JP2002023593A - Process cartridge and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a picture of high quality in the case of picture formation by enabling the highly accurate positioning of an EL array or a rod lens array for a photoreceptor drum. SOLUTION: The EL array 6 and the rod lens array 5 are mounted on a cleaner unit 4 in which the photoreceptor drum 2 is freely rotatably supported, the luminescent light from the EL array is collected by the rod lens array 5 and the image is formed on the photoreceptor drum 2.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a facsimile, and a copying machine for forming a monochrome image and a color image, and more particularly, to a process cartridge having exposure means and an image forming apparatus having the same. Things.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Some conventional image forming apparatuses such as printers, facsimile machines and digital copiers form a recorded image by an electrophotographic system. In such an image forming apparatus, light-emitting elements such as light-emitting diodes are arrayed and used as a light source of exposure means. This exposure apparatus uses a drum-type electrophotographic photosensitive member (hereinafter, referred to as a “photosensitive drum”) as an image carrier that uses a latent image corresponding to an image signal output from an external computer or an image reading system.
It is intended to be formed on the top, and it is possible to easily manufacture a small and quiet image forming apparatus.

An exposure apparatus emits diffused light. In order to form a latent image on a photosensitive drum, diffused light emitted from a light emitting element is used to form a higher definition image. It is necessary to form an image on each minute spot.

Therefore, an exposure apparatus using a large number of light emitting element rows is provided with a rod lens array as an image forming means, and the light emitting elements and the rod lenses are arranged in correspondence to form a good spot. . Therefore, the relative positional relationship between the light emitting element and the rod lens is configured to have high positional accuracy.

As described above, the image forming apparatus is required to be able to form a higher definition image.

[0006]

However, as described above, when a high-definition latent image is formed on a photosensitive drum using a rod lens array as an image forming means, the exposure apparatus uses an individual rod lens to form an image. Are superposed on each other to form an image, so that a high positional accuracy is required between the light emitting means (light emitting element array), the image forming means and the photosensitive drum in order to achieve the image superposition with high accuracy. In addition, high precision is required for the production of a sophisticated spelling mechanism and each component member.

Some image forming apparatuses have a structure in which a process cartridge in which a photosensitive drum, a developing means and the like are integrated is detachably mounted on the apparatus main body. This process cartridge is a cartridge which is easily replaced due to deterioration of the photosensitive drum, consumption of the developer, and the like.

Since the process cartridge is detachably mounted to the image forming apparatus main body, the light-emitting element array and the rod lens fixed to the photosensitive drum in the process cartridge and the image forming apparatus main body. It has been difficult to adjust the position with respect to the array with high precision.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned points, and has a process cartridge and an image forming apparatus in which a light emitting means or an image forming means is positioned with high precision with respect to an image carrier to obtain a high-definition image. It is intended to provide a device.

[0010]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a process cartridge, comprising: an image carrier rotatably supported on a cartridge body; and a latent image on the image carrier. A light emitting means for irradiating light to form light, and an image forming means for condensing a light beam from the light emitting means on the image carrier, wherein the light emitting means and the image forming means are provided on the image carrier. The cartridge is mounted on the cartridge body while being positioned with respect to the cartridge body.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the light emitting means and the image forming means are arranged in parallel along the line of the image carrier.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the cartridge body has a frame for holding either the image forming means or the light emitting means, and is fixed to the frame so that the image carrier is rotatable. And a holding member for holding the other of the image forming means and the light emitting means in parallel along the axis of the image carrier.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the cartridge main body has a developing unit for mounting the light emitting means and the image forming means and for developing a latent image formed on the image carrier.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the cartridge main body is formed with the charging means for mounting the light emitting means and the image forming means and for uniformly charging the image carrier and the image carrier. And a developing unit for developing the latent image.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the cartridge main body is formed with the charging means for mounting the light emitting means and the image forming means and for uniformly charging the image carrier and the image carrier. A developing unit for developing the latent image and a cleaning unit for removing the developer remaining on the image carrier.

According to the invention described in claim 7, the light emitting means is an EL light emitting element in which the light emitting layer of the light emitting element is made of an organic or inorganic substance.

