Storage container and image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide a developer storage container, a developing device, and an image forming apparatus that can prevent protrusion of sealant.SOLUTION: A storage container has a plurality of members 58a, 58b combined to form a space for storing developer therein, and bonds and seals the members with sealant 200. A first member, which is one member of the two members bonded by the sealant 200, has an abutting part 102b that regulates the distance in a contact direction between the first member and a second member, which is the other member, so that a predetermined gap is formed between an adhesion part of the first member and an adhesion part of the second member. The abutting part 102b is provided to ensure the gap when caused to abut against the second member.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 14

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a developer storage container in which a space for storing a developer is formed inside by combining a plurality of members, and the members are sealed by bonding with a sealing material.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a developer container in which a container body and a container lid are sealed by bonding them together with a hot melt sealant. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, there is a risk that the sealing material will be excessively crushed and may protrude from the adhesive portion. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a storage container in which a storage space is formed inside by combining a plurality of members and the members are bonded together by a sealing material, wherein the first member has an abutment portion that regulates the distance in the abutting direction between the first member and the second member so that a predetermined gap is formed between an adhesive portion of a first member, which is one of two members bonded together by the sealing material, and an adhesive portion of a second member, which is the other member, and the abutment portion is arranged so that the gap is secured when the abutment portion abuts against the second member. One of the adhesive portions of the first member and the second member has a concave shape, and the other has a convex shape formed to fit into the concave shape, and a position restricting portion is provided to restrict relative movement of the first member and the second member in a direction in which they are separated. This is characterized by the fact that [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the protrusion of the sealing material. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 3 is an enlarged explanatory view of one of the four image forming units. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the movement of developer in the longitudinal direction within the developing device. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part of one longitudinal end of the lower developing case seen from above. [Figure 10] An enlarged view of the area enclosed by the dashed line in Figure 9. [Figure 11] Cross section CC of Figure 10. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing how the upper developing case is positioned and fixed to the lower developing case. [Figure 13] 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 9 when the upper developer case is positioned in the lower developer case. [Figure 14] 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the area indicated by the dashed line B in FIG. 8 when the upper developer case is positioned in the lower developer case. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing how the developing cover is positioned and fixed to the upper developing case. [Figure 16] 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the position of the dashed line γ in FIG. 8 when the developing cover is positioned on the upper developing case. [Figure 17] 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the position of the dashed line β in FIG. 8 when the developing cover is positioned on the upper developing case. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] An embodiment of a tandem color copying machine (hereinafter referred to as copying machine 500) as an image forming apparatus to which the present invention can be applied will be described below.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a copying machine 500. The copying machine 500 includes an original reading unit 4 and an original transport unit 3 above a printer unit 100, which serves as the main body of the image forming apparatus, and a paper feed unit 7 below the printer unit 100. The original transport unit 3 transports an original to the original reading unit 4, which reads image information from the transported original. The paper feed unit 7 includes a paper feed cassette 26 that stores transfer paper P, which is a recording medium, and a paper feed roller 27 that feeds the transfer paper P in the paper feed cassette 26 toward the printer unit 100. The dashed dotted line in FIG. 1 indicates the transport path of the transfer paper P within the copying machine 500.

[0010] The top of the printer section 100 is a paper output tray 30 on which transfer paper P with an output image formed thereon is stacked. The printer section 100 includes four imaging units 6 (Y, M, C, K) as imaging sections that form toner images of each color (yellow, magenta, cyan, black), and an intermediate transfer unit 10. Each imaging unit 6 (Y, M, C, K) includes a drum-shaped photoconductor 1 (Y, M, C, K) as an image carrier on which the toner image of each color is formed, and a developing device 5 (Y, M, C, K) that develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of each photoconductor 1 (Y, M, C, K).

[0011] The intermediate transfer unit 10 includes an intermediate transfer belt 8 and primary transfer bias rollers 9 (Y, M, C, K). The intermediate transfer belt 8 is an intermediate transfer body onto which the toner images of each color formed on the surface of each photoconductor 1 (Y, M, C, K) are transferred in an overlapping manner, forming a color toner image on its surface. The primary transfer bias rollers 9 (Y, M, C, K) are primary transfer means that transfer the toner images formed on the surfaces of each photoconductor 1 (Y, M, C, K) to the intermediate transfer belt 8.

[0012] The printer unit 100 includes a secondary transfer bias roller 19 for transferring the color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 8 onto the transfer paper P. It also includes a pair of registration rollers 28 for adjusting the timing at which the transfer paper P sent out by the paper feed roller 27 is transported to the secondary transfer nip where the intermediate transfer belt 8 and the secondary transfer bias roller 19 face each other. The printer unit 100 also includes a fixing device 20 above the secondary transfer nip for fixing an unfixed toner image on the transfer paper P.

[0013] Toner containers 11 (Y, M, C, K) for each color are arranged below the paper discharge tray 30 and above the intermediate transfer unit 10 in the printer section 100. The toner containers 11 (Y, M, C, K) for each color contain toner of each color (yellow, magenta, cyan, black) to be supplied to the respective developing devices 5 (Y, M, C, K).

[0014] 2 is an enlarged explanatory diagram of one of the four imaging units 6 (Y, M, C, K) to which the present invention can be applied. The four imaging units 6 (Y, M, C, K) are substantially the same in configuration and operation except for the different colors of toner used in the image creation process, and therefore in the following explanation, the symbols Y, M, C, and K indicating corresponding colors will be omitted as appropriate.

[0015] 2, the imaging unit 6 is a process cartridge that integrally supports the photosensitive member 1 and the developing device 5, and this process cartridge is detachable from the main body of the copier 500. The imaging unit 6 also includes, in addition to the developing device 5, a photosensitive member cleaning device 2, a lubricant application device 41, and a charging device 40 around the photosensitive member 1. In the imaging unit 6 of this embodiment, the photosensitive member cleaning device 2 is configured to perform cleaning using a cleaning blade 2a, and the charging device 40 is configured to perform charging using a charging roller 40a.

[0016] Hereinafter, the operation of the copying machine 500 of this embodiment during normal color image formation will be described.

[0017] First, when the start button is pressed with a document set on the document table of document transport unit 3, the document is transported from the document table by the transport rollers of document transport unit 3 and placed on the contact glass of document reading unit 4. Then, document reading unit 4 optically reads the image information of the document placed on the contact glass.

[0018] More specifically, the document reading unit 4 scans the image of the document on the contact glass while irradiating it with light emitted from an illumination lamp. The light reflected from the document is then imaged on a color sensor via a group of mirrors and a lens. The color image information of the document is read by the color sensor in units of RGB (red, green, and blue) color separation light, and then converted into electrical image signals. Furthermore, the image processing unit performs color conversion processing, color correction processing, spatial frequency correction processing, and other processing based on the RGB color separation image signals, thereby obtaining color image information of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black.

[0019] The image information for each color (yellow, magenta, cyan, and black) is then sent to a writing unit, which then emits laser light L based on the image information for each color onto the corresponding photoconductor 1 (Y, M, C, K).

[0020] Meanwhile, the four photoconductors 1 (Y, M, C, K) are each rotating clockwise in FIGS. 1 and 2. First, the surfaces of the photoconductors 1 (Y, M, C, K) are uniformly charged at the portions facing the charging rollers 40a of the charging device 40 (charging process). In this way, the surfaces of the photoconductors 1 (Y, M, C, K) reach a charging potential. Thereafter, the charged surfaces of the photoconductors 1 (Y, M, C, K) reach the irradiation position of the laser light L.

[0021] In the writing section, four light sources emit laser beams L corresponding to the image signals, one for each color. Each laser beam L passes through a separate optical path for each color component (yellow, magenta, cyan, black) and is irradiated onto the surface of each photoconductor 1 (Y, M, C, K) (exposure process).

[0022] The laser light L corresponding to the yellow component is irradiated onto the surface of the yellow photoconductor 1Y, which is the first from the left side of the paper in Figure 1. At this time, the laser light L of the yellow component is scanned in the direction of the rotation axis (main scanning direction) of the yellow photoconductor 1Y by a polygon mirror rotating at high speed. In this way, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the yellow component is formed on the surface of the yellow photoconductor 1Y after it has been charged by the charging device 40.

