阅读说明：本技术 处理盒、显影装置和成像装置 (Process cartridge, developing device and image forming apparatus ) 是由 松丸直树 后藤穰司 浜田孝俊 于 2020-09-17 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种处理盒,包括：第一单元,其包括图像承载构件以承载显影剂图像；第二单元,其包括显影框架构件,承载待供应到图像承载构件的显影剂的显影剂承载构件支撑在显影框架构件中；及联接部分,其配置成联接第一单元和第二单元,使得第二单元能以联接部分作为旋转中心摆动。显影框架构件包括用于显影剂的补给开口,及密封供应部分和补给开口的可弹性变形的密封构件。当沿着密封构件的压缩方向观察时,在与处理盒的纵向方向正交的截面中,所述旋转中心设置在与密封构件重叠的位置处。还公开了一种显影装置和成像装置。(A process cartridge comprising: a first unit including an image bearing member to bear a developer image; a second unit including a developing frame member in which a developer carrying member carrying a developer to be supplied to the image bearing member is supported; and a coupling portion configured to couple the first unit and the second unit such that the second unit can swing with the coupling portion as a rotation center. The developing frame member includes a replenishment opening for the developer, and an elastically deformable sealing member sealing the supply portion and the replenishment opening. The rotation center is provided at a position overlapping with the sealing member in a cross section orthogonal to a longitudinal direction of the process cartridge when viewed in a compression direction of the sealing member. A developing apparatus and an image forming apparatus are also disclosed.)

1. A process cartridge comprising:

a first unit including an image bearing member configured to bear a developer image;

a second unit including a developing frame member in which a developer carrying member is supported, the developer carrying member being configured to carry a developer to be supplied to the image bearing member; and

a coupling portion configured to couple the first unit and the second unit such that the second unit is swingable with respect to the first unit with the coupling portion as a center of rotation,

wherein the developing frame member includes: a replenishment opening through which the developer is replenished from a supply section of an image forming apparatus in a state in which the replenishment opening is connected to the supply section; and an elastically deformable sealing member that is attached to the replenishment opening and seals the supply portion and the replenishment opening to prevent leakage of the developer, an

Wherein the rotation center is provided at a position overlapping with the sealing member, in a cross section orthogonal to a longitudinal direction of the process cartridge, when viewed along a compression direction of the sealing member, which is compressed between the supply portion and the replenishment opening by a pressure connecting the replenishment opening to the supply portion.

2. A process cartridge according to claim 1,

wherein in the position of use the replenishment opening is arranged to open upwards in the vertical direction, and

wherein the coupling portion is positioned below the replenishment opening in the vertical direction.

3. A process cartridge according to claim 1,

wherein the developer carrying member is configured to be movable to a first position in which the developer carrying member is in contact with the image bearing member and a second position in which the developer carrying member is separated from the image bearing member,

wherein the developing frame member includes a pressed portion which is pressed by a main body of the image forming apparatus to move the developer carrying member from the second position to the first position, and

wherein, in the use attitude, the pressed portion is positioned above the replenishment opening in the vertical direction.

4. A process cartridge according to claim 3, wherein said replenishment opening and said sealing member are positioned within a circular area having a center at said rotation center with a distance from said rotation center to said pressure-receiving portion as a rotation radius.

5. A process cartridge according to claim 3, wherein said pressure-applied portion and said image bearing member are positioned on different sides with respect to a vertical line passing through said rotation center as viewed from the longitudinal direction in the use attitude.

6. A process cartridge according to claim 1,

wherein the developing frame member includes: a developing chamber accommodating the developer carrying member; and a developer accommodating chamber that is positioned below the developing chamber in the use posture and accommodates a developer, an

Wherein the replenishment opening is provided in the developing frame member so as to communicate with the developer accommodating chamber.

7. A process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said coupling portion is disposed directly below said replenishment opening as viewed from the longitudinal direction in the use attitude.

8. A process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said replenishment opening is provided at one end portion of said developing frame member in said longitudinal direction.

9. A process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said developer is a one-component non-magnetic developer.

10. A process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said process cartridge is attachable to and detachable from a main body of said image forming apparatus.

11. A developing device comprising:

a developer carrying member configured to carry a developer; and

a developing frame member in which the developer carrying member is supported,

wherein the developing device is swingable relative to a unit including an image bearing member when the developing device is coupled with the unit,

wherein the developing frame member includes: a replenishment opening through which the developer is replenished from a supply section of an image forming apparatus in a state in which the replenishment opening is connected to the supply section; and an elastically deformable sealing member that is attached to the replenishment opening and seals the supply portion and the replenishment opening to prevent leakage of the developer, an

Wherein the swing is provided at a position overlapping with the sealing member, in a cross section orthogonal to a longitudinal direction of the developing device, with respect to a rotation center of the unit, when viewed in a compression direction of the sealing member compressed between the supply portion and the replenishment opening by a pressure connecting the replenishment opening to the supply portion.

12. A developing device according to claim 11, wherein said developing device and said unit are each attachable to and detachable from a main body of said image forming apparatus.

