JP2022049296A - Method for disassembling developing unit - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a method for disassembling a developing unit that facilitates manufacture of a cartridge.SOLUTION: A developing unit includes a first end unit and a second end unit that are fixed to a frame body and rotatably support a developing roller. The first end unit includes a first bearing member that supports the developing roller, a first moving member that is movable with respect to the first bearing member in a second direction intersecting with a first direction in which the developing roller extends, and a first urging member that urges the first moving member with respect to the first bearing member. The second end unit includes a second bearing member that supports the developing roller, a second moving member that is movable with respect to the second bearing member in a third direction intersecting with the first direction, and a second urging member that urges the second moving member with respect to the first bearing member. A method for disassembling the developing unit includes: a bearing removal step of removing at least one of the first bearing member and the second bearing member from the frame body; and a roller removal step of removing the developing roller from the developing unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

The present invention relates to a developing unit in a cartridge used in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as a copier or a printer adopting an electrophotographic method or an electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

Here, the electrophotographic image forming apparatus (hereinafter, also referred to as “image forming apparatus”) is an apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium by using an electrophotographic image forming method. Examples of the image forming apparatus include a copying machine, a facsimile apparatus, a printer (laser beam printer, LED printer, etc.), a multifunction printer thereof, and the like.

The cartridge is removable from the main body of the image forming apparatus (device main body). Examples of the cartridge include a photoconductor and a cartridge in which at least one of the process means acting on the photoconductor is integrally formed into a cartridge.

The drum unit is a unit having a photoconductor drum, and is used for a cartridge or an image forming apparatus.

The developing unit is a unit having a developing roller and is used for a cartridge or an image forming apparatus.

Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic forming process, a configuration is known in which an electrophotographic photosensitive member (hereinafter referred to as a photoconductor drum) and a process means acting on the photoconductor drum are integrally made into a cartridge. ing. The cartridge is removable from the main body of the image forming apparatus.

According to this cartridge method, the maintenance of the image forming apparatus can be performed by the user himself / herself without relying on a service person, so that the maintainability can be remarkably improved. Therefore, this cartridge method is widely used in an image forming apparatus.

In a configuration in which the cartridge can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body (device main body), the relative positional tolerances of the photoconductor drum integrally cartridgeed and each process means are reduced, and each position is arranged and fixed. This enables stable image formation. For example, as a method of integrally forming a cartridge having a drum unit having a photoconductor drum and a developing unit having a developing roller which is a process means acting on the photoconductor, a side cover (cartridge cover) for supporting each unit is provided. The composition is known. These cartridges require a method of manufacturing the cartridge by exchanging the process means as needed. (See Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-164648

These cartridges require a method of manufacturing the cartridge by exchanging the process means as needed. Therefore, the present invention provides a method for disassembling a developing unit that facilitates the manufacture of cartridges.

The method for disassembling the developing unit according to the present invention is a frame, a developing roller extending in the first direction, and a first end unit and a second end unit fixed to the frame and rotatably supporting the developing roller. The first end unit is movable with respect to the first bearing member supporting the developing roller and the first bearing member in the second direction intersecting the first direction. The second end unit includes a second bearing member that supports the developing roller, and includes a first moving member and a first urging member that urges the first moving member with respect to the first bearing member. A second moving member that is movable with respect to the second bearing member in the third direction intersecting the first direction, and a second urging member that urges the second moving member with respect to the first bearing member. It is characterized by having a bearing removing step of removing at least one of the first bearing member and the second bearing member from the frame body, and a roller removing step of removing the developing roller from the developing unit.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a method for disassembling a developing unit that can facilitate the manufacture of a cartridge.

It is sectional drawing of the image forming apparatus which concerns on Example 1. FIG. It is sectional drawing of the cartridge which concerns on Example 1. FIG. It is a perspective view of the cartridge which concerns on Example 1. FIG. It is an assembly perspective view of the cartridge which concerns on Example 1. FIG. It is a partial perspective view of the image forming apparatus which concerns on Example 1. FIG. It is an exploded perspective view of the development unit which concerns on Example 1. FIG. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the drive side of the developing unit according to the first embodiment. It is a non-driving side exploded perspective view of the development unit which concerns on Example 1. FIG. It is an exploded perspective view of the development unit which concerns on Example 1. FIG. It is sectional drawing of the image forming apparatus which concerns on Example 1. FIG. It is sectional drawing of the image forming apparatus which concerns on Example 1. FIG. It is sectional drawing of the image forming apparatus which concerns on Example 1. FIG. It is a partial detailed view of the tray which concerns on Example 1. FIG. It is a perspective view of the storage element pressing unit and the cartridge pressing unit which concerns on Example 1. FIG. It is sectional drawing of the image forming apparatus which concerns on Example 1. FIG. It is a perspective view of the development separation control unit which concerns on Example 1. FIG. It is a side view (partial sectional view) of the cartridge which concerns on Example 1. FIG. It is a side view (partial sectional view) of the cartridge which concerns on Example 1. FIG. It is an assembly perspective view of the non-driving side end unit which concerns on the modification of Example 1. FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail exemplary with reference to the drawings and examples. However, the functions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, etc. of the components described in this embodiment are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention to those alone unless otherwise specified.

Hereinafter, the first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiment, as an image forming apparatus, an image forming apparatus to which four loss cartridges (cartridges) can be attached and detached is exemplified. The number of cartridges mounted on the image forming apparatus is not limited to this. It is set as needed. Further, in the embodiment described below, a laser beam printer is exemplified as one aspect of the image forming apparatus.

[Rough configuration of image forming apparatus]
FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus M. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the loss cartridge (cartridge) 100.

The image forming apparatus M is a four-color full-color laser printer using an electrophotographic process, and forms a color image on the recording medium S. The image forming apparatus M adopts a cartridge method in which a cartridge 100 is detachably attached to an image forming apparatus main body (device main body, electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body) 170 to form a color image on a recording medium S. ..

Here, regarding the image forming apparatus M, the side provided with the front door 11 is referred to as a front surface (front surface), and the surface opposite to the front surface is referred to as a back surface (rear surface). Further, the right side of the image forming apparatus M when viewed from the front is referred to as a driving side, and the left side is referred to as a non-driving side. Further, when the image forming apparatus M is viewed from the front, the upper side is the upper surface and the lower side is the lower surface. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus M as viewed from the non-driving side. Be on the side.

The drive side of the cartridge 100 is the side on which the drum coupling member (photoreceptor coupling member) described later is arranged in the axial direction of the photoconductor drum. Further, the drive side of the cartridge 100 is also the side on which the development coupling member described later is arranged in the axial direction of the development roller (development member).

The axial direction of the photoconductor drum is a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the photoconductor drum described later. Similarly, the axial direction of the developing roller is a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the developing roller described later. In this embodiment, the axis of the photoconductor drum and the axis of the developing roller are substantially parallel, so that the axis direction of the photoconductor drum and the axis direction of the developing roller are substantially the same.

