JP2003195724A - Process cartridge and electrophotographic image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a process cartridge that ensures the positioning accuracy of the process cartridge and an image forming apparatus, which is not affected by a variation between injection molded products or an error in weld connection between components. <P>SOLUTION: The process cartridge has an electrophotographic photoreceptor 1, a drum unit 51 holding the electrophotographic photoreceptor 1, a developing roller 40, a developing frame body 45 holding the developing roller, a toner container 41 storing developer, and a developing unit 4 including the developing frame body and the toner container. The process cartridge also has a developing means for developing a latent image formed on the electrophotographic photoreceptor. In the process cartridge, by using a single component given a trim margin in advance, the process cartridge is trimmed after or during the assembly of the process cartridge, thereby offsetting a variation between cabinets or an error in weld connection and improving accuracy in completion. The process cartridge 7 is attached to a trimming tool serving as the cartridge mounting portion of the image forming apparatus main body. Using a horn 70, a production margin 46z provided on an acting portion 46 is removed in order to make height h constant. <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 process cartridge used in a copying machine, a printer or the like adopting an electrophotographic system and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus using the process cartridge.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, 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 made into a cartridge, and this cartridge is used as an image forming apparatus. A process cartridge system that can be attached to and detached from the main body is adopted. According to this process cartridge system, the maintenance of the apparatus can be performed by the user himself without resorting to a serviceman, so that the operability can be markedly improved. Therefore, this process cartridge system is widely used in image forming apparatuses.

As a result, if maintenance of the above-mentioned process equipment becomes necessary, the user can easily perform maintenance / replacement by himself / herself, and high-quality images can be obtained easily at low cost. .

Such process cartridges are usually
A latent image of an electrophotographic photosensitive member is formed by connecting a developer container containing a developer and a developer container receiving the developer from the opening of the developer container and supplying the developer to a developer carrier. It constitutes the main frame of the developing device that visualizes.

Here, the positioning accuracy of the image forming apparatus and the process cartridge, and the positional accuracy of the photosensitive drum and the cleaning blade, the developing roller and the developing blade, etc. of the process cartridge are factors that become severe with the demand for high image quality. At this time, the accuracy of the single part and the accuracy of the welded joint are mentioned as the factors of the position accuracy. Conventionally, those precisions have been pursued with the pursuit of single component precision, and with respect to the joining of containers, technology for stabilizing the welding joining dimension accuracy has been used. Further, an adjusting mechanism is provided by adding an adjusting member.

[0006]

However, with the increasing demand for high image quality, the performance dependency on the position accuracy tends to increase further, and the conventional technique for improving the accuracy of single parts is to perform resin molding by injection molding. Due to variations in product,
If this is taken into consideration and the accuracy is improved, the cost will increase. In addition, as shown in FIG. 9, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, the means for improving the accuracy of the welded joint size causes the welded joint due to the variation in the amount of welded melt in the welded joint configuration of the toner container 41 and the developing frame 45 and the toner container 41 and the bottom plate 45a. It is impossible to eliminate variations in the clearance between the portions 65a and 65b and welding distortion.

Therefore, it is impossible to completely cancel out the positional accuracy error of the height h of the separating rib 46 straddling the welded joint portions 65a and 65b. The spacing ribs 46 are necessary for improving the image quality and require precision, and by adding an adjusting member 46k having a threaded portion as shown in FIG. 2 and turning the adjusting member 46k, a predetermined height is achieved. The adjustment mechanism such as the setting of h has caused an increase in cost.

An object of the present invention is to further apply and develop the above-mentioned conventional technique, and to improve the positioning accuracy across a plurality of parts and the positioning accuracy affected by a welding connection error with a simpler structure. Another object of the present invention is to provide a process cartridge and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus capable of obtaining a good image.

[0009]

The object of the present invention can be achieved by the following constitutions.

An electrophotographic photosensitive member, a photosensitive drum unit that holds the electrophotographic photosensitive member, a developing roller as a developer carrying member, a developing frame member that holds the developing roller, a toner container that contains the developer, and the developing unit. A process cartridge having a developing unit composed of a frame and a toner container, and a developing means for developing the latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member, wherein a single component having a shaping margin in advance is used. By performing shaping processing in the assembled state of the process cartridge in the assembly process of the process cartridge or in the unit state during assembly, variations in each mold and errors in welding connection are canceled out, and high accuracy in the finished product state is achieved. To achieve.

A first invention according to the present application is a process cartridge which is attachable to and detachable from a main body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and which has an electrophotographic photosensitive drum and process means acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and is assembled. A process cartridge characterized by partially removing a part of a part of a component in a state where all the components are assembled in a process, and shaping the part to improve the accuracy of the component.

A second invention according to the present application is a process cartridge detachable from a book of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus,
A photosensitive drum unit having an electrophotographic photosensitive drum and a drum frame supporting the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a developing member for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and a supply to the developing member A developing unit having a toner container for accommodating the toner, and a coupling portion for swingably coupling the developing unit assembled in the assembly process. It is a process cartridge characterized by being shaped like a monkey.

A third invention according to the present application is characterized in that the component has a shaping margin to be shaped.
Alternatively, it is the process cartridge according to the second invention.

[0014] This application fourth invention according to the White shaping process has a cross-sectional area of 3 mm ² to 20 mm ^2, and 0.1
The process cartridge according to the third aspect of the invention has a length of mm to 4 mm.

A fifth invention according to the present application is the process cartridge according to the fourth invention, wherein the shaping margin is made of a thermoplastic resin.

A sixth invention according to the present application is characterized in that the shaping process is a process by ultrasonic vibration and a process for obtaining a required dimensional accuracy of the process cartridge in an assembled state by removing a shaping margin. A process cartridge according to a fifth aspect of the invention.

A seventh invention according to the present application is the process cartridge according to the sixth invention, wherein the shaped surface is a flat surface.

An eighth invention according to the present application is the process cartridge according to the sixth invention, wherein the shaped surface is a composite surface composed of a flat surface and a curved surface.

The ninth aspect of the present invention relates to ultrasonic vibration,
Frequency is 18kHz-40kHz and amplitude is 40μ
The process cartridge according to any one of the sixth to eighth inventions, wherein the process cartridge has a range of m to 100 μm.

A tenth aspect of the present invention is the process cartridge according to the ninth aspect, characterized in that the ultrasonic vibration is of a torsion vibration ultrasonic type.