13. An image forming apparatus comprising:

a process cartridge, comprising:

a first unit including an image bearing member configured to bear a developer image;

a second unit including a developing frame member in which a developer carrying member is supported, the developer carrying member being configured to carry a developer to be supplied to the image bearing member; and

a coupling portion configured to couple the first unit and the second unit such that the second unit is swingable with respect to the first unit with the coupling portion as a center of rotation,

wherein the developing frame member includes: a replenishment opening through which the developer is replenished from a supply section of an image forming apparatus in a state in which the replenishment opening is connected to the supply section; and an elastically deformable sealing member that is attached to the replenishment opening and seals the supply portion and the replenishment opening to prevent leakage of the developer, an

Wherein the rotation center is provided at a position overlapping with the sealing member, in a cross section orthogonal to a longitudinal direction of the process cartridge, when viewed along a compression direction of the sealing member, which is compressed between the supply portion and the replenishment opening by a pressure that connects the replenishment opening to the supply portion; and

the supply portion.

14. An image forming apparatus comprising:

a developing device, comprising:

a developer carrying member configured to carry a developer; and

a developing frame member in which the developer carrying member is supported,

wherein the developing device is swingable relative to a unit including an image bearing member when the developing device is coupled with the unit,

wherein the developing frame member includes: a replenishment opening through which the developer is replenished from a supply section of an image forming apparatus in a state in which the replenishment opening is connected to the supply section; and an elastically deformable sealing member that is attached to the replenishment opening and seals the supply portion and the replenishment opening to prevent leakage of the developer, an

Wherein the swing is provided at a position overlapping with the sealing member, in a cross section orthogonal to a longitudinal direction of the developing device, when viewed along a compression direction of the sealing member, which is compressed between the supply portion and the replenishment opening by a pressure that connects the replenishment opening to the supply portion, with respect to a rotation center of the unit; and

the supply portion.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and to a developing apparatus and a process cartridge used in the image forming apparatus. In particular, the present invention relates to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic system, and a developing apparatus and a process cartridge used in the electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

Background

In a conventionally known configuration, a developing cartridge (including a developing unit), a process cartridge (including a developing unit and a photosensitive drum), and the like are attachable to and detachable (replaceable) from an apparatus main body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

Japanese patent laid-open No. 2019-101165 discusses a configuration in which a developing unit is swingably attached to a drum unit, and the developing unit is pressed against the drum unit by using a pressing unit to bring the peripheral surface of a developing roller into stable contact with the peripheral surface of a photosensitive drum.

Japanese patent laid-open No. 2014-191325 discusses a process cartridge that includes a toner receiving opening for replenishing developer and can replenish toner from the outside. The process cartridge discussed in japanese patent laid-open No. 2014-191325 is provided with a seal member including an elastic member at the toner receiving opening to prevent toner leakage at the time of replenishment.

Disclosure of Invention

It may be assumed that the configuration in which the developing unit is pressed against the drum unit by the pressing unit as discussed in japanese patent laid-open No. 2019-101165 also employs a replenishing unit including a toner receiving opening and a sealing member for replenishing the developer as discussed in japanese patent laid-open No. 2014-191325.

In this case, when the seal member provided at the receiving opening is subjected to stress, the seal member may be elastically deformed. The elastic deformation of the sealing member may change the contact pressure between the outer circumferential surface of the developing roller and the outer circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum. This may make the contact state between the photosensitive drum and the developing roller unstable.

Therefore, it is desirable to provide a process cartridge, a developing device, and an image forming apparatus, each of which is capable of replenishing developer and improving stability of a contact state between an image bearing member and a developer bearing member.

According to one aspect, a process cartridge includes: a first unit including an image bearing member configured to bear a developer image; a second unit including a developing frame member in which a developer carrying member is supported, the developer carrying member being configured to carry a developer to be supplied to the image bearing member; and a coupling portion configured to couple the first unit and the second unit such that the second unit is swingable with respect to the first unit with the coupling portion as a rotation center, wherein the developing frame member includes a replenishment opening through which the developer is replenished from a supply portion of the image forming apparatus in a state in which the replenishment opening is connected to the supply portion, and an elastically deformable sealing member that is attached to the replenishment opening and seals the supply portion and the replenishment opening to prevent leakage of the developer, and wherein the rotation center is provided at a position overlapping with the sealing member compressed between the supply portion and the replenishment opening by a pressure connecting the replenishment opening to the supply portion in a cross section orthogonal to a longitudinal direction of the process cartridge when viewed in a compression direction of the sealing member.

According to another aspect, a developing device includes: a developer carrying member configured to carry a developer; and a developing frame member in which the developer carrying member is supported, wherein when the developing device is coupled with a unit including the image bearing member, the developing device is swingable relative to the unit, wherein the developing frame member includes a replenishment opening through which the developer is replenished from a supply section of the image forming apparatus in a state in which the replenishment opening is connected to the supply section, the sealing member is attached to the replenishment opening and seals the supply portion and the replenishment opening to prevent leakage of the developer, and wherein, when viewed in a compression direction of the sealing member, in a cross section orthogonal to a longitudinal direction of the developing device, the swing is provided at a position overlapping with the sealing member with respect to a rotation center of the unit, wherein the sealing member is compressed between the supply section and the replenishment opening by pressure connecting the replenishment opening to the supply section.

