JP2002049291A - Processing cartridge and electrophotographic image- forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device by which developer refilling efficiency is improved, equipping with a mechanism by which space-saving is attained and cartridge information is detected, without causing the nonconformity of signal processing. SOLUTION: A linear encoder mechanism, in which a member 6 having a code pattern 8 is reciprocatively moved on a cartridge side surface, is constituted without causing interferences to a developer filling port provided on the same surface.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information transmission mechanism, a process cartridge having the information transmission mechanism, and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus to which the process cartridge can be attached and detached. Here, as the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, for example, an electrophotographic copying machine, an electrophotographic printer (for example, an LED printer, a laser beam printer, etc.),
An electrophotographic facsimile, an electrophotographic word processor, and the like are included.

Further, as a process cartridge, a charging means, a developing means or a cleaning means and an electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge, and this cartridge is made detachable from an image forming apparatus main body. Alternatively, at least one of the charging unit, the developing unit, and the cleaning unit and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed as a cartridge so that the cartridge can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body. Further, the developing means and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed as a cartridge so that the developing means and the electrophotographic photosensitive member can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art In an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic image forming process, an electrophotographic photosensitive member and process means acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge, and this cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body. A detachable process cartridge system is employed.
According to this process cartridge system, the maintenance of the apparatus can be performed by the user himself without relying on a serviceman, so that the operability can be remarkably improved.
Therefore, this process cartridge system is widely used in image forming apparatuses.

[0004] Such process cartridges are usually
A developer storage container storing the developer and a developing frame for receiving the developer from the opening of the developer storage container and supplying the developer to the developer carrier are connected to each other to form a latent image on the electrophotographic photosensitive member. It constitutes a main frame of the developing device for visualizing an image.

As shown in FIG. 14, the process cartridge has an encoder 1 for the purpose of causing the image forming apparatus main body to recognize information such as the type of the process cartridge.
May be used, but the shape of the member forming the code pattern including the cartridge information is a disk or a cylinder, and the member is fixed to a stirring shaft or the like of the process cartridge, and the member is rotated. A so-called rotary encoder system in which a code pattern is detected by an optical sensor attached to the image forming apparatus main body is employed.

As another method for detecting a code pattern by rotating a code member on which the code pattern is formed, a cam-shaped member provided with information is attached to a rotating member, and an image forming apparatus is formed by the cam-shaped member. A detection method by driving a shutter member that opens and closes an optical path of an optical sensor unit attached to a main body is employed.

[0007]

In recent years, companies have been obliged to design products that are excellent in recycling for the purpose of effective use of resources and protection of the global environment. Therefore, conventionally, after the process cartridge has fulfilled its function, recycling by refilling the developer without discarding it has been performed. However, since the information transmission mechanism of the code pattern forming member is of a rotary encoder type, it is inevitable that the area occupied by the code pattern forming member increases and overlaps with the toner filling port 42. As described above, in order to form a transmission mechanism such as an encoder, a certain amount of space is required.However, from the viewpoint of improving work efficiency such as refilling the developer during recycling, the transmission mechanism is reduced in space. It is desired to make it.

[0008]

The main aspects of the present invention are as described below with reference to the claims.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electrophotographic photosensitive drum and a process cartridge for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum in a process cartridge detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus main body. A developing frame supporting the developing member, a developer accommodating container accommodating a developer to be supplied to the developing member, a developer agitating mechanism for agitating and transporting the developer inside the developer accommodating container, A developer filling port provided in the developer accommodating container, a code member having a code pattern that is disposed at a position that does not overlap with the developer filling port and does not overlap with the developer filling port and that is supported in a reciprocating manner, A pattern moving device that receives a drive from the process cartridge and reciprocates the code member.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electrophotographic image forming apparatus which detachably attaches a process cartridge and forms an image on a recording medium, comprising: a. An electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a developing frame supporting a developing member for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and a developer accommodating a developer for supplying the developing member to the developing member A container, a developer stirring mechanism for stirring and transporting the developer inside the developer storage container, a developer charging port provided in the developer storage container, and a position not overlapping with the developer charging port. A code member having a code pattern which is disposed at a position not overlapping with the developer charging port and is reciprocally supported and has a code pattern; and a pattern moving device which receives driving from the process cartridge and reciprocates the code member. Mounting means for removably mounting the cartridge; b. Means for detecting the code pattern; c. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus, comprising: a conveying unit for conveying the recording medium.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a laser beam printer as an example of the image forming apparatus of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a front door 15 which is an opening / closing member of the printer main body (apparatus main body) 14. FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of a process cartridge B that is configured to be detachably attached to the apparatus main body 14. The process cartridge B includes a photosensitive member serving as an image carrier, a charging unit for uniformly charging the image carrier, a developing unit for developing a latent image formed on the image carrier, and removing a residue on the image carrier. Cleaning means is accommodated.
Here, the process cartridge has at least an image carrier (photoreceptor) and a developing unit, and further has at least one of a charging unit and a cleaning unit, and is detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus. .