According to the invention described in claim 8, the light-emitting means includes an EL light-emitting element laminated on a transparent substrate,
The luminous flux emitted from the L light emitting element is emitted through the transparent base material on which the EL light emitting element is laminated.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the light emitting means includes an EL light emitting element laminated on a transparent substrate,
The light beam emitted from the L light emitting element is emitted in a direction substantially perpendicular to the stacking direction.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the imaging means is configured by arraying one or more rows of rod lenses.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus comprising: the process cartridge according to any one of the first to ninth aspects; An image forming apparatus main body having a transfer unit for transferring an image to a medium.

[Operation] Based on the above configuration, the light emitting means and the image forming means are positioned and mounted on the cartridge body which rotatably supports the image bearing member with respect to the image bearing member. Is focused by the imaging means to form an image on the image carrier. Thus, even when the process cartridge is attached to and detached from the apparatus main body, the positional relationship between the light emitting unit and the image forming unit with respect to the image carrier does not change. A quality image will be obtained.

[0022]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

<First Embodiment> FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a process cartridge according to the embodiment, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II of the process cartridge, FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a light emitting element array according to the first embodiment, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the light emitting element array, and FIG. 5 is a characteristic diagram showing a change in the light amount of the light emitting element according to the driving time and an applied current for keeping the light quantity constant.
FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a state where a light amount sensor is provided in the L array.
8 is a characteristic diagram showing a case where the light emitting element is controlled, and FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an image forming apparatus equipped with the process cartridge according to the first embodiment.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, reference numeral 1 denotes a process cartridge. The process cartridge 1 has a developing means as a developing means as shown in FIG. An exposure unit E having a unit 3 and a cleaner unit 4 as a cleaning unit on the downstream side, and further having a light emitting unit and an image forming unit above the photosensitive drum 2 in the rotation direction upstream of the developing unit 3; Are arranged.

Flanges 2a and 2b are integrally attached to both ends of the photosensitive drum 2 in the longitudinal direction.
The gears a and 2b are provided with gears not shown.
Thus, when the process cartridge 1 is mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus, the rotation of a motor as a driving unit on the main body side of the image forming apparatus is transmitted to the photosensitive drum 2 via the gear portion.

Bearings 4a and 4b for supporting the photosensitive drum 2 are integrally provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the cleaner unit 4, and a shaft core of the photosensitive drum 2 is provided between the bearings 4a and 4b. An overhanging portion 4c for mounting a rod lens array 5 as an image forming means arranged in a radial direction with respect to 2c is provided in a protruding manner. Further, holding members 7 and 8 for holding the photosensitive drum 2 and an EL array 6 as a light emitting means (light emitting element array) are screwed to both ends in the longitudinal direction of the cleaner unit 4. A connector 10 for electrically connecting the flexible substrate 9 is attached to one of the holding members 8. In addition,
The cartridge unit is constituted by the cleaner unit 4 and the holding members 7 and 8.

The holding members 7 and 8 penetrate through the bearings 4a and 4b to support the photosensitive drum 2 rotatably.
b and 8b are integrally provided on the bases 7a and 8a,
EL mounting portions 7c and 8c for arranging the EL array 6 in a plane above the rod lens array 5 are integrally formed. That is, the holding members 7 and 8 are molded by, for example, die-casting of a zinc alloy, and the rod lens array 5 and the EL array 6 are arranged in the same radial direction with respect to the shaft core 2 c of the photosensitive drum 2. Bases 7a, 8
The support shafts 7b, 8b and the EL mounting portions 7c, 8c are protruded at right angles to the plane a. Therefore, the relationship between the size of the hole of the photosensitive drum 2 into which the support shafts 7b and 8b are inserted and the thickness of the support shafts 7b and 8b has a very small tolerance.

The EL array 6 is connected to the EL mounting portions 7c and 8c.
, The light emitting elements of the EL array 6 correspond to the rod lenses of the rod lens array 5 by being disposed in parallel along the axis 2 c of the photosensitive drum 2 and being adhered by an adhesive 11. The light beam radiated from the EL array 6 arranged along the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum 2 is imaged on the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 by the rod lens array 5. Can be.

