JP6884832B2 - Photoreceptor cartridge and process cartridge - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a photoconductor cartridge and a process cartridge.

For example, in a laser printer or a digital copier as an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic process, a laser beam is scanned by a photoconductor drum in accordance with the image data to be printed, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photoconductor drum. To form. Then, toner is supplied to this electrostatic latent image to form an image, and this image is transferred to a sheet (recording medium: recording material) and then heat-fixed.

A memory means that stores useful information for replacing the cartridge at an appropriate time, for example, the remaining amount of toner, etc., is attached to the cartridge that is detachably attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus. .. As such a memory means, a contact type IC chip is adopted from the viewpoint of performance and cost.

The image forming apparatus is provided with a control unit, and the electrical contact portion on the device main body side electrically connected to the control unit and the electrical contact portion on the cartridge side electrically connected to the memory means are in contact with each other. To do. As a result, the control unit communicates the information stored in the memory means, and is configured to perform appropriate control. In order for the memory means to function normally, the electrical contacts on the cartridge side and the electrical contacts on the main body of the device must be in stable contact.

According to Patent Document 1, when the process cartridge is mounted on the main body of the apparatus in a direction intersecting the axis of the photoconductor drum, the electric contact portion of the memory means attached to the process cartridge and the electric contact portion of the main body are stable. Mechanisms that can be abutted are disclosed.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 9-179476

However, there are the following problems in the process cartridge provided with the photoconductor cartridge and the developing cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the photoconductor cartridge and has a memory means. That is, in order for the electrical contact portion of the main body to come into contact with the memory means provided in the developing cartridge, it is necessary to avoid the photoconductor cartridge (housing) for access. Therefore, the mechanism of the electric contact portion of the main body becomes complicated or large.

The present invention has been made in view of the above background. An object of the present invention is to provide a photoconductor cartridge and a process cartridge that can prevent the main body electrical contact portion from becoming complicated or large in size.

A typical configuration of the photoconductor cartridge according to the present invention for achieving the above object is a developing agent carrier, a developing unit frame constituting a housing portion for accommodating the developing agent, and the developing unit frame. A developing cartridge having a sealing member for sealing an opening provided on a surface intersecting the rotation axis of the developing agent carrier and a stirring member for stirring the developing agent contained in the accommodating portion can be attached and detached. It is a photoconductor cartridge that is detachably attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet, and is provided with a frame body and a developing agent provided on the frame body and from the accommodating portion. A photoconductor on which a latent image for development is formed, a transfer member for transferring an image formed on the photoconductor to the sheet, a mounting portion on which the developing cartridge is detachably mounted, and the photosensitivity. A lever provided at the end of the frame in the direction of the rotation axis of the body and movable from the first position to the second position and from the second position to the first position, and the developing cartridge mounted on the mounting portion. When the lever is in the first position, the pressing member presses the developing cartridge, and the position of the developing cartridge with respect to the photoconductor is developed by the developing agent. When the developing cartridge is mounted on the mounting portion and the lever is moved from the first position to the second position, the lever moves the developing cartridge from the photoconductor cartridge. At least a part of the lever overlaps the opening when viewed along the rotation axis of the developer carrier with the developing cartridge mounted on the mounting portion by moving the developing cartridge away from the mounting portion. It is characterized by being.

In addition, typical configurations of the process cartridge according to the present invention for achieving the above object are a developer carrier, a developing unit frame constituting a housing portion for accommodating the developer, and the developing unit frame. A developing cartridge having a sealing member for sealing an opening provided on a surface intersecting the rotation axis of the developing agent carrier, and a stirring member for stirring the developing agent contained in the accommodating portion. A process cartridge comprising a photofinishing cartridge that is removable and detachably attached to the main body of an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet, and the photofinishing cartridge is a frame. A body, a photoconductor provided on the frame body and forming a latent image for developing with a developing agent from the housing portion, and a transfer member for transferring an image formed on the photoconductor to the sheet. A mounting portion on which the developing cartridge is detachably mounted and an end portion of the frame body with respect to the rotation axis direction of the photoconductor are provided from the first position to the second position and from the second position to the first position. A lever movable to a position and a pressing member for pressing the developing cartridge mounted on the mounting portion are provided, and when the lever is in the first position, the pressing member presses the developing cartridge. The position of the developing cartridge with respect to the photoconductor is a position when development with the developing agent is performed, and the developing cartridge is mounted on the mounting portion and the lever is in the first position to the second position. When moved to, the lever moves the developing cartridge away from the photoconductor cartridge, and the developing cartridge is mounted on the mounting portion and viewed along the rotation axis of the developing agent carrier. At that time, at least a part of the lever overlaps with the opening.
In addition, other typical configurations of the process cartridge according to the present invention for achieving the above object are a developer carrier, a developing unit frame constituting a housing portion for accommodating the developer, and the developing unit. A developing cartridge having a sealing member for sealing an opening provided on a surface of the frame body intersecting the rotation axis of the developer carrier, and a stirring member for stirring the developer contained in the housing portion. A process cartridge comprising the photofinishing cartridge, which is removable from the developing cartridge and which is detachably attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus for forming an image on a sheet. , A frame body, a photoconductor provided on the frame body and forming a latent image for developing with a developing agent from the housing portion, and an image formed on the photoconductor for transferring to the sheet. The transfer member, the mounting portion on which the developing cartridge is detachably mounted, and the end portion of the frame with respect to the rotation axis direction of the photoconductor are provided from the first position to the second position and from the second position. A lever movable to the first position and a pressing member for pressing the developing cartridge mounted on the mounting portion are provided, and when the lever is in the first position, the pressing member presses the developing cartridge. The position of the developing cartridge with respect to the photoconductor is the position when development with the developing agent is performed, and the developing cartridge is mounted on the mounting portion and the lever is in the first position. When moved to the two positions, the lever moves the developing cartridge away from the photoconductor cartridge, and the developing unit frame is on one side in a direction intersecting the rotation axis of the developing agent carrier. A recess formed so as to penetrate the inside of the accommodating portion is provided from the end portion toward the other end portion on which the developer carrier is arranged, and in the direction of the rotation axis of the developer carrier. The recess is arranged at a position away from the opening, and when the developing cartridge is mounted on the mounting portion and viewed along the rotation axis of the developing agent carrier, at least a part of the lever is It is characterized in that it overlaps the opening.
Further, still another typical configuration of the process cartridge according to the present invention for achieving the above object is a developer carrier, a developing unit frame constituting a housing portion for accommodating the developer, and the development. Development including a sealing member for sealing an opening provided on a surface of the unit frame body intersecting the rotation axis of the developer carrier, and a stirring member for stirring the developer contained in the housing portion. A process cartridge comprising a cartridge and a photoconductor cartridge to which the developing cartridge can be attached and detached and which is detachably attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus for forming an image on a sheet. Is for transferring the frame, the photoconductor provided on the frame and forming a latent image for developing with the developing agent from the accommodating portion, and the image formed on the photoconductor to the sheet. The transfer member, the mounting portion on which the developing cartridge is detachably mounted, and the end portion of the frame with respect to the rotation axis direction of the photoconductor, from the first position to the second position, and the second position. A lever that can be moved from the first position to the first position and a pressing member that presses the developing cartridge mounted on the mounting portion are provided, and when the lever is in the first position, the pressing member presses the developing cartridge. When pressed, the position of the developing cartridge with respect to the photoconductor is the position when development with the developing agent is performed, and the developing cartridge is mounted on the mounting portion and the lever is in the first position. When moved to the second position, the lever moves the developing cartridge away from the photoconductor cartridge, and the developing cartridge is a state in which the developing cartridge is mounted on the mounting portion of the photoconductor cartridge. The developing cartridge is mounted on the mounting portion, including an engaging portion that engages with the receiving portion and a contact portion that the lever abuts when the lever moves from the first position to the second position. When the lever is moved from the first position to the second position, the lever disengages the developing cartridge from the photoconductor cartridge with the engaging portion engaged with the receiving portion. When viewed along the rotation axis of the developer carrier, the abutting portion and the opening are located at positions farther from the engaging portion than the rotation center of the stirring member, and the developing is performed. When the cartridge is mounted on the mounting portion and viewed along the axis of rotation of the developer carrier, the front At least a part of the lever overlaps with the opening.

