JP3363891B2 - Reproduction method of 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 a process cartridge remanufacturing method. Here, as the process cartridge, a charging unit, a developing unit, a cleaning unit and an electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge, and the cartridge can be attached to and detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus. Alternatively, at least one of the charging means, the developing means, and the cleaning means and the image carrier are integrally made into a cartridge so as to be attachable to and detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus. Further, it means that at least the developing means and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally made into a cartridge so that it can be attached to and detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus.

The image forming apparatus includes, for example, an electrophotographic copying machine, an electrophotographic printer, an LED printer, a laser beam printer, an electrophotographic facsimile, an electrophotographic word processor, and the like.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic image forming process, an electrophotographic photosensitive member and process means acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge, and the cartridge is used as an image. A process cartridge system is adopted which is detachable from the main body of the forming apparatus. According to this process cartridge system, the maintenance of the apparatus can be performed by the user himself without resorting to a serviceman, so that the operability can be markedly improved. Therefore, this process cartridge system is widely used in image forming apparatuses.

Such a process cartridge uses a developer to form an image on a recording medium. Therefore, the developer is consumed as the image is formed. Then, when the developer is wasted to the extent that an image having a quality that is satisfactory to the user who purchased the process cartridge cannot be formed, the process cartridge loses its commercial value.

[0005]

Conventionally, there has been a demand for a simple process cartridge remanufacturing method capable of re-commercializing a process cartridge in which the developer has been consumed and the commercial value has been lost.

An object of the present invention is to provide a simple process cartridge reproducing method.

Another object of the present invention is to re-commercialize a process cartridge that has lost its commercial value as a process cartridge because the developer has been consumed to the extent that an image of a quality that is satisfactory to the user cannot be formed. It is an object of the present invention to provide a process cartridge remanufacturing method.

[0008]

A first aspect of the present invention relates to an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a charging roller for charging the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and a developer remaining on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum. a drum frame having a cleaning blade for removing, and supports the developing roller for developing with the developer the electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, for accommodating a developer developer A developing frame having a storage part, and a method for remanufacturing a process cartridge detachable from an electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body, comprising: (a) a pin that rotatably connects a drum frame and a developing frame. And the pins provided at the one end and the other end in the longitudinal direction of the drum frame and the developing frame are processed into the fitting hole bottom of the fitting hole into which the pin is fitted, and the penetration hole is formed.
The drum, insert the extrusion member through the penetration hole , and
A pin pushing step of pushing the frame from the inside to the outside, (b) a separating step of separating the drum frame and the developing frame, and (c) a screw provided from one end of the drum frame in the longitudinal direction. A step of removing the bearing portion supporting the shaft provided at one end of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum from the drum frame, and (d) being provided at the other end in the longitudinal direction of the drum frame. A drum removing step of pulling out the electrophotographic photosensitive drum in an oblique direction from a drum positioning pin supporting the other end of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum and taking out the electrophotographic photosensitive drum from the drum frame; At the other end of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum in the longitudinal direction,
Insert the drum positioning pin provided at the other end of the drum frame in the longitudinal direction, and then install the bearing part in the longitudinal direction of the drum frame so as to support the shaft provided at one end of the new electrophotographic photosensitive drum. A step of attaching a drum to one end of the developing frame with a screw; ) A developer refilling step of removing the cap from the developer filling opening exposed by removing the end cover, then refilling the developer, and then sealing the developer filling opening, and (h) To support one end of the developing roller in the longitudinal direction,
A developing roller attaching step of attaching one end cover with a screw to one end in the longitudinal direction of the developing frame, and (i) fitting pins into holes provided at one end and the other end in the longitudinal direction of the drum frame and the developing frame. And a connecting step of connecting the drum frame and the developing frame, and a process cartridge remanufacturing method.

A second invention according to the present application is an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a charging roller for charging the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and a cleaning blade for removing the developer remaining on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum. , and supports the drum frame, a developing roller for developing with the developer the electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive drum having,
In a method of remanufacturing a process cartridge, which includes a developing frame having a developer accommodating portion for accommodating a developer and is attachable to and detachable from a main body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, (a) rotating a drum frame and a developing frame The pins that are connected as much as possible and that are provided at one end and the other end in the longitudinal direction of the drum frame and the development frame are processed into the fitting hole bottom of the fitting hole where the pins are fitted. Give it a penetration hole
The drum, insert the extrusion member through the penetration hole , and
A pin pushing step of pushing the frame from the inside to the outside, (b) a separating step of separating the drum frame and the developing frame, and (c) a screw provided from one end of the drum frame in the longitudinal direction. A step of removing the bearing portion supporting the shaft provided at one end of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum from the drum frame, and (d) being provided at the other end in the longitudinal direction of the drum frame. A drum removing step of pulling out the electrophotographic photosensitive drum from a drum frame in an oblique direction from a drum positioning pin supporting the other end of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and (e) electrophotography Use the space where the photoconductor drum was installed to move the drum positioning pin from the inside to the outside of the drum frame. (F) Insert a new electrophotographic photosensitive drum into the drum frame and position the other end of the drum from the outside of the drum frame at the other end in the longitudinal direction. A drum attaching step of inserting a pin, and then attaching a bearing to the one end of the drum frame in the longitudinal direction with a screw so as to support a shaft provided at one end of a new electrophotographic photosensitive drum, (g) A step of removing one end cover attached to one end in the longitudinal direction of the developing frame by removing the screw from one end in the longitudinal direction of the developing frame; and (h) a developer filling opening exposed by removing the end cover. Remove the cap, then refill with developer and then refill with developer. A developer refilling step of sealing the opening, so as to support the one end in the longitudinal direction of the (i) a developing roller,
A developing roller attaching step of attaching one end cover with a screw to one end in the longitudinal direction of the developing frame, and (j) fitting pins into holes provided at one end and the other end in the longitudinal direction of the drum frame and the developing frame. And a connecting step of connecting the drum frame and the developing frame, and a process cartridge remanufacturing method.

A third invention according to the present application is an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a charging roller for charging the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and a cleaning blade for removing the developer remaining on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum. , and supports the drum frame, a developing roller for developing with the developer the electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive drum having,
In a method of remanufacturing a process cartridge, which includes a developing frame having a developer accommodating portion for accommodating a developer and is attachable to and detachable from a main body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, (a) rotating a drum frame and a developing frame The pins that are connected as much as possible and that are provided at one end and the other end in the longitudinal direction of the drum frame and the development frame are processed into the fitting hole bottom of the fitting hole where the pins are fitted. Give it a penetration hole
The drum, insert the extrusion member through the penetration hole , and
A pin pushing step of pushing the frame from the inside to the outside, (b) a separating step of separating the drum frame and the developing frame, and (c) a screw provided from one end of the drum frame in the longitudinal direction. A step of removing the bearing portion supporting the shaft provided at one end of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum from the drum frame, and (d) being provided at the other end in the longitudinal direction of the drum frame. A step of removing the positioning pin that supports the other end of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum from the inside of the drum frame to the outside, and then pulling out the positioning pin from the outside of the drum frame; ) Drum removal process to remove the electrophotographic photosensitive drum from the drum frame, and Insert the photosensitive drum into the drum frame, insert the drum positioning pin from the outside of the drum frame into the other end in the longitudinal direction, and then insert the shaft provided at one end of the new electrophotographic photosensitive drum. And a drum mounting step of mounting the bearing portion on one end in the longitudinal direction of the drum frame with a screw so as to support, and (H) Remove the cap from the developer filling opening exposed by removing the end cover, then refill the developer and then seal the developer filling opening. And (i) so as to support one end in the longitudinal direction of the developing roller,
A developing roller attaching step of attaching one end cover with a screw to one end in the longitudinal direction of the developing frame, and (j) fitting pins into holes provided at one end and the other end in the longitudinal direction of the drum frame and the developing frame. And a connecting step of connecting the drum frame and the developing frame, and a process cartridge remanufacturing method.

A fourth invention according to the present application is an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a charging roller for charging the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and a cleaning blade for removing the developer remaining on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum. , and supports the drum frame, a developing roller for developing with the developer the electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive drum having,
In a method of remanufacturing a process cartridge, which includes a developing frame having a developer accommodating portion for accommodating a developer and is attachable to and detachable from a main body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, (a) rotating a drum frame and a developing frame The pins that are connected as much as possible and that are provided at one end and the other end in the longitudinal direction of the drum frame and the development frame are processed into the fitting hole bottom of the fitting hole where the pins are fitted. Give it a penetration hole
The drum, insert the extrusion member through the penetration hole , and
A pin pushing step of pushing the frame from the inside to the outside, (b) a separating step of separating the drum frame and the developing frame, and (c) a screw provided from one end of the drum frame in the longitudinal direction. A step of removing a bearing portion supporting a shaft provided at one end of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum from the drum frame, and (d) a process when the process cartridge is attached to the apparatus main body. A part of the cartridge positioning portion, which is provided at the other end of the drum frame in the longitudinal direction for positioning the cartridge in the main body of the apparatus, is cut away, and the other end of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum is cut by the cutout portion. Pull out the supporting drum positioning pin from the drum frame, and remove the electrophotographic photosensitive member from the drum frame. A step extraction drum taking out the ram, the other longitudinal end of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum (e) new,
Insert the drum positioning pin provided at the other end of the drum frame in the longitudinal direction, and then install the bearing part in the longitudinal direction of the drum frame so as to support the shaft provided at one end of the new electrophotographic photosensitive drum. A step of attaching a drum to one end of the developing frame with a screw; ) A developer refilling step of removing the cap from the developer filling opening exposed by removing the end cover, then refilling the developer, and then sealing the developer filling opening, and (h) To support one end of the developing roller in the longitudinal direction,
A developing roller attaching step of attaching one end cover with a screw to one end in the longitudinal direction of the developing frame, and (i) fitting pins into holes provided at one end and the other end in the longitudinal direction of the drum frame and the developing frame. And a connecting step of connecting the drum frame and the developing frame, and a process cartridge remanufacturing method.

