JP7458709B2 - Process cartridges and image forming devices - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a process cartridge and an image forming apparatus. In particular, the present invention relates to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus and a process cartridge used in the electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

Conventionally, a protective sheet has been provided to prevent damage to the surfaces of the photoreceptor drum and development roller caused by vibration (shock) when they are in contact with each other during transportation or storage of a process cartridge equipped with a photoreceptor drum and development roller. There is. For example, in the invention disclosed in Patent Document 1, a protective sheet is interposed between the surfaces of a photosensitive drum and a developing roller provided in a process cartridge.

In the configuration of Patent Document 1, the protective sheet interposed between the photoreceptor drum and the developing roller is automatically driven by the image forming apparatus before performing the image forming operation (i.e., before being used). It is removed from between the photoreceptor drum and the developing roller and stored.

On the other hand, there is also a method in which a protective sheet interposed between the photosensitive drum and the developing roller is fixed in advance to the frame of the process cartridge, and then manually removed by the user before performing an image forming operation.

JP2015-47596

However, the conventional configuration described in Patent Document 1 requires a configuration for automatically removing the protective sheet.

In addition, if the protective sheet is fixed to the frame and the user manually removes it, a "caution label" should be placed on the outer surface of the process cartridge frame reminding the user to remove the protective sheet before using the process cartridge. There may be an installation process. This may increase costs due to the increase in work steps and parts.

In view of the above problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide a process cartridge and an image forming apparatus that can suppress damage to the surface of an image carrier due to vibrations generated during transportation, etc., and that can be produced at low cost. do.

The process cartridge of the present invention includes a developer carrier that carries a developer, a first frame that holds the developer carrier, and a surface that acts on the surface of the developer carrier during image formation. , a surface facing the surface of the developer carrier with a minute gap large enough to allow the developer carrier to deform and come into contact with the surface of the developer carrier by an external force; A rotatable image carrier that carries a developer image developed by a developer supplied from a developer carrier, and a second frame that holds the image carrier and is provided with a gripping portion, The process cartridge is integrally constructed by combining the first frame body and the second frame body, the process cartridge is disposed interposed in the minute gap between the developer carrier and the image carrier, and the process cartridge The sheet member includes a sheet member that prevents contact between the surface of the agent carrier and the surface of the image carrier, and the sheet member is perpendicular to the direction of the rotational axis of the image carrier, and the sheet member is arranged so that the image carrier and the developer carrier are in contact with each other. The gripping portion extends in a first intersecting direction that intersects the alignment direction, and the gripping portion has a mounting portion to which one end of the sheet member is attached and fixed, and when viewed in the direction of the rotational axis of the image carrier, The other end of the sheet member opposite to the one end in the first intersecting direction is located closer to the image carrier than the gripping portion, and the other end is located at the first end interposed in the minute gap. and a second portion that is not interposed in the minute gap and is located downstream of the first portion with respect to a linear direction parallel to the first intersecting direction and from the one end to the other end. and a second part containing a second part.

Further, the image forming apparatus of the present invention includes:
the process cartridge;
The image forming apparatus is characterized by comprising a transfer means for transferring the developer image carried on the image carrier.

According to the process cartridge or image forming apparatus of the present invention, damage to the surface of the image carrier due to vibrations generated during transportation can be suppressed, and it can be produced at low cost.

(a) A perspective conceptual diagram of a process cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention; (b) A conceptual diagram showing a state in which a protective sheet is attached to the grip portion of the process cartridge; (c) A process cartridge in a state in which a protective sheet is attached Conceptual cross-sectional diagram of A cross-sectional conceptual diagram of an image forming apparatus using a process cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention A cross-sectional conceptual diagram of a process cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention (with the protective sheet removed) FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of components of a process cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention before assembly (as viewed from the driving side); A perspective conceptual diagram of parts before assembly of a process cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention (non-drive side perspective) (a), (b) Conceptual cross-sectional diagrams of the process cartridge according to the embodiment of the present invention after being installed in the image forming apparatus and before being positioned (a), (b) Conceptual cross-sectional diagrams after the process cartridge according to the embodiment of the present invention is installed and positioned in an image forming apparatus (a) A conceptual cross-sectional view showing a process cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention being held by a user; (b) A conceptual perspective view of the process cartridge being held by a user FIG. 1A is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state in which a process cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention is attached to an image forming apparatus and shipped (packaged); FIG. 1B is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state in which a process cartridge is shipped (individually packaged). A cross-sectional conceptual diagram of the process cartridge at the WW position shown in FIG. 1(c)

The present invention can be implemented as either an image forming apparatus or a process cartridge forming a part of the image forming apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments described below are for explaining the present invention by way of example, and the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative positions, etc. of the component parts described below are not particularly specific. Unless otherwise specified, the scope of the invention is not limited thereto.

