JPH06130745A - Process cartridge, method for assembling process cartridge and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To facilitate assembling work by assembling a developing means in a 2nd frame in which the developing means is assembled in a state where a process cartridge is disassembled to a 1st frame in which an image carrier is assembled and the 2nd frame. CONSTITUTION:A developing blade 10e is attached by screwing a blade attaching member 10j on the blade attaching surface of a developing frame body 13. Thereafter, a developing sleeve 10d is set to cover up the aperture of a toner frame body 12 so that both ends may abut on a toner leakage preventing seal. A 1st supporting piece 81 is fitted in the sleeve flange of the developing sleeve 10d to be locked in the developing frame body 13 and a gear 10g is fitted in the flange. Gears 83a to 83c are fitted in shafts 84a, 84b and 83d protrusively provided on the toner frame body 12 and meshed with each other. After fitting a supporting member 77 so that the gear shaft 83d may be fitted in a fitting hole 77f, they are screwed and a toner developing frame body C is assembled.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a process cartridge, an image forming apparatus and a method for assembling the process cartridge.

Here, the image forming apparatus includes, for example, an electrophotographic copying machine, a laser beam printer, an LED printer, a facsimile machine and the like.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art An image forming apparatus such as a printer forms a latent image by selectively exposing a uniformly charged image carrier to light.
This latent image is visualized with toner, and the toner image is transferred to a recording medium to perform image recording. In such a device, the toner must be replenished each time it runs out,
This toner replenishment work is not only troublesome, but may be accompanied by dirt. In addition, it is necessary to regularly perform maintenance of each member.

Therefore, the image carrier, the charger, the developing device,
By integrating the cleaning device etc. into an integrated structure into a cartridge, the user can attach / detach the cartridge to / from the main body of the apparatus, thereby making it possible to replace the parts such as the toner replenishment and the image carrier which has reached the end of life, and the maintenance is easy. The so-called process cartridge system has been put into practical use.

[0005]

On the other hand, recently, there is a demand for further cost reduction and lower price.

Therefore, the present invention further reduces the manufacturing cost to realize the cost reduction.

[0007]

A typical constitution of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is a process cartridge mountable on the main body of an image forming apparatus, which has an image carrier having a first gear at one end. A first frame, developing means,
A developer accommodating means for accommodating the developer used in the developing means, a conveying means for conveying the developer in the developer accommodating means, and a first member provided on the image carrier for driving the conveying means. A second frame that has a gear unit that meshes with a gear and a cover that supports one end of the developing unit and that faces the gear unit, and that is connected to the first frame; Is characterized by.

Further, in the image forming apparatus, a process cartridge can be mounted, and in the image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium, a first frame having an image carrier having a first gear at one end is provided. A developing means, a developer accommodating means for accommodating the developer used in the developing means, a conveying means for conveying the developer in the developer accommodating means, and a driving force for driving the conveying means. Gear means for meshing with a first gear provided on the image carrier for the purpose of:
A mounting unit that has a cover that supports one end of the developing unit and that is provided to face the gear unit, and that has a second frame that is coupled to the first frame; And a conveying unit that conveys the recording medium.

Further, in the method of assembling the process cartridge, one end of the magnet is supported when the developing roller having the magnet inside is assembled to the first frame having the developer storing means for storing the developer used in the developing means. So that the one end of the developing roller is rotatably supported via the first supporting piece, the first supporting member is locked to the base frame, and the other end of the magnet is supported. And the other end of the developing roller is rotatably supported via the second supporting piece, the second supporting member is locked to the base frame, and the first frame is provided with a magnet. A process cartridge is assembled by assembling a developing roller, and then rotatably coupling the second frame having an image carrier and the first frame. .

[0010]

According to the present invention relating to the above-described structure and method, when the process cartridge is assembled, the second frame is disassembled into the first frame for assembling the image carrier and the second frame for assembling the developing means. Since the developing means is attached to the frame, the assembly work can be performed using a wider space, and the assembly workability is greatly improved.

[0011]

【Example】

First Embodiment Next, a process cartridge according to a first embodiment of the present invention and an image forming apparatus using the process cartridge will be described with reference to the drawings.

{Overall Description of Process Cartridge and Image Forming Apparatus Mounted Therewith} First, the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus will be briefly described. Incidentally, FIG. 1 is an explanatory view of a cross-sectional structure of a laser printer equipped with a process cartridge which is an aspect of the image forming apparatus, FIG.
FIG. 4 is a sectional configuration diagram of the process cartridge, and FIG. 4 is an external view diagram thereof.

As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus A has
An optical image based on image information is emitted from the optical system 1 to form a latent image on a photosensitive drum, which is an image carrier, and the latent image is developed with a developer (toner) to form a toner image. Then, the recording medium 2 is conveyed by the conveying means 3 in synchronism with the formation of the toner image, and the toner image formed on the photoconductor drum in the image forming portion cartridged as the process cartridge B is transferred by the transfer means 4. The recording medium 2 is transferred onto the recording medium 2, the recording medium 2 is conveyed to the fixing unit 5, the transferred toner image is fixed, and the recording medium 2 is discharged to the discharging unit 6.

As shown in FIG. 3, in the process cartridge B constituting the image forming section, the photosensitive drum 7 as an image carrier is rotated to uniformly charge the surface thereof by the charging means 8. The optical image from the system 1 is exposed to the photosensitive drum 7 through the exposure unit 9 to form a latent image, and the developing unit 10
Then, a visible image is formed by forming a toner image corresponding to the latent image. After the transfer means 4 transfers the toner image onto the recording medium 2, the cleaning means 11 removes the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 7.

The process cartridge B has a toner frame 12 which is a first frame having a toner reservoir and the like, a developing frame 13 which is a second frame having a developing sleeve and the like, a photosensitive drum 7 and a cleaning member. The cleaning frame 14 is a third frame having the means 11 and the like. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 15a denotes an operation unit provided with a record number setting button, a density setting button, a test print button, a lamp for notifying replacement of a cartridge described later, and the like.

