Developing device, process cartridge and electric energy supply part

专利摘要:
The developing apparatus includes a first cylindrical portion and a second cylindrical portion provided at an end of the cylindrical portion and supported by a bearing portion, and transferring the developer for developing an electrostatic image formed on the image bearing member. A magnet that is extended outward from the inside of the developer transport member, the developer transport member, provided to the developer transport member, extends outward from the inner side of the developer transport member, and is supported on the magnet; A second conductive portion provided in the first conveying member, electrically connected to the inner surface of the first cylindrical portion, and in a slidable contact state with the first conductive portion in the developer conveying member; A first electrical contact in electrical connection with the portion, the electrical contact with the electrical contact of the main assembly of the image forming apparatus and disposed at a different position from the first electrical contact A third conductive portion comprising a second electrical contact, wherein the developing bias is from the electrical contact of the main assembly of the image forming apparatus through the third conductive portion, the second conductive portion, and the first conductive portion; Is applied to.
公开号:KR20010020800A
申请号:KR1020000023053
申请日:2000-04-29
公开日:2001-03-15
发明作者:노다신야；사사고요시까즈；사사끼데루히꼬；바또리요시유끼；아꾸쯔다까시；데라다이찌로
申请人:미다라이 후지오；캐논 가부시끼가이샤；
IPC主号:

专利说明:

Developer, process cartridge and electrical energy supply {DEVELOPING DEVICE, PROCESS CARTRIDGE AND ELECTRIC ENERGY SUPPLY PART}
The present invention relates to a developing apparatus for an image forming apparatus, a process cartridge and an electric energy supply unit.
Here, the image forming apparatus forms an image on the recording material through, for example, an electrophotographic process. Examples of electrophotographic apparatuses include electrophotographic copy machines, electrophotographic printers (eg, laser beam printers, LED printers, etc.), facsimile machines, word processors, and the like.
The process cartridge includes an image bearing member, at least one charging means, developing means, and cleaning means integrated into a cartridge detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus.
In the field of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic image forming process, a process in which an electrophotographic photosensitive drum and processing means operable on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum are integrated into a cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The type of cartridge is used. In this kind of process cartridge, maintenance work for the electrophotographic image forming apparatus can be performed by a user in fact so that workability is significantly improved. Therefore, this kind of process cartridge can be widely used in the field of the image forming apparatus.
In the process cartridge, the electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member is developed by developing means for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member with a toner (developing agent) by a developer roller which is a developer conveying member. In particular, a developing bias is applied to the developing roller to transfer the toner from the developing roller onto the electrophotographic photosensitive member in accordance with an electrostatic latent image so as to provide a visualized toner image.
In the method of applying the developing bias to the developing roller, a flange member F of conductive material is provided at the end of the developing roller D as shown in Fig. 10, and an electrode in the form of a compression coil spring Sp is conductive. Is mounted on the flange member (F). When the developing apparatus is mounted to the main assembly of the apparatus, the contact member C is electrically connected to the electric energy supply member V provided to the main assembly of the apparatus.
In another method of applying a developing bias to the developing roller, an elastic contact portion Cs is provided to the contact member C, as shown in Fig. 11, and the elastic contact portion Cs is formed at the end of the developing roller D. The flange member F is made of conductive material. When the developing apparatus is mounted to the main assembly of the apparatus, the contact member C is electrically connected to the electrical energy supply member V provided in the jaw assembly of the apparatus.
In such a case, the compression coil spring Sp or the flange member F is rotated integrally with the developing roller D such that it is in a sliding relationship with the contact member C, and thus a conductive grease is generally applied to the slide portion Cp. do.
Therefore, the main object of the present invention is to provide a developing apparatus and an assembly method in which a contact portion for applying a developing bias to a developer conveying member is improved in terms of reliability.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a process cartridge and an assembly method wherein a contact portion for applying a developing bias to a developer conveying member is improved in terms of reliability. It is another object of the present invention to provide an electric energy supply unit having a magnet for improving the positional accuracy in the developer transport member as the electric energy supply unit for supplying electric energy of the development bias to the developer transport member.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide an electric energy supply for supplying electric energy of a developing bias far from the developer carrying member in which electrical connection with the conductive portion is made on a magnet disposed in the developer carrying member.
These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
1 is a schematic view of a contact structure of a developing roller according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a perspective view of a magnet, a stationary contact and a cylindrical electrode assembled with the magnet;
3 is a perspective view of a magnet, a stationary contact and a cylindrical electrode assembled with them;
4 is a perspective view of the contact support and the slide contact.
5 is a perspective view of a developing roller mounted to the contact support and the slide contact;
6 is a perspective view of a developing roller assembled with a contact support and a slide contact and a cylindrical electrode assembled with the developing roller and a fixed contact;
Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus equipped with a process cartridge.
8 is a diagram of a structure of a process cartridge.
9 is a view of a mounting structure of a process cartridge.
10 is a schematic view of a contact structure of a developing roller.
11 is a schematic view of a contact structure of a developing roller.
12 is a view of a cylindrical electrode according to a modification.
Figure 13 is a perspective view of the cylindrical electrode and the fixed contact shown in Figure 12 assembled with a magnet.
Fig. 14 is a schematic diagram of a coupling relationship that meets the protrusion of the cylindrical electrode and the recess of the left shaft portion of the magnet.
Fig. 15 is a schematic diagram of an error angle between the cylindrical electrode and the left shaft portion of the magnet.
Fig. 16 is a schematic diagram of the coupling relationship between the protrusion of the cylindrical electrode and the left shaft portion of the magnet according to the modification.
17 is a perspective view of a fixed contact.
18 is a front view of the slide contact.
19 is a side view of the slide contact.
<Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings>
1: optical system
3: supply means
4: transfer roller
5: fixing means
7: photosensitive drum
8: charging roller
10c: fixed magnet
10d: developing roller
11: washing means
12: toner developing device frame
14: main assembly
DETAILED DESCRIPTION Embodiments according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 1 to 9, a developing apparatus, a process cartridge having a developing apparatus, and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus to which the process cartridge is mountable are shown.
First, referring to Figs. 7 to 9, a general configuration of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus will be described, and then a contact structure to the developing roller will be described with reference to Figs. Hereinafter, a structure for preventing erroneous assembly will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 to 16.
<General Configuration>
In the electrophotographic image forming apparatus (laser beam) A as shown in FIG. 7, information light modulated in accordance with image information supplied from the optical system 1 is used to form a drum (photosensitive drum) ( 7) is projected onto an electrophotographic photosensitive member of the form, and developed into a toner image with a toner (developing agent). In synchronism with the formation of the toner image, the recording material 2 for separately recording the paper or OHP sheet is supplied one by one from the cassette 3a by the pickup roller 3b and the pressure contact member 3c in pressure contact therewith. Supplied by a supply means 3 including a pair of feed rollers 3d, a pair of matching rollers, and the like, and a toner image formed on the photosensitive drum in the process cartridge B is transferred to a transfer roller (transfer means) ( It is transferred onto the recording material 2 by the application of a voltage to 4), and the recording material 2 is supplied to the fixing means 5 by the conveyor belt 3f. The fixing means 5 includes a drive roller 5a, a supporting member 5c to which heat and pressure are applied to the recording material 2 passing through the fixing means for causing the transferred toner image to be fixed on the recording material 2; A fixed rotatable member 5d comprising a cylindrical sheet rotatably supported on the supporting member 5c. The recording material 2 is supplied by a pair of discharge rollers, and is discharged to the discharge portion 6 through the reverse feed path. The image forming apparatus A can accommodate a sheet manually fed by the manual insertion tray 3i and the roller 3j.
<Process Cartridge>
On the other hand, the process cartridge B includes an image bearing member in the form of an electrophotographic photosensitive member and at least one processing means. The processing means includes charging means for charging the electrophotographic photosensitive member, developing means for developing a latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and washing means for removing toner remaining on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member. do.
As shown in Fig. 8, in the process cartridge B of this embodiment, an electrophotographic photosensitive member having a photosensitive layer (photosensitive drum 7) is rotated, and the surface of the photosensitive drum 7 is supplied with voltage. Uniformly charged by charging means in the form of a charging roller 8, and then charged photosensitive drum 7 is exposed to an optical image from the optical system 1 through the opening 9 to form an electrostatic latent image. . The latent image is developed by the developing means (developing device) 10.
The developing means 10 supplies the toner out of the toner accommodating portion 10a by the rotatable first supply member 10b1 and the second supply member 10b2. The developing roller 10d (developer conveying member) including the fixed magnet (magnet) 10c therein is rotated, and the toner layer of toner particles triboelectrically charged by the developing blade 10e is developed roller 10d. And a developing bias are applied to transfer the toner to the photosensitive drum 7 according to the latent image so as to form a toner image visualized.
In order to transfer the toner image onto the recording material 2, a voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the toner image is supplied to the transfer roller 4. Thereafter, the residual toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 7 is removed or peeled off by the cleaning blade 11a and received by the accommodating sheet 11b, so that the residual toner is collected by the cleaning means.
The process cartridge B of this embodiment includes a toner container 10a, a developing lower frame 12b, and a developing roller 10d, a developing blade 10e, and the like, and has a cap member 12c welded integrally. Toner developing apparatus frame 12 is included. The toner developing apparatus frame 12 includes a cleaning frame 13 and a charging roller 8 which accommodate the photosensitive drum 7 to constitute a cartridge detachably mountable to the cartridge mounting means provided in the main assembly 14 of the image forming apparatus. And washing means 11 and the like.
