JP2000147982A - Processing cartridge, electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and electrophotographic photoreceptor drum - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain further improvement in reliability and to attain cost reduction and miniaturization by respectively rotatingly driving a gear provided with a connecting part equipped with a photoreceptor drum at one end that is a rotary body rotary driven by a motor, while being respectively engaged with the developing roller gear and the transfer roller gear. SOLUTION: A drum flange 7a has a gear attached with a connecting part provided with the flange gear and the connecting part 7c in one body. This drum flange 7a is engaged with both of the developing roller gear 10k disposed on one end of the developing roller 10d, and the transfer roller gear 4a disposed on one end of the transfer roller 4 whose shaft is pivotally supported on the device main body in freely rotational manner. When the connecting part on the device main body side and the connecting part 7c of the drum flange 7a are coupled, the photoreceptor drum 7 is rotary driven together with the drum flange 7a. Then, by the developing roller gear 10k and the transfer roller 4a respectively engaged with the drum flange 7a, the developing roller 10d and the transfer roller 4 are respectively rotary driven by the developing roller 10d.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a process cartridge, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus to which the process cartridge can be attached and detached, and an electrophotographic photosensitive drum.

Here, examples of the image forming apparatus include an electrophotographic copying machine, an electrophotographic printer, (for example, an LED printer, a laser beam printer, etc.), an electrophotographic facsimile, an electrophotographic word processor, and the like.

Further, as a process cartridge, a charging unit, a developing unit or a cleaning unit and an electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge, and this cartridge is detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus main body. Alternatively, at least one of the charging unit, the developing unit, and the cleaning unit and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed as a cartridge so that the cartridge can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body. Further, it refers to a device in which at least the developing means and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge so as to be detachable from the image forming apparatus main body.

[0004]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic image forming process, an electrophotographic photosensitive member and process means acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge, and this cartridge is used as an image forming apparatus. A process cartridge system detachable from the main body is employed. According to this process cartridge system, the maintenance of the apparatus can be performed by the user himself without relying on a service person, so that the operability can be remarkably improved. Therefore, this process cartridge system is widely used in image forming apparatuses.

An electrophotographic photosensitive member integrated with such a process cartridge, and a charging device and a developing device acting thereon. Further, as the rotation driving means of the transfer device provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus, generally, the forms shown in FIGS. 17 and 18 are often used.

First, in FIG. 17, a gear 5 provided in an image forming apparatus main body and rotationally driven by a motor (not shown) is provided.
0 (hereinafter referred to as a main body gear) meshes with a gear 7a (hereinafter referred to as a drum flange) provided at a left end of the photosensitive drum 7, and further a gear 10k (hereinafter referred to as a developing roller gear) provided at a left shaft end of the developing roller 10d. ) Are engaged with the drum flange 7a and are respectively driven and rotated. Here, at both ends of the developing roller 10d, spacer rollers 10m for securing a predetermined gap between the developing roller 10d and an electrophotographic photosensitive drum (hereinafter referred to as a photosensitive drum) 7 are provided. On the other hand, a gear (hereinafter referred to as a drum gear) 7b provided at the right end of the photosensitive drum 7 meshes with a gear 4a (hereinafter referred to as a transfer roller gear) provided at a right shaft end of the transfer roller 4, and the transfer roller 4 is also driven to rotate. . In such a case, the transfer roller gear 4a is arranged on the left side,
Even if it is desired to engage with the drum flange 7a, the arrangement of the photosensitive drum 7, the developing roller 10, and the transfer roller 4 is difficult due to the main body gear 50.

Therefore, a configuration as shown in FIG. 18 can be considered.
That is, the drum flange 7a and the drum gear 7b are integrated,
This is a method of arranging the transfer roller gear 4a on the left side of the figure as shown in FIG.

In such a configuration, the drum flange 7
The number of steps for attaching a to the photosensitive drum 7 is one, and the effect of cost reduction can be expected. However, the development roller gear 10k and the transfer roller gear 4a are driven by different gears, and forming two types of gears integrally requires a high technique in order to obtain the accuracy. .
Further, the length in the longitudinal direction when the drum flange 7a and the drum gear 7b were attached to the photosensitive drum 7 was almost the same as when the respective gears were attached to both sides described above.

