JP2008129447A - Developing device and method of manufacturing developing device - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of suppressing a communication error due to a variation in accuracy of attaching a memory tag.
A developing device according to the present invention includes a housing for accommodating a developer therein, and a positioning projection for positioning the developing device on the image forming apparatus main body, the housing and the positioning projection. Are integrally formed of the same member. As a result, it is possible to prevent the variation in mounting accuracy that has conventionally occurred when the positioning protrusion is mounted on the housing, so the access position accuracy of the communication unit is improved and the memory tag mounting (pasting) accuracy varies. Communication errors due to can be suppressed.
[Selection] Figure 7

Description

  The present invention relates to a structure and a manufacturing method for improving positioning accuracy of a developing device mounted on an image forming apparatus.

  Conventionally, as an image forming apparatus, a charged photosensitive member is exposed to form an electrostatic latent image, and a plurality of developing units (so-called toner cartridges) each containing toner of a color used for color printing are developed. A device that forms a full-color multicolor image by arranging the toner holding unit (rotary) around the rotation axis, rotating it and sequentially switching to the developing position to form a toner image on the photoreceptor (so-called 4 Cycle method) is known.

Patent Document 1 describes such a four-cycle image forming apparatus. In the invention described in Patent Document 1, a memory tag for consumable data management is attached to a developing device mounted on an image forming apparatus, and data is stored in the memory tag via a wireless antenna installed on the image forming apparatus main body side. You can read and write.
JP 2006-227421 A

  By the way, in the conventional image forming apparatus, when the developing device is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body, the positioning pin of the developing device is engaged with the attaching / detaching portion on the image forming apparatus main body side, and more specifically, The developing device main body is positioned with respect to the detachable portion by being fitted into a positioning hole provided in the detachable portion.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the positioning pin 1588 is fixed to the side wall on the downstream side in the mounting direction of the developing device 1054. However, the conventional positioning pin 1588 is made of metal, and the base end 1588a of the positioning pin 1588 is fixed to the metal side plate 1592 by caulking, and then the side plate 1592 is fixed to the resin developer housing 1540. ing.

  As described above, the mounting portion (housing 1540) for mounting the memory tag 1054a to the developing device 1054 and the member (positioning pin 1588) for positioning the developing device 1054 in the image forming apparatus main body are conventionally configured as separate parts. As a result, the memory tag 1054a and the memory access member (antenna) on the image forming apparatus main body side are displaced due to the assembly of the memory tag mounting portion and the positioning member or the deformation of the member. Depending on the degree of displacement, the memory access member cannot communicate with the memory tag 1054a, and data recorded in the memory tag 1054a may not be read or written.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of suppressing a communication error due to variation in the accuracy of attaching (attaching) a memory tag.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a developing device according to the present invention includes a housing for accommodating a developer therein, and a positioning projection for positioning the developing device on the image forming apparatus main body, and the housing, The positioning protrusion is integrally formed of the same member. At this time, it is preferable that a communication unit including a memory for recording data relating to the developing device is attached to the outer surface of the developing device. Preferably, the positioning projection is provided on one end side in the longitudinal direction of the developing device main body, and is molded so that the axial direction of the positioning projection is along the longitudinal direction of the developing device main body. Furthermore, the housing and the positioning projection are preferably made of resin.

  According to the invention, in the image forming apparatus in which the developing device is mounted on the main body, the housing (memory tag mounting portion) for mounting the positioning projection of the developing device and the communication unit such as the memory tag is constituted by the same member. Since it is possible to prevent the variation in mounting accuracy that has conventionally occurred when mounting the positioning projection to the housing, the access position accuracy of the communication unit is improved, and communication due to variations in the mounting (pasting) accuracy of the communication unit. Errors can be suppressed. Further, by integrally molding the housing and the positioning projection, it is possible to reduce the manufacturing cost of the developing device.

