Developing device and developer container manufacturing method

Abstract

To suppress deterioration in the accuracy of a bearing surface for attaching a sealing member of a resin frame body constituting a developer container.SOLUTION: A developing device 140 includes: a first resin sheet 171; a second resin sheet 172 that is arranged with the first resin sheet 171 in a first direction on a side downstream of the first resin sheet 171; and a bearing surface 152a, which extends along a second direction crossing the first direction on a side downstream of the second resin sheet 172 with respect to the first direction and on which a sealing member 105 is attached, a first injection port mark 152b, a second injection port mark 152c, and a third injection port mark 152d. The first injection port mark 152b and the second injection port mark 152c are arranged in the second direction on a side upstream of the first resin sheet 171 with respect to the first direction, and the third injection port mark 152d is located on a side downstream of the second resin sheet 172 and upstream of the bearing surface 105 in the first direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a developing device used in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, printer, or facsimile machine that uses an electrophotographic or electrostatic recording method, or a multifunction machine that has two or more of these functions, and a method for manufacturing a developer container. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, image forming apparatuses such as electrophotographic printers have a developing device that develops an electrostatic latent image formed on an image carrier with a developer. The developing device has a developer container that contains the developer. The developing device may be detachably mounted to the main body of the image forming apparatus substantially independently, or may be detachably mounted to the main body of the image forming apparatus together with other elements as a process cartridge.

[0003] There is also a method for detecting the remaining amount of developer in a developer container, which decreases as an image is formed, by measuring the change in capacitance. The capacitance is measured, for example, using two conductive resin sheets (hereinafter also referred to as "conductive sheets") placed in the developer container.

[0004] Patent Document 1 discloses a method for integrally molding a developer container and two conductive sheets for measuring capacitance. In this method, resin is injected through two injection ports located on the outside of the two conductive sheets in the direction in which the two conductive sheets are aligned, and the two conductive sheets are provided in the developer container by insert molding. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-087967 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] When the resin frame that constitutes the developer container is molded in the direction described in the prior art document, warping or the like may occur on the seat surface for attaching the sealing member that seals the gap between the developing roller and the resin frame.

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to prevent deterioration in the accuracy of the seating surface for attaching the sealing member of the resin frame that constitutes the developer container. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The above object is achieved by a developing device and a manufacturing method of a developer container according to the present invention. In summary, according to one aspect of the present invention, a developing device includes a developing roller, a resin frame constituting a developer container for accommodating a developer, a sealing member for sealing a gap between the developing roller and the resin frame, a first resin sheet integrally molded with the resin frame and having conductivity, and a second resin sheet integrally molded with the resin frame and having conductivity, the second resin sheet being aligned with the first resin sheet on the downstream side of the first resin sheet in a first direction, A developing device is provided, which has a seat surface for attaching the sealing member, which extends downstream of a resin sheet along a second direction intersecting the first direction, and a first injection port trace, a second injection port trace, and a third injection port trace, which are traces where resin was injected, wherein the first injection port trace and the second injection port trace are aligned in the second direction upstream of the first resin sheet in the first direction, and the third injection port trace is located downstream of the second resin sheet and upstream of the seat surface in the first direction.

[0009] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a manufacturing method for manufacturing a developer container for containing a developer, the method comprising: a holding step of holding a conductive first resin sheet and a conductive second resin sheet in a mold so that they are aligned in this order from upstream to downstream in a first direction; and a molding step of injecting resin from a first injection inlet, a second injection inlet, and a third injection inlet to form a resin frame body in which the first resin sheet and the second resin sheet are integrally molded, the resin frame body having a seat surface for attaching a sealing member that extends along a second direction that intersects the first direction downstream of the second resin sheet with respect to the first direction, wherein the molding step is characterized in that resin is injected from the first injection inlet and the second injection inlet that are aligned in the second direction upstream of the first resin sheet with respect to the first direction, and the third injection inlet that is located downstream of the second resin sheet in the first direction and upstream of a position corresponding to the seat surface. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress deterioration in the accuracy of the seating surface for attaching the sealing member of the resin frame that constitutes the developer container. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus with the front door open. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus with the cartridge tray pulled out. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus with the process cartridge removed. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the process cartridge. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the drum unit. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is an assembled perspective view of the process cartridge. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the process cartridge. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a developing unit. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second developing frame. [Figure 12] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a second developing frame. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a developer remaining amount detection configuration. [Figure 14] 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a developing unit for explaining transport of developer to a remaining amount detection portion. FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a mold configuration for explaining insert molding. [Figure 16] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a mold configuration for explaining insert molding. [Figure 17] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a mold configuration for explaining insert molding. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The manufacturing method of the developer container, the resin frame, the developer container, and the developing device according to the present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to examples. However, the functions, materials, shapes, dimensions, relative positions, etc. of the components described in the following examples should be appropriately changed depending on the configuration of the device to which the present invention is applied and various conditions. In other words, the present invention is not limited to the following examples.

[0013] [Example 1] <Overall Configuration and Operation of Image Forming Apparatus> First, the overall configuration and operation of the image forming apparatus of this embodiment will be described.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus 1 according to this embodiment. The image forming apparatus 1 according to this embodiment is a tandem laser beam printer employing an intermediate transfer system capable of forming a full-color image on a sheet-like recording material P using an electrophotographic image formation process. The image forming apparatus 1 also employs a process cartridge system, in which process cartridges 100 (100Y, 100M, 100C, 100K) are removably mounted to a main body 2 of the image forming apparatus to form images. In this embodiment, the main body 2 of the image forming apparatus 1 is the image forming apparatus 1 excluding the process cartridges 100 (100Y, 100M, 100C, 100K). While the recording material P is sometimes referred to as paper, the recording material P also includes materials other than paper or materials containing materials other than paper (e.g., synthetic paper or film formed using synthetic resin, metal-deposited paper with a metal layer, etc.).

[0015] Here, with regard to the image forming apparatus 1 and its elements, the right side in FIG. 1 where a front door 10 described later is provided is referred to as the "front (front)" side, and the left side in FIG. 1 opposite to this front side is referred to as the "rear (back)" side. Also, with regard to the image forming apparatus 1 and its elements, when the image forming apparatus 1 is viewed from the front side, the right side is referred to as the "drive side" and the left side is referred to as the "non-drive side". The drive side is the side on which a drum coupling member for inputting a drive force to a photosensitive drum 101 described later and a development coupling member for inputting a drive force to a developing roller 103 described later are arranged. Also, with regard to the image forming apparatus 1 and its elements, up and down refer to up and down in the direction of gravity (vertical direction), but do not mean just directly above and just below, but also include above and below a horizontal plane passing through an element or position of interest. The left-right direction in FIG. 1 connecting the front side and the rear side is referred to as the "X direction", the direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 1 connecting the non-drive side and the drive side is referred to as the "Y direction", and a direction perpendicular to the X direction and the Y direction is referred to as the "Y direction". The direction in which the image is formed is referred to as the "Z direction." The image forming apparatus 1 is disposed so that the Z direction is approximately parallel to the direction of gravity (the X direction and Y direction are each approximately parallel to the horizontal direction), and is used for image formation. The Y direction is also approximately parallel to the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum 101 and the developing roller 103. In the X direction, the direction from the front side to the rear side is referred to as the "X1 direction," and the direction from the rear side to the front side is referred to as the "X2 direction." In the Z direction, the direction from the bottom side to the top side is referred to as the "Z1 direction." , and the direction from top to bottom is referred to as the "Z2 direction." That is, the image forming apparatus 1 is disposed so that the Z2 direction is the direction of gravity and is used for image formation. In addition, in the Y direction, the direction from the non-drive side to the drive side is referred to as the "Y1 direction," and the direction from the drive side to the non-drive side is referred to as the "Y2 direction." FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus 1 showing a cross section (XZ plane) approximately perpendicular to the Y direction as viewed from the non-drive side, with the front of the page being the non-drive side and the back of the page being the drive side.

[0016] The image forming apparatus 1 has a plurality of image forming units (stations), namely, four image forming units 3Y, 3M, 3C, and 3K that form images of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), respectively. The four image forming units 3Y, 3M, 3C, and 3K are arranged in a row along the direction of movement of the image transfer surface of an intermediate transfer belt 51, which will be described later. In this embodiment, this arrangement direction is along the horizontal direction when the image forming apparatus 1 is installed on a horizontal surface, but is slightly inclined relative to the horizontal direction. Note that elements provided for each color and having the same or corresponding functions or configurations may be generally described by omitting the Y, M, C, or K suffix to the reference numeral indicating that the element is for one of the colors. In this embodiment, the image forming unit 3 is configured to include photosensitive drums 101 (101Y, 101M, 101C, and 101K), charging rollers 102 (102Y, 102M, 102C, and 102K), a laser scanner unit (exposure device) 11, and a developing unit (developing device) 140. In this embodiment, the laser scanner unit 11 is configured as a single unit that exposes the four photosensitive drums 101Y, 101M, 101C, and 101K, but may be provided independently for each photosensitive drum 101.