The eleventh invention of the present application is a photosensitive drum unit having an electrophotographic photosensitive drum and a drum frame for supporting the electrophotographic photosensitive drum in a process cartridge detachable from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. And a developing roller as a developing means for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and a developing frame body for accommodating the toner supplied to the developing roller and holding the developing roller and the developing roller integrally. And a developing unit and a coupling unit that swingably couples the developing unit with each other. The developing unit has a working unit to which force is applied from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and the working unit is pressed or pressed. If not, the action part moves and the developing unit swings around the coupling part, so that the electrophotographic photosensitive drum and the developing roller are separated and pressed. It has been shaping process on the working portion of the process cartridge to allow a process cartridge according to claim.

A twelfth invention of the present application is an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, wherein a process cartridge can be attached and detached and an image is formed on a recording medium. An electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and a process means that acts on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum. In the assembled state, all the components are partially assembled, and some of the components are partially removed. Mounting means for detachably mounting a process cartridge that has been shaped to improve the accuracy of the part; b. A facing portion which is disposed in contact with or facing the trimming portion of the process cartridge with a space therebetween, and c. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus comprising: a conveying unit configured to convey the recording medium.

A thirteenth invention of the present application is an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, wherein a process cartridge is attachable / detachable and forms an image on a recording medium. A photosensitive drum unit having an electrophotographic photosensitive drum and a drum frame supporting the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and a developing roller as a developing means for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum. A developing unit including a developing roller and a developing unit that integrally holds a developing roller for holding the toner to be supplied to the developing roller, and a connecting portion swingably connected to the developing unit. The photographic image forming apparatus has a working portion to which force is applied, and the working portion is moved by being pressed or not pressed, and the developing unit is swung around the coupling portion, so that the electrophotographic Detachable process cartridge that has been shaped into the above-mentioned action part of the process cartridge that allows the photosensitive drum and the developing roller to be in the separated state and the pressed state. And mounting means for wearing, b. A movable member provided so as to take a position for pressing the working portion of the process cartridge and a position for not pressing the working portion; c. A process cartridge including: a transport unit configured to transport a recording medium.

A fourteenth invention according to the present application is a photosensitive drum unit having an electrophotographic photosensitive drum and a drum frame supporting the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and an electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum. A developing unit for developing a developing roller and a developing unit in which a toner to be supplied to the developing roller is housed as an integral unit, and a coupling unit that swingably connects the developing roller and the electrophotographic unit is provided in the developing unit. The electrophotographic apparatus has an action portion to which force is applied from the main body of the image forming apparatus, and the action portion is moved by being pressed or not pressed and the developing unit is swung around the coupling portion, thereby making it possible to perform electrophotography. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body, and a process cartridge having an unshaped action portion that allows the photosensitive drum and the developing roller to be in a separated state and a pressed state. An action portion shaping jig having a cartridge attachment portion corresponding to the cartridge attachment portion of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus when attached and an action portion shaping tool for removing the action portion are prepared, and (1) action By attaching a process cartridge whose part is not shaped to the action part shaping jig, the process cartridge corresponding to the state where the process cartridge is attached to the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus is reproduced to reproduce the attachment state Process,
(2) Remove the action part with the action part shaping tool, and place the action part at a fixed position in the mounting state reproducing process; and (3) remove the process cartridge with the action part from the action part shaping jig. A method of shaping a process cartridge in an assembled state, which comprises a step of removing.

A fifteenth invention of the present application is a photosensitive drum unit having an electrophotographic photosensitive drum and a drum frame supporting the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and an electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum. A developing unit for developing a developing roller and a developing unit in which a toner to be supplied to the developing roller is housed as an integral unit, and a coupling unit that swingably connects the developing roller and the electrophotographic unit is provided in the developing unit. The electrophotographic apparatus has an action portion to which force is applied from the main body of the image forming apparatus, and the action portion is moved by being pressed or not pressed and the developing unit is swung around the coupling portion, thereby making it possible to perform electrophotography. The developing cartridge and the photosensitive drum unit of the process cartridge, which has an unshaped action portion that allows the photosensitive drum and the developing roller to be in the separated state and the pressed state, (1) Working part: Preparing a working part shaping jig corresponding to a photoconductor unit when the process cartridge is mounted on the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and a working part shaping tool for removing the working part. By attaching an unshaped developing unit to the action portion shaping jig, the process cartridge corresponding to the state where the process cartridge is attached to the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus is attached to the action portion shaping jig. State reproduction process, (2) action part removal process that removes the action part with the action part shaping tool, and places the action part at a fixed position in the attachment state process, and (3) develop unit that removes the action part It has a step of removing from the shaping jig, and (4) a coupling step of coupling the photosensitive drum unit and the developing unit having the shaped working portion. Russia is a shaping method of Seth cartridge.

[0026]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of a multicolor image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

In the following description, the longitudinal direction means a direction which is perpendicular to the conveying direction of the recording medium and parallel to the surface of the recording medium. Further, regarding the image forming portions of each color of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, the reference numerals of the respective members are represented by numbers, followed by a for yellow, magenta for b, cyan for c, and black for d. Further, in the case where any one of the image forming units is represented as a representative, or when the entire image forming units are shown, only the numerical symbols are used without adding a to d.

[Overall Configuration of Multicolor Image Forming Apparatus] First, the overall configuration of the multicolor image forming apparatus will be outlined with reference to FIG. Note that FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the overall configuration of a full-color laser beam printer which is one mode of the multicolor image forming apparatus.

The main body of the multicolor image forming apparatus shown in FIG.
(Also referred to as the apparatus main body) 100 are arranged in parallel in the vertical direction.
Individual electrophotographic photoconductors (hereinafter abbreviated as photoconductor drums) 1a,
1b, 1c, 1d are provided. The photosensitive drum 1 is rotationally driven counterclockwise in the figure by a driving unit (not shown). A primary charging device 2 (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) for uniformly charging the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 in order according to the rotation direction of the periphery of the photosensitive drum 1, and irradiating a laser beam on the basis of image information to expose the photosensitive drum 1 to light. Scanner unit 3 (3a, 3b, 3) that forms an electrostatic latent image on the body drum 1.
c, 3d), a developing device 4 (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) for adhering toner to the electrostatic latent image and developing it as a toner image,
The toner image on the photosensitive drum 1 is transferred onto a transfer material S which is a recording medium.
Electrostatic transfer device 5 for transferring the image onto the photosensitive drum 1 after the transfer
A cleaning device 6 (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) for removing the transfer residual toner remaining on the surface is provided.

Here, the photosensitive drum 1, the charging device 2, the developing device 4, and the cleaning device 6 are integrally made into a cartridge to form a process cartridge 7 (see FIG. 2).

