JP2001305908A - Damping member inserting method, automatic damping member inserting device, and damping member - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a damping member inserting method by which a device is simplified without touching a silencer whose shape is unstable and whose handling is difficult. SOLUTION: In this method for inserting the cylindrical silencer 2 having a slit 2c in the inner wall surface of a cylindrical photoreceptor drum 1, the silencer 2 is positioned on a fixed side and then the end aperture of the drum 1 is made to approach toward the end of the silencer 2 and is inserted in the drum 1 in a skewered state.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vibration damping member for a photosensitive drum for electrophotography, and more particularly, to the insertion of a cylindrical vibration damping member having a slit into an inner wall surface of a cylindrical photosensitive drum.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A photosensitive drum that forms a latent image while rotating is used in an electrophotographic apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, and a facsimile. The photosensitive drum is, for example, an aluminum drum used as a photosensitive member support, the surface of which is mirror-finished, and the photosensitive member is deposited or coated.

In order to reduce noise due to vibration of the photosensitive drum and prevent image quality deterioration, a photosensitive drum having a sliding member or a filler inserted on the inner wall surface is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 8-54804 and 5-34936. 9-31987, JP-A-7-17-1
52285, JP-A-7-302025, JP-A-8-14
6636, JP-A-10-97158, JP-A-11-30
5598, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 11-194518, etc., but there are no proposals regarding the insertion method and the insertion device.

Therefore, a vibration damping member (hereinafter, referred to as a photosensitive drum) is provided on the photosensitive drum.
It has been desired to provide a method and an insertion device for inserting a silencer).

[0005]

However, as described above, many proposals have been made to reduce noise due to vibration of the photosensitive drum and to take measures against image quality deterioration. There is a problem, and it is difficult to reduce the space and cost, and people tend to rely on manual labor.

That is, when the silencer is inserted into the inner wall surface of the photosensitive drum, dust generated by frictional contact between the photosensitive drum and the silencer adheres to the surface of the photosensitive drum. In addition, after the silencer is inserted into the inner surface of the photoconductor drum, the outer diameter of the silencer is larger than the inner diameter of the photoconductor drum in the free state so that the silencer does not move inside the photoconductor drum. Sometimes it is necessary to reduce the outer diameter of the silencer.

When an automatic insertion device is introduced, handling the silencer by a robot requires a high gripping force for reducing the outer diameter and a high positioning accuracy of the photosensitive drum. Also, a dedicated space for installing the automatic insertion device is required. In the case of manual operation, a large number of people are required to increase the production quantity, and shortage or damage due to inadvertent mistakes cannot be avoided. In the case of day and night production, it is also necessary to secure personnel. The present invention proposes a method of inserting a silencer that solves these problems and an insertion device that employs the method.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a method of inserting a vibration damping member, a vibration damping member automatic insertion device, and a vibration damping member capable of simplifying the device without touching a silencer having an unstable shape and difficult handling. It is to provide a member.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of inserting a vibration damping member and a device for automatically inserting a vibration damping member, in which dust generated by frictional contact between the photosensitive drum and the silencer during insertion is less likely to adhere to the surface of the photosensitive drum. Is to provide.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatic vibration damping member insertion device having the most effective insertion operation when a robot is used as a handling means of the automatic insertion device.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatic vibration damping member insertion device which does not cause a residual insertion error (silencer remains on a shaft) during a silencer insertion operation when a robot is used as a handling means of the automatic insertion device. To provide.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an automatic vibration damping member insertion device that most effectively uses a robot as a handling means of the automatic insertion device.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatic vibration damping member insertion device provided with a silencer aligning means among the necessary elements of an automatic insertion device for inserting a silencer into an inner wall surface of a photosensitive drum. It is in.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an automatic vibration damping member insertion device provided with a specific silencer alignment means when a silencer is inserted into an inner wall surface of a photosensitive drum.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatic vibration damping member insertion device for determining the direction of a silencer by measurement.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatic vibration damping member insertion device having a silencer positioning portion when the silencer is inserted into the inner wall surface of the photosensitive drum.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a vibration damping member automatic insertion device which can set a suitable gap between a shaft of a positioning portion of the silencer and the silencer when the silencer is inserted into the inner wall surface of the photosensitive drum. To provide.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatic insertion device for inserting a silencer into an inner wall surface of a photosensitive drum, wherein dust generated by frictional contact between the photosensitive drum and the silencer due to the insertion is on the surface of the photosensitive drum. An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic vibration damping member insertion device that does not adhere.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an automatic vibration damping member insertion device which can surely confirm the presence / absence of a silencer inserted into a photosensitive drum and the insertion position.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a silencer for smoothly inserting the silencer into the inner wall surface of the photosensitive drum.

