JP6866075B2 - Reproduction method of developing equipment - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a method for reproducing an apparatus for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on a photosensitive drum.

In an image forming apparatus using electrophotographic technology, first, the photosensitive drum is uniformly charged by a charging roller. Next, the charged photosensitive drum is selectively exposed to form an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum. Then, the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum is developed as a toner image by a developing device. The toner image formed on the photosensitive drum is transferred to a recording material such as recording paper or a plastic sheet, and the toner image transferred on the recording material is fixed to the recording material by heating and pressurizing. Further, the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum after the toner image on the photosensitive drum is transferred to the recording material is removed by the cleaning blade.

Such an image forming apparatus generally requires toner replenishment and maintenance of various process means. In order to facilitate the toner replenishment and maintenance, a process cartridge in which process means such as a photosensitive drum, a charging roller, a developing device, and a cleaning blade are integrated as a cartridge has been put into practical use. Since this process cartridge can be attached to and detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus, the process means can be easily replaced and the toner can be replenished by replacing the process cartridge.

According to this process cartridge method, since the maintenance of the image forming apparatus can be performed by the user himself / herself, the operability can be remarkably improved, and the image forming apparatus having excellent usability can be provided. Therefore, the process cartridge method is widely adopted in the image forming apparatus.

Here, the conventional process cartridge will be described. The photoconductor unit C has a cleaning frame body 13 that integrally supports the photosensitizing drum 10, the charging roller 11, and the cleaning blade 12. Further, the developing unit D integrally supports the developing roller 23, the supply roller 22, and the developing blade 24 as a restricting member, and constitutes a developing agent storage unit 20 for storing the developing agent. have. The developing roller 23 is a roller that carries a developer for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 10, and the supply roller 22 is a roller for supplying the developer to the developing roller 23. Further, the developing blade 24 is a blade for regulating the layer thickness of the developing agent supported on the developing roller 23. The developing unit D includes bearing members 31 and bearing members 39 that support the developing rollers 23 and the supply rollers 22 at both ends of the developing frame 21 in the direction of the rotation center axis of the developing rollers 23 and the supply rollers 22.

Here, the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 will be described. In the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, holes having openings in the axial direction are provided at the ends of the developing frame 21 in the direction of the center axis of rotation of the developing roller 23 and the supply roller 22. The developing blade 24 is fixed to the developing frame 21 with a screw 50, and the tip of the screw 50 projects into the hole. Further, the bearing member 31 is provided with a through hole. In this way, in the state where the bearing member 31 is attached to the developing frame body 21, the hole of the developing frame body 21 and the through hole of the bearing member 31 communicate with each other. Then, in a state where the hole of the developing frame 21 and the through hole of the bearing member 31 communicate with each other, the hole of the developing frame 21 and the through hole of the bearing member 31 are formed from the through hole of the bearing member 31. The conductive resin melted in the space is injected and hardened. In the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, the bearing member 31 and the developing frame 21 are coupled to each other by using the conductive resin in this way. As a result, the productivity of manufacturing the developing unit D is improved. Further, the resin molding portion formed by solidifying the conductive resin is electrically connected to the developing blade 24. Therefore, by supplying power to the power feeding position in the resin molding portion, it is possible to supply power to the developing blade 24 as well.

In addition, the technique disclosed in Patent Document 2 will be described. The technique disclosed in Patent Document 2 discloses a method of disassembling (separating) the bearing member 31 and the developing frame 21. Specifically, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 2, the screw 50 is inserted from the outer wall of the developing frame 21 toward the columnar hole formed at the end of the developing frame 21. As a result, the screw 50 protrudes in the conductive resin molded portion formed in the hole of the developing frame 21 in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the hole. In the technique disclosed in Patent Document 2, the conductive resin molded portion is fixed to the bearing member 31 and fixed to the developing frame 21 only by the screws 50. Therefore, the conductive resin molded portion is detached from the developing frame body 21 simply by removing the screw 50, and the bearing member 31 and the developing frame body 21 can be easily disassembled.

