JP2001175122A - Photoreceptor drum case and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable only a photoreceptor drum incorporated in a process cartridge to be safely and easily exchanged without generating peripheral stains or the like and to attain reduction of exchanging parts, improvement of economical efficiency due to reduction of running cost and environmental preservation due to reduction of industrial waste by enabling only the photoreceptor drum easily exchanged at a user side. SOLUTION: A drum recovering chamber 53 is set so as to cover the photoreceptor drum 18 of the process cartridge 30 pulled out of a device main body 8 and the used photoreceptor drum 18 is directly recovered in the drum recovering chamber 53 by using a photoreceptor drum case 52 accommodating a new photoreceptor drum 18s at the time of unusing. Then a drum housing chamber 54 is set so as to cover the process cartridge 30 and the new photoreceptor drum 18s is directly mounted on the process cartridge 30 to exchange the photoreceptor drum 18.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a photosensitive drum case for easily replacing a photosensitive drum of an image forming apparatus and an image forming apparatus for replacing a photosensitive drum using the photosensitive drum case.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as a digital copying machine or a printer, a photosensitive drum is replaced periodically or as necessary because it greatly affects image quality. However, since the photoconductor drum is a harmful substance, be careful not to touch the photoconductor drum directly when replacing the photoconductor drum, or avoid contamination of the surroundings by waste toner from the cleaning device when removing the photoconductor drum. Usually, the photosensitive drum is replaced at the time of maintenance by a service person because it is difficult to handle the photosensitive drum because it must be prevented.

[0003] For this reason, the operation of exchanging the photosensitive drum is always inconvenient since a service technician must be requested.
In recent years, the image forming means such as the photosensitive drum and its surrounding cleaning device, charging device, developing device and the like are unitized and formed as a process cartridge, and are integrally handled to simplify maintenance, so that maintenance can be simplified without relying on service personnel. Devices have been developed that allow the user to easily replace the photosensitive drum. Conventionally, in such a process cartridge, when the user replaces the photosensitive drum at the end of its life, the entire process cartridge is replaced and the used process cartridge is discarded as it is.

[0004]

However, when the photosensitive drum is replaced, the entire process cartridge is replaced and the used process cartridge is discarded. Although it is sufficient to replace only the drum, the surrounding devices that can still be used must be replaced and discarded together,
In addition to the increase in running costs, there is a problem that the amount of waste as industrial waste is increased and the environment is adversely affected.

In view of the above, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problem, and it is possible to easily replace only a photosensitive drum in an apparatus incorporated in a process cartridge of an image forming apparatus, thereby eliminating the need for a specialized service person. It is possible to safely and easily replace only the photosensitive drum, and to effectively use other devices of the process cartridge to reduce running costs and reduce the amount of industrial waste to protect the environment. It is an object of the present invention to provide a photosensitive drum replacement cartridge and an image forming apparatus which can be achieved.

[0006]

According to the present invention, as a first means for solving the above-mentioned problems, there is provided a drum storage chamber in which a new photosensitive drum is stored and the new photosensitive drum can be directly mounted on an image forming apparatus. A drum collection chamber for directly collecting used photoconductor drums removed from the image forming apparatus.

According to the present invention, as a second means for solving the above-mentioned problems, there is provided a drum storage chamber in which a new photosensitive drum is stored and in which the new photosensitive drum can be directly mounted on an image forming apparatus. A drum collection chamber capable of directly collecting used photoconductor drums removed from the image forming apparatus, wherein the used photoconductor drums are removed from the image forming apparatus while the new photoconductor drums are stored in the drum storage chamber. After being collected in the drum collection chamber, the new photosensitive drum is mounted on the image forming apparatus.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second means, the drum collection chamber is provided in a drum support unit drawn out of the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus. The used photoreceptor drum is directly collected in the drum collection chamber, and the new photoreceptor drum is attached to the drum support unit pulled out from the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus. It is attached to the support unit.