[0021]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of inserting a cylindrical vibration damping member having a slit into an inner wall surface of a cylindrical photosensitive drum. After positioning the damping member on the fixed side,
Inserting an end opening of the photosensitive drum toward an end of the vibration damping member, and inserting the vibration damping member into the photosensitive drum in a skewered state. Is the way.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the method for inserting a vibration damping member according to the first aspect, the end of the vibration damping member is positioned upward, and the photosensitive drum is inserted by being lowered from above. It is characterized by doing.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for inserting a cylindrical vibration damping member having a slit into an inner wall surface of a cylindrical photosensitive drum, and conveys the vibration damping member to a positioning position. Damping member conveying means, positioning means for positioning the conveyed damping member, and gripping the photosensitive drum toward an end of the positioned damping member and approaching an end opening of the photosensitive drum A photosensitive drum transport robot for inserting the vibration damping member into the photosensitive drum in a skewered state; and a vibration damping member insertion confirming means. .

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the automatic vibration damping member inserting apparatus according to the third aspect, the photosensitive drum transport robot grips the photosensitive drum and inserts it by one chuck and one cycle operation. A robot that performs

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the automatic vibration damping member insertion device according to the fourth aspect, the robot comprises:
The operation of the photosensitive drum is stopped for 0.2 seconds or more between the operation of inserting the photosensitive drum and the operation of immediately removing the photosensitive drum.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the automatic vibration damping member insertion device according to the fourth aspect, the robot is provided with:
It is characterized in that the photosensitive drum transfer step and the vibration damping member inserting step can be performed at one time.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the automatic vibration damping member insertion device according to the third aspect, the vibration damping member transport means includes a vibration damping member supply aligning means for aligning the vibration damping members,
Conveying means for conveying the aligned vibration damping members, direction detecting means for detecting the direction of the conveyed vibration damping members, positioning supply means for supplying the detected vibration damping members to the positioning section; And a positioning means for positioning the vibration damping member.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the automatic vibration damping member insertion device according to the seventh aspect, the direction aligning means for aligning the direction of the vibration damping member based on the information detected by the direction detecting means is provided. It is characterized by having.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the automatic vibration damping member insertion device according to the eighth aspect, the direction detecting and aligning means is configured to supply one of the vibration damping members while supplying the vibration damping member. The outer diameter of the end portion is measured, the orientation of the vibration damping member is recognized by comparing the measured outer diameter value with a preset value, and the direction of insertion is fixed by reversing the alignment direction according to the direction. It is characterized by the following.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the automatic vibration damping member insertion device according to the ninth aspect, when measuring the outer diameter of one end of the vibration damping member, the vibration damping member is connected to the other end. It is characterized by having means for pressing in the radial direction.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the automatic vibration damping member inserting device according to the seventh aspect, the positioning means of the vibration damping member comprises a shaft having a 90-degree turning mechanism. .

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, the gap c = (d1-d) between the outer diameter d of the shaft and the inner diameter d1 of the vibration damping member inserted into the photosensitive drum is expressed by the following formula (I). The automatic insertion device for a vibration damping member according to claim 11, wherein the device is in a range shown in (1). The accuracy of the insertion position when the robot grips the photosensitive drum is ± a, the accuracy of the repeated stop position at the insertion position of the shaft is ± b, the inner diameter of the photosensitive drum is D, and the vibration damping member is inserted in a free state. (D-D1)>c> (a + b) (I)

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the automatic vibration damping member insertion device according to the third aspect, the positioning means positions an end of the vibration damping member upward, and the photosensitive drum conveying means. Is characterized in that the photosensitive drum is configured to be inserted by being lowered from above.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the automatic vibration damping member insertion device according to any one of the thirteenth aspects, when the vibration damping member is inserted, the photosensitive member is directed obliquely upward from the photosensitive drum toward the insertion portion. It is characterized by having a means for blowing air to the photosensitive drum.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the automatic vibration damping member inserting device according to the fourteenth aspect, the air is clean air.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the automatic vibration damping member inserting apparatus according to the fifteenth aspect, a high-speed static eliminator for adding air ions to the clean air is provided. .

