CN114879460A - Developing device and image forming apparatus including the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a developing device and an image forming apparatus including the developing device. The developing device is detachably supported by the image forming apparatus. The developing device includes: a casing capable of accommodating developer therein; at least one rotating member rotatably provided in the casing; and a first support shaft disposed at an axial end portion of the rotating member, formed by A conductive member is formed; and a support member has a first bearing portion that supports the first support shaft, and constitutes a side surface in the axial direction in the housing. The first bearing portion includes a first guide portion. The first guide portion protrudes outward from the outer surface of the support member, and is guided toward an installation position of the developing device during installation with respect to the image forming apparatus.

Description

Developing device and image forming apparatus including developing device

technical field

The present invention relates to a developing device that can be attached to and detached from an image forming apparatus such as a copier and a multi-functional peripheral.

Background technique

An electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a developing device that develops an electrostatic latent image on a photoreceptor drum with toner. The developing device has a developing roller rotatably supported in its casing, and develops by supplying the toner accommodated in the casing from the developing roller to the photosensitive drum.

When the developing roller of the developing device is deteriorated, development failure occurs, so the developing device after a certain period of time is replaced with a new developing device in order to maintain the image quality. In addition, since the developing device integrally constituted with the toner accommodating portion cannot perform development when the toner in the toner accommodating portion is used up, it is replaced with another developing device filled with toner. Therefore, the conventional image forming apparatus has a structure in which the developing device is detachably supported so that the developing device can be replaced.

In addition, in order to smoothly guide the developing device to a predetermined mounting position, a guide member is provided on the housing of the developing device. In a developing device that is attached to the image forming apparatus from a direction perpendicular to the central axis of the photosensitive drum, the guide members may be provided on side surfaces on both sides in the width direction of the developing device. Further, a rotating member such as a developing roller arranged to face the photosensitive drum is provided, and a bearing portion for supporting a support shaft of the rotating member is provided on the side surface portion. In addition, the developing device is also provided with other members such as a power receiving member for receiving the developing bias and supplying it to the developing roller. However, if not only the guide member but also other members such as the bearing portion and the power receiving member are provided on the side surface portion, the arrangement space for the members on the side surface portion is insufficient, and development has to be increased. the casing of the device, thereby hindering the miniaturization of the developing device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to reduce the size of a developing device and an image forming apparatus including the developing device.

The present invention provides a developing device which is detachably supported on an image forming device, comprising: a casing capable of accommodating developer therein; at least one rotating member rotatably provided on the casing; and a first support shaft , which is provided at an end portion in the axial direction of the rotating member, and is formed of a conductive member; and a support member, which has a first bearing portion that supports the first support shaft, and constitutes the axial direction in the housing. The side surface of the first bearing portion includes a first guide portion that protrudes outward from the outer surface of the support member and is directed toward the developing device during installation with respect to the image forming device installation location guide.

The present invention also provides an image forming apparatus including the developing device and a photosensitive drum on which a toner image is formed by development by the developing device.

According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the size of the developing device and the image forming apparatus including the developing device.

The present specification will be introduced in a manner of abbreviating the contents summarizing the concepts described in the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings as appropriate. The present specification is not intended to limit the important and essential features of the subject matter recited in the claims, nor is it intended to limit the scope of the subject matter recited in the claims. Furthermore, the objects described in the claims are not limited to the embodiments that solve some or all of the disadvantages described in any part of the present invention.

Description of drawings

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a perspective view showing a state in which the top cover of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention is opened.

3 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a perspective view showing an image forming unit included in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a perspective view showing the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which the image forming unit is removed from the apparatus main body.

6 is a perspective view showing a drum unit included in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

7 is a diagram showing a cross-sectional structure of a drum unit included in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, and is a cross-sectional view taken along a cross-section plane VII-VII of FIG. 6 .

8 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which the drum unit is attached to the apparatus main body.

9 is a perspective view of the developing device according to the embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the left front.

10 is a perspective view of the developing device according to the embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the rear on the right side.

11 is a plan view of a developing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

12 is a diagram showing the internal structure of the developing device according to the embodiment of the present invention, and is a cross-sectional view taken along a cross-sectional plane XII-XII of FIG. 9 .

13 is an enlarged partial view of the left side of the developing device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

14 is a left side view of the developing device according to the embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which the side cover is removed.

15 is an enlarged perspective view of the right side portion of the developing device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

16 is a perspective view showing a state in which the shaft cover is removed from the right side portion of the developing device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

17 is an enlarged view in which a left side portion of the developing device is enlarged in a plan view of the developing device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

18 is a partial enlarged view showing a handle with which the developing device according to the embodiment of the present invention is provided, and is a cross-sectional view taken along a cross-sectional plane XVIII-XVIII of FIG. 17 .

19 is a partial enlarged view showing a handle with which the developing device according to the embodiment of the present invention is provided, and is a cross-sectional view taken along a cross-sectional plane XIX-XIX of FIG. 18 .

20 is a view showing the internal structure of the developing device according to the embodiment of the present invention, and is a cross-sectional view taken along a cross-sectional plane XX-XX of FIG. 9 .

21 is an enlarged view in which the center portion of the upper surface of the developing device is enlarged in a perspective view of the developing device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

22 is a perspective view of the developing device according to the embodiment of the present invention, and is a view showing the bottom surface of the developing device.

23 is a perspective view showing a drum unit included in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed ways

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to appropriate drawings. The embodiment described below is merely an example to embody the present invention, and does not limit the technical scope of the present invention. In addition, in the following, for convenience of description, the vertical direction 7, the front-rear direction 8, and the left-right direction 9 shown in each figure will be used for description. In addition, in FIGS. 1 to 5 , the vertical direction is defined as the vertical direction 7 in the installed state (the state shown in FIG. 1 ) in which the image forming apparatus 10 can be used, and the front-rear directions 8 and 8 are defined in the installed state. Left-right direction 9 (width direction 9).

[First]

1 to 3 show an image forming apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 10 is an apparatus having at least a printing function, and is, for example, a printer that forms a single-color image on a sheet such as printing paper by an electrophotographic method. The image forming apparatus 10 prints an image on printing paper based on image data input from the outside via a communication unit (not shown). In addition, the image forming apparatus 10 is not limited to a single-color printer, and may be a color printer that forms a color image. In addition to the printing function, the image forming apparatus 10 may be a multi-functional peripheral having various functions such as a facsimile machine and a copier.

1 and 2 are perspective views showing the external appearance of the image forming apparatus 10. FIG. 1 shows a state in which the top cover 12 and the front cover 13 are closed, and FIG. 2 shows a state in which the top cover 12 and the front cover 13 are opened. In addition, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the apparatus main body 11 . In addition, in FIG. 3, illustration of the top cover 12 is abbreviate|omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the image forming apparatus 10 is formed in a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape long in the width direction 9, and includes: an apparatus main body 11 on which parts for image forming processing are mounted; and a top cover 12 provided on the apparatus The upper part of the main body 11 ; and the front cover 13 are provided on the front surface of the apparatus main body 11 .

