JP2013125255A - Cartridge and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cartridge and an image forming apparatus capable of accurately attaching a thin plate member to a frame body.SOLUTION: There is provided a cartridge 2 attachable to/detachable from an apparatus body of an image forming apparatus which comprises: a thin plate member 15 which is attached to a frame body 24 and abuts on a rotor 21 to prevent a developer from being leaked from between the frame body 24 and the rotor 21; and an adhesive member 10 integrally molded with the frame body 24 with a thermoplastic resin having a modulus of longitudinal elasticity smaller than that of the frame body 24, wherein the thin plate member 15 is welded to the adhesive member 10 along the longitudinal direction of the adhesive member 10 to be attached to the frame body 24 and the cross-sectional shape crossing the longitudinal direction of the adhesive member 10 is a shape in which the width gradually increases toward the frame body 24 side from the thin plate member 15 side.

Description

  The present invention relates to a cartridge and an image forming apparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art An image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium using an electrophotographic image forming process is known to include a process cartridge configured to be detachable from the apparatus main body. The process cartridge is a unit in which an electrophotographic photosensitive member and process means acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed, and includes at least one of charging means, developing means, and cleaning means. According to this type of process cartridge system, maintenance of the apparatus can be performed by the user himself without relying on a serviceman, and the operability can be remarkably improved. Therefore, this process cartridge system is widely used in electrophotographic image forming apparatuses. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes, for example, an electrophotographic copying machine, an electrophotographic printer (for example, a laser beam printer, an LED printer, etc.), a facsimile machine, and the like.
A conventional process cartridge will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 27 is a schematic sectional view of a conventional process cartridge. FIG. 28 is a schematic diagram when initial tension is applied to the squeeze sheet 203. FIG. 29 shows the deviation of the interfaces of the cleaning container 201, the double-sided tape 204, and the squeeze sheet 203 when the environment changes from normal temperature (ex. 23 ° C.) to high temperature (ex. 50 ° C.) to normal temperature (ex. 23 ° C.). FIG. FIG. 30 is an explanatory diagram of the state of the cleaning container 201 in which the tip of the squeeze sheet 203 is waved.
Generally, in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the following steps are repeated during image formation. First, an electrostatic latent image is formed on an electrophotographic image carrier (image carrier 202) which is an image carrier having a photosensitive layer on the outer peripheral surface. The electrostatic latent image is developed as an image (development) with the developer conveyed from the developing means via the toner container 300, the developing container 301, and the developer carrying member 302, and the obtained image is used as a transfer material. Transcript. Further, after the completion of one image forming process, the developer and other deposits remaining on the surface of the image carrier are sufficiently removed by a cleaning unit before the start of the next image forming process.
As an example of the cleaning means, there is one constituted by a cleaning blade 205, a squeeze sheet 203, and a cleaning container 201. The cleaning blade 205 is for scraping off the toner remaining on the image carrier 202, and the squeeze sheet 203 is for scooping off the scraped toner and is in contact with the surface of the image carrier 202. Is provided. The cleaning container 201 includes a waste toner chamber 200 for storing the scraped waste toner. The squeeze sheet 203 is made of biaxially stretched polyester, and is attached to a predetermined position (attachment surface) of the cleaning container 201 with a double-sided tape 204. Here, the squeeze sheet 203 that comes into contact with the image carrier 202 needs to be attached with high accuracy without the undulation of the tip. This is because, if not precisely attached, the tip of the squeeze sheet 203 cannot be completely adhered to the surface of the image carrier 202, and as a result, the developer scraped off by the cleaning blade 205 cannot be scooped out reliably (Patent Document 1). reference). In addition, in order to prevent the squeeze sheet 203 from wobbling, the squeeze sheet 203 is applied with a tension (tension) applied to the tip so as to obtain a warp amount m (initial tension amount) (see FIG. 28). Reference numerals 206a and 206b denote image carrier end seal members, and reference numeral 207 denotes a charging roller.
Further, as an example of the developing unit, there is a unit provided with a developing blade unit 305 and a blowout prevention sheet 303. The developing blade unit 305 is for regulating the layer thickness of the developer carried on the developer carrying body 302 on the upstream side in the rotation direction of the developer carrying body 302. The blowout prevention sheet 303 is for preventing the developer from blowing out (leakage) from the inside of the developing container 301 to the downstream side in the rotation direction of the developer carrier 302. The developing blade unit 305 and the blowout prevention sheet 303 are provided in contact with the surface of the developer carrier 302. The blowout prevention sheet 303 is made of biaxially stretched polyester, and is attached to a predetermined position (attachment surface) of the developing container 301 with a double-sided tape 304. As with the squeeze sheet 203 described above, the blowout prevention sheet 303 needs to be attached with high accuracy without undulation at the tip. This is because, when not attached with high accuracy, the tip of the blowing prevention sheet 303 cannot be completely adhered to the surface of the developer carrying member 302, and as a result, the developer in the developing container 301 blows out from this gap. Also, as with the squeeze sheet 203, in order to prevent the tip of the blowout prevention sheet 303 from wobbling, the blowout prevention sheet 303 is also given a tension (tension) at the tip, and is pasted so as to obtain a certain amount of warping (initial tension amount). It has been. Reference numerals 306a and 306b denote developer carrier end seal members.
As described above, the squeeze sheet 203, the blowout prevention sheet 303 (hereinafter referred to as a thin plate member) and the like are attached to the cleaning container 201 and the developing container 301 (hereinafter referred to as a frame) using a double-sided tape. The attachment position is important because it greatly affects prevention of developer leakage from the frame. For this reason, it is necessary to affix the double-sided tape to the frame body with high accuracy in order to prevent the developer from leaking, and it is important to prevent undulation of the thin plate member tip. Further, the thin plate member needs to prevent undulation at the tip of the thin plate member in the temperature change (for example, 0 ° C. to 50 ° C.) around the cartridge in the image forming apparatus when the image forming apparatus is stopped and in use.
For example, as shown in FIG. 29, when the cartridge is left in an environment of normal temperature (ex. 23 ° C.) → high temperature (ex. 50 ° C.), each member will be extended by its linear expansion. At this time, the double-sided tape 204 absorbs the difference in elongation between the cleaning container 201 and the squeeze sheet 203 by shifting at the interfaces between the cleaning container 201 and the squeeze sheet 203. And when returning to normal temperature, this shift may not return to the original and may remain as y1 and y2. At this time, when the warpage amount m (initial tension amount) is insufficient, the warpage amount m becomes small, and a waviness w as shown in FIG. 30 may occur.