[0012]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge is a direction that intersects with a direction in which the process cartridge is attached to and detached from the apparatus main body (a direction that is substantially orthogonal, an axial direction of the image carrier), and is parallel to the surface of the recording medium. And a direction intersecting (substantially perpendicular to) the conveyance direction of the recording medium. Further, the left and right are left or right when the recording medium is viewed from above according to the conveyance direction of the recording medium. Further, the upper surface of the process cartridge is a surface located above when the process cartridge is mounted in the apparatus main body, and the lower surface is a surface located below.

First, a process cartridge and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus to which the process cartridge is attachable / detachable will be described with reference to FIGS.
It will be specifically described with reference to. 1 is a schematic explanatory view of the configuration of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus in which a process cartridge is mounted, and FIG. 2 is a schematic explanatory view of the configuration of a process cartridge. Here, as the order of the description, the overall structure of the process cartridge and the electrophotographic image forming apparatus using the process cartridge will be described first, and then the structure of the process cartridge attaching / detaching mechanism for attaching / detaching the process cartridge to / from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus will be described. To do.

(Overall Structure) This electrophotographic image forming apparatus (laser beam printer, hereinafter referred to as "image forming apparatus") A has information based on image information from an optical system 1 as optical means, as shown in FIG. A drum-shaped electrophotographic photosensitive member (image bearing member, hereinafter referred to as "photosensitive drum") that emits light 7
To form an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 7, and the electrostatic latent image is developed with a developer (hereinafter referred to as “toner”) to form a toner image. Then, in synchronization with the formation of the toner image, the recording medium (recording paper, OHP sheet, cloth, etc.) 2 is separated and fed one by one from the cassette 3a by the pickup roller 3b and the pressure contact member 3c which is in pressure contact with this, and the process cartridge. The toner image formed on the B photoconductor drum 7 is transferred to the recording medium 2 by applying a voltage to the transfer roller 4 as a transfer unit, and the recording medium 2 is conveyed by the conveyance guide 3f.
It is conveyed to the fixing means 5. The fixing means 5 has a driving roller 5a and a heater 5b built therein and also has a support 5
The fixing rotating member 5d is composed of a cylindrical sheet rotatably supported by c, and heat and pressure are applied to the recording medium 2 passing therethrough to fix the transferred toner image. Then, the recording medium 2 is conveyed by the discharge rollers 3d and discharged to the discharge section 6 through the reverse conveying path. In addition,
In the present embodiment, the conveying means 3 is composed of the pickup roller 3b, the pressure contact member 3c, the discharge roller 3d and the like.

(Process Cartridge) On the other hand, the process cartridge B comprises an electrophotographic photosensitive member and at least one process means. Here, as the process means, for example, a charging means for charging the electrophotographic photoreceptor, a developing means for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photoreceptor, a cleaning for cleaning the toner remaining on the electrophotographic photoreceptor There are means, etc. The process cartridge B of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG.
A photosensitive drum 7 which is an electrophotographic photosensitive member having a photosensitive layer is rotated, and a voltage is applied to a charging roller 8 which is a charging means to uniformly charge the surface of the photosensitive drum 7, and the charged photosensitive drum Information light (light image) based on the image information from the optical system 1 is exposed to the light through the exposure opening 9b to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 7, and the electrostatic latent image is developed. The means 10 is used for developing.

The developing means 10 is a rotatable feeding member 1 which is a toner feeding means for the toner in the toner containing portion 10a.
Send out at 0b. Then, the developing roller 10d, which is a developing rotary member (developer carrying member) having the fixed magnet 10c built therein, is rotated, and at the same time, a toner layer to which a triboelectric charge is applied by the developing blade 10e is formed on the surface of the developing roller 10d. By transferring the toner to the photosensitive drum 7 according to the electrostatic latent image, a toner image is formed and visualized.

After a voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the toner image is applied to the transfer roller 4 to transfer the toner image to the recording medium 2, the cleaning blade 11a scrapes off the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 7, and the squeeze sheet is also used. The residual toner on the photoconductor drum 7 is removed by the cleaning means 11 which collects the collected toner in the removed toner storage portion 11c by the scooping 11b.

The process cartridge B shown in this embodiment rotatably supports the photosensitive drum 7, and includes a drum frame 11d in which a cleaning means 11 and a charging roller 8 are incorporated, a developing means 10, and a toner accommodating portion 10a. It is composed of a built-in toner developing frame (developing frame) 10f. The toner developing frame 10f is the developing means 1
The cleaning frame 1 so that the developing roller 10d of 0 can face the photosensitive drum 7 in parallel at a predetermined interval.
A spacer 10m that is rotatably supported with respect to 1d and that maintains a gap between the developing roller 10d and the photosensitive drum 7.
(See FIG. 8) are arranged at both ends of the developing roller 10d. A holder member 10g, which is an end cover, is screwed to both side surfaces of the toner developing frame 10f. As shown in FIG. 5, the holder member 10g has a suspension arm 10g7 having a coupling hole 10g8 for rotatably suspending the developing unit on the cleaning unit. A predetermined pressure is applied between the developing unit and the cleaning unit in order to maintain the space.

The process cartridge B includes a developing frame 10
The toner developing frame body 10f in which f1 and the lid member 10f2 are welded and integrated with each other and the cleaning frame body 11d are housed in a cartridge frame body CF configured to be a cartridge. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the cartridge frame CF is provided on both sides in the longitudinal direction with respect to the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body (hereinafter referred to as “image forming apparatus main body”) 14 in the arrow X direction (see FIG. 19). A mounting guide 18b for removably mounting to and a positioning member (hereinafter referred to as positioning) 18a which is coaxial with the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum 7 and supported by positioning means inside the image forming apparatus. ing. The positioning 18a is a cylindrical boss having different diameters on the left and right, and has an arc-shaped projection 18a1 centered on the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum 7 and having a larger radius than the positioning 18a for positioning on the opposite drive side. The mounting guide 18b includes a lower surface 18b1 that is received by a moving guide 41 described later,
The mounting guide 18b has a tip portion 18b2 which is a tip in the insertion direction of the process cartridge. This tip portion 18b2
The arc connecting the lower surface 18b1 is larger than the arc connecting the upper surface. A rear end lower corner portion 18b3, which is a rear end corner portion of the lower surface 18b1 in the insertion direction, has a slope portion 18b4 formed with an acute angle with the lower surface 18b1, and a rear end portion of the upper surface in the insertion direction is an orthogonal surface 18b5 orthogonal to the upper surface. Consists of. The rear end of the mounting guide 18b is provided to the rear of the position of the center of gravity of the process cartridge. When the mounting guide 18b supports the process cartridge B, the mounting guide 18b is always maintained in a front-down posture. In this embodiment, the mounting guide 1
8b is a side surface of the drum frame 11d and is provided above the positioning 18a. However, the mounting guide 18b may be arranged on the toner developing frame 10f or the holder member 10g attached to the side surface thereof.

As shown in FIG. 2, the process cartridge B of this embodiment is provided with a drum shutter 12 capable of integrally covering the transfer opening 9a and the exposure opening 9b facing the transfer roller 4 of the photosensitive drum 7. Drum frame 11
It is rotatably provided in d. Drum shutter 12
The configuration of will be described. The drum shutter 12 has a drum protection portion 12a capable of covering the transfer opening 9a where the photosensitive drum 7 contacts the transfer roller 4.

As shown in FIG. 7, the drum frame 11d
Of the drum frame 11 at both ends of the rotary shaft 12b, which is rotatably supported near the exposure opening 9b.
a sliding portion 12b1 that rotates and slides with d and sliding portions 12b at both ends.
The sliding portion 12b is provided in the portion that is hung on the exposure opening 9b that connects the two.
A large diameter portion 12b2 thicker than 1 and an exposure shutter portion 12b3 (see FIG. 2) that closes the exposure opening 9b when the drum shutter 12 is closed are provided in the large diameter portion 12b2. The drum shutter 12 has connecting portions 12c provided at two left and right positions connecting the rotary shaft 12b and the drum protective portion 12a at both ends of the drum protective portion 12a and outside the large diameter portion 12b2 of the rotary shaft 12b in the longitudinal direction. The rotary shaft 12b has a cam portion 12d arranged on the right side of the large diameter portion 12b2 and protruding above the process cartridge B. Right connection 1
2c is provided with a rib 12e extending outward in the longitudinal direction of the drum shutter 12, and the rib 12e is fixed guide 4
The drum shutter 12 is received by the shutter guide 44c of No. 4 (see any one of FIGS. 19 to 23) and holds the opened posture.

A biasing force is applied to the drum shutter 12 in a direction in which the drum shutter 12 covers the photosensitive drum 7 by a spring force of a shutter spring 12f (see FIG. 7). This shutter spring 12f has a rotating shaft 12b.
Is a torsion coil spring whose spring end is inserted into one end of the drum frame 11d and presses the roots of the drum frame 11d and the connecting portion 12c. As a result, in the state where the process cartridge B is taken out from the apparatus main body, the drum shutter 12 maintains the closed state that covers the transfer opening 9a of the photosensitive drum 7 as shown by the chain double-dashed line in FIG. In a state in which the image forming operation is possible, the drum shutter opening / closing means, which will be described later, rotates the transfer opening 9a as shown by the solid line in FIG.
Is exposed, and the photosensitive drum 7 and the transfer roller 4 are brought into contact with each other.

Next, the structure of the cleaning means will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14.

The cleaning means 11 includes a first seal member 11e for preventing toner leakage from the both ends of the rubber of the cleaning blade 11a from the removed toner accommodating portion 11c, and a second seal member 11h for preventing toner leakage behind the cleaning blade. It is fixed to a predetermined position of the frame 11d with double-sided tape or the like. Next, the cleaning blade is fixed to a predetermined position of the drum frame 11d with a small screw to prevent the toner from leaking from both ends of the rubber of the cleaning blade 11a and a member for wiping off adhering substances such as toner on the photosensitive drum. The third seal member 11f and the scooping sheet 11b, which is a scooping member, are fixed to the drum frame 11d by the double-sided tape 11g and the like. Further, an electrode 8c for supplying power to the charging roller 8 from the image forming apparatus main body A is fitted in the drum frame 11d.