As shown in Fig. 7, when the process cartridge B is detached, the opening and closing member 15 is opened by rotation about the shaft 15a, and when the opening and closing member 15 is opened, The main assembly 14 has a cartridge mounting space. The frame 16 provided on each of the left and right sides of the mounting space is provided with a cartridge mounting guide member 17 as shown in Fig. 9, in which only one guide member 17 is shown. On the other hand, the boss 18 (Fig. 8) is provided to be protected from the longitudinal outer side of the process cartridge B, and the process cartridge B is formed by the boss 18 formed by the guide member 17 and the frame 16. It is inserted to engage with the guide groove 19. At the rear of the groove 19, a recess 19a is formed and the shaft portion 18a of the boss 18 is inserted into the recess 19a for mounting the process cartridge B. As shown in FIG. At this time, a drum gear (not shown) mounted at the longitudinal end of the photosensitive drum 7 is engaged with the drive gear provided in the main assembly 14 of the apparatus to transmit the driving force to the photosensitive drum 7.
<Contact structure of developing roller>
1 to 6, a contact structure for applying a developing bias to the developing roller 10d will be described.
As shown in Fig. 1, the developing roller (first cylindrical portion) 10d includes nonmagnetic conductive cylindrical members such as aluminum and stainless steel, and flange members (second cylindrical portions) 20a and 20b at respective opposite ends. ). The flange member has an outer diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the first cylindrical portion. The right flange member 20a is fixed to the right end 10dR of the developing roller 10d by press fit, bonding, crimping, etc., and projects outward from the right end 10dR in the longitudinal direction of the developing roller 10d. It has a shaft portion 10al. The outer periphery of the shaft portion 20al is rotatably supported by the toner developing apparatus frame 12 and the bearing 21a fixed to the support 24a. On the other hand, the flange member 20b of metal, such as aluminum, stainless steel, etc., is fixed to the left end 10dL of the developing roller 10d by press-fitting, crimping, or other mechanical method, and the longitudinal direction of the developing roller 10d. And a shaft portion 20bl which functions as a flange projecting outwardly from the left end 110dL in the direction. The outer periphery of the shaft portion 20bl serving as a flange is rotatably supported by the toner developing apparatus frame 12 and the bearing 21b fixed to the support 24b. The roller gear 22 is fixed to the shaft portion 20bl by a key, a set screw, or the like. With this structure, the driving force is transmitted from the drum gear (not shown) of the photosensitive drum 7 to the roller gear 22 so that the developing roller 10d is rotated at a predetermined rotational speed. In this embodiment, the flange (shaft portion 20bl) is made of metal such as aluminum, stainless steel, or the like. Therefore, the supporting rigidity with respect to the developing roller 10d is improved. Thus, the rotation accuracy of the rotation is improved.
In this embodiment, the shaft portion 20bl and the first conductive portion to be described later are released from each other. For this reason, the developing bias is not supplied from the shaft portion 20bl to the developing roller 10d.
A magnet 10c having a plurality of magnetic poles is included in the developing roller 10d. The magnet 10c has a shaft portion 10cl at left and right ends. The left and right shaft portions 10cl pass through the center holes 20a2 and 20b2 of the flange members 20a and 20b, and support holes 24al of the supports 24a and 24b fixed to the toner developing apparatus frame 12, 24bl).
<First conductive part (cylindrical electrode and fixed contact)>
As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the cylindrical electrode 28 and the fixed contact 29 having electrical conductivity are the shaft portion (left shaft portion) as one end shaft at one end (left side of the magnet) 10c. It is attached to 10c1. The cylindrical electrode and the fixed contact 29 constitute a first conductive portion.
A cylindrical electrode 28 is provided in which the left shaft portion 10cl of the magnet 10c extends in the longitudinal direction of the toner developing apparatus frame 12 (axial direction of the photosensitive drum 7). The cylindrical electrode 28 includes a cylindrical cylindrical portion 28e extending in the axial direction of the developing roller 10d at the center, and the axis of the developing roller 10d at each left and right end of the cylindrical portion 28e. The protrusions 28a and 28b of the protruding shape extending in the direction are provided in the cylindrical electrode. The cylindrical portion 28e is provided with a slit 28c formed in the axial direction of the developing roller 10d. The inner diameter of the cylindrical portion 28e is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the left shaft portion 10cl of the magnet 10c. Thus, when the cylindrical portion 28e engages with the left shaft portion 10cl of the magnet 10c, the cylindrical portion 28e is radially expanded to slightly inflate the slit 28c, and the cylindrical electrode 28 The left shaft portion 10cl is fixed to the left shaft portion 10cl by the restoring force of the cylindrical portion 28e of the left shaft portion 10cl.
On the base portion of the left shaft portion 10cl of the magnet 10c, freedom at each position of several positions (three positions in this embodiment) projecting in the radial direction of the left shaft portion 10cl and spaced apart in the circumferential direction A projection 10c2 extending toward the end is provided, and the end portion is provided with a D-cut 10c3 for positioning the magnetic pole of the magnet 10c in the direction of rotation (angle). The cylindrical electrode 28 is sandwiched around the left shaft portion 10cl so that the projection 28e provided at the right end of the cylindrical portion 28e is between the adjacent protrusions 10c2 at the base portion of the left shaft portion 10cl. Respectively engage with recesses 10c22 of, thereby preventing rotation of the cylindrical portion 28e relative to the left shaft portion 10cl. The insertion movement of the cylindrical electrode 28 with respect to the left shaft portion 10cl is such that the end surface 28d of the left end of the cylindrical portion 28e has the bottom surface of the D-cutting portion 10c3 of the left shaft portion 10cl. It stops when it reaches 10c4. Here, the left end side projection 28b protruding from the end surface 28d of the cylindrical portion 28e is the left shaft at the arcuate portion 10c31 of the D-cutting portion 10c3 of the left shaft portion 10cl on the correct surface. The part 10c1 is covered. The outer diameter (diameter of the circumscribed circle) of the projection 10c2 provided on the base portion of the left shaft portion 10cl of the magnet 10c is the same as that of the projection 28a provided on the right end side of the cylindrical portion 28e of the cylindrical electrode 28. It is larger than the outer diameter (diameter of the circumscribed circle) and smaller than the rotation path of the slide contact portion along the slide arm 30c of the slide contact 30 of the fixed contact 29 to be described later.
After the cylindrical electrode 28 is fixed to the left shaft portion 10c1 of the magnet 10c in this manner, the fixed contact 29 is fitted from the free end of the left shaft portion 10c1 with respect to the base portion.
The fixed contact 29 is conductive and electrically connected to the cylindrical electrode 28 to supply the developing bias coating to the developing roller 10d through the slide contact 30, and thus functions as an electric energy supply member. As shown in Figs. 2 and 17, the fixed contact 29 includes a circular disk portion 29a serving as a base provided with a through hole (circular hole) 29c through which the left shaft portion 10c1 penetrates, and a disk. It includes a positive hook portion 29b extending inwardly from the portion 29a and acting as a contact portion bent downward toward the direction in which it is fitted into the left shaft portion 10c1. The hook portion 29b is provided at each of three positions around the through hole 29c. The inscribed circle diameter of the free end of the hook portion 29b is smaller than the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 28e of the cylindrical electrode 28 described above. When the fixed contact 29 is fitted to the left shaft portion 10c1 from the free end side (FIG. 2), at the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 28e of the cylindrical electrode 28 and at the free end of the hook portion 29b. The hook portion 29b deformed by the difference between the inscribed circle diameters creates a contact pressure and a holding force between the cylindrical electrode 28 and the fixed contact 29. Thus, the fixed contact 29 is elastically in contact with and coupled to the cylindrical portion 28e of the cylindrical electrode 28 by the hook portion 29b. By the engagement of the hook portion 29b, the movement of the cylindrical portion 29a with respect to the left shaft portion 10c1 is limited in the circumferential direction. When the fixed contact 29 is further moved to the base portion of the left shaft portion 10c1, the fixed contact 29 is provided with the adjacent protrusion 10c2 provided with the hook portion 29b at the base portion of the left shaft portion 10c1 described above. It is set to be received by the recess 10c22 between them. By doing so, the hook portion 29b is in contact with the projection 28a on the right end side of the cylindrical electrode 28, and the disk portion 29a is in close contact with the shaft base portion 10c5 of the left shaft portion 10c1. . Here, the radius of the circumscribed circle of the projection 10c2 at the base portion of the left shaft portion 10c1 of the magnet 10c is larger than the radius of the inscribed circle of the bent base portion of the hook portion 29a of the fixed contact 29. The height of the projection 10c2 measured in the axial direction is the shaft base portion at which the fixed contact 29 causes the contact portion (protrusion 28a and hook portion 29b) between the cylindrical electrode 28 and the fixed contact 29 to protrude. When in close contact with 10c5, it is higher than the free end of the hook 29 of the fixed contact 29.
<2nd electroconductive part (sliding contact)>
As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the slide contact (second conductive portion) 30 is fixed to the contact support 31 and inserted into the developing roller 10d (Fig. 1).
The contact support 31 includes a cylindrical portion 31a, a flange 31b, a central through hole 31c formed in the flange 31b and a dowel 31e at the end surface 31d of the flange 31b. The contact support 31 is electrically insulated and made of a resin material by an injection molding process.
The slide contact 30 is conductive and is used as an electric energy supply for supplying a developing bias from the main assembly 14 of the apparatus to the developing roller 10d. As shown in Figs. 4, 18 and 19, the sliding contact 30 is formed by the disk portion 30a as a base in close contact with the flange 31b of the contact support 31, and the disk portion 30a. A plurality of hooks (first contacting portions) 30b extending radially and downstream of the insertion direction into the developing roller 10d, and the surface 30a1 of the disk portion 30a. And two slide arms (second contact) 30c extending along a spiral (not shown) about a line perpendicular to) and extending through the center. The base in the form of a disk portion 30a has a through hole 30d provided in the center having a diameter substantially the same as that of the through hole 31c of the contact support 31, and the disk portion 30a has a center of the contact support 31. A mounting hole 30e is provided for mounting the contact support 31 that is engageable with the dowell 31e. The contact support 31 and the slide contact 30 are integrated with each other in the following manner. The dowel 31e of the contact support 31 is engaged with the mounting hole 30e of the slide contact 30, and the dowell 31e is provided with heat, ultrasonic waves or the like to allow the slide contact 30 to be fixed to the contact support 31. By deforming (Fig. 5). Here, the mounting hole 30e of the slide contact 30 and the dowel 31e of the contact support 31 are formed so that the center of the slide contact 30 and the center of the contact support 31 are exactly aligned.
