JP2006178280A - Process cartridge and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a process cartridge that has a configuration capable of restricting a cost increase by making it possible to determine recycling or disposing, thereby promoting recycling. <P>SOLUTION: The process cartridge stores a plurality of devices or members 1 altogether. The devices or members 1 are each provided with a recognition member 101 that can be altered each time it is recycled. Using a means 100 for determining the alteration of the recognition means 101, a determination is made whether each device or member 1 is recycled or disposed of. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a process cartridge and an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to a replacement timing determination mechanism for an apparatus or member housed in the process cartridge.

  In an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile machine, or a printing machine, a part of an apparatus that performs image forming processing on a latent image carrier is arranged in the same casing as the latent image carrier, and the apparatus main body In some cases, a process cartridge structure (hereinafter, referred to as a process cartridge) that is detachably provided is employed.

  The configuration of the process cartridge includes a photosensitive member that is a member used for image forming processing on a cartridge that is detachable from the image forming apparatus, a charging device, a developing device, and a cleaning device for performing image forming processing on the photosensitive member. Is generally stored (for example, Patent Document 1).

By the way, the process cartridge is subject to replacement due to deterioration with time and the life of the apparatus installed therein, but it is particularly necessary to replace the process cartridge when the life of the process cartridge is exhausted when the developer in the developing device runs out. Has been done frequently. Accordingly, if the user has a high developer consumption rate, it is necessary to replace the developer when the developer is exhausted, even if a device other than the developing device in the process cartridge is still usable. Therefore, there is a risk that the management and maintenance cost, so-called running cost, becomes high. Therefore, conventionally, a method has been proposed in which the toner collected from the photosensitive drum after transfer is re-fed into the developing device and so-called recycled toner is used. If all of the toner is consumed, the process cartridge is replaced in the same manner as described above.
Therefore, instead of replacing the process cartridge itself, for example, the process cartridge is regenerated by replenishing the developer corresponding to the consumption of the developer in the developing device having a large change over time due to consumption, and the device other than the developing device is used. It is also known to enable continuation (for example, Patent Document 2).

JP 2004-271703 A (paragraph “0025” column) JP-A-004-133270 (paragraph "0011" column)

  By the way, in recent years, from the viewpoint of environmental conservation, reduction of waste and further recycling have been required, and the process cartridge is no exception.

  Accordingly, there is a need for a measure for collecting and reusing a device to be discarded and a part used for the device in the process cartridge to be replaced.

Among the devices and parts to be replaced in the process cartridge, there is a photosensitive member used as a latent image carrier other than the developing device described above.
For example, when a drum-shaped photoconductor is used as the photoconductor, there is a configuration using curvature separation as a configuration for separating the recording sheet from the photoconductor drum after the transfer process. In this configuration, the recording sheet is warped and separated from the surface of the photosensitive drum using the curvature radius of the photosensitive drum and the bending rigidity of the recording sheet, so-called waist strength, but the waist is weak. If it is a recording sheet, a sufficient separating action cannot be obtained. Therefore, conventionally, a separation claw that abuts on the photosensitive drum is provided. However, when the separation claw is continuously rubbed, vertical streaks may be generated on the surface of the photosensitive drum, which may be damaged. An abnormal image such as an image omission at a part may be obtained. For this reason, the photosensitive drum is exchanged depending on the elapsed usage time of the photosensitive drum and the number of times of printing.

  However, when such a measure is used, the photosensitive drum is exchanged together with the process cartridge in spite of the fact that the trouble due to the vertical stripes has not yet occurred. . In particular, in the case of an image forming apparatus in which the number of printable sheets is different using a photosensitive drum having the same configuration depending on the specification, that is, the number of printable sheets is different by changing the capacity of the developer, etc., the photosensitive drum There is also a type that is not at the time of receiving damage from the separation claw in the case, and although it can be used, it is likely to increase the cost by taking measures to replace it with a new photosensitive drum.

  In view of the replacement of the conventional process cartridge, the object of the present invention is to provide a configuration capable of promoting reuse and suppressing an increase in cost by enabling discrimination of reuse and disposal. Another object of the present invention is to provide a process cartridge and an image forming apparatus.

  The invention according to claim 1 is a process cartridge in which a plurality of devices or members are collectively stored, and is provided with a recognition means that can be changed for each reuse of the devices or members. Means is provided for determining whether to reuse or discard the device or member based on the changed state.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the process cartridge according to the first aspect, a configuration capable of changing a position is used as the recognition means.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the process cartridge according to the first or second aspect, whether the device or member is reused or discarded is determined based on the operating status of the device or member based on the change position of the recognition means. It is characterized by being performed based on the elapsed time of use.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the process cartridge according to any one of the first to third aspects, the means for determining reuse or disposal of the apparatus or member based on the change state of the recognition means includes: It is characterized in that means capable of storing the operation status or elapsed usage time of the device or member with reference to the change position of the recognition means is used.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus characterized in that the process cartridge according to any one of the first to fourth aspects is provided so as to be detachable from the image forming apparatus.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the fifth aspect, the apparatus includes a latent image carrier and an apparatus capable of executing an image forming process on the latent image carrier, and the member is a contact with the latent image carrier. A claw member that can be contacted is included.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the sixth aspect, the claw member used as the member is a latent image carrier depending on the usage state until the use limit of the latent image carrier is reached. It is characterized in that the position of contact with the body can be changed.

