EP1293848A2 - Bilderzeugungsvorrichtung und in ihr zu verwendende Arbeitseinheit - Google Patents

Bilderzeugungsvorrichtung und in ihr zu verwendende Arbeitseinheit Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1293848A2
EP1293848A2 EP02020654A EP02020654A EP1293848A2 EP 1293848 A2 EP1293848 A2 EP 1293848A2 EP 02020654 A EP02020654 A EP 02020654A EP 02020654 A EP02020654 A EP 02020654A EP 1293848 A2 EP1293848 A2 EP 1293848A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
unit
photosensitive
developing
image forming
forming device
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP02020654A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1293848A3 (de
EP1293848B1 (de
Inventor
Yasushi c/o Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Okabe
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Brother Industries Ltd
Original Assignee
Brother Industries Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from JP2001277606A external-priority patent/JP2003084648A/ja
Priority claimed from JP2001277604A external-priority patent/JP2003084647A/ja
Priority claimed from JP2001277605A external-priority patent/JP2003084645A/ja
Application filed by Brother Industries Ltd filed Critical Brother Industries Ltd
Publication of EP1293848A2 publication Critical patent/EP1293848A2/de
Publication of EP1293848A3 publication Critical patent/EP1293848A3/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1293848B1 publication Critical patent/EP1293848B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G21/00—Arrangements not provided for by groups G03G13/00 - G03G19/00, e.g. cleaning, elimination of residual charge
    • G03G21/16—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements
    • G03G21/18—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements using a processing cartridge, whereby the process cartridge comprises at least two image processing means in a single unit
    • G03G21/1839—Means for handling the process cartridge in the apparatus body
    • G03G21/1842—Means for handling the process cartridge in the apparatus body for guiding and mounting the process cartridge, positioning, alignment, locks
    • G03G21/1853—Means for handling the process cartridge in the apparatus body for guiding and mounting the process cartridge, positioning, alignment, locks the process cartridge being mounted perpendicular to the axis of the photosensitive member
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G21/00—Arrangements not provided for by groups G03G13/00 - G03G19/00, e.g. cleaning, elimination of residual charge
    • G03G21/16—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements
    • G03G21/18—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements using a processing cartridge, whereby the process cartridge comprises at least two image processing means in a single unit
    • G03G21/1803—Arrangements or disposition of the complete process cartridge or parts thereof
    • G03G21/1817—Arrangements or disposition of the complete process cartridge or parts thereof having a submodular arrangement
    • G03G21/1821—Arrangements or disposition of the complete process cartridge or parts thereof having a submodular arrangement means for connecting the different parts of the process cartridge, e.g. attachment, positioning of parts with each other, pressure/distance regulation
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G21/00—Arrangements not provided for by groups G03G13/00 - G03G19/00, e.g. cleaning, elimination of residual charge
    • G03G21/16—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements
    • G03G21/18—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements using a processing cartridge, whereby the process cartridge comprises at least two image processing means in a single unit
    • G03G21/1803—Arrangements or disposition of the complete process cartridge or parts thereof
    • G03G21/1817—Arrangements or disposition of the complete process cartridge or parts thereof having a submodular arrangement
    • G03G21/1825—Pivotable subunit connection
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G21/00—Arrangements not provided for by groups G03G13/00 - G03G19/00, e.g. cleaning, elimination of residual charge
    • G03G21/16—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements
    • G03G21/18—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements using a processing cartridge, whereby the process cartridge comprises at least two image processing means in a single unit
    • G03G21/1839—Means for handling the process cartridge in the apparatus body
    • G03G21/1842—Means for handling the process cartridge in the apparatus body for guiding and mounting the process cartridge, positioning, alignment, locks
    • G03G21/1846—Means for handling the process cartridge in the apparatus body for guiding and mounting the process cartridge, positioning, alignment, locks using a handle for carrying or pulling out of the main machine, legs of casings
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G21/00—Arrangements not provided for by groups G03G13/00 - G03G19/00, e.g. cleaning, elimination of residual charge
    • G03G21/16—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements
    • G03G21/18—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements using a processing cartridge, whereby the process cartridge comprises at least two image processing means in a single unit
    • G03G21/1875—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements using a processing cartridge, whereby the process cartridge comprises at least two image processing means in a single unit provided with identifying means or means for storing process- or use parameters, e.g. lifetime of the cartridge
    • G03G21/1896—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements using a processing cartridge, whereby the process cartridge comprises at least two image processing means in a single unit provided with identifying means or means for storing process- or use parameters, e.g. lifetime of the cartridge mechanical or optical identification means, e.g. protrusions, bar codes
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G2221/00—Processes not provided for by group G03G2215/00, e.g. cleaning or residual charge elimination
    • G03G2221/16—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements and complete machine concepts
    • G03G2221/1606—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements and complete machine concepts for the photosensitive element
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G2221/00—Processes not provided for by group G03G2215/00, e.g. cleaning or residual charge elimination
    • G03G2221/16—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements and complete machine concepts
    • G03G2221/163—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements and complete machine concepts for the developer unit
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G2221/00—Processes not provided for by group G03G2215/00, e.g. cleaning or residual charge elimination
    • G03G2221/16—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements and complete machine concepts
    • G03G2221/1651—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements and complete machine concepts for connecting the different parts
    • G03G2221/1654—Locks and means for positioning or alignment
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G2221/00—Processes not provided for by group G03G2215/00, e.g. cleaning or residual charge elimination
    • G03G2221/16—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements and complete machine concepts
    • G03G2221/1678—Frame structures
    • G03G2221/1684—Frame structures using extractable subframes, e.g. on rails or hinges
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G2221/00—Processes not provided for by group G03G2215/00, e.g. cleaning or residual charge elimination
    • G03G2221/16—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements and complete machine concepts
    • G03G2221/18—Cartridge systems
    • G03G2221/183—Process cartridge
    • G03G2221/1846—Process cartridge using a handle for carrying or pulling out of the main machine
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G2221/00—Processes not provided for by group G03G2215/00, e.g. cleaning or residual charge elimination
    • G03G2221/16—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements and complete machine concepts
    • G03G2221/18—Cartridge systems
    • G03G2221/183—Process cartridge
    • G03G2221/1853—Process cartridge having a submodular arrangement
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G2221/00—Processes not provided for by group G03G2215/00, e.g. cleaning or residual charge elimination
    • G03G2221/16—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements and complete machine concepts
    • G03G2221/18—Cartridge systems
    • G03G2221/183—Process cartridge
    • G03G2221/1884—Projections on process cartridge for guiding mounting thereof in main machine
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G2221/00—Processes not provided for by group G03G2215/00, e.g. cleaning or residual charge elimination
    • G03G2221/16—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements and complete machine concepts
    • G03G2221/18—Cartridge systems
    • G03G2221/183—Process cartridge
    • G03G2221/1892—Presence detection

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an electrophotographic image forming device, such as a laser beam printer, a copying machine, or a facsimile device. More particularly, the invention relates to a process unit detachably loaded into the image forming device and a structure of the image forming device for receiving and accommodating the process unit.