Further, the present invention provides a fourth invention for solving the above problems.
Means, a photosensitive drum mounted on the apparatus body,
An image forming unit provided around the photosensitive drum to form an image on the photosensitive drum; and a drum support unit integrally holding at least a part of the photosensitive drum and the image forming unit. A drum collection chamber for directly collecting used photoconductor drums supported by the drum support unit, and a new photoconductor containing a new photoconductor drum and storing the used photoconductor drum after collecting the used photoconductor drum; The photosensitive drum is replaced using a photosensitive drum case having a drum storage chamber in which a drum can be directly mounted on the drum support unit.

Further, the present invention provides a fifth aspect for solving the above problems.
Means, a photosensitive drum mounted on the apparatus body,
An image forming means provided around the photosensitive drum for forming an image on the photosensitive drum, and the photosensitive drum and at least a part of the image forming means being integrally held, and replacing the photosensitive drum. A drum collection unit for directly collecting the used photoconductor drum by attaching the drum collection chamber to the drum support unit extracted from the device main body. The photosensitive drum is replaced by using a photosensitive drum case having a drum storage chamber in which the drum storage chamber is attached to the drum support unit drawn out of the apparatus main body and the new photosensitive drum is directly mounted. It is.

According to the above-described means, the present invention uses a photosensitive drum case to collect used photosensitive drums directly from the image forming apparatus to the photosensitive drum case, and then transfers a new photosensitive drum directly from the photosensitive drum case to the image forming apparatus. By mounting the photoreceptor on the photosensitive drum, it is possible to safely and easily replace only the photosensitive drum, thereby reducing the running cost and the amount of waste.

[0012]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.
This will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a digital copying machine 10 which is an image forming apparatus. An optical device for exposing and scanning a document (not shown) on a document table 11 above a device body 8 and irradiating a CCD sensor 12 is provided above the device body 8. An original reading device 14 having an original 13 is provided.

A laser generator (not shown) for generating a laser beam 17a corresponding to the image information from the CCD sensor is located below the paper discharge section 16 of the document reading apparatus 14.
A laser irradiation device 17 that includes a polygon mirror 17b, imaging lenses 17c and 17d, and mirrors 17e and 17f and that exposes and scans the photosensitive drum 18 is provided. Further, below the document reading device 14, around the photosensitive drum 18,
The charging device 20 and the laser irradiation device 1 are arranged along the rotation direction.
7, an exposure unit 21 of the laser beam 17a, a developing device 22,
Transfer roller 23, peeling claw 24, cleaning device 26,
An image forming unit 28 in which the static elimination lamps 27 are sequentially arranged is provided.

Here, the photosensitive drum 1 of the image forming means 28
8, and the surrounding cleaning device 26 and peeling claw 24
It is integrally formed as a process cartridge 30 as a drum support unit. Process cartridge 3
Numeral 0 is slidably supported on a slide rail 45 and can be pulled out in the direction of arrow r along the guide 10a on the inner wall of the apparatus main body 8 when the process cartridge 30 or the photosensitive drum 18 is replaced.
It is rotated in the direction of arrow s at a fulcrum consisting of the attachment pin 45a. Process cartridge 30 rotated in the direction of arrow s
The fixing pin 47 projecting from the side wall 30a is
The rotating state is maintained by being fitted to a holder 48 provided on the inner wall.

A cylindrical projection 18b is formed at the axial center of the flange 18a at both ends of the photosensitive drum 18. On the other hand, a groove 50 is formed in the side wall 30a of the process cartridge.
By being slidably fitted to zero, it is freely supported on the process cartridge side wall 30a. In addition, 51
The projection 18b is a swingable hook that prevents the projection 18b from falling out of the groove 50. And process cartridge 3
When the photosensitive drum 18 is mounted on the apparatus main body 8, the photosensitive drum 18 is constantly pressed in the direction of the arrow t by contact with the guide rollers (not shown) at both ends of the developing roller 22 a of the developing device 22, and Inside, the positioning is accurately performed with respect to the developing roller 22a and the cleaning device.

