JPH04194890A - Sensitive unit for electrophotographic device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To perform easy and adequate decision of a degree of image carrier deterioration by providing a storage care mark of utilizing a reversible sensitive color former and an unusable notice mark of utilizing a non-reversible sensitive color former. CONSTITUTION:A storage care mark is formed of a storage care label 11 of drawing a 'O' code 11a in other 11b by a reversible sensitive color former. When a product of an accumulatively added light irradiation amount(lux) and light irradiation time(H) is increased to the first specified value x1(=800lux.H) or more, color is formed black to set mixing so as to return to no color when light is interrupted in a dark place to a sensitive drum for 10 hours or more after color forming. An unusable notice mark is formed of an unusable notice label 15 of drawing a 'O' symbol 15a in other 15b by a non-reversible sensitive color former. When a product of the accumulatively added light radiation am ount and the light irradiation time is increased to the second specified value x2(=4,800lux.H) or more, the color is formed black, and no color forming disappears despite whether light irradiation is provided or not thereafter. Accord ingly, by confirming color forming by a worker, a degree of deterioration of the sensitive drum can be easily and adequately decided.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a photoreceptor unit of an electrophotographic device, and more particularly, to a photoreceptor unit 71 applied to an electrophotographic device such as an electronic copying machine and a racer link. 7 [Prior art: Usually, the surface of an image bearing member (example 7 is a photoreceptor drum) of an electrophotographic apparatus is covered with a photoreceptor, and during one printing, the surface is uniformly charged by a charger and then , the electrostatic latent image is drawn by exposure by laser beam irradiation based on print data. The electrostatic latent image drawn on the image carrier is developed by a developing device, and then transferred and fixed onto paper by a transfer device and a fixing device. The residual charge on the image carrier after the transfer is removed by a charge remover in preparation for the next charge.

Note that the above-described image carrier, charger, and static eliminator are often integrated as a photoreceptor unit in order to improve handleability.

Here, in the f-image carrier, by repeating the above-mentioned charging and exposure, the sensitivity of the photoreceptor gradually decreases, or the sensitivity recovers to some extent by leaving it for a certain period of time (for example, at night). . However, the image carrier is charged and
If exposure is carried out over a long period of time, the sensitivity will gradually fail to recover even if it is left for a certain period of time, and the sensitivity will deteriorate, eventually making it impossible to print and reaching the end of its life.

However, it is known that if an image carrier is exposed to external light (for example, direct sunlight) for a long time, its lifespan will be shortened, or in extreme cases, charging will be insufficient and development will become impossible.
It is also known that when light hits only a specific portion of the image carrier, uneven shading may occur in the printed image.

Therefore, as a measure to prevent such inconvenience from occurring, a shutter device is provided on the photoreceptor unit, and when the photoreceptor unit is removed from the electrophotographic device main body, the shutter closes to protect the image carrier from exposure. A new structure is being considered, but there are problems in implementing it, such as a complicated structure and high cost.7 Therefore, storage warning labels have traditionally been placed on the outside of the main body case of the photoconductor unit. (For example, a message is displayed to prevent the image carrier from being exposed to direct sunlight or for long periods of time.)
label. ) etc. is generally done.

[Problem to be solved by the invention] By the way, as mentioned above, even if a storage warning label is attached to the main body case of the photoreceptor Uni-Soto, the image will deteriorate after being exposed to any amount of light (for example, indoor light) and for how many hours. Because it is not known whether the image carrier has deteriorated and it becomes difficult to use, it is often the case that the image carrier is inadvertently exposed to light for a long time during maintenance or inspection, shortening the life of the image carrier. .

In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a photoreceptor unit for an electrophotographic apparatus that can easily and accurately determine the degree of deterioration of an image bearing member and determine the handling process for the image bearing member. There is a particular thing.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The invention as set forth in claim 1 has an image carrier whose surface is covered with a photoreceptor, and a main body case that supports the image carrier is provided with:
A storage warning sign that uses a reversible photosensitive coloring agent that develops color when the product of light irradiation amount and light irradiation time exceeds a first specified value and then disappears when light irradiation is interrupted for a predetermined period of time. It is characterized by having been established.

Further, the invention as set forth in claim 2 has an image carrier whose surface is covered with a photoreceptor, and at a visible position of a main body case that supports the image carrier.
Cannot be used using an irreversible photosensitive coloring agent that develops color when the product of light irradiation amount and light irradiation time exceeds the second specified value, and the color development does not disappear regardless of the presence or absence of subsequent light irradiation. It is characterized by the installation of a notice sign.

