 160b, and is attached to the developing container 25 by the double-sided tape 160a. Thereafter, when the developing blade 30 is assembled to the developing container 25, the gap between the support member 30a and the developing container 25 is filled.

[0044] Here, as shown in FIG. 6, the hot melt resin HM is injected into the minute gap when the end seal 400, the developing blade 30, and the lower seal 160 of the developing blade 30 are attached to the developing container 25, thereby ensuring their adhesion. The non-driving side has the same configuration, so the driving side will be described. As shown in FIG. 7, the hot melt resin HM is injected into the notches 409 and 410 for hot melt adhesion of the end seal 400g on the developing side. This makes it possible to seal the minute gap when the end seal 400g on the developing side attached to the developing container 25, the developing blade 30, and the lower seal 160 are attached. The hot melt resin HM in the first embodiment is made of a mixture of thermoplastic rubber, tackifier resin, etc., and has the characteristic of being liquefied by heating and hardened into an elastic solid by cooling.

[0045] The developing-side sheet member 210 is a flexible resin sheet made of resin such as PPS and has a thickness of about 0.1 mm, and is attached and fixed to the developing container 25 by a double-sided tape attached to the developing frame 25a. The developing-side sheet member 210 is disposed downstream of the developing blade 30 in the rotation direction of the developing roller 6 and over the entire area in the longitudinal direction of the developing container 25. The side of the developing-side sheet member 210 facing the developing roller 6 in the short direction is a free end, and a part of the free end is configured to abut on the circumferential surface of the developing roller 6 over the entire area in the longitudinal direction. Furthermore, the end of the developing-side sheet member 210 in the longitudinal direction is configured to at least partially contact and overlap the fiber surface layer 401 of the end seal 400 on the developing side described above.

[0046] 6, the hot melt resin HM is injected into a minute gap between the end seal 400 on the developer container 25 and the sheet member 210 on the developer container 25 to ensure adhesion. Also, as shown in FIG. 7, the hot melt resin HM is injected into a notch 411 of the drive end seal 400g on the developer container 25 to seal the minute gap between the end seal 400 and the sheet member 210 attached to the developer container 25.

[0047] As described above, after the end seal 400, the developing blade 30, the lower seal 160, and the hot melt resin HM are attached to the developing container 25, the developing roller 6 is assembled to form the developing unit 9. This seals the toner storage section 29 in the developing container 25 so that the toner does not leak out of the developing unit 9.

[0048] [Drum unit toner sealing structure] Fig. 8 is a diagram showing a state before the cleaning side sheet member 310, the cleaning blade 7, and the charging roller 5 are assembled in the cleaning container 15. Fig. 9 is an enlarged assembled view of a part of the drum unit 8 in a state in which the photosensitive drum 4 has been removed from the drum unit 8. Fig. 10 is an enlarged view of the drive side of Fig. 9.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 8 to FIG. 10, the configuration for sealing the toner in the waste toner storage section 15a in the cleaning container 15 is as follows. In the cleaning container 15, the cleaning blade 7, the cleaning side end seal 300, the lower seal 260 of the cleaning blade 7, and the cleaning side sheet member 310 are arranged. The cleaning side end seal 300 is specifically a driving end seal 300g and a non-driving end seal 300ng. The end seal 300, which is a sealing member, seals the gap between the photosensitive drum 4 and the waste toner storage section 15a at the end of the photosensitive drum 4 in the longitudinal direction. The cleaning side end seal 300 will be described in detail later.

[0050] Further, on the side of the sliding surface between the cleaning-side end seal 300 and the photosensitive drum 4, a flexible sheet member 310 is disposed on the upstream side in the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 4. On the other hand, on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 4, the elastic member 7b of the cleaning blade 7 is disposed.

[0051] Here, the sheet member 310 in contact with the photosensitive drum 4 is sandwiched between the cleaning-side end seal 300 and a part of the photosensitive drum 4. There is a range where the cleaning-side sheet member 310 and the cleaning-side end seal 300 come into contact, a range where the cleaning-side end seal 300 and the photosensitive drum 4 come into contact, and a range where the photosensitive drum 4 and the cleaning-side sheet member 310 come into contact.

[0052] The cleaning blade 7 is composed of a support part 7a fixed to the cleaning container 15, and an elastic member 7b that comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 4 and rubs against it to clean residual toner that has not been completely transferred. The support part 7a is an iron plate with a thickness of about 1 mm, and is fixed to the cleaning container 15 with screws 318. The elastic member 7b is made of rubber or the like with a thickness of about 1 mm, and comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 4.

[0053] 10, the end seal 300 is L-shaped. At the end of the elastic member 7b of the cleaning blade 7 in the longitudinal direction, the parallel end surface 300a and the perpendicular end surface 300b of the L-shaped portion of the end seal 300 are disposed to abut against the L-shaped end portion (corner portion) of the elastic member 7b of the cleaning blade 7. This fills the gap at the end of the cleaning container 15 in the longitudinal direction, and seals the toner at the end of the elastic member 7b of the cleaning blade 7 in the longitudinal direction.

