JP2006220972A - Developing device, image forming apparatus, and image forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a developing device, etc. capable of preventing the leakage of a developer even when there is a change in the interval between a developer carrying roller and a portion to which a sealing member is fixed. <P>SOLUTION: In order to cope with a change in the interval between a developer carrying roller for carrying a developer and a portion to which an energizing member is fixed for energizing a sealing member to the developer carrying roller, for preventing the leakage of a developer from between the developer carrying roller and a housing; the energizing force with which the energizing member energizes the sealing member is differentiated between a central portion in the axial direction and other portions of the energizing member. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

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

  As a developing device used for a laser printer as an example of an image forming apparatus, for example, a developing device for developing a latent image formed on a photosensitive member as an example of an image carrier is known (for example, Patent Document 1). reference). Such a developing device includes a housing having an opening for containing the developer, a developing roller as an example of a developer carrying roller that is provided facing the opening and carries the developer, and a developing roller And a developer supply roller for supplying the developer in the housing.

  Further, the developing device as described above is provided with a seal member that contacts the developing roller and prevents leakage of the developer. The seal member and the developing roller are supported by a supporting member, and the supporting member is attached to the housing at both ends in the axial direction of the developing roller.

Further, the developing device is provided with an urging member for urging the seal member toward the developing roller. The urging member urges the seal member toward the developing roller with the urging force, thereby bringing the seal member into contact with the developing roller.
JP 2004-86059 A

  In order to prevent the developer from leaking out with the seal member as described above, it is necessary to make the contact pressure of the seal member to the developing roller uniform.

  By the way, a pressing force is applied to both ends where the developer supply roller and the developing roller are supported so that the developer supplying roller presses against the developing roller in order to supply the developer to the developing roller. The pressing force acts in a direction in which both end portions of the developer supply roller and the development roller are close to each other, so that the developer supply roller and the development roller are deformed so as to be separated from each other at the central portion. For this reason, even if the seal member is provided so that the contact pressure to the developing roller acts uniformly, the contact pressure at the central portion of the developing roller may be different from other portions.

  In addition, when the developing device is accidentally dropped during transportation, the support members supported at both ends may be deformed by the impact of the drop. At this time, the support member attached to the housing on both end sides in the axial direction of the developing roller is most deformed at the central portion. For this reason, even if the contact pressure of the seal member to the developing roller is uniform at the manufacturing stage, the contact pressure of the seal member at the central portion of the developing roller is different from that at the time when the seal member is attached to the image forming apparatus. There is a fear that it is different from the part.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to prevent developer leakage even when the distance between the developer carrying roller and the portion where the seal member is fixed changes. The present invention is to realize a developing device, an image forming apparatus, and an image forming system.

  A main aspect of the present invention is a housing having an opening and containing a developer, a developer carrying roller that is supported at both ends by the housing so as to face the opening, and carries the developer, and the developer carrying roller. A seal member that is abutted along the axial direction and prevents leakage of the developer from between the developer carrying roller and the housing, and one side of the seal member is placed along the axial direction of the developer carrying roller. A developing device having a biasing member fixed to the housing side, the other side being in contact with the seal member, and biasing the seal member toward the developer carrying roller, the developer The biasing force by which the biasing member biases the seal member in order to correspond to the change in the distance between the carrying roller and the portion where the biasing member is fixed is different from the central portion in the axial direction. If it is different from the part of A developing device, characterized in that the.

  Other features of the present invention will become apparent from the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

  At least the following will be made clear by the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

  A housing that has an opening and contains developer, a developer carrying roller that supports both ends of the housing so as to face the opening, and carries the developer, along the axial direction of the developer carrying roller A seal member that is in contact with the developer carrying roller and the housing to prevent leakage of the developer, and along the axial direction of the developer carrying roller, one side is fixed to the housing side. And a biasing member for biasing the seal member toward the developer carrying roller, the other side being in contact with the seal member, wherein the developer carrying roller, The urging force by which the urging member urges the seal member is different between the central portion in the axial direction and the other portion so as to correspond to the change in the distance from the portion where the urging member is fixed. With the features That is a developing apparatus.

  According to such a developing device, the seal member for preventing leakage of the developer from between the developer carrying roller and the housing is brought into contact with the developer carrying roller by the biasing member provided on the housing side. Yes. Since both ends of the developer carrying roller are supported by the housing, the change in the interval between the developer carrying roller and the portion where the urging member is fixed is caused by the central portion in the axial direction of the developer carrying roller. It will change the most. For this reason, by changing the urging force for urging the seal member between the central portion in the axial direction and other portions, it is possible to change the distance between the developer carrying roller and the portion where the urging member is fixed. It is possible to appropriately cope with it, and it is possible to prevent the leakage of the developer.

  In the developing device, the developer supply roller for supplying the developer contained in the housing to the developer carrying roller is provided, and the developer supply roller and the developer carrying roller are at both ends. The change in the distance between the developer carrying roller and the portion to which the biasing member is fixed is caused by the developer carrying roller and the developer supply roller being pressed against each other. It is caused by the warp of the developer carrying roller due to a matching pressing force.

  According to such a developing device, since the developer supply roller and the developer carrying roller are supported so as to press each other at both ends, the center of the developer carrying roller is most greatly bent. Become. For this reason, the change in the distance between the developer carrying roller and the portion where the urging member is fixed is the largest change in the central portion in the axial direction. For this reason, by changing the urging force for urging the seal member between the central portion in the axial direction and other portions, it is possible to change the distance between the developer carrying roller and the portion where the urging member is fixed. It is possible to appropriately cope with it, and it is possible to prevent the leakage of the developer due to the warp of the developer carrying roller.

  In the developing device, the biasing member is fixed, and has support members supported by the housing on both ends in the axial direction of the developer carrying roller. The developer carrying roller and the biasing member are The change in the distance from the fixed portion is caused by the warp of the support member due to the impact when dropped.

  According to such a developing device, the urging member for urging the seal member is fixed to the supporting member, and the supporting member is supported by the housing at both ends in the axial direction of the developer carrying roller. . The change in the distance between the developer carrying roller and the portion where the urging member is fixed is caused by the warp of the support member due to the impact when dropped, but the warp of the support member due to the impact of the drop is caused in the axial direction. The amount of displacement in the central part is the largest. That is, the change in the distance between the developer carrying roller and the portion where the urging member is fixed is the largest change in the central portion in the axial direction. For this reason, by changing the urging force for urging the seal member between the central portion in the axial direction and other portions, it is possible to change the distance between the developer carrying roller and the portion where the urging member is fixed. It is possible to appropriately cope with it, and it is possible to prevent the developer from leaking due to the warp of the support member.

  In such a developing device, when the distance between the developer carrying roller and the portion where the biasing member is fixed is changed in a widening direction, the biasing force is applied to the central portion in the axial direction. It is desirable to set it to be larger than the part.

  According to such a developing device, the biasing force is set so that the central portion in the axial direction is larger than the other portions, so that the developer carrying roller and the portion where the biasing member is fixed Even when the interval changes in a direction in which the interval increases, that is, when the urging force changes in a direction in which the urging force decreases, the urging force at the central portion in the axial direction is less likely to be significantly reduced than at other portions. For this reason, even when the distance between the developer carrying roller and the portion where the biasing member is fixed changes in the direction in which the distance increases, the seal member is biased by the biasing force of the biasing member at the central portion in the axial direction. It is possible to prevent the developer from leaking.

  In such a developing device, when the distance between the developer carrying roller and the portion where the urging member is fixed is changed in a narrowing direction, the urging force is different from the central portion in the axial direction. It is desirable that it is set to be smaller than the part.

