Developing device and cartridge

Abstract

To suppress the rigidity reduction and reduce the longitudinal width of a blade support member.SOLUTION: In a developing device, a support member of a regulating unit for regulating a layer thickness of developer carried on an outer peripheral surface of a developing roller has, at an end on a side the same as a first end of a frame body with respect to a rotation axis of the developing roller, a recessed portion that is recessed in a direction intersecting with the rotation axis and is constituted by surfaces including a first side surface and a second side surface that extend in the direction intersecting with the rotation axis. The frame body has a protruding portion including a first protrusion and a second protrusion, aligned with a gap in the direction of the rotation axis between the first side surface and the second side surface, and protruding in a direction intersecting with the rotation axis. The support member is positioned with respect to the frame body in the direction of the rotation axis by an engagement between the recessed portion and the protruding portion. The space to be sealed by a sealing member at the first end of the frame body communicates with the outside of the frame body via the gap.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a developing device provided in an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording material using a developer. [Background technology]

[0002] An image forming apparatus that forms an image using an electrophotographic image formation process is equipped with a developing device that develops an electrostatic latent image formed on a photosensitive drum (image carrier) into a toner image (developer image). A developing blade unit is attached to a frame that constitutes the developing device as a regulating member that regulates the amount of developer carried by a developing roller (developer carrier). The developing blade unit is composed of a blade member that serves as a sliding part and a blade support member that serves as a support part. Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which the position of the developing blade unit in the longitudinal direction of the developing device is determined by engaging a first notch provided in the blade support member with a protrusion on the frame. The same document also discloses a configuration in which a sealing material is injected into the frame through a second notch provided in the blade support member to fill the space between the frame and the developing blade unit with the sealing material, thereby preventing toner from leaking out. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2022-130369 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above configuration, the blade support member is configured to have a first notch for positioning the development blade unit in the longitudinal direction of the developing device, as well as a second notch for opening the injection port of the sealing member (Patent Document 1). However, when multiple notches are provided in the blade support member, there is a concern that the rigidity of the blade support member may be impaired, and it may be necessary to design the blade support member to extend its longitudinal width in order to ensure the longitudinal width of the notch.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a technique that enables the rigidity of a regulating member to be ensured and the regulating member to be made smaller. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the developing device of the present invention comprises: a frame that forms a storage chamber in which a developer is stored, the frame having an opening that communicates with the storage chamber; a developing roller disposed opposite the opening and supported by the frame so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis; a regulating unit for regulating a layer thickness of the developer carried on the outer peripheral surface of the developing roller, the regulating unit including a sliding member configured to come into sliding contact with the outer peripheral surface of the developing roller, and a support member on which the sliding member is supported; a sealing member filling a space between the frame body and the regulating unit at a first end of the frame body in the direction of the rotation axis; In a developing device comprising: The support member has a first recess that is recessed in a direction intersecting the rotation axis and extends in the intersecting direction at an end on the same side as the first end of the frame body with respect to the direction of the rotation axis. a recess formed by a surface including a side surface and a second side surface; the frame body has a protruding portion including a first protrusion and a second protrusion that are aligned with a gap in the direction of the rotation axis between the first side surface and the second side surface and that protrude in a direction intersecting with the rotation axis, the support member is positioned relative to the frame body in the direction of the rotation axis by engagement between the recess and the protrusion, The space is characterized in that it communicates with the outside of the frame body through the gap. In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the cartridge of the present invention comprises: A cartridge that is detachable from a main body of an image forming apparatus, an image carrier; a developing device of the present invention; The present invention is characterized by comprising: [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to ensure the rigidity of the restricting member and reduce its size. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a developing blade unit and a developing frame in an embodiment; [Figure 2] Schematic cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] 3 is a cross-sectional view of a process cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] 1 is a cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a drum unit according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a developing unit according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 7] 1 is an assembled perspective view of a process cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a process cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 9] 1A and 1B are perspective and side views of a developing blade unit in an embodiment; [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating the shape of a developing frame in the embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a positioning configuration of a developing blade unit in the embodiment. [Figure 12] Illustrative diagram of the seal configuration in the embodiment [Figure 13] Illustrative diagram of the seal configuration in the embodiment [Figure 14] 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a toner sealing member in an embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a toner sealing member in an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The following describes in detail exemplary embodiments of the present invention with reference to the drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, and relative positions of the components described in the embodiments may be modified as appropriate depending on the configuration of the device to which the invention is applied and various conditions. In other words, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. Furthermore, although the embodiments describe multiple features, not all of these features are necessarily essential to the invention, and multiple features may be combined arbitrarily. Furthermore, in the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are used to designate identical or similar components, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0010] Example 1 An electrophotographic image forming apparatus (hereinafter also referred to as "image forming apparatus") according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus forms an image on a sheet-like recording material such as paper using an electrophotographic image forming method. Specific examples of image forming apparatuses include copying machines, facsimile machines, printers (laser beam printers, LED printers, etc.), and multifunction printers that combine these. Examples of recording materials include sheet-like recording media such as recording paper and plastic sheets. In the embodiment to be described, a laser beam printer is exemplified as one type of image forming apparatus.

[0011] In addition, in the first embodiment, an image forming apparatus in which four toner cartridges and four process cartridges are detachably mounted is exemplified as the image forming apparatus. However, the number of toner cartridges and process cartridges mounted in the image forming apparatus is not limited to this. They may be appropriately set as needed.

[0012] A cartridge is a unit that can be fixed to or detached from the image forming apparatus (a detachable unit is also called a cartridge). Examples of the unit configuration include a unit having process means (e.g., a charging member, a developing member, a cleaning member, etc.) that acts on a photosensitive member, and a unit having toner. That is, the cartridge can take a variety of forms. Examples include a form in which an all-in-one cartridge in which a drum unit and a developing unit are integrated is replaced, and a form in which the drum unit and the developing unit are replaced separately. Alternatively, a form in which the process cartridge except for the toner container that contains toner is fixed to the image forming apparatus, and the user replaces the toner container when the toner runs out, or a form in which both the toner container and the process cartridge are replaced.

