JP2001134080A - Developing device, process cartridge, developing device cartridge, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] To provide a developing device capable of reliably preventing generation of abnormal noise and toner leakage due to friction with a developing roller even when a sliding member made of Teflon felt is used as a side seal. To provide. SOLUTION: A Teflon felt 113 is disposed as a member which rubs against the peripheral surfaces of both ends of a developing roller, and the surface of the Teflon felt 113 which rubs with the developing roller contains fluorine oil and fluorine resin. Apply lubricant.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a technical field of a developing apparatus, a process cartridge, a developing cartridge, and an image forming apparatus provided with any one of them for developing using a developer which is charged fine particles. Belong to.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a developing device which uses a toner, which is charged fine particles, as a developer and electrostatically adheres the toner to an electrostatic latent image to perform development, there is a problem that the toner leaks from the developing device. is there. If the toner leaks from the developing device, the inside of the image forming apparatus main body equipped with the developing device becomes dirty, resulting in poor printing, and further, when the developing device is replaced, the hands and clothes of the worker become dirty. There was sometimes.

In particular, a non-magnetic one-component developing a thin layer of toner on a developing roller having a function of carrying and transporting the toner by using a layer thickness regulating blade and facing the electrostatic latent image. In the case of development, toner is likely to leak from around the rotating developing roller.

Conventionally, the above-described toner leakage has been prevented by providing a toner leakage prevention member inside the developing device. For example, in order to prevent toner leakage from both ends of the developing roller around the developing roller, a toner leakage preventing member called a side seal is rubbed against the peripheral surfaces of both ends of the developing roller, In order to prevent toner from leaking from the gap between the developing roller formed below and the opening of the toner container, a toner leak preventing member called a lower film is rubbed against the developing roller below the developing roller. . Further, in order to prevent toner from leaking from the gap between the developing roller formed above the developing roller and the opening of the toner container, the layer thickness regulating blade is pressed against the developing roller, and the layer thickness is reduced. The regulating blade has a function as a toner leakage preventing member.

The side seal has a structure in which a sliding member made of Teflon felt is attached to a urethane sponge. Urethane sponges are required to be sufficiently soft and have low compression set. Teflon felt is used for both securing the pressing force and reducing the rotational torque.

The lower film is made of PET (polyethyle).
ne terephthalate) sheet, urethane rubber or the like is used. Although urethane rubber can be expected to be softly pressed, it is necessary to press it with a sponge or the like from the back because it has no waist. Since the PET sheet is harder than the urethane rubber film, there is no need to press with a sponge or the like from the back, and there is an advantage that the assembling work is easier than the urethane rubber film.

[0007]

However, when a urethane sponge with a sliding member made of Teflon felt is used as the side seal, the sliding member rubs against the developing roll. As a result, there is a problem that abnormal noise is generated.

In order to prevent the generation of such abnormal noise, it has been considered to apply grease or other grease to the sliding member. However, grease or other grease may reduce the toner sealing property of the Teflon felt. As a result, there is a problem that toner leakage occurs.

The present invention solves such a problem, and even when a sliding member made of Teflon felt is used as a side seal, generation of abnormal noise due to sliding friction with a developing roller can be achieved.
An object of the present invention is to provide a developing device, a process cartridge, a developing device cartridge, and an image forming apparatus that can reliably prevent toner leakage.

[0010]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a developing device, wherein a developer carrier is rotatably disposed in an opening of a developing device housing for accommodating a developer. ,
A developing device for forming a visible image by causing a thin layer of developer formed on the developer carrier to face an electrostatic latent image, wherein a developing device housing opening is formed near both ends in the longitudinal direction. A lubricant that was attached to the developing device housing and had a rubbing surface with the peripheral surfaces on both end portions of the developer carrier was applied to the rubbing surface with a lubricant containing fluorine oil and a fluororesin. It is characterized by having a developer leakage prevention member at both ends.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the developer leakage preventing members are provided on both sides of the peripheral surface of the developer carrying member so as to be rubbed, the rubbing is performed. The leakage of the developer from the section is reliably prevented. In addition, since a lubricant containing fluorine oil and a fluorine-based resin is applied to the sliding surfaces of the developer leakage preventing members at the opposite ends with respect to the developer carrier, lubricity is improved, and Even when the carrier rotates, generation of abnormal noise from the rubbing portion is reliably suppressed.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a developing device according to the first aspect, wherein the developer leakage preventing members at both ends are formed of a fibrous rubbing member made of a fluororesin. It is characterized by having.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the developer leakage preventing member at both ends includes a fibrous rubbing member rubbing against the peripheral surface of the developer carrier. Since the rubbing member is made of a fluorine-based resin, the fluorine oil and the fluorine-based resin enter into the fibrous rubbing member, and leakage of the developer is more reliably prevented. Moreover, the generation of abnormal noise from the rubbing portion is reliably prevented by improving the lubricity.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, in the developing device according to the second aspect, the sliding contact member may be configured such that the eyes of the fibers on the rubbing surface have the developer carrying in advance. It is characterized by being aligned in the direction along the rotation direction of the body.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the mesh of the fibers on the rubbing surface of the slidable member which rubs against the peripheral surface of the developer carrier is determined in advance in the direction along the rotation direction of the developer carrier. Therefore, even if the developer moves in the direction perpendicular to the rotation direction of the developer carrier, the developer can be more reliably prevented from entering. In addition, since the fluoro oil and the fluoro resin enter the rubbing member, the leakage of the developer can be prevented extremely well.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, a developer carrier is rotatably disposed at an opening of a developing device housing for accommodating the developer. A developing device for forming a visible image by causing a thin layer of a developer formed thereon to face an electrostatic latent image, wherein the developing device housing is provided near both longitudinal ends of the developing device housing opening. A developer leakage prevention member attached to both ends and having a rubbing surface with the peripheral surfaces on both ends of the developer carrier, wherein the both ends developer leakage prevention member forms the rubbing surface. A developing device including a fibrous sliding contact member, wherein fibers of the rubbing surface are aligned in advance in a direction along a rotation direction of the developer carrier.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the mesh of the fibers on the rubbing surface of the slidable member which rubs against the peripheral surface of the developer carrier is determined in advance in a direction along the rotation direction of the developer carrier. Therefore, even if the developer moves in the direction perpendicular to the rotation direction of the developer carrier, the developer can be more reliably prevented from entering.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, in the developing device according to the fourth aspect, the sliding surface of the sliding contact member includes fluorine oil and fluorine resin. It is characterized in that a lubricant is applied.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the fibers on the rubbing surface of the slidable member which rub against the peripheral surface of the developer carrying member are oriented in advance along the rotation direction of the developer carrying member. Therefore, even if the developer moves in the direction perpendicular to the rotation direction of the developer carrier, the developer can be more reliably prevented from entering. In addition, since the fluoro oil and the fluoro resin enter the rubbing member, the leakage of the developer can be prevented extremely well.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, in the developing device according to the first to fifth aspects, the lubricant and the fluororesin of the rubbing member are polytetrafluoroethylene. There is a feature.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, since the lubricant and the fluororesin of the rubbing member are made of polytetrafluoroethylene, they do not hinder each other from preventing the leakage of the developer and improving the lubricity. In addition, leakage of developer and generation of abnormal noise are reliably prevented.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, in the developing device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the developer is a polymerized toner produced by a polymerization method. It is characterized by the following.

