JP4054731B2 - Process cartridge and electrophotographic image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a process cartridge that can be attached to and detached from an electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body, and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. Here, the process cartridge is one in which charging means, developing means or cleaning means as process means and an electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge, and the cartridge can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body. Alternatively, at least one of charging means, developing means, and cleaning means as process means and an electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge so that it can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body. Further, it means that at least the developing means as the process means and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrated into a cartridge so as to be detachable from the image forming apparatus main body.

  Examples of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus include an electrophotographic copying machine, an electrophotographic printer (for example, an LED printer, a laser beam printer, etc.), an electrophotographic facsimile, and an electrophotographic word processor.

  Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic image forming process, the electrophotographic photosensitive member and the process means acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge, and the cartridge can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body. The process cartridge method is adopted. According to this process cartridge system, the user can perform maintenance of the apparatus by himself / herself without depending on the service person, so that the operability can be remarkably improved. Therefore, this process cartridge system is widely used in image forming apparatuses.

  The developing device of the process cartridge includes a toner container that is a developing container that accommodates toner that is a developer, and a developing chamber that includes a developing roller that is a developer carrying member. When the toner in the toner container is used up, it is necessary to replace it with a new process cartridge.

  In recent years, digital copying of copiers and plain paper for facsimiles have progressed, and laser beam printers, copiers, and facsimiles can be configured with a common printer unit. Products with these common printers need to have a slightly different function depending on how each product is used. For example, in laser beam printers and copiers, even if the toner remaining amount is not detected, it is sufficient to replace the process cartridge when there is no toner in the toner container and the image becomes thin or faint, and this does not cause a major problem. . However, since the facsimile is used at the time of reception at night or the like, if the toner in the toner container is about to run out, there is a possibility that a thin output that cannot be read may be output. Therefore, a toner remaining amount detecting device for detecting the remaining amount of toner is essential. In recent years, many digital copiers have a fax function. In this case, the copier requires a toner remaining amount detecting device.

  The toner remaining amount detecting device includes a metal antenna rod provided in a path from the toner container to the developing roller in the developing chamber in parallel to the longitudinal direction of the developing roller. By applying a voltage between the antenna rod and the developing roller and measuring the capacitance between them, the remaining amount of toner can be detected. When a predetermined threshold value is provided and the detected capacitance is lower than the threshold value, it can be seen that there is little toner between them, that is, there is little toner in the container. In this way, the toner out is detected by detecting the change in capacitance.

  The process cartridge used in such a product group needs a toner remaining amount detecting function for facsimiles, and does not need a toner remaining amount detecting function for other products. Therefore, two types of process cartridges have to be prepared. The two types of process cartridges must be incompatible with each other. For this reason, it is conceivable to provide convex and concave shapes on the frame body, and to provide concave and convex shapes at corresponding positions of the image forming apparatus main body.

An object of the present invention is to provide a process cartridge and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus that can prevent the process cartridge from being erroneously attached to the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus having different functions.

  Another object of the present invention is that the cartridge abutting portion provided in the process cartridge moves the laser shutter to the retracted position for releasing the laser optical path, and the process cartridge is moved to the image forming apparatus main body having a different function. It is an object of the present invention to provide a process cartridge and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus that also have a function of preventing erroneous mounting.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a process cartridge provided with a cartridge abutting portion at a position where an erroneous attachment can be visually recognized when an operator attempts to attach the process cartridge to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus having a different function. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus is provided.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a process cartridge and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus that realize incompatibility with a simple structure such as a protrusion protruding upward from a frame body that supports the process means of the process cartridge. Is to provide.

According to a first aspect of the present application, a laser beam irradiation member, a shutter that blocks an optical path of a laser beam emitted from the laser beam irradiation member, and the shutter is moved from a blocking position that blocks the optical path to a retreat position that retracts. a scanner unit having a body contacting portion which, in the mounting direction of the process cartridge, a main body frame which is provided on the upstream side of the scanner unit, and a first opening provided in the body frame, wherein A process cartridge that is attachable to and detachable from an electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body having a second opening provided in a scanner unit and a main body guide portion, and includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum and the electrophotographic photosensitive drum. a process means acting, a cartridge frame for supporting said electrophotographic photosensitive drum, said cartridge A cartridge positioning protrusion for positioning the process cartridge relative to the image forming apparatus main body, which is provided on the outer side from the side of the frame so as to protrude coaxially with the axis of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum; and a side of the cartridge frame A cartridge posture determining guide portion that protrudes outward from the cartridge and that regulates the posture of the process cartridge; and the cartridge positioning protrusion portion and the cartridge posture determining guide portion are engaged with the main body guide portion, thereby the process cartridge. Is attached to the image forming apparatus main body so as to contact the main body abutting portion so as to move the shutter to the retracted position through the second opening following the first opening. And the cartridge projecting portion and the cartridge orientation determining guide portion are connected to the image forming apparatus main body. When the process cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body having a different function by engaging with a main body guide portion provided on the main body of the image forming apparatus having a different function from the image forming apparatus main body, in the course of mounting the forming apparatus main body, in order to prevent the mounting of said process cartridge, and having a a abutting cartridge abutment body frame provided in the different functional image forming apparatus main body Process cartridge.