According to still another aspect, an image forming apparatus includes a process cartridge and a supplying portion, the process cartridge including: a first unit including an image bearing member configured to bear a developer image; a second unit including a developing frame member in which a developer carrying member is supported, the developer carrying member being configured to carry a developer to be supplied to the image bearing member; and a coupling portion configured to couple the first unit and the second unit such that the second unit is swingable with respect to the first unit with the coupling portion as a rotation center, wherein the developing frame member includes a replenishment opening through which the developer is replenished from a supply portion of the image forming apparatus in a state in which the replenishment opening is connected to the supply portion, and an elastically deformable sealing member attached to the replenishment opening and sealing the supply portion and the replenishment opening to prevent leakage of the developer, and wherein the rotation center is provided at a position overlapping with the sealing member compressed between the supply portion and the replenishment opening by a pressure connecting the replenishment opening to the supply portion in a cross section orthogonal to a longitudinal direction of the process cartridge when viewed in a compression direction of the sealing member.

According to another aspect, an image forming apparatus includes a developing device and a supplying portion, the developing device including: a developer carrying member configured to carry a developer; and a developing frame member in which the developer carrying member is supported, wherein when the developing device is coupled with a unit including the image bearing member, the developing device is swingable relative to the unit, wherein the developing frame member includes a replenishment opening through which the developer is replenished from a supply section of the image forming apparatus in a state in which the replenishment opening is connected to the supply section, the sealing member is attached to the replenishment opening and seals the supply portion and the replenishment opening to prevent leakage of the developer, and wherein, when viewed in a compression direction of the sealing member, in a cross section orthogonal to a longitudinal direction of the developing device, the swing is provided at a position overlapping with the sealing member with respect to a rotation center of the unit, wherein the sealing member is compressed between the supply section and the replenishment opening by pressure connecting the replenishment opening to the supply section.

Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings.

Drawings

Fig. 1A is a conceptual side view of a process cartridge used in an image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, fig. 1B is an enlarged conceptual view of a main portion in the vicinity of a replenishment opening, and fig. 1C is a conceptual view illustrating a positional relationship between a sealing member and a coupling portion when viewed in a direction M shown in fig. 1A.

Fig. 2 is a conceptual cross-sectional view of an imaging apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3A is a conceptual cross-sectional view of a process cartridge according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and fig. 3B is a conceptual diagram illustrating a contact state (contact position) and a separated state (separated position) between a developer carrying member and an image carrying member.

Fig. 4 is a conceptual perspective view showing a non-driving side (viewed from above) of the process cartridge according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a conceptual perspective view showing a driving side (viewed from above) of the process cartridge according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a conceptual perspective view showing a driving side (viewed from above) of the process cartridge according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention before coupling by the coupling portion.

Fig. 7 is a conceptual cross-sectional view of a toner cartridge used in an image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

The exemplary embodiments of the present invention can be implemented in the mode of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus (hereinafter, simply referred to as "image forming apparatus" in some cases) or any one of a process cartridge and a developing apparatus constituting a part of the image forming apparatus.

An image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The exemplary embodiments described below describe the present invention for illustrative purposes, and unless otherwise specified, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative positional relationships, and the like of the components described below do not limit the scope of the present invention.

An electrophotographic image forming apparatus forms an image on a recording medium by using an electrophotographic image forming system. Examples of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus include an electrophotographic copying apparatus, an electrophotographic printer (e.g., a laser beam printer and a Light Emitting Diode (LED) printer), a facsimile apparatus, and a word processor.

The developing device used in the image forming apparatus includes at least a developing unit. The developing device may be formed as a cartridge that is attachable to and detachable from a main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The developing device may include a toner cartridge that is attachable to and detachable from a frame member of the developing device, and that can replenish toner to the developing device.

A process cartridge constituting a part of an image forming apparatus has a configuration in which a charging unit and a developing unit or a cleaning unit and an electrophotographic photosensitive drum are integrated into a cartridge, and the cartridge is attachable to and detachable from a main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. Alternatively, the process cartridge may have a configuration in which at least one of the charging unit, the developing unit, and the cleaning unit is integrated into the cartridge with the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and the cartridge is attachable to and detachable from a main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. Still alternatively, the process cartridge may have a configuration in which at least the developing unit and the electrophotographic photosensitive drum are integrated into a cartridge, and the cartridge is attachable to and detachable from a main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The process cartridge can be used while being fixed to the image forming apparatus.

(exemplary embodiment)

< Overall configuration of image Forming apparatus 100 >

First, the overall configuration of the imaging apparatus 100 according to the present exemplary embodiment will be described below with reference to fig. 2, 3A, and 3B.

Fig. 2 is a conceptual sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3A is a conceptual sectional view of a process cartridge according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 3B is a conceptual diagram illustrating a contact state (contact position) and a separated state (separation position) between the developer bearing member and the image bearing member.

In fig. 2, a section in the vertical direction of the image forming apparatus 100, the process cartridge 1, and the toner cartridge 13 according to the present exemplary embodiment in use is shown. In fig. 3A, a cross section orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of one process cartridge 1 is shown.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the process cartridge 1 and the toner cartridge 13 can be flexibly attached and detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus 100. The attaching and detaching direction is a direction along the longitudinal direction of each of the process cartridges or the toner cartridges.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the configurations and operations of the first to fourth image forming units are substantially the same except that the colors of images to be formed are different from each other. Therefore, in the following description, when it is not necessary to distinguish the first to fourth imaging units, the first to fourth imaging units are collectively described, and the subscripts Y to K are omitted.