Although both ends 8a of the charging roller 8 are not shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the bearing 8 is movably fitted to a radial guide of the photosensitive drum 7.
The bearing 8c is always supported by a predetermined pressure in the direction of the photosensitive drum 7 by a spring 8b. Therefore, the charging roller 8 is in contact with the photosensitive drum 7 at a predetermined pressure. The charging roller 8 is driven and rotated by the frictional force generated by the contact. In such a case, the frictional force between the charging roller 8 and the photosensitive drum 7 becomes
Since the frictional force between the shaft end 8a of the charging roller 8 and the bearing 8c must always be larger, the surface roughness of the bearing surface of the bearing 8c, the surface roughness of the shaft end 8a of the charging roller 8,
It was necessary to manage the friction coefficient and the like of the surface of the charging roller 8.

FIGS. 17 and 18 are illustrations in which parts other than the charging roller 8 such as a bearing and a frame of a process cartridge are omitted in order to easily show the meshing state of each gear.

[0011]

The above-mentioned conventional example is supported by many achievements, and its reliability has been proven. The present invention is a further development of the above technology.

An object of the present application is to provide a process cartridge, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and a process cartridge capable of maintaining the above-described reliability or obtaining a further improvement in reliability, and reducing the cost and size. An object of the present invention is to provide an electrophotographic photosensitive drum.

[0013]

