JP2019070684A - Developing device, assembly, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To prevent excessive discharge of a jumping developer in a developing device.SOLUTION: A developing device comprises: a housing having a storage unit 70 that accommodates a conveying member 74 rotating to convey a developer, an opening 92 that opens in a lateral side when viewed in the axial direction of the conveying member 74, and an overhanging part 94 that overhangs from a lower part of the opening part 92 toward the outside of the storage unit; a magnet 96 that is supported by the overhanging part 94 outside the storage unit 70 with respect to an opening face 72D of the opening 92; and a covering member 98 that covers the opening 92, with one end fixed to an upper part of the opening 92 of the housing and the other end in contact with the magnet 96 from the opposite side of the opening 92.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

  The present invention relates to a developing device, an assembly and an image forming apparatus.

  According to Patent Document 1, a developer carrier that carries a developer on the surface and rotates, supplies toner to the latent image on the surface of the latent image carrier at a location facing the latent image carrier, and develops the developer. And a developer conveyance member for conveying the developer, wherein the developer conveyance region conveys the developer while supplying the developer to the developer carrier in a developer supply region where the developer is supplied to the developer carrier A developer supply means for supplying the developer to the developer transport path; and a predetermined height at which the bulk of the developer increases or decreases according to the increase or decrease of the developer amount over the developer transport path. In addition, in a developing device provided with a developer discharge port for discharging the developer to the outside of the apparatus in the developer conveyance path, a discharge port opening / closing member capable of changing between the closed state and the open state with respect to the developer discharge port The outlet opening and closing member is movable up and down and closes the outlet when in the downward direction. The discharge port is opened when it is at the upper side, and is biased downward, and the urging force is set to be smaller than the agent pressure applied to the opening / closing member when the agent increases. A developing device is described.

  Patent Document 2 describes a developing device for containing a developer having a carrier and a toner and developing a latent image formed on an image carrier, wherein a screw portion is formed on a shaft portion, A plurality of transport members that transport the developer accommodated in the apparatus in the longitudinal direction to form a circulation path, a supply unit that newly supplies a carrier into the apparatus, and one transport member of the plurality of transport members And an outlet formed in a partition of the transport path by the one transport member for discharging the developer to the outside when the high level of the developer transported by the developer exceeds a predetermined height. The two transport members have a cutout area in which the screw portion is not formed in a part in the longitudinal direction, and the discharge port faces the cutout area and has a smaller longitudinal length than the cutout area. Formed to be And a wall portion is provided on the upstream side of the transport path with respect to the discharge port and within the range of the cutout area, the wall portion protruding from the partition wall in which the discharge port is formed toward the inside of the transport path There is described a developing device characterized in that.

JP, 2009-047891, A JP, 2009-069235, A

  By the way, in the developing device, there is known a discharge structure in which the developer is discharged to the outside through the discharge port when the height of the developer stored in the storage portion exceeds the height of the discharge port formed on the side wall of the storage portion. ing. In the developing device provided with the discharge structure, the developer in the container may be splashed up and scattered due to the rotation of the auger provided in the container, and the developer may be discharged through the discharge port. As described above, when the developer is discharged through the discharge port before the high level of the developer exceeds the lower edge of the discharge port, the amount of developer in the storage portion is insufficient.

  It is an object of the present invention to provide a developing device and an image capable of suppressing excessive discharge of the developer due to splashing, as compared with the case where the developer splashed up by the transport member is suppressed by only the member covering the opening. It is providing a forming apparatus.

  The developing device according to claim 1 includes a storage portion for storing a transport member for transporting a developer by rotating, an opening portion which is opened to the side when viewed from the axial direction of the transport member, and a lower portion of the opening portion A housing having a projecting part projecting from the housing part to the outside of the housing part, a magnet supported by the overhanging part outside the housing part with respect to the opening surface of the opening, and one end of the housing A cover member fixed to the upper side of the opening and the other end being in contact with the magnet from the side opposite to the side of the opening, the cover member covering the opening.

  The developing device according to claim 2 includes a storage portion for storing a transport member that transports the developer by rotation, an opening portion that opens laterally as viewed from the axial direction of the transport member, and a lower portion of the opening portion. A housing having a projecting part projecting from the housing part to the outside of the housing part, a magnet supported by the overhanging part outside the housing part with respect to the opening surface of the opening, and one end of the housing The developer is fixed to the upper side of the opening in the case where the other end is in contact with the magnet from the side opposite to the side of the opening, and covers the opening and also splashes the developer jumping inside the storage portion. And a cover member for guiding from the opening to the side of the magnet.

  The developing device according to claim 3 is the developing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a housing portion for housing the transport member that transports the developer by rotation is viewed from the axial direction of the transport member. Said tension at the outside of the receptacle with respect to the opening face of the opening, and a case having a side opening and an overhang extending out of the bottom of the opening to the outside of the receptacle; With the magnet supported by the protrusion, one end fixed to the upper side of the opening in the housing, and the other end contacting the magnet from the side opposite to the side of the opening, the opening And a cover member which vibrates in contact with the developer having a high position beyond the lower edge of the opening.

  The developing device according to a fourth aspect is the developing device according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the covering member is a thin plate-like member, and the covering member is elastically bent and deformed. The other end is in contact with the magnet.

  A developing device according to a fifth aspect is the developing device according to the fourth aspect, wherein the covering member is bent and deformed in a direction to be convex toward the side of the opening.

  The developing device according to claim 6 is the developing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the covering member has the developer whose elevation is higher than the lower edge of the opening. When it is discharged from the chamber, it vibrates while maintaining contact with the magnet.

  The developing device according to claim 7 is the developing device according to claim 6, wherein the covering member contacts the magnet in a non-fixed state in a cantilever supported state in which the other end is a free end. It is

  The developing device according to claim 8 is the developing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the magnet extends along the axial direction and is in the opening range of the opening in the axial direction. It is disposed across.

  A developing device according to a ninth aspect is the developing device according to the eighth aspect, wherein only one end of the magnet protrudes from the opening in the axial direction.

  The developing device according to a tenth aspect is the developing device according to the ninth aspect, wherein only one end of the magnet protrudes from the covering member in the axial direction.