Four cartridges 100, a first cartridge 100Y, a second cartridge 100M, a third cartridge 100C, and a fourth cartridge 100K, are arranged in the image forming apparatus main body 170 in a substantially horizontal direction.

Each of the first to fourth cartridges 100 (100Y, 100M, 100C, 100K) has the same electrophotographic process mechanism, and the color of the developer (hereinafter referred to as toner) is different. Rotational driving force is transmitted to the first to fourth cartridges 100 (100Y, 100M, 100C, 100K) from the drive output unit (details will be described later) of the image forming apparatus main body 170.

Further, a bias voltage (charging bias, development bias, etc.) is supplied from the image forming apparatus main body 170 to each of the first to fourth cartridges 100 (100Y, 100M, 100C, 100K) (not shown).

As shown in FIG. 2, each of the first to fourth cartridges 100 (100Y, 100M, 100C, 100K) of this embodiment is charged with the photoconductor drum 104 and as a process means acting on the photoconductor drum 104. It has a drum holding unit 108 equipped with means. Further, each of the first to fourth cartridges 100 (100Y, 100M, 100C, 100K) has a developing unit 109 provided with a developing means for developing an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor drum 104.

The drum holding unit 108 and the developing unit 109 are coupled to each other. A more specific configuration of the cartridge 100 will be described later.

The first cartridge 100Y accommodates yellow (Y) toner in the developing frame 125, and forms a yellow toner image on the surface of the photoconductor drum 104.

The second cartridge 100M accommodates magenta (M) toner in the developing frame 125, and forms a magenta toner image on the surface of the photoconductor drum 104.

The third cartridge 100C contains a cyan (C) toner in the developing frame 125, and forms a cyan toner image on the surface of the photoconductor drum 104.

The fourth cartridge 100K contains black (K) toner in the developing frame 125, and forms a black toner image on the surface of the photoconductor drum 104.

A laser scanner unit 14 as an exposure means is provided above the first to fourth cartridges 100 (100Y, 100M, 100C, 100K). The laser scanner unit 14 outputs the laser beam U corresponding to the image information. Then, the laser beam U passes through the exposure window 110 of the cartridge 100 and scans and exposes the surface of the photoconductor drum 104.

Below the first to fourth cartridges 100 (100Y, 100M, 100C, 100K), an intermediate transfer unit 12 as a transfer member is provided. The intermediate transfer unit 12 has a drive roller 12e, a turn roller 12c, and a tension roller 12b, and a flexible transfer belt 12a is hung on the intermediate transfer unit 12.

The lower surface of the photoconductor drum 104 of each of the first to fourth cartridges 100 (100Y, 100M, 100C, 100K) is in contact with the upper surface of the transfer belt 12a. The contact part is the primary transfer part. Inside the transfer belt 12a, a primary transfer roller 12d is provided so as to face the photoconductor drum 104.

The secondary transfer roller 6 is brought into contact with the turn roller 12c via the transfer belt 12a. The contact portion between the transfer belt 12a and the secondary transfer roller 6 is the secondary transfer portion.

A feeding unit 4 is provided below the intermediate transfer unit 12. The feeding unit 4 has a paper feed tray 4a for loading and accommodating the recording medium S, and a paper feed roller 4b for disassembling and feeding the recording medium S one by one from the feeding tray 4a.

A fixing device 7 and a paper ejection device 8 are provided on the upper left side of the image forming apparatus main body 170 in FIG. 1. The upper surface of the image forming apparatus main body 170 is a paper ejection tray 13.

[Image formation operation]
The operation for forming a full-color image is as follows.

The photoconductor drum 104 of each of the first to fourth cartridges 100 (100Y, 100M, 100C, 100K) is rotationally driven at a predetermined speed (FIG. 2, arrow A direction).

The transfer belt 12a is also rotationally driven in the forward direction (direction of arrow C in FIG. 1) with respect to the rotation of the photoconductor drum at a speed corresponding to the speed of the photoconductor drum 104.

The laser scanner unit 14 is also driven. In synchronization with the drive of the laser scanner unit 14, the charging roller 105 uniformly charges the surface of the photoconductor drum 104 to a predetermined polarity and potential in each cartridge. The laser scanner unit 14 scans and exposes the surface of each photoconductor drum 104 with laser light U according to the image signals of each color.

As a result, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image signal of the corresponding color is formed on the surface of each photoconductor drum 104. The formed electrostatic latent image is developed by a developing roller 106 that is rotationally driven at a predetermined speed.

By such an electrophotographic image forming process operation, a yellow toner image corresponding to the yellow component of the full-color image is formed on the photoconductor drum 104 of the first cartridge 100Y. Then, the toner image is primaryly transferred onto the transfer belt 12a.

Similarly, a magenta color toner image corresponding to the magenta component of the full color image is formed on the photoconductor drum 104 of the second cartridge 100M. Then, the toner image is superimposed on the yellow toner image already transferred on the transfer belt 12a and primary transfer is performed.

Similarly, a cyan toner image corresponding to the cyan component of the full-color image is formed on the photoconductor drum 104 of the third cartridge 100C. Then, the toner image is superimposed on the yellow-colored and magenta-colored toner images that have already been transferred onto the transfer belt 12a, and the toner image is first transferred.

Similarly, a black toner image corresponding to the black component of the full-color image is formed on the photoconductor drum 104 of the fourth cartridge 100K. Then, the toner image is superimposed on the yellow-colored, magenta-colored, and cyan-colored toner images already transferred onto the transfer belt 12a, and the toner image is first transferred.

In this way, a four-color full-color unfixed toner image of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black is formed on the transfer belt 12a.

On the other hand, the recording media S are disassembled and fed one by one from the feeding unit 4 at a predetermined control timing. The recording medium S is introduced into the secondary transfer portion, which is the contact portion between the secondary transfer roller 6 and the transfer belt 12a, at a predetermined control timing.

As a result, in the process of transporting the recording medium S to the secondary transfer unit, the toner images of the four-color superimposed on the transfer belt 12a are sequentially collectively transferred to the surface of the recording medium S.

Then, the recording medium S on which the toner image is transferred is fixed with the toner image by the fixing means provided in the fixing device 7, and is discharged to the paper ejection tray 13. In this way, the image forming process on the recording medium S is completed.

In more detail, the configurations of the image forming apparatus main body 170 and the cartridge 100 will be described below.

[Overall configuration of cartridge]
Hereinafter, the configuration of the cartridge 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the cartridge 100 as viewed from the drive side. FIG. 4 is an assembly perspective view of the cartridge 100 as viewed from the drive side, which is one end side in the axial direction of the photoconductor drum 104. In this embodiment, the first to fourth cartridges 100 (100Y, 100M, 100C, 100K) have the same electrophotographic process mechanism, and the colors of the contained toners and the filling amount of the toners are different from each other. Is.

The cartridge 100 includes a photoconductor drum 104 (4Y, 4M, 4C, 4K) and process means that act on the photoconductor drum 104. As a process means, the cartridge 100 has a charging roller 105 which is a charging means (charging member) for charging the photoconductor drum 104. Further, the cartridge 100 includes a developing roller 106 which is a developing means (developing member) for developing a latent image formed on the photoconductor drum 104 as another process means.

