JPS63193160A - Drive-transfer device for photosensitive drum - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To facilitate the attachment of a photosensitive drum and also to improve the operability by providing a driving transfer part having a clutch to which a shaft is fitted freely attachably and detachably, between a driving part and the photosensitive drum. CONSTITUTION:On the flange 110 of a driving side end part of a photosensitive drum 32, a sheet spring 111 and a spring clutch 112 of a one-way clutch are provided and a driving transfer part 109 are formed, and also, the projecting part 110b of the periphery of a hole 110a at the center of the flange 110 is fitted to the bearing 113 of a side frame 82. On the other hand, a driving shaft 114 connected to the main motor of the body side is inserted through the hole 110a of the flange 110, fitted to the spring clutch 112 and the driving of a motor is transfer to the photosensitive drum 32, and said shaft abuts on the sheet spring 111 and connected electrically to the photosensitive drum 32.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Object of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) The present invention provides a method for forming one image in a copying machine, printer, etc.
The present invention relates to a drive transmission device for a photoconductor drum that rotates a photoconductor drum on which an electrostatic latent image is formed by driving from a drive unit on the main body side.

(Prior Art) In an image forming apparatus having a photoconductor drum, when forming an image, the photoconductor drum is rotated, and the photoconductor is transferred through a charging device, an exposure device, a developing device, a transfer device, etc. provided around the photoconductor drum. An electrostatic latent image is formed on a drum, a toner image is then obtained, and the toner image is further transferred to a sheet of paper or the like. For this reason, a device as shown in FIG. 15 has been conventionally used as a device that is attached to the main body to rotate the photosensitive drum and transmits drive from a drive source on the main body side.

That is, in this device, the D-shaped cut end (200a) of the drum shaft (200) is inserted into the first oval hole (201a) of the photoreceptor drum flange (201), and then the drive gear is inserted. The photosensitive drum (204) is attached to the main body by inserting it into a second oval hole (203a) formed in the shaft (203) of (202). When the drive gear (202) rotates, the shaft (203)
) and the photosensitive drum flange (201), the photosensitive drum (204) is rotated.

However, in such a device, the photoreceptor drum (
When attaching the drum shaft (204) to the main body,
) tip (200a) and the first oval hole (201a)
The direction of the first oval hole (203a) and the second oval hole (203a) must be aligned, and the operation must be done while being careful to prevent staining of the surface of the photoreceptor drum (204), which requires skill and reduces operability during maintenance. There is a problem. or,
This type of device is fine when the photoreceptor drum (204) is attached to the main body alone, but it is not suitable for unit devices that have been developed in recent years in which the photoreceptor drum and developing device are supported by the same unit. As the frequency of attaching and detaching the device increases, there is a need for a device that can more easily attach and detach the device. Furthermore, the tip of the drum shaft (200) and the first
The small hole (201a) or the second small hole (203a)
) is likely to become loose, which causes vibration when the photoreceptor drum (204) rotates, resulting in a problem in that one image is distorted.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) Conventionally, when attaching the photoreceptor drum to the main body, the direction of the photoreceptor drum and drive unit must be aligned with the direction of the drum shaft, making the attachment operation difficult. Furthermore, there is a problem in that images are disturbed due to vibrations during rotation due to looseness between the photosensitive drum, the driving section, and the drum shaft, resulting in a reduction in image quality.

Therefore, the present invention aims to eliminate the above problems.

The photoreceptor drum can be easily attached to the main body without considering its orientation, improving its operability and providing clear images without vibrations in the photoreceptor drum during rotation. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a drive transmission device for a photoreceptor drum.

[Structure of the invention]

(Means for Solving the Problems) In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a drive transmission section having a clutch that removably engages the shaft between the drive section and the photosensitive drum. be.

(Function) According to the present invention, the photosensitive drum can be attached to the main body by simply fitting the shaft into the clutch, and the drive on the main body side is well transmitted to the photosensitive drum, thereby improving the operability. The purpose is to improve image quality.

