Developing apparatus and image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide a developing device that has a seal attachment part, and suppresses bending of the seal attachment part while reducing the size of the developing device.SOLUTION: A developing device 4 comprises a first housing member 50, and second housing members 60, 70, 80. The second housing members 60, 70, 80 are combined with the first housing member 50 to constitute housings 50, 60, 70, 80. The housings 50, 60, 70, 80 have therein developer storage spaces 52A, 52B, and a roll storage space 51. The second housing members 60, 70, 80 comprise an integrated member 70 having a seal attachment part 71 and an outer shell part 72 that are formed integrally. The seal attachment part 71 is attached with a seal member 93 for separating the developer storage spaces 52A, 52B and the roll storage space 51 from each other. The outer shell part 72 constitutes an outer shell that separates the inside and the outside of the housings 50, 60, 70, 80 from each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] The developing device described in Patent Document 1 includes a developing sleeve, a developing container having a developer storage unit for supplying the developer to the developing sleeve, a sealing sheet for sealing the developer, and a sealing plate for attaching the sealing sheet.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] [[ID=,35]]Here, when a member having a frame-shaped seal attachment portion to which a heat welding seal (sealing sheet) is attached is disposed inside the housing, when the developing device is miniaturized, there is no margin in the internal space of the housing. Then, it becomes difficult to ensure the rigidity of the seal attachment portion, and the seal attachment portion is likely to bend.

[0005] The present disclosure aims to suppress the bending of the seal attachment portion without increasing the size of the housing as compared with an aspect in which a member having the seal attachment portion is completed only inside the housing.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The developing device according to the first aspect is a first housing member, A second housing member is formed by combining a housing having a developer storage space for containing a developer and a roll storage space for containing a developing roll inside with the first housing member, the second housing member comprising an integral member having a frame-shaped seal mounting portion to which a seal member for separating the developer storage space and the roll storage space is attached, and an outer shell portion which constitutes an outer shell separating the inside and outside of the housing, It is equipped with.

[0007] The developing apparatus according to the second embodiment is, in the first embodiment, When the integrated member is assembled to the first housing member, a developer filling port is formed in the developer storage space for filling with developer. The second housing member includes a developer-side member that closes the developer filling port.

[0008] The developing apparatus according to the third embodiment is, in the second embodiment, The developer storage space comprises a first developer storage space in which a first stirring member is placed, and a second developer storage space in which a second stirring member is placed. The developer filling port is configured to allow the developer to be filled into both the first developer storage space and the second developer storage space.

[0009] The developing apparatus according to the fourth embodiment is, in the third embodiment, The first housing member has a partition wall that separates the first developer storage space from the second developer storage space. The developer-side member has a partition wall contact portion that contacts the partition wall portion.

[0010] The developing apparatus according to the fifth embodiment is, in any of the first to fourth embodiments, The second housing member includes a roll-side member that constitutes an outer shell separating the roll storage space from the outside of the housing.

[0011] The developing apparatus according to the sixth embodiment is, in the fifth embodiment, The roll-side member is positioned so as to overlap with the seal mounting portion when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the seal member.

[0012] The developing apparatus according to the seventh embodiment is, according to the fifth or sixth embodiment, When the integrated member and the roll-side member are assembled to the first housing member, an air passage connecting the roll housing space and the outside of the housing is formed separately from the roll housing space.

[0013] The developing apparatus according to the eighth aspect is, according to the seventh aspect, The outer shell portion of the integrated member comprises a roll-side outer shell portion that constitutes the outer shell of the roll housing space, The connecting port from the roll housing space to the air passage is formed by the roll-side member and the roll-side outer shell portion.

[0014] The image forming apparatus according to the ninth embodiment is: The device is equipped with a developing apparatus according to any of the first to eighth embodiments. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the first embodiment, compared to an embodiment in which the member having the seal mounting portion is completed entirely inside the housing, deflection of the seal mounting portion can be suppressed without increasing the size of the housing.

[0016] According to the second embodiment, the developer can be filled into the developer storage space while the developer storage space and the roll storage space are separated by the sealing member.

[0017] According to the third embodiment, the filling operation becomes easier compared to the embodiment in which only one of the storage spaces can be filled.

[0018] According to the fourth embodiment, the bending of the developer-side member that closes the developer filling port toward the first housing member is suppressed.

