Development device, image formation device, and method of manufacturing development device

Abstract

To suppress toner from leaking out of a development container with simple constitution.SOLUTION: A development device comprises a development container, a developing roller, a restriction blade, a seal member, and a resin member. The restriction blade includes a fitting plate and a blade plate thinner than the fitting plate, the blade plate protrudes from the fitting plate to come into surface contact with an outer peripheral surface of the developing roller, and the development container has an opposed part which is opposed to a step part including a step formed owing to a thickness difference between the fitting plate and blade plate; and the seal member has a resin arrangement region where the resin member is arranged, and is crushed and arranged between the restriction blade and opposed part, the resin arrangement region is a region which penetrates the seal member and is formed of a constituent material of the seal member, and the resin arrangement region is arranged at a position where it overlaps with the step part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a developing device, an image forming apparatus, and a method for manufacturing the developing device. [Background technology]

[0002] In a conventional developing device, toner is stored in a developing container. A developing roller is rotatably supported in the developing container. The developing roller rotates while carrying toner on its outer circumferential surface. In addition, a regulating blade is attached to the developing container. The regulating blade regulates the thickness of the toner layer on the developing roller. Such a developing device is disclosed, for example, in Patent Document 1. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-66740 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] For example, at a portion of the developing container where the regulating blade is attached, a seal member is disposed between the developing container and the regulating blade in order to prevent toner from leaking out of the developing container.

[0005] However, depending on the shape of the regulating blade, a gap may be formed between the regulating blade and the seal member. In this case, the toner may flow through the gap between the regulating blade and the seal member, causing the toner to leak out of the developing container. In order to prevent such a problem, for example, if a measure such as changing the shape of the attachment point of the regulating blade in the developing container is taken, the configuration becomes complicated.

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a developing device and an image forming apparatus that can suppress toner leakage from a developing container with a simple configuration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, a developing device according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a developing container that contains a developer including a toner, a developing roller that is supported by the developing container, is rotatable about an axis extending parallel to a first direction, and supplies toner to an image carrier by rotating while carrying toner on its outer circumferential surface, a regulating blade that is attached to the developing container, is plate-shaped with the first direction as its longitudinal direction, and regulates the thickness of a toner layer formed on the outer circumferential surface of the developing roller by bringing an end portion opposite to the attachment side to the developing container into surface contact with the outer circumferential surface of the developing roller, a sealing member that is made of an elastic material and closes a gap between the developing container and the regulating blade, and a resin member that is formed by hardening a liquid resin. The regulating blade includes an attachment plate that is attached to the developing container, and a blade plate that is made of a plate material thinner than the attachment plate. The blade plate is joined to one surface of the attachment plate, and protrudes from the attachment plate in a second direction that is parallel to the one surface and perpendicular to the first direction, to come into surface contact with the outer circumferential surface of the developing roller. The developing container has an opposing portion that faces a step portion of the regulating blade, the step portion including a step caused by a thickness difference between the attachment plate and the blade plate, in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction. The sealing member has a resin arrangement region in which a resin member is arranged at an end portion in the first direction, and is arranged by being crushed between the regulating blade and the opposing portion in the third direction. The resin arrangement region is an area that penetrates the sealing member in the third direction and is surrounded from the first direction and the second direction by the constituent material of the sealing member. The resin arrangement region is arranged at a position that overlaps with the step portion.

[0008] An image forming apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention includes the above-described developing device.