That is, E is attached to the EL mounting portions 7c and 8c.
The L array 6 is installed, and the photosensitive drum 2 is rotatably supported on the support shafts 7b and 8b. Thereby, along the optical axis direction of the rod lens array 5, that is, z in FIG.
The EL array 6 can be fixed in the direction with high accuracy.
The light beam from the L array 6 via the rod lens array 5 can be imaged on the photosensitive drum 2 as a good spot. For this reason, each light emitting element of the EL array 6, each rod lens of the rod lens array 5, and the photosensitive drum 2
The relative position with respect to the optical axis and the position in the optical axis direction become highly accurate, and recording with very little color shift can be performed, and high-resolution exposure can be performed, so that a high-definition and high-quality image can be obtained.

Here, the directions of the support shafts 7b and 8b for rotating the photosensitive drum 2, the arrangement direction of the light emitting elements of the EL array 6, and the positions of the light emitting elements in the EL array 6 in the x direction in FIG. It is necessary to position with high accuracy, but this is EL
This can be achieved by finely moving and adjusting the EL array 6 in the xy plane (horizontal plane) in FIG. 1 when the array 6 is bonded.

After the EL array 6 is fixed to the cleaner unit 4 by the holding members 7 and 8, the connector 10 is fixed by fixing means such as screws. The connector 10 is simultaneously connected to one connector for connecting to an EL array driver provided in the image forming apparatus main body by mounting the process cartridge 1 in the image forming apparatus main body.

The developing unit 3 is provided with a developing roller 12 close to the photosensitive drum 2 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, and is brought into contact with the developing roller 12 so as to be in contact with the developer regulating members 13a, 13a. 13b is provided. The cleaner unit 4 is provided with a cleaning blade 14 so as to contact the photosensitive drum 2 and a charging roller 15 so as to contact the photosensitive drum 2.

Next, the structure of each light emitting element of the EL array will be described with reference to FIGS.

The EL array 6 is a whole including layers necessary for light emission. The EL array 6 is composed of an ITO film or the like on a transparent substrate 1101 made of conductive glass such as SnO _{2 with} respect to the emission wavelength. Positive electrode 1102 transparent to
a, 1102b, 1102c, 1102d,... are formed separately for each light emitting element. This plus electrode 1
102a, 1102b, 1102c, 1102d ...
A hole transport layer 1103 made of an organic material and an electron transport layer 1104 made of an organic material are laminated in this order, and a negative electrode layer 1105 such as Mg or Al is laminated on the hole transport layer 1103 and the electron transport layer 1104. I have. Although not shown, a sealing layer may be laminated on the negative electrode layer 1105.

Then, the plus electrodes 1102a, 1102
, 1102c, 1102d... and the negative electrode 11
Good light emission can be performed by applying an optimum voltage between the transparent substrate 110 and the transparent substrate 1101. In FIG. 4, the plus electrodes 1102a, 1102b,
Are connected in parallel to a power supply 1106, FIG.
FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing that a voltage is applied, and switching may be performed for each electrode, or each electrode may be switched for each time.

The light-emitting portion of the light-emitting element corresponds to the plus electrodes 1102a, 1102b, 1102c, 1 in FIG.
.. And the minus electrode 1105 intersecting each other (portions shown by dotted lines in FIG. 3).

In the above embodiment, the electron transport layer 1104 and the hole transport layer 1103 have been described as being organic, but they may be made of inorganic material.

By the way, as shown in FIG. 5, the light quantity of the light emitting element decreases with the elapse of the driving time (see the line a shown in FIG. 5). Is increased as shown by the line b in FIG. 5 so as to obtain a constant amount of light (see the line c in FIG. 5).

For this reason, in the present invention, as shown in FIG. 6, a light quantity sensor is provided in the EL array 6 to control the light emission quantity.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a state in which the EL array 6 is provided with a light amount sensor. In FIG. 6, reference numerals 6a to 6n denote light emitting elements, and the light amounts are measured corresponding to the light emitting elements 6a to 6n. Light intensity sensor 29a as light intensity measuring means
To 29n are provided. These light quantity sensors 29a-2
9n are connected to the corresponding light emitting elements 6a to 6n via the light amount control means 30.