The first to fourth process cartridges 1 are arranged in the horizontal direction. Each of the process cartridges 1 includes a cleaning unit 4 (first unit) and a developing unit 6 (second unit). The cleaning unit 4 includes a photosensitive drum 7 serving as an image bearing member, a charging roller 8 serving as a charging means for uniformly charging the surface of the photosensitive drum 7, and a cleaning blade 10 serving as a cleaning means. The developing unit 6 includes a developing device that contains a developing roller 11 (developer carrying member) and a developer T (hereinafter, toner), and develops an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 7. The cleaning unit 4 and the developing unit 6 are swingably supported to each other. The first to fourth process cartridges 1(Y, M, C and K) each contain yellow (Y) toner, magenta (M) toner, cyan (C) toner, or black (K) toner in the corresponding developing unit 6.

Each of the process cartridges 1 is attachable to and detachable from the image forming apparatus 100 by an attachment unit provided in the image forming apparatus 100, such as an attachment guide (not shown) and a positioning member (not shown). A scanner unit 12 for forming an electrostatic latent image is disposed below the process cartridge 1. The waste toner conveying unit 23 is provided on the rear side of the process cartridge 1 (the downstream side in the attaching and detaching direction of the process cartridge 1) in the image forming apparatus 100.

The first to fourth toner cartridges 13 are arranged below the process cartridges 1 in the horizontal direction in an order corresponding to the colors of the toners contained in the respective process cartridges 1. In other words, the first to fourth toner cartridges 13(Y, M, C and K) contain yellow (Y) toner, magenta (M) toner, cyan (C) toner, and black (K) toner, respectively. Further, each of the toner cartridges 13 supplies toner to the process cartridge 1 containing the same color toner.

When a remaining amount detecting unit (not shown) provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 detects that the remaining amount of toner in the corresponding process cartridge 1 is insufficient, a replenishing operation of each of the toner cartridges 13 is performed. Each of the toner cartridges 13 is attachable to and detachable from the image forming apparatus 100 by an attachment unit provided in the image forming apparatus 100, such as an attachment guide (not shown) and a positioning member (not shown). The process cartridge 1 and the toner cartridge 13 will be described in detail below.

The first to fourth toner conveying devices 14 are arranged below the toner cartridges 13 in a manner corresponding to the respective toner cartridges 13. The toner conveying device 14 conveys the toner received from the corresponding toner cartridge 13 upward and supplies the toner to the corresponding developing unit 6.

An intermediate transfer unit 19 serving as an intermediate transfer member is disposed above the process cartridge 1. The intermediate transfer unit 19 is disposed substantially horizontally with the primary transfer portion S1 on the bottom side. The intermediate transfer belt 18 facing the photosensitive drum 7 is a rotatable endless belt, and is stretched over a plurality of stretching rollers.

On the inner surface of the intermediate transfer belt 18, a primary transfer roller 20 serving as a primary transfer member is disposed at a position where a primary transfer portion S1 is formed across the intermediate transfer belt 18 by the primary transfer roller 20 and the corresponding photosensitive drum 7. The secondary transfer roller 21 serving as a secondary transfer member in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 18 forms a secondary transfer portion S2 together with the counter roller across the intermediate transfer belt 18. Further, the intermediate transfer belt cleaning unit 22 is disposed on the side opposite to the secondary transfer portion S2 in the lateral direction in fig. 1A (the direction in which the secondary transfer portion S2 and the intermediate transfer belt 18 are stretched).

The fixing unit 25 is disposed above the intermediate transfer unit 19. The fixing unit 25 includes a heating unit 26 and a pressure roller 27 in pressure contact with the heating unit 26.

A discharge tray 32 is provided on the top surface of the apparatus main body, and a waste toner recovery container 24 is provided between the discharge tray 32 and the intermediate transfer unit 19. A sheet feeding tray 2 for accommodating a recording medium 3 is provided at the lowermost portion of the apparatus main body.

< image Forming Process >

Next, an imaging operation of the imaging apparatus 100 will be described with reference to fig. 2, 3A, and 3B.

In image formation, each of the photosensitive drums 7 is rotationally driven in the direction of arrow a in fig. 3A at a predetermined speed. The intermediate transfer belt 18 is rotationally driven in the direction of arrow B (the forward direction of rotation of the photosensitive drum 7).

First, the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 7 are each uniformly charged by the corresponding charging roller 8. Next, the surface of the photosensitive drum 7 is scanned and exposed with a laser beam irradiated from the scanner unit 12. Thus, an electrostatic latent image based on image information is formed on each of the photosensitive drums 7.

The electrostatic latent image formed on each photosensitive drum 7 is developed as a toner image by the corresponding developing unit 6. At this time, the developing units 6 are each pressurized by a corresponding developing pressurizing unit (not shown) provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus 100. Thereafter, the toner images formed on the photosensitive drums 7 are each primary-transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 18 by the corresponding primary transfer rollers 20.

For example, in full-color image formation, the above-described processes are sequentially performed in the image forming units S1Y to S1K as the first to fourth primary transfer portions, and the toner images of the respective colors are sequentially superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 18.

In contrast, the recording medium 3 in the sheet feeding tray 2 is fed at a predetermined control timing, and is conveyed to the secondary transfer portion S2 in synchronization with the movement of the intermediate transfer belt 18. The toner images of the four colors on the intermediate transfer belt 18 are collectively secondary-transferred onto the recording medium 3 by a secondary transfer roller 21 that contacts the intermediate transfer belt 18 via the recording medium 3.

