JP2000330348A - Method and device for adjusting and fixing plate-member position - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To adjust the position of a developing blade at the optimum position with respect to a developing sleeve in a developing container according as the image quality of an LBP is enhanced, the definition thereof is made high and the LBP is colored and to adjust the position of a cleaning blade at the optimum position with respect to a photosensitive drum in a cleaning container in order to stably clean the drum. SOLUTION: This developing blade position adjusting method is the method using a device provided with positioning and fixing means 3, 4, 5, 3', 4' and 5' positioning and fixing a container main body 1 constituted so that the developing sleeve and the developing blade 2 are fixed, detection means 6a and 6b detecting the position of the blade 2 in the main body 1, detection driving means 30, 31, 32 and 33 driving the detection means in the longitudinal direction of the blade 2, a calculation means calculating positional deviation to a target position with respect to a virtual developing sleeve based on the detection range of the detection means, driving means 11, 12, 15, 16, 11', 12', 15' and 16' driving the blade 2 in the container based on the calculated result and a fixing means for fixing the blade 2 whose driving is adjusted to the main body 1.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a developer regulating member (developing blade) for regulating a developer used in a developing device used in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as a copying machine and a printer, and a developing device used in a cleaning device. The present invention relates to a position adjusting and fixing method for a plate-shaped member such as a developer regulating member (cleaning blade) for removing a developer and a plate-shaped member position adjusting and fixing device used for the method.

Further, such a developing device and a cleaning device which are incorporated as a process cartridge are often used.

Here, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus forms an image on a recording medium using an electrophotographic image forming method. Examples of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus include, for example, an electrophotographic copying machine, an electrophotographic printer (for example, a laser beam printer, an LED printer, etc.), a facsimile machine, and a word processor. The process cartridge is a unit in which a charging unit, a developing unit, or a cleaning unit and an electrophotographic photosensitive drum are integrally formed into a cartridge, and the cartridge is detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus main body. In addition, at least one of the charging unit, the developing unit, and the cleaning unit and the electrophotographic photosensitive drum are integrally formed into a cartridge so that the cartridge can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body. Further, it means that at least the developing means and the electrophotographic photosensitive drum are integrally formed into a cartridge so as to be detachable from the apparatus main body.

[0004]

2. Description of the Related Art In a developing device and a cleaning device, a plate-like member is disposed with a contact or a gap along a generatrix of a rotating cylindrical member.

As shown in FIG. 15, in the case of a developing device, a developing sleeve 105 is used as a cylindrical member, and an elastic regulating blade 107 is used as a plate-like member. As shown in FIG. 16, in the case of the cleaning device, the photosensitive drum 10 is used as a cylindrical member.
1. A cleaning blade 110 is used as a plate member.

Here, the direction in which the elastic regulating blade 107 abuts on the developing sleeve 105 is a so-called counter (reverse) direction in which the tip end of the elastic regulating blade 107 is located upstream of the developing sleeve 105 in the rotation direction. As shown in FIG. 15, a contact angle θ which is a setting contact point between the developing sleeve 105 and the elastic regulating blade 107 and a virtual penetration length (hereinafter, referred to as an intrusion amount) δ on an edge surface of the elastic regulating blade 107 are shown. This is set only by assembling the components whose manufacturing tolerances are controlled so that they are the same in the longitudinal direction of the elasticity regulating blade 107.

The contact state between the photosensitive drum 101 and the cleaning blade 110 is such that the contact pressure is uniform in the longitudinal direction as shown in FIG.
In the longitudinal direction of the cleaning blade 110, an abutment angle θ which is a setting contact point of the cleaning blade 110 and a virtual penetration length (hereinafter referred to as a penetration amount) δ of the edge surface of the cleaning blade 110 are the same. It is set only by assembling the parts whose manufacturing tolerances are controlled so that

[0008]

However, according to the above conventional example, in the developing and cleaning processes,
The following problems are mentioned.

In recent years, as the image quality, definition and color of the LBP have been improved, a non-magnetic one-component toner having a spherical fine particle produced by a polymerization method has become essential. Unlike the conventional magnetic toner, it is essential that the non-magnetic toner be supplied to the photosensitive drum not by magnetic attraction but by frictional charging. In addition, because of the spherical fine particles, in order to apply a uniform thin layer coating on the developing sleeve, the conventional penetration amount set by the above-described assembly is influenced by the variation of the parts alone, and the The coating thickness of the toner layer varies. Also, as a single blade,
As shown in FIG. 14, due to the tip difference (bow amount ε) in the longitudinal direction of the blade that occurs during rubber molding, this error occurs in the penetration amount δ after assembly. Further, it is known that since the particles are spherical, it is very difficult to collect them with a cleaning blade.

[0010] For example, in the developing process, when the penetration amount is large, the contact pressure of the developing blade against the developing sleeve increases. As a result, the toner deteriorates, so that the toner does not fly to the photosensitive drum and is re-developed by the toner collected in the developing device again, thereby deteriorating the image quality. Further, if the contact pressure is large, the toner is fused to the developing sleeve, and an image defect (white stripe) is generated. The non-magnetic one-component toner, which is supposed to run out, cannot be held, and the toner drops in the developing device to develop. Conversely, when the intrusion amount is small, the toner intrusion portion formed by the developing sleeve and the leading edge of the developing blade is small, so that the toner supply amount to the photosensitive drum is reduced. As a result, a phenomenon called "image density loss" occurs.