Next, the structure of each part of the image forming apparatus A and the process cartridge B mounted therein will be described in detail.

[Image forming apparatus] First, the image forming apparatus A
Concerning the configuration of each part of the,
The fixing unit and the cartridge mounting unit will be described in this order.

(Optical System) The optical system 1 irradiates a light image on the photosensitive drum 7 by irradiating light on the basis of image information read from an external device or the like. As shown in FIG. A polygon mirror 1b, a scanner motor 1c, an imaging lens 1d, a reflection mirror 1e, and a laser diode 1f are housed in an optical unit 1a of 15.

When an image signal is given from an external device (host 62 (see FIG. 59)) such as a computer or a word processor, the laser diode 1f emits light according to the image signal, and the polygon mirror 1b outputs the image light. Irradiate. The polygon mirror 1b is rotated at a high speed by a scanner motor 1c, and the image light reflected by the polygon mirror 1b irradiates the photoconductor drum 7 via the imaging lens 1d and the reflection mirror 1e, and the surface of the photoconductor drum 7 is covered. Selective exposure is performed to form a latent image on the photosensitive drum 7 according to image information.

(Recording Medium Conveying Means) The constitution of the conveying means 3 for conveying the recording medium 2 (for example, recording paper, OHP sheet, cloth or thin plate) will be described. The recording medium 2 according to this embodiment can be of two types: manual feeding and cassette feeding.

As shown in FIG. 1, the structure for manual feeding is one or a plurality of recording media 2 on a feeding tray 3a.
When the recording medium 2 on the feeding tray 3a is fed into the apparatus by the pick-up roller 3b and the image forming is started, when a plurality of recording media 2 are set, the recording medium 2 is separated by the pair of separating rollers 3c1 and 3c2. The recording medium 2 is fed separately, and the leading end of the recording medium 2 is a pair of registration rollers 3d.
It is conveyed so as to hit 1,3d2. The pair of registration rollers 3d1 and 3d2 are driven and rotated in accordance with the image forming operation to convey the recording medium 2 to the image forming unit. Further, the recording medium 2 on which the image has been formed is conveyed to the fixing means 5, and the intermediate discharge roller 3e and the discharge roller pairs 3f1 and 3f2 are also conveyed.
Is discharged to the discharge section 6. A guide member 3g for guiding the conveyance of the recording medium 2 is provided between the rollers.

The feeding tray 3a is composed of an inner member 3a1 and an outer member 3a2. When not in use, the inner member 3a1 is housed in the outer member 3a2. As shown in FIG. Constitutes the exterior of.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, the cassette feeding structure is such that the cassette 3h is provided on the inner bottom of the apparatus main body 15.
When the recording medium 2 is not manually fed, the recording medium 2 in the cassette 3h mounted in the mounting portion is paired one by one from the top by the pickup roller 3i and the feeding roller 3j. Feed to 3d2. Then, after the pair of registration rollers 3d1 and 3d2, the same members as those in the case of the manual feeding are conveyed.
Incidentally, 3k is a sensor, which is the recording medium 2 in the cassette 3h.
The presence or absence of is detected.

(Transfer Means) The transfer means 4 is for transferring the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 7 in the image forming section onto the recording medium 2. The transfer means 4 of this embodiment is as shown in FIG. , The transfer roller 4. That is, the recording medium 2 is pressed against the photosensitive drum 7 of the mounted process cartridge B by the transfer roller 4, and a voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 7 is applied to the transfer roller 4. By doing so (for example, in the case of the present embodiment, constant current control is performed with a DC voltage of about 1000 V), the toner on the photosensitive drum 7 is transferred to the recording medium 2.

(Fixing Unit) Next, the fixing unit 5 fixes the toner image transferred to the recording medium 2 by applying a voltage to the transfer roller 4. As shown in FIG. 1, a fixing roller 5 that has a driving roller 5a that is driven to rotate and a heater 5c inside, and is driven to rotate by being pressed against the driving roller 5a.
b. That is, when the recording medium 2 to which the toner image has been transferred in the image forming section is passed between the drive roller 5a and the fixing roller 5b, pressure is applied by pressing both rollers 5a and 5b, and heat is generated in the fixing roller 5b. Heat is applied by. As a result, the toner transferred to the recording medium 2 is fixed on the recording medium 2.

(Cartridge mounting means) In the image forming apparatus A, a cartridge mounting means for mounting the process cartridge B is provided. The process cartridge B is attached to and detached from the apparatus main body by opening the opening / closing cover 16. That is, the opening / closing cover 16 that can be opened and closed by the hinge 16a is attached to the upper portion of the apparatus body 15. On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a left guide member 17 and a right guide member 18 are attached to the inner wall surface of the main body. The left and right guide members 17, 18 are provided with first guide portions 17a, 18a inclined forward and downward, and second guide portions 17b, 18b above the first guide portions 17a, 18b, which are symmetrically provided. Bearing portions 17c and 18c for supporting a drum bearing of the process cartridge B, which will be described later, are provided at the tips of the first guide portions 17a and 18a, and step portions 17b1 and 18b1 are provided in the middle of the second guide portions 17b and 18b. It is provided.

Further, the left guide member 17 has a second guide portion 1
A cartridge rotation restricting guide portion 17d is provided above 7b. Further, the right guide member 18 has a second guide portion 18
The drum shutter 3 of the process cartridge B is provided above b.
A shutter cam portion 18d for opening and closing 5 is provided.

A pressing member 19 is attached above the rotation restricting portion 17d and the shutter cam portion 18d,
Torsion coil spring 1 for the mounted process cartridge B
It is urged downward by 9a. Furthermore, the left and right guide members 17,
An abutting member 20 for positioning the process cartridge B is provided on the front side of 18 (the front side in the direction of inserting the cartridge).