[0017] The photosensitive drum 101, a rotatable drum-type (cylindrical) photosensitive member (electrophotographic photosensitive member) serving as an image carrier, is rotated in the direction of arrow R1 (clockwise) in the figure at a predetermined peripheral speed (process speed). The surface (outer periphery) of the rotating photosensitive drum 101 is uniformly charged to a predetermined potential of a predetermined polarity (negative in this embodiment) by a charging roller 102, a roller-type charging member serving as a charging means. The charging roller 102 is disposed in contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 101 and rotates in accordance with the rotation of the photosensitive drum 101. During charging, a predetermined charging bias (charging voltage), which is a DC voltage of the same polarity as the charging polarity (negative in this embodiment) of the photosensitive drum 101, is applied to the charging roller 102 by a charging power supply (not shown) serving as a charging voltage application unit. The charged surface of the photosensitive drum 101 is scanned and exposed by a laser scanner unit 11 with laser light 12 corresponding to image signals of color components corresponding to each image forming unit 3. As a result, an electrostatic latent image (electrostatic image) is formed on the photosensitive drum 101 in accordance with the image signal of the color component corresponding to each image forming unit 3.

[0018] The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 101 is developed (visualized) by a developing unit 140 serving as a developing means, which supplies a developer (hereinafter also referred to as "toner") and forms a toner image (toner image, developer image) on the photosensitive drum 101. In this embodiment, the developing unit 140 uses a non-magnetic one-component developer (toner) as the developer. The developing unit 140 has a developing roller 103 serving as a developer carrier (developing member). The developing roller 103 carries the toner and transports it to a developing section that faces (contacts) the photosensitive drum 101. During development, the developing roller 103 contacts the photosensitive drum 101. During development, the developing roller 103 is rotationally driven at a predetermined peripheral speed in a direction in which the movement direction of the surface of the photosensitive drum 101 and the movement direction of the surface (outer circumferential surface) of the developing roller 103 are forward directions in the developing section. During development, a predetermined development bias (development voltage), which is a DC voltage having the same polarity as the charge polarity (negative in this embodiment) of the photosensitive drum 101, is applied to the development roller 103 by a development power supply (not shown) serving as a development voltage application unit. As a result, toner is supplied from the development roller 103 to the photosensitive drum 101 in accordance with the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 101, and the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 101 is developed. In this embodiment, toner charged with the same polarity as the charge polarity (negative in this embodiment) of the photosensitive drum 101 adheres to the exposed portion (image portion) of the photosensitive drum 101, which has been uniformly charged and then exposed to light, thereby reducing the absolute value of the potential (reverse development method). In this embodiment, the normal charge polarity of the toner, which is the main charge polarity of the toner during development, is negative.

[0019] An intermediate transfer unit 5 is disposed below the four photosensitive drums 101Y, 101M, 101C, and 101K so as to face these four photosensitive drums 101Y, 101M, 101C, and 101K. The intermediate transfer unit 5 includes an intermediate transfer belt 51 configured as an endless belt serving as an intermediate transfer body, a drive roller 52 and a tension roller 53 serving as multiple support rollers, and four primary transfer rollers 54Y, 54M, 54C, and 54K. The flexible intermediate transfer belt 51 is stretched around the drive roller 52 and the tension roller 53 and stretched with a predetermined tension. Furthermore, primary transfer rollers 54Y, 54M, 54C, and 54K, which are roller-type primary transfer members serving as primary transfer means, are disposed on the inner circumferential surface of the intermediate transfer belt 51, corresponding to each of the photosensitive drums 101Y, 101M, 101C, and 101K. The primary transfer rollers 54 press the intermediate transfer belt 51 toward the photosensitive drums 101, forming primary transfer portions (primary transfer nips) N1 (N1Y, N1M, N1C, N1K) at the contact points between the photosensitive drums 101 and the intermediate transfer belt 51. In this embodiment, the lower surface of each photosensitive drum 101 contacts the upper surface of the intermediate transfer belt 51. This contact point is the primary transfer portion N1. The intermediate transfer belt 51 receives a driving force transmitted by the rotation of the drive roller 53, causing it to rotate (circularly move) in the direction of arrow R2 (counterclockwise) in the figure. The tension roller 52 and each primary transfer roller 54 are driven to rotate in accordance with the rotation of the intermediate transfer belt 51. The toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 101 is transferred (primary transfer) onto the rotating intermediate transfer belt 51 at the primary transfer portion N1. During the primary transfer, a predetermined primary transfer bias (primary transfer voltage), which is a DC voltage of a polarity opposite to the normal charging polarity of the toner (positive polarity in this embodiment), is applied to the primary transfer roller 54. For example, when a full-color image is formed, the toner images of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black formed on the photosensitive drums 101 are transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 51 so as to be superimposed on each other within the same image forming area.

[0020] When the image forming operation is started, the rotational driving of each photosensitive drum 101, the rotational driving of the intermediate transfer belt 51, and the driving of the laser scanner unit 11 are started. Then, in synchronization with the driving of the laser scanner unit 11, the charging process of the surface of the photosensitive drum 101 by each charging roller 102 is started.

[0021] A secondary transfer roller 6, a roller-type secondary transfer member serving as a secondary transfer means, is disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 51, facing the drive roller 53. The secondary transfer roller 6 is pressed against the drive roller 53 and contacts the drive roller 53 via the intermediate transfer belt 51, forming a secondary transfer portion (secondary transfer nip) N2, which is the contact portion between the intermediate transfer belt 51 and the secondary transfer roller 6. The secondary transfer roller 6 is driven to rotate in accordance with the rotation of the intermediate transfer belt 51. The toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 51 is transferred (secondary transfer) onto a recording material P, which is sandwiched and conveyed between the intermediate transfer belt 51 and the secondary transfer roller 6, at the secondary transfer portion N2. During secondary transfer, a predetermined secondary transfer bias (secondary transfer voltage), which is a DC voltage of opposite polarity (positive polarity in this embodiment) to the normal charging polarity of the toner, is applied to the secondary transfer roller 6. The recording material P (recording medium, transfer material, paper, sheet) is supplied to the secondary transfer portion N2 from a feeding unit 4 disposed below the intermediate transfer unit 5. The feeding unit 4 is configured to include a paper feed tray 41 in which recording materials P such as paper are stacked and stored, and a paper feed roller 42 as a feeding member. At a predetermined control timing, the recording materials P are separated and fed one by one from the paper feed tray 41 by the paper feed roller 42, and are conveyed to a pair of registration rollers 70 as a recording material conveying member. This recording material P is conveyed to the secondary transfer portion N2 by the pair of registration rollers 70 at a predetermined control timing.

[0022] The recording material P onto which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to a fixing device 7 serving as a fixing means. The fixing device 7 applies heat and pressure to the recording material P bearing the unfixed toner image, thereby fixing (melting and solidifying) the toner image onto the recording material P. The recording material P onto which the toner image has been fixed is discharged (output) onto a discharge tray 9 serving as a discharge unit provided outside (on top of) the device main body 2 by a pair of discharge rollers 8 serving as a discharge member.

[0023] In this embodiment, in each image forming unit 3, the photosensitive drum 101 and the charging roller 102 and developing unit 140 acting as process means thereon integrally constitute a process cartridge 100 that is detachably attached to the apparatus main body 2. In this embodiment, four process cartridges 100Y, 100M, 100C, and 100K are detachably attached to the apparatus main body 2. Each of the four process cartridges 100Y, 100M, 100C, and 100K has a similar electrophotographic process mechanism but uses different toner colors. The toner filling amounts may also differ between at least two of the process cartridges 100. A rotational driving force is transmitted to the process cartridges 100 from a drive output unit (details of which will be described later) of the apparatus main body 2, and electrical biases (such as a charging bias, a developing bias, and a remaining amount detection bias) are supplied from contacts (not shown) of the apparatus main body 2. The number of process cartridges detachably attached to the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus is not limited to four and may be set as needed.

[0024] <Process cartridge attachment / detachment configuration> Next, the mounting and demounting of the process cartridge 100 to and from the apparatus main body 2 in this embodiment will be described.

[0025] 1, the image forming apparatus 1 is provided with a movable cartridge tray 20 that supports the process cartridge 100. The image forming apparatus 1 is also provided with an openable front door 10 that allows the process cartridge 100 to be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body 2. In this embodiment, the front door 10 is rotatable about a rotation axis provided at the lower end thereof that is approximately parallel to the Y direction, and when in a closed state, the front door 10 is opened by moving its upper end downward, and closed by moving its upper end upward.

[0026] Fig. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus 1 in a state where the front door 10 is open and the cartridge tray 20 is located inside the apparatus main body 2. Fig. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus 1 in a state where the front door 10 is open, the cartridge tray 20 is located outside the apparatus main body 2, and the process cartridge 100 is housed in the cartridge tray 20. Fig. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus 1 in a state where the front door 10 is open, the cartridge tray 20 is located outside the apparatus main body 2, and the yellow process cartridge 100Y has been removed from the cartridge tray 20. Figs. 2 to 4 show a cross section (XZ plane) approximately perpendicular to the Y direction as viewed from the non-drive side.

[0027] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the cartridge tray 20 is movable in the direction of arrow X1 (pushing direction) and the direction of arrow X2 (pulling direction). That is, the cartridge tray 20 is configured to be pulled out and pushed into the apparatus main body 2 by moving it in a substantially horizontal direction while the apparatus main body 2 is placed on a horizontal surface. Here, a state in which the front door 10 is open and the cartridge tray 20 is located outside the apparatus main body 2 (the state in FIG. 3 ) is referred to as the “outside state.” Also, a state in which the front door 10 is open and the cartridge tray 20 is located inside the apparatus main body 2 (the state in FIG. 2 ) is referred to as the “inside state.” In these outside and inside states, the photosensitive drums 101 and the intermediate transfer belt 51 are spaced apart. In this embodiment, the intermediate transfer unit 5 is movable together with the cartridge tray 20 in the direction of arrow X1 (pushing direction) and the direction of arrow X2 (pulling direction). In addition, in this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 is configured so that the fixing device 7 is moved in the Z1 direction (upward) when the cartridge tray 20 (and the intermediate transfer unit 5) is pulled out and pushed into the apparatus main body 2.

