JP2002040901A - Photoreceptor drum holding structure and image forming device having the structure - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a photoreceptor drum holding structure which can easily load a photoreceptor drum by simple constitution and to provide an image forming device having the structure. SOLUTION: The photoreceptor drum 7 is mounted on a receiving face 24 of a rotational side receiving member 20 located at a released position (figure 5 (a)). The photoreceptor drum 7 rotationally shifts from the rotational side receiving member 20 to a fixing side receiving member 19 by rotating the rotational side receiving member 20 to a blocking direction B (figure 5 (b)). The rotational side receiving member 20 reaches a blocking position and the rotational side receiving member 20 and the fixing side receiving member 19 are fixed by a screw 29. Thereby the photoreceptor drum 7 is held with freely rotating and the loading of the photoreceptor drum 7 is finished (figure 5 (c)).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a photosensitive drum holding structure for rotatably holding both ends of a photosensitive drum and an image forming apparatus having the structure.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a photosensitive drum used in an image forming apparatus is removed from the inside of the image forming apparatus at the time of replacement, and replaced with a new photosensitive drum. Since the photoconductor drum has a photoconductor layer on its outer peripheral surface, when a new photoconductor drum is mounted, it must be mounted with both ends thereof. For example, Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS) A
In an image forming apparatus capable of forming an image on a wide sheet such as a column 0 (hereinafter referred to as “A0”) size, the photosensitive drum is long, about 1 m, so that the photosensitive drum is slid in the length direction. And it is difficult to attach it to the device. Therefore, in this type of image forming apparatus, it is necessary to mount the photosensitive drum from both sides while holding both ends of the photosensitive drum.

If an openable cover is provided above the front side of the housing so that the photosensitive drum can be replaced from the front of the apparatus, it is difficult to reach the mounting position by the front face of the openable cover. . Further, since the optical system is provided above the photosensitive drum, the photosensitive drum cannot be mounted from directly above. Therefore, in the conventional wide image forming apparatus, the rail provided at a predetermined position in the housing is removed, the rail is fixed to the side wall of the housing, and the photosensitive drum is rolled from the front to the rear along the rail. I was wearing it.

[0004]

However, when the photosensitive drum is mounted, the rail is removed from a predetermined position in the housing and fixed to the side wall of the housing. After the mounting is completed, the rail is removed from the side wall of the housing. It must be mounted again at a predetermined position in the housing, which is troublesome. In addition, there is a problem that the number of parts increases by adopting the rail.

An object of the present invention is to provide a photosensitive drum holding structure in which a photosensitive drum can be easily mounted with a simple configuration, and an image forming apparatus having the structure.

[0006]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a photosensitive drum having a cylindrical body having a predetermined length and having a photosensitive layer on an outer peripheral surface thereof. A photoconductor drum holding structure for rotatably holding both ends of the photoconductor drum, having a set of holding members respectively formed corresponding to both ends of the photoconductor drum, wherein each of the holding members is A fixed-side receiving member having a receiving surface depressed in a substantially semi-arc shape and having a receiving surface attached and fixed to a predetermined portion of the image forming apparatus; And a pivot-side receiving member that pivots between an open position and a closed position with a pivot provided at one end as a fulcrum, and when the pivot-side receiving member is at the closed position,
The rotating-side receiving member and the fixed-side receiving member face each other, and the receiving surfaces of each other form a circular receiving surface that surrounds the end of the photoconductor drum and holds the photosensitive drum rotatably. Is located at the open position, the receiving surface of the rotating-side receiving member faces upward, and the end of the photosensitive drum can be placed on the receiving surface.

According to this configuration, the end of the photosensitive drum is placed on the receiving surface of the rotating-side receiving member at the open position, and the rotating-side receiving member is rotated to fix the photosensitive drum on the fixed side. The photosensitive drum can be moved to the receiving member, and can be rotatably held around the end of the photosensitive drum by the receiving surfaces of the rotating-side receiving member and the fixed-side receiving member in the closed position. Therefore, the photosensitive drum can be easily mounted with a simple configuration. The invention according to claim 2 is
An operation for gripping when rotating the rotation-side receiving member between the open position and the closed position is provided at an end of the rotation-side receiving member opposite to the end on which the support shaft is provided. A screw hole for fixing the rotating-side receiving member and the fixed-side receiving member when the rotating-side receiving member is in the closed position. The photosensitive drum holding mechanism according to claim 1, wherein:

[0008] According to this configuration, the rotating-side receiving member can be easily and reliably rotated by grasping the operating portion. Further, the rotation-side receiving member and the fixed-side receiving member can be easily fixed by screws. Claim 3
3. The photosensitive drum according to claim 1, wherein the rotation-side receiving member is regulated by a stopper such that a receiving surface thereof faces upward at an open position. It is a holding mechanism.