The process cartridge B has an opening / closing cover 16
After being opened, the guide members 17 and 18 are mounted while being guided by the first guide portions 17a and 18a and the second guide portions 17b and 18b. The configuration will be described and then described in detail.

{Process Cartridge} Next, the structure of each part of the process cartridge B mounted in the image forming apparatus A will be described.

The process cartridge B comprises an image carrier and at least one process means. Here, the process means includes, for example, a charging means for charging the surface of the image carrier, a developing means for forming a toner image on the image carrier, and a cleaning means for cleaning the toner remaining on the surface of the image carrier. As shown in FIG. 3, the process cartridge B of this embodiment has a charging unit 8, an exposing unit 9, a developing unit 10 for developing with toner, and a cleaning unit 11 around an electrophotographic photosensitive drum 7 which is an image carrier. And place them in the toner frame 1
2, a developing frame body 13 and a cleaning frame body 14 are covered with a housing to be integrated with each other, and are detachably attached to the apparatus main body 15.

Next, the structure of each part of the process cartridge B will be described in detail in the order of the photosensitive drum 7, the charging means 8, the exposing part 9, the developing means 10 and the cleaning means 11.

(Photosensitive Drum) The photosensitive drum 7 according to this embodiment is a cylindrical drum base 7a made of aluminum.
The organic photosensitive layer 7b is applied to the outer peripheral surface of the. As shown in FIG. 7, the photosensitive drum 7 is replaced with the cleaning frame 1
4 of the drive motor 71 (see FIG. 59) provided on the apparatus main body side in the helical gear 7c (see FIG. 8A) fixed to one end of the photosensitive drum 7 in the longitudinal direction. By transmitting the driving force, the photosensitive drum 7 is rotated in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1 according to the image forming operation.

As shown in the longitudinal sectional view of FIG. 8A, the photosensitive drum 7 has a boss 7d1 of a gear flange 7d attached to one end in the longitudinal direction fitted into a bearing portion 14a of the frame body 14. Then, the metal shaft 21 (made of iron in this embodiment) is inserted into the hole of the resin-made helical gear 7c attached to the other end, and the shaft 21 is fixed to the frame body 14 to form a frame body. It is attached to 14 so as to be rotatable. The shaft 21 has a shaft portion 21a and a flange portion 21b which are integrally formed, and the flange portion 21b is fixed to the frame body 14 by a screw 21c.
Attach and fix by screwing on. Further, the gear flange 7d is a spur gear, and the helical gear 7
When c receives a driving force from the main body, the rotational force of the photosensitive drum 7 that rotates is transmitted to the transfer roller 4 to rotate the roller 4.

The metal shaft 21 is a conductive member, and the conductive member 22 (made of phosphor bronze in this embodiment) is made of aluminum on the inner surface of the photosensitive drum on the side where the metal shaft 21 is inserted. It is provided so as to come into contact with the inner surface of, and when the metal shaft 21 is inserted, the shaft 21 comes into contact with the conductive member 22. As a result, the photosensitive drum 7 is grounded to the apparatus main body side via the conductive member 22 and the metal shaft 21 as described later. That is, as shown in FIG. 9, the conductive member 22 is fitted and fixed to the boss 7c2 formed on the side surface of the flange portion 7c1 of the helical gear 7c, and the metal shaft 21
Is provided with a hole 22a for insertion therethrough, and a contact portion 22b having a spring property is provided so as to engage with the hole 22a. When the metal shaft 21 is inserted into the hole 22a, the shaft 2
The tip of No. 1 contacts the contact portion 22b so as to push it out. Further, the conductive member 22 is a bifurcated claw portion 22 protruding left and right.
When the flange portion 7c1 is fitted into the photosensitive drum 7, the claw portion 22c comes into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 7.

At the time of image formation, the photosensitive drum 7 is rotated, and a DC voltage and an AC voltage are superposed and applied to the charging roller 8 which is in contact with the drum 7 and constitutes a charging means. Is uniformly charged. At this time, in order to uniformly charge the surface of the photosensitive drum, it is preferable to apply a DC voltage and an AC voltage to the charging roller 8 in a superimposed manner and increase the frequency of the AC voltage. However, when the frequency of the AC voltage exceeds about 200 Hz, so-called "charging sound" caused by the vibration of the photosensitive drum 7 and the charging roller 8 becomes large.

That is, when an AC voltage is applied to the charging roller 8, an attractive force due to an electrostatic force acts between the photosensitive drum 7 and the charging roller 8, and the mutual attractive force between the maximum value and the minimum value of the AC voltage is large. The charging roller 8 is elastically deformed and attracted to the photosensitive drum 7. Further, in the central portion of the AC voltage, the mutual attraction force becomes small, and the charging roller 8
The elastic deformation recovery force of (1) tries to separate from the photoconductor drum 7. Therefore, the photosensitive drum 7 and the charging roller 8 vibrate at twice the frequency of the applied AC voltage. Furthermore, when the charging roller 8 is attracted to the photosensitive drum 7, the rotation of the charging roller 8 is braked, and vibration due to stick-slip is generated as if the wet glass surface was rubbed with a finger. Appears.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, in order to reduce the vibration of the photosensitive drum 7, as shown in the rotational radial direction sectional views of FIGS. 8A and 8B, the shaft inside the photosensitive drum 7 is reduced. A filling 7e made of a rigid body or an elastic body is provided substantially in the center of the direction. The material of the filler 7e may be a metal such as aluminum or brass, a ceramic such as cement or gypsum, or a rubber material such as natural rubber. It may be appropriately selected from the above in consideration of productivity, processability, weight effect, cost and the like. In this embodiment, aluminum having a weight of about 120 g is used as the filling material 7e.