In the cleaning process, if the amount of intrusion is large, the contact pressure is excessive, the rotation fluctuates due to an increase in the drum rotation torque, and the toner vibrates due to the drum vibration. Drop it. Further, when the penetration amount is small, the contact pressure becomes small, and the toner slips through, thereby deteriorating the image quality.

According to the present invention, a plate-like member such as a developing blade or a cleaning blade used in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus is attached to a main body member which is a container such as a developing frame or a cleaning container, in consideration of variations in the dimensions of parts. A plate member position adjusting and fixing method for adjusting the amount of penetration into a cylindrical member such as a developing sleeve or a photosensitive drum to a desired value and fastening the plate member to a main body member, and a plate member used for carrying out this method It is an object to provide a position adjustment fixing device.

[0013]

Means and Actions for Solving the Problems The main features of the present invention will be described below with the same reference numerals as those in the claims.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a main body member to which a plate member is fixed in advance by positioning means for positioning a cylindrical member and a main body member for fixing a long plate member along a generatrix of the cylindrical member. The positioning means is fixed and the detecting means for detecting the position of the plate member in the main body member is relatively moved by the detecting means and the driving means for relatively moving the plate member in the longitudinal direction of the plate member. The position of the member in the lateral direction is detected, and the data of the detected position of the plate-like member is input to the calculating means, and the target for the virtual cylindrical member imagined as having the cylindrical member attached to the main body member. Calculate the amount of displacement of the plate member to the position, loosen the plate member movably with respect to the main member by fixing means capable of releasing the fixing of the plate member to the main member, and move the plate member in the lateral direction of the plate member. Move the position of The plate member is moved by the driving means so as to correct the displacement amount of the plate member calculated by the arithmetic means, and the plate member is fixed to the main body member by fixing means for fixing the plate member to the main body member. A method for adjusting and fixing the position of a plate-shaped member, comprising the steps of:

The second invention according to the present application is such that the plate member is movably mounted in advance by positioning means for positioning a cylindrical member and a main body member for fixing the long plate member along the generatrix of the cylindrical member. The main body member is positioned and fixed, and the detecting means for detecting the position of the plate member in the main body member is moved relative to the detecting means and the driving means for relatively moving the plate member in the longitudinal direction of the plate member. The position of the plate-shaped member in the short direction is detected by, and the data of the detected position of the plate-shaped member is input to the calculating means, and the virtual cylindrical member is assumed to be attached to the main body member. The position of the plate member is calculated so that the position shift amount to the target position is calculated, and the position shift amount of the plate member calculated by the arithmetic unit is corrected by the driving unit that moves the position of the plate member in the lateral direction. Move The Jo member with at fixing means for fixing to the body member for fixing the plate-like member to the body member, a plate-shaped member positioning fixing method characterized by having a step.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a positioning means for positioning a cylindrical member and a main body member for fixing a long plate-shaped member along a generatrix of the cylindrical member, and a short-circuiting means for the plate-shaped member in the main body member. Detecting means for detecting a position in the hand direction;
A driving means for detecting the relative movement of the detection means and the plate-like member in the longitudinal direction of the plate-like member; and a virtual position assuming that a cylindrical member is attached to the main body member from the detection position detected by the detection means. Calculating means for calculating an amount of displacement of the plate-like member to a target position with respect to the cylindrical member; and driving means for moving the position of the plate-like member in the body member in the lateral direction based on the amount of displacement. And a fixing means for fixing the plate-like member whose position in the lateral direction has been moved and adjusted to the main body member.

[0017]

With the above construction, even if each of the plate member and the main body member has manufacturing variations, the plate member is positioned and fixed at a predetermined target position of the virtual cylindrical member with high accuracy. It becomes possible. In addition, even if the plate-shaped member has a bend in manufacturing, it can be positioned at a predetermined target position with high accuracy. Further, the amount of penetration can be reduced to a constant value with high accuracy without being affected by variations in the components such as the container as the main body member, the blade as the plate-shaped member, and the developing sleeve and the photosensitive drum as the cylindrical member.

[0018]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the following description, the longitudinal direction refers to a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of a recording medium and parallel to the surface of the recording medium.

(Electrophotographic Image Forming Apparatus) FIG. 11 is a sectional view of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus having a developing device, and FIG. 12 is a sectional view of the developing device.

In FIG. 11, reference numeral 101 denotes a photosensitive drum serving as a latent image carrier. The photosensitive drum 101 rotates in the direction of arrow A in the figure, is uniformly charged by a charging device 102, and has a laser beam 103 serving as an exposure means. As a result, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface.

The electrostatic latent image is developed by the developing device 104 and visualized as a toner image. Developing device 104
Is disposed close to the photosensitive drum 101, and is configured to be detachable integrally with the photosensitive drum 101 and the removed toner container 111 with respect to the image forming apparatus main body as a constituent member of the process cartridge B. In the present embodiment, so-called reversal development for forming a toner image on an exposed portion is performed. The visualized toner image on the photosensitive drum 101 is transferred to a recording medium paper 113 by a transfer roller 109, and the transfer residual toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 101 without being transferred is scraped off by a cleaning blade 110 and removed. The photosensitive drum 101 housed and cleaned in the container 111 repeats the above operation to form an image.

On the other hand, the paper 113 onto which the toner image has been transferred is subjected to a fixing process by the fixing device 112, and is discharged out of the device to complete the printing operation.