Reference numeral 31 denotes a paper feed cassette device for storing paper (not shown) supplied to the image forming means 28;
A pickup roller 32 and a conveyance roller 3 are provided in the conveyance path of the sheet from the sheet cassette device 31 to the paper discharge section 16.
3, a registration roller 34, a transfer roller 23, a fixing roller 36, and a paper discharge roller 37 are provided. Reference numeral 38 denotes a gate for distributing the sheet after fixing to the re-conveying means 40. Here, the transfer roller 23 and the re-transporting unit 40 are unitized as a transfer unit 41 so as to open and close integrally. The transfer unit 41 is rotatable in the direction of arrow t on the side of the digital copying machine 10, as shown in FIG. 9, when the process cartridge 30 or the photosensitive drum 18 is replaced.

Next, a new photosensitive drum 18s for replacing the photosensitive drum 18 of the process cartridge 30 is used.
Will be described. The photoconductor drum case 52 is a substantially semi-cylindrical drum collection chamber 53 for directly collecting the used photoconductor drum 18 attached to the process cartridge 30, and is openable and closable with the drum collection chamber 53. A substantially semi-cylindrical drum storage chamber 5 for storing a new photosensitive drum 18s for replacement.
4 and is stored with the new photosensitive drum 18s stored when not in use.

On the side wall of the drum recovery chamber 53, a retracting rib 53a for retracting the hook 51 from the groove 50 when attaching the photosensitive drum case 52 to the used photosensitive drum 18 of the process cartridge 30, and a use rib 53a. A collecting claw 53b for securely holding the used photosensitive drum 18 is provided. 53c is a cushion. The drum storage chamber 54 is made of plastic and has a drum holder 54a which can easily grasp and release the non-photosensitive layer regions 18t at both ends of the new photosensitive drum 18s by its elasticity.
Is provided. A black light-shielding paper 56 for preventing light fatigue is wound around the new photosensitive drum 18s stored in the drum storage chamber 54. The light-shielding paper 56 can be easily removed by pulling its end 56a.

Next, the operation will be described. During image formation by the digital copying machine 10, the photosensitive drum 18 and
When it is necessary to replace any one of the surrounding cleaning device 26 and the peeling claw 24, the entire process cartridge 30 is replaced. That is, as shown in FIG. 9, after the transfer unit 41 of the apparatus main body 8 is rotated in the direction of arrow t to open the image forming means 28, the slide rail 4 is moved along the guide 10a.
5 in the direction of arrow r,
0 is pulled out of the apparatus main body 8. Next, the attachment pin 45a
The used process cartridge 30 is removed from the device, and the replacement process cartridge 30 is mounted.
The replacement process cartridge 30 is set at the image forming position in the apparatus main body 8 along the line a, and the transfer unit 41 is returned to the apparatus main body 8 side, and the operation of replacing the process cartridge 30 is completed.