The operation of the EL array 6 configured as described above will be described. As the driving time elapses, the light amount of the light emitting elements 6a to 6n in the EL array 6 decreases as indicated by the line a in FIG. However, in order to obtain a high-quality image, a certain amount of c-line is always required. Therefore, the light amount is measured by the light amount sensors 29a to 29n corresponding to the respective light emitting elements 6a to 6n, and the applied current to the light emitting elements 6a to 6n is changed via the light amount control means 30 based on the measured light amount.
Control is performed so as to obtain a desired light amount such as the c-line shown in FIG. However, there is a limit in controlling the amount of light by increasing the applied current. If the current is continuously increased, the EL array 6 is heated, and when the applied current reaches point A, the characteristics of the photosensitive drum 2 deteriorate and Good printing quality cannot be maintained due to toner sticking or the like.

In order to prevent this, in the present embodiment,
When the light amount decreases by a certain amount or more and reaches the point A shown in FIG. 5, it is determined that the life of the EL array 6 is reached.
To 29n, and the light amount control means 30 increases the current applied to the light emitting elements 6a to 6n at a stretch. As a result, the light emitting elements 6a to 6n are destroyed, and a temperature rise above the point A is prevented.

In the above-described embodiment, the description has been given of the case where the applied current control is performed as a control for obtaining a constant light amount. However, the same light amount control may be performed by controlling the applied voltage or the drive pulse width. Can be.

Also, in an image forming apparatus having a photosensitive drum of a single color, it is a matter of course that a monochrome toner image can be achieved by using the above-described image forming section alone.

Next, an image forming apparatus equipped with the process cartridge of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
The operation will be described using a printer as an example of the image forming apparatus.

Image data is sent from a host device (not shown) to a controller inside the printer 20 as an image forming apparatus main body. A recording paper 24 as a recording medium is fed via a feed roller 17 of a paper feed cassette or a feed roller 18 of a manual feed section, and the registration rollers 16a, 1
When the recording paper 24 reaches the position 6b, the leading end position of the recording paper 24 is detected by a sensor (not shown), and the recording paper 24 is fed by the registration rollers 16a and 16b at a certain timing.

On the other hand, the photosensitive drum 2 charged in advance by the charging roller 15 is exposed according to image data from the EL array 6 by an unillustrated EL array driver on the printer 20 side, and is shown in the direction of arrow R2 in the figure. To form an electrostatic latent image. And the photosensitive drum 2
The developer contained in the developing unit 3 is applied to the photosensitive drum 2 by the developing roller 12 in accordance with the formation of the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 2 to form a toner image.

Thereafter, the photosensitive drum 2 is rotated, and the registration rollers 16a and 16b are synchronized with the timing at which the toner image reaches the transfer position (copper position) of the transfer device 19.
Is rotated to convey the recording paper 24 to the nip position of the transfer device 19. Then, the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 2 is transferred onto the recording paper 24 by the transfer device 19.

Thereafter, the recording paper 2 on which the toner image has been transferred
Reference numeral 4 passes through the conveyance path 21, where the toner images are fixed in the fixing units 22a and 22b, discharged to the tray 23, and the image forming process is completed.

As described above, in the process cartridge 1 of the present embodiment, the photosensitive drum 2 is rotatably supported, and the EL array 6 is held so as to be mounted in parallel along the axis of the photosensitive drum 2. Since the members 7 and 8 are fixed to both side surfaces of the cleaner unit 4, highly accurate positioning between the EL array 6 and the photosensitive drum 2 can be easily performed.

The cleaner unit 4 is arranged such that the rod lens array 5 and the EL array 6 are arranged on the same plane.
Since the rod lens array 5 is mounted on the photosensitive drum 2, the light beam from the EL array 6 can be imaged as a good spot on the photosensitive drum 2, and a high-definition electrostatic latent image can be formed on the photosensitive drum 2. Also in formation, a high-definition image can be formed.

In the present embodiment, the above-described EL
Although the array driver has been described as being provided in the process cartridge, it may be provided in the image forming apparatus main body outside the process cartridge 1. Also, the light emitting element array is EL
Although described as an array, the light emitting element array is not limited to this, and may be, for example, a light emitting diode array.

<Second Embodiment> Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing a process cartridge according to a second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the same process cartridge, and FIG. 10 is a light emitting element array according to the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the light emitting element array of the above.

8 and FIG. 9, FIG. 1 and FIG.
The same or equivalent components as those described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted. In this embodiment mode, an EL which is a light-emitting means is used.
The array 206 is of an edge emitting type.
The array 206 is formed by arranging EL light emitting elements in an array in the x direction shown in FIG. Holding members 207 and 20 constituting a cartridge body together with cleaner unit 4
Numeral 8 is screwed to both ends in the longitudinal direction of the cleaner unit 4 to support the photosensitive drum 2 and to hold an end surface emitting type EL array 206. A connector 210 for electrically connecting the flexible board 209 is attached to one of the holding members 208.