(Developing Apparatus) FIG.
It will be described based on. In FIG. 12, reference numeral 114 denotes a developing container for containing the non-magnetic toner 108 as a one-component developer. A developing container 114 is disposed at an opening extending in the longitudinal direction of the developing container 114 so as to face the photosensitive drum 101. A developing sleeve 105 as an agent carrier is rotatably arranged, and the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 101 is developed and visualized by the non-magnetic toner 108 carried on the developing sleeve 105.

The developing sleeve 105 is used for the developing container 11.
4. At the opening of FIG.
4 and is laterally provided with a substantially left half-peripheral surface exposed outside the developing container 114. The surface of the developing sleeve 105 exposed to the outside of the developing container 114 is opposed to the photosensitive drum 101 located on the left side of the developing device 104 with a small gap. The developing sleeve 105 is driven to rotate in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 12, and the surface thereof has appropriate unevenness. The unevenness increases the probability of the developing sleeve 105 sliding on the non-magnetic toner 108. At the same time, the conveyance of the non-magnetic toner 108 is favorably performed. The elastic regulating blade 107 is located above the developing sleeve 105.
The elastic regulating blade 107 is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the developing sleeve 105 in a surface contact state.

The direction in which the elastic regulating blade 107 abuts on the developing sleeve 105 is a so-called counter (reverse) direction in which the leading end of the elastic regulating blade 107 is located upstream of the developing sleeve 105 in the rotational direction. As shown in FIG. 15, the blade setting is made based on the contact angle θ which becomes the setting contact point between the developing sleeve 105 and the elastic regulating blade 107 and the virtual penetration length (hereinafter referred to as the penetration amount) δ of the edge surface of the elastic regulating blade 107. The position is determined. Here, the position of the elastic regulating blade 107 with respect to the developing container 114 can be adjusted so that the intrusion amount δ can be assembled in the longitudinal direction of the elastic regulating blade 107 so as to be the same regardless of the precision of the component. For example, when a small screw is screwed into the developing container 114 by inserting the holding metal plate 115 and the elastic regulating blade 107, the diameter of the hole through which the small screw is inserted is larger than the small screw diameter. The elastic blade 107 has a conductive layer via a rubber elastic layer at least at a contact portion with the developing sleeve 105. The rubber elastic layer is made of urethane rubber or silicone rubber having a rebound resilience of 20% or more. The conductive layer may be made of a stainless steel or phosphor bronze thin metal plate having spring elasticity, or may be formed by integrally forming silicon rubber on a cold-rolled steel plate having a thickness of about 1 to 2 mm. is there.

Further, in FIG. 12, reference numeral 106 denotes an elastic roller as a developer supply member.
Is in contact with the contact portion of the elastic regulating blade 107 with the surface of the developing sleeve 105 on the upstream side in the rotation direction of the developing sleeve, and is rotatably supported.

In the developing device 104 having the above configuration, the non-magnetic toner 10 in the developing container 114 during the developing operation is
8 is sent toward the elastic roller 106 with the rotation of the stirring member 119 in the direction of arrow C. And the non-magnetic toner 1
Reference numeral 08 denotes a non-magnetic toner which is conveyed to the vicinity of the developing sleeve 105 by rotating the elastic roller 106 in the direction of arrow D in the drawing, and is carried on the elastic roller 106 at a contact portion between the developing sleeve 105 and the elastic roller 106. 1
08 is frictionally charged by being rubbed with the developing sleeve 105 and adheres to the developing sleeve 105. Thereafter, the non-magnetic toner 108 is moved to the arrow B on the developing sleeve 105.
Is sent under pressure of the elastic regulating blade 107 with the rotation of the photosensitive drum 1 and receives an appropriate tribo (amount of frictional charge) to form a thin layer on the developing sleeve 105.
The sheet is conveyed to a developing section, which is a section opposite to the section 01, and subjected to development.

By the way, the undeveloped toner not consumed in the developing section is recovered from the lower part of the developing sleeve 105 with the rotation of the developing sleeve 105. A blowout prevention sheet 120 is provided in the collection portion, and the blowout prevention sheet 120 is used for developing container 1 for undeveloped toner.
14 and allows the non-magnetic toner 108 in the developing container 114 to be prevented from leaking from below the developing sleeve 105. Then, the collected undeveloped toner on the developing sleeve 105 is transferred to the developing sleeve 105 at the contact portion between the elastic roller 106 and the developing sleeve 105.
Stripped from the surface. Most of the stripped toner is conveyed along with the rotation of the elastic roller 106 and mixes with the non-magnetic toner 108 in the developing container 114, whereby the charge of the toner is dispersed. At the same time, new toner 108 is supplied onto the developing sleeve 105 by the rotation of the elastic roller 106, and the above operation is repeated.

The latent image on the photosensitive drum 101 is supplied between the developing sleeve 105 and the photosensitive drum 101 by the power supply 1.
The toner image is developed by an electric field generated by an AC voltage (developing AC bias) obtained by superimposing the direct current applied by 21 and is visualized as a toner image.

(Cleaning Apparatus) FIG. 13 shows a cleaning apparatus for removing a developer remaining on the photosensitive drum 101 after transfer in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus for forming an image using an electrophotographic process. There is a cleaning device 111 provided with a cleaning blade 110 made of rubber having a blade shape as shown. The cleaning device 111 includes the cleaning blade 1.
10 is brought into contact with the photosensitive drum 101 from the counter direction,
As the photosensitive drum 101 rotates in the direction of arrow A,
This is for scraping the residual developer on the photosensitive drum 101.