(Embodiment) An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 13. First, FIGS. 1 and 2 are front and rear external perspective views of a laser printer main body (10), which is an image forming apparatus of the present invention, in which the main body (10) has an upper cover (11) and a lower front cover. (12), lower cover (13)
covered with. A stop cover (14) is provided on the upper part of the upper cover (11), and is used on the - side (14) for removing jammed sheet paper or during maintenance.
The upper cover (11) has a unit (31), which will be described later, on the right side of the upper cover (11).
A stone wheel cover (16) is provided that can be opened and closed around the - side (16a) for replacing paper, etc., and a stone wheel cover (16) is provided on the rear surface of the upper cover (11) for removing jammed paper O. (1
Rear car cover (17) that can be opened and closed using axis 7a)
is provided.

In addition, an interface connector (18) is provided on the side surface of the lower cover (12) for transmitting and receiving signals from an external computer, word processor, etc. (not shown) that is the host system of the main body (10), and an interface connector (18) is provided on the rear surface of the lower cover (13). includes a power cord (20), a power switch (21),
A ground terminal (22) is provided.

Furthermore, a paper feed section (24) into which a removable paper feed cassette (23) is inserted is provided at the lower front of the main body (10), and a paper output tray (26) is removably attached above the paper feed section (24). There is. Furthermore, a control panel (27) consisting of an indicator lamp and a switch is provided on the front surface of the upper cover (11).

Next, FIG. 3 shows the inside of the main body (10), which is an image carrier with a diameter of approximately 3.
A charging device 1 (33) consisting of a scorotron charger, a laser optical system (34), and a photoreceptor drum (32) are incorporated into a unit (31) around the photoreceptor drum (32) of 0 [am]. A developing device (36) that performs development and cleaning simultaneously, an irradiation lamp device (76), a transfer device (37) consisting of a corotron charger, and a static elimination lamp (
38) are arranged in sequence. Furthermore, a paper feed roller (40) with a partially cut-out cross-section is provided at the tip of the paper feed cassette (23) at the bottom of the main body (10) so as to be able to come into contact with the sheet paper (41) that is the transfer material. and the paper cassette (23
), and the uppermost sheet is fed to the aligning rollers (43a), (43b) via first sheet guides (42a), (42b). Also, an aligning roller (43a),
(43b) has a first magnet (44) at the other end.
a) a first paper detection device (44) consisting of a first lever (44b) and a first reed switch (44c);
is provided. Furthermore, above the main body (10), there are aligning rollers (43a) and (43b), a second sheet paper guide (46) that forms a conveyance path for the sheet paper (41) that reaches the paper output tray (26), and an intermediate roller. (47a)
, (47b), third sheet paper guide (48),
A fixing device (52) consisting of a heat roller (50) that has a built-in heater (50a) and whose temperature is detected by a thermistor (50b) and a press roller (51), and a paper ejection roller (53).
a) and (53b) are provided. Further, in front of the paper ejection rollers (53a) and (53b), there is a second lever (54b') having a second magnet (54a) at the other end and a second reed switch (54c). A paper detection device (54) is provided. Note that (55) is a control unit that controls each image forming apparatus, control panel (27), and the like.

Among the above devices, the laser optical system (34) uses a laser beam (
A polygon mirror (62) rotated at high speed by a mirror motor (61) in order to scan the laser light (60a) that is oscillated and focused by a collimator lens or a compressor lens (not shown). ), and then the laser beam (60a) reflected by the polygon mirror (62) is transmitted to the photoreceptor drum (32).
) consists of a lens system (63) that illuminates the area.

