CN204229118U - Delevoping cartridge, handle box and image processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

A kind of Delevoping cartridge, possesses housing, this housing possesses the first framework and the second framework, and be formed in by the first framework and the second framework the resettlement section that developer can be accommodated in inside, this first framework possesses the first side wall along first direction setting spaced apart and the second sidewall, this second framework covers a side of the first side wall and the second direction orthogonal with first direction between the second sidewall, and the second framework possesses: contact site, with the first contact therewith; And teat, a side from from contact site to second direction is outstanding, roughly integrally extending of resettlement section on first direction, teat has dip plane, and this dip plane tilts relative to the surface of contact of contact site and the first contact therewith when observing from first direction.According to the utility model, the amount of the toner of collecting can be increased and the power be subject to from interferences can be alleviated.

Description

Developing cartridge, process cartridge and image forming device

technical field

The utility model relates to an image forming device adopting an electronic photo method, and a processing box and a developing box assembled in the image forming device.

Background technique

As an image forming apparatus employing an electrophotographic system, there is known an image forming apparatus equipped with a developing cartridge including a developing roller and a storage chamber for storing toner. During the image forming operation, in the developing cartridge, the toner in the storage chamber is conveyed to the developing roller. Thereby, the toner is properly supported on the outer peripheral surface of the developing roller.

A process cartridge including a process cartridge main body and a cover is known as a developing cartridge incorporated in such an image forming apparatus. The process cartridge main body has a bottomed frame shape, and supports the developing roller in a rotatable manner. The cover covers the process cartridge main body. The developer is accommodated in the internal space after the process cartridge main body and the cover are combined. The cover bulges on the side opposite to the developing roller with respect to the bonding surface of the process cartridge main body and the cover, thereby increasing the volume of the internal space and increasing the amount of stored developer (for example, refer to Patent Document 1).

【Prior technical literature】

【Patent Literature】

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2010-72331

Utility model content

【Problems to be solved by utility models】

However, in the process cartridge described in Patent Document 1, the end surface of the cover, that is, the end surface provided at a distance from the joint surface of the process cartridge body and the cover is provided substantially parallel to the joint surface. Therefore, when an interfering object collides against the cover of the process cartridge during transport of the process cartridge, the cover is directly impacted by the interfering object, and thus a large force is applied to the process cartridge. In this case, there is a possibility that the developer leaks from the process cartridge.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of increasing the amount of stored toner and reducing the force received from interfering objects, and a process cartridge and a developing cartridge incorporated in the image forming apparatus.

【Proposal to solve the problem】

(1) In order to achieve the above object, the developer cartridge of the present invention is provided with a housing, the housing is provided with a first frame and a second frame, and a housing part capable of housing the developer is formed by the first frame and the second frame. , the first frame has a first side wall and a second side wall arranged at intervals along the first direction, and the second frame covers a second side wall perpendicular to the first direction between the first side wall and the second side wall. One of the two directions. The second frame includes: a contact portion that contacts the first frame; and a protruding portion that protrudes from the contact portion toward one side in the second direction and extends over substantially the entirety of the housing portion in the first direction. The protruding portion has an inclined surface that is inclined relative to a contact surface of the contact portion that contacts the first frame when viewed from the first direction.

According to such a configuration, the protruding portion protrudes from the contact portion to one side in the second direction and extends substantially over the entire housing portion in the first direction.

Therefore, the amount of developer to be stored can be increased by the protruding portion.

In addition, the protruding portion has an inclined surface that is inclined with respect to a contact surface of the contact portion that contacts the first frame when viewed from the first direction.

Therefore, even if the interfering object collides with the developing cartridge from one of the second directions, the force received from the interfering object can be avoided by the inclined surface of the protrusion.

As a result, the force received from the interfering object can be reduced.

(2) In addition, the developing cartridge may further include: a roller member rotatable in a first direction, one end in the first direction is supported by the first side wall, and the other end in the first direction is supported by the second side wall. , supporting the developer on the outer peripheral surface; and a layer thickness regulating member in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the roller member, and restricting the layer thickness of the developer carried on the outer peripheral surface of the roller member. The inclined surface may incline toward one of the second directions as it moves away from the layer thickness regulating member in a third direction perpendicular to both the first direction and the second direction.

According to such a configuration, the inclined surface inclines toward one side of the second direction as it moves away from the layer thickness regulating member in the third direction.

Therefore, in the case where the interfering matter collides with the developing cartridge from one side of the second direction, the interfering matter collides with a portion of the inclined surface separated from the layer thickness restricting member in the third direction.

As a result, it is possible to suppress the application of force to the layer thickness regulating member.

(3) In addition, the layer thickness regulating member may further include: a scraper member contacting the roller member to restrict the layer thickness of the developer on the roller member; a supporting member supporting the scraper member; a reinforcing member relative to the roller member. The scraper member is located on the side opposite to the support member, and clamps the scraper member by cooperation with the support member; and the fixing member clamps the support member and the reinforcement member in order to clamp the scraper member by the support member and the reinforcement member to fix. The end edge of the inclined surface on the first frame side may be located on one side of the second direction than the fixing member when viewed from the first direction.

According to such a configuration, when viewed from the first direction, the end edge of the inclined surface on the first frame side is located on one side in the second direction than the fixing member.

As a result, when the interfering matter collides with the developing cartridge from one side of the second direction, it can be suppressed that the interfering matter collides with the fixing member.

(4) In addition, the protruding portion may have: a first end edge extending along the first direction and positioned on the layer thickness restricting member side in the third direction when viewed from the second direction; and a second end edge extending along the first direction. It extends in one direction, and is located on the side opposite to the layer thickness regulating member with respect to the first end edge in the third direction when viewed from the second direction. A dimension of the first edge in the first direction may be shorter than a dimension of the second edge in the first direction.

According to such a structure, the dimension of the first edge in the first direction is shorter than the dimension of the second edge in the first direction.

Therefore, the rigidity of the first edge can be made higher than the rigidity of the second edge.

As a result, the bending of the first end edge can be suppressed, and the application of force to the layer thickness regulating member due to the deformation of the developing cartridge can be suppressed.

(5) In addition, the developer cartridge may further include: a stirring member capable of rotating between the first side wall and the second side wall relative to the first direction, configured to stir the developer, and having a flexible stirring blade and a conveying member capable of swinging between the first side wall and the second side wall relative to the first direction, and configured to convey the developer stirred by the stirring member toward the roller member. The conveyance member may include a first engagement portion configured to be in contact with the stirring blade. The second frame may include a second engagement portion configured to come into contact with the stirring blade. The agitation member may be configured so that the agitation blade abuts on the first engaging portion and then abuts on the second engaging portion by rotation.

According to such a configuration, the developer cartridge includes: a stirring member configured to stir the developer and having a flexible stirring blade; and a conveying member configured to convey the developer toward the roller member.

Therefore, the developer can be made to flow by the stirring blade and the conveying member.

In addition, the agitation blade abuts on the second engagement portion after abutting on the first engagement portion by rotation of the agitation member.

Therefore, by rotation of the stirring member, the stirring blade can be slowly slid from the first engaging portion to the second engaging portion and brought into contact with the second engaging portion.

As a result, it is possible to suppress the stirring blade from colliding violently with members in the developing cartridge, so that generation of noise can be suppressed.

(6) In addition, the housing may further include a gripping portion. The grip portion may extend further in the second direction than the protruding portion.