The shape of the filler 7e is a cylinder or a cylinder (in this embodiment, a cylinder member is used as shown in FIG. 8B), for example, about 100 μm smaller than the inner diameter of the photosensitive drum 7. The outer diameter filler 7e is inserted into the hollow drum base 7a and attached. That is, the gap between the drum base 7a and the filler 7e is set to 100 μm or less at the maximum, and an adhesive (for example, cyanoacrylate-based or epoxy resin-based) is provided on the outer periphery of the filler or the inner periphery of the drum base 7a.
7f is applied, and the filler 7e is inserted into the drum base 7a and attached.

As described above, the filler 7 is placed in the photosensitive drum 7.
By providing e, the photosensitive drum 7 can be stably rotated, and vibration accompanying the rotation of the photosensitive drum 7 during image formation can be suppressed. Therefore, even if the frequency of the AC voltage applied to the charging roller 8 is increased, the generation of charging noise can be suppressed to a low level.

(Charging Means) The charging means is for charging the surface of the photosensitive drum 7, and in this embodiment, a so-called contact charging method as shown in JP-A-63-149669 is used. There is. That is, as shown in FIG.
The charging roller 8 is rotatably provided in the cleaning frame body 14. The charging roller 8 has a metal roller shaft 8a provided with a conductive elastic layer, a high resistance elastic layer provided thereon, and a protective film provided on the surface thereof. The conductive elastic layer is formed by dispersing carbon in an elastic rubber layer such as EPDM or NBR, and has a function of guiding a bias voltage supplied to the roller shaft 8a. The high-resistance elastic layer is made of urethane rubber or the like, and contains, as an example, a minute amount of conductive fine powder (for example, carbon), and a charging roller having a high conductivity such as a pinhole of the photoconductor drum 7 is used. Even in such a case, the leak current to the photosensitive drum 7 is limited to prevent the bias voltage from dropping sharply. The protective layer is made of N-methyl methoxylated nylon, and acts so that the plastic material of the conductive elastic layer or the elastic layer of high resistance does not touch the photosensitive drum 7 and deteriorate the surface of the photosensitive drum 7. To do.

The roller shaft 8a is supported by bearings 23 and 24 which are slightly slidable in the direction of the photosensitive drum 7 and attached to the frame body 14, and the bearings 23 and 24 are moved in the direction of the photosensitive drum 7 by a spring 25. The charging roller 8 is urged to contact the photosensitive drum 7.

Therefore, at the time of image formation, the charging roller 8 is rotated by the rotation of the photosensitive drum 7, and at this time, the DC voltage and the AC voltage are superposed and applied to the charging roller 8 as described above. The surface of the drum 7 is uniformly charged.

For this purpose, a metal contact member 26 having a spring property is brought into contact with one end of the metal roller shaft 8a of the charging roller 8 in the axial direction, and a voltage is applied to the charging roller 8 from the apparatus main body side through the contact member 26. Is applied.

Further, the cleaning frame 14 is provided with a restricting member 14b for suppressing the deformation of the contact member 26. If the process cartridge B is dropped, the roller frame 8a is moved to the left side in FIG. Even if the force is applied, the contact member 26 contacts the regulating member 14b and prevents the contact member 26 from being plastically deformed. Further, since the regulating member 14b regulates the movement of the charging roller 8 in the axial direction (movement to the left side in FIG. 10), the charging roller 8 is always positioned on the photosensitive drum 7.

On the other hand, the other end of the charging roller 8 in the axial direction is positioned by the bearing 24. That is, as shown in FIG. 10, the bearing 24 has a key-shaped abutting portion 24a integrally formed with the bearing body. By abutting the axial end of the roller shaft 8a against the abutting portion 24a, the roller shaft 8a is restricted from moving to the right in the axial direction of FIG. The bearing 24 is made of polyacetal (POM) and has good slidability with the metal roller shaft 8a and excellent abrasion resistance.

As described above, the axial end portion of the roller shaft 8a comes into contact with the highly wear-resistant bearing 24 and the contact member 26 so that movement in the axial direction is restricted and does not come into contact with the frame body 14. Here, it is conceivable that the axial end portion of the roller shaft 8a is brought into contact with the frame body 14 so as to restrict the movement in the axial direction. In this case, however, the frame body 14 is made of a metal roller shaft 8a.
It must be made of a material that is resistant to abrasion with, for example, polyphenylene oxide resin (PPO). On the other hand, if the roller shaft 8a is prevented from rubbing against the frame body 14 as in this embodiment, it is not necessary to increase the wear resistance of the frame body 14. Therefore, in this embodiment, the frame 14 is
It is cheaper than PO, for example, polystyrene resin (P
S) and the like, and the process cartridge B
The cost can be reduced.

The material of the bearing 24 need not be limited to polyacetal, but may be made of nylon or the like as long as the material has high abrasion resistance with the metal roller shaft 8a. .

In this embodiment, the photosensitive drum 8 is used.
The voltage applied to the charging roller 8 in order to charge is constant current control with the AC component V _PP = about 1800 V and the DC component V _DC1 = about −670 V.

(Exposure Unit) The exposure unit 9 exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 7 uniformly charged by the charging roller 8 with the optical image emitted from the optical system 1 to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the drum 7. And an opening 9 for guiding optical image light between the developing frame body 13 and the cleaning frame body 14 on the upper surface of the process cartridge B as shown in the cartridge appearance view of FIG. The exposure unit is configured by providing the. That is, the exposure section 9 is configured by providing the rectangular notch 9a on the upper surface 13r of the developing frame body 13 and disposing the upper wall portion 14n of the cleaning frame body 14 so as to cover a part of the notch 9a.

(Developing Means) Next, the developing means 10 will be described. This is to visualize the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 7 by the exposure with toner. Although the image forming apparatus A can be used with either magnetic or non-magnetic toner as a toner used for development, this embodiment shows an example in which a process cartridge B containing a magnetic toner as a one-component magnetic developer is mounted. ing.

The magnetic toner used for the development uses polystyrene resin as a binder resin, and among them, styrene-acrylic resin is used.

As the coloring material which can be further added to the magnetic toner, conventionally known carbon black, copper phthalocyanine, iron black and the like can be used.