Further, a charging roller bearing 8b for supplying power to the charging roller 8 from the electrode 8c and serving as a bearing, and the other charging roller bearing 8a are incorporated in the drum frame 11d,
The shaft portion of the charging roller 8 is fitted in the bearings 8b and 8a.

The photosensitive drum 7 is coupled to one side with a coupling means 70 for drive transmission, a developing roller 10d, a drum gear 71 in which a gear for transmitting drive to the transfer roller 4, an earth contact and the like are integrated, and a bearing to the other side. Flange 8
5 are connected. One end of the photosensitive drum 7 is rotatably supported by a bearing 18c having a positioning 18a on the coupling means 70 side. The bearing 18c is coupled to the drum frame 11d by a machine screw. The other end of the photosensitive drum is press-fitted and supported in the hole 11 of the drum frame 11d so that the positioning pin 18d fits within the positioning 18a.

The pin 18d has a large diameter portion 18d4 reduced in diameter from the head portion 18d3 and a small diameter portion 18 reduced in diameter from the large diameter portion 18d4.
It has d5 integrally. The length of the hole 11i is the large diameter portion 18d4.
Shorter than the length of. When the large diameter portion 18d4 is press-fitted into the hole 11i, the step end portion 18d1 between the end large diameter portion 18d4 and the small diameter portion 18d5 projects from the inner surface of the side wall 11j of the drum frame 11d. In addition, the neck lower end surface 18d2 of the head 18d3
Touches the outer surface of the side wall 11j.

The assembly of the cleaning means 11 is performed in the same order as the above description. Next, the developing means 10 of the process cartridge B will be described in more detail.

As shown in FIG. 2, the developing means 10 forms a toner chamber (toner accommodating portion) 10a and a developing chamber 10i by connecting the developing frame 10f1 and the lid member 10f2.

The toner contained in the toner accommodating portion 10a is contained in the toner developing frame 10f.
There is provided a toner passage opening 10k through which the toner passes through when being supplied to d.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a toner seal member (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-102105) 27, which is composed of a plurality of layers for closing the toner passage opening 10k of the toner developing frame 10f, is torn by a laser beam. A possible cover film portion 27b is heat-welded to the seal mounting portion, and the cover film portion 27b is provided with a sealant layer 31 for fixing the toner seal member 27.

As shown in FIG. 11, the toner seal member 27 is attached to the seal mounting portion 10h along the four edges of the toner passage opening 10k. In order to open the passage opening 10k, the laser is half-cut 27c as described above (JP-A-11-102105).

Further, a toner filling port (not shown) for filling the toner container 10a with toner is provided at one end in the longitudinal direction of the toner developing frame 10f, and the cap member 10j after the toner filling (FIG. 11). See).

Both the developing frame 10f1 and the lid member 10f2 are formed by injection molding of resin. To assemble these, the lid member 10f2 is joined to the open wall portion of the developing device frame 10f1, and the joined portion is welded and joined. After joining, the end seal 10r and the developing blade 10e that prevent the toner from leaking from both ends of the developing roller 10d.
A seal member 10s for preventing toner from leaking from both ends of the developing roller 10d and a sheet member 10t for preventing toner from scattering from a gap below the developing roller 10d are formed by a double-sided tape or the like to form a developing frame 10f1.
And is attached to the lid member 10f2.

As described above, as shown in FIG. 7, the end cover 10g has the arm portion 10g7 protruding toward the drum frame 11d.
The drum frame 11d and the end cover 10g are rotatably coupled by a longitudinal coupling hole 10g8 provided at the tip of g7 and a pin 60 (see FIG. 6) fitted in a coupling hole (not shown) provided in the drum frame 11d. You can A compression coil spring, the inner diameter of which is fitted into the spring stopper 10g9 on the arm portion 10g7, is contracted between the drum frame 11d and the spacers 10m on both sides of the developing roller 10d and the photosensitive drum 7 are pressed against each other.

As shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, the toner developing frame 10f and the lid member 10f2 which are integrated as described above.
In the drum frame 11d in which the photosensitive drum 7 and the cleaning means 11 are assembled, the pin 60 is attached to the drum guide
The drum frame 1 is inserted through the pin insertion holes 18g8 of the end covers 10g on both sides along the pin insertion guide 18b6 on the inner side of 8b, and is coaxial with the pin insertion guide 18b6 on both sides of the hole 10g8 of the end cover 10g.
It is press-fitted into a hole (not shown) of 1d to be coupled. Further, the process cartridge B'is assembled by connecting the drum shutter 12 and the shutter spring 12f to the drum frame 11d.

(Structure of End Cover and Handle Member) One end cover 10 arranged on both longitudinal sides of the developing means 10.
Reference character g denotes a developing roller gear 10n (see FIG. 10) fixed to the end of the developing roller 10d meshing with a drum gear (not shown) fixed to the end of the photosensitive drum 7, and the toner feeding member from the developing roller gear 10n. It covers a gear train consisting of two idler gears 10p and 10q for transmitting drive to a conveying gear (not shown) of 10b.
The other end cover 10g is provided with a handle member 10g1 described below.

Drawer 27a of toner seal member 27
(See FIG. 8) is folded back at the one end 10p (see FIG. 10) in the longitudinal direction of the toner passage opening 10k, and is drawn out through the hole 10f11 (see FIG. 11) of the toner developing frame 10f.

As shown in FIG. 14, the end portion 27 of the toner seal member 27 is pulled out to the outside of the lead portion 27a.
Further, a1 is further drawn out through the hole 10g6 of the end cover 10g, and the surface R (sealant layer 31 side) shown in FIG.
A plate-shaped handle member 10g that serves as a handle so as to be on the g1 side
After passing through the first through hole 10g4, it is heated and fixed to the determined surface of the handle member 10g1. The handle member 10g1 is provided so as to be removable from the end cover 10g. More specifically, the wall thickness of the connecting portion connected to the end cover 10g is made particularly thin so that it can be bent and separated. Further, the handle member 10g1 and the end cover 10g are integrally formed. Preferably, styrene-based materials such as high-impact polystyrene (HIPS) and acrylonitrile-butadiene polymer (ABS) are used for integral molding. The end portion 27a1 of the lead portion 27a is heat-welded to the handle member 10g1.

The process cartridge B'shown in FIG. 6 assembled as described above is contained in the package with the handle member 10g1 attached, as shown in FIG.
1 is pushed down to the arrow P side and shipped. At this time, when the tip of the handle member 10g1 is tilted down, the drum frame 11
A relief (notch 10g2 shown in FIG. 7) is provided so as not to interfere with the protrusion 18a1 for positioning d.

When the user purchases and uses the process cartridge, if the handle member 10g1 is tilted toward the arrow Q side opposite to the insertion direction of the process cartridge B into the image forming apparatus main body 14 as shown in FIG. Member 10g1
End portion 10g of the protrusion 10g5 provided on the end cover 10g
To the rotation direction, and the base side of the handle member 10g1 (the connection portion with the end cover 10g) is attached to the end cover 10.
g, and the handle member 10g as shown in FIG.
When the operator hooks the convex portion 10g3, which is a handle, on the finger and pulls it in the direction of the arrow F, the drawer portion 27a is pulled out, the cover film portion 27b is torn, and the toner passage opening 10k of the toner developing frame 10f is opened. Then, the toner can be sent out from the toner containing portion 10a to the developing chamber 10i, the process cartridge B shown in FIGS.

(Process Cartridge Attaching / Detaching Mechanism) Next, the structure of the process cartridge attaching / detaching mechanism for attaching / detaching the process cartridge B to / from the image forming apparatus main body 14 will be described.

The process cartridge attaching / detaching mechanism of the present embodiment holds the process cartridge in the main body of the image forming apparatus and moves it between the optical system and the conveying means.
1. A cam plate 50 for moving the movement guide 41 in the first half of the closing operation of the opening / closing cover 15 and the second half of the opening operation, a connecting plate 51 for transmitting the rotation operation of the opening / closing cover 15 to the cam plate 50, and a process cartridge movement. A push arm for supporting the process cartridge at a position where image formation can be performed later, and a drum shutter opening / closing means of the drum shutter 12 of the process cartridge.

Further, in this embodiment, in the latter half of the closing operation of the opening / closing cover and the first half of the opening operation, the coupling means on the image forming apparatus side for transmitting the drive to the process cartridge from the right end in the longitudinal direction and the coupling on the process cartridge side. It has a drive connecting means for connecting and disconnecting the means 70 and an interlock switch for detecting that the opening / closing cover is closed and energizing the image forming apparatus in an operable manner. In the closing operation of the opening / closing cover, the movement guide 41 interlocked with the opening / closing cover is used.
The process cartridge is conveyed by the movement of 1), then the coupling means is moved to the position of FIG. 1 where the drive connection means can be connected, the push arm is operated, and then the interlock switch is operated. When opening the open / close cover, first release the interlock switch,
Next, the drive connecting means and the push arm are released, and finally the movement guide is moved.

Further, the shutter 12 is the process cartridge of the moving guide 41 when the opening / closing cover is closed.
When the cam portion 12d comes into contact with the support plate of the optical system 1 during the conveyance process of B, the opening operation starts, and when it further proceeds, the rib 12e rides on the shutter guide 42c and opens at the image forming position of FIG. The state is maintained. When the opening / closing cover is opened, the shutter 12 can be closed by the reverse operation.

(Mounting the process cartridge on the main body)
Next, the attaching / detaching operation of the process cartridge B by the process cartridge attaching / detaching mechanism will be described with reference to FIGS. 18 to 25.

When the opening / closing cover 15 of the image forming apparatus main body 14 is completely opened (fully opened state), an opening W for attaching and detaching the process cartridge appears. In this state, as shown in FIG. 15, the movement guide 41 appears in a posture in which the movement guide 41 is lowered in the insertion direction of the process cartridge. An auxiliary guide 42 is fixed to the inner side plate 40 on the upstream side in the insertion direction of the moving guide 41 substantially symmetrically to the left and right.

