Metalworking component, developing apparatus, image forming apparatus, and method for joining metalworking component

Abstract

The present invention provides a metal processed component in which a first member and a second member are firmly joined together. [Solution] A metal processed member in which a groove provided on a first member and a protrusion provided on a second member are joined by engagement between the groove and the protrusion, wherein the protrusion contacts and engages with the groove, and the groove is provided longitudinally in a first direction such that a groove bottom surface and first groove side surfaces and second groove side surfaces provided opposite each other on both sides of the groove bottom surface, separated by a space into which the protrusion engages, form the same cross-sectional shape, and the groove includes a narrow portion provided longitudinally in the first direction on the first groove side surfaces and second groove side surfaces, the width of which is narrower in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction than the groove bottom surface, and a wide portion provided at a position that contacts a part of the narrow portion with the protrusion, the width of which is wider in the second direction than the narrow portion, and the first member and the second member are joined by the protrusion engaged with the groove being in close contact with the wide portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a metal processing member in which a first member and a second member are joined, a developing device, an image forming device, and a method for joining a metal processing member.

Background Art

[0002] In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, a toner image is formed by developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an image carrier such as a photosensitive drum with a developing device. The developing device includes a developing container that houses a developer containing toner, a developer carrier that carries and conveys the developer in the developing container, and a conveying member that stirs and conveys the developer housed inside the developing container.

[0003] In such a developing device, since the developer housed inside is stirred and conveyed, the temperature of the developer tends to rise. When the temperature of the developer rises, there is a risk of image defects such as deterioration of the charging property of the toner and a decrease in image density.

[0004] In particular, when the temperature of the toner rises above its melting point, the toner melts and adheres to the developer carrier. Then, the coating amount of the developer on the developer carrier becomes non-uniform, and there is a risk of image defects such as density unevenness and image streaks.

[0005] Therefore, in order to improve the cooling performance, a configuration has been proposed in which a complicated shape such as a fin shape is provided for the high heat conduction member. In Patent Document 1, a configuration is proposed in which a corrugated fin is caulked by plastically deforming a metal member from the inside of the bent portion of the corrugated fin and attached to a groove portion provided on a base plate. Further, in Patent Document 2, as a method for joining a dissimilar material laminate, a configuration is proposed in which plates arranged so as to close joining holes are pressed toward the joining holes to join the plate surfaces of each other in a face-to-face state.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2001-162341 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2021-819 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] However, the configuration described in Patent Document 1 lacks a shape that restricts the fins in a direction parallel to the grooves of the base plate, resulting in a problem of low bonding strength.

[0008] Furthermore, in the configuration described in Patent Document 2, the plates are joined by pressing them toward the joining holes, which results in a problem of low joint strength in the direction opposite to the pressing direction.

[0009] The object of the present invention is to provide a metal processing member in which an extruded material and a sheet material are firmly joined, a developing apparatus, an image forming apparatus, and a method for joining metal processing members. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] A typical configuration of the present invention is a metalworked member in which a groove provided on a first member and a protrusion provided on a second member are joined by engagement between the groove and the protrusion, wherein the protrusion contacts and engages with the groove, and the groove is provided longitudinally in a first direction such that a groove bottom surface and first groove side surfaces and second groove side surfaces, which are provided opposite each other on both sides of the groove bottom surface with a space in which the protrusion engages, form the same cross-sectional shape, and the groove includes a narrow portion provided longitudinally in the first direction on the first groove side surfaces and the second groove side surfaces, which is narrower in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction than the groove bottom surface, and a wide portion provided at a position that contacts the protrusion in part of the narrow portion, which is wider in the second direction than the narrow portion, and the first member and the second member are joined by the protrusion engaged with the groove being in close contact with the wide portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a metal processing member in which a first member and a second member are firmly joined, a developing apparatus, an image forming apparatus, and a method for joining metal processing members. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] (a)(b) Perspective view of a metal processed component [Figure 2] (a) Enlarged view of the joint portion of the metal processed member, (b) Cross-sectional view of the joint portion of the metal processed member [Figure 3] (a) Enlarged view of the groove portion of the first member constituting the metal processed member (Example 1), (b) Cross-sectional view of the joint portion of the metal processed member as seen from the second member side. [Figure 4] Enlarged perspective view of the groove portion including the rectangular narrow section in the first member (Example 2) [Figure 5] Enlarged perspective view of the groove portion including the narrow, circular solid section in the first member (Example 3) [Figure 6] Enlarged perspective view of the groove portion including the triangular narrow section in the first member (Example 4) [Figure 7] Enlarged perspective view of the groove portion in the first member, which includes multiple rectangular narrow sections (Example 5) [Figure 8] (a) Diagram showing the punch and the first member, (b) Diagram showing the punch, the second member, the first member, and the receiving plate. [Figure 9] (a)(b) Diagram illustrating the joining process between the first and second members. [Figure 10] (a)(b) Diagram illustrating the joining process between the first and second members. [Figure 11] Table and diagram for evaluating the peel strength of joined metal processed parts. [Figure 12] Schematic cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus [Figure 13] schematic cross-sectional view of the developing apparatus [Figure 14] schematic cross-sectional view of the developing apparatus [Figure 15] Schematic perspective view of the cooling configuration of the developing apparatus. [Figure 16] Schematic perspective view of the cooling configuration of the developing device [Figure 17] Schematic perspective view of the cooling configuration of the developing device

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be exemplarily and detailedly described with reference to the drawings. However, dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, etc. of the components described in the following embodiments should be appropriately changed according to the configuration of the device to which the present invention is applied and various conditions, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention only thereto.

[0014] (First Embodiment) The metal processing member 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 2.

