JP3254370B2 - Electrophotographic photoreceptor - 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 photosensitive member for forming an electrostatic latent image on a surface used in an electrophotographic device such as a copying machine and a laser printer, an electrophotographic photosensitive device provided with the photosensitive member, and The present invention relates to an electrophotographic apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an electrophotographic photosensitive member used in an electrophotographic process such as a copying machine or a laser printer is formed by forming a photosensitive layer such as an organic material on the surface of a conductive tube. . This conductive element tube is processed, for example, by cutting an aluminum pipe into an appropriate length and then polishing the surface of the pipe to make it usable as an electrophotographic photosensitive member.

[0003] In the above-mentioned conventional tube of the electrophotographic photoreceptor, aluminum as a material is expensive, and it takes time to perform processing such as cutting and polishing. Collection and reuse of waste require time-consuming sorting and other processes.

Another prior art for solving this problem is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 7-152194. In this prior art, a drum which is a raw tube is formed using a synthetic resin. It is the amount of resin used that greatly affects the cost of a molded product. Particularly, in a resin drum used as a photoconductor, an expensive resin is used. Therefore, it is necessary to make a drum as thin as possible. However, a drum having a small thickness is weak in impact and strength. In addition, the use of a resin drum tends to weaken the adhesiveness of the fitting portion between the drum tube and the flange as compared with the current aluminum.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an electrophotographic photoreceptor which is inexpensive, solves the problem of recovery and reuse, uses as little material as possible, and has improved strength. Another object of the present invention is to provide a photosensitive device and an electrophotographic device using the photosensitive member.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a cylindrical synthetic resin support having a photosensitive layer formed on an outer peripheral surface thereof. Driven portions formed alternately and adjacently are provided facing outward in the axial direction, and the driven portion of the support is thicker than the remaining portion, and the inside of the support is On the circumference,
The driven part and the remaining part are connected at an obtuse angle, and are detachably engaged with the convex part and the concave part of the driven part, respectively. The driving means includes a coupling member having the same axis as the support. Are driven to rotate about an axis. The present invention also provides
Each of the protrusions protrudes outward in the axial direction, and is formed so as to be tapered toward the outside in the axial direction. Further, the present invention is characterized in that the tip of the convex portion and the bottom of the concave portion are formed to be curved. Further, according to the present invention, a plurality of convex portions and a plurality of concave portions are alternately formed in the circumferential direction at the axial end of a cylindrical synthetic resin support having a photosensitive layer formed on the outer peripheral surface. The driven portion is provided facing outward in the axial direction, each convex portion protrudes outward in the axial direction, and is formed in a tapered shape toward the outside in the axial direction, and the rotational direction of the convex portion The surface on the upstream side is substantially parallel to the rotation axis or inclined so as to become upstream in the rotation direction as it goes outward in the axial direction, and is detachably engaged with the projection and the recess of the driven portion. An electrophotographic photoreceptor, wherein the support is driven to rotate about the axis by a driving unit including a coupling member having the same axis as the support. Further, according to the present invention, a plurality of convex portions and a plurality of concave portions are alternately formed in the circumferential direction at the axial end of a cylindrical synthetic resin support having a photosensitive layer formed on the outer peripheral surface. The driven portion is provided facing the outside in the axial direction, and the driven portion of the support has a radially inner side than the convex portion and the concave portion, and the outer diameter decreases toward the outside in the axial direction. The supporting member is rotatably driven around the axis by a driving means having a coupling member having a conical guide surface formed and detachably meshing with the convex portion and the concave portion of the driven portion, respectively, and having the same axis as the supporting member. A photoconductor for electrophotography, characterized in that: Further, the present invention is characterized in that a conical guide surface having an inner diameter that increases toward the outside in the axial direction is formed on an inner peripheral surface of the support near the driven portion.
Further, the invention is characterized in that the convex portion of the driven portion of the support is formed to protrude radially inward from the inner peripheral surface of the remaining portion other than the driven portion of the support. Further, the present invention is characterized in that a reinforcing layer having an outer diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of the photosensitive layer is formed on the outer peripheral surface near the driven portion. Further, the present invention is characterized in that the inner diameter of the support is formed to be smaller as approaching the driven portion along the axial direction. Further, the invention is characterized in that the driven parts are provided at both ends in the axial direction of the support. The present invention also provides
(A) the electrophotographic photoreceptor of any one of claims 1 to 5,
(B) a driving means, wherein the coupling member detachably meshes with the convex portion and the concave portion of the driven portion and has the same axis as the support; and the driven portion and the coupling member of the support come close to each other. An electrophotographic photosensitive device, comprising: a driving unit having a spring for applying a spring force in a direction and a driving source for driving the coupling member to rotate about a rotation axis. Further, according to the present invention, in the driven portion of the support, a conical guide surface whose outer diameter decreases radially inward from the convex portion and the concave portion and becomes smaller outward in the axial direction is formed, and the coupling member is And a conical receiving surface which is fitted to the guide surface and in which the axis of the support and the axis of rotation of the coupling member are in a straight line in the fitted state. Further, according to the present invention, a conical guide surface having an inner diameter that increases toward the outside in the axial direction is formed on an inner peripheral surface of the support near the driven portion, and the coupling member is fitted to the guide surface. Further, a guide projection having an outer diameter smaller than that of the guide surface is provided so that a gap is formed between the guide surface and the inner surface of the guide surface in the fitted state. Further, according to the present invention, the coupling member has a concave portion formed by being recessed in the axial direction in which the driven portion of the support fits, and a convex portion and a concave portion of the driven portion are formed at the bottom of the concave portion. A driving concave portion and a driving convex portion which are respectively engaged with each other are formed. Further, the invention is characterized in that the support having the driven portion is made of a conductive synthetic resin, and the coupling member is made of a conductive material. Further, the invention is characterized in that the support having the driven portion is made of a material softer than the coupling member. Further, according to the present invention, the driving concave portion and the driving convex portion formed on the coupling member meshing with the convex portion and the concave portion of the driven portion are formed a plurality of times the number of the convex portions and the concave portions of the driven portion. The coupling member can be shared by a plurality of types of driven parts. According to the present invention, an electrostatic latent image is formed on a photoreceptor provided in a photosensitive device, the electrostatic latent image is visualized by a developer of a developing device, and the visualized image is transferred to a recording paper and fixed. 2. The electrophotographic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the photosensitive device has a photoconductor and a driving unit, and the photoconductor is a photoconductor.
Wherein a reinforcing layer is formed on an outer peripheral surface near a driven portion, the outer diameters of the photosensitive layer and the reinforcing layer are substantially equal, and the driving means is A coupling member detachably meshing with the projections and recesses of the portion, respectively, having a coaxial axis with the support, a spring for applying a spring force in a direction in which the driven portion of the support and the coupling member approach each other, and a coupling member. A developing source, which rotates the photosensitive member around the rotation axis. An electrophotographic apparatus comprising a developer scattering prevention sheet which is in contact with a photosensitive layer and a reinforcing layer on an upstream side.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a convex portion and a concave portion alternately circumferentially adjoin an axial end of a cylindrical synthetic resin support having a photosensitive layer formed on an outer peripheral surface. The driven member is formed in such a manner that the coupling member of the driving means meshes with the driven portion so that the support member is driven to rotate about its axis. The photosensitive member can be realized with a simple configuration without reducing the mechanical strength as much as possible without reducing the mechanical strength. The driven portion may be a part formed by integral molding of the support, but may be manufactured separately to fix the support and the driven portion. Further, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the driven portion of the support is made thicker than the remaining portion, and the strength is increased by including a carbon material such as carbon for imparting conductivity. It is possible to improve the strength of the weak and brittle support as much as possible. Further, by forming the driven portion of the support body as thick as shown in FIG. 9 with the step formed as an obtuse angle K, it is possible to avoid the occurrence of an acute step, and to obtain the strength of a relatively brittle low-strength support. Can be further improved.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, each convex portion is formed so as to be tapered toward the outside in the axial direction, and may be substantially triangular in a state of being developed in the circumferential direction. Accordingly, the convex portion and the concave portion of the driven portion can mesh with each other without rattling between the driving concave portion and the driving convex portion formed in the coupling member of the driving means, and therefore, the driven portion can be disengaged from the coupling member. Torque can be reliably transmitted to the motor.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 4, the tip of the convex portion and the bottom of the concave portion are formed to be curved, so that the meshing between the driven portion and the coupling member can be smoothly performed. It can be carried out. In addition, since the tip of the convex portion is not sharply formed and has an R shape, that is, the curved portion is formed as described above, the scraping and cracking do not occur due to deterioration. The operation of the electrophotographic apparatus will not be abnormal due to the part that breaks or breaks falling inside the electrophotographic apparatus, preventing stress concentration and preventing the occurrence of cracks in the driven portion of the support, and It is possible to prevent the quality from deteriorating. . If the tip of the projection is sharp, there is a problem that the driven portion and the support may be broken by a slight impact force. However, the problem is avoided in the present invention.