  The invention according to claim 8 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the claw member used as the member uses the latent image carrier as a reference when the contact position is changed. It is used to start counting the number of printed sheets corresponding to the number of times.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, since reuse or disposal can be determined based on the change state of the recognition means that can be changed for each reuse in a device or member stored together, it should not be targeted for disposal yet Therefore, it is possible to eliminate unnecessary disposal of devices and members in the apparatus, and it is possible to prevent an increase in cost.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the position can be changed as the recognition means, unlike the display information such as the color and characters, the accuracy of determination of reuse or disposal can be eliminated without erroneous recognition due to dirt or the like. It is possible to raise.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the apparatus or member can be reused or discarded based on the operation status or elapsed use time of the apparatus or member based on the change position of the recognition means. Alternatively, it is possible to determine according to the usage history of the member.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the use history of the device or member based on the change state of the recognition means can be stored, the use history of the reused device or member may become unclear. Therefore, it is possible to set an appropriate disposal time.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus useful for environmental conservation that can realize reuse even if a process cartridge that can be attached and detached is used for replacement, without discarding the process cartridge unnecessarily. can do.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reuse or discard an object to be exchanged on the basis of the change state of the recognition means for an apparatus and member included in the process cartridge that have an actual cause of deterioration over time. Since it can be discriminated, it is possible to prevent the reusable devices and members from being discarded.

  According to the seventh and eighth aspects of the present invention, the latent image carrier can be reused or discarded based on the change of the claw member that affects the latent image carrier over time. It is possible to cope with the actual influence of the claw member on the body, and it is possible to prevent an increase in cost due to useless replacement.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to embodiments shown in the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a process cartridge PC according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The process cartridge PC is detachably attached to a main body housing such as an image forming apparatus (not shown) such as a printer, and has a photosensitive member (hereinafter referred to as a photosensitive member) formed in a drum shape as a latent image carrier. 1 (referred to as a body drum).

  Around the photosensitive drum 1, a device that forms an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 1 according to image information among devices that perform image formation processing in the rotation process and a developed toner image are transferred to a recording sheet. A charging device 2, a developing device 3, and a cleaning device 4, which are devices for executing an image forming process excluding the device to be performed, are respectively arranged.

In this embodiment, the charging device 2 is configured based on a contact charging system including a roller capable of injecting charges while being in contact with the photosensitive drum 1, and the developing device 3 is a two-component mixture of toner and carrier. A system developer is used.
The cleaning device 4 uses a configuration in which the residual toner scraped from the photosensitive drum 1 by the cleaning blade 4A can be conveyed toward the collection unit 4C by the magnetic roller 4B.

  The developing device 3 includes a developing unit 3A and a toner replenishing unit 3B. In the developing section 3A, a developing sleeve 5 corresponding to a developer carrying member capable of carrying the developer on the surface thereof facing the photosensitive drum 1, a stirring roller 6, and a pre-doctor 7 that defines the layer thickness of the developer are provided. And a doctor blade 8.

A toner cartridge 9 that can be inserted into and removed from the process cartridge PC is loaded in the toner supply unit 3B.
The toner cartridge 9 is composed of a container made of a transparent body through which a space capable of storing new toner to be replenished can be seen from the outside, and is formed with two-level wall portions 9A and 9B on the upper portion. 9B is provided with filling portions 9A1 and 9B1 having openings that can be filled with toner from the outside.

  Although not shown, packing members 9A2 and 9B2 that can close the filling portion are attached to the filling portions 9A1 and 9B1 except when a nozzle (not shown) used for filling toner from the fluidizing device is mounted. ing. Thus, by providing the two-stage wall portions 9A and 9B and closing the filling portions 9A1 and 9B1 at the respective portions, it is possible to reliably prevent toner leakage when the toner is replenished inside.

A flow path for toner from the toner replenishing section 3B is formed at a boundary S between the two portions, which is a space section where the developing section 3A and the toner replenishing section 3B communicate with each other. The structure which can be interrupted | blocked by opening and closing is provided.
In a configuration that can be blocked by opening and closing the flow path, a seal 12 is used in which both ends of the pair of rollers 10 and 11 are latched.