  Moreover, it is preferable that a metal insert fitting is fitted to the positioning protrusion. According to this invention, by integrally molding the positioning projection and the housing, it is possible to prevent a communication error due to variations in the mounting accuracy of the communication unit and at the same time increase the strength of the positioning projection. It will be possible to increase the durability.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a developing device housing manufacturing method in which a housing and a positioning projection for positioning a developing device on an image forming apparatus main body are integrated when a housing for containing a developer is manufactured. It is characterized by molding.

  In this specification and the like, the means does not simply mean a physical means, but includes a case where the functions of the means are realized by software. Further, the function of one means may be realized by two or more physical means, or the functions of two or more means may be realized by one physical means.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same element and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted. Further, the positional relationship such as up, down, left and right is based on the positional relationship shown in the drawings unless otherwise specified.

[Outline of image forming apparatus]
First, an outline of a laser beam printer (hereinafter referred to as “printer”) 10 as an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a longitudinal side view showing main components constituting the printer 10. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the control unit 100 of the printer 10. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the developing device holding unit 50. FIG. 4 is a view showing the developing device holding unit 50 in a state where the yellow developing device 54 is attached to the attaching / detaching portion 50d. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the positions of the mounted developing device and the developing device holding unit.

<Configuration of Printer 10>
As shown in FIG. 1 and the like, the printer 10 according to the present embodiment includes a charging unit 30, an exposure unit 40, and a developing device along the rotation direction of a photoconductor 20 as an example of an image carrier that carries a latent image. A holding unit 50, a primary transfer unit 60, an intermediate transfer body 70, a cleaning blade 76, 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, A control unit 100 that controls the unit and the like and operates as a printer, and a power supply unit 98 are provided.

  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. In the present embodiment, the photoconductor 20, the cleaning blade 76, and the charging unit 30 are configured as one photoconductor unit 75 including a waste toner storage unit.

  The developing device holding unit 50 stores the latent image formed on the photoreceptor 20 in the toner T as an example of the developer stored in the developing devices 51, 52, 53, 54, that is, in the black developing device 51. Black (K) toner, magenta (M) toner contained in the magenta developing unit 52, cyan (C) toner contained in the cyan developing unit 53, and yellow (Y) toner contained in the yellow developing unit 54 are used. It is an apparatus for developing.

  The developing device holding unit 50 includes a rotating shaft 50e, and four attaching / detaching portions 50a, 50b, 50c, 50d to which the developing devices 51, 52, 53, 54 can be attached / detached are arranged at 90 ° intervals in the circumferential direction around the rotating shaft. It is equipped with. The attaching / detaching portions 50a, 50b, 50c, and 50d move as the developing device holding unit 50 rotates about the rotation shaft 50e.

  The detachable portions 50a, 50b, 50c, and 50d are adjacent to each other among the four wall portions 50f formed at intervals of 90 ° in four radial directions from the rotation shaft 50e provided at the center of the developing device holding unit 50. The two walls 50f are provided in the same space. That is, the developing device holding unit 50 has a detachable portion 50a to which the black developing device 51 can be attached and detached, and a detachable portion 50b to which the magenta developer device 52 can be attached and detached at intervals of 90 ° in the circumferential direction around the rotation shaft 50e. An attaching / detaching portion 50c to which the cyan developing device 53 can be attached and detached and an attaching / detaching portion 50d to which the yellow developing device 54 can be attached and detached are provided.

  In the present embodiment, the positions of the four developing devices 51, 52, 53, and 54 can be moved by moving the attaching / detaching portions 50a, 50b, 50c, and 50d. That is, the four developing devices 51, 52, 53, 54 are rotatable around the rotation shaft 50e while maintaining their relative positions. When the developing devices 51, 52, 53, and 54 are attached to the detachable portions 50a, 50b, 50c, and 50d and moved to the developing position along with the movement of the detachable portions 50a, 50b, 50c, and 50d, The latent image carried on the photoconductor 20 is developed with the toner accommodated in each of the developing devices 51, 52, 53, and 54. Details of each developing device will be described later.

