JP2001142365A - Process cartridge and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a process cartridge whose static eliminater for irradiating and destaticizing the surface of a photoreceptor drum is inexpensively and easily constituted. SOLUTION: A light guide 33 functioning as an irradiation member is provided in the longitudinal direction of the photoreceptor drum 3 between the transfer roller 6 and the cleaning device 9 of the process cartridge. A light emitting member is arranged to be opposed to both ends of the light guide 33 in an image forming device main body, whereby the surface of the drum 3 is uniformly exposed and destaticized with light from the light emitting member through the light guide 33.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electrophotographic or electrostatic recording type image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a laser printer, and a process cartridge.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an electrophotographic or electrostatic recording type image forming apparatus, a corona charger has been used as a means for charging an image carrier such as an electrophotographic photosensitive member or an electrostatic recording dielectric. Was.

In recent years, because of the advantages such as low ozone and low power, a contact charging device, that is, a charging member in which a voltage is applied to a member to be charged as described above, is charged to charge the member to be charged. -Type devices have been put to practical use. In particular, a roller charging type device using a conductive roller as a charging member is preferably used in terms of stabilizing charging.

In a contact charging device of a roller charging type, a conductive elastic roller as a charging member is brought into pressure contact with a member to be charged, and a voltage is applied to the member to charge the member.

More specifically, since charging is performed by discharging from the charging member to the member to be charged, charging is started by applying a voltage equal to or higher than a certain threshold voltage.

For example, the thickness of a member to be charged is 15 μm.
In the case where the charging process is performed by pressing the charging roller against the electrophotographic OPC photoconductor of m, applying a voltage of about -560 V to the charging roller increases the surface potential of the photoconductor. After that, the slope is 1 with respect to the applied voltage.
The photoconductor surface potential increases in a second linear manner. Hereinafter, this threshold voltage is defined as a charging start voltage Vth.

That is, in order to obtain the photosensitive member surface potential VD required for electrophotography, the charging roller:
It is necessary to apply a DC voltage of th + VD. Such a contact charging system in which only the DC voltage is applied to the contact charging member to charge the member to be charged is referred to as a DC charging system.

However, when this DC charging is performed,
Especially in a low humidity environment, "horizontal stripes generated in halftone images etc." mainly caused by disturbance of the potential on the photosensitive drum before the charging process, and "drum positive ghost" mainly caused by the difference in charged potential on the photosensitive drum. This causes a problem with the image.

In order to prevent such an adverse effect on images (horizontal stripes and drum positive ghosts generated in halftone images, etc.), the photosensitive drum is irradiated with light before the charging step to remove the residual potential. It is known that providing a means is effective.

FIG. 15 shows an image forming apparatus equipped with a conventional static eliminator.

In FIG. 15, after a photosensitive drum 301 is uniformly charged by a charging roller 40, a laser beam modulated in accordance with an image signal from a scanner unit 10 including a laser, a polygon mirror, and a lens system is scanned and output. Then, the laser light is irradiated on the surface after being reflected by the folding mirror 20 to form an electrostatic latent image. The electrostatic latent image formed by the irradiation of the laser light is developed as a toner image by the toner 240 in the developing device 50 to be visualized.

On the other hand, the recording material 70 stored in the cassette 710 is
Are supplied to the registration roller 730 in synchronization with the formation of the latent image at the step S1. Then, the recording material 70 is conveyed to a transfer charger 60 composed of a transfer roller in synchronization with the leading end of the latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 301 by the registration roller 730, and the toner image is transferred by the transfer charger 60. The image is transferred to the recording material 70. Recording material 7 with toner image transferred
0 indicates that after the toner image is permanently fixed by the fixing device 80,
Finally, it is discharged outside the device. The photosensitive drum 301
The toner remaining on the top is removed by a cleaning device 90 including an elastic blade.

The photosensitive drum 301, charging roller 40, developing device 50, and cleaning device 90 are provided as a unitized process cartridge 110.

The static eliminator 100 is an LED chip array which is mounted inside the image forming apparatus main body and has a plurality of LEDs 102 arranged on a base 101 along the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum 301 as shown in FIG. Used.
This LED chip array corresponds to the image forming apparatus X in FIG.
(After the development process and before the transfer), the photosensitive drum 301
Are disposed opposite to each other at a distance of 100 (mm).