  According to such a developing device, the biasing force is set so that the central part in the axial direction is smaller than the other parts, so the developer carrying roller and the part where the biasing member is fixed Even when the interval changes in a narrowing direction, that is, when the biasing force changes in a stronger direction, only the biasing force at the central portion in the axial direction is less likely to increase significantly than the other portions. For this reason, even in the case where the distance between the developer carrying roller and the portion where the biasing member is fixed changes in the direction of narrowing, the biasing member It is possible to prevent leakage of the developer by bringing the seal member into contact with the urging force.

  In such a developing device, the length of the biasing member in the circumferential direction of the developer-carrying roller is made different between the central portion in the axial direction and the other portions in the axial direction. It is desirable to make the urging force in the different from the urging force in other parts.

  According to such a developing device, the biasing member can be easily biased by the biasing member only by making the length in the circumferential direction of the developer carrying roller different between the central portion in the axial direction and other portions. The force can be made different between the central portion in the axial direction and other portions.

  In such a developing device, the biasing member has a thickness different between the central portion in the axial direction and the other portion, whereby the biasing force in the central portion in the axial direction and the biasing force in the other portion are set. It may be different from the power.

  According to such a developing device, the biasing force by the biasing member can be easily generated by simply changing the thickness of the biasing member between the central portion in the axial direction and other portions. And other parts can be made different.

In such a developing device, the urging force at the central portion in the axial direction may be made different from the urging force at the other portion by bending the support member.
According to such a developing device, it is possible to easily vary the urging force of the urging member between the central portion in the axial direction and other portions by simply bending the support member.

  A housing having an opening and containing a developer; and both ends supported by the housing facing the opening; a developer carrying roller carrying the developer; and an axial direction of the developer carrying roller And a seal member that prevents developer leakage from between the developer-carrying roller and the housing, and is placed along the axial direction of the developer-carrying roller, with one side facing the housing side. And a biasing member for biasing the seal member toward the developer carrying roller, the other side being in contact with the seal member, the developer carrying roller, The biasing force by which the biasing member biases the seal member is adjusted between the central portion in the axial direction and another portion so as to correspond to a change in the distance from the portion where the biasing member is fixed. Are different, The biasing member is fixed, and has support members supported by the housing on both ends in the axial direction of the developer carrying roller, and the developer carrying roller and the biasing member are fixed. Change in the distance between the developer carrying roller and a portion where the biasing member is fixed changes in a direction in which the distance between the developer carrying roller and the portion where the biasing member is fixed changes. The biasing force is set so that the central portion in the axial direction is larger than the other portions, and the interval between the developer carrying roller and the portion where the biasing member is fixed is narrowed. When the direction changes, the biasing force is set so that the central portion in the axial direction is smaller than the other portions, and the biasing member is long in the circumferential direction of the developer carrying roller. The axial direction By having different between the center and further regions, a developing apparatus characterized by having different and the biasing force of the biasing force and other sites in the site of the center of the axial direction.

  According to such a developing device, even if the support member to which the absent member is fixed is warped due to an impact when it is dropped, the biasing force of the central portion in the axial direction where the displacement of the warp is the largest is obtained. Since the biasing force of the other part is different from the biasing force of the other part so as to correspond to the change in the distance between the developer carrying roller and the part where the biasing member is fixed, the warp of the supporting member is Regardless of the direction in which the distance from the portion where the biasing member is fixed changes in any direction, leakage of the developer can be prevented appropriately and efficiently.

  (A) an image carrier for carrying a latent image; (b) a housing having an opening and containing a developer; and both ends supported by the housing facing the opening; A developer carrying roller to be carried, a seal member which is in contact with the developer carrying roller in the axial direction and prevents leakage of the developer from between the developer carrying roller and the housing, and the developer Along the axial direction of the carrying roller, one side is fixed to the housing side, and the other side is brought into contact with the seal member to bias the seal member toward the developer carrying roller. A biasing member that biases the seal member so as to correspond to a change in a distance between the developer carrying roller and a portion where the biasing member is fixed. The axial force Central and further regions and the developing device having different in the image forming apparatus equipped are also feasible.

  (A) a computer; and (B) an image forming apparatus connected to the computer and having the following (a) and (b): (a) an image carrier that carries a latent image; and (b) ) A housing having an opening and containing a developer; both ends of the housing facing the opening and supported by the housing; a developer carrying roller carrying the developer; and an axial direction of the developer carrying roller A seal member that is in contact with the developer carrying roller to prevent leakage of the developer from between the housing, and is fixed along the axial direction of the developer carrying roller. And a biasing member that biases the seal member toward the developer carrying roller, the developer carrying roller, and the biasing member. Is fixed A developing device in which the urging force that urges the seal member by the urging member is different between the central portion in the axial direction and another portion so as to correspond to a change in a distance from the portion being located (C Is also possible.

=== Overview of Image Forming Apparatus ===
A configuration example and operation of a laser beam printer (hereinafter also referred to as a printer) 10 as an example of an image forming apparatus that forms an image using a developing device as a developing apparatus according to the present invention with reference to FIGS. An example will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing main components constituting the printer 10, and FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a configuration of a control unit provided in the printer 10. In FIG. 1, the vertical direction is indicated by arrows. For example, the paper feed tray 92 is disposed at the lower part of the printer 10, and the fixing unit 90 is disposed at the upper part of the printer 10.

<Printer configuration>
As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 10 according to the present embodiment includes a charging unit 30, an exposure unit 40, and a YMCK developing unit along the rotation direction of a photoconductor 20 as an example of an image carrier that carries a latent image. 50, a primary transfer unit 60, an intermediate transfer body 70, and a cleaning unit 75, and further, a secondary transfer unit 80, a fixing unit 90, a display unit 95 including a liquid crystal panel that serves as a notification means to a user, and these It has a control unit 100 that controls the unit and the like and controls the operation as a printer.

  The photoreceptor 20 has a cylindrical conductive substrate and a photosensitive layer formed on the outer peripheral surface thereof, and is rotatable around a central axis. In the present embodiment, the photoreceptor 20 is indicated by an arrow in FIG. Rotate clockwise.

  The charging unit 30 is a device for charging the photoconductor 20, and the exposure unit 40 is a device for forming a latent image on the photoconductor 20 charged by irradiating a laser. The exposure unit 40 includes a semiconductor laser, a polygon mirror, an F-θ lens, and the like, and charges the modulated laser based on an image signal input from a host computer (not shown) such as a personal computer or a word processor. The irradiated photoconductor 20 is irradiated.

  The YMCK developing unit 50 converts the latent image formed on the photoconductor 20 into toner T as an example of developer accommodated in developing units 51, 52, 53, and 54 as an example of a developing device, that is, black development. Black (K) toner contained in the container 51, magenta (M) toner contained in the magenta developing unit 52, cyan (C) toner contained in the cyan developing unit 53, and contained in the yellow developing unit 54. An apparatus for developing using yellow (Y) toner.

  The YMCK developing unit 50 can move the positions of the four developing units 51, 52, 53, 54 by rotating with the four developing units 51, 52, 53, 54 mounted. Yes. That is, the YMCK developing unit 50 holds the four developing devices 51, 52, 53, 54 by four holding portions 55a, 55b, 55c, 55d, and the four developing devices 51, 52, 53, 54, 54 is rotatable around the central axis 50a while maintaining the relative position thereof. Each time image formation for one page is completed, one of the four developing devices 51, 52, 53, 54 is selectively opposed to the photosensitive member 20, and the opposed developing devices 51, 52, The latent images formed on the photoconductor 20 are sequentially developed with the toner T contained in 53 and 54. Each of the four developing devices 51, 52, 53, 54 described above can be attached to and detached from the holding portion of the YMCK developing unit 50. Details of each developer will be described later.

