JP3984978B2 - Process cartridge and electrophotographic image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a process cartridge used in a copying machine, a printer, or the like that employs an electrophotographic system, and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus using the process cartridge.

  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. A process cartridge system is employed in which the cartridge is detachable from the image forming apparatus main body.

  According to this process cartridge system, the apparatus can be maintained by the user himself / herself without depending on the service person. Therefore, the operability can be remarkably improved. Therefore, this process cartridge system is widely used in electrophotographic image forming apparatuses.

  Here, as the charging means in the above-described process cartridge, a contact method using a charging roller or the like has become common.

  When the charging member (for example, the charging roller) is left in contact with the photosensitive drum for a long period of time, the contact type charging unit described above is a portion of the charging member that contacts the photosensitive drum. May cause permanent deformation. And if it deform | transforms, there exists a possibility of changing a charging capability.

  Also, in the contact development method in which development is performed by bringing the photosensitive member surface into contact with a developing member (for example, a developing roller), a rubbing memory remains on the photosensitive drum surface.

  As a solution to the contact-type charging means described above, a spacer member is sandwiched between a region (non-image forming region) between the surface of the photosensitive member and the charging member and outside an image writing region (image forming region). . And the method of hold | maintaining both in the state which spaced apart at the time of an unused state (especially at the time of physical distribution conveyance) is disclosed (refer patent document 1).

  Further, when the process cartridge is not used, a spacer member is provided between the surface of the photosensitive drum and the charging member, and the two are held in a separated state. And the method of making both contact | abut by removing a spacer is disclosed (refer patent document 2).

JP-A-2-39169 JP 2001-201914 A

  However, any of the above methods has a complicated mechanism, and the apparatus itself may become large.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a process cartridge and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus that can automatically bring the electrophotographic photosensitive drum and the process means in a separated state into contact with each other.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a process in which an electrophotographic photosensitive drum in a separated state can be brought into contact with the process means before the start of use of the process cartridge without an operator performing an operation for releasing the separation. A cartridge and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus are provided.

  Another object of the present invention is to bring the electrophotographic photosensitive drum in a separated state into contact with the process means in conjunction with the opening operation of the sealing member sealing the developer supply opening so as to be openable. A process cartridge and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus are provided.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a process cartridge and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus capable of bringing the electrophotographic photosensitive drum and the process means in a separated state into contact with each other with a simple configuration. .

Representative means in the present invention for solving the above problems are: a process cartridge that is detachable from an electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body; an electrophotographic photosensitive drum; and a process means that acts on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum; A developer accommodating portion for accommodating a developer for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and the developer accommodated in the developer accommodating portion to the electrophotographic photosensitive drum. A developer supply opening for supplying the developer supply opening provided in the developer accommodating portion; a sealing member that seals the developer supply opening so as to be openable; and the developer supply. A winding member for winding the sealing member to open the opening; and a separation member for separating the electrophotographic photosensitive drum from the process means. In accordance with the winding operation by the take-up member, the electrophotographic photosensitive drum and the process means are separated from a separation position where the electrophotographic photosensitive drum and the process means are separated from each other to a contact position which allows the electrophotographic photosensitive drum and the process means to contact each other. The cam member provided on the take-up member is rotated to be displaced from the separated position to the contact position .

  The present invention can automatically bring the electrophotographic photosensitive drum and the process means in a separated state into contact with each other.

  In addition, according to the present invention, the electrophotographic photosensitive drum that is in the separated state and the process unit can be brought into contact with each other before the start of use of the process cartridge without the operator performing an operation for releasing the separation.

  Further, according to the present invention, the electrophotographic photosensitive drum in a separated state and the process means can be brought into contact with each other in conjunction with the opening operation of the sealing member sealing the developer supply opening so as to be openable. .

  Further, according to the present invention, the electrophotographic photosensitive drum in a separated state and the process means can be brought into contact with each other with a simple configuration.

  As a result, the photosensitive drum and the process means can be separated from each other until the use of the process cartridge is started. Then, the separated electrophotographic photosensitive drum and the process means can be automatically brought into contact with each other at the start of use of the process cartridge.

  Next, a photosensitive drum support device according to an embodiment of the present invention, a process cartridge using the same, and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus will be described with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, a color electrophotographic image forming apparatus that loads four process cartridges to form a color image is illustrated.