Japanese Patent No. 5460824 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-134299

Based on the prior art, the inventor once disassembled the bearing member 31 and the developing frame 21, and then reinserted the screw 50 into the hole formed when the screw 50 was pulled out from the conductive resin molded portion, and disassembled. A configuration for fixing the developing frame 21 and the conductive resin molded portion was examined.

As a result, when the screw 50 is also reused, the screw 50 may rattle with respect to the conductive resin molded portion when the reused screw 50 is fitted into the hole formed in the conductive resin molded portion. It has been found. When the screw 50 rattles with respect to the conductive resin molded portion, the conductive resin molded portion is not accurately positioned with respect to the developing frame body 21, so that the developing frame body 21 is also not accurately positioned with respect to the bearing member 31. That is, it has been found that the developing roller 23 may not be accurately positioned with respect to the developing frame 21, and the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 10 may not be accurately developed.

Therefore, the present invention provides a method for reproducing a developing apparatus capable of accurately positioning the bearing member with respect to the developing frame when the disassembled developing frame and the bearing member are recombined. With the goal.

In order to achieve the above object, the reproduction method according to the present invention is
The frame of the developing device and
A developer carrier that supports a developer and a developer
A bearing member that rotatably supports the developer carrier and
A conductive first screw member provided so as to penetrate the through hole provided in the frame body, and a first screw member having conductivity.
Is fixed relative to the bearing member, engages with the first threaded member, and a resin member having conductivity,
In the method of reproducing a developing device having
The engagement between the first screw member and the resin member is released, and the bearing member and the resin member are separated from the frame body.
Replace the parts provided in the developing device or replenish the developing device with the developing agent.
The bearing member and the resin member are connected to the frame body.
A second screw member having conductivity is inserted into the through hole so as to engage with the frame body, engages with the resin member, and fixes the bearing member and the resin member to the frame body. ,
In the portion where the second screw member contacts the resin member, the outer diameter of at least a part of the second screw member is outside the first screw member in the portion where the first screw member contacts the resin member. It is characterized by being large compared to the diameter.

According to the present invention, when the disassembled developing frame and the bearing member are recombined, the bearing member can be accurately positioned with respect to the developing frame.

Sectional drawing which shows the whole structure of the image forming apparatus which concerns on Example 1. Perspective view of the developing unit according to the first embodiment Perspective view showing how the developing blade is attached to the developing unit. Side view showing a state in which the developing blade is attached to the developing frame. Perspective view showing a state before the bearing member is attached to the developing frame body. The figure which shows the state which the bearing member was positioned with respect to the developing frame body. Cross-sectional view showing how the molten conductive resin is injected into the joint. Cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the resin molding part after the molten resin has hardened A perspective view showing a state in which a screw is removed from the developing frame body according to the first embodiment. Sectional drawing which shows the state of removing a screw from the developing frame body which concerns on Example 1. Perspective view showing how the bearing member is removed from the developing frame body according to the first embodiment. Sectional drawing which shows the state of removing the bearing member from the developing frame body which concerns on Example 1. A side view showing a state in which the developing roller according to the first embodiment is removed from the developing frame. A perspective view showing a state in which the developing blade is removed from the developing frame according to the first embodiment. A perspective view showing a state in which the bearing member according to the first embodiment is attached to the developing frame body. Sectional drawing which shows the state of attaching the bearing member which concerns on Example 1 to a developing frame body A perspective view showing how the developing blade according to the first embodiment is attached to the developing frame. Perspective view showing how the developing roller according to the first embodiment is attached to the developing frame. A perspective view showing a state in which the bearing member according to the first embodiment is attached to the developing frame body. The figure which shows the screw for fixing a developing blade to a developing frame body The figure which shows the screw for fixing a developing blade to a developing frame body

Embodiments of the present invention will be illustrated below with reference to the drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, and relative arrangements of the components described in the embodiments should be appropriately changed depending on the configuration of the apparatus to which the invention is applied, various conditions, and the like. It is not intended to limit the scope to the following embodiments.

