DEVELOPER CONTAINER, DEVELOPING DEVICE, PROCESS CARTRIDGE, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

• US 20150086226A1
• Filed: 09/22/2014
• Published: 03/26/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Noguchi, Bunro, Kihara, Takayoshi, Shindo, Go
• Granted Patent: US 10,067,443 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 399/27
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/086 the level being measured by electro-magnetic means
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/0889 for agitation or stirring

Abstract

A developer container includes a stirring member that stirs a developer and a conductive resin sheet that comes into contact with the stirring member when the stirring member rotates. The developer container detects developer quantity using capacitance.

Claims

1. A developer container configured to accommodate a developer, the developer container comprising:

a stirring member configured to stir the developer; and

a conductive resin sheet disposed so as to come into contact with the stirring member when the stirring member rotates and configured to detect developer quantity using capacitance,

wherein at least part of a side face of the conductive resin sheet situated on the upstream side thereof in the direction of rotation of the stirring member is fixed to the developer container.

4. The developer container according to claim 1, further comprising:

a frame,

wherein at least a part of the conductive resin sheet has been embedded in the frame.

5. The developer container according to claim 4,

wherein a resin used for the conductive resin sheet and resin used for the frame are compatible.

6. The developer container according to claim 1,

wherein resin used for the conductive resin sheet has adhesiveness.

7. The developer container according to claim 1,

wherein 80% or more of an area of the side face of the conductive resin sheet in a thickness direction is fixed to the developer container.

8. The developer container according to claim 1,

wherein 80% or more of an area of the side face of the conductive resin sheet is fixed to the developer container.

10. The developer container according to claim 1, further comprising:

an electrode, disposed facing the conductive resin sheet, configured to detect developer quantity using capacitance.

11. A developing device comprising:

the developer container according to claim 1; and

a developer bearing member configured to bear developer.

12. A process cartridge comprising:

the developer container according to claim 1; and

an image bearing member configured to bear a developer image.

13. An image forming apparatus comprising:

the developer container according to claim 1; and

a transfer unit configured to transfer a developer image into a transfer medium.

2. A developer container configured to accommodate a developer, the developer container comprising:

a stirring member configured to stir the developer; and

a conductive resin sheet disposed so as to come into contact with the stirring member when the stirring member rotates and configured to detect developer quantity using capacitance,

wherein a first side face, which is a side face of the conductive resin sheet situated on the upstream side thereof in the direction of rotation of the stirring member, and a second side face, which is a side face of the developer container, are provided facing one another,

and wherein a distance from a first side face portion, which is the portion of the conductive resin sheet that is at the closest distance from a stirring axis of the stirring member to the stirring axis, is the same distance or longer than a distance from a second side face portion, which is the portion of the developer container at the closest distance from the stirring axis to the stirring axis.

3. The developer container according to claim 2, further comprising:

a frame having the conductive resin sheet,

wherein a height of a face of the conductive resin sheet facing the stirring axis in a gravitational direction when in use, is the same height as or lower than a height of a face of the frame facing the stirring axis, at a position where the conductive resin sheet and frame are adjacent.

9. The developer container according to claim 2,

wherein at least part of the first side face is fixed to the second side face.

14. The developer container according to claim 2,

wherein at least a part of the conductive resin sheet has been embedded in the frame.

15. The developer container according to claim 2,

wherein a resin used for the conductive resin sheet and resin used for the frame are compatible.

16. The developer container according to claim 2,

wherein resin used for the conductive resin sheet has adhesiveness.

17. The developer container according to claim 2, further comprising:

an electrode, disposed facing the conductive resin sheet, configured to detect developer quantity using capacitance.

18. A developing device comprising:

the developer container according to claim 2; and

a developer bearing member configured to bear developer.

19. A process cartridge comprising:

the developer container according to claim 2; and

an image bearing member configured to bear a developer image.

20. An image forming apparatus comprising:

the developer container according to claim 2; and

a transfer unit configured to transfer a developer image into a transfer medium.