At this time, the contact state between the photosensitive drum 101 and the cleaning blade 110 is, as shown in FIG.
Length of the virtual penetration of the edge surface (hereinafter referred to as penetration amount) δ
Sets the blade setting position. Here, the position of the cleaning blade 110 with respect to the cleaning container 110d can be adjusted so that assembly in which the intrusion amount δ is the same in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning blade 110 regardless of the precision of the components can be performed. For example, cleaning blade 1
Support plate 110 to which the unit 10 is integrally formed and attached
When the small screw is screwed into the cleaning container 110d by inserting the small screw b, the diameter of the hole of the supporting metal plate 110b through which the small screw is inserted is set to be larger than the small screw diameter. In addition, 110 in the figure
b is a supporting metal plate for supporting the blade 110, 110c is a squeeze sheet for collecting the scraped residual developer, 110
Reference numeral d denotes a container for storing the removed toner removed from the photosensitive drum 101.

(Plate Member Position Adjusting and Fixing Apparatus) An embodiment of the present invention will be described below. First, the configuration of the plate-shaped member position adjusting and fixing device will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a front view of a plate-shaped member position adjusting and fixing device that has been computerized to carry out a plate-shaped member position adjusting and fixing method according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a plan view, and FIG. 3 is a side view. The plate member position adjusting / fixing device is provided with a plate member position adjusting / fixing unit and a plate member position detecting unit on a base 41. 1 is a container body as a main body member, and 2 is a blade as a plate-like member adjusted and assembled to the container body. 3,3 '
Is a container gripping member for gripping and positioning the container body 1 and is fixed to the slides 5, 5 '. Slide 5,
5 'advances and retreats along the slide bases 5a and 5a' by the container gripping member drive cylinders 4 and 4 ', and the container gripping members 3 and 3' grip and release the container body 1 accordingly.
6a and 6b are CCs for detecting the blade leading edge.
In the D camera, 6a is perpendicular to the upper surface of the blade,
And 6b is from the 45 degree direction to the blade upper surface,
Detects blade tip edge. The cameras 6a and 6b
Attached to the camera integral plate 33, a range of 100 mm from the center of the blade, which is the position where the longitudinal direction of the blade 2 is bisected, can be detected by center distribution. For this reason, a slide 32a on which the camera integrated plate 33 is fixed is movably engaged with the guideway 32, and the ball screw 31 screwed into a ball nut (not shown) provided on the slide 32a is rotationally driven by the motor 30, so that the camera is rotated. 6 a and 6 b are configured to be movable in the longitudinal direction of the blade 2. Here, the ball screw 31 is rotatably supported by a fixed bearing 31 a and the shaft coupling 30.
It is connected to the motor 30 by a. This camera 6
The moving ranges of a and 6b are the LBP and the image area of the copying machine. The cameras 6a and 6b are installed on the camera integrated plate 33 so as to detect the leading edge of the same blade 2 in the longitudinal direction of the blade 2 respectively.

Reference numeral 8 denotes a halogen lamp, and 7 denotes illumination for illuminating the upper surface of the blade 2 from the halogen lamp 8 via an optical fiber.

As shown in FIG. 3, reference numeral 11 denotes a blade positioning pin, which extends in the left-right direction of FIG.
It is driven by blade driving means 12. Here, a slide 14 a to which the blade positioning pin 11 is fixed is movably engaged with the guide member 14 along the guide member 14. The blade drive means 12 which is a linear actuator is connected to the slide 14a. The blade driving means 12 uses an NC linear motor.

Numeral 15 denotes a blade butting pin, which is driven by the connected butting pin drive cylinder 16 and sandwiches the blade sheet metal 110b or 115 between the blade positioning pin 11 and the blade. Pin 1
a is integrally formed with the container body 1 and is at both ends in the longitudinal direction,
The blade plates 110b and 115 are fitted into long holes that are long in the short direction. Therefore, when the blade sheet metal is pressed against the pin 1a by the abutment pin 15, the penetration amount δ of the blade edge is larger than a predetermined value. Further, the sandwiching position of the blade sheet metal is set at the center of the abutting pin 15,
The center of the blade sheet metal thickness, the positioning pin 11, the center of the butting pin drive cylinder 16, and the center of the blade driving means 12 for driving the positioning pin are located on a straight line, and reference numerals 11, 12, and 15 in FIG. , 16 and 11 ', 1
As indicated by reference numerals 2 ', 15' and 16 ', the blades are arranged in parallel in the blade adjustment direction at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the blade.

Reference numerals 20a and 20b denote screwdrivers, which are located on the upper surface of the hole position where the small screws of the container body 1 are screwed, and which are moved up and down by the driver driving cylinders 21a and 21b.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a control system of the adjusting device.

In FIG. 10, reference numeral 50 denotes a central processing unit (CPU), and 52 denotes a bus connected to the CPU.
It is a non-volatile memory (ROM) including a series of control algorithm programs and a man-machine interface program. Reference numeral 54 denotes a power-backed-up memory (RAM) capable of storing teaching data. Reference numeral 56 denotes a counter, which is a driving unit 1 for driving the positioning pin.
2, 12 'are connected to an encoder 60 connected to an NC motor 58 provided for counting the current position of the NC motor. Reference numeral 62 denotes a D / A converter connected to the NC motor via the torque amplifier 64;
Under the control of U, a current instruction is output to the torque amplifier 64. Reference numeral 66 denotes an I / O interface for taking information of the solenoid valve 70, the sensor 72, and the like into the CPU. Reference numeral 84 denotes an R / S232C interface for exchanging signals with another device such as the image processing device 86. A communication interface 74 connects the external teaching storage device 76, the display device 78, the input keyboard 80, and the CPU. The ROM, RAM, counter, converter, and interface are connected to the CPU by a bus 82.