Here, the electrophotographic image forming apparatus forms an image on a recording medium using an electrophotographic image forming method. Examples of electrophotographic image forming apparatuses include, for example, electrophotographic copying machines, electrophotographic printers (eg, laser beam printers, LED printers, etc.), facsimile machines, word processors, and the like.

A process cartridge that constitutes part of an image forming apparatus is a cartridge in which a charging means, a developing means or a cleaning means and an electrophotographic photosensitive drum are integrated into one cartridge, and this cartridge is detachable from the main body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. Also, at least one of a charging means, a developing means and a cleaning means and an electrophotographic photosensitive drum are integrated into one cartridge, and this cartridge is detachable from the main body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. Furthermore, at least a developing means and an electrophotographic photosensitive drum are integrated into one cartridge, and this cartridge is detachable from the main body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the configuration and image forming process of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus (hereinafter referred to as an image forming apparatus) according to an example of carrying out the present invention (hereinafter referred to as the present embodiment) and an image forming process will be described based on the drawings.

In this embodiment, the direction of the rotational axis of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum is defined as the longitudinal direction.

Further, in the longitudinal direction, the side on which the electrophotographic photosensitive drum receives driving force from the main body of the image forming apparatus is defined as a drive side, and the opposite side thereof is defined as a non-drive side.

The overall configuration and image forming process will be explained using FIGS. 2 and 3. Note that FIG. 2 is a conceptual cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus in which a process cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention is used. Further, FIG. 3 is a conceptual cross-sectional view (with a protective sheet removed) of a process cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Specifically, FIG. 2 shows an apparatus main body (electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body, image forming apparatus main body) A and a process cartridge (hereinafter referred to as cartridge B) of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus A0 that is an embodiment of the present invention. ). Further, FIG. 3 shows a cross section of the cartridge B. As shown in FIG.

Here, the apparatus main body A is a portion of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus A0 excluding the cartridge B.

<Overall configuration of image forming apparatus>
Next, the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus will be explained.

The electrophotographic image forming apparatus (image forming apparatus) shown in FIG. 2 is a laser beam printer that utilizes electrophotographic technology and in which a cartridge B is detachably attached to the main body A of the apparatus. When the cartridge B is attached to the main body A of the apparatus, an exposure device 3 (laser scanner unit) is disposed for forming a latent image on an electrophotographic photosensitive drum 62 serving as an image carrier of the cartridge B. In addition, a sheet tray 4 that contains a recording medium (hereinafter referred to as sheet material PA) that is the subject of image formation is disposed below the cartridge B. The electrophotographic photosensitive drum 62 is a photosensitive member (electrophotographic photosensitive member) used for electrophotographic image formation.

Further, the apparatus main body A includes a pickup roller 5a, a pair of feeding rollers 5b, a transfer guide 6, a transfer roller 7, a conveyance guide 8, a fixing device 9, a pair of discharge rollers 10, Ejection trays 11 and the like are sequentially arranged. Note that the fixing device 9 includes a heating roller 9a and a pressure roller 9b.

<Image formation process>
Next, an outline of the image forming process will be explained.

Based on the print start signal, an electrophotographic photosensitive drum (hereinafter referred to as photosensitive drum 62 or simply drum 62) is rotated in the direction of arrow R at a predetermined circumferential speed (process speed).

The charging roller (charging member) 66 to which a bias voltage is applied comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface (6201) of the drum 62, and uniformly charges the outer peripheral surface of the drum 62 (see FIG. 3).

The exposure device 3 outputs laser light L according to image information. The laser light L passes through a laser aperture 71h provided in the cleaning frame (second frame) 71 of the cartridge B, and scans and exposes the outer peripheral surface of the drum 62. As a result, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image information is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the drum 62.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, in the developing unit 20 as a developing device, the toner T in the toner chamber 29 is stirred and conveyed by the rotation of a conveying member (stirring member) 43, and sent to the toner supply chamber 28.

The toner T is carried on the outer peripheral surface (3201) of the developing roller 32 by the magnetic force of the magnet roller 34 (fixed magnet). The developing roller 32 is a developer carrier that carries developer (toner T) on its surface in order to develop the latent image formed on the drum 62 .

While the toner T is triboelectrically charged by the developing blade 42, the layer thickness on the circumferential surface of the developing roller 32, which serves as a developer carrier, is regulated.

The toner T is supplied to the drum 62 according to the electrostatic latent image, and develops the latent image. As a result, the latent image is visualized as a toner image. The drum 62 is an image carrier that carries a latent image or an image formed with toner (toner image, developer image) on its surface. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the sheet material PA stored in the lower part of the apparatus main body A is sent out from the sheet tray 4 by the pickup roller 5a and the feeding roller pair 5b in synchronization with the output timing of the laser beam L. Then, the sheet material PA is conveyed to a transfer position between the drum 62 and the transfer roller 7 via the transfer guide 6. At this transfer position, the toner images are sequentially transferred from the drum 62 to the sheet material PA.