In addition, as a process means, a cleaning means (for example, a cleaning blade or the like) for removing the residual toner remaining on the surface of the photoconductor drum 104 can be considered. However, the image forming apparatus of this embodiment adopts a configuration in which a cleaning means for contacting the photoconductor drum 104 is not provided.

The cartridge 100 is divided into a drum holding unit 108 (108Y, 108M, 108C, 108K) and a developing unit 109 (109Y, 109M, 109C, 109K).

[Drum holding unit configuration]
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the drum holding unit 108 is composed of a photoconductor drum 104, a charging roller 105, a drum frame 115 which is a first frame, and the like.

The drive-side cartridge cover member 116 has a developing unit support hole 116a, a drum support hole 116b, a drive-side cartridge cover positioning hole 116E1, and a drive-side cartridge cover rotation determination hole 116K1. Similarly, the non-drive side cartridge cover member 117 has a developing unit support hole 117a, a drum support hole 117b, a non-drive side cartridge cover positioning hole 117E1, and a non-drive side cartridge cover rotation determination hole 117K1.

On the drive side side surface, the drum frame body 115 has a drive side positioning boss 115E1 that fits into the drive side cartridge cover positioning hole 116E1 and a drive side rotation determination boss 115K1 that fits into the drive side cartridge cover rotation determination hole 116K1. Have. Further, the drum frame 115 includes a non-drive side positioning boss 115HE1 that fits into the non-drive side cartridge cover positioning hole 117E1 and a non-drive side rotation determination boss 115HK1 that fits into the non-drive side cartridge cover rotation determination hole 117K1. It has on the side surface on the non-driving side.

The drive-side cartridge cover member 116 is positioned with respect to the drum frame 115 by fitting the drive-side cartridge cover positioning hole 116E1 into the drive-side positioning boss 115E1. On the other hand, the drive-side cartridge cover member 116 is configured so that rotation with respect to the drum frame 115 is restricted by fitting the drive-side cartridge cover rotation determination hole 116K1 into the drive-side rotation determination boss 115K1. Similarly, the non-drive side cartridge cover member 117 is positioned with respect to the drum frame body 115 by fitting the non-drive side cartridge cover positioning hole 117E1 into the non-drive side positioning boss 115HE1. On the other hand, the non-driving side cartridge cover member 117 is configured to be fitted in the non-driving side cartridge cover rotation determining hole 117K1 so that the rotation with respect to the drum frame 115 is restricted. In this way, the drive-side cartridge cover member 116 and the non-drive-side cartridge cover member 117 are integrated with the drum frame body 115.

Here, the photoconductor drum 104 has a configuration integrated as a drum unit 103 together with the coupling member 143 and the drum flange 142. In a state where the drive-side cartridge cover member 116 and the non-drive-side cartridge cover member 117 are integrated with the drum frame body 115, the drum unit 103 has drum support holes 116b and 117b, and a coupling member 143 and a drum flange 142 are fitted to each of them. is doing. In this way, the drum unit 103 is rotatably supported by the drive-side cartridge cover member 116 and the non-drive-side cartridge cover member 117 provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 100. At the same time, in the drum unit 103, the coupling member 143 engages with the drum drive coupling 180 (see FIG. 5) on the main body side of the image forming apparatus main body 170 to drive the drive motor (not shown) of the image forming apparatus main body 170. It is configured to be rotatable with. Note that FIG. 5A is a perspective view in which the cartridge 100 and the tray 171 are omitted. FIG. 5B is a perspective view in which the cartridge 100, the front door 11 and the tray 171 are omitted.

Further, the charging roller 105 is rotatably supported by a charging roller bearing portion (not shown) provided on the drum frame body 115, and the charging roller bearing portion is provided by a spring provided between the charging roller bearing portion and the drum frame body 115. It is configured to urge the photoconductor drum 104 via the above.

Further, in a state where the drive-side cartridge cover member 116 and the non-drive-side cartridge cover member 117 are integrated with the drum frame body 115, the developing unit 109 is supported by the drum holding unit 108 so as to be swingable (rotationally movable). .. Specifically, the developing unit support hole 116a, the developing unit support hole 117a, the outer diameter portion of the cylindrical portion 128b of the developing cover member 128, and the outer diameter portion of the cylindrical portion (not shown) of the non-driving side bearing 127, respectively. It is fitted. By making the developing unit 109 rotatable with respect to the drum holding unit 108 in this way, the developing roller 106 can be brought into contact with and separated from the photoconductor drum 104. At the time of image formation, the developing roller 106 can be positioned at a position acting on the photoconductor drum 104, and the developing roller 106 can be brought into contact with the photoconductor drum 104 at the time of image formation and separated at the time of non-image formation. Has been done.

The axis connecting the center of the developing unit support hole 116a of the drive-side cartridge cover member 116 and the center of the development unit support hole 117a of the non-drive-side cartridge cover member 117 functions as the swing axis K of the development unit 109. .. Here, the cylindrical portion 128b of the developing cover member 128 on one end side rotatably supports the developing input coupling 74. That is, the rotation axis of the development input coupling 74 and the swing axis K of the development unit 109 have the same configuration, and the development unit 109 has a configuration in which the driving force is transmitted from the image forming apparatus main body 170 on the swing axis K. Has been done.

[Development unit configuration]
As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 and 6 to 9, the developing unit 109 includes a developing roller 106, a toner transfer roller 107, a developing blade 130, a developing frame 125, and the like. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the developing unit 109, FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view around the driving side end unit 226 on the driving side of the developing unit 109, and FIG. 8 is a non-driving side end of the developing unit 109 on the non-driving side. It is an exploded perspective view around the part unit 227. FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the developing unit 109, showing a configuration in which the toner transfer roller 107 and the developing blade 130 are removed.

The developing frame body 125 is composed of a lower frame body 125a and a lid member 125b. The lower frame body 125a and the lid member 125b are connected by ultrasonic welding or the like. The developing frame body 125, which is the second frame body (second casing), has a toner storage unit 129 for storing the toner supplied to the developing roller 106. Further, the developing frame body 125 rotatably supports the developing roller 106 and the toner transfer roller 107 via the driving side bearing 126 (first bearing member) and the non-driving side bearing 127 (second bearing member), and the developing roller 106 Holds the developing blade 130 that regulates the layer thickness of the toner on the peripheral surface.

The developing blade 130 is formed by attaching an elastic member 130b, which is a sheet-like metal having a thickness of about 0.1 mm, to a support member 130a, which is a metal material having an L-shaped cross section, by welding or the like. The developing blade 130 is attached to the developing frame body 125 with fixing screws 130B1 and 130B2 at two locations, one end side and the other end side in the longitudinal direction (FIG. 9). The developing roller 106 is composed of a core metal 106c made of a metal material and a rubber portion 106d.