  The developing device according to claim 11 is the developing device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein a space surrounded by the opening surface, the covering member, and the projecting portion is from the axial direction. Seen, the side of the overhanging portion is in the form of a triangle forming a base.

  The developing device according to claim 12 is the developing device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the overhanging portion extends horizontally along the lower edge of the opening, and the magnet Is placed on the upper surface of the overhang.

  The developing device according to claim 13 is the developing device according to claim 12, wherein the magnet has a rectangular shape when viewed from the axial direction, and is provided on an upper side and a corner opposite to the side of the opening. The other end of the covering member is in contact.

  The assembly according to claim 14 develops the image carrier on which the latent image is formed, and the latent image formed on the outer peripheral surface of the image carrier as a toner image. And a developing device described in the above, and is assembled so as to be integrally replaced with the image forming apparatus main body.

  The image forming apparatus according to claim 15 forms a latent image on the outer peripheral surface of the image carrier charged with the image carrier, the charging device for charging the outer peripheral surface of the image carrier, and the charging device. A latent image forming device, the developing device according to any one of claims 1 to 13 which develops the latent image as a toner image, and a transfer device which transfers the toner image to a transfer target It is.

  According to the developing device of the first aspect, it is possible to suppress the excessive discharge of the developer due to the splashing, as compared with the case where the developer splashed up by the transport member is suppressed by only the member covering the opening. .

  According to the developing device of the second aspect, it is possible to suppress the excessive discharge of the developer due to the splashing, as compared with the case where the developer splashed up by the transport member is suppressed by only the member covering the opening. .

  According to the developing device of the third aspect, it is possible to suppress the excessive discharge of the developer due to the splashing, as compared with the case where the developer splashed up by the transport member is suppressed by only the member covering the opening. .

  According to the developing device of the fourth aspect, the excessive discharge of the developer due to the jumping can be suppressed, as compared with the configuration in which the covering member contacts the magnet in the free state.

  According to the developing device of the fifth aspect, the flat thin plate member can form a covering member which contacts the magnet in a bent state.

  According to the developing device of the sixth aspect, compared with the configuration in which the covering member does not vibrate when the developer whose elevation is higher than the lower edge of the opening is discharged from the containing portion, the opening and the covering The discharge of the developer from the space surrounded by the member and the overhang portion is promoted.

  According to the developing device of the seventh aspect, discharge of the developer from the space surrounded by the opening, the cover member, and the overhang portion is promoted, as compared with the configuration in which the other end of the cover member is fixed to the magnet. Ru.

  According to the developing device of the eighth aspect, the excessive discharge of the developer due to the jumping is suppressed as compared with the configuration in which the magnet is disposed only in a part of the opening range of the opening in the axial direction.

  According to the developing device of the ninth aspect, compared to the configuration in which the magnet is disposed so as to protrude to both ends of the opening range of the opening in the axial direction, the developer from one side of the opening in the axial direction Discharge is promoted.

  According to the developing device of the tenth aspect, discharge of the developer from one side of the covering member in the axial direction is promoted as compared with the configuration in which the magnet is disposed to protrude to both ends of the covering member in the axial direction. Be done.

  According to the developing device of claim 11, the excessive discharge of the jumping developer is suppressed as compared with the case where the space has a square shape.

  According to the developing device of the twelfth aspect, excessive discharge of the jumping developer is suppressed as compared with a configuration in which the vertical positions of the upper surface of the magnet and the lower edge of the opening coincide with each other.

  According to the developing device of claim 13, excessive discharge of the developer from the space surrounded by the opening, the cover member and the overhanging portion is more than in the configuration having the round magnet as viewed from the axial direction. Be suppressed.

  According to the assembly of claim 14, it is possible to suppress image unevenness in the toner image on the image carrier as compared with the one without the developing device according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the fifteenth aspect of the invention, it is possible to suppress the image unevenness in the output image as compared with the case of not having the developing device according to any one of the first to thirteenth aspects.

FIG. 1 is a schematic front view showing an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic front view showing an image forming unit of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic front view showing a toner image forming unit of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a developing device according to the present embodiment. It is 5-5 sectional drawing of FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the discharge port of the developing device according to the present embodiment as viewed from the outside. FIG. 6 is a side view showing the positional relationship between the discharge port, the film, and the magnet of the developing device according to the present embodiment. It is an expanded sectional view of the discharge port part in FIG. It is a graph which shows the relationship between the thickness of the film of the image development apparatus concerning this embodiment, and the displacement amount of a film.

  An example of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, the arrow H shown to each figure shows the apparatus height direction (apparatus up-down direction), and the arrow W shows the apparatus width direction.

<Overall Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus>
As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 10 conveys a plurality of image forming units 12 that form an image by an electrophotographic method, and a plurality of sheet members P on which an image is formed, along the conveyance path 16 of the sheet member P. And a conveying member (symbols are omitted). Here, the sheet member P is an example of a transferee.

  The image forming apparatus 10 further includes a cooling unit 20 for cooling the sheet member P on which the image is formed, a correction unit 22 for correcting the curvature of the sheet member P, and an image inspection for inspecting the image formed on the sheet member P. And 24.

  Furthermore, in order to form an image on both sides of the sheet member P, the image forming apparatus 10 inverts the sheet member P having the image formed on the surface, and transports the sheet member P toward the image forming unit 12 again. A path 26 is provided.

  In the image forming apparatus 10 configured as described above, an image (toner image) formed by the image forming unit 12 is formed on the surface of the sheet member P conveyed along the conveyance path 16. Further, the sheet member P on which the image is formed is discharged to the outside of the apparatus through the cooling unit 20, the correction unit 22, and the image inspection unit 24 in this order.

  On the other hand, when forming an image on the back surface of the sheet member P, the sheet member P on which the image is formed is conveyed along the reverse path 26, and the image is again formed on the back surface of the sheet member P in the image forming unit 12. It is formed.

The image forming unit 12 is incorporated in the image forming apparatus main body 10A as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
The image forming unit 12 includes a plurality of toner image forming units 30 for forming toner images of respective colors, and a transfer unit 32 for transferring the toner image formed by the toner image forming unit 30 to a sheet member P. The image forming unit 12 further includes a fixing device 34 that fixes the toner image transferred to the sheet member P by the transfer unit 32 to the sheet member P.

