JP2005031488A - Bearing member and process cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize miniaturization by making the dimension of a process cartridge in a shaft direction small. <P>SOLUTION: The bearing member rotatably supporting the image carrier of a process cartridge which can be attached to/detached from an image forming apparatus has a part fit with a frame body supporting the image carrier and a notch partially on its outer periphery. The notch is fit with the rotation stop and fall-off stop member of the bearing member. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer that employs an electrophotographic system, and a process cartridge used therefor.

  The process cartridge is a cartridge in which at least one of charging means, developing means and cleaning means and an electrophotographic photosensitive drum are integrally formed, and this cartridge can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body. .

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic image forming process, a process in which an electrophotographic photosensitive member and process means acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge, and the cartridge can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus. A cartridge system is adopted. Similarly, a developing device in a cartridge has been put into practical use. According to this process cartridge system, since the apparatus can be maintained by the user himself, the operability can be remarkably improved. Therefore, this process cartridge system is widely used in image forming apparatuses.

In the process cartridge, the support shaft of the photosensitive drum is rotatably supported by a bearing member such as a sintered bearing or a ball bearing, and a retaining ring or the like is used to prevent the support shaft from coming off in the longitudinal direction. In addition, the bearing member is press-fitted into the frame body to prevent rotation of the bearing member, and a rotation-preventing protrusion is provided on the bearing member. The bearing member is supported and positioned by the main body of the image forming apparatus to improve the positional accuracy of the photosensitive drum (see, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).
JP 2001-242671 A JP 2001-166667 A

  However, recent image forming apparatuses are required to be downsized. For this purpose, downsizing of the image forming apparatus main body and the process cartridge occupying a large space in the image forming apparatus is an essential item. The width in the direction perpendicular to the transfer material conveyance direction requires various part dimensions outside the width required for image formation. Is difficult to achieve.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and the object is achieved by the following configuration.

  That is, according to a first aspect of the present invention, in a bearing member that rotatably supports an image carrier of a process cartridge that can be attached to and detached from an image forming apparatus, the outer periphery of the bearing is fitted with a frame that supports the image carrier. The bearing member is characterized in that it has a notch at a part thereof and a part thereof, and the notch is configured to be fitted with a rotation stopper and retaining member.

  In the above-described configuration, it is possible to save the longitudinal dimension for preventing rotation and retaining of the bearing member, and it is possible to contribute to downsizing of the process cartridge.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in a process cartridge that is detachable from the image forming apparatus, the image carrier, a shaft that protrudes from at least one longitudinal end of the image carrier, and the shaft is rotatably supported. A bearing member and a frame for holding the image carrier; and a part of the outer periphery of the bearing that fits with the frame and a part of the notch, the notch being a rotation stopper and a retaining member. It is a process cartridge characterized by being configured to fit.

  In the above configuration, it is possible to save the longitudinal dimension for preventing rotation and retaining of the bearing member, and it is possible to contribute to downsizing of the image forming apparatus.

  The present invention can solve the above problems by providing the following configuration.

  (1) In a bearing member that rotatably supports an image carrier of a process cartridge that can be attached to and detached from an image forming apparatus, the outer periphery of the bearing member is partially and partially fitted with a frame that supports the image carrier. A bearing member, comprising a notch, wherein the notch is configured to be fitted with a rotation stopper and a retaining member of the bearing member.

  (2) The bearing member according to (1), wherein an outer peripheral portion of the bearing member is in contact with a process cartridge positioning portion of the main body.

  (3) The portion of the bearing member that supports the shaft and the cutout portion are different in position in the longitudinal direction, and the inner circumference of the cutout portion is different in inner diameter from the inner circumference of the bearing portion. The bearing member according to (1).

  (4) In a process cartridge that can be attached to and detached from an image forming apparatus, an image carrier, a shaft protruding from at least one longitudinal end of the image carrier, a bearing member that rotatably supports the shaft, and an image carrier A frame that holds the frame, and a part that fits the frame and a part of the notch on the outer periphery of the bearing, and the notch fits with a rotation stopper and retaining member of the bearing member. A process cartridge configured to be

  (5) The process cartridge according to (4), wherein an outer peripheral portion of the bearing member is in contact with a process cartridge positioning portion of the main body.

  (6) The portion of the bearing member that supports the shaft and the cutout portion are different in position in the longitudinal direction, and the inner circumference of the cutout portion is different in inner diameter from the inner circumference of the bearing portion. The process cartridge according to (4).