(Example 1)
<Image forming apparatus 100>
With reference to FIG. 1, a schematic configuration of the entire image forming apparatus 100 will be described along the flow of the recording medium P. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. In the apparatus main body A of the image forming apparatus 100, a latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 10 as an image carrier by the scanner unit 1 that has received the latent image data. Then, the developer on the peripheral surface of the developing roller 23 as the developer carrier is transferred to the photosensitive drum 10 according to the latent image, so that the latent image on the photosensitive drum 10 is visualized as a developer image. .. Further, the image forming apparatus 100 is provided with a paper feed cassette 2 capable of accommodating the recording medium P, and the paper feed unit 3 feeds the recording media P one by one. Then, the paper-fed recording medium P is conveyed to the resist roller 4. The developer image on the photosensitive drum 10 is transferred by the transfer roller 5 to the recording medium P conveyed by the resist roller 4. Subsequently, the recording medium P is conveyed to the fixing unit 6, and the developer image is fixed by the fixing roller 7. After that, the recording medium P after the image is fixed is discharged to the paper ejection unit 9 by the ejection unit 8.

<Process cartridge B>
The process cartridge B according to this embodiment is configured by integrally forming a photoconductor unit C and a developing unit D as a developing device into a cartridge, and is removable from the device main body A. The photoconductor unit C includes a photosensitive drum 10, a charging roller 11 as a charging means, a cleaning blade 12 as a cleaning means, a cleaning frame 13, and the like.

The developing unit D includes a developing roller 23 as a developing means, a supply roller 22, a developing blade 24 as a regulating member, and a developing frame 21 as a frame constituting the developer accommodating portion 20. In this embodiment, the developing means develops as follows. First, the developer in the developer storage unit 20 is supplied to the developing roller 23 by the rotation of the supply roller 22, and the developing blade 24 regulates the layer thickness of the developer layer on the developing roller 23. Then, the developer image is formed on the photosensitive drum 10 by transferring the developer to the photosensitive drum 10 according to the latent image. Further, in the cleaning means according to the present embodiment, the cleaning blade 12 removes the developer remaining on the photosensitive drum 10 after the developer image on the photosensitive drum 10 is transferred to the recording medium P.

<Development unit D>
The developing unit D according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the developing unit D, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing how the developing blade 24 is attached to the developing unit D. As described above, the developing unit D includes a developing agent, a developing agent storage unit 20 for storing the developing agent, a supply roller 22, a developing roller 23, a developing blade 24, a developing frame 21, and the like. The developing blade 24 is composed of an abutting portion 26 that abuts on the developing roller 23 and a metal support sheet metal 25 that supports the abutting portion 26. As the abutting portion 26, an elastic one such as rubber or a thin metal is used. Here, in the present embodiment and the conventional example, a stainless steel material having a thickness of 0.08 mm is used as the contact portion 26. The developing blade 24 composed of these parts is fixed to the developing frame 21 by a screw 50 (first screw member) made of a conductive material. Further, the developing roller 23 and the supply roller 22 are supported by the bearing member 31. As described above, the developing unit D may form a part of the process cartridge B, or may be independently attached to and detached from the apparatus main body A of the image forming apparatus 100.

Next, the configuration of the developing unit D according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 8. Here, in particular, the method of connecting the bearing member 31 to the developing frame 21 and the configuration of the conductive path for supplying electric power to the developing blade 24 are in line with the order of assembling the developing blade 24 and the bearing member 31. Will be explained in detail. Here, FIGS. 3 to 8 are explanatory views showing how the developing unit D according to the present embodiment is assembled, respectively. Here, the components are assembled to the developing frame 21 in a state where the developing frame 21 is filled with the developer and the supply rollers 22 are assembled to the developing frame 21.

<Assembly of the developing blade 24>
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state before assembling the developing blade 24 to the developing frame 21. In this state, the bearing member 31 (see FIG. 2) has not yet been attached to the developing frame 21. Further, FIG. 4 is a side view showing a state in which the developing blade 24 is attached to the developing frame 21. In this state, the bearing member 31 is not yet attached to the developing frame 21.