The primary transfer unit 60 is a device for transferring a single color toner image formed on the photoconductor 20 to the intermediate transfer body 70. When four color toners are sequentially transferred in a superimposed manner, the full color toner is transferred to the intermediate transfer body 70. An image is formed.
The intermediate transfer body 70 is an endless belt in which an aluminum vapor deposition layer is provided on the surface of a PET film and a semiconductive paint is formed on the surface layer and laminated. The intermediate transfer body 70 is driven to rotate at substantially the same peripheral speed as the photoconductor 20.
The secondary transfer unit 80 is a device for transferring a single color toner image or a full color toner image formed on the intermediate transfer body 70 to a medium such as paper, film, or cloth.
The fixing unit 90 is a device for fusing a single-color toner image or a full-color toner image transferred onto a medium to form a permanent image.

  The cleaning unit 75 is provided between the primary transfer unit 60 and the charging unit 30 and has a rubber cleaning blade 76 that is in contact with the surface of the photoconductor 20. The cleaning unit 75 is disposed on the intermediate transfer body 70 by the primary transfer unit 60. After the toner image is transferred, the toner T remaining on the photoconductor 20 is scraped off and removed by the cleaning blade 76.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 100 includes a main controller 101 and a unit controller 102. An image signal and a control signal are input to the main controller 101, and in response to a command based on the image signal and the control signal. A unit controller 102 controls each of the units and forms an image.

  The main controller 101 is connected to a host computer via an interface 112, and includes an image memory 113 for storing an image signal input from the host computer, a CPU 111 for controlling the entire printer 10, and the like.

  The unit controller 102 includes a CPU 120, a memory 116 such as a RAM and a ROM, and units of the apparatus main body (charging unit 30, exposure unit 40, primary transfer unit 60, cleaning unit 75, secondary transfer unit 80, fixing unit 90, The display unit 95) and each drive control circuit for driving and controlling the developing device holding unit 50 are controlled, and each unit is controlled based on a signal input from the main controller 101.

<Printer operation>
Next, the operation of the printer 10 will be described.
First, when an image signal and a control signal from a host computer (not shown) are input to the main controller 101 of the printer 10 via the interface (I / F) 112, the unit controller 102 based on a command from the main controller 101 Under the control, the photosensitive member 20, the developing roller as an example of the developer carrying roller, and the intermediate transfer member 70 are rotated. The photoconductor 20 is sequentially charged by the charging unit 30 at the charging position while rotating.

  The charged area of the photoconductor 20 reaches an exposure position as the photoconductor 20 rotates, and a latent image corresponding to image information of the first color, for example, yellow Y, is formed in the area by the exposure unit 40. . In the YMCK developing unit 50, the yellow developing unit 54 that contains yellow (Y) toner is located at a developing position facing the photoconductor 20.

  The latent image formed on the photoconductor 20 reaches the development position as the photoconductor 20 rotates, and is developed with yellow toner by the yellow developing device 54. As a result, a yellow toner image is formed on the photoreceptor 20.

  The yellow toner image formed on the photoconductor 20 reaches the primary transfer position as the photoconductor 20 rotates, and is transferred to the intermediate transfer body 70 by the primary transfer unit 60. At this time, a primary transfer voltage having a polarity opposite to the charging polarity of the toner T is applied to the primary transfer unit 60. During this time, the photosensitive member 20 and the intermediate transfer member 70 are in contact with each other, and the secondary transfer unit 80 is separated from the intermediate transfer member 70.

  The above processing is sequentially executed for each developing device for the second color, the third color, and the fourth color, so that four color toner images corresponding to the respective image signals are transferred to the intermediate transfer member 70. It is transcribed and superimposed. As a result, a full-color toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer member 70.

The full color toner image formed on the intermediate transfer body 70 reaches the secondary transfer position as the intermediate transfer body 70 rotates, and is transferred to the medium by the secondary transfer unit 80. The medium is conveyed from the paper feed tray 92 to the secondary transfer unit 80 via the paper feed roller 94 and the registration roller 96. When performing the transfer operation, the secondary transfer unit 80 is pressed against the intermediate transfer body 70 and a secondary transfer voltage is applied.
The full color toner image transferred to the medium is heated and pressed by the fixing unit 90 and fused to the medium.

  On the other hand, after the primary transfer position has passed, the photosensitive member 20 is scraped off by the cleaning blade 76 supported by the cleaning unit 75 and the toner T adhering to the surface thereof is charged to form the next latent image. Prepare for. The toner T thus scraped off is collected by a residual toner collecting unit provided in the cleaning unit 75.

=== Configuration Example of Developer ===
Next, a configuration example of the developing device will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram of the developing device. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the main components of the developing device. Note that the cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 4 represents a cross section of the developing unit cut along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction shown in FIG. 4, the vertical direction is indicated by arrows as in FIG. 1. For example, the central axis of the developing roller 510 is below the central axis of the photoconductor 20. Further, in FIG. 4, the yellow developing device 54 is shown in a state where the yellow developing device 54 is located at a developing position facing the photoconductor 20.

  The YMCK developing unit 50 includes a black developing device 51 containing black (K) toner, a magenta developing device 52 containing magenta (M) toner, a cyan developing device 53 containing cyan (C) toner, and a yellow ( Y) Although a yellow developing unit 54 containing toner is provided, the configuration of each developing unit is the same, so the yellow developing unit 54 will be described below.

<Configuration of yellow developing device>
The yellow developing unit 54 includes a developing roller 510, an upper seal member 520 as an example of a seal member, a toner container 530, a housing 540, a toner supply roller 550 as an example of a developer supply roller, a regulation blade 560, and the like. Yes.

  The developing roller 510 carries the toner T and conveys it to a developing position facing the photoconductor 20. The developing roller 510 is made of an aluminum alloy such as 5056 aluminum alloy or 6063 aluminum alloy, an iron alloy such as STKM, or the like, and is subjected to nickel plating, chrome plating, or the like as necessary.

  The developing roller 510 has a shaft portion 510a and a large-diameter portion 510b. The shaft portion 510a is supported at both ends via bearings 576 by a developing roller support portion 529 of a holder 526 described later (FIG. 6) The developing roller 510 is rotatably supported. As shown in FIG. 4, the developing roller 510 rotates in a direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 4) opposite to the rotation direction of the photoconductor 20 (clockwise in FIG. 4). The central axis is below the central axis of the photoconductor 20.

  Further, there is a gap between the developing roller 510 and the photoconductor 20 with the yellow developing device 54 facing the photoconductor 20. That is, the yellow developing device 54 develops the latent image formed on the photoconductor 20 in a non-contact state. When developing the latent image formed on the photoconductor 20, an alternating electric field is formed between the developing roller 510 and the photoconductor 20.

  The housing 540 is manufactured by welding a plurality of integrally formed resin housing parts, that is, the upper housing part 542 and the lower housing part 544, and in order to accommodate the toner T therein. The toner container 530 is formed. The toner containing body 530 is divided into two toner containing portions, that is, a first toner containing portion 530a and a second toner containing portion 530b, by a partition wall 545 protruding inward from the inner wall (the vertical direction in FIG. 4). It is divided. The upper portions of the first toner storage portion 530a and the second toner storage portion 530b communicate with each other, and the movement of the toner T is restricted by the partition wall 545 in the state shown in FIG. However, when the YMCK developing unit 50 rotates, the toner accommodated in the first toner accommodating portion 530a and the second toner accommodating portion 530b is once collected on the upper communicating side of the developing position. When returning to the state shown in FIG. 4, the toners are mixed and returned to the first toner storage portion 530a and the second toner storage portion 530b. That is, when the YMCK developing unit 50 rotates, the toner T in the developing device is appropriately agitated.

