JP2003162180A - Photoreceptor drum, method and device for assembling the same, and image forming apparatus using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problems that a pattern with periodically fluctuating density is obtained on an image and an abnormal noise occurs in the case of using the photoreceptor drum itself as a driving force transmitting member. <P>SOLUTION: A relative angular difference between the angular position of a 1st flange member 16 and the angular position of a 2nd flange member 18 by taking the axial center of the drum main body as a center is set so that the influence of a 1st torque which is periodically fluctuating at every tooth part of a gear as for a driving torque transmitted between a 1st gear 1604 and a driving gear 20 engaged with the 1st gear 1604 and the influence of a 2nd torque which is periodically fluctuating at every tooth part of the gear as for a driving torque transmitted between a 2nd gear 1804 and a driven gear 22 engaged with the 2nd gear 1804 may compensate each other when the projection parts 1620 and 1820 of the 1st and 2nd flange members 16 and 18 are positioned on nearly the same straight line. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a photosensitive drum used in an image forming apparatus, an assembling method thereof, a driving mechanism including the photosensitive drum, and an image forming apparatus using the photosensitive drum.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, as image forming apparatuses such as electrophotographic apparatuses (for example, copying machines and printers) have higher resolution and color, there is an increasing demand for downsizing of the image forming apparatus. As one measure for reducing the size of the image forming apparatus, it has been attempted to use the photoconductor drum itself as a member for transmitting driving force to reduce the number of parts of the image forming apparatus and to improve the layout of parts. ing. On the other hand, the photoconductor drum includes a drum body having a photosensitive layer formed on the outer peripheral surface,
It is composed of flange members attached to both ends of the drum main body. When the photoconductor drum itself is used as a driving force transmitting member as described above, gears are provided on the flange members at both ends. Things will be done. Then, the driving gear is engaged with the gear of one flange member to input the driving force, and the driven gear is engaged with the gear of the other flange member to output the driving force. In many cases, the number of teeth is the same.

[0003]

However, as is well known, the driving torque transmitted through a pair of gears meshing with each other has a fluctuation component that periodically fluctuates each time the gears rotate by one tooth. Will be inevitably included. Conventionally, since no consideration has been given to this torque fluctuation, there is a torque fluctuation (first torque fluctuation) in the driving torque transmitted between the gear of one flange member of the photosensitive drum and the gear meshing with it. In this case, the phase of the drive torque transmitted between the gear of the other flange member of the photoconductor drum and the gear meshing with the gear (second torque variation) is substantially aligned. First acting on one end of photoconductor drum
If the phase of the torque fluctuation of the above and the phase of the second torque fluctuation acting on the other end are substantially aligned, the influence of the torque fluctuation on the photoconductor drum is strengthened and the photoconductor drum falls into a resonance state. As a result, there arises a problem that a periodic light and shade pattern appears on the image and the drive mechanism of the photoconductor drum makes an abnormal noise.

The present invention has been devised in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide gears on flange members attached to both ends of a drum main body and to transmit driving force to the photosensitive drum itself. When used as a member, a photosensitive drum and a driving mechanism including the photosensitive drum, which can solve the problems that a periodic light and shade pattern appears on the image and the driving mechanism of the photosensitive drum makes an abnormal noise, An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus using the assembling method and the photosensitive drum or a driving mechanism including the photosensitive drum.

[0005]

To achieve the above object, the present invention comprises a drum body, and a first flange member and a second flange member attached to both ends of the drum body,
The first flange member is provided with a first gear having a number of teeth N, which is concentric with the axis of the drum body, and the second flange member is concentric with the axis of the drum body. In a photoconductor drum provided with a second gear having the same number of teeth N as the first gear, the first flange member and the second flange member are visually recognized from the outside in a state of being attached to the drum body. A mark is provided for each,
When the mark of the first flange member and the mark of the second flange member are in a predetermined state when looking at the photoconductor drum, transmission between the first gear and a gear meshing with the first gear Influence of the first torque fluctuation, which periodically fluctuates for each tooth portion of the gear, on the generated driving torque, and the driving torque transmitted between the second gear and the gear meshing with the second gear. In order to cancel the influence of the second torque fluctuation, which cyclically fluctuates for each tooth portion of the gear in FIG.
It is characterized in that the relative angular difference between the angular position of the flange member and the angular position of the second flange member is set. Further, the present invention comprises a drum main body, and a first flange member and a second flange member attached to both ends of the drum main body, wherein the first flange member is concentric with the axis of the drum main body. First gear having a number N of teeth, and the second flange member is provided with a second gear concentric with the axis of the drum body and having the same number N of teeth as the first gear. In the method for assembling a photosensitive drum, a mark is provided on each of the first flange member and the second flange member so that the first flange member and the second flange member can be visually recognized from the outside when attached to the drum body.
When the mark of the first flange member and the mark of the second flange member are in a predetermined state when looking at the photoconductor drum, transmission between the first gear and a gear meshing with the first gear Influence of the first torque fluctuation, which periodically fluctuates for each tooth portion of the gear, on the generated driving torque, and the driving torque transmitted between the second gear and the gear meshing with the second gear. In order to cancel the influence of the second torque fluctuation, which cyclically fluctuates for each tooth portion of the gear in FIG.
The relative angular difference between the angular position of the flange member and the angular position of the second flange member is set, and the mark of the first flange member and the mark of the second flange member are set. The first flange member and the second flange member are attached to both ends of the drum body so as to be in the predetermined state. Further, the present invention is
A drum body, and a first flange member and a second flange member that are fitted and fixed to both ends of the drum body,
Each of the first flange member and the second flange member is provided with a gear having a number of teeth N and concentric with the gear on one side surface of the gear and fitted to an end of the drum body. A cylindrical portion, a convex portion provided on the other side surface of the gear as a mark indicating the angular position of the flange member, and a bearing hole concentrically provided with respect to the gear and defining a center of rotation of the flange member. An assembling apparatus for assembling a photosensitive drum, comprising: a mounting table on which the drum main body is mounted; and the first, which is disposed on both sides of the mounting table.
First and second flange support bases for supporting the second flange member, and drive for the flange support base for moving at least one of the first and second flange support bases in a direction in which they approach and separate from each other. Each of the first and second flange support bases includes a shaft that is removably inserted into the bearing hole of the flange member to support the flange member, and a shaft is inserted into the bearing hole. A concave portion with which the convex portion of the flange member in a state is engaged, and the convex portions of the first and second flange members are engaged with the concave portions of the first and second flange support bases, A relative angular difference between the angular position of the first flange member and the angular position of the second flange member around the axis of the drum body meshes with the first gear and the first gear. The drive torque transmitted between the gears Gear teeth in the drive torque transmitted between the second gear and the gear meshing with the second gear, and the influence from the first torque fluctuation that periodically varies for each tooth portion of the gear. Second that changes periodically for each copy
It is characterized in that it is set so as to have an angle difference that cancels each other with the influence of the torque fluctuation. Further, the present invention comprises a drum main body, and a first flange member and a second flange member attached to both ends of the drum main body, wherein the first flange member is concentric with the axis of the drum main body. A first gear having a common number of teeth N is provided,
The second flange member is provided with a second gear that is concentric with the shaft center of the drum body and has the same number of teeth N as the first gear, and is rotatable about the shaft center of the drum body. A supported photoconductor drum, a drive gear meshing with the first gear of the first flange member, the second gear
A driven gear meshing with the second gear of the flange member, wherein the drive torque is transmitted from the drive gear to the first gear, and the drive torque is transmitted from the second gear to the driven gear. In a drive mechanism including a photoconductor drum in which a drive torque is transmitted from the drive gear to the driven gear, the first flange member and the second flange member are externally attached to the drum body. Marks are provided so that they can be visually recognized, and when the mark of the first flange member and the mark of the second flange member are in a predetermined state when looking at the photosensitive drum, the drive gear and the first gear And the influence of the first torque fluctuation, which periodically fluctuates for each tooth portion of the gear, on the driving torque transmitted between the driving torque and the driving torque transmitted between the second gear and the driven gear. The angular position of the shaft center of the drive gear about the shaft center of the drum main body so that the influence from the second torque fluctuation that cyclically varies for each tooth portion of the gear in FIG. Between the relative angular difference between the driven gear and the angular position of the shaft center, and the angular position of the first flange member and the second flange member about the shaft center of the drum body. It is characterized in that a relative angle difference between them is set. Further, the image forming apparatus of the present invention is characterized by including the photoconductor drum and a drive mechanism including the photoconductor drum.