As shown in FIG. 2 , an opening 21 communicating with the inside is formed in the upper portion of the apparatus main body 11 , and a top cover 12 is provided so as to be able to open and close the opening 21 . The top cover 12 is supported so as to be able to center on the hinge 24 provided at the rear end portion of the upper part of the apparatus main body 11 in an open posture (the posture shown in FIG. 2 ) that opens the opening 21 and a closed posture ( FIG. 1 ) that closes the opening 21 . position shown) to open and close. When the top cover 12 is rotated upward (in the opening direction) to open the opening 21 , the image forming unit 50 and the like, which will be described later, mounted inside the apparatus main body 11 are exposed. In this state, the user can take out the developing device 70 supported by the image forming unit 50 from the inside of the apparatus main body 11 .

In addition, an opening 22 communicating with the inside is formed in the lower part of the front surface of the apparatus main body 11 , and the front cover 13 is provided so as to be able to open and close the opening 22 . The front cover 13 is supported so as to be able to center on the hinge 25 provided at the lower end portion of the front side of the apparatus main body 11 in an open posture (the posture shown in FIG. 2 ) that opens the opening 22 and a closed posture ( FIG. 1 ) that closes the opening 22 . position shown) to open and close. When the front cover 13 is rotated forward (in the opening direction) to open the opening 22 , printing paper can be placed inside the apparatus main body 11 through the opening 22 .

As shown in FIG. 3 , the image forming apparatus 10 mainly includes an image forming unit 50 , a fixing unit 31 , a paper feeding tray 32 , a feeding unit 33 , an LSU (Laser Scanner Unit) 34 , and a paper output tray 35 (see FIG. 1 ) , a plurality of conveying rollers 37 arranged in the conveying passage 36 and a discharge roller 38 arranged at the terminal end of the conveying passage 36 . They are attached to the cover of the outer frame of the image forming apparatus 10 or the inside of the apparatus main body 11 including the inner frame. In addition, in FIG. 3 , the path indicated by the broken line extending upward from the supply unit 33 is the conveyance path 36 .

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the image forming unit 50 . The image forming unit 50 forms an image in an electrophotographic manner, and includes a drum unit 60 and a developing device 70 . In the present embodiment, the image forming unit 50 is detachably supported on the apparatus main body 11 so as to be replaceable.

Further, when the developer device 70 is empty, it needs to be replaced with another developer device 70 filled with developer. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the developing device 70 is supported on the apparatus main body 11 so as to be detachable from the apparatus main body 11 . Specifically, the developing device 70 is detachably attached to the drum unit 60 (an example of the attachment member) attached to the device main body 11 . In addition, when maintaining the inside of the image forming apparatus 10, the developing device 70 is also removed as necessary. 2 and 3 show a state in which the image forming unit 50 is mounted on the apparatus main body 11 . In addition, FIG. 5 shows a state in which the image forming unit 50 is removed from the apparatus main body 11 .

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the drum unit 60 . In addition, FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a cross-sectional plane VII-VII in FIG. 6 , and shows a cross-sectional structure of the drum unit 60 .

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 , the drum unit 60 includes a photosensitive drum 61 , a charging portion 62 , a transfer roller 63 and a casing 64 . The photosensitive drum 61 , the charging portion 62 and the transfer roller 63 are supported on the casing 64 . Further, the developing device 70 is detachably supported by the developing support portion 65 provided integrally with the casing 64 .

The housing 64 is, for example, a molded product made of synthetic resin, and includes a first base frame 641 extending in the left-right direction 9 , and a pair of support frames 642 , which are provided upright in the left-right direction 9 of the first base frame 641 , respectively. both ends. Each support frame 642 is formed in a plate shape, for example. Each support frame 642 is formed of a non-conductive insulating member. Each support frame 642 extends in the front-rear direction 8, and the photoreceptor drum 61 and the transfer roller 63 are rotatably supported by the rear portion of each support frame 642 in a state of being in pressure contact with each other. Moreover, the charging part 62 is attached to the upper part of the rear part of each support frame 642 . The charging portion 62 is arranged to face the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 61 , and is attached so as to be spanned over each of the support frames 642 .

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 , a developing support portion 65 is integrally formed on the front side of the casing 64 . The developing support portion 65 includes a second base frame 651 formed forward from the first base frame 641 through a paper passage port 66 (see FIG. 7 ), and a front plate 652 constituting the front portion of each support frame 642 . When the developing device 70 is attached to the developing support portion 65 , the lower surface 716 (see FIG. 12 ) of the developing device 70 is supported by the second base frame 651 . In this case, the lower surface 716 is the supported surface supported by the drum unit 60 .

The paper passage port 66 is a through opening formed between the first base frame 641 and the second base frame 651 , through which the printing paper supplied from the paper feed tray 32 passes to be passed between the photosensitive drum 61 and the transfer roller 63 . guide the paper at the transfer position.

When the image forming operation is started in a state where the image forming unit 50 is mounted on the apparatus main body 11 , the photosensitive layer on the surface of the photosensitive drum 61 is uniformly charged by the charging unit 62 . Further, laser light corresponding to the image data is scanned from the LSU 34 to the photosensitive drum 61 . Thereby, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photoreceptor drum 61 . A bias voltage is applied to the photosensitive drum 61 and the developing roller 74 of the developing device 70 (see FIG. 10 ), respectively, and a regulation is formed between the photosensitive drum 61 and the developing roller 74 so that the toner can fly from the developing roller 74 to the photosensitive drum 61 electric field of potential difference. Due to the potential difference, toner adheres to the electrostatic latent image from the developing roller 74 , and a toner image is formed on the photoreceptor drum 61 . An electric field having a predetermined potential difference is also formed between the photosensitive drum 61 and the transfer roller 63 . By this potential difference, the toner image on the photosensitive drum 61 is transferred to the printing paper supplied from the paper supply tray 32 . The printing paper on which the toner image is transferred is conveyed to the fixing unit 31 .

The fixing unit 31 is provided downstream of the image forming unit 50 in the conveying direction of the printing paper. The fixing unit 31 fixes the toner image transferred to the printing paper to the printing paper by heat. The fixing unit 31 includes a heating roller and a pressure roller. The heating roller is heated by a heating device such as an IH heater during the fixing operation. The pressing roller biases the heating roller through an elastic member. When the printing paper passes through the fixing unit 31 , the fixing unit 31 presses the printing paper, and the toner is heated and melted to adhere to the printing paper. Thereby, the toner image is fixed to the printing paper, and an image is formed on the printing paper.

A discharge roller 38 is provided downstream of the fixing unit 31 in the conveyance direction. The discharge roller 38 discharges the image-formed printing paper to which the image is fixed by the fixing unit 31 to the discharge tray 35 (see FIG. 1 ).

The photosensitive drum 61 of the drum unit 60 deteriorates or wears out whenever the photosensitive layer on its surface is superimposed on image formation. When the photosensitive layer is deteriorated, the chargeability is deteriorated, and when worn, the photosensitive layer is not charged at a predetermined potential, resulting in deterioration of image quality. Therefore, the photosensitive drum 61 needs to be replaced at a predetermined replacement timing. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the drum unit 60 is supported on the apparatus main body 11 so as to be detachable from the apparatus main body 11 so that the photosensitive drum 61 can be replaced. In addition, when maintaining the inside of the image forming apparatus 10, the drum unit 60 can be removed as necessary. Here, FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which only the drum unit 60 of the image forming unit 50 is attached to the apparatus main body 11 . Therefore, the developing device 70 is not shown in FIG. 8 .

