JP2006058759A - Developing device, process cartridge, and electrophotographic image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a developing device capable of improving assemblability with a simple and inexpensive configuration.
In a developing device for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a developer member, a developer container, a stirring member, and the developer on an elastic member in the tilt direction. An elastic sheet that vibrates in contact with the agitation member when the agitation member rotates to convey the developer to the upstream side of the elastic sheet in the conveyance direction in which the developer is agitated and conveyed by the agitation member The developer developing portion is formed together with the first developing frame having the inclined surface, and the first development is performed up to a position close to a part of the second developing frame located above the first developing frame. The frame has a protruding portion protruding upward from the inclined surface, and the elastic sheet has a penetrating portion that penetrates the protruding portion so as not to interfere with the protruding portion.
[Selection] Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a developing device, a process cartridge, and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus that can be used in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus or the like.

  Here, the electrophotographic image forming apparatus forms an image on a recording medium using an electrophotographic image forming system. Examples of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus include an electrophotographic copying machine, an electrophotographic printer (for example, a laser beam printer, an LED printer, etc.), a facsimile machine, a word processor, and the like.

  The process cartridge described above is a cartridge in which a charging unit, a developing unit, or a cleaning unit and an electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed, and the cartridge can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body. In addition, at least one of the charging unit, the developing unit, and the cleaning unit and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge so that it can be attached to and detached from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. Further, it means that at least the developing means and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrated into a cartridge so that it can be attached to and detached from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

  In an image forming apparatus using electrophotography, if it is used for a long time, it is necessary to replace the photosensitive drum, to supply and replace the developer, and to adjust, clean and replace the other (charger, cleaner container, etc.). However, such maintenance work is practically difficult except for a service person having specialized knowledge.

  Therefore, in the image forming apparatus using the electrophotographic image forming process, the electrophotographic photosensitive member and the process means acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrated into a cartridge, and the cartridge can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body. The process cartridge method is adopted. According to this process cartridge system, since the apparatus can be maintained by the user himself / herself without depending on the service person, the operability can be remarkably improved. Therefore, this process cartridge system is widely used in image forming apparatuses.

  The prior art will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 shows a laser printer equipped with a process cartridge, FIG. 13 shows a process cartridge, and FIG. 14 shows a developing device.

  The configuration and operation of the laser printer are the same as in the embodiment of the invention, and the description thereof is omitted here (see Patent Document 1).

  The toner is supplied to the developing roller 41 as follows.

  In the toner chamber 45, a stirring member 43 is disposed in the vicinity of the toner supply opening 45a.

  The inclined surface 45b forming the bottom surface of the toner chamber 45 has an inclination angle equal to or less than the repose angle (20 degrees to less than 65 degrees). The elastic sheet 47 is fixed on the inclined surface 45b with a certain amount of backlash by heat welding or the like, and is disposed so as to protrude in the rotation region of the stirring member 43, whereby the stirring member 43 is rotated. As the elastic sheet 47 vibrates over substantially the entire area, it is possible to stably drop the toner and supply the toner.

Japanese Patent No. 03377771 (page 8, FIGS. 1 to 3)

  In the conventional example, since the inclined surface angle can be set to be equal to or less than the toner repose angle, the space efficiency is good and the development apparatus, the process cartridge, and the electrophotographic image forming apparatus can be reduced in size.

  This miniaturization effect can be further expected in a developing device, a process cartridge, and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus that can print 10,000 sheets or more and can store a large amount of toner having a paper size of A3 or more.

  However, in order to form a storage portion that can store the large amount of toner, it is necessary to increase the width in the longitudinal direction.

  Since it is necessary to increase the longitudinal width of the elastic sheet 47 as the width in the longitudinal direction is increased, it is necessary to increase the number of places where the elastic sheet 47 is held in a loose state by heat welding or the like, and there is a risk that the assemblability may be reduced. Yes (longitudinal direction: axial direction of the developing roller).