Next, the unit (31) that is integrally equipped with the photoreceptor drum (32) and the developing device (36) will be described in detail. The frame (70) includes a rail (10a) within the main body (10),
The photosensitive drum (32) and the developing device (36) can be attached to and detached from the main body (10) freely by the first guide (70a) and the second guide (70b) that fit into the photosensitive drum (32) and the second guide (70b).
On the other hand, the covering cover (71) on the upper surface which also serves as the lid of the developing device (36) supports the second sheet paper guide (4).
6), the sheet paper (41) forms a part of the conveyance path for conveying it to the transfer position, and the conveyance direction of the sheet paper (41) is aligned with the photosensitive drum (
The cover (71) is also inclined inward from the tangential direction of the cover (71). Also, the covering cover (71)
The upper surface is made to reduce friction with the sheet paper (41).
A lower intermediate roller (47b) is formed with a rib (71a) and is urged upward by a leaf spring (not shown) so as to follow an upper intermediate roller (47a) connected to a drive unit (not shown). )have. The lower intermediate roller (47b) is largely chamfered on both sides so as not to prevent the unit (31) from being attached or detached. Further, (72) is a handle used when transporting the unit (31), which is rotatably attached to the attachment part (72a) and taken out from the recess (73) formed in the covering cover (71) during use. Rib (71a) when attached to main body (10)
The sheet paper (4
1) I am trying to reduce the resistance with (74)
is a slit that supports the negative side of a protective cover (117) for the photoreceptor drum, which will be described later. Furthermore, there is an irradiation lamp device at the tip of the covering cover (71)! (76) is provided, and the photoreceptor drum (32) is
) The entire surface is irradiated with light. Also, the irradiation window (71b)
A cleaner (77) made of felt is attached to both ends of the photoreceptor drum (32), which cleans both ends of the photoreceptor drum (32) and also serves as a rotational brake. On the other hand, a supply port (78) for supplying toner into the developing device (36) is formed on the rear end side of the covering cover (71). ,
While it is opened by contact with the toner hopper (79),
When the toner hopper (79) is removed, it is attached so that it is biased by a spring (not shown) and closed.

In addition, (75a), (75b) are holes (80a), (80b), (80c), (80d) formed in the side frame (82a), (82b) to cover the cover (71).
) is a hole for screwing.

Next, the developing device (36) will be described in detail. (81) is a developing roller, and the side frame (82a) (
82b). That is, a three-pole magnetized magnet roller (84) is provided inside the aluminum sleeve (83), which is a sleeve-shaped conductive roller with a diameter of 30 [■], of the developing roller (81). 3
2) has a magnetic force of 950
or 1050 (G), and this first pole (84a)
At an interval of 75 degrees clockwise from the second pole (84b) of the magnetic cuff 00 (G).

It has a third pole (84c) with a magnetic force of 500 (G). Further, at the drive side end of the developing roller (81), as shown in FIG. ) is press-fitted, and the aluminum sleeve (83
) and the conductive shaft (85) are in good electrical continuity. And in the center of the shaft (85) there is 1
A spring (88) supported by the main frame (87)
In a), a power supply blade (88) which is brought into point contact and applies a developing bias to the aluminum sleeve (83) by a power supply (88b) is brought into contact. Note that (90) is a bearing that supports the conductive shaft (85) in the side frame (82), and (91) is a bearing that supports the conductive shaft (85).
5) The first gear for rotating the aluminum sleeve (83) through the 6th gear (92) is the developing capacity
(93) At the lower end, approximately 1.
8 (m) (71) This is a doctor blade installed through a gap, and the mounting made of plastic is fixed with a screw (94) that is a member.The tip of the doctor blade (92) is attached to the magnetic roller (84). Second
It is an intermediate part between the pole (84b) and the third pole (84c),
A magnetic brush (not shown) using a developer made of negative polarity toner and carrier is provided at a position where the lines of magnetic force are approximately parallel to the developing roller (81) and at a position where the magnetic brush (not shown) is approximately parallel to the developing roller (81). It is being

Therefore, even if the height of the magnetic brush is regulated by the doctor blade (92), the stress on the developer can be made relatively small, and in turn, the aluminum sleeve (
The drive torque required for the rotation of 83) is made small. The screw (91) is such that the developer leaking from the developer container (93) adheres to the exposed part of the screw (91) that is inserted from the outside of the developer container (93), and furthermore, this adhered developer is attached to the magnetic roller. Influenced by the magnetism of (84),
In order to prevent the risk of the developing bias current being connected to the main body (10) and leaking the developing bias current, the developing bias current is formed of an insulating and non-magnetic plastic material.

