JP2748861B2 - Electrophotographic apparatus with process cartridge - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electrophotographic apparatus such as a printer, a facsimile apparatus, and a copying machine using an electrophotographic method, and more particularly to an electrophotographic apparatus having a process cartridge.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The process of a conventional monochrome electrophotographic apparatus is described.
In the toner cartridge, a shutter that shields the toner tank that stores the process of supplying the photosensitive drum and the waste toner tank that collects and stores the residual toner on the photosensitive drum are not provided.

On the other hand, in an electrophotographic apparatus that performs color recording, a shutter is provided in a developing unit for each color, and only one of the developing units is opened to prevent color mixing. .

[0004] In the process car <br/> cartridge of a conventional electrophotographic apparatus, the drum shutter for protecting the photosensitive drum is provided to close the shutter of the process cartridge in a state not mounted to the main body of the electrophotographic apparatus, The photosensitive drum is protected. When the process cartridge is mounted on the electrophotographic apparatus, the drum shutter is always kept open.

[0005]

Therefore, in a conventional electrophotographic apparatus, when the process cartridge is not mounted in the apparatus main body, toner leaks from the tank or the developing section, and contaminates the photosensitive drum and the like. There was a case.

In addition, when the process cartridge is to be mounted or removed, or when the electrophotographic apparatus is moved while the process cartridge is mounted, the toner is supplied to the tank or any of the developing units. And contaminated the photoreceptor drum and other parts.

Further, since the drum shutter is always opened when the process cartridge is mounted, the photosensitive drum is moved when the electrophotographic apparatus is moved or when the process cartridge is transported in the apparatus. Could be damaged.

An object of the present invention is to provide an electrophotographic apparatus provided with a process cartridge which solves such a problem and prevents contamination of various parts due to toner leakage and damage to a photosensitive drum.

[0009]

First, a reference example includes a photosensitive drum, a toner tank for storing toner to be supplied to the photosensitive drum, and a waste toner tank for storing residual toner on the photosensitive drum. An electrophotographic apparatus provided with a process cartridge having: a toner tank / shutter provided in the process cartridge for shielding the toner tank; and a toner tank / shutter provided in the process cartridge.
A waste toner tank / shutter for shielding the waste toner tank, and first shutter control means for opening the toner tank / shutter and the waste toner tank / shutter when the process cartridge is mounted on the electrophotographic apparatus. It is characterized by having.

According to the present invention , a photosensitive drum, a toner tank containing toner to be supplied to the photosensitive drum, a waste toner tank containing residual toner on the photosensitive drum, and protection of the photosensitive drum are provided. And a transfer unit for transferring a toner image formed on the photoconductor drum to a predetermined recording medium, the process cartridge having a process shutter, and a process cartridge provided with the process cartridge. A toner tank shutter that shields the toner tank; a waste toner tank shutter that shields the waste toner tank provided in the process cartridge; and a power supply that detects that the power of the electrophotographic apparatus is turned on. Detecting means, wherein the process cartridge is mounted on the electrophotographic apparatus, A second shutter control unit that opens the toner tank shutter and the waste toner tank shutter when the power supply detection unit detects that the power supply is turned on, and the power supply detection unit turns on the power supply When detecting that the process cartridge has been mounted on the electrophotographic apparatus and the power supply detecting means has detected that the power has been turned on, and a cartridge pressure for pressing the process cartridge in the direction of the transfer unit. And third shutter control means for opening the drum shutter.

[0011]

The electrophotographic apparatus provided with the process cartridge according to the reference example includes a toner tank / shutter for shielding the toner tank and a waste toner tank / shutter for shielding the waste toner tank / shutter. When mounted on the electrophotographic apparatus, the shutter is opened by the first shutter control means, so that toner can be supplied to the photosensitive drum and collected toner can be stored. Therefore, when the process cartridge is not mounted, both tanks are shielded by both shutters, and toner leaks from the toner tank and waste toner tank, and contaminates the photosensitive drum and other parts, and further the recording medium. Can be prevented.

An electrophotographic apparatus provided with a process cartridge according to the present invention includes a drum shutter for protecting a photosensitive drum, a toner tank shutter for shielding a toner tank, and a waste toner tank shutter.
When the process cartridge is mounted on the electrophotographic apparatus and the power detection means detects that the power of the electrophotographic apparatus is turned on, the process cartridge is opened by the second and third shutter control means. Further, at this time, the process cartridge is pressed in the direction of the transfer unit by the cartridge pressure, and becomes in a state where transfer is possible. Therefore, when the process cartridge is not mounted, all the shutters are closed, preventing the toner from leaking from the toner tank or waste toner tank and contaminating the photosensitive drum and other parts and the recording medium. And the photosensitive drum can be protected.