[0019] According to the fifth aspect, the degree of freedom in the housing shape is improved as compared with an aspect in which the second housing member does not include a member that forms an outer shell separating the roll accommodation space from the outside of the housing, separately from the integrated member.

[0020] According to the sixth aspect, the degree of freedom in the shape of the developing device is improved as compared with an aspect in which the second housing member does not include a member that forms an outer shell separating the roll accommodation space from the outside of the housing, separately from the integrated member.

[0021] According to the seventh aspect, the developer scattered in the roll accommodation space can be guided to the air flow path.

[0022] According to the eighth aspect, as compared with an aspect in which the connection port is formed only by the roll side member, the outer shell portion of the integrated member can be formed larger toward the developing roll side.

[0023] According to the ninth aspect, as compared with an aspect in which the member having the seal attachment portion is completed only inside the housing, an image forming apparatus can be obtained that is downsized while suppressing the deflection of the seal attachment portion.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0024] [Figure 1] It is a cross-sectional view showing the developing device according to the present embodiment. [Figure 2] It is another cross-sectional view showing the developing device according to the present embodiment. [Figure 3] It is a cross-sectional view showing the integrated member according to the present embodiment. [Figure 4] (A) is an overall view of the integrated member showing the integrated member according to the present embodiment, and (B) is a view seen from another direction. [Figure 5] It is a view showing the integrated member according to the present embodiment. [Figure 6] It is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the developer filling port of the developing device according to the present embodiment is open. [Figure 7] It is a schematic configuration diagram showing the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0025] The following is an example of an image forming apparatus according to this embodiment, but it is not limited to this example. The main parts shown in the figure will be described, and other parts will be omitted from the explanation.

[0026] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram showing the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. The image forming apparatus shown in Figure 7 is equipped with first to fourth electrophotographic image forming units 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K (image forming means) that output images of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) based on color-separated image data. These image forming units (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as "units") 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K are arranged side by side at predetermined distances from each other in the horizontal direction. These units 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K may also be process cartridges that can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus.

[0027] An intermediate transfer belt (an example of an intermediate transfer body) 20 extends above each unit 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K, passing through each unit. The intermediate transfer belt 20 is wrapped around a drive roll 22 and a support roll 24, and is configured to travel in the direction from the first unit 10Y to the fourth unit 10K. The support roll 24 is subjected to a force moving away from the drive roll 22 by a spring or the like (not shown), and tension is applied to the intermediate transfer belt 20 wrapped around both. An intermediate transfer body cleaning device 30 is provided on the side of the image holder of the intermediate transfer belt 20, facing the drive roll 22.

[0028] The image forming apparatus shown in Figure 3 has a configuration in which toner cartridges 8Y, 8M, 8C, and 8K, which are an example of a toner replenishment storage unit, can be attached and detached. The developing units 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4K of units 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K are connected to toner cartridges 8Y, 8M, 8C, and 8K, respectively, by toner replenishment paths (not shown). Toner of each color is replenished from toner cartridges 8Y, 8M, 8C, and 8K to developing units 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4K through the toner replenishment paths. When the amount of toner stored in a toner cartridge becomes low, the toner cartridge is replaced.

[0029] Since the first to fourth units 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K have equivalent configurations and operations, the first unit 10Y, which forms the yellow image and is located upstream in the direction of travel of the intermediate transfer belt, will be described as a representative example.

[0030] The first unit 10Y has a photoreceptor 1Y that acts as an image holder. Around the photoreceptor 1Y are, in order, a charging roll (an example of a charging means) 2Y that charges the surface of the photoreceptor 1Y to a predetermined potential, an exposure device (an example of a charge image forming means) 3 that exposes the charged surface with a laser beam 3Y based on a color-separated image signal to form a charge image, a developing device (an example of a developing means) 4Y that supplies charged toner to the charge image to develop the charge image, a primary transfer roll 5Y (an example of a primary transfer means) that transfers the developed toner image onto an intermediate transfer belt 20, and a photoreceptor cleaning device (an example of a cleaning means) 6Y that removes toner remaining on the surface of the photoreceptor 1Y after primary transfer. The primary transfer roll 5Y is positioned inside the intermediate transfer belt 20, facing the photoreceptor 1Y. Each primary transfer roll 5Y, 5M, 5C, and 5K of each unit is connected to a bias power supply (not shown) that applies the primary transfer bias. Each bias power supply changes the value of the transfer bias applied to each primary transfer roll through control by a control unit (not shown).