  For this reason, in this embodiment, the toner container 530 is not provided with a stirring member, but a stirring member for stirring the toner T stored in the toner container 530 may be provided. As shown in FIG. 4, the housing 540 (that is, the first toner storage portion 530 a) has an opening 572 in the lower portion, and the developing roller 510 is provided so as to face the opening 572.

  The toner supply roller 550 is provided in the first toner storage portion 530a described above, supplies the toner T stored in the first toner storage portion 530a to the development roller 510, and remains on the development roller 510 after development. The toner T is peeled off from the developing roller 510. The toner supply roller 550 is disposed below the first toner storage portion 530a, and the toner T stored in the first toner storage portion 530a is transferred by the toner supply roller 550 below the first toner storage portion 530a. Supplied to the developing roller 510. The toner supply roller 550 is made of polyurethane foam or the like, and is in contact with the developing roller 510 in an elastically deformed state. The developing roller 510 and the toner supply roller 550 are provided so as to face each other so that their axes are parallel to each other. The developing roller 510 and the toner supply roller 550 are opposed to each other at both ends where the developing roller 510 and the toner supply roller 550 are supported. The toner supply roller 550 that is in contact with the developing roller 510 is elastically deformed. The toner supply roller 550 is rotatable about a central axis, and the central axis is below the rotation central axis of the developing roller 510. Further, the toner supply roller 550 rotates in a direction (clockwise in FIG. 4) opposite to the rotation direction of the developing roller 510 (counterclockwise in FIG. 4).

  The upper seal member 520 is in contact with the developing roller 510 along the axial direction thereof, allows the toner T remaining on the developing roller 510 after passing through the developing position to move into the housing 540, and The movement of the toner T in the housing 540 to the outside of the housing 540 is restricted. The configuration of the upper seal member 520 and its periphery will be described in detail later.

  The regulating blade 560 is in contact with the developing roller 510 along the axial direction thereof, regulates the layer thickness of the toner T carried on the developing roller 510, and charges the toner T carried on the developing roller 510. Is granted. The regulation blade 560 has a rubber part 560a and a rubber support part 560b. The rubber part 560a is made of silicon rubber, urethane rubber or the like, and the rubber support part 560b is a thin plate having spring properties such as phosphor bronze or stainless steel.

  The rubber part 560a is supported by the rubber support part 560b, and the rubber support part 560b presses the rubber part 560a against the developing roller 510 by its urging force. The rubber support portion 560b is attached to the restriction blade support portion 528 in a state where one end thereof is supported by the restriction blade support portion 528 of the holder 526 described later.

  The end of the regulating blade 560 opposite to the side supported by the regulating blade support portion 528, that is, the tip is not in contact with the developing roller 510, and a portion away from the tip by a predetermined distance is developed. The roller 510 is in contact with a width. That is, the regulating blade 560 is not in contact with the developing roller 510 at the edge, but is in contact with the belly. The regulating blade 560 is disposed so that the tip thereof faces the upstream side in the rotation direction of the developing roller 510, and is in a so-called counter contact. The contact position where the regulating blade 560 contacts the developing roller 510 is below the central axis of the developing roller 510 and below the central axis of the toner supply roller 550. The regulating blade 560 also has a function of preventing leakage of the toner T from the toner container 530 by contacting the developing roller 510 along the axial direction thereof.

  Further, the regulating blade 560 supports an end seal 574 (FIG. 5) at its longitudinal end 560d. The end seal 574 is formed of a non-woven fabric and abuts along the circumferential direction of the developing roller 510 at the axial end of the developing roller 510, and from between the peripheral surface and the housing 540. It has a function of preventing the toner T from leaking.

  In the yellow developing device 54 configured as described above, the toner supply roller 550 supplies the toner T stored in the toner container 530 to the developing roller 510. The toner T supplied to the developing roller 510 reaches the contact position of the regulating blade 560 as the developing roller 510 rotates, and the layer thickness is regulated and electric charge is applied when passing through the contact position. Is done. The toner T on the developing roller 510 to which the layer thickness is regulated and the electric charge is applied reaches the developing position facing the photosensitive member 20 by further rotation of the developing roller 510, and the photosensitive member is subjected to an alternating electric field at the developing position. The latent image formed on 20 is subjected to development. The toner T on the developing roller 510 that has passed the developing position by further rotation of the developing roller 510 passes through the upper seal member 520 and is collected in the developing unit without being scraped off by the upper seal member 520. Further, the toner T still remaining on the developing roller 510 can be peeled off by the toner supply roller 550.

=== Configuration of the upper seal member and its periphery ===
The upper seal member 520 as an example of the seal member and the configuration around it will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 11.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state in which the upper seal member 520, the regulating blade 560, and the end seal 574 are supported by the holder 526. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state in which the upper seal member 520, the regulating blade 560, the end seal 574, and the developing roller 510 are supported by the holder 526. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the holder 526. 8 is a perspective view showing the upper seal biasing member 524 fixed to the holder 526, with the upper seal member 520 removed from the perspective view shown in FIG. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a state in which the holder 526 is attached to the housing 540. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which the holder 526 is removed from the perspective view shown in FIG. 9 and the housing seal 546 is fixed to the housing 540. FIG. 11 is a view in which the holder 526 and the housing seal 546 are removed from the perspective view shown in FIG. 9, and is a perspective view showing a portion of the housing 540 to which the housing seal 546 is fixed.

  As described above, the upper seal member 520 is in contact with the developing roller 510 along the axial direction thereof, and allows the toner T remaining on the developing roller 510 after passing through the developing position to move into the housing 540. In addition, the movement of the toner T in the housing 540 to the outside of the housing 540 is restricted. The upper seal member 520 is a seal made of a polyethylene film or the like. The upper seal member 520 is supported by a holder 526 as an example of a support member as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, and the longitudinal direction thereof is in the axial direction of the developing roller 510 as shown in FIG. 6. It is provided along. The contact position where the upper seal member 520 contacts the developing roller 510 is above the central axis of the developing roller 510.

  The holder 526 is a metal support member that supports the developing roller 510, the regulating blade 560, and the upper seal member 520. As shown in FIG. 7, the holder 526 has an upper seal support member 527 along the longitudinal direction (that is, the axial direction of the developing roller 510), and also in the longitudinal direction (that is, the axial direction of the developing roller 510). And a developing roller support portion that is provided outside the upper seal support member 527 and the restriction blade support portion 528 in the longitudinal direction (the axial direction) and intersects the longitudinal direction (the axial direction). 529. The holder 526 has a substantially rectangular shape in which an upper seal support member 527 and a regulating blade support portion 528 arranged in parallel are fixed to the developing roller support portion 529 at both longitudinal ends thereof. The developing roller support portion 529 is fixed to the housing 540.

  The upper seal member 520 is supported by an upper seal support member 527 at the short-side end 520a (FIG. 4). As described above, the developing roller 510 is supported by the developing roller support portion 529 at both axial end portions 510c in the axial direction, and the regulating blade 560 has the short end portion 560c. In FIG. 4, it is supported by the regulating blade support 528. That is, the developing roller 510 is supported by the housing 540 via the holder 526 at both ends thereof.