[Entire configuration of image forming apparatus]
First, the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus will be outlined. FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a color laser printer according to this embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the electrophotographic image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment rotates at a constant speed for each color of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). The image forming unit includes four image forming units having drum-shaped electrophotographic photosensitive drums (hereinafter referred to as “photosensitive drums”), and a conveying unit that conveys a recording medium to the image forming units.

  The electrophotographic image forming apparatus 100 includes four photosensitive drums 1 (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d) arranged in parallel in the vertical direction. The photosensitive drum 1 is driven to rotate counterclockwise in the drawing by a driving means (not shown). Around the photosensitive drum 1 is one of process means in order according to the rotation direction, charging means 2 (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) for uniformly charging the surface of the photosensitive drum 1, and image information. Is a scanner unit 3 (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) for forming an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 1 by irradiating a laser beam on the basis thereof, and is one of the process means, and a developer is attached to the electrostatic latent image The developing unit 4 (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) having developing means for developing the latent image, and the developer image formed on the photosensitive drum 1 are transferred onto the recording medium S conveyed by the transfer belt 11. An electrostatic transfer device 5 is provided, and cleaning means 6 (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) for removing the transfer residual developer remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 after transfer is disposed.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus is provided with a transfer belt 11 that circulates and moves so as to face and be in contact with all the photosensitive drums 1. The transfer belt 11 is supported by rollers 13, 14a, 14b, and 15 on four axes in the vertical direction. Then, the transfer belt 11 circulates and moves so that the recording medium S is electrostatically attracted to the outer peripheral surface on the left side in FIG. 1 and the recording medium S is brought into contact with the photosensitive drum 1. As a result, the recording medium S is conveyed to the transfer position by the transfer belt 11. Then, the developer image on the photosensitive drum 1 is transferred to the recording medium S.

  Transfer rollers 12 (12a, 12b, 12c, 12d) are juxtaposed at positions facing the inside of the transfer belt 11 and facing the four photosensitive drums 1. Positive charges are applied from the transfer roller 12 to the recording medium S via the transfer belt 11. The negative developer image on the photosensitive drum 1 is transferred to the recording medium S in contact with the photosensitive drum 1 by the electric field due to the electric charge.

  The feeding unit 16 feeds and conveys the recording medium S to the image forming unit, and a plurality of recording media S are stored in the cassette 17. At the time of image formation, the feeding roller 18 (half-moon roller) and the registration roller pair 19 are driven and rotated according to the image forming operation. Then, the recording media S in the cassette 17 are separated and fed one by one. Then, the leading edge of the recording medium S abuts against the registration roller pair 19 and temporarily stops to form a loop, and then the rotation of the transfer belt 11 and the image formation start position are synchronized. Thereafter, the recording medium S is fed to the transfer belt 11 by the registration roller pair 19.

  The fixing unit 20 fixes the developer images of a plurality of colors transferred to the recording medium S. The recording medium S on which the developer image on the photosensitive drum 1 is transferred is given heat and pressure when passing through the fixing unit 20. As a result, the developer images of a plurality of colors are fixed on the surface of the recording medium S. Then, the recording medium S on which the developer image is fixed by the fixing unit 20 is discharged from the discharge unit 24 to the outside of the apparatus main body by the discharge roller pair 23.

[Overall configuration of process cartridge]
Next, the process cartridge will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 shows a main cross section and a perspective view of the process cartridge 7 containing the developer. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the process cartridge. The yellow, magenta, cyan, and black process cartridges 7a, 7b, 7c, and 7d have the same configuration.

  The photosensitive drum 1, the charging unit 2, the developing unit 4 including the developing unit, and the cleaning unit 6 are integrally formed into a cartridge to form a process cartridge 7 (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d).

  The process cartridge 7 includes a photosensitive drum 1, a photosensitive drum unit 50 including a charging unit 2 and a cleaning unit 6, and a developing unit 4 having a developing unit that develops an electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 1. Have

  In the drum unit 50, the photosensitive drum 1 is rotatably attached to a cleaning frame 51 via a bearing 31. A primary charging unit 2 for uniformly charging the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 and a cleaning blade 60 for removing the developer remaining on the photosensitive drum 1 are disposed on the periphery of the photosensitive drum 1. Further, the residual developer removed from the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 by the blade 60 is sequentially sent to a developer chamber 51a provided behind the cleaning frame by the developer feeding mechanism 52.