The sheet material PA to which the toner image has been transferred is separated from the drum 62 and conveyed to the fixing device 9 along the conveyance guide 8 . Then, the sheet material PA passes through a nip portion between a heating roller 9a and a pressure roller 9b that constitute the fixing device 9. A pressure/heat fixing process is performed in this nip portion, and the toner image is fixed on the sheet material PA. The sheet material PA on which the toner image has been fixed is conveyed to a pair of discharge rollers 10 and discharged onto a discharge tray 11 .

As shown in FIG. 3, after transfer, the drum 62 has residual toner on its outer circumferential surface removed by a cleaning blade 77, and is used again in the image formation process. The toner removed from the drum 62 is stored in the waste toner chamber 71b of the cleaning unit 60. The cleaning unit 60 is a photosensitive drum unit that has the photosensitive drum 62.

In the above, the charging roller 66, the developing roller 32, the transfer roller 7, and the cleaning blade 77 are process means that act on the drum 62.

<Cartridge>
Next, the overall structure of the cartridge B will be explained using FIGS. 3, 4, and 5.

Note that FIG. 4 is a conceptual perspective view (drive side perspective) of parts before assembly of the process cartridge according to the embodiment of the present invention. Further, FIG. 5 is a conceptual perspective view (non-drive side viewpoint) of parts before assembly of the process cartridge according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Specifically, Figures 4 and 5 show perspective views explaining the configuration of cartridge B. Note that in this embodiment, the screws used to connect the various parts are omitted from the explanation.

Cartridge B has a cleaning unit (photoconductor holding unit, drum holding unit, image carrier holding unit, first unit) 60 and a development unit (developer carrier holding unit, second unit) 20.

As shown in FIG. 3, the cleaning unit 60 includes a drum 62, a charging roller 66, a cleaning member 77, and a cleaning frame 71 that supports these members. On the drive side of the drum 62, a drive-side drum flange 63 provided on the drive side is rotatably supported by a hole 73a of a drum bearing 73 (see FIG. 4). In a broader sense, the drum bearing 73 and the cleaning frame 71 can also be collectively referred to as a cleaning frame.

On the non-drive side, as shown in FIG. 5, a drum shaft 78 is press-fitted into a hole 71c in the cleaning frame 71, and the hole (not shown) in the non-drive side drum flange is rotatably supported.

Each drum flange is a supported part rotatably supported by a bearing part.

As shown in FIG. 3, in the cleaning unit 60, the charging roller 66 and the cleaning member 77 are arranged in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the drum 62, respectively.

The cleaning member 77 includes a rubber blade 77a that is a blade-shaped elastic member made of rubber as an elastic material, and a support member 77b that supports the rubber blade. The rubber blade 77a is in contact with the drum 62 in a direction counter to the rotational direction of the drum 62. That is, the rubber blade 77a is in contact with the drum 62 such that its tip portion faces upstream in the rotational direction of the drum 62.

The waste toner removed from the surface of the drum 62 by the cleaning member 77 is stored in the waste toner chamber 71b formed by the cleaning frame 71 and the cleaning member 77.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a scooping sheet 65 for preventing waste toner from leaking from the cleaning frame 71 is provided at the edge of the cleaning frame 71 so as to come into contact with the drum 62.

The charging roller 66 is rotatably attached to the cleaning unit 60 via charging roller bearings 67 at both ends of the cleaning frame 71 in the longitudinal direction.

Note that the longitudinal direction of the cleaning frame 71 (the longitudinal direction of the cartridge B) is substantially parallel to the direction in which the rotational axis direction L10 (longitudinal direction) of the drum 62 extends (axial direction L10). Therefore, hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, when simply referring to the longitudinal direction or simply the axial direction, the axial direction of the drum 62 is intended.

The charging roller 66 is pressed against the drum 62 by a charging roller bearing 67 being pressed toward the drum 62 by a biasing member 68 . The charging roller 66 rotates as the drum 62 rotates.

As shown in FIG. 3, the developing unit 20 has a developing roller 32, a developing frame (developing container) 23 that supports the developing roller 32, a developing blade 42, etc. The developing roller 32 is rotatably attached to the developing frame 23 by bearing members 26 (FIG. 4) and 27 (FIG. 5) provided at both ends.

In addition, a magnet roller 34 is provided inside the developing roller 32. In the developing unit 20, a developing blade 42 is provided to regulate the toner layer on the developing roller 32. As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the developing roller 32 has spacing members 38 attached to both ends thereof, and the spacing members 38 come into contact with the drum 62, so that the developing roller 32 is held with a small gap between it and the drum 62. As shown in Fig. 3, a blowout prevention sheet 33 is provided on the edge of the bottom member 22 so as to come into contact with the developing roller 32 in order to prevent toner from leaking from the developing unit 20. Furthermore, a transport member 43 is provided in the toner chamber 29 formed by the developing frame 23 and the bottom member 22. The transport member 43 stirs the toner contained in the toner chamber 29 and transports the toner to the toner supply chamber 28.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the cartridge B is constructed by combining (combining) a cleaning unit 60 and a developing unit 20.