The combined structure of the contact support 31 and the slide contact 30 is inserted into the developing roller 10d as shown in FIG. In particular, the combination structure having the driving side flange member 20b at the left end of the developing roller 10d is inserted into the developing roller 10d from the open right end side 10dR, and the contact support 31 side is the leading end. Is in. Thereafter, the combined structure is inserted into the developing roller 10d from the contact support 31 side and the end 10dR side on the preceding side, and the cylindrical portion 31a of the contact support 31 is the shaft portion in the flange member 20b. It is engaged with the hole part 20b2 formed coaxially with 20b1. By doing so, the slide contact 30 can be arranged coaxially with the developing roller 10d. Insertion of the parts contacted into the developing roller 10d is stopped by the flange 31b of the contact support 31 which abuts against the inner end surface 20b3 before the inner hole 20b2 of the flange member 20b. The slide contact 30 inserted into the developing roller 10d contacts the inner wall surface (inner surface) 10d1 of the developing roller 10d at the contact pressure provided by the deformation of the hook portion 30b. Here, the hook portion 30b extends in the radial direction of the disk portion 30a, is bent upstream with respect to the insertion direction into the developing roller 10d, and is easily bent during insertion and applied in the direction in which the force is released. End of the hook portion is bitten by the inner wall surface 10d1. Thus, the hook portion 30b acts as a holding member for the sliding contact 30 with respect to the developing roller 10d.
<Connection of magnet and developing roller>
As described above, the developing roller 10d is a single part that includes the slide contact 30 therein and is electrically conductive with the slide contact 30. The magnet 10c is a single part comprising a cylindrical electrode 28 at the left shaft portion 10c1 and a fixed contact 29 fixed to the shaft base portion 10c5 at the left shaft portion 10c1. The two single parts are connected to each other in the following manner.
As shown in Fig. 6, the magnet 10c is inserted into the developing roller 10d on the right end 10dR side opened to the left shaft portion 10c1 having the cylindrical electrode 28 on the preceding side. Thereafter, the sliding arm 30c of the sliding contact 30 is in contact with the disk surface 29a1 of the disk portion 29a of the fixed contact 29 (Fig. 3). With the further insertion of the magnet 10c, the slide arm 30c of the slide contact 30 is elastically deformed to provide a reaction force, while the end surface 10c21 (FIG. 3) of the projection 10c2 of the magnet 10c is magnetized. The surface 30a1 (FIG. 5) of the disk portion 30a is contacted to show the possibility of further insertion of 10c. The flange member 20a is mounted to the right end 10dR of the developing roller 10d opened by press fit, crimping, heating crimp or the like for producing the developing roller unit DU as shown in FIG. As described above, in the developing roller unit DU, the flange members 20a and 20b are rotatably supported by the bearings 21a and 21b supported by the toner developing apparatus frame 12 and the supports 24a and 24b. It is fixed by engagement of the shaft portion 10c1 at the opposite end of the magnet 10c with the support holes 24a1 and 24b1 of the supports 24a and 24b. Here, the shaft portion 20b1 of the flange member 20b covers the cylindrical portion 28e that leaves the left projection 28b of the cylindrical electrode 28 mounted on the left shaft portion 10c1 of the magnet 10c. . The support hole 24b1 is a D-cut in the shape for each measurement of the magnet 10c.
<Third conductive portion (fixed electrode member)>
As shown in FIG. 1, the fixed electrode member 25 as the third conductive portion is fixed to the support 24b of the toner developing apparatus frame 12. As shown in FIG. The support 24b is formed at the free end of the left shaft portion 10c1 of the magnet 10c of which the cylindrical electrode 28 of the developing roller unit DU is joined by the support hole 24b1 from the above-described D-cutting portion. -Support the notch 10c3. Notch 24b2 which is continuous to the support hole 24b1 in the above-mentioned support body 24b at the position adjacent to the longitudinal end part of the developing roller 10d, and is in contact with the projection 28b at the left end side of the cylindrical electrode 28. The contact portion (first electrical contact portion) 25b entering the is provided to the fixed electrode member 25. The fixed electrode member further includes an outwardly exposed (second electrical contact) 25a for electrical connection with the device side contact 26 which is electrically connected to the power source of the main assembly 14 of the device.
The contact portion 25b and the exposed portion 25a are integrally formed.
The contact portion 25b functioning as the first electrical contact portion is in contact with the left end side projection 28b of the cylindrical electrode 28 so as to elastically deform and contacts the protrusion 28b with a force (elastic force) provided by the elastic deformation. do. At the left end of the cylindrical electrode 28, the projection 28b is an arcuate portion of the D-cutting portion 10c3 provided at the free end of the left shaft portion 10c1 for fixing to the angular position of the magnet 10c as described above. It is designed to be placed on the arcuate surface of the.
In particular, the projection 28b of the cylindrical electrode 28 at the left end side receives the radial reaction force from the contact portion 25c in the radial direction of the left shaft portion 10c, and this reaction force causes the arcuate of the D-cutting portion 10c3. Is pressed onto the arcuate surface of the portion 10c31. Thus, the D-cutting portion 10c3 of the left shaft portion 10c1 is spaced apart from the arcuate portion 10c31 by the protrusion 28b of the cylindrical electrode 28 via the contact portion 25b of the fixed electrode member 25. It is pressed in the flat part (flat part) direction. Thereby, the angle deviation of the magnet 10c by the above operation between the support hole 24b1 of the holder 24b and the D-cutting portion 10c3 of the left shaft portion 10c1 of the magnet 10c has a support accuracy. It can be prevented to be improved in the radial direction of the magnet 10c.
As described above, the sliding arm 30c of the sliding contact 30 is formed in a spiral shape having a linear axis perpendicular to the disk portion 30a through the center thereof, and the contact portion 29 fixed to the disk portion 29a. The contact pressure provided by the contact of the cross section takes the axial direction of the developing roller 10d and the magnet 10c. Thereby, the developing roller 10d and the magnet 10c are movable in the direction spaced apart from each other. Thus, the developing roller 10d and the magnet 10c move in response to the operation in the axial direction until the shaft ends come into contact with the bearings 21a and 21b and / or the holders 24a and 24b. In particular, of the magnet 10c in the axial direction by the sliding arm 30c of the slide contact 30 which functions as a pressing means for pressing the developing roller 10d and the magnet 10c in the opposite direction along the axis. The accuracy of positioning is improved. Therefore, the accuracy of positioning of the magnet 10c is improved in the axial direction by the sliding arm 30c of the slide contact 30, while the support accuracy in the radial direction of the magnet 10c is improved according to the fixed electrode member (described above). By contact portion 25b of 25). As a result, in the developing step of the electrophotographic image forming step, the developing characteristic of the electrostatic latent image is such that the developing bias is applied to the developing roller so that the toner image is transferred from the surface of the developing roller 10d to the photosensitive drum 7 according to the electrostatic latent image formed therein. It is improved when formed by applying to 10d).
The exposed portion 25a as a second electrical contact disposed at a position for contacting the apparatus side contact 26 is a process cartridge B comprising a developing roller unit DU, the main assembly 14 of the apparatus. When mounted to the main assembly side electrical contacts that are connected to the power source 27 of the main assembly 14. Thus, when the process cartridge B is installed into the main assembly 14 of the apparatus, the fixed electrode member 25 exposed to the outer portion of the holder 24b of the toner developing apparatus frame 12 is exposed to the main assembly 14 of the apparatus. Is in contact with the contact point 26 connected to the power supply 27.
For this reason, the developing roller 10d and the power source 27 of the main assembly 14 of the apparatus are (1) the contact between the apparatus side contact 26 and the exposed portion 25a of the fixed electrode member 25, (2) contact between the contact portion 25b of the fixed electrode member 25 and the left end side projection 28b of the cylindrical electrode 28, and (3) the projection 28a at the right end side of the cylindrical electrode 28; Contact with the hook portion of the fixed contact 29, (4) contact between the disk portion 29a of the fixed contact 29 and the slide arm 30c of the slide contact 30, and (5) the slide contact ( 30 are electrically connected to each other by an electric passage from the hook portion of 30 to the inner wall surface 10d1 of the developing roller 10d. Therefore, application of the developing bias to the developing roller is possible.
The electrical connection between the disc portion 29a of the fixed contact 29 and the slide arm 30c of the slide contact 30 is provided by the slide contact, so that the application of the developing bias is performed by the slide contact (the disc portion 29a and the slide). It is preferable to apply conductive grease because the reliability of the development bias is affected by wear of the slide between the arms 30c and damage of the slide contact portion. In this case, it is preferable that the slide contact portion is disposed in the developing roller 10d so as not to interfere with the operation for mounting the developing roller unit DU on the toner developing apparatus frame 12. In addition, the lack of conductive grease outside the developing roller unit DU is not appropriate and prevents the entry of dispersed toner or dust so that the characteristic of the conductive grease can be maintained. Thus, the reliability of establishing an electrical conviction between the disk portion 29a of the fixed contact 29 and the sliding arm 20c of the sliding contact portion 20 is improved.
The plurality of protrusions 10c2 provided at the base of the left shaft portion 10c1 of the magnet 10c are inserted into the developing roller 10d into the developing roller 10d as described above when the developing roller unit DU is assembled. It is effective in indicating the completion and provides the following functions.