  According to a second aspect of the present application, the cartridge contact portion is a protrusion that protrudes upward from a frame body of the process cartridge in a state where the process cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body. Is a process cartridge.

According to a third aspect of the present application, the process cartridge has an exposure opening provided in the process cartridge frame for irradiating the electrophotographic photosensitive drum with the laser beam, and the cartridge contact portion Is the process cartridge according to the first or second aspect of the invention provided on one end side of the exposure opening in the axial direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum.

According to a fourth aspect of the present application, the cartridge contact portion has a different arrangement from a cartridge contact portion provided in a process cartridge used in an image forming apparatus main body having a different function. The cartridge contact portion provided in the process cartridge used in the image forming apparatus main body is the other end of the exposure opening provided in the process cartridge used in the image forming apparatus main body having a different function in the axial direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum. A process cartridge according to a third aspect of the present invention provided on the side .

According to a fifth aspect of the present application, when the process cartridge is mounted on the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body having a function different from that of the image forming apparatus main body, the cartridge abutting portion is different from the function of the image forming apparatus main body. The process cartridge according to any one of the first to fourth aspects , wherein the process cartridge is provided at a position where the state in which the main body frame provided on the cartridge and the cartridge contact portion are in contact can be visually confirmed .

A sixth invention according to the present application is an electrophotographic image forming apparatus in which a process cartridge is detachable and forms an image on a recording medium.
(1) A laser light irradiation member, a shutter that blocks an optical path of laser light emitted from the laser light irradiation member, and a main body contact portion that moves the shutter from a blocking position that blocks the optical path to a retreat position that retreats A scanner unit having
(2) a main body frame provided upstream of the scanner unit in the mounting direction of the process cartridge;
(3) a first opening provided in the main body frame;
(4) a second opening provided in the scanner unit;
(5) a main body guide part;
(6) An electrophotographic photosensitive drum, process means acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a cartridge frame for supporting the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and the electrophotographic photosensitive member from the side of the cartridge frame to the outside. A cartridge positioning protrusion for positioning the process cartridge relative to the image forming apparatus main body, which protrudes on the same axis as the axis of the body drum, and the process which protrudes outward from the side surface of the cartridge frame. When the process cartridge is mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus by engaging the cartridge attitude determining guide part for regulating the attitude of the cartridge, and engaging the cartridge protruding part and the cartridge attitude determining guide part with the main body guide part. The shutter passes through the second opening following the first opening. A main body provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus having a function different from that of the main body of the image forming apparatus. When the process cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body having a different function by engaging with the guide portion, the process cartridge is mounted in the middle of the image forming apparatus main body having the different function. A mounting means for detachably mounting a process cartridge having a cartridge abutting portion that abuts a main body frame provided in the image forming apparatus main body having a different function in order to prevent the mounting;
(7) Conveying means for conveying the recording medium;
An electrophotographic image forming apparatus characterized by comprising:

According to a seventh aspect of the present application, the laser light irradiation member, the shutter that blocks the optical path of the laser light emitted from the laser light irradiation member, and the shutter is moved from the blocking position that blocks the optical path to the retreat position that retracts. A scanner unit having a main body abutting portion; a main body frame provided upstream of the scanner unit in a mounting direction of the process cartridge; a first opening provided in the main body frame; A process cartridge detachably attached to a main body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus having a second opening provided in a scanner unit and a main body guide portion, the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and the electrophotographic photosensitive drum on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum Process means that acts, a cartridge frame that supports the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and the process car A cartridge protruding portion that protrudes from the cartridge frame and engages with the main body guide portion to guide the process cartridge when the ridge is attached to the image forming apparatus main body, and the cartridge protruding portion is connected to the main body. When the process cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body by being engaged with the guide portion, the shutter is moved to the retracted position through the second opening following the first opening. A cartridge abutting portion that abuts the main body abutting portion, and the cartridge protruding portion is engaged with a main body guide portion provided in the image forming apparatus main body having a function different from that of the image forming apparatus main body. When the process cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body having the different function, the process cartridge has the different function. In the middle of mounting on the image forming apparatus main body, in order to prevent the mounting of the process cartridge, it is possible to take a position contacting the main body frame provided on the image forming apparatus main body of the different function. And a cartridge abutting portion provided as a part .

According to an eighth aspect of the present application, the process cartridge is provided on the image forming apparatus, wherein the cartridge projecting portion is provided on the outer side from the side surface of the cartridge frame so as to project on the same axis as the axis of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum. The process cartridge according to the seventh aspect, wherein the cartridge is a cartridge positioning protrusion for positioning the main body .

According to a ninth aspect of the present application, the process cartridge has an exposure opening provided in the process cartridge frame for irradiating the electrophotographic photosensitive drum with the laser light, and the cartridge contact portion Is a process cartridge according to an eighth aspect of the present invention, which is provided on one end side of the exposure opening in the axial direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum .

According to a tenth aspect of the present application, the cartridge abutting portion has a different arrangement from a cartridge abutting portion provided in a process cartridge used in an image forming apparatus main body having a different function. The cartridge contact portion provided in the process cartridge used in the image forming apparatus main body is the other end of the exposure opening provided in the process cartridge used in the image forming apparatus main body having a different function in the axial direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum. A process cartridge according to a ninth aspect of the invention provided on the side .

An eleventh aspect of the invention relates to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus in which a process cartridge is detachable and forms an image on a recording medium.
(1) A laser light irradiation member, a shutter that blocks an optical path of laser light emitted from the laser light irradiation member, and a main body contact portion that moves the shutter from a blocking position that blocks the optical path to a retreat position that retreats A scanner unit having
(2) a main body frame provided upstream of the scanner unit in the mounting direction of the process cartridge;
( 3) a first opening provided in the main body frame;
(4) a second opening provided in the scanner unit;
(5) a main body guide part;
(6) When mounting the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, process means acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a cartridge frame supporting the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and the process cartridge to the image forming apparatus main body. Engaging the main body guide portion to guide the process cartridge, a cartridge protruding portion provided protruding from the cartridge frame, and engaging the cartridge protruding portion with the main body guide portion, thereby providing the process cartridge. Is attached to the image forming apparatus main body so as to contact the main body abutting portion so as to move the shutter to the retracted position through the second opening following the first opening. A cartridge contact portion, wherein the cartridge protruding portion is provided in an image forming apparatus main body having a function different from that of the image forming apparatus main body. When the process cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body having the different function by engaging with the main body guide portion, the process cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body having the different function. A cartridge abutting portion provided as a separate component from the cartridge frame, which can take a position abutting on a main body frame provided in the image forming apparatus main body having a different function in order to prevent the cartridge from being mounted; A mounting means for detachably mounting the process cartridge having,
(7) Conveying means for conveying the recording medium;
An electrophotographic image forming apparatus having

According to the present gun invention as described above, it can be prevented from attaching incorrectly process cartridge different electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body of function. Also , the cartridge abutting portion provided on the process cartridge erroneously attaches the process cartridge to the image forming apparatus main body having a function of moving the shutter from the blocking position for blocking the optical path of the laser beam to the retracted position. It can also serve as a function to prevent this.

  First, a laser beam printer A as an electrophotographic printer, which is a kind of electrophotographic image forming apparatus to which the first embodiment is applied, will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the laser beam printer A forms an image on a recording medium (for example, recording paper, OHT sheet, cloth, etc.) by an electrophotographic image forming process. Then, a toner image is formed on a drum-shaped electrophotographic photosensitive member, that is, an electrophotographic photosensitive drum (hereinafter referred to as a photosensitive drum). Specifically, the photosensitive drum is charged by the charging means, and then the photosensitive drum is irradiated with laser light corresponding to the image state by the optical means 1 to form a latent image. The latent image is developed by developing means to form a toner image. In synchronization with the formation of the toner image, the recording medium 2 set in the paper feed cassette 3a is reversely conveyed by the pickup roller 3b and the registration roller pair 3d. Next, the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 7 of the process cartridge E is transferred to the recording medium 2 by applying a voltage to the transfer roller 4 as a transfer unit. Thereafter, the recording medium 2 to which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to the fixing unit 5 by the conveyance guide 3f. This fixing means 5 has a fixing rotating body 5b incorporating a driving roller 5c and a heater 5a. Then, the transferred toner image is fixed by applying heat and pressure to the recording medium 2 passing through the fixing means 5. Then, the recording medium 2 is conveyed by the discharge rollers 3g and 3h, and discharged to the discharge tray portion 6e of the main body frame 6 through the reverse path 3j.

  The optical means (laser scanner) 1 is unitized as a laser scanner having laser light irradiation members such as a laser diode (not shown), a polygon mirror 1b, a lens 1c, a reversing mirror 1d, a scanner motor 1e and the like. In the laser scanner 1, a laser shutter 1f is disposed at the exit of the laser beam. The laser shutter 1f is configured to be rotatable in two positions for blocking and passing the optical path of the laser light.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, the process cartridge E rotates a photosensitive drum 7 having a photosensitive layer and uniformly charges the surface thereof by applying a voltage to a charging roller 8 as a charging means. Next, a laser beam corresponding to the image information from the optical means 1 is irradiated onto the photosensitive drum 7 through the exposure opening 1g to form a latent image. The latent image is developed by developing means 9 using toner. That is, the charging roller 8 is provided in contact with the photosensitive drum 7 and charges the photosensitive drum 7. The charging roller 8 rotates following the photosensitive drum 7. The developing unit 9 supplies toner to the developing area of the photoconductor drum 7 to develop the latent image formed on the photoconductor drum 7.