According to the present invention, the mechanism of the main body electrical contact portion becomes complicated or enlarged by accessing the electric contact portion of the memory means of the developing cartridge through the housing of the photoconductor cartridge. Can be suppressed.

Schematic diagram of an example of an image forming apparatus Perspective view of the image forming apparatus main body showing the state where the opening / closing door is opened. A perspective view of an image forming apparatus showing a state in which a process cartridge is attached. Cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the process cartridge Cross-sectional view of the process cartridge with the photoconductor cartridge and the developing cartridge separated. Cross-sectional view taken along the line (5)-(5) of FIG. 4B. Structural explanatory view of the stirring member of the developing cartridge Perspective view of the photoconductor cartridge The figure explaining the method of assembling the photoconductor cartridge (the 1) The figure explaining the method of assembling the photoconductor cartridge (the 2) Explanatory drawing of paper dust removing member Explanatory drawing of the developing roller cover (1) Explanatory drawing of the developing roller cover (Part 2) The figure explaining the attachment of the developing cartridge to the photoconductor cartridge (the 1). The figure explaining the attachment of the developing cartridge to a photoconductor cartridge (part 2). The figure explaining attachment / detachment of development cartridge from a photoconductor cartridge The figure explaining the deformation example of attachment / detachment of a development cartridge from a photoconductor cartridge.

[Example 1]
The first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

<Overall configuration of image forming device>
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus 1 in this embodiment. The image forming apparatus 1 is a laser printer using an electrophotographic process, and is a toner image corresponding to electrical image information (image data) input to the control unit 100 from a host device (not shown) such as a PC (personal computer). Can be formed on a sheet (hereinafter referred to as paper) S.

In the following description, the direction will be described with reference to the user who uses the image forming apparatus 1. That is, the left side in FIG. 1 is "front", the right side is "rear", the front side is "right", and the back side is "left". Further, the vertical direction in FIG. 1 is defined as "up and down".

The image forming apparatus 1 includes a paper feeding unit 3 for supplying the paper S into the apparatus main body 2, an exposure device 4 (laser scanner), a process cartridge 5 for transferring a toner image onto the paper S, and the paper S. It mainly includes a fixing device 8 that heat-fixes the toner image transferred on the top.

The paper feed unit 3 is provided in the lower part of the apparatus main body 2, and mainly includes a paper feed tray 31 and a paper feed mechanism 32. The paper S housed in the paper feed tray 31 is supplied by the paper feed mechanism 32 toward the space (transfer nip portion) between the photoconductor drum 61 and the transfer roller (transfer member) 63 in the process cartridge 5.

The exposure apparatus 4 is arranged in the upper part of the apparatus main body 2 and includes a laser emitting unit, a polygon mirror, a lens, a reflecting mirror, and the like (all not shown). In this exposure apparatus 4, the surface of the photoconductor drum 61 is exposed by scanning the laser beam based on the image data emitted from the laser light emitting unit at high speed on the surface of the photoconductor drum 61. The process cartridge 5 is arranged below the exposure apparatus 4.

As shown in FIG. 2, the process cartridge 5 is inserted into the mounting portion 2A inside the device main body 2 through the opening 9 formed when the opening / closing door 21 provided in the device main body 2 is opened, and is mounted on the device main body 2. be able to. On the contrary, it can be pulled out and removed.

Cartridge guide portions 2G are arranged on the left and right internal side plates 2L and 2R of the apparatus main body 2 so as to face each other. The process cartridge 5 is attached to and detached from the mounting portion 2A by engaging the left and right guide portions (not shown) of the process cartridge 5 (photoreceptor cartridge 6) with the left and right guide portions 2G and sliding them. To.

FIG. 3 shows a state in which the process cartridge 5 is mounted on the mounting portion 2A of the device main body 2. Then, when the opening / closing door 21 is closed as shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 is in a state where the image forming operation can be performed. In FIG. 3, the white arrows indicate the attachment / detachment direction of the process cartridge 5.