[0054] The lower seal 260 of the cleaning blade 7 is made of an elastic foam material such as urethane foam, and is attached to the cleaning container 15 by the double-sided tape 260a of the lower seal 260. Thereafter, when the cleaning blade 7 is assembled to the cleaning container 15, the lower seal 260 is configured to fill the longitudinal gap between the cleaning blade 7 and the cleaning container 15. The material of the lower seal 260 may be any material capable of filling the gap, and therefore the material may be a hot melt material, an elastomer material, a silicone bond coating, or the like.

[0055] The end seal 300 includes a layer made of an elastic foam material such as urethane foam, and is attached to the cleaning container 15 with double-sided tape. Thereafter, when the cleaning blade 130 is assembled to the cleaning container 121, the end seal 300 is configured to fill the gap at the end in the longitudinal direction between the cleaning blade 130 and the cleaning container 121. The end seal 300 only needs to be able to fill the gap, and may be configured to fill the gap in the same manner as the end seal 400 by applying a hot melt material, an elastomer material, or a silicone bond.

[0056] The cleaning-side sheet member 310 is a flexible resin sheet made of resin such as PPS and has a thickness of about 0.1 mm, and is attached and fixed to the cleaning container 15 by double-sided tape attached to the cleaning container 121. The cleaning-side sheet member 310 is disposed upstream of the cleaning blade 7 in the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 4 and over the entire longitudinal area of ​​the cleaning container 15. The side of the cleaning-side sheet member 310 facing the photosensitive drum 4 in the short direction is a free end, and a part of the free end is configured to abut against the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 4 over the entire longitudinal area. Furthermore, the end of the cleaning-side sheet member 310 in the longitudinal direction is configured to at least partially contact and overlap the fiber surface layer 401 of the end seal 300.

[0057] As described above, after the end seal 300, cleaning blade 7, and bottom seal 260 are attached to the cleaning container 15, the charging roller 5 and photosensitive drum 4 are assembled, and further the side cover is attached to form the drum unit 8. This seals the waste toner storage section 15a in the cleaning container 15 so that the waste toner does not leak out of the drum unit 8.

[0058] [Details of toner seal (end seal)] 7 is a perspective view of the driving end seal 400g on the development side of the development unit 9. The non-driving end seal 400ng on the development side of the development unit 9 has the same configuration, so the driving end seal 400g will be described. The end seal 300 on the cleaning side of the drum unit 8 (driving end seal 300g, non-driving end seal 300ng) has a different shape but a similar configuration, so the driving end seal 400g will be described. The driving end seal 400g is composed of a fiber surface layer 401, an intermediate adhesive layer 406, an intermediate layer 407, and a container adhesive layer 408.

[0059] Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view of DT1 in Fig. 7, and is an enlarged view of the fiber surface layer 401 on one side of the end seal 400. As shown in Fig. 11, the fiber surface layer 401 as the first layer is composed of a base fabric part (substrate) 402 formed by weaving warp threads 402a and weft threads 402b approximately perpendicularly to each other, and a fiber part 403 as a fiber part (surface layer) woven in pile weave so as to raise the base fabric part 402. When the fiber surface layer 401 comes into contact with the developing roller 6 or the photosensitive drum 4, the fiber part 403 is rubbed by the rotation of the developing roller 6 or the photosensitive drum 4. An example of the time of contact with the developing roller 6 will be described below.

[0060] Here, the fiber portion 403 is a pile fabric made of fiber threads of different materials, and is woven so that the different fiber threads are arranged in stripes when the surface is viewed from the side opposite the developing roller 6. Here, the pile fiber portion of the lubricant-containing fiber threads 404, in which the fiber threads contain a lubricant, and the lubricant-free fiber threads 405, in which the fiber threads do not contain a lubricant, are arranged in stripes at regular intervals in the longitudinal direction of the end seal 400. Note that the lubricant-containing fiber threads 404 may be used in at least a part of the fiber surface layer 401, and the intervals of the stripes and the ratio of the lubricant-containing fiber threads 404 and the lubricant-free fiber threads 405 do not have to be 1:1. In addition, the end seals 300 and 400 may have at least one type of fiber thread containing a lubricant, and may have multiple types of fiber threads containing a lubricant.

[0061] The lubricant used in the first embodiment is a type of lubricant used for the purpose of reducing sliding friction, suppressing temperature rise due to sliding friction, and suppressing scraping of the fiber surface layer 401 due to sliding friction. For the fiber material of the lubricant-containing fiber yarn (first fiber yarn) 404 containing the lubricant, materials such as polyester, nylon, acrylic, rayon, and polyolefin are used. Note that the materials are not limited to these. For the fiber material of the lubricant-free fiber yarn (second fiber yarn) 405 not containing the lubricant, the same material as the lubricant-containing fiber yarn 404 or fluorine-based materials such as PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), PFA (perfluoroalkoxyalkane), and ETFE (ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene) are used. Note that the materials are not limited to these.

[0062] Here, the purpose of using multiple types of fiber yarns, i.e., lubricant-containing fiber yarn 404 and lubricant-free fiber yarn 405, is to selectively use fiber yarns according to different functions and costs. Each fiber generally has various advantages and disadvantages. For example, a fiber yarn having high sliding properties and high temperature rise suppression performance may not achieve the desired functions in terms of fiber strength, electrostatic properties, manufacturing costs, etc. To compensate for this, the fiber yarn is composed of two or more types of fiber yarns, i.e., lubricant-containing fiber yarn 404 and lubricant-free fiber yarn 405 as in Example 1, so that the fiber yarn can be selected according to functions, costs, etc.

