JP2003316153A - Magnetic seal, developing device and process cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance the margin of sealing property on both ends of a developing blade. <P>SOLUTION: The sticking surface of an elastic sealing member preventing toner leaking on both ends of the developing blade is integrated with a magnetic seal. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a magnetic seal, a developing device and a process cartridge.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic image forming process, an electrophotographic photosensitive member and process means acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge, and the cartridge is used as an image. A process cartridge system is adopted which is detachable from the main body of the forming apparatus. According to this process cartridge system, the maintenance of the apparatus can be performed by the user himself without resorting to a serviceman, so that the operability can be markedly improved. Therefore, this process cartridge system is widely used in image forming apparatuses.

The developing device for such a process cartridge has a developer container for containing the developer and a developer carrying device for carrying the developer toward the photosensitive drum while carrying the developer in the developer container. And a developer regulating member (hereinafter referred to as a developing blade) for regulating the thickness of a coat layer of a developer (hereinafter referred to as a toner) on the developer carrying member (hereinafter referred to as a developing sleeve). ) And.

Further, in recent years, at the same time as miniaturization of the image forming apparatus main body is desired, miniaturization of the process cartridge has been advanced. 2. Description of the Related Art In a small-sized developing device, a toner developing frame body structure is known in which a developing chamber and a lid member are welded and integrated to form a toner chamber and a developing chamber. In the toner developing frame,
A toner passage opening through which the toner stored in the toner chamber is supplied to the developing roller is provided, and a toner seal member is attached to a seal attachment portion of the toner passage opening.

To assemble the developing frame and the lid member,
While joining the lid member to the open wall portion of the developing device frame,
The joining portion is welded and joined. As shown in FIG.
After joining, the developing end seal 10r for preventing toner from leaking at both ends of the developing roller 10d, the elastic seal member 10s for preventing toner from leaking at both ends of the developing blade 10e, and the scattering of toner from the gap below the developing roller 10d are prevented. The sheet member 10t for the toner development frame 10 is
It is attached to f1 and the lid member 10f2.

In the developing device, the toner leakage prevention at both ends in the axial direction of the developing sleeve on the opening side opposite to the photosensitive drum is conventionally abutted against a portion of the peripheral surface of the developing sleeve facing the photosensitive drum. The developing end seals made of felt or the like are brought into contact with the peripheral surface of the developing sleeve at both ends of the developing blade, where the peripheral surface of the developing sleeve is opposite to the side facing the photosensitive drum. .

The developing end seal is attached to the seating surface of the frame of the developing device having a constant gap with the peripheral surface of the developing sleeve, and the thickness of the developing end seal is larger than the gap. It is set. Therefore, the developing end seal prevents the toner leakage by being compressed between the developing sleeve and the bearing surface. The developing blade,
In the case of a rigid body, the developing edge seal can be attached by abutting against both ends of the developing blade in the axial direction to eliminate the gap between them, but if the developing blade is an elastic body, the developing edge seal can be eliminated. Even when the sheet is abutted against the end portion of the developing blade, the developing blade elastically deforms and the abutting amount is not constant, so that the margin of the seal may be small.

Therefore, by sealing the gap between the developing end seal member and both ends of the developing blade and assembling the developing roller, the portion overlapping the developing blade is pressed into contact with the elastic seal member for sealing. It is known to set up. Further, by bringing a part of the elastic seal member into contact with the developing sleeve, the toner coat layer in the vicinity of the inner wall of the developing device is made uniform, the invasion of the toner at both ends of the developing blade is minimized, and the sealing property is improved. It has been known.

In recent years, as shown in FIG. 19, a magnetic seal member 50 made of a rigid magnet or a magnetic member has been known in place of the developing end seal member 10s made of felt or the like.

As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, in the conventional developing device, after the toner seal member for closing the toner passage opening of the toner developing frame 10f is assembled, the leakage of the toner at both ends of the developing roller 10d is prevented. The magnetic seal member 50 is attached, and the elastic seal members 10s that prevent toner leakage from both ends of the developing blade 10e are attached. Further, a part of the elastic seal member 52 is brought into contact with the developing sleeve 10d.

[0011]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a further development of the above-mentioned conventional example, and the magnetic seal member 50 is used.
The present invention also provides a seal structure for improving the toner sealing performance of both ends of the magnetic seal member 50 and the developing blade 10e even in a small process cartridge having the above-mentioned arrangement.