  A plurality of toner image forming units 30 are provided to form a toner image for each color. In this embodiment, a total of six toner image forming units 30 of white (W), silver (S), yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) are provided. (W), (S), (Y), (M), (C) and (K) shown in FIG. 2 indicate the respective colors.

Four colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C) and black (K) are reference colors for outputting a color image, and white (W) and silver (S) are standard The color is a color different from the color, and is a color for expanding the color gamut of the output image (hereinafter, “special color”).
Further, in the present embodiment, the particle sizes of the developers G for yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) are substantially the same, and white (W) and silver ( The particle size of each developer G of S) is different from the particle size of the developer G of the reference color.

  In the following description, white (W), silver (S), yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) need not be distinguished from one another. O omit W, S, Y, M, C and K.

The toner image forming unit 30 of each color is basically configured in the same manner except for the toner to be used, and as shown in FIG. 3, a cylindrical image carrier 40 which rotates and a charger which charges the image carrier 40 And 42 are provided. Further, the toner image forming unit 30 applies an exposure light to the charged image carrier 40 to form an electrostatic latent image, and an electrostatic latent image is formed by a developer G including a carrier and a toner. And a developing device 46 for developing the image as a toner image.
Here, the charger 42 is an example of a charging device, and the exposure device 44 is an example of a latent image forming device.
The details of the developing device 46 will be described later.

  Further, in the present embodiment, an image carrier 40 on which a latent image is formed, and a developing device 46 to be described later which develops the latent image formed on the outer peripheral surface of the image carrier 40 as a toner image It is assembled as an assembly so as to be replaced integrally with the device body 10A.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the toner image forming unit 30 is connected to the developing device 46 of each color through a supply pipe (not shown), and toner of each color for supplying the developer G to the developing device 46 of each color A cartridge 28 is provided.

  Further, the image carrier 40 of each color is in contact with the transfer belt 50 (details will be described later) moving in a circulating manner. Then, white (W), silver (S), yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) from the upstream side in the circumferential direction of the transfer belt 50 (see the arrow in the figure). The toner image forming units 30 are arranged horizontally in this order. In each color toner image forming unit, an image of each color is formed using a toner of each color.

As shown in FIG. 2, the transfer unit 32 is wound around a plurality of rolls (reference numerals are omitted), circulates in the direction of the arrow in the drawing, and contacts the image carrier 40 of each color. A primary transfer roll 52 is disposed on the opposite side of the image carrier 40 of each color to sandwich it. The primary transfer roll 52 transfers the toner image formed on the image carrier 40 to the transfer belt 50.
Here, the transfer unit 32 is an example of a transfer device.
The transfer unit 32 is disposed on the roll 56 around which the transfer belt 50 is wound and on the opposite side of the roll 56 to the transfer belt 50, and transfers the toner image transferred to the transfer belt 50 to the sheet member P. And a secondary transfer roll 54. With this configuration, a transfer nip NT for transferring a toner image to the sheet member P is formed between the secondary transfer roll 54 and the transfer belt 50.
In the above configuration, the toner image formed by the toner image forming unit 30 of each color is primarily transferred by the primary transfer roll 52 onto the circulating transfer belt 50. Further, the toner image primarily transferred to the transfer belt 50 is secondarily transferred to the sheet member P by the secondary transfer roll 54.

  The fixing device 34 includes a fixing belt 60 which is wound around a plurality of rolls (reference numeral is omitted) and is heated, and a pressure roll 62 which presses the sheet member P toward the fixing belt 60.

  In this configuration, the toner image is fixed to the sheet member P by the sheet member P on which the toner image is transferred is sandwiched by the fixing belt 60 and the pressure roller 62 which circulate.

  Next, an image forming process in the image forming apparatus 10 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 1, when the image forming apparatus 10 is operated, image data of each color of white (W), silver (S), yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C) and black (K) is obtained. It is output to the exposure device 44. Then, the light emitted from the exposure device 44 according to the image data exposes the outer peripheral surface (surface) of the image carrier 40 charged by the charger 42, thereby the electrostatic latent corresponding to the image data of each color. An image is formed on the surface of each image carrier 40.

  Subsequently, the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of each image carrier 40 is developed as a toner image by each developing device 46. Then, the toner images on the surface of each image carrier 40 are sequentially multiple-transferred to the transfer belt 50 at the transfer unit 32.

  On the other hand, the sheet member P transported through the transport path 16 is transported to the transfer section 32 in timing with the multiple transfer of each toner image onto the transfer belt 50. Then, the toner image that has been multi-transferred onto the transfer belt 50 is transferred onto the sheet member P conveyed to the transfer section 32.

  Subsequently, the sheet member P to which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to the fixing device 34. The fixing device 34 fixes the toner image to the sheet member P by heating and pressing. The sheet member P on which the toner image is fixed is discharged from a discharge unit (not shown).

<Structure and Basic Operation of Developing Device>
Next, the developing device 46 will be described in detail. The developing devices 46 for the respective colors have the same structure, and therefore, one developing device 46 will be described as an example below.

As shown in FIG. 4, the developing device 46 is a device in which the apparatus depth direction X of the image forming apparatus 10 (the direction from the near side to the far side in FIG. 1) is the longitudinal direction.
As shown in FIG. 5, the developing device 46 includes a housing 46A, and the housing 46A opens in a housing portion 70 for housing the developer G and the auger 74, and a side wall portion 72 of the housing portion 70. And a discharge unit 90.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in the housing portion 70, the device depth direction X is a longitudinal direction. The housing portion 70 has a tubular portion 70A at one end in the longitudinal direction (end at the front side in the apparatus depth direction X). The cylindrical portion 70A is provided with a cylindrical supply port 78 projecting toward the upper side of the device. The inside of the supply port 78 is connected to the inside of the cylindrical portion 70A, and the developer G supplied from the toner cartridge 28 is supplied to the containing portion 70 and a containing portion 80 described later.