The toner transfer roller 107 has a structure in which the toner transfer portion 107s is attached to a cylindrical shaft. Here, the toner transport portion 107s is made of a sponge material, which is elastically deformable. The cylindrical shaft is a metal shaft, and the shaft ends 107c and 107d are communicated with the toner transfer shaft hole 125D of the developing frame body 125 and the shaft hole 258D of the toner transfer bearing 258 attached to the developing frame body 125. As described above, the toner transfer roller 107 is rotatably supported by the drive side bearing 126 and the non-drive side bearing 127 (see FIGS. 7 and 8). The toner transfer roller 107 is provided with a toner transfer shaft hole 125D of the developing frame body 125 and a sealing member 259L and 259R so that toner does not leak from the shaft hole 258D of the toner transfer bearing 258.

The developing roller 106 is rotatably supported by a driving side bearing 126 and a non-driving side bearing 127 attached to both ends in the longitudinal direction of the developing frame body 125. The developed frame body 125, the drive side bearing 126, and the non-drive side bearing 127 are a part of the frame body (casing) of the cartridge. In a broad sense, the bearings 126 and 127 may be regarded as a part of the developing frame body 125, and the driving side bearing 126, the non-driving side bearing 127 and the developing frame body 125 may be collectively referred to as a developing frame body.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a development input coupling portion 132a for transmitting a driving force to the development unit 109 is provided on one end side of the development unit 109 in the longitudinal direction. The development input coupling unit 132a engages with the development drive coupling 185 (see FIG. 5) on the main body side as the development drive output unit of the image forming apparatus main body 170, and the drive motor (not shown) of the image forming apparatus main body 170. The driving force is input to the developing unit 109. The driving force input to the developing unit 109 is transmitted by a driving row (not shown) provided in the developing unit 109, so that the developing roller 106 can be rotated in the direction of arrow D in FIG. .. The outer diameter of the developing roller 106 is set smaller than the outer diameter of the photoconductor drum 104. The outer diameter of the photoconductor drum 104 of this embodiment is set in the range of 18 mm to 22 mm in diameter, and the outer diameter of the developing roller 106 is set in the range of 8 mm to 14 mm in diameter. Efficient placement is possible by setting this outer diameter.

The developing unit 109 is driven to have a function of allowing the developing roller 106 to abut and separate from the photoconductor drum 104 and a function of rotatably supporting the developing roller 106 and the toner transfer roller 107. It has side end units 226 and 227.

As shown in FIG. 7, the drive-side end unit 226 (first end unit) has a drive-side bearing 126, a development input coupling gear 132, and a development cover member 128. The drive-side bearing 126 rotatably supports the developing roller 106 with the developing roller bearing opening 126D and the toner transfer roller 107 with an opening (not shown). The development input coupling gear 132 includes a development input coupling unit 132a that engages with the development drive coupling 185 of the image forming apparatus main body 170 and receives a driving force from the development drive coupling 185. The drive side end unit 226 further includes a developing roller gear 131 connected to the core metal of the toner transfer roller 107, and a toner transfer roller gear 133 connected to the core metal 106c (106cR) of the developing roller 106. As a result, the drive from the development input coupling gear 132 can be transmitted. The developing cover member 128 supports and covers the developing input coupling portion 132a and the gear train.

Further, the drive side end unit 226 includes a separation holding member 151R, a force applying member 152R (first moving member), and a separation spring 153R (in order to enable the developing roller 106 to abut and separate from the photoconductor drum 104. First urging member).

Here, the force applying member 152R and the separation spring 153R are integrally fixed to the longitudinal outer side of the developing cover member 128. The force applying member 152R is rotatable by the rotating boss 128c of the developing cover member 128, and is movably held with respect to the developing cover member 128 in a direction intersecting the extending direction of the developing roller 109. It is fixed so that it will not be disassembled to the outside of the longitudinal direction. Further, the separation spring 153R is a tension spring and has hooking portions at both ends. Each hooking portion is fixed by being hooked on the separation holding member 151R and the force applying member 152R attached to the developing cover member 128.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8, the non-drive side end unit 227 (second end unit) includes the non-drive side bearing 127, the separation holding member 151L that enables contact separation, and the force applying member 152L (second end unit). It is composed of a two-moving member) and a separation spring 153L (second urging member). The non-drive side bearing 127 is configured to rotatably support the toner transfer roller 107 with the toner transfer roller bearing opening 127D and rotatably support the developing roller 106.

Here, the separation holding member 151L, the force applying member 152L, and the separation spring 153L are integrally fixed to the longitudinal outer side of the non-drive side bearing 127. The force applying member 152L is rotatable by the rotating boss 127c of the non-driving side bearing 127, and is movably held with respect to the developing cover member 128 in a direction intersecting the extending direction of the developing roller 109. It is fixed at 127b so as not to be disassembled outward in the longitudinal direction. Similarly, the separation holding member 151L is rotatably held by a rotating boss (not shown), and is fixed so as not to be disassembled to the outside of the longitudinal side (not shown). The separation spring 153L is a tension spring. It has hooking portions at both ends. Each hooking portion is fixed by hooking it on the separation holding member 151L and the force applying member 152L.

The drive side end unit 226 and 227 are fastened to the developing frame body 125 with screws 145R and 145L, and are bonded and fixed to each other at the bonding portion.

Specifically, on the drive side, the drive side bearing 126 has a positioning hole 126E, a rotation stop boss 126K, and an adhesive hole 126S, and the developing frame body 125 has a cylindrical drive side positioning portion. It is provided with 125E, an opening 125K, and a fixing hole 125S for adhesion. Further, the developing cover member 128 has a positioning boss 128E and an adhesive boss 128S. In the drive-side end unit 226, the drive-side positioning portion 125E provided in the developing frame body 125 is inserted into the positioning hole 126E of the drive-side bearing 126, and the rotation stop boss 126K of the drive-side bearing 126 opens the developing frame body 125. It is inserted in the portion 125K. As a result, the drive side bearing 126 is positioned with respect to the developing frame body 125 by the drive side positioning portion 125E and the positioning hole 126E, and the rotation is restricted by the rotation stop boss 126K and the opening portion 125K. There is.

Further, in the drive-side positioning portion 125E provided on the developing frame body 125, the positioning boss 128E of the developing cover member 128 is provided at the tip of the driving-side positioning portion 125E in a state of being inserted into the positioning hole 126E of the driving-side bearing 126. It is configured to be inserted into the recess. On the other hand, the adhesive boss 128S of the developing cover member 128 penetrates the adhesive hole 126S of the drive side bearing 126 in a state where the adhesive is interposed, and is inserted into and fitted into the adhesive fixing hole 125S in the developing frame body 125. It is considered to be in a state. As a result, an adhesive portion is formed between the developing cover member 128 or the drive side bearing 126 and the developing frame body 125. In this way, the drive side end unit 226 composed of the development cover member 128 and the drive side bearing 126 and the development frame body 125 are fastened so that their relative positions do not change until they are firmly fixed by the adhesive portion. It is firmly fixed to the 145R at the adhesive portion and integrated into a unit.