[0012]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to the present application relates to a developer carrying member carrying a magnetic developer for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive member. And a developer regulating member that comes into contact with the developer carrying member for regulating the amount of the developer carried by the developer carrying member, and faces the peripheral surface of the developer carrying member. A magnet or a magnetic seal member made of a magnetic member,
A seat surface portion for attaching a magnetic plate that focuses magnetic force lines on the side surface of the magnetic seal member and an elastic seal member that prevents developer leakage between the magnetic seal portion and the developer regulating member at a predetermined position. And a magnetic seal member.

A second aspect of the present invention is the magnetic seal member, wherein the seating surface of the elastic seal member is made of a magnet or a magnetic member.

A third invention according to the present application is the magnetic seal member, wherein the seating surface of the elastic seal member is formed by a magnetic plate joined to the magnetic seal member.

A fourth invention according to the present application is the magnetic seal member, wherein a seating surface of the elastic seal member is arranged on a side surface of the magnetic seal member opposite to the magnetic plate.

A fifth invention according to the present application is a magnetic seal member made of a magnet or a magnetic member facing the peripheral surface of the developer carrier, and a magnetic seal member on a side surface of the magnetic seal member for concentrating magnetic force lines. A magnetic seal member characterized by integrally having a plate and a seat surface portion for mounting an elastic seal member for preventing developer leakage between the magnetic seal portion and the developer regulating member at a predetermined position. is there.

According to a sixth aspect of the present application, a developer carrying body carrying a magnetic developer for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive member, and the developer carrying body carry the developer. In a developing device including a developer regulating member that is in contact with a developer carrier for regulating the amount of the developer, a gap is formed between the peripheral surface of the developer carrier and an axial direction of the developer carrier. A magnetic seal member including at least magnets or magnetic members provided at both ends, and an elastic seal member for preventing developer leakage from between the magnetic seal member and the developer regulating member are attached at predetermined positions. A developing device having a magnetic seal member having a seat surface portion.

A seventh invention according to the present application is an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a developer carrying member carrying a magnetic developer for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and the developing device. In a process cartridge including a developer regulating member that is in contact with the developer carrier for regulating the amount of the developer carried by the developer carrier, a gap is formed between the peripheral surface of the developer carrier and the developing unit. A magnetic seal member including at least a magnet or a magnetic member, which is provided at both ends in the axial direction of the agent carrier, and an elastic seal member which prevents developer leakage between the magnetic seal member and the developer regulating member are predetermined. The process cartridge is characterized in that it has a magnetic seal member formed with a seat surface portion for mounting at a position.

[0019]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In the following explanation,
The longitudinal direction of the process cartridge is a direction intersecting with a direction in which the process cartridge is attached to and detached from the apparatus main body (a direction substantially perpendicular to the image carrier, an axial direction of the image carrier), parallel to the surface of the recording medium, and It is a direction intersecting (substantially orthogonal) with the transport direction. Further, the left and right are left or right when the recording medium is viewed from above according to the conveyance direction of the recording medium. Further, the upper surface of the process cartridge is a surface located above when the process cartridge is mounted in the apparatus main body, and the lower surface is a surface located below.

First, a process cartridge and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus to which the process cartridge is attachable / detachable will be described with reference to FIGS.
It will be specifically described with reference to. 1 is a schematic explanatory view of the configuration of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus in which a process cartridge is mounted, and FIG. 2 is a schematic explanatory view of the configuration of a process cartridge. Here, as the order of the description, the overall structure of the process cartridge and the electrophotographic image forming apparatus using the process cartridge will be described first, and then the structure of the process cartridge attaching / detaching mechanism for attaching / detaching the process cartridge to / from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus will be described. To do.