FIG. 3 is a sectional view when the process cartridge B is mounted on the apparatus main body 14 (as viewed from the direction A in FIG. 1). FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the front door 15 is opened and the process cartridge B is attached and detached in the direction of arrow C. Note that, in FIG. 3, the exterior part of the process cartridge B is indicated by diagonal cross sections.

First, the outline of the image forming process of the image forming apparatus will be described with reference to FIG.

The photosensitive drum 7 having a photosensitive layer on the surface is uniformly charged on the surface by a charging roller 8. Next, a laser beam L is emitted from the laser optical system 1 onto the photosensitive drum 7 based on image information input from an external computer or the like. As a result, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image information is formed on the photosensitive drum 7. Next, the developing unit 10 develops the portion of the photoconductor drum 7 irradiated with the laser beam L with the toner t having the same polarity as the polarity of the charged photoconductor,
A visible image is formed on the photosensitive drum 7. Next, when the visible image reaches the transfer position formed by the photosensitive drum 7 and the transfer roller 4, the recording medium 2 supplied from the paper feed cassette 3 a is moved between the photosensitive drum 7 and the transfer roller 4 in a timely manner. , And the visible image is transferred to the recording medium 2. The recording medium 2 is nipped by a nip formed by a fixing unit 5 having a fixing roller 5c and a pressure roller 5a, and a visible image is fixed on the recording medium 2. Thereafter, the recording medium 2 is discharged onto the discharge unit 6. After the transfer, the photosensitive drum 7 is cleaned by a cleaning blade 11a of a cleaning means 11 (see FIG. 5) to remove the residual toner and the like, and scraped off with a squeeze sheet 11b to remove the toner.
1c.

Next, the process of transporting the recording medium 2 will be described in detail.

A plurality of recording media 2 are stacked in a paper feed cassette 3a, and the leading end of the recording media 2 is fed by a loading plate 22 which is urged by a tension coil spring 21 and rotated by a feed roller 3b. It is pressed against the surface. The user
When the recording medium 2 is loaded into the apparatus, the paper cassette 3
This can be realized by pulling out a in the right direction of the drawing (the direction of arrow E). At this time, the paper feed spring support shaft 23 is
Since the stacking plate 22 moves upward along the slide grooves 24 formed on both side walls (the front side and the back side of the drawing) of the sheet a, the recording medium 2 can be smoothly loaded because the stacking plate 22 is lowered to the bottom of the sheet feeding cassette 3a.

The paper feed roller 3b is fixed to a paper feed drive shaft 3c. A clutch and a solenoid (not shown) are provided at the shaft end of the paper feed drive shaft 3c.
It is configured to be able to control the rotation drive of b. Recording medium 2
Separating claws 3k are provided at the left and right corners of the leading end of the sheet feeding roller side, and a cassette entrance guide 3m is urged rotatably by a spring (not shown) near the leading end. A guide portion 3n for guiding the recording medium 2 from the sheet cassette 3a is formed in the apparatus main body 14, and guides the recording medium 2 to the registration roller pair 3e.

When a solenoid (not shown) is turned on by a paper feed start signal, the driving force of a paper feed drive gear (not shown) is transmitted to a paper feed drive shaft 3c via a clutch (not shown), and a paper feed roller 3b Rotates to guide the recording medium 2 to the cassette entrance guide 3m. At this time, only the uppermost recording medium 2 is derived from the relationship of the friction coefficient. Shortly thereafter, the recording medium 2 reaches the nip portion of the registration roller pair 3e due to the rotation of the paper feed roller 3b.