When assembling the developing blade 24 to the developing frame 21, first, the developing blade 24 is fixed to the two seating surfaces 27 provided on the developing frame 21 with screws 50, respectively. Here, as shown in FIG. 3, one screw hole 27a (through hole) penetrates the developing frame 21 so as to communicate with the joint portion 32 provided on the joint surface with the bearing member 31. .. Therefore, when the tightening of the screw 50 is completed, as shown in FIG. 4, the screw tip 51 protrudes into the space of the joint portion 32. Here, assembling the developing blade 24 to the developing frame 21 is a very important step for realizing stable image formation. Therefore, the developing blade 24 may be assembled while adjusting the position of the developing blade 24 so that the developing blade 24 can be mounted at a predetermined mounting position.

<Assembly of bearing member 31>
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state before the bearing member 31 is attached to the developing frame body 21. Further, FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state in which the bearing member 31 is positioned with respect to the developing frame body 21. Specifically, FIG. 6A is a side view of the developing unit D in a state where the bearing member 31 is attached to the developing frame 21. Further, FIG. 6B is a partial cross-sectional view of the developing unit D in a state where the bearing member 31 is positioned with respect to the developing frame body 21. Here, the bearing member 31 has a bearing portion 31d that rotatably supports the end of the rotating shaft of the developing roller 23, and a bearing portion 31e that rotatably supports the end of the rotating shaft of the supply roller 22. ing. Further, the bearing member 31 includes a positioning unit 31a for positioning the bearing member 31 with respect to the developing frame 21, a positioning unit 31b, a positioning unit 31c, and an injection unit 33 for injecting molten resin. It is provided.

Here, as the material of the bearing member 31, a resin having excellent slidability (for example, polyacetal resin or the like) is used. Further, in this embodiment, a material that is incompatible with the material of the bearing member 31 is selected as the molten resin to be injected into the injection unit 33. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the injection portion 33 provided in the bearing member 31 includes an injection port 33a, a resin flow path portion 33b, a step portion 35 for reducing the inner diameter of the resin flow path portion 33b, and an injection nozzle portion. It has 34 (see FIG. 6B).

In this embodiment, the injection port 33a to the injection nozzle portion 34 are all flow paths of the molten resin. Further, the injection port 33a to the injection nozzle portion 34 penetrate the bearing member 31 and communicate with the joint portion 32 which is a recess provided in the developing frame body 21. Then, a space filled with the molten resin is formed by this flow path (from the injection port 33a to the injection nozzle portion 34), the joint portion 32, and the screw tip 51 of the screw 50 protruding into the joint portion 32. .. The assembly of the developing frame 21 and the bearing member 31 is related to the positioning portions 31a to 31c (see FIG. 5) of the bearing member 31 and the positioning portions 21a to 21c (see FIG. 3) of the developing frame 21. It is done by matching.

<Method of connecting the bearing member 31 to the developing frame 21>
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing how the molten conductive resin is injected into the joint portion 32. Further, FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the resin molding portion 40 after the molten resin has hardened. When injecting the molten conductive resin into the joint portion 32, the nozzle tip 520 of the resin injection device (not shown) for injecting the molten resin is brought into contact with the injection port 33a of the injection portion 33. Then, an appropriate amount of the molten conductive resin is injected into the space of the joint portion 32 of the developing frame 21 via the resin flow path portion 33b of the bearing member 31. The direction of the flow of the molten resin is the arrow Y direction. Immediately after the injection, the injected conductive resin solidifies (cures) and becomes a resin molded portion 40 (resin member) (FIG. 8). As a result, the work of connecting the developing frame 21 and the bearing member 31 is completed.

Then, as shown in FIG. 8, the resin molding portion 40 is bonded to the screw 50 by cooling and solidifying the resin around the screw tip 51 of the screw 50 at the joint portion 32 in the developing frame body 21. As a result, the resin molding portion 40 is fixed to the developing frame body 21. This is because the screw tip 51 functions as a stopper for preventing the resin molded portion 40 from coming off. Further, since the screw 50 is fastened to the developing frame body 21, the resin molding portion 40 is also fixed to the developing frame body 21. On the other hand, the resin molded portion 40 is molded into a shape having a step corresponding to the step portion 35 of the bearing member 31. Then, the step shape of the resin molding portion 40 is such that the resin molding portion 40 engages with the step portion 35 of the bearing member 31 in a direction opposite to the direction in which the bearing member 31 is assembled to the developing frame body 21. Suppresses the bearing member 31 from coming off.