4A and 4A are cross-sectional views of the process cartridge 5, respectively. The process cartridge 5 is composed of a photoconductor cartridge 6 and a developing cartridge 7. FIG. 4B is a left side view of the developing cartridge 7 removed from the photoconductor cartridge 6 and a cross-sectional left side view of the developing cartridge 6 from which the developing cartridge 7 is removed.

The photoconductor cartridge 6 mainly includes a photoconductor drum 61, a charging roller 62, a transfer roller 63, and a pinch roller 64. The developing cartridge 7 is detachably mounted on the mounting portion 6A on the photoconductor cartridge 6 side. The detachable configuration will be described later. The developing cartridge 7 is provided in a developing roller (developer carrier) 71, a supply roller 72, a layer thickness regulating blade 73, a toner accommodating portion 74 accommodating toner (developer), and a toner accommodating portion 74. It mainly includes an agitator 75 as an example of a stirring member.

In the process cartridge 5, the surface of the photoconductor drum 61 is uniformly charged by the charging roller 62 and then exposed by high-speed scanning of the laser beam from the exposure apparatus 4, so that the image data is displayed on the photoconductor drum 61. An electrostatic latent image is formed based on.

Further, the toner in the toner accommodating portion 74 is agitated by the agitator 75 and then supplied to the developing roller 71 via the supply roller 72, and enters between the developing roller 71 and the layer thickness regulating blade 73 to have a constant thickness. It is supported on the developing roller 71 as a thin layer of.

The toner supported on the developing roller 71 is supplied from the developing roller 71 to the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor drum 61. As a result, the electrostatic latent image is visualized and a toner image is formed on the photoconductor drum 61. After that, the paper S is sandwiched and conveyed between the transfer nip portion, which is the contact portion between the photoconductor drum 61 and the transfer roller 63, so that the toner image on the photoconductor drum 61 is transferred onto the paper S.

The fixing device 8 is arranged behind the process cartridge 5 inside the device main body 2, and mainly includes a heating roller 81 and a pressure roller 82. In the fixing device 8, the toner image transferred on the paper S is heat-fixed while the paper S passes through the fixing nip portion which is the contact portion between the heating roller 81 and the pressure roller 82. The paper S on which the toner image is heat-fixed is discharged from the discharge port 83 onto the paper discharge tray 22 on the upper surface of the opening / closing door 21. In FIG. 1, the alternate long and short dash line indicates the transport path a from the paper feed unit 3 to the output tray 22.

<Detailed configuration of process cartridge>
As described above, the process cartridge 5 includes a photoconductor cartridge 6 and a developing cartridge 7 that can be attached to and detached from the photoconductor cartridge 6.

First, the detailed configuration of the developing cartridge 7 will be described. The developing cartridge 7 has a grip portion 701 gripped by the user in front of the housing 700 as a developing frame. A developing roller 71 is rotatably supported behind the housing 700.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line (5)-(5) of the developing cartridge 7 of FIG. 4B. As shown in FIG. 5, a developing passive gear 714 is provided on one end side (right end side) of the developing roller 71 in the longitudinal direction (roller axis direction). When the process cartridge 5 is mounted on the mounting portion 2A of the device main body 2 and the opening / closing door 21 is closed, the development drive transmission on the device main body 2 side is transmitted to the developing passive gear 714 in conjunction with the closing operation of the opening / closing door 21. Members (not shown) are engaged.

In this engaged state, the development roller 71 is rotationally driven by transmitting a driving force from the development drive transmission member to the development passive gear 714. The development drive transmission member is configured to allow the position shift of the development passive gear 714 within a predetermined range and transmit the driving force to the development passive gear 714.

The developing cartridge 7 is provided with the memory means 76 on the bottom surface 702 of the housing 700, that is, on the surface facing the toner accommodating portion 74. The memory means 76 stores information useful for replacing the cartridge at an appropriate time, for example, the remaining amount of toner, and a contact type IC chip is used from the viewpoint of performance and cost.

The developing cartridge 7 is provided with a mechanism for preventing the developing cartridge 7 for a different model (different type) from the photoconductor cartridge 6 from being inserted into the photoconductor cartridge 6. That is, as shown in FIGS. 1, 4A (b), 5 and the like, the housing 700 is provided with a recess 703 so as to penetrate the inside of the toner accommodating portion 74 in front of the housing 700. There is. On the other hand, in the frame of the photoconductor cartridge 6, when the developing cartridge 7 is mounted, the convex portion 616 is fitted so as to face the concave portion 703 on the developing cartridge 7 side.
(FIGS. 1, FIG. 4A (b), FIG. 7) are provided.

If the concave portion 703 of the housing 700 of the developing cartridge 7 and the convex portion 616 of the frame of the photoconductor cartridge 6 do not match, the developing cartridge 7 cannot be mounted on the photoconductor cartridge 6. That is, by this mechanism, the user can definitely combine and use the developing cartridge 7 suitable for the photoconductor cartridge 6.

As shown in FIG. 5, a toner filling port 77 for filling toner is provided on the left side surface 704 of the housing 700 of the developing cartridge 7. A toner cap 716 is provided in the toner filling port 77, and the toner is sealed. In order to make the developing cartridge 7 smaller, the toner filling port 77 and the recess 703 of the housing 700 are configured to overlap (overlap with the toner filling port in the cross section) in the cross section in the axial direction. ..

In this case, the toner can be filled efficiently by increasing the distance between the toner filling port 77 and the recess 703 as much as possible. As a result of diligent examination, if the ratio (D2 / D1) of the outer diameter D1 of the toner filling port 77 to the distance D2 (D2 / D1) from the outer edge of the opening of the toner filling port 77 to the recess 703 is 1.45 times or more, the toner is efficient. It was found that the filling was carried out. Therefore, in this embodiment, D1 is set to 15 mm and D2 is set to 22.5 mm.

The agitator 75 is rotatably configured by a stirring gear 715 from a developing passive gear 714 (FIG. 5) via an idle gear (not shown). The toner in the toner accommodating portion 74 is agitated by the agitator 75 and then supplied to the developing roller 71 via the supply roller 72.