[0009] A manufacturing method of a developing device according to a third aspect of the present invention includes a developing container that contains a developer including a toner, a developing roller that is supported by the developing container, is rotatable about an axis extending parallel to a first direction, and supplies toner to an image carrier by rotating while carrying toner on its outer circumferential surface, a regulating blade that is attached to the developing container and has a plate shape with the first direction as a longitudinal direction, and regulates a thickness of a toner layer formed on the outer circumferential surface of the developing roller by bringing an end opposite to the attachment side to the developing container into surface contact with the outer circumferential surface of the developing roller, a sealing member that is made of an elastic material and closes a gap between the developing container and the regulating blade, and a resin member that is formed by hardening a liquid resin, the regulating blade including an attachment plate that is attached to the developing container, and a blade plate that is made of a plate material thinner than the attachment plate, the blade plate being joined to one surface of the attachment plate, a developing device manufacturing method including a developing container having an opposing portion that faces a step portion of a regulating blade, the step portion including a step caused by a thickness difference between the mounting plate and the blade plate, in a third direction that is perpendicular to the first and second directions, the sealing member having a resin arrangement area at an end in the first direction, the resin arrangement area being an area that penetrates the sealing member in the third direction and is surrounded from the first and second directions by a constituent material of the sealing member, the method including the steps of: arranging the sealing member between the regulating blade and the opposing portion in the third direction so that the resin arrangement area overlaps with the step portion; attaching the regulating blade to the developing container to crush the sealing member in the third direction; and forming the resin member by filling the resin arrangement area with liquid resin and hardening it. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the configuration of the present invention, leakage of toner from the developing container can be suppressed with a simple configuration. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a development device according to an embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a regulating blade according to one embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a regulating blade according to one embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the developing device according to the embodiment, as viewed from the photosensitive drum side. [Figure 6] 5 is an enlarged view of a mounting location of a regulating blade with respect to a developing container and its surroundings according to an embodiment. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a facing portion of a developing container and its periphery according to an embodiment. [Figure 8] 9 is a diagram showing a state in which a seal member is disposed in the developing container shown in FIG. 8. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a seal member according to one embodiment. [Figure 10] 4 is a schematic diagram of an end portion in a first direction of a seal member and its surrounding area according to one embodiment. FIG. [Figure 11] 11 is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between the seal member and the regulating blade shown in FIG. 10. FIG. [Figure 12] 11 is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between the seal member and the resin member shown in FIG. 10. [Figure 13] 12 is a diagram showing a cross section taken along line AA in FIG. 11. FIG. [Figure 14] 12 is a diagram showing a schematic cross section taken along line BB in FIG. 11. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] The configuration of an image forming apparatus equipped with a developing device according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below. For convenience, a tandem color printer will be used as an example in the following description. However, the present invention is not limited to color printers, and can also be applied to monochrome printers. The present invention can also be applied to image forming apparatuses other than printers, such as copiers, facsimiles, and multifunction machines equipped with the functions of these machines.

[0013] <Overall configuration of image forming apparatus> As shown in Fig. 1, an image forming apparatus 1000 of this embodiment includes a developing device 100. The developing device 100 forms a toner image. In other words, the developing device 100 supplies toner to an electrostatic latent image to develop it. The configuration of the developing device 100 will be described in detail later.

[0014] The image forming apparatus 1000 includes a main transport path MP, which is indicated by a solid arrow in Fig. 1. A double-sided printing transport path DP, which will be described later, is indicated by a dashed arrow.

[0015] The image forming apparatus 1000 includes a paper feed cassette 200. The paper feed cassette 200 is detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus 1000. The paper feed cassette 200 stores sheets. In FIG. 1, the sheets in the paper feed cassette 200 are labeled with the symbol S. The image forming apparatus 1000 supplies the sheets in the paper feed cassette 200 to a main transport path MP and transports the sheets along the main transport path MP. The image forming apparatus 1000 then prints on the sheets being transported. Examples of sheets used for printing by the image forming apparatus 1000 include copy paper, coated paper, overhead projector sheets, cardboard, postcards, tracing paper, and the like.

[0016] A lift plate 201 is disposed inside the paper feed cassette 200. Inside the paper feed cassette 200, sheets are placed on the lift plate 201. The lift plate 201 rotates with one end (the upstream side in the paper feed direction, the rear end side of the sheets) as a fulcrum so as to swing the other end (the downstream side in the paper feed direction, the front end side of the sheets) up and down.

[0017] A paper feed roller 202 is disposed on the downstream side of the paper feed cassette 200 in the paper feed direction (the sheet feed port). As the lift plate 201 rises, the sheet on the lift plate 201 comes into contact with the outer circumferential surface of the paper feed roller 202. The paper feed roller 202 rotates with the sheet in contact with it. This causes the sheet to be sent out from the paper feed cassette 200.

[0018] The image forming apparatus 1000 includes four image forming units 300, each corresponding to cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. Each image forming unit 300 forms a toner image of the corresponding color. The configuration of one image forming unit 300 will be described below. The basic configuration of each image forming unit 300 is the same as that of the other image forming units 300. Therefore, the description of the configuration of the other image forming units 300 will be omitted, as the following description will be used as an example.

[0019] The image forming section 300 includes a photoconductor drum 301, a charging device 302, an exposure device 303, and a cleaning device 304. The photoconductor drum 301 corresponds to an “image carrier.” The developing device 100 is one of the components of the image forming section 300.

[0020] The photoconductor drum 301 is supported so as to be rotatable. The charging device 302 charges the outer peripheral surface of the photoconductor drum 301. The exposure device 303 forms an electrostatic latent image on the outer peripheral surface of the photoconductor drum 301. The developing device 100 develops the electrostatic latent image on the outer peripheral surface of the photoconductor drum 301 into a toner image. The cleaning device 304 cleans the outer peripheral surface of the photoconductor drum 301.