On the other hand, on the non-driving side, the non-driving side bearing 127 comes into contact with the positioning boss 127E, the rotation stop boss 127K, the adhesive boss 127S, and the contact point of the image forming apparatus main body 170 (not shown), and conducts electricity to the developing roller 106. It has a contact portion 127a and a contact portion 127a which are connected to each other. The positioning boss 127E is inserted into the driving side positioning portion (not shown) of the developing frame body 125, and the non-driving side bearing 127 is positioned with respect to the developing frame body 125. On the other hand, the rotation stop boss 127K is inserted into the opening (not shown) of the developing frame body 125 so that the rotation of the non-driving side bearing 127 with respect to the developing frame body 125 is restricted.

In this state, the adhesive boss 127S of the non-drive side bearing 127 is inserted into the adhesive fixing hole (not shown) in the developing frame 125 with the adhesive interposed therebetween, and is fitted into the developing frame body 125. An adhesive portion is formed between the drive side bearing 127 and the developing frame 125. In this way, the non-driving side end unit 227 composed of the non-driving side bearing 127 and the developing frame body 125 are adhered to the screw 145L to be fastened so that the relative positions do not change until they are firmly fixed by the adhesive portion. It is firmly fixed at the part and integrated into a unit.

[Outline of cartridge attachment / detachment configuration]
The tray (hereinafter referred to as a tray) 171 that supports the cartridge will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 10 to 13. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus M in which the tray 171 is located inside the image forming apparatus main body 170 with the front door 11 open. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus M in a state where the tray 171 is located outside the image forming apparatus main body 170 with the front door 11 open and the cartridge 100 is housed inside the tray. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus M in a state where the tray 171 is located outside the image forming apparatus main body 170 with the front door 11 open and the cartridge 100 is removed from the tray. FIG. 13A is a partial detailed view of the tray 171 as viewed from the drive side in the state of FIG. FIG. 13B is a partial detailed view of the tray 171 as viewed from the non-driving side in the state of FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the tray 171 can be moved in the arrow X1 direction (pushing direction) and the arrow X2 direction (pulling direction) with respect to the image forming apparatus main body 170. That is, the tray 171 is provided so as to be retractable and pushable with respect to the image forming apparatus main body 170, and the tray 171 is movable in a substantially horizontal direction while the image forming apparatus main body 170 is installed on a horizontal plane. Here, the state in which the tray 171 is located outside the image forming apparatus main body 170 (the state shown in FIG. 11) is referred to as an outside position. Further, a state in which the tray 171 is located inside the image forming apparatus main body 170 with the front door 11 open and the photoconductor drum 104 and the transfer belt 12a are separated from each other (state in FIG. 10) is referred to as an inner position.

Further, the tray 171 has a mounting portion 171a in which the cartridge 100 can be detachably mounted as shown in FIG. 12 at the outer position. Each cartridge 100 mounted on the mounting portion 171a (FIG. 12) at the outer position of the tray 171 is supported by the tray 171 by the drive-side cartridge cover member 116 and the non-drive-side cartridge cover member 117 as shown in FIG. .. Then, the cartridge 100 moves to the inside of the image forming apparatus main body 170 with the movement of the tray 171 in a state of being arranged in the mounting portion 171a. At this time, the transfer belt 12a moves with a gap between the photoconductor drum 104. The tray 171 can move the cartridge 100 inside the image forming apparatus main body 170 without the photoconductor drum 104 coming into contact with the transfer belt 12a (details will be described later).

As described above, the tray 171 allows a plurality of cartridges 100 to be collectively moved to a position where image formation is possible inside the image forming apparatus main body 170, and is collectively pulled out to the outside of the image forming apparatus main body 170. be able to.

[Positioning of cartridge to main body of electrophotographic image forming device]
More specifically, the positioning of the cartridge 100 with respect to the image forming apparatus main body 170 will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 13, the tray 171 is provided with positioning portions 171VR and 171VL for holding the cartridge 100, respectively. The positioning portion 171VR has straight portions 171VR1 and 171VR2, respectively. The arc portions 116VR1 and 116VR2 of the drive-side cartridge cover member 116 shown in FIG. 13 come into contact with the straight portions 171VR1 and 171VR2 to determine the position of the rotation axis of the photoconductor drum 104.

Further, as shown in FIG. 13, on the drive side, the tray 171 has a rotation-determining convex portion 171KR. The posture of the cartridge 100 is determined with respect to the apparatus main body 170 by fitting with the rotation determination recess 116KR position of the drive-side cartridge cover member 116 shown in FIG.

On the other hand, on the non-driving side, the positioning portion 171VL and the rotation determining convex portion 171KL are arranged at positions facing each other across the intermediate transfer belt 12a in the longitudinal direction of the positioning portion 171VR and the cartridge 100. That is, on the non-driving side as well, the position of the cartridge 100 is determined by the arc portions 117VL1 and 117VL2 of the non-driving side cartridge cover member 117 engaging with the positioning portion 171VL and the rotation determining recess 117KL engaging with the rotation determining convex portion 171KL. In this way, the position of the cartridge 100 with respect to the tray 171 is correctly determined.

Then, as shown in FIG. 11, the cartridge 100 integrated with the tray 171 is moved in the direction of the arrow X1 and inserted to the position shown in FIG.

Then, by closing the front door 11 in the direction of the arrow R, the cartridge 100 is pressed by a cartridge pressing mechanism (not shown) described later, and is fixed to the image forming apparatus main body 170 together with the tray 171. Further, the transfer belt 12a comes into contact with the photoconductor 4 in conjunction with the operation of the cartridge pressing mechanism. In this state, an image is formed (FIG. 1).

In this embodiment, the positioning unit 171VR and the positioning unit 171VL also serve as a reinforcing role for maintaining the rigidity in the drawing operation of the tray 171, and therefore, a metal sheet metal is used, but the present invention is not limited to this. ..

[Cartridge pressing mechanism]
Next, the details of the cartridge pressing mechanism will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 14A shows the cartridge 100, the tray 171 and the cartridge pressing mechanisms 190 and 191 and the intermediate transfer unit 12 in the image forming apparatus main body 170 in the state of FIG. FIG. 14B shows the cartridge 100, the tray 171 and the cartridge pressing mechanisms 190 and 191 and the intermediate transfer unit 12 in the image forming apparatus main body 170 in the state of FIG.

The cartridge 100 receives a driving force during image formation, and further receives a reaction force from the primary transfer roller 12d (FIG. 1) in the direction of arrow Z1. Therefore, it is necessary to press the cartridge in the Z2 direction in order to maintain a stable posture without the cartridge floating from the positioning portions 171VR and 171VL during the image forming operation. Therefore, in this embodiment, the image forming apparatus main body 170 is provided with a cartridge pressing mechanism (190, 191).

In the cartridge pressing mechanism (190, 191), the storage element pressing unit 190 is responsible for the non-driving side, and the cartridge pressing unit 191 is responsible for the driving side. This will be described in more detail below.

By closing the front door 11 shown in FIG. 10, the storage element pressing unit 190 and the cartridge pressing unit 191 shown in FIG. 14 descend in the direction of arrow Z2.