The auxiliary guide 42 includes an attachment / detachment auxiliary portion 42a connected to the rear end of the moving guide 41 and an upper surface 41a of the moving guide 41.
6 has an upper restricting portion 42b having a surface almost connected to 6. The attachment / detachment assisting portion 42a has a front guide surface 42a1 continuous with the guide surface 41a2 and a front guide surface 4a continuous with the front guide surface 42a1.
Introductory guide surface 4 which has a gentler inclination than 2a1 and is substantially horizontal
2a2, which has a lower guide surface 42a3 that is located below the front guide surface 42a1 and the introduction guide surface 42a2 and that is steeper than the front guide surface 42a1 and that faces the lower surface of the moving guide 41. Further, in the upper regulating portion 42b, an upper guide surface 42b1 that is substantially connected to the upper surface 41a6 of the moving guide 41, an upper guide surface 42b that is continuous with the upper guide surface 42b1 and is substantially parallel to the lower guide surface 42a3.
The upper introduction guide surface 42b2 is inclined upward from 1. Further, the side guide 43b of the front guide 43 is the moving guide 41.
The guide surface 41a2 has an inclined surface 43b1 slightly inclined more than parallel to the guide surface 41a2, and a horizontal surface 43b2 continuous with the inclined surface 43b1 and provided on the opening / closing cover 15 side.

Therefore, the introduction guide surface 42a is provided on the inner surface of the inner plate 40 on the left and right of the opening W which appears when the opening / closing cover 15 is opened.
2 and the upper introduction guide surface 42b2, the inlet side is widened, and the upper guide G1 configured between the upper restriction portion 42b of the auxiliary cover 42, the attachment / detachment auxiliary portion 42a, and the movement guide 41, the lower guide surface 42a3, and the horizontal surface 43b2. The entrance side is widened, and the attachment / detachment assisting portion 42a, the movement guide 41, and the side guide 43b
Two guide grooves of the lower guide G2 formed between the two appear. Further, as shown in FIG. 12, the opening / closing cover 15 has the central boss 15a, which is the center of opening / closing, on the lower side of the cover.
The opening / closing cover 15 opens downward, and the back cover 16 faces the opening W. The convex portion 16a provided on the back cover 16 has a rough guide surface 16 inclined downward in the process cartridge insertion direction.
a1 is formed.

In the process cartridge B, as described above, the positioning 18a is formed on both side surfaces of the cartridge frame CF so as to be coaxial with the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum 7, and the rib-like mounting is formed along the attaching / detaching direction of the process cartridge. A guide 18b is provided. Further, the toner developing frame 10f
As shown in FIG. 2, protrusions 10f3 are provided on the lower surface of the device near both ends in the longitudinal direction.

When the process cartridge B is inserted into the opening W, the mounting guide 18b of the process cartridge B is aligned with the upper guide G1 on the side surface of the opening W, and the positioning guide 18a is aligned with the lower guide G2.
Insert the guide groove 41a up to the end.
At this time, the convex portion 16a of the back cover 16 limits the insertion position of the process cartridge B to some extent, and the mounting guide 18b and the positioning 18a of the process cartridge B are connected to the upper guide G.
1. Acts as a rough guide that facilitates guiding to the lower guide G2. This is from the rough guide surface 16a1 to the introduction guide surface 4
The distance h1 to the top of the opening / closing cover side of 2a2 and the lower surface 18 of the mounting guide 18b from the lower surface of the toner developing frame 10f.
The distance h2 to the intersection of b1 and the tip portion 18b2 is
<H2 is set, and positioning is performed from the distance h3 from the apex on the opening / closing cover side of the introduction guide surface 42a2 to the apex on the opening / closing cover side of the horizontal surface 43b2 of the side guide 43b, and the intersection of the lower surface 18b1 and the tip end portion 18b2 of the mounting guide 18b. 1
By setting the distance h4 to the lower surface of 8a to be h3> h4, as shown in FIGS.
Rough guide surface 16a in which the lower surface of f is provided on the upper surface of the convex portion 16a
When the mounting guides 18b are aligned with each other, the mounting guide 18b is naturally guided to the entrance of the upper guide G1, and the positioning 18a is naturally guided to the entrance of the lower guide G2. Further, as shown in FIG. 21, in the convex portion 16a, the mounting guide 18b has the guide surface 4 of the moving guide 41.
Since the process cartridge B is kept in the front-lowering posture in the mounting direction until it contacts the rear end of the toner developing frame 10f until it reaches 1a2, the process cartridge B moves to the inner part of the guide groove 41a of the movement guide 41 by its own weight. It is easy to do.

The convex portions 16a are provided in the vicinity of both ends in the longitudinal direction of the back cover 16 and the central portion is kept low to ensure a space where the user's hand can comfortably enter when attaching or detaching the process cartridge or when jamming. Open and close cover 1
The opening W that appears when opening 5 is a shape for satisfying both a limited area for mounting the process cartridge B and a space where the user can easily access the inside of the image forming apparatus.

Here, the positional relationship in the longitudinal direction of the convex portion 16a in the opening W and the process cartridge will be described with reference to FIG. The outer space L1 of the convex portion 16a of the back cover 16,
The distance L2 between the outer surface of the left convex portion and the inner surface of the left auxiliary guide,
With respect to the distance L3 between the outer surface of the right convex portion and the inner surface of the right auxiliary guide, the distance l1 inside the protrusion 10f3 of the process cartridge B, the inner surface of the left protrusion and the cartridge frame C
The relationship between the spacing 12 on the left side surface of F and the spacing 13 on the right side surface of the cartridge frame CF is L1.
<L1 and L2≈l2 + (l1-L1) / 2 +
((L1 + L2 + L3)-(l1 + l2 + l3)) /
2, L3≈l3 + (l1-L1) / 2 + ((L1 + L
2 + L3− (l1 + l2 + l3)) / 2, the projections 16a at both ends are located between the projections 10f3 on the lower surface of the toner developing frame according to the formula, and the projections 10 are defined by the formula.
By aligning f3 with the convex portion 16a, the process cartridge B can be roughly aligned with the opening W in the longitudinal direction.

The convex portion 16 of the back cover 16 formed in this way
Mounting guide 1 for process cartridge B using a
8b to the upper guide G1, positioning 18a to the lower guide G2
To the front guide surface 4 which is the lower surface of the upper guide G1.
1a1 and the guide surface 41a2 are formed so as to be inclined downward to the front, and the rear end of the mounting guide 18b is provided to the rear of the position of the center of gravity of the process cartridge. The moving guide 41 is guided toward the back by its own weight. The inclined surface 43b1 of the side guide 43b, which is the lower surface of the lower guide G2, is slightly steeper than the guide surface 41a2. Therefore, when the process cartridge is inserted, the positioning 18a is inclined 43 of the side guide 43b.
It moves away from b1 (see FIG. 21). Therefore, when the process cartridge is inserted from the opening W, the mounting guide 18b can be received by the moving guide 41. When the process cartridge B received by the guide surface 41a2 of the movement guide is further inserted, the mounting guide 1
The tip portion 18b2 of 8b is the upper surface inclination 41 of the movement guide 41.
It contacts a7 (see FIG. 22). The tip portion 18b2 of the mounting guide 18b is a smooth arc, and the upper surface slope 41a7
The lower side is a receiving surface 41a1 lower than the guide surface 41a2.
Therefore, the process cartridge B is inserted into the inner side of the guide groove 41a while changing the posture in the direction in which the inclination is further strengthened by the action of the upper surface inclination 41a7, and the mounting guide tip end portion 18b2 is inserted into the receiving surface 41a1. Attachment of the process cartridge is completed by touching the back side (Fig. 2
3).

When changing the attitude of the process cartridge B in the direction of increasing the inclination, the tip of the abutment rib 43c provided on the front guide 43 abuts on the lower surface of the toner developing frame 10f, and the tip of the abutment rib 43c is abutted. With the fulcrum as a fulcrum, the process cartridge B changes to a posture in which the process cartridge B is further lowered (see FIG. 2).
2, see FIG. 23). When the process cartridge B is completely inserted, the point at which the lower surface of the toner developing frame 10f contacts the contact rib 43c is set rearward in the insertion direction from the position of the center of gravity of the process cartridge B. Occasionally, the toner developing frame 10f, which is on the rear side in the insertion direction, is lifted. Therefore, in the process cartridge B inserted through the opening W, the lower side of the tip end portion 18b2 of the mounting guide is placed on the receiving surface 4 of the guide groove 41a.
The lower surface of the toner developing frame 10f is supported by the contact ribs 43c of the front guide 43 on the back side of the mounting guide 18b.
The rear lower corner 18b3 is raised. The contact ribs 43c are set such that the lower corner 18b3 of the rear end of the mounting guide 18b has the same height as the guide surface 41a2 of the moving guide 41.

The movement guide 41 in the process cartridge attaching / detaching mechanism according to the present embodiment is configured to move in conjunction with the opening / closing operation of the opening / closing cover 15. For this reason, if the rear end of the movement guide 41 (the end surface on the opening / closing cover side) can be pushed by the process cartridge B, the movement guide 41 escapes into the image forming apparatus, and the process moves into the guide groove 41a of the movement guide 41. The mounting guide 18b of the cartridge B cannot be inserted. Therefore, in the present embodiment, an auxiliary device having an attachment / detachment assisting portion 42a fixed to the inner plate 40 and connected to the rear end of the movement guide 41 is provided upstream of the movement guide 41 in the mounting direction of the process cartridge B (direction of arrow X). A guide 42 is provided.
The auxiliary guide 42 solves the above-mentioned problem, and the guide rib 18b of the process cartridge B is reliably guided to the guide groove 41a of the moving guide 41.