  Also, if the width in the longitudinal direction is widened, both the frame bodies 40a and 40b are deformed when the handle formed by the first developing frame body 40a and the second developing frame body 40b is squeezed when the process cartridge is attached or detached. The internal pressure in the toner chamber 45 is likely to increase. If an excessive increase in internal pressure occurs, toner may leak from the vicinity of the developing roller 41.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a developing device, a process cartridge, and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus that can achieve the above-described problems with a simple and inexpensive configuration.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a developing device for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive member, and developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member. And a developer accommodating portion for accommodating a developer used for developing the electrostatic latent image by the member and the developing member when the developing device is attached to the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body. And a developer container having an inclined surface inclined downward toward the developing member on a bottom surface of the developer container, and a developer housed in the developer container by rotating. A stirring member that stirs and conveys the elastic member, and an elastic member that is provided on the inclined surface so as to protrude into the rotation region of the stirring member along the inclination direction of the inclined surface, and the developer on the elastic member is inclined. In order to transport in the direction An elastic sheet that vibrates in contact with the stirring member when the member rotates, and has the inclined surface on the upstream side of the elastic sheet in the transport direction in which the developer is stirred and transported by the stirring member. The developer accommodating portion is formed together with the first developing frame, and from the inclined surface of the first developing frame to a position close to a part of the second developing frame located above the first developing frame. The elastic sheet has a projecting portion that protrudes upward, and the elastic sheet has a penetration portion that penetrates the projecting portion so as not to interfere with the projecting portion.

  The present invention also provides an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a developing member for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and the developing member in a process cartridge that can be attached to and detached from an electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body. A developer storage portion for storing a developer used for developing the electrostatic latent image when the developer is mounted on the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body. A developer storage portion having an inclined surface inclined downward toward the developing member on a bottom surface of the portion, and a stirring member that stirs and conveys the developer stored in the developer storage portion by rotating And an elastic member provided on the inclined surface so as to protrude into the rotation region of the stirring member along the inclined direction of the inclined surface, and for transporting the developer on the elastic member in the inclined direction. The stirring unit The elastic sheet vibrates in contact with the stirring member when rotating, and the first surface having the inclined surface on the upstream side of the elastic sheet in the transport direction in which the developer is stirred and transported by the stirring member. 1 Forms the developer accommodating portion together with the developing frame, and moves upward from the inclined surface of the first developing frame to a position close to a part of the second developing frame located above the first developing frame. The elastic sheet has a penetrating portion that penetrates the protruding portion so as not to interfere with the protruding portion.

Furthermore, the present invention provides an electrophotographic image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium.
(A) a developer member for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive member, and a developer for containing a developer used for developing the electrostatic latent image by the developer member A developer having an inclined surface which is an accommodating portion and is inclined downward toward the developing member on a bottom surface of the developer accommodating portion when the developing device is mounted on the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body. A stirrer that stirs and conveys the developer stored in the developer storage unit by rotating the storage unit; and a slanted surface that protrudes into a rotation region of the stirrer member along a tilt direction of the slanted surface. And an elastic sheet that vibrates in contact with the stirring member when the stirring member rotates to convey the developer on the elastic member in the inclined direction. , The developer to the stirring member The second developer located above the first developing frame body is formed on the upstream side of the elastic sheet in the conveying direction with stirring and forming, together with the first developing frame body having the inclined surface, the developer storage portion. A protrusion protruding upward from the inclined surface of the first developing frame to a position close to a part of the frame, and the elastic sheet penetrates the protrusion so as not to interfere with the protrusion; A developing device having a penetrating portion;
(B) transport means for transporting the recording medium;
It is characterized by having.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to improve assembly and prevent toner leakage with a simple and inexpensive configuration.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  1 is a sectional view of an apparatus main body 1 and a process cartridge 2 constituting an image forming apparatus according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a process cartridge 2 according to the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a developing device 40 according to the present invention. 4 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of the developing device 40 according to the present invention, FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a dowel, FIG. 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view illustrating welding of the dowel, and FIG. 7 is a schematic illustrating an elastic sheet. FIG. 8, FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a method for assembling an elastic sheet, FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of a developing device illustrating another embodiment, and FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of an elastic sheet illustrating another embodiment. FIG. 11 is a perspective view for explaining an elastic sheet assembling method according to another embodiment.