According to the photoconductor drum of the present invention, the drive mechanism including the photoconductor drum, and the image forming apparatus, when the photoconductor drum itself is used as a member for transmitting driving force, a periodic light and shade pattern is formed on the image. It is possible to solve the problem that the drive mechanism of the photoconductor drum makes an abnormal noise. Further, according to the method and the apparatus for assembling the photoconductor drum of the present invention, the photoconductor drum can be easily and surely obtained.

[0007]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of a photosensitive drum, an assembling method therefor, an assembling apparatus and an image forming apparatus using the same according to the present invention will be described below. First, the photosensitive drum will be described. 1A is a front view of the photosensitive drum, FIG. 1B is an exploded view of the photosensitive drum, FIG. 2 is a relationship diagram of the photosensitive drum, a driving gear, and a driven gear, and FIG.
Front view of the flange member, (B) is a side view of the same, FIG. 4 (A)
Shows a side view of the second flange member, and (B) shows a front view thereof. As shown in FIG. 1, the photosensitive drum 12 includes a drum body 14, first and second flange members 16 concentrically attached to the drum body 14 at both ends of the drum body 14,
It is composed of 18 and.

The drum body 14 has a cylindrical body 1402, a photosensitive layer 1404 is formed on the surface of the cylindrical body 1402, and the first and second flange members 16 and 18 are attached to both ends of the cylindrical body 1402. Fitting hole 1406 is formed. As shown in FIG. 3, the first flange member 16 has a tubular portion 1602 fitted and fixed to one end of the drum body 14, and the tubular portion 1602 has the tubular body 1602.
The first gear 1 provided so as to be adjacent to the end of the drum body 14 while being fitted and fixed in the fitting hole 1406 of
604, a bearing hole 1610 and a convex portion 1620. As shown in FIG. 4, the second flange member 1
Reference numeral 8 is a cylinder portion 1802 fitted and fixed to the other end of the drum body 14, and adjacent to the end portion of the drum body 14 in a state where the cylinder portion 1802 is fitted and fixed in the fitting hole 1406 of the drum body 14. Second gear 180 provided like
4 and the bearing hole 1810 and the convex portion 1820,
The first gear 1604 and the second gear 1804 have the same number of teeth N
have.

The photosensitive drum 12 is arranged in the image forming apparatus by rotatably supporting the shaft supporting portions of the first and second flange members 16 and 18 on the frame side of the image forming apparatus. When the shaft supporting portions of the first and second flange members 16 and 18 are shaft-shaped, they are rotatably supported by the bearing holes of the frame, or when the shaft supporting portions are hole-shaped, they are rotated by the shaft on the frame side. The shaft support portion is supported by the bearing holes 1610 and 1810 in this embodiment. Then, as shown in FIG. 2, the driving gear 20 meshes with the first gear 1604, the driven gear 22 meshes with the second gear 1804, and the driving force is the driving gear 20 and the first gear 16
04, the drum body 14, and the second gear 1804 to be transmitted to the driven gear 22, and the photoconductor drum 12 is arranged so as to function as a driving force transmitting member.

The convex portion 1620 of the first flange member 16
The convex portion 1820 of the second flange member 18 is provided with the cylindrical portion 160 so that the first and second flange members 16 and 18 can be visually recognized from the outside in a state of being attached to the drum body 14.
2, 1802, the 1st, 2nd gearwheel 160 located on the opposite side
Projections 1620 and 1820 are formed on the side surfaces of Nos. 4 and 1804, and in the present embodiment, the convex portions 1620 and 1820 correspond to the marks in the claims. Then, when looking at the photoconductor drum 12, when the convex portion 1620 of the first flange member 16 and the convex portion 1820 of the second flange member 18 are in a predetermined state,
An influence from a first torque fluctuation that cyclically fluctuates for each tooth portion of the gear in the driving torque transmitted between the first gear 1604 and the driving gear 20 that meshes with the first gear 1604; The second gear 1804 and the second gear 18
Of the drum body 14 so that the influence from the second torque fluctuation that periodically changes for each tooth portion of the gear in the driving torque transmitted between the driven gear 22 that meshes with the No. The relative angular difference between the angular position of the first flange member 16 and the angular position of the second flange member 18 about the axis is set. In this embodiment mode, the predetermined state is as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, when the photosensitive drum 12 is viewed from the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction thereof, the convex portion 1 of the first flange member 16
620 and the convex portion 1820 of the second flange member 18 are positioned substantially on the same straight line.

As is well known, the driving torque transmitted through a pair of gears meshing with each other causes the gears to have teeth 1.
A fluctuation component that cyclically fluctuates each time the sheet rotates is inevitably included. Therefore, regarding the photosensitive drum 12,
Such periodic torque fluctuations occur in the drive torque transmitted between the drive gear 20 and the first gear 1604 and the drive torque transmitted between the second gear 1804 and the driven gear 22. To do. Here, the former torque fluctuation will be referred to as a first torque fluctuation, and the latter torque fluctuation will be referred to as a second torque fluctuation. 5A and 5B, the torque transmitted by the drive gear 20 driving the first gear 1604 is represented by "applied torque Tr1", and the second gear 18 is shown.
Reference numeral 04 is a graph in which the torque transmitted by driving the driven gear 22 is represented by “load torque Tr2”. The fluctuation component of the applied torque Tr1 corresponds to the first torque fluctuation, and the fluctuation component of the load torque Tr2 is This corresponds to the second torque fluctuation.

Since the first gear 1604 and the second gear 1804 have the same number of teeth N, the first torque fluctuation and the second torque fluctuation have the same cycle α = T / N. Here, T is the rotation period of the photosensitive drum 12. On the other hand, there is a phase difference between the first torque fluctuation and the second torque fluctuation, and this phase difference is driven by the angular position of the shaft center of the drive gear 20 around the shaft center of the drum body 14 and the driven position. Relative angular difference between the angular position of the shaft center of the gear 22 (phase difference between the drive gear 20 and the driven gear 22) and angular position of the first flange member 16 centered on the shaft center of the drum body 14. Can take various values depending on the relative angular difference between the angular position of the second flange member 18 and the angular position of the second flange member 18.