In this embodiment, as described above, in the space filled with the molten resin material, the width of the portion where the injection port 33a and the joint portion 32 communicate with each other (the inner diameter of the hole in the vicinity of the step portion 35) is the injection port 33a. It is narrower than the width (inner diameter) of the joint portion 32 and the width (inner diameter) of the joint portion 32. As a result, the resin molding portion 40 is fixed to the developing frame body 21 so that the resin molding portion 40 does not come off from the bearing member 31. Further, as described above, the resin molding portion 40 is fixed to the developing frame 21 by the screws 50. Therefore, the developing frame 21 and the bearing member 31 are coupled.

The resin molded portion 40 shrinks only a small amount when it cools and solidifies. Due to this property, after the resin molding portion 40 is solidified, the resin around the screw 50 is in a state of pressing the screw 50. Further, in the state where the resin molding portion 40 is solidified, the resin around the step portion 35 and the injection nozzle portion 34 makes the step portion 35 and the injection nozzle portion 34 approach each other in the direction in which the step portion 35 and the injection nozzle portion 34 approach each other. Pressing. As a result, the resin molded portion 40 is firmly fixed to the bearing member 31. Further, a force acts on the developing frame 21 in the direction in which the bearing member 31 and the developing frame 21 approach each other. Therefore, the bearing member 31 is in a state of pressing the developing frame body 21, and the adhesion between the bearing member 31 and the developing frame body 21 is improved. In particular, in the space filled with the molten resin, the screw 50 protrudes in the direction in which the resin molding portion 40 exits the joint portion 32 and intersects (orthogonally) the direction in which the bearing member 31 and the developing frame 21 are formed. It can be fixed more firmly.

<Reproduction method of developing unit D>
Next, a method for reproducing the developing unit D according to this embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the reproduction method of the developing unit D has the following steps.
(1) Step of removing the screw 50 from the developing frame 21 and the resin molding portion 40 (2) Step of removing the bearing member 31 from the developing frame 21 (3) Step of removing the developing roller 23 from the developing frame 21 (4) Step of removing the developing blade 24 from the developing frame 21 (5) Step of attaching the bearing member 31 to the developing frame 21 (6) Step of attaching the developing blade 24 to the developing frame 21 (7) Attaching the screw 55 to the developing frame 21 (8) Step of attaching the developing roller 23 to the developing frame 21 (9) Step of attaching the bearing member 39 to the developing frame 21

Here, the screw 50 and the screw 55 (corresponding to the second screw member) according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 20 is a side view of the screws 50 and the screws 55 for fixing the developing blade 24 to the developing frame 21. Specifically, FIG. 20A is a side view of the screw 50, and FIG. 20B is a side view of the screw 55. In this embodiment, the screw tip 51, which is the tip of the screw 50, has a cylindrical shape without being cut. On the other hand, the screw tip 56a, which is the tip portion of the screw 55, is a threaded screw portion. Then, in this embodiment, the developing blade 24 can be more firmly fixed to the developing frame 21 by using the screw 55 when the developing unit D is reproduced. Further, in this embodiment, the electrical connection state between the screw 55 and the resin molding portion 40 can be stabilized. Hereinafter, each step in the reproduction method of the developing unit D will be described in detail.

<(1) Step of removing the screw 50 from the developing frame 21 and the resin molding portion 40>
The process of removing the screw 50 (disengaging (disengaging)) the screw 50 from the developing frame 21 and the resin molding portion 40 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 9, and 10. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing how the screws 50 (screws 50a, screws 50b) are removed from the developing frame 21. Further, FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing how the screw 50a is removed from the developing frame 21.

In this step, as shown in FIG. 9, two screws 50 (screws 50a and 50b) fixing the developing blade 24 to the developing frame 21 are removed from the developing frame 21. The screw 50a is provided at a position close to the bearing member 31, and in this step, the screw 50a is removed from the developing frame 21 and the resin molding portion 40. At this time, as shown in FIG. 10, in the resin molding portion 40, the recess 40c (corresponding to the screw hole) that was engaged with the screw 50a is exposed. In this step, the developing blade 24 is not yet removed from the developing frame 21 at this point.