  4, the surface of the upper seal member 520 opposite to the contact surface 520b that contacts the developing roller 510 (this surface is also referred to as the opposite surface 520c) and the holder 526 An upper seal urging member 524 as an example of an urging member made of an elastic body such as malt plain is provided therebetween. As shown in FIG. 8, the upper seal urging member 524 is provided so that its longitudinal direction is along the axial direction of the developing roller 510, and one side of the upper seal urging member 524 is connected to the developing roller 510. On the other hand, it is fixed to the upper seal support member 527 of the holder 526 located on the housing 540 side. Specifically, the upper seal urging member 524 is fixed to a bent portion 527a formed by bending the upper seal support member 527 along the longitudinal direction thereof. On the other hand, the upper seal member 520 is fixed to a plate portion (hereinafter referred to as an outer peripheral side plate portion) 527b on the side that is not the bent portion 527a of the upper seal support member 527. The upper seal urging member 524 is positioned between the opposite surface 520c and the bent portion 527a. When assembled as a developing device, the other side of the upper seal urging member 524 is the upper seal member 520. It is in contact with. At this time, the upper seal urging member 524 is compressed between the bent portion 527a and the upper seal member 520 in contact with the developing roller 510, and the repulsive force due to the compression of the elastic material is applied to the upper seal member 524. The upper seal member 520 is pressed against the developing roller 510 as an urging force for urging the 520 toward the developing roller 510 side. The upper seal urging member 524 of this embodiment is set so that the urging force of the central portion 524a in the axial direction of the developing roller 510 is different from the urging force of other portions. The urging force and action of the upper seal urging member 524 will be described later.

  As shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, the holder 526 described above is in a state where the developing roller 510, the regulating blade 560, the end seal 574, the upper seal member 520, and the upper seal biasing member 524 are assembled. It is attached to the housing 540 via a housing seal 546 as an example of another seal member different from the upper seal member 520.

  The housing seal 546 has a function of preventing leakage of the toner T from between the housing 540 and the holder 526 or the member assembled to the holder 526. As shown in FIG. 10, the housing seal 546 is formed by hollowing out a central portion (rectangular portion) from a rectangular elastic body such as a malt plain, and includes a first seal portion 546a, a second seal portion 546b, And a third seal portion 546c.

  Here, the first seal portion 546 a is in contact with the upper seal support member 527 and the housing 540 of the holder 526 and prevents the toner T from leaking between the upper seal support member 527 and the housing 540. The second seal portion 546b is in contact with the rubber support portion 560b of the regulating blade 560 and the housing 540, and prevents the toner T from leaking between the rubber support portion 560b and the housing 540. The third seal portion 546c has a function of contacting the end seal 574 and the housing 540 and preventing leakage of the toner T from between the end seal 574 and the housing 540.

  The housing seal 546 is fixed only to the housing 540 of the holder 526 and the housing 540. Further, the second seal portion 546b not only has a function of preventing the leakage of the toner T, but also stabilizes the elastic force due to the bending of the rubber support portion 560b, and makes the rubber portion 560a uniform contact with the developing roller 510. It also has a function to improve

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the upper seal biasing member 524 is provided with the developing roller 510 of the upper sealing member 520 in order to appropriately equalize the contact pressure of the upper sealing member 520 with the developing roller 510. Is provided between the holder 526 and the opposite surface 520c opposite to the contact surface 520b.

  That is, in order for the upper seal member 520 to function so as to prevent the developer from leaking, it is necessary to make the contact pressure of the upper seal member 520 to the developing roller 510 uniform. For this purpose, the position of the upper seal urging member 524, for example, the developing roller 510, the upper seal member 520, and the member with which the upper seal urging member 524 abuts on the side opposite to the upper seal member 520 (the above embodiment). In this case, the holder 526 is provided with an upper seal urging member 524, a developing roller 510, and an upper seal member 520 so that the relative position with respect to the holder 526) is properly positioned.

=== Biasing Force of Upper Seal Biasing Member 524 and Its Action ===
As described above, the upper seal urging member 524 of the present embodiment is set so that the urging force of the central portion 524a in the axial direction of the developing roller 510 is different from the urging force of other portions. This is because even in a normally assembled developer, the urging force that urges the upper seal member 520 to the developing roller 510 may not work properly in the central portion in the axial direction. In order to apply an appropriate urging force, the urging force at the central part is different from other parts.

  First, the reason why the urging force that urges the upper seal member 520 against the developing roller 510 does not act properly at the central portion in the axial direction will be described even in a normally assembled developer. In order to prevent leakage of toner from between the developing roller 510 and the housing 540, as described above, the contact pressure of the upper seal member 520 to the developing roller 510 (the biasing force of the upper seal biasing member 524). Need to be uniform. Here, that the contact pressure of the upper seal member 520 to the developing roller 510 is uniform means that the contact pressure is within a predetermined range in the axial direction and the predetermined contact pressure is secured. . However, when the printer 10 or the developing device alone is accidentally dropped during transportation, an impact force may act on each part of the printer 10 or the developing device.

  FIG. 12 is a view showing a first example of a warp generated in the upper seal support member 527 by an impact, and FIG. 13 is an upper seal biasing member when a warp occurs in the upper seal support member 527 as in the first example. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view at the center in the axial direction for explaining a state when the upper seal support member 527 is warped in the first example due to an impact.

  When the impact force acts on the holder 526 held by the housing 540 at both ends in the axial direction of the developing roller 510, the impact is provided along the longitudinal direction of the holder 526, and is fixed to the developing roller support 529 at both ends. In addition, the case where the warp as shown in FIG. The warping direction is, for example, a direction approaching the photoconductor 20 when the developing device is mounted on the printer 10, that is, a direction in which a central portion of the outer peripheral side plate portion 527b of the upper seal support member 527 protrudes outward. The upper seal member 520 and the upper seal urging member 524 fixed to the bent portion 527a of the upper seal support member 527 also bend together with the upper seal support member 527. At this time, the displacement amount of the upper seal urging member 524 is the largest at the central portion in the axial direction of the developing roller 510, and the upper seal urging member 524 is located in the tangential direction of the developing roller 510 as shown in FIG. It moves to the side away from 510. For this reason, the distance between the bent portion 527a as the portion where the upper seal urging member 524 is fixed and the developing roller 510 changes, and the urging force at the central portion of the developing roller 510 is greater than that at other portions. It will change small. In order to compensate for this difference in urging force, the upper seal urging member 524 of this embodiment has a circumferential length a at the central portion 524a in the axial direction as shown in FIG. is doing. That is, even when the upper seal urging member 524 is bent together with the upper seal support member 527 and moves away from the developing roller 510, the developing roller 510 and the upper seal urging member 524 at the central portion in the axial direction are moved. The contact area is not reduced. For this reason, even if the pressing location of the upper seal urging member 524 against the developing roller 510 changes relatively in the circumferential direction of the developing roller 510, the urging force at the central portion is changed to another value so that the urging force is secured. It is larger than the part.