In FIGS. 5A and 5B, the horizontal axis of the graph represents both the time t and the rotation angle θ of the photosensitive drum 12, and the cycle α of torque fluctuation is T in terms of time. / N, which is 2π / N in terms of the rotation angle of the photosensitive drum 12. FIG. 5A shows the first torque fluctuation and the second torque fluctuation.
The phase difference β with respect to the torque fluctuation of ## EQU2 ## happens to be small. In such a case, the photoconductor drum 12 generates a relatively large rotational vibration, so that a periodic light and shade on the image is generated. Problems such as the appearance of patterns and the generation of abnormal noise by the drive mechanism of the photosensitive drum tend to occur. FIG. 5B shows a case where the phase difference β between the first torque fluctuation and the second torque fluctuation is set to a desired value by applying the present invention. In this case, Since the influence of torque fluctuation on the photoconductor drum 12 is suppressed to a small level, no problem occurs. The phase difference β is set so that the influence of the first torque fluctuation on the photoconductor drum 12 and the influence of the second torque fluctuation cancel each other out so that the first centered on the axis of the drum body 14. This can be done by setting the relative angular difference between the angular position of the flange member 16 and the angular position of the second flange member 18.

Specifically, for example, the disposition positions of the drive gear 20 and the driven gear 22 are already determined, and at the disposition positions, the shaft of the drive gear 20 with the shaft center of the drum body 14 as the center is set. In some cases, the angular position of the core and the angular position of the shaft center of the driven gear 22 are aligned. In this case, when the relative phase difference between the tooth portion of the first gear 1604 and the tooth portion of the second gear 1804 is set to 0.5 × 2π / N, the change from the first torque fluctuation is Since the effect of the total torque fluctuation on the photosensitive drum 12 which is the sum of the effect and the effect from the second torque fluctuation is the smallest, the phase arrangement is the most preferable. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3A, for example, the convex portion 1620 of the first flange member 16 is used.
Is provided so as to extend toward the addendum of the first gear 1604, and as shown in FIG. 4B, the convex portion 1820 of the second flange member 18 is provided at the bottom of the second gear 1804. It may be provided so as to extend toward. On the other hand, when the arrangement position of the drive gear 20 or the driven gear 22 can be changed or adjusted, the phase of the tooth portion of the first gear 1604 centering on the shaft center of the drum body 14 and the phase of the second gear 1804. Even if the phases of the teeth are aligned, the angular position of the shaft center of the drive gear 20 and the angular position of the shaft center of the driven gear 22 centered on the shaft center of the drum body 14 are displaced so that the photoconductor The influence of torque fluctuation on the drum 12 can be suppressed to a small level. In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 3A, the convex portion 162 of the first and second flange members 16 and 18 is formed.
0 and 1820 are the first and second gears 1604 and 18 respectively.
No. 04 is provided so as to extend toward the tooth tip, or as shown in FIG. 4 (B), the first and second flange members 16,
The eighteen convex portions 1620 and 1820 may be provided so as to extend toward the tooth bottoms of the first and second gears 1604 and 1804, respectively.

The above-mentioned phase arrangement can be expressed by a mathematical expression as follows. As described above, since the number of teeth of the first gear 1604 and the second gear 1804 is N, the photosensitive drum 12
However, the cycle of the above-mentioned first torque fluctuation and second torque fluctuation, which cyclically fluctuates each time one tooth of the first gear 1604 and the second gear 1804 rotates, becomes T / N. Drum body 1 instead of time
The value α represented by the rotation angle of 4 is α = 2π / N. Then, if the phase difference between the first torque fluctuation phase and the second torque fluctuation phase is represented by the rotation angle of the drum body 14 as β, β = 0.5α The effect of the first torque fluctuation on the body drum 12 and the effect of the second torque fluctuation can be canceled to minimize the effect of the torque fluctuation as a whole.

The inventor has tested several values of β. The contents of the test are as follows. Diameter is 3
The first flange member 16 and the second flange member 18 were attached to both sides of the drum body 14 having a length of 0 mm and a length of 340 mm. The first flange member 16 and the second flange member 18 have a first gear 1604 and a second gear 1 having the same number of teeth.
804 is provided. A sample in which the phase of the first gear 1604 and the second gear 1804 on both sides was changed was prepared on a photoconductor drum for a small-diameter printer for which the paper size is A3, and the sample was attached to an actual machine to output a solid black image.

The phase is the angular deviation of the closest one tooth in the positive direction (clockwise direction) of the other second flange member 18 when a specific one tooth is determined with one first flange member 16 facing forward. Specified by In the output image, unevenness corresponding to the pitch of the tooth portion appears, but a good grade is evaluated as ⊚, a medium grade is evaluated as ◯, and a poor grade is evaluated as x.
The test results are shown in Table 1.

[0018]

[Table 1]

As is apparent from Table 1, the photosensitive drum 1
The condition for obtaining the effect of reducing the influence of the torque fluctuation on No. 2 and suppressing the uneven density of the image is that the angular position of the first flange member 16 and the second flange member 18 with respect to the axial center of the drum body 14 is the center. The relative angular difference from the angular position is not limited to satisfy β = 0.5α, and 0.3α ≦ β ≦ 0.7α (or 0.3
≦ β / α ≦ 0.7) [hereinafter referred to as relational expression 1], this effect can be obtained, and 0.4α ≦ β ≦ 0.6α
It has been found that it is more preferable to satisfy (or 0.4 ≦ β / α ≦ 0.6) [hereinafter referred to as relational expression 2]. Therefore, when the convex portions 1620, 1820 of the first and second flange members 16, 18 are in a predetermined state such as being located on substantially the same straight line as described above, the above relational expression 1 is satisfied. Thus, preferably, the first and second flange members 16 and 18 satisfy the relational expression 2 above.
The convex portions 1620 and 1820 may be provided.

As is clear from the above test results, according to the photoconductor drum 12 according to the present embodiment, when the photoconductor drum 12 itself is used as the driving force transmitting member in the image forming apparatus, the image It is possible to solve the problem that a periodic shading pattern appears or abnormal noise appears above. Further, while visually confirming the convex portions 1620, 1820 so that the convex portions 1620, 1820 satisfy a predetermined state such that the convex portions 1620, 1820 are located on the same straight line, or the convex portions 1620, 1820, If the first and second flange members 16 and 18 are attached to the drum body 14 with reference to 1820, the above relational expression 1 or relational expression 2 is satisfied, and the effect of torque fluctuation is reduced to suppress unevenness in image density. It is possible to assemble the photosensitive drum 12 to be assembled easily and surely.

Next, the method for assembling the photosensitive drum of the present invention will be described together with the assembling apparatus. FIG. 6 is a front view of the photoconductor drum assembling apparatus, and FIGS. 7A and 7B are enlarged views of the flange support base portion. The assembling apparatus shown in FIG. 6 is for assembling the photosensitive drum 12 shown in FIG.
The base 24, a mounting portion 26 provided on the base 24 on which the drum main body 14 is mounted, supporting portions 28 and 30 provided on both sides of the mounting portion 26, and one supporting portion 30 are drums. Body 1
4 and a drive means 32 that moves in a direction of approaching and separating.

The mounting portion 26 is provided with two mounting members 2602 having V grooves in which both ends of the drum body 14 are mounted, and the drum body 14 has its axis extending in the horizontal X direction. By being mounted on the mounting members 2602 in such a posture as to be supported, it is supported by the mounting portion 26. Mounting member 2602
Is arranged so as to be movable in the thickness direction of the paper surface of FIG. 6 (horizontal Y direction orthogonal to the horizontal X direction) via a slider 2604 and a guide 2606 by a driving unit (not shown), and the support portions 28 and 30 on both sides are arranged. It is arranged so as to move between a fitting position located between the fitting positions and a retracted position separated from the fitting position.