As the magnetic fine particles contained in the magnetic toner, a substance that is magnetized when placed in a magnetic field is used.
Powders of ferromagnetic metals such as iron, cobalt and nickel, or alloys and compounds such as magnetite and ferrite can be used.

The developing means 10 for forming a toner image with the magnetic toner has a toner reservoir 10a for accommodating the toner as shown in the sectional view of FIG.
A toner feeding member 10b that rotates in the direction of the arrow for feeding the toner is provided inside. Further, the toner sent out is supplied to a developing sleeve 10d having a magnet 10c therein.
Is rotated to form a thin toner layer on the surface. When the toner layer is formed on the developing sleeve 10d, friction between the toner and the developing sleeve 10d provides sufficient triboelectric charge to develop the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 7. A developing blade 10e is attached in contact with the surface of the developing sleeve 10d to regulate the layer thickness of the toner.

In the present embodiment, the AC component V _PP = about 1600 V and the DC component V _DC2 as the developing bias.
= About -500V is applied. Note that the DC component _{V DC2} of the developing bias, the relationship between the DC component _{V DC1} of the charging bias as described above (about _-670V), the value of V DC1 _{-V DC2} is higher -50 V (+ increases to the side) Fog may occur.

The toner reservoir 10a and the toner feeding member 10b are provided on the toner frame 12, and the developing sleeve 10d and the developing blade 10e are attached to the developing frame 13. The longitudinal joints of the two frames 12 and 13 are integrally welded by ultrasonic welding.

Developing sleeve 1 on which the toner layer is formed
0d and the photoconductor drum 7 are positioned so as to face each other with a minute gap (about 250 μm). Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in the exploded explanatory view of FIG. 11, the outer diameter is larger than the outer diameter of the developing sleeve by the above distance outside the toner layer forming area in the vicinity of both axial end portions of the developing sleeve 10d. A ring member 10f is provided, and the ring member 10f contacts the outside of the latent image forming area of the photoconductor drum 7.

A gear 10g is attached to one end of the developing sleeve 10d in the axial direction, and the gear 10g and the developing sleeve 10d rotate integrally. This gear 10g
When the developing frame body 13 and the cleaning frame body 14 are joined together, they mesh with the above-described helical gear 7c of the photosensitive drum 7, and the developing sleeve 10d is rotated in accordance with the rotation of the photosensitive drum 7.
To rotate. Further, the gear 10g is the toner feeding member 1
0b is connected to a gear (not shown) to transmit the rotational force of the photoconductor drum 7 to the toner feeding member 10b.

As a result, at the time of image formation, the toner feeding member 10b rotates to feed the toner in the toner reservoir 10a to the developing sleeve 10d, and the developing blade 10e forms a toner layer having a constant thickness on the surface of the developing sleeve 10d. Toner is transferred according to the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 7.

The formation of the toner layer on the developing sleeve 10d is supplied only to the carbon coating portion coated on the developing sleeve 10d, and the photosensitive layer region in the longitudinal direction (axial direction) of the photosensitive drum 7, The lengths of the charging area by the charging roller 8 and the toner layer supply area (developing area) to the developing sleeve 10d are configured to have a relationship of photosensitive layer area> charging area> developing area.

It should be noted that the toner in the toner reservoir 10a must be prevented from leaking between the developing sleeve 10d and the developing frame 13. Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, toner leak preventing seals 10h are attached to both side edges of the opening 13a provided in the developing frame body 13 in the longitudinal direction in order to send the toner to the developing sleeve 10d. A blowing sheet 10i is attached to the lower edge of the opening 13a so as to contact the entire developing sleeve 10d in the longitudinal direction.

Here, the thickness of the toner leakage prevention seal 10h is equal to the step formed on the lower end edge 13o of the developing device frame 13, and when the seal 10h is attached to the developing device frame 13, the seal upper surface is covered. Has the same height as the lower edge 13o. The blowing sheet 10i is attached to the upper surface of the lower edge portion 13o with a double-sided tape (not shown). The opening 1 extends in the longitudinal direction of the blowing sheet 10i.
3a is longer than the longitudinal direction, and both ends thereof overlap and overlap with the toner leakage prevention seal 10h, and the front edge in the lateral direction is applied to the outer peripheral surface of the developing sleeve 10d with an appropriate pressing force along the axial direction. Contact.

The state of the overlap will be described in more detail. The thickness of the developing blade 10e is about 1.3 m
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 12, the developing blade 10
The end portion in the longitudinal direction of e and the toner leakage prevention seal 10h cannot be overlapped with each other, and a minute gap 10k exists between them. Then, the toner leakage prevention seal 10h and the blowout sheet 10i overlap each other outside the gap 10k in the axial direction.

[0065] Thus, in forming a toner layer on the developing sleeve 10d, adheres to the developing sleeve 10d in a state in which the toner _{t m} that passes through the gap 10k is raised. However, the rotation area of the toner t _m is due to the absence of the toner leak preventing seals 10h, the toner t _m is collected into the toner sump 10a through the blow sheet 10i,
It does not spill out of the cartridge.

Further, FIG. 13A shows the AA cross section of FIG. 11, and FIG. 13B shows the BB cross section of FIG. As shown in FIG. 13 (a), the blowout sheet 10i and the toner leakage prevention seal 10h are attached so as to be in close contact with each other at their overlapping portions without bending and to be substantially parallel to each other. Here, as shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B, if the blowout sheet 10i is bent and is not in close contact with the toner leakage prevention seal 10h, the toner may leak from the gap S between the two. Blowing sheet 1 as in the example
0i does not bend, toner leak prevention seal 10h
There is no risk of toner leakage if it is in close contact with.