Further, since the process cartridge B is mounted on the movement guide 41 which moves in association with the opening / closing operation of the opening / closing cover 15, the movement guide 41 is inside the image forming apparatus when the opening / closing cover 15 is partially closed. Since it is moved to the
There is a gap between and. It is possible to mount the process cartridge as long as the opening / closing cover 15 has a small closing amount and the clearance is such that the mounting guide 18b can be crossed over. However, when this gap becomes wide to some extent, the mounting guide 18b of the process cartridge B cannot be inserted into the guide groove 41a of the moving guide 41, and when the gap is wider, the mounting guide 18b enters this gap and an image is formed. It is expected that it will sneak into the device. For this reason, in this embodiment, the protrusion 16a of the back cover 16 prevents the process cartridge from being inserted with the open / close cover 15 partially closed.

When the closing amount of the opening / closing cover 15 is large,
Since the convex portion 16a of the back cover 16 is close to the upper regulating portion 42b and there is no space for mounting the process cartridge, the process cartridge cannot be inserted. When the opening / closing cover 15 is closed halfway and the process cartridge is still insertable, the protrusion 16a enters in the original attaching / detaching direction (arrow X direction) due to the rotation of the opening / closing cover 15, and the back cover 16
Since the rough guide surface 16a1 has a steeper angle than usual, the process cartridge B can be inserted only at a steeper angle than usual. When the open / close cover 15 is closed, the process cartridge B is inserted at a steep angle so that the lower surface of the process cartridge B is aligned with the rough guide surface 16a1 of the convex portion 16a, and the guide surface 41a2 of the moving guide 41 and the auxiliary cover are inserted. Since the introduction guide surface 42a2 of 42 is discontinuous, the mounting guide 18
The front end surface 18b2 of b contacts the rear end surface of the movement guide 41. At this time, the positioning 18a is in contact with the inclined surface 43b1 of the side guide 43b, and the lower surface of the toner developing frame 10f is in contact with the convex portion 16a of the back cover 16 to limit the posture of the process cartridge B. The front end of the mounting guide 18b and the rear end of the moving guide 41, the positioning 18a and the side guide 43
When the opening / closing cover 15 is further closed from the state where the inclined surface 43b1 of b, the lower surface of the toner developing frame 10f and the convex portion 16a are in contact with each other, the movement guide 41 moves to the inside of the image forming apparatus and the back side. Since the convex portion 16a of the lid 16 also rotates upward, the process cartridge B rotates counterclockwise and the corner portion with the orthogonal surface 18b5 at the rear end of the upper surface of the mounting guide 18b is the upper introduction guide surface of the auxiliary guide 42. 42b2 is abutted, and the opening / closing cover 15 cannot be closed any more. That is, even if the process cartridge is inserted while the open / close cover 15 is partially closed, the open / close cover 15 cannot be closed, so that the problem of improper mounting of the process cartridge can be prevented.

Here, even when the process cartridge B is inserted from the state where the opening / closing cover 15 is partially closed and the process cartridge B cannot be moved, it is moved by rotating the opening / closing cover 15 again in the opening direction. The guide 41 moves to the opening W side, pushes the tip portion 18b2 of the mounting guide 18b, and pulls out the process cartridge B. When the clearance between the receiving surface 41a1 of the moving guide 41 and the front guide surface 42a1 of the auxiliary guide 42 becomes small and the mounting guide 18b crosses over the clearance, the mounting guide 18b is set in the guide groove 41a and the process cartridge can be mounted. Like

(Reproduction of Process Cartridge) When the toner in the toner containing portion 10a is used up, the process cartridge B'is collected and reproduced as follows.

For remanufacturing, the disassembled part is inspected, and if the inspection is passed, the part is used for reassembly, and if it is not passed, it can be used for disassembling and inspecting a new part or another model of the same type. The parts determined to be used will be used for reproduction as appropriate.

(Drum Shutter Removal Process) FIG. 25
The process of removing the drum shutter will be described with reference to FIG.

The drum shutter 12 rotatably attached to the drum frame 11d is removed. To remove the drum shutter 12 from the cleaning frame 11d, the bearing portions 11d1 on both sides of the drum frame 11d are used.
The tip of a flat-blade screwdriver (not shown) is inserted between the rotary sliding portions 12b1 at both ends of the drum shutter 12 and lifted up to remove it. Further, the drum shutter spring 12f, which applies a biasing force in the direction in which the drum shutter 12 covers the photosensitive drum 7, can be removed at the same time. At this time, the rotary sliding portion 12b1 of the drum shutter 12 may be damaged. If it is damaged, the drum shutter 12 is replaced with a new one at the time of reassembly.
As a result of the inspection, when it is confirmed that the drum shutter 12 functions sufficiently, the drum shutter 12 is reused. After the inspection, the drum shutter spring 12f is reused if there is no abnormality.

(Separation Step of Cleaning Unit and Developing Unit) Next, referring to FIG. 6, FIG. 7, FIG. 8, FIG.
The process of separating the cleaning unit C and the developing unit D will be described below with reference to FIGS. 27, 28, 29, and 30. 6 is a perspective view of the process cartridge with the toner seal unopened, FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the developing means assembly, FIGS. 26 and 27 are rear views of the drum frame 11d, and FIG. 28 is a side view showing the non-driving side of the process cartridge B. (FIGS. 29 and 30 are cross-sectional views), FIG.
9 and FIG. 30 are illustrations for extracting the connecting pin.

First, FIGS. 6 and 11 and FIG.
9, the coupling configuration of the cleaning unit C and the developing unit D will be described. The end cover 10g shown in FIG. 11 has an arm portion 10g7 protruding toward the drum frame 11d, and has a longitudinal coupling hole 10g8 provided at the tip of the arm 10g7.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the drum frame 1 in which the photosensitive drum 7 and the cleaning means 11 are assembled.
1d has pins 60 on both sides of the end cover 10 along the pin insertion guide 18b6 inside the mounting guide 18b.
g through the connecting hole 10g8, and the end cover 10
Drum frame hole ( fitting hole) 18b7 which is coaxial with the pin insertion guide 18b6 on both sides of the coupling hole 10g8 of g.
(See FIGS. 29 and 30).

Cleaning unit C and developing unit D
To separate the pins 60 on the rear surface of the drum frame 11d (see FIG. 26) from which the drum shutter 12 is removed.
There is a method in which a hole 80 (FIG. 30) is formed in the vicinity of the hole 18b7 into which is pressed and the end face of the pin 60 that appears is pushed out.
For detailed explanation, FIG. 28 shows the process cartridge B.
29 is a side view showing the non-driving side of FIG. 29, and FIG. 29 and FIG. 30 are cross-sectional views taken along line S-S in FIG. Here, the non-driving side will be described as an example,
The same applies to the driving side.

First, it is easy to open the hole 80 by melt processing using an ultrasonic cutter 81 as shown in FIG. Moreover, you may cut by a drill, a cutter, etc. At the position where the hole 80 is formed, it is desirable that the end face 60a (see FIG. 30) of the pin 60 can be seen,
As shown in FIG. 31, the size of the hole 80 is the size of the pin 60.
It is preferable to use a hole having a size such that a flat-blade screwdriver 83 or the like used to push out in the direction of the arrow T (pulling direction) can be inserted, and as small as possible. Drum frame 1 having holes 80
This is because if 1'd is inspected and it is confirmed that it fully functions, it is reused. Further, the hole 1 of the drum frame which is coaxial with the pin insertion guide 18b6
8b7 is a bag hole, and by forming a hole 80 only on the back surface side of the drum frame 11d, chips can be separated without dropping chips and the like of the mold into the drum frame 11'd.
In addition, before pushing out the pin 60, as shown in FIGS. 29 and 30, the pin insertion guide 18b6 is attached to the cutter 8 as shown in FIG.
If it is deleted with 2, etc., the pin 60 can be easily pulled out.

Cleaning unit C and developing unit D
The separation process procedure of is described below. The pin insertion guide 18b6 is removed by a cutter 82 or the like, and the ultrasonic cutter 8
The hole 80 is formed in the vicinity of the end face 60a of the pin 60 on the rear surface of the drum frame 11d with the No. 1 or the like. As shown in FIG. 31, a flat-blade screwdriver 83 is inserted into the hole 80, and the flat-blade screwdriver 83 is tilted in the arrow u direction to push the end surface 60a of the pin 60, thereby moving the pin 60 in the arrow T direction (pulling direction). Push out. When pushing out using the minus driver 83 such as the general-purpose tool, it is difficult to push out the entire length of the pin 60, so if the other end surface 60b of the pin 60 projects from the surface from which the pin insertion guide 18b6 is removed,
As shown in FIG. 32, it is grasped by a general-purpose tool such as nippers or radio pliers 84 and pulled out. The separated cleaning unit C'and developing unit D are in the state shown in FIG.

Although the separation process of the cleaning unit C and the developing unit D has been described above, the procedure is not limited to this.

(Reproduction of Cleaning Unit) Next,
Reproduction of the cleaning unit C'will be described.

First, the photosensitive drum 7 is set to the drum frame 1
The step of removing from 1'd will be described. As previously mentioned,
The supporting structure of the photosensitive drum will be described with reference to FIG. The photosensitive drum 7 is connected to one side with a coupling means 70 for drive transmission, a developing roller 10d, a drum gear 71 in which a gear portion for transmitting drive to the transfer roller 4, an earth contact, etc. are integrated, and a bearing is provided at the other end. Flange 85
Are combined. On the photosensitive drum 7, a bearing 18c having a positioning 18a is coupled to the coupling means 70 side by a small screw, and on the other side, a positioning pin 18d is positioned.
The cleaning frame 11d is pressed into and supported by the cleaning frame 11d so as to be accommodated in the inside 8a. A simple method for removing the photosensitive drum 7 from the drum frame 11'd is to remove the small screw to remove the bearing 18c, and lift the drum gear 71 portion of the photosensitive drum 7 in the direction of arrow V shown in FIG. It can be removed by flexing the side wall of ′ d and pulling it out at an angle. After that, the positioning pin 18d can be pushed out from the inside of the drum frame 11'd and pulled out.