Japanese Patent No. 3321848

  In recent years, in an assembly process of a cartridge by an automatic machine, improvement in production efficiency and product production accuracy is required for further cost reduction. In addition, as electrophotographic image forming apparatuses have higher performance and higher image quality, there is a demand for smaller cartridges. However, the above-described method for bonding a thin plate member to a frame using a double-sided tape has the following problems. Since the double-sided tape is soft, if the width of the double-sided tape is reduced for cost reduction or downsizing of the cartridge, the double-sided tape meanders and it is difficult to attach it to the cartridge frame with high accuracy. Further, after leaving the environment under a high temperature, the double-sided tape and the thin plate member and the double-sided tape and the cartridge frame are displaced from each other, the warp amount m is reduced, and the initial tension of the thin plate member is attenuated. For this reason, it is necessary to manage the amount of tension at the tip of the thin plate member in consideration thereof.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a cartridge and an image forming apparatus capable of attaching a thin plate member to a frame body with high accuracy.

In order to achieve the above object, a cartridge according to the present invention comprises:
A cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus,
A frame having a developer storage section;
A rotating body configured to be rotatable with respect to the frame body at the opening of the developer storage section;
A thin plate member attached to the frame body and in contact with the rotating body to prevent the developer from leaking between the frame body and the rotating body;
A thermoplastic resin having a smaller longitudinal elastic modulus than the frame, and an adhesive member integrally formed with the frame,
The thin plate member is attached to the frame body by being welded to the adhesive member along the longitudinal direction of the adhesive member,
The cross-sectional shape that intersects the longitudinal direction of the adhesive member is a shape in which the width gradually increases from the thin plate member side toward the frame body side.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes the cartridge.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to attach the thin plate member to the frame body with high accuracy. Further, by preventing the buckling of the adhesive member when the sheet member is thermally welded (details will be described later), the variation in the inclination of the sheet welding surface is reduced, and the sheet leading end position is stabilized. Furthermore, the welding strength between the adhesive member and the frame can be improved by increasing the width of the adhesive member that contacts the frame.

1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an overall configuration of an image forming apparatus. FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of a process cartridge. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a cleaning member and an image carrier. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a cleaning member of a cleaning unit. Structure explanatory drawing seen from the arrow a direction in FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing each configuration of the developing unit. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing each configuration of a developing unit. The structure explanatory view seen from the arrow a direction in FIG. Explanatory drawing about shaping | molding of an elastomer member. AA schematic sectional drawing of FIG.9 (b). Schematic which shows the mode at the time of shaping | molding of an elastomer member. Structure explanatory drawing of the shaping | molding shape 1 of an elastomer member. Structure explanatory drawing of the shaping | molding shape 2 of an elastomer member. Structure explanatory drawing of the shaping | molding shape 3 of an elastomer member. Structure explanatory drawing of the shaping | molding shape 4 of an elastomer member. Structure explanatory drawing of the shaping | molding shape 5 of an elastomer member. Structure explanatory drawing of the shaping | molding shape 6 of an elastomer member. The schematic block diagram of the cleaning container which attached the squeeze sheet | seat. Explanatory drawing of the method of giving tension to the upper end of a squeeze sheet. Explanatory drawing which shows the state which melt | dissolved the elastomer member and has welded the sheet | seat. FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 20. The elements on larger scale of FIG. Explanatory drawing which shows the cleaning container which welded the squeeze sheet | seat. The schematic front view and schematic sectional drawing of the shaping | molding shape of the elastomer member in a present Example. Explanatory drawing of the shaping shape effect of the elastomer member in a present Example. The other shaping | molding shape explanatory drawing of the elastomer member in a present Example. FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view of a conventional process cartridge. Schematic when initial tension is applied to the squeeze sheet. The state change figure of the interface gap in a high temperature environment. The upper end waviness state explanatory drawing of a sheet.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be exemplarily described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, and relative arrangements of the components described in this embodiment should be appropriately changed according to the configuration of the apparatus to which the invention is applied and various conditions. That is, it is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention to the following embodiments.

  In the following description, the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge is a direction that intersects the direction in which the process cartridge is mounted on the main body of the electronic image forming apparatus (substantially orthogonal direction, the rotation axis direction of the image carrier). The left and right sides of the process cartridge are left or right when viewed from the direction in which the process cartridge is mounted on the electronic image forming apparatus main body. Further, the upper surface of the process cartridge is a surface located above in the state where the process cartridge is mounted on the main body of the electronic image forming apparatus, and the lower surface is a surface located below.