(Plate Member Position Adjusting and Fixing Method) Next, the operation of the present embodiment with the above configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, the transport means (not shown)
The container body 1 is put into the position of the container body 1 in FIG. 3 (S2). At this time, the loaded container body 1 is loaded in a state in which the blade 2 is temporarily fastened to the container body 1 in advance by a small screw in a previous step. Here, the term “temporarily tightening” means that the blade 2 is fastened to the container body 1 without being positioned in the container body 1. After the loading, it is confirmed that the transport means has been retracted from the interference area, and then the container body 1 is gripped and positioned by the container gripping members 3, 3 'by driving the container gripping member driving cylinders 4, 4' (S3).
When the holding of the container body 1 is completed, the two cameras 6a and 6b shown in FIGS.
While driving and moving 0, an image of the blade edge tip is detected at a plurality of edge points in the longitudinal direction of the blade 2,
The data of the blade edge tip position is fetched from the R / S232C interface 84 (S10). CCD cameras 6a, 6b and positioning pin 1 for blade 2
FIG. 5 shows the positional configuration of the abutting pins 15 and 15 '. Blade center distribution 1
The position of 00 mm is the initial position Z of the CCD cameras 6a and 6b.
1 and the final position Z2, the blade sheet metal is positioned from the initial position Z1 and the final position Z2 of the CCD cameras 6a and 6b toward both ends of the blade sheet metal by positioning pins 11,1.
1 'and the position where it can be sandwiched between the butting pins 15 and 15',
According to FIG. 5, the positions of 50 mm at both ends from the initial position Z1 and the final position Z2 of the cameras 6a and 6a 'are defined as blade sheet metal adjustment positions CH1 and CH2. CCD cameras 6a, 6
b, the image data of the tip at a plurality of points of the blade edge in the image processing apparatus is binarized, and based on the data obtained from the tip of the blade edge in the CCD image sensor (3 × 3 mm square). Virtual developing sleeve 1 imagined that developing sleeve 105 which is an example of a cylindrical member is attached to developing container 114 which is an example of a main body member
The intrusion amount with respect to 05 ′ is calculated, and a difference from a preset reference intrusion amount is obtained. At this point, it is determined whether or not the captured points are within the allowable deviation amount with respect to the reference penetration amount (S11). If the difference is equal to or less than the allowable deviation amount, the container gripping release in S12 is performed by the intrusion amount OK process, and the container in the device is discharged from the adjustment device by a transport unit (not shown) (S13).

In S11, if the calculated intrusion amount is out of the tolerance of the reference intrusion amount, the intrusion amount NG processing
In S4, the screwdrivers 20a and 20b descend, and once the small screw fixing the blade 2 to the container main body 1 is loosened, the fixing of the blade 2 to the container main body 1 is released. Then, the positioning pins 11, 11 'move by the amount of movement obtained in both directions of the blade movement from the difference in the amount of intrusion by the above calculation processing (S5).

For example, as shown in FIG. 6, if the blade 2 and the container main body 1 are manufactured according to the reference dimensions, the blade 2 is moved to the reference point A with respect to the virtual sleeve 105 '.
Can be adjusted. However, since the blade 2 and the container main body 1 are produced with an error, the blade position may be higher or lower than the target position. When the blade position is increased due to variations in the dimensions of the respective components, the blade 2 is moved in the + X direction in FIG. 6 and the blade edge 2e is adjusted to the point B, thereby adjusting the value of the penetration amount to the desired value δ. be able to. When the blade position is lowered, the blade 2 is moved in the −X direction in FIG. 6 and the blade edge 2 e is adjusted to the point C, whereby the value of the penetration amount can be adjusted to a desired value δ. At both ends of CH1 and CH2 shown in FIG.
In order to adjust the blade to the above-mentioned position, when the positioning pins 11, 11 'have finished moving, the positioning pins 1
The abutment pins 15 and 15 ′ are driven from the direction in which the blade sheet metal is sandwiched with respect to
Is sandwiched and restrained (S6). Thereafter, the blade 2 is screwed again to the container body 1 while the blade 2 is restrained by the screwing drivers 20a and 20b again (S7). After screwing is completed, screwdriver 20
a, 20b are retracted, and at the same time, the positioning pins 11, 1
1 'release (S8), butting pins 15, 15' release (S
9) is performed. After this series of adjustments, the blade edge detection in S10 is performed again. Subsequent intrusion amount calculation processing is repeated as described above.