The main aspects of the present invention are as described below with reference to the claims.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a motor and a rotating body driven to rotate by the motor, which is detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus main body including a rotating body having a connecting portion on a rotation center axis thereof. An electrophotographic photoreceptor drum provided at one end with a coupling unit and a gear with a coupling unit and a gear integrated with a coupling unit that receives rotation drive from the rotating body and is coupled with the coupling unit. A charging unit for charging the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and a developing roller for developing a latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum using toner having a developing roller gear at one end, A transfer roller provided at one end of a transfer roller provided in the image forming apparatus main body for transferring an image formed on the developing roller gear and the electrophotographic photosensitive drum to a recording medium; A process cartridge for causing each meshing with both gears rotationally driven.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a motor and a rotating body driven to rotate by the motor, which can be attached to and detached from an image forming apparatus main body including a rotating body having a connecting portion on a rotation center axis thereof. An electrophotographic photoreceptor drum provided at one end with a gear with a connecting portion in which the connecting portion and the gear are integrated with the connecting portion that receives the rotational drive from the rotating body in combination with the connecting portion. A charging roller having a charging roller gear for charging the electrophotographic photosensitive drum; and a developing device having a developing roller gear at one end for developing a latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum using toner. The image forming apparatus main body for transferring an image formed on the charging roller gear, the developing roller gear, and the electrophotographic photosensitive drum to a recording medium, Meshes with three gears transfer roller gear having on one end of the transfer roller having a process cartridge, characterized in that rotationally drives them.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a motor and a rotating body which is driven to rotate by the motor, and which is detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus main body including a rotating body having a connecting portion on a rotation center axis thereof. An electrophotographic photosensitive drum provided with a gear at one end and a coupling portion coupled to the coupling portion at the other end to receive rotational driving from the rotating body; and an electrophotographic photosensitive drum. A charging unit for performing charging, a developing roller having a developing roller gear at one end, and a developing roller for developing a latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum using toner; A gear provided at one end has a transfer roller provided at one end of a transfer roller provided in the image forming apparatus main body for transferring the image formed on the developing roller gear and the electrophotographic photosensitive member to a recording medium. A process cartridge which comprises bringing the respective rotary drive is in mesh with the both roller gear.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a motor and a rotating body driven to rotate by the motor, which is detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus main body including a rotating body having a connecting portion on a rotation center axis thereof. An electrophotographic photosensitive drum having a gear at one end, a coupling portion coupled to the coupling portion at the other end to receive rotational drive from the rotating body, and a charging roller gear at one end. A charging roller for charging the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and a developing roller for developing a latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum with toner having a developing roller gear at one end, A gear provided at the other end of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum is used to transfer an image formed on the charging roller gear, the developing roller gear and the electrophotographic photosensitive drum to a recording medium. Meshes with three gears transfer roller gear having the other end of the transfer roller with the serial image forming apparatus main body, a process cartridge, characterized in that rotationally drives them.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic device comprising a motor and a rotating body driven to rotate by the motor, the rotating body having a connecting portion on a rotation center axis thereof, and a process cartridge being detachably mountable. A photographic image forming apparatus, comprising: a. An electrophotographic photosensitive drum provided at one end with a connecting portion gear that is integrated with a connecting portion and a gear that is coupled to the connecting portion and receives rotational drive from the rotating body; and charges the electrophotographic photosensitive drum. Charging means for performing, and a developing roller for developing a latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum using toner having a developing roller gear at one end,
The coupling unit gear meshes with both the developing roller gear and a transfer roller gear provided at one end of a transfer roller provided in an image forming apparatus main body for transferring an image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum to a recording medium. Mounting means for removably mounting the process cartridges for rotating and driving each of them, b. A transfer roller having a transfer roller gear at said one end; c. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus, comprising: a conveying unit for conveying the recording medium.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic device having a motor and a rotating body driven to rotate by the motor, the rotating body having a connecting portion on a rotation center axis thereof, and a process cartridge being detachable. A photographic image forming apparatus, comprising: a. An electrophotographic photoreceptor drum having at one end a coupling-equipped gear in which a coupling part and a gear that are coupled to the coupling part and receive rotational driving from the rotating body are provided at one end; A charging roller for charging the photographic photosensitive drum; and a developing unit having a developing roller gear at one end for developing a latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum with toner using the toner. The attached gear is a charging roller gear, a developing roller gear, and a transfer roller gear 3 at one end of a transfer roller provided in the image forming apparatus main body for transferring an image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum to a recording medium. Mounting means for removably mounting a process cartridge that meshes with and drives the two gears to rotate them; b. A transfer roller having a transfer roller gear at said one end; c. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus, comprising: a conveying unit for conveying the recording medium.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic device having a motor and a rotating body which is driven to rotate by the motor, the rotating body having a connecting portion on a rotation center axis thereof, and a process cartridge is detachable. A photographic image forming apparatus, comprising: a. An electrophotographic photosensitive drum provided with a gear at one end and a coupling portion coupled to the coupling portion at the other end for receiving rotational driving from the rotating body; and charging means for charging the electrophotographic photosensitive drum. And a developing roller having a developing roller gear at one end for developing a latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum with toner, using a gear provided at one end of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum. The developing roller gear and the transfer roller gear at the other end of the transfer roller provided in the image forming apparatus main body for transferring the image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member to a recording medium are rotationally driven. Mounting means for removably mounting the process cartridge; b. A transfer roller having a transfer roller gear at said one end; c. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus, comprising: a conveying unit for conveying the recording medium.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic device having a motor and a rotating body which is driven to rotate by the motor, the rotating body having a connecting portion on a rotation center axis thereof, and to which a process cartridge can be attached and detached. A photographic image forming apparatus, comprising: a. An electrophotographic photosensitive drum having a gear at one end and a coupling portion coupled to the coupling portion for receiving rotation from the rotator at the other end; and the electrophotographic photosensitive drum having a charging roller gear at the other end. A charging roller for charging the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and a developing roller having a developing roller gear at the other end for developing a latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum using toner, A gear provided at one end of the drum is provided at one end of a transfer roller provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus for transferring an image formed on the charging roller gear, the developing roller gear, and the electrophotographic photosensitive drum to a recording medium. Mounting means for removably mounting a process cartridge that meshes with three gears of the transfer roller gear having the same and that drives them to rotate; b. A transfer roller having a transfer roller gear at said one end; c. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus, comprising: a conveying unit for conveying the recording medium.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electrophotographic photosensitive drum for use in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body, wherein a cylinder having a photosensitive member provided on a peripheral surface thereof and the image provided on one end side of the cylinder are provided. A gear provided with a connecting portion and a connecting portion in which a gear is integrated with a connecting portion coupled to a connecting portion provided on a rotation center line of the rotating body in the forming apparatus main body and receiving rotational driving from the rotating body; Is an electrophotographic photosensitive drum that is the only gear.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electrophotographic photosensitive drum used in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body, wherein a cylinder having a photosensitive member provided on a peripheral surface thereof and the image provided on one end side of the cylinder are provided. A coupling unit coupled to a coupling unit provided on a rotation center line of the rotating body of the forming apparatus main body and receiving a rotational drive from the rotating body, and a gear provided on the other end side of the cylinder, The gear is an electrophotographic photosensitive drum that is the only gear.

[0024]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. A laser beam printer will be described as an embodiment of the image forming apparatus.

[Embodiment 1] A process cartridge and an image forming apparatus to which the process cartridge can be mounted will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2
FIG. 3 is an external view of the process cartridge. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of an image forming apparatus in which a process cartridge is mounted, FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a process cartridge, FIGS. 5 to 12 are schematic diagrams illustrating the configuration of mounting means for the process cartridge B, and FIGS. 16 is a detailed diagram illustrating the present invention.

First, the overall structure of a process cartridge and an image forming apparatus using the same will be described.