(Image forming device body configuration)
With reference to FIG. 1, the structure of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a color laser beam printer (hereinafter referred to as “image forming apparatus main body”) which is an embodiment of an image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus main body 100 includes Y, M, C, and Bk process cartridges 2, an intermediate transfer belt (intermediate transfer member) 35, a fixing unit 50, discharge roller groups 53, 54, and 55, and a discharge tray 56. And comprising. The four color process cartridges 2 are configured to be detachable from the image forming apparatus main body 100 individually.

  Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus main body 100 will be described. First, the sheet feeding roller 41 is rotated to separate one transfer material P in the sheet feeding cassette 7 and then conveyed to the registration roller 44. On the other hand, the image carrier 21 and the intermediate transfer member 35 rotate in a direction indicated by an arrow in FIG. 1 at a predetermined outer peripheral speed V (hereinafter referred to as a process speed). The surface of the image carrier 21 is uniformly charged by a charging unit and then exposed by the laser 10 to form an electrostatic latent image. Simultaneously with the formation of the latent image, the developing unit 2b develops the latent image on the image carrier 21 with a developer (hereinafter referred to as “toner”). The Y, M, C, and Bk color images developed on the image carrier 21 are primarily transferred to the outer periphery of the intermediate transfer member 35. Each color image transferred onto the intermediate transfer member 35 is secondarily transferred onto the transfer material P and then fixed onto the transfer material P by the fixing unit 50. The transfer material P on which the image is fixed is discharged onto the discharge tray 56 via the discharge roller pairs 53, 54, and 55, and the image forming operation is completed.

(Process cartridge configuration)
The configuration of the process cartridge 2 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the process cartridge 2. The Y, M, C, and Bk cartridges have the same configuration. The process cartridge 2 is divided into a cleaning unit 2a and a developing unit 2b.

In the cleaning unit 2a, an image carrier 21 as a rotating body is rotatably attached to a cleaning container 24. On the periphery of the image carrier 21, a charging roller 23, which is a primary charging unit for uniformly charging the surface of the image carrier 21, and a cleaning blade 28 for removing toner remaining on the image carrier 21 are provided. Is arranged. Further, a squeeze sheet (thin plate member) 15 as a flexible sheet member for scooping off the toner removed by the cleaning blade 28 and an elastomer member (adhesive member) 10 as a resin member for fixing the squeeze sheet 15 are arranged. . Further, a charging roller cleaner 17 for cleaning the charging roller 23 and an elastomer member 12 for fixing the charging roller cleaner 17 are disposed.

  The developing unit 2b includes a developer carrying member 22 as developing means, a toner container 70 containing toner, and a developing container 71. The developer carrier 22 is rotatably supported by the developing container 71. On the circumference of the developer carrier 22, a toner supply roller 72 that rotates in the direction of arrow Z in contact with the developer carrier 22, a developer regulating member 73, a blowout prevention sheet (thin plate member) 16, and a blowout prevention sheet 16. Elastomer members (adhesive members) 11 for fixing are respectively disposed. Further, a toner stirring mechanism 74 is provided in the toner container 70.

  Next, the operation of the process cartridge 2 will be described. First, the toner is conveyed to the toner supply roller 72 by the toner stirring mechanism 74 that rotates in the direction of the arrow X in FIG. The toner supply roller 72 supplies toner to the developer carrier 22 by rotating in the direction of arrow Z in FIG. The toner supplied onto the developer carrier 22 reaches the developer regulating member (developing blade unit) 73 by the rotation of the developer carrier 22 in the Y direction. The developer regulating member 73 regulates the toner to give a desired charge amount and forms a predetermined toner thin layer. The toner regulated by the developer regulating member 73 is transported to the developing unit where the image carrier 21 and the developer carrier 22 are in contact with each other, and then the image carrier is developed by the developing bias applied to the developer carrier 22. 21 is developed. After the toner developed on the image carrier 21 is primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer member 35, the waste toner remaining on the image carrier 21 is removed by the cleaning blade 28. The removed waste toner is stored in a waste toner chamber (developer storage unit) 30.

(Cleaning unit)
The configuration of the cleaning unit 2a will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the cleaning member and the image carrier 21, FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the structure of the cleaning member, and FIG. 5 is a view of the cleaning means viewed from the direction of arrow a in FIG. It is explanatory drawing.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a cleaning blade 28 that scrapes off residues such as waste toner from the image carrier 21 and a squeeze sheet 15 that scrapes off scraped residues are provided. Also, a waste toner chamber 30 for storing the residue, image carrier end seal members 26a and 26b disposed at both ends of the cleaning blade 28 so that the residue does not leak from the waste toner chamber 30, and a cleaning blade And a seal 27. These members are incorporated in the cleaning container 24 to constitute the cleaning unit 2a.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the cleaning blade 28 and the squeeze sheet 15 are in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the image carrier 21 at positions where they do not interfere with each other, and an opening 24a is formed. The squeeze sheet 15 is thermally welded to a portion of the elastomer member 10 formed as an adhesive member of the squeeze sheet 15 in the cleaning container 24 (details will be described later). The image carrier 21 is configured to be disposed in the opening of the cleaning container 24, and the squeeze sheet 15 is in contact with the image carrier 21, so that the image carrier 21 is interposed between the cleaning container 24 and the image carrier 21. It is provided to prevent the toner from leaking out. The image carrier end seal members 26a and 26b are arranged with reference to the cleaning blade 28 as shown in FIG. 5, and are in contact with both ends of the squeeze sheet 15, and as shown in FIG. The outer peripheral surface of the carrier 21 is also in contact. Further, a clearance between the cleaning blade 28 and the cleaning container 24 is sealed by a cleaning blade lower seal 27.