[0010] The bottom of the concave portion is curved, that is, not formed with an acute angle, so that cracks due to stress concentration can be prevented. Further, by forming the concave portion and the convex portion in a curved shape as described above, it is possible to prevent the driven portion and the support from cracking due to stress generated by transmission of rotational power from the coupling member to the driven portion. Scattering and long life can be achieved.

[0011]

[0012]

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the surface on the upstream side in the rotation direction of the projection is formed substantially parallel to the rotation axis of the support, or in the axial direction. By forming a surface that is inclined so as to become upstream in the rotation direction as it goes outward, when power is transmitted from the coupling member to the driven portion, the coupling member and the driven portion are forced in a direction away from each other. Does not act, and it is possible to reliably transmit the rotational power with the coupling member and the driven portion in the coupled state. Further, with this configuration, it is also possible to smoothly perform the engagement when the convex portion and the concave portion of the driven portion are coupled to the driving concave portion and the driving convex portion of the coupling member.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, a guide surface which is a conical or frustoconical outer peripheral surface is formed radially inward of the convex portion and the concave portion of the driven portion. The strength of the driving unit is improved so that power can be reliably transmitted in the meshing state between the driven unit and the coupling member, and the driven unit and the coupling member are smoothly guided by the guide surface. Then, both can be smoothly engaged. Furthermore, by forming such a smooth guide surface at the time of molding the support, the flow of the synthetic resin at the time of injection molding is good, and there is also an effect that molding is easy.

According to the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 10 to 13, by forming a conical guide surface on the inner peripheral surface of the driven portion, the meshing between the driven portion and the coupling member is made smooth. Will be able to do it.

According to the present invention, by forming the projecting portion of the driven portion so as to protrude inward in the radial direction, the strength can be improved without increasing the usage amount of the synthetic resin material as much as possible. Become.

According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the strength by forming a reinforcing layer on the outer peripheral surface near the driven portion.
The reinforcing layer may be fixed by winding a synthetic resin tape such as polyethylene terephthalate called a mylar tape, for example, or may be formed by a conductive coating layer. According to the conductive coating layer, it is also possible to improve the electrical connection between the conductive support and the conductive driven member.

The reinforcing layer is formed at a position shifted in the axial direction other than the image forming area of the photosensitive member, and does not adversely affect the formation of the electrostatic latent image.

The outer diameter of the reinforcing layer is made substantially the same as the outer diameter of the photosensitive layer, thereby preventing the developer from leaking and scattering upstream of the developing roller in the developing device in the rotation direction of the photosensitive member. For example, the photosensitive layer and the reinforcing layer can come into contact with a sheet made of, for example, a flexible synthetic resin film having elasticity, thereby preventing the developer from scattering in the electrophotographic apparatus. The reinforcing layer and the photosensitive layer are adjacent to each other in the axial direction of the support and are formed without any gap therebetween, so that the scattering of the developer due to the contact of the sheet can be surely prevented.

According to the present invention, the inner diameter of the support is, for example, a draft angle for injection molding or an inclined surface having a larger angle with respect to the axis, and the inner end of the support has a smaller inner diameter. By making the portion a driven portion, the strength can be improved without increasing the amount of synthetic resin material used.

The outer diameter of the support is uniform in the axial direction,
That is, the outer peripheral surface has a right cylindrical shape, and a photosensitive layer is formed on the outer peripheral surface. In an electrophotographic photosensitive device and an electrophotographic device including the same, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive layer. The photosensitive layer is provided only in an image forming area other than the end of the support to which the driven member is fixed, and thus may be formed in non-image areas at both ends of the support during injection molding. There is no danger that the quality of the electrostatic image formed on the photosensitive layer will be degraded due to the adverse effects such as sink marks sometimes generated.