  Compared to the case where the photosensitive drum bearing is prevented from coming off in the longitudinal direction by using an E-ring or the like, the construction in the present invention can suppress the dimension in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge, and the size of the image forming apparatus main body can be reduced. Leads to.

  Further, by performing rotation prevention by the notch of the bearing member, it is possible to prevent deformation of the frame body and the like as compared with the case where rotation is stopped by press-fitting the bearing into the cleaner frame body. Or compared with the case where a protrusion shape is provided in a bearing member and it engages with a cleaner frame body and rotation is stopped, the shape of the bearing is simplified and the cost can be reduced.

  Next, a developing device, a process cartridge, and an image forming apparatus using the same according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[Overall configuration of color image forming apparatus]
First, the overall configuration of the color image forming apparatus will be schematically described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the entire configuration of a full-color laser printer which is an embodiment of a color image forming apparatus, and FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the entire configuration of a process cartridge used therefor.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the color laser printer has an image forming unit having an image carrier for each color of Y, M, C, and Bk, a color image developed by the image forming unit and multiple-transferred, and a feeding unit. The intermediate transfer member 5 is further transferred to the transfer material P fed from. The photosensitive drum 1 (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d), which is an image carrier, is rotationally driven counterclockwise in FIG. Around the photosensitive drum 1, in order according to the rotation direction, a charging device 2 for uniformly charging the surface of the photosensitive drum 1, a laser beam is irradiated based on image information, and electrostatic latent images on the photosensitive drum 1 are irradiated. A scanner unit 3 (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) for forming an image; a developing device 4 for developing the toner image by attaching toner to the electrostatic latent image; and a toner image on the photosensitive drum 1 for the first transfer portion T1. A photosensitive unit 6 including a cleaning device for removing the transfer residual toner transferred to the intermediate transfer member 5 and remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 after the transfer is disposed. The toner image transferred to the intermediate transfer body 5 is further transferred to the transfer material P by the secondary transfer roller 13 at the second transfer portion T2, and the transfer material P to which the color image has been transferred is conveyed to the fixing portion 8 to be color. The image is fixed on the transfer material P and is discharged onto a discharge tray 26 on the upper surface of the apparatus by a discharge roller group 25.

  Here, the photosensitive drum 1, the charging device 2, the developing device 4, and the cleaning device 6 are integrated into a cartridge to form a process cartridge 7.

  Further, the image forming apparatus main body 100 has an open / close cover with which the intermediate transfer member 5 is integrated, and the process cartridge 7 has the open / close cover open and the photoconductive drum 1 is facing forward, and the image forming apparatus main body. Attach to and remove from 100.

  Next, the configuration of each part of the image forming apparatus will be sequentially described in detail.

[Photosensitive drum]
Next, the photosensitive drum will be described in detail.

  The photosensitive drum 1 is configured by applying an organic photoconductive layer (OPC photosensitive member) to an outer peripheral surface of an aluminum cylinder having a diameter of 30 mm, for example. The photosensitive drum 1 is rotatably supported at both ends by a support member, and is driven counterclockwise in the drawing by transmitting a driving force from a driving motor (not shown) to one end. The

[Charging device]
As the charging device 2, a contact roller charging system is used. The charging member is a conductive roller formed in a roller shape. The roller is brought into contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 and the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is uniformly charged by applying a charging bias to the roller. It is something to be made.

[Exposure means]
When the image signal is given to the laser diode, the scanner unit 3 as the exposure means converts the image light corresponding to the image signal to the polygon mirror 9 (9a, 9b, 9c, 9d) rotated at high speed by the scanner motor. ). The image light reflected by the polygon mirror 9 selectively exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 rotating at a constant speed through an imaging lens, and as a result, forms an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 1. .

[Developer]
The developing device 4 includes a toner container 41 that stores toners of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, so that the electrostatic latent image is visualized. The toner is applied to the outer periphery of the developing roller 40 rotated in the clockwise direction in the drawing by the toner supply roller 43 that rotates in the clockwise direction in the drawing and the developing blade 44 that is pressed against the outer periphery of the developing roller 40. Is granted.

  Then, a developing bias is applied to the developing roller 40 facing the photosensitive drum 1 on which the latent image is formed, whereby toner development is performed on the photosensitive drum 1 in accordance with the latent image.