According to the developing device of the present invention, since the polymerized toner produced by the polymerization method is used as the developer, the developing operation with high fluidity and high definition is performed. However, this polymerized toner tends to cause toner leakage due to its high fluidity, but as described above, toner leakage from both ends of the developer layer thickness regulating member is reliably prevented, and Generation of abnormal noise is also reliably prevented.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, in the developing device according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, the developer carrier is formed of a conductive elastic body. Characterized in that it is a finished roller.

According to the developing device of the present invention, since a roller made of a conductive elastic material is used as the developer carrying member, the developer leakage member and the developer carrying member at both ends are used. In the case where the developer enters between the developer carriers, it is easy to cause developer leakage due to damage to the surface of the developer carrier, but by applying the fluoro oil and the fluoro resin to the developer leakage members at both ends as described above. Since the developer does not enter between the developer leakage member at both ends and the developer carrier, the developer leakage due to damage to the surface of the developer carrier is reliably prevented.
In addition, the generation of the abnormal noise is reliably prevented.

The process cartridge according to claim 9 is
9. A process cartridge detachably formed in an image forming apparatus for solving the above-mentioned problem, comprising: a carrier for the electrostatic latent image; and a developing device according to claim 1. It is characterized by having.

According to the process cartridge of the ninth aspect, the process cartridge detachably formed in the image forming apparatus is provided with the developing device of any one of the first to eighth aspects. Even when the cartridge is attached or detached, the developer is reliably prevented from leaking. Further, since the generation of the abnormal noise is prevented, a favorable developing operation is performed.

The developing device cartridge according to claim 10 is
In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, a developing device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 is formed so as to be detachable from an image forming apparatus or a process cartridge.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the developing device according to any one of the first to eighth aspects is formed detachably with respect to the image forming apparatus or the process cartridge. The leakage of the developer is surely prevented even during the attachment and detachment. Further, since the generation of the abnormal noise is prevented, a favorable developing operation is performed.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to ninth aspects of the invention, or the process cartridge according to the tenth aspect. A developing device cartridge is provided.

According to the image forming apparatus of the eleventh aspect,
Since the developing device according to any one of claims 1 to 9 or the process cartridge according to claim 10 or the developing device cartridge according to claim 7 is provided, the developer does not leak and the inside of the image forming apparatus main body does not occur. Is not contaminated by the developer. Further, since the generation of the abnormal noise is prevented, a favorable developing operation is performed.

[0032]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(First Embodiment) First, an overview of the entire image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

(Overview of Image Forming Apparatus Entire) FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a schematic structure of a laser beam printer 1 as an embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the laser beam printer 1 includes a feeder unit for feeding paper (not shown) at the bottom of a main body case 2. The feeder unit includes a paper pressing plate 10 that is pressed by a spring (not shown), a paper feeding roller 11, and a friction separating member 14. The uppermost sheet is separated between the feed roller 11 and the friction separating member 14 by the rotation of the roller, and the sheet is supplied at a predetermined timing.

A pair of registration rollers 12 and 13 are rotatably supported on the downstream side in the paper transport direction by the rotation of the paper supply roller 11 rotating in the direction of the arrow in FIG. The sheet is conveyed to a transfer position formed by the roller 21 at a predetermined timing.

The photosensitive drum 20 is made of a positively chargeable material, for example, an organic photoreceptor mainly composed of positively chargeable polycarbonate. More specifically, the photosensitive drum 20 has, for example, a cylindrical aluminum sleeve as a main body, and has a predetermined thickness (for example, about 20 μm) in which a photoconductive resin is dispersed in polycarbonate on an outer peripheral portion thereof. It is composed of a hollow drum on which a conductive layer is formed, and is rotatably supported by the main body case 2 with the cylindrical sleeve grounded. Further, the photosensitive drum 20 is driven to rotate in a direction indicated by an arrow by driving means (not shown).

The charger 30 is composed of a scorotron type charger for positive charging for generating corona discharge from a charging wire made of, for example, tungsten.

The laser scanner unit 40 includes a laser generator (not shown) for generating a laser beam L for forming an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 20, and a polygon mirror (pentahedral mirror) 41 that is driven to rotate. , A pair of lenses 42 and 4
5 and reflection mirrors 43, 44 and 46.

