Patent ID: 7324775
Filing Date: 2008-01-29
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. A developing device for developing a latent image borne on an image bearing body using a developer borne on a developer bearing roller, said developing device comprising: a housing that is for containing the developer and that has an opening; said developer bearing roller that is for bearing the developer and that is provided facing said opening; a layer-thickness restricting member that abuts against said developer bearing roller along an axial direction thereof to restrict a thickness of a layer of the developer; a first sealing member that abuts against said developer bearing roller along the axial direction thereof to prevent the developer from spilling; a second sealing member that abuts against an end, in the axial direction, of said developer bearing roller along a circumferential direction of said developer bearing roller to prevent the developer from spilling; and an assembly member onto which said developer bearing roller, said layer-thickness restricting member, said first sealing member, and said second sealing member are assembled, wherein a unit provided with said developer bearing roller, said layer-thickness restricting member, said first sealing member, said second sealing member, and said assembly member onto which these members have been assembled, is attached to said housing; wherein said unit is attached to said housing via a third sealing member for preventing the developer from spilling from between said unit and said housing; wherein said developing device comprises an urging member that is arranged such that a longitudinal direction thereof is in the axial direction of said developer bearing roller and that is for urging said first sealing member toward said developer bearing roller; wherein said urging member is assembled onto said assembly member and provided with said unit that is attached to said housing; wherein said assembly member includes a first supporting section and a second supporting section that are arranged in a longitudinal direction of said assembly member, and a third supporting section that intersects with said longitudinal direction and that is provided outside said first supporting section and said second supporting section in said longitudinal direction; wherein said developer bearing roller is supported at the end in the axial direction thereof by said third supporting section; wherein said first sealing member is supported at an end in a lateral direction thereof by said first supporting section; wherein said layer-thickness restricting member is supported at an end in a lateral direction thereof by said second supporting section; wherein said layer-thickness restricting member supports said second sealing member at an end in a longitudinal direction thereof; and wherein said urging member is supported by said first supporting section, and is provided between said first supporting section and a surface of said first sealing member on an opposite side from an abutting surface of said first sealing member with which said first sealing member abuts against said developer bearing roller.