[0031] The following describes the process of forming the yellow image in the first unit 10Y. First, prior to operation, the surface of the photoreceptor 1Y is charged to a potential of -600V to -800V by the charging roll 2Y. The photoreceptor 1Y is formed by laminating a photosensitive layer on a conductive substrate (for example, with a volume resistivity of 1 × 10⁻⁶ Ωcm or less at 20°C). This photosensitive layer normally has high resistance (resistivity of general resins), but when irradiated with a laser beam, it has the property of changing the resistivity of the area irradiated with the laser beam. Therefore, a laser beam 3Y is irradiated from the exposure apparatus 3 onto the surface of the charged photoreceptor 1Y according to image data for yellow sent from a control unit (not shown). As a result, an electrostatic charge image of the yellow image pattern is formed on the surface of the photoreceptor 1Y.

[0032] A static charge image is an image formed on the surface of a photoreceptor 1Y due to charging. It is a so-called negative latent image formed when the resistivity of the irradiated portion of the photoreceptor layer decreases due to the laser beam 3Y, causing the charged material on the surface of the photoreceptor 1Y to flow, while the charge remains in the portion not irradiated by the laser beam 3Y. The electrostatic charge image formed on the photoreceptor 1Y rotates to a predetermined development position as the photoreceptor 1Y moves. At this development position, the electrostatic charge image on the photoreceptor 1Y is developed as a toner image by the developing device 4Y and made visible.

[0033] The developing unit 4Y contains, for example, an electrostatic image developer including at least yellow toner and a carrier. The yellow toner is triboelectrically charged by being agitated inside the developing unit 4Y and is held on the developer roll (an example of a developer holder) with a charge of the same polarity (negative polarity) as the static charge on the photoreceptor 1Y. As the surface of the photoreceptor 1Y passes through the developing unit 4Y, the yellow toner electrostatically adheres to the discharged latent image on the surface of the photoreceptor 1Y, and the latent image is developed by the yellow toner. The photoreceptor 1Y, on which the yellow toner image has been formed, continues to move at a predetermined speed, and the toner image developed on the photoreceptor 1Y is transported to a predetermined primary transfer position.

[0034] When the yellow toner image on the photoreceptor 1Y is transported to the primary transfer position, a primary transfer bias is applied to the primary transfer roll 5Y, and an electrostatic force acts on the toner image from the photoreceptor 1Y to the primary transfer roll 5Y, transferring the toner image on the photoreceptor 1Y onto the intermediate transfer belt 20. The transfer bias applied at this time has a polarity opposite to the toner's polarity (-) (+), and in the first unit 10Y, it is controlled by a control unit (not shown) to, for example, +10 μA. Meanwhile, any toner remaining on the photoreceptor 1Y is removed and recovered by the photoreceptor cleaning device 6Y.

[0035] The primary transfer bias applied to the primary transfer rolls 5M, 5C, and 5K from the second unit 10M onward is also controlled in accordance with the first unit. Thus, the intermediate transfer belt 20, on which the yellow toner image has been transferred in the first unit 10Y, is sequentially transported through the second to fourth units 10M, 10C, and 10K, and the toner images of each color are superimposed and transferred in multiple layers.

[0036] The intermediate transfer belt 20, on which four-color toner images have been multi-transferred through the first to fourth units, proceeds to a secondary transfer section consisting of the intermediate transfer belt 20, a support roll 24 in contact with the inner surface of the intermediate transfer belt, and a secondary transfer roll (an example of a secondary transfer means) 26 positioned on the image-holding surface side of the intermediate transfer belt 20. Meanwhile, recording paper (an example of a recording medium) P is fed via a supply mechanism into the gap where the secondary transfer roll 26 and the intermediate transfer belt 20 are in contact at a predetermined timing, and a secondary transfer bias is applied to the support roll 24. The transfer bias applied at this time has the same polarity (-) as the toner's polarity (-), and an electrostatic force from the intermediate transfer belt 20 toward the recording paper P acts on the toner image, transferring the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 20 onto the recording paper P. The secondary transfer bias at this time is determined according to the resistance detected by a resistance detection means (not shown) that detects the resistance of the secondary transfer section, and is voltage-controlled.