[Intermediate transfer member]
The intermediate transfer member 5 rotates in the clockwise direction in synchronization with the outer peripheral speed of the photosensitive drum 1 for multiple transfer of the toner image on the photosensitive drum 1 visualized by the process cartridge 7 when the color image forming apparatus 100 is operated. . The toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 1 is arranged at a position opposed to the photosensitive drum 1 with the intermediate transfer member 5 interposed therebetween, and the primary transfer roller 12 (12a, 12b, 12c, 12d) to which a voltage is applied. Multiple transfer is performed on the intermediate transfer body 5 at the primary transfer portion T1 which is a contact. The intermediate transfer member 5 that has undergone multiple transfer sandwiches and conveys the transfer material P by the secondary transfer roller 13 to which a voltage is applied in the secondary transfer portion T2, thereby transferring each color toner image on the intermediate transfer member 5 to the transfer material P. Simultaneous multiple transfer.

  The intermediate transfer member 5 (intermediate transfer belt) according to this embodiment is formed of a seamless resin belt having a circumferential length of about 620 mm, and is stretched around three axes of a driving roller 14, a secondary transfer counter roller 15, and a tension roller 16. Further, both ends of the tension roller 16 are loaded with springs, and even if the peripheral length of the intermediate transfer belt 5 changes due to temperature and humidity in the main body and changes with time, the amount of change can be absorbed.

  A guide rib (not shown) made of rubber is attached to the entire circumference of one side edge of the intermediate transfer body 5 with an adhesive. A flange (not shown) having a gradient is disposed at one end of the tension roller 16 and is made of resin, and the guide rib and the flange move in a direction perpendicular to the traveling direction of the intermediate transfer member 5 (hereinafter, “ "Side").

  The intermediate transfer member 5 is supported by the main body with the driving roller 14 as a fulcrum, and the driving force of a driving motor (not shown) is transmitted to one end of the driving roller 14 at the rear of the drawing, so that the intermediate transfer member 5 is subjected to an image forming operation. It is made to rotate clockwise in the figure.

[Paper Feeder]
The sheet feeding unit feeds the transfer material P to the image forming unit. Mainly from a cassette 17 storing a plurality of transfer materials P, a sheet feeding roller 18, a separation pad 19, a sheet feeding guide, and a pair of registration rollers 21. Configured. At the time of image formation, the paper feed roller 18 is driven and rotated in accordance with the image forming operation, and the transfer material P in the cassette 17 is separated and fed one by one, guided by the paper feed guide, and registered via the transport roller. It reaches pair 21. During the image forming operation, the registration roller pair 21 performs a non-rotating operation for causing the transfer material P to stand still and a rotating operation for conveying the transfer material P toward the intermediate transfer body 5 in a predetermined sequence. The image and the transfer material P in a certain transfer process are aligned.

[Transfer section]
The transfer unit is composed of a swingable secondary transfer roller 13. The secondary transfer roller 13 has a metal shaft wound with a medium-resistance foamed elastic body, is movable in a substantially vertical direction in the drawing, and has a drive. The transfer roller 13 is pressed against the intermediate transfer body 5 with a predetermined pressure through an upper position, that is, the transfer material P by a cam member (not shown) in accordance with the timing of transferring the color image to the transfer material P. At the same time, a bias is applied to the transfer roller 13 and the toner image on the intermediate transfer member 5 is transferred to the transfer material P. Here, since the intermediate transfer body 5 and the secondary transfer roller 13 are respectively driven, the transfer material P sandwiched between the two is transported at a predetermined speed in the left direction in the figure at the same time as the transfer process is performed. Then, the toner is conveyed by the conveying belt 22 toward the fixing device 8 which is the next process.

[Fixing part]
The fixing unit 8 fixes the toner image formed on the transfer material P through the intermediate transfer body 5 by the toner image formed by the developing means, and has a built-in ceramic heater for applying heat to the transfer material P. And a pressure roller 24 for pressing the transfer material P against the film guide unit. That is, the transfer material P holding the toner image is conveyed by the film guide unit 23 and the pressure roller 24, and the toner is fixed to the transfer material P by applying heat and pressure.

[Image forming operation]
Next, an operation when image formation is performed by the apparatus configured as described above will be described.

  First, the sheet feeding roller 18 shown in FIG. 1 is rotated to separate one transfer material P in the sheet feeding cassette 17 and conveyed to the registration roller 21.