  The auger 74 is provided in the housing portion 70 with the longitudinal direction (the same direction as the device depth direction X) of the housing portion 70 as the rotation axis direction (indicated by an arrow X in the drawing). The auger 74 is rotated by a driving force from a driving source (not shown), and conveys the developer G in the storage unit 70 in the rotational axis direction X while stirring. In the present embodiment, the developer G is conveyed from the back side to the front side in the apparatus depth direction X by the rotation of the auger 74. Here, the auger 74 is an example of the transport member.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, a housing portion 80 in which the device depth direction X is the longitudinal direction is provided below the housing portion 70 in the device. The housing portion 70 and the housing portion 80 are connected through a passage (not shown) provided between the supply port 78 and the discharge port 92 in the apparatus depth direction X.

  In the housing portion 80, one end portion in the longitudinal direction (end portion on the front side in the apparatus depth direction X) is a cylindrical portion 80A. Further, an auger 82 is rotatably provided in the housing portion 80 with the longitudinal direction of the housing portion 80 (the same direction as the device depth direction X) as the rotation axis direction. The auger 82 is rotated by a driving force from a driving source (not shown), and conveys the developer G in the storage unit 80 in the rotational axis direction while stirring it. In the present embodiment, the developer G which has flowed in from the storage portion 70 through the passage portion is conveyed from the front side to the back side in the device depth direction X by the rotation of the auger 82.

  Further, the housing portion 70 and the housing portion 80 are connected at the end on the back side in the device depth direction X also through another passage portion (not shown). The developer G transported by the auger 82 in the storage portion 80 moves to the storage portion 70 through the other passage portion. The developer G moved to the storage unit 70 is conveyed by the auger 74 toward the front side in the apparatus depth direction X. That is, the inside of the housing portion 70 and the inside of the housing portion 80 constitute a circulation path of the developer G through the above-mentioned passage portion and the other passage portion. The developer G in the storage unit 70 is sent to the developing roller 47 to develop the electrostatic latent image of the image carrier 40.

  At the end on the front side of the auger 74 in the device depth direction X, the direction of the spiral of the blade not shown is opposite, and the new developer G supplied from the supply port 78 is conveyed in the storage direction The old developer G (the developer in which the toner is consumed) is conveyed from the rear side to the front side and is mixed with the old developer G and moved to the housing portion 80 (the cylindrical portion 80A) through the passage portion.

<Configuration of main part>
Here, the discharge portion 90 of the developing device 46, which is an essential part of the present invention, will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8. FIG.

[Ejection department]
As shown in FIG. 5, the discharge portion 90 is disposed on the side wall portion 72 of the housing portion 70 in the device width direction W. Specifically, the discharge unit 90 is configured to include the discharge port 92, the overhang wall 94, the magnet 96, the film 98, and the discharge outlet 92E.

(Vent)
As shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, the discharge port 92 is an opening that penetrates the side wall 72 of the housing 70 in the direction (device width direction W) orthogonal to the rotation axis direction of the auger 74 (device depth direction X). When viewed from the side in the device width direction W of the side wall portion 72, the opening is a rectangular opening.
The discharge port 92 has an upper side 92A along the apparatus depth direction X, a left side 92B and a right side 92C downward from the both ends of the upper side 92A along the apparatus height direction H, and a left side when viewed from the device width direction W side. And a lower side 92D connecting the lower ends of the right side 92C and the lower side 92C.
Further, on the lower side 92D of the discharge port 92, a lower surface 72C corresponding to the thickness from the inner surface 72A to the outer surface 72B of the side wall portion 72 is formed.
The width dimensions of the upper side 92A and the lower side 92D are L1, and the height dimensions of the left side 92B and the right side 92C are both L2.
Here, the lower surface 72C is an example of the lower edge, and the discharge port 92 is an example of the opening.

(Hangout wall)
As shown in FIGS. 6-8, the overhanging wall 94 includes an upper surface 94A, a projecting end 94B, an inclined surface 94C, a left side 94D, and a right side 94E.
The upper surface 94A extends in the device depth direction X at the lower side 92D of the discharge port 92, and
It protrudes in the device width direction W. The projecting end of the upper surface 94A is a projecting end 94B.
Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the upper surface 94A is continuous with the lower surface 72C of the discharge port 92 to form one plane.
The inclined surface portion 94C is formed so as to be gradually closer to the side wall portion 72 from the protruding end portion 94B of the upper surface 94A toward the lower side in the apparatus height direction H.
The left side surface portion 94D and the right side surface portion 94E are surface portions surrounded by the upper surface 94A, the side wall portion 72, and the edge portions of the inclined surface portion 94C at both ends in the device depth direction X of the inclined surface portion 94C.
Here, the overhanging wall 94 is an example of the overhanging portion.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the back side in the device depth direction X in the upper surface 94A extends along the outer surface 72B of the side wall portion 72 beyond the right side 92C of the discharge port 92.

〔magnet〕
As shown in FIGS. 6-8, the magnet 96 is in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, and includes a contact angle portion 96A, an upper surface 96B, a left end 96C, and a right end 96D.
The contact angle portion 96A is a corner portion on the upper side of the magnet 96 and on the opposite side to the side of the discharge port 92, and a contact portion 98E set on an inner surface 98A of a lower end 98D which is the other end of the film 98 described later Contact.
The upper surface 96B is the upper surface of the rectangular magnet 96, the left end 96C is the end on the front side of the device depth direction X in the magnet 96, and the right end 96D is the device depth direction X in the magnet 96. It is the end on the back side.
The magnet 96 is fixed to the upper surface 94A of the overhanging wall 94 in such a manner that the longitudinal direction of the magnet 96 is along the device depth direction X of the upper surface 94A.
The magnet 96 has a longitudinal length L4. Further, the length in the transverse direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction has a dimension in accordance with the overhang dimension of the upper surface 94A of the overhang wall 94, and the lower corner of the contact angle portion 96A is the projecting end of the upper surface 94A. It is arranged to align with 94B.

The magnet 96 also has an N pole and an S pole on both sides in the device depth direction X, as an example.
As another example, an N pole and an S pole may be provided on both sides of the device height direction H of the magnet 96, and an N pole and an N pole may be provided on both sides of the device width direction W of the magnet 96. It may have an S pole.