As shown in FIG. 8 , guide grooves 111 are formed on the respective inner surfaces 15 of both sides in the left-right direction 9 of the apparatus main body 11 , and the guide grooves 111 are used when the drum unit 60 is mounted inside the apparatus main body 11 from the opening 21 . The drum unit 60 is guided. The guide grooves 111 function to guide the drum unit 60 to the opening 21 side even when the drum unit 60 is detached from the apparatus main body 11 so that the drum unit 60 can be easily taken out. The guide groove 111 extends downward and obliquely rearward from the funnel-shaped insertion port 113 when viewed in a cross-section of the upper end edge portion formed on the inner surface 15 . In addition, although FIG. 8 shows the guide groove 111 formed in the inner surface 15A of the right side, the guide groove 111 of the same shape is also formed in the inner surface 15B (refer FIG. 5) of the left side on the opposite side.

The guide groove 111 is formed so that the degree of inclination gradually decreases toward the installation position of the drum unit 60 (the position shown in FIG. 8 , hereinafter referred to as the unit installation position). Specifically, the guide groove 111 has: a first groove 111A formed substantially straight from the insertion port 113 to the first inflection point P1; A groove 111A is gently inclined; and a third groove 111C is inclined more gently than the second groove 111B from the second bending point P2 to the unit mounting position.

As shown in FIG. 6 , the drum unit 60 is provided with a guide member 644 that is inserted into the guide groove 111 when attached to and detached from the apparatus main body 11 . The guide members 644 are provided upright on the respective outer surfaces of the pair of support frames 642 constituting the housing 64 . The guide member 644 is a boss-shaped or pin-shaped member vertically erected on the outer surface of the support frame 642 .

On the outer surface of the support frame 642, a guide member 644 is provided on the rear side. The drum unit 60 is inserted until the guide member 644 is arranged at the terminal end of the guide groove 111 .

As shown in FIG. 8 , another guide groove 112 branching from the guide groove 111 is formed on the inner surface 15A. FIG. 8 shows the guide groove 112 formed in the inner surface 15A of the right side, but the guide groove 112 formed similarly is also formed in the inner surface 15B of the left side on the opposite side. The guide groove 112 functions in the same manner as the guide groove 111 to guide the drum unit 60 to the unit installation position when the drum unit 60 is installed from the opening 21 to the inside of the apparatus main body 11, and to guide the drum unit 60 to the unit installation position when installing the drum unit 60 from the opening 21 to the inside of the apparatus body 11. When the unit 60 is removed from the apparatus main body 11 , the drum unit 60 is guided toward the opening 21 side.

The guide groove 112 extends downward and obliquely rearward from the first bending point P1 in the guide groove 111 . The guide groove 112 is formed so as to gradually widen obliquely rearward from the connection portion with the guide groove 111 , that is, the upper end opening 114 . In other words, the guide groove 112 is formed in a shape extending from the upper end opening 114 toward the oblique rear end.

The groove wall surface on the upper side of the guide groove 112 is a guide surface 112A for attaching a bearing portion 77 (refer to FIG. 13, FIG. 15) is guided to the installation position P11 determined on the drum unit 60. The guide surface 112A is substantially parallel to the second groove 111B of the guide groove 111 .

In addition, the groove wall surface on the lower side of the guide groove 112 is a guide surface 112B for guiding a later-described guide member 645 ( Refer to Fig. 6) to guide downward. In addition, this guide surface 112B guides the guide parts 78 and 791 (refer FIG. 13, FIG. 15) which will be described later provided in the developing device 70 downward when the developing device 70 is attached to the apparatus main body 11.

As shown in FIG. 6 , the drum unit 60 is provided with a guide member 645 that is inserted into the guide groove 112 when attached to and detached from the apparatus main body 11 . The guide members 645 are provided upright on the respective outer surfaces of the pair of support frames 642 constituting the housing 64 . The guide member 645 is a boss-shaped or pin-shaped member vertically erected on the outer surface of the support frame 642 .

On the outer surface of the support frame 642 , the guide member 645 is provided on the front side of the guide member 644 . When the drum unit 60 is attached to the apparatus main body 11 , first, the guide member 644 is inserted into the guide groove 111 from the insertion port 113 , and then, the guide member 645 is inserted into the guide groove 111 . During installation of the drum unit 60, the guide member 644 is guided from the first groove 111A via the second groove 111B along the third groove 111C toward the unit installation position (the position shown in FIG. 8). On the other hand, if the guide member 645 reaches the first inflection point P1 of the guide groove 111 during the installation of the drum unit 60 , it enters the guide groove 112 from the upper end opening 114 and is moved along the guide surface 112B of the guide groove 112 . Directed generally downward.

Then, when the drum unit 60 is inserted up to the unit mounting position shown in FIG. 8 , the drum unit 60 is locked at the unit mounting position by a locking mechanism not shown. That is, the drum unit 60 is positioned at the unit mounting position. Moreover, when the lock release member (not shown) provided in the apparatus main body 11 is operated, the lock of the said lock mechanism is released. Thereby, the drum unit 60 can be detached upward from the unit mounting position, and can be taken out from the opening 21 to the outside.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7 , the support frame 642 is formed with a guide groove 646 for guiding the bearing portion 77 (see FIGS. 13 and 15 ) of the developing device 70 to the mounting position P11 , and a guide groove 646 provided in the guide groove 646 . End stop 647. The guide grooves 646 are formed in the support frame 642 so as to partition the support frame 642 into the rear side portion and the front side front plate 652 . The stopper 647 positions the bearing portion 77 at the mounting position P11 when the bearing portion 77 is guided to the mounting position P11. When the developing device 70 is attached to the device main body 11 , the stopper 647 comes into contact with the bearing portion 77 , and the movement of the bearing portion 77 in the insertion direction is restricted by the stopper 647 . Thereby, the developing device 70 is positioned on the drum unit 60 . Further, the developing device 70 is locked to the drum unit 60 by a not-shown locking mechanism provided in the drum unit 60 . Moreover, when the lock release lever 67 provided in the drum unit 60 is operated, the lock of the said lock mechanism is released. Thereby, the developing device 70 can be detached upward from the device main body 11 and can be taken out from the opening 21 to the outside.

9 is a perspective view of the developing device 70 viewed from the left front, FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the developing device 70 viewed from the right rear, and FIG. 11 is a plan view of the developing device 70 . In addition, FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the cross-sectional plane XII-XII of FIG. 11 , and shows the cross-sectional structure of the central portion of the developing device 70 .

The developing device 70 attaches toner to the electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor drum 61 , develops the electrostatic latent image with the toner, and forms a toner image as a visible image on the surface of the photoreceptor drum 61 . As shown in FIG. 12 , the developing device 70 includes a casing 71 (an example of a casing), a stirring member 72 , a supply roller 73 (an example of a rotating member), and a developing roller 74 (an example of a rotating member). The stirring member 72 , the supplying roller 73 and the developing roller 74 are rotatably supported on the casing 71 .

The case 71 is, for example, a molded product formed of synthetic resin. As shown in FIGS. 9 to 11 , the housing 71 is formed in a shape long in the left-right direction 9 (longitudinal direction). A developer containing toner is accommodated inside the casing 71 . That is, the casing 71 not only functions as a casing for supporting the developing roller 74 and the like, but also functions as a developer container (also referred to as a toner container) that accommodates the developer.