  In addition to the above configuration, the process cartridge PC has a separation claw 13 that contacts the photosensitive drum 1 and separates the recording sheet that has been transferred from the photosensitive drum 1. One or a plurality of positions are arranged in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 1 behind a transfer position in the rotation direction (a position indicated by reference numeral TF in FIG. 1).

In this embodiment, the photosensitive drum 1, the charging device 2, the developing device 3, the cleaning device 4 and the separation claw 13 which are devices or members housed in the process cartridge PC are discarded by replacement or the like. The lifetime of the target photosensitive drum 1 can be determined so that it can be determined whether it can be reused or discarded. As described above, the photosensitive drum 1 is disposed of due to the life of other devices and members in the process cartridge even if the photosensitive drum 1 is still usable according to the specifications such as the number of printed sheets in the image forming apparatus. May be targeted. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is determined whether or not the photosensitive drum 1 is still in a usable state, and the use of the photosensitive drum 1 until the actual disposal time can be continued, which is useful for environmental conservation. It has become. The configuration for this will be described below.
In the structure used for discrimination in this embodiment, the separation claw 13 is used as a recognition means that serves as a reference for discrimination regarding disposal or continuous use of the photosensitive drum 1. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the separation claw 13 can change the contact position with respect to the photosensitive drum 1, and the reference to be changed corresponds to the number of times the photosensitive drum 1 is loaded. Specifically, the contact position with the photosensitive drum 1 in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 1 is changed every time the photosensitive drum 1 is reused.
The double-sided adhesive tape used to integrate the separation claw 13 on the process cartridge side does not show details, but when the separation claw 13 is removed, it can be peeled off without leaving an adhesive on the bonding part on the process cartridge side As such double-sided adhesive tape, Nitto Denko's recyclable capacity surface adhesive tape (No. 5000NS) is used. The separation claw 13 used in the present embodiment is composed of a member that is made of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) resin and can be attached to and detached from the wall portion of the process cartridge PC by using a double-sided adhesive tape having different adhesive forces on the front and back surfaces. Has been.
In FIG. 2, the contact position in the axial direction is shifted along the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 1 in accordance with the number of times the photosensitive drum 1 is reused. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 2 (B), a positioning means that can be engaged with a fitting hole 13A formed in the separation claw 13 at a predetermined interval at the support position of the separation claw 13 in the process cartridge PC. A support part (indicated by reference numeral 14 in FIG. 2 for convenience) is provided, and the fitting position of the separation claw 13 with respect to the support part 14 is changed.
In the configuration shown in FIG. 2, the number of times of changing the position of the separation claw 13, that is, the number of times of reuse of the photosensitive drum 1 is shown as two times except when a new product is used. Are formed in three locations corresponding to the number of times of new use and the number of times of use thereafter (in FIG. 2, among the support members indicated by reference numeral 14 on one side in the longitudinal direction of the fitting hole 3A). (Positions indicated by (P1), (P2), and (P3) added to the center line of the supporting member positioned).

  The reason for changing the position of the separation claw 13 is that if the contact state at the same place is maintained, the occurrence of scratches due to the contact pressure that is initially set becomes significant. For this reason, when the influence of the scratches generated on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 with the passage of time increases, there are problems such as an image not being formed at that portion and an abnormal image such as a vertical stripe being obtained. . Therefore, when the photosensitive drum 1 is reused, the occurrence of the above-described problems can be prevented by changing the contact position of the separation claw 13.

  In this embodiment, the number of printed sheets corresponding to the elapsed use time of the photosensitive drum 1 and the number of image formations at this position is counted with reference to the position change of the separation claw 13 used as the recognition means, and the collected process cartridge is used. It is determined whether or not the extracted photosensitive drum 1 can be reused.

  In other words, by registering the transfer elapsed time or the number of printed sheets after the position of the separation claw 13 is changed, the reuse number information corresponding to the changed position information and the used elapsed time or the number of printed sheets after being reused are registered. It is possible to determine whether or not the usage elapsed time or the number of printed sheets reaching the limit is reached.

  In this embodiment, the number of printed sheets and the scratch level on the photosensitive drum 1 (FIG. 3), the rotation time of the photosensitive drum 1 and the scratch level on the photosensitive drum 1 (FIG. 4) shown in FIGS. The registration history of the photosensitive drum 1 is obtained by registering and storing it by an experiment or the like and taking in the information at the position of the separation claw 13 with respect to the photosensitive drum 1 when the process cartridge is mounted. 3 or the relationship shown in FIG. 4 can be checked to determine whether the photosensitive drum 1 is reused or discarded. Incidentally, at the stage where the position of the separation claw 13 is changed to the position meaning the last reuse, the use history of the photosensitive drum 1 corresponds to the vertical streak occurrence time in the relationship shown in FIG. 3 or FIG. If it is determined that the photosensitive drum 1 has been removed, the photosensitive drum 1 is to be discarded.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration for performing the reuse and disposal determination of the photosensitive drum 1 and the position change determination of the separation claw 13. In FIG. 5, the reuse and disposal determination and separation of the photosensitive drum 1 are performed. The position change determination of the nail 13 is performed by the control unit 100.