According to this structure, the receiving surface of the rotation-side receiving member can be surely directed upward at the open position, so that the photosensitive drum can be easily mounted on the receiving surface. Further, since the stopper supports the rotation-side receiving member, it is possible to increase the strength when the receiving surface of the rotation-side receiving member supports the photosensitive drum. According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, an image can be formed on a wide sheet of paper, and the photosensitive drum can be exchanged from above the front side by opening the openable cover on the front side of the housing. An image forming apparatus comprising the photosensitive drum holding structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a new photosensitive drum is attached after removing the photosensitive drum. An image forming apparatus comprising: a movable-side receiving member having an open position; and mounting both ends of the photosensitive drum on a receiving surface thereof, and then rotating to a closed position to mount the photosensitive drum. It is.

According to this configuration, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus having a photosensitive drum holding structure having the above effects.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view showing an internal configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 1 includes, for example, A0
An image forming apparatus 1 capable of forming an image on a wide sheet of paper such as a size, a sheet storage unit 2 for storing roll paper or cut paper, and a conveyance for feeding the sheet to an image forming mechanism A mechanism 3, an optical system 4 for reading a document, an image forming mechanism 5 for forming an image based on light given from the optical system and transferring the image to a sheet, and fixing the image transferred to the sheet Fixing device 6 and the like.

The image forming mechanism 5 includes a photosensitive drum 7, a main charger 8 for charging the photosensitive drum 7,
A developing device 9 for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 7 into a toner image, a cleaning device 10 for cleaning residual toner on the surface of the photosensitive drum, and the like are provided. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a mounting mode of the photosensitive drum 7. Housing 1 of image forming apparatus 1
A part of the upper part on the front side of 1 forms an openable / closable cover 12 that can be opened and closed by, for example, sliding in the front-back direction.
FIG. 2 shows a state in which the opening / closing cover 12 is open.

At the time of replacement, the photosensitive drum 7 is removed from the space formed by opening the opening / closing cover 12 to the outside of the housing 11 and replaced with a new photosensitive drum 7. When a new photosensitive drum 7 is mounted, in the wide image forming apparatus 1 such as the image forming apparatus 1, the photosensitive drum 7 is as long as about 1 m, so that the photosensitive drum is slid in the length direction. It is difficult to attach to the device. Accordingly, the photosensitive drum 7 is mounted with its both ends from above the front side as shown by arrows in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing a structure for holding the photosensitive drum 7. As shown in FIG. FIG. 4 shows an arrow A- shown in FIG.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a main part viewed along A. However, since the configuration and the mounting structure of the photosensitive drum 7 are the same at both ends, only the vicinity of one end will be described below. 3 and 4
, The photosensitive drum 7 is, for example, cylindrical,
At one end thereof, a cylindrical flange portion 13 coaxial with the photosensitive drum 7 projects. From one end of the flange portion 13,
A projection 14 having a columnar shape and coaxial with the photosensitive drum 7 is further extended. The outer peripheral surface of the convex portion 14 is a cylindrical bearing 1
5 is rotatably fitted into the inner peripheral surface. Convex part 14
At one end, a connecting groove 16 for connecting to a rotating shaft (not shown) of a drive system provided in the image forming apparatus 1 is formed.

The photosensitive drum 7 is rotatably held by a holding member 18 mounted on one side surface 17a of a mounting plate 17 fixed in the housing 11. Holding member 18
Is a fixed-side receiving member 19 attached to and fixed to the side surface 17a of the mounting plate 17 and having a substantially semicircular cross section, and a support shaft provided at one end 20a in a shape corresponding to the fixed-side receiving member 19. A rotation-side receiving member 20 is rotatably mounted between a closed position and an open position with the fulcrum 21 as a fulcrum. One end of the support shaft 19 is connected to one side surface 17 a of the mounting plate 17.
It is connected to. A flange receiving member 22 for receiving the flange portion 13 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the rotation-side receiving member 20.

The inner peripheral surfaces of the fixed-side receiving member 19 and the rotating-side receiving member 20 form receiving surfaces 23 and 24 for receiving the bearings 15, respectively.
Is in the closed position, the rotation-side receiving member 20 and the fixed-side receiving member 19 face each other, and the receiving surfaces 23 and 24 form a circular receiving surface corresponding to the outer peripheral surface of the bearing 15. . When mounting the photosensitive drum 7, first, FIG.
As shown by, the bearing 15 and the flange portion 13 are placed on the receiving surface 24 and the upper surface of the flange receiving member 22 of the rotating side receiving member 20 in a state where the rotating side receiving member 20 is in the open position, respectively. . One side 17 of the mounting plate 17
One side of, for example, a plate-like stopper 25 for receiving the rotation-side receiving member 20 at the open position is connected to a. The stopper 25 is provided on the receiving surface 24 of the rotation-side receiving member 20.
The upper surface receives the outer peripheral surface of the flange receiving member 22 so that the upper surface faces upward at the open position.