As shown in FIG. 7, the support portions 2 on both sides are provided.
One of the supporting portions 28 of the reference numerals 8 and 30 includes a base member 2801 fixed to the base 24 and the base member 2801.
First flange support base 2806 rotatably supported on the
And a motor 2802 and a belt pulley mechanism 2804 for driving the first flange support 2806 to rotate, and the rotation of the motor 2802 is controlled by a controller (not shown). The support portion 28 is further equipped with a rotation position detection sensor (not shown) for detecting the rotation angle of the first flange support base 2806, and the output of this rotation position detection sensor is a control device constituted by a computer. Is being supplied to. And
The rotation angle of the first flange support 2806 can be changed by inputting data to the control device or by installing an appropriate control program in the control device.
The angle can be set as desired. The first flange member 1 is provided on the flat front surface of the first flange support base 2806.
A shaft 2808 that can be inserted and removed is provided in a protruding manner in the bearing hole 1610 of No. 6 and a concave portion 2820 that is engageable with the convex portion 1620 of the first flange member 16 is provided. Insert the shaft 2808 through the bearing hole 1610 of the first flange member 16,
The convex portion 1620 and the concave portion 2820 are combined to form the first gear 160.
When the side surface of No. 4 is brought into contact with the front surface of the first flange support base 2806, the first flange member 16 is integrally attached to the first flange support base 2806 by engaging the convex portion 1620 and the concave portion 2820. . Then, when the first flange support base 2806 is rotated, the first flange member 16 is rotated integrally with the first flange support base 2806.

The other supporting portion 30 is a base member 3001 supported on the base 24 so as to be linearly movable in the horizontal direction,
A second flange support base 3006 rotatably supported by the base member 3001 and the second flange support base 30
A motor 3002 for rotationally driving the motor 06 and a belt pulley mechanism 3004 are provided, and the rotation of the motor 3002 is configured to be controlled by the control device (not shown) described above. The support portion 30 is further equipped with a rotation position detection sensor (not shown) for detecting the rotation angle of the second flange support base 3006, and the output of this rotation position detection sensor is supplied to the control device. . With this configuration, similarly to the first flange support base 2806, the rotation angle of the second flange support base 3006 can be set to a desired angle. A shaft 3008 that can be inserted into and removed from a bearing hole 1810 of the second flange member 18 is provided on a flat front surface of the second flange support 3006, and can be engaged with a convex portion 1820 of the second flange member 18. A concave portion 3020 is provided. The shaft 3008 is inserted through the bearing hole 1810 of the second flange member 18, and the protrusion 1
When the side surface of the second gear 1804 is brought into contact with the front surface of the second flange support base 3006 by combining the concave portion 3020 with the concave portion 3020, the convex portion 1820 and the concave portion 3020 are engaged with each other so that the second flange member 18 is Flange support 30
It is attached to 06 together. Then, when the second flange support base 3006 is rotated, the second flange member 18 moves to the second
It will be rotated integrally with the flange support base 3006.

The supporting portion 30 is movably supported by a slider 3010 and a guide 3012 in a direction of approaching and separating from the supporting portion 28. The driving means 3
Reference numeral 2 is composed of an air cylinder, and the support portion 30 is moved in a direction of approaching and separating from the support portion 28 by the expansion and contraction operation of the air cylinder. In addition, the above-described storage unit 26
Are placed in the fitting position, the two mounting members 2602
The shaft center of the drum main body 14 placed on the top and the shafts 2808 and 3008 of the support portions 28 and 30 on both sides are provided so as to be located substantially coaxially.

Next, a specific example of the procedure for assembling the photosensitive drum 12 will be described. First, the mounting table 26 is retracted to the retracted position. Next, the motors 2802 and 3002 of the pair of support portions 28 and 30 are driven to rotate the first flange support base 2806 and the second flange support base 3006, and thereby the flange support bases 2806 and 3006.
The relative angular position between the two is set to the desired appropriate angular position. Then, the bearing hole 1610 is fitted into the shaft 2808 so that the convex portion 1620 and the concave portion 2820 are engaged with each other, so that the first flange member 16 is attached to the first flange support base 28.
The second flange member 18 is mounted on the second flange support base 3006 by fitting the bearing hole 1810 into the shaft 3008 and engaging the convex portion 1820 with the concave portion 3020. Thereby, the first flange member 1
6 is determined by the first flange support base 2806, and the angular position of the second flange member 18 is determined by the second flange member 2806.
The first because it is determined by the flange support 3006.
The relative angular position between the flange member 16 and the second flange member 18 is set to an appropriate angular position. continue,
The drum body 14 is placed on the placing section 26 at the retracted position. The mounting of the first and second flange members 16 and 18 and the mounting of the drum body 14 may be performed manually by an operator, or may be automatically performed using a machine.

Subsequently, the mounting portion 26 is moved from the retracted position to the fitting position. When moved to this position, the shaft center of the drum body 14 on the mounting portion 26 and the shaft centers of the first and second flange members 16 and 18 on the first and second flange support bases 2806 and 3006. However, they have a concentric positional relationship. Then, the driving means 32 is operated to operate the first flange member 16
Also, the second flange member 18 is fitted to both ends of the drum body 14. At this time, the second flange member 18 is pushed by the driving means 32 and abuts against the end portion of the drum main body 14, whereby the drum main body 14 is moved to the first flange member 1.
By moving to the 6 side, the drum body 14
The other end contacts the first flange member 16. When the driving means 32 further pushes the second flange member 18 beyond this state, the first flange member 16 and the second flange member 18 are fitted and fixed to both ends of the drum body 14, respectively.
The assembly of the photoconductor drum 12 is completed.

In the above description of the assembly procedure, the first
Although it has been stated that the relative angular position between the flange member 16 and the second flange member 18 is set to an appropriate angular position, this means that the first angular position of the first flange member 16 is set.
The influence of the first torque fluctuation, which periodically fluctuates for each tooth portion of the gear, on the driving torque transmitted between the gear 1604 and the driving gear 20 meshing with the first gear 1604, and the second flange. Influence from the second torque fluctuation that periodically changes for each tooth portion of the gear in the driving torque transmitted between the second gear 1804 of the member 18 and the driven gear 22 that meshes with the second gear 1804 So as to cancel each other out, the angular position of the first flange member 16 and the second flange member 18 with the axis of the drum body 14 as the center.
Means that a relative angular difference from the angular position of the drum main body 14 is set.
The relative angular difference between the angular position of the first flange member 16 and the angular position of the second flange member 18 (that is, the relative phase between the flange members 16 and 18) about the axis of It is set.

Specifically, as described above, the value α representing the period of the first and second torque fluctuations by the rotation angle of the drum body 14, the phase of the first torque fluctuation, and the second torque fluctuation. Value β representing the phase difference between the phase and the rotation angle of the drum body 14 is 0.3α ≦ β ≦ 0.7α (or 0.
More preferably, 0.4α ≦ β ≦ 0.6α (or 0.4 ≦ β / α ≦ so as to satisfy 3 ≦ β / α ≦ 0.7).
0.6) so that the relative angular difference between the angular position of the first flange member 16 and the angular position of the second flange member 18 about the axis of the drum body 14 is set. I have to.