However, when only the photosensitive drum 18 in the process cartridge 30 needs to be replaced, the photosensitive drum 18 is replaced using the photosensitive drum case 52 in accordance with the following detailed description. (1) The transfer unit 41 of the apparatus main body 8 as shown in FIG.
Is rotated in the direction of arrow t to open the image forming means 28. (2) As shown in FIG. 9, the slide rail 45 is slid in the direction of the arrow r along the guide 10a, and the process cartridge 30 is pulled out of the apparatus main body 8. (3) As shown in FIG. 10, the process cartridge 30 is rotated by 90 ° in the direction of arrow s about the mounting pin 45a as a fulcrum, and the fixing pin 47 is mounted on the holder 48 to fix the process cartridge 30. The body drum 18 is exposed on the side wall of the apparatus main body 8. As a result, the photosensitive drum case 52 can be easily set on the photosensitive drum 18 and the photosensitive drum 18 can be set in the process cartridge 3.
At the time of removal from zero, it prevents the waste toner from dropping from the cleaning device 26 and soiling the machine body and its surroundings. (4) The unused process cartridge 30 for storing the new photosensitive drum 18s is opened in the direction of the arrow w as shown in FIG. 6B, and the drum collection chamber 53 side is moved to the process cartridge 30 as shown in FIG. It is set so as to cover the used photosensitive drum 18 which is held. At this time, the escape rib 53a provided on the side wall of the drum collection chamber 53 is
The hook 51 is pushed up in the direction to retract from the groove 50 as shown by a dotted line in FIG.
Is completely free in the groove 50, and the photosensitive drum 18 can be removed from the process cartridge 30. Further, in this state, the collecting claw 53b firmly holds the flanges 18a at both ends of the photosensitive drum 18. (5) In this state, when the photosensitive drum case 52 is pulled out of the process cartridge 30 in the direction of arrow u in FIG.
The used photosensitive drum 18 is collected in the drum collection chamber 53 and is removed from the process cartridge 30. (6) The light shielding paper 56 wound around the new photosensitive drum 18s is removed. (7) New photosensitive drum 1 of photosensitive drum case 52
The drum accommodating chamber 54 accommodating 8a is set so as to cover the photosensitive drum 18 mounting position of the process cartridge 30 as shown in FIG. As a result, the protrusion 18b of the new photosensitive drum 18a fits into the groove 50, and the hook 51 is returned to a position where the protrusion 18b protrudes into the groove 50.
It is prevented from falling off from the groove 50. (8) In this state, when the photosensitive drum case 52 is pulled out from the process cartridge 30 in the direction of arrow u in FIG.
Since the holding force of the projection 18b by the hook 51 is stronger than the holding force of the new photosensitive drum 18s by the holder 54a, the new photosensitive drum 18s is detached from the drum storage chamber 54 and is mounted on the process cartridge 30. (9) Close the drum case as shown in FIG. (10) The fixing pin 47 is removed from the holder 48, and the process cartridge 30 is attached to the mounting pin 45a as a fulcrum.
After being rotated 90 ° in the direction opposite to the direction, the slide rail 45 is slid in the direction opposite to the direction of the arrow r to set the process cartridge 30 at the image forming position in the apparatus main body 8 shown in FIG. (11) The transfer unit 41 is closed, and all the operations for replacing the photosensitive drum 18 are completed.

According to this structure, after the used photoreceptor drum 18 supported by the process cartridge 30 is set with the drum collection chamber 53 of the photoreceptor drum case 52 covered thereon, the drum collection chamber 53 is set in the process cartridge 3.
The used photoconductor drum 18 can be directly collected in the photoconductor drum case 52 only by pulling out the photoconductor drum 18 from zero. After that, the drum storage chamber 54 containing the new photosensitive drum 18s is placed over the process cartridge 30 so as to cover the new photosensitive drum 18s.
After setting s, the drum storage chamber 53 is simply pulled out of the process cartridge 30 and the new photosensitive drum 18 is removed.
s can be directly mounted on the process cartridge 30. As a result, the user can safely and easily replace only the photosensitive drum 18 of the process cartridge 30 without directly touching the harmful photosensitive drum or causing contamination of the cleaning device with waste toner. Therefore, according to the use condition of the process cartridge 30, if necessary, only the photosensitive drum 18 is replaced, and other surrounding components are effectively used thereafter, so that the number of replacement components can be reduced. As a result, the running cost of the image forming apparatus can be reduced. Can be reduced. In addition, the amount of industrial waste can be reduced, and environmental conservation can be obtained.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be variously changed in design.
The shape and material of the used photosensitive drum are not limited as long as the used photosensitive drum can be directly collected and a new photosensitive drum can be supplied. Further, there is no limitation on the arrangement of the drum support unit in the apparatus main body, the number or the type of the apparatus incorporated in the drum support unit, and the like.

[0023]

As described above, according to the present invention, the photosensitive drum is directly recovered from the drum support unit to the photosensitive drum case without touching the harmful photosensitive drum, and then is transferred to the photosensitive drum case. By mounting the stored new photosensitive drum directly to the drum support unit,
It is possible to safely and easily replace only the photosensitive drum without soiling the surroundings. Therefore, by the improvement of the maintainability, it is possible to easily replace only the photosensitive drum in the drum support unit on the user side, and to effectively use devices other than the photosensitive drum incorporated in the drum support unit. As a result, the number of replacement parts can be reduced, the running cost can be reduced, and the economy can be improved. Further, the disposal of usable parts can be prevented, the amount of industrial waste to be discarded can be reduced, and the environment can be preserved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a digital copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 2A and 2B show a process cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 2A is an explanatory view showing a state where the slide rail is supported in the apparatus main body, and FIG. Explanatory drawing showing a state, FIG.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing a state where the camera has been turned.