Further, the invention of claim 17 is based on claims 14 to
16. The automatic insertion device for a vibration damping member according to any one of 16), further comprising a suction unit that sucks the vibration damping member from below the insertion portion when the vibration damping member is inserted.

According to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention, in the automatic vibration damping member insertion device according to the seventh aspect, the vibration damping member insertion confirming means includes a photosensitive drum positioning means and a vibration damping member confirming sensor. It is characterized by having.

According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cylindrical vibration damping member having a slit inserted into an inner wall surface of a cylindrical photosensitive drum, and an insertion introduction portion is formed at at least one end of the cylindrical vibration damping member. It is a vibration damping member.

According to a twentieth aspect of the present invention, in the vibration damping member according to the nineteenth aspect, the insertion introduction portion is formed in a tapered tapered surface, and the tapered tapered surface is formed at an angle α with respect to the center axis.
Is not less than 5 degrees and not more than 30 degrees.

According to a twenty-first aspect of the present invention, in the vibration-damping member according to the nineteenth or twentieth aspect, a shoulder of the insertion introduction portion has a gentle curved shape.

[0042]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 3 show the principle of the insertion method of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows a state before insertion, FIG. 2 shows a state at the time of insertion, and FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the silencer 2 placed with the insertion guide 2 a vertically upward with the positioning tool 4.
The photosensitive drum 1 grasped by the grasping tool 3 is lowered from right above, and inserted in a skewered state. In the present embodiment, the case of insertion from a vertically upward direction is shown as an example, but the insertion direction is not limited to this.

FIG. 4 is a layout diagram of an automatic silencer insertion device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Photoconductor drum 1
Into the supply material handle 14 and position it at the position shown in the figure. The silencer 2 is randomly placed in the supply aligning device 6, aligned in a horizontal line, and supplied to the transport conveyor 7. As a method of supply alignment, there are a cut-out method using an elevating mechanism and a method in which a large number of claws are attached to the outside of an endless caterpillar to supply while rotating, and the latter is adopted in this embodiment. The silencer 2 is sent to the direction detecting and aligning device 8 by the conveyor 7 and detects the direction of the insertion / introduction section 2a. With the slit 2c (see FIG. 5) closed with the air cylinder 30 (see FIG. 5) from directly above, the outer diameter of the tip is measured from the horizontal direction with a laser displacement sensor (made by OMRON). The direction of the insertion / introduction section 2a is recognized by comparing the measured result with a preset value (the minimum outer diameter of the silencer 2 other than the insertion / introduction section 2a). Based on the recognized result, the 90-degree rotation device 20 determines the rotation direction, and sends the rotation to the positioning supply device 9 so that the insertion / introduction portion 2a is located rearward in the traveling direction. In the present embodiment, the 90-degree rotating device 20 is employed because the transport layout changes direction by 90 degrees, but a rotating device with an arbitrary angle can be used depending on the layout. The silencer 2 in which the direction sent to the positioning supply device 9 is constant becomes the positioning device 1 which stands by in a horizontal state.
0 shaft 10a. Conveyors, transport cylinders with chucks, and the like are conceivable as means for inserting the positioning shaft. In the present embodiment, the latter having high certainty is adopted. When the silencer 2 enters the shaft 10a, the shaft 10a turns 90 degrees to be vertically upward, and the silencer 2 is also vertically upwardly, and the preparation for insertion is completed. At this time, the insertion / introduction section 2a of the silencer 2 is naturally upward.