Thereafter, the recording medium 3 on which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to a fixing unit 25. In the fixing unit 25, the recording medium 3 is heated and pressurized. Thus, the toner image is fixed onto the recording medium 3. The fixed recording medium 3 is conveyed to the discharge tray 32, and the image forming operation is completed.

After the primary transfer process, the primary transfer residual toner (waste toner) remaining on the photosensitive drum 7 is removed by the cleaning blade 10. After the secondary transfer process, secondary transfer residual toner (waste toner) remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 18 is removed by the intermediate transfer belt cleaning unit 22.

The waste toner removed by the cleaning blade 10 and the intermediate transfer belt cleaning unit 22 is conveyed by a waste toner conveying unit 23 provided in the apparatus main body, and the waste toner is accumulated in a waste toner recovery container 24. It should be noted that the image forming apparatus 100 may also form a monochrome image or a multicolor image by using a desired one or some (but not all) of the image forming units.

< Process Cartridge >

Next, the overall configuration of one process cartridge 1 to be attached to the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 4 to 6.

Fig. 4 is a conceptual perspective view of a non-driving side (viewed from above) of one process cartridge according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 5 is a conceptual perspective view showing a driving side (viewed from above) of the process cartridge according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 6 is a conceptual perspective view showing a driving side (viewed from above) of the process cartridge according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention before coupling by the coupling portion.

More specifically, fig. 4 is a perspective view of the process cartridge 1 viewed from the front side (upstream side in the cartridge attaching direction). Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the process cartridge 1 viewed from the rear side (the downstream side in the cartridge attaching direction).

The process cartridge 1 includes a cleaning unit 4 and a developing unit 6. The cleaning unit 4 includes a cleaning frame member 5 that supports various members inside the cleaning unit 4.

In addition to the photosensitive drum 7, the charging roller 8, and the cleaning blade 10, the cleaning unit 4 internally includes a waste toner conveyance screw 15 extending in a direction parallel to the rotational axis direction of the photosensitive drum 7.

In the cleaning frame member 5, cleaning bearings 33 that rotatably support the photosensitive drum 7 and include a cleaning gear train that transmits the driving force from the photosensitive drum 7 to the waste toner conveyance screw 15 are each provided at a corresponding longitudinal end of the cleaning unit 4.

The charging roller 8 provided in the cleaning unit 4 is urged in the direction of arrow C toward the photosensitive drum 7 by a charging roller urging spring (not shown). The charging roller 8 is provided to follow the photosensitive drum 7. When the photosensitive drum 7 is rotationally driven in the direction of arrow a in image formation, the charging roller 8 rotates in the direction of arrow D (the positive direction in which the photosensitive drum 7 rotates).

The cleaning blade 10 provided in the cleaning unit 4 includes an elastic member 10a and a supporting member 10 b. The elastic member 10a removes transfer residual toner (waste toner) remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 7 after primary transfer. The support member 10b supports the elastic member 10 a.

The waste toner removed from the surface of the photosensitive drum 7 by the cleaning blade 10 is contained in a waste toner containing chamber 9 formed by the cleaning blade 10 and the cleaning frame member 5. The waste toner contained in the waste toner containing chamber 9 is conveyed toward the rear side of the image forming apparatus 100 (to the downstream side in the attaching and detaching direction of the process cartridge 1) by the waste toner conveying screw 15 installed in the waste toner containing chamber 9. The conveyed waste toner is discharged from the waste toner discharging portion 35, and conveyed to the waste toner conveying unit 23 of the image forming apparatus 100.

The developing unit 6 includes a developing frame member 16 that supports various members inside the developing unit 6. The developing frame member 16 includes a developing chamber 16a and a toner accommodating chamber 16b (developer accommodating chamber). The developing chamber 16a is provided with a developing roller 11 and a supply roller 17. The toner accommodating chamber 16b accommodates toner, and an agitating member 29 is provided in the toner accommodating chamber.

The developing chamber 16a is provided with a developing roller 11, a supply roller 17, and a developing blade 28. The developing roller 11 carries toner. In image formation, the developing roller 11 rotates in the direction of arrow E, and contacts the photosensitive drum 7 to convey toner to the photosensitive drum 7.

The developing roller 11 is rotatably supported on the developing frame member 16 by the developing bearing unit 34 at both end portions in the longitudinal direction (the rotational axis direction) of the developing roller 11. The supply roller 17 is rotatably supported on the developing frame member 16 by the developing bearing unit 34 while being in contact with the developing roller 11. In image formation, the feed roller 17 rotates in the direction of arrow F. Further, a developing blade 28 serving as a layer regulating member regulating the thickness of the toner layer formed on the developing roller 11 is provided in contact with the surface of the developing roller 11.

In the toner accommodating chamber 16b, an agitating member 29 for agitating the accommodated toner T and conveying the toner to the supply roller 17 via the developing chamber communication opening 16c is provided. The stirring member 29 includes a rotation shaft 29a and a stirring blade 29 b. The rotation shaft 29a is parallel to the rotation axis direction of the developing roller 11. The stirring blade 29b functions as a conveying member, which is a flexible blade. One end of the stirring piece 29b is attached to the rotation shaft 29a, and the other end of the stirring piece 29b is a free end. The rotation of the rotating shaft 29a rotates the stirring piece 29b in the direction of the arrow G, and thus, the toner is stirred by the stirring piece 29 b.