According to such a configuration, the grip portion extends further in one of the second directions than the protruding portion.

Therefore, the grip part can be easily gripped from one side of the second direction.

(7) Moreover, the process cartridge of this invention is equipped with the developing cartridge and the drum cartridge, and the developing cartridge is detachably attached. The drum cartridge includes a drum-side holding portion located on one side of the protruding portion in a third direction perpendicular to both the first direction and the second direction. One end in the third direction of the protruding portion is recessed toward the other end in the third direction.

According to such a structure, the drum grip part is located on one side rather than the protrusion part in a 3rd direction. One end in the third direction of the protruding portion is recessed toward the other end in the third direction.

Therefore, when gripping the drum gripping portion, it is possible to suppress the protruding portion from becoming an obstacle.

As a result, the drum grip can be easily gripped.

(8) In addition, the image forming apparatus of the present invention includes: a developing cartridge; a photosensitive drum rotatable in a first direction; and a scanning unit configured to expose the photosensitive drum. The inclined surface is provided along an optical path of light from the scanning unit toward the photosensitive drum.

According to such a configuration, the inclined surface is provided along the optical path of light from the scanning unit to the photosensitive drum.

Therefore, the amount of developer to be stored can be increased, and the optical path of light from the scanning unit to the photosensitive drum can be secured.

As a result, the amount of developer to be stored can be increased, and a stable image forming operation can be ensured.

(9) In addition, the image forming apparatus of the present invention includes: a developing cartridge; a photosensitive drum rotatable in a first direction; and a scanning unit configured to expose the photosensitive drum. The supporting member has an attachment portion attached to the housing. The protruding portion is located further to the first frame side than the optical path in a fourth direction orthogonal to the optical path of light from the scanning unit toward the photosensitive drum. At least a part of the mounting portion is located on a side opposite to the protruding portion with respect to the optical path in the fourth direction.

According to such a configuration, the protruding portion is located on the first frame side rather than the optical path in the fourth direction. The mounting portion is located on a side opposite to the protruding portion with respect to the optical path in the fourth direction.

Therefore, it is possible to suppress interference between the protruding portion and the mounting portion and the optical path of light from the scanning unit toward the photosensitive drum.

As a result, stable image forming operation can be ensured.

【Utility Model Effect】

In the image forming apparatus, the process cartridge, and the developing cartridge of the present invention, the amount of toner to be stored can be increased, and the force received from interfering objects can be reduced.

Description of drawings

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing a printer as an embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of a process cartridge of the printer shown in FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a process cartridge of the printer shown in FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a developing cartridge of the printer shown in FIG. 1 .

Fig. 5 is an A-A sectional view of the developing cartridge shown in Fig. 4 .

Fig. 6 is a B-B sectional view of the developing cartridge shown in Fig. 5 .

Fig. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the developing cartridge shown in Fig. 4 .

Fig. 8A is a plan view of a second frame of the developing cartridge shown in Fig. 4 . Fig. 8B is a bottom view of the second frame of the developing cartridge shown in Fig. 4 . Fig. 8C is a left side view of the second frame of the developing cartridge shown in Fig. 4 .

9A is a side cross-sectional view showing a state where the stirring blade is in contact with the conveying member in the developing cartridge shown in FIG. 4 . 9B is a side cross-sectional view showing an initial state in which the stirring blade is in contact with the abutting wall in the developing cartridge shown in FIG. 4 . 9C is a side cross-sectional view showing a state in which the stirring blade is in contact with the abutting wall in the developing cartridge shown in FIG. 4 .

Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which a conveyance member rotates counterclockwise as viewed from the right side in the developer cartridge shown in Fig. 5 .

Detailed ways

1. The overall structure of the printer

As shown in FIG. 1 , an image forming apparatus 1 as an example of an image forming apparatus is an electrophotographic monochrome printer. The image forming apparatus 1 includes an apparatus main body 2 , a process cartridge 11 , a scanner unit 12 , and a fixing unit 13 . It should be noted that when referring to the orientation of the image forming apparatus 1 , the state in which it is placed in the horizontal direction is taken as a reference. That is, the right side of the paper in FIG. 1 is the front of the image forming apparatus 1 , and the left side of the paper is the rear of the image forming apparatus 1 . 1 is above the image forming apparatus 1 , and below the page is below the image forming apparatus 1 . Furthermore, the left and right reference is made when the image forming apparatus 1 is viewed from the front. That is, the front of the page of FIG. 1 is the left side of the image forming apparatus 1 , and the back side of the page is the right side of the image forming apparatus 1 . In a state where the image forming apparatus 1 is placed in the horizontal direction, the left-right direction is an example of the first direction, the up-down direction is an example of the fourth direction, and the front-rear direction is an example of the fifth direction.

The device main body 2 is formed in a substantially box shape. The device main body 2 has an opening 5 , a top cover 7 , a paper feed tray 8 , and a paper discharge tray 9 .

The opening 5 is located at the front upper end of the device main body 2 . The opening 5 communicates the inside and outside of the apparatus main body 2 in a direction connecting the upper front and the lower rear in order to allow the passage of the process cartridge 11 .

The top cover 7 is located at the upper end of the device main body 2 . The top cover 7 has a substantially flat plate shape extending in the front-rear direction. The top cover 7 is swingably supported on the upper end of the rear wall of the device main body 2 with its rear end as a fulcrum. The top cover 7 opens or closes the opening 5 .

The paper feed tray 8 is arranged at the bottom of the apparatus main body 2 . The paper feed tray 8 is configured to place paper P thereon.

The paper discharge tray 9 is arranged on the upper wall of the apparatus main body 2 . The paper discharge tray 9 is recessed downward from the upper surface of the apparatus main body 2 so that paper P is placed thereon.

The process cartridge 11 is arranged substantially in the vertical center of the apparatus main body 2 . The process cartridge 11 is configured to be attached to or detached from the apparatus main body 2 through the opening 5 . The process cartridge 11 includes a drum cartridge 14 and a developing cartridge 15 .

The process cartridge 11 includes a drum cartridge 14 and the aforementioned developing cartridge 15 .

The drum cartridge 14 includes a photosensitive drum 16 , a transfer roller 17 , and a grid electrode type charger 18 .

The photosensitive drum 16 is rotatably supported on the rear portion of the drum cartridge 14 .

The transfer roller 17 is located behind the photosensitive drum 16 and is rotatably supported by the rear portion of the drum cartridge 14 . The front upper end of the transfer roller 17 is in pressure contact with the rear lower end of the photosensitive drum 16 .

Grid electrode-type chargers 18 are located above and in front of the photosensitive drum 16 at intervals.

The developing cartridge 15 includes a developing roller 19 as an example of a roller member, a supply roller 20 , and a layer thickness regulating blade 21 as an example of a blade member.

The developing roller 19 is rotatably supported on the rear end portion of the developing cartridge 15 . The rear upper end portion of the developing roller 19 is in contact with the front lower end portion of the photosensitive drum 16 .

The supply roller 20 is positioned in front of and below the developing roller 19 . The supply roller 20 is rotatably supported on the rear portion of the developer cartridge 15 . The rear upper end portion of the supply roller 20 is in contact with the front lower end portion of the developing roller 19 .

The layer thickness regulating blade 21 is located in front of the developing roller 19 . The layer thickness regulating blade 21 has a substantially rectangular shape in a front view. The layer thickness regulating blade 21 is supported on the rear end portion of the developing cartridge 15 . The lower end portion of the layer thickness regulating blade 21 is in contact with the front end portion of the developing roller 19 .