[0021] The image forming apparatus 1000 includes an intermediate transfer belt 305. The intermediate transfer belt 305 is an endless belt. The intermediate transfer belt 305 is stretched and rotatably supported by a plurality of rollers including a drive roller 306 (reference numbers for the other rollers are omitted). The intermediate transfer belt 305 contacts the outer circumferential surface of the photoconductor drum 301 and rotates in this state. The drive roller 306 is rotated by power transmitted from a belt motor (not shown). The intermediate transfer belt 305 is rotated by the rotation of the drive roller 306.

[0022] The image forming apparatus 1000 includes primary transfer rollers 307. One primary transfer roller 307 is assigned to each of the colors cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. Each primary transfer roller 307 is disposed on the inner circumferential side of the intermediate transfer belt 305. Each primary transfer roller 307 is disposed opposite the photoconductor drum 301 of the corresponding color, with the intermediate transfer belt 305 sandwiched therebetween.

[0023] The image forming apparatus 1000 includes a secondary transfer roller 308. The secondary transfer roller 308 is in pressure contact with the outer circumferential surface of the intermediate transfer belt 305, and forms a transfer nip between the secondary transfer roller 308 and the intermediate transfer belt 305. The main transport path MP passes through the transfer nip.

[0024] Each primary transfer roller 307 primarily transfers a toner image of a corresponding color from the photoconductor drum 301 onto the outer circumferential surface of the intermediate transfer belt 305. The intermediate transfer belt 305 rotates while carrying the toner image on its outer circumferential surface. The secondary transfer roller 308 forms a transfer electric field between itself and the intermediate transfer belt 305, thereby secondary transferring the toner image onto a sheet passing through the transfer nip.

[0025] The image forming apparatus 1000 also includes a fixing unit 400. The fixing unit 400 includes a fixing roller 401 and a pressure roller 402. The fixing roller 401 has a built-in heater. The pressure roller 402 is in pressure contact with the fixing roller 401, and forms a fixing nip between the fixing roller 401 and the pressure roller 402.

[0026] In printing by the image forming apparatus 1000, a sheet fed from the paper feed cassette 200 is transported and enters the transfer nip. Then, as the sheet passes through the transfer nip, printing is performed on the sheet. At this time, the toner image on the outer peripheral surface of the photoconductor drum 301 is transferred to the sheet. The sheet then enters the fixing nip, where the sheet is heated and pressurized. This fixes the toner image to the sheet. The printed sheet is discharged to the discharge tray ET.

[0027] The image forming apparatus 1000 can execute a print job in which a toner image is printed on only one side of a sheet, as well as a print job in which a toner image is printed on both sides of a sheet. To execute a print job in which a toner image is printed on only one side of a sheet, the image forming apparatus 1000 is provided with a double-sided printing transport path DP.

[0028] The double-sided printing transport path DP branches off from the main transport path MP downstream of the fixing nip in the sheet transport direction, and merges with the main transport path MP upstream of the transfer nip in the sheet transport direction.

[0029] When the job to be executed is a single-sided print job, the sheet passes through the transfer nip only once, and the transfer process is performed once on the sheet while it is passing through the transfer nip. After the first transfer process, the sheet is discharged directly onto the discharge tray ET.

[0030] When the job being executed is a double-sided printing job, the transfer process is performed once on each of the front and back sides of the sheet, so the sheet passes through the transfer nip twice. Specifically, when the sheet passes through the transfer nip for the first time, the transfer process is performed on one side of the sheet. After the first transfer process, the sheet is switched back after the rear end of the sheet has passed through the fixing nip and before the sheet is completely discharged onto the discharge tray ET. This causes the rear end of the sheet to be drawn into the double-sided printing transport path DP.

[0031] The sheet is then transported along the double-sided printing transport path DP. The sheet is then returned to the main transport path MP from the upstream side of the transfer nip in the sheet transport direction. The sheet returned to the main transport path MP passes through the transfer nip again. At this time, the orientation of the front and back surfaces of the sheet is reversed to the orientation when it passed through the transfer nip the previous time. As a result, when the sheet passes through the transfer nip for the second time, the transfer process is performed on the other side of the sheet that is opposite to the one side.

[0032] <Configuration of the developing device> As shown in Fig. 2, the developing device 100 includes a developing container 1. The developing container 1 contains a developer including a toner. That is, the developing container 1 has an internal storage space. The developer contained in the developing container 1 is a non-magnetic one-component developer consisting of only a toner.

[0033] An agitating paddle SP is provided in the storage space of the developing container 1. The agitating paddle SP agitates the toner in the storage space. Note that a toner replenishing device (not shown) replenishes toner from a toner container to the storage space.

[0034] The developing container 1 has an opening on the side where the photosensitive drum 301 is disposed. The opening of the developing container 1 serves as a supply port for toner to the photosensitive drum 301.