The developing unit 6 includes a developing chamber communication opening 16c that communicates the developing chamber 16a and the toner accommodating chamber 16b with each other. In the present exemplary embodiment, in a posture in which the developing unit 6 is normally used (posture in use), the developing chamber 16a is positioned above the toner accommodating chamber 16 b. The toner sucked by the stirring member 29 in the toner containing chamber 16b is supplied to the developing chamber 16a through the developing chamber communication opening 16 c.

The developing unit 6 is also provided with a toner receiving opening 40 (replenishment opening) at an end 1601 on one end side in the attaching and detaching direction (i.e., the longitudinal direction a1) (fig. 5). The toner receiving opening 40 is provided to open upward in the vertical direction a 2.

A receiving opening sealing member 45 (sealing member) and a toner receiving opening shutter 41 are provided on the toner receiving opening 40, the toner receiving opening shutter being movable in the attaching and detaching direction of the process cartridge 1. The receiving opening sealing member 45 includes a fiber member 45a made of polyester or the like and an elastic member 45b made of sponge or the like. The receiving opening sealing member 45 is fixed to the toner receiving opening 40 by a fixing means (such as a double-sided adhesive tape).

In the case where the process cartridge 1 is not attached to the image forming apparatus 100, the toner receiving opening 40 is closed by the receiving opening shutter 41. Following the operation for attaching the process cartridge 1, the receiving opening shutter 41 is pushed and opened by the image forming apparatus 100.

Once the process cartridge 1 is attached to the image forming apparatus 100, the receiving opening sealing member 45 is in contact with the toner supply opening 141 of the apparatus main body, and is compressed in a direction W (compression direction) in fig. 5. In other words, the receiving opening sealing member 45 and the toner supplying opening 141 are sealed by the elastic force generated by the receiving opening sealing member 45 being compressed by the pressure F1 from the toner supplying opening 141, thereby preventing toner from being scattered around the toner receiving opening 40.

The toner discharged from the toner cartridge 13 described below is conveyed in a toner conveying path (not shown) provided inside the image forming apparatus 100, and is supplied to the process cartridge 1 through the toner receiving opening 40.

As shown in fig. 3A, the developing unit 6 is provided with a receiving conveyance path 42 communicating with the toner receiving opening 40, and a receiving conveyance screw 43 is provided within the receiving conveyance path 42. Further, an accommodating chamber communicating opening 44 that supplies toner to the toner accommodating chamber 16b is provided in the vicinity of the longitudinal center of the developing unit 6, and the receiving conveyance path 42 and the toner accommodating chamber 16b are made to communicate with each other. The receiving conveyance screw 43 extends parallel to the rotational axis direction of the developing roller 11 and the supply roller 17, and conveys the toner received from the toner receiving opening 40 to the toner accommodating chamber 16b through the accommodating chamber communication opening 44.

As described above, the developing unit 6 and the cleaning unit 4 are swingably coupled to each other. More specifically, as shown in fig. 6, holes 34a and 5a are provided at both longitudinal ends of the developing support unit 34 and the cleaning frame member 5, respectively, and the developing unit 6 and the cleaning unit 4 are coupled by a rotation support pin 30 (coupling portion) (only one side in the longitudinal direction is shown).

Therefore, the development bearing unit 34 is swingably supported to the cleaning unit 4 with the central axis 30c (hereinafter referred to as a first rotation axis) of the rotation support pin 30 as an axis (rotation center 30c 1).

In other words, in the process cartridge 1 according to the present exemplary embodiment, as shown in fig. 3B, the developing roller 11 is movable to a position P1 where the developing roller 11 is in contact with the photosensitive drum 7 and a position P2 where the developing roller 11 is separated from the photosensitive drum 7. That is, when moving from the contact position P1 (contact state) to the separation position P2 (separation state), the developing roller 11 moves in a direction in which the center C2 of the developing roller 11 is separated from the center C1 of the photosensitive drum 7.

< toner Cartridge >

Next, one toner cartridge 13 according to the present exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a conceptual sectional view of a toner cartridge used in an image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

The toner cartridge 13 includes a replenishment frame member 50 and a replenishment toner accommodating chamber 51. The replenishment frame member 50 supports various members inside the toner cartridge 13. The replenishment toner accommodating chamber 51 accommodates toner therein. A replenishment toner stirring member 53 and a replenishment toner conveyance screw 54 are provided in the replenishment toner accommodating chamber 51.

The replenishment toner stirring member 53 is provided parallel to the longitudinal direction of the toner cartridge 13, and is rotatably supported to the replenishment frame member 50. The replenishment toner stirring member 53 includes a rotating shaft portion 53a and a replenishment stirring conveyance piece 53b including a flexible piece. The rotation of the rotating shaft portion 53a rotates the replenishment stirring conveyance piece 53b, and thus, the toner is conveyed to the replenishment toner conveyance screw 54.

The replenishment toner conveying screw 54 is provided parallel to the rotation axis of the replenishment toner stirring member 53, and is rotatably supported to the replenishment frame member 50. The replenishment toner conveying screw 54 rotates to convey the toner in the replenishment toner accommodating chamber 51 from the front side to the rear side (upstream side to downstream side in the toner cartridge attaching and detaching direction). The conveyed toner is discharged from a toner discharge port provided on the downstream side of the replenishment toner conveying screw 54, and enters a toner conveying path inside the image forming apparatus 100. As described above, the toner discharged into the toner conveying path inside the image forming apparatus 100 is replenished into the developing unit 6 through the toner receiving opening 40 shown in fig. 5.