[0013] <General configuration of image forming apparatus> The overall configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 2 and 3. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view that schematically shows the general configuration of the image forming apparatus 1. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view that schematically shows the process cartridge 100.

[0014] This image forming apparatus 1 is a four-color full-color laser beam printer that uses an electrophotographic process, and forms a color image on a recording material 3. The image forming apparatus 1 is of a process cartridge type, and a process cartridge 100 is removably mounted in the main body 2 of the image forming apparatus 1, and a color image is formed on the recording material 3.

[0015] Here, with respect to the image forming apparatus 1, the side where the front door 10 is provided is referred to as the front (front face), and the side opposite the front is referred to as the back (rear face). When viewing the image forming apparatus 1 from the front, the right side is referred to as the drive side, the left side is referred to as the non-drive side, the upper side is referred to as the top face, and the lower side is referred to as the bottom face. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus 1 viewed from the non-drive side, with the front side of the page being the non-drive side of the image forming apparatus 1, the right side of the page being the front of the image forming apparatus 1, and the back side of the page being the drive side of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0016] The drive side of the process cartridge 100 is the side on which a drum coupling member (photosensitive member coupling member) described later is arranged in relation to the axial direction of the photosensitive drum (the direction in which the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum extends). Also, the drive side of the process cartridge 100 is the side on which a developer coupling member (described later) is arranged in relation to the axial direction of the developing roller (developing member) (the direction in which the rotation axis of the developing roller extends). The axial direction of the photosensitive drum and the axial direction of the developing roller are parallel, and the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge 100 is also parallel to these directions.

[0017] The apparatus main body 2 has first to fourth process cartridges 100 (100Y, 100M, 100C, 100K) arranged in a substantially horizontal direction. The first to fourth process cartridges 100 (100Y, 100M, 100C, 100K) each have a similar electrophotographic process mechanism, but differ in the color and amount of developer (hereinafter referred to as toner). Therefore, in the following, unless a particular distinction is required, the suffixes Y to K will be omitted and the cartridges will be described collectively.

[0018] A rotational driving force is transmitted to each of the first to fourth process cartridges 100 from a driving output portion (details of which will be described later) of the main body 2 of the apparatus. A bias voltage (charging bias, developing bias, electrostatic residual detection bias, etc.) is supplied to 00 from a contact point of the apparatus main body 2 (not shown).

[0019] 3, each process cartridge 100 of this embodiment has a drum unit 120 equipped with a photosensitive drum 101 and charging means as process means acting on the photosensitive drum 101. Here, the drum unit 120 may have cleaning means in addition to the charging means as process means. Also, each process cartridge 100 has a developing unit (developing device) 150 equipped with developing means for developing the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 101.

[0020] The drum unit 120 and the developing unit 150 are coupled to each other in each process cartridge 100. A more specific configuration of the process cartridge 100 will be described later.

[0021] The first process cartridge 100Y accommodates yellow (Y) toner in the developing frame and forms a yellow toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 101. The second process cartridge 100M accommodates magenta (M) toner in the developing frame and forms a magenta toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 101. The third process cartridge 100C accommodates cyan (C) toner in the developing frame and forms a cyan toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 101. The fourth process cartridge 100K accommodates black (K) toner in the developing frame and forms a black toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 101.

[0022] As shown in Fig. 2, a laser scanner unit 11 serving as an exposure means is provided above the first to fourth process cartridges 100. The laser scanner unit 11 outputs a laser beam 12 (see Fig. 3) corresponding to image information. Then, as shown in Fig. 3, the laser beam 12 passes through an exposure window 128 of the process cartridge 100 and scans and exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 101.

[0023] An intermediate transfer unit 5 serving as a transfer member is provided below the first to fourth process cartridges 100. This intermediate transfer unit 5 has a drive roller 5e and a tension roller 5b, around which a flexible transfer belt 5a is stretched. The lower region of the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 101 of each of the first to fourth process cartridges 100 contacts an upward-facing region of the outer circumferential surface of the annular transfer belt 5a. This contact area is the primary transfer area. A primary transfer roller 5d is provided inside the transfer belt 5a, facing the photosensitive drum 101. A secondary transfer roller 6 is in contact with the drive roller 5e via the transfer belt 5a. The contact area between the transfer belt 5a and the secondary transfer roller 6 is the secondary transfer area.

[0024] A feeding unit 4 is provided below the intermediate transfer unit 5. The feeding unit 4 has a paper feed tray 4a that stores a stack of recording materials 3, and a paper feed roller 4b.

[0025] 2, a fixing device 7 and a paper discharge device 8 are provided in the upper right corner of the device main body 2, and the top surface of the device main body 2 is a paper discharge tray 9. The transport path for the recording medium S is configured to run substantially upward from the feeding unit 4 on the front side of the device inside the device main body 2.

[0026] A fixing device 7 and a paper discharge device 8 are provided downstream of the secondary transfer unit in the transport path of the recording material 3 (upper right inside the device main body 2 in FIG. 2). The top surface of the device main body 2 serves as a paper discharge tray 9. The recording material 3 is heated and pressed by a fixing means provided in the fixing device 7, so that the toner image is fixed thereon, and the recording material is discharged to the paper discharge tray 9.

[0027] <Image formation operation> The operation for forming a full-color image is as follows: The photosensitive drum 101 of each of the first to fourth process cartridges 100 is rotated at a predetermined speed (in the direction of arrow A in Figure 3). The transfer belt 5a is also rotated in the forward direction (in the direction of arrow B in Figure 2) relative to the rotation of the photosensitive drum 101 at a speed corresponding to the speed of the photosensitive drum 101.

[0028] The laser scanner unit 11 is also driven. In synchronization with the driving of the laser scanner unit 11, the charging roller 102 in each process cartridge 100 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 101 to a predetermined polarity and potential. The laser scanner unit 11 scans and exposes the surface of each photosensitive drum 101 with a laser beam 12 in accordance with an image signal for each color. As a result, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image signal for the corresponding color is formed on the surface of each photosensitive drum 101. The formed electrostatic latent image is developed by the developing roller 103, which is rotated at a predetermined speed in the forward direction (the direction of arrow C in FIG. 3) relative to the rotation of the photosensitive drum 101. Through this electrophotographic image forming process, a yellow toner image corresponding to the yellow component of the full-color image is formed on the photosensitive drum 101 of the first process cartridge 100Y. The toner image is then primarily transferred onto the transfer belt 5a.