[0037] After this, the recording paper P is fed to the contact area (nip area) of a pair of fixing rolls in a fixing device (an example of fixing means) 28, where the toner image is fixed onto the recording paper P, and a fixed image is formed.

[0038] Examples of recording paper P used to transfer toner images include plain paper used in electrophotographic photocopiers and printers. Other recording media besides recording paper P include OHP sheets. To further improve the smoothness of the image surface after fixing, it is preferable that the surface of the recording paper P is also smooth. For example, coated paper, which is plain paper coated with resin or the like, or art paper for printing are preferably used.

[0039] Once the color image has been fixed onto the recording paper P, it is discharged towards the output section, and the series of color image formation operations is completed.

[0040] (Developing device 4) Next, we will describe the detailed configuration of the developing units 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4K. Developing units 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4K all have similar structures. Hereafter, unless otherwise specified, they will simply be referred to as developing unit 4.

[0041] Figures 1 and 2 show the developing apparatus 4. The developing apparatus 4 comprises housings 50, 60, 70, and 80, a developing roll 91, and agitation members 92A and 92B.

[0042] The housings 50, 60, 70, and 80 each have a developer storage space 52A and 52B for storing a developer (not shown) and a roll storage space 51 for storing a developing roll 91. The developing roll 91 is housed in the roll storage space 51. The agitators 92A and 92B are housed in the developer storage spaces 52A and 52B.

[0043] The stirring members 92A and 92B consist of a first stirring member 92A and a second stirring member 92B. The developer storage spaces 52A and 52B include a first developer storage space 52A where the first stirring member 92A is located, and a second developer storage space 52B where the second stirring member 92B is located. The first stirring member 92A is also called a supply auger, and the second stirring member 92B is also called an admix auger.

[0044] The housings 50, 60, 70, and 80 comprise a first housing member 50 and second housing members 60, 70, and 80.

[0045] The first housing member 50 is formed as a single unit. The first housing member 50 has a first part 53 that constitutes the outer shell of the roll storage space 51, a second part 54 that constitutes the outer shell of the first developer storage space 52A, and a third part 55 that constitutes the outer shell of the second developer storage space 52B. The first housing member 50 has a pair of axial wall portions 56 (see Figure 6) located on both sides in the axial direction with respect to the internal spaces 51, 52A, and 52B.

[0046] The second housing members 60, 70, and 80 are combined with the first housing member 50 to form the housings 50, 60, 70, and 80. The housings 50, 60, 70, and 80 have developing openings 57 that correspond to the developing roll 91.

[0047] Unlike the first housing member 50, the second housing members 60, 70, and 80 are not formed as a single unit. The second housing members 60, 70, and 80 comprise a roll-side member 60, an integrated member 70, and a developer-side member 80.

[0048] The roll-side member 60 constitutes the outer shell of the roll housing space 51. The roll-side member 60 is positioned downstream of the developing opening 57 in the rotational direction of the developing roll 91 (clockwise direction in Figure 1).

[0049] The roll-side member 60 comprises an inner member 61 and an outer member 62.

[0050] The roll-side member 60 has a double-layered structure formed by the combination of an inner member 61 and an outer member 62. As a result, the developing device 4 has an air passage 63 that connects the roll storage space 51 to the outside of the housings 50, 60, 70, and 80, separate from the roll storage space 51.

[0051] The inner member 61 has a general wall portion 61A that separates the roll storage space 51 from the air passage 63. The inner member 61 has ribs 61B. The ribs 61B are erected from the air passage 63 side of the general wall portion 61A and are oriented in the axial direction (the direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper in Figure 1; the rotation axis direction of the developing roll 91) in the thickness direction. Multiple ribs 61B are formed along the axial direction. Multiple ribs 61B divide the air passage 63 into multiple passages in the axial direction.

[0052] The outer member 62 has a general wall portion 62A that separates the air passage 63 from the outside of the housings 50, 60, 70, and 80. The general wall portion 62A of the outer member 62 forms an air passage 63 between itself and the general wall portion 61A of the inner member 61. The formation of the air passage 63 provides a solution to the so-called toner cloud problem.