The storage element pressing unit 190 mainly has a main body side electric contact (not shown) that comes into contact with an electric contact of a storage element (not shown) provided in the cartridge 100. By interlocking with the front door 11 by a link mechanism (not shown), the storage element 140 and the electric contact on the main body side can be brought into contact with each other and can not be contacted with each other.

That is, the contacts are brought into contact with each other by closing the front door 11, and the contacts are separated by opening the front door 11.

By doing so, when the cartridge 100 moves inside the image forming apparatus main body together with the tray 171, the electric contacts are not rubbed and the contacts are retracted from the insertion / removal locus of the cartridge 100, thereby hindering the insertion / removal of the tray 171. It is not configured.

The storage element pressing unit 190 also plays a role of pressing the cartridge 100 against the positioning unit 171VR described above.

Further, similarly to the storage element pressing unit 190, the cartridge pressing unit 191 also descends in the direction of arrow Z2 in conjunction with the operation of closing the front door 11 and plays a role of pressing the cartridge 100 against the above-mentioned positioning unit 171VL.

Further, as will be described in detail later, the cartridge pressing mechanism (190, 191) also plays a role of pushing down the force applying members 152L and 152R of the cartridge 100.

[Development separation control unit]
Next, the separation mechanism of the image forming apparatus main body in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 to 16.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus M cut at the drive side end face of the cartridge 100. FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the development separation control unit 195 as viewed diagonally from above.

In the present embodiment, the development separation control unit 195 controls the separation contact operation of the development roller 106 with respect to the photoconductor drum 104 of the development unit 109 by engaging with a part of the development unit 109. The development separation control unit 195 is located below the image forming apparatus main body 170 as shown in FIG.

Specifically, the development separation control unit 195 is arranged below the development input coupling portion 132a and the drum coupling member 143 in the vertical direction (downward in the arrow Z2 direction).

Further, the development separation control unit 195 is arranged in the longitudinal direction (Y1 and Y2 directions) of the photoconductor drum 104 of the intermediate transfer belt 12. That is, the development separation control unit 195 has a development separation control unit 195R on the drive side and a development separation control unit 195L on the non-drive side.

By arranging the development separation control unit 195 in the dead space of the image forming apparatus main body 170 as described above, the main body can be miniaturized.

The development separation control unit 195R has four separation control members 196R corresponding to the cartridge 100 (100Y, 100M, 100C, 100K). The four separation control members have substantially the same shape. The development separation control unit 195R is always fixed to the image forming apparatus main body. However, the separation control member 196R is movable in the W41 and W42 directions by a control mechanism (not shown).

The development separation control unit 195L has four separation control members 196L corresponding to the cartridge 100 (100Y, 100M, 100C, 100K). The four separation control members have substantially the same shape. The development separation control unit 195L is always fixed to the image forming apparatus main body. However, the separation control member 196L is movable in the W41 and W42 directions by a control mechanism (not shown).

Further, in order for the development separation control unit 195 to engage with a part of the development unit 109 and control the separation contact operation of the development unit 109, a part of the development control unit 196 and a part of the development unit 109 It is necessary to overlap in the vertical direction (Z1, Z2 direction).

Therefore, after the developing unit 109 of the cartridge 100 is inserted in the X1 direction, a part of the developing unit (force in the case of this embodiment) is required to overlap in the vertical direction (Z1, Z2 direction) as described above. It is necessary to project the imparting member 152).

When the development separation control unit 195 itself is raised in the same manner as the above-mentioned intermediate transfer unit 12 for engagement, there are problems such as an increase in the operating force of the interlocking front door 11 and a complicated drive train.

In this embodiment, a method is adopted in which the development separation control unit 195 is fixed to the image forming apparatus main body 170, and a part of the developing unit 109 (force applying member 152) is projected downward (Z2) in the image forming apparatus main body 170. One of the reasons for doing this is to address this issue. Further, since the mechanism for projecting the force applying member 152 directly uses the mechanisms of the storage element pressing unit 190 and the cartridge pressing unit 191 described above, there is no problem as described above and an increase in the cost of the main body of the device can be suppressed.

The entire unit of the development separation control unit 195 is fixed to the image forming apparatus main body 170. However, as will be described later, a part of the developing unit 109 is moved in order to engage with the force applying member 152 and give an operation so that the developing unit 109 is in a separated state and an abutting state with respect to the photoconductor drum 104. It is a possible configuration.

[Abutment and separation operation of the developing unit]
The developing unit 109 is rotatably supported with respect to the drum holding unit 108 of the cartridge 100, and the developing roller 106 of the developing unit 109 can be brought into contact with and separated from the photoconductor drum 104. This will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 6 to 7 and FIGS. 15 to 18.

FIG. 18 is a side view seen from the drive side with the cartridge 100 mounted inside the image forming apparatus main body 170. FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view in which a part of the drive-side cartridge cover member 116 is partially omitted by the partial cross-sectional line CS for the sake of explanation.

First, the contact operation will be described. As shown in FIG. 16, the separation control member 196R of this embodiment is movable in the direction of arrow W41 and the direction of arrow W42. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 17, the cartridge 190 can be rotated by the force applying member 152R having a long hole 152Ra that engages with the boss 128K of the drive side bearing 126 and the rotation boss 128c of the drive side bearing 126. It has a separation holding member 151R and the like. Further, the cartridge 100 has a separation holding member 151R and a separation spring 153R hooked on the force applying member 152R.

Before the cartridge 100 is mounted on the image forming apparatus 170, the force applying member 152R is pulled by the separation spring 153R with respect to the separation holding member 151R in the direction of arrow B3. As a result, the engaging portion 152Rf of the force applying member 152R and the engaged portion 126F of the drive side bearing 126 are in a state of being engaged (FIG. 7). As a result, the force applying member 152R is in a state where rotation is restricted around the boss 128K.

On the other hand, when the cartridge 100 is set in the image forming apparatus main body 170 and the front door 11 is closed (FIG. 1), the force applying member 152R is pressed in the direction of arrow ZA by the cartridge pressing mechanisms 190 and 191. The door. In this state, the separation control member 196R of the development control unit 196 and the force applying member 152R of the development unit 109 are positioned at overlapping positions in the vertical direction (Z1 and Z2 directions). Further, in this state, in the cartridge 100, the force applying member 152R is pressed in the direction of the arrow ZA and moves to engage the engaging portion 152Rf of the force applying member 152R and the engaged portion 126F of the drive side bearing 126. The bearing is released (Fig. 18). As a result, the force applying member 152R is in a state of being rotatable around the boss 128E.

When the separation control member 196R (FIG. 16) moves in the W42 direction, the first force application surface 196Ra of the separation control member 196R and the force receiving surface 152Rn of the force application member 152R come into contact with each other, and the force application member 152R is brought into contact with the force application member rocking shaft. It rotates in the BB direction with the HC as the center of rotation. Further, as the force applying member 152R rotates, the pressing surface 152Rr of the force applying member 152R abuts on the pressed surface 151Re of the separation holding member 151R, and the separation holding member 151R is rotated in the B2 direction. Then, the separation holding member 151R is rotated by the force applying member 152R to the separation release position where the separation holding surface 151Rc of the separation holding member 151R and the contact surface 116c of the drive side cartridge cover member 116 are separated. As a result, as shown in FIG. 18B, the developing unit 109 can rotate and move from the separated position to the contacting position where the developing roller 106 and the photoconductor drum 104 come into contact with each other.