The gap c = (d1-d) between the outer diameter d of the shaft of the positioning tool 4 and the inner diameter d1 (see FIG. 3) of the silencer 2 when inserted into the cylindrical photosensitive drum 1 is 1. .2 mm, the difference between the inner diameter D of the photosensitive drum 1 and the maximum outer diameter D1 at the tip of the insertion introduction portion in the free state of the silencer 2 is (D−
D1) = 2.0 mm, accuracy of the insertion position when the photosensitive drum transport robot 11 grips the photosensitive drum 1 ± a, accuracy of the repetition stop position at the insertion position of the shaft of the positioning tool 4 ± b (a + b) = 0.4 mm, c is given by the following equation (I)
Are satisfied. (D-D1)>c> (a + b) (I)

Simultaneously with the supply operation of the silencer 2, the photosensitive drum transport robot 11 goes to the supply material handling unit 14 to pick up the photosensitive drum 1 from the origin position and grips one photosensitive drum vertically downward. Then, it moves to just above the shaft of the positioning device 10. The silencer 2 is already standing vertically on the shaft (see FIG. 1).
Therefore, the photosensitive drum transport robot 11 moves vertically downward from that position, and halves the silencer 2 on the inner wall surface of the photosensitive drum 1 as shown in FIG.

At this time, the stop time must be at least 0.2 seconds or more. If it is less than that, the silencer insertion operation is affected by the lifting operation of the photosensitive drum transport robot 11, and erroneous insertion remaining (silencer remains on the shaft) frequently occurs. In the present embodiment, the photosensitive drum transport robot 11 stops for 0.3 seconds, then rises as shown in FIG. 3, moves to the photosensitive drum transfer unit 15, and moves on the jig of the assembly line conveyor 18. The photosensitive drum 1 to which the silencer 2 is attached is transferred and returned to the home position (the photosensitive drum transfer step and the silencer inserting step are performed simultaneously by one chuck and one cycle operation of the photosensitive drum transfer robot).

FIG. 6 is a view showing an example of an apparatus for reliably preventing dust generated by frictional contact between the photosensitive drum and the silencer from adhering to the surface of the photosensitive drum. At the same time as the photoconductor drum transfer robot 11 starts the insertion operation, the high speed static eliminator (manufactured by Keyence) 41 generates air ions in the direction of the insertion portion from three outlets 40 obliquely above the photoconductor drum 1 in the circumferential direction. Blow the added clean compressed air. This spraying is performed until the insertion and extraction operations are completed. A duct 13b connected to the suction device 13 and a suction port 13a are provided below the insertion unit, and suck and discharge dust scattered by blowing clean compressed air. Reference numeral 19 indicates an operation range of the photosensitive drum transport robot, and reference numeral 42 indicates a clean compressed air supply source.

The photosensitive drum 1 transferred to the photosensitive drum transfer unit 15 and having the silencer 2 inserted therein is conveyed to the silencer insertion confirmation device 12 by the assembly line conveyor 18. Therefore, the position of the photosensitive drum 1 is fixed by an air cylinder driven photosensitive drum positioning device 16 installed on both sides of the assembly line conveyor 18, and then the silencers also installed on both sides of the assembly line conveyor 18 Confirmation sensor 17 (Keyence laser displacement sensor)
To the silencer insertion position, and confirm the presence / absence and position.

FIG. 5C shows a method of determining the direction of the silencer.
Is measured by measuring the end outer diameter d0 of the silencer 2 in the free state shown in FIG. 4 and comparing the end outer diameter d0 with the previously measured minimum outer diameter d3 (set value) other than the insertion introduction portion 2a. is there. When the measurement end is on the opposite side of the insertion / introduction section 2a, the measured value is substantially the same as the set value (d0 ≒ d3), so that it can be easily determined. Since the diameter is not a perfect circle with the slit 2c, the value of d0 of the insertion introduction portion 2a changes from the maximum d1 to the minimum d2 depending on the measurement direction (see FIG. 5B). At this time, it cannot be determined that the comparison reference value d3 is in the range of d1>d3> d2. In the present embodiment, when making a determination, a pressure is applied from the outside orthogonal to the end measurement direction 31 of the silencer 2 by the air cylinder 30 (see FIG. 5A), and measurement is performed with the slit 2c closed. Then, the relationship between d1, d2, and d3 is
d3>d1> d2, and it becomes possible to determine. The silencer 2 used in the present embodiment has an insertion introduction portion 2 at one end.
a, angle α = 10 degrees, length s = 8 mm, shoulder R =
3 mm.