In the space in front of the supply roller 20 and the layer thickness regulating blade 21 , a toner storage chamber 111 as an example of a storage portion described later is defined, and toner is stored in the toner storage chamber 111 .

The developing cartridge 15 is detachably attached to the drum cartridge 14 . Thereby, the developing cartridge 15 is detachably attached to the apparatus main body 2. As shown in FIG.

The scanner unit 12 is disposed in front of the process cartridge 11 in the front end portion of the apparatus main body 2 . The scanning unit 12 is configured to emit a laser beam L based on image data toward the photosensitive drum 16 .

The fixing unit 13 is located above the process cartridge 11 . The fixing unit 13 includes a heating roller 26 and a pressure roller 27 pressed against the rear upper end of the heating roller 26 .

When the image forming apparatus 1 starts an image forming operation, the grid electrode type charger 18 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 16 . The scanning unit 12 exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 16 to light. Thus, an electrostatic latent image based on the image data is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 16 .

Further, the toner in the developing cartridge 15 is positively triboelectrically charged between the developing roller 19 and the supply roller 20 , and is carried on the developing roller 19 . The layer thickness regulating blade 21 restricts the layer thickness of the toner carried on the developing roller 19 to a constant thickness.

Then, the toner carried by the developing roller 19 is supplied to the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 16 . Thus, the toner image is carried on the surface of the photosensitive drum 16 .

Sheets of paper P are supplied from the paper feed tray 8 between the photosensitive drum 16 and the transfer roller 17 one by one at predetermined timing by the rotation of various rollers. The toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 16 is transferred to the paper P when the paper P passes between the photosensitive drum 16 and the transfer roller 17 .

Then, the paper P is heated and pressed while passing between the heating roller 26 and the pressure roller 27 . As a result, the toner image on the paper P is thermally fixed to the paper P. As shown in FIG. Then, the paper P is discharged to the paper discharge tray 9 .

In this way, the paper P is conveyed from the paper feed tray 8 to the paper discharge tray 9 along the substantially C-shaped conveyance path in side view during the image forming operation of the image forming apparatus 1 .

2. Details of the processing box

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the process cartridge 11 includes a drum cartridge 14 and a developing cartridge 15 . In addition, when referring to the direction of the process cartridge 11, the front contact part 96 and the rear contact part 99 of the 2nd frame 62 of the developer cartridge 15 mentioned later are made into the reference|substantially horizontal state as a reference. That is, the right side of the paper in FIG. 2 is the front of the process cartridge 11 , and the left side of the paper is the rear of the process cartridge 11 . 2 is above the process cartridge 11 , and the bottom of the paper is below the process cartridge 11 . In addition, when the process cartridge 11 is seen from the front, it is made into the reference|standard of left and right. That is, the front of the paper of FIG. 2 is the left side of the process cartridge 11, and the back of the paper is the right side of the process cartridge 11. In the state where the front contact portion 96 and the rear contact portion 99 of the second frame 62 of the developer cartridge 15 are substantially horizontal, the left-right direction is an example of the first direction, the up-down direction is an example of the second direction, and the front-rear direction is a third direction. An example of

(1) drum box

The drum cartridge 14 includes the drum frame 40 , the aforementioned photosensitive drum 16 , the aforementioned transfer roller 17 , and the aforementioned grid electrode type charger 18 .

The drum frame 40 includes a base frame 41 and a cover frame 42 .

The base frame 41 has a substantially rectangular bottomed frame shape in plan view. The base frame 41 integrally includes a pair of drum side walls 43 , a drum lower wall 44 , a drum front wall 45 , and a drum rear wall 46 .

The pair of drum side walls 43 extend in the front-rear direction with a certain interval in the left-right direction. The pair of drum side walls 43 each have a substantially rectangular flat plate shape in side view.

The drum lower wall 44 is spanned between the lower ends of the pair of drum side walls 43 and extends in the front-rear direction. The drum lower wall 44 has a substantially rectangular flat plate shape in plan view.

The drum front wall 45 continuously extends upward from the front end portion of the drum lower wall 44 . The drum front wall 45 has a substantially rectangular flat plate shape in front view. The left and right end portions of the drum front wall 45 are continuous with the front end portions of the pair of drum side walls 43 . The drum front wall 45 includes a drum grip 47 as an example of a drum-side grip.

The drum gripping portion 47 is located substantially in the left-right direction center of the drum front wall 45 . The drum grip portion 47 protrudes rearward from the upper end portion of the drum front wall 45 .

The drum rear wall 46 is positioned rearwardly and upwardly of the rear end portion of the drum lower wall 44 and extends in the left-right direction. The drum rear wall 46 has a curved plate shape in a side view. The left and right end portions of the drum rear wall 46 are continuous with the rear end portions of the pair of drum side walls 43 .

The cover frame 42 is located above the rear end portion of the base frame 41 so as to cover the photosensitive drum 16 described later.

The developing cartridge mounting portion 48 is defined by a pair of drum side walls 43 , a drum lower wall 44 , and a drum front wall 45 located in front of the cover frame 42 .

The photosensitive drum 16 has a substantially cylindrical shape extending in the left-right direction, and is rotatably supported between rear end portions of the pair of drum side walls 43 .

The grid electrode type charger 18 is supported by the cover frame 42 above the photosensitive drum 16 .

The transfer roller 17 has a substantially cylindrical shape extending in the left-right direction, and is rotatably supported between rear end portions of the pair of drum side walls 43 . The transfer roller 17 is positioned under the rear of the photosensitive drum 16 .

(2) Developing cartridge

The developer cartridge 15 is detachably attached to the developer cartridge attachment portion 48 of the drum cartridge 14 .

As shown in FIGS. 4 , 5 and 6 , the developing cartridge 15 includes a first frame 61 , a second frame 62 , the above-mentioned developing roller 19 , the above-mentioned supply roller 20 , and a layer thickness control blade 21 with the above-mentioned layer thickness regulating blade 21 . Restricting member 120 .

(2-1) First frame

The first frame 61 constitutes a lower portion of the developing cartridge 15 . The first frame 61 integrally includes a development left wall 63 as an example of a first side wall, a development right wall 64 as an example of a second side wall, a development front wall 65 , and a development bottom wall 66 .

The developing left wall 63 is located at the left end portion of the first frame 61 . The development left wall 63 has a substantially rectangular plate shape in side view. As shown in FIG. 7 , the developing left wall 63 has a left threaded portion 70 . The left screw portion 70 is located on the rear upper end surface of the developing left wall 63 and has a screw hole recessed from the rear toward the front.

As shown in FIGS. 5 , 6 and 7 , the developing right wall 64 is located at the right end portion of the first frame 61 , and is located on the right with a space therebetween from the developing left wall 63 . Also, the development right wall 64 has a substantially rectangular plate shape in side view, like the development left wall 63 . The development right wall 64 is provided with a right threaded portion 71 . The right screw portion 71 is located on the rear upper end surface of the developing right wall 64 , and has a screw hole recessed from the rear toward the front. The developing right wall 64 has a toner filling opening (not shown), and a cover 72 is detachably attached to cover the toner filling opening.

The developing front wall 65 is located at the front end of the first frame 61 and bridged between the front ends of the developing left wall 63 and the developing right wall 64 . The developing front wall 65 has a substantially rectangular plate shape in front view extending in the left-right direction. The development front wall 65 includes a pair of development gripping portions 73 .