[0029] Similarly, a magenta toner image corresponding to the magenta component of the full-color image is formed on the photosensitive drum 101 of the second process cartridge 100M. This toner image is then primarily transferred and superimposed on the yellow toner image already transferred onto the transfer belt 5a. Similarly, a cyan toner image corresponding to the cyan component of the full-color image is formed on the photosensitive drum 101 of the third process cartridge 100C. This toner image is then primarily transferred and superimposed on the yellow and magenta toner images already transferred onto the transfer belt 5a. Similarly, a black toner image corresponding to the black component of the full-color image is formed on the photosensitive drum 101 of the fourth process cartridge 100K. This toner image is then primarily transferred and superimposed on the yellow, magenta, and cyan toner images already transferred onto the transfer belt 5a. In this way, a four-color unfixed toner image of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black is formed on the transfer belt 5a.

[0030] Meanwhile, the recording materials 3 are separated and fed one by one at a predetermined control timing. The recording materials 3 are introduced into a secondary transfer section, which is the contact point between the secondary transfer roller 6 and the transfer belt 5a, at a predetermined control timing. As a result, as the recording material 3 is transported to the secondary transfer section, the four-color superimposed toner image on the transfer belt 5a is sequentially transferred all at once onto the surface of the recording material 3. The recording material 3 is then transported to a fixing device 7, where the toner image is fixed to the recording material 3, and then the recording material 3 is discharged to a paper discharge tray 9.

[0031] <Process cartridge installation / removal configuration overview> The cartridge tray 20 (hereinafter referred to as the tray 20) that supports the process cartridge 100 will be described in further detail with reference to Figure 4. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus 1 in a state where the front door 10 is open, the tray 20 is located outside the apparatus main body 2, and the process cartridge 100 has been removed from the tray 20.

[0032] The tray 20 is movable in the direction of arrow X1 (pushing direction) and the direction of arrow X2 (pulling out direction), which are substantially horizontal directions, relative to the device main body 2. That is, the tray 20 is provided so as to be able to be pulled out and pushed into the device main body 2, and is configured so as to be movable in a substantially horizontal direction when the device main body 2 is installed on a horizontal surface. Here, the state in which the tray 20 is located inside the device main body 2 with the front door 10 open is referred to as the inside position. Also, the state in which the tray 20 is located outside the device main body 2 is referred to as the outside position. In these inside and outside states, the photosensitive drum 101 and the transfer belt 5a are spaced apart.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 4, the tray 20 has a mounting portion 20a in the outer position into which the first process cartridge 100Y can be removably mounted. Similarly, the tray 20 also has mounting portions 20a into which the second to fourth process cartridges 100M, 100C, and 100K can be removably mounted. The process cartridge 100, while positioned in the mounting portion 20a, moves toward the inside of the apparatus main body 2 as the tray 20 moves. In this embodiment, when the front door 10 is closed, the intermediate transfer unit 5 is raised in the direction of arrow Z1 by a link mechanism (not shown) and moves to a position for image formation (a position where the photosensitive drum 101 and the intermediate transfer belt 5a contact each other). When the front door 10 is opened, the intermediate transfer unit 5 is lowered in the direction of arrow Z2, and the photosensitive drum 101 and the intermediate transfer belt 5a are separated from each other.

[0034] As described above, the tray 20 allows a plurality of process cartridges 100 to be moved together to a position inside the apparatus main body 2 where image formation is possible, and also allows the process cartridges 100 to be pulled out together to the outside of the apparatus main body 2.

[0035] <Overall structure of the process cartridge> The configuration of the process cartridge 100 will be described with reference to Figures 5 to 8. Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the drum unit 120. Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of the development unit 150. Figure 7 is an assembled perspective view of the process cartridge 100 as seen from the drive side, which is one end side in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 101. Figure 8 is a perspective view of the process cartridge 100 as seen from the drive side.

[0036] The process cartridge 100 includes a photosensitive drum 101 and a process means that acts on the photosensitive drum 101. The process means includes a charging roller 102 as a charging means that charges the photosensitive drum 101, and a developing roller 103 as a developing means that develops the latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 101. The process cartridge 100 is divided into a drum unit 120 and a developing unit 150.

[0037] In the following description, the longitudinal direction Y of the drum unit 120 and the developing unit 150 is a direction substantially parallel to the rotation axis a of the photosensitive drum 101 (FIG. 7).

[0038] <Drum unit configuration> As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the drum unit 120 is composed of a photosensitive drum 101, a charging roller 102, and a drum frame 121. The charging roller 102 is rotatably supported by a driving-side charging roller bearing 126a and a non-driving-side charging roller bearing 127a, and is biased toward the photosensitive drum 101 (in the direction of arrow F in FIG. 3) by pressure springs 126b and 127b. A driving-side charging roller spacing member 129 is attached to one longitudinal end of the charging roller 102, which is the driving-side end, and a non-driving-side charging roller spacing member 130 is attached to the other longitudinal end, which is the non-driving-side end. These spacing members 129 and 130 keep the charging roller 102 spaced apart from the photosensitive drum 101 in the initial shipping state. This spaced state is released when the photosensitive drum 101 rotates during use.

[0039] The photosensitive drum 101 is rotatably supported by a driving side cartridge cover member 122 provided at one longitudinal end of the process cartridge 100, which is the driving side end, and a non-driving side cartridge cover member 123 provided at the other longitudinal end, which is the non-driving side end.