[0015] FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b) are perspective views of the metal processing member 100 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2(a) is an enlarged view of the joint portion of the metal processing member 100. FIG. 2(b) is a cross-sectional view of the joint portion of the metal processing member 100, showing a portion where the first member 200 and the second member 300 are joined to the surface where they are in close contact. FIG. 3(a) is an enlarged view of the groove portion of the first member constituting the metal processing member. FIG. 3(b) is a cross-sectional view of the joint portion of the metal processing member 100 as viewed from the second member side (-Z direction).

[0016] (Metal Processing Member) The metal processing member 100 is a component in which the first member 200 and the second member 300 are joined. In FIG. 1 and the like, X is the first direction, Y is the second direction orthogonal to the first direction X, and Z is the third direction orthogonal to the first direction X and the second direction Y.

[0017] First, let's describe the structure of the first member 200. The first member 200 has a groove 201 formed therein. The groove 201 has the same cross-sectional shape and spans both ends of the first member 200, making it possible to form it by extrusion. In addition to extrusion, a removal process may also be combined. For the removal process, processing techniques such as cutting, blasting, and laser processing can be used individually or in combination. Specifically, processing equipment such as machining centers, lathes, and milling machines, or processing equipment such as electrical discharge machining that can process with low load, can be used.

[0018] More specifically, the groove 201 is a groove provided longitudinally in the first direction X such that the groove bottom surface 205 and the first groove side surface 206L and the second groove side surface 206R form the same cross-sectional shape. The first groove side surface 206L and the second groove side surface 206R are provided opposite each other on both sides of the groove bottom surface 205, separated by a space into which the protrusion 301, described later, engages.

[0019] The groove 201 is provided extending linearly from one end to the other end of the first member 200 in the first direction X.

[0020] The groove 201 includes a narrow section 202, the width of which in the second direction Y, perpendicular to the first direction X, is narrower than that of the groove bottom surface 205. The narrow section 202 is provided longitudinally in the first direction X on the first groove side surface 206L and the second groove side surface 206R. Furthermore, the width of the narrow section 202 in the second direction Y is narrower than that of the convex section 301, which will be described later.

[0021] Furthermore, a wide portion 211 is formed in a part of the narrow portion 202 of the groove 201. The wide portion 211 is provided at a position that contacts a protrusion 301 of a part of the narrow portion (202). The width of the wide portion 211 is wider in the second direction Y than that of the narrow portion 202. Also, the width of the wide portion 211 is narrower in the second direction Y than that of the groove bottom surface 205.

[0022] The wide portion 211 joins the first member 200 and the second member 300 by closely adhering to the protrusion 301 engaged with the groove portion 201 from both sides in the second direction Y.

[0023] The first groove side surface 206L and the second groove side surface 206R of the groove portion 201 are inclined such that the width in the second direction Y narrows from the groove bottom surface 205 toward the narrow portion 202 (opening). The narrow portion 202 forms part of each inclined groove side surface 206L, 206R, and the upper edge facing the groove bottom surface 205 in the third direction Z is the narrow portion, and the space between the opposing narrow portions 202 in the second direction Y forms the opening of the groove portion 201.

[0024] The first member 200 is provided with one or more grooves 201 in the second direction Y. The first member 200 constituting the metal processed member 100 shown in Figure 1(b) is exemplified as having two grooves 201 in the second direction Y.

[0025] Next, the structure of the second member 300 will be described. A protrusion 301 is formed on the second member 300 by an extrusion method described later. The protrusion 301 is formed to protrude toward the groove 201 of the first member 200 from the protrusion-side mating surface 304 of the second member 300, which is in close contact with the groove mating surface 207 of the first member 200. The protrusion 301 consists of a protrusion-side mating surface 304 which is in close contact with the groove mating surface 207, a protrusion-side surface 302 which is formed along the groove 201 so as to face the groove side surface, and a protrusion-bottom surface 305 which is formed along the groove bottom surface 205.

[0026] The protrusion 301 of the second member 300 has a portion of its side surface 302 that faces the wide portion 211 of the groove side surfaces 206L and 206R (the contact portion 311 shown in Figure 3(b)) that is in close contact with the wide portion 211 of the groove side surfaces 206L and 206R.

[0027] Here, the wide portions 211 of each groove side surface 206L, 206R include stepped portions 211a that connect from the widest part of the wide portion 211 in the second direction Y to the front and rear narrow portions 202 in the first direction X. The first member 200 and the second member 300 are joined together by the wide portion 211 including the stepped portion 211a making close contact with the protrusion 301 engaged with the groove portion 201.

[0028] In other words, the portion of the protruding side surface 302 of the protruding portion 301 that faces the wide portion 211 (the contact portion 311) is in close contact with the wide portion 211, which includes the stepped portion 211a of each groove side surface 206L, 206R.

[0029] Furthermore, the convex side surface 302 near the contact portion 311 is in close contact with the groove side surface 206 of the wide portion 211, and similarly, the contact surface between the groove mating surface 207 and the convex side mating surface 304 is in close contact with the wide portion 211.

[0030] In this way, the metal processed member 100 is joined to the first member 200 and the second member 300 by the close engagement of the groove 201 provided on the first member 200 and the protrusion 301 provided on the second member 300.

[0031] The portion of the protrusion 301 of the first member 200 facing the wide portion 211 (the contact portion 311 shown in Figure 3(b)) is in close contact with and engaged with the wide portion 211 of the groove 201 of the second member 300, including the stepped portion 211a provided in a part of the narrow portion 202. Due to the shape of this contact portion 311 and its surrounding area, locking occurs in the second direction Y and the third direction Z at the joint between the first member 200 and the second member 300.