  Hereinafter, the image forming apparatus according to the present application will be described with reference to FIGS.

(overall structure)
This image forming apparatus is a laser printer using electrophotographic technology in which a process cartridge 2 is detachably attached to the apparatus main body 1. When the process cartridge 2 is mounted on the apparatus main body 1, an exposure device (laser scanner unit) 3 is disposed above the process cartridge 2, and a recording medium (sheet) to be image-formed is disposed below the process cartridge 2. Material) A sheet tray 4 containing P is disposed. Further, the image forming apparatus main body 1 includes a pickup roller 5, a paper feed roller (not shown), a pair of conveyance rollers (not shown), a transfer guide 6, and a transfer charging roller 7 along the conveyance direction of the sheet material P. A conveyance guide 8, a fixing device 9, a discharge roller pair 10, a discharge tray 11, and the like are arranged.

(Process cartridge configuration)
The process cartridge 2 integrally accommodates four types of process devices including an image carrier (photosensitive drum) 20, a charging device 30, a developing device 40, and a cleaning device 50. The photosensitive drum 20 and the charging device 30 are attached to a frame 51 of the cleaning device 50. On the other hand, the developing device 40 has coupling arms 48 in the vicinity of both ends thereof.

  The developing device 40 is rotatably attached to the frame 51 by means (not shown) at the tip end region of the coupling arm 48. Further, an urging means 60 (not shown) that is a coil spring is disposed between the developing device 40 and the frame 51, and the developing device 40 is urged clockwise in the drawing.

  Here, an interval holding member (not shown) is attached to both ends of the developing roller 41, and the developing roller 41 is held at a predetermined interval from the photosensitive drum 20.

(Description of image forming process)
Next, an outline of image formation will be described. Based on the print start signal, the photosensitive drum 20 is rotationally driven at a predetermined peripheral speed (process speed) in the arrow R1 direction. A charging device 30 to which a bias voltage is applied is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 20, and the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 20 is uniformly and uniformly charged by the charging device 30.

  The laser scanner unit 3 outputs laser light L modulated in accordance with the time-series electrical digital pixel signal of the target image information, and enters the process cartridge 2 from the exposure window 53 on the upper surface of the process cartridge 2. Then, the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 20 is scanned and exposed. As a result, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the target image information is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 20. This electrostatic latent image is produced by the developer (toner) T on the developer carrying member (developing roller) 41 that has been subjected to tribo application and layer thickness regulation by the developer regulating member (developing blade) 42 of the developing device 40. Developed as an image.

  On the other hand, the sheet material P is fed from the sheet tray 4 by the pickup roller 5, the paper feed roller (not shown), and the conveying roller pair (not shown) in synchronization with the output timing of the laser beam L, and the transfer guide 6 is moved. Then, timing is supplied to the transfer position between the photosensitive drum 20 and the transfer charging roller 7. At this transfer position, the toner image is sequentially transferred from the photosensitive drum 20 to the sheet material P.

  The sheet material P to which the toner image has been transferred is separated from the photosensitive drum 20 and conveyed to the fixing device 9 along the conveyance guide 8, and passes through the nip portion between the fixing roller 9 a and the pressure roller 9 b constituting the fixing device 9. The toner image is fixed to the sheet material P by being subjected to pressure and heat fixing processing at this nip portion. The sheet material P that has undergone the toner image fixing process is conveyed to the discharge roller pair 10 and discharged onto the discharge tray 11.