For example, when the phase between the drive gear 20 and the driven gear 22 is the same (that is, the angular position of the axis of the drive gear 20 about the axis of the drum body 14 and the axis of the driven gear 22). If the angular position of
When the relative phase shift between the tooth portion of the gear 1604 and the tooth portion of the second gear 1804 is set to T / 2N (T is the rotation period of the photosensitive drum 12, N is the first gear 1604 and the The effect from the first torque fluctuation (which is the number of teeth of the two gear 1804) and the effect from the second torque fluctuation are offset,
The influence of the torque fluctuation is minimized as a whole, and therefore, in this case, the first gear 1 of the first flange member 16 is
The tooth portion 604 and the second gear 18 of the second flange member 18
The relative angular position between the first and second flange support bases 2806 and 3006 may be set so that the phase shift with the tooth portion 04 is T / 2N.

Further, for example, the drive gear 20 and the driven gear 2
When the two phases are not aligned (that is, the drum body 14
When the angular position of the shaft center of the drive gear 20 and the angular position of the shaft center of the driven gear 22 are deviated from each other, the tooth portion of the first gear 1604 and the tooth portion of the second gear 1804 are The relative phase difference between the drive gear 20 and the driven gear 2
The value may be set to a value corrected by the phase difference between the two gears. In this case, unlike the case where the phases of the drive gear 20 and the driven gear 22 are aligned, the phase of the tooth portion of the first gear 1604 is different. And when the phase of the tooth portion of the second gear 1804 is aligned,
The influence of the first torque fluctuation and the influence of the second torque fluctuation may be canceled out, and the effect of the torque fluctuation as a whole may be minimized. Actually, the drive gear 20 and the driven gear 2
It is not only necessary to correct the phase difference between the two
When the bevel gears 2, 1604 and 1804 are phase gears, the phase variation also occurs depending on the meshing position in the axial direction.
Make sure to correct that as well.

Therefore, according to the method of assembling the photoconductor drum 12 according to the present embodiment, when the photoconductor drum 12 itself is used as the driving force transmitting member in the electrophotographic apparatus, a periodic light and shade on the image is obtained. The photoconductor drum 12 capable of solving the problems such as the appearance of patterns and the generation of abnormal noise is provided with the convex portions 1620 and 1820 and the concave portions 2820 and 3820.
By using 020, it is possible to obtain easily and surely. In addition, according to the assembly device of the photoconductor drum 12 according to the present embodiment, the photoconductor drum 12 described above is used.
Can be obtained easily and surely. In addition,
In the embodiment described above, the flange supports 2806, 30
06 is rotated by the motors 2802 and 3002, the flange support bases 2806 and 300 have been described.
6 may be rotated and the other may be fixed, or both flange support bases 2806, 3006
It is also possible to fix without rotating. When fixing both flange support bases 2806 and 3006,
Angular position of the first flange member 16 and the second flange member 1
8, the rotational angular position of the recesses 2820, 3020 provided in the flange support bases 2806, 3006 may be determined in advance so that the relative angular difference is set with respect to the angular position of 8. 1, the second flange member 16,
The rotation angle position of the convex portions 1620, 1820 with respect to 18 may be determined in advance.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the convex portions 1620 and 1820 are provided as marks visible to the outside in the state of being attached to the drum main body 14 has been described. It may be a recessed portion, or colored paint or the like may be provided on the tooth tips or bottoms of the tooth portions of the first and second gears 1604 and 1804. In short, the marking may be visible from the outside. Is not limited to the convex shape. Further, one of the mark of the first flange member 16 and the mark of the second flange member 18 is the convex portion 1
At 620, the other mark may have a different shape, shape, such as paint. When the colored paint or the like is used as the mark, the mark of the first flange member 16 and the mark of the second flange member 18 are in a predetermined state (for example, on substantially the same straight line). It is also possible to fit and fix the first and second flange members 16 and 18 to both ends of the drum body 14 while visually recognizing that there is the above).

Photosensitive drum 1 used in the present invention
The 2 (drum body 14) is not particularly limited as long as it can be used as a photosensitive drum, but specifically, a metal material such as aluminum or aluminum alloy, stainless steel, copper, nickel, or the like A polyester film provided with a conductive layer of aluminum, copper, palladium, tin oxide, indium oxide, or the like, an insulating substrate such as paper, glass, or the like is used. When a non-conductor is used, it is generally conducted by blending a conductive powder or by conducting metal deposition on the surface. A drum made of aluminum or aluminum alloy is preferable. The drum may have any shape as long as flanges can be attached to both ends (including fitting and bonding), but a cylindrical drum is generally used.

The case of using cylindrical aluminum or aluminum alloy as the drum will be described below. Aluminum or A1050, A3003, A
After processing aluminum alloy such as 6063 into a cylindrical shape by a porthole method, a mandrel method, etc., in order to obtain a cylinder having a predetermined wall thickness, length and outer diameter, processing such as drawing or cutting is performed. . Further, in order to prevent uneven density, the drum surface may be finished to have a specific surface roughness by utilizing cutting.

The photosensitive drum 12 used in the present invention is
A photosensitive layer is provided on the drum body 14.
The photosensitive layer may be formed as it is, but it is preferable to form the photosensitive layer on the blocking layer in order to prevent uneven density. Here, the blocking layer refers to an anodic oxide coating, an undercoat layer, or the like.

The anodized film is formed by anodizing the surface of the drum body 14. Before performing anodizing treatment, it is preferable to perform degreasing treatment by various degreasing cleaning methods such as acid, alkali, organic solvent, surfactant, emulsion and electrolysis. Anodized film is a normal method,
For example, it is formed by anodizing treatment in an acidic bath of chromic acid, sulfuric acid, oxalic acid, boric acid, sulfamic acid, etc., but anodizing treatment in sulfuric acid gives the best result. In the case of anodizing treatment in sulfuric acid, the sulfuric acid concentration is 100 to 300 g / l, the dissolved aluminum concentration is 2 to
15g / l, liquid temperature is 0 to 30 ° C, electrolysis voltage is 10 to 20
The V and the current density are preferably set within the range of 0.5 to 2 A / dm2, but the present invention is not limited to this. The film thickness of the anodized film thus formed is
Usually 20 μm or less, preferably 10 μm or less,
More preferably, it is 7 μm or less.

The drum body 14 that has been anodized can be subjected to a sealing treatment and a dyeing treatment. The sealing treatment is a step of sealing by growing aluminum hydroxide or the like in the porous layer. The sealing treatment method may be an ordinary method, but is preferably performed by immersing it in a solution containing nickel ions (eg, a solution containing nickel acetate or a solution containing nickel fluoride). When the dyeing treatment is performed, the drum body 14 is immersed in an organic or inorganic compound salt solution to adsorb those salts. Specifically, water-soluble organic dyes such as azo type 1 to 10 g / l, liquid temperature 20 to 60 ° C., pH 3 to
9. Immersion time 1 to 20 minutes.

As the subbing layer, organic layers such as polyvinyl alcohol, casein, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyacrylic acid, celluloses, gelatin, starch, polyurethane, polyimide and polyamide can be used. Above all, it has excellent adhesion to the drum body 14,
A polyamide resin having low solubility in the solvent used in the charge generation layer coating solution is preferable. It is effective to incorporate fine particles of metal oxides such as alumina and titania and organic or inorganic pigments into the undercoat layer. The thickness of the undercoat layer is usually 0.1 to 10 μm, preferably 0.2 to 5 μm.
Is. In the present invention, anodizing treatment, sealing treatment,
It is also possible to form an undercoat layer on the surface of which the dyeing treatment has been performed.