[0028] 4, the cartridge tray 20 has mounting portions 21 to which each process cartridge 100 can be removably attached in the outer state. Although only the mounting portion 21 for the yellow process cartridge 100Y is shown in FIG. 4, the cartridge tray 20 also has mounting portions 21 for the other process cartridges 100M, 100C, and 100K.

[0029] Then, when the process cartridge 100 is disposed in the mounting portion 21, the cartridge tray 20 is moved inside the apparatus main body 2, thereby moving the process cartridge 100 inside the apparatus main body 2. In this embodiment, when the front door 10 is closed, the intermediate transfer unit 5 is moved (raised) in the direction of arrow Z1 (upward) by a link mechanism (not shown). As a result, the intermediate transfer unit 5 moves to a position for image formation (a position where the photosensitive drum 101 and the intermediate transfer belt 51 contact each other). Also, in this embodiment, when the front door 10 is opened, the intermediate transfer unit 5 is moved (lowered) in the direction of arrow Z2 (downward) by the link mechanism. As a result, the intermediate transfer unit 5 moves to a position where the photosensitive drum 101 and the intermediate transfer belt 51 are separated from each other.

[0030] In this way, the cartridge tray 20 can move multiple process cartridges 100 together to a position inside the device main body 2 where image formation is possible, and to a position outside the device main body 2 where the process cartridges 100 can be removed.

[0031] <Overall structure of the process cartridge> Next, the overall structure of the process cartridge 100 in this embodiment will be described.

[0032] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the process cartridge 100, showing a cross section (XZ plane) substantially perpendicular to the Y direction as viewed from the non-drive side. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a drum unit 120 (described later) included in the process cartridge 100 (viewed from slightly above along the X1 direction, with the left side of the figure representing the non-drive side and the right side representing the drive side). FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a development unit 140 included in the process cartridge 100 (viewed from slightly below along the X2 direction, with the left side of the figure representing the drive side and the right side representing the non-drive side). FIG. 8 is an assembled perspective view of the process cartridge 100 (viewed from slightly above along the X2 direction, with the left side of the figure representing the drive side and the right side representing the non-drive side). FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the process cartridge 100 (viewed from slightly above along the X2 direction, with the left side of the figure representing the drive side and the right side representing the non-drive side).

[0033] In this embodiment, the process cartridge 100 includes a drum unit 120 equipped with a photosensitive drum 101 and a charging roller 102, which serves as charging means acting on the photosensitive drum 101. The drum unit 120 may include, as processing means, not only the charging means but also a cleaning means for cleaning the surface of the photosensitive drum 101. The process cartridge 100 also includes, as processing means acting on the photosensitive drum 101, a developing unit (developing device) 140, which serves as developing means for developing an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 101. The drum unit 120 and the developing unit 140 are connected to each other. The process cartridges 100Y, 100M, 100C, and 100K, which are yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, respectively, contain toner of each color. Within the apparatus main body 2, a laser scanner unit 11 is disposed above the four process cartridges 100Y, 100M, 100C, and 100K. The laser scanner unit 11 outputs a laser beam 12 corresponding to image information. 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. A more specific configuration of the process cartridge 100 will be described later.

[0034] It should be noted that with respect to the process cartridge 100, the drum unit 120, the developing unit 140, or these elements, a direction substantially parallel to the direction of the rotation axis A1 of the photosensitive drum 101 (see FIG. 8) is also referred to as the "longitudinal direction." The process cartridge 100 is used for image formation while being disposed so that the rotation axis A1 of the photosensitive drum 101 is substantially parallel to the Y direction. Therefore, the longitudinal direction is a direction substantially parallel to the Y direction.

[0035] <Drum unit configuration> As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the drum unit 120 includes a photosensitive drum 101, a charging roller 102, a drum frame 121, and the like. The charging roller 102 is rotatably supported at both longitudinal ends thereof by a driving-side charging bearing 126a and a non-driving-side charging bearing 127a. The driving-side charging bearing 126a and the non-driving-side charging bearing 127a are urged by pressure springs 126b and 127b, respectively, which are urging members serving as urging means, thereby pressing the charging roller 102 toward the photosensitive drum 101 (in the direction of arrow F in FIG. 5). The driving-side charging bearing 126a and the pressure spring 126b constitute a driving-side charging roller bearing unit 126. The non-driving-side charging bearing 127a and the pressure spring 127b constitute a non-driving-side charging roller bearing unit 127. Further, spacing members 129 and 130 are attached to both longitudinal ends of the charging roller 102, respectively, for spacing the charging roller 102 from the photosensitive drum 101 until, for example, a new process cartridge 100 is used.

[0036] The photosensitive drum 101 is rotatably supported at both longitudinal ends thereof by a driving-side cartridge cover member 122 and a non-moving-side cartridge cover member 123. The driving-side cartridge cover member 122 and the non-moving-side cartridge cover member 123 are each fixed to the drum frame 121 by any fixing means such as adhesive, welding, or fastening.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 8, a drum coupling member 125 serving as a drive input unit for transmitting a drive force to the photosensitive drum 101 is provided at the drive side end of the photosensitive drum 101 in the longitudinal direction. The drum coupling member 125 engages with a main body drum drive coupling 30 (FIGS. 3 and 4) serving as a drive output unit provided in the apparatus main body 2. A drive force from a drive motor (not shown) provided in the apparatus main body 2 is transmitted to the photosensitive drum 101 via the main body drum drive coupling 30 and the drum coupling member 125, causing the photosensitive drum 101 to rotate. A drum flange 124 is provided at the non-drive side end of the photosensitive drum 101 in the longitudinal direction. The photosensitive drum 101 is driven to rotate in the direction of arrow R1 (clockwise direction) in FIG. 5. The charging roller 102 comes into contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 101 and is driven to rotate in the direction of arrow R6 (counterclockwise direction) in FIG. 5 as the photosensitive drum 101 rotates. The drive-side charging bearing 126a and the non-drive-side charging bearing 127a are supported by the drum frame 121 so that the charging roller 102 can contact the surface of the photosensitive drum 101 and rotate in response to the rotation of the photosensitive drum 101. The drive-side charging bearing 126a and the non-drive-side charging bearing 127a are supported by the drum frame 121 so that they can move toward and away from the photosensitive drum 101. The photosensitive drum 101 is also supported by the drum frame 121 with the drum coupling member 125 and the drum flange 124 rotatably supported by the drive-side cartridge cover member 122 and the non-drive-side cartridge cover member 123, respectively.

[0038] <Configuration of the development unit> As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7 , the developing unit 140 includes a developing roller 103, a supply roller 104, a sealing sheet 105, a developing blade 156, a conveying member 161, a remaining amount detecting member (conductive sheet) 170, and a developing frame 150. The developing frame 150 constitutes a developer container for accommodating developer (toner). The developing frame (developer container) 150 is composed of a first developing frame 151 and a second developing frame 152, which are frames (resin frames) formed from resin. In this embodiment, the first developing frame 151 and the second developing frame 152 are joined by ultrasonic welding. However, the first developing frame 151 and the second developing frame 152 can be fixed by any fixing means such as adhesive, welding, or fastening. The developing frame 150 forms a developing chamber 106 in which the developing roller 103 and the like are provided, and a developer storage chamber ("storage chamber") 107 that stores toner to be supplied to the developing roller 103. The developing chamber 106 and the storage chamber 107 are separated by a partition wall 167 that is formed from a part of the developing frame 150 (first developing frame 151).

[0039] First, the developing chamber 106 is provided with a developing roller 103 as a developer carrier (developing member) that carries toner and transports it to a developing section (developing nip) N3, which is an opposing portion (contact portion) with the photosensitive drum 101. The developing chamber 106 also is provided with a supply roller 104 as a supply member that supplies toner to the developing roller 103. The developing chamber 106 is also provided with a developing blade 156 as a regulating member. The developing chamber 106 is also provided with a sealing sheet 105 as a sealing member.

[0040] The developing roller 103 is a conductive rubber roller in which a conductive rubber layer is formed as an elastic layer on the outer periphery of a conductive core metal. In this embodiment, the developing roller 103 is driven to rotate in the direction of arrow R3 in FIG. 5 (counterclockwise direction) around a rotation axis B1 that is approximately parallel to the longitudinal direction of the developing unit 140. In other words, the developing roller 103 is driven to rotate in a direction in which the moving direction of the surface of the photosensitive drum 101 and the moving direction of the surface of the developing roller 103 are forward directions in the developing portion N3.

[0041] The supply roller 104 is an elastic sponge roller with a foamed elastic layer formed on the outer periphery of a conductive core. In other words, the supply roller 104 has a foamed (porous) material on its surface (outer periphery). The supply roller 104 contacts the developing roller 104 with a predetermined penetration depth, and the foamed elastic layer constituting the surface of the supply roller 104 is compressed into a concave shape by the elastic layer of the developing roller 103, which has a higher hardness. The contact area between the developing roller 103 and the supply roller 104, i.e., the area where the supply roller 104 is compressed by the developing roller 103 (compressed area), is also referred to as the supply area (supply nip) N4. In this embodiment, the supply roller 104 is driven to rotate in the direction of arrow R4 (counterclockwise) in FIG. 5 around a rotation axis B2 that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the developing unit 140. That is, the supply roller 104 is rotationally driven in a direction opposite to the moving direction of the surface of the developing roller 103 at the supply portion N4 and the moving direction of the surface of the supply roller 104. Toner is supplied to the developing roller 103 by the supply roller 104 at the supply portion N4.