  On the other hand, the photosensitive drum 1 and the intermediate transfer member 5 each rotate in the direction indicated by the arrow at a predetermined outer peripheral speed V (hereinafter referred to as a process speed).

  The photosensitive drum 1 whose surface is uniformly charged by the charging device 2 is subjected to laser exposure to form an image.

1: Formation of a yellow image The scanner unit 3a performs laser irradiation of a yellow image to form a yellow latent image on the photosensitive drum 1a. Simultaneously with the formation of the latent image, the yellow developing device is driven to apply a voltage having the same polarity as the charged polarity of the photosensitive drum 1a so that the yellow toner adheres to the latent image on the photosensitive drum 1a. Develop. At the same time, the yellow toner image on the photosensitive drum 1a is primarily transferred onto the outer periphery of the intermediate transfer member 5 at the first transfer position T1 downstream of the developing unit. At this time, the intermediate transfer member 5 is subjected to primary transfer by applying a voltage having a reverse characteristic to that of the yellow toner.

2: Formation of magenta image Next, the laser irradiation of the magenta image is started by the scanner unit 3b so that the front end coincides with the yellow image on the outer periphery of the intermediate transfer member 5, and the latent image on the photosensitive drum 1b is started in the same manner as yellow. Then, the magenta toner image is developed, and the magenta toner image on the photosensitive drum 1b is transferred onto the intermediate transfer member 5 so as to overlap the yellow toner image at the first transfer position T1.

3: Formation of cyan image Next, the laser irradiation of the cyan image is started by the scanner unit 3c so that the front end coincides with the yellow and magenta image on the outer periphery of the intermediate transfer member 5, and the surface of the photosensitive drum 1c is formed in the same manner as magenta. The cyan toner image is developed on the latent image, and the cyan toner image on the photosensitive drum 1c is transferred onto the intermediate transfer member 5 so as to be superimposed on the yellow and magenta toner images at the first transfer position T1.

4: Formation of Black Toner Image Next, laser irradiation of the black image is started by the scanner unit 3d so that the leading end of the yellow, magenta, and cyan images on the outer periphery of the intermediate transfer member 5 coincides with each other. The black toner image is developed on the latent image 1d, and the black toner image on the photosensitive drum 1d is transferred onto the intermediate transfer member 5 at the first transfer position T1 so as to be superimposed on the yellow, magenta, and cyan toner images.

  As described above, latent image formation, development, and toner transfer to the intermediate transfer member 5 are performed in the order of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black at the primary transfer position T1, and yellow, magenta, cyan, and black are formed on the surface of the intermediate transfer member 5, respectively. A full-color image composed of four types of toner is formed.

  The transfer material P that has been kept on standby by the registration roller 21 before the image leading edge of the intermediate transfer member 5 that has formed the full color image after the primary transfer of the black toner of the fourth color has reached the second transfer portion T2 is prepared. Start conveyance at the same timing. When the image of each color is formed on the four-color intermediate transfer member 5, it waits downward, and the secondary transfer roller 13, which is not in contact with the intermediate transfer member 5, is simultaneously moved upward by a cam (not shown). The full color image on the intermediate transfer member 5 is applied to the transfer material P by pressing the transfer material P at the second transfer portion T2 of the intermediate transfer member 5 and simultaneously applying a bias having a polarity opposite to that of the toner to the secondary transfer roller 13. Transfer four colors simultaneously. The transfer material P that has passed through the second transfer portion T2 is peeled off from the intermediate transfer member 5, conveyed to the fixing portion 8, and after toner fixing, the image surface is transferred onto the discharge tray 26 at the top of the main body via the discharge roller pair 25. The sheet is discharged downward, and the image forming operation ends.

[Process cartridge configuration]
Next, the process cartridge 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 toner. The yellow, magenta, cyan, and black process cartridges 7a, 7b, 7c, and 7d have the same configuration.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the process cartridge 7 includes a drum-shaped electrophotographic photosensitive member that is an image carrier, that is, a photosensitive drum 1, a photosensitive drum unit 6 that includes a charging device 2 and a cleaning blade 60, and electrostatic on the photosensitive drum 1. The developing unit 4 includes a developing roller 40 that develops the latent image.

  In the photosensitive drum unit 6, the photosensitive drum 1 is rotatably attached to a cleaning frame body 61 via a bearing member 31. A primary charging unit 2 for uniformly charging the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 and a cleaning blade 60 for removing toner remaining on the photosensitive drum are disposed on the periphery of the photosensitive drum 1.