  A rotary drive unit (not shown) including a rotary drive motor is connected to the rotary shaft 50e via a clutch, and is supported by driving the rotary drive motor based on the control of the developer holding unit drive control circuit 117. The frame, that is, the four wall portions 50f are rotated so that any one of the four developing devices 51, 52, 53, and 54 can be selectively positioned at a developing position facing the photoconductor 20. It is configured.

  This rotary drive motor is a stepping motor driven at a constant voltage, and the position (phase) of the developer holding unit 50 is determined based on how many pulses are input to the stepping motor from the predetermined home position. it can.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3 and the like, the attaching / detaching portions 50a, 50b, 50c, and 50d are respectively connected to connecting holes 59 that can be fitted to connecting protrusions provided on a connecting member 590 (described later) of each developing device, and development. The guide unit 56 for engaging the guided portion 549 provided in the developing device inserted from the device attaching / detaching opening 10 e to guide the developing device to the mounting position, and each developing device are connected to the developing device holding unit 50. A spring 576 for biasing in the outer circumferential direction is provided. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the connecting hole 59 provided in the attaching / detaching portion 50d is fitted with connecting pins 595a and 595b (described later) which are examples of connecting convex portions provided in the connecting member 590 of the yellow developing device 54. Match. As shown in FIG. 5, the guide portion 56 is provided on each of the two wall portions 50f constituting the detachable portion, and is projected to the same space defined by the two adjacent wall portions 50f. Each of the two wall portions 50f has a vertical surface and is disposed along the longitudinal direction of the yellow developing unit 54. That is, as for the guide part 56 provided in the adjacent wall part 50f so that it may go to the same space side, those surfaces are all turned to the rotating shaft 50e side, and the angle which those surfaces make becomes about 90 degrees. It is formed as follows. In the yellow developing device 54, the guided portion 549 of the yellow developing device 54 is arranged on the rotation shaft 50 e side of the two vertical surfaces of the guide portion 56, so that the guided portion 549 follows the guide portion 56. It is inserted and installed.

  In addition, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, springs 576 are provided in the detachable portions 50 a, 50 b, 50 c, and 50 d. For example, the spring 576 provided in the attaching / detaching portion 50 d urges the yellow developing device 54 toward the outer peripheral direction of the developing device holding unit 50. As a result, when the yellow developing device 54 is inserted from the developing device attaching / detaching opening 10e so that the guided portion 549 is inserted along the rotation shaft 50e side of the vertical surface of the guide portion 56, the yellow developing device 54 has the spring 576. Is biased in the outer circumferential direction. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, each of the attaching / detaching portions 50a, 50b, 50c, and 50d includes a positioning hole 58 that can be fitted with a positioning pin 588 (described later) provided in each developing device. That is, when the positioning pin 588 provided in the yellow developing device 54 is fitted into the positioning hole 58 provided in the attaching / detaching portion 50d, the yellow developing device 54 is positioned and attached at a predetermined position.

  The photoreceptor unit 75 is provided between the primary transfer unit 60 and the exposure unit 40, and stores the photoreceptor 20, the charging unit 30, the cleaning blade 76, and the toner scraped off by the cleaning blade 76. It has a waste toner container as shown.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 100 includes a main controller 101 and a unit controller 102. An image signal is input to the main controller 101, and the unit controller 102 responds to an instruction based on the image signal. The unit is controlled to form an image.

  Since the exposure unit 40, the primary transfer unit 60, the intermediate transfer member 70, the secondary transfer unit 80, the fixing unit 90, and the like are the same as those of a normal printer, detailed description thereof is omitted.

<Operation of Printer 10>
Next, the operation of the printer 10 configured as described above will be described with reference to other components.