  The photosensitive drum 1 is configured by applying an organic photoconductive layer (OPC photosensitive member) to the outer peripheral surface of an aluminum cylinder. Both ends of the photosensitive drum 1 are rotatably supported by support members. Then, a driving force from a driving motor (not shown) is transmitted to one end. As a result, the photosensitive drum 1 is driven to rotate counterclockwise in FIG.

  As the charging means 2, a contact charging type as shown in FIG. 2 is used. The charging unit 2 of the present embodiment is a conductive roller 2r formed in a roller shape. The charging roller 2r is brought into contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 1, and a charging bias voltage is applied to the charging roller 2r from the apparatus main body 100a. As a result, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is uniformly charged by the charging roller 2r.

  The developing unit 4 includes a developing roller 40 that contacts the photosensitive drum 1 and rotates in the direction of the arrow Y, and a developer container 41 and a developing device frame 45 that serve as a developer storage unit that stores the developer. The developing roller 40 is rotatably supported by the developing frame body 45 via bearing members 47 and 48. On the circumference of the developing roller 40, a developer supply roller 43 and a developing blade 44 that are in contact with the developing roller 40 and rotate in the direction of arrow Z are arranged. Furthermore, a developer transport mechanism 42 for stirring the developer stored in the developer container 41 and transporting the developer to the developer supply roller 43 is provided.

  The developing roller 40 is applied with a developing bias from the apparatus main body 100a while being in contact with the photosensitive drum 1. As a result, the developing roller 40 develops the electrostatic latent image. The developing blade 44 regulates the amount of developer on the developing roller 40.

  Here, in the contact development method in which the development is performed by contacting the photosensitive drum 1 and the developing roller 40 as in the present embodiment, the photosensitive drum 1 is a rigid body, and the developing roller 40 is a roller having an elastic body. Is preferred. As this elastic body, a solid rubber single layer or a solid rubber layer coated with a resin coating in consideration of charge imparting property to the developer is used.

  Further, as described above, the cartridge 7 includes the photosensitive drum 1, the photosensitive drum unit 50 including the charging unit and the cleaning unit, and the developing unit including the developing unit that develops the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 1. Divided into four. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the developing unit 4 is attached to the photosensitive drum unit 50 by the support shaft 49 around the support shafts 47d and 48d respectively provided on the bearing members 47 and 48 attached to both ends thereof. On the other hand, it is structured to be swingably supported. Here, as described above, in the contact development method as in the present embodiment, the developing roller 40 and the photosensitive drum 1 need to be in contact with each other during development. Therefore, a biasing force by a pressure spring 53 is applied to the developing unit 4 so as to generate a rotational moment about the support shaft 49 so that the developing roller 40 and the photosensitive drum 1 are in contact with each other.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a side cover 72 is provided outside the bearing member 48 of the developing unit 4. The side surface of the cartridge 7 is constituted by the side surface of the photosensitive drum unit 50 and the side cover 72 of the developing unit 4.

[Installation configuration of process cartridge]
The cartridge 7 is attached to the image forming apparatus main body 100a as follows. Here, the longitudinal direction refers to the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 1, and the cross-sectional direction refers to a direction orthogonal to the rotational axis of the photosensitive drum.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when the cartridge 7 is attached to the image forming apparatus main body 100a, the cartridge 7 is inserted into the main body along the cartridge guide 25 provided in the apparatus main body from the direction of the arrow. Thereafter, a bearing 31 that supports the photosensitive drum 1 is inserted into the guide groove 34. As shown in FIG. 5, the bearing 31 is pressed against the abutting surfaces 37 and 38 of the guide groove 34. This determines the position of the cartridge 7 relative to the apparatus main body 100a. On the other hand, the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 7 is roughly guided on the side surface of the cartridge 7 by the guide member 25. Thereafter, the positioning unit on the side surface of the drum unit 50 is pressed to a predetermined position on the apparatus main body 100a by pressing means (not shown) from the side surface of the image forming apparatus main body 100a. This completes the positioning of the cartridge 7 in the longitudinal direction.