In the developing device 50, a toner accommodating chamber 52 as a developer chamber is formed in a case 51 as a developing device housing. In the toner accommodating chamber 52, an agitator 53 and a cleaning member 54 are provided with a rotating shaft 55. It is provided rotatable around. The toner accommodating chamber 52 accommodates a positively chargeable nonmagnetic one-component developer having electrical insulation. The rotation shaft 55 of the toner storage chamber 52
Light transmitting windows 56 are provided on the side walls located at both ends of the light emitting element. On the photosensitive drum 20 side of the toner accommodating chamber 52, a developing chamber 57 that communicates with the toner accommodating chamber 52 through the opening A to perform development is formed, and a supply roller 58 and a developing roller 59 as a developer carrier are rotated. Pivot as possible.
The toner on the developing roller 59 is regulated to a predetermined layer thickness by a thin plate-like elastic layer thickness regulating blade 64 and is used for development.

Here, the developing roller 59 as a developer carrying member is a cylindrical metal formed of conductive silicone rubber containing fine particles of conductive carbon on a metal core formed of stainless steel or the like. A base material is provided, and a coat layer of a resin or rubber material containing fluorine is formed on the base material. The base of the developing roller 59 does not necessarily have to be made of conductive silicone rubber, and may be made of conductive urethane rubber.

The layer thickness regulating blade 64 is the same as that shown in FIG.
As shown in (A) to (C), a thin plate-like leaf spring 64b made of phosphor bronze or stainless steel is attached to a support portion 64c made of iron or stainless steel or the like. A pressing member 64a made of silicone rubber is mounted on the leaf spring 64b. Note that FIG. 9C is the arrow A side shown in FIG.
That is, FIGS. 9A and 9B are views as seen from the front side, and FIGS. 9A and 9B are views as seen from the opposite back side.

The boss hole 115 shown in FIG. 9A is fitted to the boss 115a of the case 51 shown in FIG. 10 and screwed through the screw hole 116 shown in FIG. 9A. To the case 51. Then, by attaching the developing roller 59 to the case 51 thereafter, the pressing member 64a comes into pressure contact with the peripheral surface of the developing roller 59 by the elastic force of the leaf spring 64b and the elastic force of the silicone rubber itself. Thus, the thickness of the toner layer on the developing roller 59 is regulated to a desired value.

The toner accommodated in the toner accommodating chamber 52 is a positively-charged non-magnetic one-component developer, and a styrene-acrylic resin formed into a spherical shape by a suspension polymerization method, such as carbon black or the like. The toner base particles have a particle diameter of 6 μm to 10 μm and an average particle diameter of 8 μm to which a well-known coloring agent and a charge control agent such as nigrosine, triphenylmethane, and quaternary ammonium salt are added. The toner is configured by adding silica as an external additive to the surface of the toner base particles.

The transfer roller 21 is rotatably pivotally supported,
It is made of a conductive foamed elastic body made of silicone rubber or urethane rubber. The transfer roller 21 is configured to reliably transfer the toner image on the photosensitive drum 20 to the paper by the applied voltage.

The fixing unit 70 includes the registration roller 12
The heating roller 71 and the pressing roller 72 are provided on the further downstream side in the sheet conveyance direction from the sheet feeding roller 13 to the pressure contact portion between the photosensitive drum 20 and the transfer roller 21. The toner image transferred to the sheet is heated and pressed while being conveyed by the heating roller 71 and the pressing roller 72 and is fixed on the sheet.

A pair of paper transport rollers 73 and a paper discharge roller 74 are provided downstream of the fixing unit 70 in the transport direction, and a paper discharge tray 75 is provided downstream of the paper discharge roller 74. ing.

The above-described photosensitive drum 20, transfer roller 21, charger 30, and developing device 50 are housed in a process cartridge 2a, and the process cartridge 2a is detachably attached to the laser beam printer 1. Is provided. Further, the developing device 50 includes a process cartridge 2 a as a developing device cartridge.
The process cartridge is detachably provided.

In the laser beam printer 1 of the present embodiment as described above, the surface of the photosensitive drum 20 is
When the laser beam L modulated according to image information is emitted from the laser scanner unit 40, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 20.
This electrostatic latent image is visualized with toner by the developing device 50, and the visible image formed on the photosensitive drum 20 is transported by the photosensitive drum 20 to a transfer position. At the transfer position, the paper is supplied via the paper feed roller 11 and the registration rollers 12 and 13, and the visible image is transferred to the paper by a transfer bias applied by the transfer roller 21. The toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 20 after the transfer is collected in the developing chamber 57 by the developing roller 59.

Next, the sheet is conveyed to the fixing unit 70, and is nipped and conveyed by the heating roller 71 and the pressing roller 72 of the fixing unit 70. The visible image on the sheet is pressed and heated to be fixed on the sheet. You. Then, the sheet is discharged to the discharge tray 75 above the laser beam printer 1 by the pair of transport rollers 73 and the discharge rollers 74, and the image forming operation is completed.

(Seal Structure in Developing Apparatus) Next, a seal structure using a developer leakage preventing member in the developing apparatus 50 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. I do.