  Here, the developing means 9 sends the toner in the toner container 11A to the developing roller 9c by the rotation of the toner feeding member 9f. Then, the developing roller 9c containing the fixed magnet is rotated, and a toner layer to which triboelectric charge is imparted is formed on the developing roller by the developing blade 9d, and the toner image is transferred to the photosensitive drum 7 by transferring the toner to the photosensitive drum 7. Form and visualize. Here, the developing blade 9d defines the amount of toner on the peripheral surface of the developing roller 9c and applies a triboelectric charge. A toner stirring member 9e for circulating the toner in the developing chamber is rotatably attached in the vicinity of the developing roller 9c.

  The process cartridge E includes a toner frame (frame body) 11 having a toner container (toner storage portion) 11A for storing toner, a developing frame (frame body) 12 for holding developing means 9 such as a developing roller 9c, and the like. Are combined. The cleaning means 10 such as the photosensitive drum 7 and the cleaning blade 10a, and the cleaning frame (frame) 13 to which the charging roller 8 is attached are coupled to this.

  The process cartridge E can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body 22 by an operator. The process cartridge is attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body 22 in FIG. 4 by opening the opening / closing member 35 upward about the hinge 35a, mounting it in the direction of the arrow X shown in the figure, and removing it in the direction opposite to the arrow X.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 4, guide members are arranged on the left and right inner walls of the apparatus main body in the process cartridge mounting direction, and a guide rail 18 is provided at the front lower side. On the other hand, the process cartridges P and E are the same except for the positions of the protrusions 13a and 13b which are cartridge contact portions as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, and a cylindrical positioning boss 19 is formed on the axis of the photosensitive drum 7. Is provided. An elongated posture determining guide 21 is provided behind the boss 19 in the process cartridge P, E insertion direction. Accordingly, the positioning boss 19 and the attitude determining guide 21 are fitted to the guide rail 18 to attach and detach the process cartridges P and E to the apparatus main body. Such a process cartridge mounting portion is common to the facsimile C provided with the facsimile function in the laser beam printer shown in FIG. 5, the copying machine B shown in FIG. 6, and the laser beam printer A shown in FIG. Therefore, any process cartridge that does not have a protrusion for operating the laser shutter 1f can be mounted in any of the image forming apparatuses A, B, and C, but cannot be exposed.

  The process cartridge E is provided with an exposure opening 1g for irradiating the photosensitive drum 7 with light corresponding to image information, and a transfer opening 13n for facing the photosensitive drum 7 to the recording medium 2. Specifically, the exposure opening 1g is configured in a frame that supports the process means, in this example, the cleaning frame 13. The exposure opening 1g is elongated in the photosensitive drum axial direction. A protrusion 13a is disposed at one end (right side) of the exposure opening 1g in the photosensitive drum axial direction. The protrusion 13a has a rib shape with a rectangular cross section. Further, the protrusion 13 a is formed by integral molding with the cleaning frame 13. The protrusion 13a is a protrusion that protrudes upward from the cleaning frame 13 in a state where the process cartridge E is mounted on the apparatus main body. The same applies to the protrusion 13b.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the process cartridge E is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body 22 from the direction intersecting the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 7 (from the direction of the arrow X). Next, as shown in FIG. 13, the protrusion 13a passes through the opening 6a of the main body frame provided at a position corresponding to the protrusion 13a provided in the process cartridge E and the opening 1h of the frame 1j of the laser scanner 1. . The main body frame opening 6a and the opening 1h of the frame 1j of the laser scanner 1 are openings having a narrow width within the width of the laser shutter 1f, and prevent malfunction of the laser shutter 1f.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 14, the tip corner portion 13a1 and the upper portion 13a2 of the protrusion 13a abut on the abutting portion (main body abutting portion) 1fa of the laser shutter 1f, and the laser shutter 1f is retracted to release the laser beam path. Move to position. As shown in FIG. 1, the process cartridge E is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body, and the photosensitive drum 7 can be irradiated with laser light. When the process cartridge E is pulled out, the laser shutter 1f returns by the force of a spring (not shown) and returns to the blocking position where the optical path is blocked (state shown in FIG. 4).

  As described above, in recent years, image forming units of copying machines, laser beam printers, and facsimiles have become common. The common use is expected to bring many advantages such as shortening the product development period, improving reliability, and reducing costs. Examples of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment are shown in FIGS. The basic form is a laser beam printer A shown in FIG. Then, as shown in FIG. 5, a sheet-through type document reading device 14 and a control panel 15a are added to the printer, and a facsimile C having a facsimile control means having a communication function and a page memory is configured. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, there is provided a digital copying machine B having a document placing type document reading device 16, an automatic document feeding means 17 and a control panel 15b added to the upper part of the printer and provided with a copying machine control means inside. is there. In the copying machine B, the process cartridge P is attached and detached by sliding the upper document reader 16 and automatic document feeder 17 in the direction of the arrow as shown in FIG. The process cartridge of the facsimile C is attached / detached by opening the opening / closing member 37.

