JP2005266455A - Process cartridge separation method, process cartridge separation device and process cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method and device by which a photoreceptor storage container and a developer storage container integrated into a process cartridge are separated from each other without being broken. <P>SOLUTION: In the process cartridge separation method by which the process cartridge in which the photoreceptor storage container and the developer storage container are integrated is separated into the photoreceptor storage container and the developer storage container, a thread is formed on a coupling pin connecting the photoreceptor storage container and the developer storage container, and the coupling pin is pulled off by being unscrewed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a process cartridge separation method, a process cartridge separation apparatus, and a process cartridge that are detachable from an image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine, an electrophotographic printer, and an electrophotographic facsimile apparatus.

  In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine, an electrophotographic printer, and an electrophotographic facsimile machine, generally, various means are provided on the surface of a photoconductor (latent image holding body) using a photoconductive substance. After forming the latent image electrically using toner and forming the toner image by using toner, the toner image may be transferred to an object such as paper via an intermediate transfer member. An image is formed through a plurality of steps of transferring to the surface and fixing by heating, pressing, heating and pressing, or solvent vapor.

  In such an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the electrophotographic photosensitive member and at least one of the process means provided around the photosensitive member such as a charging unit, a developing unit, and a cleaning unit are integrally supported by a casing to form a unit. Process cartridges are used. In the process cartridge, a photosensitive member storage container that stores an electrophotographic photosensitive member and the like and a developer storage container that stores toner and the like are integrated by a combination pin or the like. The integrated process cartridge is detachable from the image forming apparatus. For example, when the toner is consumed or the electrophotographic photosensitive member is deteriorated, the process cartridge is collected from the image forming apparatus and regenerated.

  When recycling used process cartridges, it is necessary to separate the photoconductor storage container from the developer storage container, but when removing the usual plug-in type merge pin, grab the protruding part of the merge pin. A drawing method is used.

  Japanese Patent No. 3363889 (Patent Document 1) proposes a method in which a hole is made in the bottom of a process cartridge storage container and a united pin is pushed.

Japanese Patent No. 3363889

  However, the method of Patent Document 1 has a problem that the container of the process cartridge is deformed.

  Further, in the method of grasping and pulling out the portion where the union pin has popped out, it is difficult to pull out the union pin with a cartridge having a shape in which the union pin does not protrude.

  The present invention relates to a process cartridge separation method for separating a process cartridge in which a photosensitive member storage container and a developer storage container are integrated into a photosensitive member storage container and a developer storage container without breaking the container, A process cartridge separation device and a process cartridge.

  The present invention relates to a process cartridge separation method for separating a process cartridge in which a photosensitive member storage container and a developer storage container are integrated into the photosensitive member storage container and the developer storage container, and the photosensitive member storage container Then, a screw is cut into a united pin that joins the developer container and the united pin is pulled out by pulling out the screw.

  In the process cartridge separation method, at least one of the photosensitive member storage container and the developer storage container has a groove portion, the united pin has a protrusion portion, and the groove portion and the protrusion portion are It is locked by engaging, and after releasing the lock before pulling out the screw, the union pin is preferably pulled out by pulling out the screw.

  In the process cartridge separation method, after the union pin is removed, the union pin is fixed, and the screw is rotated in a direction opposite to the screwing direction of the screw to separate the union pin from the screw. Is preferred.

  The present invention also relates to a process cartridge separation apparatus for separating a process cartridge in which a photosensitive member storage container and a developer storage container are integrated into the photosensitive member storage container and the developer storage container, wherein the screw is pivoted. And a means for pulling out the screw, and by rotating the screw into a united pin that couples the photosensitive member storage container and the developer storage container, and pulling out the screw. Pull out the coalescing pin.

  In the process cartridge separating apparatus, at least one of the photosensitive member storage container and the developer storage container has a groove, the uniting pin has a protrusion, and the groove and the protrusion are It is locked by engaging, and after releasing the lock before pulling out the screw, the union pin is preferably pulled out by pulling out the screw.