Free cross section of the projection 10c3 when an impact is applied to the developing roller unit DU in the axial direction (axial direction of the developing roller 10d) during transportation of the process cartridge B including the transfer roller unit DU of the embodiment. 10c21 is adjacent to the disk portion 30a of the slide contact 30 fixed to the contact support 31 in the flange member 20b. Therefore, plastic deformation of the slide arm 30c of the slide contact 30 which may be generated by the excess force can be prevented. Therefore, the electrical contact device of the contact portion 29 fixed to the disk portion 29a using the slide arm 30c of the slide contact 30 has improved reliability.
By installing a plurality of protrusions 10c2 around the base of the thin left shaft portion 10c of the magnet 10c, the diameter of the shaft base can be expanded to improve the mechanical strength of the shaft base. Therefore, even if it is not damaged by dropout or the like of the cartridge or the like, the base of the left shaft portion 10c is protected from breakage. In addition, the metallic cylindrical electrode 28 is coupled in the left shaft portion 10c1 so that the strength of the shaft base is further improved.
Mounting the magnet 10c of the cylindrical electrode 28 on the left shaft portion 10c1 is a contact portion of the left end projection 28b of the cylindrical electrode 28 and the fixed electrode member 25 provided by the holder 24b. It is preferable to make a predetermined angle with respect to the left shaft part 10c1 in order to ensure the electrical connection between 25b. Thus, in this embodiment, the anti-assembly structure is provided to prevent the mounting of the cylindrical electrode 28 on the left shaft portion 10c1 at a different angle from a predetermined angle.
2, 3, 14, and 16, the structure (an anti-assembly structure for attaching the cylindrical electrode to the left shaft portion) will be described.
As shown in Fig. 2, the cylindrical portion [28e] of the cylindrical electrode 28; At the left edge of the engaging portion is provided with projections 28a in each of three positions, and also in each of three positions between adjacent projections 10c2 at the base of the left shaft portion 10c1 of the magnet 10c. Seth 10c22; Coupling portion] is provided, and the protrusions 28a and recesses 10c22 are coupled to each other.
Fig. 14 is a perspective view showing the engagement relationship between the projections 28a and the recesses 10c22. The left side of the figure shows an enlarged cylindrical electrode 28, and similarly the right side of the figure shows a projection 10c2 and a recess 10c22 of a magnet 10c that is assumed to extend. In Fig. 14, the protrusion of the cylindrical electrode 28 to the coupling portion includes three protrusions, that is, the first protrusion 28aa, the second protrusion 28ab, and the third protrusion 28ac, and the right second protrusion is shown. 28ab is disposed coaxially with the left protrusion 28b of the cylindrical electrode 28. The gap in the middle of the protrusions 28aa, 28ab, 28ac is between the first protrusion 28aa and the second protrusion 28ab when the cylindrical electrode 28 is coupled to the left shaft portion 10c1 of the magnet 10c, The angle seen from the axis of the left shaft portion 10c1 is determined to be 130 degrees between the second protrusion 28ab and the third protrusion 28ac. Thus, the angle between the third protrusion 28ac and the first protrusion 28aa is 100 degrees.
The recess 10c22 for the engaging portion of the magnet 10c comprises three recesses, a first recess 10c22a, a second recess 10c22b and a third recess 10c22c. The gap between the recesses 10c22a, 10c22b, and 10c22c is similar to the cylindrical electrode 20 between the first recess 10c22a and the second recess 10c22b and the second recess 10c22b and the third recess. The angle seen from the axis of the left shaft part 10c1 between 10c22c is 130 degrees. Similarly, the angle between the third recess 10c22c and the first recess 10c22a is 100 degrees.
Accordingly, the position of the projection 28a of the cylindrical electrode 28 and the position of the recess 10c22 of the left shaft portion 10c1 of the magnet 10c are aligned with the outer surface of the left shaft portion 10c1 to form a cylindrical electrode ( 28 may be appropriately mounted to the left shaft portion 10c1.
In FIG. 15, the case where the angle of the cylindrical electrode 28 is incorrectly mounted to the left shaft part 10c1 is shown.
The cylindrical electrode 28 is rotated 130 degrees as shown from the left protrusion 28b such that its second protrusion 28ab is coupled to the third recess 10c22c of the left shaft portion 10c1.
In this case, the first protrusion 28aa and the second protrusion 10c22b can be combined as long as the positional relationship between them is connected, but the angle and the second recess between the first protrusion 28aa and the second protrusion 28ab Since the angle between 10c22b and the third recess 10c22c is designed to be 130 degrees, there is a 30 degree deviation between the third protrusion 28ac and the first recess 10c22a. Thus, if the cylindrical electrode 28 is to be inserted into the left shaft portion 10c1, the third protrusion 28ac is adjacent to the protrusion 10c2 between the first recess 10c22a and the second recess 10c22b. Thus, the cylindrical electrode 28 cannot be moved at each position of the left shaft portion 10c1.
Although not shown, the cylindrical electrode 28 can be seen from the side of the left protrusion 28b when trying to couple its third protrusion 28ac to the first recess 10c22a of the left shaft portion 10c1- There is a 30 degree deviation between the first protrusion 28aa and the second recess 10c22b by rotating 130 degrees. For this reason, whether the cylindrical electrode 28 is inserted into the left shaft portion 10c1 or not, the first protrusion 22aa is connected to the protrusion 10c2 between the first recess 10c22a and the second recess 10c22b. Adjacent cylindrical electrode 29 8 cannot be moved to the prescribed position of left shaft portion 10c1.
However, the cylindrical electrode 28 has a first protrusion 28aa opposite the first recess 10c22a and a second protrusion 28ab opposite the second recess 10c22b and a third protrusion 28ac When opposed to the third recess 10a22c, it can be inserted in the prescribed position of the left shaft portion 10c1. In other words, the cylindrical electrode 28 is the left shaft only when the protrusions 28aa, 28ab, 28ac of the left shaft portion 10c1 of the magnet 10c and the recesses 10c22a, 10c22b, 10c22c are aligned with each other on the outer surface. It may be mounted on the portion 10c1. Therefore, it is ensured that the cylindrical electrode 28 is correctly mounted on the left shaft portion 10c1.
Figure 16 shows a more modified embodiment. In Fig. 16, the angle between adjacent ones of the projections 28ad, 28ae and 28af and the angle between adjacent ones of the recesses 10c22d, 10c22e and 10c22f are equal (120 degrees). The width 28aeW of the second protrusion 28ae of the three protrusions 28ad, 28ae and 28af is larger than the width 28adW and 28afW of the first protrusion and the third protrusion 28ad and 28af. Correspondingly, the width 10c22fW of the second recess 10c22e among the three recesses 10c22d, 10c22e, and 10c22f is larger than the widths 10c22dW and 10c22fW of the first and third recesses 10c22d and 10c22f. . According to the positional relationship between the projections 28ad, 28ae and 28af and the recesses 10c22d, 10c22e and 10c22f, three projections and three recesses are aligned on the outer surface of the left shaft portion 10c1. When combined, the cylindrical electrode 28 can be accurately mounted to the left shaft portion 10c1.
However, in a variant, the width 28aeW of the second protrusion 28ae is larger than the widths 10c22fW and 10c22dW of the third recess 10c22f and the first recess 10c22d.
28ae>> 10c22dW, 28aeW> 10c22dW
Thus, the second protrusion 28ae cannot be coupled to any of the other recesses 10c22d and 10c22f than the second recess 10c22e. Therefore, the cylindrical electrode 28 cannot be inserted into the prescribed position of the left shaft portion 10c1 at a predetermined angle other than that shown in FIG.
Thus, in a variant, the cylindrical electrodes 28 have protrusions 28ad, 28ae, 28af, recesses 10c22d, 10c22e, of the left shaft portion 10c1 of the magnet 10c on the outer surface of the left shaft portion 10c1. Only when aligned with 10a22f, it can be correctly mounted on the left shaft portion 10c1. In this way, the cylindrical electrode 28 can be mounted to the left shaft portion 10c1 of the cylindrical electrode 28 at an accurate mounting angle.
In this embodiment, the cylindrical electrode 28 campaign is left only when the protrusion of the cylindrical electrode 28 is aligned with the recess of the left shaft portion 10c1 of the magnet 10c on the outer surface of the left shaft portion 10c1. The easy assembly characteristics of the cylindrical electrode 28 which is mounted to the shaft 10c1 and constitutes a part of the contact portion for applying the developing bias to the developing roller is improved.
In this embodiment, the mounting angle of the left shaft portion of the cylindrical electrode 28 is determined using three protrusions and three recesses, but the number of protrusions and the number of recesses are not limited to the number of this embodiment.
The developing apparatus described above can be summarized as described below. The developing apparatus which can be used in the author photographic image forming apparatus A for forming the electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member 7
(a) a frame (toner developing device frame 12),
(b) a developing roller 10d for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member with a developer (toner),
(c) a magnet 10c disposed in a developing roller having a shaft at each end,
(d) a first conductive portion extending in the longitudinal direction of one of the shafts (left shaft portion 10c1) at one end and extending from the inside to the outside of the developing roller,
(e) a second conductive portion electrically connected to the first conductive portion having an inner surface (inner wall surface 10d1) and provided in the developing roller,
(f) a main assembly side electrical contact provided in the frame and provided in the main assembly 14 of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus when the developing apparatus is attached to the main assembly 14 of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus (side contact portion of the apparatus). A first electrical contact [(contact section 25b) and a second electrical contact section (exposed section 25a) provided at a different position from this position at one end of the developing roller for electrical connection to the (26); 3 conductive portions (fixed electrode member 25),
The shaft extends from the inside of the developing roller to the outside, the first electrical contact is electrically connected to the first conductive portion, the first conductive portion is electrically connected to the second conductive portion in the developing roller, and the outer surface of the developing roller. It is electrically connected to the 1st electrical contact in the inside.
The developing roller is provided at an end having a flange (shaft portion 20b1) that protrudes outward in the longitudinal direction, and the flange leaves the free end of the first conductive portion (left end side protrusion 28b) 10d. ) Outside (cylindrical portion 28e).
The flange is rotatably supported on the frame.
The free end of the first conductive portion (projection 28b on the left end side) is in contact with the first electrical contact portion.
The first conductive portion has a cylindrical portion (cylindrical portion 28e). The cylindrical portion is coupled to the shaft.