  Here, the laser beam printer A does not have a toner remaining amount detection function, but the copying machine B and the facsimile C have a toner remaining amount detection function. Therefore, it is necessary to prevent the process cartridge E for the laser beam printer A from being erroneously attached to the main body of the copying machine B and the facsimile C. Conversely, it may be necessary to prevent the process cartridge P for the copying machine B from being attached to the main body of the laser beam printer A. Therefore, the position of the contact portion 1fb for rotating the laser shutter of the laser scanner of the copier B is arranged at a different position with respect to the contact portion 1fa of the laser beam printer A (FIGS. 15 and 16). Correspondingly, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the protrusion 13b of the process cartridge P is arranged on the left side, and the protrusion 13a of the process cartridge E is arranged on the right side in the figure. The difference between the process cartridges E and P is the difference in the positions of the protrusions 13a and 13b in appearance, and the process cartridge E does not have the antenna rod 9a for detecting the remaining amount of toner. It is attached as shown in FIG.

  Therefore, when the process cartridge E is attached to the laser beam printer A, the protrusion 13a can pass through the opening 6a of the main body frame 6 and can be attached. However, when the process cartridge P is mounted on the printer A, the projection 13b contacts the main body frame 6 and cannot be mounted.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 16, if the process cartridge E is erroneously attached to the copying machine B, the projection 13a hits the main body frame 6B of the copying machine B during the attachment and cannot enter further. The operator can visually recognize that the protrusion 13a has hit the main body frame 6B, and notices that an incorrect process cartridge is to be mounted. Therefore, the process cartridge E is completely inserted and the opening / closing cover is not closed, so that it is easier to recognize than erroneous insertion. In addition, if the opening / closing cover is not closed, the operator will not be able to recognize it by mistake and there is a risk that the locking mechanism will be broken in an attempt to close the opening / closing cover. For this reason, it is necessary to make the lock mechanism, the hinge of the opening / closing cover, and the opening / closing cover firmly. The present invention is not necessary because it is easy for the operator to understand, and incompatibility can be realized with a simple configuration, and thus the cost can be reduced.

  Further, the projection 13a also has a function of moving the laser shutter 1f to a retracted position for releasing the laser beam path, and incompatibility is realized with a simple configuration such as providing a projection 13a protruding upward from the cleaning frame 13. it can.

  Further, in this embodiment, if the process cartridge P is erroneously mounted on the laser beam printer A, the protrusion 13b abuts on the main body frame 6 and the process cartridge P is further inserted as shown in FIGS. Can not do it. At this time, the operator can visually confirm that the protrusion 13b is in contact with the frame 6, and immediately notices that the wrong process cartridge is mounted. In addition, the protrusion 13b is in contact with the main body frame 6 this time, but the protrusion 13b may be in contact with the scanner frame 1j or another cover.

  In addition, in the image forming apparatus main body, for example, it is not necessary to attach a toner remaining amount detecting device, which increases the cost for common use in a laser beam printer that does not require a toner remaining amount detecting device, so that the cost can be reduced.

  Further, this time, the protrusion 13a and the protrusion 13b are arranged on one end side and the other end side in the drum axial direction of the exposure opening 1g. However, when it becomes necessary to prevent a process cartridge having a different function from being newly attached, the other end side in the drum axis direction of the same exposure opening 1g as the process cartridge P, as in the process cartridge Q shown in FIG. The protrusion 13d can be provided at a position different from the position of the protrusion 13b. Further, the projection 13a, projection 13b, and projection 13d shown so far may be arranged at a distance from the exposure aperture due to the relationship between the length of the required exposure aperture and the scanner shutter contact position. May be arranged.

(Process cartridge regeneration method)
Next, a process cartridge recycling method according to the present invention will be described. First, used process cartridges are collected and sorted by type. Next, the cleaning frame 13 supporting the photosensitive drum 7, the charging roller 8, the cleaning blade 10a, and the like is separated from the process cartridge, and is divided into the cleaning frame 13 and the toner and developing unit. This separation is performed by removing the arms 24 provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the developing frame 12 into the cleaning frame 13 and removing the pins 24 engaging the both frames 12 and 13.

  Therefore, first, the photosensitive drum 7 and the cleaning blade 10a are removed from the cleaning frame 13, and the removed toner is discarded and cleaned. Next, as shown in FIG. 11, the protrusion 13a of the cleaning frame 13 is cut off, and a protrusion member 13c having the same shape as the protrusion cut out at the same position as the protrusion 13b of the process cartridge P is prepared, screwed, and bonded. Install by heat caulking. Thereafter, a new cleaning blade 10a and the photosensitive drum 7 are attached.

  Next, the developing frame 12 and the toner frame 11 are cut and separated. A seal member is attached to the opening of the toner frame 11 and resealed. New toner is supplied from a toner filling port (not shown) of the toner frame 11 to seal the toner filling port. Next, a seal member (not shown) made of wool felt, elastomer, or the like attached to a hole for receiving an antenna rod 9a for detecting the remaining amount of toner in the developing frame 12 is removed, as shown in FIG. The antenna rod 9a is inserted in the direction of the arrow in the figure. A hole 12a for supporting the antenna rod 9a is formed in advance on the inner wall of the developing frame 12 opposite to the side where the antenna rod 9a is inserted, and the antenna rod 9a is simply inserted and inserted into the hole 12a. Can be attached. The hole 12a is a bag hole. At this time, in order to seal the gap between the antenna rod 9a and the insertion hole 12a, a cylindrical sealing member 9b made of polyethylene or elastomer is attached to the antenna rod 9a and inserted together. Thereafter, the toner frame 11 and the developing frame 12 are re-coupled by a coupling member such as a clip or by means such as adhesion.