[0053] (Integrated component 70) The integrated member 70 is a member in which the seal mounting portion 71 and the outer shell portion 72 are integrally formed.

[0054] The seal mounting section 71 is the part to which a sealing member 93 is attached to separate the developer storage spaces 52A, 52B from the roll storage space 51. The sealing member 93 is, for example, a heat-sealed seal. The sealing member 93 prevents the developer from moving to the developing roll 91 side during transport of the developing device 4 and the image forming apparatus. The sealing member 93 is removed from the developing device 4 when in use (for example, before attaching the developing device to the image forming apparatus).

[0055] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the seal mounting portion 71 has a pair of axial portions 71A and 71B and a pair of connecting portions 71C (see Figure 4(B)). As a result, the seal mounting portion 71 is formed in the shape of a rectangular frame. Of the pair of axial sections 71A and 71B, one axial section 71A is positioned on the first housing member 50 side. Of the pair of axial sections 71A and 71B, the other axial section 71B is positioned on the second housing members 60, 70, and 80 side.

[0056] The outer shell portion 72 of the integrated component 70 constitutes an outer shell that separates the inside from the outside of the housings 50, 60, 70, and 80. The outer shell portion 72 of the integrated member 70 comprises a roll-side outer shell portion 73 and a developer-side outer shell portion 74. The roll-side outer shell portion 73 constitutes the outer shell of the roll housing space 51, and the developer-side outer shell portion 74 constitutes the outer shell of the developer housing spaces 52A and 52B.

[0057] (Developer-side member 80) The developer-side member 80 constitutes the outer shell of the developer-containing spaces 52A and 52B. As shown in Figure 6, with the integrated member 70 assembled to the first housing member 50, a developer filling port 58 is formed for filling the developer storage spaces 52A and 52B with developer. The developer filling port 58 is configured to allow developer to be filled into both the first developer storage space 52A and the second developer storage space 52B. In other words, the developer-side member 80 acts as a lid to close the developer filling port 58.

[0058] (Regarding the joint on the roll side) A portion of the roll-side outer shell 73 of the integrated member 70 is supported by the roll-side member 60. Specifically, a supported portion 75 is formed on the roll-side outer shell portion 73, and a support portion 64 is formed on the roll-side member 60.

[0059] The support portion 64 has a base portion 64A and a claw portion 64B. The base portion 64A is formed continuously along the axial direction. Multiple claw portions 64B are formed at different positions along the axial direction. The supported portion 75 is positioned on the outside of the housing relative to the base portion 64A and on the outside of the housing relative to the multiple claw portions 64B. As a result, the supported portion 75 is held between the base portion 64A and the multiple claw portions 64B. A urethane seal (not shown) is attached to the supported portion 75. The urethane seal is positioned between the base portion 64A and the supported portion 75.

[0060] A recess 75A corresponding to the claw portion 64B is formed in the supported portion 75. The recess 75A is recessed toward the inside of the housing. This prevents the dimensions of the housing 50, 60, 70, and 80 from increasing at the position corresponding to the claw portion 64B.

[0061] A portion of the developer-side outer shell 74 of the integrated member 70 is supported by the developer-side member 80. Specifically, a supported portion 76 is formed on the developer-side outer shell portion 74, and a support portion 81 is formed on the developer-side member 80.

[0062] The support portion 81 has a base portion 81A and a claw portion 81B. The base portion 81A is formed continuously along the axial direction. Multiple claw portions 81B are formed at different positions along the axial direction. The supported portion 76 is positioned on the outside of the housing relative to the base portion 81A and on the outside of the housing relative to the multiple claw portions 81B. As a result, the supported portion 76 is held between the base portion 81A and the multiple claw portions 81B. A urethane seal (not shown) is attached to the supported portion 76. The urethane seal is positioned between the base portion 81A and the supported portion 76.

[0063] A recess 76A corresponding to the claw portion 81B is formed in the supported portion 76. The recess 76A is recessed toward the inside of the housing. This prevents the dimensions of the housing 50, 60, 70, and 80 from increasing at the position corresponding to the claw portion 81B.