< positional relationship between receiving opening seal member and first rotation axis >

Next, the positional relationship between the receiving opening sealing member 45 and the first rotation axis 30C will be described with reference to fig. 1A to 1C.

Fig. 1A is a conceptual side view of a process cartridge included in an image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 1B is an enlarged conceptual view of a main portion near the replenishment opening. Fig. 1C is a conceptual diagram illustrating a positional relationship between the seal member and the coupling portion when viewed in the direction M illustrated in fig. 1A.

As described above, the process cartridge 1 according to the present exemplary embodiment includes the cleaning unit 4 including the photosensitive drum 7 and the developing unit 6 including the developing frame member 16 in which the developing roller 11 is supported.

The cleaning unit 4 and the developing unit 6 are swingably coupled by the rotation support pin 30, and the developing unit 6 is configured to be swingable with respect to the cleaning unit 4 with the rotation support pin 30 as the rotation center 30c 1.

Further, the developing frame member 16 includes a toner receiving opening 40, which is connectable to a supply portion 141 of the image forming apparatus 100 (see fig. 1B). The toner receiving opening 40 is provided with an elastically deformable receiving opening sealing member 45 that seals the supplying portion 141 and the toner receiving opening 40 to prevent toner leakage.

When the supplying portion 141 and the toner receiving opening 40 are connected to each other, a pressure F1 (see fig. 1B) is generated in a portion orthogonal to the longitudinal direction a1 (see fig. 3A). The rotation center 30c1 is disposed at a position 45S overlapping the receiving opening sealing member 45 when viewed in the compression direction W of the receiving opening sealing member 45, which is compressed by the pressure F1 between the supply portion 141 and the toner receiving opening 40.

In the present exemplary embodiment, in a state in which the process cartridge 1 is attached to the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus 100, the receiving opening 40 receives the downward pressing force F1 in the vertical direction W from the supplying portion 141.

More specifically, the developing unit 6 is supported so as to be swingable about the rotational support pin 30 with respect to the cleaning unit 4. The development supporting unit 34 is provided with a pressed portion 34 b. In image formation, the pressed portion 34b is pressed in the direction H in fig. 1A by a pressing unit 99 provided in the image forming apparatus 100. In fig. 1A, although only one side of the process cartridge in the longitudinal direction is shown, the other side of the process cartridge is similarly configured. Therefore, a moment in the direction of arrow K about the first rotation axis 30c acts on the developing unit 6, and the developing roller 11 can come into contact with the photosensitive drum 7 with a certain amount of intrusion.

In the present exemplary embodiment, when viewed from the longitudinal direction a1 in the use posture, the pressed portion 34b is positioned at one side C5 and the photosensitive drum 7 is positioned at the other side C6 with respect to a vertical line C4 passing through the rotation center 30C 1.

As described above, when the process cartridge 1 is attached to the image forming apparatus 100, the receiving opening sealing member 45 provided at the toner receiving opening 40 is in contact with the toner supply opening 141 provided inside the image forming apparatus 100, and is pressurized in the direction M shown in fig. 1.

In the present exemplary embodiment, as shown in fig. 1C, the receiving-opening sealing member 45 and the rotation supporting pin 30 have a positional relationship such that the first rotation axis 30C passes through the region of the receiving-opening sealing member 45 when viewed in the compression direction W of the receiving-opening sealing member 45. In other words, the seal member 45 and the rotation center 30c1 are disposed at the position 45S where the seal member 45 and the rotation center 30c1 overlap when viewed in the compression direction W.

Therefore, the moment about the first rotation axis 30C generated by the pressure F1 received by the receiving opening sealing member 45 from the toner supply opening 141 (supply portion) of the image forming apparatus 100 is rotated in the opposite direction with the first rotation axis 30C in fig. 1C as a boundary. In other words, in fig. 1C, the moment in the direction K shown in fig. 1A appears in a region S1, which is a region to the left of the first rotation axis 30C, while the moment in the direction N shown in fig. 1A appears in a region S2, which is a region to the right of the first rotation axis 30C, S2. Therefore, the moments occurring in the region S1 and the region S2 cancel each other out, which makes it possible to attenuate the moment generated around the first rotation axis 30 c.

In other words, the arrangement of the receiving opening sealing member 45 directly above the first rotation axis 30c reduces the influence of the pressure F2 generated by the developing roller 11 against the photosensitive drum 7, which is caused by the pressure F1 received by the receiving opening sealing member 45.

This also applies to the case where the elastic force or position of receiving the opening sealing member 45 changes due to variations in assembly. The pressing unit 99 of the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 can stably press the developing roller 11 against the photosensitive drum 7.