As shown in FIG. 12 , the stirring member 72 is arranged on the front side inside the casing 71 . The stirring member 72 is rotatably supported by a pair of support frames 711 (see FIGS. 9 to 11 ) provided on both sides in the left-right direction 9 (axial direction) of the casing 71 , respectively. In addition, a pair of support frames 711 (an example of a pair of support members) constitute each side surface on both sides in the left-right direction 9 of the casing 71 .

Support shafts 722 (see FIG. 14 ) rotatably supported by the support frame 711 are provided at both ends in the width direction of the shaft member 721 of the stirring member 72 . The left support shaft 722L of the stirring member 72 is rotatably supported by a bearing hole (not shown) formed in the left support frame 711L. As shown in FIG. 14 , the support shaft 722L penetrates the bearing hole and protrudes to the outside of the support frame 711L. A transmission gear 82 described later is attached to the support shaft 722L.

As shown in FIG. 12 , the shaft member 721 of the stirring member 72 is provided with a film-shaped blade portion 723 perpendicular to the shaft member 721 . When a rotational driving force is input to the stirring member 72 from the outside, the stirring member 72 is rotated, and the developer accommodated in the casing 71 is stirred by the blade portion 723 . By stirring the developer by the stirring member 72 , electric charges are imparted to the toner contained in the developer.

As shown in FIG. 9 , the side cover 75 is attached to the support frame 711L on the left side of the casing 71 .

FIG. 13 is a partially enlarged view of the left side portion of the developing device 70 . 14 is a left side view of the developing device 70, showing a state in which the side cover 75 is removed.

As shown in FIG. 13 , the side cover 75 is attached to the support frame 711L so as to cover the left side surface of the support frame 711L. As shown in FIG. 14 , a transmission mechanism 80 including a plurality of gears 81 to 85 is provided inside the side cover 75 , that is, between the side cover 75 and the support frame 711L. The gears 81 to 85 constituting the transmission mechanism 80 are rotatably supported by the support frame 711L.

As shown in FIG. 14, the transmission mechanism 80 has the input part 76 which inputs the drive force from the outside. That is, the input part 76 is provided in the support frame 711L. The input unit 76 is, for example, a coupling (connector). The side cover 75 is formed with a cylindrical portion 751 (see FIG. 13 ) that penetrates the input portion 76 and is exposed to the outside. As shown in FIG. 13 , in a state where the side cover 75 is attached to the support frame 711L, the input portion 76 is exposed to the outside through the cylindrical portion 751 .

When the developing device 70 is attached to the device body 11 , a drive output unit (not shown) provided in the device body 11 is connected to the input unit 76 . Thereby, the rotational drive force of a drive source, such as a motor, is input to the input part 76 via the said drive output part. The input portion 76 has an input gear 81 (refer to FIG. 14 ) that is provided coaxially with the input portion 76 . That is, the transmission mechanism 80 has the input gear 81 . When the rotational driving force is input to the input portion 76 , the rotational driving force is transmitted from the input gear 81 to the other transmission gears 82 to 85 constituting the transmission mechanism 80 .

As shown in FIG. 14 , the transmission mechanism 80 has a plurality of transmission gears 82 to 85 . The respective transmission gears 82 to 85 are arranged on the outer surface of the support frame 711L. The transmission gear 82 is attached to the support shaft 722L of the stirring member 72 , and transmits the rotational driving force to the stirring member 72 . The transmission gear 83 is attached to the end of the rotation shaft 732 (an example of the second support shaft) of the supply roller 73 , and transmits a rotational driving force to the supply roller 73 . The transmission gear 84 is attached to the end portion of the rotating shaft 742 (see FIG. 12 ) of the developing roller 74 , and transmits a rotational driving force to the developing roller 74 . In addition, the transmission gear 85 is rotatably supported by the support frame 711L in a state of being meshed with the transmission gear 82 . The transmission gear 85 transmits the rotational driving force to the rotational member 90 provided in the support frame 711L.

When the rotational driving force is input to the input portion 76 and transmitted from the input gear 81 to the other transmission gears 82 to 85 constituting the transmission mechanism 80 , the rotational driving force is transmitted to the stirring member 72 and the supply roller 73 . , the developing roller 74 and the rotating member 90 , the stirring member 72 , the supplying roller 73 , the developing roller 74 and the rotating member 90 rotate.

As shown in FIG. 12 , the supply roller 73 is arranged on the front side of the developing roller 74 (the direction opposite to the insertion direction of the developing device 70 ), and is arranged on the rear side of the stirring member 72 . The supply roller 73 is a roller member that rotates while carrying the toner contained in the developer on the outer peripheral surface. The supply roller 73 is rotatably supported by the pair of support frames 711 . The supply roller 73 carries the developer accommodated in the casing 71 on the outer peripheral surface by rotation, and conveys the developer to a position opposite to the developing roller 74 .

The supply roller 73 has a cylindrical roller body 731 composed of a conductive elastic member, and a conductive rotating shaft 732 arranged at the center of the roller body 731 . The roller body 731 is formed of, for example, an elastic member such as urethane in which carbon is appropriately dispersed. Further, the rotating shaft 732 is a conductive metal shaft. Both ends of the rotation shaft 732 are rotatably supported in bearing holes (not shown) provided in the pair of support frames 711 . A predetermined bias (hereinafter referred to as a supply bias) is applied to the supply roller 73 in order to carry the charged toner on the outer peripheral surface and to move the toner from the supply roller 73 to the developing roller 74 .

In the present embodiment, the supply bias is applied to the rotating shaft 732 of the supply roller 73 from the supply terminal 117 (see FIG. 8 ) provided in the device main body 11 in a state where the developing device 70 is mounted on the device main body 11 . Specifically, the supply terminal 117 is provided at a position in contact with a guide portion 791 (see FIGS. 15 and 16 ) to be described later in the mounted state of the developing device 70 . When the developing device 70 is mounted on the apparatus main body 11 , the guide portion 791 In contact with the supply terminal 117 , the supply bias is applied to the rotating shaft 732 from the supply terminal 117 via the guide portion 791 , the guide member 79 , and the connection portion 792 .

The developing roller 74 is arranged on the rear side inside the casing 71 . The developing roller 74 is a roller member that rotates while supporting the toner contained in the developer on the outer peripheral surface. The developing roller 74 is rotatably supported by the pair of support frames 711 . An opening 713 for exposing the developing roller 74 to the outside is formed on the rear side surface of the casing 71 . In a state where the developing device 70 is attached to the device main body 11 , the developing roller 74 and the photosensitive drum 61 face each other with a predetermined gap therebetween.

The developing roller 74 has a cylindrical roller body 741 composed of a conductive elastic member, and a conductive rotating shaft 742 (an example of a first support shaft) disposed at the center of the roller body 741 . The roller body 741 is formed of, for example, an elastic member such as urethane in which carbon is appropriately dispersed. Further, the rotating shaft 742 is a conductive metal shaft. Both ends of the rotating shaft 742 are rotatably supported by bearing portions 77 ( 77L, 77R) provided in the pair of support frames 711 (see FIG. 11 ). In order to move the toner from the supplying roller 73 to the developing roller 74 , a predetermined bias (hereinafter referred to as a developing bias) is applied to the developing roller 74 . Using the potential difference between the developing bias and the supplying bias, the toner having the electric charge is supplied from the supplying roller 73 to the developing roller 74 .