A pair of development gripping portions 73 protrude forward and upward from both ends in the left-right direction of the development front wall 65 . The pair of development holding portions 73 each extend to a position above a protruding portion 77 which will be described later.

The developing bottom wall 66 is located at the lower end of the first frame 61 and bridged between the lower ends of the developing left wall 63 and the developing right wall 64 . Furthermore, the front end portion of the developing bottom wall 66 is continuous with the lower end portion of the developing front wall 65 . The developing bottom wall 66 integrally includes a curved portion 67 , an arc portion 68 , and a lip portion 69 .

The bent portion 67 is located at a front portion of the developing bottom wall 66 . The curved portion 67 continuously extends rearward from the lower end portion of the developing front wall 65 and is curved downward.

The arc portion 68 is located adjacent to the rear of the curved portion 67 . The arc portion 68 has a substantially semi-arc shape in side view that is open upward. The front end of the arc portion 68 is connected to the rear end of the curved portion 67 . The continuation portion of the arc portion 68 and the curved portion 67 is a continuation portion 90 .

The lip portion 69 is located adjacent to the rear of the arc portion 68 and extends continuously toward the rear from the rear end portion of the arc portion 68 .

(2-2) Second frame

The second frame 62 covers the first frame 61 from above. Specifically, the second frame 62 covers the space between the upper end of the left image development wall 63 and the upper end of the right image development wall 64 from above. As shown in FIGS. 7 , 8A, and 8C , the second frame 62 has a substantially rectangular plate shape in plan view extending in the left-right direction. The second frame 62 integrally includes a front upper wall 75 and a rear upper wall 76 .

The front upper wall 75 is a front portion of the second frame 62 and has a protrusion 77 and a flange 78 .

The protruding portion 77 extends in the left-right direction and has a substantially box shape opened downward. That is, the protruding portion 77 has a square tube shape that protrudes upward from the flange portion 78 and is substantially rectangular in plan view with its upper side closed. The protruding portion 77 includes a protruding right wall 80 , a protruding left wall 81 , a protruding front wall 82 , a protruding rear wall 83 , and a protruding upper wall 84 .

The protruding right wall 80 is located at the right end portion of the protruding portion 77 . The protruding right wall 80 includes a first right wall 85 , a second right wall 86 , and a right erecting wall 87 .

The first right wall 85 extends in the front-rear direction and has a substantially rectangular plate shape in side view. The upper end of the first right wall 85 is inclined so as to be positioned upward as it goes forward.

The second right wall 86 extends in the front-rear direction and has a substantially rectangular plate shape in side view. The second right wall 86 is located behind the first right wall 85 in the front-rear direction, and is located further left than the first right wall 85 in the left-right direction. The upper end of the second right wall 86 is inclined so as to be positioned upward as it goes forward.

The right erecting wall 87 extends in the left-right direction and has a substantially rectangular plate shape in a front view. The right end of the right erecting wall 87 is continuous with the rear end of the first right wall 85 , and the left end of the right erecting wall 87 is continuous with the front end of the second right wall 86 .

The upper end of the first right wall 85 , the upper end of the second right wall 86 , and the upper end of the right erecting wall 87 are inclined so as to be positioned upward as they go forward in a side view.

The protruding left wall 81 is located at the left end of the protruding portion 77 at a distance to the left of the protruding right wall 80 . The protruding left wall 81 includes a first left wall 91 , a second left wall 92 , and a left erection wall 93 .

The first left wall 91 extends in the front-rear direction and has a substantially rectangular plate shape in side view. The upper end of the first left wall 91 is inclined so as to be positioned upward as it goes forward.

The second left wall 92 extends in the front-rear direction, and has a substantially rectangular plate shape in side view. The second left wall 92 is located behind the first left wall 91 in the front-rear direction, and is located on the right side of the first right wall 85 in the left-right direction. The upper end of the second left wall 92 is inclined so as to be positioned upward as it goes forward.

The left erection wall 93 extends in the left-right direction and has a substantially rectangular plate shape in a front view. The left end of the left erection wall 93 is continuous with the rear end of the first left wall 91 , and the right end of the left erection wall 93 is continuous with the front end of the second left wall 92 .

The upper end of the first left wall 91 , the upper end of the second left wall 92 , and the upper end of the left erection wall 93 are inclined so as to be positioned upward as they go forward in a side view.

The protruding front wall 82 is located at the front end portion of the protruding portion 77 . The protruding front wall 82 is bridged between the front ends of the first right wall 85 and the first left wall 91 . The protruding front wall 82 extends in the left-right direction and has a substantially rectangular plate shape in front view. The protruding front wall 82 has a recess 95 .

As shown in FIG. 7 , the recessed portion 95 protrudes from the front upper end portion of the front wall 82 , and is recessed from the center portion in the left-right direction toward the rear and downward. As shown in FIG. 2 , the concave portion 95 is provided at a distance from the drum grip portion 47 in the front-rear direction.

As shown in FIGS. 7 , 8A and 8C , the protruding rear wall 83 is located at the rear end of the protruding portion 77 at a distance from the protruding front wall 82 in the front-rear direction. The protruding rear wall 83 is bridged between the rear ends of the second right wall 86 and the second left wall 92 . The protruding rear wall 83 extends in the left-right direction and has a substantially rectangular plate shape in front view. The vertical dimension of the protruding rear wall 83 is shorter than the vertical dimension of the protruding front wall 82 . Furthermore, the dimension of the projecting rear wall 83 in the left-right direction is shorter than the dimension of the projecting front wall 82 in the left-right direction.

The protruding upper wall 84 is located at the upper end portion of the protruding portion 77 . The protruding upper wall 84 is erected on the first right wall 85, the second right wall 86, the right erecting wall 87, the first left wall 91, the second left wall 92, the left erecting wall 93, the protruding front wall 82 and the protruding rear wall 83. between the upper ends. The protruding upper wall 84 is inclined so as to be positioned upward as it goes forward. That is, the protruding upper wall 84 is inclined with respect to the front contact portion 96 and the rear contact portion 99 which will be described later. Furthermore, the protruding upper wall 84 is inclined so as to be positioned upward as it moves away from the layer thickness regulating member 120 described later. Further, the end edge of the protruding upper wall 84 on the side of the first frame 61 is located above the fixing screw 132 of the layer thickness regulating member 120 described later in a side view. In a plan view, the rear edge 84B protruding from the upper surface of the upper wall 84 is shorter in the lateral direction than the front edge 84A is protruding from the upper surface of the upper wall 84 . The rear edge 84B is an example of a first edge, and the front edge 84A is an example of a second edge. The upper surface of the protruding upper wall 84 is an example of an inclined surface.

The flange part 78 is arrange|positioned with respect to the protruding part 77 on both sides of the protruding part 77 and front so that it may surround the protruding part 77 in planar view. The flange portion 78 has a substantially U-shape in plan view that is open toward the rear. The left end of the right portion of the flange portion 78 is continuous with the lower ends of the first right wall 85 , the second right wall 86 , and the right erecting wall 87 . The right end of the left portion of the flange portion 78 is continuous with the lower ends of the first left wall 91 , the second left wall 92 , and the left erecting wall 93 . The rear end portion of the front portion of the flange portion 78 is connected to the lower end portion of the protruding front wall 82 . As shown in FIG. 8B , the lower surface of the flange portion 78 is a front contact portion 96 as an example of a contact portion.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 8B , the rear upper wall 76 is a rear portion of the second frame 62 and includes a flat plate portion 97 and three vertical walls 100 .