The photosensitive drum 1 will be described in detail below.

The photosensitive drum 1 is constituted by coating an organic photoconductive layer (OPC photosensitive member) on the outer peripheral surface of an aluminum cylinder having a diameter of 30 mm, for example. Photoconductor drum 1
Has both ends rotatably supported by support members, and is rotated counterclockwise by transmitting a driving force from a drive motor (not shown) provided in the apparatus main body 100 to one end. Driven.

As the charging device 2, a contact charging type as shown in FIG. 2 can be used. The charging member is a conductive roller formed in the shape of a roller. The roller is brought into contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 and a charging bias voltage is applied to the roller to make the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 uniform. It is to be charged.

As shown in FIG. 1, the scanner unit 3 is arranged substantially in the horizontal direction of the photosensitive drum 1, and a laser diode (not shown) produces image light corresponding to an image signal at a high speed by a scanner motor (not shown). The rotating polygon mirror 9 (9a, 9b, 9c, 9d) is irradiated. The image light reflected by the polygon mirror 9 selectively exposes the surface of the charged photosensitive drum 1 through the imaging lens 10 (10a, 10b, 10c, 10d) to form an electrostatic latent image. I am configuring. Further, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the scanner unit 3 is formed to be longer than the pitch between the left and right side plates 32 in the longitudinal direction, and is attached so that the protruding portion 33 protrudes from the opening hole 35 of the side plate 32 to the outside. As a pressing method of the scanner unit at that time, the compression coil spring 36 presses it downward by about 45 ° indicated by an arrow X with a force of about 9.8 N (1 kgf). This ensures that the butting 32c is pressed and positioned.

As shown in FIG. 2, the developing device 4 having a developing roller and toner as developing means is yellow, respectively.
Toner containers 41 (41a, 41b, 41c, 41) containing toners of magenta, cyan, and black, respectively.
d) and the developing device frame 45 that supports the developing member, and sends the toner in the toner container 41 to the toner supply roller 43 by the toner feeding mechanism 42, and rotates the toner supply roller 43 in the clockwise direction (arrow Z). By the developing blade 44 pressed against the outer circumference of the developing roller 40, toner is applied to the outer circumference of the developing roller 40 which rotates in the clockwise direction (arrow Y) in the drawing, and an electric charge is applied to the toner.

By applying a developing bias (voltage) to the developing roller 40 facing the photosensitive drum 1 on which the latent image is formed, toner development is performed on the photosensitive drum 1 according to the latent image. .

On the other hand, the image forming apparatus is provided with an electrostatic transfer device 5 as shown in FIG. The electrostatic transfer device 5 includes all the photosensitive drums 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d.
Electrostatic transfer belt 1 that circulates so as to face and contact
1 is provided. The electrostatic transfer belt 11 is 10 ¹¹ to 10 ¹⁴
It is composed of a film-like member having a volume specific resistance of Ω · cm and a thickness of about 150 μm. This electrostatic transfer belt 11
Is vertically supported by rollers with four axes, and electrostatically adsorbs the transfer material S on the outer peripheral surface on the left side in the figure, and moves in a circulating manner so as to bring the transfer material S into contact with the photosensitive drum 1. As a result, the transfer material S is conveyed to the transfer position by the electrostatic transfer belt 11, and the toner image on the photosensitive drum 1 is transferred.

Abutting on the inside of the electrostatic transfer belt 11,
The transfer roller 12 (12a, 12b, 12c, 12) is provided at a position facing the four photoconductor drums 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d.
d) are installed side by side. Positive charges are applied from the transfer roller 12 to the transfer material S via the electrostatic transfer belt 11, and the transfer material S in contact with the photosensitive drum 1 is transferred to the transfer material S by the electric field due to the charges. A negative toner image is transferred.

The electrostatic transfer belt 11 has a circumference of about 700 mm,
The belt is a belt having a thickness of about 150 μm and is wound around by four rollers of a driving roller 13, driven rollers 14a and 14b, and a tension roller 15 and rotated in a direction of an arrow W in FIG. As a result, the toner image is transferred while the above-mentioned electrostatic transfer belt 11 circulates and the transfer material S is conveyed from the driven roller 14a side to the drive roller 13 side.

The paper feed section 16 feeds and conveys the transfer material S to the image forming section, and a plurality of transfer materials S are stored in the paper feed cassette 17. Paper feed roller 1 during image formation
8 (half-moon roller), the pair of registration rollers 19 are driven to rotate in accordance with the image forming operation, and the transfer material S in the paper feed cassette 17 is transferred.
While the sheet is separated and fed one by one, the leading end of the transfer material S abuts against the registration roller pair 19 and temporarily stops, and after forming a loop, the rotation of the electrostatic transfer belt 11 and the image writing position are synchronized, and the registration roller pair is synchronized. Paper is fed to the electrostatic transfer belt 11 by 19.

The fixing section 20 is for fixing the toner images of a plurality of colors transferred onto the transfer material S, and includes a rotating heating roller 21a and a pressurizing member which is in pressure contact with the heating roller 21a to apply heat and pressure to the transfer material S. And a roller 21b.

That is, the transfer material S onto which the toner image on the photosensitive drum 1 is transferred is conveyed by the fixing roller pair 21 when passing through the fixing section 20, and is given heat and pressure by the fixing roller pair 21. As a result, the toner images of a plurality of colors are fixed on the surface of the transfer material S.

In the image forming operation, the process cartridges 7a, 7b, 7c and 7d are sequentially driven in accordance with the printing timing, and the photosensitive drum 1 is driven in accordance with the driving.
a, 1b, 1c and 1d are rotationally driven in the counterclockwise direction. Then, the scanner unit 3 corresponding to each process cartridge 7 is sequentially driven. By this driving, the charging roller 2 applies a uniform electric charge to the peripheral surface of the photoconductor drum 1, and the scanner unit 3 moves to the photoconductor drum 1 thereof.
The peripheral surface is exposed according to an image signal to form an electrostatic latent image on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 1. The developing roller 40 in the developing device 4 transfers the toner to the low potential portion of the electrostatic latent image to form (develop) a toner image on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 1 (FIG. 2).
reference).

At the timing when the leading edge of the toner image on the peripheral surface of the most upstream photosensitive drum 1a is rotatably conveyed to the opposite point to the electrostatic transfer belt 11, the print start position of the transfer material S coincides with the opposite point. As described above, the registration roller pair 19 starts rotating to feed the transfer material S to the electrostatic transfer belt 11.