  The warp in the first example is a direction approaching the photoconductor 20, but the upper seal support member 527 is generated in the opposite direction to the first example due to the configuration of the developing device, the direction of dropping, and the like. Such warpage may occur. FIG. 15 is a view showing a second example of warpage generated in the upper seal support member 527 by an impact, and FIG. 16 is an upper seal biasing member when warpage occurs in the upper seal support member 527 as in the second example. It is a figure for demonstrating. When warping occurs as in the second example, the upper seal member 520 and the upper seal biasing member 524 are bent together with the upper seal support member 527 in a direction away from the photoconductor 20. In this case as well, the upper seal biasing member 524 moves away from the developing roller 510 in the tangential direction of the developing roller 510 as in the warping of the first example, but the direction is opposite to the warping of the first example. The upper seal urging member 524 has a circumferential length “a” at a central portion 524a in the axial direction that is increased in the outward direction of the housing. Thereby, it is possible to make the urging force larger than the other parts so as to ensure the urging force in the central part.

  FIG. 17 is a view showing a modification of the upper seal urging member 524 applicable when the upper seal support member 527 is warped as in the first example or the second example.

  When the upper seal support member 527 is warped in the first example and the second example, the distance between the upper seal support member 527 and the developing roller 510 is changed in a widening direction, and the biasing force at the central portion is reduced. As shown in FIG. 17, the thickness b of the central portion 524a of the upper seal urging member 524 may be made thicker than other portions. In this case, for example, when the upper seal support member 527 is warped as in the first example, the upper seal urging member 524 is bent, and the developing roller 510 and the upper seal urging member at the central portion in the axial direction are bent. The contact area with 524 is reduced. However, since the upper seal urging member 524 has a thick central portion 524a, a predetermined urging force can be ensured even if the compression amount is large and the contact area is small. Further, when the upper seal support member 527 is warped in the direction approaching the photoconductor 20 like the warp of the first example, the seal support portion 527 is previously separated from the photoconductor 20 as shown in FIG. The warp may be caused to occur. On the other hand, when the upper seal support member 527 warps in a direction away from the photoconductor 20 like the warp of the second example, the upper seal support member 527 approaches the photoconductor 20 in advance as shown in FIG. You may warp in the direction. In this way, by causing the seal support portion 527 to be warped in advance, even if an impact force that causes the upper seal support member 527 to warp due to an impact or the like is applied, the upper seal urging member 524 applies the bias. It is possible to secure a force and keep the contact pressure of the upper seal member 520 within a predetermined range in the axial direction.

  Further, depending on the shape of the upper seal support member 527, warpage different from the warpage of the first example and the second example described above may occur in the upper seal support member 527 when receiving an impact. 18 is a diagram illustrating a third example of warpage that occurs in the upper seal support member 527 due to an impact, and FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a fourth example of warpage that occurs in the upper seal support member 527 due to an impact. These are the figures for demonstrating the upper seal | sticker biasing member at the time of a curvature like a 3rd example arising in an upper seal | sticker support member.

  As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, for example, the state where the upper seal support member 527 is connected in the axial direction from the both end portions attached to the developing roller support portion 529 to the portion to which the upper seal biasing member 524 is fixed. When the portion for fixing the upper seal member 520 is bent, the rigidity of the portion of the upper seal support member 527 facing the developing roller 510 is lowered and deformed by impact. It is possible. That is, since the orientation of the cutout portion 527c that must be formed when the upper seal support member 527 is bent is different, the portion on the side facing the developing roller 510 is easily deformed. In this case, the warping direction generated at the portion where the upper seal urging member 524 is fixed by impact such as dropping is the direction in which the central portion in the axial direction moves in the diameter direction of the developing roller 510. That is, the central part of the part where the upper seal urging member 524 is fixed by impact moves in a direction approaching the developing roller 510 as shown in FIG. 19, and the warp of the third example occurs in the upper seal support member 527. Then, the distance between the portion where the upper seal urging member 524 is fixed and the developing roller 510 is changed. In this case, as shown in FIG. 20, it is desirable to use an upper seal urging member 524 in which the thickness b of the central portion 524a of the upper seal urging member 524 is thinner than other portions. As a result, even if the distance between the portion where the upper seal urging member 524 is fixed and the developing roller 510 changes due to impact, the upper seal urging member 524 has a thickness other than the central portion 524a. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the urging force by the upper seal urging member 524 from becoming significantly larger than other parts. Further, by causing the seal support portion 527 to warp in a direction in which the central portion of the portion where the upper seal urging member 524 is fixed is away from the developing roller 510, the upper seal support member 527 is caused to undergo an impact or the like. Even when an impact force that causes the warping of the third example is applied, the urging force by the upper seal urging member 524 is secured, and the contact pressure of the upper seal member 520 is kept within a predetermined range in the axial direction. It is possible.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 19, the central portion of the portion where the upper seal urging member 524 is fixed by impact is moved away from the developing roller 510, and the upper seal support member 527 is warped in the fourth example. When this occurs, the distance between the portion where the upper seal urging member 524 is fixed and the developing roller 510 is changed. In this case, as shown in FIG. 17, it is desirable to use an upper seal urging member 524 in which the thickness b of the central portion 524a of the upper seal urging member 524 is thicker than other portions. As a result, even if the gap between the portion where the upper seal urging member 524 is fixed by the impact and the developing roller 510 is changed, the upper seal urging member 524 has a thickness at the central portion 524a that is different from that of the other portion. Since it is thicker than the part, it is possible to prevent the urging force by the upper seal urging member 524 from becoming significantly smaller than other parts. Further, by causing the seal support portion 527 to warp in advance in the direction in which the central portion of the portion where the upper seal urging member 524 is fixed approaches the developing roller 510, the upper seal support member 527 may be affected by an impact or the like. Even when an impact force that causes the warping of the fourth example is applied, the urging force by the upper seal urging member 524 is secured, and the contact pressure of the upper seal member 520 is kept within a predetermined range in the axial direction. It is possible.

  By the way, the cause of the change in the distance between the upper seal supporting member 527 as the portion where the upper seal urging member 524 is fixed and the developing roller 510 is not only the impact such as dropping. For example, the warp of the developing roller 510. In the developing device of this embodiment, the upper seal member 520 and the upper seal urging member 524 are fixed to a metal upper seal support member 527 that is bent linearly along the axial direction. Since it is a metal roller that is easy to obtain straightness, it is considered that the upper seal member 520 is easily brought into contact with the developing roller 510 uniformly. However, the toner supply roller 550 is in contact with the developing roller 510 as described above, and the developing roller 510 and the toner supply roller 550 are pressed against each other in a direction approaching each other at both ends thereof. . That is, since the pressing force is applied to the two rollers at both ends, the developing roller 510 is warped in a direction in which the central portion is separated from the toner supply roller 550, that is, in a direction away from the upper seal member 520. Has occurred. Therefore, even if the upper seal member 520 and the upper seal biasing member 524 are fixed to the metal upper seal support member 527, the distance between the bent portion 527a to which the upper seal biasing member 524 is fixed and the developing roller 510 is fixed. However, it will change in the direction which spreads especially in the center part. The change in the distance between the bent portion 527a to which the upper seal urging member 524 is fixed and the developing roller 510 caused by the warping of the developing roller 510 is the same as the warping of the upper seal supporting member 527 in the first example. The length of the upper seal biasing member 524 in the axial direction at the central portion 524a in the axial direction is increased in the inner direction of the housing, so that the biasing force at the central portion can be secured from other portions. It is possible to increase the power. In addition, as shown in FIG. 17, the thickness of the central portion 524a of the upper seal urging member 524 may be made thicker than other portions. Further, as shown in FIG. 18, the seal support portion 527 may be warped in advance in a direction away from the photoconductor 20.