Further, a charging roller cleaner 17 for cleaning the charging roller 23 is provided, and the charging roller cleaner 17 is thermally welded to an elastomer member 12 formed as an adhesive member of the charging roller cleaner 17 on the cleaning container 24. Yes.

(Development unit)
The configuration of the developing unit 2b will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view showing the blowing prevention sheet 16, the developing blade unit 73, the developer carrier end seal members 95a and 95b, and the developer carrier 22. FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing configurations of the blowout prevention sheet 16, the developing blade unit 73, and the developer carrier end seal members 95a and 95b. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of the configuration viewed from the direction of the arrow a in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a developing blade unit 73 that smoothes the toner on the developer carrier 22 and a blowing sheet 16 that prevents the toner from blowing out between the developer carrier 22 and the developer container 71 are provided. Yes. Further, a developer container 71 for storing toner, developer carrier end seal members 95a and 95b disposed at both ends of the developer blade unit 73 so that the toner does not leak from the developer container 71, and a developer blade lower seal 93 And have. These members are incorporated in the developing container 71 to constitute the developing unit 2b.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, the developing blade unit 73 and the blowing sheet 16 are in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the developer carrier 22 at a position where they do not interfere with each other, and an opening 71a is formed. The blowing sheet 16 is thermally welded to a portion of the elastomer member 11 formed as an adhesive member of the blowing sheet 16 in the developing container 71 (details will be described later). Further, the developer carrier end seal members 95a and 95b are in contact with both ends of the developing blade unit 73 and the blowing sheet 16 as shown in FIG. 8, and the developer carrier 22 as shown in FIG. It is also in contact with the outer peripheral surface of. Further, a gap between the developing blade unit 73 and the developing container 71 is sealed by a developing blade lower seal 93.

  Further, a scattering prevention sheet 18 is provided to prevent the toner from scattering, and the scattering prevention sheet 18 is thermally welded to an elastomer member 13 formed as an adhesive member of the scattering prevention sheet 18 in the developing container 71. Yes.

(Elastomer member molding)
With reference to FIGS. 9-11, the process of shape | molding the elastomer member 10 is demonstrated. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining molding of an elastomer member as an adhesive member. FIG. 9A is a schematic view of the cleaning container 24 and a schematic enlarged view of the injection port. FIG. 9B is a schematic view of a state in which an elastomer mold 83 is clamped to the cleaning container 24. FIG.9 (c) is AA schematic sectional drawing of FIG.9 (b). FIG.9 (d) is a BB schematic sectional drawing of FIG.9 (b). FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 9B, and shows a state when the elastomer member 10 is molded. FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing a state when the elastomer member 10 is molded.

  9 (a), 9 (b), 9 (c), and 9 (d), an image carrier end seal member 26a on one end side of the cleaning container 24 and an image carrier on the other end side. An elastomer member forming portion 71d is provided between the body end seal member 26b. The elastomer member forming portion 71d has a recess 71d1 into which the elastomer member 10 is injected and contact surfaces 71d2 and 71d3 with which the mold contacts. In addition, an injection port 76 that is cylindrical and communicates with the recess 71d1 of the seal forming portion 71d is provided at a predetermined position in the longitudinal direction.

Next, a method for forming the elastomer member 10 will be described. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9A, the injection port 76 is provided at one location in the longitudinal center of the elastomer member forming portion 71d. However, a configuration in which two or more injection ports are provided may be used. When the elastomer member 10 is molded, the elastomer molding die 83 is brought into contact with the contact surfaces 71d2 and 71d3 of the elastomer member forming portion 71d of the cleaning container 24 as shown in FIGS. 9 (c) and 9 (d). Elastomer mold 83
Is formed in the shape of the elastomer member 10, that is, provided with a recess 83 d having a shape corresponding to the outer shape of the elastomer member 10. Next, the gate 82 of the resin injection device is brought into contact with the injection port 76 provided at one place in the longitudinal center portion of the cleaning container 24. Then, the thermoplastic elastomer to be the elastomer member 10 is injected from the gate 82 of the resin injection device into the injection port 76 of the cleaning container 24 as indicated by an arrow in FIG. 9C. The injected thermoplastic elastomer is poured into a molding space formed by the recess 71d1 of the elastomer member forming portion 71d of the cleaning container 24 and the recess 83d of the elastomer molding die 83 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 11, the thermoplastic elastomer injected from one longitudinal central portion passes through the molding space formed by the concave portion 71d1 of the elastomer member forming portion 71d and the concave portion 83d of the elastomer molding die 83 to both sides in the longitudinal direction. Flowing. In this way, the elastomer member 10 integrated with the cleaning container 24 is molded by injecting the thermoplastic resin into the molding space formed by contacting the mold with the cleaning container 24.

  The elastomer member is formed integrally with the cleaning container 24. In this embodiment, a styrene elastomer resin is used as the material of the elastomer member 10. Since the cleaning container 24 is made of high impact polystyrene (HI-PS), the elastomer resin is preferably a styrene elastomer resin made of the same material as the cleaning container 24 and having elasticity. This is because parts of the same material do not have to be disassembled, and are excellent in disassembling workability when recycling the process cartridge. Other elastomer resins may be used as long as they have similar mechanical characteristics.