  On the other hand, the transferred photosensitive drum 20 is subjected to image formation starting from charging again after residual toner on the outer peripheral surface is removed by the cleaning blade 52 of the cleaning device 50.

(Configuration of developing device)
The toner T in the toner chamber 45 serving as a toner storage unit is conveyed to the developer supply chamber 44 through the toner supply opening 45a by a toner feeding mechanism described later. The toner T conveyed to the developer supply chamber 44 is attracted to the developing roller 41 by the magnet 41a included in the developing roller 41, and conveyed toward the developing blade 42 as the developing roller 41 rotates in the R2 direction. The developing blade 42 is fed in the direction of the photosensitive drum 20 by applying tribo and layer thickness regulation.

  The toner chamber 45 includes a first development frame body 40a including an inclined surface 45b and a second development frame body 40b positioned above the first development frame body 40a. The first developing frame body 40a and the second developing frame body 40b are integrally coupled by a coupling method such as ultrasonic waves.

  Here, a predetermined developing bias in which an AC voltage is superimposed on a DC voltage is applied to the developing roller 41, and the photosensitive drum 20 is grounded. Since an electric field is generated in a region where the photosensitive drum 20 and the developing roller 41 face each other, the latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 20 is developed by the charged toner T described above.

  In order to improve the space efficiency in the image forming apparatus main body 1, it is desirable that the inclination angle of the inclined surface 45b is small. However, if the inclination angle of the inclined surface 45b is made smaller than the repose angle of the toner 65 degrees, the toner T cannot slide down the inclined surface 45b due to its own weight, and the toner remaining without being supplied to the developing roller 41 is present at the rear portion of the inclined surface 45b where the stirring member 43 does not reach, and a predetermined number of printed sheets cannot be obtained. .

  Therefore, the elastic sheet 47 made of polyethylene terephthalate and having a thickness of 50 μm is agitated on the inclined surface 45b having an inclination angle of 20 degrees or more and less than 65 degrees inclined downward toward the developing roller 41 and the stirring member 43 on the bottom surface of the toner chamber 45. The member 43 is disposed so as to project in the rotation region of the member 43 so that the projecting amount is 4.0 mm.

  Here, the stirring member 43 is disposed in the vicinity of the toner supply opening 45a of the toner chamber 45, and is rotationally driven in the direction of arrow R3 by a driving means (not shown). The stirring member 43 is provided with a stirring blade 43 b on an attachment shaft 43 a that is rotatably supported by a frame constituting the toner chamber 45. In the very vicinity of the stirring member 43, the bottom surface of the toner chamber forms a recess 45 e along the rotation radius of the stirring member 43. An edge 45f is formed between the inclined surface 45b descending toward the recess 45e and the recess 45e.

  The elastic sheet 47 has an elongated fitting hole 47a corresponding to the dowel 45c located on the inclined upstream side of the inclined surface 45b, and the tip of the dowel 45c with the hole 47a fitted in the dowel 45c. Is fixed by expanding the diameter by heat welding or the like. Here, it is preferable that the distance from the bottom of the dowel 45c on the tip side of the dowel 45c to the base of the dowel 45c melted by heat welding or the like is more than the thickness of the elastic sheet 47 and has a backlash. Further, the fitting hole 47a has a backlash with respect to the dowel 45c in the width direction so that the elastic sheet 47 can be displaced in all directions.

  The dowel 45c may be about two places if it is an A4 size process cartridge, but the length of the A3 size process cartridge is long, so there are about four places to maintain a good vibration state of the elastic sheet 47. desirable. There are four dowels 45c in this embodiment.

  The heights of the dowels 45c provided at the four locations are all the same, and a C-surface is applied to the tip of the elastic sheet 47 in order to secure the attachment property (FIG. 6).