[0042] The developing blade 156 is disposed downstream of the supply unit N4 and upstream of the development unit N3 in the rotation direction of the developing roller 103 so as to contact the surface of the developing roller 103. In this embodiment, the developing blade 156 has a regulating portion 156b configured as an elastically deformable metal sheet member having a thickness of approximately 0.1 mm, and a support member 156a configured as a metal plate member (sheet metal) having a substantially L-shaped cross section (XZ plane) substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. One end (fixed end) of the regulating portion 156b in the short direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is fixed to the support member 156a. In this embodiment, the regulating portion 156b is fixed to the support member 156a by welding. However, the regulating portion 156b can be fixed to the support member 156a by any fixing means such as adhesive, welding, or fastening. The developing blade 156 is disposed so that the other end (free end) of the regulating portion 156b in the widthwise direction faces upstream in the direction of rotation of the developing roller 103. The regulating portion 156b abuts against the surface of the developing roller 103 on a side surface near the tip of the free end in the widthwise direction. The developing blade 156 regulates the layer thickness (coat amount) of toner supplied to the developing roller 103 by the supply roller 104. The developing blade 156 may have a function of imparting an electric charge to the toner. The developing blade 156 is held by the developing frame 150, as will be described later.

[0043] The sealing sheet 105 is disposed downstream of the developing unit N3 and upstream of the supply unit N4 in the rotation direction of the developing roller 103 so as to contact the surface of the developing roller 103. The sealing sheet 105 is formed of a flexible resin sheet-like member. One end (fixed end) of the sealing sheet 105 in the lateral direction, which is approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, is fixed to the developing frame 150 as described below. The sealing sheet 105 is disposed so that the other end (free end) in the lateral direction faces downstream in the rotation direction of the developing roller 103. The sealing sheet 105 contacts the surface of the developing roller 103 at a side surface near the tip of the free end in the lateral direction. The sealing sheet 105 prevents toner from leaking from the developing chamber 106 to the outside.

[0044] On the other hand, in this embodiment, the storage chamber 107 is disposed above the developing chamber 106, i.e., above the supply roller 104, and stores therein the toner to be supplied to the developing chamber 106. A partition wall 167 separating the developing chamber 106 and the storage chamber 107 is formed with a supply opening 168 that connects the developing chamber 106 and the storage chamber 107 and allows the passage of toner supplied from the storage chamber 107 to the developing chamber 106. A transport member (developer transport member) 161 that transports the toner in the storage chamber 107 is disposed within the storage chamber 107. The transport member 161 also functions as an agitation member (developer agitation member) that agitates the toner in the storage chamber 107. In addition, a remaining amount detection member (conductive sheet) 170 that detects the remaining amount of developer in the developing unit 140 (storage chamber 107) is disposed within the storage chamber 107.

[0045] In a cross section (XZ plane) substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the developing unit 140, the storage chamber 107 roughly has a bottom surface 191, a front inner wall surface 192, a top surface 193, and a rear inner wall surface 194. The bottom surface 191 is formed by the inner wall surface of the partition wall 167. The front inner wall surface 192 is formed by an inner wall surface that extends in the vertical direction to connect the bottom surface 191 and the top surface 193 at the front side of the storage chamber 107. The top surface 193 is formed by an inner wall surface that extends in the horizontal direction to connect the front inner wall surface 192 and the rear inner wall surface 194. The rear inner wall surface 194 is formed by an inner wall surface that extends in the vertical direction to connect the top surface 193 and the bottom surface 191 at the rear side of the storage chamber 107. In this embodiment, a bottom surface 191 (partition wall 167), a top surface 193, and a rear inner wall surface 194 of the storage chamber 107 are formed by the first developing frame 151. In addition, in this embodiment, a front inner wall surface 192 of the storage chamber 107 and a bottom surface 195 of the developing chamber 106 are formed by the second developing frame 152. However, the developing frame 150 is not limited to the configuration in this embodiment, and may be configured by joining more frames together, or the portions configured by each frame in the developing frame 150 may differ from those in this embodiment.

[0046] Conveying member 161 has shaft 161a disposed substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of developing unit 140, and two flexible conveying sheets (agitation sheets) 161b and 161c, which constitute a conveying section for conveying toner. Shaft 161a is disposed over substantially the entire area between the inner wall surfaces on both sides of storage chamber 107 in the longitudinal direction. Conveying sheets 161b and 161c are each sheet-like members extending over substantially the entire longitudinal area of ​​shaft 161a. One end (fixed end) of conveying sheets 161b and 161c in the lateral direction (direction of rotation radius) substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is fixed to shaft 161a. Conveying sheets 161b and 161c are fixed to shaft 161a by any fixing means, such as adhesive, welding, or fastening. The other lateral ends of conveying sheets 161b and 161c are free ends. In this embodiment, the two conveying sheets 161b and 161c are fixed to the outer surface of the shaft 161a on opposite sides so as to extend in opposite directions toward the outside in the direction of the rotation radius of the shaft 161a. The conveying member 161 is driven to rotate in the direction of arrow R5 (counterclockwise) in FIG. 5 about a rotation axis O that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the developing unit 140. As the shaft 161a rotates in the direction of arrow R5 in FIG. 5, the conveying sheets 161b and 161c rotate in the same direction. As a result, the conveying member 161 conveys (agitates) the toner by the conveying sheets 161b and 161c. The conveying sheets 161b and 161c can be made of a polyester film, a polyphenylene sulfide film, a polycarbonate film, or the like, having an appropriate thickness (e.g., 300 μm).

[0047] The remaining amount detection member (conductive sheet) 170 is provided on the front inner wall surface 192 of the storage chamber 107. Details of the remaining amount detection configuration that detects the remaining amount of developer in the developing unit 140 (storage chamber 107) will be described later.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 7 , the developing roller 103 and the supply roller 104 are rotatably supported at both longitudinal ends thereof by a drive-side developing roller bearing 153 and a non-drive-side developing roller bearing 154. The drive-side developing roller bearing 153 and the non-drive-side developing roller bearing 154 are fixed to the developing frame 150 (first developing frame 151, second developing frame 152) by any fixing means such as adhesive bonding, welding, or fastening. In this embodiment, the developing blade 156 is attached to the developing frame 150 by fixing the support portion 156b to the developing frame 150 (first developing frame 151) at two locations, one end side and the other end side, in the longitudinal direction, with fixing screws 156c. However, the developing blade 156 can be fixed to the developing frame 150 by any fixing means such as adhesive bonding, welding, or fastening. In this embodiment, the sealing sheet 105 is attached to the developing frame 150 by double-sided tape. However, the sealing sheet 105 can be fixed to the developing frame 150 by any fixing means such as adhesion, welding, fastening, etc. The conveying member 161 (shaft 161a) is rotatably supported at both ends in the longitudinal direction by a driving side developing bearing 153 and a non-driving side developing bearing 154. The sealing sheet 105 and a method for attaching it will be described in detail later.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 7, a development drive input gear 159 serving as a drive transmission member for transmitting a driving force to the development unit 140 is provided at the drive side end in the longitudinal direction of the development unit 140. The development drive input gear 159 is provided with a development input coupling 159a serving as a drive input portion. The development input coupling 159a engages with a main body side development drive coupling 40 (FIGS. 3 and 4) serving as a drive output portion provided in the apparatus main body 2. Then, a driving force from a drive motor (not shown) provided in the apparatus main body 2 is input to the development unit 140 via the development drive input gear 159.

[0050] The driving force input to the developing unit 140 is transmitted from a developing drive input gear 159 to a developing roller gear 157 serving as a drive transmission member, thereby rotating the developing roller 103. The driving force input to the developing unit 140 is also transmitted from the developing drive input gear 159 to a supply roller gear 158 serving as a drive transmission member, thereby rotating the supply roller 104. The driving force input to the developing unit 140 is also transmitted from the developing drive input gear 159 to a conveying gear 160 serving as a drive transmission member, thereby rotating the conveying member 161. The developing roller gear 157, the supply roller gear 158, and the conveying gear 160 are rotatably supported by a drive-side developing bearing 153. A developing cover member 155 is provided at the drive-side end of the developing unit 140 in the longitudinal direction, supporting the developing drive input gear 159 and covering the developing drive gear 159, the developing roller gear 157, the supply roller gear 158, the conveying gear 160, etc.

[0051] <Assembling the drum unit and developing unit> Next, the assembly of the drum unit 120 and the developing unit 140 will be described.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 8, the drum unit 120 and the developing unit 140 are connected by a drive-side cartridge cover member 122 and a non-moving-side cartridge cover member 123 provided at both longitudinal ends of the process cartridge 100. The drive-side cartridge cover member 122 provided at the drive-side end of the process cartridge 100 in the longitudinal direction is provided with a developing unit support hole 122b for swingably (movably) supporting the developing unit 140. Similarly, the non-drive-side cartridge cover member 123 provided at the non-drive-side end of the process cartridge 100 in the longitudinal direction is provided with a developing unit support hole 123b for swingably supporting the developing unit 140. Furthermore, the drive-side cartridge cover member 122 and the non-moving-side cartridge cover member 123 are provided with drum support holes 122a, 123a, respectively, for rotatably supporting the photosensitive drum 101.