Next, (100) and (101) move the developing roller (81) while stirring the developer (not shown) in the developing container (93).
) [5US30
The first spiral and the second spiral made of 4 (stainless steel)
It is a spiral. The first spiral (100) adjacent to the developing roller (81) has an outer diameter of 18 [intestinal]
It has a shape in which a continuous spiral first blade (100a) is wound around a first spiral shaft (100b), and a partition wall (103) made of an aluminum plate with a thickness of 0.8 [■] The second spiral (101) separated from the first spiral (100) has a minimum outer diameter of 2
4 (■) A plurality of second plates each having the shape of an elongated disk cut in half.
The blade (101a) of the second spiral shaft (l
olb) so that the orientation alternates by half a turn. That is, in the second spiral (101),
New toner is supplied from the supply port (78).

While sufficiently stirring the developer in the developing container (93),
The second spiral (10G) does not have the same stirring power as the second spiral (101), but it has a small diameter.
It has almost the same conveying force as the spiral (101). Note that the first and second spirals (10
0) and (101) are for preventing both spirals (100) and (101) from being magnetized by the magnetic field of the developing roller (81) and inhibiting the movement of the developer.

It is made of SUS 304 [stainless steel], a non-magnetic conductive material. Also, in the space i (103), there is a supply port (7
8) and the second spiral (to
A conduction port (103a) is formed for conveying the developer from the i) side to the first spiral (100) side.

Note that the height of the partition wall (103) is the same as that of the developing roller (8) after development.
1) It is necessary that the developer to be dropped onto the first spiral (100) does not jump over to the second spiral (101) side. This is the developing roller (81)
This is to prevent the amount of developer on the second spiral (101) side from increasing due to the developer jumping from the first spiral to the second spiral (101) side. Further, at the driving side ends of the first spiral (100) and the second spiral (101), each spiral shaft (100b),
(101b) is supported by the side frame (82) via a bearing (not shown), and the drive from the main motor (not shown) of the main body is transmitted to the end of the first spiral shaft (100b). A gear (104) is attached to the end of the second spiral shaft (101,b), and a second gear (106) that meshes with the gear (104) is attached to the end of the second spiral shaft (101,b). Furthermore, a third gear (107) meshes with the first gear (91) and rotates the aluminum sleeve (83). Also, a cylindrical part (1°04a) is provided at the end of the gear (104), and it is an identification number for each individual unit, 8192 pieces.
A sticker (108) on which a 13-bit barcode-like binary pattern is printed to identify the unit is attached.The binary pattern on the sticker (108) is grounded on the main body side. , is read by a photoelectric sensor (not shown) consisting of a light emitting diode and a phototransistor. - power switch (21) in the force control unit (55);
A memory unit (not shown) that does not disappear even when the unit is turned off stores the identification number read by the photoelectric sensor (not shown) and also stores the number of prints for each unit. The remaining life is determined, and when the number of printed sheets reaches the preset number of sheets of life, the control unit (55) notifies the control panel (27).
This is shown above.

Next, the photoreceptor drum (32) will be described in detail. Flanges are fitted into both ends of the photoreceptor drum (32), and a leaf spring (1
A spring clutch (112) which is a one-way clutch is provided, and a drive transmission section (11) is provided.
09) is formed. Further, a protrusion (110b) provided around the hole (110a) in the center of the flange (110).
However, the bearing (113) provided on the side frame (82)
). -6 On the main body side, a drive shaft (114) connected to a main motor (not shown) is provided, and when the unit (31) is attached to the main body, the drive shaft (114) is connected to the flange (110). It is inserted into the hole (110a) and the spring clutch (11
2) so that its drive can be transmitted to the photoreceptor drum (32) via the flange (110), and also comes into contact with the leaf spring (111) and is electrically connected to the photoreceptor drum (32). It will be done. The photoreceptor drum (32) is provided within the unit (31) with a gap of approximately 2 [I] between the developing roller (81) and the gap with the tip of the cover (71) and the frame (70). The gap with the member (116) provided at the tip to prevent developer from scattering is approximately 0.
．． 3(m), and (117) is a protective cover made of plastic, the - side is inserted into the slit (74) formed in the covering cover (71), and the other side is inserted into the first slit (74) of the frame (70). It is inserted through a slit (70c) formed in the upper part of the guide (70a) of the unit (31), and is worn when transporting the unit (31) and when attaching/detaching it to/from the main body, but is removed after the unit (31) is attached. It is something. Further, (118a) and (118b) are bottles inserted from the side frame (120) on the non-driving side of the unit (31) to seal the developer in the developer container (93) during transportation. ) body (10)
It must be removed after being attached to the device. Furthermore (121a),
(121b) and (121c) are holes into which a bottle (not shown) on the main body side is inserted for positioning the unit (31) within the main body (10).