  In the present embodiment, as the elastomer member 10 to be molded, a material having an elastic modulus (longitudinal elastic modulus) of 2.5 MPa to 10 MPa is used. The elastic modulus was adjusted by containing 20 parts by weight of polystyrene (PE) with respect to 100 parts by weight of the styrene elastomer resin. However, an elastomer resin having physical properties of an elastic modulus of 2.5 MPa or more and 10 MPa may be used, so that the PE content may be changed or a resin other than PE may be contained. Other elastomer resins may be used.

  The method for forming the elastomer member 10 into the cleaning container 24 described above can also be applied to forming the elastomer members 11 and 13 into the developing container 71 and forming the elastomer member 12 into the cleaning container 24. Note that the elastomer members 10, 11, 12, and 13 may be molded into a frame body such as the cleaning container 24 and the developing container 71 by two-color molding, insert molding, or the like in addition to the above method.

  In the case of the conventional technique using a double-sided tape as an adhesive member, it is difficult to apply the double-sided tape to the frame body with high precision because the width of the double-sided tape is small. However, in this embodiment, by forming the elastomer member directly on the frame using a mold, it is possible to form the frame with higher accuracy than the double-sided tape. Furthermore, in the case of the prior art using a double-sided tape as an adhesive member, a deviation occurs at the adhesive interface between the double-sided tape and the frame after leaving the environment at a high temperature. However, in the present embodiment, it is possible to suppress the deviation at the molding interface between the elastomer member and the frame by directly forming the frame.

(Shaping shape of elastomer member into container)
With reference to FIGS. 12 to 17, the molded shapes of the elastomer members 10, 11, 12, and 13 integrally formed in the cleaning container 24 or the developing container 71 (hereinafter referred to as a frame) and various types of elastomer member forming portions in the frame. A configuration example will be described. FIG. 12 is a configuration explanatory view of the molded shape 1 of the elastomer member 10. 12A is a schematic front view showing a part of the elastomer member 10 and the frame body, and FIG. 12B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the arrow in FIG. 12A. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of the configuration of the molded shape 2 of the elastomer member 10. FIG. 13A is a schematic front view showing a part of the elastomer member 10 and the frame body, and FIG. 13B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the arrow in FIG. FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of the configuration of the molded shape 3 of the elastomer member 10. 14A is a schematic front view showing a part of the elastomer member 10 and the frame body, and FIG. 14B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the arrow in FIG. 14A. FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of the configuration of the molded shape 4 of the elastomer member 10. FIG. 15A is a schematic front view showing a part of the elastomer member 10 and the frame, and FIG. 15B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the arrow in FIG. FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of the configuration of the molded shape 5 of the elastomer member 10. FIG. 16A is a schematic front view showing a part of the elastomer member 10 and the frame body, and FIG. 16B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the arrow in FIG. FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram of the configuration of the molded shape 6 of the elastomer member 10. FIG. 17A is a schematic front view showing a part of the elastomer member 10 and the frame body, and FIG. 17B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the arrow in FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 12 (a) and 12 (b), in the molded shape 1, the elastomer member 10 molded in the concave portion, which is the elastomer member forming portion 71d1 of the frame, has a short entire area except for both longitudinal ends. In FIG. 5, the widths of o1 and o2> 0 mm are not in contact with the frame. In other words, the restricting portion capable of restricting the position of the sheet member of the frame body is provided at a distance of o1 and o2 from the elastomer member 10 in the short direction of the elastomer member 10.
Also, as shown in FIG. 12 (b), the elastomer member 10 is molded by securing a free length (height) h of 0.5 mm or more during molding, and k = 0.3 mm in the frame body. ing. That is, a part of the elastomer member 10 is injected and molded into the recess of the frame. This is a configuration for preventing the influence of elongation due to linear expansion of the frame body on the sheet welded portion of the elastomer member 10 from being left in an environment at a high temperature, and at the same time, a configuration for fixing the elastomer member to the frame body. is there. Further, the height of the sheet member attachment surface (contact position) 24 before welding of the elastomer member 10 is higher than the height of the contact surface (contact position) with the sheet member of the sheet member regulating portion of the frame body. It is configured to be only high.

The molded shape of the elastomer member 10 in the present embodiment may be any as long as it has the following characteristics.
(1) The sheet member mounting surface 24d of the elastomer member 10 is not affected by elongation due to linear expansion of the frame body when left in an environment at a high temperature.
(2) The elastomer member 10 functions as a buffer layer that does not affect the linear expansion of the frame body on a sheet member (thin plate member) such as the squeeze sheet 15.
(3) The elastomer member 10 is not easily detached from the frame.

  If the above three points are satisfied, as shown in FIGS. 13 (a) and 13 (b), the entire length and width of the elastomer member 10 have a width of o1, o2> 0 mm, and p1, p2> 0 mm. The structure which does not contact a frame body may be sufficient (molding shape 2). Moreover, if the elastomer member 10 has sufficient adhesiveness, as shown in FIGS. 14 (a) and 14 (b), the frame body is not provided with a recess, and is convex on the plane of the frame body. The structure to shape | mold may be sufficient (molding shape 3). Further, when the sufficiently flexible elastomer member 10 is molded, the free length (height) from the frame body is shorter than the molded shape 1 as shown in FIGS. 15 (a) and 15 (b). (Molding shape 4). Further, as shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B, the depth of the elastomer member forming portion 71d1 may be made deeper while making the free length from the frame shorter than the molded shape 1. (Molded shape 5). Furthermore, as shown to Fig.17 (a) and FIG.17 (b), the structure which shape | molds the elastomer member 10 so that the convex part provided in the frame may be covered may be sufficient (molding shape 6).