Furthermore, the invention as set forth in claim 3 has an image carrier whose surface is covered with a photoreceptor, and at a visible position of a main body case that supports the image carrier.
A storage warning sign is provided that uses reversible photo-sensitivity, which develops a color when the product of the amount of light irradiation and the time of light irradiation exceeds a first specified value, and then disappears when the light irradiation is interrupted for a predetermined period of time. and a second value larger than the first specified value.
Did you install a sign announcing the non-use of an irreversible photosensitive coloring agent that develops color when it exceeds a specified value and does not disappear regardless of whether or not it is irradiated with light? Features.

[7] In the invention described in claim 1, when the main body case is removed from the electrophotographic apparatus main body and the image carrier is exposed to room light in order to remove jammed paper, for example, the image carrier (photosensitive When the product of the amount of light irradiation and the time of light irradiation on the body) becomes equal to or greater than the first specified value, a color appears indicating storage caution. At this time, since the storage warning sign is provided in a visible position on the main body case, the operator can easily check whether the sign is colored or not.

Here, for example, when an image bearing member (photoreceptor) is irradiated with light for a time corresponding to the first specified value, the image bearing member starts to deteriorate and becomes difficult to use, but for a predetermined period of time. By selecting a value that allows reuse if left in a dark place, the degree of deterioration of the image carrier can be easily and accurately determined from the color development of the storage warning sign, and the image carrier can be handled. In other words, the operator can easily and accurately know that the degree of deterioration of the image bearing member (photoreceptor) is slight enough to be reusable, and By leaving the body in a dark place and cutting off light irradiation for a predetermined period of time (the time during which the coloring of the storage warning sign disappears), the body can be restored to a reusable state.

Further, in the invention as set forth in claim 2, when the difference between the amount of light irradiation and the time of light irradiation on the image carrier (photoreceptor) exceeds the second specified value, the unusable notice sign develops a color. At this time, since the non-use notice is provided in a visible position on the main body case, it is possible to easily check whether the sign is colored or not. By selecting a value such that if the image carrier is irradiated with light for a time corresponding to the specified value, the image carrier deteriorates and cannot be reused, it can be easily and appropriately determined from the color development of the unusable notice sign. It is possible to accurately determine the degree of deterioration of the image carrier (photoreceptor) and determine how to handle the image carrier. In other words, the operator can easily and accurately know that the degree of deterioration of the image bearing member is severe enough that it cannot be reused, and the operator can dispose of the photoreceptor unit containing the image bearing member and replace it with a new one. It can be replaced with a photoconductor unit. Note that the unusable notice does not disappear even if the light irradiation is stopped after coloring occurs, so that the image carrier can be handled without error.

In the invention described in claim 3, it is possible to determine whether the image carrier has deteriorated to such a degree that it can be reused, by means of a storage warning sign and a notice of unusability provided at a visible position on the main body case. We can easily and accurately determine whether the condition is severe enough to make it impossible to reuse it, and handle it according to the degree of deterioration.
It is possible to decide whether to cut off light irradiation for a predetermined period of time, dispose of the product, and replace it with a new one.

[Example code] Embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

(First Example) The photoreceptor unit of the electrophotographic apparatus according to this example has a first
As shown in the figure, the image carrier includes an image carrier (photoreceptor drum 4 in this embodiment) whose surface is covered with a photoreceptor, and a main body case 2 that supports the image carrier (4).

Here, in a visually visible position of the main body case 2 (in this embodiment, the upper outer surface 3 of the case 2), there is a storage area for reminding the operator that the image carrier (4) is not exposed too much. A caution sign is installed.

Here, for the storage warning sign, the light irradiation amount (lux) and the light irradiation time (H) are determined by the first rectangle fiixl (1ux-H).
It is formed using a reversible photosensitive coloring agent which develops color when the above occurs and then disappears when light irradiation is cut off for a predetermined period of time.

Specifically, as the first specified value x1, when the photoreceptor drum 4 is irradiated with light for a time corresponding to the specified value, the photoreceptor drum 4 deteriorates and begins to be difficult to use. In the seventh embodiment, in which a value that allows reuse after irradiation is cut off is selected, 800 (Iux-H) is selected as the first specified value x1 based on various experimental results. Furthermore, 10 hours are selected as the predetermined time.

Further, as a reversible photosensitive coloring agent, a coloring agent for lenses for sunglasses known under trade names such as Rapido Glass is used.

More specifically, the storage caution sign is as shown in Figure 2.
It is formed from a storage caution label 11 on which a symbol 11a of ``rO'' is drawn on a background 11b using a reversible photosensitive coloring agent. Here, the reversible photochromic agent is the cumulative amount of light irradiation (
lux) and the light irradiation time (H) is the first specified value xi
(=8001ux・H) or more, the color develops black, and if the photoreceptor drum 4 is left in a dark place for 10 hours or more after color development and light irradiation is refused, the color development disappears and becomes colorless. . In addition, in this example, in order to ensure that handling is carried out in one layer, - If the circle reaches its limit, the performance of the photoreceptor drum will deteriorate due to the exposure, so please store it in a dark place immediately. A note is attached to the storage caution label 11.