  The process cartridge separating apparatus further includes means for fixing the united pin, and after extracting the united pin, fixing the united pin and fixing the screw in a direction opposite to the screwing direction of the screw. Is preferably rotated to separate the coalescing pin from the screw.

  Further, the present invention is a process cartridge in which a photosensitive member storage container and a developer storage container are integrated, and a screw is cut into a united pin that connects the photosensitive member storage container and the developer storage container, The united pin is pulled out by pulling out the screw, and the process cartridge is separated into the photosensitive member storage container and the developer storage container, and then regenerated.

  In the present invention, when a process cartridge in which a photosensitive member storage container and a developer storage container are integrated is separated into a photosensitive member storage container and a developer storage container, a screw is cut into a combining pin, and the screw is pulled out to be combined. A process cartridge separation method, a process cartridge separation device, and a process cartridge that separate a container without breaking by removing a pin are provided.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the process cartridge unitizes the electrophotographic photosensitive member and at least one of the processing means provided around the photosensitive member such as a charging unit, a developing unit, and a cleaning unit by a casing. Is. In the process cartridge, a photosensitive member storage container that stores an electrophotographic photosensitive member and the like, and a developer storage container that stores toner and the like are integrated by a combination pin. The integrated process cartridge is detachable from the image forming apparatus.

  Examples of the charging means include, but are not limited to, a charging roll system and a corotron system.

  Examples of the developing means include, but are not limited to, a one-component developing method using no carrier and a two-component developing method using a carrier.

  Examples of the cleaning method include a doctor blade method, a wiper blade method, and a brush method, but are not limited thereto.

  Examples of the electrophotographic photoreceptor include, but are not limited to, a photoreceptor drum system and a photoreceptor belt system.

  The photoreceptor storage container 10 and the developer storage container 20 are, for example, polyethylene resin (PE), polypropylene resin (PP), polycarbonate resin (PC), polyoxymethylene resin (POM), acrylonitrile / butadiene / styrene resin (ABS). It is mainly composed of plastics such as high impact polystyrene resin (HIPS), modified polyphenylene oxide resin (modified PPO), polycarbonate-acrylonitrile butadiene styrene resin (PC-ABS), especially ABS and HIPS. It is preferable.

  The image forming apparatus is an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine, an electrophotographic printer (for example, an LED printer, a laser beam printer, etc.), an electrophotographic facsimile apparatus, and a composite machine thereof. Can be mentioned.

  Specifically, the process cartridge configuration includes, for example, a photosensitive member storage container in which an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a charging member, a cleaning member, and the like are integrated, and a developer storage container in which a toner storage portion, a developing roll, and the like are integrated. Development including a process cartridge integrated with a toner, a photosensitive member storage container including an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a charging member, and a cleaning member, a toner storage case (toner bottle) including a toner storage portion, a developing roll, and the like. For example, a process cartridge integrated with an agent storage container may be used.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a process cartridge. The process cartridge 1 separation method according to the present embodiment is a method of separating the process cartridge 1 in which the photosensitive member storage container 10 and the developer storage container 20 are integrated into the photosensitive member storage container 10 and the developer storage container 20. Then, the screw 40 is cut into the united pin 30 that couples the photosensitive member storage container 10 and the developer storage container 20, and the united pin 30 is pulled out by pulling out the screw 40.