FIGS. 2 (A), 3 (A), 4 (A), 5 (A), 6 (A), 11 (A), 12 (A),
15 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing a seal portion of a case 51 in the developing device 50. FIG. FIG. 2B,
FIGS. 3 (C), 4 (B), 5 (B), 6 (C), 8, 10, 11 (B), and 12 (C) show the partially broken perspective views. It is a figure showing the seal part seen from the direction of arrow B shown in the figure. FIG. 3B is a diagram showing the seal portion viewed from the direction of arrow A shown in FIG. 3A, and FIG.
FIG. 7A is a view showing the seal portion viewed from the direction of arrow A shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a front view showing the seal portion of the case 51 when the upper seal is attached. FIG. 9 (B) is a view of the layer thickness regulating blade to which the rib sponge is attached as viewed from the back side, FIG. 9 (C) is a view of the layer thickness regulating blade as viewed from the front side, and FIG. 12 (B) is FIG. 12 (A) is a diagram showing a seal portion viewed from the direction of arrow A shown in FIG. 12 (A), FIG. 12 (D) is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD of FIG. 12 (C), and FIG. 13 shows a case where a lubricant is applied to a Teflon felt seal. FIG. 14 is a plan view showing the lower film and the vicinity of its mounting portion.

First, in FIG. 2A, a hatched area is an area where a seal member described below is attached by a double-sided tape, and a side seal attaching area 100 along the circumferential direction of the developing roller 59 is provided. , Developing roller 5
9 is divided into a lower seal mounting area 101 along the longitudinal direction of the developing roller 59. Side seal mounting area 100 and lower seal mounting area 101
Is subjected to a degreasing treatment in order to enhance the adhesiveness of the double-sided tape.

The developing roller 59 is arranged so that its end face is close to the side face 51a in the developing roller accommodating portion of the case 51 shown in FIG. FIG. 2 (B)
The center point Q shown in FIG. 7 indicates the position of the rotation center axis of the developing roller 59. The supply roller 58 is attached to a supply roller housing provided at a position behind the developing roller housing, as indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C, the film 103 for attaching the upper side seal is formed.
To the case 51 using a double-sided tape. As will be described later, a blade side seal for preventing toner leakage from both ends is attached to the layer thickness regulating blade attached to the upper position of the developing roller 59, and the blade side seal is attached to the case 51 side. An upper side seal is attached to enhance the adhesion with the upper side. This upper side seal is attached so as to be superimposed on the film 103 shown in FIG. 3B, but if there is no film 103, the bonding area of the upper side seal to the case 51 is indicated by oblique lines in FIG. Only the region shown indicates lack of stability. Therefore,
In the present embodiment, the PET film 103 is
1 to secure the bonding area of the upper side seal.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B,
In order to prevent toner from leaking from both ends of the developing roller 59, side seals 104 constituting a base material of a developer leak preventing member at both ends are attached to the side seal attaching area 100 with a double-sided tape. The side seal 104 is formed of a urethane sponge (trade name: Poron, manufactured by Rogers INOAC) having relatively high rigidity among sponges, and is compressed when the developing roller 59 is attached so as to exert a predetermined pressing force. It has a certain thickness. With such a configuration, Teflon felt, which is the uppermost layer of the both-end developer leakage prevention member described below,
The developing roller 59 can be pressed with a predetermined pressing force.

Also, in the present embodiment, FIG.
As shown in (1), the side end surface of the supply roller 58 is configured to rub against the side end surface of the side seal 104, so that toner leakage from between the supply roller 58 and the side seal 104 is prevented.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B,
Adhesive surface of side seal 104 of case 51 and film 1
The edge seal 106 is attached from the stepped portion E formed between the adhesive surface 03 and the upper surface of the side seal 104. The edge seal 106 is formed of urethane sponge, and is adhered to the step portion E and the upper end surface of the side seal 104 by attaching a double-sided tape to the bottom surface. By providing such an edge seal 106, the lower end face of the upper side seal attached to the film 103 and the blade side seal attached to the layer thickness regulating blade, to which the double-sided tape is not attached, is brought into contact with the edge seal 106. Thus, a contact portion between the sponge and the sponge can be formed to reliably prevent the toner from leaking.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 6 (A), 6 (B) and 6 (C), an upper side seal 107 is attached to the film
And attached to the case 51 with double-sided tape. The upper side seal 107 is formed of urethane sponge, and is provided at a position where it contacts a blade side seal described later. With such a configuration, the contact portion between the upper side seal 107 and the blade side seal becomes a contact portion between the sponge and the sponge, so that toner leakage can be reliably prevented.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, in order to prevent toner from leaking from an upper position behind the mounting portion of the layer thickness regulating blade 64, the layer thickness regulating blade 64 is formed to extend in the longitudinal direction. The mounted upper seal 108 is attached. The upper seal 108 is formed of urethane sponge. The upper seal 108 reliably prevents toner leakage due to toner spraying in the toner storage chamber or toner leakage when the developing device 50 is turned upside down.

Next, as shown in FIG. 9A, the leaf spring 6 attached to the support portion 64c of the layer thickness regulating blade 64
4b, the back side blade side seal 111 is attached with a double-sided tape. Case 5 with thickness regulating blade 64
1, the leaf spring 64 b receives a pressing force from the upper side seal 107 and the back side blade side seal 111 as shown in FIG.
Since the back side blade side seal 111 has a width that presses not only the leaf spring 64b but also the end of the pressing member 64a, the leaf spring 64b does not bend. Therefore, it is possible to prevent toner leakage due to the bending of the leaf spring 64b. Also, the back side blade side seal 111
A double-sided tape is stuck on the surface of the plate spring 64b to be bonded to the plate spring 64b, and the upper side seal 107 comes into pressure contact with the opposite surface as shown in FIG. Since the back side blade side seal 111 is formed of urethane sponge, the back side blade side seal 11
The contact portion between 1 and the upper side seal 107 is a contact portion between the sponge and the sponge. Further, the lower end surface of the back side blade side seal 111 is in contact with the side edge seal 106 as shown in FIG. Accordingly, the back side blade side seal 111 and the side edge seal 10
The contact portion with 6 is also a contact portion between sponges. Thus, the back side blade side seal 111
Except for the bonding surface with the leaf spring 64b, all of the boundary portions with the other members are sponge-to-sponge contact portions, thereby reliably preventing toner leakage.