As shown in FIG. 6, the agitator 75 is mainly composed of the toner stirring rod 78 and the toner stirring sheet 79. In order to adjust the supply force for supplying the toner in the toner accommodating portion 74 to the supply roller 72, holes 791 are provided in the toner stirring sheet 79 at a plurality of locations at intervals along the length of the toner stirring sheet 79. ..

As shown in FIG. 6D, the region having the maximum diameter of the hole 791 is configured to overlap with the recess 703 in the axial direction. If the toner stirring sheet 79 is in contact with the recess 703 for a long period of time, the toner stirring sheet 79 may be deformed. As a result, the supply force for supplying the toner in the toner accommodating portion 74 to the supply roller 72 may be partially reduced in the axial direction.

By adopting the above configuration ((d) of FIG. 6), the force of deforming the toner stirring sheet 79 when the toner stirring sheet 79 is in contact with the recess 703 can be reduced, so that the toner stirring sheet 79 can be deformed. Deformation over time is reduced. As a result, the supply capacity for supplying the toner in the toner accommodating portion 74 to the supply roller 72 becomes stable.

The toner stirring rod 78 is provided with a semi-oval stirring blade 781 for transporting the toner in the toner accommodating portion 74 to the central portion. The toner stored in the supply roller 72 is discharged by rubbing against the developing roller 71. At that time, the toner is conveyed to both ends of the supply roller 72 in the axial direction. In order to return the toner conveyed to both ends to the central portion in the longitudinal direction in the toner accommodating portion 74, the above-mentioned semi-oval type stirring blade 781 is provided on the toner stirring rod 78.

A plurality of semi-oval stirring blades 781 are provided at intervals along the length of the toner stirring rod 78. In this embodiment, six semi-oval type stirring blades 781 are provided. The maximum outer diameter portion 782 of the semi-oval type stirring blade 781 arranged on both end side thereof is configured to overlap with the recess 703 in the axial direction as shown in FIG. 6 (c). By adopting this configuration, the toner existing between the side wall of the toner accommodating portion 74 and the recess 703 can be successfully conveyed to the central portion.

Next, the detailed configuration of the photoconductor cartridge 6 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B, 7 and the like, the photoconductor cartridge 6 is composed of a lower frame 610 and an upper frame 620.

The lower frame 610 mainly has a left side wall 611, a right side wall 612, and a bottom wall 613 extending along the axial direction of the photoconductor drum 61. The left side wall 611 and the right side wall 612 are opposed to each other in the left-right direction, the lower part thereof is connected by the bottom wall 613, the front part is connected by the front side wall portion 614, and the rear part is connected by the connecting wall 615. In front of the lower frame 610, a grip portion 617 is provided in front of which the user grips the photoconductor cartridge 6.

The photoconductor drum 61 is rotatably supported behind the left and right side wall portions 611 and 612. When the process cartridge 5 is mounted on the apparatus main body 2, the drive gear (not shown) on the apparatus main body 2 side and the photoconductor gear 65 provided at the end of the photoconductor drum 61 are connected to each other to be photosensitive. The body drum 61 can rotate. Further, as shown in FIG. 8A, the transfer gear 66 is driven by the photoconductor gear 65, and the transfer roller 63 becomes rotatable.

As a modification of the configuration that enables the photoconductor drum 61 to rotate, although not shown, a configuration in which the drive is transmitted via a connecting member may be used. The connecting member is engaged with the drum drive transmission member in conjunction with the opening / closing door 21 provided in the apparatus main body 2. When the opening / closing door 21 is closed, the driving force is transmitted from the drum drive transmission member to the connecting member, and the photosensitive drum 61 can rotate. In this configuration, the drum drive transmission member allows the position shift of the connecting member within a predetermined range, and can transmit the driving force to the drum drive input unit.

The left and right side walls 611 and 612 and the connecting wall 615 are provided in a substantially U shape in a plan view so as to surround the left and right and the rear of the photoconductor drum 61. The developing cartridge 7 is detachably mounted on the mounting portion 6A with the space surrounded by the left and right side walls 611, 612, the front side wall portion 614, and the photoconductor drum 61 as the mounting portion 6A.

A first electrical contact portion 631 (FIG. 7) is provided on the right side wall 612 of the lower frame 610. When the process cartridge 5 is mounted on the mounting portion 2A of the device main body 2, the first electrical contact portion 631 is electrically connected to the main body electrical contact portion 2B ((b) in FIG. 2) on the device main body 2 side.

Further, a second electrical contact portion 632 is provided inside the bottom wall 613 of the lower frame 610. When the developing cartridge 7 is mounted on the mounting portion 6A of the photoconductor cartridge 6, the contact portion 632 is an electrical contact portion 761 of the memory means 76 provided on the bottom surface (the surface facing the toner accommodating portion 74) 702 of the housing 700. (Fig. 4A (a), Fig. 10).

The first electrical contact portion 631 and the second electrical contact portion 632 are electrically connected by wiring 633 (FIG. 7). Therefore, when the process cartridge 5 is mounted on the mounting portion 2A of the apparatus main body 2, the main body electrical contact portion 2B and the memory means 76 of the developing cartridge 7 are subjected to the first electrical contact portion 631, the wiring 633, and the second electrical contact. It is electrically connected via the portion 632 and the electrical contact portion 761. As a result, the control unit 100 (FIG. 1) on the device main body 2 side and the memory means 76 are electrically connected, and the control unit 100 communicates the information stored in the memory means 76 to perform appropriate control. ..

In this embodiment, the first electrical contact portion 631 is provided on the right side wall 612 of the lower frame 610, but if the distance between the first electrical contact portion 631 and the second electrical contact portion 632 is short, the distance is corresponding to that amount. It leads to cost reduction. Therefore, it is advantageous that the second electrical contact portion 632 is also provided on the side wall closer to the main body electrical contact portion 2B. Therefore, the second electrical contact portion 632 provided on the bottom wall 613 of the lower frame 610 is provided closer to the right side wall 612 than the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the bottom wall 613.

In this way, the main body electrical contact portion 2B and the memory means 76 of the developing cartridge 7 are electrically connected via the lower frame 610 as the frame body of the photoconductor cartridge 6, so that the main body electrical contact portion 2B is complicated. It is possible to suppress the increase in size or size.