The protrusions (projections 28a on the right end side) protruding from the rear end of the cylindrical portion are engaged by the recesses 10c22 of the shaft. As a result, the rotation of the cylinder is limited relative to the shaft.
The first conductive portion has a disc (disk portion 29a) electrically connected to the cylindrical portion. The disc is provided in the hole 29c. The shaft fits into the hole.
The second conductive portion is fixed in the developing roller. The second conductive portion includes a first contact portion (hook portion 30b) in contact with the inner surface of the developing roller 10d, and the second contact portion (sliding arm 30c) is electrically connected to the first conductive portion.
The second contact portion elastically slides into contact with the surface of the disc (disc portion surface 29a1) electrically connected to the cylinder of the first conductive portion. The disc has a hole. The shaft drills a hole.
The second contact portion is slidably contacted with the outer circumferential surface (disc portion surface 29a1) of the cylindrical portion of the first conductive portion.
The first conductive portion receives the elastic force in the radial direction of the shaft by the first electrical contact.
The conventional free end is D-cut. The D-cutted portion is coupled to the hole of the frame (support hole 24b1). The frame end of the first conductive portion (projection 28b at the left end) lies in the arcuate portion 10c31 of the D-cutted portion. The third end of the first conductive portion 28 receives the elastic force by the first electrical contact in the direction of the flat portion 10c32 of the D-cutted portion from the arcuate portion of the D-cutted portion.
The first conductive portion receives the elastic force in the axial direction by the second conductive portion.
The process cartridge B of this embodiment can be summarized as follows.
(a) an electrophotographic photosensitive member 7,
(b) a frame (toner developing device frame 12),
(c) a developing roller 10d for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive member having a developer (toner),
A magnet (magnet 10c) disposed on a developing roller having respective shafts,
A first conductive portion extending in the longitudinal direction of one of the ends (left shaft portion 10c1) and extending outward from the inside of the developing roller,
A second conductive portion electrically connected to the inner surface (inner wall surface 10d1) and provided in the developing roller,
When provided to the frame and the developing apparatus is mounted to the main assembly 14 of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the main assembly side electrical contact (apparatus side contact 26) provided in the main assembly of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus is contacted. Second conductive portion (fixed electrode member 25) having a first electrical contact portion (contact portion 25b) at the end of the developing roller and a second electrical contact portion (exposed portion 25a) provided at a different position at the end thereof. Wherein the shaft extends from the inside of the developing roller to the outside, the first electrical contact is electrically connected to the first conductive portion, electrically connected to the second conductive portion in the developing roller, and the outside of the developing roller. Electrical contact is made to the first electrical contact therein.
The electric energy supply unit (slide contact 30) of this embodiment can be summarized as follows.
The electric energy supply unit provides a developing bias voltage from the main assembly 14 of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus to the developing roller 10d, which develops an electrostatic latent image formed on the width 7 of the electrophotographic photosensitive member. The developing roller has a magnet (magnet 10c) therein,
(a) The base (disc portion 30a) has a hole 30d at the center portion, and the shaft of the magnet (left shaft portion 10c1) passes through the hole when the electric energy supply portion is mounted into the developing roller,
(b) The first contact portion (hook portion 30b) is for contacting the inner surface of the developing roller,
(c) The first conductive portion (cylindrical electrode 28) extends along the shaft, and the second contact portion (sliding arm 30c) is for elastic contact in the axial direction of the shaft.
The first conductive portion is electrically connected to the second conductive portion in the developing roller and is electrically connected to the first electrical contact portion outside the developing roller. The first electrical contact portion is disposed on one end side of the developing roller. The electrical contact is the second electrical contact for contacting the main assembly side electrical contact (apparatus side contact 26) provided in the main assembly of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus when the developing apparatus is mounted to the main assembly of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. It is electrically connected to [exposure part 25a].
The electrical energy supply unit is for applying a developing bias voltage from the main assembly 14 of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus to the developing roller 10d of the developing apparatus, wherein the developing apparatus is an electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member 7. Developed in a removable manner, the energy supply unit
(a) a frame (toner developing device frame 12),
(b) a magnet (magnet 10c) disposed on a developing roller having a shaft at each end,
(c) a first conductive portion (cylindrical electrode 28) extending in the longitudinal direction of one shaft at one end (left shaft portion 10c1) and extending from the inside to the outside of the developing roller,
(d) a main portion of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, provided in the frame, when the first electrical contact portion (contact portion 25b) and the developing apparatus are attached to the main assembly 14 of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus at the end of the developing roller; A second electrical contact (exposed portion 25a) provided at a different position from the position of the first electrical contact for electrical connection to the main assembly side electrical contact (device side contact 26) provided in the assembly,
The electric energy supply unit,
(A) Base (disc portion 30a) having center hole 30d,
(B) a first contact portion (hook portion 30b) for contacting the inner surface of the developing roller,
(C) a second contact portion (sliding arm 30c) for elastic contact with the first conductive portion (fixed contact 29) extending along the shaft in the axial direction of the shaft,
When the electrical energy supply is mounted into the developing roller, the shaft provided at one end is penetrated into the hole.
The base is circular and the first contact is elastic. It is detected radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of the base.
The second contact is elastic. It is detected in a direction transverse to the radial direction from the outer surface of the base.
The material of the electrical energy supply is copper alloy, stainless steel alloy or spring steel.
The electrical energy supply (fixed contact 29) of this embodiment can be summarized as follows.
The electric energy supply unit is for providing a developing bias voltage from the main assembly 14 of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus to the developing roller 10d, and the developing roller develops an electrostatic latent image formed in the width of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 7. , With a magnet [Magnet 10c]
(a) a base (disk portion 30a) having a hole 30d at its center, and
(b) a contact portion (a hook portion 29b) for elastic contact with the first conductive portion (cylindrical electrode 28) extending in the longitudinal direction of the shaft provided in the electrically connected base.
The contact extends around the hole and is provided by bending a portion of the base.
The contact is provided in each of three positions around the hole.
The electric energy supply unit is for providing a developing bias from the main assembly 14 of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus to the developing roller 10d of the electric energy supply unit, and the developing apparatus is adapted to provide an electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member 7. Developing,
(a) a frame (toner developing device frame 12),
(b) a magnet [(magnet 10c) disposed in a developing roller having a shaft at each end,
(c) a first conductive portion extending in the longitudinal direction of one of the shafts (left shaft portion 10c1) at one of the ends and extending from the inside to the outside of the developing roller,
(d) an electrophotographic image forming apparatus provided in the frame, when the first electrical contact portion (contact portion 25b) at one end of the developing roller and the developing apparatus are mounted to the main assembly 14 of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. A second electrical contact (exposed portion 25a) provided at a different position from the position of the first electrical contact for electrical connection to the main assembly side electrical contact (device side contact 26) provided in the main assembly 14 of the apparatus. And a third conductive portion having a shaft, the shaft extending from the inside of the developing roller to the outside.
The electrical energy supply unit
(A) Base (disc portion 30a) having center hole 30d,
(B) a contact portion for elastic and electrical contact with a longitudinally extending first conductive portion (cylindrical electrode 28) of the shaft provided in the base,
When the electric energy supply is mounted in the developing roller, the shaft is provided at one end and penetrates the hole,
The contact is provided by extending around the hole and bending a portion of the base.
The contact is provided in each of three positions around the hole.
The developing roller and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are united into a cartridge mounted to a process cartridge detachably mountable to the main assembly of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus.
The base is circular. The hole is also circular. Movement of the base in the circumferential direction is limited by the contact being coupled to the shaft. The material of the electrical energy supply is copper alloy, stainless steel alloy or spring steel.
As described above, the slide contact together with the developing apparatus and the process cartridge are provided in the developing roller 10s by the fixed contact 29 and the slide contact 30, so that the slide contact is protected from dust or other foreign matter. In addition, when the conductive grease is applied to the slide contact to improve the reliability in the slide contact, the reliability of the slide contact is improved because the conductive grease is protected from dust or foreign matter to prevent the possibility of deterioration of the performance of the conductive grease.
Further, the slide arm 30c of the slide contact 30 constituting the slide contact portion is in contact with the disk portion 29a of the fixed contact 29 in the axial direction of the developing roller 10d, thereby causing the shaft of the developing roller 10d to lie. The supported magnet 10c of the toner developing apparatus frame 12 together with the operation in the direction is indirectly pressed in the axial direction in the supported toner developing apparatus frame 12 to thereby attract the magnet 10c to the toner developing apparatus frame 12. Accuracy of positioning) is improved.