[0063] In the first embodiment, by using the lubricant-containing fiber yarn 404 in at least a part of the fiber surface layer 401, a fiber yarn having a low production cost can be used for the end seal while compensating for the sliding property and the temperature rise suppression performance compared to the case where only the lubricant-free fiber yarn 405 is used. The fiber material of the lubricant-free fiber yarn 405 can be selected selectively. Also, the end seal may be composed of only the lubricant-containing fiber yarn 404 without using the lubricant-free fiber yarn 405.

[0064] 11, the lubricant-containing fiber yarn 404 and the lubricant-free fiber yarn 405 are heated in advance to cause the fibers to fall at an angle θS2. Here, the angle is set to 10° to 90°, with the unfallen state being 0°. This allows the direction of each fiber to be regulated even when the developing roller 6 rotates, enabling stable contact. Note that it is not necessary to cause the fibers to fall.

[0065] 7, the lubricant-containing fiber threads 404 and the lubricant-free fiber threads 405 are arranged in a stripe pattern in the longitudinal direction of the end seal 400, i.e., in the rotational direction (DK direction) of the developing roller 6. As a result, when the developing roller 6 rotates, the lubricant-containing fiber threads 404 and the lubricant-free fiber threads 405 alternately rub against each other. The stripe pattern arrangement depends on the diameter of the rotating body, the length of the fiber portion 403, and the ratio of contact between the fibers, so the angle θS2 can be set based on the toner sealing ability, production costs, etc.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 7, each fiber thread in the fiber portion 403 is inclined toward the inside of the developing container 25 at an angle θS1 with respect to the rotation direction (DK) of the developing roller 6. This is to deal with the case where the toner carried on the developing roller 6 enters the fiber surface layer 401 as the image formation is repeated and the rotation time of the developing roller 6 increases. It is also to deal with the case where the toner scattered by the influence of the air flow caused by the air fan installed in the image forming apparatus adheres to the surface of the fiber surface layer 401. The angle θS1 is arranged so that the toner can be easily returned to the inside of each container by the rotation friction force of the developing roller 6. Here, the angle θS1 is set with a tolerance of 30° to 60° centered on the angle θS1 = 45° toward the longitudinal direction inside each container. The angle θS1 may be set based on the toner sealing property, production cost, etc. The angle θS1 does not have to be set as the angle θS1 = the rotation direction of the developing roller 6.

[0067] As shown in FIG. 11, the length of the fiber thread used for the fiber part 403 is set to a length that prevents the development roller 6 from coming into contact with the base fabric part 402 when the fiber surface layer 401 comes into contact with the development roller 6. Here, the performance of the fiber part 403 and the base fabric part 402 are used differently, so that the development roller 6 does not come into contact with the base fabric part 402. When the raised fiber part 403 comes into contact with the development roller 6, it falls over and comes into contact with the development roller 6 so that the development roller 6 does not come into contact with the base fabric part 402. The base fabric part 402 is required to have a fiber diameter that allows it to be woven at a density that makes it difficult for toner to get into the vicinity of the base of the fiber part 403. In addition, the base fabric part 402 is required to have durability, flexibility, heat resistance, and the like that prevents the fiber part 403 from coming off due to the sliding resistance between the fiber part 403 and the development roller 6. Since the base fabric portion 402 does not come into contact with the developing roller 6, it is possible to use, for example, inexpensive fiber yarn that does not have sliding properties in order to reduce costs. Note that the fiber used in the fiber surface layer 401 may be used.

[0068] To prevent the fiber part 403 from falling off the base fabric part 402, the following is done. Here, the root part of the fiber part 403 and the base fabric part 402 are fixed by a method such as permeating, applying, or heat-melting the base fabric part 402 with a hot melt or a hardening coating agent made of synthetic resin, a thermoplastic resin sheet, or a thermoplastic fiber. However, the fixing method is not limited to this.

[0069] In this way, by using different fiber threads for the fiber part 403 that rubs against the developing roller 6 and the base cloth part 402 that does not rub against the developing roller 6, the cost of the fiber used in the base cloth part 402 can be reduced, making it possible to produce a low-cost end seal 400. Also, by changing the density and weaving method of the fiber part 403, it is possible to create a surface layer configuration aimed at improving the toner sealing performance. These are changed as appropriate according to the target lifespan of the process cartridge P.

[0070] The fiber surface layer 401 of the end seal 400 is made of pile weave fiber part 403 with raised fiber yarns, taking into consideration the adhesion to the developing roller 6, the configuration of slanting the inside of the developing container 25, the toner collecting ability and heat dissipation ability, etc. However, the fiber surface layer 401 may be made of fiber yarns, and may be made of, for example, a configuration in which only the warp and weft yarns of the base fabric part 402 are sealed, a configuration of knitted fabric made of knitted fiber yarns, a configuration in which fiber yarns are intertwined like nonwoven fabric, or a configuration in which the fiber yarns are crimped, in addition to the pile weave. In this case, the lubricant-containing fiber yarns 404 are provided in at least a part of the fiber surface layer 401, so that the lubricant-containing effect described above can be obtained. The base fabric part 402 itself may be made to contain the lubricant-containing fiber yarns 404. This is the same for pile weave, knitted fabric, and nonwoven fabric. In this case, the surface may be brushed to raise fibers from base fabric portion 402 to form fiber portion (surface layer) 403 . Alternatively, an electrostatic flocking process may be used in which adhesive is applied to base fabric portion 402 using a spray gun or the like, and a high voltage of 30,000 to 80,000 volts is applied to use the force of static electricity to implant lubricant-containing fiber yarns into the base material.