[0064] The developing apparatus 4 includes a rod trimmer 94 and a block trimmer 95. The block trimmer 95 is attached to one axial portion 71A of the seal mounting portion 71 of the integral member 70 after the seal member 93 has been attached to the seal mounting portion 71 of the integral member 70. The rod trimmer 94 is made of metal and has a cylindrical shape. After the integral member 70 is assembled to the first housing member 50, the rod trimmer 94 is assembled so that it is positioned on the arc-shaped surface of the block trimmer 95. This eliminates and suppresses the deflection of one axial portion 71A of the seal mounting portion 71.

[0065] As shown in Figure 1, the first housing member 50 has a partition wall portion 59 that separates the first developer storage space 52A and the second developer storage space 52B. The partition wall portion 59 is formed at the boundary position between the second portion 54 and the third portion 55. On the other hand, the developer-side member 80 has a partition wall contact portion 82 that contacts the partition wall portion 59. This separates the first developer storage space 52A and the second developer storage space 52B, and also suppresses the bending of the developer-side member 80.

[0066] As shown in Figure 2, the connecting port 63A from the roll housing space 51 to the air passage 63 is formed by the roll side member 60 and the roll side outer shell portion 73. Specifically, the roll-side outer shell portion 73 of the integrated member 70 has a storage space corresponding portion 73A and a flow path corresponding portion 73B. The storage space corresponding portion 73A constitutes the wall of the roll storage space 51, and the flow path corresponding portion 73B constitutes the wall of the air flow path 63. A stepped portion 73C is formed between the storage space corresponding portion 73A and the flow path corresponding portion 73B. The connecting opening 63A that connects the roll storage space 51 to the air flow path 63 is formed between the general wall portion 61A of the inner member 61 of the roll-side member 60 and the storage space corresponding portion 73A of the roll-side outer shell portion 73.

[0067] <Effects and Effects> Next, the effects and advantages of this embodiment will be described.

[0068] In this embodiment, the developing apparatus 4 comprises a first housing member 50 and second housing members 60, 70, and 80. The second housing members 60, 70, and 80 are combined with the first housing member 50 to form the housings 50, 60, 70, and 80. The housings 50, 60, 70, and 80 have internally developed agent storage spaces 52A and 52B in which developed agent is stored, and a roll storage space 51 in which a developed roll 91 is stored.

[0069] Here, the second housing members 60, 70, and 80 include an integrated member 70 in which a seal mounting portion 71 and an outer shell portion 72 are integrally formed. A sealing member 93 is attached to the seal mounting portion 71 to separate the developer storage spaces 52A and 52B from the roll storage space 51. The outer shell portion 72 constitutes the outer shell that separates the inside from the outside of the housings 50, 60, 70, and 80. In other words, the seal mounting portion 71 is formed integrally with the outer shell portion 72, which constitutes the outer shell separating the inside and outside of the housing. Therefore, compared to a configuration in which the member having the seal mounting portion is completed only inside the housing, the deflection of the seal mounting portion 71 can be suppressed without increasing the size of the housings 50, 60, 70, and 80.

[0070] More specifically, since the member on which the seal mounting portion 71 is formed (integrated member 70) extends to the outside of the housing 50, 60, 70, 80, vertical deflection is suppressed in the other axial portion 71B of the seal mounting portion 71. Furthermore, since the member on which the seal mounting portion 71 is formed (integrated member 70) has a portion (outer shell portion 72) that constitutes an outer shell separating the inside and outside of the housing, planar deflection is suppressed in the other axial portion 71B of the seal mounting portion 71. In this context, planar deflection refers to the deflection of the axial portions 71A and 71B in the planar direction of the seal member 93, for example, the deflection of one axial portion 71B toward the other axial portion 71A. Vertical deflection refers to the deflection of the axial portions 71A and 71B in a direction perpendicular to the planar surface of the seal member 93.

[0071] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the integrated member 70 is assembled to the first housing member 50, a developer filling port 58 is formed for filling the developer storage spaces 52A and 52B with developer. The second housing members 60, 70, and 80 are each provided with a developer-side member 80 that closes the developer filling port 58. Therefore, the developer can be filled into the developer storage spaces 52A and 52B while the developer storage spaces 52A and 52B are isolated from the roll storage space 51 by the sealing member 93.

