Developer accommodating unit with stirring member and visor portion
A developer accommodating unit includes a container and a stirring member. The container includes first and second frames mutually bonded to constitute an accommodating space for a developer. The stirring member stirs the developer by being rotated in a rotational direction and includes a sheet fixed to a rotational shaft. The first frame includes a recessed portion provided along an edge of the first frame and opening toward an upstream side in the rotational direction. The second frame includes a projection provided along an edge of the second frame, projects toward a downstream side in the rotational direction and engages with the recess, and so as to prevent the sheet from contacting an end surface, on the upstream side, of an inner end of the recess and includes a part of an inner wall constituting the accommodating space, a visor provided on a position opposite to the end surface.
1 . A developer accommodating unit comprising:
a container including a first frame and a second frame mutually bonded so as to constitute an accommodating space for accommodating developer; and
a stirring member configured to stir the developer accommodated in the accommodating space by being rotated in a rotational direction, the stirring member including a rotational shaft and a sheet fixed to the rotational shaft,
wherein the first frame includes a recessed portion provided along an edge portion of the first frame and opening toward an upstream side in the rotational direction, and
wherein the second frame includes:
a projecting portion provided along an edge portion of the second frame, the projecting portion projecting toward a downstream side in the rotational direction and engaging with the recessed portion, and
a visor portion provided at a position opposite to an end surface, on the upstream side in the rotational direction, of an inner end portion of the recessed portion and including a part of an inner wall constituting the accommodating space the visor portion being configured to prevent the sheet from contacting the end surface.
2 . The developer accommodating unit according to claim 1 , wherein a gap is formed between a surface of the inner end portion on a side opposite to the accommodating space and a surface of the projecting portion facing the accommodating space.
3 . The developer accommodating unit according to claim 2 , wherein a length of the inner end portion is shorter than a length of the sheet in a direction of a rotational axis of the stirring member, and
wherein at least a part of the end surface of the inner end portion in the direction of the rotational axis is inclined toward a downstream side in the rotational direction and to a side away from a center of the sheet with respect to the direction of the rotational axis.
4 . The developer accommodating unit according to claim 1 , wherein a surface on a side of the inner end portion opposite to the accommodating space and a surface of the projecting portion facing the accommodating space are in contact with each other, and
wherein a corner portion is formed between the end surface of the inner end portion and the surface of the projecting portion facing the accommodating space.
5 . The developer accommodating unit according to claim 4 , wherein a length of the inner end portion is equal to or longer than a length of the sheet in a direction of a rotational axis of the stirring member.
6 . The developer accommodating unit according to claim 1 , wherein, as seen in a direction of a rotational axis of the stirring member, the end surface is disposed inside a first imaginary circle in which the rotational axis is a center and a length from the rotational axis to a free end of the sheet is a radius, and
wherein the visor portion projects inside a second imaginary circle in which the rotational axis is a center and which passes an end fringe of the end surface on a side close to the rotational axis.
7 . The developer accommodating unit according to claim 1 , wherein, in a case in which the inner end portion is a first rib and the projecting portion is a second rib,
(i) the first frame includes a first flange portion projecting toward outside the container with respect to the first rib and a third rib extending to the upstream side from the first flange portion in the rotational direction, and the recessed portion is formed by the first rib, the first flange portion and the third rib,
(ii) the second frame includes a second flange portion projecting toward outside the container and a fourth rib extending to the downstream side from the second flange portion in the rotational direction,
(iii) as seen in a direction of a rotational axis of the stirring member, a free end of the third rib is accommodated in a recessed shape formed by the second rib, the second flange portion and the fourth rib of the second frame, and
(iv) the third rib and an inner surface of the recessed shape are bonded with an adhesive.
8 . The developer accommodating unit according to claim 7 , wherein the container further includes an engaging claw provided on either one of the first frame and the second frame and an engaged portion provided on the other of the first frame or the second frame,
wherein by engagement between the engaging claw and the engaged portion, the first frame and the second frame are positioned with each other in a state in which the third rib is accommodated inside the recessed shape.
9 . The developer accommodating unit according to claim 8 , wherein the adhesive is a hot melt adhesive.
10 . The developer accommodating unit according to claim 1 , further comprising a developer roller configured to carry the developer and supply the developer to a photosensitive member,
wherein the container further includes a supplying chamber in which the developer roller is disposed and a communication opening configured to communicate with the accommodating space and the supplying chamber, and
wherein, when the developer accommodating unit takes an attitude of being mounted to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus, the communication opening is disposed below the end surface of the inner end portion in a direction of gravity.
11 . The developer accommodating unit according to claim 1 , wherein a surface of the visor portion on the upstream side in the rotational direction continues to the inner wall of the accommodating space in the second frame.
12 . A process cartridge comprising:
a photosensitive member; and
a developer accommodating unit according to claim 1 ,
wherein the developer accommodating unit includes a developer roller configured to carry the developer, and supply the developer to the photosensitive member to develop a latent image on the photosensitive member.