That is, the holding members 207 and 208
To attach the L array 206, the bases 207a, 2
EL mounting portion 20 projecting at right angles to the surface 08a
8 are provided in the z direction (vertical direction) shown in FIG. 8, and the support shafts 207b and 208b that penetrate the bearings 4a and 4b and support the photosensitive drum 2 are provided on the surfaces of the bases 207a and 208a. At right angles. Then, the EL mounting portions 207c, 20
The EL array 206 is adhered to the vertical surface (mounting surface) 8c with an adhesive 211, and the photosensitive drum 2 is supported by support shafts 207b and 208b penetrating the bearings 4a and 4b.

As a result, the rod lens array 5 and the EL array 20 are arranged in parallel along the axis of the photosensitive drum 2.
6 will be provided.

Next, the structure of each light emitting element of the EL array will be described with reference to FIGS.

The EL array 206 is a whole including layers necessary for light emission, and has a structure in which a positive electrode 1202 is laminated on a base material 1201. And this plus electrode 1
An organic hole transporting layer 1203 and an organic electron transporting layer 1204 are stacked on top of the hole transport layer 202, and Mg, on the hole transporting layer 1203 and the electron transporting layer 1204.
Negative electrode layers 1205a, 1205b, 1 of Al or the like
Are provided for each light emitting element. Note that the negative electrode layers 1205a and 1205
Although not shown, a sealing layer may be laminated on b, 1205c, 1205d,...

Then, the plus electrode 1202 and the minus electrode layers 1205a, 1205b, 1205c, 1205d
The best light emission can be performed by applying the optimum voltage between the steps. Here, each negative electrode layer 1205a,
Numerals 1205b, 1205c, and 1205d have a property of reflecting light having an emission wavelength, and light propagates in the vertical direction shown in FIG.
The light amount can be obtained from the end face of No. 4. An end face of the organic layer on one side is provided with a film or a paint (not shown) which does not transmit radiated light to prevent light leakage.

In order to further increase the efficiency of light propagation, the difference between the plus electrode 1202 and the hole transport layer 1203 and the minus electrode layers 1205a, 1205b, 1205
., and the electron transport layer 1204, a member having a large refractive index difference from each organic layer and a small total reflection angle may be interposed.

In FIG. 11, the negative electrode layer 12
Although 05a, 1205b, 1205c, and 1205d are shown connected in parallel to the power supply 1206, FIG. 11 is a diagram schematically showing that a voltage is applied to each light emitting element. Switching may be performed for each electrode, or each electrode may be switched for each time.

In the above embodiment, the electron transport layer 1204 and the hole transport layer 1203 have been described as being limited to organic substances, but they may be composed of inorganic substances.

The process cartridge of this embodiment is mounted on an image forming apparatus and forms an image in the same manner as in the first embodiment.
This is the same as the embodiment.

As described above, in the process cartridge of this embodiment, the photosensitive drum 2 is rotatably supported, and the EL array 206 is attached in parallel along the axis of the photosensitive drum 2. Holding member 20
Since the fixing members 7 and 208 are fixed to both side surfaces of the cleaner unit 4, highly accurate positioning between the EL array 206 and the photosensitive drum 2 can be easily performed.

Further, since the rod lens array 5 is mounted on the cleaner unit 4 so that the rod lens array 5 and the EL array 206 are disposed on the same plane, the light flux from the EL array 206 is transferred onto the photosensitive drum 2. Since an image can be formed as a good spot and a high-definition electrostatic latent image can be formed on the photosensitive drum 2, a high-definition image can be formed even in image formation.

Further, the present embodiment can perform alignment of the EL array 206 with respect to the optical axis direction of the rod lens array 5, and is effective when it is desired to precisely control the spot diameter after image formation. .

Thus, a high-definition electrostatic latent image can be formed on the photosensitive drum 2, and a high-definition image can be formed in the image forming apparatus equipped with the process cartridge according to the present embodiment. You can do it.

<Third Embodiment> Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.
An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view showing a process cartridge according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 13 is a sectional view showing the same process cartridge.