[0072] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the developer storage spaces 52A and 52B include a first developer storage space 52A where the first stirring member 92A is located, and a second developer storage space 52B where the second stirring member 92B is located. The developer filling port 58 is configured to allow the developer to be filled into both the first developer storage space 52A and the second developer storage space 52B. Therefore, compared to configurations where only one side can be filled, the filling process becomes easier.

[0073] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first housing member 50 has a partition wall that separates the first developer storage space 52A and the second developer storage space 52B. The developer side member 80 has a partition wall contact portion 82 that contacts the partition wall portion 59. Therefore, the bending of the developer-side member 80 that closes the developer filling port 58 toward the first housing member 50 is suppressed.

[0074] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the second housing members 60, 70, and 80 include a roll-side member 60 that constitutes an outer shell separating the roll storage space 51 from the outside of the housings 50, 60, 70, and 80. Therefore, compared to an embodiment in which the second housing members 60, 70, and 80 do not have a separate outer shell component that separates the roll storage space 51 from the outside of the housing from the integrated member 70, the degree of freedom in the housing shape is improved for reasons related to the molding of the housing. As a result, this contributes to miniaturization of the entire apparatus (image forming apparatus) that includes the developing device 4.

[0075] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the roll-side member 60 is positioned so as to overlap with the seal mounting portion 71 when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the seal member 93. Therefore, compared to configurations where the developing device 4 is not positioned in an overlapping location, the degree of freedom in its shape is improved, contributing to the miniaturization of the entire device that includes the developing device 4. In a different configuration, the second housing members 60, 70, and 80 do not have a roll-side member 60 separate from the integrated member 70 (in other words, the roll-side member 60 is formed integrally with the integrated member 70), and the roll-side member 60 is positioned so as to overlap with the seal mounting portion 71 when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the seal member 93. However, in such a configuration, the roll-side member 60 would interfere with the work of attaching the seal member 93 to the seal mounting portion 71. In contrast, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 5, no other part of the integrated member 70 is positioned to overlap with the seal mounting portion 71 when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the seal member 93. Therefore, it does not interfere with the installation jig 99A on which the seal mounting portion 71 is installed and the welding jig 99B for welding the seal member 93. In other words, the welding jig 99B is not prevented from moving in the direction of the arrow in Figure 5.

[0076] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the integrated member 70 and the roll-side member 60 are assembled to the first housing member 50, an air passage 63 connecting the roll-storage space 51 to the outside of the housings 50, 60, 70, and 80 is formed separately from the roll-storage space 51. Therefore, the developer scattered in the roll storage space 51 can be guided to the air passage 63. As a result, so-called toner clouds can be suppressed.

[0077] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the outer shell portion 72 of the integrated member 70 includes a roll-side outer shell portion 73 that constitutes the outer shell of the roll housing space 51. The connecting opening 63A that connects the roll housing space 51 to the air passage 63 is formed by the roll-side member 60 and the roll-side outer shell portion 73. Therefore, compared to a configuration in which the connecting opening 63A is formed only by the roll-side member 60, the outer shell portion 72 of the integrated member 70 can be formed larger toward the developing roll 91 side. Because the outer shell portion 72 can be formed larger, the deflection of the seal mounting portion 71 can be further suppressed.

[0078] Furthermore, since the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment includes a developing apparatus 4 that can suppress the bending of the seal mounting portion 71 while achieving miniaturization, it is possible to create an image forming apparatus that is miniaturized while suppressing the bending of the seal mounting portion 71.

[0079] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the sealing member 93 is attached to the side of the sealing mounting portion 71 that faces the roll storage space 51, and a portion of the first stirring member 92A is positioned inside the sealing mounting portion 71 (inside the frame). This allows for miniaturization of the developing device 4.

[0080] <Supplementary explanation> In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the second housing members 60, 70, and 80 comprise a roll-side member 60, an integrated member 70, and a developer-side member 80, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the second housing member of the present disclosure may consist of an integrated member and a developer-side member. In other words, the roll-side member 60 and the integrated member 70 in the above embodiment may be formed as a single unit.

[0081] Furthermore, although this embodiment describes an example in which the outer shell portion 72 of the integrated member 70 comprises a roll-side outer shell portion 73 and a developer-side outer shell portion 74, the disclosure is not limited thereto. The outer shell portion of the integrated member of this disclosure may comprise only one of the roll-side outer shell portion and the developer-side outer shell portion.