A photosensitive layer is formed on the drum body 14. The photosensitive layer is one in which a charge generation layer containing a charge generation substance and a charge transport layer are laminated in this order, or those laminated in the reverse order,
Alternatively, a so-called single layer type in which particles of a charge generating substance are dispersed in a charge transporting medium can be used, but a laminated type photosensitive layer having a charge generating layer and a charge transporting layer is preferable. When the photosensitive layer has a single-layer structure, a known material in which a photosensitive material is dispersed in a binder material is used. Examples thereof include a dye-sensitized ZnO photosensitive layer, a CdS photosensitive layer, and a photosensitive layer in which a charge generating substance is dispersed in a charge transporting substance.

The charge generating layer contains a charge generating substance and a binder resin. The charge generating substance is not particularly limited as long as it is a substance used for an electrophotographic photoreceptor, and specifically, selenium and its alloys, arsenic-selenium, cadmium sulfide, zinc oxide, and other inorganic photoconductors. Organic pigments such as phthalocyanine, azo, quinacridone, polycyclic quinone, perylene, indigo, and benzimidazole can be used. In particular, copper, indium chloride, potassium chloride, tin, oxytitanium, zinc, phthalocyanine pigments such as vanadium, or its oxide or chloride coordinated phthalocyanines, such as metal-free phthalocyanines, or monoazo, bisazo, Trisazo,
Azo pigments such as polyazos are preferred. Of these, phthalocyanine pigments are particularly preferable, and oxytitanium phthalocyanine having a specific crystal system is particularly preferable.
This is because oxytitanium phthalocyanine is more likely to undergo thermal crystal conversion than ordinary pigments.

Examples of such oxytitanium phthalocyanine include those which show a maximum diffraction peak at a Bragg angle (2θ ± 0.2 °) of 27.3 ° in X-ray diffraction by CuKα ray, but are not limited thereto. It is not something that will be done. The crystal form of this oxytitanium phthalocyanine is generally called Y type or D type. For example, FIG. 2 of JP-A-62-67094 (referred to as II type in the same publication). JP-A-2-8256
FIG. 1 of Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 64-82045, No. 1 of Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 64-82045
Fig., Electrophotographic Society Journal, Vol. 92 (published in 1990), No. 3, pages 250 to 258 (referred to as Y type in the same publication). This crystalline oxytitanium phthalocyanine is characterized by showing a maximum diffraction peak at 27.3 °, but in addition to this, it is usually 7.4 ° or 9.
It shows peaks at 7 ° and 24.2 °.

The intensity of the diffraction peak may change depending on the crystallinity, the orientation of the sample and the measuring method, but in the measurement by the Bragg-Brentano concentration method which is usually used when X-ray diffraction of powder crystals is performed, The above crystalline oxytitanium phthalocyanine has a maximum diffraction peak at 27.3 °. Further, when measured by a thin film optical system (generally called thin film method or parallel method), the maximum diffraction peak may not be 27.3 ° depending on the state of the sample. It is thought that this is due to the orientation.

The dispersion medium is not particularly limited as long as it is used in the manufacturing process of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and various solvents may be used. For example, diethyl ether, dimethoxyethane, tetrahydrofuran, 1,2-
Ethers such as dimethoxyethane; ketones such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone and cyclohexanone; esters such as methyl acetate and ethyl acetate; alcohols such as methanol, ethanol and propanol; aromatic hydrocarbons such as toluene and xylene, or 2 A mixture of two or more species can be used. The amount of the dispersion medium used may be any amount as long as the dispersion can be sufficiently performed and the effective amount of the charge generating substance is contained in the dispersion liquid, and the concentration of the charge generating substance in the dispersion liquid at the time of dispersion is usually 3 to 20 wt. %, More preferably about 4 to 20 wt%.

The binder resin is not particularly limited as long as it is used for an electrophotographic photoreceptor, but specifically, polyvinyl butyral, polyvinyl acetal, polyester, polycarbonate, polystyrene, polyester carbonate, polysulfone. , Vinyl polymers such as polyimide, polymethylmethacrylate, and polyvinyl chloride, and their copolymers, phenoxy, epoxy, silicone resins and the like, and partially cross-linked cured products thereof can be used alone or in combination of two or more. As a method of mixing the binder resin and the charge generating substance, for example,
The charge generation material is dispersed in the binder resin powder in the dispersion treatment step, or the polymer solution is added and dispersed at the same time, the dispersion obtained in the dispersion treatment step is mixed with the polymer solution of the binder resin, or conversely dispersed. Any method such as a method of mixing the polymer solution in the liquid may be used.

Next, the dispersion liquid obtained here may be diluted with various solvents in order to obtain liquid properties suitable for coating. As such a solvent, for example, the solvents exemplified as the dispersion medium can be used. The ratio of the charge generating substance to the binder resin is not particularly limited, but generally the charge generating substance is used in the range of 5 to 500 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the resin. If necessary, a charge transport material can be included. Examples of the charge transport material include organic polymer compounds such as polyvinylcarbazole, polyvinylpyrene, and polyacenaphthylene,
Electron-withdrawing substances such as fluorenone derivatives, tetracyanoxydimethane, benzoquinone derivatives, naphthoquinone derivatives, anthraquinone derivatives, diphenoquinone derivatives,
Heterocyclic compounds such as carbazole, indole, imidazole, oxazole, pyrazole, oxadiazole, pyrazoline, and thiadiazole, aniline derivatives, hydrazone derivatives, aromatic amine derivatives, stilbene derivatives, or groups consisting of these compounds in the main chain or side chain. And electron-donating substances such as polymers.
The ratio of the charge transport material to the binder resin is 5 to 500 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the binder resin.

Using the dispersion liquid thus prepared,
A charge generation layer is formed on the drum main body 14 after cutting, or on the drum main body 14 on which an undercoat layer or an anodic oxide coating is formed, and a charge transport layer is laminated thereon to form a photosensitive layer, or A charge transport layer is formed on the drum body 14 and a charge generation layer is formed thereon using the dispersion liquid to form a photosensitive layer, or a charge generation layer is formed on the drum body 14 using the dispersion liquid. The photosensitive layer can be formed by any one of the above structures. The thickness of the charge generation layer is preferably in the range of 0.1 to 10 μm when the photosensitive layer is laminated with the charge transport layer, and the thickness of the charge transport layer is preferably 10 to 40 μm. When the photosensitive layer is formed with a single layer structure, the thickness of the photosensitive layer is preferably in the range of 5 to 40 μm.

The charge transport layer is mixed with a known polymer having excellent performance as a binder resin on the above charge generation layer and dissolved in a suitable solvent together with the charge transport substance.
It can be produced by applying an electron-withdrawing compound, or a plasticizer, a pigment and other additives as necessary, and applying a coating solution obtained.

As the charge transport material in the charge transport layer, the above charge transport material can be used. As the binder resin used together with the charge transport material, various known resins can be used. Thermoplastic resins and curable resins such as polycarbonate resins, polyester resins, polyarylate resins, acrylic resins, methacrylate resins, styrene resins, and silicone resins can be used. Particularly preferred are polycarbonate resins, polyarylate resins, and polyester resins, which are less likely to cause wear and scratches. As the bisphenol component of the polycarbonate resin, bisphenol A, bisphenol C, bisphenol P, bisphenol Z, or various known components can be used. It may also be a copolymer of these components. The compounding ratio of the charge transport material and the binder resin is, for example, 10 to 200 parts by weight, preferably 30 to 150 parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of the binder resin. In the case of a laminated type photoreceptor, the charge transport layer is formed by using the above components as main components.