In the present embodiment, the developing bias is applied to the rotating shaft 742 of the developing roller 74 from the supply terminal 116 (see FIG. 8 ) provided in the apparatus main body 11 in a state where the developing device 70 is mounted on the apparatus main body 11 . Specifically, the supply terminal 116 is provided at a position in contact with a bearing portion 77R (see FIG. 15 ) to be described later in the mounted state of the developing device 70 . When the developing device 70 is mounted on the device body 11 , the guide portion of the bearing portion 77R 77R2 (see FIG. 15 ) is in contact with the supply terminal 116 , and the developing bias is applied from the supply terminal 116 to the rotating shaft 742 via the guide portion 77R2 .

As shown in FIG. 14 , a bearing portion 77L (an example of a first bearing portion) is provided in the support frame 711L. The bearing portion 77L is integrally formed with the support frame 711L, and has a cylindrical guide portion 77L1 (an example of a first guide portion) protruding outward from the outer side surface of the support frame 711L. The shaft end portion on the left side of the rotating shaft 742 is inserted into a bearing hole formed in the inside of the bearing portion 77L, whereby the shaft end portion is rotatably supported. In the present embodiment, the guide portion 77L1 of the bearing portion 77L also serves as a guide member for developing the developing device 70 together with the guide portion 77R2 of the bearing portion 77R described later in the process of attaching the developing device 70 to the device main body 11 . The device 70 is guided to said mounting position P11 determined on the drum unit 60 .

Further, as shown in FIG. 13 , the side cover 75 is provided with a guide portion 78 integrally formed with the side cover 75 . The guide portion 78 is provided at a position spaced a predetermined distance from the bearing portion 77L (the guide portion 77L1 of the guide portion 77L1 ) to the front side (the direction opposite to the insertion direction of the developing device 70 ). The guide portion 78 is a cylindrical member protruding outward from the outer side surface of the side cover 75 . In the present embodiment, the guide portion 78 guides a portion of the front end side of the developing device 70 downward together with a guide portion 791 of a guide member 79 to be described later when the developing device 70 is attached to the apparatus main body 11 .

FIG. 15 is an enlarged perspective view of the right side portion of the developing device 70 .

As shown in FIG. 15 , a bearing portion 77R (an example of a first bearing portion) is provided in the support frame 711R. The bearing portion 77R is an example of a first guide portion. The bearing portion 77R has a cylindrical portion 77R1 integrally formed with the support frame 711R, and a guide portion 77R2 (an example of a first guide portion) that is guided when the developing device 70 is attached to the device main body 11 . The cylindrical portion 77R1 protrudes outward from the outer side surface of the support frame 711R. The shaft end portion 742R on the right side of the rotation shaft 742 is inserted into the inner hole of the cylindrical portion 77R1, whereby the shaft end portion 742R is rotatably supported.

In a state where the rotating shaft 742 passes through the cylindrical portion 77R1, the shaft end portion 742R penetrates the cylindrical portion 77R1 and is exposed to the outside. A cylindrical guide portion 77R2 is attached to the exposed portion. The guide portion 77R2 is formed of, for example, a conductive member. In the present embodiment, the guide portion 77R2 is used to guide the developing device 70 to the mounting position P11 determined on the drum unit 60 during the process of mounting the developing device 70 to the apparatus main body 11 .

Moreover, as shown in FIG. 15, the guide part 791 is provided in the support frame 711R. Specifically, a guide member 79 formed of a conductive member is fixed to the support frame 711R, and a guide portion 791 is integrally formed on the guide member 79 . In addition, the guide part 791 is an example of a 2nd guide part.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing a state in which the shaft cover 712 (see FIG. 15 ) is removed from the right side portion of the developing device 70 . As shown in FIG. 16 , a bearing hole for supporting a shaft end portion 732R on the right side of the rotating shaft 732 of the supply roller 73 is formed in the support frame 711R, and the shaft end portion 732R passes through the bearing hole. A shaft cover 712 (see FIG. 15 ) is attached to the outer surface of the support frame 711R so as to cover the shaft end portion 732R. In addition, in FIG. 15 , the member surrounded by the thick solid line is the shaft cover 712 .

As shown in FIG. 16, the guide member 79 is attached to the outer surface of the support frame 711R. In FIG. 16 , the member surrounded by the thick solid line is the guide member 79 . The guide member 79 is formed of a conductive member, and has a guide portion 791 and a connection portion 792 . The connection part 792 is connected to the shaft end part 732R which protrudes the support frame 711R outward, and thereby also electrically connects the conductive rotating shaft 732 and the conductive guide member 79 .

The guide portion 791 is provided at a position further forward than the bearing portion 77R at a predetermined interval. The guide portion 791 is a cylindrical member protruding outward from the outer side surface of the support frame 711R. In the present embodiment, the guide portion 791 guides the portion on the front end side of the developing device 70 downward during the process of attaching the developing device 70 to the apparatus main body 11 .

Further, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 , the support frame 711R is provided with a cover member (cover member) 717 that closes the toner filling port formed in the support frame 711R. The toner filling port communicates with the inside of the casing 71, and the toner is filled into the inside from the toner filling port.

As described above, the developing device 70 of the present embodiment includes the bearing portions 77 ( 77L, 77R) provided on the pair of support frames 711 . Therefore, when the developing device 70 is inserted into the apparatus main body 11 in a state where the apparatus main body 11 is mounted on the drum unit 60, the guide portion 77L1 of the bearing portion 77L and the guide portion 77R2 of the bearing portion 77R included in the developing device 70 follow the apparatus main body. The guide surface 112A of 11 is guided toward the mounting position P11 (see FIG. 8 ).

Specifically, if the guide portion 77L1 and the guide portion 77R2 inserted into the guide groove 111 from the insertion port 113 reach the first bending point P1 of the guide groove 111 , the guide portion 77L1 and the guide portion 77R2 enter the guide groove from the upper end opening 114 112. Thereafter, the guide surface 112A along the guide groove 112 is guided toward the mounting position P11. When the guide of the guide surface 112A is completed, the guide portion 77L1 and the guide portion 77R2 enter the guide groove 646 and are guided to the mounting position P11 by the guide groove 646 . Then, when the guide portion 77L1 and the guide portion 77R2 are guided to the mounting position P11, the guide portion 77L1 and the guide portion 77R2 are restricted by the stopper 647 at the mounting position P11.

Further, when the developing device 70 is mounted on the device main body 11, if the guide portions 78, 791 enter the guide groove 112, the guide surface 112B along the guide groove 112 is guided substantially downward.

Thereby, the developing device 70 is positioned in the drum unit 60, and the developing device 70 is locked to the drum unit 60 by a locking mechanism not shown.

Further, in the developing device 70 of the present embodiment, the guide portion 77L1 provided on the bearing portion 77L and the guide portion 77R2 provided on the shaft end portion 742R serve as members to be guided when the developing device 70 is mounted. In other words, the bearing portions 77L and 77R also serve as guide members of the developing device 70 when attaching and detaching to and from the device main body 11 . Therefore, the number of members provided on the side surface of the developing device 70 can be reduced, and as a result, the casing 71 of the developing device 70 can be made compact.