The flat plate portion 97 extends continuously toward the rear from the lower end portion of the protruding portion 77 protruding from the rear wall 83 . Furthermore, the flat plate portion 97 has a substantially rectangular plate shape in plan view extending in the left-right direction. As shown in FIG. 8B , the lower surfaces of both ends in the left-right direction of the flat plate portion 97 are rear contact portions 99 as an example of contact portions. The flat plate portion 97 has four receiving recessed portions 97A. The four receiving recessed portions 97A each have a substantially circular shape in plan view, and are recessed downward from the upper surface of the flat plate portion 97 . The four receiving recesses 97A are provided at intervals from each other in the left-right direction.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 8B , the three vertical walls 100 include a first vertical wall 100A, a second vertical wall 100B, and a third vertical wall 100C.

The first vertical wall 100A protrudes downward from the lower surface of the flat plate portion 97 . 100 A of 1st vertical walls extend in the left-right direction, and have a substantially rectangular plate shape in front view. The upper end of the first vertical wall 100A is connected to the front end portion of the flat plate portion 97 .

The second vertical wall 100B protrudes downward from the lower surface of the flat plate portion 97 . The second vertical wall 100B extends in the left-right direction and has a substantially rectangular plate shape in front view. The upper end of the second vertical wall 100B is connected to the central portion in the front-rear direction of the flat plate portion 97 . The second vertical wall 100B is provided at intervals behind the first vertical wall 100A. The lower end of the 2nd vertical wall 100B is located below rather than the lower end of 100 A of 1st vertical walls and 100 C of 3rd vertical walls mentioned later.

The third vertical wall 100C protrudes downward from the lower surface of the flat plate portion 97 . The third vertical wall 100C extends in the left-right direction, and has a substantially rectangular plate shape in front view. The upper end of the third vertical wall 100C is continuously connected to the rear end of the flat plate portion 97 . 100 C of 3rd vertical walls are provided at intervals behind the 2nd vertical wall 100B.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 9A , between the first vertical wall 100A and the third vertical wall 100C, a plurality of six abutting walls 113 as an example of the second engaging portion are bridged.

The six abutting walls 113 each extend in the front-rear direction and have a substantially rectangular plate shape in side view. The six contact walls 113 are provided at intervals from each other in the left-right direction. The six contact walls 113 are respectively erected between the lower ends of the first vertical wall 100A, the second vertical wall 100B, and the third vertical wall 100C. As shown in FIG. 8B , in the flat plate portion 97 , two contact walls 113 are provided at intervals between one receiving concave portion 97A and one receiving concave portion 97A in the left-right direction.

Moreover, as shown in FIG. 4, FIG. 5, and FIG. 6, the casing of the developing cartridge 15 is comprised by combining the 2nd frame 62 and the 1st frame 61. As shown in FIG. In detail, the left and right ends of the front contact portion 96 and the rear contact portion 99 of the second frame 62 are welded to the upper ends of the developing left wall 63 and the developing right wall 64 of the first frame 61 . Also, the front end portion of the front contact portion 96 of the second frame 62 is welded to the upper end portion of the developing front wall 65 of the first frame 61 .

(2-3) Developing room and toner storage room

In the developing cartridge 15, the space behind the imaginary line segment V connecting the continuous portion 90 and the lower end of the second vertical wall 100B is defined as the developing chamber 110, and the space ahead of the imaginary line segment V is defined as the development chamber 110. A toner storage chamber 111 .

Specifically, it is defined by the rear portion of the development left wall 63, the rear portion of the development right wall 64, the rear portion of the rear upper wall 76, the arc portion 68 and the lip portion 69 of the development bottom wall 66, and the second vertical wall 100B. Development chamber 110 .

The front portion of the development left wall 63, the front portion of the development right wall 64, the front portion of the rear upper wall 76, the front upper wall 75, the curved portion 67 of the development bottom wall 66, and the second vertical wall 100B define the housing portion. An example of the toner storage chamber 111 . The toner storage chamber 111 stores toner therein. The developing chamber 110 communicates with the toner storage chamber 111 in the front-rear direction.

(2-4) Developing roller and supply roller

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7 , the developing roller 19 is rotatably supported between rear ends of the developing left wall 63 and the developing right wall 64 in the developing chamber 110 . The developing roller 19 is arranged at a distance above the lip portion 69 .

The supply roller 20 is positioned forward and downward relative to the developing roller 19 . The supply roller 20 is rotatably supported between the rear end portions of the developing left wall 63 and the developing right wall 64 in the developing chamber 110 , and is accommodated in the arc portion 68 .

(2-5) Layer thickness limiting member

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7 , the layer thickness regulating member 120 includes the above-mentioned layer thickness regulating blade 21 , a supporting member 130 , a reinforcing member 131 , and four fixing screws 132 as an example of fixing members.

The layer thickness regulating blade 21 is substantially rectangular in front view, and has a substantially plate shape extending in the left-right direction. The layer thickness regulating blade 21 is thin in the front-rear direction and is made of elastic metal.

The support member 130 is substantially L-shaped in a side view, and has a substantially bent plate shape extending in the left-right direction. The supporting member 130 is made of rigid metal, and its thickness is thicker than that of the layer thickness regulating blade 21 . The support member 130 includes a first support portion 135 , a second support portion 136 , and a pair of attachment portions 137 .

The first support portion 135 is substantially rectangular in front view, and has a substantially plate shape extending in the left-right direction. The first support portion 135 is along the up-down direction in a side view.

The second support portion 136 is substantially rectangular in plan view, and has a substantially plate shape extending in the left-right direction. The second support portion 136 protrudes forward from the upper end portion of the first support portion 135 . The second support portion 136 is along the front-rear direction in a side view. The length in the left-right direction of the second support portion 136 is shorter than the length in the left-right direction of the first support portion 135 . The second support portion 136 has four insertion holes not shown. The four insertion holes penetrate the second support portion 136 in the vertical direction, and are provided at intervals in the left-right direction.

A pair of mounting portions 137 protrudes upward from both end portions of the first support portion 135 . The pair of mounting portions 137 each have a substantially rectangular plate shape in front view. The pair of mounting parts 137 each have a mounting hole 137A that penetrates the pair of mounting parts 137 in the front-rear direction.

The reinforcing member 131 is located above the supporting member 130 . The reinforcing member 131 is substantially L-shaped in side view, and has a substantially bent plate shape extending in the left-right direction. The supporting member 130 is made of rigid metal, and its thickness is thicker than that of the layer thickness regulating blade 21 . The front end portion of the reinforcement member 131 has four unillustrated screw holes. The four threaded holes penetrate the front end portion of the reinforcement member 131 in the vertical direction, and are provided at intervals in the left-right direction. The reinforcement member 131 is bent at an angle slightly smaller than 90°, and is positioned above the support member 130 so as to overlap the support member 130 in a side view. The layer thickness regulating blade 21 is provided so as to sandwich the upper portion of the layer thickness regulating blade 21 between the rear end portion of the reinforcing member 131 and the first support portion 135 of the supporting member 130 . That is, the reinforcing member 131 is located on the side opposite to the supporting member 130 with respect to the layer thickness regulating blade 21 .