  First, when an image signal from a host computer (not shown) is input to the main controller 101 of the printer 10 via the interface (I / F) 112, the photosensitive device is controlled by the unit controller 102 based on a command from the main controller 101. The developing roller 510 and the intermediate transfer member 70 provided on the body 20, the developing devices 51, 52, 53, and 54 rotate. 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. . Further, the developing device holding unit 50 positions the yellow developing device 54 containing yellow (Y) toner 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 is applied to the primary transfer unit 60. During this time, the secondary transfer unit 80 is separated from the intermediate transfer member 70.

  By repeating the above processing for the second color, the third color, and the fourth color, the four color toner images corresponding to the respective image signals are transferred onto the intermediate transfer body 70 in an overlapping manner. . 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 recording medium by the secondary transfer unit 80. The recording 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 recording medium is heated and pressurized by the fixing unit 90 and fused to the recording medium. On the other hand, after the primary transfer position has elapsed, the toner adhering to the surface of the photoconductor 20 is scraped off by the cleaning blade 76 to prepare for charging for forming the next latent image. The toner scraped off is collected in a waste toner container.

<Outline of control unit>
Next, the configuration of the control unit 100 will be described with reference to FIG. The control unit 100 has a main controller 101 and a unit controller 102. The main controller 101 includes a CPU 111, an interface (I / F) 112 for connecting to a computer (not shown), an image memory 113 for storing image signals input from the computer, and an electrically rewritable EEPROM 114a. , A RAM 114b, and a main controller side memory 114 including a program ROM having various control programs.

  The CPU 111 of the main controller 101 controls the reading and reading of the image data input through the interface to the image memory 113 and synchronizes with the CPU 120 of the unit controller 102 based on the control signal input from the computer. I am in charge of control.

  The unit controller 102 includes a CPU 120, an electrically rewritable EEPROM 116a, RAM, a unit controller side memory 116 including a program ROM having various control programs, and each unit (charging unit 30, exposure unit) of the apparatus main body. 40, a developing device holding unit 50, a primary transfer unit 60, a photosensitive unit 75, a secondary transfer unit 80, a fixing unit 90, and a display unit 95).

  The CPU 120 of the unit controller 102 is electrically connected to each drive control circuit, and controls each drive control circuit based on a control signal from the CPU 111 of the main controller 101. That is, each unit is controlled based on a signal input from the main controller 101 while detecting a state of each unit by receiving a signal from a sensor or the like included in each unit.

  The CPU 120 included in the unit controller 102 is connected to a non-volatile storage element (hereinafter also referred to as “main body side memory”) 122 such as a serial EEPROM via a serial interface 121. The main body side memory 122 stores data necessary for device control.

  In addition, the CPU 120 communicates with the communication units 51a, 52a, 53a, and 53a provided in the developing units 51, 52, 53, and 54 via the serial interface 121, the communication control module 123, and the antenna unit 124 as an apparatus-side antenna. 54a can be communicated wirelessly. By communication between the antenna unit 124 and the communication units 51a, 52a, 53a, and 54a, the control unit 100 writes information to the communication units 51a, 52a, 53a, and 54a provided in the developing devices 51, 52, 53, and 54a. Also, it is possible to read information from the communication units 51a, 52a, 53a, 54a provided in the developing devices 51, 52, 53, 54. The communication units 51a, 52a, 53a, and 54a will be described later.

[Developer overview]
Next, the configuration and operation of the developing devices 51, 52, 53, and 54 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the developing devices 51, 52, 53 and 54.

  The developing device holding 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 The yellow developing unit 54 containing yellow (Y) toner can be mounted. However, since the configuration and operation of each developing unit are the same, the yellow developing unit 54 (hereinafter simply referred to as “developing unit 54”). ").

<Developer configuration>
First, the configuration of the developing device 54 will be described. The developing device 54 includes a developer 510 as an example of a developer carrier, a housing 540 that accommodates toner T, a positioning shaft (also referred to as a “positioning pin” in this embodiment) 588 as a positioning portion, and a connecting member 590. is doing.