(the film)
The film 98 is a thin plate member as shown in FIG. 8 and has an inner surface 98A, an outer surface 98B, an upper end 98C, a lower end 98D, a contact portion 98E, a left end 98F and a right end And 98 G, and are comprised.

The film 98 is provided such that the contact portion 98E contacts the magnet 96 in an elastically bent state.
Specifically, this bending deformation is bent and deformed in a direction that is convex toward the discharge port 92, and the contact portion 98E of the inner surface of the film 98 is pressed against the contact angle portion 96A of the magnet 96.
At this time, the contact portion 98E of the film 98 and the contact angle portion 96A of the magnet 96 are in contact with each other in a state in which the film 98 is elastically deformed in a direction to be convex toward the outlet 92 side. Is maintained.

The film 98 vibrates while maintaining the contact with the magnet 96 when the developer G whose height is higher than the lower surface 72C of the discharge port 92 is discharged from the housing portion 70.
This is because the developer G discharged from the discharge port 92 presses the inner surface 98A of the film 98 through the developer G deposited between the discharge port 92 and the inner surface 98A of the film 98. The elastic force of 98 fluctuates and acts on the film 98 as vibration.

Further, the film 98 is in a non-fixed state in contact with the magnet 96 in a cantilever state in which the lower end 98D at the other end is a free end.
Thereby, at the lower end portion 98D of the film 98, the contact portion 98E in contact with the magnet 96 and the contact angle portion 96A of the magnet 96 can move relative to each other in a contact state. In 98, vibration is promoted.

Specifically, the upper end 98C of the film 98 is fixed to the outer surface 72B of the side wall 72 located on the upper side of the upper side 92A of the discharge port 92 by an adhesive or the like.
Further, as described above, the lower end 98D of the other end of the film 98 is fixed to the contact angle 96A of the magnet 96 at the contact 98E set on the inner surface 98A of the lower end 98D. Contact with

The width of the film 98 (the dimensions of the upper end 98C and the lower end 98D) is L3.
Here, the film 98 is an example of a covering member.

The film 98 uses an elastic film 98 in this embodiment. The film 98 is made of a synthetic resin material, and the thickness thereof is preferably in the range of 30 μm or more and 100 μm or less.
FIG. 9 shows the change in the displacement of the film 98 relative to the thickness of the film 98. The displacement of the film 98 is the amplitude when the film 98 vibrates.
As shown in FIG. 9, when the thickness of the film 98 is less than 30 μm, the displacement of the film 98 becomes as large as about 60 μm. Then, the film 98 is bent in a convex direction toward the outlet 92 due to the pressing force of the developer G, or the film 98 is deformed in a convex direction. It may be separated from the contact angle portion 96A and may rise.
In addition, when the thickness of the film 98 exceeds 100 μm, the displacement of the film 98 is reduced to about 30 μm, and the vibration (amplitude) of the film 98 due to the pressing of the developer G becomes small. It becomes easy to occur.
In the present embodiment, a 100 μm film is used.

(Discharge outlet)
The discharge outlet 92E is a space surrounded by the discharge port 92, the film 98, and the overhanging wall 94 as shown in FIG. 8. This space is the overhanging wall 94 when viewed from the apparatus depth direction X. The side of the base is in the form of a triangle.
Specifically, the discharge outlet 92E has an opening surface 72D (a position shown by an imaginary line in FIG. 8) of the discharge opening 92 on the outer surface 72B of the side wall 72, an inner surface 98A of the film 98, and an upper surface of the overhang wall 94. It is a space surrounded by 94A.
Further, the discharge outlet 92E is opened on both sides in the device depth direction X, as shown in FIGS. In this discharge outlet 92E, one of the discharge outlets 92E is open on the side of the left end 98F of the film 98, and the other is open on the side of the right end 98G of the film 98.

[The relative positions of the discharge port, magnet and film]
Here, the positional relationship between the discharge port 92, the magnet 96, and the film 98 will be described.
Each positional relationship will be described in a state in which the side in the device width direction W, that is, the side wall portion 72 of the housing portion 70 is viewed from the front.

(Position relationship between the outlet and the magnet)
As shown in FIG. 7, the magnet 96 is disposed over the opening range of the discharge port 92 in the device depth direction X.
Further, one end of the magnet 96 protrudes from the discharge port 92 in the apparatus depth direction X.
Specifically, the longitudinal dimension (dimension along the apparatus depth direction X) L4 of the magnet 96 is longer than the width dimension L1 of the outlet 92, and the right end 96D of the magnet 96 is longer than the right side 92C of the outlet 92. It protrudes in the device depth direction X.
The positional relationship is such that the left side 92B of the discharge port 92 and the left end 96C of the magnet 96 are aligned in the apparatus depth direction X, and the right end 96D of the magnet 96 has a size L4A rather than the right side 92C of the discharge port 92 It is considered to be a position that becomes longer in the depth direction X.

(Position relationship between discharge port and film)
As shown in FIG. 7, the film 98 has a dimension that covers the outlet 92 when viewed in the device width direction W.
Specifically, the width dimension L3 of the fill 98 along the apparatus depth direction X is larger by one dimension L3B than the width dimension L1 of the discharge port 92 along the apparatus depth direction X.
Further, the height dimension of the film 98 projected in the device height direction H is larger than the height dimension L 2 of the discharge port 92. The upper end portion 98C of the film 98 is extended to a position higher than the upper side 92A of the discharge port 92 so that it can be fixed to the outer surface 72B of the side wall portion 72 of the accommodation portion 70 located above the discharge port 92.
Further, the lower end portion 98D of the film 98 is extended by a dimension L3A below the contact angle portion 96A of the magnet 96 located in the outside of the discharge port 92 (in the apparatus width direction W).

(Positional relationship between magnet and film)
As shown in FIG. 7, one end of the magnet 96 protrudes from the film 98 in the apparatus depth direction X.
Specifically, the right end 96D of the magnet 96 protrudes from the edge of the right end 98G of the film 98 toward the back in the device depth direction X by a dimension L4B.
Therefore, the dimension L4A is the sum of the dimension L4B and the dimension L3B.