The four insertion holes of the second support portion 136 and the four screw holes of the reinforcing member 131 overlap in the vertical direction. In addition, four fixing screws 132 are attached to each of the insertion holes and the threaded holes overlapping in the vertical direction. Furthermore, four fixing screws 132 are respectively inserted into the four receiving recessed portions 97A of the flat plate portion 97 .

Thus, the reinforcement member 131 is press-contacted to the support member 130 , and the layer thickness regulating blade 21 is sandwiched between the first support portion 135 of the support member 130 and the rear end portion of the reinforcement member 131 . That is, the support member 130 and the reinforcement member 131 cooperate to sandwich the layer thickness regulating blade 21 , and the support member 130 and the reinforcement member 131 are respectively fixed by the four fixing screws 132 .

The mounting portion 137 on the left is in contact with the left screw portion 70 of the developer cartridge 15 . The right mounting portion 137 is in contact with the right screw portion 71 of the developer cartridge 15 . And, the left fixing screw 140 is installed in the mounting hole 137A of the left mounting part 137 and the threaded hole of the left threaded part 70, and the right fixing screw is mounted in the mounting hole 137A of the right mounting part 137 and the threaded hole of the right threaded part 71. 141. Thus, the layer thickness regulating member 120 is fixed to the first frame 61 of the developer cartridge 15 .

(2-6) agitator

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 , the developer cartridge 15 includes an agitator 151 and a conveyance unit 180 as an example of an agitation member.

The agitator 151 is located below the protruding portion 77 of the first frame 61 in the toner storage chamber 111 . The stirrer 151 includes a stirrer shaft 153 and a stirrer blade 154 . The agitator 151 rotates in the rotation direction R. As shown in FIG. It should be noted that the rotation direction R is counterclockwise as viewed from the right side.

The stirring shaft 153 integrally includes a shaft body 156 , a pair of rotating shafts 157 , and a cam 158 as an example of a contact portion.

The shaft main body 156 has a substantially rectangular cross section and extends in the left-right direction.

A pair of rotating shafts 157 are located at both left and right ends of the shaft main body 156 . Each of the pair of rotating shafts 157 has a substantially cylindrical shape extending in the left-right direction, and protrudes outward in the left-right direction from the left-right direction end surface of the shaft main body 156 . The left rotation shaft 157 is rotatably supported at the front end of the development left wall 63 , and the right rotation shaft 157 is rotatably supported at the rear end of the development right wall 64 . Accordingly, the pair of rotating shafts 157 can each rotate about the central axis A1 extending in the left-right direction.

The cam 158 is adjacent to the left of the shaft main body 156 and is located at the right end of the left rotation shaft 157 . The cam 158 has a substantially elliptical plate shape in a side view, and spreads outward in the radial direction of the rotary shaft 157 from the peripheral surface of the left rotary shaft 157 . The rotation center of the cam 158 coincides with the central axis A1 of the rotation shaft 157 . In a side view, at the outer peripheral edge of the cam 158 , the distance from the central axis A1 varies depending on the position of the outer peripheral edge. The cam 158 has a constant portion 158A, a tapered portion 158B, and a tapered portion 158C.

The constant portion 158A is a portion of the cam 158 having a central angle of approximately 120°, and has a substantially fan-shaped shape in side view. The radius of curvature of the constant portion 158A is generally constant in the circumferential direction of the constant portion 158A.

The taper portion 158B is a portion of the cam 158 having a central angle of approximately 120°, and has a substantially fan-shaped shape in side view. The radius of curvature of the tapering portion 158B gradually decreases toward the upstream in the rotational direction R. As shown in FIG. The tapering portion 158B is adjacent on the upstream side in the rotational direction R with respect to the constant portion 158A in a side view. The outer peripheral surface of the tapering portion 158B is continuous with the outer peripheral surface of the constant portion 158A.

The increasing portion 158C is a portion of the cam 158 having a central angle of approximately 120°, and has a substantially fan-shaped shape in side view. The respective radii of curvature of the increasing portions 158C gradually increase toward the upstream in the rotational direction R. As shown in FIG. The tapered portion 158B is adjacent to the tapered portion 158B on the upstream side in the rotational direction R and is adjacent to the constant portion 158A on the downstream side in the rotational direction R in a side view. The outer peripheral surface of the increasing portion 158C is continuous with the outer peripheral surfaces of the constant portion 158A and the decreasing portion 158B.

The stirring blade 154 is made of a flexible film material such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The stirring blade 154 has a substantially rectangular shape extending in the left-right direction. The left-right dimension of the stirring blade 154 is substantially the same as the left-right dimension of the shaft main body 156 . The upper end portion of the stirring blade 154 is supported by the outer peripheral surface of the shaft main body 156 . In other words, the stirring blade 154 protrudes radially outward from the shaft main body 156 .

(2-7) Handling unit

The transport unit 180 is located at the boundary between the developing chamber 110 and the toner storage chamber 111 . The conveyance unit 180 includes a conveyance member 181 and a film member 182 .

The conveyance member 181 integrally includes a swing shaft 183 , a conveyance portion 184 , a cam contact portion 185 , and a pullout portion 186 .

The swing shaft 183 has a substantially cylindrical shape extending in the left-right direction. The left end of the swing shaft 183 is rotatably supported at the center of the developing left wall 63 , and the right end of the swing shaft 183 is rotatably supported at the center of the developing right wall 64 . Accordingly, the swing shaft 183 can rotate about the central axis A2.

The conveyance part 184 has a substantially rectangular plate shape extending in the left-right direction, continues from the peripheral surface of the swing shaft 183 , and protrudes outward in the radial direction of the swing shaft 183 . The conveyance part 184 is provided with six conveyance ribs 190 as an example of a 1st engaging part.

The six conveying ribs 190 protrude in a direction perpendicular to the protruding direction of the conveying part 184 from the center part to the tip part of the protruding direction of the conveying part 184 . Specifically, the six conveyance ribs 190 each protrude from the conveyance portion 184 in a direction opposite to the supply roller 20 side. Each of the six conveyance ribs 190 has a substantially triangular shape in a side view, and has a shape that becomes tapered as it moves away from the conveyance portion 184 . The six conveyance ribs 190 are provided at intervals from each other in the left-right direction. Each of the six conveyance ribs 190 does not interfere with each of the six contact walls 113 of the first frame 61 in a state where the conveyance member 181 is swinging. That is, each of the six conveyance ribs 190 intersects each of the six contact walls 113 in the left-right direction.

The cam contact portion 185 is located at the left end portion of the swing shaft 183 . The cam contact portion 185 protrudes radially outward from the swing shaft 183 . The front end portion of the cam contact portion 185 is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the cam 158 of the agitator 151 .

The protruding portion 186 has a substantially rectangular plate shape extending in the left-right direction, and protrudes continuously outward in the radial direction of the swing shaft 183 from the peripheral surface of the swing shaft 183 . The extraction part 186 and the conveyance part 184 extend radially outward of the swing shaft 183 from mutually different parts on the swing shaft 183 . The extraction part 186 and the conveyance part 184 have a V-shape with an obtuse angle in side view.

The film member 182 is made of a flexible film material such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The film member 182 has a substantially rectangular shape extending in the left-right direction. The upper end portion of the film member 182 is attached to the front end portion of the conveying portion 184 .

A biasing force of a spring (not shown) is applied to the conveyance member 181 . As a result, the transport unit 180 is always biased counterclockwise as viewed from the right side, centering on the central axis A2.