Next, the details of the blade edge calculation and blade edge tip position correction method will be described with reference to FIG. 2 is a blade. 25 is a virtual sleeve circle, and 27 is a blade edge trajectory circle indicating the blade penetration amount δ added to the virtual sleeve circle 25 to the Y coordinate.
The vertical camera (6a) for detecting the blade edge position from the vertical direction sets an image reference at the position of the X coordinate x1 of the reference point A in the figure and detects the blade edge position from the + Y direction of the XY coordinate system in the figure. Is set to In addition, a diagonal 4 for detecting the blade edge position from a 45 ° diagonal direction.
The 5 ° camera (6b) is used to control the X ′ coordinate x of the reference point A in the figure.
An image reference is set at the position of 1 ', and + of the X'Y' coordinate system (the coordinate system obtained by rotating the XY coordinate system by θ = 45 °)
The setting is such that the blade edge position is detected from the Y 'direction. The coordinates of the reference point A in the XY coordinate system are (x1, y1), and the coordinates in the X′Y ′ coordinate system are (x
1 ', y1') Thus, the coordinates of the tip of the blade edge in the XY coordinate system are (x1, y1) = (x1, x1−x1′√ (2)).

The outer diameter of the sleeve of this embodiment is set to 20 mm.
Then, the equation in the XY coordinate system of the virtual sleeve circle 25 (the virtual cylinder of the photosensitive drum 101 or the developing sleeve 105) is expressed as X ² + Y ² = 10 ² .

If the target penetration amount is δ = 1 mm, the equation of the blade edge trajectory circle 27 becomes X ² + (Y−1) ² = 10 ² . That is, it is an object of the adjustment algorithm of the present embodiment to make the blade edge coincide with the blade edge trajectory circle.

The calculation of the adjustment amount by the adjustment algorithm of this embodiment will be described below. The XY coordinates of the reference point A are (4.359, -8). Assuming that the amount of deviation from the reference point A is (△ X, △ Y), the blade edge coordinates in the XY coordinate system are (4.359- △ X, -8- △ Y). From the above equation, Can be expressed as (However, △ X ′ is the amount of deviation from the reference point in the X′Y ′ coordinate system.) At this time, the amount of penetration δ ′ before adjustment is δ ′ = Y + √ (10 ² −X ² ). The adjusted X coordinate for setting δ ′ = δ (the target amount of intrusion) is X2 = Ｘ (10 ² − (Y−1) ² ). Therefore, the displacement X3 obtained from this is: X3 = X2 −X.

First, at the camera initial position, the X coordinate of point E in FIG. 7 is 4.666 (the amount of deviation from the reference point ΔX = −
0.307), and when the X 'coordinate is 8.992 (the amount of deviation from the reference point △ X' =-0.253), the Y coordinate in the XY coordinate system is It can be seen that the blade edge point is lower than the reference point A by 50 μm (when on the −Y direction side). The penetration amount δ 'at this time is Assuming that the allowable error of the penetration amount in this embodiment is ± 5 μm, the target value is 1 ± 0.005 mm.

The adjustment position X2 at this time is given by the above-described equation. From this, the movement amount X3 from the current position is: X3 = X2-X = 4.254.466 = −0.41
2 mm.

After the movement, the point E becomes the point C (4.254-
8.05), and the penetration amount δ at that time is Then, using the blade edge data detected by the above algorithm, the value of the target penetration amount can be accurately calculated.

Next, at the final position of the camera, the X coordinate of the point F in FIG. 7 is 4.666 (the amount of deviation from the reference point ΔX = −
0.307), when the X 'coordinate is 8.602 (the deviation amount from the reference point △ X' = 0.137), the Y in the XY coordinate system
The coordinates are From the reference point A, the blade edge point is 50 μm
It can be seen that it is high (at the time of the + Y direction side). The penetration amount δ 'at this time is Assuming that the allowable error of the penetration amount in this embodiment is ± 5 μm, the target value is 1 ± 0.005 mm.
It will be readjusted.

The adjustment position X2 at this time is given by the above-described equation. From this, the movement amount X3 from the current position is: X3 = X2−X = 5.268−4.666 = 0.602
mm.

After the movement, the point F becomes the point D (5.268,-
7.5), and the penetration amount δ at that time is According to the above algorithm, the value of the target penetration amount can be accurately calculated using the detected blade edge data.

In the process described above, the blade adjustment amount (initial position: X31 = -0.412 mm, final position: X) at the camera initial position Z1 and final position Z2 shown in FIG.
(32 = 0.602 mm) will be described.

In FIG. 8, a black circle (●) indicates the camera 6
These are a plurality of edge points detected while driving a and 6b, and are blade edge detection positions. Adjust this angle,
By performing the parallel adjustment, the blade edge is moved to the target adjustment position. The directions (+,-) shown in the drawings correspond to the directions in FIG. 5 and FIG. The initial position Z1 and the final position Z2 of the cameras 6a and 6b that perform edge detection are
Set at 200mm span, 50m each
Positioning pins 11, 11 'for driving the blade sheet metal are located at positions separated from both ends of the blade 2 of m. As shown in the figure, the respective blade adjustment amounts at the initial position Z1 and the final position Z2 of the cameras 6a, 6b, 6a ', 6b' are X31 = -0.412 mm and X32 = 0.6.
If it is 02 mm, the adjustment amounts X31 'and X32' of the positioning pins of ch1 and ch2 are Thus, the movement amount of the positioning pins of ch1 and ch2 is X
31 '=-0.666mm, X32' = 0.856mm
After the positioning pin is moved (S5 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 4), by executing S5 and subsequent steps in the flowchart shown in FIG. 4, the intrusion amount becomes 1 mm at the initial position Z1 and the final position Z2 of the cameras 6a and 6b. In response to the intrusion amount OK signal, the container body 1 is released from being gripped and discharged out of the apparatus.