On the other hand, the apparatus main body 14 is provided with a second entrance 3i for introducing a recording material P from a place other than the paper feed cassette 3a to the registration roller pair 3e. With such a configuration,
In the lower part of the apparatus main body, the recording medium 2 can be introduced into the apparatus main body 14 from another feeding means such as an option such as a plural deck or a cassette, thereby realizing a configuration excellent in expandability.

A sensor lever 3j is provided upstream of the registration roller pair 3e in the recording material conveyance direction. The sensor lever 3j is rotatably supported by a frame of the apparatus body 14, and detects the leading end of the recording medium 2 with a photo interrupter (not shown) or the like. After the detection of the leading end position of the recording medium 2, the recording medium 2 is conveyed between the photosensitive drum 7 and the transfer roller 4 by the registration roller pair 3e in synchronization with the leading end of the visible image on the photosensitive drum 7.

Thereafter, the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 7 by an image forming process described later is transferred to the recording medium 2 by the transfer roller 4 pressing the photosensitive drum 7 with a predetermined pressure. At that time, a bias is applied to the transfer roller 4, and the toner is electrostatically attracted to the surface of the recording medium 2.

As an auxiliary means for disassembling the recording medium 2 from the photosensitive drum 7 after the end of the transfer, a static eliminator (not shown) is buried at the upstream end of the fixing entrance guide 3f1 to prevent the separation. The recording medium 2 can be separated smoothly.
Therefore, it is possible to prevent the recording medium 2 from being wound around the photosensitive drum 7 due to the separation failure of the recording medium 2. Furthermore, even if a separation failure of the recording medium 2 occurs, a serious jam can be avoided because the rush prevention guide 3f2 is provided opposite the fixing entrance guide 3f1.

The recording medium 2 having received the transfer is guided to the fixing means 5 by the fixing entrance guide 3f1. Fixing means 5
Has a fixing roller 5c having a halogen heater 5b therein as a heat source. A pressure roller 5a is pressed against the fixing roller 5c with a predetermined pressure, and is driven to rotate by a driving gear (not shown). The temperature of the fixing roller 5c is detected by a thermistor (not shown) in contact with the surface of the fixing roller 5c, and the temperature is controlled by a controller (not shown) in an electrical unit of the apparatus main body 14. Further, as a safety measure against runaway of the halogen heater 5b, a non-contact thermoswitch (not shown) is disposed above the fixing roller 5c.

The recording medium 2 includes a heated fixing roller 5c.
Then, the toner image on the recording medium 2 is permanently fixed on the recording medium 2 by passing through the nip portion of the pressure roller 5a. After the recording medium 2 after fixing is separated from the surface of the fixing roller 5c by a separation claw (not shown), the fixing roller 5c
The sheet is conveyed upward by a discharge roller 3g disposed above.

Thereafter, the recording medium 2 is discharged out of the apparatus by a paper discharge roller 3h, and is stacked on a discharge section 6 provided outside the discharge port 3o.

The above-described transfer roller, fixing section, discharge roller, and the like are integrally fixed to the front door 15. The front door 15 is rotatably supported by a hinge 15a of the apparatus main body 14. The front door 15 can rotate as shown in FIG.
It is configured to be openable and closable with respect to the apparatus body 14.

(Process Cartridge) The configuration of the process cartridge B and the main parts embodying the present invention will be described below.

(Cleaning Unit) FIG. 5 shows a process cartridge according to the present embodiment. In the figure, reference numeral 103 denotes a drum unit. In the drum unit 103, the photosensitive drum 7 is rotatably mounted on the cleaning frame 13 by a shaft. A cleaning unit 11 a, a squeeze sheet 11 b, which comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 7 to remove toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 7, and a drum unit 103.
There is also provided a charging roller 8 for uniformly charging the surface. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, holes 13a for coupling to a developing unit D described later are provided on both side surfaces of the cleaning frame 13.