  Residual toner removed from the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 by the cleaning blade 60 is sequentially sent to a waste toner chamber 63 provided behind the cleaning frame body by a toner feeding mechanism 62. Then, the driving force of a driving motor (not shown) is transmitted to one end at the rear of the drawing, so that the photosensitive drum 1 is driven to rotate counterclockwise in the drawing according to the image forming operation.

  The developing unit 4 includes a developing roller 40 that contacts the photosensitive drum 1 and rotates in the arrow Y direction, and a toner container 41 and a developing container 45 that contain toner. The developing roller 40 is rotatably supported by a developing container 45 via developing bearings 47 and 48, and a toner supply roller 43 that rotates in the direction of arrow Z in contact with the developing roller 40 on the periphery of the developing roller 40. Developing blades 44 are respectively disposed. The toner container 41 is further provided with a toner conveying member 42 for stirring the toner contained therein and conveying the toner to the toner supply roller 43.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the developing unit 4 has the entire developing unit 4 as a photosensitive drum unit by pins 49a around the support holes 49 provided in the developing bearings 47 and 48 attached to both ends of the developing unit 4, respectively. The suspension structure is supported so as to be swingable with respect to 6.

  In the state of the process cartridge 7 alone (not attached to the printer main body), the developing unit 4 is always urged by the pressure spring 64 so that the developing roller 40 comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 1 by a rotational moment about the support shaft 49a. ing.

  At the time of development, when the toner stored by the toner stirring member 42 is conveyed to the toner supply roller 43, the toner supply roller 43 that rotates in the arrow Z direction slides with the developing roller 40 that rotates the toner in the arrow Y direction. The toner is supplied to the developing roller 40 by rubbing and is carried on the developing roller 40. The toner carried on the developing roller 40 reaches the developing blade 44 as the developing roller 40 rotates, and the developing blade 44 imparts electric charge to the toner and forms a predetermined toner thin layer. Then, the photosensitive drum 1 and the developing roller 40 are conveyed to a developing unit in contact with each other, and in the developing unit, a static electricity formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 by a DC developing bias applied to the developing roller 40 from a power source (not shown). The latent image is developed by attaching to the latent image.

  The toner remaining on the surface of the developing roller 40 without contributing to the development is returned to the developing device as the developing roller 40 rotates, and is peeled off and collected from the developing roller 40 at the rubbing portion with the toner supply roller 43. . The collected toner is stirred and mixed with the remaining toner by the toner stirring member 42.

  In the contact development method in which development is performed by contacting the photosensitive drum 1 and the developing roller 40, the photosensitive drum 1 is preferably a rigid body, and the developing roller 40 used for this is preferably a roller having an elastic body. As this elastic body, a solid rubber single layer or a solid rubber layer coated with a resin coating in consideration of charge imparting property to toner is used.

  The toner supply roller 43 is an elastic roller having a cored bar portion and a sponge portion, and the sponge portion is formed of a continuous foamed sponge.

  Next, the structure for supporting and positioning the photosensitive drum 1 according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing attachment of the photosensitive drum 1 to the cleaner unit. At both ends of the photosensitive drum 1, flanges 65 a and 65 b are attached to rotate integrally with the photosensitive drum 1. At the center of the flanges 65a and 65b, there is a hole through which a shaft 66 for supporting the photosensitive drum 1 passes. A shaft 66 that supports both flanges 65a and 65b is provided with a spring pin 67 having an outer diameter of about 2 mm so as to penetrate along with one of the flanges 65a in order to transmit the rotational drive to the photosensitive drum 1.

  As the shaft 66 for supporting the photosensitive drum, a free-cutting steel bar or a carbon steel bar whose surface is subjected to chemical nickel plating is used. In this embodiment, from the viewpoint of strength, the outer diameter is φ8 mm and the length is about 320 mm.

  A shaft 66 that supports the photosensitive drum is supported on both ends of the cleaner frame 61 via the bearing member 31.

  The bearing member 31 uses a sliding bearing such as a sintered bearing or a resin bearing. In the product of this example, a sintered bearing is used from the viewpoint of durability and dimensional accuracy.

  The bearing member 31 is fixed to the cleaner frame 61 by a rotation stopping / retaining member 69.

  A coupling member 68 for transmitting drive from the image forming apparatus is attached to one end of the photosensitive drum support shaft 66. The coupling member 68 is made by sintering, and has a high strength so that it can withstand rotational torque even with a small engagement width.