  Various configuration examples of the shape of the elastomer member 10 formed on the cleaning container 24 described above can be applied to the shape of the elastomer members 11 and 13 formed on the developing container 71 and the shape of the elastomer member 12 formed on the cleaning container 24. is there.

In the case of the prior art using a double-sided tape as an adhesive member, the double-sided tape acts as a cushioning material that absorbs the difference in linear expansion between the frame and the sheet member when the environment is left under high temperature. Swelling of the sheet member can be prevented. Therefore, also in this embodiment, the elastomer member 10 is formed into a frame as in this embodiment, so that the elastomer member 10 absorbs the difference in linear expansion between the frame body and the sheet member when the environment is left under high temperature. It becomes possible to work as a cushioning material. And the effect can prevent the swell of the sheet member after leaving the environment under high temperature.

(Sheet welding)
With reference to FIGS. 18 to 23, the step of welding the sheet in the embodiment of the present invention will be described taking the case of using laser welding as an example. FIG. 18 is a schematic configuration diagram of a cleaning container with a squeeze sheet attached. FIG. 18A shows a state in which no swell is generated in the squeeze sheet 15, and FIG. 18B shows a state in which the tip of the squeeze sheet 15 is swelled. Respectively. FIG. 19 is a diagram for explaining a method of applying tension to the upper end of the squeeze sheet. FIG. 19A is a view showing a state where the sheet member mounting surface 24 d of the cleaning container 24 is bent by the pulling jig 48. FIG. 19B is a diagram illustrating a state in which tension is applied to the upper end of the squeeze sheet 15 by releasing the curvature of the sheet member mounting surface 24 d of the cleaning container 24. FIG. 20 is an explanatory view showing a state where the elastomer member 10 formed in the cleaning container 24 is melted and the squeeze sheet 15 is welded. 21 is a cross-sectional view of the state of FIG. FIG. 22 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. FIG. 23 is an explanatory view showing the cleaning container 24 in which the squeeze sheet 15 is welded to the elastomer member 10.

In this example, a squeeze sheet 15 of thickness: 38 μm, light transmission: 85% (in the near infrared ray of 960 nm), material: polyester was used. First, a cleaning container 24 is prepared as shown in FIG. At this time, waviness x as shown in FIG. 18B may occur at the tip of the squeeze sheet 15 (contact portion with the image carrier 21) due to wrinkles of the squeeze sheet itself, environmental changes, and the like. Therefore, when the squeeze sheet 15 is attached, as shown in FIG. 19A, a force receiving portion of the sheet member attachment surface 24d of the cleaning container 24 (a force is applied when the sheet member attachment surface 24d is curved) by the pulling jig 48. Pull the force receiving part downward. The sheet member mounting surface 24d is bent by elastic deformation at this time, and after the squeeze sheet 15 is mounted in this state, the bending is released. By curving the cleaning container 24 in this way, an initial tension amount n is applied to the tip of the squeeze sheet 15 as shown in FIG. 19B to prevent undulation. In this embodiment, the initial tension amount n is given in the range of 0.5 mm to 0.8 mm.

  As shown in FIGS. 20 to 22, in this embodiment, the squeeze sheet 15 is bent under the sheet member mounting surface 24 d of the elastomer member 10 formed in the cleaning container 24 using a pulling jig 48. The sheet member is attached so as to be in contact with the sheet member mounting surface 24d. Furthermore, the squeeze sheet 15 is pressed from above the squeeze sheet 15 using a pressing jig 45 that is transparent to near infrared rays so that the squeeze sheet 15 contacts the surface 49 that regulates the sheet position. By doing so, temporary positioning is performed so that the relative arrangement of the squeeze sheet 15 with respect to the cleaning container 24 does not deviate when the squeeze sheet 15 is bonded.

Thereafter, near-infrared laser light e is irradiated from the laser irradiation head 60 toward the sheet member mounting surface 24 d side of the elastomer member 10 formed in the cleaning container 24 from the squeeze sheet 15. The elastomer member 10 contains carbon black so as to absorb near infrared rays. For this reason, the irradiated laser beam e passes through the pressing jig 45 and the squeeze sheet 15 having near-infrared transmittance, and is absorbed by the sheet member mounting surface 24 d of the elastomer member 10 formed in the cleaning container 24. The laser light absorbed by the sheet member mounting surface 24d is converted into heat, the sheet member mounting surface 24d generates heat, and the elastomer member 10 is melted by the heat and welded (adhered) to the squeeze sheet 15 in contact with the sheet member mounting surface 24d. ).

  Here, when the laser beam e irradiated from the irradiation head 60 reaches the sheet member mounting surface 24d, the laser beam e is condensed so as to be a circle having a diameter of 1.5 mm. That is, the laser spot diameter is φ1.5 mm. Further, by making the molding width of the elastomer member smaller than 1.5 mm, the sheet member mounting surface 24d of the elastomer member 10 can be uniformly melted. Therefore, in this embodiment, the melt width e1 of the elastomer member 10 is about 1.0 mm. Further, laser light is continuously irradiated in the longitudinal direction from one end of the squeeze sheet 15 to the other end. By doing in this way, it becomes possible to obtain the welding surface g1 continuously connected with respect to the longitudinal direction as shown in FIG.