(Developing Unit) As shown in FIG. 5, the developing unit D is provided with a developer container 10a, a developing roller 10d as a developer carrier, and a developing blade 10e. In the developing unit D, the toner is sent from the developer accommodating container 10a to the developing frame 10f by the agitating member 10b, and the developing roller 10d is rotated counterclockwise by a developing blade 10e pressed against the outer periphery of the developing roller 10d. Is applied in a thin layer on the outer periphery of the substrate. In addition, a charge is applied to the toner by frictional charging.

As shown in FIG. 6, the plate surface is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction at both ends of the frame forming the developer accommodating container 10a of the developing unit D in the direction parallel to the axial direction of the photosensitive member 7. An arm 10n extending upward is provided. A hole (not shown) at the tip of the arm 10n is
The drum unit 103 and the developing unit D are rotatably connected by fitting the connecting pin 26 into the hole 13a and a hole (not shown) at the tip of the arm 10n. The hole 13a is located on the right side of the contact point between the photosensitive drum 7 and the developing roller 10d in FIG. Here, a compression coil spring 27 is compressed between the drum unit 103 and the developing unit D on the side opposite to the contact point between the photosensitive drum 7 and the developing roller 10d with the hole 13a therebetween as shown in FIG. Developing roller 1 by the spring force of coil spring 27
A space roller (not shown) larger than the diameter of the developing roller 10d provided in the longitudinal direction of 0d contacts the photosensitive drum 7 outside the image area. As a result, the image area between the photosensitive drum 7 and the developing roller 10d has a gap of about 30 for development.
0 μm results.

When the front door 15 is opened as shown in FIG. 4, the guide rails 16 can be seen facing the left and right inner walls of the apparatus main body 14. On the other hand, a boss 18a and a rib 18b are provided on both end surfaces in the longitudinal direction (the direction parallel to the photosensitive drum 7) of the process cartridge B, respectively. Here, the boss 18a is coaxial with the photosensitive drum 7 and has a cylindrical shape. Rib 18
b is provided on the downstream side of the boss 18a as viewed in the mounting direction C of the process cartridge B. Therefore,
Move the process cartridge B in the direction of arrow C to move the rib 1
When the cartridge 8b is inserted into the guide rail 16 and fed obliquely downward and forward, the ribs 18b move on the guide rail 16 to the rear side with the weight of the process cartridge B added thereto.
a just fits into the receiving recess 16c provided in the guide rail 16, and the position and the posture of the process cartridge B are determined.
Here, a gear (not shown) fixed to the end of the photosensitive drum 7 meshes with the gear 39 of the apparatus main body 14. In this state, the front door 1
When the hinge 5a is rotated around the hinge 15a and closed, the apparatus main body 14 becomes zero for image formation.

(Embodiment 1) An embodiment of the present invention will now be described. 7 and 8 show the gear train of the pattern moving device, and FIG. 9 shows the entire pattern moving device. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a process of the first embodiment.
In FIG. 7, reference numerals 32, 33, 34, and 35 denote gears.
2 is an intermittent gear. The intermittent gear 32 is an effective gear portion 32 having teeth on its outer periphery that mesh with the mating gear 33 or 34.
Except for a, it has no teeth on the outer circumference. The gears 33 and 34 are two-stage gears, each having coaxially integrated small gears 33a and 34a and large gears 33b and 34b. Gears 33, 34, 3
Numerals 5 are rotatably fitted to shafts (not shown) that protrude outwardly from end surfaces of the developer accommodating container 10a in the longitudinal direction (direction parallel to the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 7).

As shown in FIG. 9, the idler gear 35 is engaged with the rack 36a. The idler gear 35 also meshes with the large gear 34b of the gear 34. Rack 3
6a is provided on the cord member 36. Cord member 3
Numeral 6 is movable in the directions of movement A and B of the rack 36a while being supported by guide means (not shown). The guide means is provided integrally or fixed to the developer container 10a.

A code pattern 38 is provided on the code member 36. The code pattern 38 is a vertically long through hole formed in parallel, and the code member 36 crosses the optical path from the light emitting element 37a of the optical sensor 37 to the light receiving element 37b. The light emitting element 37a and the light receiving element 37b
Is provided in the image forming apparatus main body 14, and a signal obtained by reading the code pattern 38 by these detecting means is sent to the control device of the image forming apparatus main body 14. The control device recognizes the type, characteristics, and the like of the process cartridge B based on the signal. The control device records the number of times the code pattern 38 has been read and estimates the remaining amount of the developer in the developer container 10a of the process cartridge B.