Next, when the power switch (21) of the main body (10) is turned on, the control section (55) controls the main body (10) while rotating the drive source (not shown) for a certain period of time.
Check the condition of each part, and if there is any abnormality, turn on the warning lamp (not shown) on the control panel (27), etc.
Display this to the operator. -If there is no six person status,
The control unit (55) controls the heat roller (
50) built-in heater (50a).

The temperature detected by the thermistor (SOB) is 220 (
The heater (50a) is turned off until the temperature of the heat roller (50) reaches 220 [℃], and then the temperature of the heat roller (50) reaches 180 (℃).
C) When it catches up, the heater (50a) is turned on again and the temperature of the heat roller (50) is between 180[''C] and 220℃.
While the heater (50a) blinks repeatedly to maintain ("C), it also displays on the control panel (27) that the printing preparation is complete and is waiting for printing, and the host system (Fig. (not shown).

In this state, a command to start printing is sent from the host system (not shown) and printing is started.

The control unit (55) first operates a mirror motor drive circuit (not shown) to rotate the mirror motor (61).

And the polygon mirror (62) has a constant rotation speed of 60
When the rotation becomes stable at 0G (7 minutes of rotation), the mirror motor drive circuit (not shown) transmits this to the control section (55).

After this, the control unit (55) operates a main motor drive circuit (not shown) to rotate the main motor (not shown) and rotate the drive shaft (114) to rotate the photosensitive drum (32). At the same time as rotating the other developing roller (8
1) Rotate each roller. At the same time, the control section (
55) is a charging device (33) and a static eliminator! (37) etc. will be activated. As a result, the photosensitive drum (32) rotates in the direction of arrow S and is first uniformly negatively charged by the charging device (33) so that the surface potential becomes 600 (V). On the other hand, in the laser optical system (34), a laser beam (60a) is emitted from a laser diode (60) based on print data from a host system (not shown).
After the light is focused by a collimator lens and compressor lens (not shown).

60 so as to be scanned in the longitudinal direction of the photoreceptor drum (32).
Polygon mirror that rotates stably at 00 (7 minute rotation)
(62). and polygon mirror (62)
The laser beam (60a) reflected by the lens system (63
) and is irradiated onto the photoreceptor drum (32) uniformly charged to about 600 (V), forming an electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor drum (32). However, in the lens system (63), the laser beam (6
0a).

The light is focused into a spot of approximately several tens of microns, and the photoreceptor drum (
32). Thereafter, the photosensitive drum (32) carrying the electrostatic latent image reaches the developing device (36) as it rotates, and development and cleaning are performed in the developing device (36) as follows. That is, in the developer container (93), the first spiral (100) and the 2 spiral (
101) are rotated in the direction of the arrow and in the direction of the arrow U, respectively, and the gear (104) is rotated through the third gear (107).
) The aluminum sleeve (83) is rotated in the direction of arrow V by the first gear (91) rotated by the first gear (91).