The transfer material S is sandwiched between the electrostatic attraction roller 22 and the electrostatic transfer belt 11 so that the electrostatic transfer belt 11 is held.
Of the dielectric material of the transfer material S, which is a dielectric, and the dielectric layer of the electrostatic transfer belt 11 by inducing a charge between the outer periphery of the electrostatic transfer belt 11 and the electrostatic attraction roller 22. Then, the transfer material is electrostatically attracted to the outer periphery of the electrostatic transfer belt 11. As a result, the transfer material S is stably adsorbed by the electrostatic transfer belt 11 and conveyed to the most downstream transfer unit.

While being transferred in this manner, the transfer material S is transferred to the respective photosensitive drums 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d and the transfer roller 12
The toner images on the photosensitive drums 1a, 1b, 1c, and 1d are sequentially transferred by the electric field formed between a, 12b, 12c, and 12d.

The transfer material S on which the four color toner images have been transferred is
Due to the curvature of the belt driving roller 13, the electrostatic transfer belt 11
And is carried into the fixing unit 20. The transfer material S is
After the toner image is heat-fixed by the fixing unit 20, the sheet is discharged from the sheet discharge unit 24 to the outside of the apparatus main body 100 by the sheet discharge roller pair 23 with the image surface facing down. Next, the process cartridge 7 embodying the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 show a main cross section and a perspective view of the process cartridge 7 containing the toner. The yellow, magenta, cyan, and black process cartridges 7a, 7b, 7c, and 7d have the same configuration.

The process cartridge 7 is a drum-shaped electrophotographic photosensitive member which is an image bearing member, that is, the photosensitive drum 1.
A photosensitive drum unit 50 having a primary charging unit and a cleaning unit, and a developing unit 4 having a developing unit for developing an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 1. The developing device 4 is unitized and is also referred to as a developing unit 4.

In the photoconductor drum unit 50, the photoconductor drum 1 includes the cleaning frame 5 via the bearings 31a and 31b.
It is rotatably attached to 1. Photoconductor drum 1
A charging device 2 for uniformly charging the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 and a cleaning blade 60 for removing the developer (toner) remaining on the photosensitive drum 1 are arranged on the circumference of Further, the residual toner removed from the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 by the cleaning blade 60 is
The toner feeding mechanism 52 sequentially feeds the toner to a removed toner chamber 53 provided behind the cleaning frame 51. Then, the driving force of a driving motor (not shown) is transmitted to the photosensitive drum at one end on the rear side in the figure, so that the photosensitive drum 1 is rotationally driven counterclockwise in accordance with the image forming operation.

The developing unit 4 comprises a developing roller 40 which contacts the photosensitive drum 1 and rotates in the direction of the arrow Y, a toner container 41 containing toner and a developing frame 45. The developing roller 40 is rotatably supported by the developing device frame 45 via a bearing member (not shown), and on the periphery of the developing roller 40, a toner supply roller that contacts the developing roller 40 and rotates in the arrow Z direction. 43 and a developing blade 44 are arranged respectively. Further, inside the toner container 41, there is provided a toner feeding mechanism 42 for stirring the contained toner and conveying it to the toner supply roller 43.

The developing unit 4 is connected to the photosensitive drum unit 50 by the paper feeding section. Bearing members 4 attached to both ends of the developing unit 4 in the longitudinal direction.
The developing unit 4 as a whole swings with respect to the photoconductor drum unit 50 around the pin 49a by fitting the pin 49a into the support shaft hole 49 provided in each of 7, 7 and the hole (not shown) of the cleaning frame 50. The suspension structure is movably supported, and when the process cartridge 7 is alone (not mounted on the apparatus main body 100), the developing roller 40 is rotated by a rotation moment about the pin 49a.
So that it comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 1, the compression coil spring 54
The developing unit 4 is always energized by. Further, the toner container 41 of the developing unit 4 includes a developing roller 40
A separating rib 46, which is an operating portion for contacting a separating means (described later) of the apparatus main body 100 when separating the photosensitive drum 1 from the photosensitive drum 1, is integrally provided.

During development, when the toner stored by the toner feeding mechanism 42 is conveyed to the toner supply roller 43,
The toner supply roller 43 rotating in the arrow Z direction supplies the toner to the developing roller 40 by sliding contact with the developing roller 40 rotating in the arrow Y direction, and carries the toner on the developing roller 40. The toner carried on the developing roller 40 reaches the developing blade 44 with the rotation of the developing roller 40, and the developing blade 44 regulates the toner to give a desired charge amount, and a predetermined toner thin layer. To form.

The regulated toner is conveyed to the developing section in which the photosensitive drum 1 and the developing roller 40 are in contact with each other as the developing roller 40 rotates, and in the developing section, the DC developing applied to the developing roller 40 from a power source (not shown). The bias attaches to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 to develop the latent image. The toner remaining on the surface of the developing roller 40 without contributing to the development is returned to the inside of the developing frame with the rotation of the developing roller 40, and the toner supply roller 4
It is peeled off and collected from the developing roller 40 at the portion rubbed with the roller 3.
The collected toner is agitated and mixed with the remaining toner by the toner feeding mechanism 42.

In the contact developing system in which the photosensitive drum 1 and the developing roller 40 are brought into contact with each other to develop as in the present invention,
It is preferable that the photosensitive drum 1 is a rigid body and the developing roller 40 is a roller having an elastic body. As the elastic body, a solid rubber single layer or a solid rubber layer coated with a resin in consideration of charge imparting property to toner is used.

Device main body 100 of process cartridge 7
About putting on and taking off.

As shown in FIG. 5, guide members 25 are attached to the inner walls of the left and right side plates 32, respectively. The guide member 25 is provided with a horizontal guide groove 25a whose right side is open in the drawing. Dowels 51a that fit exactly into the guide grooves 25a are provided on both side surfaces in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning frame 51, which is a drum frame.

The process cartridge 7 is inserted from the left side to the right side in FIG. 5, and the dowel 51a fits in the guide groove 25a and moves leftward. Then, the bearings 31a and 31b push up the cam end portion 30b which is projecting downward toward the lower side of the torsion coil spring 30 to abut against the abutting surface 37 (see FIG. 6) and are pressed by the cam end portion 30b.

As a result, the photosensitive drum unit 50 is fixedly positioned with respect to the apparatus main body 100.

Specific examples of the present invention will be described below. However, the present invention is not limited to the multicolor image forming apparatus described by taking a full-color laser beam printer as an example and the following examples, but a process cartridge in advance. It is needless to say that the present invention is applied to a component having a shaping margin for a single component and performing shaping in a completed state of a process cartridge or in a unit state during assembly.