In FIGS. 12 and 13, the same or equivalent components as those in FIGS. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted. In this embodiment, the holding members 307 and 30 to which the EL array 306 as the light emitting means is attached are described.
8 is provided with a rod lens array 305 as imaging means. Note that the cartridge body is constituted by the cleaner unit 304 and the holding members 307 and 308.

The holding members 307 and 308 are hinged to both ends in the longitudinal direction of the cleaner unit 304 to support the photosensitive drum 2 and hold the EL array 306 of the edge emission type. One of the holding members 308 has the flexible substrate 3
09 is electrically connected to the connector 310.

The holding members 307 and 308 are provided with a base 307 for attaching the EL array 306 of the edge emitting type.
a, 307a, the EL mounting portion 307 protruding from the
c, 308c are arranged in the z direction (vertical direction) shown in FIG.
8c and lens mounting portions 307d and 308d
Place the mounting surface in the same way. Further, the bearings 4a,
4b, a support shaft 307 for supporting the photosensitive drum 2
b and 308b are integrally protruded from the bases 307a and 308a.

Then, the EL mounting portions 307c and 308
The EL array 306 is mounted on the vertical surface (mounting surface) c, and the rod lens array 305 is mounted on the vertical surfaces of the lens mounting portions 307d and 308d. As a result, the rod lens array 305 and the EL array 306 are arranged in parallel along the axis of the photosensitive drum 2, that is, along the z direction shown in FIG.

Therefore, the EL mounting portions 307c, 3c
The rod lens array 305 and the EL array 306 are attached by attaching the EL array 306 to the attachment surface of the lens 08c and the rod lens array 305 to the attachment surfaces of the lens attachment portions 307d and 308d in FIG.
Can be accurately positioned in the y direction.

As a result, the rod lens array 305 and the EL can be accurately and parallelly arranged along the axis of the photosensitive drum 2.
The array 306 can be positioned, and the relative positions of the photosensitive drum 2, the rod lens array 305, and the EL array 306 and the positional accuracy in the optical axis direction can be accurately determined. That is, the generatrix between the EL array 306 and the photosensitive drum 2 is positioned.

After the EL array 306 is fixed to the cleaner unit 304, the connector 310 is fixed by fixing means such as screws. When the connector 310 is mounted on the image forming apparatus, it is simultaneously connected to one of the connector sections for connecting to the EL array driver section in the image forming apparatus.

Further, the process cartridge of the present embodiment can be mounted on an image forming apparatus to form an image in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

As described above, in the process cartridge of this embodiment, the photosensitive drum 2 is rotatably supported, and the EL array 306 is attached in parallel along the axis of the photosensitive drum 2. Holding member 30
7, 308 are fixed to both side surfaces of the cleaner unit 304, so that highly accurate positioning between the EL array 306 and the photosensitive drum 2 can be easily performed.

Further, the rod lens array 305 is mounted on the cleaner unit 304 so that the rod lens array 305 is disposed on the same plane as the EL array 306 which is disposed in parallel along the axis of the photosensitive drum 2. So
Since a light beam from the EL array 306 can be formed as an excellent spot on the photosensitive drum 2 and a high-definition electrostatic latent image can be formed on the photosensitive drum 2, a high-definition image can be formed even in image formation. be able to.

Further, the present embodiment can perform alignment of the EL array 306 in the optical axis direction of the rod lens array 305, and is effective when the depth of focus of the rod lens array 305 is smaller. is there.

As a result, a high-definition latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 2, so that an image forming apparatus equipped with the process cartridge according to the present embodiment can realize a high-definition image formation.

<Fourth Embodiment> Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 14 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a process cartridge according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

In the above-described embodiments, the developing unit and the cleaner unit are arranged on the upstream side and the downstream side in the rotational direction with the photosensitive drum at the center, and the photosensitive drum is connected to the EL array and the rod lens array. The process cartridge is configured so that the relative position and the position in the optical axis direction are highly accurate. However, the process cartridge in the present invention is configured such that the relative position between the photosensitive drum and the EL array and the rod lens array and the optical axis direction are different. It suffices if the position is configured to be highly accurate.