Further, in the present embodiment, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7, a rib sponge 117 formed to extend in the longitudinal direction of the leaf spring 64b is attached to a region sandwiched between the two back side blade side seals 111 with double-sided tape. The rib sponge 117 is formed of a urethane sponge thicker than the back side blade side seal 111. As shown in FIG. 1, the developing chamber 57 of the case 51 is provided with a rib 51b behind the thickness regulating blade 64. When the thickness regulating blade 64 is attached to the case 51, the rib sponge 117 becomes the rib 51b. Pressing contact. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the toner from entering the back surface of the layer thickness regulating blade 64 and prevent the uncharged toner from accumulating on the back surface. As a result, fogging caused by the uncharged toner falling from the back surface can be prevented.

On the other hand, on the front side of the leaf spring 64b where the pressing member 64a is provided, as shown in FIG. 9 (C), a front blade side seal 112 is provided on both sides so as to contact both ends of the pressing member 64a. Attached by tape. The front blade side seal 112 is formed of urethane sponge. On this front side blade side seal 112, a Teflon felt described later is attached,
When the front blade side seal 112 and the Teflon felt are combined, the thickness is as shown in FIG.
It is configured to be thicker than the pressing member 64a in consideration of a certain amount of crushing. With this configuration, even when the pressing member 64a is worn, the pressing force of the pressing member 64a at both ends on the developing roller 59 is not changed, and the toner from the pressing contact portion between the pressing member 64a and the developing roller 59 is not changed. Leakage can be reliably prevented.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, toner leaks from the boundary between the lower seal mounting area 101 and the side seal mounting area 100, and the movable portion of the lower film described later. The lower side seal 105 is attached to the end of the lower seal mounting area 101 with a double-sided tape in order to prevent toner leakage from the gap between the lower seal mounting area 101 and the lower seal mounting area 101. Lower side seal 105
Is formed of a urethane sponge, and a double-sided tape is attached to the bottom surface of the lower side seal 105. As shown in FIG. 11B, the end face on the side seal 104 side is attached so as to overlap in a partial area W0, and the lower side seal 105 is brought into close contact with the side seal 104 by pressing.
In the present embodiment, the overlapping area W0 is set to about 2 mm.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 12 (A), 12 (B) and 12 (C), the Teflon felt 113 as the rubbing portion of the developer leakage preventing member at both ends is attached to the leaf spring of the layer thickness regulating blade 64. 64b, the front-side blade side seal 112, and the side-side seal mounting area 100 are mounted using double-sided tape. On the layer thickness regulating blade 64,
As shown in FIGS. 12B and 12C, the tip of the Teflon felt is attached to the leaf spring 64b, and the subsequent portion is attached so as to cover the front blade side seal 112. With this configuration, it is possible to reliably prevent toner from leaking from both ends of the pressing member 64a of the layer thickness regulating blade 64.

In particular, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, the brush 1 is placed on the Teflon felt sheet 113a in a state before the Teflon felts 113 are individually cut off.
18, after applying a lubricant in which a fluorine-based resin and a fluorine oil are dispersed in a quick-drying solvent, the Teflon felt 113 shown in a strip shape in FIG. 13 is individually cut off from the Teflon felt sheet 113a, as described above. Attached to. As a result, the developing roller 59 and the Teflon felt 11
In addition to improving the effect of preventing toner leakage at the rubbing portion between the developing roller 5 and the developing roller 5,
Even when the rotary member 9 was driven to rotate, generation of abnormal noise from the rubbing portion could be surely suppressed.

The lubricant will be described in detail. In the present embodiment, as an example, a trade name “HANAL FL-Z75” manufactured by Kanto Kasei Kogyo Co., Ltd. was used. The coating amount is 20 per 100 Teflon felts 113.
± 5 g. This Hanal FL-Z75 contains 80 to 90 watts of a hydrofluorocarbon as a volatile solvent.
t%, and 10 to 20% by weight of fluorine oil, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) as a fluorine-based resin, and other components. Hanal F
Since L-Z75 has such components, it is quick-drying, the coating process is very simple, and the finish is uniform. Furthermore, since it is a semi-wet type lubricant, it has excellent lubricity, and can exhibit an extremely high noise reduction effect even when it is rubbed with the developing roller 59. Also,
It is considered that the fluororesin enters the fibers of the Teflon felt 113 and can exhibit a higher sealing effect.

Further, Hanal FL-Z75 is merely an example, and other lubricants such as Hanal FL-955 (trade name, manufactured by Kanto Kasei Kogyo Co., Ltd.) can also be used. Hanal FL-955 contains 85 to 95 wt% of perfluoroalkane as a volatile solvent, and further contains 5 to 15 wt% of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) as a fluorinated oil and a fluorinated resin and other components.
It is contained. As described above, since the content of the fluorine oil and the fluorine-based resin is reduced as compared with Hanal FL-Z75, the sound deadening effect is slightly inferior, but the sound deadening effect and the sealing effect superior to the conventional one are exhibited. Can be.