[0023] Similarly, the laser light L corresponding to the magenta component is irradiated onto the surface of the magenta photoconductor 1M, which is the second from the left in Fig. 1, to form an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the magenta component. The laser light L for the cyan component is irradiated onto the surface of the cyan photoconductor 1C, which is the third from the left in Fig. 1, to form an electrostatic latent image for the cyan component. The laser light L for the black component is irradiated onto the surface of the black photoconductor 1K, which is the fourth from the left in Fig. 1, to form an electrostatic latent image for the black component.

[0024] Thereafter, the surfaces of the photoconductors 1 (Y, M, C, K) on which the electrostatic latent images of each color have been formed reach positions facing the developing devices 5. Then, the developing devices 5 (Y, M, C, K) that contain developers consisting of the toner of each color and a carrier supply the toner of each color onto the surfaces of the photoconductors 1 (Y, M, C, K), and the latent images on the photoconductors 1 (Y, M, C, K) are developed (developing process).

[0025] After passing through the area facing the developing device 5, the surfaces of the photoconductors 1 (Y, M, C, K) each reach the area facing the intermediate transfer belt 8. Here, a primary transfer bias roller 9 (Y, M, C, K) is installed at each of the facing areas so as to abut against the inner circumferential surface of the intermediate transfer belt 8. The photoconductors 1 (Y, M, C, K) and the primary transfer bias rollers 9 (Y, M, C, K) face each other across the intermediate transfer belt 8, forming a primary transfer nip. Then, at this primary transfer nip, the toner images of each color formed on each photoconductor 1 (Y, M, C, K) are transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 8 in a sequentially overlapping manner (primary transfer process).

[0026] After passing through the primary transfer nip, the surface of the photoreceptor 1 reaches a position facing the photoreceptor cleaning device 2. At the position facing the photoreceptor cleaning device 2, untransferred toner remaining on the photoreceptor 1 is scraped off and collected by the cleaning blade 2a (photoreceptor cleaning process).

[0027] After passing the area facing the photosensitive drum cleaning device 2, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 passes through the charge removal section where any residual charge is removed, completing the series of image formation processes on the photosensitive drum 1 and preparing for the next image formation operation.

[0028] Meanwhile, the toner images of each color on the four photosensitive drums 1 (Y, M, C, K) are transferred and superimposed, and the intermediate transfer belt 8 carrying the color toner images moves counterclockwise in FIG. 1 and reaches the secondary transfer nip, which is the position opposite the secondary transfer bias roller 19.

[0029] Furthermore, transfer paper P fed by paper feed roller 27 from paper feed cassette 26 that stores transfer paper P passes through a conveyance guide and is guided to pair of registration rollers 28, where it strikes and stops. Having struck pair of registration rollers 28, transfer paper P is conveyed toward the secondary transfer nip in synchronization with the timing at which the color toner image formed on intermediate transfer belt 8 heads toward the secondary transfer nip.

[0030] Then, the color toner image carried on the intermediate transfer belt 8 is transferred onto the transfer paper P at the secondary transfer nip (secondary transfer step).

[0031] After passing through the secondary transfer nip, the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 8 reaches the area facing the intermediate transfer belt cleaning device. At this area, the residual toner adhering to the intermediate transfer belt 8 is collected by the intermediate transfer belt cleaning device, and the series of transfer processes on the intermediate transfer belt 8 is completed.

[0032] The waste toner scraped off the surface of the photosensitive member 1 by the cleaning blade 2a passes through a recovered toner transport path and is collected in a waste toner container. In addition, the waste toner scraped off the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 8 by the intermediate transfer belt cleaning device and the waste toner of the pattern image for process control also pass through a recovered toner transport path and are collected in a waste toner container.

[0033] The transfer paper P onto which the color toner image has been transferred at the secondary transfer nip is guided to the fixing device 20. In the fixing device 20, the color image is fixed onto the transfer paper P by heat and pressure at the fixing nip formed by a fixing roller and a pressure roller.

[0034] The transfer paper P that has passed through the fixing device 20 is discharged as an output image outside the printer section 100 by a pair of paper discharge rollers 25 and stacked on a paper discharge tray 30, completing a series of image forming processes.

[0035] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a developing device 5 to which the present invention can be applied, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the developing device 5 to which the present invention is applied.

[0036] The developing device 5 includes a casing 58 serving as a developer container, which is composed of a lower developer case 58a, an upper developer case 58b, and a developer cover 58c. The casing 58 contains the developer in its internal space. The casing 58 also contains a developing roller 50 serving as a developer carrier facing the photoreceptor 1, a supply screw 53 serving as a supply / conveying member, a recovery screw 54 serving as a recovery / conveying member, a doctor blade 52 serving as a developer regulating member, and a partition plate 57. The supply screw 53 and the recovery screw 54 are screw members each having a spiral blade on its rotation shaft. When the screw rotates, it conveys the developer in an axial direction parallel to the rotation shaft. A development zone entrance seal may be provided between the doctor portion of the doctor blade 52, where the doctor blade 52 faces the developing roller 50, and the development zone to prevent toner from scattering.

[0037] Within the space within the casing of the developing device 5, a supply conveying path 53a in which the supply screw 53 is disposed and a recovery conveying path 54a in which the recovery screw 54 is disposed are spatially separated by a partition plate 57. The partition plate 57 also functions as a separator plate that promotes the separation of developer G from the surface of the developing roller 50, as its end in a cross section perpendicular to the axial direction (the cross section shown in the explanatory diagram in FIG. 3) faces and is disposed in close proximity to the surface of the developing roller 50. The function of the partition plate 57 as a separator plate prevents the developer G that is carried on the developing roller 50 and has passed through the development region from reaching the supply conveying path 53a, and allows the developer G to move smoothly toward the recovery conveying path 54a.

[0038] The developing roller 50 is composed of a magnet roller 55 made up of multiple magnets fixed inside, and a developing sleeve 51 that rotates around the magnet roller 55. The developing sleeve 51 is a cylindrical member that contains the magnet roller 55 and is made of a rotatable non-magnetic material. The magnet roller 55 of this embodiment has five magnetic poles: a first magnetic pole P1 (north pole), a second magnetic pole P2 (south pole), a third magnetic pole P3 (north pole), a fourth magnetic pole P4 (north pole), and a fifth magnetic pole P5 (south pole). Note that P1 to P5 in FIG. 3 indicate the distribution of magnetic flux density (absolute value) in the normal direction on the surface of the developing sleeve 51 of the magnetic field formed by each magnetic pole.

[0039] The developing device 5 contains a two-component developer G consisting of toner and carrier (including cases where additives and the like are added). The developing device 5 is provided with a supply screw 53 and a recovery screw 54 as developer transport members that transport the developer G in the longitudinal direction (the axial direction of the rotation shaft of the developing sleeve 51) and form a circulation path. The developing device 5 also has the supply screw 53 and the recovery screw 54 arranged vertically, and a partition plate 57 arranged between the supply screw 53 and the recovery screw 54 forms a supply transport path 53a and a recovery transport path 54a.

[0040] In addition, a doctor blade 52 is placed below the developing roller 50 on the upstream side of the developing area, which is the opposing portion between the photosensitive member 1 and the developing sleeve 51, in the direction of surface movement of the developing sleeve 51, and is carried on the surface of the developing sleeve 51 to regulate the amount of developer heading toward the developing area.

[0041] Since the developing device 5 uses a two-component developer G, toner is appropriately replenished into the developing device 5 through a toner replenishing port 59 provided in a part of the developing device in accordance with the toner consumption in the developing device 5.

[0042] Here, we will explain the replenishment of new toner to the developing device 5. The new toner filled in the toner container 11 is replenished by the toner replenishing device to the toner hopper located at the rear of the main body of the copier 500 in FIG. 1, and stored in the toner hopper. When the toner concentration detecting means located in the developing device 5 determines that the toner concentration in the toner hopper is low, the toner replenishing screw in the toner hopper is rotated. At this time, the toner replenishing screw is rotated for a time calculated using a predetermined conversion formula, and an appropriate amount of toner is supplied from the toner hopper to the toner replenishing port 59 of the developing device 5.

[0043] A toner detection sensor is disposed inside the toner hopper, and when this toner detection sensor detects that there is no toner at the detection position, the control unit requests the toner replenishing device to supply toner.