  The developing frame 12 of the process cartridge E as described above is also provided with a through hole (not shown) and a bag hole 12a for attaching the antenna rod 9a. As a result, the two types of process cartridge parts can be shared.

  Finally, the cleaning frame 13 newly attached with the photosensitive drum 7, the cleaning blade 10a, and the protruding member 13c is combined with the developing unit having the toner frame and the developing frame recombined.

  In this manner, the used process cartridge E for the laser beam printer A can be easily reproduced into the process cartridge P for the copying machine. Further, when performing the reverse reproduction, it is only necessary to cut out the protrusion 13b of the cleaning frame 13 and attach the protrusion member 13c which is a separate member. The antenna rod 9a is attached to the process cartridge P from the beginning, but when used in a laser beam printer, there is no contact on the printer body side for receiving a signal from the antenna rod 9a, so there is no influence. Therefore, there is no problem even if the antenna rod 9a is left as it is.

  The process cartridge disassembling method and reassembling method described above show one example. Another method includes a case where the toner is not reassembled and is refilled from a toner filling port (provided by opening a hole if it is not exposed to the outside), and the laser shutter is used when the process cartridge can be reused. All playbacks that change the position of the protrusion that operates are included.

  In the above-described embodiment, the used process cartridge is collected and disassembled. Then, the parts removed from each process cartridge by disassembly are collected for each identical part. Thereafter, using the above-mentioned parts, and in some cases, some parts include new parts (parts that are not reused) and the process cartridge is regenerated by the above-described regenerating method. In the above-described embodiment, the used process cartridge is collected and disassembled. In some cases, using parts removed from the cartridge, some parts may be new parts (parts that are not reused) or parts removed from other process cartridges, and the process cartridge may be removed by the above-described recycling method. Includes the case of playing.

As explained above,
The process cartridge E of the present embodiment includes a laser beam irradiation member, a shutter 1f that blocks the optical path of the laser beam emitted from the laser beam irradiation member, and the shutter 1f that is retracted from the blocking position that blocks the optical path. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus A having a main body contact portion 1fa to be moved, a main body frame 6 provided on the upstream side of the shutter in the mounting direction of the process cartridge, and an opening 6a provided in the main body frame. A process cartridge E that can be attached to and detached from the main body,
An electrophotographic photosensitive drum 7;
Process means acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
When the process cartridge E is attached to the electrophotographic image forming apparatus B main body having a function different from that of the image forming apparatus A main body, the process cartridge E is brought into contact with a main body frame 6B provided in the image forming apparatus main body having a different function. When the process cartridge is prevented from being attached and the process cartridge is attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus A, it passes through the opening 6a and comes into contact with the main body abutting portion 1fa, thereby retracting the shutter 1f. A protrusion 13a as a cartridge contact portion to be moved to a position;
Is a process cartridge.

  Further, according to this embodiment, the projection 13a provided on the process cartridge E mounts the process cartridge E on the image forming apparatus main body (copier B) having a function different from that of the image forming apparatus main body of the laser beam printer A. At this time, the main body frame 6B provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus having different functions comes into contact. When the process cartridge E is mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus of the laser beam printer A, the protrusion 13a passes through the opening 6a provided in the main body of the laser beam printer A and contacts the laser shutter 1f. In contact with 1fa, the laser shutter 1f is moved to the retracted position to release the optical path.

  Therefore, the process cartridge having a different function with a simple configuration can serve both as an incompatible function of the protrusion 13a and as a function of moving the laser shutter 1f to the retracted position by contacting the contact part 1fa of the laser shutter 1f. Can be prevented from being attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus having different functions and functions.

  Further, by projecting upward from the cleaning frame and providing a projection 13a at one end of the exposure opening 1g in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 7, it is erroneously attempted to attach the process cartridge E to an image forming apparatus having a different function. Thus, the protrusion 13a can come into contact with the main body 6B of the image forming apparatus B having a different function at a position where it can be visually recognized, so that the operator can quickly notice that it is erroneously mounted.

  Described in the embodiment.

  Available.