Further, in the present embodiment, FIG.
As shown in (B), (C), and (D), the Teflon felt 113 is configured to ride on the position on the side end surface side of the pressing member 64a and on the leaf spring 64b.
The Teflon felt hair is pressed against the pressing member 64a and the developing roller 5
As a result, no gap is formed between the pressing member 64 a and the developing roller 59.
As a result, toner leakage from between the pressing member 64a and the developing roller 59 can be reliably prevented. Further, as described above, by configuring the Teflon felt 113 to ride on the leaf spring 64b, the Teflon felt 113 moves together with the movement of the leaf spring 64b of the layer thickness regulating blade 64, and the layer thickness is increased. Regulator blade 64
Does not hinder the movement of the leaf spring 64b. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 12C and 12D, the portion on which the Teflon felt 113 rides is a side seal 1 as a base material of a developer leakage prevention member on both ends.
The front blade side seal 112 as a foamed elastic material layer formed of a sponge other than the sponge
And the Teflon felt 113, and is bonded to the leaf spring 64b and the Teflon felt 113 with a double-sided tape. As a result, the developing roller 5
Even if the Teflon felt 113 is pressed against the developing roller 59 with a sufficient pressing force so as to reliably prevent toner leakage from both ends of the front side 9, the repulsive force of this portion can be reduced by an appropriate amount of crushing. The seal 112 absorbs,
Developing roller 5 of pressing member 64a of layer thickness regulating blade 64
9 does not weaken on both ends of the developing roller 59.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, a lower film 114 as a lower end developer leakage preventing member is attached. As the lower film 114, a PET sheet or a urethane rubber film is used. In this embodiment, a PET sheet is used. The lower film 114 is attached to a part of the lower seal mounting area 101, a part of the front edge 51d of the case 51, and a part of the lower side seal 105 using a double-sided tape. As described above, the bonding surface of the lower film 114 is
Since not only the area 1 but also the area of the front edge 51d is included, it is hard to peel off. Accordingly, even when the pressing force between the developing roller 59, the lower film 114 and the Teflon felt 113 is increased to some extent, the peeling of the lower film 114 can be reliably prevented. Also, the lower film 11
As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, both end portions 114a are formed obliquely with respect to the bonding reference line. As a result, a gap is formed between both ends 114a and Teflon felt 113, and the lower side seal 105 is exposed from the gap. Accordingly, the lower film 114 does not ride on the Teflon felt 113, and there is no gap between the developing roller 59 and the Teflon felt 113 due to a step. Can be reliably prevented.

As described above, in the developing device 50 of the present embodiment, it is possible to reliably prevent toner from leaking from the upper portion, both ends, and the lower portion of the developing roller 59.

In particular, in the present embodiment, as described above, the Teflon felt 113 coated with a lubricant containing fluorine oil and fluorine resin is used for the rubbing portion of the side seal. Since the toner leakage effect in the rubbing portion with the Teflon felt 113 at both ends can be improved as compared with the case of the normal Teflon felt, and the lubricating property can be significantly increased as compared with the case of the normal Teflon felt. Generation of abnormal noise from the rubbing portion when the developing roller 59 rotates can be reliably prevented.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

In the present embodiment, the direction of the bristles on the surface layer of the Teflon felt 113, that is, the so-called Teflon felt fibers are aligned along the rotation direction of the developing roller 59, and then described in the first embodiment. It is attached as follows.

To prepare the Teflon felt in this embodiment, first, a Teflon felt sheet 113a shown in FIG. 13 is coated with a lubricant in which a fluorine-based resin and a fluorine oil are dispersed in a quick-drying solvent. The Teflon felt 113 shown in a strip shape in FIG. 13 is individually cut off from the Teflon felt sheet 113a, and assembled into the developing device 50 as described in the first embodiment. That is, the Teflon felt 113 of the present embodiment created as described above is attached to the side seal 104 using a double-sided tape. Then, a jig developing roller 59 is attached, and the developing roller 59 and the Teflon felt 113 are brought into contact with each other. However, at this time, the toner is not charged into the developing device 50. At this time, the contact pressure between the jig developing roller 59 and the Teflon felt 113 is the same as that of the developing device 50 in the first embodiment, that is, the actual machine.

Then, the developing roller 59 is rotated at a speed higher than that of the actual machine for a sufficient time, and the Teflon felt 11 is rotated.
The eyes of the third fiber are made to follow the rotation direction of the developing roller 59.

In this manner, the fibers of the developing roller 59
Along the rotation direction. Thereafter, the developing roller 59 for the jig is removed, the developing device 50 is assembled in a normal process, and the toner is stored in the developing device 50.

With the above-described configuration, the eyes of the Teflon felt 113 which is in pressure contact with the developing roller 59 can be preliminarily arranged in the rotation direction of the developing roller 59 as shown in FIG. In between, a lubricant in which the above-described fluororesin and fluoro oil are dispersed in a quick-drying solvent is applied, so that the rotation direction of the developing roller 59,
That is, it is possible to reliably seal the toner that is going to enter from the direction perpendicular to the direction of the fiber eyes of the Teflon felt 113. As a result, the toner sealing property at the pressing contact portion between the Teflon felt 113 and the developing roller 59 was significantly improved as compared with the first embodiment.

Originally, the eyes of the Teflon felt fibers are not aligned in one direction and are intertwined in a complicated manner.
Therefore, in the configuration of the first embodiment, the eyes of the fibers of the Teflon felt 113 are aligned in the rotation direction of the developing roller 59 with the use of the developing device 50, but depending on the direction of the eyes, the eyes are aligned as described above. In some cases, a small amount of toner may enter before the image formation. Then, once the toner has entered, it is difficult to align the eyes of the fibers in the rotation direction of the developing roller 59, and there has been a case where a slight amount of toner leakage has occurred with long-term use.

However, in the present embodiment, before the toner is filled, the eyes of the fibers of the Teflon felt 113 are in the rotation direction of the developing roller 59, and
The space between the fibers aligned in one direction as described above is filled with a lubricant in which the fluororesin and the fluorocarbon oil are dispersed in a quick-drying solvent, so that it is possible to reliably prevent toner from entering. did it.

As a result of the experiment, according to the developing device 50 having the configuration of the present embodiment, when a test print with a toner print area of 4% was performed on one sheet of A4 size paper, no toner leakage occurred up to 6000 sheets. It did not occur.