  The holding of the cartridge 7 in the cross-sectional direction in the apparatus main body 100a is configured as shown in FIG. A shaft 39 is caulked to the left right plate 32. A torsion coil spring 30 is supported on the shaft 39. Further, the end 30 a of the spring 30 is fitted and fixed in the hole 32 a of the left and right side plates 32. In the state where the cartridge 7 is not present, the spring 30 is restricted in the rotational direction by the bending and raising 32 b from the left and right side plates 32. When the cartridge 7 is inserted, the coil spring 30 rotates counterclockwise against the force. Then, when the spring 30 gets over the bearing 31, it is positioned as shown in FIG. The spring 30 presses the side surface of the cartridge 7 with a force of about 1 kgf in the direction of the arrow to position the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 7 on the apparatus main body 100a.

[Toner seal winding configuration]
The cartridge 7 is closed by a toner seal 46 which is a sealing member capable of opening the developer supply port 41a so that the developer stored in the developer container (developer storage portion) 41 does not leak during distribution. The toner seal 46 is removed at the start of use of the cartridge 7. The cartridge 7 of this embodiment automatically winds and removes the toner seal 46 as described below. The developer supply port 41a is provided in the developer container 41.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, the toner seal 46 is stuck around the developer supply port 41a. Then, it is folded back at one end in the longitudinal direction, and the other end portion 9 a is fixed to the winding member 54. The take-up member 54 has a take-up portion 54a for taking up the toner seal 46, and a gear portion 54b for receiving a rotational driving force from the apparatus main body 100a.

  In response to the rotational driving force from the apparatus main body 100a, the winding member 54 rotates in the direction of the arrow X2 in FIG. As the winding member 54 rotates, the toner seal 46 is wound around the winding member 54. Then, the toner seal 46 is peeled from the developer container 41 in the process in which the toner seal 46 is retracted in the direction of the arrow X1 in FIG. Then, the developer supply port 41a is opened (opened).

  As the toner seal 46, besides the easy peel method in which one sheet is folded and used as described above, a cover film for sealing the supply port 41a of the developer container 41 and a tear tape for tearing the cover film are used. Some are combined. This embodiment can be applied to any toner seal. In the case of using a tear tape, the tear tape is wound up by the winding member 54.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 7B, the toner seal 46 is wound around the winding portion 54 a of the winding member 54. Therefore, the shaft diameter of the winding member 54 changes by the amount of the wound seal.

[Separation configuration of photosensitive drum and developing roller]
In the cartridge 7 of this embodiment, the photosensitive drum 1 and the developing roller 40 are separated from each other before the start of use. Therefore, a separation member 90 which is a part of the developing unit 4 is provided between the outside of the bearing member 48 of the developing unit 4 and the side cover 72 of the present embodiment. Note that “before use of the cartridge 7” is before the image forming apparatus 100 performs an image forming operation using the cartridge 7.

  FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating the separation member 90 and the developing roller 40, the photosensitive drum 1 and the cleaning frame 51 which are a part of the drum unit 50, and the support shaft 49 which is the swing center of the developing unit 4. FIG. When the cartridge 7 is shipped, the spacing member 90 is abutted against the protrusion 51b of the cleaning frame 51 as shown in FIG.

  For this reason, the developing unit 4 swings in the direction of the arrow P about the support shaft 49 with respect to the photosensitive drum unit 50 by the biasing force (elastic force) by the pressure spring 53 described above. The developing roller 40 and the photosensitive drum 1 try to move in a direction in which they contact each other by the biasing force of the spring 53. However, before the two come into contact with each other, the separating member 90 and the projection 51b come into contact with each other, and the rotation of the developing unit 4 is restricted. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8A, the developing roller 40 and the photosensitive drum 1 are kept separated. At this time, the separating member 90 is in a separating position for separating the photosensitive drum 1 and the developing roller 40.

  As shown in FIG. 8B, the spacing member 90 is configured in a shape (for example, a plate shape) that can be deformed and displaced in the direction of the arrow Q. If the separating member 90 is temporarily displaced in the direction of the arrow Q (displacement to the contact position), the developing unit 4 whose swinging is restricted in FIG. The swinging of the photosensitive drum unit 50 is started again by the force (elastic force). Then, as shown in FIG. 8C, the swing of the developing unit 4 stops at the position where the developing roller 40 and the photosensitive drum 1 are in contact with each other. At this time, the separating member 90 is in a contact position that allows the photosensitive drum 1 and the developing roller 40 to contact each other.