[0032] The narrow portion 202 and wide portion 211 of the groove 201 enable locking in the first direction X at the joint between the first member 200 and the second member 300, thereby ensuring a strong joint in all directions at the joint between the first member 200 and the second member 300.

[0033] The second member 300 is provided with one or more protrusions 301 that contact and engage with the groove 201. The second member 300 constituting the metal processing member 100 shown in Figure 1(a) is exemplified by a configuration in which three protrusions 301 are provided for each groove 201, which contact and engage with the groove 201.

[0034] (Shape conditions of groove 201 during joining) Next, the shape conditions of the groove 201 during joining are shown.

[0035] In the groove 201, the distance from the narrow section 202 to the groove bottom surface 205 should be at least 1 / 3 and no more than 5 times the thickness of the second member 300. In other words, the depth of the groove 201 in the third direction Z should be at least 1 / 3 and no more than 5 times the thickness of the second member 300 in the third direction Z.

[0036] If the depth of the groove 201 is less than 1 / 3 of the plate thickness of the second member 300, a portion of the narrow portion 202 of the first member 200 will not take the shape of the wide portion 211, resulting in a problem of weak joint strength at the joint between the first member 200 and the second member 300. On the other hand, if the depth of the groove 201 is greater than 5 times the plate thickness of the second member 300, the bottom surface 305 of the protrusion 301 formed on the second member 300 will not extend far enough to contact the groove bottom surface 205, resulting in a problem where the joint between the first member 200 and the second member 300 cannot be formed.

[0037] Furthermore, the distance in the second direction Y between the narrow portion 202 and the longitudinal side surface 533 of the punch 503 is preferably between 1 / 2 and 1 times the plate thickness of the second member 300 in the third direction Z. Here, the second member 300 is a metal plate. The protrusion 301 is formed on the second member 300 by pressing the second member 300, which is placed on top of the first member 200, with the punch 503, which is a pressing member.

[0038] If the distance between the narrow portion 202 and the longitudinal side surface 533 of the punch 503 is less than half the thickness of the second member 300, the second member 300, sandwiched between the narrow portion 202 and the groove side surface 206 and the short side surface 534 of the punch 503, will be cut. As a result, the joint between the first member 200 and the second member 300 will not be established. On the other hand, if the distance between the narrow portion 202 and the side surface of the punch 503 is wider than one time the thickness of the second member 300, the wide portion 211 is very small, and there is a problem that the joint between the first member 200 and the second member 300 is extremely weak.

[0039] As shown in Figure 3(a), the first groove side surface 206L and the second groove side surface 206R of the groove portion 201 are inclined such that the width in the second direction Y decreases from the groove bottom surface 205 toward the narrow portion 202 (opening). The first groove side surface 206L and the second groove side surface 206R of the groove portion 201 are inclined such that the angle between the groove bottom surface 205 and the groove side surfaces 206L and 206R is preferably 20° or more and 80° or less. If the inclination of the groove side surface 206 relative to the groove bottom surface 205 is less than 20°, the protrusion 301 is more susceptible to deformation when peeled away from the groove portion 201 in the third direction Z, and the locking between the protrusion 301 and the groove portion 201 decreases. On the other hand, if the inclination of the groove side surface 206 with respect to the groove bottom surface 205 is greater than 80°, the wide portion 211 undergoes only slight deformation relative to the narrow portion 202, resulting in a problem of weak shear in the first direction X.

[0040] By providing inclined sections in the groove 201, where each groove side surface 206 is inclined and the upper edge is narrowed to form a narrow section 202, stress concentration points are reduced, making it suitable for load-bearing parts, and also a shape that is easy to mold during extrusion molding.

[0041] The cross-sectional shape of the groove 201 of the first member 200 is not limited to the inclined shape shown in Figure 3(a). For example, the cross-sectional shape of the groove 201 may be such that the first groove side surface 206L and the second groove side surface 206R, which are provided on both sides of the groove bottom surface 205, have a cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the groove bottom surface 205. In this case, a narrow portion 202 may be provided at the upper end of each groove side surface 206, and the narrow portion 202 may be formed into a rectangular shape as shown in Figure 4, an arc shape as shown in Figure 5, or a triangular shape as shown in Figure 6. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 7, a configuration in which multiple narrow portions 202 are provided at the upper end of each groove side surface 206 is also possible. In this case as well, similar to the inclined shape shown in Figure 3(a), a wide portion 211, which is wider than the narrow portion 202, is formed at a position on a part of the narrow portion 202 that faces the convex side surface 302 of the convex portion 301, so that the groove 201 and the convex portion 301 are tightly engaged.

[0042] (Methods for processing metal parts) Next, the processing method for the metal processing member 100 according to the first embodiment will be described using Figures 8(a) and 8(b). Figure 8(a) is a diagram showing the punch 503 and the first member 200. Figure 8(b) is an overhead view showing the punch 503, the first member 200, the second member 300, and the receiving plate 501.

[0043] The thickness of the first member 200 in the third direction Z was set to 5 mm. The length in the extrusion direction (first direction X) was 50 mm, and the length in the second direction Y, perpendicular to the groove, was also 50 mm. The width of the narrow section 202 was 5.5 mm, and the depth of the groove 201 in the third direction Z (distance from the narrow section 202 to the groove bottom surface 205) was 2.5 mm.

[0044] The second member 300 used a material with a plate thickness of 1 mm in the third direction Z and a side length of 50 mm.

[0045] The receiving plate 501 has a flat bottom surface 512. The top surface 511 of the receiving plate 501 is flat because the bottom surface 209 of the first member 200 is flat. If the bottom surface 209 of the first member 200 is irregularly shaped, the top surface 511 of the receiving plate 501 should conform to the irregular shape of the bottom surface 209 of the first member 200.