  In the process cartridge 1, a photosensitive member storage container 10 in which an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a charging member, a cleaning member, and the like are integrated, and a developer storage container 20 in which a toner storage portion and a developing roll are integrated are integrated. It is configured. In the example of FIG. 1, the photosensitive member storage container 10 and the developer storage container 20 are coupled by a combination pin 30 a and 30 b. One or more, preferably two or more, and more preferably two uniting pins 30 are used for coupling the photosensitive member storage container 10 and the developer storage container 20.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of a method for connecting the photosensitive member storage container 10 and the developer storage container 20. FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the process cartridge 1 as viewed from above in FIG. A coupling hole 14 (indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 2) of the coupling portion 12 of the photosensitive member storage container 10 and a coupling hole 24 (indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 2) of the coupling portion 22 of the developer storage container 20 are combined. By being coupled by the pin 30, the photoreceptor housing container 10 and the developer housing container 20 are coupled. In FIG. 2, the coupling portion 12 of the photoconductor storage container 10 has a female portion and the coupling portion 22 of the developer storage container 20 has a male portion, but the coupling portion 12 of the photoconductor storage container 10 has a male portion, The coupling portion 22 of the developer storage container 20 may have a female relationship.

  In FIG. 2, the head 32 of the uniting pin 30 protrudes from the container surface of the photosensitive member storage container 10, but the process cartridge separation method according to the present embodiment uses the uniting pin 30 as shown in FIG. 3. This is particularly effective when it is difficult to grip the head 32, such as when the head 32 is not protruding from the container surface of the photoreceptor housing 10.

  The material of the united pin 30 may be metal, plastic, or the like. However, since the screw 40 is cut, it is preferable that the plastic is easy to cut the screw 40. Examples of plastics include polyethylene resin (PE), polypropylene resin (PP), polycarbonate resin (PC), polyoxymethylene resin (POM), acrylonitrile / butadiene / styrene resin (ABS), high impact polystyrene resin (HIPS), Modified polyphenylene oxide resin (modified PPO), polycarbonate-acrylonitrile / butadiene / styrene resin (PC-ABS), and the like are mentioned, and POM and ABS are more preferable from the viewpoint of strength.

  There is no restriction | limiting in particular in the shape of the head 32 of the united pin 30, A round shape, a hexagonal shape, etc. are mentioned.

  The shape of the shaft portion 34 of the merged pin 30 is not particularly limited as long as the photosensitive member storage container 10 and the developer storage container 20 can be combined, and for example, a linear shape shown in FIG.

  Further, in order to prevent the union pin 30 from loosening and coming off, at least one of the photosensitive member storage container 10 and the developer storage container 20 has a groove portion, the union pin has a protrusion portion, It is preferable that the protrusion is locked by being engaged.

  For example, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, it is preferable that the shaft portion 34 of the united pin 30 has a protrusion 36 and the neck 35 has a protrusion 37. Here, FIG. 5A is a view of the united pin 30 viewed from the side, and FIG. 5B is a diagram of the united pin 30 viewed from the side when the united pin 30 is rotated 90 degrees about the axis. . In this example, the projecting portion 36 of the shaft portion 34 and the projecting portion 37 of the neck portion 35 are at a position of 90 degrees with respect to the axis.

  At this time, it is preferable to provide the engaging portions 17 and 18 that can be engaged with the projecting portions 36 and 37 of the uniting pin 30 in the coupling portion 12 of the photosensitive member storage container 10 or the coupling portion 22 of the developer storage container 20. . For example, FIG. 6 a shows a state where the uniting pin 30 shown in FIG. 5 is inserted into the coupling hole 14 of the coupling part 12 of the photosensitive member storage container 10 and the coupling hole 24 of the coupling part 22 of the developer storage container 20. Here, FIG. 6 c shows the engagement portion 17 as viewed from the direction A in FIG. 6 a, that is, from the axial direction of the head 32 of the united pin 30. In FIG. 6c, the head 32 is omitted. The engaging portion 17 is provided with a convex portion 19 and a groove portion 16. 6d is a view as seen from the direction B in FIG. 6c (in FIG. 6d, the union pin 30 is omitted).

  When the united pin 30 is inserted into the coupling holes 14 and 24 and then the united pin 30 is rotated to the right about the axis, the result is as shown in FIG. 6b. As shown in FIG. 6 e, the projection 37 of the neck portion 35 of the united pin 30 gets over the projection 19 of the engagement portion 17 so that the projection 37 engages with the groove 16.