  On the other hand, the left end 96C of the magnet 96 is at a position aligned with the left side 92B of the discharge port 92, and a position L3B inward in the device depth direction X from the edge of the left end 98F of the film 98. It is assumed.

<Function of main part>
Here, the operation of the discharge unit 90 which is the main part of the present embodiment will be described in detail in comparison with the developing device of the comparative example.

The discharge unit of the developing device of the comparative example not shown includes the discharge port and a covering member that covers the front surface of the discharge port, and does not include the overhang wall and the magnet.
In such a configuration, although some of the developer G jumped in the storage portion collides with the inner surface of the cover member from the discharge port, a portion of the developer G is discharged from the discharge port, and as a result, the developer in the storage portion Excessive discharge of G can not be sufficiently suppressed.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, in the housing portion 70 of the developing device 46, when the developer G is agitated by the rotation of the auger 74 provided in the housing portion 70 in the direction of the arrow A, development is performed. A part of the agent G jumps in the container 70, and a part thereof is directed to the discharge port 92 of the discharge part 90 (in the direction of arrow B in the figure).
After passing through the discharge port 92, the jumped developer G collides with the inner surface 98A of the film 98, is attracted to the magnetic force of the magnet 96, and as shown in FIG. 8, the upper surface 96B of the magnet 96 and the upper surface of the overhang wall 94 It gradually accumulates on 94A.
As shown in FIG. 8, as the developer G is accumulated, the developer G is accumulated on the front surface of the discharge port 92 surrounded by the upper surface 96B of the magnet 96, the upper surface 94A of the overhang wall 94, and the inner surface 98A of the film 98. The discharge port 92 is blocked by the developer G.

Further, on the side closer to the upper side 92A of the discharge port 92 shown in FIG. 8, the magnetic force of the magnet 96 is small because the distance from the magnet 96 is large. However, since the discharge outlet 92E is formed in a triangular shape whose bottom is the upper surface 94A of the overhanging wall 94, the developer G jumped on the side far from the magnetic force of the magnet 96 of the discharge outlet 92 can be retained. it can.
As a result, the developer G that is about to jump and diffuse in the storage unit 70 is suppressed from being discharged from the discharge port 92.
As a result, the discharge more than the discharge accompanying the rise of the developer G in the container 70, that is, the excess discharge is suppressed.

Further, the high level of the developer G rises in the housing portion 70, exceeds the predetermined high level F of the developer G shown in FIG. 5, and exceeds the upper surface 94A of the overhanging wall 94 which is the lower end of the discharge port 92. The developer G in the storage unit 70 moves toward the discharge port 92.
Then, the developer G accumulated in the discharge outlet 92E surrounded by the discharge port 92, the upper surface 94A of the overhang wall 94, and the inner surface 98A of the film 98 by the magnetic force of the magnet 96 is It is pushed by the developer G that has been discharged.
As a result, the film is pressed in the direction of arrow B shown in FIG. 5 by the developer G accumulated in the discharge outlet 92E, and the film 98 vibrates along the direction of arrow B by this pressing force.

  When the film 98 vibrates, a device of a triangular discharge outlet 92E surrounded by the outer surface 72B of the side wall 72 at the position of the outlet 92, the inner surface 98A of the film 98 and the upper surface 96B of the magnet 96 shown in FIG. The developer G is discharged from one opening end in the depth direction X.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the magnetic force of the magnet 96 is small because the distance from the magnet 96 is large on the side close to the upper side 92A of the discharge port 92. Thus, when the film 98 vibrates by the developer G, the developer G accumulated in the upper part of the triangular discharge outlet 92E is discharged first. At this time, the developer G is discharged without being solidified by the vibration of the film 98.

Further, the magnet 96 protrudes from the right end of the discharge port in the apparatus depth direction X and protrudes beyond the right end 98 G of the film 98.
The developer G is accumulated more than the side of the left end 98F of the film 98 due to the magnetic force of the magnet 96 which is outstretched, and the accumulated developer G is accumulated in the normal rise of the developer G. Will not be discharged, but will block the outlet.
Thus, the developer G is mainly discharged from one side of the discharge outlet 92E.
In the present embodiment, the developer G is discharged from the front side in the apparatus depth direction X of the discharge outlet 92E, that is, from the side of the left side 92B of the discharge port 92 shown in FIG.

  The developer G discharged from the discharge unit 90 is directed to a discharge path including a cover and a discharge pipe (not shown) covering the discharge unit 90, and is accommodated again by the transport mechanism (not shown) from the discharge path. It is to be returned to the section 70.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the following configuration and effects are obtained.

The developing device 46 in the present embodiment includes an accommodating portion 70 that accommodates the auger 74 that rotates and conveys the developer G, a discharge port 92 that opens laterally when viewed from the axial direction of the auger 74, and the discharge port 92. And a projecting wall 94 projecting from the lower side of the housing portion 70 to the outside of the housing portion 70 in the housing 46A.
In addition, the developing device 46 is provided with a magnet 96 which is disposed on the outer surface of the housing 46A and outside the discharge port 92 from the opening surface 72D of the discharge port 92 and is supported by the overhang wall 94.
In addition, the developing device 46 is fixed at one end thereof above the discharge port 92 of the housing 46A and at the other end in contact with the magnet 96 at the contact portion 98E on the side of the discharge port 92. And a film 98 covering the
As a result, as compared with the case where the developer G splashed up by the auger 74 is controlled to be discharged only by the member covering the discharge port 92, it is possible to suppress the excessive discharge of the developer G due to the jumping.

Further, the developing device according to the present embodiment includes a housing portion 70 for housing the auger 74 that rotates and transports the developer G, a discharge port 92 that opens laterally as viewed from the axial direction of the auger 74, and the discharge port. The housing is provided with an overhanging wall 94 projecting from the lower side of the housing 92 to the outside of the housing 70.
In addition, the developing device 46 includes a magnet 96 which is an outer surface of the housing 46A and is disposed from the opening surface 72D of the discharge port 92 to the outside of the discharge port 92 and supported by the overhanging wall 94.
In addition, the developing device 46 has the following configuration.
The discharge port 92 is covered while the other end is fixed to the upper side of the discharge port 92 in the housing 46A and the other end is in contact with the magnet 96 with the surface on the side of the discharge port 92. A film 98 for guiding the developer G from the discharge port 92 to the magnet 96 side.
As a result, as compared with the case where the developer G splashed up by the auger 74 is controlled to be discharged only by the member covering the discharge port 92, it is possible to suppress the excessive discharge of the developer G due to the jumping.