[0044] In response to this request, the toner supply device supplies toner into the toner hopper, and when the toner detection sensor detects that there is toner at the detection position, the toner supply device stops supplying toner. On the other hand, if the toner detection sensor in the toner hopper does not detect that there is toner at the detection position even after the control unit has requested the toner supply device to supply toner for a predetermined period of time, the control unit determines that there is no toner left in toner container 11. This makes it possible to detect that there is no toner left in toner container 11.

[0045] The toner supplied through the toner supply port 59 is stirred and mixed together with the developer G in the developing device 5 while being transported by the recovery screw 54 and supply screw 53, which are developer transport members. A portion of the developer G stirred and mixed by the developer transport members is supplied to the surface of the developing sleeve 51, which is a developer carrier, and carried on that surface. The developer G carried on the surface of the developing sleeve 51 is regulated to an appropriate amount by a doctor blade 52 installed below the developing sleeve 51 before reaching the development zone. In the development zone, the toner in the developer G on the surface of the developing sleeve 51 adheres to the latent image on the surface of the photoreceptor 1, thereby developing the image. The developing sleeve 51, which constitutes the developing roller 50, contains a magnet roller 55 with multiple magnets fixed therein. The magnet roller 55 has multiple magnetic poles (P1 to P5) that form a magnetic field around the developing sleeve 51.

[0046] The developing device 5 of this embodiment is filled with 300 g of developer G, which is a uniform mixture of toner (average particle size 5.8 μm) mainly composed of polyester resin and carrier (average particle size 35 μm) made of magnetic fine particles, with a toner concentration of 7 wt %. The supply screw 53 and recovery screw 54, which are arranged in parallel, are rotated at 600 rpm to simultaneously transport the developer G and agitate new toner supplied from the toner supply port 59, thereby uniformly mixing the toner and carrier and providing a charge.

[0047] The uniformly mixed developer G is transported in the longitudinal direction by a supply screw 53 provided parallel to and close to the developing sleeve 51, and is transferred to the outer peripheral surface of the developing sleeve 51 by the magnetic force of a fifth magnetic pole P5 of a magnet roller 55 contained within the developing sleeve 51. The developer G transferred to the surface of the developing sleeve 51 reaches the developing zone as the developing sleeve 51 rotates counterclockwise as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 3. A developing electric field is formed between the developing sleeve 51 and the photosensitive member 1 in the developing zone by applying a voltage to the developing sleeve 51 from a high-voltage power supply. This developing electric field supplies the toner in the developer G on the surface of the developing sleeve 51 to the latent image on the surface of the photosensitive member 1, thereby developing the latent image on the photosensitive member 1.

[0048] The developer G on the surface of the developing sleeve 51 after passing through the development area is collected in a collection path 54a in the developing device 5 as the developing sleeve 51 rotates. More specifically, the developer G that has separated from the surface of the developing sleeve 51 drops and slides down onto the upper surface of the partition plate 57, and is collected by the collection screw 54.

[0049] 5 is a schematic diagram showing the movement of the developer G in the longitudinal direction within the developing device 5. The white arrows in FIG.

[0050] The partition plate 57 (see FIG. 4) has openings (71, 72) that communicate with the supply conveying path 53a and the recovery conveying path 54a at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the developing device 5. The developer G that reaches the downstream end of the supply conveying path 53a in the conveying direction of the supply screw 53 passes through a developer lifting port 72 of the openings provided in the partition plate 57 and is transferred to the upstream end of the recovery conveying path 54a in the conveying direction. On the other hand, the developer G that reaches the downstream end of the recovery conveying path 54a in the conveying direction of the recovery screw 54 passes through a developer drop port 71 of the openings provided in the partition plate 57 and is transferred to the upstream end of the supply conveying path 53a in the conveying direction.

[0051] 5, the supply transport path 53a and the recovery transport path 54a are depicted as if there is a certain distance between them in order to schematically show the supply and recovery of developer G to the developing sleeve 51. However, the supply transport path 53a and the recovery transport path 54a are separated by a plate-shaped partition plate 57 as shown in FIG. 3, and the openings therein, that is, the developer lifting port 72 and the developer dropping port 71, are through-holes that penetrate the plate-shaped partition plate 57 from the front to the back.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 5, developer G in the supply transport path 53a, which is located below the recovery transport path 54a, is transported by the supply screw 53 along the axial direction (longitudinal direction) of the supply screw 53 toward the left side in FIG. 5. Furthermore, as the developer G in the supply transport path 53a is transported by the supply screw 53, a certain amount is drawn up onto the surface of the developing sleeve 51 by the rotation of the supply screw 53 and the magnetic force of the fifth magnetic pole P5, which serves as a drawing-up magnetic pole. After being drawn up onto the surface of the developing sleeve 51, the developer G on the surface of the developing sleeve 51 passes through the development zone and reaches the position of the developer release magnetic pole, which is formed by the third magnetic pole P3 and the fourth magnetic pole P4, which are adjacent magnetic poles of the same polarity (N pole). Then, due to the action of the magnetic force of the developer release magnetic pole and the action of the partition plate 57 as a separator, the developer G is separated from the surface of the developing sleeve 51 and sent into the recovery transport path 54a.

[0053] The recovery screw 54 in the recovery conveying path 54a, which is located above the supply conveying path 53a, conveys the developer G that has detached from the developing sleeve 51 at the position of the developer separation magnetic pole longitudinally along the axial direction of the recovery screw 54 (the opposite direction to the conveying direction by the supply screw 53).

[0054] The downstream end in the transport direction of supply conveyance path 53a, which is the transport path of supply screw 53, and the upstream end in the transport direction of recovery conveyance path 54a, which is the transport path of recovery screw 54, are connected via developer lifting port 72. Developer G that is not pumped up from supply conveyance path 53a to developing roller 50 and reaches the downstream end in the transport direction of supply conveyance path 53a remains in that position and is pushed up by developer G that is transported later, until it reaches the upstream end in the transport direction of recovery conveyance path 54a.

[0055] A toner replenishing port 59 is provided at the upstream end of the recovery conveyance path 54a in the conveying direction, and new toner is appropriately replenished from the toner container 11 through the toner replenishing port 59 via a toner replenishing device and a toner hopper. The upstream end of the supply conveyance path 53a in the conveying direction and the downstream end of the recovery conveyance path 54a in the conveying direction are connected via a developer drop port 71. The developer G that reaches the downstream end of the recovery conveyance path 54a in the conveying direction falls by its own weight through the developer drop port 71 and is delivered to the upstream end of the supply conveyance path 53a in the conveying direction.

[0056] The developer G is transferred from the downstream end of the supply conveying path 53a in the conveying direction to the recovery conveying path 54a, and is further transferred from the downstream end of the recovery conveying path 54a in the conveying direction to the supply conveying path 53a, causing the developer G to circulate within the developing device 5.

[0057] In the supply conveying path 53a, the developer G is conveyed by the supply screw 53 and is drawn up by the developing roller 50, so that the amount of the developer G decreases toward the downstream side in the conveying direction.

[0058] In the recovery transport path 54a, the new toner supplied from the toner replenishing port 59 and the developer G are transported while being stirred by the recovery screw 54. In the recovery transport path 54a, the developer G that has separated from the surface of the developing sleeve 51 after passing through the development area is recovered and transported by the recovery screw 54, so the amount of developer G in the recovery transport path 54a increases toward the downstream side in the transport direction.

[0059] A toner concentration sensor, which is a toner concentration detection means, is disposed below the supply screw 53 in the supply conveying path 53a or below the recovery screw 54 in the recovery conveying path 54a. This toner concentration sensor constantly measures the toner concentration in the developing device 5, and the control unit controls the toner hopper based on the measurement results so that the toner concentration falls within an appropriate value.

[0060] As described above, in the developing device 5, the supply screw 53 and the recovery screw 54 rotate in the directions indicated by the arrows in FIG. 3, and at the same time, the magnetic attraction force of the magnet roller 55 contained within the developing sleeve 51 attracts the developer G to the developing sleeve 51. Furthermore, by rotating the developing sleeve 51 at a predetermined speed ratio relative to the photosensitive drum 1, the developer G is continuously drawn up and supplied to the development area. The developer G is separated from the developing sleeve 51 by the generation of a repulsive magnetic force by the developer release magnetic pole formed by the third magnetic pole P3 and the fourth magnetic pole P4. The developer G transported to the section where this repulsive magnetic force is generated is released by the developer release magnetic pole in a combined direction of the normal direction and the tangential direction of rotation, and falls by gravity onto the partition plate 57 to be collected.

