Developing device and image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide a developing apparatus and an image forming apparatus capable of initially loading a developer in an easy and simple manner, compared with the apparatus in which a developer is initially loaded through attachment of the developing apparatus to the image forming apparatus and control on the drive of a transportation member.SOLUTION: A developing apparatus 30 comprises: a first transportation member 58a and a second transportation member 58 that are arranged on a first transportation path 54a and a second transportation path 54b formed up and down in a gravity direction and transport a developer by circulating it between the first transportation path 54a and the second transportation path 54b; a partition wall 56 for separating the first transportation path 54a from the second transportation path 54b; an aperture 76 formed on the partition wall 56; and an opening / closing member 78 for opening and closing the aperture 76.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a developing device and an image forming apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a developing container having a developing roll that transports toner to a developing area where an electrostatic latent image is developed into a toner image, a developing roll housing section that houses the developing roll, a first stirring chamber arranged diagonally below the developing roll housing section, and a second stirring chamber adjacent to the developing roll housing section and arranged above the first stirring chamber, a first stirring member that is housed in the first stirring chamber and transports the toner in the first stirring chamber while stirring it in a predetermined first transport direction, and a second stirring member that is housed in the second stirring chamber and transports the toner in the second stirring chamber in a second transport direction opposite to the first transport direction. and a communication passage that connects the downstream end of the first stirring chamber in the first transport direction to the upstream end of the second stirring chamber in the second transport direction in order to transport toner from the downstream end of the first stirring chamber in the first transport direction to the upstream end of the second stirring chamber in the second transport direction, the communication passage being on the side farthest from the developing roll with respect to the rotation axis of the first stirring member, and the portion of the communication passage that contacts the second stirring chamber and is located closest to the developing roll is formed vertically below the axis of the developing roll. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2009-175768 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In some developing devices, developer is not charged in the developing device before the developing device is mounted on the image forming apparatus, and developer is initially charged in the developing device when the developing device is mounted.

[0005] The present invention aims to provide a developing device and an image forming apparatus that can easily and simply initially feed developer, compared to a system in which the developing device is attached to the image forming apparatus and the drive of the transport member is controlled to initially feed developer. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A developing device according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a first transport member and a second transport member that are arranged in a first transport path and a second transport path formed above and below in the direction of gravity, and transport developer so as to circulate the developer between the first transport path and the second transport path, a partition wall that separates the first transport path and the second transport path, an opening formed in the partition wall, and an opening / closing member that opens and closes the opening.

[0007] In a second aspect of the developing device of the present invention, the upper surface in the direction of gravity of the partition wall constituting the first transport path and the upper surface in the direction of gravity of the opening / closing member are formed so as to coincide in a cross section perpendicular to the transport direction of the developer.

[0008] In a third aspect of the developing device of the present invention, a lower surface in the direction of gravity of the partition wall constituting the second transport path and a lower surface in the direction of gravity of the opening / closing member are formed so as to coincide in a cross section perpendicular to the transport direction of the developer.

[0009] In a developing device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the opening / closing member has an opening / closing member main body portion that is divided into at least two in the developer transport direction.

[0010] In a developing device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the open / close member has the divided open / close member main body portions connected by a connecting portion.

[0011] In a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the developing device, the connecting portion is provided with a restricting portion that restricts movement of the opening / closing member in the opening direction.

[0012] An image forming apparatus of a seventh aspect of the present invention has a developing device and a developer holding member that holds developer developed by the developing device, and the developing device is arranged in a first transport path and a second transport path formed above and below in the direction of gravity, and has a first transport member and a second transport member that transport the developer so as to circulate the developer between the first transport path and the second transport path, a partition wall that separates the first transport path and the second transport path, an opening formed in the partition wall, and an opening / closing member that opens and closes the opening. Effect of the Invention

[0013] According to the developing device of the first aspect or the image forming apparatus of the seventh aspect of the present invention, the developer can be initially charged more easily than when the developing device is mounted on the image forming apparatus and the developer is initially charged by controlling the drive of the conveying member.