(Overall Structure) This electrophotographic image forming apparatus (laser beam printer, hereinafter referred to as "image forming apparatus") A has information based on image information from an optical system 1 as optical means, as shown in FIG. A drum-shaped electrophotographic photosensitive member (image bearing member, hereinafter referred to as "photosensitive drum") that emits light 7
To form an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 7, and the electrostatic latent image is developed with a developer (hereinafter referred to as “toner”) to form a toner image. Then, in synchronization with the formation of the toner image, the recording medium (recording paper, OHP sheet, cloth, etc.) 2 is separated and fed one by one from the cassette 3a by the pickup roller 3b and the pressure contact member 3c which is in pressure contact with this, and the process cartridge. The toner image formed on the B photoconductor drum 7 is transferred to the recording medium 2 by applying a voltage to the transfer roller 4 as a transfer unit, and the recording medium 2 is conveyed by the conveyance guide 3f.
It is conveyed to the fixing means 5. The fixing means 5 has a driving roller 5a and a heater 5b built therein and also has a support 5
The fixing rotating member 5d is composed of a cylindrical sheet rotatably supported by c, and heat and pressure are applied to the recording medium 2 passing therethrough to fix the transferred toner image. Then, the recording medium 2 is conveyed by the discharge rollers 3d and discharged to the discharge section 6 through the reverse conveying path. In addition,
In the present embodiment, the conveying means 3 is composed of the pickup roller 3b, the pressure contact member 3c, the discharge roller 3d and the like.

(Process Cartridge) On the other hand, the process cartridge B comprises an electrophotographic photosensitive member and at least one process means. Here, as the process means, for example, a charging means for charging the electrophotographic photoreceptor, a developing means for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photoreceptor, a cleaning for cleaning the toner remaining on the electrophotographic photoreceptor There are means, etc. The process cartridge B of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG.
A photosensitive drum 7 which is an electrophotographic photosensitive member having a photosensitive layer is rotated, and a voltage is applied to a charging roller 8 which is a charging means to uniformly charge the surface of the photosensitive drum 7, and the charged photosensitive drum Information light (light image) based on the image information from the optical system 1 is exposed to the light through the exposure opening 9b to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 7, and the electrostatic latent image is developed. The means 10 is used for developing.

The developing means 10 is a rotatable feeding member 1 which is a toner feeding means for the toner in the toner containing portion 10a.
Send out at 0b. Then, the developing roller 10d, which is a developing rotary member (developer carrying member) having the fixed magnet 10c built therein, is rotated, and at the same time, a toner layer to which a triboelectric charge is applied by the developing blade 10e is formed on the surface of the developing roller 10d. By transferring the toner to the photosensitive drum 7 according to the electrostatic latent image, a toner image is formed and visualized.

Then, after a voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the toner image is applied to the transfer roller 4 to transfer the toner image to the recording medium 2, the cleaning blade 11a scrapes off the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 7, and at the same time, the squeeze sheet is used. The residual toner on the photoconductor drum 7 is removed by the cleaning means 11 which collects the collected toner in the removed toner storage portion 11c by the scooping 11b.

The process cartridge B shown in this embodiment rotatably supports the photosensitive drum 7, a cleaning frame 11d in which a cleaning means 11 and a charging roller 8 are incorporated, a developing means 10 and a toner accommodating portion 10a. And a toner developing frame body 10f in which is incorporated. The toner developing frame body 10f is rotatably supported with respect to the cleaning frame body 11d so that the developing roller 10d of the developing means 10 can face the photoconductor drum 7 in parallel at a predetermined interval. Spacers 10m (see FIG. 9) for maintaining a gap between the photosensitive drum 7 and the photosensitive drum 7 are arranged at both ends of the developing roller 10d. A holder member 10g is provided on both sides of the toner developing frame 10f, and a suspension arm 10g7 having a coupling hole 10g8 for rotatably suspending the developing unit on the cleaning unit is formed. A predetermined pressure is applied between the developing unit and the cleaning unit in order to maintain the space.

The process cartridge B includes a developing frame 10
The toner developing frame body 10f in which f1 and the lid member 10f2 are welded and integrated with each other and the cleaning frame body 11d are housed in a cartridge frame body CF configured to be a cartridge. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the cartridge frame CF is detachably attached to the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body (hereinafter referred to as “image forming apparatus main body”) 14 in the direction of arrow X, as shown in FIGS. A mounting guide 18b for performing the operation is provided coaxially with the rotation axis of the photoconductor drum 7, and is supported by a positioning means inside the image forming apparatus to provide a positioning 18a. The positioning 18a is a cylindrical boss having different diameters on the left and right, and has an arc-shaped projection 18a1 centered on the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum 7 and having a larger radius than the positioning 18a for positioning on the opposite drive side. In this embodiment, the mounting guide 18b is provided above the positioning 18a on the side surface of the cleaning frame 11d. A guided member (not shown) for guiding the process cartridge B is provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus, and the process cartridge B can be mounted along the guided portion.