[0015]

However, the conventional static eliminator 100 has a structure in which a chip array in which a plurality of LEDs are arranged is provided in the printer main body. Therefore, the cost of the static eliminator and the arrangement of the static eliminator are reduced. There were many problems such as restrictions on the degree of freedom in designing the printer body.

Although it is possible to equip the process cartridge with the above-described static eliminator, the cost of the process cartridge is increased, and the complexity and cost of the apparatus are increased by providing electrical contacts with the image forming apparatus main body. can not deny.

An object of the invention according to the present application is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and a process capable of more simply and efficiently obtaining low-cost and image-forming images without image defects such as horizontal stripes and drum positive ghosts. It is an object to provide a cartridge and an image forming apparatus.

[0018]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a process cartridge which is detachable from an image forming apparatus main body having at least a photosensitive member. A light irradiating member that is provided to face the photoconductor and guides light incident from a light emitting member to the photoconductor in order to expose the surface of the photoconductor and remove electricity.

A second structure of the process cartridge for realizing the object of the invention according to the present application is the above-described first structure, wherein the light irradiation member reflects light from the light emitting member inside the light irradiation member, The photosensitive member is irradiated with a predetermined width.

A third structure of the process cartridge for realizing the object of the present invention according to the present invention is any one of the structures described above, wherein the light-emitting member is disposed so as to face an entrance on one or both sides of the light irradiation member. It is characterized by having been done.

According to a fourth aspect of the process cartridge for realizing the object of the invention according to the present invention, in any one of the above-described aspects, the charge removing light from the light irradiating member is provided after the step of transferring the photosensitive member and before the charging step. The light irradiation member is provided so as to be irradiated to an area.

A fifth structure of the process cartridge for realizing the object of the invention according to the present application is the process cartridge according to any one of the above-described items 1 to 3, wherein the charge removing light from the light irradiating member is applied after the developing step of the photosensitive member and The light irradiation member is provided so as to irradiate an area before the transfer step.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a process cartridge according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the charge removing light from the light irradiating member is applied after the photoconductor cleaning step and The light irradiation member is provided so as to irradiate an area of a charging step.

A first configuration of an image forming apparatus for realizing the object of the present invention according to the present application includes an image forming apparatus main body, and a process cartridge having any one of the above-described configurations detachable from the image forming apparatus main body. The light emitting member is provided on the image forming apparatus main body.

A second configuration of the image forming apparatus for realizing the object of the invention according to the present application is the image forming apparatus according to the first configuration, wherein the light emitting member is provided outside the image exposure area in the longitudinal direction of the photoconductor. It is characterized by having.

[0026]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (First Embodiment) FIGS.
0 indicates the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, in which a rod-shaped light guide 31 as a static eliminator is viewed in the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 3 → between the transfer roller 6 and the cleaning device 9. After the transfer, exposure for static elimination is performed before cleaning.

First, the potential setting of the photosensitive drum and
The relationship between the charge removal level and the image harmful level will be described.
The graph shown in FIG. 1 shows that the photosensitive drum (CT film thickness 15 μm) used in the present invention was charged with a charging potential: VD = −600 V
This is an EV characteristic when the toner is electrically charged.

Drum residual potential: Vs1 indicates a saturation potential (Vs1 in FIG. 1) in the strong exposure portion shown in FIG. 1, and in this region, it shows a substantially constant potential regardless of exposure intensity and charging potential. Naturally, it is known that this residual potential: Vs1 depends on the CT film thickness of the photosensitive drum, the CG material, the film thickness, etc., but in the first embodiment, the residual potential: Vs1 = − A 40 V photosensitive drum is used.

FIG. 17 shows the amount of static elimination by the static eliminator: H
(MV), the photosensitive drum potential at that time: V _H (−V), and the image harmful level.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the photosensitive drum potential measurement, and FIG.
Shows a schematic diagram of light quantity measurement of the static eliminator.

The photosensitive drum potential measuring jig shown in FIG. 2 includes a photosensitive drum 201, a charging roller 204, and a static eliminator 205 disposed in a dark box, and measures the surface potential of the photosensitive drum 201 with an electrometer 202 (trade name, manufactured by Trek Japan). Model-3
The measurement is performed with a measurement probe 203 (trade name: Model-6000B-8, manufactured by Trek Japan) connected to 44).