[0040] 7, a coupling member 125 for transmitting a driving force to the photosensitive drum 101 is provided on one end side of the photosensitive drum 101 in the longitudinal direction. The coupling member 125 engages with a main body side drum drive coupling 30 (see FIG. 4) serving as a drum drive output part of the apparatus main body 2, and transmits the driving force of a drive motor (not shown) of the apparatus main body 2 to the photosensitive drum 101. 3, the photosensitive drum 101 is rotated in the direction of arrow A. The photosensitive drum 101 also has a drum flange 124 on the other longitudinal end side. A driving side charging roller bearing 126a and a non-driving side charging roller bearing 127a that support the charging roller 102 are supported by the drum frame 121 so that the charging roller 102 can contact the photosensitive drum 101 and rotate following it (in the direction of arrow E in FIG. 3).

[0041] <Configuration of the development unit> 3 and 6, the developing unit 150 is made up of a developing roller 103, a developer supply roller 104, a developing blade unit 156, a developing frame 151, etc. The developing frame 151 is made up of a first developing frame 151a and a second developing frame 151b. The developing frame 151 is made up of the first developing frame 151a and the second developing frame 151b joined together by ultrasonic welding or the like.

[0042] The developing frame 151 has a developing chamber 152 as a storage chamber in which the developing roller 103 and the developer supply roller 104 are disposed, and a toner storage portion 162 that stores toner to be supplied to the developing roller 103. The developing frame 151 rotatably supports the developing roller 103 and the developer supply roller 104 via a drive-side bearing 153 and a non-drive-side bearing 154. An agitating member 161 is rotatably provided in the toner storage portion 162 of the developing frame 151. The developing frame 151 also holds a developing blade unit 156 as a regulating unit that regulates the thickness of the toner layer carried on the circumferential surface of the developing roller 103.

[0043] A development drive input gear 159 for transmitting a driving force to the development unit 150 is provided on one end side in the longitudinal direction of the development unit 150. The development drive input gear 159 is provided with a development input coupling 159a that receives driving force from the main body side development drive coupling 40 (see FIG. 4) of the apparatus main body 2, and the driving force of a drive motor (not shown) of the apparatus main body 2 is input to the development unit 150.

[0044] The driving force input to the developing unit 150 is transmitted to the developing roller gear 157, thereby rotating the developing roller 103 in the direction of arrow C in Fig. 3. The driving force input to the developing unit 150 is also transmitted to the toner transport roller gear 158, thereby rotating the developer supply roller 104 in the direction of arrow D in Fig. 3. The driving force input to the developing unit 150 is also transmitted to the stirring gear 160, thereby rotating the stirring member 161 in the direction of arrow G in Fig. 3, thereby stirring the toner in the toner storage section 162.

[0045] The agitating member 161 has a rotating shaft 161a that is parallel to the rotational axis direction of the developing roller 103, and agitating sheets 161b and 161c that are flexible sheets and serve as conveying members. One end of each of the agitating sheets 161b and 161c is attached to the rotating shaft 161a, and the other end is a free end. When the rotating shaft 161a rotates, the agitating sheets 161b and 161c also rotate, causing the toner in the toner storage section 162 to be agitated by the agitating sheets 161b and 161c.

[0046] At one end of the developing unit 150 in the longitudinal direction, a developing device cover member 155 that supports and covers a developing device drive input gear 159 is provided.

[0047] <Assembling the drum unit and developing unit> 7, the assembly of the drum unit 120 and the developing unit 150 will be described. The drum unit 120 and the developing unit 150 are connected by a driving side cartridge cover member 122 provided at one end of the process cartridge 100 in the longitudinal direction, and a non-driving side cartridge cover member 123 provided at the other end.

[0048] The drive-side cartridge cover member 122 provided at one longitudinal end of the process cartridge 100 is provided with a developing unit support hole 122b for swingably (movably) supporting the developing unit 150. Similarly, the non-drive-side cartridge cover member 123 provided at the other longitudinal end of the process cartridge 100 is provided with a developing unit support hole 123b for swingably supporting the developing unit 150. Furthermore, the drive-side cartridge cover member 122 and the non-drive-side cartridge cover member 123 are provided with drum support holes 122a and 123a, respectively, for rotatably supporting the photosensitive drum 101.

[0049] Here, at one end, the outer diameter portion of the cylindrical portion 155a of the developing unit cover member 155 is fitted into the developing unit support hole 122b of the driving side cartridge cover member 122. At the other end, the outer diameter portion of the cylindrical portion (not shown) of the non-drive side bearing 154 is fitted into the developing unit support hole 123b of the non-drive side cartridge cover member 123. Furthermore, one longitudinal end of the photosensitive drum 101 is fitted into the drum support hole 122a of the driving side cartridge cover member 122, and the other end is fitted into the drum support hole 123a of the non-drive side cartridge cover member 123. Then, the driving side cartridge cover member 122 and the non-drive side cartridge cover member 123 are fixed to the drum unit 120 with screws, adhesive, or the like (not shown). As a result, the developing unit 150 is rotatably supported by the driving side cartridge cover member 122 and the non-drive side cartridge cover member 123 with respect to the drum unit 120 (photosensitive drum 101). During image formation, the developing unit 150 can be rotated relative to the drum unit 120 to position the developing roller 103 at a position where it acts on the photosensitive drum 101 .

[0050] FIG. 8 shows the state in which the drum unit 120 and the developing unit 150 are assembled and integrated into the process cartridge 100 through the above steps. The axis connecting the center of the developing unit support hole 122b of the drive-side cartridge cover member 122 and the center of the developing unit support hole 123b of the non-drive-side cartridge cover member 123 is referred to as the swing axis b. Here, the cylindrical portion 155a of the developing unit cover member 155 on one end side is coaxial with the developing input coupling 159a. In other words, the developing unit 150 is configured to receive a rotational driving force about this swing axis b transmitted from the apparatus main body 2. The developing unit 150 is also supported so as to be rotatable about the swing axis b.

[0051] <Configuration of the developing blade unit> The configuration of the developing blade unit 156 will be described with reference to Figure 9. Figure 9(a) is a diagram of the developing blade unit 156 as viewed in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the developing blade unit 156 (a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the developing roller 103). Figure 9(b) is a side view of the developing blade unit 156 as viewed in the longitudinal direction of the developing blade unit 156.