[0060]

(First Embodiment) As described above, in the process cartridge 7 in which the present invention is carried out, the height of the separation rib 46 in the separation mechanism when the process cartridge 7 is mounted on the apparatus main body 100 is accurately adjusted. Description will be given of the height accuracy deriving by shaping the separation rib 46 using ultrasonic vibration in the completed state.

First, the details of the separating mechanism are shown in FIG.
This will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 and 4 to 8. Figure 4
In the above, only the photosensitive drum 1 and the bearings 31a and 31b are shown in order to explain the configuration of the present invention in an easy-to-understand manner. The cartridge 4 has a structure in which the device 4 and the cleaning device 6 are integrally formed (see FIG. 2).

As described above, the process cartridge 7
In the single state, the developing roller 40 is always in contact with the photosensitive drum 1 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the process cartridge 7 is attached to the apparatus main body 100 along the first guide groove 34 from the direction of arrow V, as shown in FIG.
This is performed by inserting bearings 31a and 31b that support the photosensitive drum 1. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the bearing 31a is pressed against the abutting surfaces 37, 38 of the guide groove 34, whereby the position of the process cartridge 7 is determined. The same applies to the bearing 31b and the guide groove 34 on the opposite side.

Regarding the pressing method of the process cartridge 7 in the apparatus main body 100, as shown in FIG. 5, the left and right side plates 32 are caulked with the shaft 39, and the shaft 39 supports the torsion coil spring 30. The ends 30a are fitted and locked in the holes 32a of the left and right side plates 32. In the state where the process cartridge 7 is not provided, the torsion coil spring 30 is regulated by the bending and raising 32b from the left and right side plates 32 to the clockwise rotation angle of the end portion 30b about the shaft 39. When the process cartridge 7 is inserted, the torsion coil spring 30 rotates counterclockwise around the shaft 39 while resisting the force, and when the process cartridge 7 gets over the bearing 31a, it is positioned as shown in FIG. Arrow F
The bearing 31a is pressed with a force of about 9.8 N (1 kgf) in the direction of. The bearing 31b is similarly pressed.

At this time, on the inner side of the apparatus main body 100 in the insertion direction of the process cartridge 7, the developing roller 4 is resisted against the biasing force of the developing unit 4 as shown in FIGS.
A spacing plate 80, which is a spacing means for spacing 0 from the photosensitive drum 1, is arranged. The spacing plate 80 includes the developing units 4 for yellow, magenta, cyan, and black.
Separation plates 80 (80a, 80b, 8) which are opposed parts for pushing up the separation ribs 46a, 46b, 46c, 46d as the operating parts provided in (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d).
0c, 80d) are provided respectively, and a cam (not shown) is provided by a driving means such as a stepping motor (not shown).
Is rotated, and the separation plate 80 is pushed up by the cam (not shown) and the separation plate 80 is pushed up by the separation position and the cam (not shown) for separating the developing roller 40 from the photosensitive drum 1. It is possible to move the developing roller 40 in the released state (contact state) to the developing position where the developing roller 40 is brought into contact with the photosensitive drum 1.

Only when the developing operation is performed, the push-up of the separating plate 80 is released to move the developing unit 4 to the developing position.
At this time, the operation of pushing up / releasing the spacing plate 80 depends on the mode in which the spacing plates 80a, 80b, 80c, 80d for all colors of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black are pushed up (see FIG. 1), yellow, Magenta,
There are three states: the state where the push-up of the spacing plates of all colors of cyan and black is released (see FIG. 7), and the state where the spacing plates 80a, 80b, 80c of only the three colors of yellow, magenta, and cyan are pushed up (see FIG. 8). The state is selected.

First, the apparatus main body 1 of the process cartridge 7
When installing 00, yellow, magenta,
The separation plates 80 for all cyan and black colors are pushed up, and accordingly, the separation ribs 46, which are the operating portions provided in the developing unit 4, ride on the separation plate 80 along with the insertion operation of the process cartridge 7. Developing roller 40
Is separated from the photosensitive drum 1 by a predetermined gap. This separated state is always maintained when the power is off and when the development is not performed. Therefore, even if the process cartridge 7 is not used for a long time with the process cartridge 7 mounted, the developing roller 40 is always separated from the photosensitive drum 1, so that the developing roller 40 can be used as the photosensitive drum 1 for a long time. It is possible to reliably prevent the permanent deformation of the roller layer caused by the contact.

Next, when the printing operation is started by the print signal, the push-up by the cam (not shown) of the separating plate 80 is released at the developing operation timing, and the developing roller 4 is released.
0 is in contact with the photosensitive drum 1 to be in a developable state. At that time, in the case of the full-color mode, as shown in FIG. 7, all the colors of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black are applied to the developing roller 40.
Is in contact with the photosensitive drum 1, and in the case of the mono color mode, only the black developing roller 40 is in contact with the photosensitive drum 1 as shown in FIG. 8, and it is possible to form an image corresponding to each mode.

By the way, in the process of forming an image, before the electrostatic latent image is formed by the scanner unit 3, the pre-rotation for applying a uniform charge to the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 1 and the toner image are formed. After development, steps such as post-rotation for removing the electric potential on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 1 are performed, and the photosensitive drum 1 also rotates during these steps. As described above, in the present invention, since the separation is released at the timing of the developing operation, the developing roller 40 is separated during the front rotation and the rear rotation. Therefore, even during the printing operation, it is possible to reduce the abrasion of the surface layer of the photosensitive drum 1 due to the rubbing friction with the developing roller 40 during the forward rotation and the backward rotation.

The process cartridge 7 has a suspension structure in which the developing unit 4 is swingably supported with respect to the photosensitive drum unit 50 around the pin 49a.
In the direction in which 0 contacts the photosensitive drum 1, the compression coil spring 5
Since the structure is biased by 4, the stable contact pressure to the photosensitive drum 1 can be obtained only by the spring force of the compression coil spring 54 without being influenced by the structure of the main body or the like when releasing the separation, that is, during the developing operation. Yes (see FIGS. 3 and 9).

In this developing / separating mechanism, the higher the accuracy of the height h of the process cartridge separating rib 46, the smaller the stroke of pushing up the separating plate 80 of the image forming apparatus by the cam (not shown), and the photosensitive drum 1 Also, the variation in the clearance of the developing roller 40 is reduced, which leads to downsizing of the image forming apparatus and improvement of image quality (see FIG. 9). A specific example of how to accurately obtain the height h of the separating rib 46 will be described below.

Here, the height h means the process cartridge 7
Is the distance between the horizontal line L passing through the center O of the photoconductor drum 1 and the tip of the spacing rib 46 when mounted on the apparatus main body 100 (see FIG. 9).