According to the above embodiment, as a method of inserting the silencer 2 into the photosensitive drum 1, the silencer 2
Is positioned on the stationary positioning tool 4, the end opening of the photosensitive drum 1 is approached toward the insertion introduction portion 2a at the end of the silencer 2, and the silencer 2 is inserted into the photosensitive drum 1 in a skewered state. Therefore, there is no need to handle the silencer 2 whose shape in the free state is unstable and handling is difficult, and the apparatus is simplified.

Further, since the silencer 2 is inserted from the lower end of the photosensitive drum 1, dust generated by frictional contact between the photosensitive drum 1 and the silencer 2 at the time of insertion hardly adheres to the photosensitive drum surface 1.

When the photosensitive drum transport robot 11 is used for handling the photosensitive drum 1, the photosensitive drum transport robot 11 starts the operation from the origin and returns to the origin again (one cycle operation). In addition, by performing the step of inserting the silencer 2 without holding the photosensitive drum 1 only once (one chuck operation), the operation time of one cycle of the photosensitive drum transport robot 11 is shortened, and the production efficiency is increased.

Further, when the photosensitive drum 1 is gripped by the photosensitive drum transfer robot 11 and the silencer 2 is inserted into the inner wall surface of the photosensitive drum 1, an insertion operation (push-in operation) and a withdrawal operation are performed during the insertion operation. If the switching time is less than 0.2 seconds, there is a high possibility that an insertion error (the silencer 2 remains on the shaft of the positioning tool 4) will occur. This occurs because the silencer 2 is moved by the insertion operation and does not completely stop, and starts the next withdrawal operation, so that the silencer 2 is not completely in contact with the inner wall surface of the photosensitive drum. If a stop time of 0.2 seconds or more is taken, the silencer 2 comes into close contact with the inner wall surface of the photosensitive drum, and there is no insertion remaining error.

In the automatic insertion device of the silencer 2 according to the present embodiment, the process of inserting the silencer 2 and the photosensitive drum 1
Can be performed simultaneously, and space saving and low cost can be achieved.

As the minimum components of the automatic silencer press-fitting device of the present embodiment, means for taking out and randomly storing the silencer 2 (silencer supply aligning device 6) and a direction detecting unit (direction detecting unit) for aligning the aligned silencer 2 Means for conveying to the aligning device 8) (conveying conveyor 7), means for measuring the outer diameter of the end of the silencer 2 to determine the direction and align in a certain direction (direction detecting and aligning device 8, 90-degree rotating device 20); Means for supplying silencers 2 aligned in a certain direction to a positioning portion for insertion (positioning supply device 9), positioning means for silencer 2 (positioning device 1)
0), a transfer robot (photosensitive drum transfer robot 11) for gripping the photosensitive drum 1 and inserting the silencer 2 in a skewered state, and a means for confirming insertion of the silencer 2 (photosensitive drum positioning device 16, silencer confirmation sensor 1)
7). Unless there is at least one of these means, insertion and confirmation of insertion of the silencer cannot be performed.

In order to insert the silencer 2 into the photosensitive drum 1 in a skewered state, an insertion introduction portion (chamfered or tapered) 2a is required at the outer diameter of the end of the silencer 2. Without the insertion introducing portion 2a, there is a high possibility that the end surface of the photosensitive drum and the end surface of the silencer collide during insertion. The direction does not matter as long as this insertion introduction portion 2a can be attached to both end surfaces of the silencer 2. However, since the silencer 2 having the slit 2c as in the present embodiment is made by injection molding, it is formed on both sides of the mold structure. It is difficult to attach the insertion guide 2a (the product cannot be ejected from the mold). Therefore, a step of always setting the insertion introduction portion 2a of the silencer 2 on the insertion side is required.

As a method for determining the insertion / introduction side of the silencer 2, a method of measuring the outer diameter of the silencer end and comparing the measured diameters is reliable and simple. The outer diameter of the silencer 2 is not a perfect circle but an ellipse because the silencer 2 has the slit 2c. Therefore, if the measurement is performed as it is, the measurement width of the outer diameter in the circumferential direction is large, and comparison and determination cannot be performed. Therefore, when the measurement is performed by pressing the silencer 2 during measurement as in the present embodiment, the slit 2c is closed when the slit 2c is parallel to the measurement direction, and the slit 2
Although c is not closed, the minimum diameter portion is measured, so that the measurement width is reduced and comparison can be made.