The light quantity measuring jig shown in FIG. 3 includes a photosensor amplifier 302 (C271, manufactured by Hamamatsu Photonics) in a dark box.
9) and a light receiving element 301 (S2281 manufactured by Hamamatsu Photonics KK) connected to the photosensor amplifier 302 was arranged to measure the light amount of the static eliminator in the dark box.

The static eliminator (exposure device) in FIG. 3 is not particularly limited, and includes an LED chip array type (in which a plurality of LED chips are arranged in a longitudinal direction), a fuse lamp type (white light), and a light guide type ( FIG. 3 shows the type used in the present invention.

As can be seen from the results shown in FIG. 17, in the static elimination step before the charging step, if the surface of the photosensitive drum is irradiated with an amount of light sufficient to eliminate the potential on the photosensitive drum to the residual potential: Vs1 level, the conventional example will be described. Such image defects (horizontal stripes and drum positive ghosts generated in a halftone image or the like) can be eliminated.

Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of the image forming apparatus used in the first embodiment. As described above, the photosensitive drum 3 is an OPC photosensitive member having a diameter of 30 mm and a CT film thickness of 15 μm. Further, the latent image potential setting in this image forming apparatus is as follows: VD = −600 V, VL = −150 V, residual potential: Vs
1 = −40V. After the photosensitive drum 3 is uniformly charged by the charging roller 4, the surface is irradiated with laser light to form an electrostatic latent image. Here, the charging roller 4 is a charging roller having a three-layer structure, in which a conductive elastic layer having a thickness of 3 mm, a medium resistance layer having a thickness of 500 μm, and a protective layer having a thickness of 5 μm are provided on a core metal having a diameter of 6 mm. It has a roller shape with an outer diameter of 12 mm. This is a total pressure of 1kg from both ends of the core
And a DC voltage of -1200 V to -1500 V is applied.

A scanner unit 1 including a laser, a polygon mirror, and a lens system scans and outputs a laser beam modulated in accordance with an image signal, and this laser beam is reflected by a return mirror 2 to form an image carrier. Photosensitive drum 3
Irradiated on top. The electrostatic latent image formed by the irradiation of the laser beam is developed as a toner image by the toner 24 in the developing device 5 and is visualized.

On the other hand, the recording material 7 stored in the cassette 71 is supplied to the registration roller 73 by the paper feed roller 72 in synchronization with the formation of the latent image on the photosensitive drum 3. Then, the recording material 7 is conveyed to a transfer charger 6 composed of a transfer roller in synchronization with the leading end of the latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 3 by the registration roller 73, and is transferred to the transfer charger 6.
As a result, the toner image is transferred to the recording material 7. After the toner image is transferred onto the recording material 7, the fixing device 8 permanently fixes the toner image on the recording material 7, and is finally discharged outside the apparatus. The toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 3 is removed by a cleaning device 9 including an elastic blade.

As shown in FIG. 5, the photosensitive drum 3, charging roller 4, developing device 5, cleaning device 9,
A rod-shaped light guide 31 which forms a part of a static eliminator to be described later is provided as a unitized process cartridge 11.

These components are assembled in a cartridge in a predetermined mutual arrangement relationship. The cartridge is inserted and mounted in a predetermined manner in a predetermined portion in the main body of the image forming apparatus. It can be pulled out from. If the image forming apparatus has been used for a long time, various elements such as a photosensitive drum, a charging device, a developing device, and a cleaning device will be consumed and the printing quality will be reduced.
1 can be replaced, and maintenance-free for the user can be realized.

Hereinafter, the details of the first embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the image forming apparatus of FIG. The exterior of the image forming apparatus and the developing device 5 and the cleaning device 9 of the process cartridge 11 are not shown.

As shown in FIG. 6, the static eliminator according to the present embodiment is provided on the process cartridges with an LED lamp 30 as a light source provided on the front side and the back side of the image forming apparatus main body. A light incident portion is formed to face the LED lamp 30, and is constituted by a rod-shaped light guide 31 as a light irradiating member for irradiating the light guided to the longitudinal surface of the photosensitive drum.