3. The action of the stirrer

As described above, when the image forming operation is started in the image forming apparatus 1, the developing roller 19 and the supply roller 20 rotate clockwise at a predetermined rotation speed as shown in FIGS. 9A, 9B and 9C, respectively. .

In addition, the agitator 151 rotates counterclockwise in the rotation direction R at a predetermined rotation speed as viewed from the right. Further, the cam 158 also rotates in the rotation direction R along with the rotation of the agitator 151 .

In the state shown in FIG. 9A , the cam contact portion 185 of the conveyance member 181 is in contact with the constant portion 158A that is the radially outer end portion of the cam 158 .

At this time, the front end portion of the stirring blade 154 of the stirrer 151 comes into contact with the front end of the conveying portion 184 of the conveying member 181 , and is greatly bent.

Next, when the agitator 151 is further rotated in the rotational direction R, the cam 158 is rotated in the rotational direction R while maintaining the contact state of the cam contact portion 185 with the constant portion 158A of the cam 158 as shown in FIG. 9B . Also, the stirring blade 154 of the stirrer 151 rotates in the rotation direction R. As shown in FIG.

At this time, the cam contact portion 185 comes into sliding contact with the constant portion 158A of the cam 158 . Thereby, the conveyance member 181 is located in a constant position without swinging about the central axis A2. The front ends of the stirring blades 154 of the stirrer 151 are in contact with the respective front ends of the six conveyance ribs 190 of the conveyance member 181 .

And, when the agitator 151 is further rotated in the rotational direction R, as shown in FIG. Also, the stirring blade 154 of the stirrer 151 is further rotated in the rotation direction R. As shown in FIG.

At this time, the cam contact portion 185 comes into sliding contact with the constant portion 158A of the cam 158 . Thereby, the conveyance member 181 is located in a constant position without swinging about the central axis A2. The front end portions of the stirring blades 154 of the stirrer 151 are in contact with the respective front lower end portions of the six contact walls 113 of the second frame 62 .

Further, when the agitator 151 is further rotated in the rotation direction R, the cam contact portion 185 comes into contact with the tapered portion 158B which is the radially outer end portion of the cam 158 .

Next, when the agitator 151 is further rotated in the rotational direction R, the cam 158 is further rotated in the rotational direction R while maintaining the contact state of the cam contact portion 185 with the tapered portion 158B. Also, the stirring blade 154 of the stirrer 151 is further rotated in the rotation direction R. As shown in FIG.

At this time, the conveyance member 181 rotates counterclockwise in a right side view around the central axis A2 to a position shown by a solid line in FIG. 10 . Moreover, the front-end|tip part of the stirring blade 154 of the stirrer 151 is separated from each of the six contact walls 113 of the 2nd frame 62. As shown in FIG.

And, when the agitator 151 is further rotated in the rotation direction R, the cam contact portion 185 comes into contact with the increasing portion 158C which is the radially outer end portion of the cam 158 .

At this time, the conveyance member 181 further rotates counterclockwise in a right side view around the central axis A2 to a position shown by the dashed-two dotted line in FIG. 10 .

Also, when the agitator 151 is further rotated in the rotational direction R, the cam 158 is further rotated in the rotational direction R in a state where the contact state of the cam contact portion 185 and the gradually increasing portion 158C is maintained. Also, the stirring blade 154 of the stirrer 151 is further rotated in the rotation direction R. As shown in FIG.

At this time, the transport member 181 rotates clockwise in a right side view around the central axis A2 to a position shown by a solid line in FIG. 10 .

In this way, when the stirrer 151 rotates counterclockwise in the rotation direction R as viewed from the right side, the stirring blade 154 rotates counterclockwise as viewed from the right side. The front end portion of the stirring blade 154 rotates counterclockwise as viewed from the right side in the following manner: after abutting against the six conveying ribs 190 of the conveying member 181, respectively abutting against the six abutting walls 113 of the second frame 62, and then , away from the six abutting walls 113 of the second frame 62 respectively. Thus, the toner in the toner storage chamber 111 is stirred by the stirring blade 154 .

In addition, the conveyance member 181 rotates counterclockwise when viewed from the right side or clockwise when viewed from the right side, centering on the central axis A2. That is, the conveyance member 181 swings around the central axis A2. Accordingly, the toner located at the boundary between the toner storage chamber 111 and the developing chamber 110 is conveyed into the developing chamber 110 by the conveying portion 184 of the conveying member 181 .

At this time, in a side view, the rotation locus of the tip portion of the stirring blade 154 does not overlap with the area inside the protruding portion 77 . Then, the toner stirred by the stirring blade 154 , that is, the toner located below the protruding portion 77 is bounced by the stirring blade 154 , touches the protruding front wall 82 of the protruding portion 77 , and then collides with the protruding upper wall 84 . The touch, then, returns to the center of the toner storage chamber 111 . Also, in the protruding portion 77, toner and air are properly mixed. That is, the space inside the protruding portion 77 is also used as a space for mixing toner with air. At this time, the first vertical wall 100A can prevent the toner from returning to the upper side of the conveyance member 181 .

4. The positional relationship between the optical path of the laser beam from the scanning unit and the developing box

As shown in FIG. 1 , in a state where the process cartridge 11 is mounted on the image forming apparatus 1 , the developing cartridge 15 is installed as follows. In addition, in the following description of the position of the developing cartridge 15 in the image forming apparatus 1, the state which placed the image forming apparatus 1 in the horizontal direction is taken as a reference.

The protruding portion 77 of the developing cartridge 15 is located below with respect to the optical path of the laser beam L. As shown in FIG. In other words, the protruding portion 77 is located on the first frame 61 side with respect to the optical path of the laser beam L. As shown in FIG. Also, in detail, the protruding upper wall 84 of the developing cartridge 15 is located below with respect to the optical path of the laser beam L irradiated from the scanning unit 12 toward the photosensitive drum 16 . The protruding upper wall 84 of the developing cartridge 15 is disposed along the optical path of the laser beam L. As shown in FIG.

The upper end of the mounting portion 137 of the developing cartridge 15 is located slightly above the optical path of the laser beam L. As shown in FIG. That is, the upper end of the mounting portion 137 is located on the opposite side to the protruding portion 77 with respect to the optical path of the laser beam L in the vertical direction.

5. Effect

(1) According to the developing cartridge 15 , as shown in FIG. 5 , the protruding portion 77 protrudes upward from the flange portion 78 , and extends almost entirely in the left-right direction of the toner storage chamber 111 .

Therefore, the amount of toner to be stored can be increased by the protruding portion 77 .

In addition, the protruding portion 77 has a protruding upper wall 84 inclined with respect to the front contact portion 96 and the rear contact portion 99 in a side view.

Therefore, even if an interfering object collides with the developing cartridge 15 from above, the force received from the interfering object can be avoided by protruding the upper wall 84 .

As a result, the force received from the interfering object can be reduced.

Moreover, the frame of the developing cartridge 15 is comprised from the 1st frame 61 and the 2nd frame 62, and the protrusion part 77 is formed in the 2nd frame 62. As shown in FIG. Therefore, compared with the case where the frame of the developing cartridge 15 is comprised by one frame, the protrusion part 77 can be manufactured easily.

(2) Furthermore, according to this developer cartridge 15 , as shown in FIG. 5 , the protruding upper wall 84 is inclined so as to be located upward as it moves away from the layer thickness regulating member 120 in the front-rear direction.