  In the above-described embodiment, the urging force by which the upper seal urging member 524 urges the upper seal member 520 is applied in the axial direction so as to correspond to the change in the distance between the developing roller 510 and the upper seal urging member 527. As a method of making the central portion different from other portions, an example in which the length and thickness of the developing roller 510 in the circumferential direction at the central portion 524a of the upper seal urging member 524 is different from other portions will be described. However, the length and thickness of the upper seal urging member 524 are not limited to only the central portion 524a. For example, the central portion 524a and the end portion of the developing roller 510 are different from each other. In order to prevent the toner from leaking from the vicinity, it may be different from the portions other than those portions in the vicinity of the end portion of the developing roller 510.

=== Other Embodiments ===
The developing device and the like according to the present invention have been described above based on the above embodiment. However, the above embodiment of the present invention is for facilitating understanding of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Absent. The present invention can be changed and improved without departing from the gist thereof, and the present invention includes the equivalents thereof.

  In the above embodiment, an intermediate transfer type full color laser beam printer has been described as an example of the image forming apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to the intermediate transfer type, such as a full color laser beam printer, a monochrome laser beam printer, a copying machine, and a facsimile. The present invention can be applied to various image forming apparatuses.

  Also, the photosensitive member is not limited to a so-called photosensitive roller, which is configured by providing a photosensitive layer on the outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical conductive substrate, and is configured by providing a photosensitive layer on the surface of a belt-shaped conductive substrate. A so-called photosensitive belt may be used.

  In the above embodiment, the upper seal member 520 provided with the longitudinal direction of the seal member along the axial direction of the developing roller 510 has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. . The present invention can be applied to any seal member that is in contact with the developing roller 510 to prevent leakage of the toner T and is supported by the holder 526.

  In the above embodiment, the seal member allows the toner T remaining on the developing roller 510 to move into the housing 540 and allows the toner T in the housing 540 to move out of the housing 540. The upper seal member 520 having a function of restricting movement has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the seal member does not necessarily have the above two functions.

  In the above-described embodiment, the holder 526 is provided on the upper seal support member 527 along the axial direction of the developing roller 510 and outside the upper seal support member 527 in the axial direction, and intersects the axial direction. The upper seal member 520 is supported by the upper seal support member 527 at the short-side end portion 520a, and the developing roller 510 is at the axial end portion 510c. In this case, the developing roller support portion 529 supports the upper seal member 520 and the developing roller 510, but the method of supporting the upper seal member 520 and the developing roller 510 is not limited thereto.

  In the above embodiment, the upper seal urging member 524 is fixed to the upper seal support member 527 of the holder 526. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the upper seal member 520 may be fixed.

  When the upper seal biasing member 524 is fixed to the upper seal support member 527 of the holder 526, the relative position of the upper seal biasing member 524 with respect to the developing roller 510, the upper seal member 520, and the holder 526 , Are more appropriately positioned. Therefore, the contact pressure of the upper seal member 520 to the developing roller 510 can be more appropriately uniformized. In this respect, the above embodiment is more desirable.

In the above embodiment, the upper seal urging member 524 is provided such that the longitudinal direction thereof is along the axial direction of the developing roller 510, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 21, a plurality of upper seal urging members 524 whose longitudinal direction does not follow the axial direction of the developing roller 510 are provided, and some of the upper seal urging members 524 provided in the center are provided. May be different from the upper seal urging member 524 provided at a portion other than the central portion.
However, the above-described embodiment is more preferable in that the contact pressure of the upper seal member 520 to the developing roller 510 can be more appropriately uniformized. FIG. 21 is a perspective view showing the upper seal biasing member 524 fixed to the holder 526.

In the above embodiment, the upper seal urging member 524 has elasticity, and is provided in a compressed state between the opposite surface 520c of the upper seal member 520 and the holder 526. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the upper seal biasing member 524 does not have elasticity, and may be provided between the opposite surface 520c of the upper seal member 520 and the holder 526 in an uncompressed state.
However, the above embodiment is more preferable in that the upper seal member 520 can be biased more appropriately toward the developing roller 510 side.

In the above embodiment, the holder 526 is made of metal and the housing 540 is made of resin. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the holder 526 may be made of resin and the housing 540 may be made of metal.
The resin member is more likely to be deformed by heat or the applied pressure than the metal member. Therefore, the upper seal urging member 524 provided between the upper seal member 520 and the metal holder 526, not between the upper seal member 520 and the resin housing 540, is a member of heat or pressure. Since it becomes difficult to be affected by the deformation, the contact pressure of the upper seal member 520 to the developing roller 510 is more appropriately equalized. In this respect, the above embodiment is more desirable.

In the above embodiment, the holder 526 is attached to the housing 540 via the housing seal 546. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it may be attached to the housing 540 without using the housing seal 546.
However, the above embodiment is more preferable in that the leakage of the toner T from between the holder 526 and the housing 540 can be appropriately prevented.

=== Configuration of Image Forming System etc. ===
Next, an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram showing an external configuration of the image forming system. The image forming system 700 includes a computer 702, a display device 704, a printer 706, an input device 708, and a reading device 710. In this embodiment, the computer 702 is housed in a mini-tower type housing, but is not limited thereto. The display device 704 is generally a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), a plasma display, a liquid crystal display device, or the like, but is not limited thereto. As the printer 706, the printer described above is used. In this embodiment, the input device 708 uses a keyboard 708A and a mouse 708B, but is not limited thereto. In this embodiment, the reading device 710 uses a flexible disk drive device 710A and a CD-ROM drive device 710B. However, the reading device 710 is not limited to this. For example, an MO (Magneto Optical) disk drive device or a DVD (Digital Versatile) is used. Disk) etc. may be used.

  FIG. 23 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the image forming system shown in FIG. An internal memory 802 such as a RAM and an external memory such as a hard disk drive unit 804 are further provided in a housing in which the computer 702 is housed.

  In the above description, the example in which the printer 706 is connected to the computer 702, the display device 704, the input device 708, and the reading device 710 to configure the image forming system has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Absent. For example, the image forming system may include a computer 702 and a printer 706, and the image forming system may not include any of the display device 704, the input device 708, and the reading device 710.

  For example, the printer 706 may have a part of the functions or mechanisms of the computer 702, the display device 704, the input device 708, and the reading device 710. As an example, the printer 706 includes an image processing unit that performs image processing, a display unit that performs various displays, a recording medium attachment / detachment unit for attaching / detaching a recording medium that records image data captured by a digital camera or the like. It is good also as a structure to have.

  The image forming system realized in this way is a system superior to the conventional system as a whole system.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating main components constituting a printer. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a control unit of the printer of FIG. 1. It is a conceptual diagram of a developing device. It is sectional drawing which showed the main components of the developing device. It is a perspective view which shows a mode that the upper seal member, a control blade, and an edge part seal are supported by the holder. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state in which an upper seal member, a regulating blade, an end seal, and a developing roller 510 are supported by a holder. It is a perspective view of a holder. It is a perspective view which shows the upper seal | sticker biasing member fixed to the holder. It is a perspective view which shows a mode that the holder is attached to the housing via the housing seal. It is a perspective view which shows a mode that the housing seal is being fixed to the housing. It is a perspective view which shows the site | part to which a housing seal is fixed of a housing. It is a figure which shows the 1st example of the curvature which arises in an upper seal support member by an impact. It is a figure for demonstrating the upper seal biasing member at the time of a curvature like a 1st example generating in an upper seal support member. It is sectional drawing in the center of the axial direction for demonstrating the state at the time of the curvature of a 1st example having arisen in the upper seal support member by the impact. It is a figure which shows the 2nd example of the curvature which arises in an upper seal support member by an impact. It is a figure for demonstrating the upper seal biasing member at the time of a curvature like a 2nd example generating in an upper seal support member. It is a figure which shows the modification of an upper seal | sticker biasing member applicable when a curvature like a 1st example or a 2nd example arises in an upper seal | sticker support member. It is a figure which shows the 3rd example of the curvature which arises in an upper seal support member by an impact. It is a figure which shows the 4th example of the curvature which arises in an upper seal support member by an impact. It is a figure for demonstrating the upper seal biasing member at the time of curvature like a 3rd example arising in an upper seal support member. It is a perspective view which shows the upper seal | sticker biasing member fixed to the holder. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an external configuration of an image forming system. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the image forming system shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