  The elastic sheet 47 is disposed over substantially the entire area in the direction of inclination of the inclined surface 45b and the direction intersecting the inclination direction, and the tip of the movable part opposite to the fixed part fixed by the above-described heat welding or the like. Is disposed as indicated by reference numeral 47b in FIG. 3 so as to protrude above the recess 45e provided along the rotation path of the stirring member 43 located on the downstream side in the inclination direction of the inclined surface 45b. Here, the downstream side in the inclination direction is related to the moving direction of the toner and is the lower side of the inclined surface 45b.

  Here, it is desirable that the protruding amount of the protruding portion 47b is about 1.0 mm to 7.0 mm in which the elastic sheet 47 vibrates reliably due to separation and contact with the stirring member 43 and the vibration does not affect the image and noise.

  As described above, the elastic sheet 47 has the movable portion tip positioned above the recess 45e provided along the rotation path of the stirring member 43 positioned on the downstream side in the tilt direction of the inclined surface 45b and in the rotation region of the stirring member 43. Since it is arranged so as to protrude, it is periodically moved by repeating the operation of bending toward the concave portion when contacting the stirring member in conjunction with the rotational drive of the stirring member 43 in the R3 direction and returning by the elastic force when separated. Vibrates and imparts vibration to the toner T. This operation of applying vibration continues while the process cartridge 2 operates and the stirring member 43 rotates.

  Further, as described above, the elastic sheet 47 is fixed with a certain amount of backlash by fitting the elongated hole 47a to the dowel 45c, so that both the inclination direction of the elastic sheet 47 and the direction intersecting with the inclination direction are provided. Vibrates over almost the entire area. Then, the toner T to which vibration is applied falls on the upper surface of the elastic sheet 47 disposed on the inclined surface 45b over substantially the entire region, and the dropped toner T is positioned downstream of the inclined surface 45b in the inclination direction. The concave member 45e provided along the rotation path of the stirring member 43 and the stirring member 43 are reached, and the toner is sent in the direction of the toner supply opening 45a as the stirring member 43 rotates.

(Structure of protrusion)
The projecting portion 70 is disposed at the center of the longitudinal position of the inclined surface 45b and on the upstream side of the inclined surface 45b in the inclination direction. The plate-like projecting portion 70 extends upward from the inclined surface 45b of the first developing frame body 40a to a position close to the second developing frame body, and is configured so as to generate a minute interval S with the second developing frame body. (Figure 3).

  If the protrusion 70 and the inner wall of the second developing frame body 40b are in contact with each other without providing the minute gap S, the contact portion will not be able to burr at the time of ultrasonic welding of the first developing frame body 40a and the second developing frame body 40b. May occur. If this burr occurs, the burr may fall into the toner chamber 45 when the process cartridge 2 is transported, etc., and may be mixed with the toner to form a toner core. If the toner core is supplied to the developing roller 41 during development, the toner core may be sandwiched between the developing roller 41 and the developing blade 42, and the developing roller 41 may be damaged or white stripes may be generated on the image.

  On the other hand, if the minute interval S is too large, when the process cartridge 2 is attached or detached, both gripping portions formed on the first developing frame 40a and the second developing frame 40b ultrasonically welded are strongly gripped. The frames 40a and 40b are deformed and the internal pressure in the toner chamber 45 is likely to increase. Therefore, the interval S does not interfere when the second developing frame 40b is welded to the first developing frame 40a, and the first developing frame 40a and the second developing when the grip portion is firmly gripped. It is preferable to set, for example, about 0 mm to 0.5 mm as a dimension that can minimize the deformation of the frame body 40b. In the present embodiment, the interval S is set to 0.2 mm.

  The protrusion 70 has a greater effect on deformation when it is provided at the center of the toner chamber 45 as much as possible. In this embodiment, the protrusion 70 is provided at a position overlapping the elastic sheet 47 in the cross-sectional view shown in FIG.