Here, in order to increase the accuracy of the height h of the separation rib 46 of the process cartridge 7, the height h of the separation rib 46 integrally formed on the bottom plate 45a in the single product state is originally required as shown in FIG. The separating rib 46 having a shaping margin 46z of about 2 mm at the height h to be formed and having a sectional shape diameter of 3 mm is integrally formed. Here, the optimum shaping margin is about 2 mm, but the cross-sectional area is 3 mm ^{2 to 20} m.
Assemble the process cartridge 7 by using the bottom plate 45a having the shaping margin 46z, which can be suitably selected from the range of 0.1 mm to 4 mm in height for m ² , and FIG. 12 is set in the separating rib shaping jig 71 as a working portion shaping jig having a positioning function equivalent to that of the apparatus main body 100 shown in FIG.

The shaping jig 71 corresponds to a cartridge mounting portion of the apparatus main body 100, and abutting portions 37x, 38x corresponding to the abutting portions 37, 38 of the apparatus main body 100 on two parallel side plates 32x facing each other. A guide groove 25ax corresponding to the guide groove 25a of the apparatus main body 100 is provided. Further, a spring member having a cam end 30x having the same function as the cam end 30b is provided. The process cartridge 7 has the dowel 51a fitted in the guide groove 25ax and the bearing 31
The a and 31b are pressed against the abutting portions 37x and 38x by the cam end portion 30x of the abutting spring.

Here, the separating rib shaping jig 71 has an ultrasonic processing machine (not shown) having a female horn 70 having a shape required after shaping as a working portion shaping jig,
The horn 70 is moved to a position below the arrow indicating the required height h as shown in FIG.
6, the developing roller 40 is temporarily separated from the photosensitive drum 1, and the load of the compression coil spring 54 is applied to the shaping horn 70. Then female shaping horn 7
0 to 18 kHz to 40 kHz and 40 μm to
The spacing rib 46, which transmits an ultrasonic wave having an amplitude of 100 μm and receives the ultrasonic vibration, reaches the melting point due to the ultrasonic vibration, and the weight of the developing unit 4 and the load of the compression coil spring 54 of 4.9N to 19.N. 6N (500gf-2
000 gf), the shaping section 70 of the ultrasonic shaping horn 70
The shaping margin 46z is shaped according to the shape of a. Here, as the ultrasonic vibration, a torsional vibration ultrasonic wave is particularly suitable.

When the shaping process further progresses and the developing roller 40 comes into sufficient pressure contact with the photosensitive drum 1, the separation rib 46 is formed.
The pressure on the ultrasonic shaping horn 70 becomes almost zero, and the shaping is completed at that position. After that, stop transmitting ultrasonic waves,
After the cooling time, the ultrasonic shaping horn 70 is retracted in the direction of arrow U from the separating rib 46 as shown in FIG.

As described above, since the shaping margin is melted and molded into a predetermined shape, the shaping margin may be made of a thermoplastic resin.

At this time, the spacing rib 46 having a diameter of 3 mm is set to about 2 mm.
mm Various conditions for melting are frequency about 19kHz, amplitude 90
A μm and a load of 6.47 N (660 gf) are preferable, and the shaping time at this time is about 6 seconds. Here, regarding the relationship between the respective conditions, the processing time becomes shorter as the amplitude becomes larger, but the shaped surface becomes rough. That is, the surface roughness becomes rough. Also, it has been confirmed that shaping may not be possible if the amplitude is smaller than 40 μm. With respect to the load, the higher the load is, the shorter the shaping time is, but the height h is accompanied by the deformation of the toner container 41.
It has been confirmed that the accuracy is deteriorated, and that the lower the load, the longer the shaping time and the shaping becomes impossible with a load of about 1.47 N (150 gf).

The cross-sectional area of the tip of the shaping rib 46 perpendicular to the traveling direction of the horn 70 is longer as the cross-sectional area is larger, and when the diameter is 4 mm, the load is 2.
It has been confirmed that shaping may not be possible at 45 N (250 gf). Further, as shown in FIG. 10 for the shape of the horn 70 used for the shaping this time, the shaping section 70a is not only a simple plane but also a plurality of planes 70a1, 70a3, 70a5, 70.
It can be shaped as a composite surface composed of a6 and curved surfaces 70a2 and 70a4.

As described above, the separation rib 46 is subjected to a shaping process using ultrasonic vibration in the assembled state of the process cartridge 7 so that a single component from the center of the pin 49 to the separation rib 46 shown in FIG. It is possible to stably obtain the accuracy of the height h of the spacing rib 46, which is not affected by the stacking accuracy and the welding connection error of the two welding connection portions 65a and 65b.

(Second Embodiment) Next, as a second embodiment, the present invention will be described for the purpose of obtaining the accuracy of the height h of the separation rib 46 in the separation mechanism when the process cartridge 7 is mounted on the apparatus main body 100. In the executed process cartridge 7, in the state of the developing unit 4 which is a unit state in the process of assembling the process cartridge 7, the height h accuracy is obtained by shaping the separation rib 46 using ultrasonic vibration with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14. explain.

Here, in order to improve the accuracy of the height h of the separating rib 46 of the process cartridge 7, the bottom plate 45 in a single product state is used.
As shown in FIG. 9, the height of the separating rib 46 integrally formed with a is provided with a shaping margin 46z of about 2 mm at the originally required height by integral molding. This shaping margin 46z
Although the process cartridge 7 is assembled using the bottom plate 45a having the above-mentioned structure, the same supporting structure as that of the photoconductor drum unit 50 (see FIG. 3) is obtained with the developing unit 4 which is an assembling unit assembled. ) Is set on the separating rib shaping jig 71 as a working portion shaping jig.

The shaping jig 71 corresponds to a state in which the photosensitive drum unit 50 is attached to the cartridge mounting portion of the apparatus main body 100, and the jig main body 71A corresponds to the cleaning frame 51 which is a drum frame. Jig body 71
In A, the photoconductor drum 7 of the cleaning frame 51, the support shaft hole 49, the virtual photoconductor drum 71a having the same diameter as the photoconductor drum 7 and the support shaft hole 4 in the same relational positions as the compression coil spring 54.
A virtual support shaft hole 61 and a virtual spring seat 71Aa having the same diameter as 9 are provided. A virtual compression coil spring 71b identical to the compression coil spring 54 is attached to the virtual spring seat 71Aa. It should be noted that the term “virtual” as used herein has a considerable meaning and is embodied. This allows the mounting state to be reproduced.