[0052] 9(a), the developing blade unit 156 has a blade support member 156a as a fixed member fixed to the developing frame 151, and a blade member 156b as a sliding member supported by the blade support member 156a and in sliding contact with the circumferential surface of the rotating developing roller 103. The blade member 156b is a sheet metal with a thickness of about 0.1 mm, and is attached to the blade support member 156a, which is a metal material having an L-shaped cross section, by laser spot welding or the like.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 9(b), the blade support member 156a has a first support portion 172a that is placed in contact with the developing frame 151, and a second support portion 172b that is provided from the first support portion 172a via a bent portion 173. The second support portion 172b is provided with a notch 170 that engages with a developing blade positioning portion 180 (described later) to determine its position. The notch 170 is provided at one end of the blade support member 156a in the longitudinal direction. One end of the blade support member 156a in the longitudinal direction is an end on the same side as the non-driven end serving as a first end in the longitudinal direction of the developing frame 151. The notch 170 is a recess that is recessed in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the blade support member 156a, and is formed by a surface that includes a first regulating surface 171a and a second regulating surface 171b that extend in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the blade support member 156a.

[0054] The first support portion 172a has both ends in the longitudinal direction Y fixed to the developing frame 151 with screws 174, and extends in a first direction D1 perpendicular to the longitudinal direction Y. The second support portion 172b extends from one end of the first support portion 172a in the first direction D1 in a second direction D2 perpendicular to both the longitudinal direction Y and the first direction D1. The blade member 156b is attached to the first support portion 172a so as to protrude in the first direction D1 from the other end of the first support portion 172a in the first direction D1. The notch 170 is provided at the end of the second support portion 172b opposite to the end to which the first support portion 172a is connected, so as to be recessed in the second direction D2. The first regulating surface 171a as a first side surface and the second regulating surface 171b as a second side surface of the cutout portion 170 are surfaces that extend in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction Y (rotation axis) and face each other in the rotation axis direction.

[0055] In this embodiment, the first direction D1, the second direction D2, and the longitudinal direction Y (direction of the rotation axis) are configured to be perpendicular to each other, but they may be configured to be at an angle slightly different from a right angle. In other words, the angles formed by the first direction D1, the second direction D2, and the longitudinal direction Y (direction of the rotation axis) are not limited to being perpendicular (right angles), but may also be angles at which they intersect each other.

[0056] <Developing blade unit positioning configuration> The positioning configuration of the developing blade unit 156 will be described using Figures 1, 10, and 11. Figure 10 is a perspective view showing the shape of the developing frame 151 around the developing blade positioning portion 180. Figure 11 is a perspective view showing the positioning configuration of the developing frame 151 to the developing blade unit 156. Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line HD-HD in Figure 11, showing the configuration of the developing frame 151, the developing blade unit 156, the developing blade under seal 190, and the end seal 191. For ease of explanation, the screws 174 are not shown in Figure 1.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 10 , the developing frame 151 has a developing blade positioning portion 180 that can determine the longitudinal position of the developing blade unit 156. The developing blade positioning portion 180 is a protruding portion that has a first protrusion 180a and a second protrusion 180b. The first protrusion 180a as the first protrusion protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction Y and faces the first regulating surface 171a of the cutout portion 170 in the longitudinal direction Y. The second protrusion 180b as the second protrusion protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction Y and faces the second regulating surface 171b in the longitudinal direction Y. The first protrusion 180a and the second protrusion 180b are aligned with a gap between the first regulating surface 171a and the second regulating surface 171b in the longitudinal direction Y.

[0058] In this embodiment, the recessed direction of the notched portion 170 and the protruding direction of the first protruding portion 180a and the second protruding portion 180b are configured to be perpendicular to the longitudinal direction Y (direction of the rotation axis), but they may be configured to be at an angle slightly different from a right angle. That is, the angle formed by the recessed direction of the notched portion 170 and the protruding direction of the first protruding portion 180a and the second protruding portion 180b with respect to the longitudinal direction Y (direction of the rotation axis) is not limited to being perpendicular (a right angle), and may be an angle at which they intersect each other.

[0059] A recess 181 is provided in an area between the first protrusion 180a and the second protrusion 180b in the cartridge longitudinal direction Y. The recess 181 is formed at the longitudinal end of the developing frame 151. The recess 181 functions as a filling port for filling a space Q (described in detail later) that is a gap between the developing frame 151 and the developing blade unit 156 in the developing device frame 151 with a toner sealing member 192, which will be described later. That is, the outside of the developing frame 151 and the space Q sealed by the toner sealing member 192 communicate with each other via a recess 181 that is a gap between the first convex portion 180a and the second convex portion 180b in the longitudinal direction Y. The toner sealing member 192 can be seen from the outside of the developing frame 151 via the recess 181.

[0060] 1 extends, and is connected to an inclined surface 182 for guiding the flow direction of a toner sealing member 192 (described later). The inclined surface 182 is a part of the surface of the developing frame 151 that forms the space Q between the developing frame 151 and the developing blade unit 156, and is the surface that faces the first support portion 172a. The inclined surface 182 is a surface that extends in an inclined direction in both the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 so that the distance from the first support portion 172a gradually decreases as the inclined surface 182 moves in the direction in which the blade member 156b protrudes from the first support portion 172a.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 11 , when the developing blade unit 156 is assembled to the developing frame 151, a notch 170 provided in the blade support member 156a engages with a developing blade positioning portion 180 provided in the developing frame 151. More specifically, a first protrusion 180a of the developing frame 151 engages with a first regulating surface 171a of the blade support member 156a, and a second protrusion 180b of the developing frame 151 engages with a second regulating surface 171b of the blade support member 156a. This restricts movement of the developing blade unit 156 in the longitudinal direction relative to the developing frame 151, and determines its position. Both end portions of the blade support member 156a are fixed to the developing frame 151 with screws 174.