When connecting, the center of the first support boss 26a of the bearing member 26 is aligned with the first hanging hole 71i on the drive side of the cleaning frame 71, and the center of the second support boss 27a of the bearing member 27 is aligned with the second hanging hole 71j on the non-drive side. Specifically, the first support boss 26a and the second support boss 27a are fitted into the first hanging hole 71i and the second hanging hole 71j by moving the developing unit 20 in the direction of the arrow G. This allows the developing unit 20 to be movably connected to the cleaning unit 60. More specifically, the developing unit 20 is rotatably connected to the cleaning unit 60. That is, the developing roller 32 is connected to the drum 62 in a state where it can be moved toward and away from the drum 62. The drum bearing 73 is then attached to the cleaning unit 60 to form the cartridge B.

In this embodiment, the driving side urging member 46L (Fig. 5) and the non-driving side urging member 46R (Fig. 4) are formed of compression springs. The urging force of these springs causes the driving side urging member 46L and the non-driving side urging member 46R to urge the developing unit 20 against the cleaning unit 60, thereby reliably pressing the developing roller 32 toward the drum 62. In addition, the developing roller 32 is provided with spacing members 38 attached to both ends. In other words, the drum 62 and the developing roller 32 come into contact with each other at a predetermined contact pressure via the spacing members 38, so that the developing roller 32 is held at a predetermined distance from the drum 62, and their relative positions are determined.

<Grip part>
Next, the gripping portion of the cartridge B of this embodiment will be explained using FIGS. 8(a, b).

FIG. 8(a) is a conceptual cross-sectional view showing a process cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention being held by a user. Further, FIG. 8(b) is a conceptual perspective view of the process cartridge in a state held by a user.

In FIGS. 8A and 8B, there is a gap S1 between the cleaning frame 71 and the developing frame 23 (first frame), which communicates with the photosensitive drum 62 from the outside of the cartridge B. The gap S1 is formed to extend in a first direction L1 (first intersecting direction) intersecting (orthogonal to) the rotational axis direction L10 of the photoreceptor drum 62. A direction perpendicular to a plane P3 that includes both the first direction L1 and the rotational axis direction (L10) of the photoreceptor drum 62 is defined as a second direction L2 (second intersecting direction). The direction of the arrow L2 in FIG. 8(a) is defined as the upper side, and the opposite direction is defined as the lower side, the direction of the arrow L1 in FIG. 8(a) is defined as the cartridge mounting side (installation side), and the opposite direction is defined as the cartridge withdrawal side (withdrawal side).

As shown in Figures 8(a and 8b), the cleaning frame 71 (second frame) has a gripping portion 80 with a through hole 85. The through hole 85 is surrounded by a gripping portion 86 having a generally rod-shaped cross section, and a drive side relay portion 87 (connecting portion) and a non-drive side relay portion 88 (connecting portion) that connect the gripping portion 86 to the base portion 80A that constitutes the main portion 71g of the cleaning frame 71 that constitutes the waste toner chamber 71b, etc.

Specifically, in this embodiment, the gripping portion includes a base (80A), a gripping portion (86) extending in the longitudinal direction parallel to the base, and a connecting portion (87) connecting the gripping portion and the base. , 88). Further, the through hole portion is surrounded by the base portion, the grip portion, and the connecting portion.

Next, we will explain how the user should handle cartridge B.

The method by which the user holds cartridge B is as shown below.

As shown in FIG. 8(b), a specific way to grasp the grip portion 80 is to pass the index finger Y2, middle finger Y3, ring finger Y4, and little finger Y5 through the through-hole portion 85, grasp the grip portion 86 (see FIG. 8(a)), and press the thumb Y1 against the wall surface 23b of the developing frame 23. In this gripping state, the user can mount the cartridge B into the apparatus main body A while adjusting the mounting angle of the cartridge B to an appropriate angle that matches the mounting trajectory. The above-mentioned method of gripping the cartridge B is one example.

<Installing the cartridge>
Next, mounting of the cartridge B will be specifically explained using FIGS. 6(a, b) and 7(a, b).

Figures 6(a, b) are cross-sectional conceptual diagrams of a process cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention after it has been mounted on an image forming apparatus and before it has been positioned. Also, Figures 7(a, b) are cross-sectional conceptual diagrams of a process cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention after it has been mounted on an image forming apparatus and has been positioned.

Specifically, FIG. 6(a) is a cross-sectional view of the drive side guide portion of the image forming device A0 to explain the installation of the cartridge B, and FIG. 6(b) is a cross-sectional view of the non-drive side guide portion of the image forming device A0 to explain the installation of the cartridge B. FIG. 7(a) is a cross-sectional view of the drive side of the image forming device A0 to explain the positioning of the cartridge B. FIG. 7(b) is a cross-sectional view of the non-drive side of the image forming device A0 to explain the positioning of the cartridge B.