Each drawing shows an embodiment of the present invention,
1 is a longitudinal sectional view of an image forming apparatus. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a process cartridge. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a process cartridge. FIG. 3 is an explanatory longitudinal sectional view of mounting a process cartridge on the image forming apparatus. 1 is a perspective view of a multifunction machine. 1 is a perspective view of a copying machine. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing replacement of a process cartridge of a copying machine. It is a perspective view of a printer. It is a perspective view of a process cartridge. It is a perspective view of a process cartridge. It is a perspective view of the cleaning frame of the process cartridge. It is a perspective view explaining the insertion of an antenna rod into the developing device frame of the process cartridge. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a longitudinal sectional view for explaining that a process cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a longitudinal sectional view for explaining that a process cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus. It is a figure which shows the relationship of mounting | wearing with two types of different process cartridges to a laser beam printer. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a relationship of mounting two different types of process cartridges to a copying machine. FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view in which a process cartridge having a laser shutter opening / closing projection that is not applicable to the image forming apparatus is mounted. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a process cartridge used in another image forming apparatus having a different function.

Explanation of symbols

A ... Laser beam printer B ... Copier C ... Facsimile (multifunction machine)
E: Process cartridge for laser beam printer P: Process cartridge for copying machine and facsimile 1: Optical means (laser scanner) 1b ... Polygon mirror 1c ... Lens 1d ... Reflection mirror 1e ... Scanner motor 1f ... Laser shutter 1fa ... Printer contact 1fb: contact portion of copying machine 1h ... opening 1g ... exposure opening 1j ... laser scanner frame 2 ... recording medium 3a ... feed cassette 3b ... pickup roller 3d ... registration roller 3f ... conveying guide 3g, 3h ... discharge roller 3j Reversing path 4 Transfer roller 5 Fixing means 5a Heater 5b Fixing rotating body 5c Driving roller 6, 6B Body frame 6a Opening of body frame 6e Discharge tray 7 7 Photosensitive drum 8 Charging Roller 9 ... developing means 9a ... antenna rod 9 ... Seal member 9c ... Developing roller 9d ... Developing blade 9e ... Toner stirring member 9f ... Toner feeding member 10a ... Cleaning blade 11 ... Toner frame 11A ... Toner container 12 ... Developing frame 12a ... Hole 13 ... Cleaning frame 13a ... Cartridge E projection 13a1 ... corner end 13b ... cartridge P projection 13c ... projection member 13n ... transfer opening 14 ... document reading device 15a, 15b ... control panel 16 ... document reading device 17 ... automatic document feeding means 18 ... guide rail DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 19 ... Positioning boss 21 ... Attitude determination guide 22 ... Apparatus main body 23 ... Arm 24 ... Pin 35, 36, 37 ... Opening / closing member 35a ... Hinge

Claims (11)