The process cartridge B of this embodiment has a transfer opening 9 facing the transfer roller 4 of the photosensitive drum.
A drum shutter 12 capable of integrally covering a and the exposure opening 9b is rotatably provided on the cleaning frame 11d. The configuration of the drum shutter 12 will be described (see FIGS. 2 and 3). The drum shutter 12 has a drum protection portion 12a capable of covering the transfer opening 9a where the photosensitive drum 7 contacts the transfer roller 4. The rotary shaft 12b, which is rotatably supported near the exposure opening 9b of the cleaning frame 11d, includes a sliding portion 12b1 that slides on the cleaning frame 11d at both ends of the rotary shaft 12b and sliding portions 12b1 at both ends. The large diameter portion 12b2, which is thicker than the sliding portion 12b1, and the large diameter portion 12b2 in the portion that covers the exposure opening 9b to be connected.
Further, an exposure shutter portion 12b3 for closing the exposure opening 9b when the drum shutter 12 is closed is provided. The drum shutter 12 has connecting portions 12c provided at two left and right positions connecting both ends of the drum protection portion 12a and the outside of the large diameter portion of the rotating shaft 12b. The rotary shaft 12b has a cam portion 12d arranged on the right side of the large diameter portion 12b2 and protruding above the process cartridge B. Right connection 1
2c has a rib 12e extending outward in the longitudinal direction of the drum shutter 12, and the rib 12e is received by a shutter guide member in an image forming apparatus (not shown) to hold the drum shutter 12 in an open posture.

A biasing force is applied to the drum shutter 12 by a spring force of a shutter spring 12f (see FIG. 3) in a direction in which the drum shutter 12 covers the photosensitive drum 7. As a result, when the process cartridge B is taken out from the apparatus main body, the drum shutter 12 maintains the closed state that covers the transfer opening 9a of the photosensitive drum 7 as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. In a state in which the image forming operation is possible, the drum shutter opening / closing means described later rotates to expose the transfer opening 9a as shown by the solid line in FIG. 2 so that the photosensitive drum 7 and the transfer roller 4 can come into contact with each other. Take a posture.

Next, the cleaning means will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11.

The cleaning means 11 includes a first seal member 11e for preventing toner from leaking from the both ends of the rubber of the cleaning blade 11a from the removed toner containing portion 11c, and a second seal member 11h for preventing toner from leaking from the back of the cleaning blade. The frame 11d is fixed at a predetermined position with double-sided tape or the like. Next, the cleaning blade is fixed to a predetermined position of the cleaning frame body 11d with screws to prevent the toner from leaking from both ends of the rubber of the cleaning blade 11a and a member for wiping off adhering substances such as toner on the photosensitive drum. The third seal member 11f and the scooping sheet 11b, which is a scooping member, are fixed to the cleaning frame 11d by the double-sided tape 11g and the like. Also, the charging roller 8
An electrode 8c for supplying electric power from the image forming apparatus main body A is fitted in.

Further, a roller bearing 8b, which supplies electric power to the charging roller 8 from the electrode 8c and serves as a bearing, and the other bearing 8
a is incorporated in the cleaning frame, and the shaft portion of the charging roller 8 is fitted in the bearings 8b and 8a.

The photosensitive drum 7 is connected at one side with a coupling means 70 for driving transmission, a developing roller 10, a drum gear 71 in which a gear for transmitting driving to the transfer roller 4, an earth contact and the like are integrated, and a bearing is provided on the other side. Flange 8
5 are connected. In the photosensitive drum 7, a bearing 18c having a positioning 18a is coupled to the coupling means 70 side by a screw, and the other has a positioning pin 18d for positioning 18d.
The cleaning frame 11d is pressed into and supported by the cleaning frame 11d so as to be accommodated in a.

Next, the developing means 1 of the process cartridge B
0 will be described in more detail.

As shown in FIG. 2, the developing means 10 forms a toner chamber (toner accommodating portion) 10a and a developing chamber 10i by connecting the toner developing frame 10f1 and the lid member 10f2.

In the toner developing frame body 10f1, the toner contained in the toner chamber 10a is connected to the developing roller 10d.
There is provided a toner passage opening 10k through which the toner passes.

As shown in FIG. 6, the toner developing frame 10f
1. A toner seal member composed of a plurality of layers that closes the toner passage opening 10k (see Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-102105).
7, a cover film portion 27b that can be torn by a laser beam is heat-welded to a seal attachment portion, and a sealant layer 31 for fixing the toner seal member 27 is provided on the cover film portion 27b.