Next, mounting of the cartridge B will be explained.

As shown in FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b), the first drive side plate 15 has a guide rail top 15g and a guide rail 15h as guides, and the non-drive side plate 16 has a guide rail top 16d. and a guide rail 16e. Further, the drum bearing 73 provided on the drive side of the cartridge B has a rotation stopper portion 73c.

Note that the mounting direction of the cartridge B is a direction (arrow C) substantially perpendicular to the axis of the drum 62.

Further, the cleaning frame 71 has a positioned portion 71d as a first positioning portion and a rotation stopping portion 71f as a second positioning portion on the non-driven side in the longitudinal direction. When the cartridge B is inserted through the cartridge insertion port 17 of the apparatus main body A, the drive side of the cartridge B and the rotation stopper portion 73c of the cartridge B are guided by the guide rail 15h of the apparatus main body A. On the non-driving side of the cartridge B, a positioning portion 71d and a rotation stopping portion 71f of the cartridge B are guided by a guide rail 16d and a guide rail 16e of the apparatus main body A. As a result, the cartridge B is attached to the main body A of the apparatus.

Next, a state in which the opening/closing door 13 is closed will be explained. As shown in FIGS. 6(a), 6(b), 7(a), and 7(b), the first drive side plate 15 includes an upper positioning part 15a for positioning, a lower positioning part 15b, and a rotation stopper. 15c, and the non-drive side plate 16 has a positioning portion 16a and an upper rotation stopper portion 16c. The drum bearing 73 has an upper part to be positioned (a first part to be positioned, a first projection, a first overhang) 73d and a lower part to be positioned (a second part to be positioned, a second projection, a second projection). It has a projecting portion) 73f.

Further, the cartridge pressing members 1 and 2 are rotatably attached to both ends of the opening/closing door 13 in the axial direction. The cartridge pressing springs 19 and 21 are respectively attached to both ends in the longitudinal direction of a front plate provided in the image forming apparatus A0. The drum bearing 73 has a pressed portion 73e as a biasing force receiving portion, and the cleaning frame 71 has a pressed portion 71o on the non-drive side (see FIG. 3). By closing the door 13, the pressed parts 73e and 71o of the cartridge B are pressed by the cartridge pressing members 1 and 2 urged by the cartridge pressing springs 19 and 21 of the apparatus main body A (see FIG. 7).

As a result, on the drive side, the upper positioning part 73d, the lower positioning part 73f, and the rotation stopper part 73c of the cartridge B are fixed to the upper positioning part 15a, the lower positioning part 15b, and the rotation stopper part 15c of the apparatus main body A, respectively. Ru. As a result, the cartridge B and the drum 62 are positioned on the drive side. Further, on the non-driving side, the positioned portion 71d and the rotation stopper 71f of the cartridge B are fixed to the positioning portion 16a and the rotation stopper 16c of the apparatus main body A, respectively. As a result, the cartridge B and the drum 62 are positioned on the non-drive side.

Although the description has been made so far as an example of a configuration for determining the position of the cartridge B with respect to the apparatus main body A, the description is not intended to limit the means for positioning. It may be configured to directly act on the driven side positioning part 73d and rotation stopper part 73f, and the non-drive side positioning part 71d and rotation stopper part 71f to fix each positioning part.

<Protective sheet>
Next, the protective sheet 95 (sheet member) used in the cartridge B to be shipped will be explained.

Note that the configuration of the cartridge B when shipped differs depending on the sales format. Two types of configurations shown in FIGS. 9(a) and 9(b) are common.

FIG. 9(a) is a conceptual cross-sectional view showing a state in which a process cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed in an image forming apparatus and shipped (included). Further, FIG. 9(b) is a conceptual cross-sectional view showing the state when the individually packaged process cartridge is shipped.

Specifically, the first type is that the cartridge B is sold with the cartridge B attached to the apparatus main body A so that a user who has purchased the image forming apparatus main body can print immediately after installation. Here, the configuration in which the cartridge B is attached to the apparatus main body A is referred to as the main body bundled configuration. In this case, as shown in FIG. 9(a), the device main body A with the cartridge B attached thereto is sold in a packaged state with a cushioning material 105, a box 106, and the like.

The second type is that cartridge B is sold separately. In this form, as shown in FIG. 9(b), the cartridge B is sold as a single unit packed in a cushioning material 97, a box 98, and the like. Here, a form in which the cartridge B is sold individually is called an individually packaged form. That is, after the cartridge B is produced, it is sold in the market, and before it reaches the user, it may be transported in an individual packaging form or in a packaging form with the main body.

Further, as described above, the cartridge B forms an image by applying a process means to the photosensitive drum 62. Therefore, even if vibrations or shocks are applied to the process cartridge B during product transportation or user handling, it is desirable to protect the photosensitive drum 62 from scratches, dents, dirt, etc. In particular, as shown in FIG. 3, the developing roller 32 is disposed close to the drum 62 and is formed of a metal pipe. Therefore, when vibration or impact is applied to the cartridge B, it is likely to come into contact with the drum 62, potentially damaging the drum 62.