[0046] The pressing member, punch 503, has a length of 7 mm in the first direction X (long side of the punch) 531 and a length of 4 mm in the second direction Y (short side of the punch) 532. The punch side radius R536 is R0.5 mm, the punch long side bottom radius R537 is R0.7 mm, and the punch short side bottom radius R538 is R2.0. Furthermore, the punch long side bottom radius R537 and the punch short side bottom radius R538 are smoothly curved toward the punch bottom radius R539.

[0047] Although not shown in Figures 8(a) and 8(b), the first member 200 and the second member 300 are sandwiched between the receiving plate 501 by a retaining plate 502 (see Figure 9(a)) which has guide holes for guiding the punch 503.

[0048] The joining process between the first member 200 and the second member 300 will be explained using Figure 8. Figures 9(a), 9(b), 10(a), and 10(b) show an example of a processing method for joining the first member 200 and the second member 300 that constitute the metal processed member 100, illustrating the joining process.

[0049] As shown in Figures 9(a) to 10(b), the second member 300, which is placed on top of the first member 200, is pressed by the punch 503 to form a protrusion 301 on the second member 300 that engages with the groove 201 provided in the first member 200. As a result, the protrusion 301 formed on the second member 300 engages with the groove 201 provided in the first member 200, thereby joining the first member 200 and the second member 300 that constitute the metal processed member 100. The joining method of this metal processed member 100 will be described below.

[0050] As shown in Figure 9(a), the second member 300 is placed on top of the first member 200 which is placed on the receiving plate 501. Then, the first member 200 and the second member 300 are sandwiched between the receiving plate 501 by a pressing plate 502 which has guide holes 502a for guiding the punch 503. This completes the first step.

[0051] Next, as shown in Figure 9(b), the second member 300 is pressed by the punch 503 inserted through the guide hole 502a of the press plate 502, causing the second member 300 to move towards the groove 201 provided in the first member 200. This is the second step.

[0052] As described above, the groove 201 is a groove provided longitudinally in the first direction X such that the groove bottom surface 205 and the first groove side surfaces 206L and second groove side surfaces 206R, which are provided opposite each other on both sides of the groove bottom surface 205, form the same cross-sectional shape. The groove 201 includes a narrow section 202, which is narrower in width in the second direction Y than the groove bottom surface 205. The narrow section 202 is provided longitudinally in the first direction X at the upper ends of the first groove side surfaces 206L and second groove side surfaces 206R.

[0053] Next, as shown in Figure 10(a), the second member 300, which is moved by the punch 503, deforms the narrow portion 202 of the groove 201, forming a wide portion 211 (see Figure 10(b)) in which the width in the second direction Y is wider than that of the narrow portion 202. This is the third step.

[0054] Next, as shown in Figure 10(b), the second member 300, which is further moved by the punch 503, forms a protrusion 301 that reaches the groove bottom surface 205 of the groove 201 and is in close contact with the first groove side surface 206L, the second groove side surface 206R, and the wide portion 211 of the groove 201. This is the fourth step.

[0055] As mentioned above, in the joined state, the wide portion 211 facing the center of the longitudinal side surface 533 of the punch 503 is 0.07 mm or less in the lateral direction than the narrow portion 202 (t1 in Figure 10(b)), and the wide portion 211 facing the punch side surface R536 changes gradually from the narrow portion 202.

[0056] Furthermore, the wide portion 211 facing the center of the longitudinal side surface 533 of the punch 503 is 0.2 mm or less (t2 in Figure 10(b)) in the direction of the groove bottom surface 205 relative to the groove mating surface 207, and the wide portion 211 facing the punch side surface R536 gradually changes to the narrow portion 202.

[0057] The metal processed member 100, formed by joining the first member 200 and the second member 300, is manufactured through the first to fourth steps described above.

[0058] (Peel strength of metal processed components) The peel strength of the metal processed members 100 joined in Examples 1 to 5 will be described below with reference to Figure 11, in comparison to Comparative Examples 1 and 2. Figure 11 is a table showing the evaluation of the peel strength of the joined metal processed members 100. In Figure 11, "member 1" is the first member 200 constituting the metal processed member 100, and "member 2" is the second member 300. "Member 3" is a member separate from the first member 200 and the second member 300. Comparative Example 1 corresponds to the configuration of Patent Document 1, and Comparative Example 2 corresponds to the configuration of Patent Document 2.

[0059] In Example 1, the first member 200 constituting the metal processed member 100 is a first member 200 equipped with a groove 201 as shown in Figure 3(a). The cross-sectional shape of the groove 201 in Example 1 is such that the groove side surface 206 is inclined with respect to the groove bottom surface 205, and the upper edge of the groove side surface 206 is a narrow section 220. The first member 200 has a plate thickness of 5 mm and is made of aluminum alloy. The inclination of the groove side surface 206 of the groove 201 is 25°, the groove width in the second direction Y is 7 mm, and the groove depth in the third direction Z is 2 mm. The second member 300 is a metal plate with a plate thickness of 1 mm and is made of aluminum alloy.

[0060] Example 2 uses a first member 200 equipped with a groove 201 as shown in Figure 4. The cross-sectional shape of the groove 201 in Example 2 is such that the first groove side surface 206L and the second groove side surface 206R, which are provided opposite each other on both sides of the groove bottom surface 205, have a cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the groove bottom surface 205, and a rectangular narrow section 202 is provided at the upper end of each groove side surface 206. The first member 200 has a plate thickness of 5 mm and is made of aluminum alloy. The inclination of the groove side surface 206 of the groove 201 is 0°, the groove width in the second direction Y is 7 mm, and the groove depth in the third direction Z is 2 mm. The second member is a metal plate with a plate thickness of 1 mm and is made of aluminum alloy.