[0035] The developing device 100 includes a developing roller 2 and a supply roller 20. The supply roller 20 and the developing roller 2 are arranged in this order from the inside to the outside of the developing container 1. The developing roller 2 is arranged so that its outer circumferential surface faces the outer circumferential surface of the supply roller 20, and also so that its outer circumferential surface faces the outer circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 301. In other words, the developing roller 2 is arranged between the supply roller 20 and the photosensitive drum 301. In yet other words, the developing roller 2 is arranged at the opening of the developing container 1, and the supply roller 20 is arranged inside the developing container 1.

[0036] The supply roller 20 is rotatably supported by the developing container 1. When printing is performed, the supply roller 20 rotates in one direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 2). The supply roller 20 carries the toner in the storage space on its outer circumferential surface. The supply roller 20 supplies the toner to the developing roller 2 by rotating while carrying the toner on its outer circumferential surface.

[0037] The developing roller 2 is rotatably supported by the developing container 1. When printing is performed, the developing roller 2 rotates in the same direction as the supply roller 20 (counterclockwise in FIG. 2). Therefore, at the position where the developing roller 2 and the supply roller 20 face each other, the moving directions of the outer circumferential surfaces of the developing roller 2 and the supply roller 20 are opposite to each other.

[0038] The developing roller 2 and the supply roller 20 are each rotatable about an axis extending parallel to a first direction D1. In Fig. 2, the direction perpendicular to the paper surface is the first direction D1.

[0039] Developing roller 2 receives toner from supply roller 20 and carries the toner on its outer circumferential surface. Developing roller 2 rotates with toner carried on its outer circumferential surface, thereby supplying the toner to photoconductor drum 301. To efficiently transfer the toner from developing roller 2 to photoconductor drum 301, it is preferable to apply a predetermined developing voltage to developing roller 2.

[0040] The developing roller 2 has a rotating shaft (reference number omitted) and a roller member (reference number omitted). The rotating shaft extends parallel to the first direction D1. The roller member is a cylindrical member and is attached to the rotating shaft. The roller member rotates together with the rotating shaft.

[0041] For example, the roller member has a base rubber (such as silicone rubber). A coating layer is laminated on the surface of the base rubber using an uneven coating material such as urethane. In other words, the developing roller 2 has unevenness on its outer circumferential surface. This allows toner to be carried on the outer circumferential surface of the developing roller 2. A toner layer is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the developing roller 2.

[0042] The developing device 100 also includes a regulating blade 3. The regulating blade 3 is a plate-shaped member. The regulating blade 3 is made of sheet metal. The regulating blade 3 is formed by processing a metal plate. The regulating blade 3 is made of a combination of two metal plates having different plate thicknesses.

[0043] The first direction D1 is the longitudinal direction of the regulating blade 3. That is, the longitudinal direction of the regulating blade 3 is a direction parallel to the axial direction of the developing roller 2. The regulating blade 3 extends from one end side to the other end side in the axial direction of the developing roller 2.

[0044] The regulating blade 3 is attached to the developing container 1. The regulating blade 3 extends from the attachment side to the developing container 1 toward the developing roller 2. The regulating blade 3 brings an end portion on the opposite side to the attachment side to the developing container 1 into surface contact with the outer circumferential surface of the developing roller 2.

[0045] The regulating blade 3 comes into surface contact with the outer circumferential surface of the developing roller 2 upstream in the rotation direction of the developing roller 2 from the opposing position of the developing roller 2 and the photosensitive drum 301. The regulating blade 3 comes into surface contact with the outer circumferential surface of the developing roller 2, thereby regulating the thickness of the toner layer formed on the outer circumferential surface of the developing roller 2. The width in the first direction D1 of the portion of the regulating blade 3 that comes into surface contact with the outer circumferential surface of the developing roller 2 is larger than the maximum development width of the developing roller 2.

[0046] <Regulatory blade configuration> The regulating blade 3 has a configuration as shown in Figure 3 and Figure 4. Note that Figure 4 corresponds to a cross section of the regulating blade 3 shown in Figure 3 cut along a plane perpendicular to the first direction D1.

[0047] The regulating blade 3 includes an attachment plate 31 and a blade plate 32. The attachment plate 31 and the blade plate 32 are each made of sheet metal. The attachment plate 31 is formed of a plate material having a predetermined thickness. The blade plate 32 is formed of a plate material thinner than the attachment plate 31.