Having a laser beam irradiation member, a shutter for blocking the optical path of the laser beam emitted from the laser beam irradiation member, a main body abutting portion for moving the shutter to the retracted position retracted from the blocking position for blocking said optical path, the A scanner unit; a main body frame provided upstream of the scanner unit in a mounting direction of the process cartridge; a first opening provided in the main body frame; and a second opening provided in the scanner unit. A process cartridge that is detachable from an electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body having an opening and a main body guide part ,
An electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
Process means acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
A cartridge frame for supporting the electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
A cartridge positioning protrusion for positioning the process cartridge on the image forming apparatus main body, which is provided on the outer side from the side surface of the cartridge frame so as to protrude on the same axis as the axis of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
A cartridge posture determining guide portion that protrudes outward from the side surface of the cartridge frame body and regulates the posture of the process cartridge;
When the cartridge positioning protrusion and the cartridge orientation determining guide are engaged with the main body guide and the process cartridge is mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus, the second opening follows the first opening. The cartridge abuts with the main body abutting portion to move the shutter to the retracted position through the opening, and the cartridge protruding portion and the cartridge orientation determining guide portion have functions different from those of the image forming apparatus main body. When the process cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body having a different function by engaging with a main body guide portion provided on the image forming apparatus main body, the process cartridge is attached to the image forming apparatus main body having the different function. In order to prevent the mounting of the process cartridge during the mounting, the image forming apparatus book having the different function A cartridge abutting portion abutting on the main body frame provided,
A process cartridge comprising: The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge contact portion is a protrusion that protrudes upward from the cartridge frame in a state where the process cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body. The process cartridge has an exposure opening provided in the process cartridge frame for irradiating the electrophotographic photosensitive drum with the laser light, and the cartridge contact portion is formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the process cartridge is provided on one end side of the exposure opening in the axial direction. The cartridge abutting portion has a different arrangement from a cartridge abutting portion provided in a process cartridge used in the image forming apparatus main body having a different function.
Here, the cartridge contact portion provided in the process cartridge used in the image forming apparatus main body having different functions is provided in the process cartridge used in the image forming apparatus main body having different functions in the axial direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum. The process cartridge according to claim 3 , wherein the process cartridge is provided on the other end side of the exposed opening. When the process cartridge is attached to the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body having a function different from that of the image forming apparatus main body, the cartridge contact portion includes a main body frame and the cartridge provided in the image forming apparatus main body having a different function. The process cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the process cartridge is provided at a position where the state of contact with the contact portion can be visually confirmed. In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus in which a process cartridge is detachable and forms an image on a recording medium.
(1) A laser light irradiation member, a shutter that blocks an optical path of laser light emitted from the laser light irradiation member, and a main body contact portion that moves the shutter from a blocking position that blocks the optical path to a retreat position that retreats A scanner unit having
(2) a main body frame provided upstream of the scanner unit in the mounting direction of the process cartridge;
(3) a first opening provided in the main body frame;
(4) a second opening provided in the scanner unit ;
(5) a main body guide part;
(6) An electrophotographic photosensitive drum, process means acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a cartridge frame for supporting the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and the electrophotographic photosensitive member from the side of the cartridge frame to the outside. A cartridge positioning protrusion for positioning the process cartridge relative to the image forming apparatus main body, which protrudes on the same axis as the axis of the body drum, and the process which protrudes outward from the side surface of the cartridge frame. When the process cartridge is mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus by engaging the cartridge attitude determining guide part for regulating the attitude of the cartridge, and engaging the cartridge protruding part and the cartridge attitude determining guide part with the main body guide part. The shutter passes through the second opening following the first opening. A main body provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus having a function different from that of the main body of the image forming apparatus. When the process cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body having a different function by engaging with the guide portion, the process cartridge is mounted in the middle of mounting the process cartridge on the image forming apparatus main body having the different function. Mounting means for detachably mounting a process cartridge having a cartridge abutting portion that abuts a main body frame provided in the image forming apparatus main body having the different functions .
(7) Conveying means for conveying the recording medium;
An electrophotographic image forming apparatus comprising: A laser light irradiation member; a shutter that blocks an optical path of laser light emitted from the laser light irradiation member; and a main body contact portion that moves the shutter to a retreat position that retracts from a blocking position that blocks the optical path. A scanner unit; a main body frame provided upstream of the scanner unit in a mounting direction of the process cartridge; a first opening provided in the main body frame; and a second opening provided in the scanner unit. A process cartridge that is detachable from an electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body having an opening and a main body guide part,
An electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
Process means acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
A cartridge frame for supporting the electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
A cartridge projecting portion provided to project from the cartridge frame for engaging the main body guide portion to guide the process cartridge when the process cartridge is attached to the image forming apparatus main body;
When the cartridge projecting portion is engaged with the main body guide portion and the process cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body, the cartridge passes through the second opening portion following the first opening portion. A cartridge abutting portion that abuts against the main body abutting portion to move the shutter to the retracted position, wherein the cartridge protruding portion is provided on the image forming apparatus main body having a function different from that of the image forming apparatus main body. When the process cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body having a different function by engaging with the guide portion, the process cartridge is mounted in the middle of mounting the process cartridge on the image forming apparatus main body having the different function. In order to prevent this, the car can be positioned so as to come into contact with a main body frame provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus having different functions. A cartridge contact portion provided in a different part from the ridge frame member,
A process cartridge comprising: The cartridge protruding portion is provided on the outside of the side surface of the cartridge frame so as to protrude coaxially with the axis of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and positions the process cartridge on the image forming apparatus main body. The process cartridge according to claim 7, wherein: The process cartridge has an exposure opening provided in the process cartridge frame for irradiating the electrophotographic photosensitive drum with the laser light, and the cartridge contact portion is formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum. The process cartridge according to claim 8, wherein the process cartridge is provided on one end side of the exposure opening in the axial direction. The cartridge abutting portion has a different arrangement from a cartridge abutting portion provided in a process cartridge used in the image forming apparatus main body having a different function.
Here, the cartridge contact portion provided in the process cartridge used in the image forming apparatus main body having different functions is provided in the process cartridge used in the image forming apparatus main body having different functions in the axial direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum. The process cartridge according to claim 9, wherein the process cartridge is provided on the other end side of the exposure opening formed. In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus in which a process cartridge is detachable and forms an image on a recording medium.
(1) A laser light irradiation member, a shutter that blocks an optical path of laser light emitted from the laser light irradiation member, and a main body contact portion that moves the shutter from a blocking position that blocks the optical path to a retreat position that retreats A scanner unit having
(2) a main body frame provided upstream of the scanner unit in the mounting direction of the process cartridge;
(3) a first opening provided in the main body frame;
(4) a second opening provided in the scanner unit;
(5) a main body guide part;
(6) When mounting the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, process means acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a cartridge frame supporting the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and the process cartridge to the image forming apparatus main body. Engaging the main body guide portion to guide the process cartridge, a cartridge protruding portion provided protruding from the cartridge frame, and engaging the cartridge protruding portion with the main body guide portion, thereby providing the process cartridge. Is attached to the image forming apparatus main body so as to contact the main body abutting portion so as to move the shutter to the retracted position through the second opening following the first opening. A cartridge contact portion, wherein the cartridge protruding portion is provided in an image forming apparatus main body having a function different from that of the image forming apparatus main body. When the process cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body having the different function by engaging with the main body guide portion, the process cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body having the different function. A cartridge abutting portion provided as a separate component from the cartridge frame, which can take a position abutting on a main body frame provided in the image forming apparatus main body having a different function in order to prevent the cartridge from being mounted; A mounting means for detachably mounting the process cartridge having,
(7) Conveying means for conveying the recording medium;
An electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

Images