[0061] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the casing 58 of the developing device 5. As shown in FIG.

[0062] The casing 58 is mainly composed of a lower developer case 58a, an upper developer case 58b, and a developer cover 58c. The upper developer case 58b is positioned relative to the lower developer case 58a and fixed to the lower developer case 58a with a sealing material such as adhesive 200. The developer cover 58c is positioned relative to the upper developer case 58b and fixed to the upper developer case 58b with a sealing material such as adhesive 201.

[0063] The lower developer case 58a has a base portion 250a that has the supply transport path 53a, extends in the longitudinal direction (axial direction), and forms the bottom of the casing 58, and sidewall portions 250b that are provided at both longitudinal ends of the base portion 250a and are perpendicular to the axial direction and form sidewalls of the casing 58. One of the sidewall portions 250b (the left side in the figure) has a toner supply port 59. In addition, a case positioning groove 161 into which a case main positioning protrusion 171 of the upper developer case 58b fits is provided at the end of each sidewall portion 250b on the upper front side (the rear side in the figure: the side where the developing roller is located), and a case positioning hole 162 into which a case secondary positioning protrusion 172 of the upper developer case 58b is inserted is provided near the upper center.

[0064] The inner wall surfaces of both side wall portions 250b are provided with flat seal mounting surfaces 110 to which sponge seals 140 (see FIG. 9) serving as sealing members to be described later are attached. Also, a concave lower case application groove 101a is provided so as to be continuous with this seal mounting surface 110 and serves as an application portion to which adhesive 200 serving as a sealing material is applied.

[0065] At both longitudinal ends of the rear side of the base portion 250a (the front side in the drawing: the side opposite the side where the developing roller is arranged), lower case application surfaces 101c serving as application portions where the adhesive 200 is applied are provided so as to connect to the lower case application groove 101a. Also, connected to the lower case application surfaces 101c, a stepped lower case stepped application portion 101b serving as an application portion where the adhesive 200 is applied is provided on the rear side of the base portion 250a. Here, the stepped shape is a shape formed by two adjacent surfaces that are orthogonal to each other, with one surface positioned at the end of the other surface.

[0066] In this embodiment, the lower case coating groove 101a, the lower case coating surface 101c, and the lower case stepped coating portion 101b are formed so as to be continuous. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, the adhesive 200 can be continuously applied to the lower case coating groove 101a, the lower case coating surface 101c, and the lower case stepped coating portion 101b. This allows the gap between the upper developer case 58b and the lower developer case to be effectively sealed with the adhesive 200. Furthermore, because the lower case coating groove 101a, the lower case coating surface 101c, and the lower case stepped coating portion 101b are formed so as to be continuous, the adhesive 200 can be applied to the lower case coating groove 101a, the lower case coating surface 101c, and the lower case stepped coating portion 101b in a single application operation, facilitating automatic application by machine.

[0067] The upper developing case 58b has a rear wall 251a extending in the longitudinal direction and inner side walls 251b provided at both ends of the rear wall 251a and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. A partition plate 57 is provided on the rear wall 251a to separate the supply conveying path 53a and the recovery conveying path 54a.

[0068] Both inner side wall portions 251b of the upper developing case 58b are provided with upper case adhesive protrusions 120a as adhesive portions that fit into the lower case application groove 101a of the lower developing case 58a and are adhered with adhesive 200, and sealing protrusions 111 that abut against and seal the sponge seal 140.

[0069] Furthermore, a case main positioning protrusion 171 extending outward is provided at the front end of each of the inner sidewalls 251b, and a case secondary positioning protrusion 172 extending outward is provided near the upper center. Furthermore, a cover positioning groove 173 into which a cover main positioning protrusion 181 of the developing cover 58c fits is provided at the front end of each of the inner sidewalls 251b. Furthermore, a cover positioning protrusion 174 for hooking a cover positioning hook portion 182, which is a secondary reference for positioning the developing cover 58c, is provided at the rear end surface of each of the inner sidewalls 251b.

[0070] The inner wall surfaces of both inner sidewalls 251b are provided with concave upper case application grooves 131a as application portions to which the adhesive 201 serving as a sealant is applied. The rear wall 251a of the upper development case 58b is provided with an upper case application surface 131b as an application portion to which the adhesive 201 is applied, the upper case application surface 131b being continuous with the upper case application grooves 131a.

[0071] In the upper developing case 58b, the upper case application groove 131a for adhering the developing cover 58c and the upper case application surface 131b are also formed so as to be continuous, so that the adhesive 201 can be applied continuously to the upper case application groove 131a and the upper case application surface 131b. This allows the gap between the upper developing case 58b and the developing cover 58c to be well sealed with the adhesive 201. Furthermore, the adhesive 201 can be applied to the upper case application groove 131a and the upper case application surface 131b in a single application operation, facilitating automatic application by machine.

[0072] At both longitudinal ends of the rear wall portion 251a, upper case adhesive surface portions 120c are provided as adhesive portions that face the lower case application surface 101c of the lower developing case 58a and are adhered with the adhesive 200.

[0073] In addition, the rear wall portion 251a has a case adhesive surface portion 251c having a step-shaped upper case step adhesive portion 120b (see Figures 12 and 14) on its inner wall surface as an adhesive portion that faces the lower case step application portion 101b of the developing lower case 58a and is adhered with adhesive 200.

[0074] The developing cover 58c has a cover base portion 252 that forms the upper wall of the casing 58. Both longitudinal end surfaces of this cover base portion 252 are provided with cover adhesive protrusions 151a that protrude downward and serve as adhesive portions that fit into the upper case application groove 131a of the developing upper case 58b and are bonded with the adhesive 201. In addition, a cover main positioning protrusion 181 is provided at the front end of each longitudinal end surface of the cover base portion 252, and a cover positioning hook portion 182 is provided at the rear end.

[0075] Further, at the rear end of the cover base portion 252, a cover adhesive surface portion 151b is provided as an adhesive portion that extends downward and faces the upper case application surface 131b of the upper development case 58b and is adhered with the adhesive 201.

[0076] The adhesives 200, 201 applied as sealing materials to the lower developer case 58a and the upper developer case 58b need only be fluid during the bonding process and harden (solidify) later. Furthermore, it is preferable for the adhesive to have a certain degree of viscosity during the bonding process. By using a viscous adhesive, it is possible to prevent the adhesive from flowing off the application area during the bonding process. Examples of adhesives that can be used include hot-melt adhesives that are applied in a molten state at a high temperature during the bonding process and then solidify upon cooling, ultraviolet-curing adhesives that harden when irradiated with ultraviolet light, thermosetting adhesives that harden when heated, solvent-evaporating adhesives that harden when the solvent components evaporate, and moisture-curing adhesives that harden by reacting with moisture in the air.

[0077] FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of the main part of the lower developing case 58a.

[0078] 7, a first case abutting protrusion 102a is provided near the lower case application surface 101c as a position restricting portion that abuts against the upper case adhesive surface 120c of the upper development case 58b and restricts the position of the upper case adhesive surface 120c. Also, a blocking wall 102c is provided on the outer edge of the lower case application surface 101c to block the adhesive 200 applied to the lower case application surface 101c and prevent it from leaking outward.

[0079] In addition, a second case abutting protrusion 102b is provided near the lower side of the lower case stepped application portion 101b, which abuts against the rear wall portion 251a of the upper development case 58b and also serves as a position regulating portion that regulates the position of the upper case stepped adhesive portion 120b (see FIGS. 12 and 14). In addition, an inclined surface 103a that slopes inward is formed on the upper side of the lower case stepped application portion 101b.

[0080] FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of the main part of the upper developing case 58b.

[0081] As shown in the figure, a cover abutment protrusion 132b is provided at the upper end of the upper case application surface 131b, which abuts against the cover adhesive surface 151b of the developing cover 58c and also serves as a position restricting portion that restricts the position of the cover adhesive surface 151b. Also, a cover abutment surface 132c is provided at the lower end of the upper case application surface 131b, which is located one step higher than the upper case application surface 131b and abuts against the cover adhesive surface 151b and also serves as a position restricting portion that restricts the position of the cover adhesive surface 151b.