[0062] 1, the first protrusion 180a and the second protrusion 180b are configured so that their end faces protrude further than the second support portion 172b in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the second support portion 172b of the blade support member 156a attached to the developing device frame 151. That is, the first protrusion 180a and the second protrusion 180b protrude further toward the outside of the developing device frame 151 than the second support portion 172b in the first direction D1. In other words, the first protrusion 180a and the second protrusion 180b forming the inlet of the toner sealing member 192 are provided so as to extend in the first direction D1 from a position closer to the outside of the developing device frame 151 than the second support portion 172b to a position closer to the space Q than the second support portion 172b.

[0063] <Toner sealing structure> The configurations of the developing frame 151, developing blade unit 156, developing blade under seal 190, end seal 191, and sheet member 194 will be described using Figures 1, 12, and 15. Figure 12(a) is a perspective view illustrating the state in which the developing blade under seal 190, end seal 191, and sheet member 194 are assembled to the developing frame 151. Figure 12(b) is a perspective view illustrating the state in which the developing blade unit 156 is assembled to the state in Figure 12(a). Figure 12(c) is a perspective view illustrating the state in which the developing roller 103 is assembled to the state in Figure 12(b).

[0064] As shown in FIG. 1, the developing frame 151 has an inclined surface 182 inclined with respect to the extending direction of the first support portion 172a of the blade support member 156a. The developing frame 151 has mounting surfaces 186a along the first direction D1 at both ends in the longitudinal direction Y, to which the ends of the first support portions 172a in the longitudinal direction Y are attached. The inclined surface 182 is located inside the mounting surface 186a at one end of the developing frame 151 in the longitudinal direction Y. When viewed in a direction perpendicular to the normal direction of the mounting surface 186a to which the first support portions 172a are attached, the inclined surface 182 becomes gradually smaller as it approaches the end seal 191. 1 and the under-developing blade seal 190 is inclined so as to shorten the distance therebetween.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 12(b), the developing frame 151 has a substantially rectangular opening DO that connects the developing space with the outside, and as shown in FIG. 12(c), the developing roller 103 is disposed so as to close the opening DO. Along the substantially rectangular edge of the opening DO, as shown in FIG. 12(b), the developing blade unit 156 (under-blade seal 190), end seals 191, and sheet member 194 are disposed in a continuous arrangement so as to surround the opening DO in an annular shape. These multiple members define, on the outer circumferential surface of the developing roller 103, an area that is exposed to (facing) the developing chamber 152 of the developing frame 151 and an area that is exposed to the outside of the developing frame 151. That is, as shown in FIG. 12(b), the opening DO surrounded by the developing blade unit 156, end seal 191, and sheet member 194 corresponds to the area of ​​the outer circumferential surface of the developing roller 103 that is exposed to the developing chamber 152. The developing blade unit 156 (blade member 156b), end seal 191, and sheet member 194 are in close contact with the outer circumferential surface of the developing roller 103 so as to surround this exposed area.

[0066] As shown in Figure 12(a), of the four sides constituting the rectangular edge of the opening DO of the developing frame 151 in which the developing roller 103 is disposed, a developing blade under seal 190 and a sheet member 194 are disposed on the edges corresponding to the two parallel longitudinal sides. Of the two longitudinal sides, the sheet member 194 is disposed on the edge corresponding to the upstream side in the rotation direction of the developing roller 103. In addition, the developing blade under seal 190 is disposed on the edge corresponding to the downstream side, and the developing blade unit 156 is disposed so as to overlap the developing blade under seal 190 (Figure 12(b)).

[0067] The under-blade seal 190 is made of, for example, double-sided tape and an elastic foam member, and is attached to the developing frame 151 with the double-sided tape. The sheet member 194 is, for example, a flexible resin sheet, and is attached to the developing frame 151 with double-sided tape (not shown) or the like. The sheet member 194 is disposed downstream of the developing blade unit 156 in the rotation direction of the developing roller 103 and across the entire longitudinal area of ​​the developing frame 151. The end of the sheet member 194 in the lateral direction facing the developing roller 103 is a free end, and a part of this free end is configured to abut against the circumferential surface of the developing roller 103 across the entire longitudinal area.

[0068] Of the four sides constituting the rectangular edge of the opening DO of the developing frame 151, end seals 191 are arranged symmetrically in the longitudinal direction on edge portions corresponding to two longitudinal sides parallel to the rotation direction of the developing roller 103. The pair of end seals 191 are arranged to extend along the rotation direction of the developing roller 103 so as to connect the respective longitudinal ends of the developing blade unit 156 and the sheet member 194. The end seals 191, which serve as end seal members (second seal members), come into sliding contact with both end portions of the outer circumferential surface of the developing roller 103 in the longitudinal direction of the developing frame 151 (the direction of the rotation axis of the developing roller 103).

[0069] The end seal 191 is formed by, for example, attaching a fiber layer made of resin fiber and an elastic foam layer with an adhesive layer, and an adhesive layer such as double-sided tape is disposed below the elastic foam layer for attaching to the developing frame 151. The end seals 191 are disposed at both longitudinal ends of the developing roller 103, respectively, and are curved so that the fiber layer abuts against the circumferential surface of the developing roller 103.

[0070] As shown in FIG. 12(b), the developing blade unit 156 is disposed above the developing blade under seal 190. The developing blade unit 156 has a blade support member 156a as a support portion and a blade member 156b as a sliding portion. The blade support member 156a is disposed so as to extend in the longitudinal direction of the developing frame 151, and both ends thereof are fixed to the developing frame 151 by screws 174. That is, the blade support member 156a An under-blade seal 190 is interposed between the region between both end portions fixed by the screws 174 and the developing frame 151, and seals the gap between the blade support member 156a and the developing frame 151. That is, the under-blade seal 190 is disposed as a longitudinal seal member (first seal member) along the longitudinal direction of the developing frame 151 at an edge portion of the opening DO of the developing frame 151 that corresponds to the side along the longitudinal direction of the developing frame 151. The downstream end of the blade member 156b in the rotation direction of the developing roller 103 is fixed to the blade support member 156a, and the upstream end is disposed so as to be in sliding contact with the circumferential surface of the developing roller 103 along the longitudinal direction.