  Therefore, by moving the separating member 90 at the start of use of the cartridge 7 as shown in FIG. 8C, the developer supply port 41a of the cartridge 7 is opened, and the cartridge 7 can be used.

[Relationship between winding of toner seal and separation member]
In the cartridge 7 of this embodiment, when the toner seal 46 is wound up at the start of use, the separation member 90 moves and the photosensitive drum 1 and the developing roller 40 come into contact with each other.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 9A, the winding member 54 of the present embodiment is provided with a cam portion 54c in which a part of a rib as a cam member is formed in a cam shape. The cam portion 54c is located at a position facing the rib 90a provided on the aforementioned separating member 90. When the cartridge 7 is shipped, the phase of the winding member 54 is adjusted so that the cam radius facing the separation member 90 is a size that does not deform the separation member 90. Then, the user attaches the cartridge 7 to the apparatus main body 100a. When an electric signal is generated from a control unit (not shown) provided in the apparatus main body 100a, the winding member 54 to which the rotational driving force is transmitted from the apparatus main body 100a rotates. Then, as shown in FIG. 9 (b), the cam 54c of the winding member 54 pushes the separation member 90 with the rotation thereof, and the separation member 90 is displaced. By this displacement, as shown in FIGS. 8A to 8C, the separation member 90 is displaced from the separation position to the contact position. Then, the separation member 90 cancels the separation restriction between the developing roller 40 and the photosensitive drum 1. The developing roller 40 and the photosensitive drum 1 are in contact with each other by the elastic force of the spring 53. Thus, with a simple configuration, the operator automatically moves the photosensitive drum 1 in the separated state and the developing roller 40 as the process means before starting the use of the cartridge 7 without performing an operation for releasing the separation. Can be brought into contact with each other.

  As described above, when the toner seal 46 is opened when the use of the cartridge 7 is started, the separation restriction between the developing roller 40 and the photosensitive drum 1 can be released in conjunction with the rotation of the winding member 54. it can. For this reason, the user does not need to perform an operation for opening the developer supply port 41a, a removal of the separating member that separates the developing roller 10 and the photosensitive drum 1, or the like. Therefore, usability can be improved.

  The photosensitive drum 1 and the developing roller 40 can be separated from each other until the use of the cartridge 7 is started. Then, the photosensitive drum 1 and the developing roller 40 which are separated from each other can be automatically brought into contact with each other when the use of the cartridge 7 is started.

  Note that the winding member 54 as shown in this embodiment has a cam shape in part. However, instead of the cam shape, as shown in FIGS. 10 (a) and 10 (b), a protrusion 54d is provided in part. Then, the separation member 90 is deformed in the arrow Q direction by the projection 54d. This also provides the same effect as described above.

  In the embodiment in which the spacing member 90 is deformed to be displaced, the spacing member is made of elastic plastic, rubber, or the like.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, an apparatus according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the basic configuration of the apparatus of the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment described above, and therefore redundant description is omitted. Here, a configuration different from that of the first embodiment will be described. Members having the same functions as those in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  FIG. 11 (a) is provided on the take-up member 54 before taking up the toner seal 46, the toner seal 46, the separating member 90, and the apparatus main body 100a for transmitting the rotational driving force to the take-up member 54. A drive gear 82 is shown.

  The rib 90a of the separating member 90 is provided at a position facing the winding portion 54a where the toner seal 46 of the winding member 54 is wound. FIG. 11B shows a state where the winding member 54 is rotated and the toner seal 46 is wound up. The shaft diameter of the winding member 54 is changed by the amount of the toner seal 46 wound up. The separating member 90 is pushed by the diameter-changed portion of the winding member 54 and moves in the direction of arrow Q in the figure. As a result, the separation restriction between the developing roller 40 and the photosensitive drum 1 can be released. Accordingly, the photosensitive drum 1 and the developing roller 40 come into contact with each other by the elastic force of the spring 53.

  In the first embodiment, the separation between the developing roller 40 and the photosensitive drum 1 is released by rotating the winding member 54 at least once. However, in this embodiment, the separation release can be performed after the winding member 54 rotates a plurality of times.