[0014] According to the developing device of the second aspect, in addition to the effect of the first aspect, it is possible to avoid the developer being impeded from being transported through the first transport path.

[0015] According to the developing device of the third aspect, in addition to the effect of the first or second aspect, it is possible to avoid the developer being impeded from being transported through the second transport path.

[0016] According to the developing device of the fourth aspect, in addition to the effects of any one of the first to third aspects, the opening area of ​​the opening can be increased while maintaining the strength of the partition wall, compared to a device in which the opening / closing member is composed of a single opening / closing member main body.

[0017] According to the developing device of the fifth aspect, in addition to the effect of the fourth aspect, the opening and closing member main body portion divided into a plurality of parts can be opened and closed by a single operation.

[0018] According to the developing device of the sixth aspect, in addition to the effect of the fifth aspect, the movement of the opening and closing member can be restricted. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a developing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a front view showing a developing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a flow of developer in a developing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing a developing device according to an embodiment of the present invention with an upper cover removed. [Figure 6] 2 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing a developing device according to an embodiment of the present invention with an upper cover removed and an opening / closing member opened; FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an opening / closing member used in the developing device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a partition wall having an opening / closing mechanism used in the developing device according to the embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 shows an image forming apparatus 10 used in the embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 10 has an image forming apparatus main body 12 in which an image forming section 14, a transfer device 16, a fixing device 18, and a paper feed device 20 are arranged. In addition, a transport path 22 for transporting a recording medium such as paper is formed in the image forming apparatus main body 12.

[0021] The image forming section 14 employs an electrophotographic method and forms an image on a recording medium. The image forming section 14 has, for example, a plurality of, for example, four, image forming units 24. The four image forming units 24 form toner images of different colors, for example, yellow, magenta, cyan, and black.

[0022] The image forming unit 24 has a photoconductor drum 26. The photoconductor drum 26 is an example of an image carrier, and rotates while carrying a toner image to be transferred to a recording medium on its outer circumferential surface. The image forming unit 24 is also provided with a charging device 28 that charges the photoconductor drum 26, a developing device 30 that develops the charged latent image with toner, and a cleaning device 32 that cleans the photoconductor drum 26 after transfer. An optical writing device 48 that forms a latent image on the charged photoconductor drum 26 is also provided.

[0023] The transfer device 16 has an intermediate transfer belt 34. The toner images are primarily transferred from the photoconductor drums 26 onto the intermediate transfer belt 34 by a primary transfer member 36, and the primarily transferred toner images are secondarily transferred onto a recording medium by a secondary transfer member 38.

[0024] The intermediate transfer belt 34 is supported so as to be rotatable by a plurality of support members 40. In addition, a backup member 42 is provided opposite the secondary transfer member 38.

[0025] The fixing device 18 fixes the toner image transferred onto the recording medium onto the recording medium using, for example, heat and pressure.

[0026] The paper feeder 20 has a storage section 44 that stores recording media in a stacked state, and a delivery member 46 that delivers the recording media stored in the storage section 44 toward the transport path 22 .

[0027] The transport path 22 transports the recording medium from the paper feed device 20 to between the secondary transfer member 38 and the backup member 42, then transports the recording medium to the fixing device 18, and further transports the recording medium so that it is discharged outside the image forming device main body 12.

[0028] In the image forming apparatus 10 configured as described above, the toner images formed on the outer peripheral surfaces of the photosensitive drums 26 are primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 34, the toner images primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 34 are secondarily transferred to a recording medium, and the toner images secondarily transferred to the recording medium are fixed to the recording medium by the fixing device 18.

[0029] 2-4, development apparatus 30 is shown. The developing device 30 is a two-component developing device that develops by stirring a developer made of a carrier and a toner and charging the toner.