Further, the developing device 46 in the present embodiment includes a housing portion 70 for housing the auger 74 that rotates and transports the developer G, a discharge port 92 that opens laterally when viewed from the axial direction of the auger 74, and the discharge. The housing 46A is provided with a overhanging wall 94 which projects from the lower side of the outlet 92 to the outside of the accommodation portion 70.
In addition, the developing device 46 includes a magnet 96 which is an outer surface of the housing 46A and is disposed on the outside of the housing portion 70 from the opening surface 72D of the discharge port 92 and supported by the overhanging wall 94.
In addition, the developing device 46 has the following configuration.
The discharge port 92 is covered while the other end is fixed to the upper side of the discharge port 92 in the housing 46A and the other end is in contact with the magnet 96 with the surface on the side of the discharge port 92. Film 98 vibrating in contact with developer G exceeding 94A.
Thus, the developer G splashed up by the auger 74 is jumped up compared with the one in which the member covering the discharge port 92 is suppressed only by the member that covers the discharge port 92 as compared with the case in which the discharge is suppressed. It is possible to suppress the excessive discharge of the developer G due to the
In addition, the developer G whose height is higher than the upper surface 94A of the overhanging wall 94 at the discharge port 92 can be discharged.

In addition, the film 98 in the present embodiment is a thin plate-like member, and the contact portion 98E of the lower end portion 98D is in contact with the magnet 96 in a state of being elastically bent and deformed.
Thereby, as compared with the configuration in which the film 98 contacts the magnet 96 in the free state, it is possible to suppress the excessive discharge of the developer G due to the jumping.

In addition, the film 98 in the present embodiment is bent and deformed in the direction of being convex toward the discharge port 92 side.
Thus, the flat thin plate member can form the film 98 in contact with the magnet 96 in a bent state.

In addition, the film 98 in the present embodiment maintains contact with the magnet 96 when the developer G whose elevation is higher than the upper surface 94A of the overhanging wall 94 at the discharge port 92 is discharged from the housing portion 70 It vibrates.
Thus, when the developer G whose height is higher than the upper surface 94 A of the discharge port 92 is discharged from the storage unit 70, the discharge port 92, the film 98, and the overhang wall 94 are compared with the configuration in which the film 98 does not vibrate. The discharge of the developer G from the discharge outlet 92E surrounded by the above is promoted.

Further, the film 98 in the present embodiment is in contact with the magnet 96 in a non-fixed state in a cantilever supported state in which the lower end portion 98D is a free end.
Thereby, the discharge of the developer G from the discharge outlet 92E surrounded by the discharge port 92, the film 98, and the overhang wall 94 is promoted compared to the configuration in which the lower end portion 98D of the film 98 is fixed to the magnet 96. Ru.

Further, the magnet 96 in the present embodiment extends along the device depth direction X, and is disposed over the opening range of the discharge port 92 in the device depth direction X.
As a result, excessive discharge of the developer G due to splashing is suppressed as compared to the configuration in which the magnet 96 is disposed only in a part of the opening range of the discharge port 92 in the apparatus depth direction X.

Further, the magnet 96 in the present embodiment has one end protruding from the discharge port 92 in the device depth direction X.
Thereby, the discharge of the developer G from one side of the discharge port 92 in the device depth direction X is promoted compared to the configuration in which the magnet 96 is disposed to protrude to both ends of the opening range of the discharge port 92 in the device depth direction X Be done.

Further, the magnet 96 in the present embodiment has one end protruding from the film 98 in the device depth direction X.
Thereby, the discharge of the developer G from one side of the film 98 in the device depth direction X is promoted, as compared with the configuration in which the magnet 96 is disposed to protrude to both ends of the film 98 in the device depth direction X.

Further, in the developing device of the present embodiment, the discharge outlet 92E surrounded by the discharge port 92, the film 98, and the overhang wall 94 has a triangular shape in which the overhang wall 94 has a bottom side when viewed from the apparatus depth direction X. It is being done.
As a result, by making the discharge outlet 92E into a narrow triangular shape upward, the jumping developer can be held on the side far from the magnetic force of the magnet 96 at the discharge outlet 92E.

Further, the overhanging wall 94 in the developing device of this embodiment extends horizontally along the lower edge of the discharge port 92, and the magnet 96 is mounted on the upper surface 94 A of the overhanging wall 94.
Thus, compared to the configuration in which the vertical positions of the upper surface 96B of the magnet 96 and the lower edge of the discharge port 92 coincide with each other, more jumped developer can be held.

The magnet 96 in the developing device of the present embodiment is rectangular when viewed in the apparatus depth direction X, and the contact portion 98E at the lower end 98D of the film 98 at the corner opposite to the upper side and the discharge port 92 side. Are in contact.
Accordingly, excessive discharge of the developer G from the discharge outlet 92E surrounded by the discharge port 92, the film 98, and the overhang wall 94 is suppressed as compared with the configuration provided with the round magnet as viewed in the apparatus depth direction X. Ru.

Further, the assembly of the present embodiment includes an image carrier 40 on which a latent image is formed, and a developing device 46 for developing a latent image formed on the outer peripheral surface of the image carrier 40 as a toner image. It is assembled to be integrally replaced with the forming apparatus main body 10A.
Thereby, image unevenness in the toner image on the image carrier can be suppressed as compared with the case where the developing device of the present embodiment is not provided.

Further, the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment has the following configuration.
An image carrier 40, a charger 42 for charging the outer peripheral surface of the image carrier 40, an exposure device 44 for forming a latent image on the outer peripheral surface of the image carrier 40 charged by the charger 42, a toner A developing device 46 for developing as an image and a transfer unit 32 for transferring a toner image to a sheet member P.
As a result, image unevenness in the output image can be suppressed as compared with the case without the developing device of the present embodiment.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above by referring to the embodiments, these embodiments are merely examples, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. It is needless to say that the invention is not limited to the embodiment.