According to the present invention, since the driven parts are provided at both ends in the axial direction of the support, the attachment of the connecting member to the driven parts becomes easy, and the degree of freedom of design is improved.
The degree of freedom of productivity can be improved, and furthermore, the cost can be reduced by making the connecting members supporting both ends in the axial direction of the support body the same structure, for example, and the productivity can be improved. Furthermore, in a configuration in which the support and the coupling member at both ends in the axial direction of the support are electrically conductive, it is ensured that electrical conduction between the two is achieved, and the photosensitive layer formed on the outer peripheral surface of the support is grounded. The occurrence rate of defects can be reduced. Furthermore, by making the structure of the both ends in the axial direction of the support body the same, there is also an effect that the mounting direction of the support body becomes free and maintenance can be facilitated.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the connecting member in the driving means applies a spring force to the driven portion of the support by the spring, so that the connecting member is separated from the photosensitive member against the spring force of the spring. The photosensitive member can be replaced by displacing the photosensitive member in a direction in which the photosensitive member is moved, thereby facilitating maintenance.

[0024]

According to the present invention, the conical guide surface of the driven portion of the support and the conical receiving surface of the coupling member are fitted to each other to smoothly guide the support and the coupling member to the driven portion. And the coupling member can be engaged with each other.

According to the invention, the guide projection of the coupling member is
A gap is provided between the guide portion and the guide surface of the driven portion of the support, thereby preventing the driven portion of the support from being pressed against the radially outward pressing force, thereby causing a crack in the driven portion. Prevent that. This gap is, for example, 0.2 to
It may be 0.5 mm. Thus, the photoconductor can be driven to rotate with a large torque.

According to the present invention, the coupling member is provided with a driving concave portion and a driving convex portion which are respectively engaged with the convex portion and the concave portion of the driven portion at the bottom of the concave portion formed in the coupling member. The outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface of the driven portion of the cylindrical support can be supported to rotate and drive the support, thereby improving the strength and stably driving the support. It is also possible to easily keep the axis of the support and the coupling member in a straight line, thereby improving the quality of the electrostatographic image.

According to the present invention, the support and the connecting member are made of a conductive material, the support is made of a conductive synthetic resin, and the connecting member may be made of a conductive synthetic resin. Or any other metal,
In this way, the support can be easily grounded. Moreover, the coupling member can be electrically connected via a spring or the like. In addition, there is no need to use a ground plate or the like for grounding the support, which has been conventionally required, and the cost can be reduced.

According to the invention, the support is made of a synthetic resin material which is softer than the connecting member, in other words, the connecting member is made of a material which is harder than the support, for example, a material such as aluminum and iron. Even if one support is changed, the coupling member can be used for a long time. In this way, the support, which is a consumable, is made of a material softer than the coupling member, and the coupling member requires strength performance equivalent to machine life, so that the driven portion of the support does not deteriorate in a short time. The coupling member may be made of iron, stainless steel, or the like. Therefore, the life of the connecting member can be extended, and
The driven portion of the support can be subjected to strength compensation in consideration of the life as the photoconductor life.

According to the present invention, the number of irregularities formed on the coupling member is set to be an integral multiple of the number of irregularities formed on the driven portion of the support. Can be used. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide the number of components of the coupling member for each type of the photoconductor, thereby improving productivity and facilitating maintenance.

According to the present invention, since the outer diameter of the photosensitive layer and the reinforcing layer adjacent thereto in the axial direction are substantially equal,
The developer scattering prevention sheet of the developing device can reliably prevent the developer from scattering inside the electrophotographic apparatus.

[0032]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The electrophotographic photoconductor 1 is used for forming an electrostatic latent image in an electrophotographic apparatus such as a copying machine or a laser printer described below. The photoreceptor 1 basically includes a conductive synthetic resin support 2 and a driving unit 71 driven at one end in the direction of the axis 16. The driving unit 71 includes a coupling member 72. The support 2 has a cylindrical shape, the outer diameter of which is uniform in the axial direction, and the inner diameter of which is substantially continuously reduced in the axial direction so as to decrease toward the left in FIG. The driven portion 9 on the left side in FIG. 1 is thick so as to obtain a draft angle.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the support 2 as viewed from the left in FIG. A plurality of convex portions 18 and concave portions 19 are formed in the driven portion 9 in the circumferential direction alternately adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction, and these convex portions 18 and concave portions 19 are located outward (in the direction of the axis 16). It is provided facing the left side of FIG. 1 and the upper side of FIG. 2). The coupling member 72 has a driving concave portion 20 and a driving convex portion 21 that mesh with the convex portion 18 and the concave portion 19, and the coupling member 72 has an axis that is aligned with the axis 16 of the support 2 when installed.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. A photosensitive layer 5 made of an organic photosensitive material or the like is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the support 2 in the pixel formation region W1. The non-image regions W2 and W3 are connected to both ends of the photosensitive layer 5 in the axial direction. 7 is formed. The photosensitive layer 5 may be, for example, an organic material. The thickness of the photosensitive layer 5 may be, for example, 10 to 30 μm, preferably about 20 μm. The photosensitive layer 5 is formed in an image forming area W1 of the electrophotographic device. In regions W2 and W3 adjacent to the photosensitive layer 5 in the axial direction of the support 2, reinforcing layers 6 and 7 are formed at ends 9 and 12. The thickness of the reinforcing layers 6 and 7 is substantially the same as that of the photosensitive layer 5, so that the outer diameter of the photosensitive layer 5 is substantially equal to the outer diameter of the reinforcing layers 6 and 7. This ensures that the developer scattering prevention sheet comes into contact with the photosensitive layer 5 and the reinforcing layers 6 and 7 as described later, and prevents the developer from scattering to the outside from the developing device and leaking out. Image quality can be improved.

The coupling member 72 is provided on the side wall 73 of the electrophotographic apparatus.
Has a fitting portion 75 that fits, for example, in the form of a spline into a drive shaft 74 that is rotated and driven by the spring member 76. The spring force of the coupling member 72 imparts a spring force to the support 2. The drive shaft 74 is driven to rotate about the axis 16 by a drive source 77 such as a gear. A support member 4 is detachably attached or fixed to an end 12 of the support 2 opposite to the driven portion 9. The support member 4 is mounted on a side wall 78 of the electrophotographic apparatus by a bearing 79. It is supported rotatably.