Desirably, it should be decomposed by the following method. To remove the photosensitive drum 7 from the drum frame 11'd, as shown in FIG.
The positioning pin 18d of the flange 85 may be removed from the positioning 18a of the drum frame 11'd. As shown in FIG. 35, the positioning pin 18d is positioned by the positioning 18a.
To project from the end surface 18d of the positioning pin 18d
1 (see FIG. 14) and the flange 85, the jig 86 is inserted, and the end face 18d1 and the side wall 1 of the drum frame 11'd are inserted.
By sandwiching 1j and pressing it in the direction of arrow E, the other end surface 18d2 of the positioning pin 18d can be pushed out from the positioning 18a. After that, as shown in FIG. 35, the head 18d3 of the positioning pin 18d is attached to the nippers or the radio pliers 84.
It can be pulled out by grasping it with a general-purpose tool such as. As a result, the photoconductor drum 7 can be removed.

Alternatively, the positioning pin 18d can be pulled out by grasping the positioning pin 18d with a general-purpose tool such as radio pliers or nippers by cutting out a part of the positioning 18a.

Next, as shown in FIG. 14, the charging roller 8 and
The roller bearings 8a and 8b that serve as the bearings of the charging roller 8 are removed.

Next, the removed toner is removed from the cleaning unit C'with the photosensitive drum 7 removed. FIG. 37
As shown in FIG. 3, the cleaning unit C ′ from which the photosensitive drum 7 is removed holds the suction nozzle 87 of the toner suction device, and the suction nozzle 87 is attached to the cleaning blade 11a of the cleaning unit C ′ and the squeeze sheet 1.
It presses against the gap 88 between 1b. Drum frame 11 '
While tapping the upper surface of d, suck the suction nozzle 87 into the gap 8
8 is moved in the lateral direction to suck the removed toner inside. Next, as shown in FIG. 38, the cleaning unit C ′ which has completed the removal of the removed toner removes the cleaning blade 11a to remove the drum frame 11′d.
The inside of is cleaned by blowing air or the like with an air gun 89 or the like. The photoconductor drum 7 and the cleaning blade 10a that have been removed clean the adhered toner by blowing air or the like, and then inspect each to determine whether or not they can be reused. As a result of the inspection, if the performance does not meet the standard, replace it with a new one.

(Reassembly of Cleaning Unit) After mounting a new or reusable cleaning blade 10a and a new squeeze sheet 10c on the drum frame 11'd, a roller serving as a bearing for the new or reused charging roller 8 The bearings 8a and 8b and the charging roller 8 are attached. Further, in order to rotatably attach the new photosensitive drum 7 to the drum frame 11'd, the bearing 18c is coupled to the drum frame 11'd by a small screw, and the other is provided with the positioning pin 18d and the drum frame 11'd. It is press-fitted so as to fit in the positioning 18a. Further, in order to reassemble a new photosensitive drum 7 into the drum frame 11'd from which the photosensitive drum 7 has been pulled out without removing the positioning pin 18d, the direction opposite to the arrow V direction shown in FIG. Can be reassembled by bending the side wall 11j of the drum frame 11'd and inserting the photosensitive drum 7 at an angle.

(Reproducing Method of Developing Means) Next, the disassembling method of the developing means 10 and the reproducing method by refilling the toner will be described. Regarding reproduction, the disassembled part is inspected, and if the inspection is passed, the part is used for reassembly, and if it is not passed, a new part is used for reproduction as appropriate.

(Disassembly of End Cover and Toner Cap) The developing means 10 separated from the cleaning means 11 is shown in FIG.
Further decomposition, as shown in 9. First, the end cover on the side where the toner filling port 110 is located (one end cover) 1
Remove the small screw fixing 0g. While pressing the bearing 111 which positions the developing roller 10d, the end cover 10g is pulled out in the longitudinal direction with the compression spring 114 still attached. By removing the end cover 10g, the toner cap 10j fitted in the toner filling opening (developer filling opening) 110 can be seen. Similarly, while pressing the bearing 111, the toner cap 10j is pulled out using radio pliers (not shown) or the like. The bearing 111 may be held by hand, but it is preferable to use a temporary positioning jig 112 as shown in FIG. 41 to prevent the toner from scattering.

(Refilling of Toner) As shown in FIG. 40, the toner filling port 110 of the toner developing frame 10f is held upward, and the toner cap 10j is removed and the toner filling port 11 is removed.
A funnel 113 having a diameter of 0 is fitted into the toner filling port 110, and the temporary positioning jig 112 is used to develop the developing roller 10d.
While holding the bearing 111, the toner developing frame 10f is refilled with toner from the funnel 113. Funnel
It is also possible to directly refill the toner from the filling port 110 without using the above, but in order to suppress the toner scattering and refill the toner efficiently, use a fixed amount supply device having an auger in the funnel-shaped body. It is better to use.

(Assembly of Developing Unit) After the toner developing frame 10f is refilled with toner as described above, the developing unit 10 is reassembled. Reassembly may be performed by reversing the above-described disassembly process. That is, after the toner developing frame 10f is refilled with toner, the funnel 113 is removed while the temporary positioning jig 112 is attached, and the toner cap 10j is attached to the toner filling port 1.
Fit in 10. Then, the temporary positioning jig 112 is removed, the end cover 10g is reassembled, and the end cover 10g is fastened to the toner developing frame 10f with a small screw. When the end cover 10g is judged to be unusable as a result of the inspection, when a new end cover (in which the handle portion 10g2 described at the beginning of the embodiment is integrated) is used, the end cover 10g is integrated with the new end cover. The formed grip member 10g2 is the same as the developing unit 10 described above.
Fold and separate as described in the detailed description.

As described above, the reassembling of the developing means 10 up to the stage before being combined with the cleaning means 11 is completed.

In addition to the disassembled end cover 10g and the toner cap 10j, when damage is found in other parts of the developing means 10, it is determined that it can be used by disassembling and inspecting new parts or other similar models. Replace the parts with the appropriate ones.

(Unit Reconnecting Step of Reconnecting Developing Unit and Cleaning Unit) As described above, after the (drum shutter removing step), the developing unit D and the cleaning unit C are separated, and Remanufacturing), (reassembly of cleaning unit)), and remanufactured cleaning unit C ′, (disassembly of end cover and toner cap), (refilling of toner), and (reassembly of developing means). The produced developing unit D'is rejoined in the reverse procedure of (separation step of the cleaning unit and the developing unit), but the pin insertion guide 18b6 is attached to the drum frame 11'd of the reassembled cleaning unit C '.
Therefore, it is necessary to carefully insert the pin 60.
A method of efficiently inserting the pin 60 will be described. Figure 41
FIG. 43 is a side view showing the re-assembled cleaning unit C ′ and reproduction unit D ′ that have been reproduced, and is a side view showing a cutting position S—S in sectional views of FIGS. 42 and 43 described later. 42 and 43 are explanatory diagrams of a pin insertion method.

As shown in FIG. 41, since the drum frame 11'd of the reproduced cleaning unit C'has no pin insertion guide 18b6, the pin 60 is inserted into the mounting guide 18b. It becomes difficult to scrape off 18b6 and insert it into the remaining hole 18b6 '. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 42, by using a pin insertion jig 90, it can be facilitated. The pin insertion jig 90 includes a guide portion 90a for guiding the pin 60 and an insertion portion 90b for pushing the end surface 60b of the pin 60. Guide part 90a
Enters the inside of the mounting guide 18b and guides the pin 60 to the vicinity of the hole 18b6 '. As shown in FIG. 43, the pin 60 is inserted through the hole 10g8 of the end cover 10g on both sides along the hole 18b6 ', and the pin 60 of the drum frame is coaxial with the hole 18b6' on both sides of the hole 10g8 of the end cover 10g. It can be pressed into the hole 18b7. As a result, the reproduced cleaning unit C ′ and the reproduced developing unit D ′ are recombined so as to be rotatable about the pin 60.

The above is the main steps of remanufacturing the process cartridge according to the embodiment of the present invention. The above-mentioned steps show one embodiment of the remanufacturing method of the present invention, and the procedure and method are as described above. It is not limited to that.

Further, although the process cartridge shown in the above-mentioned embodiment exemplifies the case of forming a single color image, the process cartridge according to the present invention is provided with a plurality of developing means, and images of a plurality of colors (for example, a two color image, It can also be suitably applied to a cartridge that forms a three-color image or full-color image.

Further, the electrophotographic photosensitive member is not limited to the above-mentioned photosensitive drum, and includes, for example, the following. First, a photoconductor is used as the photoconductor, and examples of the photoconductor include amorphous silicon, amorphous selenium, zinc oxide, titanium oxide, and an organic photoconductor (OP).
C) etc. are included. As the shape for mounting the photoconductor, for example, a drum shape or a belt shape is used. For example, in the case of a drum type photoconductor, a photoconductor is vapor-deposited or coated on a cylinder of aluminum alloy or the like. Was done.

As the developing method, various known developing methods such as a two-component magnetic brush developing method, a cascade developing method, a touchdown developing method and a cloud developing method can be used.

As for the structure of the charging means, the so-called contact charging method is used in the above-mentioned embodiment, but a metal shield such as aluminum is provided around the three sides of the tongue wire which has been conventionally used as another structure. It goes without saying that a configuration may be used in which positive or negative ions generated by applying a high voltage to the tongue wire are moved to the surface of the photosensitive drum to uniformly charge the surface of the drum.

The charging means may be a blade (charging blade), a pad type, a block type, a rod type, a wire type or the like other than the roller type.

As a method of cleaning the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum, the cleaning means may be constituted by using a blade, a fur brush, a magnetic brush or the like.

The above-mentioned process cartridge is
For example, an electrophotographic photosensitive member and at least one of process means
It is equipped with one. Therefore, as the mode of the process cartridge, other than the embodiment described above, for example, the electrophotographic photosensitive member and the developing means are integrally made into a cartridge, which can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body. Further, there is one in which an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a developing unit, a charging unit, or a cleaning unit is combined into an integrated cartridge, which can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body.