In FIG. 7, when the gear 32 attached to the process cartridge stirring shaft 10b1 rotates in the direction of the arrow, the effective gear portion 32a meshes with the gear 33 and the drive transmission thereof causes the rack portion 36a of FIG. The cord member 36 moves in the direction of arrow B in parallel. Next, in FIG. 8, the effective gear portion 32a of the gear 32
After the engagement with No. 3 is completed, the effective gear portion 32 a next engages with the gear 34. The gear 34 meshes with the rack 36a of FIG. 9 via the idler gear 35, and the cord member 36 moves in the direction of arrow A in parallel.

The toner filling port 42 is connected to the developer container 10a.
(Refer to FIG. 13; however, FIG. 13 shows the second embodiment, but the overall configuration is the same in each embodiment). The stirring shaft 10b1 is below the toner filling port 42. The cord member 36 is located below the stirring shaft 10b1 and is disposed substantially horizontally. Further, the gears 32 to 35 can be made small because they only have to overcome the resistance (friction and inertia resistance) of the cord member 36 when reciprocating.
The toner filling port 42 and the cord member 36 are connected to the gear 32.
To 35, the toner filling port 42
Is not blocked by the cord member 36. Therefore, after the toner in the developer storage container 10a is exhausted, the efficiency of refilling the developer into the developer storage container 10a from the toner charging port 42 can be performed similarly to the new process cartridge. Further, the plate-shaped cord member 36 is connected to the developer container 10.
The pattern moving device can be provided without particularly increasing the length of the process cartridge B, since the plate surface is disposed substantially parallel to the end surface 10a2 near the end surface 10a2 in the longitudinal direction of a.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 10 shows a second embodiment. The gear train and the cord member 36 are the same as those of the first embodiment, and different points from the first embodiment will be described, and the description of the first embodiment will be referred to for the other points. A groove cam 32b is provided on a side surface of the gear 32. A shutter 40 is pivotally attached to the developer container 10a using a pin 40b. The shutter 40 has one end 40c so that one end 40c has a position where the code pattern 38 is blocked and a position where the code pattern 38 is not blocked.
10 is on the optical path of the sensor 37 described in the first embodiment (FIG. 10).
(Not shown) is provided with a through hole 40d. When the opening 40d exists on the optical path of the sensor 37 in FIG. 10, the projection 40a provided at the other end of the shutter 40 has a large diameter whose radius from the center of the stirring shaft 10b1 of the groove cam 32b is larger than that of the small diameter groove 32b2. It is fitted in the groove 32b1. Here, the projection 40a is a cam follower for the groove cam 32b. Each gear 32-35, groove cam 32b, shutter 40
The specification is that the cord member 36 makes one reciprocation with one rotation of the stirring shaft 10b1, but only when the cord member 36 moves in the direction A, the opening 40d opens the optical path of the sensor 37, and the shutter 40 when returning.
Is designed to cut off the optical path of the sensor 37.

FIG. 10 shows that the cord member 36 is stopped at the movement limit position moved in the direction of arrow B. Intermittent gear 32
When the counterclockwise rotation of the illustrated arrow is performed, the protrusion 40a moves from the large-diameter groove 32b1 to the small-diameter groove 32b2. As a result, the shutter 40 swings counterclockwise about the pin 40b, and the light-shielding plate portion 40e that blocks the optical path comes to a position where the through hole 40d has been located. Then the effective gear part 3
2a meshes with the gear 34 to rotate the gear 34. The gear 34 sends the rack 36a and the cord member 36 in the direction of arrow A via the idler gear 35. Then, just before the right-hand end that is sent in the direction of arrow A, the projection 40a is formed into the small-diameter groove 32b2.
To the large-diameter groove portion 32b1 and then to the effective gear portion 32a
Comes to a position out of engagement with the gear 34. At this time, the effective gear portion 32a is not meshed with the gear 33. The opening 40d is on the optical path of the optical sensor 37. The position P of the large-diameter groove 32b1 is located at the position of the protrusion 40a. When the intermittent gear 32 further rotates, the effective gear portion 32a meshes with the gear 33, and the gear 33 is moved in the direction indicated by arrow B in the rack 36a and the cord member 36 in the direction indicated by arrow B, and the code pattern 3
8 is read by the optical sensor 37. After the effective gear portion 32a is disengaged from the gear 33, it returns to the position shown in FIG.