Further, in the present embodiment, in the mounted state of the developing device 70 , the guide portion 791 is in contact with the supply terminal 117 , and the supply is applied from the supply terminal 117 to the rotating shaft 732 via the guide portion 791 , the guide member 79 , and the connection portion 792 . bias. Further, the guide portion 77R2 of the bearing portion 77R is in contact with the supply terminal 116 , and the developing bias is applied to the rotating shaft 742 from the supply terminal 116 via the guide portion 77R2 . That is, the guide member 79 also serves as a power receiving terminal (power receiving portion) for supplying a bias voltage, and the bearing portion 77R also serves as a power receiving terminal (power receiving portion) for developing bias. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide each power receiving terminal on the side surface portion of the developing device 70, and the number of members provided on the side surface portion can be further reduced. As a result, further compactness of the casing 71 of the developing device 70 can be achieved.

[second]

As shown in FIG. 9 , the developing device 70 is provided with two handles 200 . The handle 200 is a portion that the user holds with fingers when the developing device 70 is attached to the apparatus main body 11 , when the developing device 70 is pulled out from the apparatus main body 11 and pulled out, or when the developing device 70 is grasped or transported.

The handle 200 is provided on a front surface 714 (an example of a side surface) on the front side of the housing 71 . Specifically, the two handles 200 are arranged at a predetermined interval in the left-right direction 9 on the upper end portion of the front surface 714 . In this embodiment, the two handles 200 are respectively provided at both ends of the upper end portion in the left-right direction 9 . Each handle 200 is integrally formed with the housing 71 . In addition, in the present embodiment, an example in which the handle 200 is provided in the casing 71 will be described, but the handle 200 may be provided in other parts of the developing device 70 as long as it can function as a handle of the developing device 70 without being provided in the casing 71 . part. In addition, the installation position of the handle 200 is not limited to the front surface 714 of the housing 71 , but may be, for example, the upper surface 715 , the lower surface 716 , or the left and right sides (eg, a pair of support frames 711 ) of the housing 71 . In addition, the number of handles 200 is not limited to two, but may be one, or three or more, for example. In addition, when there is one handle 200 , the handle 200 is preferably provided at the center of the upper end portion of the front surface 714 . In addition, when there are three or more handles 200 , it is preferable that the handles 200 are provided at equal intervals in the left-right direction 9 in the upper end portion of the front surface 714 .

FIG. 17 is an enlarged view in which the left side of the developing device 70 is enlarged. As shown in FIG. 17 , the handle 200 protrudes forward from the front surface 714 . The handle 200 is a plate-shaped member extending forward. As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19 , the upper surface 201 of the handle 200 is formed in a curved shape. Here, FIG. 18 is a partial enlarged view showing the handle 200 with which the developing device 70 is provided, and is a cross-sectional view taken along the cross-sectional plane XVIII-XVIII of FIG. 17 . In addition, FIG. 19 is a partial enlarged view which shows the handle|steering-wheel 200, and is a cross-sectional view of the cross-sectional plane XIX-XIX of FIG. 18. FIG.

In this embodiment, an example in which the upper surface 201 of the handle 200 is formed in a curved shape is described, but the lower surface 202 (see FIG. 18 ) of the handle 200 may be formed in a curved shape, for example.

In the present embodiment, the handle 200 includes a base portion 203 protruding forward from the front surface 714 and a grip portion 204 extending forward from the base portion 203 (ie, in the protruding direction of the handle 200 ). As shown in FIG. 18 , the inclined surface 2041 on the upper side of the grip portion 204 in the upper surface 201 of the handle 200 is formed in a curved shape.

As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18 , the base portion 203 has an upper surface 2031 (an example of a first upper surface) that is perpendicular to the front surface 714 of the housing 71 . Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 18 , the grip portion 204 is bent obliquely upward to the front side with respect to the base portion 203 . That is, the grip portion 204 has the inclined surface 2041 on the upper side thereof. The inclined surface 2041 is bent obliquely upward with respect to the upper surface 2031 of the base portion 203 and extends obliquely upward. The inclined surface 2041 and the upper surface 2031 form a predetermined angle (an obtuse angle larger than 90 degrees). The angle is determined in a range of, for example, 150 degrees or more and 180 degrees or less, and more preferably an angle determined in a range of 165 degrees or more and 175 degrees or less. In the handle 200, the inclined surface 2041 of the grip portion 204 is formed in a curved shape. In addition, the upper surface 2031 of the base portion is a flat surface, and the upper surface 2031 is not formed in a curved shape.

In addition, in this embodiment, although the structure in which the upper surface of the holding part 204 is inclined obliquely upwardly forward is illustrated, the holding part 204 is not limited to this shape. For example, the upper surface of the grip portion 204 may be horizontal, or may be inclined forward and obliquely downward. Regardless of the structure, the upper surface of the grip portion 204 may be formed in a curved shape in which the center portion is recessed.

Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19 , the inclined surface 2041 of the grip portion 204 has a flat bottom surface 2042 formed in the central portion thereof and a curved surface provided on the outer peripheral edge portion 2044 of the grip portion 204 and continuous with the bottom surface 2042 2043. By the bottom surface 2042 and the curved surface 2043, the inclined surface 2041 of the grip part 204 is formed in the curved shape in which the center part (bottom surface 2042) is concavely recessed as a whole.

Since the handle 200 is constructed as described above, if the user holds the handle 200 with the thumb and index finger of the user holding the handle 200, the thumb placed on the inclined surface 2041 on the upper side of the grip portion 204 matches the curved shape, Therefore, the grip portion 204 of the handle 200 can be firmly grasped by the index finger and thumb placed on the lower surface 202 . Thereby, the developing device 70 can be easily held, and the developing device 70 can be prevented from falling down when the developing device 70 is attached and detached. In addition, attachment and detachment of the developing device 70 to and from the image forming apparatus can be smoothly performed.

In addition, the inclined surface 2041 (see FIG. 18 ) of the grip portion 204 is not limited to being formed in a curved shape by the bottom surface 2042 and the curved surface 2043 . For example, the inclined surface 2041 may be formed in a shape in which the center portion is the deepest portion and is curved from the deepest portion to the outer peripheral edge portion 2044 . In addition, the inclined surface 2041 may be formed in a circular arc shape passing through the shape of the cut surface of the deepest portion.

Moreover, the protrusion part 205 which protrudes vertically downward from the lower surface 202 is provided in the outer peripheral edge part 2044 of the grip part 204. The protruding portion 205 is provided over the entire area of the outer peripheral edge portion 2044 . That is, the lower surface 202 of the handle 200 is formed in a concave shape by the protruding portion 205 . Therefore, the fingers of the user placed on the lower surface 202 are easily caught by the protrusions 205 . Thereby, the holding feeling when the user grasps the handle 200 can be improved, and the handle 200 can be more easily grasped.

As shown in FIG. 17 , the outer peripheral edge portion 2044 is formed in a circular arc shape. Specifically, in the outer peripheral edge portion 2044, the protruding end portion on the front side (the protruding direction side) is formed in an arc shape. The outer peripheral edge portion 2044 is formed in, for example, a semicircular arc shape.

In addition, on the upper surface of the grip portion 204 , that is, the inclined surface 2041 , a protruding rib 207 formed in an arc shape is formed inward from the outer peripheral edge portion 2044 . As shown in FIG. 17, the rib 207 is formed in the same arc shape as the arc shape of the outer peripheral edge part 2044, for example, it is formed in the arc shape of a semicircle. In this embodiment, two ribs 207 are formed on the inclined surface 2041 . Thereby, when the user grasps the inclined surface 2041 of the grip portion 204, the fingers are hooked on the rib 207, so that the handle 200 can be more easily grasped.