[0082] 9 is an enlarged perspective view of the main part of one longitudinal end side of the lower developing case 58a seen from above, FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the area surrounded by the dashed line in FIG. 9, and FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along CC in FIG.

[0083] A sponge seal 140 serving as a sealing member is attached to the seal attachment surface 110 with double-sided tape or the like. On the side of the sponge seal 140 opposite the developing roller 50 side, the sponge seal 140 has a cutout portion 140a cut out from the outer side in the longitudinal direction. The developing roller side of the sponge seal 140 comes into contact with the surface of the developing roller 50, sealing the hole through which the shaft of the developing roller 50 passes.

[0084] The adhesive 200 is applied up to the notched portion of the cutout portion 140a of the sponge seal 140, and is applied so as to come into contact with the sponge seal 140. In this embodiment, the cutout portion 140a of the sponge seal 140 forms part of the inner side wall of the lower case application groove 101a, and this cutout portion 140a has the function of blocking the adhesive 200 applied to the notched portion of the sponge seal 140 from flowing inward. In this way, by applying the adhesive 200 up to the notched portion of the cutout portion 140a of the sponge seal 140, the developer upper case 58b can be sealed seamlessly by the sponge seal 140 and the adhesive 200, and leakage of developer can be effectively suppressed.

[0085] 11, the sponge seal 140 is arranged so that the tip portion T of the cutout portion 140a bites into the end surface of the inner side wall of the lower case application groove 101a, and is affixed to the end surface H of the inner side wall in a state where the tip portion T of the cutout portion 140a curves to fit along the end surface H of the inner side wall of the lower case application groove 101a. This allows the sponge seal 140 to be reliably brought into contact with the end surface H of the inner side wall of the lower case application groove 101a, and prevents the adhesive 200 applied to the cutout portion of the sponge seal 140 from flowing inward through the gap between the tip of the cutout portion 140a and the end surface H of the inner side wall of the lower case application groove 101a.

[0086] FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing how the upper developing case 58b is positioned and fixed to the lower developing case 58a.

[0087] First, the case main positioning protrusion 171 of the upper developer case 58b is fitted into the case positioning groove 161 of the lower developer case 58a. Next, the upper developer case 58b is rotated clockwise in the drawing using the case main positioning protrusion 171 as a fulcrum, and the case secondary positioning protrusion 172 is fitted into the case positioning hole 162 of the lower developer case 58a. This positions the upper developer case 58b relative to the lower developer case 58a.

[0088] FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 9 when the upper developer case 58b is positioned in the lower developer case 58a.

[0089] When the upper developer case 58b is positioned on the lower developer case 58a, the upper case adhesive protrusion 120a of the upper developer case 58b fits into the lower case application groove 101a of the lower developer case 58a, and the tip of the upper case adhesive protrusion 120a comes into contact with the adhesive 200 applied to the lower case application groove 101a. As a result, the upper case adhesive protrusion 120a is adhered to and sealed in the lower case application groove 101a.

[0090] Furthermore, when the upper case adhesive protrusion 120a enters the lower case application groove 101a, the adhesive 200 applied to the lower case application groove 101a is crushed by the upper case adhesive protrusion 120a. However, in this embodiment, the developer upper case 58b is positioned relative to the developer lower case 58a, restricting the position of the developer upper case 58b relative to the developer lower case 58a. As a result, the position of the tip of the upper case adhesive protrusion 120a is restricted at a distance Z1 from the bottom surface of the lower case application groove 101a and does not move further toward the bottom surface. In this way, the position between the developer upper case 58b and the developer lower case 58a is restricted by positioning so that a predetermined gap is formed between the upper case adhesive protrusion 120a and the lower case application groove 101a. This prevents the adhesive 200 from being crushed more than necessary by the upper case adhesive protrusion 120a and prevents the adhesive 200 from leaking from the lower case application groove 101a.

[0091] In this manner, in this embodiment, the configuration for positioning the upper developing case 58b to the lower developing case 58a (consisting of the case main positioning protrusion 171 and case secondary positioning protrusion 172 of the upper developing case 58b, and the case positioning groove 161 and case positioning hole 162 of the lower developing case 58a) functions as a position regulating part.

[0092] In this embodiment, a positioning structure that regulates the position between the upper developer case 58b and the lower developer case 58a is provided near the adhesion point between the upper case adhesive protrusion 120a and the lower case application groove 101a. This allows the positional relationship between the upper case adhesive protrusion 120a and the lower case application groove 101a to be determined with precision, and prevents the adhesive 200 from leaking out of the lower case application groove 101a.

[0093] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the upper case adhesive protrusion 120a and the lower case application groove 101a are positioned longitudinally outside of the adhesive point between them, so that the positional relationship between the upper case adhesive protrusion 120a and the lower case application groove 101a can be accurately determined, and the adhesive 200 can be prevented from leaking out of the lower case application groove 101a.

[0094] In this embodiment, the secondary positioning reference is located near the center in the lateral direction (the direction perpendicular to both the longitudinal direction and the vertical direction). However, it is preferable to locate the secondary positioning reference at the edge on the rear side. This configuration allows positioning outside the bonding point between the upper case adhesive protrusion 120a and the lower case application groove 101a in the lateral direction. This allows for accurate determination of the positional relationship between the upper case adhesive protrusion 120a and the lower case application groove 101a, and the positional relationship between the lower case step application portion 101b and the upper case step adhesive portion 120b. This is preferable because it ensures a predetermined gap (Z1 in FIG. 13 and α in FIG. 14) between the upper case adhesive protrusion 120a and the lower case application groove 101a and between the lower case step application portion 101b and the upper case step adhesive portion 120b.

[0095] 13, the upper side of the inner surface of the lower case application groove 101a is a tapered surface 106. By providing the tapered surface 106 in this manner, the volume of the lower case application groove 101a can be increased compared to a case without a tapered surface. This prevents the adhesive 200 from leaking out of the lower case application groove 101a even if the amount of adhesive 200 applied to the lower case application groove 101a exceeds the specified amount.

[0096] FIG. 14 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the portion indicated by the broken line α in FIG. 7 when the upper developer case 58b is positioned relative to the lower developer case 58a.

[0097] When the upper developer case 58b is positioned on the lower developer case 58a, the upper case stepped adhesive portion 120b presses and crushes the adhesive 200 applied to the lower case stepped application portion 101b, and the upper case stepped adhesive portion 120b is adhered to the lower case stepped application portion 101b and sealed with the adhesive 200. A gap α is formed between the upper case stepped adhesive portion 120b and the lower case stepped application portion 101b. At this time, a gap β is formed between the second case abutting protrusion 102b and the inner wall surface of the case adhesive surface portion 251c, which has the upper case stepped adhesive portion 120b on the inside of the upper developer case 58b. The gap β is narrower than the gap α.

[0098] The case adhesive surface portion 251c of the upper developing case 58b is spaced apart from the positioning location relative to the lower developing case 58a. The case adhesive surface portion 251c has a plate-like shape extending in the longitudinal direction, and has low rigidity in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the case adhesive surface portion 251c. As a result, when an operator presses the case adhesive surface portion 251c, the case adhesive surface portion 251c deforms toward the lower case stepped application portion 101b, and the upper case stepped application portion 120b provided on the case adhesive surface portion 251c excessively compresses the adhesive 200, which may cause the adhesive 200 to leak from the lower case stepped application portion 101b.

[0099] However, in this embodiment, the second case abutting protrusion 102b serves as a position restricting portion that abuts against the case bonding surface 251c and restricts the position of the upper case stepped adhesive portion 120b. As described above, the gap β between the second case abutting protrusion 102b and the inner wall surface of the case bonding surface 251c is narrower than the gap α between the lower case stepped application portion 101b and the upper case stepped adhesive portion 120b. Therefore, when an operator presses the case bonding surface 251c and the case bonding surface 251c deforms toward the lower case stepped application portion 101b, the case bonding surface 251c abuts against the second case abutting protrusion 102b before the upper case stepped adhesive portion 120b contacts the lower case stepped application portion 101b, restricting the position. This maintains a predetermined gap (β-α) between the lower case step application portion 101b and the upper case step adhesive portion 120b, preventing the adhesive 200 applied to the lower case step application portion 101b from being excessively crushed.