The total length of the support 2 is, for example, 270 to 28
0 mm, outer diameter 30 mmφ, inner diameter 27 near end 9
mmφ and the inner diameter of the other end 12 may be 28 mmφ. The draft may be 0.15 to 0.25 degrees on one side.

The support 2 is composed of a mixture of a synthetic resin, a conductive substance, a light absorbing substance, and a light scattering substance. Examples of the synthetic resin to be used include resins such as polyacetal resin, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, ABS resin, noryl, nylon, polycarbonate, polybutylene terephthalate, and polyethylene fluoride, and mixtures thereof. The substance is not limited to this as long as it is a suitable substance.

Examples of the conductive substance include carbon black such as thermal black, acetylene black, furnace black, lamp black, graphite, graphite, etc., tin oxide, antimony oxide, gold, silver, copper, and the like.
Metals such as aluminum and its compounds, inorganic compounds such as zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, aluminum oxide, calcium carbonate, barium sulfate, mica, potassium titanate, aluminum borate, and silicon carbide, doped with conductive materials No. In addition to the conductive material, a light absorbing material, a light scattering material, or the like may be contained in the resin for the purpose of preventing interference fringes of laser light.

Examples of the light absorbing material include dyes such as phthalocyanine in addition to the various carbons described above.
It is not limited to this. As a light scattering substance,
Various metal powders are included. Conductive material and light absorbing material,
The light scattering materials may be the same or different. For example, various carbons are not only a good conductive substance but also a good light absorbing substance, have good dispersibility in resin, and are inexpensive.

In the present invention, the synthetic resin contains a conductive substance and others, but these substances may not be contained. For example, a method may be used in which after forming the support 2 with only a synthetic resin, aluminum is deposited on this surface to form a conductive layer. In this case, steps such as mixing (dispersion) of the resin and the conductive substance can be omitted. In addition to the vapor deposition, there is also a method of forming the support 2 using only a synthetic resin and then forming the conductive layer by coating.

In addition to these substances, for example, glass beads, titanium oxide, barium sulfate, calcium carbonate,
Inorganic pigments such as silica, talc, zinc sulfide and clay, or organic pigments may be added as a filler. Synthetic resin 1
It is preferable that each of the other substances is 5 to 300 parts by weight with respect to 00 parts by weight. These synthetic resin, conductive substance, light absorbing substance, light scattering substance and the like are heated to a melting temperature of the synthetic resin or higher and kneaded, whereby fine particles are uniformly dispersed in the synthetic resin. By injecting this into a mold, the support 2 is preferably injection molded. As the molding, there is a method of forming a drum-shaped support by extrusion molding in addition to the integral molding using a mold. In this case, after the photosensitive layer 5 is formed, the driven member 3 is pressure-bonded, bonded, or the like. It is necessary to assemble the support 2 as described above, and it is preferable to form the support 2 integrally as described above because this is not necessary.

The surface of the mold where the photosensitive layer 5 is formed is roughened by sandblasting or the like in advance to improve the adhesiveness and light scattering between the photosensitive layer 5 and the outer peripheral surface of the support 2. It is preferable because it can be performed. The unevenness of the mold surface is preferably roughened so that the surface of the formed support is 1 μm or less. When it is larger than 1 μm,
The formation of the charge generation layer is not preferable because of unevenness and the like. The photosensitive layer 5 is formed on the photosensitive layer forming portion of the support prepared as described above.

The synthetic resin of the support 2 is mainly composed of a crosslinked polyphenylene sulfide resin,
A high-conductivity carbon black having a volume resistivity of 10 ^-1 Ω · cm or less is added to the mixture, so that the volume resistivity is 10 ⁴ Ω · cm or less, and the average particle size of the carbon black is 20 nm to 50 n.
m, preferably the amount of the cross-linked polyphenylene sulfide resin is at least 40% by weight or more, and the surface of the support is irradiated with ultraviolet rays having a wavelength of 180 nm to 255 nm. Thereby, the support 2 is lightweight and has suitable conductivity, is excellent in chemical resistance and heat resistance, can maintain good dimensional accuracy even in a thin and long shape, and can be oxidized in the air. Deterioration does not occur and stable quality can be maintained.

FIG. 4 is a side view for explaining the structure near the driven portion 9 of the support 2 in the present invention. FIG.
As shown in (1), the tip portion 18a of the convex portion 18 of the driven portion 9 and the bottom 19a of the concave portion 19 are curved. Similarly, the bottom 20a and the tip 21a of the driving concave portion 20 and the driving convex portion 21 of the coupling member 72 have a curved configuration. As a result, the convex portion 18 smoothly fits into the driving concave portion 20, and the concave portion 19 smoothly fits into the driving convex portion 21, thereby ensuring the mounting and preventing the support 2 from being damaged.

As shown in FIG. 4B, the tip 18a of the projection 18 and the bottom 19a of the recess 19 are sharpened, and the bottom 20a of the drive recess 20 and the tip 2a of the drive projection 21 are similarly formed.
If the structure 1a is sharp, a crack 80 may occur and a chip 81 may occur, but such a structure shown in FIG. 4B is also included in the spirit of the present invention.

The tip 18a of the projection 18 does not contact the bottom 20a of the driving recess 20 and the tip 21a of the driving projection 21 does not contact the bottom 19a of the recess 19, thereby causing damage. Can be more reliably prevented.

FIG. 5 is a side view of another embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is similar to the above-described configuration, and corresponding portions are denoted by the same reference numerals. It should be noted that in this embodiment, the surface 1 on the upstream side in the
8b is substantially parallel to the rotation axis 16 or is inclined so as to become more upstream in the rotation direction toward the outside in the axial direction (to the left in FIG. 5). The coupling member 72 is configured to be compatible with the driven part 9. According to the experiment of the present inventor, the angle N formed by the surface 18b on the upstream side in the rotation direction of the protrusion 18 and the surface 18c on the downstream side is preferably, for example, 45 to 90 degrees. With this configuration, even if a torque of 40 kgf · cm or more acting on the support 2 for rotational drive acts, the rotational power can be reliably transmitted from the coupling member 72 to the driven unit 9. FIG. 6 clearly shows the configuration of the convex portion 18 and the concave portion 19 of the driven portion 9.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of still another embodiment of the present invention. Driven part 9 at the axial end of support 2
Is thicker than the remaining portion 83. Thereby, the strength is improved.