For this reason, in the process cartridge according to the present embodiment, the photosensitive drum 2 is rotatably supported by the cartridge body 25 as shown in FIG. 14, for example, and the cartridge body 25 has the EL array 6 and the rod lens array. 5 so that the relative position between the photosensitive drum 2 and the EL array 6 and the rod lens array 5 and the position in the optical axis direction are highly accurate.

<Fifth Embodiment> Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 15 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a process cartridge according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

In the process cartridge according to the present embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 15, the photosensitive drum 2 is rotatably supported on the cartridge main body 26, and the developing roller 27 for applying toner to the photosensitive drum 2 is provided. Are rotatably supported by the developing unit 28, and the EL array 6 and the rod lens array 5
Is mounted so that the relative position between the photosensitive drum 2 and the EL array 6 and the rod lens array 5 and the position in the optical axis direction are highly accurate.

<Sixth Embodiment> Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 16 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a process cartridge according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

The process cartridge according to the present embodiment rotatably supports the photosensitive drum 2 and the charging roller 15 on the cartridge main body 31 as shown in FIG. The developing roller 27 is rotatably supported by the developing unit 28, and the EL array 6 and the rod lens array 5 are attached to the cartridge main body 31.
The configuration is such that the relative position with respect to the L array 6 and the rod lens array 5 and the position in the optical axis direction are highly accurate.

As described above, the fourth to sixth modes are the same.
In the process cartridge according to the embodiment, the EL array 6 and the rod lens array 5 are attached to the cartridge main body and detached from the apparatus main body as necessary, so that the life of each component of the process cartridge is taken into consideration. System design becomes possible.

<Seventh Embodiment> Next, a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a multicolor image recording apparatus to which the process cartridge according to the present invention can be applied.

In the figure, a transfer belt TF1 is suspended between rollers TR1 and TR2.
1, the recording paper 24 is conveyed in the direction indicated by arrow X by turning the TR2 in the direction indicated by arrow R. Thereby, the transfer belt TF1 conveys the recording paper 24 to the black transfer position between the photosensitive drum 501 and the transfer blade T1.

A photosensitive roller 501, a charging roller C1 as a charging means, an exposing means E1, and a developing sleeve S1 of a developing means D1 are arranged around the photosensitive drum 501 in this order, thereby forming an electrophotographic process. Then, by forming a desired black toner image on the photosensitive drum 501 by this electrophotographic process, a good black toner image is transferred to the recording paper 24.

Next, the recording paper 24 is conveyed to the cyan transfer position between the photosensitive drum 502 and the transfer blade T2, which is the next recording means.

The photosensitive drum 502 is provided with a charging roller C2, an exposing means E2, and a developing sleeve S2 of a developing means D2 around the photosensitive drum 502 in order, thereby forming an electrophotographic process. By forming a desired cyan toner image on the photosensitive drum 502 by this electrophotographic process, a good cyan toner image is transferred to the recording paper 24.

Next, the recording paper 24 is conveyed to a magenta transfer position between the photosensitive drum 503 and the transfer blade T3 as the next recording means.

The photosensitive drum 503 is provided with a charging roller C3, an exposing means E3, and a developing sleeve S3 of a developing means D3 around the photosensitive drum 503 in order, thereby forming an electrophotographic process. Then, by forming a desired magenta toner image on the photosensitive drum 503 by this electrophotographic process, a good magenta toner image is transferred to the recording paper 24.

Next, the recording paper 24 is conveyed to a yellow transfer position between the photosensitive drum 504 and the transfer blade T4, which is the next recording means.

The photosensitive drum 504 is provided with a charging roller C4, an exposing means E4, and a developing sleeve S4 of a developing means D4 around the photosensitive drum 504 so as to constitute an electrophotographic process. Then, by forming a desired yellow toner image on the photosensitive drum 504 by this electrophotographic process, a good yellow toner image is transferred to the recording paper 24.

In this case, since the photosensitive drums 501, 502, 503, 504 are satisfactorily rotating between the respective recording means, the respective photosensitive drums 501, 502, 50
Image registration can be performed well between 3,504.

The recording paper 24 on which multi-color recording has been performed by the above process is fed to the fixing device F1, where it is fixed to obtain a desired multi-color image.