  Here, the bearing member 31 that supports the photosensitive drum will be described in detail.

  The inner diameter of the bearing 31 is φ8 mm, the outer diameter is φ12 mm, and the width is 8.5 mm. A portion of the outer diameter is lightly applied to the bearing engaging portion 61a of the cleaner frame having a notch 61a1 so as to be exposed from the cleaner frame 61 so as to be directly supported by the process cartridge positioning portion of the image forming apparatus. Press fit. The cleaner frame 61 is provided with a rib 61 a 2 as an axial stopper of the bearing member 31. The bearing member 31 is inserted to a position where it comes into contact with the rib 61a2.

  Further, the bearing member 31 has a groove 31 a that engages with the rotation stopping / separation preventing member 69. The groove 31a has a width of 3 mm and a depth of 2.5 mm, and a groove having the same shape is also provided at the 180-degree facing portion to improve assembly. The inner diameter of a part where the groove 31a is present is approximately 0.2 mm larger than the other part (not shown), so that the inner diameter edge of the groove 31a does not bite or scratch the photosensitive drum support shaft 66. .

  6 (a) and 6 (b) are cross-sectional views showing a state in which the rotation stopper and retaining member 69 is inserted. The rotation stopping / retaining member 69 is inserted into the engaging portion 61a of the cleaner frame in the direction of arrow A so that the snap-fit claw 69a is caught in the hole 61a4 of the cleaner frame to prevent it from coming off in the axial direction. I have to. Further, the protrusion 69b of the rotation stopper / removal prevention member 69 is engaged with the groove of the bearing member, so that the bearing member 31 is prevented from rotating.

Sectional view showing overall configuration of full-color image forming apparatus Sectional view showing the overall configuration of the process cartridge Perspective view showing process cartridge Exploded perspective view showing attachment of photosensitive drum to cleaner unit An exploded perspective view showing a bearing member mounting portion of the cleaner unit Sectional view showing bearing member mounting part of cleaner unit

Explanation of symbols

1 (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d) Photosensitive drum 2 Charging device (primary charging means)
3 (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) Scanner unit 4 Developing device, developing unit 5 Intermediate transfer member (intermediate transfer belt)
6 Photosensitive drum unit 7 (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d) Process cartridge 8 Fixing part 40 Developing roller 40a Core metal part, 40b Rubber part 41 Toner container 42 Toner stirring (conveying) member 42a Shaft member 42b Sheet member 43 Toner supply roller 44 Developing blade 45 Developing container 47, 48 Bearing member 49 Support hole 49a Pin 51 Incident side light guide 52 Exit side light guide 60 Cleaning blade 61 Cleaning frame (cleaner frame)
62 Toner feeding mechanism 63 Waste toner chamber 64 Pressure springs 65a and 65b Photosensitive drum flange 66 Photoconductive drum support shaft 67 Spring pin 68 Coupling member 69 Anti-rotation and retaining member 100 Image forming apparatus

Claims (6)

  In a bearing member that rotatably supports an image carrier of a process cartridge that can be attached to and detached from an image forming apparatus, a part of the outer periphery of the bearing member that fits with a frame that supports the image carrier and a part thereof are cut out. The bearing member is characterized in that the notch is configured to be fitted with a rotation stopping / separation preventing member of the bearing member.   The bearing member according to claim 1, wherein an outer peripheral portion of the bearing member is in contact with a process cartridge positioning portion of the main body.   The portion of the bearing member that supports the shaft and the cutout portion are different in position in the longitudinal direction, and the inner circumference of the cutout portion is different in inner diameter and inner diameter of the bearing portion. The bearing member described.   In a process cartridge that can be attached to and detached from an image forming apparatus, an image carrier, a shaft projecting from at least one longitudinal end of the image carrier, a bearing member that rotatably supports the shaft, and an image carrier are held. A frame body, the outer periphery of the bearing has a part that fits with the frame body and a cutout in a part thereof, and the cutout fits with a rotation stopper and a retaining member of the bearing member. A process cartridge characterized by being configured.   5. The process cartridge according to claim 4, wherein an outer peripheral portion of the bearing member abuts on a process cartridge positioning portion of the main body.   The portion of the bearing member that supports the shaft and the notch portion are different in the longitudinal direction, and the inner periphery of the notch portion is different in inner diameter and inner diameter of the bearing portion. The described process cartridge.

Images