[0048] The attachment plate 31 is attached to the developing container 1. When the attachment plate 31 is attached to the developing container 1, the regulating blade 3 is attached to the developing container 1. The attachment structure of the regulating blade 3 to the developing container 1 is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

[0049] The attachment plate 31 is a part of a metal plate bent into an L-shape. Of the L-shaped metal plate, a part on one side of the bent portion (bending line) functions as the attachment plate 31. The attachment plate 31 is fastened to the developing container 1 by using a fastening member SC such as a screw. Specifically, the attachment plate 31 has a fastening hole 31a penetrating in the thickness direction. With the fastening member SC inserted into the fastening hole 31a, the fastening member SC is screwed into a screw hole (not shown) of the developing container 1. In this configuration, the regulating blade 3 is attached to the developing container 1. In this configuration, the fastening hole 31a corresponds to the "fastening portion."

[0050] The mounting plate 31 also has a positioning hole 31b penetrating in the thickness direction. When the mounting plate 31 is attached to the developing container 1, the positioning pin PN of the developing container 1 is inserted into the positioning hole 31b. This positions the regulating blade 3 with respect to the developing container 1. In this configuration, the positioning hole 31b corresponds to a "positioning portion."

[0051] The blade plate 32 is joined to one surface 310 of the mounting plate 31. The blade plate 32 protrudes from the mounting plate 31 in a second direction D2 that is parallel to the one surface 310 and perpendicular to the first direction D1. As a result, one end of the blade plate 32 in the second direction D2 is a fixed end, and the other end in the second direction D2 is a free end. The second direction D2 corresponds to a short side direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the regulating blade 3.

[0052] One end of the blade plate 32 in the second direction D2 is joined (i.e., fixed) to one surface 310 of the mounting plate 31. For example, spot welding is used as a method for joining the blade plate 32 to the mounting plate 31. However, the blade plate 32 may be joined to the mounting plate 31 using other methods.

[0053] The other end of the blade plate 32 in the second direction D2 comes into surface contact with the outer circumferential surface of the developing roller 2. For example, the other end of the blade plate 32 in the second direction D2 curves in a direction away from the outer circumferential surface of the developing roller 2. Then, of the other end of the blade plate 32 in the second direction D2, the curved portion comes into surface contact with the outer circumferential surface of the developing roller 2.

[0054] In this manner, the regulating blade 3 is composed of two metal plates (i.e., the mounting plate 31 and the blade plate 32) having different plate thicknesses. In this configuration, a step occurs in the regulating blade 3 due to the difference in thickness between the mounting plate 31 (thick plate) and the blade plate 32 (thin plate). In the following description, a portion of the regulating blade 3 that includes the step caused by the difference in thickness between the mounting plate 31 and the blade plate 32 is given the reference numeral 30 and is referred to as the step portion 30.

[0055] In addition, in a state where the regulating blade 3 is attached to the developing container 1, a part of the developing container 1 faces the step portion 30 of the regulating blade 3 in a third direction D3 perpendicular to the first direction D1 and the second direction D2. That is, the developing container 1 has a facing portion 10 facing the step portion 30 in the third direction D3 (see FIG. 7). The thickness direction of the step portion 30 of the regulating blade 3 coincides with the facing direction between the step portion 30 and the facing portion 10 (i.e., the third direction D3).

[0056] <Configuration of sealing material> When the gap between the regulating blade 3 and the opposing portion 10 in the third direction D3 is large, the toner passes between the regulating blade 3 and the opposing portion 10 in the second direction D2. When the toner passes between the regulating blade 3 and the opposing portion 10 in the third direction D3 in the second direction D2, the toner may leak from the inside of the developing container 1 to the outside. Although the leakage of the toner can be suppressed by completely contacting the regulating blade 3 and the opposing portion 10, it is difficult to completely contact the regulating blade 3 and the opposing portion 10. In addition, at the end side of the developing roller 2 in the first direction D1, the toner may pass through the gap between the developing container 1 and the developing roller 2 in the first direction D1, and the toner may leak from the inside of the developing container 1 to the outside.

[0057] 8 to 11, the developing device 100 includes a seal member 4. The seal member 4 closes the gap between the developing container 1 and the regulating blade 3. The seal member 4 is disposed in a squashed state between the regulating blade 3 and the opposing portion 10 in the third direction D3.

[0058] The seal member 4 includes a back seal member 41 and an end seal member 42. The back seal member 41 and the end seal member 42 are separate from each other. The back seal member 41 and the end seal member 42 are formed of an elastic material such as urethane foam. However, the material is not limited to this. Other elastic materials may be used as the constituent material of the back seal member 41 and the end seal member 42.

[0059] The rear seal member 41 has the first direction D1 as its longitudinal direction. The rear seal member 41 is disposed so that substantially the entire portion thereof is crushed between the regulating blade 3 and the opposing portion 10 in the third direction D3. The end seal members 42 are disposed at one end side and the other end side of the rear seal member 41 in the first direction D1, respectively. That is, there are two end seal members 42. The end seal members 42 are disposed so that a portion thereof is crushed between the regulating blade 3 and the opposing portion 10 in the third direction D3. By disposing the seal member 4 between the regulating blade 3 and the opposing portion 10 in the third direction D3, it is possible to prevent toner from passing between the regulating blade 3 and the opposing portion 10 in the second direction D2.