Then, new toner is supplied onto the second spiral (101) in the developer container (93) from the toner hopper (79) through the supply port (78).
), first add the developer to the developer container (93) while thoroughly stirring the developer.
The developer is conveyed in the direction of arrow W within the inner sleeve, and the sufficiently agitated developer is further conveyed in the direction of arrow X by the first spiral (100) and supplied to the developing roller (81) side, where it is magnetically applied onto the aluminum sleeve (83). forming a brush. Furthermore, the aluminum sleeve (83) has a power supply blade (88).
Flange (86) with more conductive shaft (85)
A bias voltage of about 400 (V) having the same polarity as the charging voltage of the photoreceptor drum (32) is applied through the photoreceptor drum (32). When the electrostatic latent image portion of the photoreceptor drum (32) reaches the developing device' (36), the surface potential (-) is 600 (V).
In the non-exposed area where the toner is held, since the toner is of negative polarity and the first surface type is higher than the bias potential (-) 400 (V), the developing roller (81) to the photoreceptor drum (32
However, if there is residual toner in this non-exposed area, the 1st surface pattern (-
) 600 (V) and the bias potential (-) 400 [V], the residual toner is collected on the developing roller (81) side and the photosensitive drum (32) is cleaned. On the other hand, in the exposed area where the surface potential on the photoreceptor drum (32) is approximately 0 [V], toner is transferred to the developing roller (81) due to the potential difference between the developing roller (81) to which a bias voltage is applied.
81) to the photosensitive drum (32) for development. Thereafter, as the photosensitive drum (32) rotates, the entire surface of the photosensitive drum (32) is exposed to light by the irradiation lamp device fil (76), and after electricity is removed, the photosensitive drum (32) reaches the transfer device (37). On the other hand, the paper feed section (
In 24), after driving the main motor (not shown),
The paper feed roller (40) is activated by the paper feed signal from the control unit (55).
) is rotated once, and the uppermost sheet of paper (41) is taken out from the paper feed cassette (23). And sheet paper (41
) are the first sheet paper guide (42a), (42b
), the first lever (44b) is actuated to turn the first reed switch (44c) from on to off, and the first paper detection device (44) sends the sheet paper (44b) to the control unit (55).
After 1) displays that it has arrived, it reaches the stopped aligning rollers (43a) and (43b) and is temporarily stopped. Thereafter, the control unit (55) synchronizes the development unit on the photoreceptor drum (32) reaching the transfer device (37).
) starts driving the aligning rollers (43a) and (43b), and the sheet paper (4
1) is transported to the transfer device (37). The developing section of the photoreceptor drum (32) and the sheet paper (41) are transferred to the transfer device (
37) When it reaches the transfer device! (37) gives a positive charge of opposite polarity to the toner, and the toner image on the photosensitive drum (32) is transferred to the sheet paper (41).

Next, the sheet paper (41) is peeled off from the photoreceptor drum (32), passes through the third sheet paper guide (48), and passes through the fixing device (
52), but the photoreceptor drum (32) has a diameter of about 30 mm.
Since it is as small as [■], the sheet paper (41) is naturally peeled off from the photoreceptor drum (32) only by its stiffness without using a peeling device such as a peeling claw or a peeling charger. The sheet paper (41) is fixed by the fixing device (52) in which the surface temperature of the heat roller (50) is maintained between 180 ("C") and 220 ("C), and then the second lever (54b) ), and the second reed switch (54c
) from on to off, and the second paper detection device (54) displays on the control unit (55) that the sheet paper (41) has arrived.

The paper is delivered onto the paper ejection tray (26) by the paper ejection rollers (53a) and (53b). When the sheet paper (41) completely passes through the second paper detection device (54), the second reed switch (54c) is turned back on from the off state, and the control unit (55) detects the sheet paper ( During this period, the photoreceptor drum (32) that has passed through the transfer device (37) is fully exposed to light by the static elimination lamp (38) to remove the residual charge, and then the next sheet is ejected. Enables printing.

When all the printing processes are completed in this way, the control section (5
5) stops other devices except for temperature control of the heat roller (50) and waits for the start of the next printing, after which printing starts sequentially in response to printing commands from the host system (not shown). The process will have to be repeated. Meanwhile, in the control section (55).