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view showing a photosensitive drum according to the embodiment of the present invention.

4A and 4B show a side wall of the process cartridge according to the embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 4A is a schematic side view and FIG. 4B is a schematic perspective view.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a positioning state of a photosensitive drum in the apparatus main body according to the embodiment of the present invention.

6A and 6B are external perspective views of the photosensitive drum case according to the embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG.
(B) is a schematic perspective view showing the opened state.

7A and 7B show a photosensitive drum case containing a photosensitive drum according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7A is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which a new photosensitive drum is stored;
FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state in which the used photosensitive drum is recovered.

FIGS. 8A and 8B show release of a hook by a retracting rib when the drum collection chamber is set in the process cartridge according to the embodiment of the present invention, FIG.
Is an explanatory diagram viewed from above.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which the process cartridge is pulled out after rotating the transfer unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which the process cartridge according to the embodiment of the present invention rotates.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a drum collection chamber of a photosensitive drum cover is set in the process cartridge according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state where a used photosensitive drum is removed from the process cartridge according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which a drum storage chamber of a photosensitive drum cover is set in the process cartridge according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a schematic explanatory view showing a state in which a new photosensitive drum has been mounted on the process cartridge according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Digital copying machine 14 ... Document reading device 14 17 ... Laser irradiation device 18 ... Photoreceptor drum 18a ... Flange 18b ... Protrusion part 22 ... Developing device 24 ... Separation claw 26 ... Cleaning device 28 ... Image forming means 30 ... Process cartridge 30a ... Side wall 41 ... Transfer unit 45 ... Slide rail 45a ... Mounting pin 50 ... Groove 51 ... Hook 52 ... Photoconductor drum case 53 ... Drum collection chamber 53a ... Escape rib 53b ... Collection claw 54 ... Drum storage chamber 54a ... Drum holder 56 … Shading paper

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A drum storage chamber for accommodating a new photosensitive drum and directly mounting the new photosensitive drum in an image forming apparatus, and a drum collection for directly collecting a used photosensitive drum removed from the image forming apparatus. A photoreceptor drum case, comprising: 2. A drum accommodating chamber for accommodating a new photoconductor drum and directly mounting the new photoconductor drum in an image forming apparatus, and a drum collection for directly collecting a used photoconductor drum removed from the image forming apparatus. And the new photoconductor drum is stored in the drum storage chamber, and after collecting the used photoconductor drum from the image forming apparatus into the drum collection chamber, the new photoconductor drum is replaced with the image. A photosensitive drum case which is mounted on a forming apparatus. 3. The apparatus of the image forming apparatus, wherein the drum recovery chamber is attached to a drum support unit drawn out of the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus, and the used photosensitive drum is directly recovered in the drum recovery chamber. 3. The photoconductor according to claim 1, wherein the drum storage chamber is attached to a drum support unit pulled out of the main body, and the new photoconductor drum is mounted on the drum support unit. Drum case. A photosensitive drum mounted on the apparatus main body; an image forming means provided around the photosensitive drum for forming an image on the photosensitive drum; and at least one of the photosensitive drum and the image forming means. A drum support unit that partially holds the drum support unit, a drum collection chamber in which a used photoconductor drum supported by the drum support unit can be directly collected, and a new photoconductor drum stored and used. After collecting the used photoconductor drum, the photoconductor drum is replaced by using a photoconductor drum case having a drum storage chamber in which the stored new photoconductor drum can be directly mounted on the drum support unit. Image forming apparatus. 5. A photosensitive drum mounted on an apparatus main body, an image forming means provided around the photosensitive drum and forming an image on the photosensitive drum, and at least one of the photosensitive drum and the image forming means. A drum support unit that is partially held integrally and that is pulled out of the apparatus main body when the photosensitive drum is replaced. The drum recovery unit is attached to the drum support unit that is drawn out of the apparatus main body. A drum collection chamber for directly collecting the used photoreceptor drum and a drum storage chamber for attaching the drum storage chamber to the drum support unit drawn out of the apparatus body and directly mounting the new photoreceptor drum. An image forming apparatus, wherein the photosensitive drum is replaced by using a photosensitive drum case having the same.