[0071] The intermediate layer 407 as the second layer is an elastic layer made of an elastic member (elastic body) that fills the gap between the developing container 25 and the developing roller 6 and brings the fiber surface layer 401 into contact with the developing roller 6 at a predetermined pressure. For example, polyurethane foam is used. It has a thickness that can sufficiently fill the gap even if the gap between the developing frame 25a and the developing roller 6 varies due to the dimensional tolerances and assembly tolerances of each part. Here, a synthetic resin foam in which carbon having heat dissipation properties is added to polyurethane foam is used. For example, other than this, polystyrene, polypropylene, elastomer, natural rubber, and other rubber materials may be used. When electrostatic flocking processing is used, the lubricant-containing fiber threads 404 may be planted directly in the intermediate layer 407 (base material).

[0072] Intermediate adhesive layer 406 as the third layer is an adhesive layer that, for example, bonds and fixes fabric portion 402 and intermediate layer 407. It is sufficient if the fixing can be performed without impairing the sealing performance of fabric portion 402 and the repulsive force performance of intermediate layer 407. Here, the fixing is performed with double-sided tape, hot melt, a hardening coating agent made of synthetic resin, a thermoplastic resin sheet, thermoplastic fiber, or the like. However, the fixing method is not limited to these.

[0073] The container adhesive layer 408 as the fourth layer is an adhesive layer for fixing the end seal 400 to the developing container 25 to which it is to be assembled. In the case of the end seal 300, the container adhesive layer 408 is a layer for fixing to the waste toner storage section 15a to which it is to be assembled. Here, it is sufficient to fix to the developing container 25 without impairing the repulsive force performance of the intermediate layer 407, and it is fixed with double-sided tape, hot melt, or the like. It is to be noted that the fixing method is not limited to this.

[0074] [Detailed composition of lubricant and lubricant-containing fiber yarn] As described above, toner may adhere to the end seal due to the influence of the rotation of the developing roller 6 and the photosensitive drum 4 during image formation, the airflow of the main body fan, etc. For this reason, the end seal is required to have various improved performances to deal with various influences on the toner sealing performance. For example, further improvements are required in the toner wiping performance and toner collection performance inside the fiber part, the sliding performance to improve the fluidity of the toner so that the toner is returned toward the inside of the container, the temperature rise suppression performance to prevent toner melting due to frictional heat, the heat dissipation performance, etc.

[0075] In the first embodiment, the fiber yarn of the end seals 300 and 400 contains a lubricant in order to improve the sliding performance and the temperature rise suppression performance related to the toner sealing performance.

[0076] In addition, one method for improving the sliding performance, temperature rise suppression performance, heat dissipation performance, etc. of the seal surface of the end seal is to apply powder to the seal surface, but the powder is not directly fixed to the fiber. Therefore, there is a risk that the powder will gradually come off or scatter from the seal surface due to the increase in speed and life of the process cartridge. Therefore, by using fibers containing a lubricant, the lubricant is fixed to the fiber, making it easier to maintain the functionality of the seal surface than with the powder application method. In addition, it is also possible to use powder on the seal surface in combination. The lubricants used in the present invention include liquid lubricants and solid lubricants. Examples of liquid lubricants include hydrocarbon-based liquids and silicone-based liquids. Examples of solid lubricants include molybdenum disulfide, tungsten disulfide, graphite, graphite fluoride, hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN), organic fluorine (PTFE, PVDF, etc.), melamine cyanurate, dimethyl silicone oil, etc.

[0077] In the present invention, the lubricant contained in the fiber thread of the end seals 300 and 400 is preferably a solid lubricant. The toner used in electrophotography is made up of fine particles and is composed of a resin component with a relatively low molecular weight. If a liquid lubricant is used, the toner particles may aggregate, causing problems. Some liquid lubricants may attack the toner and cause phenomena such as toner blocking. In contrast, the solid lubricant particles used in the present invention reduce the occurrence of phenomena such as the generation of toner aggregates and toner blocking as mentioned above. Therefore, a solid lubricant is preferable.

[0078] Among these, in the present invention, hexagonal boron nitride (boron nitride) is particularly preferred as the solid lubricant. Hexagonal boron nitride is insulating, and when used for electrophotography, the occurrence of the above-mentioned phenomenon is reduced. In addition, since hexagonal boron nitride has high thermal conductivity, it is expected to have an effect of diffusing the generated heat (heat dissipation performance) when used in sliding parts such as the end seals 300 and 400.