  On the other hand, the protrusion 36 of the united pin 30 is engaged with the groove of the engaging portion 18. For example, the engaging portion 18 is provided with a groove so that the protrusion 36 enters when the united pin 30 is rotated about the axis. At this time, it is preferable to have a block part in the groove part of the engaging part 18 so that the united pin 30 may not rotate too much. The projecting portion 36 hits the block portion so that the united pin 30 does not turn any further.

  Note that the united pin 30 does not need to include both the protrusions 36 and 37, and may include either one, but it is preferable to include both the protrusions 36 and 37 in order to ensure locking. . The engaging portion may be provided in at least one of the photosensitive member storage container 10 and the developer storage container 20 in accordance with the position, shape, number, and the like of the protrusions provided on the uniting pin. With respect to the locking method, for example, the position, shape, and number of the protrusions, and the position, shape, number, and engagement method of the engaging portions, and at least one of the photosensitive member storage container 10 and the developer storage container 20; Any method other than the method described here may be used as long as the united pin 30 is locked, and the method is not particularly limited. For example, an engaging portion may be provided on the uniting pin 30 and a protrusion may be provided on at least one of the photosensitive member storage container 10 and the developer storage container 20.

  By doing so, it is possible to lock the united pin 30 so that it does not loosen during use of the process cartridge 1 or during transportation.

  Further, the united pin 30 may have a hollow portion 38 in the shaft portion 34 as shown in FIG. This is because it has a strength that is difficult to deform against an external force. In addition, the width Z of the cavity portion 38 is preferably ½ or less of the diameter (outer diameter) Y of the shaft portion 34.

  FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of the process cartridge separation method according to the present embodiment.

  First, in step S <b> 10, a screw 40 is cut into the united pin 30 that couples the photosensitive member storage container 10 and the developer storage container 20 of the process cartridge 1.

  Examples of the material of the screw 40 include metal, plastic, and the like. Since the screw 40 is cut into the united pin 30, a metal that is easy to cut into the united pin 30 is preferable. The metal is not particularly limited. For example, a metal such as iron or aluminum; a carbon steel in which an alloying element such as carbon, chromium, aluminum, nickel, molybdenum, tungsten, vanadium, cobalt, or titanium is added to these metals; Metals usually used for screws, such as stainless steel, high-speed tool steel, other alloy steels, and alloys such as cast iron;

  An example of the screw 40 is shown in FIG. The maximum diameter W of the shaft portion 44 of the screw 40 is not particularly limited as long as it is smaller than the diameter Y of the shaft portion 34 of the merged pin 30, but is preferably 1 mm to 5 mm smaller than the diameter Y of the shaft portion 34 of the merged pin 30, More preferably, it is smaller by 1 mm to 2 mm. If the difference between the maximum diameter W of the shaft portion 44 of the screw 40 and the diameter Y of the shaft portion 34 of the united pin 30 is smaller than 1 mm, it is difficult to cut the screw 40 into the united pin 30. Further, the difference between the maximum diameter W of the shaft portion 44 of the screw 40 and the diameter Y of the shaft portion 34 of the combined pin 30 is smaller than 1 mm, or the maximum diameter W of the shaft portion 44 of the screw 40 is equal to the shaft of the combined pin 30. When the diameter Y is larger than the diameter Y of the portion 34, the photosensitive member storage container 10 or the developer storage container 20 is easily damaged. If the difference between the maximum diameter W of the shaft portion 44 of the screw 40 and the diameter Y of the shaft portion 34 of the united pin 30 is greater than 5 mm, it is difficult to extract the united pin 30 by pulling out the screw 40.

  Although there is no restriction | limiting in particular about the shape of the axial part 44 of the screw 40, It is preferable that the front-end | tip is sharp so that it may be easy to cut into the united pin 30. FIG.

  Although there is no restriction | limiting in particular about the valley diameter / peak diameter of the axial part 44 of the screw | thread 40, Usually, a thing with a valley diameter / peak diameter of 5 mm or less is used.