(Embodiment 3) FIG. 11 shows a method of returning the cord member 36 according to the present invention.
This is an embodiment of the present invention.

In the third embodiment, the inner gears 34 and 35 of the gear train of the first embodiment are omitted. The tension coil spring 50 has one end locked in a spring hook hole 36b of the cord member 36 and the other end fixed to the developer accommodating container 10a.
0a3, and is stretched in the same direction as the moving direction of the cord member 36.

When the stirring shaft 10b1 rotates in the direction of the arrow shown in the figure, the intermittent gear 32 rotates in the same direction, and the effective gear portion 32a
Rotates the gear 33 clockwise in the figure and feeds the rack 36a in the direction of arrow B in the figure against the spring force of the tension coil spring 50. As a result, the code pattern 38 moves in the same direction. When the engagement between the effective gear portion 32a and the gear 33 is released, the cord member 36 is restored in the direction of arrow A in the figure by the spring force of the tension coil spring 50. The intermittent gear 32 continues to rotate, and the effective gear portion 32a of the intermittent gear 32 meshes with the gear 33 again to repeat the same operation.

According to this embodiment, the number of gears can be reduced.

(Embodiment 4) FIG. 12 shows Embodiment 2 of the present invention in which the shutter 9 is temporarily opened and closed when the cord member 36 is moved backward by changing the shape of the groove cam 32c. This is an embodiment in a case where a detection signal is output even during movement and a new code pattern is detected without changing the code pattern of the code member.

The groove cam 32c has a projection groove 32c3 having the same radius as that of the large diameter groove 32c1 provided in the middle of the small diameter groove 32c2. Other points are the same as the second embodiment.

Each of the above-described first to fourth embodiments employs a stirring member 1
0b around the stirring shaft 10b1, the process cartridge B as a whole is illustrated in FIG. 13 as a representative of the second embodiment, and the same arrangement and the same are applied to the other embodiments 1, 3 or 4. Become.

FIG. 13 shows the relationship between the toner filling port 42 and the pattern moving device. Here, the pattern moving device refers to a device that causes the cord member 36 to perform a linear motion by rotation of the stirring shaft 10b1. The code member 36 is located on substantially the same plane as the plane passing through the opening of the toner filling port 42 parallel to the paper surface of FIG. 13, and the code member 36 has a plate shape parallel to the paper surface of FIG. The toner filling port 42 and the pattern moving device are provided on the longitudinal end face 10a2 of the developer container 10a, and the pattern moving device is disposed below the toner filling port 42. In this example, the stirring shaft 10b1 of the stirring member 10b which sends the developer and agitates the developer is used as a drive source of the pattern moving device, and the stirring shaft 10b1
Is located below the toner filling port 42. A cord member 36 is movably fitted to a guide rail 10a1 attached integrally or separately to an end face 10a2 of the developer accommodating container 10a. A gear cover 41 that covers each of the gears 32 to 35 is fitted and held by a snap-fit claw 43 that is integrally provided on the end face 10a2. When the process cartridge B is mounted on the apparatus main body 14, a light emitting element 37a is disposed between the end face 10a2 and the cord member 36, and a light receiving element 37b is located opposite to the light emitting element 37a and in front of the shutter 40 in the drawing. I do. The light emitting element 37a and the light receiving element 37b are provided in the apparatus main body 14.

With the above configuration, each member for reading the code pattern 38 does not hinder the refilling of the developer into the developer container 10a.

In the embodiment, the code pattern is read by the transmissive optical sensor using the row of apertures, but a reflective sensor may be used as the code pattern as a pattern of light reflection and absorption.

In the embodiment, the pattern moving device is provided between the stirring shaft of the developer stirring member and the code member. However, as the drive input, the code member is reciprocated by taking in from the photosensitive drum 7, the developing roller 10d and the like. You may do it. Even in such a case, the number of rotations of the developing roller and the photosensitive drum is substantially proportional to the amount of decrease of the developer in the developer accommodating container.