The silencer 2 can be easily transported horizontally (horizontally). In order to supply the silencer 2 conveyed horizontally to the shaft of the positioning tool 4 provided in the positioning device 10, it is easier to make the shaft horizontal. However, when the silencer is inserted, it is easier to set the silencer 2 vertically since the operation range of the photosensitive drum transport robot 11 can be narrowed. Therefore, the shaft of the positioning tool 4 is provided with a 90-degree turning function so that the equipment can be simplified by supplying the silencer horizontally and vertically inserting the silencer.

The positioning accuracy of the positioning portion of the silencer 2 is a very important factor in the insertion process. In the present embodiment, since the silencer 2 is inserted into the positioning shaft, the gap c between the inner diameter of the silencer 2 and the outer diameter of the shaft becomes important. The position accuracy ± a with respect to the insertion position when the photosensitive drum transport robot 11 comes to the insertion site while gripping the photosensitive drum 1 within the range of the gap c, the repeat position accuracy ± b with respect to the insertion position of the positioning unit shaft, the photosensitive member When expressed by the inner diameter D of the drum and the maximum outer diameter D1 at the tip of the silencer insertion / introduction portion, the following relationship must be satisfied: c> (D-D1) or c
If (a + b), the end surface of the photosensitive drum 1 may collide with the insertion-side end surface of the silencer 2 during insertion.

In this embodiment, since the silencer 2 is inserted into the photosensitive drum 1 from the lower end side of the photosensitive drum 1,
As described above, dust generated due to frictional contact between the photosensitive drum 1 and the silencer 2 at the time of insertion does not easily adhere to the surface of the photosensitive drum. However, dust is still generated. May be. Therefore, air is blown from the upper side in the circumferential direction of the photosensitive drum 1 toward the insertion portion at the same time as the insertion, so that generated dust is blown down to the lower side of the photosensitive drum, thereby preventing dust from adhering to the surface of the photosensitive drum. .

Further, the air to be blown is cleaned,
Prevents dust from adhering to the surface of the photosensitive drum due to blowing air. Further, air ions are generated by the high-speed static eliminator 41 in the blown clean air, thereby preventing dust from adhering to the surface of the photosensitive drum due to static electricity. In addition, a suction device 13 is provided below the insertion portion to suction generated dust to prevent dust from adhering to the surface of the photosensitive drum. In addition, by combining the above-described dust adhesion preventing method, the effect of dust adhesion to the surface of the photosensitive drum is improved.

The automatic insertion device of the silencer 2 is required to confirm the silencer 2 inserted into the inner wall surface of the photosensitive drum 1 or to confirm when the insertion position accuracy of the silencer 2 is required. If the photosensitive drum positioning step and the insertion confirmation detecting step proposed in the present embodiment are performed in the same step, the request can be easily made. For example, if only the insertion confirmation detection step is performed, the measurement origin will vary and the detection accuracy will be reduced. If the photosensitive drum positioning step and the insertion confirmation detection step are performed in separate steps, the position of the photosensitive drum 1 will move during inter-process movement. There is a possibility that the detection accuracy decreases and a space is required.

In order for the automatic insertion device to smoothly insert the silencer 2 into the inner wall surface of the photosensitive drum 1, the end of the silencer 2 needs to have a special shape (the insertion introduction section 2a is provided). In simple chamfering, if the silencer 2 touches the inner wall surface of the end of the photosensitive drum 1 at the time of insertion, the silencer 2 does not follow the subsequent insertion and pressing, and thus stops. In order to solve this problem, the positioning accuracy at the time of holding the photosensitive drum and the positioning accuracy of the silencer insertion portion must be strict so that the silencer 2 does not touch the inner wall surface of the end of the photosensitive drum 1. Difficult and costly to implement. As in the present proposal, at least one end of the silencer 2 is provided with an insertion introduction portion 2a, and the angle α is set to 5 degrees or more and 30 degrees or less, so that it is not necessary to tighten the positioning accuracy and the insertion can be performed smoothly. become. If the angle α is less than 5 degrees, the introduction effect is small unless the length s is increased, and as a result, the overall length of the silencer is increased. If the angle α exceeds 30 degrees, the angle is too steep to reduce the introduction effect. If the insertion introduction shoulder is not R-shaped (smoothly curved), the inner wall surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is easily caught at the time of insertion, and there is a problem that dust is easily generated by insertion friction.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. That is, various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0066]

As described above, according to the first and third aspects of the present invention, it is not necessary to handle a vibration damping member having an unstable shape in a free state and difficult to handle, and can be inserted into the photosensitive drum. This has the effect of simplifying the insertion device.