  The length V of the screw 40 is not particularly limited, and the length T of the shaft portion 44 of the screw 40 is not particularly limited. However, since the biting length into the united pin 30 must be 3 mm or more, the screw 40 The length T of the 40 shaft portions 44 is preferably 3 mm or more.

  The shape of the head portion 42 of the screw 40 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a round shape, a hexagonal shape, a dish shape, and a round dish shape. Moreover, it is preferable that the head part 42 of the screw 40 has a slit and a cross hole.

  In step S <b> 12, by pulling out the screw 40, the uniting pin 30 is extracted from the coupling hole 14 of the coupling unit 12 of the photoreceptor housing container 10 and the coupling hole 24 of the coupling unit 22 of the developer storage container 20.

  At this time, in the case where the above-described lock-type united pin 30 is used, it is preferable that the screw is pulled out after the lock is released before the screw 40 is pulled out. For example, in the case of the locking method described above, the lock can be pulled out after rotating the screw 40 in the direction opposite to the screwing direction of the screw 40 to release the lock.

  In the process cartridge separation method according to this embodiment, after the union pin 30 is extracted, the union pin 30 is fixed and the screw 40 is rotated in the direction opposite to the screwing direction of the screw 40 to separate the union pin 30 from the screw 40. It is preferable to make it. Thereby, the united pin 30 and the screw 40 can be easily separated.

  An embodiment of a process cartridge separation apparatus that realizes a process cartridge separation method according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a process cartridge separation device according to the present embodiment. The process cartridge separation device 3 can include a bit 50, a bit holding unit 52, a drive transmission unit 54, a motor 56, a cartridge holding unit 58, a control unit 60, a united pin fixing unit 62, a driving unit 64, and the like. . All of these components are not essential and can be combined as appropriate. Also, it is not necessary for all of these configurations to be included in a single device.

  The process cartridge 1 to be separated is set in the cartridge holding unit 58. The screw 40 attached to the tip of the bit 50 is a lock-type uniting pin of the process cartridge 1 when the bit 50 is rotated by the driving force of the drive transmission unit 54 that transmits the rotational driving force of the motor 56 as a driving source. 30 is cut (FIG. 9A). After the cutting, before the screw 40 is pulled out, the screw 40 is rotated in the direction opposite to the screwing direction of the screw 40, for example, 90 degrees to release the lock, and then the screw 40 and the combined pin 30 are pulled out. At this time, the rotation speed of the bit 50 when the screw 40 is cut, the rotation direction and the rotation angle of the screw 40 when the united pin 30 is unlocked, and the like can be controlled by the control unit 60.

  After the union pin 30 is pulled out from the process cartridge 1, it is fixed to the union pin fixing portion 62, the bit 50 is rotated in the direction opposite to the screwing direction of the screw 40, the screw 40 is rotated, and the union pin 30 is screwed Separated from 40 (FIG. 9B).

  The above operation is performed for all the union pins 30 that are provided in the process cartridge 1 and that couple the photosensitive member storage container 10 and the developer storage container 20 together. At this time, even if all the union pins 30 are pulled out by a single bit 50, bit holding portion 52, drive transmission portion 54, motor 56, cartridge holding portion 58, union pin fixing portion 62, drive portion 64, etc. Although there are a plurality of bits 50, a bit holding unit 52, a drive transmission unit 54, a motor 56, a cartridge holding unit 58, a united pin fixing unit 62, a driving unit 64, etc., the united pin 30 is pulled out in parallel. May be. FIG. 10 shows an example of the process cartridge separating apparatus 3 provided with two bits 50, a bit holding unit 52, a drive transmission unit 54, a motor 56, a cartridge holding unit 58, a combined pin fixing unit 62, a driving unit 64, and the like. is there.