Here, the separating rib shaping jig 71 shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 has an ultrasonic processing machine (not shown) having a female horn 70 having a shape required after shaping.
The horn 70 is moved to a position at the lower end of the required arrow height h as shown in FIG. 13 as shown by an arrow T, and temporarily pushes up the shaping rib 46, and the developing roller 40 is rotatably fixed to the shaping jig main body 71A. The virtual shaping drum 71a is temporarily separated from the supported virtual photoconductor drum 71a, and the load of the virtual compression coil spring 71b supported by the shaping jig 71 is applied to the female shaping horn 70.

Then, the female shaping horn 70 is provided with 18 kHz.
The separating rib 46 which transmits a torsional vibration ultrasonic wave having a frequency of ˜40 kHz and an amplitude of 40 μm to 100 μm and which receives the ultrasonic vibration reaches the melting point by the ultrasonic vibration, and at the same time the developing unit 4's own weight and virtual compression. Load from coil spring 71b 4.9N to 19.6 (500gf to
2000 gf), the shaping margin 46z is shaped according to the shape of the ultrasonic shaping horn 70.

When the shaping process further progresses and the developing roller 40 comes into sufficient pressure contact with the virtual photosensitive drum 71a, the pressure of the separating rib 46 on the ultrasonic shaping horn 70 becomes substantially zero, and the shaping process is completed at that position. To be done. After that, the transmission of ultrasonic waves is stopped, and after a cooling time, the ultrasonic shaping horn 70 is retracted from the separating rib 46 in the direction of arrow U as shown in FIG. After that, the process cartridge 7 is removed from the separating rib shaping jig 71.

As described above, by performing the shaping process using the ultrasonic vibration on the developing unit in the assembled state, the separating rib 46, which is an operating portion for separating the developing roller from the photosensitive drum, is performed. Separation rib 46 from the support hole 61
It is possible to obtain a stable accuracy of the height h of the spacing rib 46 which is not affected by the accuracy of each single component up to the above and the error of the welding connection of the two welding connection parts 65a and 65b.

Although the horn 70 is used as the working portion shaping tool in the embodiment, a milling cutter or a grinding wheel may be used.

[0088]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, the photosensitive drum unit and the developing unit of the image forming apparatus using the electrophotographic technique are provided separately, and both units are combined and integrated. In the process cartridge, the process cartridge is assembled by using the components having the shaping margin in advance, and the shaping is performed in each optimum assembling process. As a result, it is possible to improve the positioning accuracy of the process cartridge without relying on the difficult work of adjustment work by adding adjustment members and pursuing the accuracy of single component and welding connection process, and it is possible to stabilize the cost and image quality at low cost. It is effective as a supply means.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a full-color laser beam printer in which all color process cartridges are in a separated state.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of a process cartridge.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a process cartridge.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an apparatus main body side plate showing a schematic mounting method of a photosensitive drum and a scanner unit.

FIG. 5 is a partial view of the printer body showing a method of positioning the process cartridge and the scanner unit.

FIG. 6 is a partial view of an apparatus main body supporting a bearing of a photosensitive drum.

FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a full-color laser beam printer in which a photosensitive drum of a process cartridge for all colors and a developing roller are in contact with each other.

FIG. 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a full-color laser beam printer in which a photosensitive drum of a black process cartridge and a developing roller are in contact with each other.

FIG. 9 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a process cartridge showing a shaping margin.

FIG. 10 is a side view of an ultrasonically processed horn (vibrator) used for shaping a shaping margin.

FIG. 11 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the process cartridge showing a state before the start of shaping of the shaping margin in the first embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the process cartridge showing a state after the shaping of the shaping margin according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the process cartridge showing a state before the shaping of the shaping margin in the second embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a process cartridge showing a state after the shaping of a shaping margin in Example 2 is completed.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d ... Photosensitive drum 2, 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d ... Charging device 3, 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d ... Scanner unit 4, 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d ... Developing device ( Developing unit 5 ... Electrostatic transfer device 6, 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d ... Cleaning device (cleaning means) 7, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d ... Process cartridge 9, 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d ... Polygon mirror 10 , 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d ... Imaging lens 11 ... Electrostatic transfer belt 12, 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d ... Transfer roller 13 ... Driving rollers 14a, 14b ... Followed roller 15 ... Tension roller 16 ... Paper feeding section 17 Paper feed cassette 18 Paper feed roller 19 Registration roller pair 20 Fixing unit 21 Fixing roller pair 21a Heating roller 21b Pressure roller 22 Static Electro attraction roller 23 ... Paper discharge roller pair 24 ... Paper discharge part 25 ... Guide member 25a ... Guide groove 30 ... Torsion coil spring 30a ... End part 30b ... Cam end part 30x ... Cam end parts 31a, 31b ... Bearings corresponding to 30b 32 ... Side plate 32a ... Hole 32b ... Bending and raising 32c
... abutment 32x ... side plate 33 corresponding to 32 ... protrusion 34 ... guide groove 35 ... opening hole 36 ... compression coil spring 37, 38 ... abutment surface 37x, 38x ... 37, 38
A shaft 40 ... developing rollers 41, 41a, 41b, 41c, 41d ... toner container 42 ... toner feeding mechanism 43 ... toner supply roller 44 ... developing blade 45 ... developing frame 45a ... bottom plates 46, 46a. , 46b, 46c, 46d ... Separation ribs (action portion) 46k ... Adjusting member 46z ... Shaping margin 47, 48 ... Bearing member 49 ... Support shaft hole 49a ... Pin 50 ... Photosensitive drum unit 51 ... Cleaning frame body (drum frame body) Reference numeral 51a ... Dowel 52 ... Toner feeding mechanism 53 ... Removal toner chamber 54 ... Compression coil spring 60 ... Cleaning blade 61 ... Virtual support shaft holes 65a, 65b ... Welding joint 70 ... Horn (action portion shaping tool) 70a Shaping portion 70
a1 ... plane 70a2 ... curved surface 70a3 ... plane 70a4 ... curved surface 70a5 ... plane 7
0a6 ... Plane 71 ... Separation rib shaping jig (action portion shaping jig) 71A ...
Jig body 71Aa ... Virtual spring seat 71a ... Virtual photosensitive drum 71b ... Virtual compression coil springs 80, 80a, 80b, 80c, 80d ... Separation plate 100 ... Device body h ... Height L ... Horizontal line O ... Center S ... Transfer material F, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z ... Arrows

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Ken Arimitsu             3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo             Non non corporation F term (reference) 2H071 BA05 BA13 BA16 DA06 DA08                       DA13 DA15                 2H077 AA01 AD06 AD13 AE03 BA07                       EA11 GA13