  • the process unit is, for example, a combined unit of a photosensitive unit and a developing unit.
  • the photosensitive unit includes a photosensitive drum and a charger.
  • the developing unit includes a developing roller and a toner cartridge containing developing agent (toner) therein.
  • the developing roller is urged against the photosensitive drum, so that the developing roller transfers toner onto the photosensitive drum. Also, the transfer roller is urged against the photosensitive drum.
  • the process unit is detachably mounted on the image forming device. That is, the process unit is unloaded from and loaded into the image forming device when paper jam occurs, for example.
  • U.S. Patent No. 6,101,350 proposes horizontally loading the process unit.
  • the horizontally loading type requires a locking mechanism to prevent the loaded process unit from being accidentally detached.
  • a rigid locking mechanism is needed.
  • the image forming device cannot be structurally simplified and made compact in size and also the cost of the image forming device cannot be lowered if the rigid locking mechanism is employed.
  • the present invention has been made to solve the aforementioned problems, and accordingly it is an object of the invention to provide an image forming device and a process unit in which the process unit can be easily loaded into the image forming unit and the process unit thus loaded cannot be easily detached.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide a process unit in which a developing unit can be easily mounted on and dismounted from a photosensitive unit.
  • Still another object of the invention is to provide an image forming device that has a simple structure for receiving a process unit and urging the developing roller against the photosensitive drum once the process unit is received and accommodated in a process unit accommodating section.
  • an image forming device that includes a housing, a pair of first guides, a process unit, a process unit accommodating section, and a second guide.
  • the first guides extend down to terminals.
  • the process unit has a bottom wall and side walls. The side walls are formed with protrusions protruding outward. The protrusions are engageable with the first guides, and guided down along the first guides toward the terminals when the process unit is loaded into the housing.
  • the process unit accommodating section is provided for receiving and accommodating the process unit.
  • the second guide is formed between the first guides for guiding the bottom surface of the process unit from a top open space of the housing toward the terminal. The process unit is accommodated in the process unit accommodating section when the protrusions of the process unit have brought into abutment with the terminals and a trailing end of the process unit is rotated downward about an imaginary line connecting the protrusions.
  • the process unit can be easily accommodated in the process unit accommodating section. This can be done by engaging the protrusions with the first guide and placing the process unit on the second guide. When the protrusions formed in the process unit are brought into abutment with the terminals, the trailing end of the process unit is automatically rotated downward due to its own weight and accommodated into the accommodating section. Also, the process unit can be easily unloaded from image forming device by lifting the trailing end of the process unit, placing it on the second guide, and moving up along the second guide.
  • a posture maintaining member may be formed on the process unit for maintaining a posture of the process unit when accommodated in the process unit accommodating section.
  • the first guide is in the form of an elongated U-shaped groove into which the protrusion is inserted
  • the second guide is in the form of a rail having an upper flat surface on which the process unit slidably moves.
  • a locking means may further be provided for locking the process unit to the housing. It is desirable that the locking means be provided in the process unit accommodating section.
  • the locking means may be constructed to resiliently engage the trailing end of the process unit.
  • the process unit includes a photosensitive unit and a developing unit.
  • the developing unit is detachably mounted on the photosensitive unit.
  • the photosensitive unit includes a photosensitive drum, and the developing unit includes a developing roller.
  • the protrusions are provided to the photosensitive unit.
  • the rotational shaft of the photosensitive drum may be provided to project from the photosensitive unit. In such a case, the projected portions of the rotational shaft may be used as the protrusions.
  • a latching means may be further provided for latching the process unit to the process unit accommodating section.
  • the process unit includes a photosensitive drum and developing roller. It is desirable that the process unit is accommodated in the process unit accommodating section while being urged toward a predetermined direction to urge the developing roller against the photosensitive drum
  • the process unit may be formed with auxiliary guide members for determining a loading direction and unloading direction of the process unit when loading into and unloading from the housing.
  • the developing unit have a bottom surface on which a first posture maintaining member is formed for maintaining a posture of the developing unit when mounted on the photosensitive unit and that the photosensitive unit have a bottom surface on which a second posture maintaining member is formed for maintaining a posture of the photosensitive unit when accommodated in the process unit accommodating section.
  • the first posture maintaining member and the second posture maintaining member are mated with each other.
  • an image forming device that includes a housing, a process unit, a process unit accommodating section, and developing roller moving mechanism.
  • the housing has a pair of upstanding walls each formed with a first guide extending to a first terminal.
  • the process unit is detachably mounted on the housing.
  • the process unit includes a photosensitive unit and a developing unit.
  • the photosensitive unit has at least a photosensitive drum and first projections.
  • the first projections are engageable with the first guides.
  • the first protrusions are guided down along the first guides toward the first terminals when the process unit is loaded into the housing.
  • the developing unit has at least a developing roller.
  • the process unit accommodating section is provided for receiving and accommodating the process unit.
  • the process unit is accommodated therein when a trailing end of the process unit is rotated downwardly about an imaginary line connecting the protrusions that are located in the first terminals.
  • the developing roller moving mechanism is provided for moving the developing roller toward the photosensitive drum. At this time, the developing roller is urged against the photosensitive drum.
  • the photosensitive unit when the developing roller is urged against the photosensitive drum by the developing roller moving mechanism, the photosensitive unit is also urged in the same direction in which the developing roller is urged and thus can be set to a predetermined position.
  • the photosensitive unit is detachably mountable on the process unit accommodating section when the photosensitive unit is loaded into the housing from a top open space of the housing.
  • the developing unit is detachably mountable on the photosensitive unit mounted on the process unit accommodating section. Accordingly, exchange of the developing unit can be easily performed.
  • the developing unit be formed with an engagement protrusion.
  • the engagement protrusion is brought into engagement with the developing roller moving mechanism when the process unit is accommodated in the process unit accommodating section.
  • the developing unit has a second protrusion. Also, a guide groove is formed in the photosensitive unit. The guide groove extends to a second terminal near the first terminals and guides the second protrusion to the second terminal. When a trailing end of the developing unit is rotated downward when the second protrusion is located in the second terminal, then the engagement protrusion is brought into engagement with the developing roller moving mechanism.
  • Separation means may further be provided for moving the developing roller away from the photosensitive drum. Also, a nipping means may further be provided for nipping the engagement protrusion. The developing roller moving means and the separation means may be used as the nipping means.