  The developing roller 510 carries the toner T and transports it to the developing position facing the photoconductor 20, and develops the latent image carried on the photoconductor 20 by the toner T transported to the developing position. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the developing roller 510 is supported by the housing 540 at both ends in the longitudinal direction thereof, that is, the shaft portion 510b, and is rotatable about the central axis. Further, the developing roller 510 rotates in a direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 1) opposite to the rotation direction of the photoconductor 20 (clockwise in FIG. 1). The central axis is below the central axis of the photoconductor 20.

  The housing 540 is manufactured by welding a plurality of housing parts integrally molded with resin, that is, an upper housing part and a lower housing part. In addition, the upper housing part or the lower housing part is formed with a protrusion functioning as a positioning pin 588 by integral molding. The communication unit 54 a is attached to the housing 540. As shown in FIG. 6, the communication unit 54 a is attached to an outer surface 543 provided along the longitudinal direction of the housing 540.

  The second side wall 547 disposed on the front side (upstream in the mounting direction) of the printer 10 in the longitudinal direction of the housing 540 is provided with a mounting convex portion (not shown), and a mounting hole ( (Not shown).

<Configuration of positioning part>
Next, the configuration of the positioning pin 588 that is integrally formed with the housing 540 with resin will be described.

  FIG. 7 is a view showing the configuration of the positioning pin 588. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the positioning pin 588 is provided on one end side in the longitudinal direction of the main body of the developing device 54, that is, on the downstream side in the mounting direction of the developing device 54. This positioning pin 588 engages with the attaching / detaching portion 50d when the developing device 54 is attached to the attaching / detaching portion 50d, and more specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the positioning pin 588 is provided in the attaching / detaching portion 50d. It has a function of fitting the hole 58 and positioning the developing device main body with respect to the attaching / detaching portion 50d.

  Here, the present embodiment is characterized in that the positioning pin 588 and the housing 540 are integrally formed of resin. That is, when the housing 540 of the developing device 54 is molded, a protrusion functioning as a positioning pin 588 for positioning the printer 10 main body is formed by integral molding. The protrusion (positioning pin 588) is molded so that its axial direction is along the longitudinal direction of the developing device main body. The tip of the positioning pin 588 is tapered so that it can be easily fitted into the positioning hole 58 of the attaching / detaching portion 50d.

  In this way, the positioning pins 588 as the positioning unit of the developing device and the housing 540 as the mounting portion for attaching the communication unit 54a such as the memory tag to the developing device 54 are not assembled and processed after being formed by separate members. By integrally molding with the same member, it is possible to suppress the positional deviation between the positioning pin 588 and the housing 540 and improve the access position accuracy of the communication unit 54a. The manufacturing cost of the developing device 54 can be suppressed by integral molding.

  Further, the insert fitting 589 may be attached to the side portion of the positioning pin 588. Since the positioning pin 588 is pressed by a spring 576 from below with the pin as an axis to improve the meshing with the gear, there is no particular problem in strength even if it is made of resin. However, by fitting the insert fitting 589, which is a metallic cylindrical member, to the side portion of the positioning pin 588, the strength of the positioning pin 588 can be increased and the friction durability can be improved. Further, in order to increase the strength, the positioning pin 588 and the housing 540 may be integrally formed of a resin containing glass.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be implemented in various other forms without departing from the gist of the present invention. For this reason, the said embodiment is only a mere illustration in all points, and is not interpreted limitedly.

  In the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the positioning portion has the first side wall 546 on the one end side in the longitudinal direction of the developing device main body so that the axial direction thereof is along the longitudinal direction of the developing device main body. The positioning pin 588 (positioning shaft) is integrally molded so as to protrude from the center. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, when the developing device 54 is attached to the attaching / detaching portion 50d, the positioning pin 588 is fitted into the positioning hole 58 provided in the attaching / detaching portion, and the developing device main body is attached to the attaching / detaching portion. We decided to do positioning. However, it is not limited to the above.