[0053] At the drive-side end of the process cartridge 100 in the longitudinal direction, the outer diameter portion of the cylindrical portion 155a of the developing cover member 155 is fitted into the developing unit support hole 122b of the drive-side cartridge cover member 122. At the non-drive-side end of the process cartridge 100 in the longitudinal direction, the outer diameter portion of the cylindrical portion (not shown) of the non-drive-side developing bearing 154 is fitted into the developing unit support hole 123b of the non-moving-side cartridge cover member 123. Furthermore, both longitudinal ends of the photosensitive drum 101 are fitted into the drum support hole 122a of the drive-side cartridge cover member 122 and the drum support hole 123a of the non-moving-side cartridge cover member 123. The drive-side cartridge cover member 122 and the non-moving-side cartridge cover member 123 are each fixed to the drum unit 120 (drum frame 121) by any fixing means such as screws or adhesive. As a result, the developing unit 140 is supported rotatably (pivotally and oscillateably) with respect to the drum unit 120 (photosensitive drum 101) by the driving-side cartridge cover member 122 and the non-moving-side cartridge cover member 123. Therefore, during image formation, the developing roller 103 can be positioned to act on the photosensitive drum 101 (in this embodiment, to come into contact with the photosensitive drum 101).

[0054] As shown in FIG. 9, the drum unit 120 and the developing unit 140 are assembled together as described above to form the process cartridge 100.

[0055] The axis connecting the center of the developing unit support hole 122b of the driving-side cartridge cover member 122 and the center of the developing unit support hole 123b of the non-moving-side cartridge cover member 123 is also referred to as the swing axis A2. Here, the cylindrical portion 155a of the developing cover member 155 is coaxial with the developing input coupling 159a. In other words, the developing unit 140 is configured so that driving force is transmitted from the apparatus main body 2 on the swing axis A2. The developing unit 140 is supported rotatably with respect to the drum unit 120, centered on the swing axis A2.

[0056] <Remaining amount detection configuration> Next, a remaining amount detection configuration for detecting the remaining amount of developer in the developing unit 140 (accommodating chamber 107) in this embodiment will be described.

[0057] FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the developing unit 140 at approximately the center in the longitudinal direction (showing a cross section (XZ plane) approximately perpendicular to the Y direction as viewed from the non-drive side). FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the second developing frame 152 (showing a view from slightly above along the X2 direction with the left side of the figure being the drive side and the right side being the non-drive side). FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line QQ in FIG. 11 (showing a view as viewed from the non-drive side along the Y direction). Although FIGS. 10 to 12 show the developing unit 140 according to this embodiment similar to that shown in FIG. 5 and the like, for simplicity, the developing unit 140 (or its elements) is shown having only one conveying sheet 161b provided on the conveying member 161. The same applies to FIG. 14, which will be described later.

[0058] A recess 163 extending along (substantially parallel to) the longitudinal direction of the second developing frame 152 is formed in a front inner wall surface 192 of the second developing frame 152 (accommodation chamber 107). The recess 163 has an upper surface (first surface) 163a of the inner wall surface of the accommodation chamber 107 and a lower surface (second surface) 163b of the inner wall surface of the accommodation chamber 107 located downstream of the supply opening 168 and upstream of the upper surface 163a in the rotation direction of the conveying member 161. In a cross section (XZ plane) substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the second developing frame 152, the upper surface 163a is a plane inclined so as to be positioned more outside the accommodation chamber 107 as it approaches the longitudinal direction, and the lower surface 163b is a plane inclined so as to be positioned more outside the accommodation chamber 107 as it approaches the longitudinal direction. That is, in a cross section (XZ plane) substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the second developing frame 152, the upper surface 163a is configured as a plane that is inclined so that the distance from the rotation axis O of the conveying member 161 decreases toward the downstream side in the rotation direction of the conveying member 161. Also, in a cross section (XZ plane) substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the second developing frame 152, the lower surface 163b is configured as a plane that is inclined so that the distance from the rotation axis O of the conveying member 161 increases toward the downstream side in the rotation direction of the conveying member 161. The upper surface (second surface) 163a and the lower surface (third surface) 163b are surfaces that are aligned in the Z direction and intersect with each other. That is, the lower surface 163b is provided so as to be adjacent to the upper surface 163a and intersects with the upper surface 163a. ​​The upper surface 163a and the lower surface 163b are continuous at the bottom 163c of the recess 163. A conductive sheet 170, which is a sheet-like member (resin sheet) made of conductive resin that constitutes the remaining amount detection member, is arranged on the two surfaces that form the recess 163, that is, the upper surface 163a and the lower surface 163b.

[0059] In this embodiment, the second developing device frame 152 is provided with a first conductive sheet 171 and a second conductive sheet 172 as the conductive sheet 170. The first conductive sheet 171 is disposed on an upper surface 163a of the recess 163, and the second conductive sheet 172 is disposed on a lower surface 163b of the recess 163. The first conductive sheet 171 and the second conductive sheet 172 are disposed at a predetermined distance L without contacting each other. A further recess 162 is formed in the front inner wall surface 192 of the second developing device frame 152 (accommodation chamber 107) adjacent to and above the recess 163, extending along (substantially parallel to) the longitudinal direction of the second developing device frame 152. The further recess 162 has an apex 162a continuous with the upper surface 163a of the recess 163 and a slope 162b continuous with the apex 162a. In a cross section (XZ plane) substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the second developing frame 152, the inclined surface 162b is a plane that is inclined so that the upper side is located more outside the accommodating chamber 107. That is, in a cross section (XZ plane) substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the second developing frame 152, the inclined surface 162b is configured as a plane that is inclined so that the distance from the rotation axis O of the conveying member 161 increases toward the downstream side in the rotation direction of the conveying member 161. The upper surface 163a (second surface) of the recess 163 and the inclined surface (first surface) 162b of the other recess 162 are surfaces that are aligned in the Z direction and intersect with each other. The first conductive sheet 171 is disposed continuously across two surfaces: the upper surface 163a of the recess 163 and the inclined surface 162b of the other recess 162.

[0060] The first conductive sheet 171 has a second portion 172b, which is a portion located on a slope 162b of another recess 162, that continues to the end of the second developing device frame 152 on the non-drive side in the longitudinal direction. The second conductive sheet 172 also continues on the lower surface 163b of the recess to the end of the second developing device frame 152 on the non-drive side in the longitudinal direction. The first portion 171a, which is a portion of the first conductive sheet 171 located on the upper surface 163a of the recess 163, and the opposing portion of the second conductive sheet 172 located on the lower surface 163b of the recess 163 are arranged closely to each other with a predetermined distance L between them. In other words, the closest portions of the first conductive sheet 171 and the second conductive sheet 172 are limited to a predetermined range (detection range) W that extends symmetrically from the center of the second developing device frame 152 in the longitudinal direction toward both end portions. The space (hatched area in FIGS. 10 and 12) sandwiched between the first portion 171a of the first conductive sheet 171 and the second conductive sheet 172 in the detection range W is the remaining amount detection section 164.

[0061] The shape of the recess 163 in which the remaining amount detection portion 164 is provided is not limited to the shape in this embodiment. For example, any appropriate shape, such as a recess formed by a curved surface, can be used.

[0062] In this embodiment, the first and second conductive sheets 171 and 172 are formed of conductive resin sheets, as described above. In this embodiment, the thickness of the first and second conductive sheets 171 and 172 is 0.1 mm. In this embodiment, resin sheets with a surface resistivity of 1.15 kΩ / sq or less are used for the first and second conductive sheets 171 and 172. Furthermore, in this embodiment, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) resin with dispersed carbon black is used as the material for the first and second conductive sheets 171 and 172. As described in detail below, the first and second conductive sheets 171 and 172 are formed integrally with the second developing frame 152 by insert molding. In this embodiment, resin sheets with a thickness of 0.1 mm are used for the first and second conductive sheets 171 and 172 from the viewpoints of the influence of frame deformation, transferability to the frame shape, and conductivity. However, the thickness of the resin sheets can be selected as appropriate. In addition, in this embodiment, EVA-based resin is used as the material for the first and second conductive sheets 171, 172, but polystyrene (PS), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyphenylene oxide (PPO)-based resin, etc. may also be used.

[0063] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing the schematic circuit configuration of the remaining amount detection configuration in this embodiment. A method for measuring the capacitance of the remaining amount detection unit 164 using the first and second conductive sheets 171 and 172 will be described. The apparatus main body 2 is provided with a voltage application device (power supply) 13 capable of applying an AC voltage (alternating current voltage) as a remaining amount detection bias (remaining amount detection voltage) to the first conductive sheet 171, and a remaining amount detection device (detection circuit) 14 electrically connected to the second conductive sheet 172. Electrical conduction between the first and second conductive sheets 171 and 172 arranged inside the second developing frame 152 and the voltage application device 13 and remaining amount detection device 14 arranged outside the second developing frame 152 may be achieved by any method. For example, the second developing frame 152 can be configured to electrically connect the internal and external components by forming a portion of the second developing frame 152 from a conductive resin or incorporating a conductive member into a portion of the second developing frame 152. The first and second conductive sheets 171 and 172 act as electrodes and form a capacitor inside the developing unit 140 .