(Overall Configuration) This electrophotographic image forming apparatus (laser beam printer) A is, as shown in FIG.
The optical system 1 irradiates a photosensitive drum 7, which is a drum-shaped electrophotographic photosensitive member, with information light based on image information to form a latent image on the photosensitive drum 7. Toner)) to form a toner image. In synchronization with the formation of the toner image, the pickup roller 3b and the pressing member 3c pressed against the pickup roller 3b are separated and fed one by one from the paper feed cassette 3a accommodating the recording medium 2. Transported by the transporting means 3 comprising a pair 3e and the like, and the process cartridge B
The toner image formed on the electrophotographic photoreceptor formed as a cartridge is transferred to the recording medium 2 by applying a voltage to a transfer roller 4 as a transfer unit, and the recording medium 2 is transferred to the fixing unit 5 by a transport belt 3f. Transport.
The fixing means 5 includes a driving roller 5a, a fixing rotator 5d including a heater 5b and a cylindrical sheet rotatably supported by a support 5c, and applies heat and pressure to the recording medium 2 passing therethrough. To fix the transferred toner image. Then, the recording medium 2 is discharged to a pair of discharge rollers 3g and 3h.
, And is discharged to the discharge section 6 through the reverse transfer path. The image forming apparatus A can also be manually fed by a manual tray 3i and a roller 3j.

(Process Cartridge) On the other hand, the process cartridge B has an electrophotographic photosensitive member and at least one process means. Here, as the process means, for example, a charging means for charging an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a developing means for developing a latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member, a cleaning means for cleaning toner remaining on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member Etc. As shown in FIG. 4, the process cartridge B of this embodiment
The photosensitive drum 7, which is an electrophotographic photosensitive member having a photosensitive layer, is rotated, and a voltage is applied to a charging roller 8, which is a charging unit, to uniformly charge the surface of the photosensitive drum 7, and the charged photosensitive drum 7 is charged. A latent image is formed by exposing a light image from the optical system 1 of FIG. 3 to an exposure unit 7 through an exposure opening 9, and the latent image is developed by a developing unit 10.

The developing means 10 includes a toner storage frame 10
The toner is sent out to the opening 10j of the toner storage frame 10a by the rotatable toner feeding member 10b2, which is a toner feeding means in a, and is sent out into the toner developing frame 10f through the opening 10h of the toner developing frame 10f. The toner is agitated by the toner agitating member 10b1, rotates the developing roller 10d, which is a developing rotator incorporating the fixed magnet 10c, and forms a toner layer on the surface of the developing roller 10d to which a triboelectric charge is applied by the developing blade 10e. The toner image is formed by transferring the toner to the photosensitive drum 7 in accordance with the latent image, and is visualized.

After applying a voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the toner image to the transfer roller 4 to transfer the toner image to the recording medium 2, the cleaning blade 11a scrapes off the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 7, and simultaneously removes The residual toner on the photosensitive drum 7 is removed by the cleaning means 11 which scoops the toner and collects the waste toner in the waste toner storage section 11c.

Each member such as the photosensitive drum 7 includes a toner storage frame 10a for rotatably driving a toner feeding member 10b2, a toner stirring member 10b1, a developing roller 10d, and a developing blade 10e. Developing unit D in which a toner developing frame 10f, a lid member 10i, and a toner storage frame 10a each containing a member are welded and integrated.
And a waste toner storage section 11c, and the photosensitive drum 7,
The cleaning blade 11a, the squeeze sheet 11b, and the cleaning frame 13 having the charging roller 8 are combined and housed in a cartridge frame formed into a cartridge. The cartridge is detachably mountable to a cartridge mounting unit provided in the image forming apparatus A. Be attached.

(Removable Configuration of Process Cartridge) Next, a configuration for mounting and removing the process cartridge B from the image forming apparatus A will be described.

The mounting and dismounting of the process cartridge B is performed by opening the opening / closing member 15 as shown in FIG. When the opening / closing member 15 is opened around the shaft 15a (see FIG. 3), as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the cartridge mounting means is lowered forward on both left and right sides of the cartridge mounting space and swells downward. A guide rail 16 formed in a curved shape (substantially arc shape in the present embodiment) is provided substantially symmetrically, and a guide member 17 is mounted above the guide rail 16. Further, on the entrance side of the guide rail 16, a first inclined surface 16a is formed as a hook portion with which a contact portion 29b (see FIGS. 1 and 2) provided in the process cartridge B is engaged, and the first inclined surface 16a is subsequently provided. A second inclined surface 16b having an inclination larger than 16a is formed.