As shown in FIG. 8, the toner seal member 27 is attached to the seal attachment portion 10h along the four edges of the toner passage opening 10k. In order to open the passage opening 10k, the laser is half-cut as described above (JP-A-11-102105).

Further, a toner filling port (not shown) for filling the toner into the toner chamber 10a is provided at one end portion in the longitudinal direction of the toner developing frame 10f1, and the cap member 10j after the toner filling (see FIG. 9). ) Is sealed.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, both the toner developing frame 10f1 and the lid member 10f2 are molded by resin injection molding. To assemble them, the lid member 10f2 is joined to the open wall portion of the toner developing frame 10f1, and the joined portion is welded and joined. After combining,
Magnetic seal member 50 for preventing toner leakage at both ends of the developing roller 10d, elastic seal member 52 for preventing toner leakage at both ends of the developing blade 10e, and developing roller 10
A sheet member 10t that prevents the toner from scattering through the gap below d is attached to the toner developing frame 10f1 and the lid member 10f2 with a double-sided tape or the like. The magnetic seal 5
0 and the elastic seal member 52 will be described in detail later.

As described above, as shown in FIG. 9, the holder member (hereinafter referred to as "end member") 10g has the arm portion 10g7 toward the cleaning frame 11d.
Of the cleaning frame 11d and the end of the arm 10g7 by a longitudinal coupling hole 10g8 provided at the tip of the arm 10g7 and a pin 60 (see FIG. 5) fitted in a coupling hole (not shown) provided in the cleaning frame. The member 10g can be rotatably coupled. Then, a compression coil spring, the inner diameter of which is fitted into the spring stopper 10g9 on the arm portion 10g7, is contracted between the compression coil spring and the cleaning frame 11d.
The gap holding members 10m on both sides of 0d and the photosensitive drum 7 are pressed against each other.

(Magnetic Seal Member and Elastic Seal Member) As shown in FIGS. 9 and 12, magnetic seal members 50 are provided at both axial ends of the developing roller 10d. The magnetic seal member 50 is arranged with a gap from the outer peripheral surface of the developing roller 10d, and is attached to the developing device frame 10f. Further, the magnetic seal member 50 includes the developing roller 10d.
The magnetic plate 51 (magnetic member) is joined to the side surface in the width direction of the magnet in the axial direction. The magnetic seal 50 is a molded product in which a magnet as a component thereof has a nylon binder containing a magnetic powder of Nd-Fe-B, and the magnetic plate 51 as another component is an iron material. The method of joining the magnet and the magnetic plate 51 is formed by insert molding of injection molding. Also, the developing roller 10d
And the magnetic seal member 50 has a gap of 0.1 mm to 0.
It is 7 mm. The positional relationship between the magnet in the magnetic seal member 50 and the magnetic plate 51 is such that the magnet passes through the toner passage opening 10k of the developing device frame 10f and the toner passage opening 10k.
The magnetic plate 51 is arranged outside k. As described above, by arranging the magnet on the toner passage opening 10k side of the developing device frame 10d and the magnetic plate 51 outside the toner passage opening 10k, the magnetic force lines of the magnetic seal member 50 are located between the magnet and the magnetic plate 51. It is formed and focused on the magnetic plate 51 having high magnetic permeability 0. The focused magnetic force lines can prevent the toner from scattering from the developing chamber, and the spacer roller 10m can be brought close to the side surface of the magnetic seal member 50. Therefore, the process cartridge B can be downsized and the image forming apparatus main body A can be downsized at the same time. Further, since the toner on the magnetic seal member 50 does not spread to the outside of the toner passage opening 10k of the developing device frame 10f by the magnetic plate 51, the toner is securely held in the range of strong magnetic force on the surface of the magnetic seal member 50. This makes it possible to obtain a good sealing property in which the toner does not leak even if a shock is applied when the process cartridge B is attached to or detached from the image forming apparatus main body A by the user. As shown in FIG. 12, the developing blade 10e is provided on the magnetic seal member 50 that prevents the toner from leaking from both ends of the developing roller 10d.
The seat surface 53 to which the elastic seal member 52 for preventing the toner leakage at both ends is attached is integrally configured, and the elastic seal member 52 is attached to the seat surface 53.