Further, since the bottom wall 613 is provided with the second electrical contact portion 632, the length of the process cartridge 5 in the longitudinal direction is increased as compared with the case where the second electrical contact portion 632 is provided on the right side wall 612 or the left side wall 611. It can be suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the increase in size of the apparatus main body 2. The first electrical contact portion 631 may be provided on the left side wall 611. That is, the first electrical contact portion 631 is provided on the side wall on one end side or the other end side of the frame body of the photoconductor cartridge 6.

A transport surface for transporting the paper S is provided on the bottom surface of the conventional process cartridge, and it is difficult to provide a memory means on the bottom surface. If the memory means is provided while avoiding the transport surface, the length in the axial direction becomes large.

On the other hand, in the process cartridge 5 of the present embodiment, a transport surface 613a for transporting the paper S is provided on the bottom surface of the bottom wall 613 of the photoconductor cartridge 6, and the memory means 76 is provided on the bottom surface 702 of the developing cartridge 7. It is possible.

As shown in FIG. 8A, the upper frame 620 mainly has an upper wall portion 621, and a left wall portion 622 and a right wall portion 623 extending downward from both left and right ends of the upper wall portion 621. It is composed of. The upper frame 620 supports the charger 62, and covers the photoconductor drum 61 surrounded by the left and right side walls 622, 623 and the connecting wall 615 (see FIG. 7) of the lower frame 610 from above. It is attached to the lower frame 610.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8A, the left wall portion 622 and the right wall portion 623 of the upper frame 620 have locking portions that restrict the axial movement of the drum shaft 67 that supports the photoconductor drum 61. 624 is provided.

A method of assembling the photoconductor drum 61 will be described with reference to FIG. 8B. First, the photosensitive drum 61 is set in the lower frame 610. Next, the upper frame 620 is attached to the lower frame 610 so as to cover the photoconductor drum 61 from above. Finally, the drum shaft 67 is inserted from the axial direction of the photoconductor drum 61.

The left and right side walls 611 and 612 of the lower frame 610 are provided with drum shaft holes 617 that determine the position of the photoconductor drum 61 in the circumferential direction. A drum flange 68 is provided on one end side (left end side) of the photoconductor drum 61, and the drum flange 68 is provided with a drum flange hole 681 for determining the position of the rotation center of the photoconductor drum 61 (). FIG. 8 (b). A photoconductor gear 65 is provided on the other end side (right end side) of the photoconductor drum 61, and the photoconductor gear 65 is provided with a photoconductor gear hole 651. The photoconductor drum 61 is rotatably positioned with the lower frame 610 in the circumferential direction via the drum shaft 67.

As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the drum shaft 67 is provided with a groove portion 671. The groove portion 671 is locked (patched) to the locking portions 624 provided on the left and right wall portions 622 and 623 of the upper frame 620, whereby the upper frame 620 is fixed to the lower frame 610. At the same time, the drum shaft 67 is prevented from coming off in the axial direction. The upper frame 620 supports the drum shaft 67 at three points of the locking portion 624.

The locking portion 624 includes a hole portion 624a into which the drum shaft 67 is inserted, three support portions 624b provided on the inner peripheral portion of the hole portion 624a at intervals in the circumferential direction, and an elastic tongue piece portion 624c. And have. The drum shaft 67 inserted into the hole portion 624a is supported at three points by three support portions 624b at the locking portion 624. Further, the drum shaft 67 is locked to the locking portion 624 by engaging the tip portion of the elastic tongue piece portion 624c with the groove portion 671 of the drum shaft 67.

FIG. 9 shows the locking portion 624 of the right wall portion 623, but the same applies to the locking portion 624 of the left wall portion 622. That is, the groove portions 671 on the left and right end portions of the drum shaft 67 are locked to the locking portions 624 provided on the left and right wall portions 622 and 623 of the upper frame 620, respectively. The locking portion 624 is integrally molded with the upper frame 620 by resin molding and is provided.

As shown in FIG. 10A, when the process cartridge 5 is mounted on the mounting portion 2A of the device main body 2, the process cartridge 5 faces the resist roller 23 provided on the device main body 2 on the bottom surface 613 of the lower frame 610. A pinch roller 64 is provided. Further, the lower frame 610 is provided with a paper dust removing pad 69 arranged so as to face the pinch roller 64. The pinch roller 64 rotates clockwise as indicated by the arrow in the counterclockwise direction of the resist roller 23, and conveys the paper S between the photosensitive drum 61 and the transfer roller 63.

As shown in FIG. 10B, the pinch roller 64 is configured so as not to be positioned when the process cartridge 5 is not mounted on the apparatus main body 2. The pinch roller 64 is positioned at a predetermined position when the process cartridge 5 is mounted on the apparatus main body 2. At the same time, the pinch roller 64 is configured to come into contact with the paper dust removing pad 69 at a predetermined pressure (FIG. 10) (a).

Paper dust of paper S will adhere to the pinch roller 64. In particular, in the cleanerless method, it is desirable that the paper dust of the paper S does not adhere to the surface of the photoconductor drum 61 as much as possible. Therefore, the photoconductor cartridge 6 is provided with a paper dust removing pad 69 for collecting the paper dust of the pinch roller 64.

The paper dust removing pad 69 is provided on the bottom surface 613 of the lower frame 610 so as to face the pinch roller 64. More specifically, it is provided so as to come into contact with the roller half surface side on the upstream side in the paper transport direction of the pinch roller 64 whose vertical line H passing through the center of the pinch roller 64 is Sakai.

With such a configuration, the paper dust of the paper S adhering to the surface of the pinch roller 64 can be efficiently collected by the paper dust removing pad 69. A foam member made of urethane, silicon, or the like, a brush, and a non-woven fabric are provided on the surface of the paper dust removing pad 69 so as to collect and store the paper dust of the paper S.