[third]

As shown in FIG. 9 , the casing 71 of the developing device 70 is provided with a bulging portion 210 that bulges upward. The bulging portion 210 is provided on the upper surface 715 of the housing 71 . In other words, the bulging portion 210 is provided on the upper surface 715 , which is one side in the up-down direction 7 (short-side direction) perpendicular to the long-side direction (left-right direction 9 ) of the casing 71 , that is, the upper side. The bulging portion 210 extends in the longitudinal direction on the upper surface 715 and is integrally formed with the housing 71 . In addition, when the housing 71 is composed of a lower case that can accommodate the developer and a cover member that closes the upper surface opening of the lower case, the bulging portion 210 may be integrally formed with the cover member, or the bulging portion 210 may also be It can also be used as the cover member.

In addition, in this embodiment, although the structure in which the bulging part 210 is provided in the upper surface 715 of the housing 71 was illustrated, this invention is not limited to this structure. The bulging portion 210 may be provided on either side of the case 71 in the short-side direction, for example, may be provided on the front surface 714 or the lower surface 716 of the case 71 (see FIG. 20 ).

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of the cross-sectional plane XX-XX of FIG. 11 . The bulging part 210 is a part which expands the storage volume inside the casing 71, and as shown in FIG. Thereby, the storage capacity of the developer inside the casing 71 is enlarged by the volume of the hollow portion 211 inside the bulging portion 210 .

In the present embodiment, the bulging portion 210 has a vertical surface 2102 extending downward from the top portion 2101 on the front side and an inclined surface 2103 extending diagonally downward from the top portion 2101 in a cross-sectional view, and is generally triangular in a side view. Therefore, the rear side portion of the developing device 70 , that is, the portion on the insertion direction side where the developing device 70 is inserted into the apparatus main body 11 can be made smaller than the front side portion. Thereby, the developing device 70 can be easily attached to the device main body 11 .

FIG. 21 is an enlarged view in which the center portion of the bulging portion 210 of the developing device 70 is enlarged. As shown in FIG. 21 , a concave portion 220 is provided in the center portion of the bulging portion 210 . The recessed part 220 is provided in the center part of the said longitudinal direction of the bulging part 210 .

The concave portion 220 extends in the front-rear direction 8 in the bulging portion 210 . The concave portion 220 is formed in a shape in which the center portion of the bulging portion 210 is recessed downward, and is formed in a groove shape surrounded by a bottom surface 221 and a pair of side surfaces 222 inclined from the top portion 2101 and the inclined surface 2103 to the bottom surface 221 . The bottom surface 221 is a surface parallel to the upper surface 715 . The side surface 222 and the bottom surface 221 form a predetermined angle (an obtuse angle larger than 90 degrees). The angle is, for example, an angle determined within a range of more than 90 degrees and 150 degrees or less.

Since the recessed portion 220 is configured as described above, when the user holds and picks up the developing device 70 with one hand, the user can hold the recessed portion 220 with the fingers of the user's hand. Thereby, the user can easily hold the developing device 70 with one hand, and the developing device 70 can be held firmly and stably even with one hand. As a result, the developing device 70 can be prevented from falling down when the developing device 70 is operated.

In addition, since the recessed portion 220 is provided with the inclined side surface 222, for example, when the user tries to grope and hold the developing device 70 in a state where the developing device 70 cannot be reliably visually recognized, the user can put his finger on the side surface 222. The position of the bottom surface 221 of the recessed portion 220 is grasped by the interval received from the fingers. As a result, the user can place the finger on the bottom surface 221 of the concave portion 220 by shifting the position of the finger to the concave portion 220 firmly.

[fourth]

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the developing device 70 . FIG. 22 shows the lower surface 716 of the developing device 70 , that is, the lower surface 716 of the casing 71 . In addition, FIG. 23 is a perspective view showing the drum unit 60 included in the image forming apparatus 10 .

As described above, the developing device 70 is detachably supported by the drum unit 60 as the mounting member. Specifically, the developing device 70 is detachably supported by the developing support portion 65 (see FIG. 7 ) provided in the casing 64 of the drum unit 60 . In a state where the developing device 70 is attached to the developing support portion 65 , it is necessary to prevent the positional displacement of the developing device 70 . Therefore, as shown in FIG. 22 , the housing 71 is provided with a positioning member 230 .

The positioning member 230 is provided on the lower surface 716 of the housing 71 . The lower surface 716 is a supported surface that is supported when the developing device 70 is attached to the developing support portion 65 . That is, the lower surface 716 of the developing device 70 is supported by the second base frame 651 (see FIG. 23 ) of the developing support portion 65 . In the present embodiment, the positioning member 230 is provided at the left end portion in the lower surface 716 .

In addition, in this embodiment, although the structure in which the positioning member 230 is provided in the left end part of the lower surface 716 was illustrated, this invention is not limited to this structure. The positioning member 230 may be provided at the center portion of the lower surface 716 or may be provided at the right end portion. In addition, a plurality of positioning members 230 may also be provided on the lower surface 716 .

The positioning member 230 is engaged with a cutout 654 (positioning hole) formed in the second base frame 651 in a state where the developing device 70 is mounted on the developing support portion 65 (mounted state). Specifically, in the mounted state, the positioning member 230 is inserted into the cutout 654 . Thereby, the developing device 70 is positioned so as not to be displaced relative to the developing support portion 65 of the drum unit 60 in the front-rear direction 8 and the left-right direction 9 .

The positioning member 230 protrudes vertically from the lower surface 716 . Further, the positioning member 230 is a narrow rib-shaped member extending on the lower surface 716 in the short-side direction (eg, the front-rear direction 8 ) perpendicular to the long-side direction (left-right direction 9 ) of the casing 71 . In the present embodiment, the positioning member 230 extends in a direction (rearward) that guides each of the guide portions 77L1 , 77R2 , and 78 of the developing device 70 when the developing device 70 is inserted into the mounting position in the developing support portion 65 .

As shown in FIG. 23 , a cutout 654 is formed in the second base frame 651 of the developing support portion 65 . In the case where the developing device 70 is compatible with the developing support portion 65 of the drum unit 60 , that is, when the developing device 70 can be mounted on the developing support portion 65 of the drum unit 60 , the positioning member 230 is provided to the developing support 65 of the drum unit 60 . The position corresponding to the cutout 654 , that is, the position where the cutout 654 can be inserted. In this case, the developing device 70 is appropriately attached to the developing support portion 65 of the drum unit 60 . That is, in a state where the developing device 70 is mounted on the developing support portion 65 , the positioning member 230 is inserted into the cutout 654 .

On the other hand, when the developing device 70 is not interchangeable with respect to the developing support portion 65 of the drum unit 60 , the positioning member 230 is provided at a position not corresponding to the cutout 654 , that is, a position where it cannot be inserted into the cutout 654 . In this case, even if the developing device 70 is inserted into the developing support portion 65 of the drum unit 60 , the positioning member 230 abuts on the second base frame 651 . Therefore, the developing device 70 cannot be attached to the developing support portion 65 of the drum unit 60 . Accordingly, in the present embodiment, the positioning member 230 has the same function as the interchangeable member 240 described later. That is, the positioning member 230 constitutes a part of the interchange member 240 .