  FIG. 8 is a view showing another embodiment of the developing device 54. As shown in FIG. 8, in another embodiment, a positioning hole 591 is provided in the developing device 54 in place of the positioning pin 588, while a positioning pin (not shown) is provided in the attaching / detaching portion 50d of the printer 10 in place of the positioning hole 58. ). A positioning pin on the main body side of the printer 10 is inserted into the positioning hole 591 of the developing device 54. At this time, the positioning hole 591 is formed integrally with the housing 540, and its axial direction is formed along the longitudinal direction of the developing device main body. As described above, the positioning hole 591 as the positioning portion of the developing device 54 and the housing 540 as the mounting portion for attaching the communication unit 54a such as the memory tag to the developing device 54 are integrally molded with the same member, thereby positioning holes. It is possible to suppress the positional deviation between 591 and the housing 540 and improve the access position accuracy of the communication unit 54a.

  In the present embodiment, the positioning of the developing device has been described. However, the present invention can be applied to a consumable item to which a communication unit such as a memory tag can be attached. That is, when forming the outer frame of the consumable item, the outer frame and the positioning pin 588 or the positioning hole 591 are integrally formed, thereby preventing a communication error due to a variation in the accuracy of attaching the communication unit to the consumable item. .

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal side view showing main components constituting the printer 10. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of a control unit 100 of the printer 10. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a developing device holding unit 50. FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the developing device holding unit 50 with the developing device 54 mounted. It is a figure which shows the position of the mounted developing device and the developing device holding unit. 3 is a perspective view of a developing device 54. FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure of the positioning pin 588. FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the developing device 54. It is a figure which shows the prior art example of a structure of the positioning pin 688. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Printer, 10e Developing device attaching / detaching opening, 20 Photoconductor, 30 Charging unit, 40 Exposure unit, 50 Developing device holding unit, 50a-d attaching / detaching portion, 50e Rotating shaft, 50f Wall portion, 51-54 Developing device, 51a-54a Communication unit, 56 guide section, 58 holes, 59 connecting holes, 60 primary transfer unit, 70 intermediate transfer body, 75 photoconductor unit, 76 cleaning blade, 80 secondary transfer unit, 90 fixing unit, 92 paper feed tray, 94 feed Paper roller, 95 display unit, 96 registration roller, 98 power supply unit, 100 control unit, 101 main controller, 102 unit controller, 113 image memory, 114 main controller side memory, 116 unit controller side memory, 117 developer unit Drive control circuit, 121 serial interface, 122 main body side memory, 123 communication control module, 124 antenna unit, 510 developing roller, 510b shaft, 540 housing, 543 outer surface, 546 side wall, 547 side wall, 549 guided portion, 576 spring 588 Positioning pin (positioning protrusion), 589 Insert metal fitting, 590 Connection member, 591 hole, 595a Connection pin, 1054 Developer, 1054a Memory tag, 1540 Housing, 1588 Positioning pin, 1592 Side plate

Claims (6)

A housing for containing the developer therein;
A positioning projection for positioning the developing device on the image forming apparatus main body;
A developing device comprising:
The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the housing and the positioning protrusion are integrally formed of the same member.   The developing device according to claim 1, wherein a communication unit including a memory for recording data related to the developing device is attached to an outer surface of the developing device.   The positioning protrusion is provided on one end side in the longitudinal direction of the developing device main body, and is molded so that the axial direction of the positioning protrusion is along the longitudinal direction of the developing device main body. 2. The developing device according to 2.   4. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the housing and the positioning projection are made of resin.   The developing device according to claim 1, wherein a metal insert fitting is fitted to the positioning protrusion.   When manufacturing a housing for accommodating a developer therein, the housing and a positioning projection for positioning the developing device on the image forming apparatus main body are integrally formed, and the developing device housing is manufactured Method.

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