  The elastic sheet 47 has a penetrating portion that penetrates the protruding portion 70 so as not to interfere with the protruding portion 70. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, a notch-shaped through portion 47c is provided.

  An appropriate gap is required between the notch-shaped through portion 47c and the protruding portion 70 in a state where the elastic sheet 47 is disposed on the first developing frame 45a. If there is no gap, the elastic sheet 47 abuts against the protrusion 70 and inhibits vibration of the elastic sheet 47. If the gap is large, the toner on the elastic sheet 47 enters between the elastic sheet 47 and the inclined surface 45b through the gap. In this embodiment, the gap u is set to 0.3 mm.

(Assembly method)
Next, a method for attaching the elastic sheet 47 to the first developing frame 40a will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the elastic sheet 47 is held above the first developing frame 40 a and brought into a position where the protruding portion 70 is aligned with the notched through portion 47 c of the elastic sheet 47.

Thereafter, when the elastic sheet 47 is moved in the downward direction (T1 direction), the fitting holes 47a are fitted into the four dowels 45c. Thus, the notched through portions 47c of the elastic sheet 47 are formed in the protrusions 70. By combining and rough positioning, it is possible to easily fit the fitting holes 47a into the dowels 45c at four places.

  As another shape of the penetrating portion, a hole-shaped penetrating portion 47d may be used as shown in FIGS.

  In the cutout shape, the elastic sheet 47 can be roughly positioned in the T2 and T3 directions in the state of assembling shown in FIG. In the case of the hole shape, positioning in the T4 direction is also possible at the position (FIG. 11) where the protruding portion 70 is aligned with the hole-shaped through-hole 47d of the elastic sheet 47, and is fitted into four dowels 45c to be performed in the subsequent process. The work of fitting the joint hole 47a becomes easier.

  As described above, the developer together with the first developing frame having the inclined surface on the upstream side of the elastic sheet in the conveying direction in which the toner is agitated and conveyed by the agitating member with respect to the accommodating portion capable of accommodating a large amount of toner. A storage portion is formed, and a protruding portion protruding upward from the inclined surface of the first developing frame to a position close to a part of the second developing frame positioned above the first developing frame is provided and elastic By providing a through portion that allows the protrusion to pass through the sheet so as not to interfere with the protrusion, the operation of attaching the elastic sheet to the first developing frame can be facilitated by aligning the positions of the protrusion and the through portion.

  Since the strength of the first developing frame and the second developing frame can be ensured, when the process cartridge is attached / detached, deformation of both frames can be minimized when the handle is held firmly, and the internal pressure in the toner chamber is reduced. It becomes difficult to increase.

  As described above, it is possible to cope with a large-capacity storage unit with a simple and inexpensive configuration.

1 is a longitudinal sectional view of an image forming apparatus. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a process cartridge. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a developing device. It is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of a developing device. It is sectional drawing explaining a dowel It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view explaining the welding of a dowel. It is a schematic diagram explaining an elastic sheet It is a perspective view explaining the assembly method of an elastic sheet. It is a fragmentary sectional perspective view of the developing device explaining other examples. It is a schematic diagram of the elastic sheet explaining another Example. It is a perspective view explaining the assembly method of the elastic sheet of another Example. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a conventional image forming apparatus. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the process cartridge of a prior art example. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a conventional developing device.

Explanation of symbols

1. Image forming device body (device body)
2 Process cartridge 3 Exposure device (laser scanner unit)
4 Sheet tray 5a Pickup roller 5b Feed roller 5c Conveying roller pair 6 Transfer guide 7 Transfer charging roller 8 Conveying guide 9 Fixing device 10 Paper discharge roller 11 Paper discharge tray 20 Photosensitive drum 30 Charging device 40 Developing device 41 Developer carrier 41 (Development roller)
42 Developer regulating member (developing blade)
43 Stirring member 43a Mounting shaft 43b Stirring blade 44 Developer supply chamber 45 Toner chamber 45a Toner supply opening 45b Inclined surface 45c Dowel 45e Recess 45f Edge 47 Elastic sheet 47a Hole 47b Protruding portion 47c Notch-shaped through portion 47d Through hole-shaped through Part 48 Coupling arm 50 Cleaning device 51 Frame 70 Projection part L Laser beam P Recording medium (sheet material)
T Developer (toner)
T1 Elastic sheet mounting direction