[0030] The developing device 30 has a developing device main body 50, and a developer transport section 52 is provided in the developing device main body 50. In the developer transport section 52, for example, two transport paths 54a and 54b are formed so as to extend in the longitudinal direction of the developing device main body 50 and to overlap vertically in the direction of gravity. Here, the upper transport path 54a is the first transport path, and the lower transport path 54b is the second transport path. The transport paths 54a and 54b are partitioned in the vertical direction by a partition wall 56. The upper surface of the partition wall 56, which has an arc-shaped cross section, constitutes the lower surface of the first transport path 54a. The lower surface of the partition wall 56, which has an arc-shaped cross section, constitutes the upper surface of the second transport path 54b.

[0031] A first conveying member 58a is disposed on the first conveying path 54a, and a second conveying member 58b is disposed on the second conveying path 54b. The conveying members 58a, 58b are each composed of a rotating shaft 60a, 60b and a conveying portion 62a, 62b formed in a spiral shape around the rotating shaft 60a, 60b.

[0032] In addition, inside the developing device main body 50, a developing roll 64 is provided on the side of the first transport path 54a. This developing roll 64 faces the above-mentioned photosensitive drum 26, and moves the toner attached to the magnetic brush formed around the developing roll 64 to the latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 26. In addition, below the developing roll 64 of the developing device main body 50, a third transport path 66 is formed, and a third transport member 68 is provided in this third transport path 66. In addition, above the developing roll 64, a layer thickness regulating member 70 is provided to regulate the layer thickness of the developer.

[0033] In the above configuration, as shown in FIG. 3, the developer is first supplied to one end of the second transport path 54b, and is supplied to the first transport path 54a by the second transport member 58a near the other end of the second transport path 54b, and is transported to the vicinity of one end of the first transport path 54a by the first transport member 58a, and circulates between the first transport path 54a and the second transport path 54b. The first transport member 58a rotates clockwise in FIG. 2, transporting the developer from the first transport path 54a to the developing roll 64, and moves the toner attached to the magnetic brush formed around the developing roll 64 rotating counterclockwise to the latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 26. The developer not used for development by the developing roll 64 moves to the third transport path 66 and is returned to the second transport path 54b by the third transport member 68 rotating clockwise. The developer returned to the second transport path 54b is transported to the first transport path 54a by the second transport member 58a rotating in the clockwise direction.

[0034] Moreover, of the developer circulating between the first transport path 54a and the second transport path 54b, surplus developer is discharged to the outside of the developing device 30 from the other end of the first transport path 54a.

[0035] It is necessary to initially charge a predetermined amount of developer before mounting the developing device 30 on the image forming apparatus 10. For this reason, when an attempt is made to charge this predetermined amount of developer into the first transport path 54a and the second transport path 54b after removing the upper cover 72 shown in Fig. 2, it is difficult to charge the developer into the second transport path 54b.

[0036] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, two opening / closing mechanisms 74, 74 for feeding developer from the first transport path 54a to the second transport path 54b are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction of the developing device main body 50.

[0037] The opening / closing mechanism 74 will be described in further detail with reference to FIGS. The opening / closing mechanism 74 is composed of an opening 76 formed in the partition wall 56 and an opening / closing member 78 that opens and closes this opening 76 .

[0038] As shown in FIG. 8, two sets of four openings 76 are formed in the longitudinal direction of the partition wall 56 (the direction of transport of the developer). Two opening / closing members 78 are provided in the longitudinal direction of the partition wall 56. One opening / closing member 78 is divided into two opening / closing member main bodies 80 in the longitudinal direction of the partition wall 56. The opening / closing member main bodies 80 correspond to the openings 76. The opening / closing member main bodies 80 are connected to each other by a connecting portion 82 as shown in FIG. 7. An opening / closing member insertion hole 83 connected to the openings 76 is formed in the side surface of the developing device main body 50 and the partition wall 56. The opening / closing member main body 80 is inserted into the opening / closing member insertion hole 83 to close the openings 76, and the connecting portion 82 abuts against the side surface of the developing device main body 50. A screw insertion hole 84 is formed in the center of the connecting portion 82, and the opening / closing member 78 is fixed to the developing device main body 50 by a screw 86 inserted into the screw insertion hole 84.