[0060] Each end seal member 42 has a first portion 421 that contacts the outer peripheral surface of the end of the developing roller 2 in the first direction D1. One first portion 421 contacts the outer peripheral surface of the end of the developing roller 2 on one side in the first direction D1, and the other first portion 421 contacts the outer peripheral surface of the end of the developing roller 2 on the other side in the first direction D1. Each first portion 421 contacts the outer peripheral surface of the end of the developing roller 2 in the first direction D1 from the opposite side of the developing roller 2 from the side where the photosensitive drum 301 is disposed. This makes it possible to suppress toner from leaking out of the developing container 1 from the end side of the developing roller 2 in the first direction D1.

[0061] Each end seal member 42 has a second portion 422 disposed adjacent to an end face of the back seal member 41 in the first direction D1. One second portion 422 is disposed adjacent to an end face on one side of the back seal member 41 in the first direction D1 in the first direction D1. The other second portion 422 is disposed adjacent to an end face on the other side of the back seal member 41 in the first direction D1 in the first direction D1. That is, the back seal member 41 is sandwiched in the first direction D1 by a pair of second portions 422. A part of each second portion 422 of each end seal member 42 is disposed in a crushed manner between the regulating blade 3 and the opposing portion 10 in the third direction D3.

[0062] <Layout of resin components> As shown in Fig. 12 to Fig. 14, the developing device 100 includes a resin member 5 for closing the gap G generated between the regulating blade 3 and the opposing portion 10. A specific description will be given below. Fig. 13 shows a schematic cross section taken along line AA in Fig. 12, and Fig. 14 shows a schematic cross section taken along line BB in Fig. 12.

[0063] The amount of compression of the back seal member 41 is greater between the mounting plate 31 and the opposing portion 10 in the third direction D3 than between the blade plate 32 and the opposing portion 10 in the third direction D3. As a result, a gap G extending in the first direction D1 is generated in the back seal member 41 around the stepped portion 30. The gap G is generated by the difference in thickness between the mounting plate 31 and the blade plate 32.

[0064] Toner in the developing container 1 may accumulate in the gap G. When toner accumulates in the gap G, the toner flows through the gap G in the first direction D1. If the resin member 5 were not present, the toner flowing through the gap G in the first direction D1 would scatter from the end face of the back seal member 41 in the first direction D1. That is, a toner flow path is formed that communicates with the outside from the end face of the back seal member 41 in the first direction D1 via the gap G. As a result, toner may leak from the inside of the developing container 1 to the outside.

[0065] In order to prevent such inconvenience, the toner flow path passing through the gap G is blocked by the resin member 5. The resin member 5 is formed by hardening a liquid resin. For example, the material of the resin member 5 is a thermoplastic resin called hot melt or the like. However, the material is not limited to this. The material of the resin member 5 may be a thermosetting resin.

[0066] The resin member 5 is disposed in a region defined by the constituent material of the seal member 4. In other words, the seal member 4 has a resin disposition region 40. The resin member 5 is disposed in the resin disposition region 40. The resin disposition region 40 is a region that penetrates the seal member 4 in the third direction D3 and is surrounded in the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 by the constituent material of the seal member 4. One resin disposition region 40 is disposed at each of one end and the other end of the seal member 4 in the first direction D1.

[0067] Specifically, the rear surface seal member 41 has recesses at each of one end and the other end in the first direction D1, which recess inwardly in the first direction D1 from the end face in the first direction D1 and penetrate in the third direction D3 (see FIG. 9). The openings of the recesses on one side and the other side in the first direction D1 of the rear surface seal member 41 are covered by the end face in the first direction D1 of the end seal member 42 located on the same side (i.e., the end face in the first direction D1 of the second portion 422). The resin arrangement region 40 is formed by the region surrounded by the inner wall surface of the recess of the rear surface seal member 41 and the end face in the first direction D1 of the end seal member 42.

[0068] Moreover, the resin disposition region 40 is blocked from one side in the third direction D3 by the regulating blade 3. The resin disposition region 40 is disposed at a position overlapping with the step portion 30. The other side in the third direction D3 of the resin disposition region 40 is blocked by the opposing portion 10.