  • the nipping means may include a first nipping member having a first movable end, and a second nipping member having a second movable end.
  • the engagement protrusion is nipped when the first movable end and the second movable end move toward each other.
  • An open space is provided between the first movable end and the second movable end when the first movable end and the second movable end move away from each other. Accordingly, the nipping means can easily grasp the engagement protrusion when the developing unit is downwardly moved.
  • the developing roller moving means may include an urging member that urges the first nipping member toward the second nipping member to thereby urge the developing roller against the photosensitive drum.
  • the separation means may include a moving member that moves the second nipping member toward the first nipping member to thereby move the developing roller away from the photosensitive drum.
  • each of the side walls of the developing unit be formed with the engagement protrusion.
  • the developing roller moving means and the separation means are provided at each side of the pair of upstanding walls so as to engage the engagement protrusion formed in each side wall of the developing unit.
  • the housing be formed with a pair of second guides between the first guides for guiding the process unit from the top open space of the housing toward the process unit accommodating section.
  • the first guide shaft may be a rotational shaft of the photosensitive drum and the second guide shaft a rotational shaft of the developing roller.
  • an image forming device that includes a housing, a photosensitive unit, a developing unit, a pair of first guides, a photosensitive unit accommodating section, and a pair of guide grooves.
  • the housing has first side walls.
  • the photosensitive unit has second side walls.
  • the developing unit has third side walls.
  • the photosensitive unit has a photosensitive drum and a first guide shaft projecting out from the second side walls.
  • the developing unit has a developing roller and a second guide shaft projecting out from the third side walls.
  • the developing unit is detachably mounted on the photosensitive unit.
  • Each first guide is formed in each first side wall and extends to a first terminal.
  • the first guide serves to guide the first guide shaft therealong to the first terminal when the photosensitive unit is loaded into the housing from a top open space of the housing.
  • the photosensitive unit accommodating section is provided for receiving and accommodating the photosensitive unit.
  • the photosensitive unit is accommodated therein when a trailing end of the photosensitive unit is rotated downward about the first guide shaft located in the first terminals.
  • Each guide groove is formed in each second side wall and extends to a second terminal.
  • the guide groove serves to the second guide shaft therealong to the second terminal.
  • the photosensitive unit has a developing unit mounting section for mounting the developing unit.
  • the developing unit is mounted thereon when it is loaded into the housing from the top open space of the housing along the guide grooves to the second terminals.
  • the first guides are formed substantially in parallel to the guide grooves.
  • the developing unit can be mounted on or dismounted from the photosensitive unit regardless of whether the photosensitive unit is loaded into or unloaded from the image forming device. Further, the combined unit in which the developing unit is mounted on the photosensitive unit can be easily loaded into or unloaded from the image forming device at a time.
  • the photosensitive unit be provided with locking means for locking the developing unit mounted on the developing unit mounting section to the photosensitive unit.
  • the locking means is provided to a rear wall of the photosensitive unit. Accordingly, when the developing unit is locked to the photosensitive unit with the locking means, both the photosensitive unit and the developing unit can be carried and moved by grasping only the photosensitive unit or the developing unit. The developing unit can easily be dismounted from the photosensitive unit merely by unlocking the locking means.
  • the locking means has a locking position for locking the developing unit to the photosensitive unit accommodated in the photosensitive unit accommodating section and an unlocking position for unlocking the developing unit from the photosensitive unit accommodated in the photosensitive unit accommodating section.
  • the developing unit can be easily mounted on and dismounted from the photosensitive unit while leaving the photosensitive unit in the photosensitive unit accommodating section.
  • the developing unit is pivotally movable about the second guide shaft when both end portions of the second guide shaft are located in the second terminals. Accordingly, the developing unit can be easily mounted on and dismounted from the photosensitive unit by grasping the rear end of the developing unit, orienting the second guide shaft downward, and moving the second guide shaft along the guide grooves formed in the photosensitive unit.
  • the photosensitive unit may be accommodated in the photosensitive unit accommodating section or may be unloaded from the image forming device and placed outside the image forming device.
  • An urging means may further be provided for urging the developing the developing roller against the photosensitive drum.
  • the first guide shaft may be a rotational shaft of the photosensitive drum and the second guide shaft a rotational shaft of the developing roller.
  • a center of the second guide shaft is substantially located on an imaginary line connecting a center of the first guide shaft and a point where the urging means urges the developing unit.
  • the first guides are formed substantially in parallel to the guide grooves and also because there is the geometric relationship as described above, the loading of the photosensitive unit and mounting of the developing unit on the loaded photosensitive unit can be performed substantially in the same fashion.
  • the developing unit may be formed with an engagement protrusion.
  • the engagement protrusion is brought into engagement with the urging means when a trailing end of the photosensitive unit with the developing unit mounted on the developing unit mounting section is rotated about the first guide shaft located in the first terminals.
  • the engagement protrusion formed in the developing unit is automatically brought into engagement with the urging means simply by accommodating the photosensitive unit in the photosensitive unit accommodating section.
  • positioning the photosensitive unit and urging the developing roller against the photosensitive roller can be achieved with one-touch operation.
  • the engagement protrusion is preferably formed in each third side wall. Accordingly, urging force imparted upon the photosensitive drum becomes uniform in its lengthwise direction.
  • a photosensitive unit that is capable of being loaded into and unloaded from an image forming device.
  • the image forming device includes a housing having a pair of upstanding walls, a pair of guides each formed in each of the pair of upstanding walls, the guides extending down to terminals, and a photosensitive unit accommodating section.
  • the photosensitive unit includes a case having a pair of side walls, a photosensitive drum rotatably disposed in the case, and a guide shaft.
  • the guide shaft has two end portions each projecting out from each side wall. The two end portions of the guide shaft are engageable with the guides. The two end portions of the guide shaft are guided down along the guides toward the terminals. Then, the case is accommodated in the photosensitive unit accommodating section when the two end portions of the guide shaft have brought into abutment with the terminals and a trailing end of the case is rotated downward about the guide shaft.
  • the rotational shaft of the photosensitive drum may be used as the guide shaft.
  • Auxiliary guide members may further be provided to the photosensitive unit.
  • Each auxiliary guide member projects out from each side wall like the guide shaft.
  • the auxiliary guide member serves to determine, in cooperation with the guide shaft, a loading direction and unloading direction of the case when loading into and unloading from the case.
  • the case has a developing unit mounting section between the pair of side walls. Each side wall is formed with a guide groove for guiding a developing unit to be mounted on the developing unit mounting section.
  • a developing unit that is capable of being mounted on and dismounted from a photosensitive unit.