Next, the effect will be explained.

When the body case 2 is removed from the electrophotographic apparatus body and the photoconductor drum 4 is exposed to room light in order to prevent the jammed paper BB from being removed, the amount of light irradiation to the photoconductor drum 4 (,1
The product of u x ) and light irradiation time (H) is the first specified value xi
(=8001ux-H) or more, the symbol 11a of the storage caution label 11 turns black. At this time, since the storage caution label 11 is provided on the upper outer surface 3 of the main body case 2, it can be easily checked whether the symbol 11a is colored or not.

Therefore, by checking the color development on the storage caution label 11, the operator can determine the degree of deterioration of the photoreceptor drum 4.
It can be determined that the photoreceptor drum 4 is in a reusable condition by leaving it in a dark place for 10 hours.

It should be noted that the storage caution sign can be used to send a message that storage caution should be taken, and the form of expression does not matter. For example, as a storage warning sign, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, rcAvTlON Do
NOT EXPO5E THEDRUM T
o LIGHT! It is also possible to select the storage caution label IIA on which the wording 11c of J is written. In this case, the product of the light irradiation amount and the light irradiation time is the first regulation 1iax
l , (-800] ux-H) or more, the wording 11C of the storage caution label 11A changes from the colorless state shown in FIG. 3 to black as shown in FIG. 4.

(Second Embodiment) A non-use notice sign is provided at a visually visible position (in this embodiment, the upper outer surface 3) of the main body case 2 of the photoreceptor unit according to this embodiment.

Here, the unusable notice sign is determined by the product of the light irradiation amount (luX) and the light irradiation time (H) as the first parent value xi (l
The second specified value x2(lux-H) is larger than the second specified value x2(lux-
H) It is formed by using an irreversible photosensitive coloring agent that develops color when the above conditions are reached and the coloration does not disappear regardless of the presence or absence of subsequent light irradiation.

Specifically, if the image carrier (photosensitive drum 4) is irradiated with light for a time corresponding to the second specified value x2, the image carrier (4) deteriorates too much and cannot be reused. A value like this has been selected. In this example, the second specified value x2 is 4800 (lux
-H) is selected. In addition, a coloring agent for sunlight photography is used as an irreversible photosensitive coloring agent.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the non-use notice sign is marked with the symbol 15 "F○" using an irreversible photosensitive coloring agent on the ground 15b.
It is formed from a non-use notice label 15 on which a is drawn. Here, the irreversible photosensitive coloring agent develops a strong color when the product of cumulatively added light irradiation amount (lux) and light irradiation time (H) exceeds the second specified value x2 (=48001ux - H). J1 is combined so that the color development does not disappear regardless of the presence or absence of subsequent light irradiation. In this example, for ease of handling, a warning message is used that says, ``If the circle has turned black, it has been exposed to too much light and has deteriorated. Please replace it with a new photoconductor unit.'' It is attached to the non-disclosure label 15.

Next, the action will be explained.

When the main body case 2 is removed from the electrophotographic apparatus main body and the photosensitive drum 4 is exposed to 8001 ux room light for 6 hours,
The product of the light irradiation amount (lux) and the light irradiation time (H) to the photosensitive drum 4 is the second specified value x2 (=48001
ux-H) or more, the symbol 15a of the unusable notice label 15 turns black. At this time, since the unusable notice label 15 is provided on the upper outer surface 3 of the main body case 2, it can be easily checked whether the symbol 15a is colored or not.

Therefore, by checking the color development of the unusable notice label 15, the operator can determine that the degree of deterioration of the photoreceptor drum 4 is severe enough to preclude reuse. The photoconductor unit can be disposed of and replaced with a new photoconductor unit/nod. In addition,
The unusable notice label 15 does not disappear even if the light irradiation is turned off after the color has developed, so that the photoreceptor unit can be handled without error.

It should be noted that the unusable notice sign may be used in any form of expression as long as it can send a message that it is unusable. For example, as a non-use notice sign, as shown in Figures 6 and 7,
rcAUTION TH with irreversible photochromic agent on 5d
IS DRUM IS DAMAGED PLEA
It is also possible to select the unusable notice label 15A on which the words 15c "SE CHANGEIT NEW UNIT" are written. In this case, the amount of light irradiation (1+j
x) and the light irradiation time (H) is the second specified value x2 (=
48001ux-H) or more, the wording 15c of the unusable notice label 15A changes from the colorless state shown in FIG. 6 to black as shown in FIG.