[0061] Embodiment 3 uses a first member 200 equipped with a groove 201 as shown in Figure 5. The cross-sectional shape of the groove 201 in Embodiment 3 is such that the first groove side surface 206L and the second groove side surface 206R, which are provided opposite each other on both sides of the groove bottom surface 205, have a cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the groove bottom surface 205, and a narrow, arc-shaped portion 202 is provided at the upper end of each groove side surface 206. Otherwise, it is the same as Embodiment 2.

[0062] Example 4 uses a first member 200 equipped with a groove 201 as shown in Figure 6. The cross-sectional shape of the groove 201 in Example 4 is such that the first groove side surface 206L and the second groove side surface 206R, which are provided opposite each other on both sides of the groove bottom surface 205, have a cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the groove bottom surface 205, and a triangular narrow portion 202 is provided at the upper end of each groove side surface 206. Otherwise, it is the same as Example 2.

[0063] Example 5 uses a first member 200 equipped with a groove 201 as shown in Figure 7. The cross-sectional shape of the groove 201 in Example 5 is such that the first groove side surfaces 206L and the second groove side surfaces 206R, which are provided opposite each other on both sides of the groove bottom surface 205, have a cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the groove bottom surface 205, and multiple rectangular narrow sections 202 are provided at the upper end of each groove side surface 206. Otherwise, it is the same as in Example 2.

[0064] Comparative Example 1 corresponds to the configuration of Patent Document 1. Comparative Example 1 is a finned heat sink in which a member 2 (second member) is attached to a member 1 (first member) having a groove, and a member 3 is attached to the inside of the bent bottom surface of member 2 by crimping it through plastic deformation.

[0065] In Comparative Example 1, the cross-sectional shape of the groove 201 is such that the first groove side surfaces 206L and the second groove side surfaces 206R, which are provided on both sides of the groove bottom surface 205, are perpendicular to the groove bottom surface 205, but the narrow section 202 of this embodiment is not included. The first member 200 has a plate thickness of 5 mm and is made of aluminum alloy. The inclination of the groove side surfaces 206 of the groove 201 is 0°, the groove width in the second direction Y is 7 mm, and the groove depth in the third direction Z is 2 mm. The second member is a metal plate with a plate thickness of 1 mm and is made of aluminum alloy.

[0066] Comparative Example 2 corresponds to the configuration of Patent Document 2. In Comparative Example 2, the flat plate-shaped member 1 (first member) has a joining hole on its surface. Member 2 (second member) is a component that is joined to member 1 by pressing member 2, which is positioned to cover the joining hole in member 1, so that the two plate surfaces are facing each other.

[0067] We will now explain the shear evaluation in the first direction X.

[0068] Examples 1 to 5 were compared to Comparative Example 1 in terms of shear in the first direction X. Under the conditions, the first member (member 1) was fixed, and pressure was applied to the second member (member 2) from one side in the first direction X, and the peeling and deformation of the first and second members were evaluated.

[0069] Next, we will explain the shear evaluation in the third direction, Z.

[0070] Examples 1 to 5 were compared with Comparative Example 2 under shear in a third direction Z. The conditions were as follows: the first member (member 1) was fixed, and pressure was applied in the third direction Z to the joint area of ​​the second member (member 2) on the side opposite to the first member. The delamination and deformation of the first and second members were then evaluated.

[0071] The evaluation criteria for shear in the first direction X and the third direction Z are as follows:

[0072] A rating indicates that there was no delamination or deformation between the first and second components, or that there were no problems. Within rating A, the order is A3 > A2 > A1. A rating B indicates that there was no delamination between the first and second components, but deformation was present. A rating C indicates that the first and second components were completely delaminated.

[0073] In Comparative Example 1, in the shear evaluation in the first direction X, there is no restriction in the longitudinal direction (first direction X), and the joint resistance decreases once sliding begins.

[0074] On the other hand, in the shear evaluation in the first direction X, Examples 1 to 5 did not show any sliding motion as in Comparative Example 1, and stable locking was confirmed even under high shear pressure.

[0075] In Comparative Example 2, a gap is observed around the circular periphery even at low shear pressure in the shear evaluation in the third direction Z.

[0076] On the other hand, in the shear evaluation in the third direction Z for Examples 1 to 5, no deformation was observed around the recess where the side surface of the convex portion 301 and the wide portion 211 of the groove portion 201 are in close contact (the contact portion 311 in Figure 2(b)), and stable locking was confirmed even under shear pressure of more than twice the normal amount.

[0077] Thus, according to this embodiment, the protrusion 301 engaged with the groove 201 is brought into close contact with the wide portion 211, thereby providing a metal processed member in which the first member 200 and the second member 300 are firmly joined, and a method for joining metal processed members.

[0078] (Second embodiment) Next, an image forming apparatus equipped with a developing device according to the second embodiment will be described. The image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment uses the metal processing member according to the first embodiment.

[0079] [Image forming apparatus] Figure 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the general configuration of an image forming apparatus. Image forming apparatus A shown in Figure 12 is an electrophotographic full-color laser printer.

[0080] Image forming apparatus A is configured to form four different colored toner images through charging, exposure, development, and transfer processes using first, second, third, and fourth image forming units Py, Pm, Pc, and Pb, which are arranged side by side inside the image forming apparatus A. As a control means, the control unit 19 consists of a CPU and memory such as ROM or RAM. When the control unit 19 receives a print command signal output from an external interface such as a host computer, it sequentially operates the image forming units Py, Pm, Pc, and Pb according to the image forming control sequence stored in the memory.