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. A process cartridge attachable to and detachable from a main body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, comprising: an electrophotographic photosensitive drum; and process means acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum. A process cartridge characterized by partially removing some of the constituent parts in the open state and shaping it to improve the accuracy of the parts. 2. A process cartridge detachably mountable to a book of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, comprising: a photosensitive drum unit having an electrophotographic photosensitive drum and a drum frame supporting the electrophotographic photosensitive drum; and an electrophotographic photosensitive drum. A developing unit having a developing member for developing the formed electrostatic latent image and a toner container for storing the toner to be supplied to the developing member, and a connecting unit for swingably connecting the developing unit, and are assembled in an assembling process. A process cartridge characterized in that the developing unit is shaped so that a part of the constituent parts of the developing unit is partially removed. 3. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the component part has a shaping margin to be shaped. 4. White shaping process has a cross-sectional area of 3 mm ² to 20 mm ^2, and A process cartridge according to claim 3, characterized in that it has a length of 0.1 mm to 4 mm. 5. The process cartridge according to claim 4, wherein the shaping margin is made of a thermoplastic resin. 6. The process according to claim 5, wherein the shaping process is a process using ultrasonic vibration and is a process for obtaining a required dimensional accuracy of the process cartridge in an assembled state by removing a shaping margin. cartridge. 7. The process cartridge according to claim 6, wherein the shaped surface is a flat surface. 8. The process cartridge according to claim 6, wherein the shaped surface is a composite surface composed of a flat surface and a curved surface. 9. The ultrasonic vibration has a frequency of 18 kHz to 4
9. The process cartridge according to claim 6, wherein the process cartridge has an amplitude of 0 kHz and a range of 40 μm to 100 μm. 10. The process cartridge according to claim 9, wherein the ultrasonic vibration is of a torsion vibration ultrasonic type. 11. A process cartridge detachably mountable to the main body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, comprising: a photoconductor drum unit having an electrophotographic photoconductor drum and a drum frame supporting the electrophotographic photoconductor drum; and an electrophotographic photoconductor drum. A developing unit as a developing means for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the developing roller, a developing unit in which a toner to be supplied to the developing roller is housed, and a developing frame body holding the developing roller and the developing roller is integrated. It has a connecting part that is swingably connected, and has a working part to which a force is applied from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus to the developing unit, and the working part is moved by being pressed or not pressed. Then, by swinging the developing unit around the connecting portion, the electrophotographic photosensitive drum and the developing roller can be placed in a separated state and a pressed state. A process cartridge in which the action portion of the process cartridge is shaped. 12. A process cartridge can be attached and detached,
An electrophotographic image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium, comprising: a. An electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and a process means that acts on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum. In the assembled state, all the components are assembled, and some of the components are partially removed. Mounting means for detachably mounting a process cartridge that has been shaped to improve the accuracy of the part; b. A facing portion which is disposed in contact with or facing the trimming portion of the process cartridge with a space therebetween, and c. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus, comprising: a conveying unit configured to convey the recording medium. 13. A process cartridge can be attached and detached,
An electrophotographic image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium, comprising: a. A photoconductor drum unit having an electrophotographic photoconductor drum and a drum frame supporting the electrophotographic photoconductor drum, and a developing roller as a developing unit for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photoconductor drum. A developing unit including a developing roller and a developing unit that integrally holds a developing roller for holding toner to be supplied to the developing roller. The photographic image forming apparatus has a working portion to which force is applied, and the working portion is moved by being pressed or not pressed, and the developing unit is swung around the coupling portion, so that the electrophotographic It is possible to remove the process cartridge that has been shaped in the above-mentioned action part of the process cartridge that allows the photosensitive drum and the developing roller to be in the separated state and the pressed state. And mounting means for mounting, b. A movable member provided so as to take a position for pressing the working portion of the process cartridge and a position for not pressing the working portion; c. A process cartridge comprising: a transporting unit that transports a recording medium. 14. A photoconductor drum unit having an electrophotographic photoconductor drum and a drum frame supporting the electrophotographic photoconductor drum, and a developing means for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photoconductor drum. As a developing unit, a developing unit in which the toner to be supplied to the developing roller is housed and integrally formed, has a coupling portion that swingably couples, and force is applied to the developing unit from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The electrophotographic photosensitive drum and the developing roller are separated from each other by having an action part to be added, and the action part is moved by being pressed or not pressed to swing the developing unit around the coupling part. A process cartridge with an unshaped action part that can be placed in a separated state or a pressed state, and an electrophotographic image when the process cartridge is mounted on the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. (1) A process in which the action part is not shaped by preparing an action part shaping jig having a cartridge mounting part corresponding to the cartridge mounting part of the image forming apparatus and an action part shaping tool for removing the action part. A mounting state reproducing step in which a process cartridge corresponding to a state in which the process cartridge is mounted in the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus is mounted in the working portion shaping jig by mounting the cartridge in the working portion shaping jig; A step of removing the action part with a tool for shaping the action part so as to keep the action part at a fixed position in the mounting state reproducing step, and (3) a step of removing the process cartridge with the action part removed from the action part shaping jig. A method of shaping an assembled process cartridge, comprising: 15. A photosensitive drum unit having an electrophotographic photosensitive drum and a drum frame supporting the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and a developing means for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum. As a developing unit, a developing unit in which the toner to be supplied to the developing roller is housed and integrally formed, has a coupling portion that swingably couples, and force is applied to the developing unit from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The electrophotographic photosensitive drum and the developing roller are separated from each other by having an action part to be added, and the action part is moved by being pressed or not pressed to swing the developing unit around the coupling part. The developing cartridge, the photoconductor drum unit, and the process cartridge of the process cartridge having the unshaped action portion that can be set to the separated state and the pressed state are electronically connected to each other. Prepare an action section shaping jig corresponding to the photoconductor unit when mounted on the main body of the photographic image forming apparatus, and an action section shaping tool for removing the action section,
(1) By mounting a developing unit having a non-shaped acting portion on the acting portion shaping jig, the developing cartridge of the process cartridge corresponding to the state where the process cartridge is attached to the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus is attached to the acting portion shaping jig. And (3) the action part removal process of (2) removing the action part with the action part shaping tool and keeping the action part at a fixed position in the attachment state process, and (3) the action part A method of shaping a process cartridge, comprising: a step of removing the developing unit from the action portion shaping jig; and (4) a joining step of joining the photosensitive drum unit and the developing unit having the shaped working portion.