The LED lamp 30 is, as shown in FIG.
It is provided on the image forming apparatus side, and is arranged in a region outside the static elimination region on the photosensitive drum. Further, a light-blocking member 300 that surrounds the outer periphery of the LED lamp 30 and blocks light so that light from the LED lamp 30 does not unnecessarily expose the end of the photosensitive drum 3 is provided.

The LE used in the present embodiment is
FIG. 18 shows the specifications of the D lamp 30.

Next, the material, shape, function and arrangement of the rod-shaped light guide 31 will be described. The major feature of the present embodiment is that the rod-shaped light guide 31 is provided in the process cartridge 11. FIG. 7A shows the shape.

The rod-shaped light guide 31 is composed of a light guide part for transmitting and reflecting light and a white resin case for improving the reflection efficiency. As a material of the light guide, acrylic resin, polycarbonate, polystyrene, glass, or the like having high light transmittance is used.

As shown in FIG. 7 (a), the white resin case has "light-entering portions" at both ends and "openings" having a predetermined width on the side surfaces. Are arranged to face the photosensitive drum 3.

FIG. 7B is a view of FIG. 7A viewed from the Z direction. As can be seen from this figure, a large number of V-shaped notches are formed on the surface of the light guide opposite to the opening of the white resin case. The light incident from the light incident portion of the rod-shaped light guide 31 is reflected by each V-shaped notch portion, changes its optical path, and extends from the opening of the white resin case in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the light guide. Irradiated.

That is, this light is irradiated as “static light” on the surface of the photosensitive drum 3 with a predetermined neutralization width (see FIG. 6). FIG. 8 shows a schematic diagram thereof.

In the first embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the rod-shaped light guide 31 is located at the position B of the process cartridge 11 in order to eliminate the charge on the photosensitive drum 3 after the transfer step. Separation distance from photosensitive drum 3:
When L = 4 (mm), the photosensitive drums are opposed to each other in the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum.

As shown in FIG. 8, the light from the LED lamp 30 as the light source constituting the static eliminator mounted on the image forming apparatus main body only after the process cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body. The light enters a light-entering portion of a rod-shaped light guide 31 as a light irradiation member provided in the process cartridge 11 and is irradiated on the photosensitive drum 3 as static elimination light. In other words, the configuration is such that the process cartridge 11 and the image forming apparatus only function as a static eliminator when integrated.

As described above, there is a lower limit to the amount of light applied to the photosensitive drum in order to eliminate the adverse effects on images (horizontal stripes and positive ghosts generated in halftone images).
In the first embodiment, the minimum value light amount in the neutralization width region is set to 300 (mV).

When a light guide is used as a light irradiating member for the photosensitive drum 3 as in this embodiment, the light amount on the photosensitive drum is smaller than that of the chip array type in which a plurality of LEDs are arranged as in the conventional example. Ripple (run-out width)
And uniform charge removal is possible.

FIG. 9 is a longitudinal distribution diagram of the measured light amount (mV) at the position of the photosensitive drum according to the first embodiment.

The vertical axis of the graph is the light amount (value is not shown), and the horizontal axis is the longitudinal position of the photosensitive drum. As is apparent from the figure, the light amount ripple is clearly smaller in the static eliminator using the light guide used in the first embodiment than in the chip array type as in the conventional example. I understand.

Further, even if the distance between the surface of the photosensitive drum 3 and the surface of the light guide 31 (the distance between the photosensitive drum 3 and the rod-shaped light guide 31 in FIG. 5: L) is small,
When the light guide type is used, the ripple of the light amount does not tend to be deteriorated, and it is understood that the configuration is suitable for downsizing the image forming apparatus and the process cartridge.

Note that, in the first embodiment, the LED
There are two lamps 30 on each end face of the rod-shaped light guide 31, that is, a total of two lamps 30, but only one end face, that is, one lamp.
Individuals are acceptable. In this case, the surface of the light guide is processed so that the distribution of the amount of light becomes uniform within the neutralization width region on the photosensitive drum 3. Specifically, the depth of the V-shaped notch on the light guide surface may be made deeper and wider as the distance from the LED lamp increases.