Therefore, in this embodiment, a protective sheet 95 is placed between the drum 62 and the developing roller 32 so that the drum 62 and the developing roller 32 do not come into direct contact with each other.

The mounting position of the protective sheet 95 in the process cartridge will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1(a to c).

FIG. 1(a) is a conceptual perspective view of a process cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1(b) is a conceptual diagram showing a state in which a protective sheet is attached to a gripping portion of a process cartridge. FIG. 1(c) is a conceptual cross-sectional view of the process cartridge with a protective sheet attached.

Specifically, FIG. 1(a) shows the shape of the protective sheet 95. FIG. 1(b) shows the cartridge B to which the protective sheet 95 is attached. Further, FIG. 1(c) shows a cartridge B to which a protective sheet 95 is attached.

The protective sheet 95 in this embodiment is a sheet material portion made of low density polyethylene and having a thickness of approximately 0.1 mm. As shown in FIG. 1(a), the protective sheet 95 has a basic rectangular shape surrounded by a first surface 95h, a second surface 95i, a third surface 95j, and a fourth surface 95k. A convex drive side convex portion 95a and a non-drive side convex portion 95b are provided at both ends in the L10 direction. Further, the drive side convex portion 95a has a fifth surface 95m, and the non-drive side convex portion 95b has a sixth surface 95n. Then, with the second surface 95i of the protective sheet 95 as the tip, the protective sheet 95 is inserted through the through hole 85 of the gripping part 80 in the direction of arrow L50. Here, the cleaning frame 71 includes a first abutting surface 80h (plane P1) as a first regulating section (first positioning section) and a second abutting surface 80i (plane P1) near the gripping section 80. It includes a first inner surface 80j (plane P2) and a second inner surface 80k (plane P2) as a second regulating section (second positioning section).

As shown in FIG. 1(b), the protective sheet 95 inserted into the cartridge B has the first abutting surface 80h of the cleaning frame 71, the fifth surface 95m of the protective sheet 95, the second abutting surface 80i, and the sixth abutting surface 80i. The surfaces 95n are brought into contact. Thereby, the position of the protective sheet 95 in the direction of arrow L50 with respect to the cartridge B is determined.

Further, the protective sheet 95 inserted into the cartridge B is arranged such that the first inner surface 80j and the second inner surface 80k of the cleaning frame 71 are opposed to the first surface 95h and the third surface 95j of the protective sheet 95, respectively. Ru. Thereby, the position of the protective sheet 95 in the direction of the rotation axis L10 of the drum 62 with respect to the cartridge B is determined.

In this state, on the drive side, the drive side adhesive tape 100 is attached to the drive side convex portion 95a formed on the one end 9501 side of the protective sheet 95 and the first attachment surface 80m (attachment portion) of the cleaning frame 71. Use to fix. On the other hand, on the non-drive side, the non-drive side convex portion 95b formed on the one end 9501 side of the protective sheet 95 and the second attachment surface 80n (attachment portion) of the cleaning frame 71 are connected to the non-drive side adhesive tape 101. Fix it using.

That is, in this embodiment, the grip part 80 includes a mounting part (80m, 80n) to which one end (9501) of the protective sheet 95 in the first direction L1 (see FIG. 8(a)) is attached and fixed. The other end (9502) of the protective sheet 95 is interposed between the drum 62 and the developing roller 32 at the contact portion (N1) between the drum 62 and the developing roller 32. As a result, the protective sheet 95 and the cartridge B are fixed in a relatively fixed position. That is, as shown in FIG. 1C, the position of the second surface 95i as the tip of the protective sheet 95 is determined, and the protective sheet 95 can be reliably interposed between the drum 62 and the developing roller 32. Further, by providing the first and second regulating portions, the attachment accuracy of the protective sheet is significantly improved, and the assembly work is also facilitated.

Here, in order to regulate (position) the position of the protective sheet 95 on the "cleaning frame 71", a first regulating section and a second regulating section are provided on the "developing frame 23 (first frame)" for protection. It is also conceivable to fix the seat to the first frame. However, since the drum 62 is supported by the cleaning frame 71, it is better to position the protective sheet 95 on the cleaning frame 71 (second frame) so that when vibration or impact is applied to the cartridge B, the drum 62 The relative positional shift (sliding) of the protective sheet 95 is suppressed.

That is, according to the configuration of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the friction between the drum 62 and the protective sheet 95, and it is possible to reliably suppress damage to the drum 62 (circumferential surface) caused by the protective sheet 95.

Note that in this embodiment, the grip portion 80 is arranged near the central portion (C01) of the cleaning frame 71 in the longitudinal direction. Since the protective sheet 95 is disposed to cover the through-hole portion 85 of the gripping portion, the protective sheet 95 is also disposed near the center portion (C01) of the developing roller in the longitudinal direction.