However, as shown in FIG. 14, there is a case where the blade alone has a bow amount ε, and in addition to the initial position and the final position of the camera, the bow peak position is detected, and FIG.
It is necessary to add a parallel adjustment shown in the direction of the amount of intrusion. For example, when the bow amount is ε = 0.01 mm, the amount of intrusion at the bow peak position is ± 0.00
It will be out of the range of 5 mm. Therefore, the amount of parallel adjustment between the camera initial position (or the final position) and the bowing peak position in the direction of the amount of penetration is assumed to be ε / 2 (mm). So,
Adjustment is not possible, and a single blade error signal is output. If ε / 2 <0.01 mm, the penetration amount is within the allowable range, and it is determined whether the bow peak position is higher or lower in the direction of the penetration amount than the camera initial position (or the final position).
This means that, as shown in FIG. 6, the point A is connected to the cameras 6a and 6b.
When the initial position (or the final position) is set, it is determined whether the bow peak position is in the + Y direction or the −Y direction. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, when the bow peak position is higher than the camera initial position (or the final position), the positioning pins 11, 1 of ch1 and ch2 are used.
At the position 1 ', the penetration amount is -ε / 2 (mm).
The adjustment pins of ch1 and ch2 are driven in the adjustment direction.
Conversely, when the bowing peak position is lower than the camera initial position (or the final position), the penetration amount is increased by + ε / 2 (mm) at the positions of the positioning pins 11 and 11 ′ of ch1 and ch2.
So that the positioning pins 11 of ch1 and ch2,
11 'is driven in the adjustment direction.

For example, in FIG. 9, if ε = 0.01
mm, the amount of penetration adjustment is -0.005 mm
Becomes In ch1, the amount of intrusion δ = 0.995 (1-
0.005) and Y = −8.05, so from the above equation: 0.995 = −8.05 + √ (10 ² − (4.254+
ΔX ₁ ) ² ) ΔX ₁ = 0.011 From this, the correction amount of ch1 is 0.011 mm.

Similarly, the penetration amount δ = 0.9 in ch2
Since 95 (1−0.005) and Y = −7.5, from the above equation, 0.995 = −7.5 + √ (10 ² − (5.268+
ΔX ₂ ) ² ) ΔX ₂ = 0.008 From this, the correction amount of ch2 is 0.008 mm.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the cameras 6a, 6
b, but does not move the cameras 6a and 6b, but instead of the base 41, drives each means on the base 41 other than the cameras 6a and 6b as a slide device by moving the slides in the Z direction to drive the cameras 6a and 6b. It may be.

When the blade is attached to the container body in advance, the blade may be tightened to the extent that it can be moved, attached to the apparatus, and firmly fixed after edge detection adjustment.

[0060]

As described above, the amount of intrusion can be reduced without being affected by variations in the components such as the container of the main body member, the blade as the plate member, the developing sleeve as the cylindrical member, and the electrophotographic photosensitive drum. The following operational effects can be obtained by the present plate-shaped member position adjusting and fixing method that can be driven to a constant value.

Developing process: By making the penetration amount constant, a thin toner layer coat on the surface of the developing sleeve can be made uniform, and a density image can be prevented, and a good image can be obtained.

By making the penetration amount constant, a proper and uniform contact pressure can be obtained, so that the toner can be prevented from being deteriorated and the toner can be prevented from being fused to the developing sleeve. A good image can be obtained because it is possible to prevent the toner from dropping and white stripes and to impart a uniform charge amount to the toner.

Cleaning process: With proper contact pressure, drum vibration due to fluctuations in drum rotation can be suppressed and toner slip-through can be prevented.

According to the plate member position adjusting and fixing device of the present invention, the position of the plate member is automatically adjusted to a desired position. In addition, the plate member can be automatically fixed to the main body member.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a plate-shaped member position adjusting and fixing device.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a side view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a plate member position adjusting operation.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a CCD camera and NC position adjustment.

FIG. 6 is an analysis diagram showing a relative position between a blade and a cylindrical member.

FIG. 7 is an analysis diagram of a blade position detecting means.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a position adjustment amount of a blade.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a position adjustment amount of a blade.

FIG. 10 is a control block diagram of the apparatus of FIGS.

FIG. 11 is a longitudinal sectional view of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

FIG. 12 is a longitudinal sectional view of the developing device.

FIG. 13 is a vertical sectional view of the cleaning device.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a bowing amount of the blade.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating the mounting angle and the amount of penetration of the developing blade.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an attachment angle and a penetration amount of a cleaning blade.

[Explanation of symbols]