[0082] Furthermore, although this embodiment describes an example in which the developing apparatus 4 includes a rod trimmer 94 and a block trimmer 95, the disclosure is not limited thereto. The developing apparatus of this disclosure does not need to include a rod trimmer and a block trimmer. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0083] 1 Photoreceptor, 2 Charging roll, 3 Exposure device, 3 Laser beam, 4 Developing device, 4Y Developing device, 5M Primary transfer roll, 5Y Primary transfer roll, 6Y Photoreceptor cleaning device, 8Y Toner cartridge, 10K Unit, 10M Unit, 10Y Unit, 10Y Image forming unit, 10Y Each unit, 20 Intermediate transfer belt, 22 Drive roll, 24 Support roll, 26 Secondary transfer roll, 30 Intermediate transfer cleaning device, 50 First housing member, 50, 60, 70, 80 Housing, 51 Roll storage space, 51, 52A, 52B Internal space, 52A, 52B Developer storage space, 52A First developer storage space, 52B Second developer storage space, 53 First part, 54 Second part, 55 Third part, 56 Axial wall, 57 Developing opening, 58 Developer filling port, 59 Partition wall section, 60 Roll side member, 60, 70, 80 Second housing member, 61 Inner member, 61A General wall section, 61B Rib, 62 Outer member, 62A General wall section, 63 Air passage, 63A Connecting port, 64 Support section, 64A Base section, 64B Claw section, 70 Integrated member, 71 Seal mounting section, 71A, 71B Axial section, 71A Axial section, 71B Axial section, 71C Connecting section, 72 Outer shell section, 73 Roll side outer shell section, 73A Storage space corresponding section, 73B Flow path corresponding section, 73C Stepped section, 74 Developer side outer shell section, 75 Supported section, 75A Recess, 76 Supported section, 76A Recess, 80 Developer side member, 81 Support section, 81A Base section, 81B 82 Claw section, 91 Partition contact section, 92A, 92B Agitation members, 92A First agitation member, 92B Second agitation member, 93 Seal member, 94 Rod trimmer, 95 Block trimmer

Claims

1. A first housing member, A second housing member is formed by combining a housing having a developer storage space for containing a developer and a roll storage space for containing a developing roll inside with the first housing member, the second housing member comprising an integral member having a frame-shaped seal mounting portion to which a seal member for separating the developer storage space and the roll storage space is attached, and an outer shell portion which constitutes an outer shell separating the inside and outside of the housing, A developing apparatus comprising, When the integrated member is assembled to the first housing member, a developer filling port is formed in the developer storage space for filling with developer. The second housing member includes a developer-side member that closes the developer filling port. Developing device.

2. The developer storage space comprises a first developer storage space in which a first stirring member is placed, and a second developer storage space in which a second stirring member is placed. The developer filling port is configured to allow the developer to be filled into both the first developer storage space and the second developer storage space. The developing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The first housing member has a partition wall that separates the first developer storage space from the second developer storage space. The developer-side member has a partition contact portion that contacts the partition portion. The developing apparatus according to claim 2.

4. The second housing member includes a roll-side member that constitutes an outer shell separating the roll storage space from the outside of the housing. A developing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. A first housing member and A second housing member is formed by combining a housing having a developer storage space for containing a developer and a roll storage space for containing a developing roll inside with the first housing member, the second housing member comprising an integral member having a frame-shaped seal mounting portion to which a seal member for separating the developer storage space and the roll storage space is attached, and an outer shell portion which constitutes an outer shell separating the inside and outside of the housing, A developing apparatus comprising, The second housing member includes a roll-side member that constitutes an outer shell separating the roll storage space from the outside of the housing, The roll-side member is positioned so as to overlap with the seal mounting portion when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the seal member. Developing device.

6. When the integrated member and the roll-side member are assembled to the first housing member, an air passage connecting the roll housing space and the outside of the housing is formed separately from the roll housing space. The developing apparatus according to claim 5.

7. The outer shell portion of the integrated member comprises a roll-side outer shell portion that constitutes the outer shell of the roll housing space, The connecting port from the roll housing space to the air passage is formed by the roll side member and the roll side outer shell portion. The developing apparatus according to claim 6.

8. An image forming apparatus comprising a developing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

Images