<(2) Step of removing the bearing member 31 from the developing frame 21>
The process of removing the bearing member 31 from the developing frame 21 will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing how the bearing member 31 is removed from the developing frame 21. Further, FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing how the bearing member 31 is removed from the developing frame 21. Since the resin molding portion 40 is fixed to the bearing member 31, in this step, the bearing member 31 and the resin molding portion 40 are integrally removed from the developing frame body 21. Here, in this embodiment, the resin molding portion 40 is detached from the developing frame body 21 and the resin molding portion 40 is a bearing so that the bearing member 31 and the resin molding portion 40 are integrally removed from the developing frame body 21. It has a structure that does not come off from the member 31.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8, when the screw 50 is engaged with the resin molding portion 40, the screw tip 51 of the screw 50 prevents the resin molding portion 40 from coming off from the joint portion 32 in the developing frame body 21. It has a function as a stopper to suppress it. Therefore, the bearing member 31 is not removed from the developing frame 21 when the screw 50 is engaged with the resin molding portion 40. However, since the screw 50a is removed in the above-mentioned step (1) (step of removing the screw 50), in this state, there is no stopper for suppressing the resin molding portion 40 from coming off from the joint portion 32. Further, as described above, the materials of the resin molding portion 40 and the developing frame 21 are incompatible with each other. For the above reasons, the resin molding portion 40 is detached from the joint portion 32 in the developing frame body 21. On the other hand, the resin molded portion 40 does not come off from the bearing member 31 because the stepped portion 35 is provided. Therefore, the bearing member 31 and the resin molding portion 40 can be integrally removed from the developing frame body 21.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, the bearing member 39 provided on the opposite side of the bearing member 31 that rotatably supports the developing roller 23 is fixed to the developing frame 21 by screws or the like. Therefore, the screws and the like are removed, and the bearing member 39 is removed from the developing frame 21. The "step of removing the bearing member 39" may be performed at any time before the next "(3) step of removing the developing roller 23 from the developing frame 21".

<(3) Step of removing the developing roller 23 from the developing frame 21>
FIG. 13 is a side view showing how the developing roller 23 according to the first embodiment is removed from the developing frame 21. As shown in FIG. 13, in this step, the developing roller 23 is removed from the developing frame 21. In the steps up to this point, the bearing member 31 and the bearing member 39 that support both ends of the rotating shaft of the developing roller 23 have been removed, so that the developing roller 23 can be removed from the developing frame 21.

<(4) Step of removing the developing blade 24 from the developing frame 21>
FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing how the developing blade 24 is removed from the developing frame 21 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 14, in this step, the developing blade 24 is removed from the developing frame 21. Since the screw 50 for fixing the developing blade 24 to the developing frame 21 has been removed in the previous step, the developing blade 24 can be removed from the developing frame 21.

<(5) Step of attaching the bearing member 31 to the developing frame 21>
FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing how the bearing member 31 according to the first embodiment is attached to the developing frame body 21. Further, FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing how the bearing member 31 according to the first embodiment is attached to the developing frame body 21. In this step, the resin molding portion 40 and the bearing member 31 that were integrally removed in the previous step are reattached to the developing frame body 21.

The removed resin molded portion 40 and the bearing member 31 do not necessarily have to be reattached to the originally attached developing frame 21. For example, the integrally removed resin molded portion 40 and the bearing member 31 may be attached to another developing frame 21 of the same model. As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the resin molding portion 40 is connected to the joint portion 32, and the positioning portions 31a to 31c (see FIG. 15A) are connected to the positioning portions 21a to 21c (FIG. 15B). The bearing member 31 is attached to the developing frame 21 by engaging with each other.

<(6) Step of adjusting the position of the developing blade 24 with respect to the developing frame 21>
In this step, the position of the developing blade 24 with respect to the developing frame 21 is adjusted. Specifically, the position of the developing blade 24 with respect to the developing frame 21 is adjusted so that the developing blade 24 can be attached to the developing frame 21 using the screws 55.