[0064] When an AC voltage is applied to the first conductive sheet 171, a current corresponding to the capacitance is induced in the remaining amount detection section 164, which is the space between the first conductive sheet 171 and the second conductive sheet 172. The angle formed by the first conductive sheet 171 and the second conductive sheet 172 in the portion forming the remaining amount detection section 164 is preferably set to 95° or more and 110° or less, at which point the capacitance can be stably measured, and in this embodiment, it is set to 100°. This capacitance changes depending on the amount of developer occupying the remaining amount detection section 164. The change in capacitance is input as a current value to the remaining amount detection device 14. Then, the control section (control circuit) 15 provided in the device main body 2 can sequentially calculate the remaining amount of developer in the development unit 140 (accommodation chamber 107) based on the current value input to the remaining amount detection device 14. Furthermore, the control unit 15 can perform control so that information regarding the calculated remaining amount of developer is displayed on the display unit 16 provided in the apparatus main body 2 or on a display unit of an external device such as a personal computer connected to the image forming apparatus 1. The method of detecting the capacitance is not limited to the method described above. For example, the first conductive sheet 171 may be electrically connected to a remaining amount detection device, the second conductive sheet 172 may be electrically connected to a voltage application device, and an AC voltage may be applied to the second conductive sheet 172 to detect the capacitance.

[0065] 14, the relationship between the operation of the transport member 161 and the operation of detecting the amount of developer in the remaining amount detection unit 164 will be further described. As described above, the recessed space sandwiched between the first conductive sheet 171 and the second conductive sheet 172 in the detection range W is the remaining amount detection unit 164. The amount of developer transported into the remaining amount detection unit 164 by the transport member 161 is detected.

[0066] FIG. 14(a) is a schematic cross-sectional view of developing unit 140 similar to FIG. 10, showing the conveying sheet 161b conveying conveyed developer (toner) T1 to remaining amount detection unit 164 and the conveyed developer T1 being detected by remaining amount detection unit 164. In this embodiment, the length of conveying sheet 161b in the short-side direction is set so that the leading edge of the free end of conveying sheet 161b can move while contacting at least a portion of bottom surface 191 and front inner wall surface 192 of storage chamber 107. At least a portion of front inner wall surface 192 typically includes at least a portion of lower surface 163b of recess 163. In other words, in a cross section (XZ plane) substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of developing unit 140, the length of conveying sheet 161b in the short-side direction is longer than the distance from rotation axis (rotation center) O of conveying member 161 to at least a portion of bottom surface 191 and front inner wall surface 192. Therefore, even when the amount of developer in the developer storage chamber 107 is relatively small, as shown in FIG. 14(a), the conveying sheet 161b lifts up the developer and transports it to the remaining amount detection unit 164. In this way, the conveying member 161 is configured to move while its outer tip in the rotational radius direction contacts at least a portion of the partition wall 167. The remaining amount detection unit 164 is provided on the inner wall surface of the developer storage chamber 107 at a position where the tip of the conveying member 161 moves upward while contacting the partition wall 167 immediately after leaving the partition wall 167 when the developing unit 140 is in the position used for image formation in the image forming apparatus 1. In other words, when the developing unit 140 is in the position used for image formation in the image forming apparatus 1, at least a portion of the remaining amount detection unit 164 is located at a position where the developer lifted and transported by the conveying member 161 is supplied. In this embodiment, the conveying sheet 161b transports the developer while bending in the direction opposite to the rotational direction of the conveying member 161. At this time, since the developer (toner) is a dielectric, the capacitance between the first and second conductive sheets 171 and 172, which act as the plates of a capacitor, increases.

[0067] 14(b) is a schematic cross-sectional view of developing unit 140 similar to that of FIG. 10, showing the state immediately after conveying sheet 161b passes remaining amount detection portion 164. Some of conveyed developer T1 is lifted above remaining amount detection portion 164 by conveying sheet 161b, and some of conveyed developer T1 falls from remaining amount detection portion 164 under its own weight, resulting in the distribution shown in the figure. As the developer, which is a dielectric, disappears (or decreases) from remaining amount detection portion 164 in this way, the electrostatic capacitance between first and second conductive sheets 171 and 172 decreases.

[0068] As mentioned above, for simplicity, only one conveying sheet 161b is shown in FIG. 15, but in this embodiment, the behavior of the developer by each of the two conveying sheets 161b and 161c is substantially the same.

[0069] As the developer is consumed during image formation, the amount of developer transported by the transport member 161 decreases. Therefore, the "time during which the developer is present in the remaining amount detection portion 164," i.e., the "time during which the capacitance is increasing," also decreases. In this embodiment, the remaining amount detection device 14 is configured to be able to detect the remaining amount of developer in the developing unit 140 (accommodation chamber 107) by measuring this decreasing "time during which the capacitance is increasing." In this way, the remaining amount detection device 14 can obtain a detection result that correlates with the amount of developer contained in the developing frame (developer container) 150, based on the capacitance between the first conductive sheet 171 and the second conductive sheet 172.

[0070] <Sealing sheet and sealing seat> The sealing sheet 105 and its attachment method in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0071] The toner in the storage chamber 107 is transported (and stirred) by the rotation of the transport member 161, and is supplied to the developing chamber 106, which contains the developing roller 103 and the supply roller 104. The toner supplied to the developing chamber 106 moves from the supply roller 104 to the developing roller 103, and then from the developing roller 103 to the photosensitive drum 101, where it develops the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 101.

[0072] A sealing sheet 105 is in contact with the surface (outer peripheral surface) of the developing roller 103 to prevent toner leakage from the developing chamber 106 to the outside. The sealing sheet 105 is fixed to a sealing seat 152a of the second developing frame 152. The sealing seat 152a extends along the longitudinal direction at the lower end of the second developing frame 152 in a cross section (XZ plane) substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the developing unit 140. In this embodiment, the sealing sheet 105 is attached to the sealing seat 152a with double-sided tape as an attachment means. In this embodiment, the sealing sheet 105 is made of a polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) sheet member with a thickness of 0.06 mm. The sealing sheet 105 is then attached to the sealing seat 152a with double-sided tape with a thickness of 0.135 mm. However, the thickness and material of the sealing sheet 105 and the attachment method of the sealing sheet 105 are not limited thereto, and may be selected as appropriate.

[0073] The sealing sheet 105 contacts the developing roller 103 along the longitudinal direction, sealing the gap between the developing sleeve 103 and the developing frame 150 (second developing frame 152), thereby preventing toner leakage. However, if there is a part of the sealing sheet 105 that does not contact the developing roller 103 (a part where a gap is open), toner may leak from that part. Reasons for a gap occurring between the sealing sheet 105 and the developing roller 103 include waviness when the sealing sheet 105 is attached and warping of the sealing seat surface 152a for attaching the sealing sheet 105.

[0074] The first reason, waving during attachment, occurs because the sealing sheet 105 is attached in a state where it is stretched or shrunk in the longitudinal direction when it is attached to the sealing seating surface 152a. This occurs because the contact portion of the sealing sheet 105 with the developing roller 103 and the attachment portion of the sealing sheet 105 to the sealing seating surface 152a cannot be pulled with a uniform force in the longitudinal direction.

[0075] The second reason, warping of the sealing seating surface 152a, occurs when the second developing device frame 152 is molded, and is influenced by the material of the second developing device frame 152 and the length of the sealing seating surface 152a. In this embodiment, HIPS (high impact polystyrene) is used as the material of the second developing device frame 152. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 is configured to be capable of forming images on A3-sized recording materials P. Therefore, the longitudinal length of the sealing seating surface 152a in this embodiment is approximately 1.4 times longer than the longitudinal length of the sealing seating surface of a developing device frame used in an image forming apparatus for A4-sized recording materials. This makes it difficult to achieve precision in the dimensions and uniformity of the sealing seating surface 152a, making it more susceptible to warping.

[0076] Thus, it is desirable that the sealing seat surface 152a for attaching the sealing sheet 105 for preventing toner leakage from the developing chamber 106 to the outside be formed with high precision.

[0077] <Insert molding of frame and conductive sheet> Next, insert molding for integrally molding the second developing frame 152 and the conductive sheet 170 (first and second conductive sheets 171, 172) will be described. First, a basic method of insert molding in this embodiment will be described assuming that an additional injection port, which will be described later, is not used. Figures 15 and 16 are schematic cross-sectional views of the mold configuration for insert molding in this embodiment. Figures 15 and 16 schematically show a cross section corresponding to a cross section approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the second developing frame 152. Figures 15 and 16 also show an area corresponding to a portion of the second developing frame 152.

[0078] 15 and 16, in this embodiment, a mold 200 is used for insert molding, which is configured to have a movable mold 201 as a first mold and a fixed mold 202 as a second mold. The movable mold 201 and the fixed mold 202 are each formed with a shape that will become the shape of the surface of the second developing frame 152 when transferred. In this embodiment, an injection port (gate, resin injection port) for injecting resin is provided in the fixed mold 202.

[0079] 15(a), in this embodiment, minute air holes are provided in the first and second suction surfaces 211, 213 (hatched areas in the figure) of the movable mold 201. These minute air holes are connected to a suction device (not shown) and are sucked, thereby suctioning the first and second conductive sheets 171, 172, and holding them on the movable mold 201 (holding step). From the viewpoint of suction stability, it is desirable that the first and second suction surfaces 211, 213 of the movable mold 201 be configured so that the angle between the mold release direction (the direction of arrow H in the figure) and the first and second suction surfaces 211, 213 is 70° or more (110° or less). In this embodiment, this angle is set to 70°. 15(a), when the first and second conductive sheets 171, 172 are attracted to and held by the movable mold 201, the movable mold 201 moves in the mold clamping direction (the direction of arrow H in the figure) toward the fixed mold 202, resulting in the state shown in Fig. 15(b). In this way, the first and second conductive sheets 171, 172 are inserted into positions in the mold 200 that correspond to the positions of the first and second conductive sheets 171, 172 in the second developing frame 152.