Next, attachment / detachment of the developing cartridge 7 to / from the photoconductor cartridge 6 will be described. First, as shown in FIG. 11A, the new developing cartridge 7 is provided with the developing roller cover 710, so the developing roller cover 710 is removed. The developing roller cover 710 is for preventing the user from accidentally touching or scratching the surface of the developing roller 71 when taking out the developing cartridge 7 from the packing box.

Generally, a resin such as polypropylene is used as the material of the developing roller cover 710. It is preferable that the cross-sectional area in the axial direction is small when the developing roller cover 710 is attached to the developing cartridge 7. This is because the size of the packing material for packing the developing cartridge 7 is reduced and the distribution efficiency is improved.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 11B, a bent portion 711 (protruding portion) is provided inside the developing roller cover 710 to increase the strength of the developing roller cover 710 and develop with the developing roller 71 as much as possible. The distance of the roller cover 710 is reduced. In this embodiment, the distance is set to 4 mm.

Further, when the developing roller cover 710 is removed from the developing cartridge 7, the following configuration is adopted so that the above-mentioned bending point 711 does not come into contact with the surface of the developing roller 71.

The developing roller cover 710 has a locking portion 712 provided in the central portion in the longitudinal direction thereof and a locking portion 713 provided in the vicinity of both ends. The locking portion 712 is locked to a part 730a ((a) of FIG. 12) of the regulation blade unit 730 that supports the layer thickness regulation blade 73 of the developing cartridge 7. The locking portion 713 is a part 706 of the bottom surface 702 of the developing cartridge 7.
(Locked to (b) in FIG. 12). As a result, the developing roller cover 710 is attached and fixed to the developing cartridge 7.

As shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, the bottom surface 702 of the developing cartridge 7 is provided so that the bending point 711 does not come into contact with the surface of the developing roller 71 when the developing roller cover 710 is removed from the developing cartridge 7. The locus regulation unit 707 that regulates is provided.

The central portion of the developing roller cover 710 is deformed, and the locking portion 712 provided in the central portion of the developing roller cover 710 is removed from a part 730a of the regulation blade unit 730. At this time, the locus regulation unit 707 serves as a fulcrum of the locus when the developing roller cover 710 is removed.

Therefore, the bending point 711 can draw a locus so as not to abut on the surface of the developing roller 71, and does not abut on the surface of the developing roller 71 as shown by the alternate long and short dash line shown in FIG. 12 (a). The developing roller cover 710 can be removed. That is, the developing roller cover 710 is removed by rotating it in a direction orthogonal to the axis of the developing roller 71. FIG. 12B shows a perspective view of the developing cartridge 7 from which the developing roller cover 710 has been removed as described above.

The developing cartridge 7 from which the developing roller cover 710 has been removed is mounted on the mounting portion 6A of the photoconductor cartridge 6 in the following manner.

The user holds the grip portion 701 at the front end of the developing cartridge 7, and mounts the developing cartridge 7 on the mounting portion 6A of the photoconductor cartridge 6 from the developing roller 71 at the rear. At this time, if the user attaches the drum with a strong force, the developing roller 71 and the regulation blade unit 730 may come into contact with the surface of the photoconductor drum 61 and damage the surface.

Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, when mounting, first, a part of the side covers 720 provided at the left and right ends of the developing cartridge 7 comes into contact with the upper frame 620 of the photoconductor cartridge 6. It is configured as follows.

That is, a part of the side cover 720 provided at the left and right ends (one end side and the other end side in the longitudinal direction of the housing 700) of the developing cartridge 7 is used as the contact portion 721, respectively. Further, a part of the left and right end portions of the upper frame 620 of the photoconductor cartridge 6 is designated as an abutted portion 625 (FIG. 7) corresponding to the abutting portion 721, respectively.

The left and right side covers 720 are attached by screwing to the left and right side surfaces 704 and 705 of the housing 700, respectively, to cover the outer gears 714, 715 and the like on the right side of the housing 700, and to supply the developing roller 7 and the supply. It is a member that bearings the left and right ends of the shaft of the roller 72.

When mounting the developing cartridge 7 on the photoconductor cartridge 6, the user grips the developing cartridge 7 with the developing roller 71 facing downward. Then, as shown in FIG. 13, the left and right contact portions 721 are brought into contact with the left and right contacted portions 625 on the upper frame 620 side of the photoconductor cartridge 6, respectively. In this state, the developing cartridge 7 is rotated toward the mounting portion 6A of the photoconductor cartridge 6.

As a result of this rotation, as shown in the process diagrams of FIGS. 14 (a), (b), and (c), the developing cartridge 7 rotates with the contact portion 721 with respect to the contacted portion 625 as the contact point. However, it is mounted on the mounting portion 6A of the photoconductor cartridge 6. When the developing cartridge 7 is mounted while rotating, the developing roller 71 and the regulation blade unit 730 are configured so as not to come into contact with the surface of the photoconductor drum 61. When the developing cartridge 7 is mounted on the photoconductor cartridge 6, the abutting portion 721 is configured to be separated from the abutted portion 625 of the frame 620.

When the developing cartridge 7 is sufficiently rotated with respect to the photoconductor cartridge 6 ((c) in FIG. 14), the left and right ends of the rotating shaft 746 of the developing roller 71 are on the left and right side walls 611 of the photoconductor cartridge 6, respectively. , 612 is predeterminedly accepted by the receiving portion 641. Further, the pressed ribs 743 formed on the left and right side walls 704 and 705 of the housing 700 are engaged with the swing arm 640 as a pressing member provided on the left and right sides of the lower frame 610 of the photoconductor cartridge 6, respectively. Together, it is pressed by the pressing force of the swing arm 640.

FIG. 15A shows this pressed state. As a result, the developing cartridge 7 is held in a predetermined state of being mounted on the mounting portion 6A. In this state, the electrical contact portion 761 of the memory means 76 provided in the developing cartridge 7 is electrically connected to the second electrical contact portion 632 provided in the lower frame 610 of the photoconductor cartridge 6 ((FIG. 4). a), (a) in FIG.

Then, the process cartridge 5 in which the developing cartridge 7 is mounted on the photoconductor cartridge 6 is mounted on the device main body 2 through the opening 9 formed when the opening / closing door 21 provided on the device main body 2 is opened (FIGS. 2 and 3). ). As a result, as described above, the memory means 76 of the main body electric contact portion 2B and the developing cartridge 7 is electrically connected via the first electric contact portion 631, the wiring 633, the second electric contact portion 632, and the electric contact portion 761. Connected to.