  • the photosensitive unit has a photosensitive drum, a pair of guides extending down to terminals, and a developing unit mounting section.
  • the developing unit includes a case having a pair of side walls, a developing roller rotatably disposed in the case, and a guide shaft.
  • the guide shaft has two end portions each projecting out from each side wall. The two end portions of the guide shaft are engageable with the guides and guided down along the guides toward the terminals.
  • the case is mounted on the developing unit mounting section when the two end portions of the guide shaft have brought into abutment with the terminals and a trailing end of the case is rotated downward about the guide shaft.
  • the developing roller is made movable toward and away from the photosensitive drum when the case is mounted on the developing unit mounting section. Also, the case is mountable on the developing unit mounting section with the photosensitive unit being accommodated in an image forming device.
  • An engagement protrusion may further be provided to the developing unit. The engagement protrusion projects out from the case and is brought into engagement with an urging mechanism provided in the image forming device. Then, the urging mechanism urges the case toward the photosensitive unit when the case is mounted on the developing unit mounting section.
  • the roller shaft of the developing roller may be used as the guide shaft.
  • a process unit for use in an image forming device includes a photosensitive case, a photosensitive drum, a developing unit mounting section, a developing case, a developing roller, and a guide shaft.
  • the photosensitive case has a pair of side walls. Each side wall is formed with a guide groove extending down to a terminal.
  • the photosensitive drum is rotatably disposed in the photosensitive case.
  • the developing unit mounting section is formed between the side walls of the photosensitive case.
  • the developing case has a pair of side walls and a bottom wall.
  • the developing roller is rotatably disposed in the developing case.
  • the guide shaft has two end portions each projecting out from each side wall of the developing case.
  • the two end portions of the guide shaft are rotatably engaged with the terminals.
  • the developing case is mounted on the developing unit mounting section.
  • Discriminating means may further be provided for discriminating a type of process unit.
  • the discriminating means is used by the image forming device to determine if a process unit loaded into the image forming device is proper or not.
  • the image forming device can reject improper, illegal process unit.
  • the developing case is dismountable from the developing unit mounting section by lifting the guide shaft along the guide groove.
  • a laser beam printer according to a preferred embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
  • the terms “downward”, “front”, “rear”, “above”, “below”, “beneath” and the like will be used assuming that the laser beam printer is disposed in an orientation in which it is intended to be used.
  • Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the laser beam printer.
  • the laser beam printer 1 has a housing 2 in which a sheet feed section 4 and an image forming section 5 are disposed.
  • the image forming section 5 forms images on paper sheets supplied by the sheet feed section 4.
  • the sheet feed section 4 includes a sheet feed tray 6, a sheet urging plate 7, a sheet feed roller 8, a sheet feed pad 9, a pair of paper dust removing rollers 10, a pair of sheet feed rollers 11, and a pair of registration rollers 12.
  • the sheet feed tray 6 is detachably provided on the bottom portion of the housing 2.
  • the sheet feed roller 8 is rotatably disposed above one end of the sheet feed tray 6.
  • the paper dust removing rollers 10 are disposed downstream from the sheet feed roller 8 with respect to a sheet transport direction in which the sheets of paper are transported.
  • the registration rollers 12 are disposed downstream from the sheet feed rollers 11.
  • the sheet urging plate 7 is disposed in the sheet feed tray 6.
  • the sheet urging plate 7 is pivotally movably supported about its end portion remote from the sheet feed roller 8 and is upwardly biased by springs (not shown) provided on the lower side of the urging plate 7.
  • a stack of sheets 3 is adapted to be placed on the urging plate 7.
  • the free end portion of the urging plate 7 moves downward against the biasing force of the springs to an extent that depends upon how many sheets of paper are stacked in the sheet urging plate 7.
  • the sheet feed roller 8 and the sheet feed pad 9 are disposed in confronting relation with each other.
  • the sheet feed pad 9 is pressed against the sheet feed roller 8 by a spring 13 disposed in the rear surface of the sheet feed pad 9.
  • the tip end of the uppermost sheet 3 stacked in the sheet feed tray 6 is pressed against the sheet feed roller 8 by the spring biasing the sheet urging plate 7 upward, is gripped by the sheet feed roller 8 and the sheet feed pad 9, and then is transported by rotation of the sheet feed roller 8.
  • the sheet of paper fed by the sheet feed roller 8 passes through the nip between the paper dust removing rollers 10 where the paper dust removing rollers 10 remove paper dust from the sheet to a certain extent. Then, the sheet of paper is further transported by the sheet feed rollers 11 to the registration rollers 12, where the sheet of paper is subjected to registration, and then fed to the image forming section 5.
  • the sheet feed section 4 further includes a multi-purpose tray 14, a multi-purpose sheet feed roller 15, and a multi-purpose sheet feed pad 25.
  • the multi-purpose sheet feed roller 15 and the multi-purpose sheet feed pad 25 supply sheets 3 that are stacked on the multi-purpose tray 14.
  • the multi-purpose sheet feed roller 15 and the multi-purpose sheet feed pad 25 are disposed in mutual confrontation with each other.
  • a spring disposed to the undersurface of the multi-purpose sheet feed pad 25 presses the multi-purpose sheet feed pad 25 toward the multi-purpose sheet feed roller 15.
  • Rotation of the multi-purpose sheet feed roller 15 sandwiches sheets 3 that are stacked on the multi-purpose tray 14 between the multi-purpose sheet feed roller 15 and the multi-purpose sheet feed pad 25 and then feeds the sheets 3 one at a time to the registration rollers 12.
  • the image forming section 5 includes a scanner unit 16, a process unit 17, and a fixing unit 18.
  • the scanner unit 16 is provided in the upper section of the housing 2 and includes a polygon mirror 19, lenses 20 and 22, and a reflection mirror 21.
  • a laser source emits a laser beam modulated based on image data. As indicated by single-dot chain line in Fig. 1, the laser beam is reflected by the rotating polygon mirror 19, passes through the lens 20, is reflected by the reflection mirror 21, and passes through the lens 22.
  • the laser beam that has passed through the lens 22 scans across the surface of a photosensitive drum 27 in the process unit 17.
  • the term "process unit” as used in the following description refers to a combined unit of a developing unit 28 and a photosensitive unit 26.
  • the process unit 17 is disposed below the scanner unit 16. As shown in Fig. 2, the process unit 17 includes the photosensitive drum 27, a scorotron charge unit 29, a transfer roller 30, a cleaning roller 51, a secondary roller 52, and a sliding member 53. These components of the process unit 17 are housed in a photosensitive unit 26, which is freely detachably mounted on the housing 2.