As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, in the conventional small-sized developing device, a toner seal member for closing the toner passage opening of the toner developing frame body 10f is assembled, and then the developing roller 10d is provided at both ends in the axial direction. The magnetic seal member 50 for preventing toner leakage is assembled, and the elastic seal members 10s for preventing toner leakage at both ends of the developing blade 10e are attached to the side surfaces of the magnetic seal member 50. The operation of sticking the elastic seal member 10s requires skill and it is difficult to improve the accuracy of the sticking position.

In this embodiment, the bearing surface 5 is integrally formed with the magnetic seal member 50 which is positioned on the developing device frame 10f with high accuracy.
3 is formed. Accordingly, the elastic seal member 52
The seat surface 53 to which is attached is positioned with high accuracy on the developing device frame 10f, and the positional accuracy with respect to the developing blade 10e, which is positioned on the developing device frame 10f, is improved more than ever.
Thereby, the sealing property of the gap between the magnetic seal member 50 and both ends of the developing blade 10e and the developing blade 1
0e and the elastic seal member 52 overlap each other to improve the sealing performance.

Since a part of the elastic seal member is in contact with the developing sleeve, the elastic seal member 52
By improving the accuracy of the sticking position, the toner coat layer in the vicinity of the inner wall of the developing device becomes more uniform, the invasion of the toner at both ends of the developing blade is minimized, and the variation of the contact pressure to the developing sleeve 10d is reduced. It is possible to obtain a good image.

More specifically, with respect to the structure of the seat surface 53 of the magnetic seal member 50, FIG. 13, FIG. 14, FIG.
6, and FIG. 17 will be described. As described above, the magnetic seal member 50 is formed by joining the magnetic plate 51 (magnetic member) to the widthwise side surface of the magnet, which is the longitudinal direction of the developing roller 10d. The magnetic seal 50 is a molded product in which a magnet as a component thereof has a nylon binder containing a magnetic powder of Nd-Fe-B, and the magnetic plate 51 as another component is an iron material. The method of joining the magnet and the magnetic plate 51 is formed by insert molding of injection molding.

As shown in FIG. 13, a magnet is insert-molded on a magnetic plate 51 to form a magnetic seal portion 50 and a seat surface portion 53, and the elastic seal member 52 is attached to the seat surface portion 53 as shown in FIGS. This prevents toner from leaking from both ends of the developing blade 10e, and makes stable contact with the developing sleeve 10d, so that the toner coat layer can be made uniform. Further, as shown in FIG. 16, a magnet is insert-molded on the magnetic plate 54 integrally formed with the seat surface to which the elastic seal member 52 is attached, so that the magnetic seal portion 50 and the magnetic plate 54 having the seat surface are formed. It is also possible to integrally form. Further, as shown in FIG. 17, it is possible to integrally form the magnetic seal portion 50, the magnetic plate 51 and the seat surface portion 55 by insert molding a magnet into the separate magnetic plate 51 and seat surface member 55. Is.

[0047]

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION By forming the sticking seat surface of the elastic seal member for preventing toner leakage at both ends of the developing blade integrally with the magnetic seal member, the positional accuracy of the developing blade and the elastic seal member is improved, and the developing blade is improved. It is possible to increase the margin for toner leakage at both ends of the. A part of the elastic seal member is brought into contact with the developing sleeve to make the toner coat layer in the vicinity of the inner wall of the developing device uniform. By sticking it on the seating surface of the seal member, the variation of the contact pressure to the developing sleeve is reduced, and it becomes possible to obtain a good image.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a process cartridge.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a process cartridge.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a process cartridge.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a process cartridge in which a toner seal has not been opened.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a toner seal member and an enlarged sectional view of the toner seal member.

FIG. 7 is a connection diagram of a toner developing frame, a lid member, and a toner seal member.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a toner seal attaching portion of the developing device.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the developing device assembly.

FIG. 10 is a detailed assembly view of the cleaning means.