Claims (9)

In a developing device for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive member,
A developing member for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member; and a developer storage portion for storing a developer used for developing the electrostatic latent image by the developing member. A developer storage portion having an inclined surface inclined downward toward the developing member on a bottom surface of the developer storage portion when the developing device is mounted on the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body; A stirring member that stirs and conveys the developer stored in the developer storage portion by rotating, and is provided on the inclined surface so as to protrude into the rotation region of the stirring member along the inclined direction of the inclined surface. An elastic sheet that vibrates in contact with the agitation member when the agitation member rotates in order to convey the developer on the elastic member in the inclined direction. Agent by the stirring member On the upstream side of the elastic sheet in the conveying direction with stirring, the second developing frame is formed above the first developing frame by forming the developer storage portion together with the first developing frame having the inclined surface. A projecting portion projecting upward from the inclined surface of the first developing frame to a position close to a part of the first developing frame, and the elastic sheet penetrates the projecting portion so as not to interfere with the projecting portion A developing device comprising:   The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the through portion has a notch shape.   The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the through portion has a hole shape. In a process cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body,
An electrophotographic photosensitive member, a developing member for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and a developer used for developing the electrostatic latent image by the developing member. An inclined surface inclined downward toward the developing member on the bottom surface of the developer accommodating portion when the developing device is mounted on the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body. A developer storage portion having a stirring member that rotates and stirs and conveys the developer stored in the developer storage portion, and protrudes into the rotation region of the stirring member along the inclined direction of the inclined surface. An elastic member provided on the inclined surface, wherein the elastic member vibrates in contact with the agitation member when the agitation member rotates to convey the developer on the elastic member in the inclination direction; And having the developer in front On the upstream side of the elastic sheet in the conveying direction in which the agitating member stirs and conveys, the developer accommodating portion is formed together with the first developing frame body having the inclined surface and is positioned above the first developing frame body. A protruding portion protruding upward from the inclined surface of the first developing frame to a position close to a part of the developing frame, and the elastic sheet penetrates the protruding portion so as not to interfere with the protruding portion. A process cartridge having a penetrating portion to be moved.   The process cartridge according to claim 4, wherein the through portion has a cutout shape.   The process cartridge according to claim 4, wherein the through portion has a hole shape. In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium,
(A) a developer member for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive member, and a developer for containing a developer used for developing the electrostatic latent image by the developer member A developer having an inclined surface which is an accommodating portion and is inclined downward toward the developing member on a bottom surface of the developer accommodating portion when the developing device is mounted on the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body. An agitation member that agitates and conveys the developer accommodated in the developer accommodating unit by rotating; and an inclined surface that protrudes into a rotation region of the agitation member along an inclination direction of the inclined surface And an elastic sheet that vibrates in contact with the stirring member when the stirring member rotates to convey the developer on the elastic member in the inclined direction. , The developer to the stirring member The second developer is formed above the first developing frame body by forming the developer accommodating portion together with the first developing frame body having the inclined surface on the upstream side of the elastic sheet in the conveying direction for stirring and conveying. A protrusion protruding upward from the inclined surface of the first developing frame to a position close to a part of the frame, and the elastic sheet penetrates the protrusion so as not to interfere with the protrusion; A developing device having a penetrating portion;
(B) transport means for transporting the recording medium;
An electrophotographic image forming apparatus comprising:   The electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the penetrating portion has a notch shape.   The electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the penetrating portion has a hole shape.

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