[0100] In this way, by regulating the position between the lower development case 58a and the upper development case 58b with the second case abutting protrusion 102b so that a predetermined gap (β-α) is formed (maintained) between the lower case step application portion 101b and the upper case step adhesive portion 120b, it is possible to prevent the adhesive 200 applied to the lower case step application portion 101b from leaking out from the lower case step application portion 101b.

[0101] In this embodiment, when the upper developer case 58b is positioned on the lower developer case 58a, the second case abutting protrusion 102b is not in contact with the inner wall surface of the case adhesive surface portion 251c, but the second case abutting protrusion 102b may be configured to contact the inner wall surface of the case adhesive surface portion 251c when the upper developer case 58b is positioned on the lower developer case 58a.

[0102] However, it is preferable that the second case abutting protrusion 102b does not come into contact with the inner wall surface of the case bonding surface portion 251c when the upper developer case 58b is positioned on the lower developer case 58a. This is because if the second case abutting protrusion 102b were configured to come into contact with the inner wall surface of the case bonding surface portion 251c when the upper developer case 58b is positioned on the lower developer case 58a, when the second case abutting protrusion 102b becomes higher than the target height due to a manufacturing error or the like, the upper case stepped bonding portion 120b may not be able to compress the desired amount of adhesive 200 applied to the lower case stepped application portion 101b, or may not come into contact with the adhesive 200 applied to the lower case stepped application portion 101b, which could result in poor sealing.

[0103] In this embodiment, the lower case stepped application portion 101b is provided with an inwardly sloping surface 103a. The provision of this sloping surface 103a increases the volume of the space between the upper developer case 58b and the lower developer case 58a above the lower case stepped application portion 101b. This prevents the adhesive 200, which is crushed by the upper case stepped adhesive portion 120b, from leaking into the casing.

[0104] In this embodiment, the second case abutting protrusion 102b also has the function of blocking the adhesive 200 and preventing the adhesive 200 from leaking out.

[0105] Furthermore, by positioning the upper developer case 58b relative to the lower developer case 58a, the adhesive 200 applied to the lower case application surface 101c is pressed against the upper case adhesive surface 120c, and the upper case adhesive surface 120c is adhered to the lower case application surface 101c. Like the case adhesive surface 251c, the upper case adhesive surface 120c is also separated from the positioning location relative to the lower developer case 58a. Therefore, when pressed, the upper case adhesive surface 120c moves toward the lower case application surface 101c. As a result, there is a risk that the adhesive 200 applied to the lower case application surface 101c will be excessively pressed.

[0106] However, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, a first case abutment protrusion 102a is provided near the lower case application surface 101c. When the upper developer case 58b is positioned on the lower developer case 58a, the first case abutment protrusion 102a faces the upper case adhesive surface 120c with a gap. This gap is narrower than the distance between the lower case application surface 101c and the upper case adhesive surface 120c. Therefore, when the upper case adhesive surface 120c is pressed by an operator, the first case abutment protrusion 102a abuts against the upper case adhesive surface 120c and restricts its position before the upper case adhesive surface 120c comes into contact with the lower case application surface 101c. This maintains a predetermined gap between the lower case application surface 101c and the upper case adhesive surface 120c, preventing excessive crushing of the adhesive 200 applied to the lower case stepped application portion 101b.

[0107] In this way, by regulating the position between the developing lower case 58a and the developing upper case 58b by the first case abutting protrusion 102a so that a predetermined gap is formed (maintained) between the lower case application surface 101c and the upper case adhesive surface portion 120c, it is possible to prevent the adhesive 200 applied to the lower case application surface 101c from being excessively crushed and leaking from the lower case application surface 101c.

[0108] Similarly to the second case abutting protrusion 102b, the first case abutting protrusion 102a is configured so as to be out of contact with the upper case adhesive surface 120c when the upper developer case 58b is positioned on the lower developer case 58a. This allows the case adhesive surface 251c to be positioned at a specified position, even if the second case abutting protrusion 102b is slightly higher than the target height due to manufacturing errors or the like, and allows the adhesive 200 applied to the lower case application surface 101c to be appropriately crushed.

[0109] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first case abutting protrusion 102a blocks the adhesive 200, thereby preventing the adhesive 200 from leaking to the inside.

[0110] In this embodiment, position regulating sections (case positioning groove 161 and case positioning hole 162, first case abutting convex section 102a, second case abutting convex section 102b) are provided to regulate the position between the developing lower case 58a and the developing upper case 58b so that a predetermined gap is formed between the case coating section of the developing lower case 58a (lower case coating groove 101a, lower case stepped coating section 101b, lower case coating surface 101c) and the case adhesive section of the developing upper case 58b (upper case adhesive convex section 120a, upper case stepped adhesive section 120b, upper case adhesive surface section 120c). This prevents the adhesive 200 applied to the case coating section from being excessively crushed, and suppresses leakage of the adhesive 200.

[0111] In this embodiment, position regulation portions (case positioning groove 161, case positioning hole 162, first case abutting protrusion 102a, second case abutting protrusion 102b) that regulate the position between lower developer case 58a and upper developer case 58b are provided near the case coating portions (lower case coating groove 101a, lower case stepped coating portion 101b, lower case coating surface 101c). This allows the gap between the case coating portions and the case adhesive portions (upper case adhesive protrusion 120a, upper case stepped adhesive portion 120b, upper case adhesive surface 120c) to be set to a predetermined gap with high precision.

[0112] Furthermore, in this embodiment, by positioning the upper developer case 58b to the lower developer case 58a, the case adhesive portions (upper case adhesive protrusion 120a, upper case stepped adhesive portion 120b, upper case adhesive surface portion 120c) of the upper developer case 58b can be reliably positioned at predetermined positions. This ensures that the adhesive portions (upper case adhesive protrusion 120a, upper case stepped adhesive portion 120b, upper case adhesive surface portion 120c) of the upper developer case 58b come into contact with the adhesive 200, and the gap between the upper developer case 58b and the lower developer case 58a can be reliably sealed with the adhesive 200.

[0113] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the developer upper case 58b is positioned relative to the developer lower case 58a, which prevents the developer upper case 58b from easily moving in a direction that would cause it to come off relative to the developer lower case 58a. Therefore, until the adhesive 200 solidifies and the bonding between the developer upper case 58b and the developer lower case 58a is completed, the developer upper case 58b can be prevented from moving in a direction that would cause it to come off relative to the developer lower case 58a. This ensures that the developer upper case 58b and the developer lower case 58a are bonded together reliably, preventing poor sealing.

[0114] In the above, the position restricting portions (first case abutting protrusion 102a and second case abutting protrusion 102b) are provided on the lower developer case 58a, but the position restricting portions may be provided on the upper developer case 58b. Also, the upper developer case 58b may be provided with an application portion to which the adhesive 200 is applied, and an adhesion portion to be adhered to the lower developer case 58a with the adhesive 200 may be provided.

[0115] FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing how the developing cover 58c is positioned and fixed to the developing upper case 58b.

[0116] The cover main positioning protrusion 181 (see FIG. 6) of the developing cover 58c is fitted into the cover positioning groove 173 (see FIG. 6) of the developing upper case 58b, and the developing cover 58c is rotated clockwise in the drawing using the cover main positioning protrusion 181 as a fulcrum. Then, the cover positioning hook portion 182 is hooked onto the cover positioning protrusion 174. This positions the developing cover 58c in the developing upper case 58b.

[0117] FIG. 16 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the position of the dashed line γ in FIG. 8 when the developing cover 58c is positioned in the developing upper case 58b.

[0118] When the developing cover 58c is positioned on the developing upper case 58b, the cover adhesive protrusion 151a of the developing cover 58c fits into the upper case application groove 131a of the developing upper case 58b, and the tip of the cover adhesive protrusion 151a moderately presses down on the adhesive 201 applied to the upper case application groove 131a, so that the cover adhesive protrusion 151a is adhered to and sealed in the upper case application groove 131a.