[0079] In addition, the particle diameter of the solid lubricant is preferably 50 μm or less, more preferably 30 μm or less, and even more preferably 10 μm or less in terms of the average primary particle diameter. The filament (fiber) diameter used for the fiber yarns in the surface layer of the end seals 300 and 400 is often 50 μm or less. In the case of using split fibers, etc., it is often 10 μm or less. Therefore, it is preferable that the particle diameter of the solid lubricant is equal to or smaller than the diameter of the fiber yarn. If the particle diameter of the solid lubricant is larger than the diameter of the fiber yarn, it may lead to a decrease in fiber strength. In addition, even if the solid lubricant particles are separated from the fiber yarn, a smaller particle diameter is preferable in order to remain between the fiber yarns in the surface layer of the end seals 300 and 400 and to maintain the effect of the present invention. In Example 1, boron nitride is used as an example of the solid lubricant particle material. The number average diameter of boron nitride is set to 0.1 μm or more and 20 μm or less.

[0080] [Method of manufacturing lubricant-containing fiber yarn] As a method of incorporating and fixing solid lubricant particles in advance in a fiber thread, there is a method of melting and kneading a mixture of resin pellets and solid lubricant particles in advance and spinning it. In addition, a method of melting and spinning a resin that already contains solid lubricant particles in the resin, in which case a method of diluting a master batch containing solid lubricant particles at a high concentration is also included. In addition, there is a method of adding solid lubricant particles in the middle of the process of melting and kneading the resin and spinning it. In addition, there is a method of extruding a resin and a solid lubricant melted in an organic solvent into a thread in a high-temperature environment and spinning it into a fiber thread. In addition, as another method, there is a method of contacting a solid lubricant with a spun fiber thread in a softened state by heating, and then cooling and fixing it. In addition, there is a method of contacting a spun fiber thread with a softening solvent and contacting and fixing the solid lubricant particles in a softened state. In addition, there is a method of contacting a fiber thread with a liquid in which solid lubricant particles are dispersed, thereby fixing the solid lubricant to the particles ... In this case, from the viewpoint of the stability of fixing the solid lubricant to the fiber yarn, the liquid is preferably viscous or sticky.

[0081] ■Examples of manufacturing fiber yarn (yarn) incorporating solid lubricants Manufacturing example The polyester resin pellets (first resin pellets) and boron nitride with an average particle size of 0.6 μm were mixed thoroughly in advance at a weight ratio of 100:5, and then melt-kneaded in a kneader to produce resin pellets (second resin pellets) containing boron nitride in polyester resin. These resin pellets were used for spinning to produce threads with a diameter of approximately 15 μm.

[0082] Manufacturing example The polyester resin pellets (first resin pellets) and boron nitride with an average particle size of 7 μm were mixed thoroughly in advance at a weight ratio of 100:8, and then melt-kneaded in a kneader to produce resin pellets (second resin pellets) containing boron nitride in polyester resin. These resin pellets were used for spinning to produce threads with a diameter of approximately 25 μm.

[0083] Manufacturing example The polyester resin pellets (first resin pellets) and melamine cyanurate with an average particle size of 2 μm were mixed thoroughly in advance at a weight ratio of 100:8, and then melt-kneaded in a kneader to prepare resin pellets (second resin pellets) containing melamine cyanurate in polyester resin. These resin pellets were used for spinning to produce threads with a diameter of about 25 μm.

[0084] Manufacturing example Nylon resin pellets (first resin pellets) and boron nitride with an average particle size of 0.6 μm were mixed thoroughly in advance at a weight ratio of 100:5, and then melted and kneaded in a kneader to produce resin pellets (second resin pellets) containing boron nitride in nylon resin. These resin pellets were used for spinning to produce threads with a diameter of approximately 15 μm.

[0085] Manufacturing example The polyester resin pellets (first resin pellets) and dimethyl silicone oil were mixed thoroughly in advance at a weight ratio of 100:3, and then melt-kneaded in a kneader to prepare resin pellets (second resin pellets) containing dimethyl silicone oil in polyester resin. These resin pellets were used for spinning to produce threads with a diameter of about 15 μm.

[0086] ■Example of manufacturing thread containing solid lubricant by the solvent method Manufacturing example Acrylic resin and boron nitride with an average particle size of 0.6 μm were dissolved in acrylonitrile in a weight ratio of 100:5, and then formed into threads in a high-temperature environment and the solvent was evaporated to produce threads of acrylic resin containing boron nitride with a diameter of approximately 15 μm.

[0087] ■Example of manufacturing thread with solid lubricant fixed to the surface Manufacturing example A thread made of polyester resin and having a diameter of approximately 15 μm was passed through an oven at 280°C to soften the surface, and then passed through a container containing boron nitride with an average particle size of 0.6 μm to produce a thread with boron nitride adhered to the surface of the thread.

[0088] Manufacturing example A thread made of polyester resin and having a diameter of approximately 15 μm was passed through an oven at 280°C to soften the surface, and then passed through a container containing melamine cyanurate with an average particle size of 2 μm to produce a thread with melamine cyanurate fixed to the surface of the thread.

[0089] Manufacturing example A thread made of acrylic resin and having a diameter of approximately 15 μm was passed through an oven at 250°C to soften the surface, and then passed through a container containing boron nitride with an average particle size of 0.6 μm to produce a thread with boron nitride adhered to the surface.

[0090] Manufacturing example A nylon resin thread with a diameter of approximately 15 μm was passed through an oven at 250°C to soften the surface, and then passed through a container containing boron nitride with an average particle size of 0.6 μm to produce a thread with boron nitride adhered to the surface.