Even in the case where the toner interferes with the receiving opening sealing member 45 and the elastic force of the receiving opening sealing member 45 changes when the process cartridge 1 is used, the developing roller 11 can be stably pressed against the photosensitive drum 7.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the toner receiving opening 40 and the receiving opening sealing member 45 are provided in a circular region C3 having a radius L1 (rotation radius) about the first rotation axis 30C (fig. 1A). As shown in fig. 1A, the radius L1 is the distance between the first rotation axis 30c and the pressed portion 34b projected on a plane orthogonal to the first rotation axis 30 c.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the receiving opening sealing member 45 is disposed at a position close to the first rotation axis 30c, as compared to the pressed portion 34b that receives the pressing force from the main body of the image forming apparatus 100. This makes it possible to reduce the influence on the pressure of the developing roller 11 against the photosensitive drum 7 caused by the pressure received by the receiving opening sealing member 45.

As described above, the process cartridge according to the present exemplary embodiment can stably press the developing roller 11 against the photosensitive drum 7 even in the case where the elastic force, the attachment position, and the like of the receiving opening sealing member vary, which produces an excellent image.

The configuration according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention can be summarized as follows.

[1] The process cartridge 1 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: a first unit 4 including an image bearing member 7 configured to bear a developer image; a second unit 6 including a developing frame member 16 in which a developer carrying member 11 is supported, the developer carrying member 11 being configured to carry developer to be supplied to the image bearing member 7; and a coupling portion 30 configured to couple the first unit 4 and the second unit 6 such that the second unit 6 can swing with respect to the first unit 4 with the coupling portion as a rotation center 30c 1.

The developing frame member 16 includes: a replenishment opening 40 through which the developer is replenished from the supply section 141 of the image forming apparatus 100 in a state in which the replenishment opening is connected to the supply section 141; and an elastically deformable sealing member 45 attached to the replenishment opening 40 and sealing the supply portion 141 and the replenishment opening to prevent the developer from leaking.

The rotation center 30c1 is disposed at a position 45S overlapping the sealing member 45, which is compressed between the supply portion and the replenishment opening by a pressure F1 generated when the replenishment opening 40 is connected to the supply portion 141, in a cross section orthogonal to the longitudinal direction a1 of the process cartridge, when viewed in the compression direction W of the sealing member 45.

This enables replenishment of the developer, and can improve the stability of the contact state between the image bearing member and the developer bearing member.

[2] In the process cartridge according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in the use posture, the replenishment opening 40 may be provided to open upward in the vertical direction a2, and the coupling portion 30 may be positioned below the replenishment opening 40 in the vertical direction a 2.

[3] In the process cartridge according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the developer carrying member 11 may be movable to a first position P1 where the developer carrying member 11 is in contact with the image bearing member 7 and to a second position P2 where the developer carrying member 11 is separated from the image bearing member 7, and the developing frame member 16 may include a pressed portion 34b which is pressed by the main body 100A of the image forming apparatus so as to move the developer carrying member 11 from the second position P2 to the first position P1.

In the use posture, the pressed portion 34b may be positioned above the replenishment opening 40 in the vertical direction a 2.

[4] In the process cartridge according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the replenishment opening 40 and the seal member 45 may be positioned within a circular area C3 having a center at a rotation center 30C1, and a distance from the rotation center to the pressure receiving portion 34b is taken as a rotation radius L1.

[5] In the process cartridge according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the pressed portion 34b and the image bearing member 7 may be positioned on different sides C5 and C6 with a vertical line C4 passing through the rotation center 30C1 as a reference in the use posture as viewed from the longitudinal direction a 1.

[6] In the process cartridge according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the developing frame member 16 may include: a developing chamber 16a that accommodates the developer bearing member 11; and a developer accommodating chamber 16b that is positioned below the developing chamber in the use posture and accommodates the developer, and the replenishment opening 40 may be provided in the developing frame member 16 so as to communicate with the developer accommodating chamber 16 b.

[7] In the process cartridge according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the coupling portion 30 may be disposed immediately below the replenishment opening 40 in the use posture as viewed from the longitudinal direction a 1.

[8] In the process cartridge according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the replenishment opening 40 may be provided at one end 1601 of the developing frame member 16 in the longitudinal direction a 1.

[9] In the process cartridge according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the developer may be a single-component non-magnetic developer.

[10] In the process cartridge according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the process cartridge is attachable to and detachable from the main body 100A of the image forming apparatus 100.

[11] The developing device 6 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: a developer carrying member 11 configured to carry a developer; and a developing frame member 16, the developer carrying member 11 being supported in the developing frame member 16. When the developing device is coupled with the unit 4 including the image bearing member 7, the developing device 6 can swing with respect to the unit 4.

The developing frame member 16 includes: a replenishment opening 40 through which the developer is replenished from the supply section 141 of the image forming apparatus 100 in a state in which the replenishment opening is connected to the supply section 141; and an elastically deformable sealing member 45 attached to the replenishment opening 40 and sealing the supply portion 141 and the replenishment opening 40 to prevent the developer from leaking.

The swinging is provided at a position overlapping with the sealing member 45 with respect to the rotation center 30c1 of the unit 4 in a cross section orthogonal to the longitudinal direction a1 of the developing device when viewed in the compression direction W of the sealing member 45, wherein the sealing member 45 is compressed between the supply portion and the replenishment opening by the pressure F1 that connects the replenishment opening 40 to the supply portion 141.

[12] In the developing device according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the developing device 6 and the unit 4 may each be attachable to and detachable from the main body 100A of the image forming apparatus 100.

[13] The image forming apparatus 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes the above-described process cartridge 1 or the above-described developing device 6 and the supply portion 141.

According to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to replenish the developer and improve the stability of the contact state between the image bearing member and the developer bearing member.

While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.