[0105]

As is clear from the above description, the light emitting means and the image forming means are mounted on the cartridge body which rotatably supports the image carrier, and the light emitted from the light emitting means is emitted by the image forming means. Since the light is condensed to form an image on the image carrier, even when the process cartridge is attached to or detached from the apparatus main body at the time of exchanging the light emitting device, the relative position of the light emitting device and the image forming device with respect to the image carrier is reduced. A high-quality image can be obtained when the positional relationship does not change and an image is formed by positioning these positional relationships with high accuracy in the first manufacturing stage.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a process cartridge according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the process cartridge, taken along the line II-II.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a light emitting element array according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the light emitting element array according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a characteristic diagram showing a change in light amount of a light emitting element according to a driving time and an applied current for maintaining the light amount constant.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a state in which a light amount sensor is provided in the EL array of the above.

FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus equipped with the process cartridge according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing a process cartridge according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the process cartridge according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a light emitting element array according to a second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing the light emitting element array of the above.

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view showing a process cartridge according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view showing the process cartridge according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a process cartridge according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a process cartridge according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a process cartridge according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an example of a multicolor image recording apparatus to which the process cartridge according to the present invention can be applied.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Process cartridge 2 Image carrier (photosensitive drum) 4 Cartridge main body (cleaner unit) 5 Imaging means (rod lens array) 6 Light emitting means (EL array) 7 Cartridge main body (holding member) 8 Cartridge main body (holding member) 25 Cartridge main body 26 Cartridge main body 31 Cartridge main body 206 Light emitting means (EL array) 207 Cartridge main body (holding member) 208 Cartridge main body (holding member) 304 Cartridge main body (cleaner unit) 305 Imaging means (rod lens array) 306 Light emitting means (EL Array) 307 Cartridge main body (holding member) 308 Cartridge main body (holding member)

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G03G 15/04 111 (72) Inventor Izumi Narita 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Seiji Mashimo 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Yukio Nagase 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo F-term in Canon Inc. (Reference) 2C162 AE21 FA04 FA16 FA45 FA59 FA70 2H071 BA04 BA27 BA29 DA03 DA08 DA13 DA15 2H076 AB47 AB51 AB60 EA05 EA12 2H109 AA02 AA13 AA26

Claims (11)

[Claims] An image carrier rotatably supported by a cartridge body; a light emitting unit for irradiating light to form a latent image on the image carrier; and a light flux from the light emitting unit for the image carrier. And an image forming means for converging light on the image carrier, wherein the light emitting means and the image forming means are mounted on the cartridge main body while being positioned with respect to the image carrier. 2. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said light emitting means and said image forming means are arranged in parallel along an axis of said image carrier. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge main body includes a frame that holds one of the image forming unit and the light emitting unit, and is fixed to the frame to rotatably support the image carrier. 2. A process cartridge according to claim 1, further comprising: a holding member that holds the other of the image forming unit and the light emitting unit in parallel along the axis. 4. The cartridge body according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge main body has a developing unit to which the light emitting unit and the image forming unit are mounted, and that develops a latent image formed on the image carrier. Process cartridge. 5. A charging unit for mounting the light emitting unit and the image forming unit, the charging unit for uniformly charging the image carrier, and a developing unit for developing a latent image formed on the image carrier. The process cartridge according to claim 1, comprising: 6. A charging unit for mounting the light emitting means and the image forming means on the cartridge body, and for uniformly charging the image carrier, and a developing unit for developing a latent image formed on the image carrier. The process cartridge according to claim 1, further comprising: a cleaning unit configured to remove a developer remaining on the image carrier. 7. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting means is an EL light emitting element in which a light emitting layer of the light emitting element is made of an organic substance or an inorganic substance. 8. The light emitting means, wherein an EL light emitting element is laminated on a transparent substrate, and a light beam emitted from each EL light emitting element is radiated through the transparent substrate on which the EL light emitting element is laminated. The process cartridge according to claim 7, wherein: 9. The light emitting means, wherein the EL light emitting elements are laminated on a transparent base material, and a light beam emitted from each EL light emitting element is emitted in a direction substantially perpendicular to the laminating direction. The process cartridge according to claim 7, wherein: 10. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said imaging means is configured by arraying one or more rows of rod lenses. 11. The method according to claim 1, wherein
An image forming apparatus comprising: a process cartridge according to any one of the preceding claims, and an image forming apparatus main body having a transfer unit for detachably mounting the process cartridge and transferring an image to a recording medium for recording an image. apparatus.