Therefore, in the case where the interfering matter collides with the developing cartridge 15 from above, the interfering matter collides with the front portion of the protruding upper wall 84 away from the layer thickness regulating member 120 .

As a result, it is possible to suppress force from being applied to the layer thickness regulating member 120 .

(3) Furthermore, according to this developing cartridge 15 , as shown in FIG. 5 , the rear end edge 84B of the protruding upper wall 84 is located above the fixing screw 132 .

As a result, when the interfering matter collides with the developing cartridge 15 from above, it can suppress that the interfering matter collides with the fixing screw 132 .

(4) Furthermore, according to the developing cartridge 15, as shown in FIG. The size is short.

Therefore, the rigidity of the rear edge protruding from the upper surface of the upper wall 84 can be made higher than the rigidity of the front edge protruding from the upper surface of the upper wall 84 .

As a result, it is possible to suppress the rear portion of the protruding portion 77 from being bent, and it is possible to suppress the application of force to the layer thickness regulating member 120 due to the deformation of the developing cartridge 15 .

(5) Furthermore, according to the developing cartridge 15, as shown in FIG. It is configured to convey the toner toward the developing roller 19 .

Therefore, the toner can be made to flow by the stirring blade 154 and the conveying member 181 .

Moreover, the agitation blade 154 abuts on each of the six conveyance ribs 190 of the conveyance member 181 by rotation of the agitator 151, and then gradually abuts on each of the six abutment walls 113 of the first vertical wall 100A.

As a result, it is possible to suppress the agitation blade 154 from colliding violently with members in the developing cartridge 15 , thereby suppressing the generation of noise.

(6) Furthermore, according to the developing cartridge 15 , as shown in FIG. 5 , the pair of developing gripping portions 73 extend upward beyond the protruding portion 77 .

Therefore, in the developing cartridge 15, the pair of developing gripping parts 73 can be easily gripped.

(7) Furthermore, according to the process cartridge 11, as shown in FIG. The protruding portion 77 has a recessed portion 95 recessed rearward and downward.

Therefore, it is possible to suppress the protruding portion 77 from becoming an obstacle when the drum gripping portion 47 is gripped.

As a result, the drum holding portion 47 can be easily held in the process cartridge 11 .

(8) Further, according to the image forming apparatus 1 , as shown in FIG. 1 , the projecting upper wall 84 of the developing cartridge 15 is provided along the optical path of the laser beam L from the scanning unit 12 toward the photosensitive drum 16 .

Therefore, the amount of toner accommodated in the developing cartridge 15 can be increased, and the optical path of the laser beam L can be secured.

As a result, the amount of toner accommodated in the developing cartridge 15 can be increased, and a stable image forming operation can be ensured.

(9) In addition, according to this image forming apparatus 1 , as shown in FIG. 1 , the protruding portion 77 of the developing cartridge 15 is positioned below the optical path of the laser beam L. As shown in FIG. The upper end of the mounting portion 137 of the layer thickness regulating member 120 of the developer cartridge 15 is located above the laser beam L. As shown in FIG.

Therefore, interference with the optical path of the laser beam L between the protruding portion 77 and the mounting portion 137 can be suppressed.

As a result, stable image forming operation can be ensured.

6. Variations

In the above-mentioned embodiment, the stirrer 151 was described as an example of the stirring member, but instead of the stirrer 151, for example, a screw, a paddle, etc. may be applied as the stirring member.

In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the developing roller 19 was described as an example of a roller member, but instead of the developing roller 19, for example, a developing sleeve, a brush-shaped roller, or the like may be applied as the roller member.

Claims (9)

1. A developer cartridge, characterized in that it includes a casing, the casing includes a first frame and a second frame, and a housing capable of accommodating a developer is formed by the first frame and the second frame. part, the first frame has a first side wall and a second side wall arranged at intervals along the first direction, and the second frame covers the space between the first side wall and the second side wall and the the side of the second direction orthogonal to the first direction, The second frame has: a contact portion in contact with the first frame; and a protruding portion protruding from the contact portion toward one side of the second direction and extending over substantially the entirety of the accommodating portion in the first direction, The protruding portion has an inclined surface inclined with respect to a contact surface of the contact portion with the first frame when viewed from the first direction. 2. The developer cartridge according to claim 1, wherein: The developer box also has: The roller member is rotatable relative to the first direction, one end in the first direction is supported by the first side wall, and the other end in the first direction is supported by the second side wall, supporting a developer on the peripheral surface; and a layer thickness regulating member in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the roller member, and restricts the layer thickness of the developer carried on the outer peripheral surface of the roller member, The inclined surface is inclined toward one of the second directions in a third direction perpendicular to both the first direction and the second direction as it moves away from the layer thickness regulating member. 3. The developer cartridge according to claim 2, wherein: The layer thickness limiting member also has: a scraper member in contact with the roller member, and restricts the layer thickness of the developer on the roller member; a supporting member supporting the scraper member; a reinforcement member on an opposite side to the support member with respect to the screed member, and clamps the screed member by cooperating with the support member; and a fixing member for fixing the supporting member and the reinforcing member so as to sandwich the scraper member by the supporting member and the reinforcing member, When viewed from the first direction, an end edge of the inclined surface on the first frame side is located on one side of the second direction than the fixing member. 4. The developer cartridge according to claim 2, wherein: The protrusion has: a first end edge extending along the first direction and positioned on the layer thickness restricting member side in the third direction when viewed from the second direction; and The second end edge extends along the first direction, and when viewed from the second direction, is located opposite to the layer thickness restricting member with respect to the first end edge in the third direction. side, A dimension of the first edge in the first direction is shorter than a dimension of the second edge in the first direction. 5. The developer cartridge according to claim 2, wherein: The developing box also has: a stirring member rotatable between the first side wall and the second side wall relative to the first direction, configured to stir the developer, and having a flexible stirring blade; a conveying member capable of swinging between the first side wall and the second side wall relative to the first direction, and configured to convey the developer stirred by the stirring member toward the roller member, The conveying member has a first engaging portion configured to abut against the stirring blade, The second frame has a second engagement portion configured to abut against the stirring blade, The stirring member is configured to come into contact with the second engaging portion after the stirring blade is brought into contact with the first engaging portion by rotation. 6. The developer cartridge according to claim 1, wherein: The housing also has a holding portion, The holding portion extends further in the second direction than the protruding portion. 7. A processing box, characterized in that, possesses: The developer cartridge described in any one of claims 1 to 6; and a drum cartridge to detachably install the developer cartridge, The drum cartridge includes a drum-side holding portion located on one side of the protruding portion in a third direction perpendicular to both the first direction and the second direction, One end in the third direction of the protruding portion is recessed toward the other in the third direction. 8. An image forming device, comprising: The developer cartridge described in any one of claims 1-6; a photosensitive drum rotatable relative to the first direction; and a scanning unit configured to expose the photosensitive drum, The inclined surface is disposed along an optical path of light from the scanning unit toward the photosensitive drum. 9. An image forming apparatus, comprising: The developer cartridge described in claim 3; a photosensitive drum rotatable relative to the first direction; and a scanning unit configured to expose the photosensitive drum, The support member has an attachment portion attached to the case, the protruding portion is located more on the first frame side than the optical path in a fourth direction orthogonal to the optical path of light from the scanning unit toward the photosensitive drum, At least a part of the mounting portion is located on a side opposite to the protruding portion with respect to the optical path in the fourth direction.