FIG. 8 is a front view of the driven portion 9 of the support 2 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 7 as viewed from the left.
The convex portion 18 and the concave portion 19 are configured in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a partial sectional view of still another embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 described above. It should be noted that in this embodiment, the driven part 9 is thicker than the remaining part 83 of the support 2 and is formed at an obtuse angle K. This prevents stress concentration from occurring and improves strength. The driven portion 9 is made thicker by the thickness ΔL than the remaining portion 83 to improve the strength.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of still another embodiment of the present invention. Inner peripheral surface 84 of driven portion 9 of support 2
Is a conical guide surface 84 whose inside diameter increases as it goes axially outward (to the left in FIG. 10). The coupling member 72 is formed with a conical guide protrusion 85 that fits into the guide surface 84.

FIG. 11 is a front view of the driven portion 9 of the support 2 as viewed from the left in FIG. The driven portion 9 has a convex portion 18 and a concave portion 19, and this configuration is similar to each of the above-described configurations.

FIG. 12 is a partial sectional view of still another embodiment of the present invention. It should be noted that in this embodiment, a gap ΔL is provided between the guide surface 84 formed on the driven portion 9 of the support 2 and the inner peripheral surface of the guide protrusion 85 of the coupling member 72.
1 is present, for example, ΔL1 = 0.2 to 0.5 mm. This gap prevents a radially outward force from acting on the driven portion 9, thereby preventing the driven portion 9 from being damaged.

FIG. 13 is a front view of an end of the support 2 in the embodiment shown in FIG. This driven part 9
Is formed with a convex portion 18 and a concave portion 19 in the same manner as the above-described configuration.

FIG. 14 is a side view of still another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 15 is a front view of the connecting member 72 in the embodiment of FIG. 14 as viewed from the right. The coupling member 72 is formed with a recess 86 that is recessed in the axial direction in which the driven portion 9 of the support 2 is fitted. At the bottom of the concave portion 86, a driving concave portion 87 and a driving convex portion 88 that respectively mesh with the convex portion 18 and the concave portion 19 of the driven portion 9 are formed. According to this configuration, the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface of the driven portion 9 are supported by the radially opposed surfaces 89 and 90 of the recess 86, and thus the supporting strength is improved.

FIG. 16 is a partial side view of another embodiment of the present invention. The driven portion 9 of the support 2 includes a reinforcing layer 6
Is formed. The reinforcing layers 6 and 7 are, for example, films made of synthetic resin such as polyethylene terephthalate, and are available as, for example, Mylar tape. Such a tape is formed by winding one or more layers on the outer peripheral surface of the end portions 9 and 12 of the support 2. Therefore, since the reinforcing layers 6 and 7 are formed in the non-image area of the support 2 which is not related to image formation, the reinforcing layers 6 and 7 act on the end 9 of the support 2 when the fitting portion 10 of the driven member 3 is fitted. The support 2 is prevented from cracking, cracking, or breaking due to the applied stress, and the strength is improved.

The synthetic resin constituting the support 2 generally has a brittle property, and thus has a problem that the strength against a load perpendicular to the axis of the photoreceptor 1 is low. By forming as described above,
Strength can be improved and the problem can be solved. The same applies to the reinforcing layer 7.

In still another embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 17, the driven portion 9 is formed of a conductive coating layer of the reinforcing layer 6. The reinforcing layer 6 is made of a conductive coating layer. As a material of the conductive coating layer, a synthetic resin such as polycarbonate, nylon, and acrylic resin having good adhesiveness with the synthetic resin material forming the support 2 is dissolved in a solvent, and carbon black, thermal black, and the like as conductive materials are used. Particles such as acetylene black are dispersed and applied, and the conductive coating layer thus formed is used as the reinforcing layer 6. This enhances the strength, and also achieves the excellent effect of ensuring the electrical connection between the end 9 of the support 2 and the driven member 3.

FIG. 18 is a side view of still another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, both ends 90 and 91 in the axial direction of the support 2 have the same structure, and one end 90 is engaged with the coupling member 72, and the other end 91.
Is engaged with the support member 4.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an experiment performed by the present inventor. The load F is applied to the support 2 from a direction perpendicular to its axis 16.
Was applied, the magnitude of the breaking load on the driven portion 9 and the coupling member 72 was measured. The results of this experiment are as shown in Table 1.

[0061]

[Table 1]

From Table 1, it was found that in the above-described embodiment, the strength was large in the configuration shown in FIG.

FIG. 20 is a partial sectional view of still another embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 21, the driven portion 9 of the support 2 is formed with a convex portion 18 and a concave portion 19 at regular intervals in the circumferential direction. In the coupling member 72, the driving concave portion 20 fitted into the convex portion 18 and the driving convex portion 2 fitted into the concave portion 19
1 is formed.

FIG. 22 is a sectional view of still another embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 23, the driven portion 9 of the support 2 is formed with a convex portion 93 projecting radially inward from the inner peripheral surface 8. Fitting portion 94 of coupling member 72
As shown in FIG. 24, a drive convex portion 95 fitted on the inner peripheral surface 8 and a drive concave portion 96 fitted with the convex portion 93 are provided.
Are formed. According to this configuration, the strength can be improved without increasing the usage amount of the synthetic resin material for the support 2 as much as possible.

FIG. 25 is a sectional view of another embodiment of the present invention. The support 2 has a draft on the inner peripheral surface 8, and the driven portion 9 is formed with a recess 98 that is recessed outward in the radial direction as shown in FIG. 26. The driven portion 9 is an end portion of the support 2 in which the thickness in the axial direction is large. As shown in FIG. 26, a drive protrusion 100 that fits into the recess 98 and a drive protrusion 101 that fits into the inner peripheral surface 8 are formed in the fitting portion 99 of the coupling member 72.

FIG. 28 is a side view of a coupling member 72 according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 29 is a front view of the coupling member 72 as viewed from the right. The fitting portion 102 that fits into the driven portion 9 of the support 2 includes driving protrusions 103 that are spaced apart in the circumferential direction.
And the driving recess 104 are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

The connecting member 72 shown in FIGS. 28 and 29 can be detachably mounted on the supports 2a, 2b, 2c shown in FIGS. 30 (1) to 30 (3), respectively. The convex portions 18 and the concave portions 19 in the driven portions of these supports 2a, 2b, 2c are an integral number of the number of the convex portions 103 and the concave portions 104 of the coupling member 72 shown in FIGS. , Are formed symmetrically with respect to a plane of symmetry passing through the axis 16.