  • the laser beam printer 1 primarily uses the developing roller 31 to collect residual toner from the surface of the photosensitive drum 27. That is, the developing roller 31 collects the toner that remains on the photosensitive drum 27 after toner is transferred onto the sheet 3. As such, there is no need to provide a cleaning blade and a means for holding waste toner. Therefore, the printer can be made with a simpler configuration, more compact, and less expensive.
  • the photosensitive drum 27 has a rotational shaft 27a extending in parallel with a rotational shaft of the developing roller 31 and is disposed in contact with the developing roller 31.
  • the photosensitive drum 27 is rotatable in the counterclockwise direction and the developing roller 31 is rotatable in the opposite direction, i.e., clockwise direction, as indicated by arrows in Fig. 2.
  • the photosensitive drum 27 includes a drum connected to ground and a photosensitive layer covering the outer surface of the drum.
  • the photosensitive layer is made from a material selected from an amorphous silicon group, such as ⁇ -Si:H, from a cadmium sulfide group, such as CdS, from a zinc oxide group, such as ZnO, from a selenium group, such as selen, or is made from organic photosensitive materials, such as polycarbonate.
  • amorphous silicon group such as ⁇ -Si:H
  • CdS cadmium sulfide group
  • ZnO zinc oxide group
  • selenium group such as selen
  • organic photosensitive materials such as polycarbonate.
  • Such photosensitive materials have a property to be positively charged.
  • the rotational shaft 27a of the photosensitive drum 27 extend outwardly from the photosensitive unit 26 and is rotated by a main motor (not shown).
  • the scorotron charge unit 29 is disposed above the photosensitive drum 27 and separated'from the photosensitive drum 27 by a predetermined distance so as not to contact the photosensitive drum 27.
  • the scorotron charge unit 29 is of a positively-charging type that generates a corona discharge from a charge wire made from tungsten, for example.
  • the scorotron charge unit 29 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 27 to a positive polarity.
  • the scorotron charge unit 29 is turned ON and OFF by a charge power source (not shown).
  • the surface of the photosensitive drum 27 is uniformly charted to a positive polarity by the scorotron charge unit 29, and is then exposed to light by the laser beam.
  • the laser beam is emitted from the scanner unit 16 while being modulated by image data and scanned in the widthwise direction of the photosensitive drum 27 at a high speed. As a result of exposure by the laser beam, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 27.
  • the transfer roller 30 is disposed below the photosensitive drum 27 while contacting the photosensitive drum 27.
  • the transfer roller 30 is supported on the photosensitive unit 26 so as to be rotatable in the clockwise direction as indicated by an arrow in Fig. 2.
  • the transfer roller 30 consists of a metal roller and an ion conductive rubber material covering the metal roller.
  • a transfer bias application power source applies a forward bias to the transfer roller 30 when toner is to be transferred from the photosensitive drum 27.
  • the visible toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 27 is transferred onto a sheet 3 when the sheet 3 passes between the photosensitive drum 27 and the transfer roller 30.
  • the developing unit 28 is detachably mounted to the photosensitive unit 26.
  • the developing unit 28 includes a developing roller 31, a layer-thickness regulating blade 32, a supply roller 33, and a toner box 34.
  • the toner box 34 is filled with non-magnetic single-component toner having a positively charging nature.
  • the toner filling the toner box 34 is a polymer toner obtained by co polymerization of a monomer with a polymerizing nature.
  • the co polymerization can be performed by a well-known polymerization method such as suspension polymerization.
  • monomers that can be used include a styrene monomer, such as styrene, or an acrylic monomer, such as acrylic acid, alkyl (C1-C4) acrylate, and alkyl (C1-C4) meta acrylate.
  • the polymer toner particles are spherical so that the toner has extremely high fluidity.
  • coloring agents, such as carbon black, and wax are dispersed in the toner.
  • an external additive such as silica is added to increase fluidity of the polymer toner.
  • the toner particles have a particle size of between about 6 to 10 micrometers.
  • a rotation shaft 35 is provided in the center of the toner box 34.
  • An agitator 36 is supported on the rotation shaft 35.
  • the agitator 36 rotates in the counterclockwise direction as indicated by an arrow in Fig. 2. This stirs up the toner in the toner box 34 and also pushes the toner out through a toner supply opening 37 that is opened in the side of the toner box 34.
  • a window 38 is formed in the side wall of the toner box 34.
  • the window 38 is provided for detecting how much toner remains in the toner box 34.
  • a cleaner 39 is supported on the rotation shaft 35 for cleaning the window 38.
  • the supply roller 33 is disposed at the side of the toner supply opening 37.
  • the supply roller 33 is rotatable in the clockwise direction as indicated by an arrow in Fig. 2.
  • the developing roller 31 is disposed in confrontation with the supply roller 33 and is rotatable in the clockwise direction as indicated by an arrow in Fig. 2.
  • the supply roller 33 and the developing roller 31 abut against each other so that each is compressed by a certain extent.
  • the supply roller 33 is a conductive foam roller that covers a metal roller shaft.
  • the developing roller 31 is a conductive rubber roller that covers a metal roller shaft. More specifically, the foam roller portion of the developing roller 31 includes a roller body with a coat layer covering its surface.
  • the roller body is made from conductive silicone rubber or urethane rubber including carbon particles.
  • the coat layer is silicon rubber or urethane rubber including fluoride.
  • the developing roller 31 is applied with a developing bias by a developing bias application power source (not shown).
  • the layer-thickness regulating blade 32 is disposed in the vicinity of the developing roller 31.
  • the layer-thickness regulating blade 32 includes a blade body and a pressing portion 40.
  • the blade body is made from a metal leaf spring.
  • the pressing portion 40 is provided on the free tip of the blade body.
  • the pressing portion 40 is dome-shaped in cross-section and is made from silicone rubber with electrically insulating properties.
  • the layer-thickness regulating blade 32 is supported on the developing unit 28 at a position near the developing roller 31. The resilient force of the blade body presses the pressing portion 40 against the surface of the developing roller 31.
  • the toner pushed out from the toner supply opening 37 is supplied to the developing roller 31 by rotation of the supply roller 33.
  • the toner is charged to a positive polarity by friction between the supply roller 33 and the developing roller 31.
  • the developing roller 31 rotates, the toner on the developing roller 31 enters between the developing roller 31 and the pressing portion 40 of the layer-thickness regulating blade 32.
  • the toner is further charged by friction between the developing roller 31 and the layer-thickness regulating blade 32 and regulated into a thin layer of uniform thickness on the developing roller 31.
  • the fixing unit 18 is disposed at the downstream of the process unit 17.
  • the fixing unit 18 includes a thermal roller 41, a pressing roller 42, and a pair of transport rollers 43.
  • the pressing roller 42 presses against the thermal roller 41.