Further, in the structure of the present embodiment, the contact angle of the leading edge where the blown sheet 10i contacts the outer peripheral surface of the developing sleeve 10d is defined by the state of the upper surface of the toner leakage prevention seal 10h. The accuracy of the upper surface does not vary. Therefore, the accuracy of initial setting of the contact angle does not vary so much. Further, since the blowing sheet 10i is not bent and used, the contact angle of the sheet 10i hardly changes with time. Therefore, the toner contained in the toner frame 12 is less likely to leak from between the blowout sheet 10i and the developing sleeve 10d.

Regarding the toner leakage, there is a possibility that the toner may also leak between the developing blade 10e and the developing frame 13. Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in the sectional view of FIG. 3 and the partially enlarged sectional view of FIG. 14, three long ribs 13 are provided at the portion where the developing frame body 13 abuts in the longitudinal direction of the developing blade 10e.
b, 13c, 13d are provided, the first rib 13b and the second rib 13c are in pressure contact with the developing blade 10e, and the third rib 13d
In order to mount the developing blade 10e, the blade mounting member 10j made of sheet metal or the like is pressed against the blade mounting member 10j. Further, the second rib 1 is pressed against the developing blade 10e.
The tip of 3c is formed in a sharp edge shape, the first rib 13b is brought into contact with the developing blade 10e, and the third rib 13d is formed.
When the blade is brought into contact with the blade mounting member 10j, the tip of the edge-shaped second rib 13c is made of rubber and has a thickness of about 1.3 m.
It is designed to bite into the developing blade 10e of about m.

The edge-shaped second rib 13c is formed in a curved shape in which the central portion in the longitudinal direction is slightly projected from both side portions. Therefore, the developing blade 1 is attached to the frame body 13.
When attaching 0e, the vicinity of both ends in the longitudinal direction of the blade attaching member 10j is screwed, but even if the central portion in the longitudinal direction bends at this time, as described above, it is curved so that the central portion of the second rib 13c projects. Therefore, the rib 13c surely bites into the developing blade 10e over the entire longitudinal direction because the rib 13c is curved (preferably, in an A4 size width recordable cartridge, it is preferable to curve about 0.1 to 0.5 mm). . Therefore, the developing frame 13 and the blade 1
There is no gap between the toner and 0e, and it is possible to prevent toner leakage.

Even if a gap is created between the edge-shaped second rib 13c and the developing blade 10e and the toner leaks from the gap, the third rib 13d is in contact with the blade mounting member 10j, so that portion The toner does not leak from the outside. In particular, since the contact portion between the second rib 13c and the developing blade 10e and the contact portion between the third rib 13d and the blade mounting member 10j have a step corresponding to the thickness of the developing blade 10e and are not linear, It is difficult for toner to leak from the contact portion between the second rib 13c and the blade 10e to the outside through the contact portion between the third rib 13d and the blade mounting member 10j.

Further, the developing means 10 according to this embodiment is provided with a toner remaining amount detecting mechanism for detecting the toner remaining in the toner reservoir 10a. The structure is shown in Figure 1.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 15, a metallic antenna wire 27 is attached to a toner passage from the toner reservoir 10a to the developing sleeve 10d, which is a connecting portion between the toner frame 12 and the developing frame 13. By causing the antenna wire 27 to function as the first electrode and the developing sleeve 10e as the second electrode, when a voltage is applied between both electrodes, when toner is present between both electrodes, the electrostatic capacitance between the two is large. When the toner runs out, the electrostatic capacity decreases. Therefore, the control unit 60 (see FIG. 59) can detect the toner remaining amount by detecting the change in the electrostatic capacity, and the value of the electric signal of the electrostatic capacity is set to the preset reference value. The "no toner" state can be detected by comparison. When the control unit 60 detects the "toner-free" state, it flashes a lamp (notification of process cartridge replacement) or the like to notify replacement of the process cartridge B. A specific circuit for detecting the remaining amount of toner will be described later.

Here, since the joint portion of the toner frame 12 and the developing frame 13 is welded on the longitudinal side, the toner does not leak. However, it cannot be welded on the short side of the joint. In order to prevent the toner in the toner reservoir 10a of the unused process cartridge B from leaking, as shown in FIG. 11, the opening 12e provided in the toner frame 12 is covered with a cover film 28 and hermetically sealed. ,
This is because the end portion of the cover film 28 is exposed to the outside from the short side of the joint portion, and the end portion of the film 28 is pulled out at the start of use. Therefore, a toner leakage preventing seal 29 is attached to the short side joint between the toner frame 12 and the developing frame 13 to prevent the toner from leaking from the joint.

However, as described above, the antenna wire 27 has one end portion thereof for applying the voltage to the frame body 1.
It is necessary to configure so as to project to the outside of the frame more than the joint portion of 2 and 13 and to provide the contact portion 27a at the end portion. Therefore, the toner frame 12 having the toner leakage prevention seal 29 attached thereto
And the antenna wire 27 through the short side joint between the developing frame 13 and
Must be projected to the outside. This antenna wire 2
To attach 7, as shown in FIG.
A concave portion 13e is formed in the joint portion of 3, and the adhesive 30 such as silicon is applied to the concave portion 13e, and then the antenna wire 27 is dropped and adhered to the developing frame 13. This antenna wire 2
As shown in FIG. 16, the concave portion 1
The adhesive 30 applied to 3e rises so as to protrude from the recess 13e. If the adhesive 30 hardens in this state as it is, even if the toner leakage prevention seal 29 is stuck, the seal 29 does not completely adhere to the developing device frame 13,
A gap 31 may occur. Although the gap 31 is small, since the toner is fine particles, the toner may leak from the gap 31.

Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 17 (a), after the antenna wire 27 is dropped into the recess 13e coated with the adhesive 30, as shown in FIG. 17 (b),
The adhesive that rises from the recess 13e is spread on the antenna wire 27 by a rod-shaped member or the like (the antenna wire 2
The swells are leveled out (so that 7 is hidden). After that, as shown in FIG. 17C, when a toner leakage prevention seal 29 is attached, the seal 29 comes into close contact with the joint surface of the developing device frame 13 without a gap, and the toner leakage as described above is prevented. Is prevented. In addition, as shown in FIG. 17B, when the swelling of the adhesive 30 is leveled, an adhesive is added in addition to the swelling adhesive 30 to form the antenna wire 27.
You may even out so as to hide.