FIG. 10 shows a lighting sequence of the LED lamp 30 in the static eliminator of this embodiment. Basically, the LED lamp 30 may be turned on / off in synchronization with the photosensitive drum drive motor.

Next, in the configuration of the first embodiment, a low-temperature / low-humidity environment (1
FIG. 19 shows the result of image evaluation performed at 5 ° C. and 10%).
Shown in As a comparative example, a result in which static elimination was not performed is also shown.

As shown in FIG. 19, when static elimination was not performed, horizontal stripes and photosensitive drum positive ghost occurred on the halftone image from the beginning of printing. Also, as the number of printed sheets increased, the level of the drum positive ghost also deteriorated.

On the other hand, when the static elimination according to the present embodiment was performed, the above-mentioned image problems did not occur, and a better image was obtained than at the beginning of printing.

As described above, by providing the static eliminator as in the first embodiment, the horizontal stripes generated in a halftone image or the like can be obtained at a relatively low cost without deteriorating the design flexibility of the image forming apparatus main body. Poor images such as ghosts are prevented, and good images can be obtained.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 11 shows a second embodiment of the present invention.

In the second embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, the rod-shaped light guide 32 is viewed in the direction of rotation of the photosensitive drum 3, and the developing device 5 and the transfer roller 6 are separated from each other. It is the structure arranged between. FIG. 12 is a schematic configuration diagram of the replaceable process cartridge shown in FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the light guide 32 is separated from the photosensitive drum 3 at the position C of the process cartridge in order to eliminate the charge on the photosensitive drum 3 before the transfer step. ), The photosensitive drums 3 are arranged to face each other in the longitudinal direction.

Next, in the configuration of the second embodiment, a low-temperature, low-humidity environment (1
Image evaluation was performed at 5 ° C. and 10%). As a result, no image defects such as horizontal streaks and drum positive ghosts occurred in a halftone image and the like, and a good image was obtained from the initial stage of printing.

Further, by eliminating the charge on the photosensitive drum before the transfer step, a so-called “toner explosion scattering (from the image portion to the non-image portion) occurs due to a large potential difference between the charged potential and the latent image potential (toner developing portion). To the toner).

As described above, by providing the image forming apparatus with the static eliminator having the configuration as in the second embodiment, it is possible to obtain a halftone image and the like at a relatively low cost without impairing the design flexibility of the image forming apparatus main body. This prevents not only image defects such as horizontal stripes and positive ghosts caused by the above, but also prevents toner explosion and scattering generated at the time of the transfer step, and a good image can be obtained.

(Third Embodiment) FIGS. 13 and 14
Shows a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment, and FIG. 14 is a schematic configuration diagram of a process cartridge.

The third embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that a static eliminator is provided between the cleaning blade of the cleaning device 11 and the charging roller 4 when viewed in the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 3. For this reason, the charge removing light of the charge removing device reaches the nip portion upstream of the charging roller 4 and the photosensitive drum 3.

As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the rod-shaped light guide 33 is positioned at the position D of the process cartridge with respect to the photosensitive drum 3 in order to eliminate the charge on the photosensitive drum 3 after the cleaning step. (Mm), they are arranged to face each other in the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum.

In the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14B, the charge elimination light from the light guide 33 is also applied to the upstream side of the discharge nip.
Are constantly discharged upstream of the discharge nip (region E in FIG. 14). Therefore, the photosensitive drum 4 is charged on the downstream side of the discharge nip (region F in FIG. 14). Performing the charge removing step as in the present configuration not only removes the unstable potential history on the photosensitive drum before the charging step as in the first and second embodiments, but also removes the charge during the charging step (particularly, DC.
The horizontal streak generated in (charging) can also be more effectively prevented.

Next, in the configuration of the third embodiment, a low-temperature / low-humidity environment (1
Image evaluation was performed at 5 ° C. and 10%). As a result, no image defects such as horizontal streaks and drum positive ghosts occurred in a halftone image and the like, and a good image was obtained from the initial stage of printing.

As described above, by providing the static eliminator having the configuration as in the third embodiment, it is possible to comparatively reduce the cost and reduce the degree of freedom of design of the image forming apparatus main body without changing the horizontal tone generated in a halftone image or the like. Image defects such as streaks and positive ghosts are more reliably prevented, and good images can be obtained.