[0039] The opening 76 is formed in a rectangular shape when viewed from the direction of gravity. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, an insertion recess 88 carved out like an edge is formed on the opposite side of the opening 76 from the insertion direction. On the other hand, an insertion protrusion 90 formed like an edge is formed on the tip of the opening / closing member main body 80 in the insertion direction, and this insertion protrusion 90 is inserted into the insertion recess 88 so that the opening / closing member main body 80 is supported by the partition wall 56.

[0040] In addition, an opening-side step portion 92 is formed on two opposing sides of the opening 76 perpendicular to the insertion direction. The opening-side step portion 92 has two steps so that the upper part is wider than the lower part in the direction of gravity. Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 7, an opening-side member side step portion 94 is formed on two sides of the opening-side member 78 in the insertion direction. The opening-side member side step portion 94 has two steps so that the lower part is wider than the upper part in the direction of gravity. The opening-side member side step portion 94 fits into the opening-side step portion 92, and the opening-side member main body 80 is supported by the partition wall 56.

[0041] The upper surface of the opening / closing member main body 80 is hollowed out in an arc shape, and is formed so as to coincide with the upper surface of the partition wall 56, which is also arc-shaped, in a cross section perpendicular to the developer transport direction. Similarly, the lower surface of the opening / closing member main body 80 is formed so as to coincide with the lower surface of the partition wall 56 in a cross section perpendicular to the developer transport direction.

[0042] A gripping portion 96 is formed protruding from the side surface of the connecting portion 82 of the opening / closing member 78 described above, so that the opening / closing member 78 can be moved by holding this gripping portion 96. Also, a regulating portion 98 is formed protruding downward from the bottom surface of the connecting portion 82. This regulating portion 98 abuts against an abutment portion 100 formed on the developing device main body 50, and prevents the opening / closing member 78 from sliding further outward.

[0043] When developer is initially charged, the upper cover 72 is removed and the developer is charged into the first transport path 54a. In this case, the screw 86 is removed and the open / close member 78 is moved so that the regulating portion 98 of the open / close member 78 abuts against the abutment portion 100, and the opening 76 is fully opened. Therefore, the developer that has entered the first transport path 54a is charged into the second transport path 54b through the opening 76, and a predetermined amount of developer is initially charged. Thereafter, the upper cover 72 is attached to the developing device main body 50, and the developing device 30 to which the upper cover 72 is attached is mounted in the image forming apparatus 10. [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] 10 Image forming device 12 Image forming device main body 14 Image forming section 16 Transcription device 18 Fixing device 20 Paper feeder 22 Transport Path 24 Image forming unit 26 Photoconductor drum 28 Charging device 30 Developing device 32 Cleaning equipment 34 Intermediate transfer belt 36 Primary transfer member 38 Secondary transfer member 40 Support member 42 Backup parts 44 Storage area 46 Delivery member 48 Optical writing device 50 Developing device body 52 Developer transport section 54a First conveying path 54b Second conveying path 56 Partition Wall 58a First conveying member 58b second conveying member 60a, 60b Rotation shaft 62a, 62b Conveyor section 64 Developing Roll 66 Third Transport Path 68 Third conveying member 70 Layer thickness control member 72 Top cover 74 Opening and closing mechanism 76 Opening 78 Opening and closing parts 80 Opening and closing member main body 82 Connecting part 83 Opening and closing member insertion hole 84 Screw insertion hole 86 Screw 88 Insertion recess 90 Insertion protrusion 92 Opening side step part 94 Step on opening / closing member side 96 Gripping part 98 Regulatory Department 100 Winning Part

Claims

1. a first transport member and a second transport member that are disposed in a first transport path and a second transport path that are formed vertically in a gravity direction, and that transport the developer so as to circulate the developer between the first transport path and the second transport path; a partition wall that separates the first transport path and the second transport path; An opening formed in the partition wall; an opening / closing member for opening and closing the opening; having The upper surface of the partition wall constituting the first transport path in the direction of gravity and the upper surface of the opening / closing member in the direction of gravity are formed to coincide with each other in a cross section perpendicular to the transport direction of the developer. Developing device.