(Third Embodiment) At a visually visible position (in this embodiment, the upper outer surface 3) of the main body case 2 of the photoreceptor unit 1--, according to the present embodiment, as described in the first practical example and the second embodiment, A storage warning sign with the same structure as the original sign! (11) and a non-use notice sign (15) are also provided. Specifically, the upper outer surface 31 of the main body case 2
As shown in FIG. 8, a "○" symbol 11e (colored black) is printed on the base 19b using a reversible photosensitive coloring agent having the same structure as in the first embodiment.

'O
One mixed label with a J symbol 15e (colored black) is attached.

Therefore, from the color development of the symbols 11e and 15e on the mixed label 19, it is possible to easily and accurately determine whether the degree of deterioration of the photoreceptor drum 2 is mild enough to be reused, or severe enough to be unusable. In addition, in the first to third embodiments described above, the storage caution label 11.11A (unusable notice label 15.15A)
) symbols or words 1'la, 11c (15a, 15c)
was formed using a reversible photosensitive coloring agent (irreversible photosensitive coloring agent), but conversely, the background 11b, lid (15b, 1
5d) may be formed using these photosensitive coloring agents (so-called white blanks).

In addition, labels 11 and IIA (1
5, 15A>, 19, for example, a message such as a warning for storage may be directly attached to a visible position of the main body case 2 using a photosensitive coloring agent (non-photosensitive coloring agent). .

[Effects of the Invention] According to the invention described in claim 1, when an image carrier (photoreceptor) is irradiated with light at a first specified value for a time corresponding to the specified value, the image carrier is degraded. By selecting a value that will cause problems in use, such as 1, but can be reused if left in a dark place for a specified period of time, it is possible to easily and accurately remove the color of the image carrier from the color development of the storage warning sign. It is possible to know whether the degree of deterioration is slight enough to be reusable, and to remove the plate according to the degree of deterioration (i.e., to make the image carrier reusable by cutting off light irradiation for a predetermined period of time). can be restored).

According to the invention as claimed in claim 2, the second specified value is set to a value such that when the image bearing member is irradiated with light for a time corresponding to the specified value, the image bearing member deteriorates and becomes unusable. By selecting this, you can easily and accurately know from the yellow color of the unusable notice @Kiji that the degree of deterioration of the image bearing member is severe enough to make it impossible to reuse it, and also (i.e., the photoreceptor unit having the image carrier can be disposed of and replaced with a new photoreceptor unit).

According to the third aspect of the invention, the storage warning sign and the unusable notice sign determine whether the degree of deterioration of the image carrier is mild enough to be reused, or severe enough to not be reusable. It is possible to easily and accurately determine the degree of deterioration and to handle it according to the degree of deterioration (cutting off light irradiation for a predetermined period of time, discarding it, and replacing it with a new one).

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 to 4 are diagrams showing a first embodiment of the present invention.
The figure is a perspective view showing the overall configuration, and FIGS. 2 to 4 are diagrams for explaining storage caution labels. FIG. 5 to FIG. 7 are diagrams for explaining the usage notification label used in the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a mixed label used in the third embodiment of the present invention. 2... Main body case. 4... Photosensitive drum (image carrier), 11.11A... Storage caution label (storage caution sign), 15.15A... Unusable notice label (unusable notice sign).

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) It has an image carrier whose surface is covered with a photoreceptor, and the product of the light irradiation amount and the light irradiation time is at least a first specified value at a visible position of the main body case supporting the image carrier. 1. A photoreceptor unit for an electrophotographic apparatus, characterized in that a storage caution sign is provided using a reversible photosensitive coloring agent that develops color when exposed to light and then disappears when light irradiation is interrupted for a predetermined period of time. (2) It has an image carrier whose surface is covered with a photoreceptor, and the product of the light irradiation amount and the light irradiation time is at least a second specified value at a visible position of the main body case that supports the image carrier. A photoreceptor unit for an electrophotographic device, characterized in that it is provided with a non-use notification sign using an irreversible photosensitive coloring agent that develops color when exposed to light and does not disappear regardless of whether or not it is irradiated with light. (3) It has an image carrier whose surface is covered with a photoreceptor, and the product of the light irradiation amount and the light irradiation time is at least a first specified value at a visible position of the main body case supporting the image carrier. A storage warning sign is provided that uses a reversible photosensitizer that develops color when exposed to light and then disappears when light irradiation is interrupted for a predetermined period of time. A photoreceptor unit for an electrophotographic device, characterized in that it is provided with a non-use notice sign that uses an irreversible photosensitive coloring agent that develops color when the color changes and does not disappear regardless of the presence or absence of subsequent light irradiation. .