  • the transport rollers 43 are disposed at the downstream side of the thermal roller 41 and the pressing roller 42.
  • the thermal roller 41 is made from metal and includes a halogen lamp for heating up.
  • the transport rollers 43 transport the sheet 3 to a discharge path 44.
  • the sheet 3 transported to the discharge path 44 is transported to sheet-discharge rollers 45 and discharged onto a sheet-discharge tray 46.
  • Fig. 9 shows the photosensitive unit 26 and Fig. 10 shows the developing unit 28.
  • the developing unit 28 is mounted on the photosensitive unit 26 to form the process unit 17 as shown in Fig. 11.
  • the photosensitive unit 26 has side walls 26a apart from each other by a predetermined distance. Both end portions of the rotational shaft 27a of the photosensitive drum 27 project out from the side walls 26a. A guide plate 60 also projects out from the side wall 26a near the rotational shaft 27a. The guide plates 60 determine a loading direction of the photosensitive unit 26 or the process unit 17 in cooperation with the rotational shaft 27a when the unit 26 or 17 is loaded into the housing 2.
  • the photosensitive unit 26 has a drum unit accommodating section that is defined by the side walls 26a and a bridging frame 26b bridged between the side walls 26a at the developing unit receiving side. The upper surface of the dveloping unit mounting section is open to allow the developing unit 28 to be mounted thereon.
  • a developing unit guide groove 61 is formed in each side wall 26a and is used when the developing unit 28 is mounted on and dismounted from the photosensitive unit 26.
  • the developing unit guide groove 61 guides the roller shaft 31a of the developing roller 31 until the developing roller 31 is brought into abutment wit the photosensitive drum 27.
  • the shaft 31a of the developing roller 31 is located in the terminal 61a, i.e., the end position of the guide groove 61.
  • the developing unit 28 is pivotally movable about the roller shaft 31a in a position where the shaft 31a is located in the terminal 61.
  • the developing unit 28 is accommodated into the dveloping unit mounting section.
  • a support 28c formed in the bottom surface of the developing unit 28 is brought into abutment with the surface of the dveloping unit mounting section and support the developing unit 28 therein in cooperation with the roller shaft 31a supported on the terminal 61a.
  • a support 26d is formed in the bottom surface of the photosensitive unit 26 in the position where the support 28c is seated.
  • the support 26d protrudes outwardly, so its inner surface is configured to be concave capable of receiving the support 28c.
  • the developing unit 28 is thus properly positioned on the developing unit mounting section when the support 28c is mated with the support 26d from the back side.
  • the bridging frame 26b has its outer surface provided with a locking mechanism 62.
  • the locking mechanism 62 includes a locking lever 62a which, as shown in Fig. 8, is pivotally movable about a shaft 62b formed in the bridging frame 26b.
  • the locking lever 62a is biased by a torsion spring 63 in a direction in which the locking lever 62a engages a locking protrusion 64 formed in the rear end of the developing unit 28. Engaging the locking lever 62a with the locking protrusion 64 locks the developing unit 28 to the photosensitive unit 26.
  • a gripping portion 65 is provided at the rear side, that is the same side as the side where the locking protrusion 64 is formed, of the developing unit 28 for operator's gripping convenience.
  • the operator can lift the combined developing unit 28 and the photosensitive unit 26, i.e., the process unit 17, while gripping the upper surface of the developing unit 28 and the gripping portion 65.
  • the photosensitive unit 26 is not separated from the. developing unit 28.
  • the developing unit 28 can be mounted on and dismounted from the photosensitive unit 26 regardless of whether the photosensitive unit 26 is loaded in the laser beam printer 1 or the photosensitive unit 26 is placed outside the laser beam printer 1.
  • a process cartridge insertion opening is formed in an upper surface of the housing 2 in a position frontwardly of the sheet discharge tray 46.
  • the opening is defined by the front plate 2a, left and right side walls 2b.
  • a lid 54 that is pivotally movable about a shaft 54a covers the opening.
  • first guides 55 are formed in the inner surfaces of the side plates 2b of the housing 2.
  • the first guides 55 are sloped down toward their end positions or terminals 55a.
  • the first guide 55 is seen to be an elongated U-shaped groove into which the rotational shaft 27a of the photosensitive drum 27 is inserted.
  • the rotational shaft 27a of the photosensitive drum 27 is slidably moved down toward the lowest end position, i.e., the terminal 55a, of the first guide 55 where the photosensitive drum 27 can be rotatably supported.
  • a pair of second guides 56 is provided between the first guides 55.
  • the second guide 56 is also sloped down in the same direction as the direction in which the first guide 55 is sloped down.
  • the second guide 56 is in the form of a rail with a flat upper surface, along which the photosensitive unit 26 moves.
  • a photosensitive unit accommodating section 57 is formed for receiving the photosensitive unit 26.
  • the rotational shaft 27a of the photosensitive drum 27 is slidably moved down along the first guides 55.
  • the rotational shaft 27a has reached the terminals 55a of the first guides 55, the trailing end of the photosensitive unit 26 is rotated downward about the rotational shaft 27a. In this manner, the photosensitive unit 26 is placed on the photosensitive unit accommodating section 57.
  • a seat 58 is provided below the photosensitive unit accommodating section 57 for seating the photosensitive unit 26 thereon.
  • a protruded portion 26d formed on the bottom wall of the photosensitive unit 26 is brought into abutment with the seat 58. Due to the protruded portion 26d and the seat 58, the posture of the photosensitive unit 26 can be maintained o the accommodating section 57.
  • the photosensitive unit 26 is loaded into the laser beam printer 1 in the following manner. First, the photosensitive unit 26 is oriented in a direction in which the photosensitive drum side faces the inner portion of the housing 2. Both end portions of the rotational shaft 27a projecting out from the photosensitive unit 26 are inserted into the first guides 55. The guide plates 60 formed next to the rotational shaft 27a also slide along the first guides 55 following the rotational shaft 27a. The process unit 17 is obliquely downwardly moved into the housing 2. At this time, left and right side portions of the photosensitive unit 26 are disposed on the second guides 56 and are slidably moved down while being guided by the second guides 56.
  • the photosensitive unit 26 When the rotational shaft 27a has reached the terminal 55a of the first guides 55, the photosensitive unit 26 is disengaged from the second guides 56. As a result, the rear end portion of the photosensitive unit 26 rotates downward about the rotational shaft 27a and the photosensitive unit 27 is placed on the photosensitive unit receiving portion 57. At this time, the protrusion 26d on the bottom surface of the photosensitive unit 26 brought into abutment with the seat 58. The photosensitive unit 26 is stably supported at three points, that is, left and right sides of the rotational shaft 27a and the seat 58.