[0081] In each image forming section Py, Pm, Pc, and Pb, the photosensitive drum 1, acting as the image carrier, is rotated at a predetermined peripheral speed (process speed). An intermediate transfer belt 7, stretched across the photosensitive drums 1 of each image forming section Py, Pm, Pc, and Pb, is rotated by the drive roller 6a at a peripheral speed corresponding to the rotational peripheral speed of each photosensitive drum 1. In the first color, yellow image forming section Py, the outer surface (surface) of the photosensitive drum 1 is uniformly charged to a predetermined polarity and potential by the charger 2. Next, the exposure device 3 scans and exposes the charged surface of the photosensitive drum 1 with laser light generated based on image information from an external device. This forms an electrostatic latent image on the charged surface of the photosensitive drum 1 corresponding to the image information. This latent image is then developed by the developing device 4 using yellow toner (developer), forming a yellow toner image (developed) on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1. Similar charging, exposure, and development processes are carried out in the image forming unit Pm for the second color (magenta), the image forming unit Pc for the third color (cyan), and the image forming unit Pb for the fourth color (black).

[0082] In each image forming section Py, Pm, Pc, and Pb, the toner images of each color formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 are sequentially transferred onto the outer surface (surface) of the intermediate transfer belt 7 by primary transfer rollers (transfer members) 8, which are positioned opposite the photosensitive drum 1 across the intermediate transfer belt 7. This forms a full-color toner image on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 7. After the toner image transfer, any remaining toner on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is removed by the drum cleaner 5 and the drum is then used for the next image formation.

[0083] Meanwhile, the recording material P is transported from the feeding cassette 10 through the transport path 12a to the register roller 13 by the roller 11. Next, the recording material P is transported by the register roller 13 to the secondary transfer nip section Tn between the intermediate transfer belt 7 and the secondary transfer roller 14. The recording material P is then gripped and transported in this secondary transfer nip section Tn, and during this transport process, the toner image on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 7 is transferred onto the recording material P by the secondary transfer roller 14. After the toner image transfer, the intermediate transfer belt 7 is cleaned of any remaining toner on its surface by the belt cleaner 9 and then used for the next image formation.

[0084] The recording material P, which carries the unfixed toner image, is introduced into the nip section of the fixing device 15 with the image-carrying surface facing upwards. The recording material P is then clamped and transported in the nip section of the fixing device 15, thereby heating and fixing the toner image onto the recording material P. When an image is formed on only one side of the recording material P, the recording material P discharged from the fixing device 15 is discharged by the switching flapper 16 through the discharge roller 17 onto the discharge tray 18 located on the side of the image forming device A.

[0085] When forming an image on both sides of the recording material P, the recording material P discharged from the fixing device 15 is guided by the switching flapper 16 to the lower inversion transport path 12b. In the inversion transport path 12b, when the rear end of the recording material P reaches the inversion point Rp, the recording material P is switched back so that the image-bearing surface is facing upwards, and in that state is sent to the double-sided transport path 12c. In the double-sided transport path 12c, the recording material P is transported to the register roller 13 via the transport path 12a. This recording material P is then transported by the register roller 13 to the secondary transfer nip section Tn, where it is clamped and transported. During this transport process, the toner on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 7 is transferred onto the recording material P by the secondary transfer roller 14. The recording material P carrying the unfixed toner image is introduced into the nip section of the fixing device 15 with the image-bearing surface facing upwards. The recording material P is then held and transported by the nip section of the fuser 15, and the toner image is heated and fixed onto the recording material P. The recording material P discharged from the fuser 15 is then discharged onto the discharge tray 18 via the discharge roller 17 by the switching flapper 16.

[0086] [Developing equipment] The developing apparatus 4 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 13 and 14. Figure 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the developing apparatus 4. Figure 14 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the developing apparatus 4 as seen from direction AA in Figure 13.

[0087] As shown in Figure 13, the developing apparatus 4 has a developing container 41 for containing the developer. A developer carrier 45 is rotatably supported in the developing container 41. The developer carrier 45 is positioned parallel to the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 1 and develops the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 with the developer. The developing container 41 is divided by a partition wall 46a extending in the horizontal direction (axial direction) into a developing chamber (developer transport path) 41a, which is a first developer storage chamber, and a stirring chamber (developer transport path) 41b, which is a second developer storage chamber located below the developing chamber 41a. The partition wall 46a is a partition member that separates the developing chamber 41a, which houses the first transport member 42, from the stirring chamber 41b, which houses the second transport member 43, inside the developing container 41. In other words, the partition wall 46a is a partition member that separates the first transport member 42 and the second transport member 43 inside the developing container 41. The developing chamber 41a is a functional chamber that supplies developer to the developer carrier 45. The stirring chamber 41b is a functional chamber that receives and stirs the recovered developer recovered from the developer carrier 45 and the replenishment developer supplied to the developing device 4 from the outside.

[0088] A first transport member 42 is provided in the developing chamber 41a, and a second transport member 43 is provided in the stirring chamber 41b. Both the first transport member 42 and the second transport member 43 are screw members arranged substantially parallel to the axial direction of the developer carrier 45. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 14, a first communication port 41d and a second communication port 41e are provided between the developing chamber 41a and the stirring chamber 41b, which are transfer sections (developer transport paths) for transporting developer between the developing chamber 41a and the stirring chamber 41b. The first communication port 41d is provided at the first end 41f, which is one end of the developing container 41, and the second communication port 41e is provided at the second end 41g, which is the other end of the developing container 41. The first transport member 42 is positioned opposite the developer carrier 45 and supplies developer to the developer carrier 45 while rotating to agitate and transport the developer from the first end 41f to the second end 41g. The second transport member 43 rotates to agitate and transport the developer from the second end 41g to the first end 41f. Therefore, the developer in the developing container 41 is agitated and transported by the rotation of the first transport member 42 and the second transport member 43, and circulates through the developing chamber 41a and the agitation chamber 41b via the first communication port 41d and the second communication port 41e.