[0091] ■Example of manufacturing thread with solid lubricant fixed to the thread surface (using liquid) Manufacturing example A thread made of polyester resin and measuring approximately 15 μm in diameter was passed through a liquid of silicone oil in which boron nitride with an average particle size of 0.6 μm was dispersed, producing a thread with boron nitride adhered to the surface of the thread. The resin material of the fibers, the type and particle size of the solid lubricant, and the manufacturing method are not limited to the above examples.

[0092] <Fibre yarn incorporating solid lubricant> FIG. 12(a) is a diagram showing a fiber yarn manufactured by the above-mentioned manufacturing example of a fiber yarn (yarn) kneaded with a solid lubricant. The same reference numerals are used for the same components as in FIG. 11. When a lubricant-containing fiber yarn 404 is manufactured by kneading a solid lubricant, an uneven shape appears on the surface of the lubricant-containing fiber yarn 404 due to the solid lubricant 404a, as shown by the solid circle DTA in FIG. 12(a). In this case, about 10% to 50% of the average particle volume of the solid lubricant is exposed on the fiber surface. The percentage of the exposed part can be measured by observation with an electron microscope such as SEM or TEM. An image is captured during the measurement, and the obtained image is analyzed and converted based on the magnification to measure the dimensions such as the diameter of the particle. Based on the results of measuring this dimension multiple times, the average particle volume of the exposed part of the particle is calculated. Instead of capturing an image, a photograph may be printed and measured with a ruler, and the dimensions such as the diameter of the particle may be calculated based on the magnification at the time of measurement.

[0093] <Fibre yarn containing solid lubricant by solvent method> FIG. 12(b) is a diagram showing a fiber yarn manufactured by the manufacturing example of the fiber yarn (yarn) containing the solid lubricant by the solvent method described above. The same reference numerals are used for the same components as in FIG. 11. When the lubricant-containing fiber yarn 404 is manufactured by containing the solid lubricant by the solvent method, the surface of the lubricant-containing fiber yarn 404 has an uneven shape due to the solid lubricant 404b, as shown by the solid circle DTB in FIG. 12(b). As shown in FIG. 12, the degree of protrusion of the solid lubricant is greater when the solvent method is used than when the method of kneading is used. In this case, about 40% to 80% of the average particle volume of the solid lubricant is exposed on the fiber surface. This can also be measured in the same way as the fiber yarn containing the solid lubricant.

[0094] In addition, in the manufacturing example of a yarn in which a solid lubricant was fixed to the surface of the yarn, and in the manufacturing example of a yarn in which boron nitride was fixed to the surface of the yarn (using a liquid), lubricant-containing fiber yarn 404 as shown in Figure 12(b) was produced.

[0095] By kneading the solid lubricant or incorporating it by the solvent method, about 10% to 80% of the average particle volume of the solid lubricant is exposed on the fiber surface. When the solid lubricant is kneaded, about 10% to 50% of the average particle volume is exposed on the fiber surface, and when it is incorporated by the solvent method, about 40% to 80% of the average particle volume is exposed on the fiber surface.

[0096] [Application of lubricant to solid lubricant-containing fiber yarn] In the first embodiment, the fiber surface layer using fiber yarn containing a solid lubricant was described for the purpose of improving the sliding performance and temperature rise suppression performance related to the toner sealing performance of the end seals 300 and 400, but a lubricant may be further applied. When the solid lubricant contained in the fiber yarn is the first solid lubricant, a second solid lubricant is further applied to the fiber surface layer. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram in which a lubricant is further applied to the end seal 400 of FIG. 11, and the same components as those in FIG. 11 are assigned the same reference numerals. The same applies to the end seal 300.

[0097] As described above, the surface layer of the end seal 400 rubs against the photosensitive drum 4 and the developing roller 6. Therefore, the fibers of the surface layer may be gradually worn away, and the abrasion of the lubricant-containing fiber thread 404 may result in a decrease in the sliding performance and the ability to suppress temperature rise. Therefore, by further applying the lubricant particles 600, the life of the process cartridge P can be extended even if the effect of the lubricant-containing fiber thread 404 decreases.

[0098] It is also possible to apply lubricant particles 600 to the surface layer of the end seal 400 consisting only of the lubricant-free fiber thread 405. However, there is a risk that the lubricant particles 600 will not move from the end seal 400 together with the inside of each toner storage section or the toner to be transferred due to the rotation of the photosensitive drum 4 and the developing roller 6. For this reason, it is preferable to use the lubricant-containing fiber thread 404 and further apply the lubricant particles 600.

[0099] Here, the lubricant particles 600 are applied to the lubricant-containing fiber yarn 404 using the above-mentioned solid lubricants such as boron nitride, zinc stearate, and silicone resin particles such as Tospearl. As an application method, a liquid in which powder particles are dispersed in isopropyl alcohol is applied to the surface of the end seal 400, and the isopropyl alcohol is volatilized to apply the lubricant to the surface of the end seal 400. The lubricant to be applied may be other solid lubricants, liquid lubricants, or other particles.