Solvents used for the charge transport layer coating liquid include tetrahydrofuran, 1,4-dioxane, 1,2.
-Ethers such as dimethoxyethane and anisole; ketones such as methyl ethyl ketone, 2,4-pentanedione and cyclohexanone; aromatic hydrocarbons such as toluene and xylene; esters such as ethyl acetate, methyl formate and dimethyl malonate; 3 Ether ethers such as methoxybutyl acetate and propylene glycol methyl ether acetate; and chlorinated hydrocarbons such as dichloromethane and dichloroethane. Of course, one kind or two or more kinds may be selected from these and used. Preferably, tetrahydrofuran, 1,4-dioxane, 2,4
-Pentanedione, anisole, toluene, dimethyl malonate, 3-methoxybutyl acetate, propylene glycol methyl ether acetate are preferred.

Further, the photosensitive layer may contain a well-known plasticizer, antioxidant, ultraviolet absorber and leveling agent in order to improve film-forming property, flexibility, coating property and mechanical strength. Further, an overcoat layer may be provided on the photosensitive layer in order to improve mechanical characteristics and gas resistance characteristics such as ozone and NOx. Needless to say, it may have an adhesive layer, an intermediate layer, a transparent insulating layer, and the like, if necessary.

In the present invention, the coating operation for forming each of the layers described above follows the conventionally known coating method. For example,
A dip coating method, a spray coating method, a spinner coating method, a blade coating method or the like can be adopted.

Examples of the image forming apparatus of the present invention include a monochrome printer, a copying machine, a color printer, a color copying machine and a facsimile. In particular, the photoconductor of the present invention can provide a high quality image, and is therefore suitable for a high resolution image forming apparatus. In particular, it can be used for an image forming apparatus that obtains an image having a resolution of 600 dpi or more. Further, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, normally, the effect of the present invention can be obtained by using a light source such as a laser beam having a conventionally known wavelength range.
It is considered that the effect of the present invention can be achieved even in the image forming apparatus using a light source having a wavelength range of 0 nm to 600 nm.

In the image forming apparatus, a developing unit (charging device, developing device, fixing device, static eliminator, cleaner), electrophotographic photosensitive member, optical unit (exposure device), hopper, stacker, recording medium (paper) are provided. A transport path for transporting, a fixing unit, and the like are provided. The hopper provides a recording medium (paper) to the transport path. The stacker stacks and stores recorded media (printed paper). The transport path is for transporting a recording medium (paper). The fixing unit fixes the image transferred from the electrophotographic photosensitive member to a recording medium (paper).

The developing unit applies a developer to the electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member to develop it.
The electrophotographic photosensitive member is for transferring an image developed by a developing unit onto a recording medium (paper) after forming an electrostatic latent image according to an image to be obtained. The optical unit scans the electrophotographic photosensitive member with laser light modulated by each image data (information) to form an electrostatic latent image.

The operation of the image forming apparatus will be described below. The surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member is charged substantially uniformly by using a charging device such as a corotron or a scorotron. The host computer sends a print command based on information such as images and characters. At the time of print command from the host computer, if print preparation is ready, data request will be sent and each data will be sent,
An optical unit of the image forming apparatus scans the electrophotographic photosensitive member with laser light modulated corresponding to each data. As a result, the electric charge is removed from the portion of the electrophotographic photosensitive member which is irradiated with the laser light, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member. Then, a developer such as a toner is applied to the electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member by the developing unit to form a visible image on the electrophotographic photosensitive member. Next, a recording medium (paper) is overlaid on this visible image, and an electric charge opposite to the developer is applied to the recording medium (paper) from the back of the recording medium (paper) by a charger.
A visible image is transferred to a recording medium (paper) by electrostatic force. The transferred visible image is fused to a recording medium (paper) by heat or pressure to form a permanent image.

On the other hand, the latent image charges on the electrophotographic photosensitive member after transfer are eliminated by light. Further, the developer such as residual toner remaining without being transferred is removed by a cleaner. By repeating such a process, images are continuously formed. When full-color printing is performed, the image forming process described above is performed for each color to obtain a color image.

Further, the recording medium (paper) is sent one by one to the transport path by the hopper, and the visible image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member while the recording medium (paper) is transported by the belt-shaped transport means. Are sequentially transferred to a recording medium (paper), the image transferred to the paper is fixed by a fixing unit, and finally the printed recording media (paper) are stacked and stored by a stacker.

When performing full-color printing, the image forming apparatus temporarily transfers a developer such as toner adhered on the electrophotographic photosensitive member onto one intermediate transfer belt,
The color images may be formed on the recording medium (paper) by using the transfer means after the color toners are combined on the intermediate transfer belt to form a color visible image.

[0060]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the photoconductor drum of the present invention, the drive mechanism including the photoconductor drum, and the image forming apparatus, when the photoconductor drum itself is used as the driving force transmitting member. In addition, it is possible to solve the problem that a periodic light and shade pattern appears on the image and the drive mechanism of the photosensitive drum makes an abnormal noise. Further, according to the method and apparatus for assembling the photosensitive drum of the present invention, such a photosensitive drum can be easily and surely obtained.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1A is a front view of a photosensitive drum, and FIG. 1B is an exploded view of the photosensitive drum.

FIG. 2 is a relationship diagram of a photosensitive drum, a driving gear, and a driven gear.

FIG. 3A is a front view of the first flange member, and FIG. 3B is a side view of the same.

FIG. 4A is a side view of a second flange member, and FIG. 4B is a front view of the same.

5A and 5B are explanatory diagrams of applied torque and load torque.

FIG. 6 is a front view of a photoconductor drum assembling apparatus.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a flange support base portion, (A) is a front view and (B) is a side view.

[Explanation of symbols]

12 Photosensitive drum 14 drum body 16 First flange member 1604 first gear 1620 convex part 18 Second flange member 1804 Second gear 1820 convex 20 drive gear 22 Driven gear 26 Placement section 28, 30 support 2820, 3020 recess