Next, the separation operation will be described. When the separation control member 196R moves in the direction of W41, the second force applying surface 196Rb and the force receiving portion 152Rk of the force applying member 152R come into contact with each other, and the force applying member 152R moves in the direction of the arrow BA centering on the force applying member swing shaft HC. Rotate. Since the first pressing surface 152Rq of the force applying member 152R is in contact with the first pressed surface 126c of the drive side bearing 126, the developing unit 109 rotates from the contact position in the direction of arrow V1 about the swing axis K. do. As a result, the developing unit 109 is moved from the contact position to the separation position direction by the separation control member 196R. Then, the developing unit 109 is rotated by the force applying member 152R to the separation holding position where the separation holding surface 151Rc of the separation holding member 151R and the contact surface 116c of the drive side cartridge cover member 116 abut. As a result, as shown in FIG. 15A, a gap P1 is formed between the developing roller 106 and the photoconductor drum 104. As described above, the developing unit 109 can rotate and move from the contact position to the separated position where the developing roller 106 and the photoconductor drum 104 are separated from each other.

Although the operation of the contact separation mechanism located on the drive side of the cartridge 100 has been described, in this embodiment, the non-drive side also operates in conjunction with the drive side. That is, in the cartridge 100, the force applying member 152L is pressed in the direction of the arrow ZA and moves, so that the engaging portion 152Lf of the force applying member 152L and the engaged portion 127F of the non-drive side bearing 127 are disengaged. (Fig. 18). As a result, the force applying member 152L is in a state of being rotatable around the boss 127E.

When the separation control member 196L (FIG. 16) moves in the W42 direction, the first force application surface 196La of the separation control member 196L and the force receiving surface 152Ln of the force application member 152l come into contact with each other, and the force application member 152L is brought into contact with the force application member rocking shaft. It rotates in the BB direction with the HC as the center of rotation. Further, as the force applying member 152L rotates, the pressing surface 152Lr of the force applying member 152L abuts on the pressed surface 151Le of the separation holding member 151L, and the separation holding member 151L is rotated in the B2 direction. Then, the separation holding member 151L is rotated by the force applying member 152L to the separation release position where the separation holding surface 151Lc of the separation holding member 151L and the contact surface 117c of the non-driving side cartridge cover member 117 are separated. As a result, the developing unit 109 can rotate and move from the separated position to the contacting position where the developing roller 106 and the photoconductor drum 104 come into contact with each other.

On the other hand, when the separation control member 196L moves in the W41 direction, the second force applying surface 196Lb and the force receiving portion 152Lk of the force applying member 152L come into contact with each other, and the force applying member 152L centering on the force applying member swing shaft HC is indicated by the arrow BA. Rotate in the direction. Since the first pressing surface 152Lq of the force applying member 152L is in contact with the first pressed surface 127c of the non-driving side bearing 127, the developing unit 109 is in contact with the first pressed surface 127c of the non-driving side bearing 127, so that the developing unit 109 is directed from the contact position in the direction of the arrow V1 about the swing axis K. Rotate. As a result, the developing unit 109 is moved from the contact position to the separation position direction by the separation control member 196L. Then, the developing unit 109 is rotated by the force applying member 152L to the separation holding position where the separation holding surface 151Lc of the separation holding member 151L and the contact surface 117c of the non-driving side cartridge cover member 117 abut. As a result, a gap P1 is formed between the developing roller 106 and the photoconductor drum 104. As described above, the developing unit 109 can rotate and move from the contact position to the separated position where the developing roller 106 and the photoconductor drum 104 are separated from each other.

When the development unit 109 is positioned at the separation position by the separation holding member 151R, the development unit 109 is positioned at the separation position by the separation holding member 151L at substantially the same time, and the same applies to the contact position. be. The timing at which the separation holding member 151R located on the drive side is located at the separation holding position and the timing at which the separation holding member 151L located on the non-drive side is located at the separation holding position are substantially simultaneous. Further, the timing at which the separation holding member 151R is located at the separation release position and the timing at which the separation holding member 151L is located at the separation release position are substantially the same. Note that these timings may be different between the drive side and the non-drive side, but in order to shorten the time from the start of the print job by the user until the printed matter is ejected, at least the separation release position is set. It is desirable that the timing of positioning is the same.

[Disassembly method of process means]
The cartridge 100 may require a method of reproducing the developing process means as needed. Here, a method of disassembling the process means such as the developing roller 106, the toner transfer roller 107, and the developing blade 130 for performing reproduction will be described.

Hereinafter, a method of removing the developing roller 106, the toner transfer roller 107, and the developing blade 130 from the developing unit 109 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 6, the drive side end unit 226 and 227 attached to the longitudinal end of the developing unit 109 are removed. First, the screws 145L and 145R for fastening the developing frame body 125 and the drive side end unit 226 and 227 are removed. Then, in addition to cutting or destroying the drive side end unit 226 or 227 or the developing frame 125, the adhesive is melted and removed, and the developing frame 125 fixed by the adhesive and the developing cover member 128 are separated. The drive side end unit 226 and 227 are removed from the developing frame body 125.

By disassembling the drive side end unit 226 from the developing frame body 125, it is possible to disassemble the drive side end unit 226 without disassembling the drive side end unit 226. That is, each component sandwiched between the drive side bearing 126 and the developing cover member 128 has the adhesive boss 128S of the developing cover member 128 and the adhesive hole 126S of the drive side bearing 126 engaged with each other and are adhered in some cases. Therefore, it is removable in an integrated state. Therefore, it is driven from the developing frame body 125 by removing the driving side end unit 226 from the screw 145R and separating the developing frame body 125 fixed by the adhesive portion and the developing cover member 128 without unnecessarily disassembling. The side end unit 226 is removable.

Similarly, by disassembling the non-driving side end unit 227 from the developing frame body 125, the non-driving side end unit 227 can be disassembled without being disassembled. That is, the force applying member 152L fixed to the non-driving side bearing 127 is removable in an integrated state. Therefore, without unnecessarily disassembling, the drive side end unit 227 is removed from the screw 145L, and the developing frame body 125 fixed by the adhesive portion and the non-driving side bearing 127 are separated from the developing frame body 125. The drive side end unit 227 is removable.

Then, by disassembling the drive side end unit 226 and 227, it becomes possible to disassemble the developing roller 106 rotatably supported by the developing frame body.

In this embodiment, both the drive side end unit 226 and 227 are disassembled, but even when either one is disassembled, the developing roller 106, the toner transfer roller 107, and the developing blade 130 can be disassembled. It is possible. The developing roller 106 and the toner transfer roller 107 can be removed by pulling them out to the disassembled development separation unit side. By disassembling the developing roller 106, the developing blade 130 can be disassembled without interfering with the undisassembled development separation unit by removing the screw for fixing to the developing frame body 125.