However, the D-cutting portion 10c3 of the left shaft portion 10c1 of the magnet 10c is arcuate portion 10c31 by the projection 28b of the cylindrical electrode 28 through the contact portion 25b of the fixed electrode member 925. In the radial direction of the magnet 10c between the support hole 24b1 of the holder 24b and the D-cutting portion 10c3 of the left shaft portion 10c1 of the magnet 10c. It works in combination. Thus, the accuracy of positioning the magnet 10c relative to the holder 24b is improved.
The sliding contact 30 has an insulating contact support having a cylindrical portion 31a coupled to the through hole 31c through which the hole 20b1 of the flange member 20b and the left shaft portion 10c1 of the magnet 10c pass. Since it is fixed to the flange member 20b via 31, the slide contact 30 can be arranged coaxially with the axis of rotation of the developing roller 10d and the slide track of the slide contact 30 relative to the fixed contact can It is a rotational axis and a circular coaxial. Therefore, the slide movement of the slide contact 30 with respect to the fixed contact 29 is stabilized, and the reliability of the slide contact is improved.
The cylindrical electrode 28 has a left shaft portion 10c1 such that the left projection 28a is coupled to the recess 10c22 between adjacent protrusions 10c2 provided at the base of the left shaft portion 10c1 of the magnet 10c. The indication of the rotational direction of the cylindrical electrode 28 with respect to the left shaft portion 10c1 of the magnet 10c by inserting into the plate (accurate positioning of the cylindrical electrode 28 at the rotational angle of the developing roller 10d) is possible. . Thus, contact between the protrusion 28a of the cylindrical electrode 28 and the hook portion 29b of the fixed contact 29 is ensured.
Further, the protrusion 28a protrudes from the rear end edge of the cylindrical electrode 28 coupled to the recess 10c22 provided at the base of the left shaft portion 10c1 of the magnet 10c, and the protrusion 28a and the recess. 10c22 is configured to mount (position circumferentially) the cylindrical electrode 28 with respect to the left shaft portion 10c1 so that the cylindrical electrode 28 has the left shaft portion 10c1 at the correct mounting angle. It can be mounted on. The outer diameter of the protrusion 10c2 provided on the base of the left shaft portion 10c1 of the magnet 10c is larger than the outer diameter of the protrusion 28a provided on the left end side of the cylindrical portion 28e of the cylindrical electrode 28 and slides. It is smaller than the rotational track of the sliding contact between the sliding arm 30c of the contact 30 and the disk portion 29a of the fixed contact 29, so that the sliding arm 30c of the sliding contact 30 and the fixed contact 29 are separated. The sliding contact between the disk portion 29a can be protected by the projection 10c2 of the magnet 10c, and thereafter also the slide arm 30c of the sliding contact 30 and the disk portion of the fixed contact 29 The slide function between 29a) is degraded. In addition, the strength of the shaft base of the magnet 10c is improved.
The protruding portion 10c2 provided on the base of the left shaft portion 10c1 of the magnet 10c is formed by the hook portion 29a of the fixed contact 29 when the fixed contact 29 is in intimate contact with the shaft base 10c5. The free end surface 10c2 of the projection 10c2 is the disk portion of the sliding contact 30 even though the process cartridge B receives a collision in the axial direction of the developing roller 10d during the transfer so that it is determined to be higher than the free end. Adjacent to 30a. Thus, the contact portion between the fixed contact 29 and the cylindrical electrode 28 is protected, and the sliding contact between the slide arm 30c of the slide contact 30 and the disk portion 29a of the fixed contact 29 is exceeded. It is prevented to receive the used force.
Since the left shaft portion 10c1 of the magnet 10c penetrates the through hole 29c, the fixed contact 29 is reliably electrically connected to the cylindrical electrode 28, and a hook disposed around the through hole 29c. The portion 29b elastically contacts the cylindrical electrode 28 extending in the longitudinal direction of the left shaft portion 10c1 so as to be electrically connected to the cylindrical electrode 28.
The sliding contact 30 has a through hole 10d through which the left shaft portion 10c of the magnet 10c penetrates, a disk portion 30a formed around the through hole 10d, and a radial direction from the disk portion 30a. A plurality of hook portions 30b extending outwardly and bent downward with respect to the insertion direction of the magnet 10c in contact with the inner wall surface 10d1 of the developing roller 10d, wherein the slide arm 30c includes a disc portion. It extends in a spiral line around a line perpendicular to the surface 30a1 of the disc through the center of 30a and elastically contacts the disk portion 29a of the fixed contact 29. Since the slide arm 30c elastically contacts the disk portion 29a of the fixed contact 29, the magnet 10c can be pressed in the axial direction of the developing roller 10d via the fixed contact 29. The axial actuation of the magnet 10c relative to the developing roller 12d can be eliminated, so that the accuracy of the positioning of the magnet 10c is improved. In addition, the slide contact portion 20 is provided with a reaction force even if a force is applied in a direction away from the inside of the developing roller 10d, or electrical connection with the developing roller 10d is ensured. The contact pressure between the slide arm 30c and the disk portion 29a of the fixed contact 29 is substantially imposed in the axial direction of the developing roller 10c so that the contact support 31 presses the magnet 10c in the axial direction. And the inner end face 20b3 of the flange member 20b by close reaction.
In the above embodiment, the projection 28b at the left side of the cylindrical electrode 28 is parallel to the arcuate portion 30c31 of the D-cut 10c3 of the magnet 10c (in Fig. 2), but with Figs. 12 and As shown in Fig. 13, the end of the projection 28b of the cylindrical electrode 28 can be bent inwardly into the bend 28b1, and the arcuate portion 30c31 of the D-cut 10c3 of the magnet 10c. It is fixed to the inclined portion (30c33) provided at the free end of. Thereby, the movement of the cylindrical electrode 28 with respect to the left shaft portion 10c1 of the magnet 10c can be reliably prevented, and the end face 28d of the cylindrical portion 28e is formed of the left shaft portion 10c1. It can be easily aligned with the bottom surface 10c4.
(Other embodiment)
In the usual embodiment, the developing apparatus and / or the electric energy supply is used in a process cartridge for forming a monochrome image, but the developing apparatus and / or the electric energy supply according to the present invention is provided in a plurality of developing means (two , Three, full-color images, etc., for use in cartridges for forming multicolor images.
In the foregoing, the process cartridge has been described as for forming a monochrome image, but this process cartridge can be used for forming a multicolor image (such as two, three or full color images) provided with a plurality of developing means.
In the foregoing, the electrophotographic photosensitive member has been described as a photosensitive drum, but the electrophotographic photosensitive member is not limited to this photosensitive drum and can be used as follows. The photosensitive member may be a photoconductor made of amorphous silicon, amorphous selenium, zinc oxide, titanium oxide, an organic photoconductor (OPC), or the like. The photosensitive member may be a drum, belt or other rotating member or sheet or the like. However, a drum or belt form is usually used, and in the case of a drum-type photosensitive member, a cylinder such as an aluminum alloy is coated on a photoconductor by evaporation or application or the like.
The structure of the charging means described above is a so-called contact type charging means, but the known charging means including tungsten wire is covered with metal shields such as aluminum at three sides, and the cation or anion is formed on the surface of which the surface is uniformly charged. It is produced by applying a high pressure to the tungsten wire guided to the surface of the photosensitive drum. The charging means may be in the form of a roller as described above, or a blade (charge blade) form, a pad form, a block form, a rod form, a wire form or the like may be used.
For use in the cleaning method for removing the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum, a blade, a furbrush, a magnetic brush, or the like can be used.
The process cartridge includes, for example, an electrophotographic photosensitive member and at least one processing means. In addition to those described herein with respect to the form of the process cartridge, for example, the electrophotographic photosensitive member, the developing means and the charging means are integrally united in a cottage detachably attached to the main assembly of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. And the form in which the electrophotographic photosensitive member and the developing means are integrally united in a cartridge detachably mountable to the main assembly of the apparatus, and the electrophotographic photosensitive member, the developing means, the charging means and the cleaning means are provided in the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. There is a unitary unitary form in the cartridge that is detachably mountable to the main assembly, and they are connected integrally in a cartridge detachably mountable to the main assembly of the electrophotographic photosensitive member and the two or more electrophotographic image forming apparatuses. do.
The process cartridge is a unit constituting a cartridge detachably mountable to the main assembly of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and may include an electrophotographic photosensitive member and at least one charging means, developing means and cleaning means. The process cartridge is mounted or detached from the main assembly of the apparatus by the user. Such means can effectively maintain the device by the user.
In the above-described state, the laser beam printer has been described as an example of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and is applicable to machines such as an electrophotographic copying machine, a facsimile machine, an electrophotographic facsimile, and the like.
Although the present invention has been described with respect to the above-described structure, the present invention is not limited to the above description, and modifications and variations are possible within the scope or the technical scope of the appended claims.
In accordance with the present invention, a developing apparatus in which a contact portion for applying a developing bias to a developer conveying member is improved in terms of reliability, a process cartridge in which a contact portion for applying a shape bias to a developer conveying member in terms of reliability, and a developer conveying A developer conveyance in which electrical connection with a conductive portion is made on a magnet disposed in the developer conveying member, having a magnet for improving the positional accuracy in the developer conveying member as a battery energy supply component for electric energy supply of the developing bias to the member. It is possible to provide an energy supply component with a developing bias far from the member.