  • a boss 26e is formed on one side wall (right side wall in the figure) of the photosensitive unit 26.
  • An electrically driven urging unit (not shown) disposed in the housing 2 urges the opposite side wall (left side wall in the figure) of the photosensitive unit 26 toward the right side wall so that the boss 26e is in abutment with the right side inner surface of the housing 2.
  • a gear (not shown) is provided at the right side of the photosensitive unit 26.
  • the photosensitive unit 26 is urged toward the right side of the housing 2 by the force created by the rotations of the gear.
  • the electrically driven urging unit and the gear the photosensitive unit 26 is positioned in the same location on the process unit accommodating section 57.
  • the developing unit 28 is positioned so that the right side of the developing unit 28 is urged in the same direction.
  • the photosensitive unit 26 is loaded on the process unit accommodating section 57 by downwardly rotating (counterclockwise direction in Fig. 6) the trailing side about the rotational shaft 27a located at the terminal 55a.
  • stepped portions 59 are engraved.
  • the guide plates 60 are fitted into the stepped portions 59.
  • the photosensitive unit 26 cannot easily be taken out from the accommodating section 57.
  • Each locking unit includes a torsion spring 66 having a rounded head 66c and a pair of legs extending from the head 66c. Ring-shaped foot portions 66a, 66b are provided at the ends of the legs, which are supported by pins 67, 68, respectively.
  • the rounded head 66c of the torsion spring 66 engages a dimple 26c formed in the rear wall of the photosensitive unit 26 and urges the photosensitive unit 26 toward the terminal 55a of the first guide 55.
  • the photosensitive unit 26 is firmly held and supported at three points as mentioned above.
  • the operator grasps the grip 65 and lifts the photosensitive unit 26. Lifting the unit 26 causes the rounded head 66c of the torsion spring 66 to disengage from the dimple 26c. To completely unload the photosensitive unit 26, the photosensitive unit 26 is further lifted while directing the trailing end upward and slidably moving back the photosensitive unit 26 along the second guides 56. Loading and unloading the photosensitive unit 26 can be performed regardless of whether the developing unit 28 is combined to the photosensitive unit 26. That is, not only the photosensitive unit 26 alone but also the process unit 17 can be loaded into and unloaded from the laser beam printer 1 in such a manner as described above. Another locking unit can be employed instead of the locking unit using the torsion spring 66.
  • the urging mechanism 70 is operable only when the photosensitive unit 26 and the developing unit 28 as combined are loaded into the laser beam printer 1, because the urging mechanism 70 is used for urging the developing roller 31 contained in the developing unit 28 against the photosensitive drum 27 contained in the photosensitive unit 26.
  • the urging mechanism 70 is disposed in a space between the first guide 55 and the second guide 56, and includes a pair of nipping levers 72, 73 and a lever moving mechanism 77 for moving one nipping lever 73 toward and away from another nipping lever 72.
  • a teardrop-shape engagement protrusion 71 that is formed in the rear portion of each of the side walls of the developing unit 28, is inserted between the nipping levers 72, 73 when the developing unit 28 is mounted on the photosensitive unit 26.
  • the engagement protrusion 71 is nipped by the nipping levers 72, 73 and is urged toward the terminal 55a, so that the developing roller 31 is urged against the photosensitive drum 27.
  • the nipping levers 72, 73 are supported by pins 74, 75, respectively, and are pivotally movable about the respective pins 74, 75.
  • a spring 76 having one end fixed to the housing 2 and another end fixed to the movable end portion of the nipping lever 73 exerts urging force upon the nipping lever 73.
  • the nipping lever 73 is rotated counterclockwise and nips the engagement protrusion 71 in cooperation with another nip lever 73.
  • the lever moving mechanism 77 includes a cam 78 and a cam shaft 79 to which the cam 78 is fixed.
  • the cam shaft 79 is connected to a motor (not shown) and rotated thereby.
  • the cam 78 is in contact with one end of the nipping lever 72, so that rotations of the cam 72 move opposite end of the nip lever 72 toward and away from the movable end of the counterpart nip lever 71.
  • the cam shaft 79 can be moved manually.
  • the process unit 17 can be loaded into the laser beam printer 1. Also, the developing unit 28 can be separately loaded into the laser beam printer 1 if the photosensitive unit 26 has already been set to the printer 1.
  • the engagement protrusion 71 moves downward and is inserted between the pair of nipping levers 72, 73 against the urging force of the spring 76 urging the nipping lever 73 toward the counterpart nipping lever 72.
  • the upper end of the nipping lever 72 has been moved toward the free end of the nipping lever 73.
  • the engagement protrusion 71 moves downward and is inserted between the pair of nipping levers 72, 73 when the trailing end of the loaded developing unit 28 is rotated downward about the roller shaft 31a located in the terminal 56a of the guide groove 61.
  • the roller shaft 31a of the developing roller 31 is located in the terminal of the guide groove 61 formed in the side wall of the photosensitive unit 26.
  • the roller shaft 31a is on or along the line connecting the rotational shaft 27a of the photosensitive drum 27 and the engagement protrusion 71. Therefore, the engagement protrusion 71 traces substantially the same locus at the time of downward movement of the process unit 17 and of downward movement of only the developing unit 28. Therefore, not only the process unit 17 but also the developing unit 28 alone can be loaded into and unloaded from the printer 1 as shown by two-dotted-chain line in Fig. 7.
  • the unit 26 When the photosensitive unit 26 is unloaded from the accommodating section 57, the unit 26 is not capable of rotating about the guide shaft 27a in the unloading direction more than a limited extent due to the guide plate 60. Accordingly, the upper portion of the photosensitive unit 26 does not impinge upon the lower cover of the scanner unit 16, so the scanner unit 16 or other components are not damaged.
  • the motor is driven by a controller (not shown) to thereby rotate the cam 78.
  • Abutment of the small-diameter portion of the cam 78 with the lower portion of the nip lever 72 moves the upper portion of the nipping lever 72 toward the photosensitive drum 27.
  • the nipping lever 73 urges the engagement protrusion 71 toward the photosensitive drum 27 by the urging force of the spring 76. As a result, the developing roller 31 is urged against the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 27.
  • the large-diameter portion of the cam 78 is brought into abutment with the lower portion of the nipping lever 72, thereby moving the upper portion of the nip lever 72 away from the photosensitive drum 27. Accordingly, the engagement protrusion 71 is moved toward the nipping lever 73 and so the developing unit 28 is separated from the photosensitive drum 27.
  • the developing unit 28 and the photosensitive unit 26 can be combined into a single unit outside the printer 1. This can be done outside the printer 1 by inserting the developing unit 28 into the guide groove 61 of the photosensitive unit 26 and mounting the developing unit 28 on the developing unit mounting section of the photosensitive unit 26.