The Teflon felt 11 of the present embodiment is
As described above, the rotation speed of the developing roller 59 in the jig is set to be higher than the rotation speed of the actual machine as described above. However, even if the jig is rotated at the same speed as the actual machine, the first embodiment The toner sealing property can be improved as compared with the embodiment. However, as a result of the experiment, it was found that when the rotation speed was higher than that of the actual machine, the eyes of the Teflon felt fibers were more easily aligned, and excellent toner sealability was obtained.

In this embodiment, after the lubricant in which the fluororesin and the fluorine oil are dispersed in a quick-drying solvent is applied to the Teflon felt, the fibers of the Teflon felt are aligned. However, even if the fibers of Teflon felt are aligned without applying a lubricant in which the fluororesin and the fluorocarbon oil are dispersed in a quick-drying solvent, a toner seal superior to a conventional developing device can be obtained. It can demonstrate its properties.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the direction of the eyes of the Teflon felt fibers is set along the rotation direction of the developing roller, so that the toner sealing property can be significantly improved.

In the above embodiments, an example is described in which the process cartridge 2a to which the developing device 50 is mounted is detachably attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus. The present invention is not limited to this. For example, only the developing device 50 may be detachable from the image forming apparatus main body, and the process cartridge 2a and the developing device 50 may be formed in an integrated housing. The present invention may also be applied to a case in which the image forming apparatus is configured to be detachable from the image forming apparatus. Further, the developing device 50 does not necessarily need to be detachable from the image forming apparatus, and may be a stationary type. If the present invention is applied to a developing device cartridge or a process cartridge, there is an effect that toner leakage at the time of attachment / detachment can be surely prevented. The effect of not contaminating can be exerted.

As described above, the present invention has been described based on the embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. Can easily be inferred.

[0086]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, both ends of the developing device have a rubbing surface near both ends in the longitudinal direction of the opening of the developing device housing with the peripheral surfaces on both ends of the developer carrier. As the agent leakage prevention member, since the both-end developer leakage prevention member in which the lubricant containing the fluorinated oil and the fluorine-based resin is applied to the rubbing surface is provided, the both-end developer leakage prevention member and the developer carrier are provided. In addition, it is possible to reliably prevent the developer from leaking from the rubbing portion, and to surely suppress generation of abnormal noise from the rubbing portion even when the developer carrier rotates.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the developer leakage preventing members at both ends are provided with a fibrous rubbing member made of a fluorine-based resin, the fluorine-containing rubbing member is provided in the fibrous rubbing member. Oil and fluorine-based resin enter, and leakage of the developer can be more reliably prevented. Further, it is possible to improve the lubricity and reliably prevent the generation of abnormal noise from the rubbing portion.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the eyes of the fibers on the rubbing surface of the slidable member which rubs against the peripheral surface of the developer carrier are set in advance in the direction along the rotation direction of the developer carrier. Therefore, even if the developer moves in a direction perpendicular to the rotation direction of the developer carrier, the developer can be more reliably prevented from entering. Moreover, since the fluoro oil and the fluoro resin enter the rubbing member, the leakage of the developer can be prevented extremely well.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the eyes of the fibers on the rubbing surface of the slidable member which rubs against the peripheral surface of the developer carrier are set in advance in the direction along the rotation direction of the developer carrier. Therefore, even if the developer moves in a direction perpendicular to the rotation direction of the developer carrier, the developer can be more reliably prevented from entering.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the eyes of the fibers on the rubbing surface of the slidable member which rubs against the peripheral surface of the developer carrier are set in advance in the direction along the rotation direction of the developer carrier. Therefore, even if the developer moves in a direction perpendicular to the rotation direction of the developer carrier, the developer can be more reliably prevented from entering. Moreover, since the fluoro oil and the fluoro resin enter the rubbing member, the leakage of the developer can be prevented extremely well.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, since polytetrafluoroethylene is used as the lubricant and the fluororesin of the rubbing member, the developer leakage preventing action and the lubricity improving action are mutually performed. Without obstruction, it is possible to reliably prevent the developer from leaking and generating abnormal noise.

According to the developing device of the present invention, since the polymerized toner produced by the polymerization method is used as the developer, the developing operation with high fluidity and high definition can be performed. In addition, it is possible to reliably prevent toner from leaking from both ends of the developer layer thickness regulating member, and also to surely prevent generation of the abnormal noise.

According to the developing device of the present invention, since a roller formed of a conductive elastic material is used as the developer carrying member, the developer leaking member at both ends and the developer carrying member are separated from each other. In the case where the developer enters between the developer carriers, it is easy to cause developer leakage due to damage to the surface of the developer carrier, but by applying the fluoro oil and the fluoro resin to the developer leakage members at both ends as described above. In addition, the developer does not enter between the developer leakage member at both ends and the developer carrier, and it is possible to reliably prevent the developer from leaking due to damage to the surface of the developer carrier. In addition, the generation of the abnormal noise can be reliably prevented.

According to the process cartridge of the ninth aspect, the process cartridge detachably formed in the image forming apparatus is provided with the developing device of any one of the first to eighth aspects. Even when the cartridge is attached or detached, the developer can be reliably prevented from leaking. Further, generation of the abnormal noise can be prevented.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the developing device according to any one of the first to eighth aspects is formed detachably with respect to the image forming apparatus or the process cartridge. Also, it is possible to reliably prevent the developer from leaking even when attaching or detaching. Further, since the generation of the abnormal noise can be prevented, a favorable developing operation can be performed.

According to the image forming apparatus of the eleventh aspect,
Since the developing device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, the process cartridge according to claim 9, or the developing device cartridge according to claim 10 is provided, the developer does not leak and the inside of the image forming apparatus main body is not generated. Can be reliably prevented from being contaminated by the developer. Further, since the generation of the abnormal noise is prevented, a favorable developing operation can be performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

2 (A) is a partially cutaway perspective view showing a seal portion of a developing device case before a seal member is attached, and FIG. 2 (B) is the seal seen from the direction of arrow B shown in FIG. 2 (A). It is a figure which shows a part.