In the embodiment, the cord member is disposed below the toner filling port. However, as long as the cord member does not overlap with the toner filling port, the cord member may be placed above, laterally or diagonally. in this case,
For example, if a code member is arranged beside the toner filling port, the code member moves up and down.

In the embodiment, the translucent light is provided in parallel as the code provided on the code member. However, a magnetic code generated by magnetism may be provided on the code member. In the embodiment, the optical path of the light receiving / emitting element including the light emitting element and the light receiving element is opened and closed by the shutter. In this configuration, the magnetic material code may be read by a magnetic sensor, and a shutter that can be opened and closed to shut off or open a magnetic signal between the magnetic sensor and the magnetic code that is a magnetic material having coded information is provided. Is also good. In this case, the magnetic code read by the magnetic sensor is converted into an electric signal.

[0053]

As described above, according to the present invention, by reciprocating the code member, the code member can be arranged on substantially the same plane as the developer charging port, thereby realizing space saving. Since the developer charging port, the code member, and the code pattern moving device are not overlapped with the developer charging port, it is possible to improve work efficiency such as refilling the developer.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of a process cartridge.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus and a process cartridge.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus and a process cartridge.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the process cartridge.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a combined configuration of a drum unit and a developing unit of a process cartridge.

FIG. 7 is a plan view including a partial side view of the code pattern moving device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a plan view including a partial side view of the coat pattern moving device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a main part according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a side view of a main part according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a side view of a main part according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a side view of a main part according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a side view showing a second embodiment of the present invention in a partial cross section.

FIG. 14 is a side view showing a conventional example in a partial cross section.

[Explanation of symbols]

A: Electrophotographic image forming apparatus B: Process cartridge C: Mounting direction D: Developing unit L: Laser light P: Recording material 1: Optical system 2: Recording medium 3a: Paper feed cassette 3b: Paper feed roller 3c: Paper feed drive Shaft 3e Registration roller pair 3f1 Fixing entrance guide 3f2 Intrusion prevention guide 3g, 3h Discharge roller 3i Second entrance 3j Sensor lever 3k Separating claw 3m Cassette entrance guide 3n Guide section 3
o: discharge port 4: transfer roller 5: fixing means 5a: pressure roller 5b: heater 5c
... Fixing roller 6 ... Discharge unit 7 ... Photoconductor drum 7a ... Shaft 8 ... Charging roller 9 ... Shutter 10 ... Developing means 10a ... Developer storage container 10a1 ...
Guide rail 10a2 ... End face 10a3 ... Spring hook
10b stirring member 10b1 process cartridge stirring shaft 10c fixed magnet 10d developing roller 10e
... Developing blade 10f ... Developing frame 10g ... Opening 1
0n Arm 11 Cleaning means 11a Cleaning blade 11b Squeeze sheet 11c Removed toner storage unit 13 Cleaning frame 13a Hole 14 Device body 15 Front door 15a Hinge 16 Guide rail 16c Receiving recess 18a Boss 18b ... rib 21 ... tension coil spring 22 ... loading plate 23 ... paper feed spring support shaft 24 ... slide groove 26 ... coupling pin 27 ... compression coil spring 32 ... gear 32a ... effective gear part 32b ... groove cam 3
2b1 Large groove 32b2 Small groove 32c Groove cam 32c1 Large groove 32c2 Small groove 32c3 Projection groove 33 Gear 33a Small gear 33b Large gear 34 Gear 34a Small gear 34b Large gear 35 Gear 36 ... Cord member 36a ... Rack 36b ... Spring hole 37 ... Optical sensor 37a ... Light emitting element 37b ... Light receiving element 38 ... Code pattern 39 ... Gear 40 ... Shutter 40a ... Protrusion 40b ... Pin 4
0c: One end 40d: Opening 40e: Light shielding plate 41: Gear cover 42: Toner filling port 43: Snap fit claw 50: Coil spring 103: Drum unit