In addition, in the present embodiment, the positioning member 30 is formed to be longer in the short-side direction than the interchangeable member 240 to be described later, and is formed to have a longer protruding length. In addition, the cutout 654 is formed to be long in the short-side direction corresponding to the positioning member 30, and the cutout depth is also formed to be deep. Therefore, with the positioning member 230 inserted into the cutout 654, the developing device 70 can be positioned with respect to the developing support portion 65 with high accuracy.

As shown in FIG. 22 , in the housing 71 , an exchange member 240 is provided at a position adjacent to the positioning member 230 . The interchangeable member 240 is a member that is required so as not to supply an inappropriate developer to the image forming apparatus 10 since another developing device inappropriate is attached to the image forming apparatus 10 with respect to the drum unit 60 . In the present embodiment, the interchangeable member 240 is a member that can be alternatively attached to the drum unit 60 . Specifically, the interchangeable member 240 is a member for enabling only the developing device 70 having the attachment compatibility to be attached to the developing support portion 65 of the drum unit 60 .

As shown in FIG. 22 , three interchange members 240 are provided on the lower surface 716 . Each interchangeable member 240 is provided on the lower surface 716 of the housing 71 , and is disposed closer to the center than the positioning member 230 . Each interchangeable member 240 is formed in the same shape and protrudes vertically from the lower surface 716 . Further, each interchangeable member 240 is a narrow rib-shaped member extending in the short-side direction (for example, the front-rear direction 8 ) of the casing 71 on the lower surface 716 . Compared with the positioning member 230, each interchangeable member 240 has a shorter dimension in the short-side direction and a shorter protruding length.

In addition, in this embodiment, although the structure which provided the some interchangeable member 240 was illustrated, this invention is not limited to this structure. Only one interchange member 240 may be provided adjacent to the positioning member 230 . In addition, the interchangeable member 240 may not necessarily be provided at a position adjacent to the positioning member 230 , and may be provided at a position deviated from the positioning member 230 on the lower surface 716 . For example, in the case where the positioning member 230 is provided at the left end portion of the lower surface 716 , the interchange member 240 may be provided at the center portion or the right end portion of the lower surface 716 .

Each interchangeable member 240 is engaged with a cutout 655 formed in the second base frame 651 in a state where the developing device 70 is attached to the developing support portion 65 . Specifically, in the mounted state, the interchange member 240 is inserted into the cutout 655 . In the present embodiment, the interchangeable member 240 is provided at a position corresponding to the cutout 655 , that is, can be inserted into the cutout, when the developing device 70 is compatible with the developing support portion 65 of the drum unit 60 location in 655. In this case, the developing device 70 is appropriately attached to the developing support portion 65 of the drum unit 60 . That is, in a state where the developing device 70 is mounted on the developing support portion 65 , the interchangeable member 240 is inserted into the cutout 655 .

On the other hand, when the developing device 70 is not compatible with the developing support portion 65 of the drum unit 60, the interchangeable member 240 is provided at a position that does not correspond to the cutout 655, that is, a position that cannot be inserted into the cutout 655. . In this case, even if the developing device 70 is inserted into the developing support portion 65 of the drum unit 60 , the interchangeable member 240 abuts on the second base frame 651 . Therefore, the developing device 70 cannot be attached to the developing support portion 65 of the drum unit 60 . Thus, the structure in which the interchangeability of installation is achieved by the interchangeable member 240 and the cutout 655 is generally referred to as a non-interchangeable structure.

As described above, in the present embodiment, not only the interchangeable member 240 but also the positioning member 230 can reject the installation of the developing device which does not have the installation compatibility. Therefore, the non-interchangeable structure can be realized not only by the interchange member 240 but also by the positioning member 230 . In other words, the positioning member 230 forms part of the non-interchangeable structure. Therefore, by combining the arrangement pattern of each interchangeable member 240 and the arrangement position of the positioning member 230 , the number of recognized non-interchangeable structures corresponding to various types of developing devices 70 can be increased without increasing the interchangeable member 240 . In addition, since the number of interchangeable members 240 can be reduced, the structure of the lower surface 716 of the developing device 70 is not complicated, the developing support 65 and the developing device 70 are well coordinated, and the developing device 70 can be smoothly attached to the developing device 70 . support portion 65 .

In addition, in the embodiment described above, the example in which the developing device 70 is attached to the drum unit 60 attached to the image forming apparatus 10 has been described, but the present invention can also be applied to the casing 64 of the drum unit 60 and the apparatus of the image forming apparatus 10 . The case where the main body 11 is integrally formed.

In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the developing device 70 detachable from the image forming apparatus 10 is exemplified, but the present invention can also be applied to a toner container detachable from the image forming apparatus 10 .

The scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned contents but is defined by the description of the claims, so it is considered that the embodiments described in this specification are merely illustrative and not limiting. Therefore, all modifications that do not depart from the scope and scope of the claims, and content equivalent to the scope and scope of the claims are included in the scope of the claims.

Claims (8)

1. A developing device detachably supported by an image forming apparatus, the developing device comprising:

a housing capable of accommodating a developer therein;

at least one rotating member rotatably provided to the housing;

a first support shaft provided at an axial end of the rotating member and formed of a conductive member; and

a support member having a first bearing portion that supports the first support shaft and constituting the side surface in the axial direction in the housing,

the first bearing portion includes a first guide portion that protrudes outward from an outer surface of the support member and is guided toward a mounting position of the developing device during mounting with respect to the image forming apparatus.

2. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the rotating member is a developing roller.

3. The developing device according to claim 2, wherein the first guide is formed of a conductive member and contacts a supply terminal of a developing bias provided in the image forming apparatus in a state where the developing device is mounted at the mounting position.

4. The developing device according to claim 2 or 3,

further comprising a supply roller rotatably provided in the casing and arranged in parallel to be close to and opposed to the developing roller,

the developing roller is disposed in the housing on an insertion direction side in which the developing device is inserted to the mounting position when the developing device is mounted,

the feed roller is disposed in the housing on the opposite side to the insertion direction,

the supply roller has a second support shaft provided at an end portion in an axial direction of the supply roller and formed of a conductive member,

the supporting member has a guide member that supports the second supporting shaft and guides the developing device to the mounting position,

the guide member has: a connecting portion that penetrates a bearing hole formed in the support member and is connected to a shaft end portion of the second support shaft that protrudes outward from the outer surface of the support member; and a second guide portion guided toward the mounting position during the mounting process.

5. The developing device according to claim 4, wherein the second guide portion is disposed at a position apart from the connecting portion in the opposite direction.

6. The developing device according to claim 5, wherein the second guide is formed of a conductive member and contacts a supply terminal for supplying a bias voltage provided in the image forming apparatus in a state where the developing device is mounted at the mounting position.

7. An image forming apparatus, characterized by comprising:

the developing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6; and

and a photosensitive drum on which a toner image is formed by development of the developing device.

8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7,

further comprising a drum unit for rotatably supporting the photosensitive drum,

the drum unit has a bearing that guides the developing device to the mounting position during the mounting process and that supports the developing device at the mounting position,

the support portion has a guide groove for guiding the first guide portion to the mounting position during the mounting process.

Images