[0080] 16(a) and 16(b), resin, which is the material of the second developing frame 152, is injected into the cavity 203 in the mold 200 through the first and second injection ports 221 and 222 (the shaded areas in the figures). The first and second conductive sheets 171 and 172 are molded by the injection pressure of the resin so that their surfaces conform to the shape of the surface of the movable mold 201, changing from the state shown in FIG. 16(a) to the state shown in FIG. 16(b) (molding process). When the injection of the resin is completed, the suction of the first and second conductive sheets 171 and 172 in the movable mold 201 is stopped (FIG. 16(b)).

[0081] Thereafter, as shown in Figure 16(c), the movable mold 201 moves in the mold opening direction (the direction of arrow K in the figure) away from the fixed mold 202, and the insert molding in which the first and second conductive sheets 171, 172 are molded integrally with the second developing frame body 152 is completed.

[0082] In this embodiment, the first and second conductive sheets 171 and 172 are held and fixed (adsorbed) to the movable mold 201, but they may be held and fixed (adsorbed) to the fixed mold 202.

[0083] As described above, the manufacturing method of the developing device frame (developer container) 150 includes a holding step of holding the first and second conductive sheets 171, 172 in the mold 200. The manufacturing method of the developing device frame 150 also includes a molding step of injecting resin through an injection port to mold the second developing device frame (resin frame) 152 into which the first and second conductive sheets 171, 172 are insert-molded. The manufacturing method of the developing device frame 150 may also include a welding step of welding the molded second developing device frame (first resin frame) 152 to the first developing device frame (second resin frame) 151, which forms a space for accommodating the developer together with the second developing device frame 152. The manufacturing method of the developing unit (developing device) 140 may include the steps of manufacturing the developing device frame 150 and an attachment step of attaching the developing roller 103, the sealing sheet (sealing member) 105, etc. to the developing device frame 150.

[0084] <Insert molding and high-precision molding of sealing seat> Next, a method of this embodiment for molding the sealing seat surface 152a with high precision in insert molding will be described.

[0085] As described above, in this embodiment, the angle formed between the first portion 171a of the first conductive sheet 171 and the second conductive sheet 172, which form the remaining amount detection unit 164, is 100°. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the angle formed between the first and second suction surfaces 211 and 213 of the movable mold 201, which suction the first and second conductive sheets 171 and 172, and the mold removal direction (the direction of arrow H in the figure) is 70°. Due to these mold configuration reasons, it is difficult to suction both the first portion 171a of the first conductive sheet 171 and the second conductive sheet 172, which form the remaining amount detection unit 164, to the movable mold 201. Therefore, it is desirable that either the first conductive sheet 171 or the second conductive sheet 172 be disposed across the two surfaces in the direction in which they are aligned. It is desirable that the surface of the conductive sheet disposed across the two surfaces, on which the remaining amount detection unit 164 is not formed, be attracted to the attraction surface of the movable mold 201.

[0086] In this embodiment, of the first and second conductive sheets 171, 172, the first conductive sheet 171 located downstream in the rotation direction of the conveying member 161 is arranged across two surfaces of the second developing frame 152. This is from the perspective of detecting the remaining amount of toner in the developing unit 10 (accommodation chamber 107) with higher accuracy, for example, depending on the orientation of the process cartridge 100 during image formation and the rotation direction of the conveying member 161 (the direction of arrow R5 in the figure). Therefore, in this embodiment, the first conductive sheet 171 has a second portion 171b (also referred to as an "attraction portion") that is a portion that is attracted to the mold, and a first portion 171a (also referred to as a "non-attraction portion") that is not attracted to the mold. That is, in this embodiment, when the first conductive sheet 171 is held by the movable mold 201, the adsorption portion 171b is adsorbed to the first adsorption surface 211 of the movable mold 201, and the non-adsorption portion 171a is disposed on the non-adsorption surface 212 of the movable mold 201 without being adsorbed (FIGS. 15(a) and 15(b)). The first adsorption surface (first surface of the mold) 211 and the non-adsorption surface (second surface of the mold) 212 are surfaces that are aligned in the direction in which the first and second conductive sheets 171 and 172 are aligned and intersect with each other. Furthermore, when the second conductive sheet 172 is held by the movable mold 201, the second conductive sheet 172 is adsorbed to the second adsorption surface 213. The non-adhesive surface (second surface of the mold) 212 and the second adsorption surface (third surface of the mold) 213 are surfaces that intersect with each other and are aligned in the direction in which the first and second conductive sheets 171 and 172 are aligned. In other words, the second adsorption surface 213 is a surface that is provided adjacent to the non-adsorption surface 212 and intersects with the non-adsorption surface 212.

[0087] Here, the direction in which the first conductive sheet 171 and the second conductive sheet 172 are arranged in this order (the direction in which they are aligned) is referred to as the "first direction." This first direction can be referred to as a cross-sectional direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (Y direction) of the second developing frame 152. In this embodiment, this first direction can be referred to as a direction along the direction of gravity (Z2 direction) in terms of the orientation of the image forming apparatus 1 (developing unit 140) during use. In addition, in Figures 15 and 16 (as well as Figure 17, which will be described later), this first direction corresponds to the direction from top to bottom in the figure. Meanwhile, the direction intersecting (perpendicular to) this first direction is referred to as the "second direction." This second direction corresponds to the longitudinal direction (Y direction) of the second developing frame 152. That is, the first conductive sheet 171 and the second conductive sheet 172 are held in the mold 200 so as to be lined up (aligned) in this order from the upstream side to the downstream side in the first direction. The molded second developing frame 152 has a sealing seat 152a for attaching the sealing sheet 105, which extends along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, downstream of the second conductive sheet 172 in the first direction.

[0088] In injection molding, resin injected into a cavity of a mold through an injection port during molding flows from the injection port toward the edge of the shape to be molded. In insert molding (insert injection molding), the injection pressure of the resin causes the surfaces of the first and second conductive sheets 171 and 172 to conform to the shape of the surface of the movable mold 201. In this embodiment, the first conductive sheet 171 has an adsorption portion 171b and a non-adsorption portion 171a in this order in the first direction. Therefore, due to the characteristics of insert molding as described above, it is desirable to position the injection port so that the resin reaches the first conductive sheet 171 from the adsorption portion 171b side in the first direction. Therefore, in this embodiment, the first injection port 221 and the second injection port 222 are positioned upstream of the first conductive sheet 171 (adsorption portion 171b) in the first direction. In this embodiment, the first injection port 221 and the second injection port 222 are arranged side by side in the second direction to efficiently inject resin into the gap 203 of the mold 200 over a wide range in the second direction. In this embodiment, the first and second injection ports 221 and 222 are arranged at positions corresponding to symmetrical positions on both ends of the second developing frame 152 with respect to the center in the longitudinal direction. In particular, in this embodiment, the first and second injection ports 221 and 222 are arranged at positions corresponding to the same ends of the detection range W described above in the second direction, or at positions corresponding to a position where the detection range W falls between the two (first and second injection port marks 152b and 152c in FIG. 11). Note that, although two injection ports, the first and second injection ports 221 and 222, are provided in this embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this. Depending on the size of the second developing frame 152, three or more injection ports may be provided side by side in the second direction on the upstream side of the first conductive sheet 171 in the first direction.

[0089] On the other hand, when the first and second injection ports 221, 222 are arranged in this manner, the sealing seating surface 152a arranged at the end of the second developing frame 152 is positioned far from the first and second injection ports 221, 222. This makes it difficult to achieve precision in the dimensions and uniformity of the sealing seating surface 152a, and warping and the like are more likely to occur.

[0090] Therefore, in this embodiment, a mold configuration as described below is used. Figure 17 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a mold configuration similar to that of Figures 15 and 16, including the portion corresponding to the sealing seat surface 152a. Figure 17, like Figure 16(a), shows a state in which resin is being injected into the cavity 203 of the mold 200 (molding process). As will be described later, in this embodiment, the positions of the first and second injection ports 221 and 222 are different from the position of the third injection port 223 in the second direction, but Figure 17 also shows these injection ports in a schematic manner.

[0091] 17 , in this embodiment, in addition to the first and second injection ports 221 and 222, a third injection port 223 is provided in the fixed-side mold 202. This third injection port 223 is disposed downstream of the second conductive sheet 172 and upstream of the position corresponding to the sealing seating surface 152a in the first direction. This allows the first and second conductive sheets 171 and 172 to be molded to accurately follow the shape of the surface of the mold 200 by the resin injected from the first and second injection ports 221 and 222, and also allows the sealing seating surface 152a to be molded with high precision by molding the sealing seating surface 152a by the resin injected from the third injection port 223, which is closer than the first and second injection ports 221 and 222.