  The control unit 100 includes a microcomputer (CPU) including a program for executing an image forming processing sequence in the image forming apparatus. An information storage unit 101 provided on the process cartridge side is provided on the input side. A receiving section or a connector for receiving the above information is provided, and a display panel 102 for alarming a disposal warning of the photosensitive drum 1, that is, a so-called limit warning is connected to the output side.

  The information storage means 101 uses other devices such as an IC chip and a counter that are provided in the process cartridge and can be used for input operation. The elapsed time of use and the total number of rotations or the number of printed sheets of the photosensitive drum 1 in the process cartridge are used. Can be registered and saved. In this case, the use elapsed time, the total number of rotations, or the number of printed sheets (number of times) is updated and stored as information in the information storage unit 101 by outputting a signal from the control unit 100.

  When the process cartridge is loaded, the control unit 100 reads the content stored in the information storage unit 101 on the process cartridge side, and uses the photosensitive drum 1 since the number of times the photosensitive drum 1 is reused and when the reuse starts. The elapsed time, the total number of rotations, or the number of printed sheets is taken in as a material for determining whether the photosensitive drum 1 is reused or discarded. When it is determined that the elapsed time of use, the total number of rotations, or the number of printed sheets of the photosensitive drum 1 has reached the time of occurrence of image streaks based on the relationship shown in FIGS. If the number of times of use is not the final number of times, it is determined that the position of the separation claw 13 is changed so that it can be reused. A process for urging the disposal of the photosensitive drum 1 based on the use limit of the photosensitive drum 1 is performed.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing only the control contents related to this embodiment among the control contents executed in the control unit 100. In FIG. 6, when a process cartridge is loaded in the image forming apparatus (FIG. 6 is displayed as setup: ST1), and the control unit 100 reads the contents of the information storage means 101 equipped with the process cartridge (ST2). That is, the control unit 100 captures the use history related to the newly loaded photosensitive drum 1 on the process cartridge side when it is loaded, and whether or not the captured information content is the usage limit of the photosensitive drum 1. Is discriminated (ST3). When it is determined in step T3 that the photosensitive drum 1 has reached the life limit, the limit display is performed on the display panel 102 (ST4). Therefore, since it can be determined whether the photosensitive drum 1 is to be replaced or continuously used when the process cartridge is loaded, if it can be continuously used, it is not necessary to replace it, but there is no need to replace it. It is possible to suppress the rise.

  In this embodiment, the photosensitive drum 1 has been described as a member to be reused. However, as another apparatus, there is a developing apparatus, and the developing apparatus has a case made of PS (polystyrene) resin.

It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of the process cartridge by this invention Example. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the position change state of the separation claw used for the process cartridge by this invention Example, (A) has shown the side view of the separation claw, and (B) has shown the planar view. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a relationship between a vertical stripe generated on a photosensitive drum used in a process cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention and the number of printed sheets. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a relationship between a vertical stripe generated in a photosensitive drum used in a process cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention and a rotation time of the photosensitive drum. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the structure of the control part used for discriminating the lifetime limit of the photosensitive drum used for the process cartridge by this invention Example. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the effect | action of the control part shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Photosensitive drum 13 Separation claw 100 Control part 101 Information storage means 102 Display panel

Claims (8)

A process cartridge in which a plurality of devices or members are stored together,
The apparatus or member is provided with a recognizing means that can be changed for each reuse, and has a means for determining whether to reuse or discard the apparatus or member based on the change state of the recognizing means. To process cartridge. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein
A process cartridge capable of changing a position is used as the recognition means. The process cartridge according to claim 1 or 2,
The process cartridge is characterized in that the determination as to whether the device or member is reused or discarded is made based on the operating status or elapsed time of use of the device or member based on the change position of the recognition means. The process cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The means for deciding whether to reuse or discard the device or member based on the change state of the recognition means may store the operating status or usage elapsed time of the device or member based on the change position of the recognition means. A process cartridge characterized in that possible means are used.   An image forming apparatus comprising the process cartridge according to claim 1 detachably provided. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5.
The image forming apparatus, wherein the apparatus includes a latent image carrier and an apparatus capable of executing an image forming process on the latent image carrier, and the member includes a claw member capable of contacting the latent image carrier. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6.
The claw member used as the member is capable of changing a contact position with respect to the latent image carrier in accordance with a usage state until the use limit of the latent image carrier is reached. . The image forming apparatus according to claim 6 or 7,
The claw member used as the member is used as a member for measuring the number of printed sheets corresponding to the number of times of image formation using the latent image carrier based on the time when the contact position is changed. apparatus.

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