  • the combined unit can also be easily loaded into and unloaded from the laser beam printer 1.
  • only the developing unit 28 can be loaded into the laser beam printer 1, mounted on the photosensitive unit 26 that has already been set in position in the laser beam printer, and dismounted from the photosensitive unit 26 while leaving the photosensitive unit 26 inside the laser beam printer 1.
  • roller shaft 31a of the developing roller 31 and the rotational shaft 27 of the photosensitive drum 27 protrude out from the units 26 and 28, respectively, and are rotated by a drive motor (not shown) disposed in the housing 2 via couplings and a transmission gear mechanism.
  • a drive motor not shown
  • Counterclockwise rotational moments (Fig. 2) imparted upon the roller shaft 31a and the rotational shaft 27 cause the photosensitive unit 26 and the developing unit 28 to move toward their accommodating sections. Accordingly, by utilizing the rotational moments of the roller shaft 31a and the rotational shaft 27 and also owing to the weights of the units 26, 28, mounting the units 26, 28 on their accommodating sections can be performed smoothly.
  • a latching means is provided to latch the process unit 17 to the accommodating section 57.
  • a protrusion 80 is formed on the accommodating section 57.
  • An engaging portion 81 is formed on the bottom surface of the process unit 17 in the position corresponding to the position of the protrusion 80.
  • the engaging portion 81 is brought into engagement with the protrusion 80.
  • the protrusion 80 serves as a discriminating means for discriminating a type of process unit.
  • the discriminating means is used by an image forming device to determine if a process unit loaded thereinto is proper or not.
  • the protrusion 80 may be formed in the bottom surface of the process unit 17 and the engaging portion 81 for receiving the protrusion 80 may be formed in the accommodating section 57.
  • a pair of protrusions may be formed on outer surfaces of the side walls for use as the guide shaft.
  • the protrusions be in alignment with the longitudinal axis of the shaft. The same is true with respect to the guide shaft for mounting the developing unit on the photosensitive unit.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Vision & Pattern Recognition (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electrophotography Configuration And Component (AREA)
  • Dry Development In Electrophotography (AREA)
EP02020654.6A 2001-09-13 2002-09-13 Bilderzeugungsvorrichtung Expired - Lifetime EP1293848B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (6)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2001277604 2001-09-13
JP2001277606A JP2003084648A (ja) 2001-09-13 2001-09-13 画像形成装置及び感光体ユニット
JP2001277604A JP2003084647A (ja) 2001-09-13 2001-09-13 画像形成装置及び現像ユニット
JP2001277606 2001-09-13
JP2001277605A JP2003084645A (ja) 2001-09-13 2001-09-13 画像形成装置及び感光体ユニット
JP2001277605 2001-09-13

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EP1293848A2 true EP1293848A2 (de) 2003-03-19
EP1293848A3 EP1293848A3 (de) 2012-10-10
EP1293848B1 EP1293848B1 (de) 2019-11-06

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EP1605319A1 (de) * 2004-05-26 2005-12-14 Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Prozesskartusche und Bilderzeugungsgerät
EP1804137A3 (de) * 2005-12-27 2009-04-22 Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Bilderzeugungsvorrichtung und Entwicklerkartusche
CN111352321A (zh) * 2016-02-02 2020-06-30 兄弟工业株式会社 能够便于色粉补充至色粉供给单元的图像形成设备

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CN2627544Y (zh) * 2001-09-13 2004-07-21 兄弟工业株式会社 成像装置及其所用的处理单元
EP1640820B1 (de) * 2004-08-06 2011-12-14 Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Entwicklungsbehälter mit einem vorstehenden Teil aussen am Gehäuse
JP2007114718A (ja) * 2005-09-26 2007-05-10 Brother Ind Ltd 画像形成装置、プロセスカートリッジ、及び現像カートリッジ
CN1991623B (zh) * 2005-12-27 2010-06-23 兄弟工业株式会社 图像形成装置及显影盒
JP4821884B2 (ja) * 2009-05-29 2011-11-24 ブラザー工業株式会社 画像形成装置の構成ユニットおよび現像ユニット
JP5707883B2 (ja) * 2010-11-12 2015-04-30 ブラザー工業株式会社 プロセスユニット
JP5884343B2 (ja) * 2011-08-31 2016-03-15 ブラザー工業株式会社 プロセスカートリッジおよび現像カートリッジ
CN107885069B (zh) * 2016-09-30 2022-02-15 纳思达股份有限公司 图像形成装置以及处理盒

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US5353100A (en) 1992-05-27 1994-10-04 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Image apparatus with removable process kit rotatable about a photoreceptor shaft
EP0708387A2 (de) 1994-10-17 1996-04-24 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Tonerbehälter, Montageverfahren des Tonerbehälters, Arbeitseinheit und elektrophotographisches Bilderzeugungsgerät
EP1031894A1 (de) 1999-02-26 2000-08-30 Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Kartusche für ein photosensitives Bestandteil

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JP4737349B2 (ja) * 1999-02-26 2011-07-27 ブラザー工業株式会社 画像形成装置
CN2627544Y (zh) * 2001-09-13 2004-07-21 兄弟工业株式会社 成像装置及其所用的处理单元

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US5353100A (en) 1992-05-27 1994-10-04 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Image apparatus with removable process kit rotatable about a photoreceptor shaft
EP0708387A2 (de) 1994-10-17 1996-04-24 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Tonerbehälter, Montageverfahren des Tonerbehälters, Arbeitseinheit und elektrophotographisches Bilderzeugungsgerät
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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1605319A1 (de) * 2004-05-26 2005-12-14 Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Prozesskartusche und Bilderzeugungsgerät
US7292814B2 (en) 2004-05-26 2007-11-06 Brother Kogyo Kabshiki Kaisha Process cartridge preventing winding and image forming apparatus
EP1804137A3 (de) * 2005-12-27 2009-04-22 Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Bilderzeugungsvorrichtung und Entwicklerkartusche
US7756443B2 (en) 2005-12-27 2010-07-13 Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Image forming apparatus and developing cartridge having driving input and guide
CN111352321A (zh) * 2016-02-02 2020-06-30 兄弟工业株式会社 能够便于色粉补充至色粉供给单元的图像形成设备
CN111352321B (zh) * 2016-02-02 2023-04-07 兄弟工业株式会社 能够便于色粉补充至色粉供给单元的图像形成设备

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
HK1055803A1 (zh) 2004-01-21
CN100451857C (zh) 2009-01-14
EP1293848A3 (de) 2012-10-10
CN2627544Y (zh) 2004-07-21
CN1428666A (zh) 2003-07-09
EP1293848B1 (de) 2019-11-06

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