  As described above, when the process cartridge 1 in which the photoconductor storage container 10 and the developer storage container 20 are integrated is separated into the photoconductor storage container 10 and the developer storage container 20, the photoconductor storage container 10 and the developer are developed. The screw 40 is cut into the union pin 30 that couples with the agent storage container 20, and the screw 40 is pulled out by using the force with which the screw 40 is engaged with the union pin 30, whereby the photoreceptor storage container 10 and the developer storage container 20. The union pin 30 can be easily extracted without breaking the pin. In particular, as shown in FIG. 3, this is particularly effective when the head 32 is difficult to grasp, such as when the head 32 of the union pin 30 does not protrude from the container surface of the photoreceptor housing 10.

  The process cartridge separation method and the process cartridge separation device 3 according to the present embodiment can be suitably used when the used process cartridge 1 is regenerated. Further, even when the process cartridge 1 is not used, it can be suitably used when the process cartridge 1 is regenerated when a quality trouble occurs. Further, when the process cartridge 1 is remanufactured at the time of manufacture, the process cartridge 1 can be preferably used when it is regenerated. In addition, the process cartridge 1 can be suitably used when it is necessary to separate the photosensitive member storage container 10 and the developer storage container 20.

  Hereinafter, although an example and a comparative example are given and the present invention is explained more concretely in detail, the present invention is not limited to the following examples.

(Example 1)
The integrated process cartridge used in the Fuji Xerox DocuPrint 210 having a printer function was collected. 4 (material: made of POM, length X: 20.5 mm, shaft diameter Y: 5 mm, non-locking type, no cavity. As shown in FIG. 3, the head of the combining pin is photosensitive. Cut the screw (material: made of high-speed tool steel, length V: 60 mm, maximum shaft diameter W: 3.5 mm) into the body storage container. The storage container and the developer storage container were separated. After the union pin was pulled out, the union pin was fixed and the screw was rotated in the direction opposite to the screwing direction of the screw to separate the union pin from the screw.

  Next, the photosensitive member storage container and the developer storage container were cleaned, the seal toner was welded, the toner was refilled, and the photosensitive member storage container and the developer storage container were combined again. The integrated process cartridge regenerated in this way was set in DocuPrint 210 manufactured by Fuji Xerox and printed out, and there was no problem in image quality.

(Example 2)
The integrated process cartridge used for the Fuji Xerox DocuPrint 210 having the printer function is collected, and a lock-type uniting pin (material: made of POM, length X: 20.5 mm, shaft diameter Y shown in FIG. 5C) : There is a hollow portion with a width of Z: 3 mm in the shaft portion, as shown in Fig. 3. As shown in Fig. 3, the head of the united pin does not protrude from the photosensitive member storage container. (Length V: 60 mm, shaft maximum diameter W: 3.5 mm), and then rotated 90 degrees opposite to the screw cutting direction, then the union pin is pulled out, and the photoreceptor storage container and developer storage container Were separated. After the union pin was pulled out, the union pin was fixed and the screw was rotated in the direction opposite to the screwing direction of the screw to separate the union pin from the screw.

  Next, the photosensitive member storage container and the developer storage container were cleaned, the seal toner was welded, the toner was refilled, and the photosensitive member storage container and the developer storage container were combined again. The integrated process cartridge regenerated in this way was set in DocuPrint 210 manufactured by Fuji Xerox and printed out, and there was no problem in image quality.

(Comparative Example 1)
The integrated process cartridge used for Fuji Xerox DocuPrint 210 having a printer function is collected, and the merged pin shown in FIG. 4 (material: made of POM, length X: 20.5 mm, shaft diameter Y: 5 mm, lock type) No, no cavity.As shown in FIG. 3, the head of the union pin does not jump out of the photosensitive body storage container.) Playback was impossible without pulling out.