Further, when the power source of the electrophotographic apparatus is turned off, even if the process cartridge is mounted in an electrophotographic apparatus, since all the shutters are closed, flop
When attaching or removing the process cartridge, or when moving the electrophotographic apparatus with the process cartridge attached, the photosensitive drum and other parts, and the recording medium may be contaminated by leaked toner, Can be prevented from being damaged. Also, the process cartridge can be transported together with the cartridge.

[0014]

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an example of a process cartridge of an electrophotographic apparatus according to a reference example as viewed from a side. The process cartridge 1 includes a photosensitive drum 4,
The image forming apparatus includes a main charger 5, a toner tank 2 for storing toner to be supplied to the photosensitive drum 4, and a developing sleeve 3 for attaching toner from the toner tank 2 to the photosensitive drum 4. The photoconductor drum 4 is charged by the main charger 5, and the developing sleeve 3 causes the toner in the toner tank 2 to adhere to the photoconductor drum 4 to form a visible image on the photoconductor drum 4. This visible image is transferred to a sheet by a transfer charger (not shown). Thereafter, the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 4 is collected from the photosensitive drum 4 and stored in the waste toner tank 6. 7
Reference numeral denotes a drum shutter, which shields and protects the photosensitive drum 4 when the process cartridge 1 is not mounted on the electrophotographic apparatus.

The process cartridge 1 further includes a toner tank shutter 8 and a waste toner tank shutter 9. The shutter 8 is disposed between the tank 2 and the sleeve 3 and normally shields the tank 2 to prevent toner from coming out of the tank 2. On the other hand, the shutter 9 is arranged at the entrance of the tank 6 and prevents the collected toner from going out of the tank.

Reference numeral 10 denotes a shutter opening / closing switch (attachment detecting means), which is attached to a predetermined position of the electrophotographic apparatus. When the process cartridge 1 is mounted on the electrophotographic apparatus, predetermined positions of both ends of the process cartridge 1 are provided. Is adapted to be engaged. As shown in FIG. 2, when the switch 10 is engaged, the shutters 8 and 9 are both opened by first shutter driving means (not shown). That is, when the process cartridge 1 is mounted, the shutters 8 and 9 are opened,
The toner can be supplied to the sleeve 3 and stored in the tank 6. Conventionally, since such shutters 8 and 9 were not provided, when the process cartridge 1 was not mounted on the electrophotographic apparatus, the toner leaked from the tanks 2 and 6, and the photosensitive drum 4 and other parts were removed. May be contaminated. In this reference example , such contamination is prevented by the shutters 2 and 6. The switch 10
The first shutter drive means forms the first shutter control means of the first invention.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a process cartridge of the electrophotographic apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention . The process cartridge 100 differs from the process cartridge 1 of FIG. 1 in that a cartridge pressure 11, a power supply detecting means (not shown) for detecting on / off of the power supply of the electrophotographic apparatus, and a second opening and closing shutters 8 and 9 are provided. And third shutter control means (not shown) for opening and closing the drum shutter 7 are provided. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 12 denotes a transfer charger for transferring a visible image formed on the photosensitive drum 4 onto a sheet, and reference numeral 13 denotes a transport unit for transporting the sheet.

When the process cartridge 100 is mounted on the electrophotographic apparatus and the power supply detecting means detects that the power of the electrophotographic apparatus is on, the second shutter control means controls the switch control means. 3, the shutter open / close switch (attachment detecting means) 10 can be engaged with the process cartridge 100, and the shutters 8, 9 are opened, as shown in FIG. At this time, the pressure 11 moves the process cartridge 100 in the direction of the transfer charger 12 until the process cartridge 100 reaches a position where transfer is possible. As a result, the third shutter control means moves the drum shutter 7 to the position shown in the figure, and opens the photosensitive drum 4 to the transfer charger 12.

When the power of the electrophotographic apparatus is turned off,
Since the power detection means detects that the power is off, the second shutter control means releases the engagement of the switch 10 by the switch control means, and closes the shutters 8, 9 as shown in FIG. . Also by pressure 11
Since the pressing of the process cartridge 100 is also canceled,
The third shutter control means also causes the shutter 7 to be in a closed state. As a result, leakage of toner and damage to the photosensitive drum 4 are prevented.

When the process cartridge 100 is removed from the electrophotographic apparatus, the switch 10 is disengaged and there is no pressing by the pressure 11, so that all the shutters are closed as shown in FIG. Become.

[0022]

As described above, the electrophotographic apparatus provided with the process cartridge according to the reference example includes a toner tank / shutter for shielding the toner tank and a waste toner tank / shutter for shielding the waste toner tank / shutter. They are opened by the first shutter control means when the process cartridge is mounted on the electrophotographic apparatus, so that the toner can be supplied to the photosensitive drum and the collected toner can be stored. Therefore, when the process cartridge is not mounted, both tanks are shielded by both shutters, and toner leaks from the toner tank and waste toner tank, and contaminates the photosensitive drum and other parts, and further the recording medium. Can be prevented.