An operating portion 26 is formed at the other end 20b of the pivoting-side receiving member 20 for gripping the pivoting-side receiving member 20 when pivoting between the open position and the closed position. The photosensitive drum 7 is moved from the rotation-side receiving member 20 to the fixed-side receiving member 19 as the rotation-side receiving member 20 is rotated from the open position to the closed position by gripping the operation unit 26. Is moved. For example, a screw hole 27 is formed in the operation unit 26, and a screw hole 28 is formed at one end of the fixed-side receiving member 19 facing the closed position. When the rotation-side receiving member 20 reaches the closed position, these screw holes 27, 2
8, a screw (not shown) is fastened, the bearing 15 is fixed by the rotation-side receiving member 20 and the fixed-side receiving member 19, and the photosensitive drum 7 is rotatably held.

When the photosensitive drum 7 is moved to the fixed-side receiving member 19 by rotating the rotating-side receiving member 20, the fixed-side receiving member 19 is The receiving surface 23 is attached so as to be inclined with respect to the upper side. FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing a procedure for attaching the photosensitive drum 7, and shows the manner in which the photosensitive drum 7 is attached in a stepwise manner. When the photosensitive drum 7 is mounted, first, the photosensitive drum 7 is received from the front side (the right side as shown in FIG. 5), as shown in FIG. 24. And
By lifting the rotation-side receiving member 20 in the closing direction B, the photosensitive drum 7 is lifted together with the rotation-side receiving member 20.

As shown in FIG. 5B, when the rotating receiving member 20 is in the upright state, the photosensitive drum 7 separates from the rotating receiving member 20 and rolls and moves to the fixed receiving member 19. I do. Since the fixed-side receiving member 19 is mounted obliquely, it is possible to suppress an impact when the photosensitive drum 7 moves from the rotating-side receiving member 20 to the fixed-side receiving member 19. When the rotation-side receiving member 20 is further rotated in the closing direction B and reaches the closing position as shown in FIG. 5B, the screw is passed through the screw holes 27 and 28 of the rotating-side receiving member 20 and the fixed-side receiving member 19. 29 are tightened. The rotation-side receiving member 20 and the fixed-side receiving member 19 are connected, and the mounting of the photosensitive drum 7 is completed, and the photosensitive drum 7 is rotatably held.

The present invention is not limited to the contents of the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims. For example, the connection between the fixed-side receiving member 19 and the rotation-side receiving member 20 is not limited to the screw 29, and may be connected by another connecting mechanism.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view showing an internal configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a mounting mode of a photosensitive drum.

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing a holding structure of a photosensitive drum.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a main part as viewed along arrow AA shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing a procedure for mounting a photosensitive drum.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 7 Photoreceptor drum 11 Housing 12 Opening / closing cover 18 Holding member 19 Fixed side receiving member 20 Rotating side receiving member 20a One end 20b Other end 21 Support shaft 23 Receiving surface 24 Receiving surface 25 Stopper 26 Operating part 27 Screw hole

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A photosensitive drum holding structure for rotatably holding both ends of a photosensitive drum having a photosensitive member layer on an outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical body having a predetermined length. It has a set of holding members formed respectively corresponding to both ends of the drum, each of the holding members has a receiving surface that is recessed in a substantially semi-arc shape,
A fixed-side receiving member attached and fixed to a predetermined portion of the image forming apparatus, and having a receiving surface depressed in a substantially semicircular arc shape, a support shaft provided in one end with the fixed-side receiving member. A pivot-side receiving member that pivots between an open position and a closed position as a fulcrum; and when the pivot-side receiving member is in the closed position, the pivot-side receiving member and the fixed-side receiving member face each other. And a circular receiving surface surrounding the end portion of the photosensitive drum and rotatably holding the photosensitive drum by the receiving surfaces of the photosensitive drum. When the rotating-side receiving member is at the open position, the rotating-side receiving member is formed. Wherein the receiving surface of the photosensitive drum faces upward, and the end of the photosensitive drum can be placed on the receiving surface. 2. An end of the pivot-side receiving member opposite to the end on which the support shaft is provided when the pivot-side receiving member is pivoted between an open position and a closed position. An operation part for grasping the rotation side receiving member is provided, and the operation part has a screw hole for fixing the rotation side receiving member and the fixed side receiving member when the rotation side receiving member is in the closed position. 2. The semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein:
The photosensitive drum holding mechanism according to the above. 3. The photosensitive drum according to claim 1, wherein the rotating side receiving member is regulated by a stopper such that a receiving surface thereof faces upward at an open position. Holding mechanism. 4. An image forming apparatus capable of forming an image on a wide sheet of paper, and exchanging a photosensitive drum from above the front side by opening an openable cover on the front side of the housing. The photoreceptor drum holding structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein when the photoreceptor drum is removed and a new photoreceptor drum is attached, the rotation-side receiving member is attached. An image forming apparatus, wherein the photosensitive drum can be mounted by setting both ends of the photosensitive drum to an open position and placing the photosensitive drum on both ends thereof and then rotating to a closed position.