[0100] The solid lubricant to be applied is preferably of the same type and particle size as the solid lubricant contained in the lubricant-containing fiber yarn 404. However, other materials and particle sizes may be used. The timing of application may be during the assembly of the drum unit 8 and the developing unit 9, or after the end seals have been coated in advance.

[0101] As image forming devices become faster and last longer, the surfaces of the cleaning side end seals and the developing side end seals (collectively called toner seals or end seals) can be worn away due to friction between the seal surfaces and the various parts. One method for preventing this wear and developer from entering the seal surfaces is to apply a powder to the seal surfaces. However, simply applying a powder may cause the powder to gradually come off the seal surfaces or fly away due to the increased speed and longer life of the device. In this case, the end seals may not be able to exhibit the ability to seal the toner, which may result in toner leakage. Furthermore, if the toner inserted onto the surface of the end seal melts when the toner has a low melting point, the end seal will not be able to seal the toner, which may result in toner leakage; however, the configuration described above can improve the durability of the cartridge.

[0102] As described above, according to the first embodiment, the toner sealing performance at the longitudinal end of the cartridge can be improved, and the durability can be improved. According to the first embodiment, it is possible to provide a developing device having a new type of end seal.

[0103] The disclosure of this embodiment includes the following configuration. (Configuration 1) A toner carrying device for use in an image forming apparatus, comprising: a rotating member configured to be rotatable and to carry toner; A frame that rotatably supports the rotating member; a seal member that seals a gap between an end of the rotating member in a longitudinal direction of the rotating member and the frame; Equipped with the seal member has a surface layer portion that contacts the rotating member, The surface layer portion includes fiber yarns to which particles of a solid lubricant are fixed. A toner carrying device comprising: (Configuration 2) The particles are embedded in the interior of the fiber yarn so that a portion of the particles is exposed from the surface of the fiber yarn. 2. The toner carrier device according to claim 1, (Configuration 3) The surface layer portion includes a base material, and a plurality of the fiber yarns are provided on the base material. 2. The toner carrier device according to claim 1, (Configuration 4) the rotating member being a photosensitive drum configured to carry a toner image; the frame is a toner storage section that stores toner recovered from the photosensitive drum; 2. The toner carrier device according to claim 1, (Configuration 5) the rotating member is a developing roller for supplying toner to a photosensitive drum, the frame includes a toner storage portion that stores toner to be carried by the developing roller, 2. The toner carrier device according to claim 1, (Configuration 6) The solid lubricant is boron nitride. 2. The toner carrier device according to claim 1, (Configuration 7) The boron nitride has a number average diameter of 0.1 μm or more and 20 μm or less. 7. The toner carrier device according to configuration 6. (Configuration 8) A portion of the particle corresponding to 10% or more and 80% or less of the average volume of the particle is exposed from the surface of the fiber yarn. 3. The toner carrier device according to claim 2. (Configuration 9) The fiber yarn is a fiber yarn spun from a second resin pellet formed by melt-kneading a mixture of a first resin pellet and the particles. 3. The toner carrier device according to claim 2. (Configuration 10) The fiber yarn is a fiber yarn in which a yarn made of a polyester resin is passed through silicone oil in which the particles are dispersed, so that the particles are fixed to the surface of the fiber yarn. 3. The toner carrier device according to claim 2. (Configuration 11) A portion of the particle corresponding to a volume of 10% to 50% of the average volume of the particle is exposed from the surface of the fiber yarn. 10. The toner carrier device according to claim 9, (Configuration 12) A portion of the particle corresponding to a volume of 40% or more and 80% or less of the average volume of the particle is exposed from the surface of the fiber yarn. 11. The toner carrying device according to configuration 10. (Configuration 13) When the solid lubricant is a first solid lubricant, The surface layer is coated with a powder of a second solid lubricant different from the first solid lubricant. 4. The toner carrying device according to configuration 3. (Configuration 14) The second solid lubricant includes zinc stearate or a silicone resin. 14. The toner carrying device according to claim 13, (Configuration 15) When the surface layer portion is defined as a first layer, The sealing member has the first layer, a second layer made of an elastic body, a third layer bonding the first layer and the second layer together, and a fourth layer bonding the second layer and the frame body together. 2. The toner carrier device according to claim 1, (Configuration 16) The substrate is composed of the fiber yarn. 4. The toner carrier device according to claim 3, (Configuration 17) The surface layer portion is composed of a knitted fabric made of the fiber yarn or a nonwoven fabric containing the fiber yarn. 9. The toner carrier device according to configuration 8, (Configuration 18) The surface layer is composed of a base material on which the fiber yarn is planted by electrostatic planting. 9. The toner carrier device according to configuration 8, (Configuration 19) The material of the fiber yarn is any one of polyester, nylon, acrylic, rayon, and polyolefin. 2. The toner carrier device according to claim 1, (Configuration 20) When the fiber yarn is a first fiber yarn, The surface layer portion further includes a second fiber yarn to which the particles are not fixed. 9. The toner carrier device according to configuration 8, (Configuration 21) The material of the first fiber yarn is any one of polyester, nylon, acrylic, rayon, and polyolefin, The material of the second fiber yarn is any one of polytetrafluoroethylene, perfluoroalkoxyalkane, and ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene. 21. The toner carrying device according to configuration 20. (Configuration 22) A toner carrying device according to any one of configurations 1 to 21 is provided. 1. An image forming apparatus comprising: (Configuration 23) A sealing member used in an image forming apparatus to seal a gap between a rotating body that carries toner and a frame that rotatably supports the rotating body, comprising: A surface layer including fiber yarns having particles of solid lubricant fixed thereto. A sealing member characterized by: [Explanation of symbols]