[0092] The non-adhesive portion 171a of the first conductive sheet 171 is not held or fixed (adsorbed) to the movable mold 201 during molding ( FIGS. 15(a) and 15(b) ). Therefore, if the resin injected from the third injection port 223 reaches the non-adhesive portion 171a of the first conductive sheet 171 before the resins injected from the first and second injection ports 221 and 222, the following problem may occur. That is, it may become difficult to mold the surface of the first conductive sheet 171 to conform to the shape of the surface of the movable mold 201. Therefore, it is preferable to minimize the amount of resin injected from the third injection port 223. Therefore, in this embodiment, the number of injection ports arranged downstream of the second conductive sheet 172 and upstream of the position corresponding to the sealing seating surface 152a in the first direction is smaller than the number of injection ports arranged upstream of the first conductive sheet 171 in the first direction. In this embodiment, the former is one of the third injection ports 223, and the latter is two of the first and second injection ports 221 and 223, but this is not limited to this. When three or more injection ports are provided upstream of the first conductive sheet 171 in the first direction, two or more injection ports may be provided downstream of the second conductive sheet 172 in the first direction and upstream of the position corresponding to the sealing seating surface 152a.

[0093] Alternatively, or in addition to setting the number as described above, the area of ​​the injection port plane (opening area) may be changed. In this embodiment, the area of ​​the injection port plane of the third injection port 223 is smaller than the areas of the injection port planes of the first and second injection ports 221 and 222.

[0094] In this embodiment, the third injection port 223 is disposed between the first injection port 221 and the second injection port 222 in the second direction. In particular, in this embodiment, the third injection port 223 is disposed approximately in the center of the second developing frame 152 in the second direction. This allows the resin to be effectively injected from the third injection ports 223 in the second direction even if the number of third injection ports 223 is relatively small, and the sealing seating surface 152a can be molded with high precision. This also allows the resin to be effectively injected from the third injection ports 223 in the second direction even if the area of ​​the injection port plane of the third injection ports 223 is relatively small, and the sealing seating surface 152a can be molded with high precision.

[0095] Furthermore, it is preferable to position the third injection port 223 so as to prevent the development frame (developer container) 150 (i.e., the developing device 140, the process cartridge 100) from becoming larger. For example, regardless of the presence or absence of the third injection port 223, the third injection port 223 can be positioned at a position (step portion) of the mold 200 corresponding to a recess formed in the second development frame 152. In this embodiment, specifically, the third injection port 223 is positioned as follows. That is, it is positioned at a position corresponding to an empty space (recess) formed by a guide surface 152e formed on the second development frame 152 and configured as a slope for drawing up toner, and a welding surface 152f formed on the second development frame 152 with the first development frame 151. The guide surface 152e is a surface that continues to the lower surface 163b of the recess 163 in the front inner wall surface 192 where the second conductive sheet 172 is provided, and is a surface that guides the movement of toner along the Z direction toward the second conductive sheet 172. The welding surface 152f is a surface to which the end of the portion of the first developing frame 151 that forms the partition wall 167 and that faces the second developing frame 152 is welded along the longitudinal direction.

[0096] Here, injection port marks, which are marks left by injecting resin through the injection ports, are formed in resin on components such as the second developing frame 152 manufactured by injection molding. Therefore, the positional relationship and size of the injection ports at the time of manufacture can be determined from the injection port marks on the manufactured components. As shown in FIG. 11 , in this embodiment, the manufactured second developing frame 152 has first, second, and third injection port marks 152b, 152c, and 152d, which are marks left by injecting resin through the first, second, and third injection ports 221, 222, and 223, respectively. The positional relationship and size of the first, second, and third injection port marks 152b, 152c, and 152d reflect the positional relationship and size of the first, second, and third injection ports 221, 222, and 223 at the time of manufacture.

[0097] As described above, according to this embodiment, when the conductive sheet 170 is provided in the second developing frame 152 by insert molding, the sealing seat surface 152a for attaching the sealing sheet 105 can be molded with high precision. This makes it possible to prevent toner from leaking from the developing frame (developer container) 150 to the outside.

[0098] [others] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to specific embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments.

[0099] In the above-described embodiment, the image forming apparatus is of a process cartridge type, but the present invention is not limited to this. The developing device may be fixed to the main body of the image forming apparatus. Furthermore, the developing device may be detachably attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus substantially independently. Furthermore, the image forming apparatus may be configured such that a developing device fixed to the main body or detachably attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus can be replenished with developer from a supply container. In this case, the supply container may be attached to the developing device during replenishment and removed before image formation begins, or the supply container may remain attached to the developing device during image formation.

[0100] In the above-described embodiment, the sealing member is a sheet-like member made of resin. Since a resin sheet-like member is easily affected by the size and shape of the sealing seat, the present invention is particularly effective. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The sealing member is not limited to a sheet-like member, but may be a pad-like member made of sponge, nonwoven fabric, or the like. Furthermore, the sealing member is not limited to being made of resin, but may be made of rubber, paper, metal, or the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0101] 1. Image forming device 2. Device body 100 Process cartridge 101 Photosensitive drum (image carrier) 140 Development unit (developing device) 150 Developing frame (developer container) 151 First developing frame 152 Second developing frame 152a Sealed seat surface 152b First inlet site 152c First inlet site 152d First inlet site 164 Remaining amount detection unit 170 Conductive sheet (conductive resin sheet) 171 First conductive sheet 172 Second conductive sheet 200 molds 221 First Inlet 222 Second Inlet 223 Third Inlet

Claims

1. A developing device, A developing roller; a resin frame constituting a developer container for accommodating a developer; a sealing member that seals a gap between the developing roller and the resin frame; a first resin sheet that is integrally formed with the resin frame and has electrical conductivity; a second resin sheet that is integrally molded with the resin frame and has electrical conductivity, the second resin sheet being aligned with the first resin sheet on a downstream side of the first resin sheet in a first direction; Equipped with the resin frame has a seating surface for attaching the sealing member, the seating surface extending along a second direction intersecting the first direction on a downstream side of the second resin sheet with respect to the first direction, and a first injection port mark, a second injection port mark, and a third injection port mark which are marks where resin has been injected; A developing device characterized in that the first injection port mark and the second injection port mark are aligned in the second direction upstream of the first resin sheet in the first direction, and the third injection port mark is located downstream of the second resin sheet and upstream of the seat surface in the first direction.

2. 2. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the first resin sheet is provided across a first surface and a second surface that are aligned in the first direction and intersect with each other.

3. The developing device according to claim 2, characterized in that the second resin sheet is provided on a third surface that intersects with the second surface, which is provided adjacent to the second surface that is located downstream in the first direction, of the first surface and the second surface.

4. 2. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the third inlet trace is located between the first inlet trace and the second inlet trace in the second direction.

5. 2. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein an area of ​​the third injection port mark is smaller than each of the areas of the first injection port mark and the second injection port mark.

6. In the case where the resin frame is a first resin frame, a second resin frame that forms the developer container together with the first resin frame; the first resin frame has a guide surface that guides movement of the developer in the developer container toward the second resin sheet along the first direction, and a welding surface that is welded to the second resin frame, 2. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the third injection port trace is located in a recess formed by the guide surface and the welding surface.

7. A developing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it is possible to obtain detection results that correlate with the amount of developer contained in the developer container based on the electrostatic capacitance between the first resin sheet and the second resin sheet.

8. A manufacturing method for manufacturing a developer container for containing a developer, comprising the steps of: a holding step of holding a first resin sheet having electrical conductivity and a second resin sheet having electrical conductivity in a mold so that the first resin sheet and the second resin sheet are aligned in this order from the upstream side to the downstream side in a first direction; a molding process of injecting resin from a first injection port, a second injection port, and a third injection port to form a resin frame in which the first resin sheet and the second resin sheet are integrally molded, the resin frame having a seat surface for attaching a sealing member, the seat surface extending along a second direction intersecting the first direction on a downstream side of the second resin sheet with respect to the first direction; and A method for manufacturing a developer container, characterized in that in the molding process, resin is injected from the first injection port and the second injection port which are aligned in the second direction upstream of the first resin sheet in the first direction, and the third injection port which is located downstream of the second resin sheet in the first direction and upstream of a position corresponding to the seat surface.

9. 9. The method for manufacturing a developer container according to claim 8, wherein in the holding step, the upstream end side of the first resin sheet in the first direction is adsorbed to the mold, and the downstream end side of the first resin sheet in the first direction is held by the mold without being adsorbed to the mold.

10. 9. The method for manufacturing a developer container according to claim 8, wherein in the holding step, the first resin sheet is placed across a first surface and a second surface of the mold that are aligned in the first direction and intersect with each other, and is adsorbed to the first surface of the first surface and the second surface that is located upstream in the first direction, and is held in the mold without being adsorbed to the second surface.

11. 11. The method for manufacturing a developer container according to claim 10, wherein in the holding step, the second resin sheet is placed on a third surface of the mold that is adjacent to the second surface and intersects with the second surface, and is adsorbed to the third surface and held in the mold.

12. 9. The method for manufacturing a developer container according to claim 8, wherein in the molding step, the resin is injected from the third injection port located between the first injection port and the second injection port in the second direction.

13. 2. The method for manufacturing a developer container according to claim 1, wherein in the molding step, the resin is injected through the third injection port having an area smaller than the areas of the first injection port and the second injection port.

14. In the case where the resin frame is a first resin frame, 9. The method for manufacturing a developer container according to claim 8, further comprising a welding step of welding a second resin frame, which forms the developer container together with the first resin frame, to the first resin frame.

15. 15. The method for manufacturing a developer container according to claim 14, wherein in the molding process, resin is injected from the third injection port located in a step portion formed by a surface of the mold that molds a surface that guides the movement of the developer toward the second resin sheet along the first direction in the developer container, and a surface that molds a welding surface to which the second resin frame is welded in the welding process.

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