An electrophotographic apparatus provided with the process cartridge of the present invention includes a drum shutter for protecting a photosensitive drum, a toner tank shutter for shielding a toner tank, and a waste toner tank shutter. When the cartridge is mounted on the electrophotographic apparatus and the power detecting means detects that the power of the electrophotographic apparatus is turned on, the cartridge is opened by the second and third shutter control means. Further, at this time, the process cartridge is pressed in the direction of the transfer unit by the cartridge pressure, and becomes in a state where transfer is possible. Therefore, when the process cartridge is not mounted, all the shutters are closed, preventing the toner from leaking from the toner tank or waste toner tank and contaminating the photosensitive drum and other parts and the recording medium. And the photosensitive drum can be protected.

Further, when the power source of the electrophotographic apparatus is turned off, even if the process cartridge is mounted in an electrophotographic apparatus, since all the shutters are closed, flop
When attaching or removing the process cartridge, or when moving the electrophotographic apparatus with the process cartridge attached, the photosensitive drum and other parts, and the recording medium may be contaminated by leaked toner, Can be prevented from being damaged. Also, the process cartridge can be transported together with the cartridge.

Further, according to the present invention, a process cart
At the ridge, what happens with a traditional cartridge
Stain on the device and recording medium due to leaked toner
And a toner leak prevention shutter in the cartridge.
Simple configuration by providing control means for controlling
Shutter control means, and the toner tank
The shutter and the waste toner tank shutter
Can be performed quickly and reliably.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a process cartridge in an example of an electrophotographic apparatus according to a reference example .

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram illustrating a state where a toner tank / shutter and a waste toner tank / shutter are opened in the process cartridge of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram illustrating a part of a process cartridge in an example of the electrophotographic apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention .

4 is a configuration diagram showing a state in which a toner tank / shutter, a waste toner tank / shutter, and a drum shutter are closed in the process cartridge of FIG. 3;

[Explanation of symbols]

1,100 process cartridge 2 Toner tank 3 Developing sleeve 4 Photoconductor drum 5 Main charger 6 Waste toner tank 7 Drum shutter 8 Toner tank / shutter 9 Waste toner tank / shutter 10 Shutter open / close switch 11 Cartridge pressure 12 Transfer charger 13 Transport unit

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] And 1. A photosensitive drum, a toner tank for storing toner supplied to the photosensitive drum, a waste toner tank containing the residual toner on the photosensitive drum, the sense of
Having a drum shutter for protecting the optical drum
A process cartridge, formed on the photosensitive drum;
Transfer unit that transfers the transferred toner image to a predetermined recording medium
Including the door, in an electrophotographic apparatus including a process cartridge, wherein provided in the process cartridge, and the toner tank shutter for shielding the toner tank, provided in said process cartridge, a waste toner tank for shielding the waste toner tank A shutter and a power supply for detecting that the power of the electrophotographic apparatus is turned on;
Source detecting means, the process cartridge is mounted on the electrophotographic apparatus, and the power detecting means detects that the power is turned on.
And a second shutter control means for opening the toner tank shutter and the waste toner tank shutter, and a power detection means for detecting that the power is turned on.
The process cartridge is transferred to the transfer unit.
The process cartridge is mounted on the electrophotographic apparatus.
And the power detection means detects that the power is turned on.
A third shutter that opens the drum shutter when
Tsu is characterized in that a motor control unit, an electrophotographic apparatus including a process cartridge. 2. The electrophotographic apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said second shutter control means includes: a mounting detecting means for detecting that the process cartridge is mounted on the electrophotographic apparatus; The attachment is detected, and the power detection means detects the power supply.
2. The process cartridge according to claim 1, further comprising: a second shutter driving unit that opens the toner tank shutter and the waste toner tank shutter when it is detected that the source is turned on. Equipped electrophotographic device. 3. The mounting detecting means includes a shutter open / close switch provided on the main body of the electrophotographic apparatus so as to come into contact with a predetermined portion of the process cartridge when the process cartridge is mounted on the electrophotographic apparatus, The second shutter control means is arranged such that the power supply detection means
When the power is not detected, the shutter is opened and closed.
A switch for preventing the switch from contacting the predetermined portion.
Includes a pitch control unit, said second shutter drive means, when said switch is in contact with said predetermined site, claims, characterized in that opening the toner tank shutter and the waste toner tank shutters An electrophotographic apparatus comprising the process cartridge according to item 2. 4. The car control apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein
The cartridge pressure pushes the process cartridge.
Releasing the drum shutter when pressed
An electrophotographic apparatus comprising the process cartridge according to claim 1 .