<(7) Step of fixing the developing blade 24 to the developing frame 21>
FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing how the developing blade 24 according to the first embodiment is positioned with respect to the developing frame body 21. In this step, the developing blade 24 is attached to the developing frame 21 using the screws 55. First, as shown in FIG. 17, the developing blade 24 is brought into contact with the two seating surfaces 27 provided on the developing frame 21. Next, the developing blade 24 is fixed to the developing frame 21 using two screws 55 (screws 55a and 55b). Specifically, the developing blade 24 is fixed to the developing frame 21 by passing the screw 55 through the hole provided in the developing blade 24 and engaging the screw 55 with the resin molding portion 40.

At this time, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 20, the outer diameter (first tip outer diameter) of the screw tip 51 (located near the end) of the screw 50 is the threaded screw of the screw 50. It is smaller than the outer diameter (second tip outer diameter) of the portion (the portion in contact with the resin molding portion 40). On the other hand, the screw 55 is formed so that the screw is uniformly threaded from the tip end portion to the other end portion of the screw so that the outer diameter of the screw tip 56a of the screw 55 is the same as the outer diameter of the screw portion of the screw 55. ing. That is, unlike the screw 50, the outer diameter of the screw tip 56a of the screw 55 is not smaller than the outer diameter of the screw portion of the screw 55. Further, comparing the screw 50 and the screw 55, the outer diameter of the screw portion of the screw 50 is the same as the outer diameter of the screw portion of the screw 55. On the other hand, the outer diameter of the screw tip 56a of the screw 55 is larger than the outer diameter of the screw tip 51 of the screw 50.

Therefore, when the screw 55 is inserted (screwed) into the recess 40c in the resin molding portion 40, the screw tip 56a, which is the screw portion, engages with the resin molding portion 40, and the resin molding portion 40 and the screw 55 Is firmly fixed. Further, as a result, the resin molding portion 40 and the screw 55 are electrically and stably connected, so that power is stably supplied from the power supply member (not shown) to the support sheet metal 25 via the resin molding portion 40. To. When the developing blade 24 is attached to the developing frame 21 with high accuracy, the developing blade 24 is temporarily fastened once with two screws 55, and the developing blade 24 is developed while measuring the position of the tip of the developing blade 24. It may be fixed to the frame body 21.

<(8) Step of attaching the developing roller 23 to the developing frame 21>
FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing how the developing roller 23 is attached to the developing frame 21. In the step (5), the bearing member 31 is already attached to the developing frame body 21, and the rotating shaft of the developing roller 23 is engaged with the bearing portion 31d of the bearing member 31.

<(9) Step of attaching the bearing member 39 to the developing frame 21>
The process of attaching the bearing member 39 to the developing frame 21 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 19. FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing how the bearing member 39 is attached to the developing frame body 21. In this step, the rotation of the developing roller 23 is engaged with the developing roller support portion 39a of the bearing member 39, and the bearing member 39 is fastened to the developing frame 21 by a screw or the like (not shown). Then, after assembling the bearing member 39 to the developing frame body 21, as shown in FIG. 2, the side cover 37 or the like for covering the drive gear 38 or the like is reattached to the developing frame body 21 to reproduce the developing unit D. Is finished.

When the developing frame 21 is refilled with the developing agent, the order of the steps of refilling the developing frame 21 with the developing agent is not particularly limited. For example, the step of refilling the developing frame 21 with the developing agent may be performed after the step (4) (the step of removing the developing blade 24 from the developing frame 21). Further, for example, the step of refilling the developing frame 21 with the developer may be performed after the step (9) (the step of attaching the bearing member 39 to the developing frame 21).

As described above, in this embodiment, the outer diameter of at least a part of the screw portion of the screw 55 is larger than the outer diameter of the screw portion of the screw 50. Therefore, when the disassembled developing frame 21 and the bearing member 31 are recombined, the bearing member 31 can be accurately positioned with respect to the developing frame 21.

(Example 2)
Next, Example 2 will be described. In this embodiment, the method of reproducing the developing unit D is the same as that of the first embodiment. However, in this embodiment, the bearing member 31 is fixed to the developing frame 21 again by using screws 57 different from those in the first embodiment. FIG. 21 is a diagram showing screws 52 and screws 57 for fixing the developing blade 24 according to the second embodiment to the developing frame body 21. FIG. 21A is a diagram showing a screw 52 according to this embodiment. Further, FIG. 21B is a diagram showing a screw 57 according to the second embodiment.