According to the second and thirteenth aspects of the present invention, since the photosensitive drum is located above the insertion position when the vibration damping member is inserted, the photosensitive drum is generated by frictional contact between the photosensitive drum and the vibration damping member. Dust hardly adheres to the surface of the photosensitive drum.

Further, according to the invention of claim 4, one cycle operation time of the photosensitive drum transport robot is shortened, and the production efficiency is improved. According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the vibration damping member is completely in close contact with the inner wall surface of the photosensitive drum, so that there is no remaining insertion error. According to the invention of claim 6, space saving and low cost can be achieved. Claim 7
According to the invention, insertion of the vibration damping member and insertion confirmation can be performed.

Further, according to the invention of claim 8, since the directions of the vibration damping members can be aligned, a vibration damping member having an insertion introduction portion can be used. According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the direction of the vibration damping member can be reliably and easily determined. According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the direction of the damping member can be reliably and easily determined even if the damping member has a slit and is not a perfect circular shape. According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the vibration control member can be made horizontal during supply, and vertical during insertion, so that the operation range of the robot can be narrowed and the equipment can be simplified.

According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, the vibration damping member can be inserted without colliding with the photosensitive drum. According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, dust generated at the time of insertion can be blown down to the lower side of the photoreceptor drum, so that adhesion of dirt to the surface of the photoreceptor drum can be reliably prevented.

According to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent dirt from adhering to the surface of the photosensitive drum due to the blowing air. According to the sixteenth aspect,
It is possible to prevent dust from adhering to the surface of the photosensitive drum due to static electricity. According to the seventeenth aspect, the generated dust can be sucked to prevent the dust from adhering to the surface of the photosensitive drum. Further, according to the eighteenth aspect, the insertion confirmation detection of the vibration damping member can be reliably and easily performed. Further, according to the invention of claims 19 to 21, it is possible to provide a vibration damping member that can be smoothly inserted into the inner wall surface of the photosensitive drum by the automatic insertion device.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a view showing the principle of an insertion method according to the present invention and showing a state before insertion.

FIG. 2 is a view showing the principle of the insertion method according to the present invention, and showing a state at the time of insertion.

FIG. 3 is a view showing the principle of the insertion method according to the present invention, and showing the state after insertion.

FIG. 4 shows a layout diagram of a silencer automatic insertion device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a silencer direction determination method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a view showing an example of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention for surely preventing dust generated by frictional contact between the photosensitive drum and the silencer from adhering to the surface of the photosensitive drum.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 photosensitive drum 2 silencer (damping member) 2 a insertion / introduction section 2 c slit 3 damping tool 4 positioning tool 6 silencer supply alignment device 7 transport conveyor 8 direction detection alignment device 9 positioning supply device 10 positioning device 11 photosensitive drum transport robot 12 Silencer insertion confirmation device 13 Suction device 14 Photoconductor drum supply material handle 15 Photoconductor drum transfer unit 16 Photoconductor drum positioning device 17 Silencer confirmation sensor 18 Assembly line conveyor 19 Photoconductor conveyance robot operation range 20 90 degree rotation device 30 Air cylinder

Claims (21)