Further, the protective sheet 95 is disposed to prevent damage caused by vibration or impact when the cartridge B is transported, and the protective sheet 95 must be removed when the user actually prints. As described above, the protective sheet 95 in this embodiment is fixed near the grip portion 80 of the cartridge B. Therefore, visibility to the user is high without attaching a warning label, and it is possible to effectively prevent the user from forgetting to remove the protective sheet 95.

Here, the effect when the protective sheet 95 is interposed between the drum 62 and the developing roller 32 will be explained using FIG. 10.

Figure 10 is a conceptual cross-sectional view of the process cartridge at the W-W position shown in Figure 1(c).

As shown in FIG. 10, the developing roller 32 is rotatably attached to the developing frame 23 by bearing members 26 and 27 provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction. In this configuration, when vibration or impact is applied to the cartridge B, the rotation axis L70 of the developing roller 32 is deformed to become the rotation axis L71. In other words, the center of the developing roller 32 in the longitudinal direction is deformed in a direction in which it comes into contact with the drum 62 . At this time, by interposing the protective sheet 95 between the drum 62 and the developing roller 32, direct contact between the drum 62 and the developing roller 32 can be prevented. As a result, it is possible to prevent the surface of the drum 62 from being scratched due to the developing roller 32 coming into contact with the drum 62. Further, according to the above-described deformation of the developing roller 32, the effect of preventing scratches can be obtained if the protective sheet 95 is located at the center of the developing roller 32 in the longitudinal direction (for example, in the range of the width L51 in FIG. 10). In this embodiment, the relationship between the width L51 of the protective sheet 95 and the total length L52 of the developing roller is as follows.

L51 < L52/2
Furthermore, since the area of the protective sheet 95 is smaller than when the protective sheet 95 is disposed over the entire longitudinal area of the developing roller 32, the cost of the component can be kept low.

The above-described effects of this embodiment can be obtained whether the cartridge B is individually packaged or bundled with the main body.

Further, in this embodiment, a configuration is shown in which the developing unit 20 is rotatably connected to the cleaning unit 60. However, in the case of the main body bundled configuration, the cleaning unit 60 and the developing unit 20 may be separated and not connected. Even if the cleaning unit 60 and the developing unit 20 are held in the apparatus main body A in the positional relationship shown in this embodiment with each unit attached to the apparatus main body A, the protective sheet 95 A similar effect can be obtained if

Furthermore, the shapes and materials of the protective sheet 95, cleaning frame 71, and other parts shown in this embodiment are not limited to those described in this embodiment, but may be optimized as appropriate.

The configuration of the present invention can be summarized as follows.

The process cartridge (B) of the present invention comprises a developer carrier (32) that carries a developer, a first frame (23) that holds the developer carrier, an image carrier (62), and a second frame (71) that holds the image carrier and is provided with a gripping portion (80). The developer carrier carries the developer. The image carrier has a surface (6201) that can come into contact with the surface (3201) of the developer carrier during image formation, and carries the developer developed by the developer supplied from the developer carrier.

The process cartridge is integrally constructed by combining a first frame and a second frame. The process cartridge includes a sheet member (95) that is interposed between the developer carrier and the image carrier and blocks contact between the surface of the developer carrier and the surface of the image carrier. The gripping portion of the process cartridge also has a mounting portion (80m, 80n) to which one end (9501) of the sheet member is attached and fixed in a first intersecting direction (L1) intersecting the longitudinal direction (L10) of the image carrier. have

Furthermore, in the process cartridge of the present invention, the gripping section can include a first positioning section (80h, 80i) that positions the sheet member in the first intersecting direction (L1).

Further, in the process cartridge of the present invention, the gripping section can include a second positioning section (80j, 80k) that positions the sheet member in the longitudinal direction (L10).

In addition, in the process cartridge of the present invention, the plane (P1) constituting the first positioning portion and the plane (P2) constituting the second positioning portion can be arranged so as to be perpendicular to each other.

Further, in the process cartridge of the present invention, the gripping portion includes a through hole portion (85) that penetrates in a second intersecting direction (L2) that intersects the plane (P3) defined by the longitudinal direction and the first intersecting direction, The attachment portion may be provided around the through hole portion.

Further, in the process cartridge of the present invention, one end (9501) of the sheet member can be attached to the grip portion so as to cover the through hole portion.

Further, in the process cartridge of the present invention, the gripping portion (80) includes a base (80A), a gripping portion (86) extending in the longitudinal direction parallel to the base, and a connection connecting the gripping portion and the base. (87, 88). Further, the through hole portion can be surrounded by the base portion, the grip portion, and the connecting portion.

Further, in the process cartridge of the present invention, the developer carrier can be rotatably supported by the first frame (23).

Further, in the process cartridge of the present invention, the image carrier can be rotatably supported by the second frame (71).

In addition, in the process cartridge of the present invention, the width (L51) of the sheet member in the longitudinal direction can be less than half the total length (L52) of the developer carrier.