A seal (10
8) While storing the identification number of the unit (31) using the above binary pattern, each time the printing process is completed, the number of printed sheets is sequentially added to the number of printed sheets from the beginning of use of the unit (31). When the number of printed sheets reaches the preset lifetime number of sheets, 2 [1 sheet], the control section (55) displays this on the control panel (27). As a result, the operator recognizes that the unit (31) has exceeded its usage limit, and in order to replace it with a new unit, first open the stone wheel cover (16) of the main body (1o) and remove the first guide ( 70a) and the second guide (70b), pull out the frame (70) and remove the used unit (31).
Take it out, at this time.

On the drive side of the unit, a gear (104) meshes with a gear on the main body side (not shown), and a photoreceptor drum (
32) is a leaf spring (111) and a spring clutch (1
The drive shaft (114) of the spring clutch (112) is fitted to the drive shaft (114) through the spring clutch (12).
Since the fitting force in the axial direction of 4) is only the frictional force corresponding to the interference of the spring, the leaf spring (111)
The photoreceptor drum (32) and thus the unit (31) can be inserted and removed from the drive shaft (114) relatively easily by resisting the pressing force of the spring clutch (112) and the frictional force of the spring clutch (112).

Next, the operator installs a new unit (31) with the exposed part of the photoreceptor drum (32) still covered with the protective cover (117) into the main body (10), but at this time, the operator uses the handle that was used during transportation. (72) is stored in the recess of the covering cover (71), and the first guide (70a) and the second guide (70b) are connected to the rail (
10a) and (10b), the drive shaft (114) is inserted into the flange of the photoreceptor drum (32), and the pin (not shown) on the main body side of 1 is inserted into the hole (10b).
21a).

(121b) and (121c), and the unit (31) is attached to the main body (10) so that the power supply blade (88) comes into contact with the conductive shaft (85).・
Furthermore, the operator slides the protective cover (117) along the slits (70c) and (74) and pulls it out of the main body (10) through the opening of the right small cover (16) to open the photosensitive drum (32). A bottle (118a) is used to make it usable and to prevent the developer (102) from scattering.
), (118b) also enables the extraction unit (31), closes the right small cover (16), and resumes printing. Furthermore, when the gear (104) is rotated by the drive of the main motor (not shown), a photoelectric sensor (not shown) inside the main body detects a signal on the sticker (10g) affixed to the cylindrical part (104a). The binary pattern is read and the new identification number of the newly installed unit (31) is stored in the control section (55). Then, in the control unit, the number of printed sheets for each recognition number is stored sequentially according to the printing. For example, even if a unit that has already reached the end of its lifespan is accidentally reinstalled into the main unit, the recognition number will be immediately stored. When the unit is read, the control unit (55) recognizes that the unit prints the number of sheets to be used and is used.
A message to that effect will be displayed on the control panel (27). In addition, the removed protective cover (117) should be used again when installing or removing the unit (31) during maintenance.
Save it for attachment to step 1).

With this configuration, the units (31
), the photoreceptor drum (
32) can be rotatably attached to the main body (10), there is no need to align the directions of the photosensitive drum and shaft as in the conventional case, and the operability is significantly improved. In addition, the spring clutch (112) and the drive shaft (114) are functionally
There is no looseness between the parts, and the image is not disturbed by vibrations caused by the looseness, unlike in the past, making it possible to obtain clear, high-quality images.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and can be modified in various ways. For example, the number of sheets that can be used for the life of the unit, the charging position of the image carrier, the magnitude and polarity of the developing bias of the developing roller, etc. can be changed as desired. Also, the diameter of the spiral is not limited as long as the diameter of the second spiral is larger than the diameter of the first spiral.