  This is because the developing unit 4 swings and rotates with respect to the photosensitive drum unit 50 by releasing the separation between the developing roller 40 and the photosensitive drum 1, and the winding which is a part of the developing unit 4 is interlocked therewith. The take-up member 54 also swings and rotates. Therefore, there is a possibility that the meshing with the drive gear 82 on the apparatus main body 100a side transmitting the rotational driving force to the gear portion 54b of the winding member 54 may be disturbed. However, this embodiment is effective as a countermeasure.

  That is, the separation member 90 in the separation position is displaced to the contact position after the winding member 54 is rotated a plurality of times to sufficiently wind the toner seal 46 and the developer supply port 41a is opened. As a result, the separation between the developing roller 40 and the photosensitive drum 1 can be released. Therefore, a lot of time can be secured by the meshing between the winding member 54 and the drive gear 82. Therefore, the toner seal 46 can be reliably wound up.

  The separating member 90 is a member that can be deformed in the direction of the arrow Q, but the same effect can be obtained even if the separating member 90 is movable in the direction of the arrow Q without being deformed.

[ First Reference Example ]
Next, an apparatus according to a first reference example will be described with reference to FIG. Since the basic configuration of the apparatus of this reference example is also the same as that of the first embodiment described above, the redundant description is omitted, and here, a configuration different from that of the first embodiment will be described. Members having the same functions as those in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

FIG. 12 shows the inside of the side cover (cartridge cover) 72 of the cartridge 7. In the side cover 72, a separation member 90 as shown in the above-described embodiment is formed integrally with the side cover 72. The separation member 90 is deformable in the Q direction shown in the drawing (displacement from the separation position to the contact position). Here, the side cover 72 covers the side surface of the cartridge 7.

According to this reference example , the separation member as a separate part is not required, and the total number of parts of the cartridge 7 can be reduced. Along with this, it is possible to reduce costs and improve assembly.

[ Second Reference Example ]
Next, an apparatus according to a second reference example will be described with reference to FIG. Since the basic configuration of the apparatus of this reference example is also the same as that of the first embodiment described above, the redundant description is omitted, and here, a configuration different from that of the first embodiment will be described. Members having the same functions as those in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

Here, after the rotation of the winding member 54 is stopped, the separation member 90 is deformed or moved and displaced (displacement from the separation position to the contact position), whereby the development roller 40 and the photosensitive drum 1 are separated. Release can be made.

The winding of the toner seal and the displacement of the separation member here are configured as shown in FIG. That is , a winding member 54 that is a part of the developing unit 4, a separation member 90 that can be partially deformed in the direction of arrow Q in the figure, and a bearing for the winding member 54 that is a long hole in the direction of arrow T A member 55 (55a, 55b), a torsion biasing spring 56, a drive gear 82 provided in the apparatus main body 100a and capable of swinging in the direction of arrow u, a driving force is transmitted to the drive gear 82 and the drive gear 82 And a bearing member 57 (57a, 57b) that supports the drive gear 82 in a swingable manner around the rotation shaft of the input gear 81.

  In FIG. 13A, when the input gear 81 rotates in the arrow X3 direction, the drive gear 82 swings in the arrow u1 direction. The gear 82 transmits the rotational driving force in the direction of the arrow X2 to the gear portion 54b of the winding member 54. As a result, the toner seal (not shown) is wound around the winding member 54. In this way, when the drive is transmitted to the winding member 54 and the toner seal 46 is being wound up, the winding member 54 receives a meshing force F1 from the drive gear 82 in the direction of the arrow f1 in the figure. Further, a peeling force F2 acting when the toner seal 46 is torn and wound is applied in the direction of the arrow f2 in the figure.

  Therefore, the winding member 54 rotates in a state where it is abutted in the direction of the arrow T1 in the figure in the elongated hole of the bearing member 55 (55a, 55b). When the toner seal 46 is not wound up, the winding member 54 and the urging spring 56 are not in contact with each other as shown in FIG. 13 (a). Further, the rib 90a of the separation member 90 is not in contact with the take-up member, and is in a separation position where the photosensitive drum 1 and the developing roller 40 are separated.

  Next, FIG. 13B shows the winding member 54 in a state in which the toner seal 46 is completely wound up and is still receiving input from the drive gear 82.