[0069] The manufacturing process of the developing device 100 includes a step of attaching the regulating blade 3 to the developing container 1. In the step of attaching the regulating blade 3 to the developing container 1, first, a step of arranging the seal member 4 between the regulating blade 3 and the facing portion 10 in the third direction D3 is performed so that the resin arrangement region 40 overlaps with the step portion 30. Next, a step of squeezing the seal member 4 in the third direction D3 is performed by attaching the regulating blade 3 to the developing container 1 (i.e., fastening the regulating blade 3 to the developing container 1 using the fastening member SC). Next, a step of forming the resin member 5 by filling the resin arrangement region 40 with liquid resin and curing it is performed. When filling the resin arrangement region 40 with liquid resin, the through hole 30a of the regulating blade 3 is used as an inlet for injecting the liquid resin into the resin arrangement region 40. As a result, the resin member 5 arranged in the resin arrangement region 40 is obtained.

[0070] In this embodiment, a resin disposition region 40 is provided in the seal member 4, and a resin member 5 is disposed in the resin disposition region 40, thereby blocking a toner flow path that communicates with the outside from the end face of the back seal member 41 in the first direction D1 via the gap G. This makes it possible to prevent the toner from scattering from the end face of the back seal member 41 in the first direction D1 along the gap G, even if the toner accumulates in the gap G. In other words, it is possible to prevent the toner from leaking to the outside from the gap G between the regulating blade 3 and the seal member 4. As a result, it is possible to prevent the toner from leaking from the inside of the developing container 1 to the outside.

[0071] By suppressing leakage of toner from the inside of the developing container 1 to the outside, it is possible to suppress contamination of the inside of the image forming apparatus 1000 with toner. In addition, it is possible to suppress the toner leaked into the inside of the apparatus from adhering to the sheet. In other words, it is possible to suppress contamination of the sheet.

[0072] In addition, in this embodiment, by providing the resin disposing region 40 in the seal member 4, it is not necessary to give the developing container 1 a shape for disposing the resin member 5. This makes it possible to easily dispose the resin member 5. In other words, with a simple configuration, it is possible to prevent toner from leaking from the inside to the outside of the developing container 1.

[0073] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the resin disposition region 40 filled with the liquid resin that becomes the resin member 5 (i.e., the resin disposition region 40 where the resin member 5 is disposed) is provided only at the end portion of the seal member 4, thereby making it possible to reduce the amount of liquid resin used that becomes the resin member 5. By reducing the amount of liquid resin used, the liquid resin hardens quickly. Furthermore, by reducing the amount of liquid resin used, costs can be reduced.

[0074] Here, in this embodiment, a through hole 30a penetrating in the third direction D3 is provided in the regulating blade 3. The through hole 30a is arranged at a position overlapping with the resin disposition region 40. The through hole 30a functions as an inlet for liquid resin that becomes the resin member 5. In a manufacturing process of disposing the resin member 5 in the resin disposition region 40, the liquid resin that becomes the resin member 5 is filled in the resin disposition region 40 via the through hole 30a. That is, after the regulating blade 3 is attached to the developing container 1, a process of disposing the resin member 5 in the resin disposition region 40 is performed. This makes it possible to easily dispose the resin member 5 in the resin disposition region 40.

[0075] The through hole 30a is composed of a first through hole (reference number omitted) formed in the mounting plate 31 and a second through hole (reference number omitted) formed in the blade plate 32. The first through hole and the second through hole are used in the process of joining the mounting plate 31 and the blade plate 32. In the process of joining the mounting plate 31 and the blade plate 32, the first through hole and the second through hole function as positioning holes. That is, in the process of joining the mounting plate 31 and the blade plate 32, positioning pins are inserted into the first through hole and the second through hole, and in this state, the blade plate 32 is welded to the mounting plate 31.

[0076] In this embodiment, the resin disposition region 40 is formed by the region surrounded by the inner wall surface of the recess of the back seal member 41 and the end surface of the end seal member 42 in the first direction D1. Even if there is a gap between the back seal member 41 and the end seal member 42 in the first direction D1, the liquid resin filled in the resin disposition region 40 penetrates into the gap between the back seal member 41 and the end seal member 42 in the first direction D1 and hardens, thereby closing the gap. This makes it possible to prevent toner from leaking out of the gap between the back seal member 41 and the end seal member 42 in the first direction D1. As a result, it is possible to further prevent toner from leaking out from the inside of the developing container 1 to the outside.

[0077] In this embodiment, the end portion of the back surface seal member 41 in the first direction D1 has a larger width in the second direction D2 than the other portions (see FIG. 9). This makes it possible to easily form the resin disposition region 40 at the end portion of the back surface seal member 41 in the first direction D1. In FIG. 9, the width in the second direction D2 of the end portion of the back surface seal member 41 in the first direction D1 is indicated by W1, and the width in the second direction D2 of the other portions is indicated by W2.

[0078] In this embodiment, the resin disposing area 40 is disposed at a position that does not overlap with the fastening hole 31a and the positioning hole 31b. This allows the regulating blade 3 to be fastened and positioned relative to the developing container 1 in a good manner.