[Claims] 1. A method of inserting a cylindrical damping member having a slit into an inner wall surface of a cylindrical photosensitive drum, comprising: positioning the damping member on a fixed side; A method of inserting a vibration damping member, comprising: bringing an end opening of the photosensitive drum toward an end portion; and inserting the vibration damping member into the photosensitive drum in a skewered state. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the end of the damping member is positioned upward, and the photosensitive drum is inserted by being lowered from above. 3. A device for inserting a cylindrical damping member having a slit into an inner wall surface of a cylindrical photoreceptor drum, wherein said damping member conveying means conveys said damping member to a positioning position; Positioning means for positioning the conveyed vibration damping member; and gripping the photosensitive drum toward an end of the positioned vibration damping member to approach an end opening of the photosensitive drum, and An automatic insertion device for a vibration damping member, comprising: a photosensitive drum transport robot for inserting the vibration damping member in a skewered state; 4. The automatic insertion of a vibration damping member according to claim 3, wherein the photosensitive drum transport robot is a robot that grips the photosensitive drum and inserts the photosensitive drum with one chuck and one cycle operation. apparatus. 5. The vibration damping member according to claim 4, wherein the robot stops the operation for 0.2 seconds or more between the operation of inserting the photosensitive drum and the operation of immediately removing the photosensitive drum. Automatic insertion device. 6. The automatic vibration damping member insertion apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the robot can perform a photosensitive drum transfer step and a vibration damping member insertion step at a time. 7. The vibration damping member conveying means detects a direction of the conveyed vibration damping member, and a conveying means conveying the arranged vibration damping member, a conveying means conveying the aligned vibration damping member, and a direction of the conveyed vibration damping member. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an orientation detection unit; a positioning supply unit configured to supply the damping member whose orientation has been detected to the positioning unit; and a positioning unit configured to position the supplied damping member. 4. The automatic insertion device for a vibration damping member according to 3. 8. The automatic insertion device for a vibration damping member according to claim 7, further comprising a direction aligning unit that aligns the direction of the vibration damping member based on the information detected by the direction detecting unit. 9. The direction detecting and aligning means measures an outer diameter of one end of the damping member during the supply of the damping member, and calculates a difference between the measured outer diameter value and a preset value. The automatic insertion device for a vibration damping member according to claim 8, wherein the direction of the insertion of the vibration damping member is made constant by recognizing the direction of the vibration damping member by comparison and inverting the alignment direction according to the direction. 10. The vibration damping device according to claim 9, further comprising means for pressing the vibration damping member in a radial direction when measuring the outer diameter of one end of the vibration damping member. Automatic member insertion device. 11. The positioning means for positioning the vibration damping member,
The automatic insertion device for a vibration damping member according to claim 7, comprising a shaft having a degree turning mechanism. 12. A gap c between an outer diameter d of the shaft and an inner diameter d1 of the vibration damping member inserted into the photosensitive drum.
The automatic insertion device for a vibration damping member according to claim 11, wherein (d1-d) falls within a range represented by the following formula (I). The accuracy of the insertion position when the robot grips the photosensitive drum is ± a, the accuracy of the repeated stop position at the insertion position of the shaft is ± b, the inner diameter of the photosensitive drum is D, and the vibration damping member is inserted in a free state. (D-D1)>c> (a + b) (I) 13. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said positioning means positions the end of said vibration damping member upward, and said photosensitive drum transport means is configured to insert said photosensitive drum by lowering said photosensitive drum from above. The automatic insertion device for a vibration damping member according to claim 3. 14. A device according to claim 1, further comprising means for blowing air onto the photosensitive drum from obliquely above the photosensitive drum toward the insertion portion when the vibration damping member is inserted.
3. The automatic insertion device for a vibration damping member according to any one of 3. 15. The automatic vibration damping member insertion device according to claim 14, wherein the air is clean air. 16. The automatic insertion device for a vibration damping member according to claim 15, further comprising a high-speed static eliminator for adding generation of air ions to the clean air. 17. The automatic insertion device for a vibration damping member according to claim 14, further comprising suction means for sucking the vibration damping member from below the insertion portion when the vibration damping member is inserted. 18. The automatic vibration damping member insertion device according to claim 7, wherein said vibration damping member insertion confirming means includes a photosensitive drum positioning means and a vibration damping member confirmation sensor. 19. A cylindrical vibration damping member having a slit inserted into an inner wall surface of a cylindrical photosensitive drum,
A vibration damping member having an insertion introduction portion formed at at least one end thereof. 20. The vibration damping device according to claim 19, wherein the insertion introducing portion is formed in a tapered tapered surface, and the angle α of the tapered tapered surface with respect to a center axis is not less than 5 degrees and not more than 30 degrees. Element. 21. The vibration damping member according to claim 19, wherein a shoulder portion of the insertion introduction portion has a gentle curved shape.