FIG. 31 is a front view of a driven portion 9 of a support 2 according to still another embodiment of the present invention. Convex part 1
The recesses 8 and the recesses 19 are formed in plane symmetry at equal intervals a in the circumferential direction. The coupling member 71 shown in FIG. 31 is a support member 2 shown in FIGS. 32 (1) to 32 (4).
d to 2 g can be detachably fitted. The supports 2d to 2g have recesses 105 to 108, and are shown in FIG.
The recess 105 of (1) is a single one, and only two recesses 106 of FIG. 32 (2) which are close to each other are formed.
32 are formed in the diameter line direction, and a total of four fitting recesses 108 in FIG. 32 (4) are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. Regarding the use time of the electrostatographic apparatus until the cracks of the supports 2d to 2g shown in FIG. 32 (1) to FIG. 32 (4) occur, in the experiment by the present inventor,
The results as shown in Table 2 were obtained.

[0069]

[Table 2]

As is apparent from Table 2, when the coupling member 72 shown in FIG. 31 is used, a large number of concave and convex fittings are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, which are accurately adapted as shown in FIG. It has been found that the possible configuration enables continuous use for a long period of time.

FIG. 33 is a diagram schematically showing the entire structure of a copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. The light output from the light source 41 irradiates the document 43 on the transparent plate 42,
The original image is slit-exposed on the photosensitive layer 5 on the photosensitive member 1 of the present invention to form an image, whereby an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive layer 5.

The photosensitive member 1 is driven to rotate in the direction indicated by the arrow 57. After the surface of the photosensitive layer 1 is uniformly charged by the main charger 46, the photoreceptor 1 is exposed as described above. Therefore, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photoreceptor 1, and the electrostatic latent image is visualized by the developer in the developing device 47. The visualized toner image is fed from a paper feed cassette 48 to a paper feed roller 49 and a registration roller 5.
0 on the recording paper supplied at a predetermined timing,
The image is transferred by the transfer charger 51. The recording paper is peeled off from the surface of the photoconductor 1 by the peeling charger 52, and is transported to the fixing device 54 by the transport belt 53. The fixing device 54 fixes the toner image on the recording paper by heat or the like, and the fixed recording paper is discharged onto a discharge tray 55. The developer remaining after the transfer of the surface of the photoconductor 1 is collected from the surface of the photosensitive layer 5 of the photoconductor 1 by the cleaner 56 and is cleaned. The residual potential on the surface of the photoconductor 1 that has been cleaned by the cleaner 56 is determined by a static elimination lamp 58.
The charge is removed.

FIG. 34 is a sectional view more specifically showing a part of the copying machine shown in FIG. The main charger 46 charges the surface of the photosensitive layer 5. Developing device 47
The developing roller 6 disposed opposite to the photoconductor 45
In a casing 62 surrounding the developing roller 61 and containing the developer, a developer scattering prevention sheet 63 that comes into contact with the photosensitive layer 5 and the reinforcing layers 6 and 7 upstream of the developing roller 61 in the rotation direction 57 of the photoconductor 45 is provided. Mounted.

FIG. 35 is an exploded perspective view of the developing device 47. The casing 62 includes an upper casing portion 62a and a lower casing portion 62b, and the seat 63 is attached to the upper casing portion 62a. Sheet 6
3 is made of an elastic and flexible material such as rubber or synthetic resin. At the ends 9 and 12 of the support 2 on which the reinforcing layers 6 and 7 are formed, a suede member 64 made of a material such as a flexible synthetic resin or rubber is provided, and faces the photoconductor 45 of the casing 62. Opening 65
At both ends of the support 2 in the axial direction.

FIG. 36 is a front view showing the vicinity of the photosensitive member 1 in the embodiment shown in FIGS. The opening 65 formed in the casing 62 of the developing device 47 is closed by the sheet 63 and the suede members 64 on both sides. Therefore, the developer in the casing 62 is prevented from scattering inside the laser printer, and the surroundings are prevented from being stained.

[0076]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the driven portion is provided at the axial end of the synthetic resin support,
The driven member is engaged with the coupling member of the driving means so that the support member is driven to rotate about its axis, so that the amount of the synthetic resin material used is not increased as much as possible, and the mechanical structure is simple and mechanical. The photoconductor can be realized without lowering the strength. Further, by making the driven portion of the support thicker than the remaining portion, the strength of the support can be improved as much as possible. Further, by making the driven portion of the support thick, and making the step an obtuse angle, it is possible to avoid generating an acute step, and further improve the strength of the relatively brittle low-strength support. Will be possible.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, each convex portion is formed so as to be tapered toward the outside in the axial direction, so that the convex portion of the driven portion and the concave portion are connected to each other by the driving means. The driving concave portion and the driving convex portion formed on the member can be meshed without rattling, and therefore, torque can be reliably transmitted from the coupling member to the driven portion.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the tip of the convex portion and the bottom of the concave portion are formed to be curved, so that the driven portion and the coupling member can be smoothly engaged with each other. Moreover, since the tip of the convex portion is not sharply formed but is curved, shaving and cracking do not occur due to deterioration, and such a portion that is shaved or broken is an electrophotographic device. It does not cause any abnormality in the operation of the electrophotographic apparatus by dropping into the inside of the device, and also prevents the occurrence of cracks in the driven portion of the support by preventing stress concentration, and also prevents the image quality from deteriorating. be able to. . If the tip of the projection is sharp, there is a problem that the driven portion and the support may be broken by a slight impact force. However, the problem is avoided in the present invention.

The bottom of the concave portion is curved, that is, not formed with an acute angle, so that cracks due to stress concentration can be prevented. Further, by forming the concave portion and the convex portion in a curved shape as described above, it is possible to prevent the driven portion and the support from cracking due to stress generated by transmission of rotational power from the coupling member to the driven portion. Scattering and long life can be achieved.