10 laser beam printer, 20 photoconductor, 30 charging unit,
40 exposure unit, 50 YMCK development unit, 50a central axis,
51 Black developer, 52 Magenta developer, 53 Cyan developer,
54 Yellow developing unit, 55a, 55b, 55c, 55d holding part,
60 primary transfer unit, 70 intermediate transfer member, 75 cleaning unit,
76 Cleaning blade, 80 Secondary transfer unit, 90 Fixing unit,
92 paper feed tray, 94 paper feed roller, 95 display unit, 96 registration roller 100 control unit, 101 main controller,
102 unit controller, 112 interface,
113 image memory, 116 memory, 510 developing roller,
510a Shaft portion, 510b Large diameter portion, 510c Axial end portion, 520 Upper seal member,
520a short side end, 520b contact surface, 520c opposite surface,
524 upper seal urging member, 524a a central portion of the upper seal urging member,
526 holder, 527 upper seal support member, 527a bent portion,
527b outer peripheral side plate portion, 527c notched portion,
528 regulating blade support part, 529 developing roller support part, 530 toner container,
530a first toner container, 530b second toner container, 540 housing,
542 Upper housing part, 544 Lower housing part, 545 Partition wall,
546 housing seal, 546a first seal portion, 546b second seal portion,
546c Third seal portion, 550 toner supply roller, 560 regulating blade,
560a Rubber part, 560b Rubber support part, 560c Short direction end part,
560d longitudinal end, 572 opening, 574 end seal, 576 bearing,
700 image forming system, 702 computer, 704 display device,
706 printer, 708 input device, 708A keyboard, 708B mouse,
710 reading device, 710A flexible disk drive device,
710B CD-ROM drive, 802 internal memory,
804 hard disk drive unit,
T Toner

Claims (11)

A housing having an opening and containing a developer;
Both ends are supported by the housing facing the opening, and a developer carrying roller that carries the developer,
A seal member that is abutted along the axial direction of the developer carrying roller and prevents leakage of the developer from between the developer carrying roller and the housing;
Along the axial direction of the developer carrying roller, one side is fixed to the housing side and the other side is brought into contact with the seal member to urge the seal member to the developer carrying roller side A biasing member of
A developing device comprising:
In order to correspond to the change in the distance between the developer carrying roller and the portion where the biasing member is fixed,
2. A developing device according to claim 1, wherein the biasing force by which the biasing member biases the seal member is different between the central portion in the axial direction and another portion. The developing device according to claim 1,
A developer supply roller for supplying the developer contained in the housing to the developer carrying roller;
The developer supply roller and the developer carrying roller are supported so as to press each other at both ends,
The change in the distance between the developer carrying roller and the portion where the biasing member is fixed is caused by the warp of the developer carrying roller due to the pressing force between the developer carrying roller and the developer supply roller. A developing device characterized by the above. The developing device according to claim 1,
The biasing member is fixed, and has support members supported by the housing at both ends in the axial direction of the developer carrying roller;
2. A developing device according to claim 1, wherein a change in a distance between the developer carrying roller and a portion where the urging member is fixed is caused by a warp of the support member due to an impact when dropped. The developing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
When the distance between the developer carrying roller and the portion where the urging member is fixed is changed in a widening direction, the urging force is such that the central portion in the axial direction is larger than the other portion. A developing device characterized by being set to. The developing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
When the distance between the developer carrying roller and the portion where the biasing member is fixed is changed in a narrowing direction, the biasing force is smaller in the central portion in the axial direction than in other portions. The developing device is set as described above. The developing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
By changing the length of the biasing member in the circumferential direction of the developer carrying roller between the central portion in the axial direction and other portions, the biasing force at the central portion in the axial direction A developing device characterized in that the urging force in other parts is different. The developing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
By differentiating the thickness of the biasing member between the central part in the axial direction and the other part, the biasing force in the central part in the axial direction is made different from the biasing force in the other part. A developing device. The developing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
2. A developing device according to claim 1, wherein the biasing force at the central portion in the axial direction is made different from the biasing force at another portion by bending the support member. A housing having an opening and containing a developer;
Both ends are supported by the housing facing the opening, and a developer carrying roller that carries the developer,
A seal member that is abutted along the axial direction of the developer carrying roller and prevents leakage of the developer from between the developer carrying roller and the housing;
Along the axial direction of the developer carrying roller, one side is fixed to the housing side and the other side is brought into contact with the seal member to urge the seal member to the developer carrying roller side A biasing member of
A developing device comprising:
In order to correspond to the change in the distance between the developer carrying roller and the portion where the biasing member is fixed,
The biasing force by which the biasing member biases the seal member is different between the central portion in the axial direction and other portions,
The biasing member is fixed, and has support members supported by the housing at both ends in the axial direction of the developer carrying roller;
The change in the distance between the developer carrying roller and the portion where the biasing member is fixed is caused by the warp of the support member due to the impact when dropped,
When the distance between the developer carrying roller and the portion where the urging member is fixed is changed in a widening direction, the urging force is such that the central portion in the axial direction is larger than the other portion. Is set to
When the distance between the developer carrying roller and the portion where the biasing member is fixed is changed in a narrowing direction, the biasing force is smaller in the central portion in the axial direction than in other portions. Is set to
By changing the length of the biasing member in the circumferential direction of the developer carrying roller between the central portion in the axial direction and other portions, the biasing force at the central portion in the axial direction A developing device characterized in that the urging force in other parts is different. (A) an image carrier that carries a latent image; and
(B) a housing having an opening and containing a developer;
Both ends are supported by the housing facing the opening, and a developer carrying roller that carries the developer,
A seal member that is abutted along the axial direction of the developer carrying roller and prevents leakage of the developer from between the developer carrying roller and the housing;
Along the axial direction of the developer carrying roller, one side is fixed to the housing side and the other side is brought into contact with the seal member to urge the seal member to the developer carrying roller side A biasing member of
A developing device comprising:
In order to correspond to the change in the distance between the developer carrying roller and the portion where the biasing member is fixed,
A developing device in which the biasing force by which the biasing member biases the seal member is made different between the central portion in the axial direction and another portion;
An image forming apparatus. (A) a computer, and
(B) An image forming apparatus connected to the computer and having the following (a) and (b):
(A) an image carrier that carries a latent image; and
(B) a housing having an opening and containing a developer;
A developer carrying roller which is supported at both ends by the housing so as to face the opening and carries the developer;
A seal member that is in contact with the developer carrying roller in the axial direction and prevents leakage of the developer from between the developer carrying roller and the housing;
Along the axial direction of the developer carrying roller, one side is fixed to the housing side, and the other side is brought into contact with the seal member, and the seal member is urged toward the developer carrying roller. An urging member for
A developing device comprising:
In order to respond to a change in the distance between the developer carrying roller and the portion where the biasing member is fixed,
A developing device in which the biasing force by which the biasing member biases the seal member is made different between the central portion in the axial direction and another portion;
An image forming system comprising (C).

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