  Since the toner seal 46 is wound up, the shaft diameter of the winding member 54 has changed (becomes larger). At this time, since the toner seal 46 has been wound up, the peeling force F2 for tearing the toner seal 46 is not applied.

  Here, the take-up member 54 whose shaft diameter has changed by the amount taken up by the toner seal 46 presses and deforms one end of the urging spring 56 as shown in FIG. For this reason, the winding member 54 receives the urging force F3 from the urging spring in the direction of the arrow f3 in the figure.

  However, since the winding member 54 receives the meshing force F1 from the drive gear in the direction of the arrow f1 and F1> F3, the position of the winding member 54 does not change. At this time, the winding member 54 and the separating member 90 are not in contact with each other. Therefore, the separation member 90 remains in the separation position.

  Then, the rotation of the input gear 81 is stopped from the above state. Then, the winding member 54 that has stopped receiving the meshing force F1 from the drive gear 82 receives only the urging force F3 from the urging spring 56 in the direction of the arrow f3, and as shown in FIG. 13 (c), the direction of the arrow T2 Move to. As the winding member 54 moves, the toner seal 46 wound around the winding member 54 presses the rib 90a of the spacing member 90. By this pressing force, the separating member 90 is deformed and displaced. Thereafter, as in the above-described embodiment, the separation between the developing roller 40 and the photosensitive drum 1 is released along with the deformation of the separation member 90.

  Thus, after the toner seal 46 is completely wound up and the developer supply port 41a of the developer container 41 is opened, the rotational drive to the winding member 54 is stopped. Then, the separation member 90 is then displaced and the separation between the photosensitive drum 1 and the developing roller 40 is released. Therefore, the developing unit 4 does not swing with respect to the photosensitive drum unit 50 when the winding member 54 is rotating. Thereby, the transmission of the driving force such as tooth jump between the gear portion 54b of the winding member 54 and the driving gear 82 does not occur, and the seal 46 is surely opened. In addition, the separation can be released.

[Other Embodiments]
In the above-described embodiment, the developing roller has been described as an example of the process unit that is separated from the photosensitive drum by the separation member 90. However, this process means need not be limited to the developing roller. For example, a process unit that comes into contact with a photosensitive drum such as a charging roller as a charging unit may be applied to each of the embodiments described above. In this case, the same effect can be obtained.

  The process cartridge has a photosensitive drum and at least one process means. Examples of the process means include a charging means, a developing means, and a cleaning means. Therefore, the process cartridge is a cartridge in which the charging means, the developing means or the cleaning means and the photosensitive drum are integrally formed, and the cartridge can be attached to and detached from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body. In addition, at least one of the charging unit, the developing unit, and the cleaning unit and the photosensitive drum are integrally formed into a cartridge so as to be detachable from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. Further, it means that at least the developing means and the photosensitive drum are integrally formed into a cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body.

  The electrophotographic image forming apparatus forms an image on a recording medium using an electrophotographic image forming system. Examples of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus include an electrophotographic copying machine, an electrophotographic printer (for example, a laser beam printer, an LED printer, etc.), a facsimile apparatus, a word processor, and the like.

1 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the process cartridge of 1st Embodiment. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the process cartridge of 1st Embodiment. FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating a mounting state of the process cartridge according to the first embodiment to the image forming apparatus. FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a positioning portion for the image forming apparatus of the process cartridge according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a positioning portion for the image forming apparatus of the process cartridge according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a toner seal and a winding member of the process cartridge according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a process cartridge according to the first embodiment and a separation member related to separation / contact between the photosensitive drum and the developing roller. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the winding member of 1st Embodiment, and a separation member. It is a perspective view which shows the winding member of 1st Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the winding member of 2nd Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the side cover of the process cartridge of a 1st reference example . It is a perspective view which shows the winding member periphery of a 2nd reference example .