[0080]

[0081]

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the surface of the convex portion on the upstream side in the rotational direction is formed substantially parallel to the rotational axis of the support, or in the axial direction. By forming a surface that is inclined so as to become upstream in the rotation direction as it goes outward, when power is transmitted from the coupling member to the driven portion, the coupling member and the driven portion are forced in a direction away from each other. Does not act, and it is possible to reliably transmit the rotational power with the coupling member and the driven portion in the coupled state. In addition, it is also possible to smoothly perform the engagement when the convex portion and the concave portion of the driven portion are coupled to the driving concave portion and the driving convex portion of the coupling member.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, a guide surface that is a conical or frustoconical outer peripheral surface is formed radially inward of the convex portion and the concave portion of the driven portion. The strength of the driving unit is improved so that power can be reliably transmitted in the meshing state between the driven unit and the coupling member, and the driven unit and the coupling member are smoothly guided by the guide surface. Then, both can be smoothly engaged. Furthermore, by forming such a smooth guide surface at the time of molding the support, the flow of the synthetic resin at the time of injection molding is good, and there is also an effect that molding is easy.

According to the present invention, the conical guide surface is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the driven portion, so that the driven portion and the coupling member can be smoothly engaged with each other.

According to the present invention, by forming the convex portion of the driven portion so as to protrude inward in the radial direction, the strength can be improved without increasing the usage amount of the synthetic resin material as much as possible. Become.

According to the present invention, the reinforcing layer can be formed on the outer peripheral surface in the vicinity of the driven portion to improve the strength.
By making the reinforcing layer a conductive coating layer, it is also possible to improve the electrical connection between the conductive support and the conductive driven member.

Since the reinforcing layer is formed at a position shifted in the axial direction other than the image forming area of the photoconductor, it does not adversely affect the formation of the electrostatic latent image.

The outer diameter of the reinforcing layer is made substantially the same as the outer diameter of the photosensitive layer, whereby the scattering of the developer due to the contact of the sheet in the developing device can be surely prevented.

According to the present invention, the inner diameter of the support is, for example, a draft angle for injection molding or an inclined surface having a larger angle with respect to the axis, and the axial end of the support having the smaller inner diameter is used. By making the portion a driven portion, the strength can be improved without increasing the amount of synthetic resin material used.

The outer diameter of the support is uniform in the axial direction,
That is, the outer peripheral surface has a right cylindrical shape, and a photosensitive layer is formed on the outer peripheral surface. In an electrophotographic photosensitive device and an electrophotographic device including the same, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive layer. The photosensitive layer is provided only in an image forming area other than the end of the support to which the driven member is fixed, and thus may be formed in non-image areas at both ends of the support during injection molding. There is no danger that the quality of the electrostatic image formed on the photosensitive layer will be degraded due to the adverse effects such as sink marks sometimes generated.

According to the present invention, since the driven parts are provided at both ends in the axial direction of the support, the attachment of the connecting member to the driven parts becomes easy, and the degree of freedom in design is improved.
The degree of freedom of productivity can be improved, and furthermore, the cost can be reduced by making the connecting members supporting both ends in the axial direction of the support body the same structure, for example, and the productivity can be improved. Furthermore, in a configuration in which the support and the coupling member at both ends in the axial direction of the support are electrically conductive, it is ensured that electrical conduction between the two is achieved, and the photosensitive layer formed on the outer peripheral surface of the support is grounded. The occurrence rate of defects can be reduced. Furthermore, by making the structure of the both ends in the axial direction of the support body the same, there is also an effect that the mounting direction of the support body becomes free and maintenance can be facilitated.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the coupling member in the driving means applies a spring force to the driven portion of the support by the spring, so that the coupling member is separated from the photosensitive member against the spring force of the spring. The photosensitive member can be replaced by displacing the photosensitive member in a direction in which the photosensitive member is moved, thereby facilitating maintenance.

[0093]

According to the present invention, the conical guide surface of the driven portion of the support and the conical receiving surface of the coupling member are fitted, and the driven member is smoothly guided by the support and the coupling member. And the coupling member can be engaged with each other.

According to the invention, the guide projection of the coupling member is
A gap is provided between the guide portion and the guide surface of the driven portion of the support, thereby preventing the driven portion of the support from being pressed against the radially outward pressing force, thereby causing a crack in the driven portion. Prevent that. Thus, the photoconductor can be driven to rotate with a large torque.

According to the present invention, the coupling member is provided with a driving concave portion and a driving convex portion which are respectively engaged with the convex portion and the concave portion of the driven portion at the bottom of the concave portion formed in the coupling member. The outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface of the driven portion of the cylindrical support can be supported to rotate and drive the support, thereby improving the strength and stably driving the support. It is also possible to easily keep the axis of the support and the coupling member in a straight line, thereby improving the quality of the electrostatographic image.

According to the present invention, the support and the connecting member are made of a conductive material, the support is made of a conductive synthetic resin, and the connecting member may be made of a conductive synthetic resin. Or any other metal,
In this way, the support can be easily grounded. Moreover, the coupling member can be electrically connected via a spring or the like. In addition, there is no need to use a ground plate or the like for grounding the support, which has been conventionally required, and the cost can be reduced.

According to the present invention, the support is made of a synthetic resin material that is softer than the connecting member, in other words, the connecting member is made of a material that is harder than the support, such as aluminum and iron, thereby making it a consumable item. Even if a certain support is replaced, the coupling member can be used for a long period of time. Therefore, the life of the coupling member can be extended, and the driven portion of the support can be subjected to strength compensation in consideration of the life as the photoconductor life.

According to the present invention, the number of projections and depressions formed on the coupling member is set to be an integral multiple of the number of projections and depressions formed on the driven portion of the support. Can be used. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide the number of components of the coupling member for each type of the photoconductor, thereby improving productivity and facilitating maintenance.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, since the photosensitive layer and the reinforcing layer adjacent to the photosensitive layer in the axial direction have substantially the same outer diameter,
The developer scattering prevention sheet of the developing device can reliably prevent the developer from scattering inside the electrophotographic apparatus.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an electrophotographic photoconductor 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a front view of the support 2 as viewed from the left in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is a side view for explaining a configuration in the vicinity of a driven portion 9 of the support 2 in the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a side view of another embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a front view showing a configuration of a convex portion 18 and a concave portion 19 of the driven portion 9 of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a front view of the driven portion 9 of the support 2 as viewed from the left in the embodiment shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view of still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of still another embodiment of the present invention.

11 is a front view of the driven portion 9 of the support 2 as viewed from the left in FIG.

FIG. 12 is a partial cross-sectional view of still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a front view of an end of the support 2 in the embodiment shown in FIG.

FIG. 14 is a side view of still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a front view of the connecting member 72 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 14 as viewed from the right side.

FIG. 16 is a partial side view of another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a side view showing still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a side view of still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an experimental situation of the present inventor.