[0089] [Cooling configuration of the developing equipment] Next, the cooling configuration of the developing apparatus 4 will be explained using Figures 15 and 16. Figure 15 is a perspective view illustrating the cooling configuration of the developing apparatus 4. Figure 16 is a perspective view showing a schematic of the cooling configuration of the developing apparatus 4. Figure 17 is a schematic perspective view of the cooling configuration of the developing apparatus 4.

[0090] As shown in Figure 15, the developing container 41 is provided with a cooling member 46. Here, the cooling member 46 is preferably made of a material with high thermal conductivity, such as metal (especially aluminum), but is not limited to that.

[0091] The developing container 41 is provided with a duct 47 adjacent to the cooling member 46, through which air (cooling air) circulates within the space formed by the cooling member 46. The duct 47 has an inlet 47a on the first end 41f side of the developing container 41 and an outlet 47b on the second end 41g side of the developing container 41. In the developing apparatus 4, air flows in from the inlet 47a on the first end 41f side of the developing container 41 by a fan (not shown) provided in the image forming apparatus A, passes through the duct, and flows out from the outlet 47b on the second end 41g side of the developing container 41. The cooling member 46 and the duct 47 are located on the opposite side of the developing container 41 from the side where the developer carrier 45 is provided, with the first transport member 42 in between.

[0092] In this embodiment, the cooling member 46 is integrally formed by joining multiple metal plates to a partition wall 46a that separates the developing chamber 41a and the stirring chamber 41b. Specifically, as shown in Figure 16, the cooling member 46 consists of a partition wall 46a located inside the developing container 41 and in contact with the developer, a cooling plate 46b for attaching and connecting the partition wall 46a and the developing container 41, and a plurality of fins 46c that protrude from the cooling plate 46b and have at least a portion of their surfaces facing the inside of the duct 47.

[0093] In other words, the cooling member 46 is a metal processed member in which a partition wall 46a as a first member and a cooling plate 46b as a second member are joined together, and the cooling plate 46b as the second member constituting the metal processed member has multiple fin-shaped fins 46c.

[0094] When air circulating within the duct 47 strikes the fins 46c positioned inside the duct 47, the heat conduction cools the partition wall 46a and cooling plate 46b, which are integrated with the fins 46c, thereby cooling the developer in contact with the partition wall 46a. At the same time, the partition wall 46a absorbs heat from the developer in the developing container 41 in contact with it, and the heat is released from the fins 46c, and that heat is discharged towards the outlet 47b by the air circulating within the duct 47.

[0095] [Component configuration of cooling element 46] Next, we will describe the joining configuration of the partition wall 46a, which is a first component, and the cooling plate 46b, which is a second component, which constitute a cooling member 46, an example of a metal processed component.

[0096] The developing apparatus 4 includes a partition wall 46a, which is a partition member separating the first transport member 42 and the second transport member 43, and a cooling plate 46b attached to the partition wall 46a. The cooling plate 46b has a plurality of fin-shaped fins 46c.

[0097] As shown in Figure 17, the partition wall 46a, which serves as the first component (partitioning component), has grooves 201 formed in it, similar to the first component 200 described above. The grooves 201 have the same cross-sectional shape and extend parallel to the axial direction of the developer carrier 45, allowing for molding by extrusion.

[0098] The detailed shape of the groove 201 is as shown in Figure 3(a) and Example 1. The cooling plate 46b is joined to the partition wall 46a at multiple locations by a joining method similar to that of the embodiment described above, in which the protrusions formed on the cooling plate 46b engage with the groove 201 formed on the partition wall 46a, thereby constituting the cooling member 46 as a metalworking member. At the joining locations, in this case, the parts where the partition wall 46a and the developer come into frequent contact are arranged axially along the opposing surfaces of the first transport member 42 and the second transport member 43.

[0099] Thus, the cooling plate 46b, which serves as the second component, has a protrusion 301 formed on it, similar to the second component 300 described above, and contacts and engages with the groove 201 of the partition wall 46a.

[0100] The groove 201 formed in the partition wall 46a is the same as in the embodiment described above, so its explanation is omitted here.

[0101] Thus, even in a cooling member 46 in which a cooling plate 46b having multiple fins 46c and a partition wall 46a are joined, the same effect as the metal processed member 100 in which the first member 200 and the second member 300 are joined as described above can be obtained. That is, by having the protrusion 301 engaged with the groove 201 come into close contact with the wide portion 211, a cooling member (metal processed member) in which the partition wall 46a and the cooling plate 46b are firmly joined, and a method for joining the same can be provided. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0102] A...Image forming apparatus Py,Pm,Pc,Pb...Image forming section 1 ... Photosensitive drum 4. Developing device 41 ... developing container 41a...Development chamber 41b ... Stirring chamber 41d...1st communication port 41e…Second communication port 41f ... First end 41g…Second end 42 ...First conveying member 43 ... Second conveying member 45 ... Developer carrier 46 ... Cooling component 46a…Bulkhead 46b...Cooling plate 46c...fin 47 ... duct 47a...Inlet 47b... Outlet 100 ... Metalworking parts 200 ...First component 201 ... Groove 202 ... Narrow section 205…Groove bottom surface 206L…first groove side 206R…Second groove side 207 ... Groove mating surface 211 ... Wide section 211a ... Stepped section 300 ... Second component 301 ... protruding part 302 ... Side view of the protruding part 304 ...Convex side mating surface 305 ... Bottom surface of the convex part 501 ...receiving plate 502 ... retaining plate 502a ... Guide hole 503... Punch 533 ... Long side 534 ... Short side