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS S ... Recording medium 1 ... Photosensitive drum 2 ... Charging means 3 ... Scanner unit 4 ... Development unit 5 ... Electrostatic transfer apparatus 6 ... Cleaning means 7 ... Process cartridge
11… Transfer belt
12… Transfer roller
13, 14a, 14b, 15 ... Roller
16… Feeding department
17… cassette
18… feed roller
19… Registration roller pair
20… Fixing part
23… discharge roller pair
24… discharge section
25… Process cartridge guide
30… Torsion coil spring
30a ... end
31… Bearing
32… Side plate
32a ... Hole
32b ... Bending up
34… Guide groove
37, 38… butting surface
39… axis
40… Development roller
41 ... Developer container
42… Developer transport mechanism
43… Developer supply roller
44… Developer blade
45… Development frame
46 Toner seal
47… Bearing member
47, 48… Bearing members
47d, 48d ... support shaft
49… support shaft
50… Photoreceptor drum unit
51… Cleaning frame
51a ... Waste developer chamber
51b ... projection
52… Developer feed mechanism
53… Pressure spring
54… Winding member
54a ... Winding part
54b ... Gear section
54c ... Cam part
54d Projection
55… Bearing member
56… Biasing spring
57… Bearing member
60… Cleaning blade
72… Side cover
81… Input gear
82… Drive gear
90 ... Spacing member
90a ... rib
100 ... Image forming apparatus

Claims (4)

In a process cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body,
An electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
Process means acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
A developer accommodating portion for accommodating a developer for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
A developer supply opening for supplying the developer stored in the developer storage section to the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, the developer supply opening provided in the developer storage section;
A sealing member that seals the developer supply opening in an openable manner;
A winding member for winding up the sealing member to open the developer supply opening;
A separation member for separating the electrophotographic photosensitive drum from the process means;
Have
The separation member is configured so that the electrophotographic photosensitive drum and the process means come into contact with each other from a separation position where the electrophotographic photosensitive drum and the process means are separated in accordance with a winding operation by the winding member. A process cartridge which is displaceable to a permissible contact position and is displaced from the separated position to the contact position by rotation of a cam member provided on the winding member . In a process cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body,
An electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
Process means acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
A developer accommodating portion for accommodating a developer for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
A developer supply opening for supplying the developer stored in the developer storage section to the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, the developer supply opening provided in the developer storage section;
A sealing member that seals the developer supply opening in an openable manner;
A winding member for winding up the sealing member to open the developer supply opening;
A separation member for separating the electrophotographic photosensitive drum from the process means;
Have
The separation member is configured so that the electrophotographic photosensitive drum and the process means come into contact with each other from a separation position where the electrophotographic photosensitive drum and the process means are separated in accordance with a winding operation by the winding member. It is possible to displace the contact position to be allowed , and when the winding member rotates, the sealing member is wound around the winding member, and the shaft diameter of the winding member changes to change the separation position. A process cartridge which is displaced from the position to the contact position . In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus in which a process cartridge is detachable and forms an image on a recording medium,
(i) an electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
Process means acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
A developer accommodating portion for accommodating a developer for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
A developer supply opening for supplying the developer stored in the developer storage section to the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, the developer supply opening provided in the developer storage section;
A sealing member that seals the developer supply opening in an openable manner;
A winding member for winding up the sealing member to open the developer supply opening;
A separation member for separating the electrophotographic photosensitive drum from the process means;
Have
The separation member is configured such that the electrophotographic photosensitive drum and the process unit come into contact with each other from a separation position that separates the electrophotographic photosensitive drum and the process unit in accordance with a winding operation by the winding member. A mounting means mounted with a process cartridge that is displaceable to a permissible contact position and is displaced from the separated position to the contact position by rotation of a cam member provided on the winding member ;
(ii) transport means for transporting the recording medium;
An electrophotographic image forming apparatus comprising: In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus in which a process cartridge is detachable and forms an image on a recording medium,
(i) an electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
Process means acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
A developer accommodating portion for accommodating a developer for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
A developer supply opening for supplying the developer stored in the developer storage section to the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, the developer supply opening provided in the developer storage section;
A sealing member that seals the developer supply opening in an openable manner;
A winding member for winding up the sealing member to open the developer supply opening;
A separation member for separating the electrophotographic photosensitive drum from the process means;
Have
The separation member is configured such that the electrophotographic photosensitive drum and the process unit come into contact with each other from a separation position that separates the electrophotographic photosensitive drum and the process unit in accordance with a winding operation by the winding member. It is possible to displace the contact position to be allowed, and when the winding member rotates, the sealing member is wound around the winding member, and the shaft diameter of the winding member changes to change the separation position. and mounting means for mounting the process cartridge to be displaced the the contact position from
(ii) transport means for transporting the recording medium;
An electrophotographic image forming apparatus comprising:

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