[0078]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, image defects such as horizontal streaks and drum-positive ghosts generated in a halftone image or the like can be obtained with a simple configuration without hindering the degree of freedom in designing an image forming apparatus. Can be provided.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, a simple structure can be used to prevent image defects such as horizontal streaks and drum-positive ghosts occurring in a halftone image without hindering the degree of freedom in designing the image forming apparatus. An image forming apparatus that can be provided.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, unnecessary lines are not exposed to the end of a photosensitive member such as a photosensitive drum, and horizontal stripes or the like generated in a halftone image or the like can be obtained with a simple configuration. It is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of preventing an image problem such as a drum positive ghost and an end fog.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a process cartridge capable of preventing not only image defects such as horizontal stripes and drum positive ghosts occurring in a halftone image and the like but also preventing toner explosion and scattering occurring at the time of transfer. can do.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a process cartridge which can more effectively prevent image defects such as horizontal stripes and drum positive ghosts occurring in a halftone image.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an EV characteristic diagram of a photosensitive drum used in the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a potential measurement.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of light amount measurement.

FIG. 4 is a simplified diagram of an image forming apparatus main body according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a simplified view of the process cartridge of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a simplified view of the image forming apparatus main body of FIG. 4 viewed from a direction A.

7 shows the static eliminator of FIG. 4, (a) is a perspective view,
(B) is a view on arrow Z of (a).

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of static elimination of the photosensitive drum by the light guide according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a light amount measurement longitudinal distribution diagram at the position of the photosensitive drum according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 10 is an ON / OFF timing chart of the static eliminator (LED lamp) according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a simplified diagram of an image forming apparatus main body according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a simplified view of the process cartridge of FIG.

FIG. 13 is a simplified diagram of an image forming apparatus main body according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

14A is a schematic view of the process cartridge of FIG. 13, and FIG. 14B is a simplified view of the area around the charging roller of FIG.

FIG. 15 is a simplified view of a conventional image forming apparatus main body.

16 is a simplified diagram of the static eliminator of FIG.

FIG. 17 is a table showing the potential setting of the photosensitive drum and the relationship between the charge removal level and the image harmful level.

FIG. 18 is a list of specifications of LEDs used in the present invention.

FIG. 19 shows a low-temperature, low-humidity, actual paper image evaluation result in the first embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 3, 301: photosensitive drum 30: LED lamp 31, 32, 33: rod-shaped light guide 300: light shielding member

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2H035 AA09 AA11 AB01 AB02 AB03 AC03 AC04 2H071 BA04 BA13 DA03 DA06 DA07 DA08 DA09 DA13 DA15

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A process cartridge detachable from a main body of an image forming apparatus having at least a photoreceptor, provided in a longitudinal direction of the photoreceptor, and provided with a light emitting member for exposing the surface of the photoreceptor to remove electricity. A light irradiation member for guiding light incident from the photoconductor to the photosensitive member. 2. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the light irradiation member reflects light from the light emitting member inside the light irradiation member and irradiates the photoreceptor with a predetermined width. . 3. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the light-emitting member is disposed so as to face an entrance on one or both sides of the light irradiation member. 4. The light irradiation member according to claim 1, wherein the light irradiation member is arranged so that the charge removing light from the light irradiation member is irradiated to a region after the transfer step of the photoconductor and before the charging step.
4. The process cartridge according to any one of items 1 to 3. 5. The light irradiation member according to claim 1, wherein the light irradiation member is disposed such that the charge removing light from the light irradiation member is irradiated to a region after the developing step of the photoconductor and before the transfer step.
4. The process cartridge according to any one of items 1 to 3. 6. The light irradiation member according to claim 1, wherein the light irradiation member is arranged so that the charge removing light from the light irradiation member is irradiated to an area after the cleaning step of the photoconductor and in a charging step. The process cartridge according to any one of the above. 7. An image forming apparatus main body, and a process cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 6 detachable from the image forming apparatus main body, wherein the light emitting member is provided in the image forming apparatus main body. An image forming apparatus characterized in that: 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the light emitting member is provided outside an image exposure area with respect to a longitudinal direction of the photoconductor.