When the process cartridge B is removed from the apparatus main assembly 14, the contact portions 29b support the shutters 28 covering the photosensitive drum 7 when the process cartridge B is removed from the apparatus main body 14.
Is provided to protrude outward in the longitudinal direction from one of the links 29. The shutter 28, the links 27 and 29, and the cartridge frame constitute a four-bar chain mechanism.

On the other hand, guide portions guided along the guide rails 16 are formed on both outer side surfaces in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge B corresponding to the guide rails 16. The guide portion is formed as a groove so as to protrude from substantially symmetrical positions on both outer side surfaces in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge frame. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the guide portion has a boss 18a serving as a first guide portion. And a rib 18b serving as a second guide portion. The boss 18a is located on an extension of the rotation axis of the photoconductor ram 7, and the rib 18b is provided on the boss 18a.
And a curved shape (substantially arc shape in the present embodiment) extending downward in accordance with the shape of the guide rail 16 after the insertion direction of the process cartridge B.

In the above configuration, when the process cartridge B is mounted, as shown in FIGS. 8 to 12, the boss 18a and the rib 18b are arranged along the guide rail 16, and the front end of the process cartridge B is attached to the image forming apparatus. A
To be sunk under the optical means 1. The guide rail 16 is formed in a substantially arc shape, and the guide member 17 above the guide rail 16 also has a shape following the shape, and the rib 18b has a similar substantially arc shape. The cartridge B becomes substantially horizontal. When the process cartridge B is further pushed in, FIG.
As shown in (1), the abutting member 19 provided on the image forming apparatus A comes into contact with the abutting surfaces 20 provided near both ends of the front end of the cleaning frame 13, and then the boss 1 of the process cartridge B
8a is a receiving recess 16 formed at the end of the guide rail 16.
c. As a result, the connecting portion 7c (FIG. 1) of the drum flange 7a fixed to the side end of the photosensitive drum 7 is connected to the connecting portion 22 (FIG. 7) on the image forming apparatus main body A side, and the driving force is applied to the process cartridge B. It can be transmitted.

(Gear train of process cartridge) Next, the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 to 16 omits illustration of components such as bearings and frames that are not directly related to the present invention so that the gear train according to the present invention can be easily understood.

First, the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 13, a drum flange 7a is a gear with a connecting portion integrally having a flange gear 7A and a connecting portion 7c. This drum flange 7a is
d and a transfer roller gear 4a provided at one end of a transfer roller 4 having a shaft 14b rotatably supported by the apparatus main body 14. Connecting part 22 on the image forming apparatus main body 14 side (see FIG. 7)
When the connecting portion 7c of the photosensitive drum 7 and the drum flange 7a are coupled, the photosensitive drum 7 is driven to rotate together with the drum flange 7a. The drum flange 7a is provided with a developing roller gear 10k.
And the transfer roller gear 4a and the developing roller 10d.
And the transfer roller 4 is driven. That is, the developing roller 10 d and the transfer roller 4 are driven and rotated by the photosensitive drum 7. In the above-described conventional example, the main body gear 50 is disposed almost at the position of the transfer roller gear 4a.
a had to be arranged on the opposite side. In the present invention, since the rotational drive from the image forming apparatus main body 14 is received via the connecting portion 7c, the transfer roller gear 4a can be arranged on the left side as shown in FIG. By doing so, the drum gear 7b can be eliminated, and the cost can be reduced accordingly, and the longitudinal dimension of the process cartridge B can be reduced by the thickness of the drum gear 7b.

Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The second embodiment is a further development of the second embodiment. In the first embodiment, the charging roller 8 is driven to rotate by the frictional force described in the conventional example. According to the present invention, as shown in FIG.
A charging roller gear 8d is provided at the left end of the shaft end 8a, and is engaged with the drum flange 7a to be driven to rotate. If it is driven to rotate by gear engagement,
Since it is not necessary to strictly control the surface roughness of the bearing surface of the bearing 8c, the surface roughness of the shaft end 8a of the charging means, the coefficient of friction of the surface of the charging roller 8 and the like as described in the above-mentioned conventional example, the management is performed. The man-hour can be omitted, and the cost can be further reduced.

Third Embodiment Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 15, a drum flange 7a provided integrally with only a connecting portion 7c is attached to the left side of the photosensitive drum 7.
A drum gear 7b is attached to the right side of the photosensitive drum 7. A developing roller gear 10k fixed coaxially with the developing roller 10d and a transfer roller gear 4a fixed coaxially with the transfer roller 4 mesh with the drum gear 7b.
It is driven and rotated in the same manner as. Since there is no need to provide a gear portion for the drum flange 7a, the thickness of the gear of the drum flange 7a in the first and second embodiments can be omitted, and the longitudinal dimension of the process cartridge B can be reduced similarly to the first embodiment.