FIG. 20 is a partial cross-sectional view of still another embodiment of the present invention.

21 is a projection 18 of the driven portion 9 in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a front view showing a valley and a concave portion.

FIG. 22 is a side view of still another embodiment of the present invention.

23 is a front view of a driven portion 9 of the support 2 shown in FIG.

24 is a front view showing a fitting portion 94 of the coupling member 72 in FIG.

FIG. 25 is a sectional view of another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 26 is a front view showing a fitting portion 99 of the coupling member 72 in FIG. 25.

27 is a front view of the driven portion 9 of the support 2 in FIG. 25 as viewed from the left.

FIG. 28 is a side view of a coupling member 72 according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 29 is a front view of the coupling member 72 of FIG. 29 as viewed from the right.

FIG. 30 shows a support 2 according to another embodiment of the present invention.
It is a front view in a driven part of a, 2b, 2c.

FIG. 31 is a front view of a driven portion 9 of a support 2 according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 32 is a front view of a driven portion 9 of a support 2 according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 33 is a diagram schematically illustrating the overall configuration of a copying machine including the photoconductor 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 34 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration near the photoconductor 1 of the copying machine shown in FIG.

35 is an exploded perspective view of the developing device 47. FIG.

FIG. 36 is a simplified side view showing the photoconductor 1 in the vicinity of the developing device 47.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 electrophotographic photosensitive member 2 conductive synthetic resin support 4 support member 5 photosensitive layer 6, 7 reinforcing layer 8 inner peripheral surface 9 driven portion 12 end 16 axis 18, 93 convex portion 19, 105 to 108 concave portion 20 , 87, 96, 101, 104 Driving recess 21, 88, 95, 100, 103 Driving projection 71 Driving means 72 Coupling member 75, 94, 99, 102 Fitting part 76 Spring 77 Driving source 82 Rotation direction 83 Supporting body 2 84 Guide surface 85 Guide protrusion 89, 90 Surface 90, 91 Both ends in the line direction 98 Concave portion

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Takahiro Bito 22-22, Nagaikecho, Abeno-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Inside Sharp Corporation (72) Inventor Keizo Kitamura 22-22, Nagaikecho, Abeno-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Sharp Corporation (72) Inventor Masayuki Sawai 22-22 Nagaike-cho, Abeno-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Inside Sharp Corporation (72) Inventor Tatsuya Ito 22-22 Nagaike-cho, Abeno-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Sharp Corporation (72) Inventor Katsuhisa Imae 22-22 Nagaike-cho, Abeno-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Inside Sharp Corporation (72) Inventor Koichi Takenouchi 22-22, Nagaike-cho, Abeno-ku, Osaka-shi Osaka Prefecture (56) Reference Sharp Corporation 6 -130872 (JP, A) Japanese Utility Model Showa 55-105450 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G03G 21/00 350

Claims (7)

(57) [Claims] 1. A plurality of convex portions and a plurality of concave portions are formed alternately adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction at an axial end of a cylindrical synthetic resin support having a photosensitive layer formed on an outer peripheral surface. The driven part is provided facing outward in the axial direction, and the driven part of the support is thicker than the remaining part, and the driven part is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the support. And the remaining portion are connected at an obtuse angle, and the driving means includes a coupling member which is detachably meshed with the convex portion and the concave portion of the driven portion, respectively, and has a coupling member having the same axis as the supporting member. A photoconductor for electrophotography, which is driven to rotate. 2. The electrophotographic photoreceptor according to claim 1, wherein each of the protrusions protrudes outward in the axial direction and is tapered toward the outside in the axial direction. 3. The electrophotographic photoconductor according to claim 2, wherein the tip of the projection and the bottom of the recess are curved. 4. A plurality of convex portions and a plurality of concave portions are formed alternately adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction at an axial end of a cylindrical synthetic resin support having a photosensitive layer formed on an outer peripheral surface. The driven portion is provided facing outward in the axial direction, each convex portion protrudes outward in the axial direction, and is formed in a tapered shape toward the outside in the axial direction, and the rotational direction of the convex portion The surface on the upstream side is substantially parallel to the rotation axis or inclined so as to become upstream in the rotation direction toward the outside in the axial direction, and is detachably engaged with the convex portion and the concave portion of the driven portion. An electrophotographic photoreceptor, wherein the support is driven to rotate about the axis by a driving unit including a coupling member having the same axis as the support. 5. A plurality of convex portions and a plurality of concave portions are formed alternately adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction at an axial end portion of a cylindrical synthetic resin support having a photosensitive layer formed on an outer peripheral surface thereof. The driven portion is provided facing the outside in the axial direction, and the driven portion of the support has a radially inner side than the convex portion and the concave portion, and the outer diameter decreases toward the outside in the axial direction. The supporting member is rotatably driven around the axis by a driving means having a coupling member having the same axis as the supporting member, which is detachably engaged with the convex portion and the concave portion of the driven portion. A photoconductor for electrophotography, comprising: 6. A photosensitive member for electrophotography according to any one of claims 1 to 5, and (b) a driving means, wherein the supporting member is detachably engaged with a convex portion and a concave portion of a driven portion. Drive means having a coupling member having the same axis as the above, a spring for applying a spring force in a direction in which the driven portion of the support and the coupling member approach each other, and a driving source for driving the coupling member to rotate about the rotation axis. And a photosensitive device for electrophotography. 7. An electrostatic latent image is formed on a photoreceptor provided in a photosensitive device, the electrostatic latent image is visualized by a developer of a developing device, and the visualized image is transferred to a recording paper and fixed. An electrophotographic apparatus, comprising: a photosensitive device having a photoconductor and a driving unit, wherein the photoconductor is the electrophotographic photoconductor according to any one of claims 1 to 5; The outer diameter of the photosensitive layer and the outer diameter of the reinforcing layer are substantially equal, and the driving means is detachably engaged with the convex portion and the concave portion of the driven portion, and the coupling member has the same axis as the support. A developing device that opposes the photoreceptor, comprising: a spring that applies a spring force in a direction in which the driven portion of the support and the coupling member approach each other; and a drive source that rotationally drives the coupling member about a rotation axis. Current in the casing that stores the developer around the developing roller Electrophotographic apparatus, wherein the developer scatter preventing sheet in contact with the reinforcing layer and the photosensitive layer in the upstream side in the rotational direction of the photosensitive member is mounted than the roller.