[0119] In this embodiment, the developer cover 58c is positioned on the developer upper case 58b, and the position of the developer cover 58c relative to the developer upper case 58b is restricted. As a result, the position of the tip of the cover adhesive protrusion 151a is restricted at a distance Z2 from the bottom surface of the upper case application groove 131a, and it does not move further toward the bottom. In this way, the position between the developer cover 58c and the developer upper case 58b is restricted so that a predetermined gap is formed between the cover adhesive protrusion 151a and the upper case application groove 131a. This prevents the adhesive 201 from being excessively crushed by the cover adhesive protrusion 151a and from leaking out of the upper case application groove 131a.

[0120] In this embodiment, the developing cover 58c and the developing upper case 58b are positioned longitudinally outward and in the lateral direction (directions perpendicular to both the longitudinal direction and the vertical direction, and perpendicular to the rear surface) from the adhesive points between the cover adhesive protrusions 151a and the upper case application groove 131a. Furthermore, the developing cover 58c and the developing upper case 58b are positioned near the adhesive points between the cover adhesive protrusions 151a and the upper case application groove 131a. Therefore, the positional relationship between the cover adhesive protrusions 151a and the upper case application groove 131a can be accurately determined, and the adhesive 201 can be prevented from leaking from the upper case application groove 131a. Furthermore, because the positioning by the cover positioning protrusions 174 and the cover positioning hook portions 182 is performed at the longitudinal end of the rear surface, the positional relationship between the upper case application surface 131b and the cover adhesive surface portion 151b can be accurately determined. This ensures that a predetermined gap (X2 in FIG. 17) is secured between the upper case application surface 131b and the cover adhesive surface portion 151b, making it difficult for the adhesive 201 to leak from the upper case application surface 131a.

[0121] Similarly to the lower case application groove 101a, the upper case application groove 131a also has a tapered surface 133 on the upper side, which makes it difficult for the adhesive 201 to leak out of the upper case application groove 131a.

[0122] FIG. 17 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the position of the dashed line β in FIG. 8 when the developing cover 58c is positioned in the developing upper case 58b.

[0123] When the developing cover 58c is positioned on the developing upper case 58b, the adhesive 201 applied to the upper case application surface 131b is appropriately pressed by the cover adhesive surface portion 151b, and the cover adhesive surface portion 151b is adhered to the upper case application surface 131b.

[0124] The cover adhesive surface portion 151b is easily deformed because it is separated from the positioning location relative to the upper developing case 58b and is long in the longitudinal direction as shown in Fig. 6. Therefore, when the cover adhesive surface portion 151b is pressed toward the upper case application surface 131b, the cover adhesive surface portion 151b moves toward the upper case application surface 131b.

[0125] However, in this embodiment, a cover abutment protrusion 132b and a cover abutment surface 132c are provided above and below the upper case application surface 131b. The cover abutment protrusion 132b and the cover abutment surface 132c protrude from the upper case application surface 131b toward the cover bonding surface 151b. Therefore, when the cover bonding surface 151b is pushed toward the upper case application surface 131b, the cover bonding surface 151b abuts against the cover abutment protrusion 132b and the cover abutment surface 132c, and its position is restricted. This ensures (forms) a predetermined gap between the upper case application surface 131b and the cover bonding surface 151b, preventing the adhesive 201 applied to the upper case application surface 131b from being excessively crushed and leaking from the upper case application surface 131b.

[0126] Furthermore, the cover abutment protrusions 132b and the cover abutment surface 132c provided above and below the upper case application surface 131b provide a step with respect to the upper case application surface 131b, which serves to stop the adhesive 201 from leaking out of the upper case application surface 131b. This further prevents the adhesive 201 applied to the upper case application surface 131b from leaking out of the upper case application surface 131b.

[0127] In this embodiment, a position regulating portion that regulates the position of the developing cover 58c and the developing upper case 58b is provided on the developing upper case so that a predetermined gap is formed between the upper case application surface 131b and the cover adhesive surface portion 151b, but it may also be provided on the developing cover 58c.

[0128] Furthermore, in this embodiment, by positioning the developer cover 58c on the developer upper case 58b, the adhesive portions of the developer cover 58c (cover adhesive protrusions 151a, cover adhesive surface portions 151b) can be reliably brought into contact with the adhesive 201 applied to the application portions of the developer upper case 58b (upper case application grooves 131a, upper case application surface 131b), and can be appropriately crushed. This allows the gap between the developer cover 58c and the developer upper case 58b to be reliably sealed with the adhesive 201.

[0129] Furthermore, since the developer cover 58c is positioned on the developer upper case 58b, the developer cover 58c is prevented from easily moving relative to the developer upper case 58b in a direction that would cause it to come off. Therefore, until the adhesive 201 hardens and the developer upper case 58b and the developer cover 58c are completely bonded together, the developer cover 58c can be prevented from moving relative to the developer upper case 58b in a direction that would cause it to come off. This ensures that the developer upper case 58b and the developer cover 58c are reliably bonded together, and prevents sealing defects from occurring.

[0130] Furthermore, by positioning the developer cover 58c in the developer upper case 58b, an appropriate gap can be created between the developer cover 58c and the developer roller 50. As a result, an appropriate suction airflow can be generated between the developer roller 50 and the developer cover 58c by the rotation of the developer roller 50, preventing toner from scattering.

[0131] In addition, position regulating portions (cover positioning groove 173 and cover positioning protrusion 174, cover abutment protrusion 132b and cover abutment surface 132c) that regulate the position of the developing cover 58c are provided near the application portion of the developing upper case 58b (upper case application groove 131a, upper case application surface 131b), so that the adhesive 201 applied to the developing upper case 58b can be prevented from being excessively crushed, and leakage of the adhesive 201 can be suppressed.

[0132] It is also possible to provide an application portion on which the adhesive 201 is applied to the developing cover 58c, and to provide an adhesive portion on the developing upper case 58b that is bonded to the developing cover 58c.

[0133] Furthermore, although the above description has been given of the present invention being applied to the casing 58 of the developing device, the present invention can also be applied to a toner container 11 that stores toner as a developer, a waste toner storage container that stores waste toner as a developer, etc.

[0134] The above description is merely an example, and each of the following aspects provides unique effects. (Aspect 1) In a developer storage container such as a casing 58 in which a space for storing developer is formed inside by combining multiple members and the members are sealed by bonding with a sealing material such as an adhesive, the container has a position regulating portion that regulates the position between the first member and the second member so that a predetermined gap is formed between the adhesive portion of the first member, which is one of the two members bonded with the sealing material (in this embodiment, the lower developer case 58a and the upper developer case 58b, and the upper developer case 58b and the developer cover 58c), and the adhesive portion of the second member, which is the other member.

[0135] According to this, by restricting the position between the first member and the second member with the position restricting portion, it is possible to prevent the gap between the adhesive portion of the first member and the adhesive portion of the second member from becoming narrower than a predetermined gap, thereby suppressing the sealing material from being excessively crushed and causing the sealing material to protrude.

[0136] (Aspect 2) In aspect 1, the position regulating portion is a positioning portion that positions the second member relative to the first member (in this embodiment, the case positioning groove 161 and the case main positioning protrusion 171, the case positioning hole 162 and the case secondary positioning protrusion 172, the cover positioning groove 173 and the cover main positioning protrusion 181, and the cover positioning protrusion 174 and the cover positioning hook portion 182).

[0137] As described in the embodiment, this allows the adhesive portion of the second member to be positioned approximately at the target position relative to the adhesive portion of the first member, and the sealant applied to either the adhesive portion of the first member or the adhesive portion of the second member can be reliably brought into contact with the other adhesive portion. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent the first member from moving relative to the second member in a direction that would cause it to come off until the sealant solidifies. This allows the adhesive portions of the first member and the second member to be well bonded by the sealant, thereby providing a good seal between the first member and the second member.

[0138] (Aspect 3) In the second aspect, the positioning portion is provided outside the adhesive portion.

[0139] As described in the embodiment, this allows the positional relationship between the adhesive portion of the first member and the adhesive portion of the second member to be accurately set to the desired positional relationship, thereby allowing the adhesive portion of the first member and the adhesive portion of the second member to be well bonded by the sealing material, and allowing the first member and the second member to be well sealed.