Continued on front page F-term (reference) 2H027 DA27 DA45 DA50 DD02 DE02 DE04 DE07 DE10 ED10 HB02 HB13 HB15 2H071 BA04 BA13 BA14 BA33 BA34 BA37 CA01 CA05 DA05 DA06 DA08 DA13 DA15 DA21 2H077 AA31 AB01 AC01 BA01 BA22 DA24 DA22 DA24 DA24 DA65 DB11 EA16 FA19 GA04

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. A process cartridge detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus main body, a developing frame for supporting an electrophotographic photosensitive drum and a developing member for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum. A developer accommodating container accommodating a developer to be supplied to the developing member; a developer agitating mechanism for agitating and transporting a developer inside the developer accommodating container; and a developer accommodating container. A developer charging port, a code member having a code pattern that is disposed at a position that does not overlap with the developer charging port and does not overlap with the developer charging port, that is supported in a reciprocating manner, and that has a code pattern. And a pattern moving device for causing the code member to reciprocate. 2. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the developer stirring mechanism drives the pattern moving device. 3. A rack is provided on the code member in the same direction as the moving direction thereof, and a gear train having a rotation shaft of the developer stirring mechanism and an intermittent gear between the racks is provided. The process cartridge according to claim 1, further comprising two types of gears intermittently with the gears and driving the meshing rack in different directions. 4. A rack is provided on the cord member in the same direction as the moving direction of the cord member, and a forward movement of the cord member is performed by drive transmission from a rotating shaft of the developer stirring mechanism by a gear train having a notched gear. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the cord member is returned to an initial position by a spring after the notch gear disengages from a gear that meshes with the notch gear. 5. A rack is provided on the cord member in the same direction as the moving direction of the cord member, and the cord member is driven by a gear train having a notched gear from a gear provided on a rotation shaft of the developer stirring mechanism to a rack. The forward movement is performed, and in the backward movement, the gear member is meshed with a gear train dedicated to the backward movement, which is configured by adding an idler gear to the gear train of the forward movement, and the cord member is returned to the initial position.
The process cartridge according to 1. 6. The coded information of the code member is converted into a signal by a light emitting / receiving element.
6. The process cartridge according to any one of items 1 to 5, 7. The process cartridge according to claim 6, further comprising a shutter that can be opened and closed to block or open an optical path of the light receiving / emitting element in conjunction with the gear train. 8. One of the gear trains is provided with a grooved cam and a cam follower fitted into a cam groove of the grooved cam, and the cam can be opened and closed to block or open an optical path of the light emitting and receiving element. The process cartridge according to claim 7, further comprising a shutter driven by displacement of the follower. 9. The coded information of the code member is generated by a magnetic material, and the coded information read by a magnetic sensor is converted into an electric signal.
The process cartridge according to any one of the above. 10. A grooved cam on one of the gear trains, a cam follower fitted into a cam groove of the grooved cam, and a magnetic signal between a magnetic body having coded information and a magnetic sensor is cut off or released. 9. The process cartridge according to claim 8, further comprising a shutter capable of performing an opening / closing operation and driven by a displacement of the cam follower. 11. The process cartridge, wherein a charging unit, a cleaning unit, a developing unit, and an electrophotographic photosensitive drum are integrally formed into a cartridge, and the cartridge is detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus main body. 11. The process cartridge according to any one of 1 to 10. 12. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein at least one of a charging unit and a cleaning unit, a developing unit, and an electrophotographic photosensitive drum are integrally formed into a cartridge so as to be detachable from an image forming apparatus main body. 11. The process cartridge according to any one of items 10 to 10. 13. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the developing unit and the electrophotographic photosensitive drum are integrally formed into a cartridge so as to be detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus main body.
0. The process cartridge according to any one of 0. 14. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus which detachably attaches a process cartridge and forms an image on a recording medium, comprising: a. An electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a developing frame supporting a developing member for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and a developer accommodating a developer to be supplied to the developing member A container, a developer stirring mechanism for stirring and transporting the developer inside the developer storage container, a developer charging port provided in the developer storage container, and a position not overlapping with the developer charging port. A code member having a code pattern which is disposed at a position not overlapping with the developer charging port and is reciprocally supported and has a code pattern; and a pattern moving device which receives driving from the process cartridge and reciprocates the code member. Mounting means for removably mounting the cartridge; b. Means for detecting the code pattern; c. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus, comprising: conveying means for conveying the recording medium.