Further, since the contact portion 27a of the antenna wire 27 is exposed to the outside, there is a possibility that the exposed portion of the antenna wire 27 may hit, for example, when the process cartridge B is operated. And a toner leakage prevention seal 2
No. 9 is made of urethane foam or the like having a thickness of about 4 mm, which has elasticity so that when the exposed portion of the antenna wire 27 is bumped, as shown in FIG. May float up from the developing device frame 13. At this time as well, a minute gap 32 is generated between the frame 13 and the antenna wire 27, and there is a risk that toner may leak from the gap 32.

Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 18 (b), the antenna line 27 at the joint portion between the toner frame 12 and the developing frame 13 has a "" shape in the direction from the developing frame 13 to the toner frame 12. A bent portion 27b that is bent like a circle is provided. At the bent portion 27b, since the seal 29 having a thickness of about 4 mm is compressed to about 1 mm, it is hardly elastically deformed. Therefore, even if a shock is applied to the exposed portion of the antenna wire 27 as described above, the antenna wire 27 will not rise from the recess 13e of the developing device frame 13. As a result, the gap as shown in FIG. 18 (a) is not generated, and there is no risk of toner leakage.

(Toner Leakage-Preventing Seal) Next, the toner leakage-preventing seal 29 will be described. This is made by attaching foamed rubber such as urethane foam to both sides of the opening 12e of the toner frame 12 in the longitudinal direction with double-sided adhesive tape. There is. Then, as shown in FIG. 11, a tear prevention sheet 29a having a thickness of about 0.01 mm to 1 mm, which is narrower than the width of the seal 29 in the widthwise direction, is attached to the upper surface of the seal 29 on the side where the cover film 28 is pulled out. I'm wearing it.

The reason why the tear prevention sheet 29a is provided is as follows. That is, at the start of using the cartridge B, it is necessary to remove the cover film 28 blocking the opening 12e by hand. At this time, there is no problem if the operator pulls out the film 28 in parallel with the film drawing direction (the same direction as the longitudinal direction of the opening 12e). However, when the cover film 28 is pulled out at an angle α with respect to the film pulling direction as shown in FIG. 19, the lateral direction of the cover film 28 is shrunk to one direction (upward in FIG. 20) as shown in FIG. , The fold is rubbed against the toner leakage prevention seal 29 (the shaded portion in FIG. 20).
There is a risk of breaking up. And a toner leakage prevention seal 2
If the number 9 is cut off, the toner may leak from the gap and the operator's hand may be soiled, or the toner may fall into the apparatus main body and the recorded recording medium may be soiled.

On the other hand, when the toner leakage prevention seal 29 on the side where the cover film 28 is pulled out is provided with the tearing prevention sheet 29a as in the present embodiment, the fold line is formed when the cover film 28 is pulled out as described above. Even if it happens,
The tear prevention sheet 29a protects the seal 29 so that the seal 29 does not tear. Therefore, there is no risk of toner leakage regardless of the direction in which the cover film 28 is pulled out.

Further, by providing the tear-prevention sheet 29a on the opening 12e side in the lateral direction of the seal 29, the toner attached to the film 28 is removed when the cover film 28 is pulled out. Thus, it is possible to prevent the film 28 that has been pulled out from soiling the hands.

The toner leakage prevention seal 29 and the tear-prevention sheet 29a are used for the toner frame 12 and the developing frame 1.
When 3 and 3 are welded and joined, the two sides in the direction perpendicular to the pull-out direction of the cover film (the two sides in the vertical direction in FIG. 11) are bitten by the frame bodies 12 and 13 and firmly fixed. The sheet 29a will not be displaced from the seal 29.

Here, the material for the shredded prevention sheet 29a is preferably a material that is resistant to rubbing against the cover film 28, and for example, polyethylene terephthalate or high density polyethylene sheet is suitable.

When sticking the shredded prevention sheet 29a having a width narrower than the width of the toner leakage prevention seal 29 in the widthwise direction, as shown in FIG. By providing a predetermined distance U from the edge 29b in the cover film pulling direction (arrow direction in FIG. 21), the toner adhered to the film 28 by the edge 29b can be more effectively scraped off when the cover film 28 is pulled out. Can be done. When the distance U is set to about 5 mm or less, the effect of preventing the toner leakage prevention seal 29 from being torn when the cover film 28 is pulled out is not lowered.

The tear prevention sheet 29a need not be narrower than the width of the toner leakage prevention seal 29 in the widthwise direction as described above, and may be attached to the entire upper surface of the seal 29. good.

(Sizes of Photoreceptor Drum, etc.) Next, the sizes and arrangements of the photoconductor drum 7, the charging roller 8 and the developing sleeve 10d according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
3, the present invention is not limited to this and can be appropriately selected.