[0079] The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and should not be considered as limiting. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims, not by the description of the above embodiments, and further includes all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0080] 1 Developer container 2 Developing roller 3 Regulatory Blade 4. Sealing material 5 Resin parts 10 Opposing Part 30 Step 30a through hole 31 Mounting plate 31a Fastening hole (fastening part) 31b Positioning hole (positioning part) 32 Blade plate 40 Resin placement area 41 Back seal material 42 End seal member 100 Developing device 301 Photoconductor drum (image carrier) 310 One side 1000 Image forming device D1 1st direction D2 2nd direction D3 Third direction SC Fastening material

Claims

1. a developer container that contains a developer including a toner; a developing roller that is supported by the developing container, is rotatable about an axis extending parallel to a first direction, and carries the toner on an outer circumferential surface thereof and rotates to supply the toner to an image carrier; a regulating blade that is attached to the developing container, has a plate shape with the first direction as a longitudinal direction, and regulates a thickness of a toner layer formed on the outer peripheral surface of the developing roller by bringing an end portion on an opposite side to the attachment side to the developing container into surface contact with the outer peripheral surface of the developing roller; a seal member formed of an elastic material and configured to close a gap between the developing container and the regulating blade; a resin member formed by curing the liquid resin; The regulating blade is a mounting plate attached to the developing container; a blade plate formed of a plate material thinner than the mounting plate, the blade plate is joined to one surface of the attachment plate, protrudes from the attachment plate in a second direction parallel to the one surface and perpendicular to the first direction, and comes into surface contact with an outer circumferential surface of the developing roller; the developing container has an opposing portion facing a step portion of the regulating blade, the step portion including a step caused by a thickness difference between the attachment plate and the blade plate, in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction, the sealing member has a resin disposition region in which the resin member is disposed at an end portion in the first direction, and is disposed by being crushed between the regulating blade and the opposing portion in the third direction, the resin disposition region is a region that penetrates the seal member in the third direction and is surrounded by a constituent material of the seal member from the first direction and the second direction, The resin disposition region is disposed at a position overlapping the step portion.

2. The developing device according to claim 1 , wherein the regulating blade has a through hole penetrating in the third direction at a position overlapping with the resin disposition area.

3. The sealing member is a back surface seal member having a longitudinal direction in the first direction; an end seal member adjacent in the first direction to an end surface of the back surface seal member in the first direction, the rear surface seal member has a recess recessed inward in the first direction from an end surface in the first direction and penetrating in the third direction, The developing device according to claim 1 , wherein the resin disposition region is a region surrounded by an inner wall surface of the recess and an end surface of the end seal member in the first direction.

4. The developing device according to claim 1 , wherein an end portion of said back surface seal member in said first direction has a width in said second direction larger than that of the other portion.

5. The regulating blade is a fastening portion for fastening the developing container to the developing container using a fastening member; a positioning portion for positioning the developing container with respect to the developing container, The developing device according to claim 1 , wherein the resin disposition region is disposed at a position not overlapping with the fastening portion and the positioning portion.

6. 2. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the developer is a non-magnetic one-component developer made of only non-magnetic toner.

7. An image forming apparatus comprising the developing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. a developer container that contains a developer including a toner; a developing roller that is supported by the developing container, is rotatable about an axis extending parallel to a first direction, and carries the toner on an outer circumferential surface thereof and rotates to supply the toner to an image carrier; a regulating blade that is attached to the developing container, has a plate shape with the first direction as a longitudinal direction, and regulates a thickness of a toner layer formed on the outer peripheral surface of the developing roller by bringing an end portion on an opposite side to the attachment side to the developing container into surface contact with the outer peripheral surface of the developing roller; a seal member formed of an elastic material and configured to close a gap between the developing container and the regulating blade; a resin member formed by curing the liquid resin; The regulating blade is a mounting plate attached to the developing container; a blade plate formed of a plate material thinner than the mounting plate, the blade plate is joined to one surface of the attachment plate, protrudes from the attachment plate in a second direction parallel to the one surface and perpendicular to the first direction, and comes into surface contact with an outer circumferential surface of the developing roller; a developing container having an opposing portion facing a step portion of the regulating blade, the step portion including a step caused by a thickness difference between the attachment plate and the blade plate, in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction, the sealing member has a resin disposition region in which the resin member is disposed at an end portion in the first direction, the resin disposition region is a region that penetrates the seal member in the third direction and is surrounded by a constituent material of the seal member from the first direction and the second direction, a step of disposing the seal member between the regulating blade and the opposing portion in the third direction so that the resin disposition region overlaps with the step portion; a step of crushing the seal member in the third direction by attaching the regulating blade to the developing container; and filling the resin disposition region with the liquid resin and curing the liquid resin to form the resin member.

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