That is, the above-mentioned process cartridge means a cartridge in which at least the developing means and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally made into a cartridge which can be attached to and detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus. Then, this process cartridge can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body by the user himself. Therefore,
The maintenance of the device body can be performed by the user himself.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the laser beam printer is exemplified as the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, electrophotography such as electrophotographic copying machine, LED printer and the like. Of course, it can be used for an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as a printer, a facsimile machine, a word processor, or a multifunction machine (multifunction printer or the like) of these.

The order of the steps in the remanufacturing method of the present invention may be changed appropriately.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the used process cartridge is collected and disassembled. And
Collect the same parts removed from each process cartridge by disassembly. Then, it includes the case where the process cartridge is remanufactured by the above-mentioned remanufacturing method by using the parts and, in some cases, new parts (parts that are not reused) by using the parts. Also, in the above-described embodiment, the used process cartridge is collected and disassembled. Then, using the parts removed from the cartridge, in some cases, some of the parts are new parts (parts that are not reused), or the parts removed from other process cartridges are used in the above-described reproduction method. Including the case of remanufacturing the process cartridge.

Further, the present invention includes any of the following cases. (1) When remanufacturing process cartridges,
When remanufacturing the cartridge by reusing only the parts removed from one process cartridge. (2) In the case of the above (1), as for a part which cannot be reused, such as a part which has reached the end of its life or has been damaged, it is a new part or a reusable part removed from another cartridge. When reproducing cartridges using. (3) When reproducing the process cartridge,
Parts removed from multiple process cartridges are once collected for each same part. Then, when you want to select and take out the necessary parts from the parts collected for each part and reuse those parts to remanufacture the cartridge. (4) In the case of the above (3), when the cartridge is remanufactured by using a new component for a component that cannot be reused, such as when it has reached the end of its life or is damaged.

The above-mentioned parts are the components described in the claims, that is, the components constituting a part of the cartridge. The minimum unit that can be disassembled or the unit is also included.

[0100]

As described above, according to the present invention,
It realizes one simple method for remanufacturing process cartridges.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a process cartridge.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a process cartridge.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a process cartridge.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing a developing unit and a cleaning unit.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a process cartridge in which a toner seal has not been opened.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a developing unit and a cleaning unit separately.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a toner seal member.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged sectional view of the toner seal member.

FIG. 10 is a front view in which a toner developing frame, a lid member, and a toner seal member are combined.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the developing device assembly.

FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective view of inserting the process cartridge into the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of a cleaning unit.

FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of a cleaning unit.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view of an end cover and a handle member.

FIG. 16 is a sectional view of an end cover and a handle member.

FIG. 17 is a sectional view of an end cover and a handle member.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a process cartridge attaching / detaching mechanism.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram of a process cartridge inserting operation into the process cartridge attaching / detaching mechanism shown in FIG.

20 is an explanatory diagram of a process cartridge inserting operation into the process cartridge attaching / detaching mechanism shown in FIG.

FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram of a process cartridge inserting operation into the process cartridge attaching / detaching mechanism shown in FIG.

22 is an explanatory diagram of a process cartridge inserting operation into the process cartridge attaching / detaching mechanism shown in FIG.

23 is an explanatory diagram of a process cartridge inserting operation into the process cartridge attaching / detaching mechanism shown in FIG.

24 (a) and 24 (b) are explanatory views of the positional relationship in the longitudinal direction between the back lid convex portion in the opening W and the projecting portion of the process cartridge.

FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram of a drum shutter removal process

FIG. 26 is a rear view of the drum frame.

27A, 27B, and 27C are rear views of the drum frame.

FIG. 28 is a side view showing the non-driving side of the process cartridge.

FIG. 29 is a sectional view for explaining the extraction of the connecting pin.

FIG. 30 is an explanatory cross-sectional view of the connecting pin taken out.

FIG. 31 is a sectional view for explaining the extraction of the connecting pin.

FIG. 32 is a sectional view for explaining the extraction of the connecting pin.

FIG. 33 is an exploded perspective view of the cleaning unit and the developing unit.

FIG. 34 is a perspective view for explaining the removal of the photosensitive drum.

FIG. 35 is a front view for explaining the removal of the photosensitive drum.

FIG. 36 is a front view for explaining the removal of the photosensitive drum.

FIG. 37 is a perspective view illustrating a method of removing removed toner.

FIG. 38 is a perspective view illustrating a cleaning method of the cleaning frame body.

FIG. 39 is a perspective view illustrating the removal of the end cover and the toner cap.

FIG. 40 is a perspective view illustrating a toner filling method.

FIG. 41 is a side view showing the non-driving side of the process cartridge.

FIG. 42 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a re-press-fitting process of the connecting pin.

FIG. 43 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a re-press-fitting process of the connecting pin.

[Explanation of symbols]

A ... Image forming apparatus B ... Process cartridge B '... Process cartridge C ... Cleaning unit C' ... Cleaning unit CF ... Cartridge frame D ... Developing unit D '... Developing unit G1 ... Upper guide G2 ... Lower guide L1, L2, L3 , L4, l1, l2, l3 ... Intervals l5, l6, l8 ... Length l7 ... Projection height N ... Tip part R ... Surface W ... Opening h1, h2, h3, h4 ... Distance 1 ... Optical system 2 ... Recording medium 3 ... Conveying means 3a ... Cassette 3b ... Pickup roller 3c ... Pressing member 3d ... Ejecting roller 3f ... Conveying guide 4 ... Transfer roller 5 ... Fixing means 5a ... Driving roller 5b ... Heater 5c ... Support 5d ... Fixing rotator 6 ... Ejecting Part 7 ... Photosensitive drum 8 ... Charging roller 8a ... Charging roller bearing 8b ... Charging roller bearing 9a ... Transfer opening 9b ... Exposure opening 10 ... Developing means 10a. Over accommodating portion 10b ... feeding member 10c ... fixed magnet 10d ... developing roller 10e ... developing blade 10f ... toner developing frame (developing frame) 10f1 ... developing device frame 10f2 ... lid member 10f3 ... protrusions 10 g ... end cover (holder member, One end end cover
- ) 10g1 ... Handle member 10g2 ... Notch 10g3 ... Convex portion 10g4 ... Through hole 10g5 ... Projection 10g6 ... Hole 10g7 ... Arm portion 10g8 ... Coupling hole 10g9 ... Spring stop 10h ... Seal attachment portion 10i ... Development chamber 10j ... Cap 10k ... Toner Passage opening 10m ... Spacer 10n ... Developing roller gear 10r ... End seal 10s ... Sealing member 10t ... Sealing member 11 ... Cleaning means 11a ... Cleaning blade 11b ... Squisheet 11c ... Removed toner storage 11d ... Drum frame 11'd ... Reuse frame Body (with hole processing) 11d1 ... Bearing 11e ... First seal member 11f ... Third seal member 11g ... Double-sided tape 11h ... Second seal member 11i ... Hole 11j ... Side wall 12 ... Drum shutter 12a ... Drum protector 12b ... rotary shaft 12b1 ... rotary slide Portion 12b2 ... Large diameter portion 12b3 ... Exposure shutter portion 12c ... Connecting portion 12d ... Cam portion 12e ... Rib 12f ... Shutter spring 14 ... Image forming apparatus body 15 ... Open / close cover 15a ... Center boss 16 ... Back lid 16a ... Convex portion 16a1 ... Rough guide surface 18a ... Positioning 18a1 ... Projection 18b ... Mounting guide 18b1 ... Lower surface 18b2 ... Tip part 18b3 ... Rear end lower corner part 18b4 ... Slope surface part 18b5 ... Orthogonal surface 18b6 ... Pin insertion guide 18b7 ... Hole ( fitting hole) 18c ... Bearing 18d ... Positioning pin 18d1 ... End surface 18d2 ... Other end surface 27 ... Toner seal member 27a ... Drawer part 27a1 ... End part 27b ... Cover film part 31 ... Sealant layer 40 ... Inner plate 41 ... Movement guide 41a ... Guide groove 41a1 ... Receiving surface 41a2 ... Guide surface 41a6 ... Upper surface 41a7 ... Upper surface inclination 42 ... Auxiliary guide 42a ... Attachment / detachment assisting portion 42a1 ... Front guide surface 42a2 ... Introduction guide surface 42a3 ... Lower guide surface 42b ... Upper regulating portion 42b1 ... Upper guide surface 42b2 ... Upper introduction guide surface 43 ... Front guide 43b ... Side guide 43b1 ... Slope 43b2 ... Horizontal surface 43c ... Abutment rib 44 ... Fixed guide 44c ... Shutter guide 50 ... Cam plate 51 ... Connection plate 60 ... Pin 60a ... End face 60b ... Other end face 70 ... Coupling means 71 ... Drum gear 80 ... Hole 81 ... Ultrasonic cutter 82 ... Cutter 83 ... Minus driver 84 ... Radio pliers 85 ... Flange 86 ... Jig 87 ... Suction nozzle 88 ... Gap 89 ... Air gun 90 ... Pin insertion jig 90a ... Guide portion 90b ... Insertion portion 110 ... Toner filling port (developer filling opening) ) 111 ... Bearing 112 ... Positioning jig 113 ... Funnel

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) Reference JP-A-10-240102 (JP, A) JP-A-7-319362 (JP, A) JP-A-9-68889 (JP, A) JP-A-8- 63078 (JP, A) JP 10-319818 (JP, A) JP 11-15354 (JP, A) JP 7-20762 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G03G 15/00 550 G03G 21/16-21/18 G03G 15/08

Claims (11)