(Embodiment 4) Next, Embodiment 4 will be described with reference to FIG. The fourth embodiment is a further development of the third embodiment. In the third embodiment, the charging roller 8 is driven by the frictional force described in the related art. According to the present invention, as shown in FIG.
The right end of the shaft end 8a is provided with a charging roller gear 8d, which meshes with the drum gear 7b and is driven to rotate. If driven by gear engagement, the surface roughness of the bearing surface of the bearing 8c, the surface roughness of the shaft end 8a of the charging means, the friction coefficient of the surface of the charging means 8 and the like as described in the above-mentioned conventional example are strictly determined. This eliminates the need for management, so that the number of management steps can be omitted, and the cost can be further reduced.

By arranging the gear train of the process cartridge as in each of the above embodiments, the longitudinal dimension of the photosensitive drum of the process cartridge in the axial direction is not small. Further, since the cartridge mounting portion of the image forming apparatus main body becomes smaller, the image forming apparatus main body can be made smaller,
Either case leads to cost reduction. In addition, when the photoconductor drum of each embodiment is used, only one gear is used, so that the total length of the photoconductor drum can be reduced, thereby reducing the cost of the photoconductor drum. By using this photosensitive drum, the size of the process cartridge can be reduced.

[0043]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the cost can be reduced and the longitudinal dimension of the process cartridge can be reduced.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the cost can be further reduced from that of the first aspect.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the longitudinal dimension of the process cartridge can be reduced.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the cost can be reduced from the third aspect.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the size of the mounting means for the process cartridge is reduced, and the size of the image forming apparatus main body can be reduced, thereby reducing the cost.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the cost is further reduced as compared with the fifth aspect.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the size of the mounting means for the process cartridge is reduced, the size of the image forming apparatus main body can be reduced, and the cost can be reduced.

According to the eighth invention of the present application, the seventh invention
The cost is further reduced as compared with the invention of (1).

Any one of the ninth to twelfth aspects of the present application
According to the invention, the total length of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum is short and the number of gears is one, so that the cost is reduced.

According to the thirteenth and fourteenth aspects of the present invention, since the entire length of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum is short, it contributes to reducing the longitudinal dimension of the process cartridge.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a left outer side surface of a process cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top external plan view of the process cartridge according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus and a process cartridge.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating a configuration of a process cartridge.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus illustrating a state where a process cartridge is attached and detached.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a right-hand guide configuration of the image forming apparatus that guides the attachment and detachment of a process cartridge.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a left-side guide configuration of the image forming apparatus that guides attachment and detachment of a process cartridge.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which the process cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the process cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the process cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the process cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the process cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view illustrating Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view illustrating Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing a conventional example.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

A: Image forming apparatus B: Process cartridge D: Developing unit 1: Optical system (optical means) 2: Recording medium 3: Conveying means 3a: Paper cassette 3b: Pickup roller 3c: Press-contact member 3d: Conveying roller 3e
Registration roller pair 3f Transport belt 3g Discharge roller pair 3h Discharge roller pair 3i Manual feed tray 3j
... roller 4 ... transfer roller 4a ... transfer roller gear 4b ... transfer roller shaft 5 ... fixing means 5a ... drive roller 5b ... heater 5c
... Support 5d ... Fixing rotating body 6 ... Ejection unit 7 ... Photoconductor drum 7a ... Drum flange 7b ... Drum gear 7c ... Connecting unit 7d ... Drum gear 8 ... Charging roller 8a ... Shaft end 8b ... Spring 8c ... Bearing 8d ... Charging roller gear 9 Exposure opening 10 Developing roller (developing means) 10a Toner storage frame 10b1 Toner stirring member 10b2 Toner feeding member 10c Fixed magnet 10d Developing roller 10e Developing blade 10f Toner developing frame 10
h ... opening 10i ... lid member 10j ... opening 10k
Developing roller gear 10m Spacer roller 11 Cleaning means 11a Cleaning blade 11b Squeeze sheet 11c Waste toner storage unit 13 Cleaning frame 14 Device body 15 Opening / closing member 16 Guide rail 16a First inclined surface 16b Second Inclined surface 16c receiving recess 17 guide member 18a boss 18b rib 19 abutment member 20 contact surface 22 connecting portion 27 link 28 shutter 29 link 29b contact portion 50 gear

Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2H003 BB11 CC05 EE16 2H032 AA05 BA23 2H035 CA07 CB03 CD14 CG03 2H071 BA04 BA13 BA19 BA36 CA01 CA02 CA05 DA06 DA08 DA09 DA13 DA15 DA26 DA27 2H077 AB03 AB14 AC04 AD06 AD13 AD17 AE03 BA

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main body of an image forming apparatus, comprising: a motor; and a rotating body driven to rotate by the motor, the rotating body having a connecting portion on a rotation center axis thereof. An electrophotographic photoreceptor drum provided at one end with a gear with a connecting portion, in which a connecting portion and a gear integrated with the connecting portion and receiving rotation drive from the rotating body are provided at one end, and charging the electrophotographic photoreceptor drum And a developing roller having a developing roller gear at one end for developing a latent image formed on the electrophotographic photoreceptor drum using toner, wherein the gear with a connecting portion includes the developing roller gear. And a transfer roller gear provided at one end of a transfer roller provided in the image forming apparatus main body for transferring an image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum to a recording medium. A process cartridge, characterized in that rotationally driving the people. 2. A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main body of an image forming apparatus, comprising: a motor; and a rotator driven by the motor, the rotator having a connecting portion on a rotation center axis thereof. An electrophotographic photoreceptor drum provided at one end with a gear with a connecting portion in which a connecting portion and a gear are integrated with the connecting portion and rotationally driven by the rotating body; and an electronic device having a charging roller gear at one end. A charging roller for charging the photographic photosensitive drum, and a developing roller having a developing roller gear at one end for developing a latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum using toner, the connection being provided. The unit gear includes a transfer roller provided in the image forming apparatus main body for transferring an image formed on the charging roller gear, the developing roller gear, and the electrophotographic photosensitive drum to a recording medium. 3 of the transfer roller gear, which has at one end of La
A process cartridge which meshes with two gears and drives them to rotate. 3. A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main body of an image forming apparatus, comprising: a motor; and a rotator driven by the motor, the rotator having a connecting portion on a rotation center axis thereof. An electrophotographic photosensitive drum provided with a gear at one end and a coupling portion coupled to the coupling portion at the other end to receive rotational drive from the rotating body; and charging means for charging the electrophotographic photosensitive drum. And a developing roller having a developing roller gear at one end for developing a latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum using toner, wherein a gear provided at one end of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum is ,
The developing roller gear and the transfer roller gear provided at one end of a transfer roller provided in the image forming apparatus main body for transferring an image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member to a recording medium are rotationally driven. A process cartridge. 4. A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main body of an image forming apparatus, comprising: a motor; and a rotating body driven to rotate by the motor, the rotating body having a connecting portion on a rotation center axis thereof. An electrophotographic photosensitive drum having a gear at one end and a coupling portion coupled to the coupling portion for receiving rotational drive from the rotating body at the other end; and an electrophotographic photosensitive drum having a charging roller gear at one end. A charging roller for performing charging; and a developing roller having a developing roller gear at one end for developing a latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum with toner using the toner. The gear provided at one end is
Meshes with three gears of the charging roller gear, the developing roller gear, and a transfer roller gear provided at one end of a transfer roller provided in the image forming apparatus main body for transferring an image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum to a recording medium. A process cartridge for rotating them. 5. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus comprising: a motor; a rotating body driven to rotate by the motor; and a rotating body having a connecting portion on a rotation center axis thereof, wherein a process cartridge is detachable. , A. An electrophotographic photoreceptor drum provided at one end with a connection portion gear that is integrated with a connection portion and a gear that are coupled to the connection portion and receive rotational drive from the rotating body; and charging the electrophotographic photoreceptor drum. And a developing roller having a developing roller gear at one end for developing a latent image formed on the electrophotographic photoreceptor drum using toner, wherein the gear with a connecting portion includes the developing device. A process cartridge that meshes with both a roller gear and a transfer roller gear provided at one end of a transfer roller provided in an image forming apparatus main body for transferring an image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum to a recording medium, and rotationally drives each of them. Mounting means for removably mounting the b. A transfer roller having a transfer roller gear at said one end; c. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus, comprising: conveying means for conveying the recording medium. 6. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus comprising: a motor; a rotating body driven to rotate by the motor; and a rotating body having a connecting portion on a rotation center axis thereof, wherein a process cartridge is detachable. , A. An electrophotographic photoreceptor drum provided at one end with a gear with a connecting portion in which a connecting portion and a gear are integrated with the connecting portion and rotationally driven by the rotating body; and an electronic device having a charging roller gear at one end. A charging roller for charging the photographic photosensitive drum; and a developing roller having a developing roller gear at one end for developing a latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum using toner, the connection being provided. The external gear is a charging roller gear, a developing roller gear, and a transfer roller gear 3 at one end of a transfer roller provided in an image forming apparatus main body for transferring an image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum to a recording medium. Mounting means for removably mounting a process cartridge that meshes with and drives the two gears to rotate them; b. A transfer roller having a transfer roller gear at said one end; c. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus, comprising: conveying means for conveying the recording medium. 7. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus comprising: a motor; and a rotating body driven to rotate by the motor, the rotating body having a connecting portion on a rotation center axis thereof, wherein a process cartridge is detachable. , A. An electrophotographic photosensitive drum provided with a gear at one end and a coupling portion coupled to the coupling portion at the other end to receive rotational drive from the rotating body; and charging means for charging the electrophotographic photosensitive drum. And a developing roller having a developing roller gear at one end for developing a latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum using toner, and a gear provided at one end of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum includes: ,
A process of meshing with both the developing roller gear and a transfer roller gear provided at the other end of a transfer roller provided in an image forming apparatus main body for transferring an image formed on the electrophotographic photoreceptor to a recording medium, and rotating each of them. Mounting means for removably mounting the cartridge; b. A transfer roller having a transfer roller gear at said one end; c. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus, comprising: transport means for transporting the recording medium. 8. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus comprising: a motor; and a rotating body driven to rotate by the motor, the rotating body having a connecting portion on a rotation center axis thereof, and a process cartridge being detachable. , A. An electrophotographic photosensitive drum having a gear at one end and a coupling portion coupled to the coupling portion for receiving rotational drive from the rotating body at the other end; and an electrophotographic photosensitive drum having a charging roller gear at one end. A charging roller for performing charging; and a developing roller having a developing roller gear at one end for developing a latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum with toner using the toner. The gear provided at one end is
The transfer roller gear, which is provided at one end of a transfer roller provided in an image forming apparatus main body, for transferring an image formed on the charging roller gear, the developing roller gear, and the electrophotographic photosensitive drum to a recording medium, meshes with three gears. Mounting means for removably mounting the process cartridges which rotate them; b. A transfer roller having a transfer roller gear at said one end; c. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus, comprising: conveying means for conveying the recording medium. 9. An electrophotographic photosensitive drum used in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body, comprising: a cylinder provided with a photoconductor on a peripheral surface; and a rotating body provided on one end side of the cylinder and provided in the image forming apparatus main body. A coupling unit with a coupling unit coupled to a coupling unit provided on the rotation center line and receiving rotational driving from the rotator and a gear with a coupling unit integrated with a gear, wherein the gear is the only gear. Photosensitive drum. 10. An electrophotographic photosensitive drum used in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body, comprising: a cylinder provided with a photoconductor on a peripheral surface; and a rotating body provided on one end side of the cylinder and provided in the image forming apparatus main body. A coupling portion coupled to a coupling portion provided on a rotation center line of the cylinder and receiving a rotational drive from the rotating body; and a gear provided on the other end side of the cylinder, wherein the gear is a single gear. An electrophotographic photosensitive drum. 11. The gear meshes with a developing roller gear provided on one end side of a developing roller, and receives the photosensitive drum from the apparatus main body when the photosensitive drum is mounted on the apparatus main body. The electrophotographic photosensitive drum according to claim 9, wherein the rotational driving force is transmitted by meshing with a transfer roller gear provided on one end side of a transfer roller provided on the apparatus main body. 12. The gear meshes with a charging roller gear provided at one end of a charging roller and a developing roller gear provided at one end of a developing roller, respectively, and the photosensitive drum is mounted on the apparatus main body. The method according to claim 9, wherein the rotational driving force received by the photosensitive drum from the apparatus main body is transmitted by meshing with a transfer roller gear provided on one end side of a transfer roller provided on the apparatus main body. Electrophotographic photosensitive drum. 13. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus, wherein said electrophotographic photosensitive drum is integrally formed with a developing roller for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on said electrophotographic photosensitive drum. 10. A process cartridge provided in a process cartridge detachable from a main body.
13. The electrophotographic photosensitive drum according to any one of items 1 to 12. 14. The electrophotographic photosensitive drum is integrated with a charging roller for charging the electrophotographic photosensitive drum and a developing roller for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum. The electrophotographic photosensitive drum according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the electrophotographic photosensitive drum is formed as a cartridge, and is provided in a process cartridge detachable from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body. .