Next, removing the developing cartridge 7 from the photoconductor cartridge 6 will be described. Generally, in the process cartridge 5 which is detachable from the photoconductor cartridge 6 and the photoconductor cartridge 6 and includes the developing cartridge 7, the life of the developing cartridge 6 is set shorter than that of the photofinishing cartridge 6.

Therefore, it is necessary to replace the developing cartridge 7 that has reached the end of its life. The process cartridge 5 is taken out from the opening 9 of the apparatus main body 2 that is formed when the opening / closing door 21 is opened. The developing cartridge 7 that has reached the end of its life is taken out from the photoconductor cartridge 6 of the taken-out process cartridge 5, and a new developing cartridge 7 is attached. The process cartridge 5 in which the development cartridge 7 is replaced with the old one is reattached to the apparatus main body 2 for use.

In the developing cartridge 7, as shown in FIG. 15A, a protrusion 741 and a lift rib 742 are formed on the left side wall 704 of the housing 700, and the left and right side walls 704 and 705 of the housing 700 are formed on the left and right side walls 704 and 705 of the housing 700. The pressed rib 743 is formed.

The protruding portion 741 protrudes outward from the left side wall 704, and is formed at the same position as the rotation axis (central axis) 75A of the agitator 75 in the cross section in the axial direction. The lift rib 742 is a thin plate-shaped protrusion protruding outward from the left side wall 704 of the housing 700, and has a contact surface 744 facing in the direction of the developing roller 71. The pressed rib 743 is arranged in front of the lift rib 742, and projects outward from the left and right side walls 704 and 705 of the housing 700.

The photoconductor cartridge 6 includes a lower frame 610, a photosensitive drum 61 rotatably supported behind the lower frame 610, and a swing arm 640 as an example of a pressing member. On the left and right side walls 611 and 612 of the lower frame 610, receiving portions 641 that receive the rotation shaft 746 of the developing roller 71 are formed in front of the photoconductor drum 61. The receiving portion 641 is formed in a side view substantially U shape with the front open, and receives the rotating shaft 746 of the developing roller 71 in the receiving portion 641.

The swing arm 640 is swingably supported in front of the left and right side walls 611 and 612 of the lower frame 610. A coil spring (not shown) for urging the swing arm 640 counterclockwise in FIG. 15 (a) is provided in front of the swing center of the swing arm 640.

The setting of the urging force of this coil spring is as follows. The developing cartridge 7 is separated from the photoconductor cartridge 6 by an operation in which the pressed portion 642a of the removal lever 642 is pressed by the user and rotated clockwise. At this time, the setting is such that the developing cartridge 7 can be flipped up in the detaching direction by the force received from the swing arm 640.

In this configuration, in the state before the removal (disengagement) of the developing cartridge 7 shown in FIG. 15A, the pressed portion 642a of the removing lever 642 is farther from the rotating shaft 746 of the developing roller 71 than the contact surface 744. It is placed in position.

The removal lever 642 can rotate clockwise in the axial cross section between the photoconductor drum 61 on the right side wall 612 of the photoconductor cartridge 6 and the swing arm 640 near the front of the protrusion 741 of the developing cartridge 7. It is supported. The removal lever 642 is provided with a pressed portion 642a that is pressed by the user.

As shown in FIG. 15B, the removal lever 642 moves upward on the contact surface 744 of the lift rib 742 of the housing 700 in a state where the receiving portion 641 receives the rotating shaft 746 of the developing roller 71. Let me. As a result, the developing cartridge 7 can be separated from the photoconductor cartridge 6.

In recent years, there has been a demand for higher yields in the developing cartridge 7, and the weight of the developing cartridge 7 tends to increase. The larger the distance from the rotating shaft 746 of the developing roller 71 to the contact surface 744 of the lift rib 742, the more advantageous it is to move the developing cartridge 7 upward.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the lift rib 742 defines a line segment connecting the pressed portion 745 of the pressed rib 743 and the center of the protruding portion 741, that is, the center of the rotation axis (central axis) 75A of the agitator 75. When it is done, it is placed on the perpendicular line of this line segment that intersects this line segment. In other words, the lift rib 742 is arranged in the region between the pressed portion 745 and the rotating shaft 75A in a direction parallel to the line segment connecting the pressed portion 745 and the center of the rotating shaft 75A.

Further, FIG. 16A shows a modified example in which the rotation direction of the removal lever 642 is opposite (counterclockwise). In this configuration, in the state before the removal (disengagement) of the developing cartridge 7 shown in FIG. 16A, the pressed portion 642a of the removal lever 642 is arranged at a position closer to the rotation shaft 746 than the contact surface 744. ing. The removal lever 642 may be arranged in this way in order to avoid interference between the removal lever 642 and other parts of the developing cartridge 7, the apparatus main body 2, the photoconductor cartridge 6, and the like, and in consideration of usability and the like.

In any case, as shown in FIG. 16B, by rotating the removal lever 642 by a predetermined amount, the contact surface 744 of the lift rib 742 of the housing 700 is moved upward, and the developing cartridge 7 is moved. It can be detached from the photoconductor cartridge 6.

The developing cartridge 7 detached from the photoconductor cartridge 6 is removed, and a new developing cartridge 7 is reset.