2. a first transport member and a second transport member that are disposed in a first transport path and a second transport path that are formed vertically in a gravity direction, and that transport the developer so as to circulate the developer between the first transport path and the second transport path; a partition wall that separates the first transport path and the second transport path; An opening formed in the partition wall; an opening / closing member for opening and closing the opening; having A surface of the partition wall constituting the second transport path on the lower side in the direction of gravity and a surface of the opening / closing member on the lower side in the direction of gravity are formed to coincide with each other in a cross section perpendicular to the transport direction of the developer. Developing device.

3. a first transport member and a second transport member that are disposed in a first transport path and a second transport path that are formed vertically in a gravity direction, and that transport the developer so as to circulate the developer between the first transport path and the second transport path; a partition wall that separates the first transport path and the second transport path; An opening formed in the partition wall; an opening / closing member for opening and closing the opening; having The opening / closing member has an opening / closing member main body portion divided into at least two portions in a developer transport direction. Developing device.

4. a first transport member and a second transport member that are disposed in a first transport path and a second transport path that are formed vertically in a gravity direction, and that transport the developer so as to circulate the developer between the first transport path and the second transport path; a partition wall that separates the first transport path and the second transport path; two communication portions provided at both ends of the partition wall in a longitudinal direction thereof, for communicating the first transport path with the second transport path; a plurality of openings formed in the partition wall between the two communication portions; an opening / closing member for opening and closing the plurality of openings; A developing device having the same.

5. 4. The developing device according to claim 3, wherein the divided opening / closing member body portions are connected by a connecting portion.

6. 6. The developing device according to claim 5, wherein the connecting portion is provided with a restricting portion that restricts movement of the opening / closing member in the opening direction.

7. A developing device; a developer holding member that holds the developer developed by the developing device, The developing device is a first transport member and a second transport member that are disposed in a first transport path and a second transport path that are formed vertically in a gravity direction, and that transport the developer so as to circulate the developer between the first transport path and the second transport path; a partition wall that separates the first transport path and the second transport path; An opening formed in the partition wall; an opening / closing member for opening and closing the opening; having The upper surface of the partition wall constituting the first transport path in the direction of gravity and the upper surface of the opening / closing member in the direction of gravity are formed to coincide with each other in a cross section perpendicular to the transport direction of the developer. Image forming device.

8. A developing device; a developer holding member that holds the developer developed by the developing device, The developing device is a first transport member and a second transport member that are disposed in a first transport path and a second transport path that are formed vertically in a gravity direction, and that transport the developer so as to circulate the developer between the first transport path and the second transport path; a partition wall that separates the first transport path and the second transport path; An opening formed in the partition wall; an opening / closing member for opening and closing the opening; having A surface of the partition wall constituting the second transport path on the lower side in the direction of gravity and a surface of the opening / closing member on the lower side in the direction of gravity are formed to coincide with each other in a cross section perpendicular to the transport direction of the developer. Image forming device.

9. A developing device; a developer holding member that holds the developer developed by the developing device, The developing device is a first transport member and a second transport member that are disposed in a first transport path and a second transport path that are formed vertically in a gravity direction, and that transport the developer so as to circulate the developer between the first transport path and the second transport path; a partition wall that separates the first transport path and the second transport path; An opening formed in the partition wall; an opening / closing member for opening and closing the opening; having The opening / closing member has an opening / closing member main body portion divided into at least two portions in a developer transport direction. Image forming device.

10. A developing device; a developer holding member that holds the developer developed by the developing device, The developing device is a first transport member and a second transport member that are disposed in a first transport path and a second transport path that are formed vertically in a gravity direction, and that transport the developer so as to circulate the developer between the first transport path and the second transport path; a partition wall that separates the first transport path and the second transport path; two communication portions provided at both ends of the partition wall in a longitudinal direction thereof, for communicating the first transport path with the second transport path; a plurality of openings formed in the partition wall between the two communication portions; an opening / closing member for opening and closing the plurality of openings; have Image forming device.

Images