(57) [Claims] 1. A drum frame having an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a charging roller for charging the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and a cleaning blade for removing the developer remaining on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, It supports the developing roller for developing with the developer the electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, includes a developing frame, a having a developer accommodating portion for accommodating a developer, In a method of remanufacturing a process cartridge that can be attached to and detached from a main body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, (a) a pin that rotatably connects a drum frame and a developing frame, the pin being arranged in a longitudinal direction of the drum frame and the developing frame. The pins provided at one end and the other end are processed into the fitting hole bottom of the fitting hole where the pin is fitted and the penetration hole
The drum, insert the extrusion member through the penetration hole , and
A pin pushing step of pushing the frame from the inside to the outside, (b) a separating step of separating the drum frame and the developing frame, and (c) a screw provided from one end of the drum frame in the longitudinal direction. A step of removing the bearing portion supporting the shaft provided at one end of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum from the drum frame, and (d) being provided at the other end in the longitudinal direction of the drum frame. A drum removing step of pulling out the electrophotographic photosensitive drum in an oblique direction from a drum positioning pin supporting the other end of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum and taking out the electrophotographic photosensitive drum from the drum frame; At the other end of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum in the longitudinal direction,
Insert the drum positioning pin provided at the other end of the drum frame in the longitudinal direction, and then install the bearing part in the longitudinal direction of the drum frame so as to support the shaft provided at one end of the new electrophotographic photosensitive drum. And (d) removing the screw from one longitudinal end of the developing frame to remove the one-end end cover attached to one longitudinal end of the developing frame. ) from the developer filling opening exposed by removing the end cover with the cap removed, then refilled with developer, then a developer refilling step of sealing the developer filling opening, (h) To support one end of the developing roller in the longitudinal direction,
A developing roller attaching step of attaching one end cover with a screw to one end in the longitudinal direction of the developing frame, and (i) fitting pins into holes provided at one end and the other end in the longitudinal direction of the drum frame and the developing frame. And a connecting step of connecting the drum frame and the developing frame to each other. 2. A drum frame having an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a charging roller for charging the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and a cleaning blade for removing the developer remaining on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, It supports the developing roller for developing with the developer the electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, includes a developing frame, a having a developer accommodating portion for accommodating a developer, In a method of remanufacturing a process cartridge that can be attached to and detached from a main body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, (a) a pin that rotatably connects a drum frame and a developing frame, the pin being arranged in a longitudinal direction of the drum frame and the developing frame. The pins provided at one end and the other end are processed into the fitting hole bottom of the fitting hole where the pin is fitted and the penetration hole
The drum, insert the extrusion member through the penetration hole , and
A pin pushing step of pushing the frame from the inside to the outside, (b) a separating step of separating the drum frame and the developing frame, and (c) a screw provided from one end of the drum frame in the longitudinal direction. A step of removing the bearing portion supporting the shaft provided at one end of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum from the drum frame, and (d) being provided at the other end in the longitudinal direction of the drum frame. A drum removing step of pulling out the electrophotographic photosensitive drum from a drum frame in an oblique direction from a drum positioning pin supporting the other end of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and (e) electrophotography Use the space where the photoconductor drum was installed to move the drum positioning pin from the inside to the outside of the drum frame. (F) Insert a new electrophotographic photosensitive drum into the drum frame and position the other end of the drum from the outside of the drum frame at the other end in the longitudinal direction. A drum attaching step of inserting a pin, and then attaching a bearing to the one end of the drum frame in the longitudinal direction with a screw so as to support a shaft provided at one end of a new electrophotographic photosensitive drum, (g) A step of removing one end cover attached to one end in the longitudinal direction of the developing frame by removing the screw from one end in the longitudinal direction of the developing frame; and (h) a developer filling opening exposed by removing the end cover. Remove the cap, then refill with developer and then refill with developer. A developer refilling step of sealing the opening, so as to support the one end in the longitudinal direction of the (i) a developing roller,
A developing roller attaching step of attaching one end cover with a screw to one end in the longitudinal direction of the developing frame, and (j) fitting pins into holes provided in one end and the other end in the longitudinal direction of the drum frame and the developing frame. And a connecting step of connecting the drum frame and the developing frame to each other, and a process cartridge remanufacturing method. 3. A drum frame having an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a charging roller for charging the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and a cleaning blade for removing the developer remaining on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, It supports the developing roller for developing with the developer the electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, includes a developing frame, a having a developer accommodating portion for accommodating a developer, In a method of remanufacturing a process cartridge that can be attached to and detached from a main body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, (a) a pin that rotatably connects a drum frame and a developing frame, the pin being arranged in a longitudinal direction of the drum frame and the developing frame. The pins provided at one end and the other end are processed into the fitting hole bottom of the fitting hole where the pin is fitted and the penetration hole
The drum, insert the extrusion member through the penetration hole , and
A pin pushing step of pushing the frame from the inside to the outside, (b) a separating step of separating the drum frame and the developing frame, and (c) a screw provided from one end of the drum frame in the longitudinal direction. A step of removing the bearing portion supporting the shaft provided at one end of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum from the drum frame, and (d) being provided at the other end in the longitudinal direction of the drum frame. A step of removing the positioning pin that supports the other end of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum from the inside of the drum frame to the outside, and then pulling out the positioning pin from the outside of the drum frame; ) Drum removal process to remove the electrophotographic photosensitive drum from the drum frame, and Insert the photosensitive drum into the drum frame, insert the drum positioning pin from the outside of the drum frame into the other end in the longitudinal direction, and then insert the shaft provided at one end of the new electrophotographic photosensitive drum. And a drum mounting step of mounting the bearing portion on one end in the longitudinal direction of the drum frame with a screw so as to support, and (H) Remove the cap from the developer filling opening exposed by removing the end cover, then refill the developer and then seal the developer filling opening. And (i) so as to support one end in the longitudinal direction of the developing roller,
A developing roller attaching step of attaching one end cover with a screw to one end in the longitudinal direction of the developing frame, and (j) fitting pins into holes provided in one end and the other end in the longitudinal direction of the drum frame and the developing frame. And a connecting step of connecting the drum frame and the developing frame to each other, and a process cartridge remanufacturing method. 4. A drum frame having an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a charging roller for charging the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and a cleaning blade for removing the developer remaining on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, It supports the developing roller for developing with the developer the electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, includes a developing frame, a having a developer accommodating portion for accommodating a developer, In a method of remanufacturing a process cartridge that can be attached to and detached from a main body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, (a) a pin that rotatably connects a drum frame and a developing frame, the pin being arranged in a longitudinal direction of the drum frame and the developing frame. The pins provided at one end and the other end are processed into the fitting hole bottom of the fitting hole where the pin is fitted and the penetration hole
The drum, insert the extrusion member through the penetration hole , and
A pin pushing step of pushing the frame from the inside to the outside, (b) a separating step of separating the drum frame and the developing frame, and (c) a screw provided from one end of the drum frame in the longitudinal direction. And a step of removing the bearing portion supporting the shaft provided at one end of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum from the drum frame, and (d) a process when the process cartridge is attached to the apparatus main body. A part of the cartridge positioning portion provided at the other end in the longitudinal direction of the drum frame for positioning the cartridge in the apparatus main body is cut out, and the other end of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum is cut by the cutout portion. Pull out the supporting drum positioning pin from the drum frame, and remove the electrophotographic photosensitive member from the drum frame. A step extraction drum taking out the ram, the other longitudinal end of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum (e) new,
Insert the drum positioning pin provided at the other end of the drum frame in the longitudinal direction, and then install the bearing part in the longitudinal direction of the drum frame so as to support the shaft provided at one end of the new electrophotographic photosensitive drum. A step of attaching a drum to one end of the developing frame with a screw; ) A developer refilling step of removing the cap from the developer filling opening exposed by removing the end cover, then refilling the developer, and then sealing the developer filling opening, and (h) To support one end of the developing roller in the longitudinal direction,
A developing roller attaching step of attaching one end cover with a screw to one end in the longitudinal direction of the developing frame, and (i) fitting pins into holes provided at one end and the other end in the longitudinal direction of the drum frame and the developing frame. And a connecting step of connecting the drum frame and the developing frame, and a process cartridge remanufacturing method. 5. A step of removing the other end cover attached to the other end of the developing frame in the longitudinal direction by removing a screw from the other end of the developing frame in the longitudinal direction, and after the developing roller removing step, by removing the screws attached to the longitudinal end and the other end of the developing blade, according to claim 1, characterized in that it has a, a developing blade dismounting step of removing the developing blade from a developing frame, or claim 2 , Or claim 3, or
The method for remanufacturing the process cartridge according to claim 4. 6. A pin extrusion step, machining applied to the hole bottom, using a tool, excision of the hole bottom, or, to cut a hole bottom, or by using a tool that generates heat, originating from the tool
Dissolving the bottom of the hole by using heat, the process cartridge according to claim 1, 2, or 3, or 4, or 5. Reproduction method. 7. The charging roller removal for removing the charging roller for charging the electrophotographic photosensitive drum from the drum frame after the electrophotographic photosensitive drum is removed between the drum removing step and the drum mounting step. And a cleaning blade removing step of removing the cleaning blade for removing the developer remaining on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum from the drum frame by removing the screw after removing the charging roller. The method of remanufacturing the process cartridge according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5, or 6. 8. A developer contained in a removed developer containing section containing a developer removed from the electrophotographic photosensitive drum by the cleaning blade after the cleaning blade is removed in the cleaning blade removing step. The process cartridge remanufacturing method according to claim 7, further comprising a developer removing step of removing the toner. 9. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a pin pulling-out step of pulling the pin out of the hole by grasping a tip of the pin pushed out from the hole before completely pushing out the pin from the hole in the pin pushing out step. Alternatively, the process cartridge remanufacturing method according to claim 2, or claim 3, or claim 4, or claim 5, or claim 6, or claim 7, or claim 8. . 10. Further, prior to the pin drawing step,
There is a pin insertion guide notch step of notching a part of the pin insertion guide provided inside the cartridge guide that guides the process cartridge to the attachment position when the process cartridge is attached to the apparatus main body. 3. The pin is pulled out from the hole by grasping the tip of the pin at the notched portion, or the pin is pulled out from the hole. Or, the method for remanufacturing the process cartridge according to claim 6, or claim 7, or claim 8, or claim 9. 11. A cartridge shutter for covering a portion of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum exposed from the drum frame is removed from the drum frame prior to the pin pushing step, and the drum exposed by removing the cartridge shutter. An intrusion hole is formed in the frame portion, or claim 1, or claim 2, or claim 3, or claim 4, or claim 5, or claim 6, or claim 6. 7. The method for remanufacturing the process cartridge according to claim 8, claim 8, claim 9, or claim 10.