  The pressing jig 45 is transmissive to the laser beam e and presses the entire contact surface between the squeeze sheet 15 and the sheet member mounting surface 24d of the elastomer member 10 formed in the cleaning container 24. It is preferable to use a member having possible rigidity. Specifically, acrylic resin, glass, or the like is preferably used.

  Further, the cleaning container 24 formed with the elastomer member 10 having the sheet member mounting surface 24d is made of a resin material, and when the squeeze sheet 15 is mounted, the sheet member mounting surface 24d is curved so that the sheet member mounting surface 24d has a slight amount. Unevenness or deformation may occur. Further, the relative position of the squeeze sheet 15 with respect to the cleaning container 24 may be shifted. Therefore, in this embodiment, the pressing jig 45 is configured to include an elastic pressing member 47. The pressing member 47 elastically presses the squeeze sheet 15 against the cleaning container 24 and temporarily positions the squeeze sheet 15 to improve the adhesion between the squeeze sheet 15 and the sheet member mounting surface 24d. Further, it is possible to prevent the displacement of the squeeze sheet 15. Specifically, as the pressing jig 45, an acrylic member 46 as a rigid member and a silicone rubber (pressing member) 47 having a thickness of 5 mm as an elastic body are attached with a permeable double-sided tape. Things were used.

  For the elastomer member 10, a material containing 0.5 to 12.0 parts by mass of carbon black having a number average particle diameter of 16 nm with respect to 100 parts by mass of the styrene-based elastomer resin was used.

  The above-described bonding method between the elastomer member 10 formed on the cleaning container 24 and the squeeze sheet 15 can also be applied to welding of the elastomer member 11 formed on the developing container 71 and the blowout prevention sheet 16. Similarly, the present invention can be applied to adhesion between the elastomer member 13 formed on the cleaning container 24 and the charging roller cleaner 17. Further, the present invention can be applied to welding of the elastomer member 13 formed on the developing container 71 and the scattering prevention sheet 18. Further, in this embodiment, the squeeze sheet 15 having a light transmittance of 85% is used, but a sheet member having a light transmittance of 85% or less can be welded. Further, in addition to the welding method of the present embodiment, the elastomer member 10 and the squeeze sheet 15 may be welded by heat sealing or the like. In heat sealing or the like, heat cannot be applied only to the contact interface between the squeeze sheet 15 and the elastomer member 10, and heat is transmitted from the upper surface of the squeeze sheet 15. It needs to be taken into account.

In the case of the prior art using a double-sided tape as an adhesive member, after leaving the environment at a high temperature, a deviation occurs at the bonding interface between each sheet member such as the squeeze sheet 15 and the double-sided tape, and the initial tension of the sheet member is attenuated. In this embodiment, the sheet member and the elastomer members 10 to 13 are joined by heat welding. Further, by making the elastic modulus of the elastomer member smaller than that of the frame body such as the cleaning container 24 and the developing container 71, the permanent strain amount of the elastomer after being left in the environment under high temperature can be reduced. In addition, since the interface between the sheet member and the elastomer member and between the frame body and the elastomer member does not shift after leaving the environment under high temperature, the initial tension of the sheet member can be maintained.

More specifically, the elastomer member formed in the frame body in the present embodiment has a shape as shown in FIG. 24, and the dimensions are h: 0.6 to 0.8 mm, i: 0.1 to 0.1, respectively. 0.3 mm, j: 1.0 mm, k: 0.3 mm, r: 1.6 mm. Here, h is the height when the elastomer member is molded, i is the elastomer member melting white that is melted by laser welding when the sheet member is affixed, j is the elastomer member molding width (upper side), and k is the amount of the elastomer member biting into the container , R is an elastomer member forming width (bottom side). The section modulus in such a dimensional configuration is about 0.25.
As shown in FIG. 25, a cross-sectional shape perpendicular to (crossing over) the longitudinal direction in a region where deformation occurs when the elastomer member is compressed (pressurized) between the cleaning container 24 and the squeeze sheet 15 (a biting portion into the container) The cross-sectional shape excluding) is a trapezoidal shape. By doing so, buckling during compression of the elastomer member can be prevented. FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram of the shaping shape effect of the elastomer member in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 25A shows a state before compression when the cross-sectional shape is trapezoidal, and FIG. 25B shows a state during compression when the cross-sectional shape is trapezoidal. FIG. 25A-1 shows a state before compression when the cross-sectional shape is rectangular, and FIG. 25B-1 shows a state during compression when the cross-sectional shape is rectangular. That is, as shown in FIGS. 25 (a-1) and 25 (b-1), when the cross-sectional shape of the elastomer member 10 is rectangular, buckling occurs, and the compression direction (q1 direction) when compressed. ) Is deformed in a direction orthogonal to () (q2 direction), and the posture is not stable. In such a state, the welding of the squeeze sheet 15 becomes insufficient, and the welding surface may be displaced, and the squeeze sheet 15 after welding may be inclined. On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 25 (a) and 25 (b), the cross-sectional shape is a trapezoidal shape whose width gradually increases in the compression direction, so that the shape stability during compression is improved and buckling occurs. Can be suppressed.
The cross-sectional shape of the elastomer member is not limited to a trapezoid as long as the shape stability during compression is high. That is, in the cross-sectional shape of the elastomer member, the cross-sectional shape of the region that is deformed by being compressed between the thin plate member and the frame body is such that the width in the direction orthogonal to the compression direction is from the thin plate member side to the frame body side in the compression direction. Any shape that gradually increases toward the surface may be used. FIGS. 26A to 26D respectively show various modifications of the above-described cross-sectional shape of the elastomer member.
Next, the material forming the frame is HIPS (high impact polystyrene), the linear expansion coefficient is 0.000087 <1 / ° C.>, and the elastic modulus is 2.38 GPa. The material of the sheet member is polyester, the sheet thickness is 38 μm, the linear expansion coefficient is 0.000015 <1 / ° C.>, and the elastic modulus is 4.5 GPa. That is, the temperature change of the frame body is about 5.8 times that of the sheet member. Therefore, by leaving the environment at room temperature (ex. 23 ° C.) to 50 ° C., the elastomer member sandwiched between the frame body and the sheet member is subjected to a differential load of elongation of the frame body and the sheet member. . This load is a displacement difference between the frame and the sheet member in a 50 ° C. environment. When the displacement in a 50 ° C. environment is calculated (the total length of the frame and the sheet member is 220 mm), the amount of elongation of the frame: 0.52 mm The amount of elongation of the sheet member: 0.09 mm Therefore, Δ: 0.43 mm.