FIG. 11 is a detailed assembly view of the cleaning unit.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the developing device assembly.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory view of a sticking surface of a magnetic seal member and an elastic seal member.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory view of a sticking surface of a magnetic seal member and an elastic seal member.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view of the developing device.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory view of a sticking surface of a magnetic seal member and an elastic seal member.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory view of a sticking surface of a magnetic seal member and an elastic seal member.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a conventional developing unit assembly.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory view of a conventional magnetic seal member and elastic seal member.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Optical system 2 recording media 3 transportation means 3a cassette 3b Pickup roller 3c Pressure contact member 3d discharge roller 3f transport guide 4 Transfer roller 5 fixing means 5a drive roller 5b heater 5c support 5d fixing rotating body 6 discharge part 7 Photosensitive drum 8 charging roller 9a Transfer opening 9b Exposure aperture 10 developing means 10a toner container 10b feeding member 10c fixed magnet 10d developing roller 10e Development blade 10f toner development frame 10f1 development frame 10f2 lid member 10f3 protrusion 10g End member (holder member) 10g1 handle member 10g2 notch 10g3 convex part 10g4 through hole 10g5 protrusion 10g6 hole 10g7 arm part 10g8 coupling hole 10g9 Spring stop 10i development room 10k toner passage opening 10n Developing roller gear 11 Cleaning means 11a cleaning blade 11b Squishy sheet 11c Removal toner storage 11d cleaning frame 11d1 bearing part 12 drum shutter 12a Drum protector 12b rotating shaft 12b1 sliding part 12b2 large diameter part 12b3 exposure shutter section 12d cam part 12e rib 12f shutter spring 14 Image forming apparatus main body 15 Open / close cover 15a Center boss 16 case back 16a convex part 16a1 rough guide surface 18a Positioning 18a1 protrusion 18b Installation guide 18b1 bottom surface 18b2 tip 18b3 Rear end lower corner 18b4 slope 18b5 orthogonal plane 18b6 pin insertion guide 18b7 hole 18c bearing 18d Positioning pin 18d1 end face 18d2 other end surface 27 Toner seal member 27a Drawer 27a1 end 27b Cover film part 31 Sealant layer 44c Shutter guide 50 Magnetic seal member 51 magnetic plate 52 Elastic seal member 53 seat 54 Magnetic plate with integrated seating surface 55 Seat member 60 coupling pins 70 Coupling means 71 drum gear A image forming apparatus B process cartridge CF cartridge frame

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Minoru Sato             Kyano, 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo             Within the corporation F term (reference) 2H077 AA20 AC01 AC03 AD06 AD13                       AD23 CA12 CA15 EA03

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A developer carrying member carrying a magnetic developer for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive member, and an amount of developer carried by the developer carrying member is regulated. A developer regulating member that comes into contact with the developer carrier, and a magnetic seal member that is included in the developing device and that faces the peripheral surface of the developer carrier, or a magnetic seal member that is a magnetic member, and a side surface of the magnetic seal member. There is a magnetic plate that focuses magnetic force lines, and a seat surface portion for mounting an elastic seal member that prevents developer leakage between the magnetic seal portion and the developer regulating member at a predetermined position. Characteristic magnetic seal member. 2. The magnetic seal member according to claim 1, wherein the seating surface of the elastic seal member is made of a magnet or a magnetic member. 3. The magnetic seal member according to claim 1, wherein the seating surface of the elastic seal member is formed of a magnetic plate joined to the magnetic seal member. 4. The magnetic seal member according to claim 1, wherein a seating surface of the elastic seal member is arranged on a side surface of the magnetic seal member opposite to the magnetic plate. 5. A magnetic seal member composed of a magnet or a magnetic member facing the peripheral surface of the developer carrying member, a magnetic plate on a side surface of the magnetic seal member for focusing magnetic force lines, and the magnetic seal portion. The elastic seal member for preventing developer leakage from between the developer regulating members and a seat surface portion for attaching the elastic seal member at a predetermined position are integrally provided. Magnetic seal member. 6. A developer carrying member carrying a magnetic developer for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive member, and an amount of developer carried by the developer carrying member is regulated. A developing device comprising: a developer regulating member that is in contact with the developer carrying member; and a magnet that forms a gap with the peripheral surface of the developer carrying member and is provided at both ends of the developer carrying member in the axial direction. Alternatively, a magnetic seal member including a magnetic member, and a seat surface portion for attaching an elastic seal member that prevents developer leakage between the magnetic seal member and the developer regulating member to a predetermined position are formed. A developing device having a seal member. 7. An electrophotographic photoreceptor, a developer carrying body carrying a magnetic developer for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photoreceptor, and a developer carried by the developer carrying body. In a process cartridge including a developer regulating member that comes into contact with the developer carrier for regulating the amount, a gap is formed between the developer carrier peripheral surface and both ends of the developer carrier in the axial direction. A seat surface portion for mounting at least a magnetic seal member including a magnet or a magnetic member, and an elastic seal member that prevents developer leakage between the magnetic seal member and the developer regulating member, at a predetermined position. A process cartridge having a magnetic seal member formed with.