[0104] 4 (4Y, 4M, 4C, 4K) Photosensitive drum 6 (6Y, 6M, 6C, 6K) Developing roller 15a Waste toner storage compartment 400 End Seal 404 Lubricant-containing fiber yarn P (PY, PM, PC, PK) Process Cartridge

Claims

1. A toner carrying device for use in an image forming apparatus, comprising: a rotating member configured to be rotatable and to carry toner; A frame that rotatably supports the rotating member; a seal member that seals a gap between an end of the rotating member in a longitudinal direction of the rotating member and the frame; Equipped with the seal member has a surface layer portion that contacts the rotating member, The surface layer portion includes fiber yarns to which particles of a solid lubricant are fixed. A toner carrying device comprising:

2. The particles are embedded in the interior of the fiber yarn so that a portion of the particles is exposed from the surface of the fiber yarn.

2. The toner carrying device according to claim 1, wherein the toner carrying device is a toner carrying member.

3. The surface layer portion includes a base material, and a plurality of the fiber yarns are provided on the base material.

2. The toner carrying device according to claim 1, wherein the toner carrying device is a toner carrying member.

4. the rotating member being a photosensitive drum configured to carry a toner image; the frame is a toner storage section that stores toner recovered from the photosensitive drum; 2. The toner carrying device according to claim 1, wherein the toner carrying device is a toner carrying member.

5. the rotating member is a developing roller for supplying toner to a photosensitive drum, the frame includes a toner storage portion that stores toner to be carried by the developing roller, 2. The toner carrying device according to claim 1, wherein the toner carrying device is a toner carrying member.

6. The solid lubricant is boron nitride.

2. The toner carrying device according to claim 1, wherein the toner carrying device is a toner carrying member.

7. The boron nitride has a number average diameter of 0.1 μm or more and 20 μm or less.

7. The toner carrying device according to claim 6,

8. a portion of the particle corresponding to 10% or more and 80% or less of the average volume of the particle is exposed from the surface of the fiber yarn; 3. The toner carrying device according to claim 2, wherein the toner carrying device is a toner carrying device.

9. The fiber yarn is a fiber yarn spun from a second resin pellet formed by melt-kneading a mixture of a first resin pellet and the particles.

3. The toner carrying device according to claim 2, wherein the toner carrying device is a toner carrying device.

10. The fiber yarn is a fiber yarn in which a yarn made of a polyester resin is passed through silicone oil in which the particles are dispersed, so that the particles are fixed to the surface of the fiber yarn.

3. The toner carrying device according to claim 2, wherein the toner carrying device is a toner carrying device.

11. a portion of the particle corresponding to 10% or more and 50% or less of the average volume of the particle is exposed from the surface of the fiber yarn; 10. The toner carrying device according to claim 9,

12. a portion of the particle corresponding to 40% or more and 80% or less of the average volume of the particle is exposed from the surface of the fiber yarn; 11. The toner carrying device according to claim 10.

13. When the solid lubricant is a first solid lubricant, The surface layer is coated with a powder of a second solid lubricant different from the first solid lubricant.

4. The toner carrying device according to claim 3.

14. The second solid lubricant includes zinc stearate or a silicone resin.

14. The toner carrying device according to claim 13.

15. When the surface layer portion is defined as a first layer, the sealing member has the first layer, a second layer made of an elastic body, a third layer bonding the first layer and the second layer together, and a fourth layer bonding the second layer and the frame body together.

2. The toner carrying device according to claim 1, wherein the toner carrying device is a toner carrying member.

16. The substrate is composed of the fiber yarn.

4. The toner carrying device according to claim 3.

17. The surface layer portion is composed of a knitted fabric made of the fiber yarn or a nonwoven fabric containing the fiber yarn.

9. The toner carrying device according to claim 8,

18. The surface layer is composed of a base material on which the fiber yarn is planted by electrostatic planting.

9. The toner carrying device according to claim 8,

19. The material of the fiber yarn is any one of polyester, nylon, acrylic, rayon, and polyolefin.

2. The toner carrying device according to claim 1, wherein the toner carrying device is a toner carrying member.

20. When the fiber yarn is a first fiber yarn, The surface layer portion further includes a second fiber yarn to which the particles are not fixed.

2. The toner carrying device according to claim 1, wherein the toner carrying device is a toner carrying member.

21. The material of the first fiber yarn is any one of polyester, nylon, acrylic, rayon, and polyolefin, The material of the second fiber yarn is any one of polytetrafluoroethylene, perfluoroalkoxyalkane, and ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene.

21. The toner carrying device according to claim 20.

22. A toner carrying device according to any one of claims 1 to 21, 1. An image forming apparatus comprising:

23. A sealing member used in an image forming apparatus to seal a gap between a rotating body that carries toner and a frame that rotatably supports the rotating body, comprising: A surface layer including fiber yarns having particles of solid lubricant fixed thereto. A sealing member characterized by:

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