  Thus, by setting the elastic modulus of the elastomer member to 2.5 MPa or more and 10 MPa or less, which is smaller than the elastic modulus of the frame body or sheet member, the elastomer member at the time of returning to normal temperature due to a load in a 50 ° C. environment. The amount of permanent strain can be reduced. Further, since the joining interface between the frame body and the elastomer member and between the sheet member and the elastomer member is molded and heat-welded, there is no displacement, so that the initial tension of the sheet member can be maintained. Thereby, it becomes possible to prevent the undulation of the sheet member.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the elastomer member is directly formed on the frame, so that it can be assembled with higher accuracy than the double-sided tape. Moreover, the shift | offset | difference of the joining interface of the frame body and the double-sided tape after leaving in the environment under high temperature which generate | occur | produces when using a double-sided tape can be eliminated. Furthermore, by joining the sheet member and the elastomer member by heat welding, the deviation of the bonding interface between the sheet member and the double-sided tape after leaving the environment under high temperature, which occurs when double-sided tape is used as the adhesive member, is eliminated. Is possible. Then, by making the elastic modulus of the elastomer member smaller than the elastic modulus of the frame body or the sheet member, the amount of permanent strain of the elastomer member after being left in an environment at high temperature can be reduced. In addition, since the joining interface between the frame and the elastomer member, and between the sheet member and the elastomer member is not displaced, the initial tension of the sheet member can be maintained, and the undulation of the sheet member can be prevented.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 2 ... Process cartridge, 2a ... Image carrier unit, 2b ... Developing unit 10, 11, 12, 13 ... Elastomer member, 15 ... Squee sheet, 16 ... Blow-off prevention sheet, 17 ... Charging roller cleaner, 18 ... Scatter prevention sheet, 21 ... Image carrier, 22 ... Developer carrier, 23 ... Charging roller, 24 ... Cleaning container

Claims (13)

A cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus,
A frame having a developer storage section;
A rotating body configured to be rotatable with respect to the frame body at the opening of the developer storage section;
A thin plate member attached to the frame body and in contact with the rotating body to prevent the developer from leaking between the frame body and the rotating body;
A thermoplastic resin having a smaller longitudinal elastic modulus than the frame, and an adhesive member integrally formed with the frame,
The thin plate member is attached to the frame body by being welded to the adhesive member along the longitudinal direction of the adhesive member,
The cartridge having a cross-sectional shape intersecting with the longitudinal direction of the adhesive member is a shape in which a width gradually increases from the thin plate member side toward the frame body side.   The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein a longitudinal elastic modulus of the adhesive member is smaller than a longitudinal elastic modulus of the thin plate member.   The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the thin plate member is welded to the adhesive member by heating. The adhesive member includes carbon black that absorbs near infrared rays,
The thin plate member can transmit near infrared rays,
The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the thin plate member is welded when the adhesive member absorbs near infrared rays and generates heat.   The said frame body has a control part which can control the position of the said thin plate member in the direction which compresses the said adhesive member when welding the said thin plate member to the said adhesive member. The cartridge according to any one of the above.   The cartridge according to claim 5, wherein a contact position between the adhesive member and the thin plate member is configured to be higher than the restricting portion.   The cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the adhesive member has a portion that is molded in a recess provided in the frame.   The adhesive member has a surface that comes into contact with the frame when molded into the frame, and a surface that adheres the thin plate member, and at least a part of the other surfaces does not come into contact with the frame. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge is configured as described above.   The adhesive member is formed by injecting and molding a thermoplastic resin having a smaller longitudinal elastic modulus than the frame body in a molding space formed by bringing a mold into contact with the frame body. The cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the cartridge is integrally formed with the frame. The rotating body is an image carrier,
The frame is a cleaning container for storing the developer removed from the image carrier;
10. The thin sheet member according to claim 1, wherein the thin plate member is a flexible sheet member that abuts on the image carrier so as to guide the removed developer to the cleaning container. cartridge. The frame is a developing container;
The rotating body is a developer carrier for developing a latent image formed on the image carrier,
The thin plate member is a flexible sheet member that abuts against the developer carrying member so as to prevent the developer from leaking between the developing container and the developer carrying member. The cartridge of any one of -9.   The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the cross-sectional shape is a trapezoid.   An image forming apparatus comprising the cartridge according to claim 1.

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