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. A drum main body, and a first flange member and a second flange member attached to both ends of the drum main body, wherein the first flange member is concentric with the axis of the drum main body. Is provided with a first gear having a number of teeth N, and the second gear
In the photoconductor drum, the flange member is provided with a second gear that is concentric with respect to the axis of the drum body and has the same number N of teeth as the first gear, wherein the first flange member and the second flange Each member is provided with a mark so that it can be visually recognized from the outside when attached to the drum body. When the photosensitive drum is viewed, the mark of the first flange member and the mark of the second flange member are provided. From a first torque fluctuation that periodically fluctuates for each tooth portion of the gear in the driving torque transmitted between the first gear and the gear meshing with the first gear when And the influence from the second torque fluctuation that periodically fluctuates for each tooth portion of the gear in the driving torque transmitted between the second gear and the gear that meshes with the second gear. In front of each other Wherein around the axial center of the drum body first
A photosensitive drum, wherein a relative angular difference between the angular position of the flange member and the angular position of the second flange member is set. 2. The relative angle difference that is set is a value α, which represents the cycle of the first torque fluctuation and the second torque fluctuation by the rotation angle of the drum body, α = 2π / N
And the phase of the first torque fluctuation and the second phase
2. The photosensitive member according to claim 1, wherein a value β representing a phase difference between the torque fluctuation phase and the torque fluctuation phase is expressed as a rotation angle of the drum main body, which satisfies 0.3α ≦ β ≦ 0.7α. drum. 3. The predetermined state is such that the mark of the first flange member and the mark of the second flange member are substantially on the same straight line when the photosensitive drum is viewed from a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction thereof. The photoconductor drum according to claim 1, wherein the photoconductor drum is in a running state. 4. The mark of the first flange member is formed by a convex portion formed on the side surface of the first gear located on the side opposite to the drum body, and the mark of the second flange member is the mark of the drum. The convex portion is formed on the side surface of the second gear located on the side opposite to the main body.
The photosensitive drum described. 5. A drum main body, and a first flange member and a second flange member attached to both ends of the drum main body, wherein the first flange member is concentric with the axis of the drum main body. Is provided with a first gear having a number of teeth N, and the second gear
A method of assembling a photosensitive drum, wherein the flange member is provided with a second gear that is concentric with respect to the axis of the drum body and has the same number of teeth N as the first gear. Marks are provided on the second flange member so as to be visible from the outside in a state of being attached to the drum main body, and when the photosensitive drum is viewed, the mark of the first flange member and the second flange member are provided. When the mark of the flange member is in a predetermined state, the first torque that fluctuates periodically for each tooth portion of the gear in the drive torque transmitted between the first gear and the gear that meshes with the first gear. From the torque fluctuation and the second torque fluctuation that periodically fluctuates for each tooth portion of the gear in the driving torque transmitted between the second gear and the gear meshing with the second gear. Impacts of each other As each other, the first centered on the axis of the drum body
It is configured such that a relative angular difference between the angular position of the flange member and the angular position of the second flange member is set, and the mark of the first flange member and the mark of the second flange member are set. A method for assembling a photosensitive drum, wherein a first flange member and a second flange member are attached to both ends of the drum body so as to be in the predetermined state. 6. The set relative angle difference is such that a value α, which represents a cycle of the first torque fluctuation and the second torque fluctuation as a rotation angle of the drum body, is α = 2π / N.
And the phase of the first torque fluctuation and the second phase
6. The photoconductor according to claim 5, wherein a value β representing a phase difference between the phase of the torque fluctuation and the phase of the torque fluctuation is expressed as a rotation angle of the drum main body, and 0.3α ≦ β ≦ 0.7α is satisfied. How to assemble the drum. 7. A drum body, and a first flange member and a second flange member fitted and fixed to both ends of the drum body, wherein each of the first flange member and the second flange member has a number of teeth. N gears, a cylindrical portion that is concentrically provided with respect to the gears on one side surface of the gears and that is fitted to the end portion of the drum body, and a mark that indicates the angular position of the flange member of the gears. An assembling apparatus for assembling a photoconductor drum, comprising: a convex portion provided on the other side surface; and a bearing hole that is provided concentrically with respect to the gear and defines a rotation center of the flange member, A mounting table on which the main body is mounted, first and second flange supporting bases arranged on both sides of the mounting table for supporting the first and second flange members, and the first and second flanges. At least one of the supports Drive means for a flange support base for moving one of them in a direction in which they are spaced apart from each other and approaching each other, and each of the first and second flange support bases is insertable into and removable from the bearing hole of the flange member. There is a shaft that is inserted and supports the flange member, and a concave portion that engages with the convex portion of the flange member in a state where the shaft is inserted into the bearing hole, and the concave portion of the first and second flange support bases. When the convex portions of the first and second flange members are engaged with each other, between the angular position of the first flange member and the angular position of the second flange member centered on the axis of the drum body. From the first torque fluctuation in which the relative angular difference between the first gear and the gear meshing with the first gear cyclically changes for each tooth portion of the gear in the driving torque transmitted. And the effect of meshing with the second gear and the second gear The driving torque transmitted to and from the gear is set to an angular difference that cancels each other with the influence of the second torque fluctuation that cyclically changes for each tooth of the gear. The photoconductor drum assembling device, which is characterized in that 8. At least one of the first and second flange support bases is supported by a rotation drive means, and at least one of the first and second flange support bases is set so that the relative angular difference is set. 8. The photosensitive drum assembling apparatus according to claim 7, wherein one of them is rotated by the rotation driving means. 9. A drum main body, and a first flange member and a second flange member attached to both ends of the drum main body, wherein the first flange member is concentric with the axis of the drum main body. A first gear having a large number of teeth N is provided,
The flange member is provided with a second gear that is concentric with the axis of the drum body and has the same number of teeth N as the first gear, and is rotatably supported around the axis of the drum body. A photoconductor drum, a drive gear that meshes with the first gear of the first flange member, and a driven gear that meshes with the second gear of the second flange member. In a drive mechanism including a photoconductor drum, the drive torque is transmitted from the drive gear to the driven gear by transmitting the drive torque to the first gear and from the second gear to the driven gear. A mark is provided on each of the first flange member and the second flange member so that the first flange member and the second flange member can be visually recognized from the outside when attached to the drum body. When the mark of the lunge member and the mark of the second flange member are in a predetermined state, the driving torque transmitted between the drive gear and the first gear changes periodically for each tooth portion of the gear. From the first torque fluctuation and the influence from the second torque fluctuation that periodically fluctuates for each tooth portion of the gear in the driving torque transmitted between the second gear and the driven gear. So that they cancel each other out, the relative angular difference between the angular position of the axis of the drive gear and the angular position of the axis of the driven gear about the axis of the drum body,
And a relative angular difference between the angular position of the first flange member and the angular position of the second flange member about the axis of the drum body. A drive mechanism including a photosensitive drum. 10. A relative angular difference between an angular position of an axis of the drive gear and an angular position of an axis of the driven gear about the axis of the drum main body, and The relative angular difference between the angular position of the first flange member and the angular position of the second flange member about the axis is determined by the cycle of the first torque fluctuation and the second torque fluctuation. The value α represented by the rotation angle of the drum body is α =
When 2π / N, the first torque fluctuation phase and the second torque fluctuation phase
10. The photoconductor according to claim 9, wherein a value β representing a phase difference between the torque fluctuation phase and the phase of the torque fluctuation is represented by a rotation angle of the drum main body satisfies 0.3α ≦ β ≦ 0.7α. A drive mechanism that includes a drum. 11. The angular position of the shaft center of the drive gear and the angular position of the shaft center of the driven gear are aligned with respect to the shaft center of the drum body, and the shaft center of the drum body is centered. 10. The drive mechanism including a photosensitive drum according to claim 9, wherein the phase of the angular position of the tooth portion of the first gear and the phase of the angular position of the tooth portion of the second gear are deviated. 12. The phase of the angular position of the tooth portion of the first gear and the phase of the angular position of the tooth portion of the second gear centered on the axis of the drum body are aligned, 10. A drive mechanism including a photoconductor drum according to claim 9, wherein an angular position of the shaft center of the drive gear and an angular position of the shaft center of the driven gear are deviated from each other about the shaft center. 13. An image forming apparatus using the photoconductor drum according to claim 1. 14. A photosensitive drum obtained by the method for assembling the photosensitive drum according to claim 5. 15. An image forming apparatus comprising a drive mechanism including the photoconductor drum according to claim 9.