[0140] (Aspect 4) In any of aspects 1 to 3, either the adhesive portion of the first member or the adhesive portion of the second member is an application portion to which the sealing material is applied, and the application portion has a concave shape (in this embodiment, the lower case application groove 101a or the upper case application groove 131a) or a stepped shape (in this embodiment, the lower case stepped application portion 101b).

[0141] This allows the fluid sealing material to be well maintained during the bonding operation.

[0142] (Aspect 5) In the fourth aspect, the adhesive portion that is adhered to the concave application portion has a convex shape (in this embodiment, the upper case adhesive convex portion 120a and the cover adhesive convex portion 151a).

[0143] This allows the adhesive portion to be reliably brought into contact with the sealant applied to the recessed portion of the concave application portion, thereby allowing the adhesive portion to be bonded to the application portion.

[0144] (Aspect 6) In the fourth or fifth embodiment, the concave application portion and the stepped application portion are connected to each other.

[0145] According to this, as described in the embodiment, the first member and the second member can be bonded and sealed without any gaps by the sealing material.

[0146] (Aspect 7) In any of aspects 1 to 6, a sealing member such as a sponge seal 140 is provided that elastically deforms to seal between a first member such as a lower developing case 58a and a second member such as an upper developing case 58b, and a sealing material such as an adhesive 200 is in contact with the sealing member.

[0147] This allows the sealing member such as the sponge seal 140 and the sealing material such as the adhesive 200 to seamlessly seal the gap between the first member such as the lower developing case 58a and the second member such as the upper developing case 58b.

[0148] (Aspect 8) In the seventh embodiment, a sealing member such as a sponge seal 140 has a notched portion 140a, and a sealing material such as an adhesive fills the notched portion of the notched portion 140a.

[0149] This makes it possible to reliably eliminate any discontinuity between the sealing member such as the sponge seal 140 and the sealing material such as the adhesive 200 .

[0150] (Aspect 9) In the eighth embodiment, a mounting portion such as a seal mounting surface 110 to which a sealing member such as a sponge seal 140 is attached is connected to a concave application portion such as a lower case application groove 101a to which a sealing material such as an adhesive 200 is applied.

[0151] This allows the sealing material such as adhesive 200 to be applied seamlessly up to the cutout portion of the cutout shape portion 140a.

[0152] (Aspect 10) In the ninth embodiment, the tip of the notched portion 140a is attached to the tip surface H of the side wall of a concave applicator portion such as the lower case applicator groove 101a.

[0153] As a result, as described in the embodiment, it is possible to prevent sealing material such as adhesive 200 applied to the cutout portion of cutout portion 140a from flowing out from the gap between the tip surface of the side wall of the concave application portion of lower case application groove 101a and the tip of cutout portion 140a.

[0154] (Aspect 11) In any of the seventh to tenth embodiments, a rotating member such as the developing roller 50 is provided, and a sealing member such as the sponge seal 140 contacts the rotating member.

[0155] This allows the periphery of the rotary member of the developing roller 50 to be sealed with the sealing member without impeding the rotation of the rotary member.

[0156] (Aspect 12) In any one of the first to eleventh aspects, the position restriction portion is provided in the vicinity of the adhesive portion.

[0157] As a result, as described in the embodiment, when the position between the first member and the second member is regulated by the position regulating portion, the gap between the adhesive portion of the first member and the adhesive portion of the second member can be made the targeted gap, and excessive crushing of the sealing material can be reliably prevented.

[0158] (Aspect 13) In any of the first to twelfth embodiments, the position restricting portion has a convex shape (such as the first case abutting convex portion 102a or the second case abutting convex portion 102b) that protrudes from the application surface onto which the sealing material is applied.

[0159] In this way, the other member of the member on which the application surface is formed abuts against the position regulating portion, thereby regulating the position and reliably preventing the sealing material from being crushed excessively.

[0160] (Aspect 14) In a developing device including a developer carrier such as a developing roller 50 that rotates while carrying a developer and develops a latent image on a latent image carrier such as a photosensitive member, and a developer storage section that stores the developer, a developer storage container according to any one of aspects 1 to 13 was used as the developer storage section.

[0161] This can prevent problems caused by leaking adhesive.

[0162] (Aspect 15) In an image forming apparatus including a latent image carrier such as a photoreceptor 1, a developing means such as a developing device 5 that develops the latent image on the latent image carrier using a developer, and a developer storage unit that stores the developer, a developer storage container according to any one of aspects 1 to 13 was used as the developer storage unit.

[0163] This can prevent problems caused by leaking adhesive. [Explanation of symbols]

[0164] 1: Photoreceptor 5: Developing device 50: Developing roller 51: Developing sleeve 52: Doctor Blade 53: Supply screw 53a: Supply conveying path 54: Recovery screw 54a: Collection and transport route 55: Magnetic roller 57: Partition board 58: Casing 58a: Developing case 58b: Upper case for developing film 58c: Developing cover 59: Toner supply port 101a: Lower case coating groove 101b: Lower case step coating part 101c: Lower case coating surface 102a: First case abutment protrusion 102b: Second case abutment protrusion 102c: Dam wall 103a: Inclined surface 106: Tapered surface 110: Seal mounting surface 111: Sealing protrusion 120a: Upper case adhesive protrusion 120b: Upper case step adhesive part 120c: Upper case adhesive surface 131a: Upper case coating groove 131b: Upper case coating surface 132b: Cover abutment protrusion 132c: Cover abutment surface 133: Tapered surface 140: Sponge seal 140a: Notched portion 151a: Cover adhesive convex part 151b:Cover adhesive surface part 161: Case positioning groove 162: Case positioning hole 171: Case main positioning protrusion 172: Case secondary positioning protrusion 173: Cover positioning groove 174: Cover positioning protrusion 181: Cover main positioning protrusion 182: Cover positioning hook 200: Adhesive 201: Adhesive 250a: Base part 250b: Side wall part 251a: Rear wall 251b:Inner side wall part 251c: Case adhesive surface 252: Cover base part 500: Copier [Preliminary Technology Documents] [License]

[0165] [License 1] Patent No. 5366471

Claims

1. In a storage container in which a storage space is formed inside by combining a plurality of members and the members are bonded together with a sealing material, the first member has a protruding portion that regulates the distance in the contact direction between the first member and the second member so that a predetermined gap is formed between an adhesive portion of a first member, which is one of the two members bonded by the sealing material, and an adhesive portion of a second member, which is the other member; the abutting portion is provided so as to ensure the gap when it abuts against the second member, One of the adhesive portion of the first member and the adhesive portion of the second member has a concave shape, The other has a convex shape formed to fit into the concave shape, A storage container comprising a position restricting portion that restricts relative movement of the first member and the second member in a direction in which they come apart.

2. A storage container as described in Claim 1, characterized in that when the position is regulated by the position regulating portion, the abutment portion is not in contact with the opposing surface of the second member.

3. In the storage container described in either claim 1 or claim 2, The container is characterized in that the recessed shape has an inclined surface that slopes toward the inside of the recessed shape.

4. In a storage container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The position regulating portion has a hook portion.

5. The storage container according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The container is characterized in that the position regulating portion is provided outside the adhesive portion.

6. The container according to claim 1, The container is characterized in that the abutting portion is provided outside the adhesive portion.

7. A storage container in which a storage space is formed inside by combining multiple members and the members are bonded together with a sealing material, the first member has a protruding portion that regulates the distance in the contact direction between the first member and the second member so that a predetermined gap is formed between an adhesive portion of a first member, which is one of the two members bonded by the sealing material, and an adhesive portion of a second member, which is the other member; the abutting portion is provided so as to ensure the gap when it abuts against the second member, One of the adhesive portion of the first member and the adhesive portion of the second member has a concave shape, The other has a convex shape formed to fit into the concave shape, a position restricting portion that restricts relative movement of the first member and the second member in a direction in which the first member and the second member are separated from each other; When the position is restricted by the position restriction portion, the abutting portion is not in contact with the opposing surface of the second member, The concave shape has an inclined surface that is inclined toward the inside of the concave shape, the position restriction portion has a hook portion, the position restriction portion is provided outside the adhesive portion, The container is characterized in that the abutting portion is provided outside the adhesive portion.

8. 8. The container according to claim 1, wherein the container contains a developer.

9. 9. The container according to claim 8, wherein the container is a developing device.

10. An image forming apparatus comprising the container according to claim 8.

Images