Furthermore, the shape of the spiral blades can be arbitrary, and the blades of the second spiral may also be in the form of a continuous spiral like the first spiral, but in this case, the amount of developer conveyed by the first spiral and the second spiral can be changed. In order to make it uniform, the second spiral may be equipped with blades in the opposite direction to prevent the developer from being conveyed.Also, the device for identifying each unit may be a photoelectric sensor. It is not intended to read patterns, but as in the other modified example shown in FIG. 14, a resistance element (128) having a different value for each unit is attached to the end of the covering cover (127) of the unit (126). On the main body side, when the unit (126) is attached, a resistance measuring device (not shown) is provided which is connected to the connector terminal (128a) of the resistive element (128) and reads the resistance value as a voltage. (not shown) may be a device that stores measurement results in a control unit (not shown) and counts the number of images for each unit.Furthermore, when the printing of a unit reaches its lifespan, It may be possible to immediately stop the image formation, etc.
The structure of the drive transmission section is also arbitrary; the drive shaft of the main body is formed into a cylindrical shape, and a clutch is attached to the inner ring thereof, while the shaft is protruded from the center of the flange of the photoreceptor drum, and the drive shaft of the main body is formed into a cylindrical shape. The shaft on the photoreceptor drum side may be fitted into the clutch. Further, although the developing device in the embodiment is one that performs development and cleaning at the same time, it is not limited thereto, and may be one that performs only development.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, according to the present invention, the photoreceptor drum and shaft can be easily moved by simply pressing the photoreceptor drum toward the drive side and fitting the shaft into the clutch, without aligning the directions of the photoreceptor drum and shaft as in the conventional case. The drum can be attached to the main body,
The operability at the time of attachment is significantly improved, and it is also possible to integrate the photosensitive drum and other devices such as a developing device into a unit. In addition, due to its function, vibrations due to loosening between the clutch and shaft are not generated, and image disturbance can be prevented, making it possible to obtain clear and high-quality images.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figures 1 to 13 show one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 1 is an external perspective view of the main body from the front, Figure 2 is an external perspective view of the main body from the rear, and Figure 3 is the main body. Figure 4 shows the unit, A) is a schematic explanatory diagram of the inside, (B) is a partially enlarged view of (A), Figure 4 is a perspective view of the unit, and (B) is a perspective view of the cover. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the frame, FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view showing the developing roller and the power supply blade thereof, and FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing the unit and the rail of the main body. FIG. 7 is a partially omitted side view showing the first spiral;
FIG. 8 is a partially omitted side view showing the second spiral;
FIG. 9 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing the circulation of the developer in the developer container, FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing the drive transmission unit, FIG. 11 is a side view showing the non-drive side of the unit, FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the protective cover,
FIG. 3 is a side view showing a pin that seals the inside of the developer container, FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing another modification, and FIG. 15 is a schematic explanatory view showing a conventional device. 10...Main body 23...Paper cassette 2
6... Paper output tray 31... Unit 32...
・Photosensitive drum 33...Charging device 34...Laser optical system 36...Developing device 37...Transfer device
38... Static elimination lamp 41... Sheet paper
47a, 47b... Intermediate roller 52... Fixing device w55... Control section 70... Frame 71... Cover 71
a...Rib 72...Handle 76...
Irradiation lamp equipment! ! 81...Developing roller 83...Aluminum sleeve 84...Magnetic roller 85...Conductive shaft 88...Power supply blade 92...Doctor blade 93...Developing container 94...Screw 100
...First spiral 101...Second spiral 103...Partition wall 10
4... Gear 104a... Cylindrical part 108.
...Seal 110...Flange 111...
Leaf spring 112... Spring clutch 114...
... Drive shaft 117 ... Protective cover agent
Patent attorney Inoue - younger brother 1 Figure 2 Figure 5 Figure 10f Figure 6 Figure 7 Figure 8 Figure 159 (A) Figure 10 Figure 13 Figure 14

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. An apparatus for forming an electrostatic latent image on a photoreceptor drum rotated by a drive unit on the main body side to obtain an image, which is provided coaxially with the photoreceptor drum and in its inner ring. A drive transmission device for a photoreceptor drum, comprising a drive transmission section that has a clutch that removably engages a shaft and transmits rotation of the drive section to the photoreceptor drum. 2. The photosensitive material according to claim 1, wherein the shaft is a drive shaft of a drive transmission section, and the drive transmission section is a flange that supports a clutch at the center and fits into the photosensitive drum. Body drum drive transmission device. 3. The photosensitive drum drive transmission device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the clutch is a spring clutch. 4. The photoreceptor according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the photoreceptor drum is supported in the same unit together with a developing device that applies developer to the electrostatic latent image. Drum drive transmission device.