  For example, although the magnet 96 is described as being mounted on the upper surface 94A of the overhanging wall 94, the magnet 96 may be partially or entirely embedded in the upper surface 94A of the overhanging wall 94, and The upper surface 94A of the overhanging wall 94 may be provided with a plurality of steps.

  The upper surface of the magnet 96 is illustrated in the same direction as the upper surface 94A of the overhanging wall 94 in the device width direction W when viewed in the device depth direction X. However, the upper surface of the magnet 96 is viewed in the device depth direction X You may provide in the state inclined in the apparatus width direction W. FIG.

  In addition, although the magnet 96 has been described as having a rectangular parallelepiped shape when viewed in the apparatus depth direction X, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be various polygons such as a triangular shape and a trapezoidal shape. It is also good.

  Also, although the magnet 96 has been described as a single rectangular parallelepiped extending in the device depth direction X, the magnet 96 may arrange a plurality of magnets 96 along the device depth direction X, and The magnet 96 may be combined with a magnetic body (iron plate or the like).

  Further, although it has been described that the surface of the magnet 96 facing the discharge port 92 is aligned with the opening surface 72D of the discharge port 92, the gap between the surface of the magnet 96 facing the discharge port 92 and the opening surface 72D May be provided.

  Although the film 98 is described as a thin plate made of synthetic resin, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is a thin plate and it is a material that is vibrated by being pressed by the developer G, metal, wood, etc. And known materials may be used.

Further, it has been described that the positional relationship between the discharge port 92 of the magnet 96 and the film 98 protrudes beyond the discharge port 92 and the film 98 toward the back side in the device depth direction X.
However, in consideration of the discharge direction of the developer G, the protruding direction of the magnet 96 with respect to the discharge port 92 and the film 98 may be reversed.
When the discharge from both sides of the discharge outlet 92E is permitted, the positional relationship at the right end 98G may be the same as the positional relationship at the left end 98F (with no protrusion of the magnet 96 on both sides).

  Although the thickness of the film 98 has been described to be in the range of 30 μm to 100 μm, a suitable numerical value may be set in accordance with the material and size of the film 98.

10 Image Forming Device 10 A Image Forming Device Main Body 32 Transfer Unit (An Example of Transfer Device)
40 Image Carrier 42 Charger (One Example of Charging Device)
44 Exposure apparatus (an example of a latent image forming apparatus)
46 developing device 46A case 70 housing 70A cylindrical part 72 side wall 72A inner surface 72B outer surface 72C lower surface 72D opening surface 74 auger (an example of a conveying member)
90 Discharge part 92 Discharge port (an example of the opening)
94 overhang wall (an example of overhang)
96 Magnet 98 Film (Example of Cover Member)
G Developer F Predetermined high P sheet member (an example of a transferred object)

Claims (15)

A storage portion for storing a transport member that transports the developer by rotation, an opening portion that opens to the side when viewed from the axial direction of the transport member, and a tension that protrudes to the outside of the storage portion from below the opening portion. A housing having an outlet;
A magnet supported by the overhanging portion outside the housing portion with respect to the opening surface of the opening portion;
A cover member covering the opening in a state where one end is fixed above the opening in the housing and the other end is in contact with the magnet from the side opposite to the side of the opening;
Developing device. A storage portion for storing a transport member that transports the developer by rotation, an opening portion that opens to the side when viewed from the axial direction of the transport member, and a tension that protrudes to the outside of the storage portion from below the opening portion. A housing having an outlet;
A magnet supported by the overhanging portion outside the housing portion with respect to the opening surface of the opening portion;
In the state where one end is fixed above the opening in the case and the other end is in contact with the magnet from the side opposite to the side of the opening, the opening is covered and the inside of the housing is A cover member for guiding the jumped developer from the opening to the side of the magnet;
Developing device. A storage portion for storing a transport member that transports the developer by rotation, an opening portion that opens to the side when viewed from the axial direction of the transport member, and a tension that protrudes to the outside of the storage portion from below the opening portion. A housing having an outlet;
A magnet supported by the overhanging portion outside the housing portion with respect to the opening surface of the opening portion;
The opening is covered while the other end is fixed to the upper side of the opening in the housing and the other end is in contact with the magnet from the side opposite to the opening, and the high part is the opening. A covering member that vibrates in contact with the developer beyond the lower edge;
Developing device. The covering member is a thin plate-like member, and the other end is in contact with the magnet in a state of being elastically bent and deformed.
The developing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.   The developing device according to claim 4, wherein the covering member is bent and deformed in a direction in which the covering member protrudes toward the opening. The covering member vibrates while maintaining contact with the magnet when the developer whose elevation is higher than the lower edge of the opening is discharged from the containing portion.
The developing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The covering member is in non-fixed contact with the magnet in a cantilever state in which the other end is a free end.
The developing device according to claim 6. The magnet extends along the axial direction and is disposed over the opening range of the opening in the axial direction.
The developing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7. The magnet protrudes from the opening only at one end in the axial direction.
The developing device according to claim 8. The magnet protrudes from the covering member only at one end in the axial direction.
The developing device according to claim 9. A space surrounded by the opening surface, the covering member, and the overhanging portion is formed in a triangular shape in which the side of the overhanging portion forms a base when viewed from the axial direction.
The developing device according to any one of claims 1 to 10. The overhang extends horizontally along the lower edge of the opening, and the magnet rests on the upper surface of the overhang.
The developing device according to any one of claims 1 to 11. The magnet has a rectangular shape when viewed from the axial direction, and the other end of the covering member is in contact with an upper corner portion opposite to the side of the opening.
The developing device according to claim 12. An image carrier on which a latent image is formed;
The developing device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the latent image formed on the outer peripheral surface of the image carrier is developed as a toner image;
Including
An assembly assembled to be integrally replaced with the image forming apparatus body. An image carrier,
A charging device for charging the outer peripheral surface of the image carrier;
A latent image forming device for forming a latent image on the outer peripheral surface of the image carrier charged by the charging device;
The developing device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the latent image is developed as a toner image;
A transfer device for transferring the toner image to a transfer target;
An image forming apparatus equipped with