As shown in FIG. 9, after disassembling the drive side end unit 226, 227 and the developing roller 106, the toner transfer roller 107 can be disassembled. Disassembly of the toner transfer roller 107 and the developing blade 130 will be described.

The developing blade 130 is fixed to the developing frame 125 by screws 130B1 and 130B2. Therefore, it can be disassembled by removing the screws 130B1 and 130B2. On the other hand, when disassembling the toner transfer roller 107, it is necessary to disassemble the sealing member 259L and 259R and the toner transfer bearing 258 from the developing frame body 125. The sealing members 259L and 259R can be disassembled by pulling out from the shaft end portions 107c and 107d to the outside in the longitudinal direction. When disassembling the toner transfer bearing 258, it is easy to remove the end toner sealing member 256L attached to the developing frame 125 by partially disassembling the end toner sealing member 256L on the developing blade portion sealing member 257L side. At the time of reproduction, the end toner sealing member 256R on the drive side is attached so as to be in contact with the developing blade portion sealing member 257R, so that the reproduction can be performed without causing toner leakage. Then, by pulling out the toner transport roller 107 from the non-driving side, it can be disassembled from the developing frame body 125.

By disassembling the developing roller 106, the toner storage roller 107, and the developing blade 130 from the developing frame body 125, the toner remaining from the opening 125K communicating with the toner storage part 129 (see FIG. 2) of the developing frame body 125 is cleaned. , It is possible to replenish new toner.

Further, the toner transfer roller 107 and the developing blade 130 are not disassembled, and even if only the developing roller 106 is disassembled while being attached to the developing frame 125, the opening 125K that communicates with the toner storage portion 129 (see FIG. 2) is provided. Some are accessible and toner cleaning and replenishment is possible. Cleaning and toner replenishment can be performed from a toner filling portion other than the opening 125K, or by making a hole in any place of the developing frame 125. The toner filling portion is provided with a hole in the center of the developing frame because the developing unit is first filled with toner in a new state. When the toner has been filled, the toner filling cap 225 is covered and fixed to the developing frame by a method such as adhesion. Toner cleaning and refilling are possible by removing the toner filling cap 225 of the toner filling portion or making a hole.

If necessary, the process means of the developing unit is cleaned or replaced with a new one, and then the developing unit is made into a developing unit and the cartridge is made into a cartridge again.

At this time, as described above with reference to FIG. 6, it is desirable that the bonded portion of the drive side end unit 226 and 227 refixes the disassembled bonded portion. Specifically, it is preferable that the drive side end unit 226 and 227 have a configuration in which the positioning bosses 128E and 127E and the rotation stop bosses 126K and 127K are fitted to the developing frame body 125 and fixed by the screws 145R and 145L. .. By doing so, it is possible to position and fix parts such as the developing roller 106 with high accuracy even at the time of reproduction. However, if the bonded portion is not fixed, the vicinity of the bonded portion may vibrate during image formation or may be tilted or floated when the cartridge is formed. If the bonded portion floats or tilts, the developing roller 106 or the like may be displaced, causing image banding or toner leakage during development.

Further, as a method of adding the drive side end unit 226, 227 and the developing frame body 125 to the screws 145R and 145L and re-fixing them in place of the bonded portion before breaking / peeling, a method of re-bonding the broken portion or the like, or One method is to make a screw hole and fasten it.

In the case of re-bonding, when the drive side end unit 226, 227 or the developing frame 125 is reused, the bonded portion is cleaned and then bonded. If the adhesive strength is lost due to toner stains and the adhesive cannot be fixed, the drive side end unit 226, 227 or the developing frame 125 may be replaced with new ones. If the adhesive portion cannot be fixed well or if the adhesive takes time to cure, it may be fixed or reinforced with an adhesive tape or the like.

A case where a screw hole is formed and a screw is fastened will be described with reference to FIG. 19, which is an assembly perspective view of the non-driving side end unit 227. The non-driving side end unit 227 and the developing frame body 125 are fixed to the developing frame body 125 by making a screw hole on the axis of the adhesive portion. Here, a screw hole 127BS may be made in the place where the adhesive boss 127S (see FIG. 6) of the non-drive side bearing 127 is made, a screw hole 125BS may be made in the developing frame body 125, and the screw hole 125BS may be fixed. Similarly, when a screw hole is made in the drive side end unit 226 and the developing frame body 125 and the screw is fastened, a screw hole is made in the place where the adhesive boss 128S (see FIG. 6) was, and the developing frame body is formed. A screw hole may be made in 125 and fixed with a screw. In addition, on the developing frame 125 side, even if the boss portion broken at the time of disassembly remains, the screw hole 125BS is similarly drilled, the broken material is removed cleanly, and the screw hole is provided. Another member for tightening the screw may be inserted and fixed.

After the developing unit is reproduced, the cartridge can be reproduced by integrating the developing unit with the cleaning or new photoconductor drum and the charging roller to form a cartridge.

100 Cartridge 103 Drum unit 104 Photoreceptor drum 108 Drum holding unit 109 Development unit 115 Drum frame 116 Drive side cartridge cover member 117 Non-drive side cartridge cover member 226 Drive side end unit 227 Non-drive side end unit

Claims (7)

A method for disassembling a developing unit including a frame, a developing roller extending in a first direction, and a first end unit and a second end unit fixed to the frame and rotatably supporting the developing roller. And
The first end unit includes a first bearing member that supports the developing roller, and a first moving member that is movable with respect to the first bearing member in a second direction intersecting the first direction. A first urging member that urges the first moving member with respect to the first bearing member is provided.
The second end unit includes a second bearing member that supports the developing roller, and a second moving member that is movable with respect to the second bearing member in a third direction that intersects the first direction. At least one of the first bearing member and the second bearing member provided with the second urging member for urging the second moving member with respect to the first bearing member is removed from the frame. Bearing removal process and
A roller removal step of removing the developing roller from the developing unit,
Have,
A method of disassembling the developing unit, which is characterized by this. The bearing removing step includes a step of removing the first bearing member from the frame body.
The first end unit includes a cover attached to the first bearing member.
The method for disassembling a developing unit according to claim 1, wherein the first moving member is arranged between the cover portion and the first bearing member. The cover portion is welded or adhered to the frame body, and the cover portion is welded or adhered to the frame body.
The method for disassembling a developing unit according to claim 2, wherein the disassembling method includes a step of breaking either the cover portion or the frame body. The method for disassembling a developing unit according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the first bearing member is removed from the frame while the first moving member is left in the first end unit. The second bearing member is welded or adhered to the frame body.
The method for disassembling a developing unit according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the disassembling method includes a step of breaking either the cover portion or the frame body. The bearing removing step includes a step of removing the second bearing member from the frame body.
The method for disassembling a developing unit according to claim 5, wherein the second bearing member includes a contact portion electrically connected to the developing roller. The method for disassembling a developing unit according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the second bearing member is removed from the frame while the second moving member is left in the second end unit.

Images