[0071] Here, the recessed portion 181 of the developing frame 151 and the blade member 156b are arranged so as to at least partially overlap when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the developing blade unit 156. In other words, the recessed portion 181 of the developing frame 151 at least partially overlaps with one longitudinal end of the blade member 156b.

[0072] 12(b), the developing frame 151 is open to the outside space in a direction perpendicular to the second support portion 172b of the blade support member 156a due to the recess 181. As shown in FIG. 12(c), the developing roller 103 is installed so as to close the substantially rectangular opening DO of the developing frame 151, and is in sliding contact with the sheet member 194, the end seal 191, and the blade member 156b during rotation.

[0073] The spaces between the developing frame 151, the developing blade unit 156, the under-blade seal 190, and the end seal 191 will be described in detail with reference to Figure 13. Figure 13 is a perspective view illustrating the state in which the seal member, the sheet member 194, the developing blade unit 156, and the developing roller 103 are assembled to the developing frame 151 (the developing blade unit 156 and the screws 174 are omitted for ease of explanation).

[0074] 13, in this embodiment, a space Q is formed among the developing frame 151, the developing blade unit 156, the developing blade under seal 190, and the end seal 191. The space Q communicates with the opening DO of the developing frame 151 and the outside of the developing frame 151, and therefore, in this state, toner present in the developing frame 151 leaks out of the developing frame 151 through the space Q. As a method for preventing toner leakage, in this embodiment, a toner sealing member 193 is injected into the space Q. The recess 181 that forms the injection port of the toner sealing member 193 is positioned so as to at least partially overlap the end seal 191 when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction Y.

[0075] A method for injecting the toner sealing member 193 will be described with reference to Figures 14 and 15. Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along the same line as Figure 1, showing the state after the toner sealing member 193 has been injected. Figure 15 is a perspective view taken from the same direction as Figure 13, showing the state after the toner sealing member 193 has been injected (the developing blade unit 156 and the screw 174 are omitted).

[0076] 14, a toner sealing member 193 is injected from a toner sealing member injection device (not shown) substantially along an injection locus HT. The injected toner sealing member 193 is injected into the space Q through the notch 170 of the blade support member 156a and the recess 181 of the developing device frame 151. As shown in FIG. 15, the toner sealing member 193 fills the space Q without any gaps, thereby preventing toner leakage to the outside of the developing device frame 151.

[0077] As shown in Figure 14, the toner sealing member 193 injected approximately along the injection trajectory HT lands on the inclined surface 182 and flows along the inclination of the inclined surface 182 to the end seal 191, thereby tightly sealing the communication portion between the space Q and the inside of the developing frame body 151.

[0078] In the above configuration, in order to facilitate injection of the toner sealing member 193, The distance between the first protrusion 180a and the second protrusion 180b of the image frame 151 is preferably 5 mm or more.

[0079] In this embodiment, the toner sealing member 193 can be made of a hot melt resin, which is a mixture of thermoplastic rubber, tackifying resin, etc., and has the characteristic of liquefying when heated and hardening into an elastic solid when cooled.

[0080] As described above, according to this embodiment, the developing blade unit 156 can be accurately positioned to the developing frame 151 by an engagement configuration between the notch 170 provided in the blade support member 156a and the developing blade positioning portion 180 provided in the developing frame 151. The notch 170, as a single component, has the function of positioning the developing blade unit 156 to the developing frame 151 and the function of forming an injection space for the toner sealing member 193. This engagement configuration between the notch 170 and the developing blade positioning portion 180 ensures the rigidity of the developing blade unit 156 and makes it possible to reduce the longitudinal width.

[0081] For example, in the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1, a first notch serving as a longitudinal positioning portion of the developing blade unit 156 and a second notch in the blade support member 156a serving as an injection port for the toner sealing member 192 are separately formed. In contrast to this configuration in which multiple notches are provided in the blade support member 156a, in this embodiment, a notch 170 provided in a single location makes it possible to position the developing blade unit 156 relative to the developing frame 151 and to ensure an injection space for the toner sealing member 192. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is possible to avoid a decrease in the rigidity of the developing blade unit 156 that would otherwise be caused by providing multiple notches in the blade support member 156a, and it is also possible to reduce the longitudinal width of the developing blade unit 156.