3 (A) is a partially cutaway perspective view showing a seal portion of a developing device case when an upper side seal mounting film is attached, and FIG. 3 (B) is an arrow A shown in FIG. 3 (A). FIG. 3C is a view showing the seal portion viewed from the direction, and FIG.
It is a figure showing the seal part concerned seen from the arrow B direction shown to (A).

FIG. 4A is a partially cutaway perspective view showing a seal portion of a developing device case when a side seal is attached;
FIG. 5B is a diagram showing the seal portion as viewed from the direction of arrow B shown in FIG.

FIG. 5A is a partially cutaway perspective view showing a seal portion of a developing device case when an edge seal is attached, FIG.
FIG. 5B is a diagram showing the seal portion as viewed from the direction of arrow B shown in FIG.

FIG. 6A is a partially broken perspective view showing a seal portion of a developing device case when an upper side seal is attached,
FIG. 6B is a diagram showing the seal portion viewed from the direction of arrow A shown in FIG. 6A, and FIG. 6C is a diagram showing the seal portion viewed from the direction of arrow B shown in FIG. 6A. It is.

FIG. 7 is a front view showing a seal portion of the developing device case when an upper seal is attached.

FIG. 8 is a view showing a seal portion viewed from a direction of an arrow B shown in FIG. 7;

9A is a view of the layer thickness regulating blade as viewed from the back side, FIG. 9B is a view of the layer thickness regulating blade to which the rib sponge is attached as viewed from the back side, and FIG. It is the figure which looked at the thickness regulation blade from the front side.

FIG. 10 is a view showing the seal portion as viewed from the direction of arrow B, similarly to FIG. 8;

11A is a partially cutaway perspective view showing a seal portion of a developing device case when a lower side seal is attached, and FIG. 11B is viewed from a direction of an arrow B shown in FIG. 11A. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the seal portion.

12A is a partially cutaway perspective view showing a seal portion of a developing device case when Teflon felt is attached, and FIG. 12B is viewed from the direction of arrow A shown in FIG. 12A. FIG. 12C is a diagram showing the seal portion, and FIG. 12C is a diagram showing the seal portion viewed from the direction of arrow B shown in FIG.
FIG. 13D is a sectional view taken along line DD of FIG.

FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a method of applying a lubricant to a Teflon felt seal.

FIG. 14 is a plan view showing the lower film and the vicinity of a mounting portion thereof.

FIG. 15 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing a seal portion of a case 51 on the opposite side to FIG. 12A when a lower film is attached.

FIG. 16 is a view for explaining the state of the eyes of the fibers of the Teflon felt seal according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 laser beam printer 50 developing device 51 case 52 toner storage chamber 59 developing roller 64 layer thickness regulating blade 64 a pressing member 64 b leaf spring 100 side seal mounting area 101 lower seal mounting area 103 upper side seal mounting film 104 side seal 105 Lower side seal 107 Upper side seal 108 Upper seal 110 Side edge seal 111 Back side blade side seal 112 Front side blade side seal / 113 Teflon felt 114 Lower film

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Fumikazu Sato 151-1 Nashiro-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture Inside of Brother Industries, Ltd. No. 1 F-term in Brother Industries, Ltd. (reference) 2H077 AD02 AD06 CA11 CA12

Claims (11)

[Claims] A developer carrier is rotatably disposed in an opening of a developing device housing for accommodating a developer, and a thin layer of the developer formed on the developer carrier is formed into an electrostatic latent image. A developing device that forms a visible image by facing each other, is attached to the developing device housing near both ends in the longitudinal direction of the opening of the developing device housing, and is provided around the both ends of the developer carrier. A developing device having a rubbing surface with the surface, and a developer leakage prevention member at both ends where a lubricant containing fluorine oil and a fluororesin is applied to the rubbing surface. 2. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein said developer leakage preventing member includes a fibrous rubbing member made of a fluororesin. 3. The developing device according to claim 2, wherein, in said sliding contact member, the number of fibers on said rubbing surface is previously aligned in a direction along a rotation direction of said developer carrier. . 4. A developer carrier is rotatably disposed at an opening of a developing device housing for accommodating a developer, and a thin layer of the developer formed on the developer carrier is formed into an electrostatic latent image. A developing device that forms a visible image by facing each other, is attached to the developing device housing near both ends in the longitudinal direction of the opening of the developing device housing, and is provided around the both ends of the developer carrier. A developer-leakage prevention member having both ends having a rubbing surface, wherein the developer-leakage prevention members at both ends include a fibrous sliding member that forms the rubbing surface, and fibers on the rubbing surface Wherein the eyes of the developing device are aligned in advance in a direction along the rotation direction of the developer carrying member. 5. The developing device according to claim 4, wherein a lubricant containing a fluorine oil and a fluorine resin is applied to the sliding surface of the sliding member. 6. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the fluororesin is polytetrafluoroethylene. 7. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein said developer is a polymerized toner produced by a polymerization method. 8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the developer carrier is a roller formed of a conductive elastic body.
8. The developing device according to any one of items 7 to 7. 9. A process cartridge detachably formed in an image forming apparatus, comprising: a carrier for the electrostatic latent image; and a developing device according to claim 1. A process cartridge characterized by the above-mentioned. 10. A developing device cartridge, wherein the developing device according to claim 1 is detachably mounted on an image forming apparatus or a process cartridge. 11. An image forming apparatus comprising the developing device according to claim 1, a process cartridge according to claim 9, or a developing device cartridge according to claim 10.