θ: Contact angle δ, δ ': Penetration amount ε: Bow amount B: Process cartridge X2: Adjustment position X3: Movement amount Z1: Initial position Z2: Final position CH1: Blade sheet metal adjustment position CH2: Blade sheet metal adjustment position A: Point B: Point C: Point D: Point E: Point 1: Container main body 1a: Blade positioning pin 2: Blade 2e: Blade edge 3, 3 ': Container gripping member 4, 4' ... Container gripping member drive cylinder 5, 5 '... Slide 5a, 5a' ... Slide base 6a ... CCD camera 6b ... CCD camera 6a '... C
CD camera 6b 'CCD camera 7 Illumination 8 Halogen lamp 11, 11' Blade positioning pin 12, 12 'Blade driving means 14 Guide member 14a Slide 15, 15' Blade abutment pin 16, 16 ' ... Abutting pin drive cylinder 20a ... Screw driver 20b ... Screw driver 21a ... Driver drive cylinder 25 ... Virtual sleeve circle 27 ... Blade edge orbit circle 30 ... Motor 30a ... Shaft coupling 31 ... Ball screw 31a ... Bearing 32 ... Guideway 32a Slide 33 Camera integrated plate 50 Central processing unit (CPU) 52 Memory (ROM) 54 Memory (RAM) 56 Counter 58 NC motor 60 Encoder 62 D / A converter 64 Torque Amplifier 66 I / O interface Reference Signs List 70 solenoid valve 72 sensor 74 communication interface 78 display device 80 input keyboard 82 bus 84 R / S232C interface 86 image processing device 101 photosensitive drum 102 charging device 103 laser beam 104 developing device 105 developing sleeve 105 'virtual developing sleeve 106 elastic roller 107 elastic regulating blade 108 non-magnetic toner 109 transfer roller 110 cleaning blade 110b supporting sheet metal
110c: Squeeze sheet 110d: Cleaning container 111: Cleaning device 112: Fixing device 113: Paper 114: Developing container 115: Pressing sheet metal 119: Agitation member 120: Blow-off prevention sheet 121: Power supply

Claims (16)

[Claims] 1. A body member to which a plate member is fixed in advance by positioning means for positioning a cylindrical member and a body member for fixing a long plate member along a generatrix of the cylinder member. The detecting means for detecting the position of the plate-like member inside the plate-like member is relatively moved by this detecting means and the driving means for relatively moving the plate-like member in the longitudinal direction of the plate-like member, and the position of the plate-like member in the lateral direction at a plurality of positions. The data of the detected position of the plate-like member is input to the calculating means, and the positional deviation amount to the target position with respect to the virtual cylindrical member imagined that the cylindrical member is attached to the main body member is calculated. By calculating, the fixing means for releasing the fixing of the plate member to the main body member is loosened so that the plate member can be moved relative to the main body member, and the driving means for moving the position of the plate member in the lateral direction is provided. ,
Moving the plate-like member so as to correct the amount of displacement of the plate-like member calculated by the calculating means, and fixing the plate-like member to the main body member by fixing means for fixing the plate-like member to the main body member. A method for adjusting and fixing a position of a plate-shaped member. 2. A positioning mechanism for positioning a cylindrical member and a main body member for fixing a long plate-shaped member along a generatrix of the cylindrical member. The detecting means for detecting the position of the plate-like member in the main body member is relatively moved by the detecting means and the driving means for relatively moving the plate-like member in the longitudinal direction of the plate-like member. The position in the direction is detected, and the data of the detected position of the plate-like member is input to the calculating means, and the position to the target position with respect to the virtual cylindrical member imagined that the cylindrical member is attached to the main body member. The displacement amount is calculated, and the driving means for moving the position of the plate member in the lateral direction is used.
Moving the plate-like member so as to correct the amount of displacement of the plate-like member calculated by the calculating means, and fixing the plate-like member to the main body member by fixing means for fixing the plate-like member to the main body member. A method for adjusting and fixing a position of a plate-shaped member. 3. The target position is an arbitrary position on a blade edge trajectory circle offset from the virtual cylindrical member by an edge penetration amount δ of a plate-like member. 3. The method of adjusting and fixing the position of a plate-shaped member according to 1. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the process is terminated if the positional deviation to the target position is zero. 5. The plate member according to claim 2, wherein the plate member is fixed to the body member by fixing means for fixing the plate member to the body member when the displacement amount to the target position is zero. A plate member position adjusting and fixing method. 6. After the step of moving the plate member so as to correct the position shift amount of the plate member, a step after the step of detecting the position of the plate member in the lateral direction is executed again, and the position shift amount is determined to be a predetermined value. 3. The plate member position adjusting and fixing method according to claim 1, wherein the plate member is fixed to the main body member by fixing means when the value falls within the allowable value. 7. The detection position includes detecting the edge of the plate member at any position of at least two or more plate members while moving the detection means in the longitudinal direction of the plate member. The method for adjusting and fixing the position of a plate-shaped member according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the main body member is a developing container of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. 9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the main body member is a cleaning container of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus.
8. The plate member position adjusting and fixing method according to any one of items 1 to 7, above. 10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the cylindrical member is a developing sleeve of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. 11. The plate member according to claim 1, wherein the cylindrical member is an electrophotographic photosensitive drum of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. Method. 12. The plate member position adjusting and fixing method according to claim 1, wherein the plate member is formed by integrating two components of metal and rubber. . 13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the plate-shaped member is a developing blade of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. 14. The method according to claim 1, wherein the plate member is a cleaning blade of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. 15. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein a moving area of the detecting means in a longitudinal direction with respect to the plate member is an image area of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The method for adjusting and fixing the position of the plate member. 16. Positioning means for positioning a cylindrical member and a main body member for fixing a long plate-shaped member along a generatrix of the cylindrical member, and detecting a position of the plate-shaped member in the main body member in a lateral direction. A detecting means, a driving means for detecting relative movement of the detecting means and the plate-like member in the longitudinal direction of the plate-like member, and a cylindrical member attached to the main body member from a detection position detected by the detecting means. Calculating means for calculating the amount of displacement of the plate-like member to a target position with respect to the virtual cylindrical member imagined as above; and What is claimed is: 1. A plate member position adjusting / fixing device, comprising: a driving means for moving; and a fixing means for fixing the plate member whose position in the short direction has been moved and adjusted to a main body member.