权利要求:
Claims (38)
[1" claim-type="Currently amended] Frame,
A developer carrying member comprising a first cylindrical portion and a second cylindrical portion provided at an end of the cylindrical portion and supported by a bearing portion, the developer conveying developer for developing an electrostatic image formed on the image bearing member;
A magnet extending from the inside of the developer carrying member to the outside and provided to the developer carrying member;
A first conductive portion extending outward from the inside of the developer conveying member and supported on the magnet;
A second conductive portion provided in the developer conveying member, electrically connected to the inner surface of the first cylindrical portion, and in a slidable contact state with the first conductive portion in the developer conveying member;
A first electrical contact portion electrically connected with the first conductive portion and a second electrical contact portion disposed at a different position from the first electrical contact portion outside the developer carrying member and electrically connected with the electrical contact of the main assembly of the image forming apparatus. Including a third conductive portion,
And a developing bias is applied to the developer conveying member from the electrical contact of the main assembly of the image forming apparatus via the third conductive portion, the second conductive portion, and the first conductive portion.
[2" claim-type="Currently amended] The developing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second cylindrical portion is a flange member.
[3" claim-type="Currently amended] The developing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the flange member is rotatably supported by the frame.
[4" claim-type="Currently amended] The developing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first electrical contact portion is in contact with an end portion of the first conductive portion.
[5" claim-type="Currently amended] The developing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first conductive portion is provided with a cylindrical portion, and the first conductive portion is coupled with the shaft of the magnet.
[6" claim-type="Currently amended] 6. The developing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the first conductive portion is provided with a protrusion projecting from the cylindrical portion, and the protrusion engages with a recess provided in the shaft of the magnet to limit rotation of the cylindrical portion with respect to the magnet.
[7" claim-type="Currently amended] 6. The developing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the disk portion electrically connected to the cylindrical portion is provided in the first conductive portion, and the disk portion is provided with a hole through which the shaft of the magnet passes.
[8" claim-type="Currently amended] 2. The second conductive portion of claim 1, wherein the second conductive portion is secured to the developer conveying member, and the second electrically conductive portion includes a first contact portion in contact with the cylindrical portion and a second contact portion in elastic contact with the first conductive portion. A developing device, characterized in that.
[9" claim-type="Currently amended] 9. The disk of claim 8, wherein the first conductive portion is provided with a disk portion electrically connected to the cylindrical portion, the disk portion is provided with a hole through which the shaft of the magnet passes, and the second contact portion is elastically slid with respect to the disk portion. A developing apparatus, characterized in that.
[10" claim-type="Currently amended] 9. A developing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the second contact portion slides on the peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion.
[11" claim-type="Currently amended] The developing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first conductive portion receives elastic force in the radial direction of the first cylindrical portion by the first electrical contact portion.
[12" claim-type="Currently amended] 2. The D-cutted portion of claim 1, wherein a D-cutted portion having an arcuate portion and a planar portion is provided at the shaft end of the magnet, the D-cutted portion supported on the frame, and the end of the first conductive portion is formed with a first electrical contact. And an elastic force is received in the direction toward the planar portion away from the arcuate portion.
[13" claim-type="Currently amended] The developing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first conductive portion receives the elastic force in the longitudinal direction of the developer conveying member by the second conductive portion.
[14" claim-type="Currently amended] 2. The magnet of claim 1, wherein the first conductive portion is supported on the shaft of the magnet, the second conductive portion is fixed to the developer conveying member, and the first conductive portion and the second conductive portion are inserted into the developer conveying member. By a developer in the longitudinal direction of the developer conveying member.
[15" claim-type="Currently amended] 2. The first conductive portion of claim 1, wherein the first conductive portion has a coupling portion at its end coupled with the coupling portion provided on the shaft of the magnet by the coupling between the coupling portion of the first conductive portion and the shaft, the first conductive portion being coupled to the shaft of the magnet in the circumferential direction. The developing angle of the 1st electroconductive part with respect to is determined.
[16" claim-type="Currently amended] A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus, the process cartridge comprising:
An image bearing member,
Frame,
A developer carrying member comprising a first cylindrical portion and a second cylindrical portion provided at an end of the cylindrical portion and supported by a bearing portion, the developer conveying developer for developing an electrostatic image formed on the image bearing member;
A magnet extending from the inside of the developer carrying member to the outside and provided to the developer carrying member;
A first conductive portion extending outward from the inside of the developer conveying member and supported on the magnet;
A second conductive portion provided in the developer conveying member, electrically connected to the inner surface of the first cylindrical portion, and in a slidable contact state with the first conductive portion in the developer conveying member;
A first electrical contact portion electrically connected with the first conductive portion and a second electrical contact portion disposed at a different position from the first electrical contact portion outside the developer carrying member and electrically connected with the electrical contact of the main assembly of the image forming apparatus. Including a third conductive portion,
And a developing bias is applied to the developer conveying member from the electrical contact of the main assembly of the image forming apparatus via the third conductive portion, the second conductive portion, and the first conductive portion.
[17" claim-type="Currently amended] 17. The process cartridge of claim 16, wherein the second cylindrical portion is a flange member.
[18" claim-type="Currently amended] 18. The process cartridge of claim 17, wherein the flange member is rotatably supported on the frame.
[19" claim-type="Currently amended] The process cartridge of claim 16, wherein the first electrical contact is in contact with an end of the first conductive portion.
[20" claim-type="Currently amended] 17. The process cartridge of claim 16, wherein the first conductive portion is provided with a cylindrical portion and the first conductive portion is coupled with the shaft of the magnet.
[21" claim-type="Currently amended] 21. The process cartridge of claim 20, wherein the first conductive portion is provided with a protrusion protruding from the cylindrical portion, the protrusion engaging with a recess provided in the shaft of the magnet to limit rotation of the cylindrical portion relative to the magnet.
[22" claim-type="Currently amended] 21. The process cartridge of claim 20, wherein a disk portion electrically connected to the cylindrical portion is provided in the first conductive portion, and the disk portion is provided with a hole through which the shaft of the magnet passes.
[23" claim-type="Currently amended] 17. The second conductive portion of claim 16, wherein the second conductive portion is secured to the developer conveying member, wherein the second electrically conductive portion includes a first contact portion in contact with the cylindrical portion and a second contact portion in elastic contact with the first conductive portion. Process cartridge, characterized in that.
[24" claim-type="Currently amended] 24. The disk of claim 23, wherein the first conductive portion is provided with a disk portion electrically connected to the cylindrical portion, the disk portion is provided with a hole through which the shaft of the magnet passes, and the second contact portion is elastically slid with respect to the disk portion. Process cartridge, characterized in that.
[25" claim-type="Currently amended] 24. The process cartridge of claim 23, wherein the second contact slides on the peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion.
[26" claim-type="Currently amended] 17. The process cartridge of claim 16, wherein the first conductive portion receives elastic force in the radial direction of the first cylindrical portion by the first electrical contact.
[27" claim-type="Currently amended] 17. The D-cutted portion of claim 16, wherein the D-cutted portion having an arcuate portion and a planar portion is provided at the shaft end of the magnet, the D-cutted portion supported on the frame, and the end of the first conductive portion is the first electrical contact. A process cartridge for receiving elastic force in a direction toward the planar portion away from the arcuate portion.
[28" claim-type="Currently amended] The process cartridge according to claim 16, wherein the first conductive portion receives the elastic force in the longitudinal direction of the developer conveying member by the second conductive portion.
[29" claim-type="Currently amended] 17. The magnet of claim 16, wherein the first conductive portion is supported on the shaft of the magnet, the second conductive portion is secured to the developer conveying member, and the first conductive portion and the second conductive portion are inserting the magnet into the developer conveying member. By the longitudinal direction of the developer conveying member by the process cartridge.
[30" claim-type="Currently amended] 17. The magnet of claim 16, wherein the first conductive portion has a coupling portion at its end coupled with the coupling portion provided on the shaft of the magnet by the coupling between the coupling portion and the shaft of the first conductive portion, Wherein the mounting angle of the first conductive portion relative to the first conductive portion is determined.
[31" claim-type="Currently amended] An electric energy supply unit provided in a voltage application path for applying a developing bias from a main assembly of an image forming apparatus to a developer conveying member, wherein the developer conveying member develops an electrostatic image formed on the image bearing member with a developer, In the electrical energy supply part, the 1st conveyance member takes the structure which has a 1st cylindrical part, the 2nd cylindrical part provided in the edge part of the said cylindrical part and supported by the bearing part, and the magnet inside,
A base portion provided with a center hole through which the shaft of the magnet passes,
A first contact in contact with the inner surface of the first cylindrical portion,
And a second contact portion elastically contacted in the longitudinal direction of the developer conveying member to the conductive portion extending along the shaft and supported on the shaft of the magnet.
[32" claim-type="Currently amended] 32. The electrical energy supply according to claim 31 wherein the electrical energy supply is rotatable with the developer carrying member and slidable on the conductive portion at the second contact portion.
[33" claim-type="Currently amended] 32. The electrical energy supply of claim 31 wherein a base portion is provided in the base portion and the first contact is elastic and protrudes radially outward from the peripheral surface of the base portion.
[34" claim-type="Currently amended] 34. The electrical energy supply according to claim 33 wherein the second contact is elastic and protrudes in a direction transverse to the radial direction from the peripheral surface of the base portion.
[35" claim-type="Currently amended] An electric energy supply unit provided in a voltage application path for applying a developing bias from a main assembly of an image forming apparatus to a developer conveying member, wherein the developer conveying member develops an electrostatic image formed on the image bearing member with a developer, In the electrical energy supply part, the 1st conveyance member takes the structure which has a 1st cylindrical part, the 2nd cylindrical part provided in the edge part of the said cylindrical part and supported by the bearing part, and the magnet inside,
A base portion provided with a center hole through which the shaft of the magnet passes,
And a contact portion in elastic contact with the conductive portion provided along the shaft supported on the shaft of the magnet.
[36" claim-type="Currently amended] 36. The electrical energy supply of claim 35 wherein the contacts are provided and bent along the peripheral surface of the hole and extend from the base portion.
[37" claim-type="Currently amended] 37. The electrical energy supply according to claim 36 wherein a plurality of contacts are provided along the peripheral surface of the hole.
[38" claim-type="Currently amended] 36. The electrical energy supply of claim 35 wherein the peripheral movement of the base portion relative to the shaft is limited by the engagement of the shaft of the contact with the magnet.

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同族专利:

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公开号 | 公开日

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EP1050783B1|2004-06-23|

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EP1050783A2|2000-11-08|

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EP1050783A3|2000-11-15|

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CN1126996C|2003-11-05|

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CN1285531A|2001-02-28|

---

US6336012B1|2002-01-01|

---

DE60011704T2|2005-07-07|

---

DE60011704D1|2004-07-29|

引用文献:

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公开号 | 申请日 | 公开日 | 申请人 | 专利标题

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法律状态:
1999-04-30|Priority to JP12364799A

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1999-04-30|Priority to JP99-123646

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1999-04-30|Priority to JP99-123647

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1999-04-30|Priority to JP12364699A

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2000-04-29|Application filed by 미다라이 후지오, 캐논 가부시끼가이샤

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2001-03-15|Publication of KR20010020800A

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2002-04-01|Application granted

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2002-04-01|Publication of KR100330472B1

优先权:

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申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题

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JP12364799A|JP2000315012A|1999-04-30|1999-04-30|Developing device, process cartridge and conductive parts|

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JP99-123646|1999-04-30|

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JP99-123647|1999-04-30|

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JP12364699A|JP3937649B2|1999-04-30|1999-04-30|Developing device and process cartridge|