[0082] The disclosure of the embodiments of the present invention includes the following configurations. (Configuration 1) a frame that forms a storage chamber in which a developer is stored, the frame having an opening that communicates with the storage chamber; a developing roller disposed opposite the opening and supported by the frame so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis; a regulating unit for regulating a layer thickness of the developer carried on the outer peripheral surface of the developing roller, the regulating unit including a sliding member configured to come into sliding contact with the outer peripheral surface of the developing roller, and a support member on which the sliding member is supported; a sealing member filling a space between the frame body and the regulating unit at a first end of the frame body in the direction of the rotation axis; In a developing device comprising: the support member has a recess that is recessed in a direction intersecting the rotation axis at an end on the same side as the first end of the frame body with respect to the direction of the rotation axis, the recess being formed by a surface including a first side surface and a second side surface that extend in the intersecting direction, the frame body has a protruding portion including a first protrusion and a second protrusion that are aligned with a gap in the direction of the rotation axis between the first side surface and the second side surface and that protrude in a direction intersecting with the rotation axis, the support member is positioned relative to the frame body in the direction of the rotation axis by engagement between the recess and the protrusion, The space communicates with the outside of the frame body through the gap. A developing device characterized by: (Configuration 2) 2. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the sealing member fills the space through the gap. (Configuration 3) 3. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the sealing member is visible from the outside of the frame through the gap. (Configuration 4) The support member is a first support portion fixed to the frame body and extending in a first direction intersecting the rotation axis; a second support portion extending from one end of the first support portion in the first direction in a second direction intersecting both the rotation axis and the first direction; and the sliding member is attached to the first support part so as to protrude in the first direction from the other end of the first support part in the first direction, the recess is provided at an end of the second support portion opposite to an end portion to which the first support portion is connected, so as to be recessed in the second direction, A developing device described in any one of configurations 1 to 3, characterized in that the first protrusion and the second protrusion protrude further outside the frame body than the second support portion in the first direction. (Configuration 5) The developing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 4, characterized in that the first protrusion and the second protrusion are arranged to extend in the first direction from a side closer to the outside of the frame body than the second support portion to a side closer to the space than the second support portion. (Configuration 6) A developing device described in any one of configurations 1 to 5, characterized in that when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis, the gap at least partially overlaps with the end of the sliding member on the same side as the first end of the frame body in the direction of the rotation axis. (Configuration 7) a surface of the frame body that forms the space is a surface that faces the first support portion, and includes an inclined surface that extends in a direction inclined in both the first direction and the second direction so that a distance between the first support portion and the surface and the first support portion gradually becomes shorter as the surface moves toward a direction in which the sliding member projects from the first support portion; 7. The developing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 6, wherein the gap is provided so as to be continuous with the inclined surface. (Configuration 8) the frame body has mounting surfaces along the first direction, to which ends of the first support parts in the direction of the rotation axis are attached, at both end portions in the direction of the rotation axis; The developing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 7, wherein the inclined surface is located inside the mounting surface of one of the two end portions in the direction of the rotation axis. (Configuration 9) a first seal member provided along the direction of the rotation axis so as to seal between a region of an edge of the opening that is downstream in the rotation direction of the developing roller and the support member of the regulating unit; a second seal member provided along the rotation direction in an area outside the opening in the direction of the rotation axis, the second seal member being in sliding contact with an end of the outer circumferential surface of the developing roller in the direction of the rotation axis; Equipped with The developing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 8, wherein the gap at least partially overlaps with the second seal member when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis. (Configuration 10) The space is formed by the frame body, the frame body, the The developing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 9, characterized in that the opening is formed between a regulating unit, the first seal member, and the second seal member, and is formed to communicate between the storage chamber and the outside of the frame body through the opening. (Configuration 11) A cartridge that is detachable from a main body of an image forming apparatus, an image carrier; A developing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 10; A cartridge comprising: [Explanation of symbols]

[0083] 103...developing roller, 150...developing unit, 151...developing frame body, 152...developing chamber, 156...developing blade unit, 156a...blade support member, 156b...blade member, 170...notch portion, 171a...first regulating surface, 171b...second regulating surface, 172a...first support portion, 172b...second support portion, 173...bent portion, 180...developing blade positioning portion, 180a...first convex portion, 180b...second convex portion, 181...concave portion, 182...inclined surface, 190...developing blade lower seal, 191...end seal, 192...toner sealing member, 193...sealing member, 194...sheet member

Claims

1. a frame that forms a storage chamber in which a developer is stored, the frame having an opening that communicates with the storage chamber; a developing roller disposed opposite the opening and supported by the frame so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis; a regulating unit for regulating a layer thickness of the developer carried on the outer peripheral surface of the developing roller, the regulating unit including a sliding member configured to come into sliding contact with the outer peripheral surface of the developing roller, and a support member on which the sliding member is supported; a sealing member filling a space between the frame body and the regulating unit at a first end of the frame body in the direction of the rotation axis; In a developing device comprising: the support member has, at an end on the same side as the first end of the frame body with respect to the direction of the rotation axis, a recess recessed in a direction intersecting the rotation axis, the recess being formed by a surface including a first side surface and a second side surface extending in the intersecting direction, the frame body has a protruding portion including a first protrusion and a second protrusion that are aligned with a gap in the direction of the rotation axis between the first side surface and the second side surface and that protrude in a direction intersecting the rotation axis, the support member is positioned relative to the frame body in the direction of the rotation axis by engagement between the recess and the protrusion, The space communicates with the outside of the frame body through the gap. A developing device characterized by:

2. 2. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the sealing member fills the space through the gap.

3. 2. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the sealing member is visible from the outside of the frame through the gap.

4. The support member is a first support portion fixed to the frame body and extending in a first direction intersecting the rotation axis; a second support portion extending from one end of the first support portion in the first direction in a second direction intersecting both the rotation axis and the first direction; and the sliding member is attached to the first support portion so as to protrude in the first direction from the other end of the first support portion in the first direction, the recess is provided at an end of the second support portion opposite to an end to which the first support portion is connected, so as to be recessed in the second direction, 2. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the first protrusion and the second protrusion protrude further outward from the frame than the second support portion in the first direction.

5. The developing device according to claim 4, wherein the first protrusion and the second protrusion are arranged to extend in the first direction from a side closer to the outside of the frame than the second support portion to a side closer to the space than the second support portion.

6. 5. The developing device according to claim 4, wherein the gap at least partially overlaps with the end of the sliding member on the same side as the first end of the frame body in the direction of the rotation axis when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis.

7. The surface of the frame that forms the space is a surface that faces the first support portion, and a sloped surface extending in a direction inclined in both the first direction and the second direction such that a distance between the first support portion and the sloped surface gradually decreases as the sliding member moves in a direction protruding from the support portion; 5. The developing device according to claim 4, wherein the gap is provided so as to be continuous with the inclined surface.

8. the frame body has mounting surfaces along the first direction, to which ends of the first support parts in the direction of the rotation axis are attached, at both end portions in the direction of the rotation axis, and 8. The developing device according to claim 7, wherein the inclined surface is located inside the mounting surface of one of the two end portions in the direction of the rotation axis.

9. a first seal member provided along the rotation axis so as to seal between a downstream region of an edge of the opening in the rotation direction of the developing roller and the support member of the regulating unit; a second seal member provided along the rotation direction in an area outside the opening in the direction of the rotation axis, the second seal member being in sliding contact with an end of the outer circumferential surface of the developing roller in the direction of the rotation axis; Equipped with 2. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the gap at least partially overlaps with the second seal member when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis.

10. The developing device according to claim 9, characterized in that the space is formed between the frame body, the regulating unit, the first seal member, and the second seal member at both ends of the frame body in the direction of the rotation axis, and is formed so as to communicate between the storage chamber and the outside of the frame body through the opening.

11. A cartridge detachably attached to a main body of an image forming apparatus, an image carrier; The developing device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, A cartridge comprising:

Images