Claims

1. A metal processed member in which a groove provided on a first member and a protrusion provided on a second member are engaged to join the first member and the second member, The aforementioned protrusion contacts and engages with the groove, The groove portion is provided longitudinally in a first direction such that the groove bottom surface and the first groove side surface and the second groove side surface, which are provided opposite each other on both sides of the groove bottom surface separated by a space in which the protrusion engages, form the same cross-sectional shape. The groove portion includes a narrow portion provided longitudinally in the first direction on the first groove side surface and the second groove side surface, the narrow portion having a width narrower in the second direction perpendicular to the first direction than the groove bottom surface, and a wide portion provided at a position that contacts the protrusion of a part of the narrow portion, the wide portion having a width wider in the second direction than the narrow portion. The protrusion engaged with the groove is brought into close contact with the wide portion, thereby joining the first member and the second member. A metalworking component characterized by the following features.

2. The depth of the groove in the third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions is at most 1 / 3 and at most 5 times the depth of the second member. The metal processing member according to feature 1.

3. The second member is a metal plate, The aforementioned protrusion is formed on the second member by pressing the second member, which is placed on top of the first member, with a pressing member. The distance in the second direction between the narrow portion and the side surface of the pressing member is between 1 / 2 and 1 times the plate thickness of the second member in a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions. The metal processing member according to feature 1.

4. The first groove side surface and the second groove side surface are inclined such that the width in the second direction narrows from the groove bottom surface toward the narrow portion, and the inclination from the groove bottom surface is 20° or more and 80° or less. The metal processing member according to feature 1.

5. The wide portion includes a stepped portion that connects the widest part of the wide portion in the second direction to the front and rear narrow portions in the first direction, and the first member and the second member are joined by the wide portion including the stepped portion being in close contact with the protrusion that engages with the groove. The metal processing member according to feature 1.

6. The wide portion joins the first member and the second member by being in close contact with the protrusion engaged with the groove from both sides in the second direction. The metal processing member according to feature 1.

7. The wide portion is narrower in the second direction than the groove bottom surface. The metal processing member according to feature 1.

8. The narrow portion has a narrower width in the second direction than the convex portion. The metal processing member according to feature 1.

9. The first member is provided with one or more grooves in the second direction, The second member is provided with one or more protrusions that contact and engage with the groove. The metal processing member according to feature 1.

10. The metal processed member is a cooling member in which either the first member or the second member has a plurality of fin shapes. The metal processing member according to feature 1.

11. In a developing apparatus that develops an electrostatic latent image formed on a photosensitive drum using a developer, A developing container for holding the developer, A rotatable developer carrier, A first transport member that supplies developer to the developer carrier while transporting the developer, A second conveying member is arranged parallel to the first conveying member and agitates and conveys the developer, A partition member separating the first transport member and the second transport member, It has a cooling plate attached to the partition member, The partition member and the cooling plate are joined together by the engagement of the groove provided in the partition member and the protrusion provided in the cooling plate. The aforementioned protrusion contacts and engages with the groove, The groove portion is provided longitudinally in a first direction such that the groove bottom surface and the first groove side surface and the second groove side surface, which are provided opposite each other on both sides of the groove bottom surface separated by a space in which the protrusion engages, form the same cross-sectional shape. The groove portion includes a narrow portion provided longitudinally in the first direction on the first groove side surface and the second groove side surface, the narrow portion having a width narrower in the second direction perpendicular to the first direction than the groove bottom surface, and a wide portion provided at a position that contacts the protrusion of a part of the narrow portion, the wide portion having a width wider in the second direction than the narrow portion. The protrusion engaged with the groove is brought into close contact with the wide portion, thereby joining the partition member and the cooling plate. A developing apparatus characterized by the following features.

12. An image forming apparatus comprising an image carrier and a developing apparatus for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier with a developer, wherein the developing apparatus is the developing apparatus described in claim 11. An image forming apparatus characterized by the following:

13. A method for joining metal processed members, comprising joining a first member and a second member constituting a metal processed member by pressing a second member, which is placed on top of a first member, with a pressing member to form a protrusion on the second member that engages with a groove provided in the first member, The process involves placing the second member on top of the first member which is placed on the receiving plate, and sandwiching the first member and the second member between the receiving plate and a pressing plate provided with guide holes for guiding the pressing member, The process involves pressing the second member with the pressing member inserted through the guide hole of the pressing plate, thereby moving the second member toward the groove provided in the first member. The groove portion is provided longitudinally in a first direction such that the groove bottom surface and the first groove side surface and the second groove side surface, which are provided opposite each other on both sides of the groove bottom surface separated by a space in which the protrusion engages, form the same cross-sectional shape, and includes a narrow portion provided longitudinally in the first direction on the first groove side surface and having a width narrower in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction than the groove bottom surface, A step of deforming the narrow portion of the groove by the second member, which is moved by the pressing member, to form a wider portion that is wider in the second direction than the narrow portion, The process involves the second member, which is further moved by the pressing member, reaching the bottom surface of the groove and forming a protrusion that is in close contact with the first groove side surface, the second groove side surface, and the wide portion of the groove, The first member and the second member are joined together. A method for joining metal processed members, characterized by the features described above.

Images