Further, in the process cartridge of the present invention, the sheet member can be arranged at the center portion (C01) of the developer carrier.

The process cartridge of the present invention can be made detachable from the apparatus main body (A) of the image forming apparatus.

The image forming apparatus (A0) of the present invention can include the above-mentioned process cartridge (B) and a transfer means (7) that transfers the developer image carried on the image carrier.

23 Developing frame (first frame)
32 Developing roller (developer carrier)
3201 Outer peripheral surface of developing roller (surface of developer carrier)
62 Drum (image carrier)
6201 Outer peripheral surface of drum (surface of image carrier)
71 Cleaning frame (second frame)
80 Gripping part 80m, 80n 1st and 2nd attachment surface (attachment part)
95 Protective sheet (sheet member)
9501 One end (one end of sheet member)
A0 Image forming apparatus A Main body of image forming apparatus B Cartridge (process cartridge)
L10 Drum rotation axis (line) direction (longitudinal direction of image carrier)
L1 Cross direction (first cross direction)

Claims (18)

A developer carrier that carries a developer;
a first frame for holding the developer carrier;
a rotatable image carrier having a surface that is acted on the surface of the developer carrier during image formation, the surface facing the surface of the developer carrier with a minute gap therebetween that is large enough that the developer carrier can be deformed by an external force and come into contact with the surface of the developer carrier, and the image carrier carrying a developer image developed with a developer supplied from the developer carrier;
a second frame that holds the image carrier and is provided with a gripping portion;
a process cartridge which is integrally formed by joining the first frame and the second frame,
a sheet member that is disposed in the minute gap between the developer carrier and the image carrier and prevents a surface of the developer carrier from contacting a surface of the image carrier, the sheet member comprising:
a first intersecting direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the image carrier and intersecting a direction in which the image carrier and the developer carrier are arranged,
The gripping portion has an attachment portion to which one end of the sheet member is attached and fixed, and when viewed in a direction of a rotation axis of the image carrier,
the other end of the sheet member opposite to the one end in the first intersecting direction is located closer to the image carrier than the gripping portion,
the other end includes a first portion interposed in the minute gap, and a second portion not interposed in the minute gap, the second portion being parallel to the first intersecting direction and positioned downstream of the first portion in a linear direction from the one end to the other end. When viewed in the direction of the rotational axis of the image carrier, the sheet member passes through the gap formed between the first frame and the second frame and connects the developer carrier and the image. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the process cartridge is disposed to be interposed between carriers. the developer carrier includes, at both ends in a direction of the rotation axis, spacing members capable of forming a minute gap between a surface of the image carrier and a surface of the developer carrier by contacting the image carrier at both ends in a direction of the rotation axis,
3. A process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said sheet member is disposed between said developer carrier and said image carrier with said minute gap therebetween. The process cartridge according to claim 3, characterized in that the sheet member is not provided near both ends where the spacing member is disposed in the direction of the rotation axis. comprising a developer storage chamber that accommodates developer; and a cleaning member capable of recovering developer remaining on the surface of the image carrier;
The sheet member has a first surface in contact with the developer carrier, and a second surface opposite to the first surface and in contact with the image carrier,
When viewed in the direction of the rotation axis, the developer storage chamber is provided on the first surface side through the sheet member, and the cleaning member is provided on the second surface side. The process cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 4. 6. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the first frame is rotatably connected to the second frame. The process cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the gripping portion includes a first positioning portion that positions the sheet member in the first intersecting direction. 8. The process cartridge according to claim 7, wherein the gripping section includes a second positioning section that positions the sheet member in the longitudinal direction of the image carrier. 9. The process cartridge according to claim 8, wherein a plane forming the first positioning part and a plane forming the second positioning part are arranged to be orthogonal to each other. The gripping portion includes a through hole portion penetrating in a second intersecting direction that intersects a plane defined by the longitudinal direction and the first intersecting direction,
9. The process cartridge according to claim 8 , wherein the attachment portion is provided around the through hole portion. 11. The process cartridge according to claim 10, wherein the one end of the sheet member is attached to the grip portion so as to cover the through hole portion. The gripping portion includes a base, a gripping portion extending along the longitudinal direction so as to be parallel to the base, and a connecting portion connecting the gripping portion and the base,
12. The process cartridge according to claim 10, wherein the through hole portion is surrounded by the base portion, the grip portion, and the connecting portion. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the developer carrier is rotatably supported by the first frame. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the image carrier is rotatably supported by the second frame. 9. A process cartridge according to claim 8 , wherein the width of said sheet member in said longitudinal direction is equal to or less than half the overall length of said developer carrying member. 16. The process cartridge according to claim 15, wherein the sheet member is disposed at a central portion of the developer carrier in the longitudinal direction. 17. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the process cartridge is removable from a main body of an image forming apparatus. The process cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 17,
a transfer means for transferring the developer image carried on the image carrier;
An image forming apparatus comprising:

Images