In this embodiment, the bearing member 31 is removed from the developing frame 21 by pulling out the screw 52 from the resin molding portion 40. Further, by inserting the screw 57 into the resin molding portion 40, the bearing member 31 is fixed to the developing frame 21 again. Here, in the present embodiment, unlike the screw 50 according to the first embodiment, the screw 52 is not formed with a portion having an outer diameter smaller than that of the screw portion. A screw portion is formed on the screw 52 in substantially the entire area of the screw 52. Further, the outer diameter of the screw portion of the screw 52 is constant.

Here, in this embodiment, the outer diameter R'of the screw portion of the screw 57 for fixing the bearing member 31 to the developing frame 21 again is larger than the outer diameter R of the screw portion of the screw 52. Specifically, in this embodiment, the screw 52 is M3 (screw having a screw portion diameter of 3 mm), and the screw 57 is M4 (screw having a screw portion diameter of 4 mm). As a result, when the bearing member 31 is fixed to the developing frame 21 again, the resin molding portion 40 and the screw 57 are firmly fixed. As a result, the resin molding portion 40 and the screw 57 are electrically and stably connected to each other, so that power is stably supplied to the support sheet metal 25 from the power supply member (not shown) via the resin molding portion 40.

As described above, in the present embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, when the disassembled developing frame body 21 and the bearing member 31 are recombined, the bearing member 31 is accurately positioned with respect to the developing frame body 21. be able to.

21 ... developing frame, 23 ... developing roller, 31 ... bearing member, 40 ... resin molded part,
40c ... recess, 50 ... screw, 55 ... screw, D ... developing unit

Claims (7)

The frame of the developing device and
A developer carrier that supports a developer and a developer
A bearing member that rotatably supports the developer carrier and
A conductive first screw member provided so as to penetrate the through hole provided in the frame body, and a first screw member having conductivity.
Is fixed relative to the bearing member, engages with the first threaded member, and a resin member having conductivity,
In the method of reproducing a developing device having
The engagement between the first screw member and the resin member is released, and the bearing member and the resin member are separated from the frame body.
Replace the parts provided in the developing device or replenish the developing device with the developing agent.
The bearing member and the resin member are connected to the frame body, and the bearing member and the resin member are connected to the frame body.
A second screw member having conductivity is inserted into the through hole so as to engage with the frame body, engages with the resin member, and fixes the bearing member and the resin member to the frame body. ,
In the portion where the second screw member contacts the resin member, the outer diameter of at least a part of the second screw member is outside the first screw member in the portion where the first screw member contacts the resin member. A reproduction method characterized by being large compared to the diameter. In the direction in which the first screw member is inserted, the outer diameter of the tip of the first screw member is defined as the outer diameter of the first tip.
When the outer diameter of the tip of the second screw member is the outer diameter of the second tip in the direction in which the second screw member is inserted,
The reproduction method according to claim 1, wherein the first tip outer diameter is smaller than the second tip outer diameter. The outer diameter of the threaded portion of the first screw member is constant,
The outer diameter of the threaded portion of the second screw member is constant,
The reproduction method according to claim 1, wherein the outer diameter of the threaded portion of the second screw member is larger than the outer diameter of the threaded portion of the first screw member. It has a regulating member that regulates the amount of the developer supported on the developer carrier.
The first screw member fixes the regulation member to the frame body and fixes the regulation member to the frame body.
The reproduction method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second screw member is fixed to the frame body. Is pre Symbol electrically connected via the first screw member and the resin member and the regulating member,
The resin member and the regulating member are electrically connected via the second screw member.
The reproduction method according to claim 4, wherein electric power is supplied to the regulatory member by supplying electric power to the resin member. The second screw member has a screw portion and has a screw portion.
The second screw member engages with the resin member so that the screw portion comes into contact with a recess formed in the resin member so as to come into contact with the first screw member protruding from the through hole. The reproduction method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that. The reproduction method according to claim 6, wherein the recess is formed in the resin member so as to come into contact with the tip end portion of the first screw member protruding from the through hole.

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