(Comparative Example 2)
The integrated process cartridge used for the Fuji Xerox DocuPrint 210 having the printer function is collected, and a lock-type uniting pin (material: made of POM, length X: 20.5 mm, shaft diameter Y shown in FIG. 5C) : There is a hollow portion with a width of Z: 3 mm in the shaft portion, as shown in Fig. 3. As shown in Fig. 3, the head of the united pin does not protrude from the photosensitive member storage container. (Length V: 60 mm, shaft maximum diameter W: 3.5 mm), and then tried to pull out the union pin without rotating it 90 degrees in the direction opposite to the screw cutting direction. Playback was impossible without pulling out.

It is a figure which shows an example of the process cartridge in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the coupling | bonding method of the photoreceptor storage container and developer storage container of the process cartridge in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the coupling | bonding method of the photoreceptor storage container and developer storage container of the process cartridge in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the united pin in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the lock-type union pin in the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the locking method by the lock type | mold union pin in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the locking method by the lock type | mold union pin in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the locking method by the lock type | mold union pin in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the locking method by the lock type | mold union pin in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the locking method by the lock type | mold union pin in embodiment of this invention. 3 is a flowchart showing a process cartridge separation method according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure showing an example of a screw in an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the process cartridge separation apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the process cartridge separation apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Process cartridge, 3 Process cartridge separation apparatus, 10 Photoconductor storage container, 12 Coupling part of a photoconductor storage container, 14 Coupling hole of a photoconductor storage container, 16 Groove part, 17, 18 Engagement part, 19 Convex part, 20 Development Developer storage container, 22 developer storage container coupling part, 24 developer storage container coupling hole, 30 uniting pin, 32 head, 34 shaft part, 35 neck part, 36 shaft part projection part, 37 neck part projection part, 38 cavity part, 40 screw, 42 head part, 44 shaft part, 50 bit, 52 bit holding part, 54 drive transmission part, 56 motor, 58 cartridge holding part, 60 control part, 62 united pin fixing part, 64 driving part.

Claims (7)

A process cartridge separation method for separating a process cartridge in which a photosensitive member storage container and a developer storage container are integrated into the photosensitive member storage container and the developer storage container,
A process cartridge separation method comprising: cutting a screw into a united pin that couples the photosensitive member storage container and the developer storing container, and pulling out the united pin by pulling out the screw. The process cartridge separation method according to claim 1,
At least one of the photoreceptor storage container and the developer storage container has a groove,
The coalescing pin has a protrusion,
It is locked by engaging the groove and the protrusion,
A process cartridge separation method, wherein after the lock is released before the screw is pulled out, the united pin is pulled out by pulling out the screw. The process cartridge separation method according to claim 1 or 2,
A process cartridge separation method, comprising: extracting the united pin; then, fixing the united pin and rotating the screw in a direction opposite to a screwing direction of the screw to separate the united pin from the screw. A process cartridge separation device for separating a process cartridge in which a photosensitive member storage container and a developer storage container are integrated into the photosensitive member storage container and the developer storage container,
Means for rotating the screw about an axis;
Means for pulling out the screw;
Have
A process cartridge separating apparatus, wherein a screw is rotated into a united pin for coupling the photosensitive member storage container and the developer storage container, and the united pin is pulled out by pulling out the screw. The process cartridge separation device according to claim 4,
At least one of the photoreceptor storage container and the developer storage container has a groove,
The coalescing pin has a protrusion,
It is locked by engaging the groove and the protrusion,
A process cartridge separation method, wherein after the lock is released before the screw is pulled out, the united pin is pulled out by pulling out the screw. The process cartridge separation device according to claim 4 or 5,
Furthermore, means for fixing the united pin,
Have
2. A process cartridge separating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein after the union pin is removed, the union pin is fixed and the screw is rotated in a direction opposite to a screwing direction of the screw to separate the union pin from the screw. A process cartridge in which a photoreceptor storage container and a developer storage container are integrated,
A screw is cut into a united pin that joins the photosensitive member storage container and the developer storage container, and the unitary pin is pulled out by pulling out the screw, and the process cartridge is removed from the photosensitive member storage container and the developer storage container. A process cartridge which is recycled after being separated.

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