1 ... image forming device, 2 ... device body, 6 ... photoconductor cartridge, 7 ... developing cartridge, 610 ... frame, 61 ... photoconductor, 63 ... transfer member, 71 ... developer carrying Body, 76 ... Memory means, 6A ... Mounting part, 631 ... First electrical contact part, 2B ... Main body electrical contact part, 632 ... Second electrical contact part, S ... Sheet

Claims (6)

A seal that seals a developer carrier, a developing unit frame that constitutes an accommodating portion for accommodating a developer, and an opening provided on a surface of the developing unit frame that intersects the rotation axis of the developer carrier. A developing cartridge having a stop member and a stirring member for stirring the developer housed in the housing portion can be attached and detached, and can be detachably attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus for forming an image on a sheet. Photosensitive cartridge to be processed
With the frame
A photoconductor provided on the frame and forming a latent image for development with a developing agent from the housing portion, and a photoconductor.
A transfer member for transferring the image formed on the photoconductor to the sheet, and
A mounting part to which the developing cartridge is detachably mounted and
A lever provided at the end of the frame with respect to the direction of rotation of the photoconductor and movable from the first position to the second position and from the second position to the first position.
A pressing member for pressing the developing cartridge mounted on the mounting portion is provided.
When the lever is in the first position, the pressing member presses the developing cartridge, and the position of the developing cartridge with respect to the photoconductor is the position when development with the developing agent is performed.
When the developing cartridge is mounted on the mounting portion and the lever is moved from the first position to the second position, the lever moves the developing cartridge away from the photoconductor cartridge.
When the developing cartridge is mounted on the mounting portion and viewed along the rotation axis of the developer carrier, at least a part of the lever overlaps the opening. Photoreceptor cartridge. Photosensitive member cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the developing cartridge by the lever the when moving to disengagement from the photosensitive member cartridge, and wherein said that the developer cartridge is splashed by the force applied from the pressing member. A seal that seals a developer carrier, a developing unit frame that constitutes an accommodating portion for accommodating a developer, and an opening provided on a surface of the developing unit frame that intersects the rotation axis of the developer carrier. A developing cartridge having a stop member and a stirring member for stirring the developer contained in the housing portion.
A photoconductor cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the developing cartridge and is detachably attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet.
Is a process cartridge with
The photoconductor cartridge is
With the frame
A photoconductor provided on the frame and forming a latent image for development with a developer from the housing portion, and a photoconductor.
A transfer member for transferring an image formed on the photoconductor to the sheet, and
A mounting part to which the developing cartridge is detachably mounted and
A lever provided at the end of the frame with respect to the direction of rotation of the photoconductor and movable from the first position to the second position and from the second position to the first position.
A pressing member for pressing the developing cartridge mounted on the mounting portion is provided.
When the lever is in the first position, the pressing member presses the developing cartridge, and the position of the developing cartridge with respect to the photoconductor is the position when development with the developing agent is performed.
When the developing cartridge is mounted on the mounting portion and the lever is moved from the first position to the second position, the lever moves the developing cartridge away from the photoconductor cartridge.
When the developing cartridge is mounted on the mounting portion and viewed along the rotation axis of the developer carrier, at least a part of the lever overlaps the opening. Process cartridge. A seal that seals a developer carrier, a developing unit frame that constitutes an accommodating portion for accommodating a developer, and an opening provided on a surface of the developing unit frame that intersects the rotation axis of the developer carrier. A developing cartridge having a stop member and a stirring member for stirring the developer contained in the housing portion.
A photoconductor cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the developing cartridge and is detachably attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet.
Is a process cartridge with
The photoconductor cartridge is
With the frame
A photoconductor provided on the frame and forming a latent image for development with a developer from the housing portion, and a photoconductor.
A transfer member for transferring an image formed on the photoconductor to the sheet, and
A mounting part to which the developing cartridge is detachably mounted and
A lever provided at the end of the frame with respect to the direction of rotation of the photoconductor and movable from the first position to the second position and from the second position to the first position.
A pressing member for pressing the developing cartridge mounted on the mounting portion is provided.
When the lever is in the first position, the pressing member presses the developing cartridge, and the position of the developing cartridge with respect to the photoconductor is the position when development with the developing agent is performed.
When the developing cartridge is mounted on the mounting portion and the lever is moved from the first position to the second position, the lever moves the developing cartridge away from the photoconductor cartridge.
The developing unit frame is inside the accommodating portion in a direction intersecting the rotation axis of the developing agent carrier from one end toward the other end on which the developing agent carrier is arranged. The recess is provided at a position away from the opening in the direction of the axis of rotation of the developer carrier.
When the developing cartridge is mounted on the mounting portion and viewed along the rotation axis of the developer carrier, at least a part of the lever overlaps the opening. Process cartridge. A seal that seals a developer carrier, a developing unit frame that constitutes an accommodating portion for accommodating a developer, and an opening provided on a surface of the developing unit frame that intersects the rotation axis of the developer carrier. A developing cartridge having a stop member and a stirring member for stirring the developer contained in the housing portion.
A photoconductor cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the developing cartridge and is detachably attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet.
Is a process cartridge with
The photoconductor cartridge is
With the frame
A photoconductor provided on the frame and forming a latent image for development with a developer from the housing portion, and a photoconductor.
A transfer member for transferring an image formed on the photoconductor to the sheet, and
A mounting part to which the developing cartridge is detachably mounted and
A lever provided at the end of the frame with respect to the direction of rotation of the photoconductor and movable from the first position to the second position and from the second position to the first position.
A pressing member for pressing the developing cartridge mounted on the mounting portion is provided.
When the lever is in the first position, the pressing member presses the developing cartridge, and the position of the developing cartridge with respect to the photoconductor is the position when development with the developing agent is performed.
When the developing cartridge is mounted on the mounting portion and the lever is moved from the first position to the second position, the lever moves the developing cartridge away from the photoconductor cartridge.
The developing cartridge includes an engaging portion that engages with a receiving portion of the photoconductor cartridge with the developing cartridge mounted on the mounting portion, and when the lever moves from the first position to the second position. Includes a contact portion with which the lever abuts.
When the developing cartridge is mounted on the mounting portion and the lever is moved from the first position to the second position, the lever is in a state where the engaging portion is engaged with the receiving portion. The developing cartridge is moved so as to be separated from the photoconductor cartridge.
When viewed along the rotation axis of the developer carrier, the contact portion and the opening are located far from the engaging portion with respect to the rotation center of the stirring member.
When the developing cartridge is mounted on the mounting portion and viewed along the rotation axis of the developer carrier, at least a part of the lever overlaps the opening. Process cartridge. The invention according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein when the developing cartridge is moved away from the photoconductor cartridge by the lever, the developing cartridge is flipped up by a force received from the pressing member. The described process cartridge.

Images