(1) Number of teeth of helical gear 7c → 32 teeth (2) Diameter of helical gear 7c (D1) → approximately 31.85 mm (3) Width of helical gear 7c (W1) → approximately 9.8 mm (4) Number of teeth of gear flange 7d → 43 teeth (5) Diameter of gear flange 7d (D2) → about 32 mm (6) Width of gear flange 7d (W2) → about 5.6 mm (7) of photoconductor drum 7 Length (L1) → about 254 mm (8) Length of photoconductor application area of photoconductor drum 7 (L2) → about 250 mm (9) Diameter of photoconductor drum 7 (D3) → about 30 mm (10) Photoconductor drum 7 diameter of metal shaft 21 (D4) → about 10 mm (11) length of developing sleeve 10d (L3) → about 246 mm (12) length of carbon coating part of developing sleeve 10d (L4) → about 216 mm (13) ) Diameter of developing sleeve 10d (D5) → about 16 mm (14) Outer diameter of ring member 10f (D6) → About 16.5 mm (15) Length of ring member 10f (L5) → About 12 mm (16) Length of ring member 10f (L6 ) → About 9 mm (17) Outer diameter of the drum contact portion of the ring member 10f (D7) → About 16.7 mm (18) Thickness of the drum contact portion of the ring member 10f (E1) → About 0.3 mm ( 19) Width of the drum contact portion of the ring member 10f (W3) → about 4 mm (20) Number of teeth of the developing gear 10g → 17 teeth (21) Diameter of the developing gear 10g (D8) → about 18.1 mm (22) Width of developing gear 10g (W4) → about 8.3 mm (23) Length of charging bias contact 49 (L7) → about 7 mm (24) Width of charging bias contact 49 (W5) → about 7.8 mm (25) ) Length of developing bias contact 48 L8) → about 6 mm (26) Width of developing bias contact portion 48 (W6) → about 9.4 mm (27) Diameter of contact portion 27a of antenna wire 27 (D9) → about 2 mm (28) Contact portion of antenna wire 27 Width of 27a (W7) → about 15.5 mm (29) Length of charging roller 8 (L8) → about 251 mm (30) Length of charging section (rubber part) of charging roller 8 (L9) → about 225 mm ( 31) Diameter of charging roller 8 (D10) → about 12 mm (32) Length of roller shaft 8a (L10) → about 12 mm (33) Diameter of roller shaft 8a (D11) → about 6 mm

The helical gear 7c and the developing gear 10 are used here.
Reference numeral g denotes a so-called helical gear, and when the gear 7c receives a driving force from the main body side, the photoconductor drum 7 mounted with play receives a thrust force in the gear 7c direction.
Then, the photoconductor drum 7 receives the thrust force, moves in the thrust direction, contacts the cleaning frame 14, and is positioned in the thrust direction.

(Cleaning Means) Next, the cleaning means 11 is for removing the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 7 after the toner image on the photosensitive drum 7 is transferred onto the recording medium 2 by the transfer means 4. . As shown in FIG. 3, the cleaning means 11 is in contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 7, and a cleaning blade 11a for scraping off the toner remaining on the drum 7 and the cleaning blade 11a for scooping off the scraped toner. It is composed of a squeegee sheet 11b located below the blade 11a and in contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 7, and a waste toner reservoir 11c for accumulating the scraped waste toner. The squeeze sheet 11b is in light contact with the surface of the photoconductor drum 7, allows the residual toner on the surface of the photoconductor drum 7 to pass through, and removes the toner removed from the surface of the photoconductor drum 7 by the blade 11a. 7 Lead away from the surface.

The blade 11a is the developing blade 1.
Similarly to 0e, a blade 11a made of rubber or the like is attached to a blade attachment member 11d made of sheet metal or the like with a double-sided tape or the like, and the attachment member 11d is attached to the cleaning frame body 14 with screws. Squishy sheet 11b
Is the seat surface (edge) of the waste toner reservoir 11c to which the squishy sheet is attached.
11c1 is attached and attached by double-sided tape or the like.

Here, it is necessary to prevent the waste toner contained in the waste toner reservoir 11c from leaking from between the longitudinal ends of the cleaning blade 11a and the cleaning frame 14 facing the cleaning blade 11a. For this reason, toner leakage prevention seals are attached to both ends of the blade 11a in the longitudinal direction. However, if the blade 11a and the toner leakage prevention seal are not completely in close contact with each other, the toner will propagate through the gap between them and the toner leakage will occur. Will occur. Similarly, if the seal for preventing toner leakage and the squeeze sheet attaching seating surface 11c1 of the waste toner reservoir 11c for attaching the squeegee sheet 11b are not completely in close contact with each other, the toner leaks through the gap.

Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG.
Toner leakage prevention seals 11e are provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning blade 11a. The configuration of the portion provided with the seal 11e will be described in more detail. As shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, the seal 11e is attached to both ends of the edge of the waste toner reservoir 11c, and the seal 11e is cleaned. Both ends in the longitudinal direction of the blade 11a are adhered. Also, the upper edge 11c of the waste toner reservoir 11c
2, a partition member 11c3 is provided so as to contact the inner surface of the seal 11e.

The attachment of the toner leak prevention seal 11e will be described below. First mounting a cleaning blade 11a on the cleaning frame 14, intimately attached to the edge _{S 2} of the seal 11e in the longitudinal direction both end edges _{S 1} of the cleaning blade 11a shown in FIG. 26. Here, when the width L ₁ of the seal 11e is longer than the distance L ₀ from below the cleaning sheet attaching surface 11c1 to the cleaning blade 11a, a gap is formed between the lower end portion T ₁ of the seal 11e and the attaching sheet surface 11c1 of the cleaning sheet. A leak occurs. In order to prevent this, in the present embodiment, L ₀ > L ₁ is set due to the tolerance, the squeeze amount X is given to the seal 11e, and the lower end portion T ₁ of the seal is pressed against the diagonally shaded portion T _{2 of the} squeeze sheet sticking seating surface 11c1 and stuck. However, in the present embodiment, since the partition member 11c3 is provided, it is possible to prevent the waste toner from sliding sideways under the seat surface on which the squi sheet is stuck and leaking. Therefore, it is possible to set the minimum value of the crushing amount X of the seal 11e on the tolerance to zero.

(Frame) Next, the frame that constitutes the housing of the process cartridge B will be described. As shown in FIG. 7, the frame of the process cartridge B is the toner frame 1
2. The developing frame body 13 and the cleaning frame body 14 are composed of three frame bodies. Then, the toner frame 12 and the developing frame body 13 are welded to be integrated with each other, and thereafter, the toner developing frame body C in which the toner frame body 12 and the developing frame body 13 are integrated together with the cleaning frame body 14 will be described later. By connecting them, an integral frame is formed as the process cartridge B. Incidentally, each of the frame bodies 12, 13, 14 in the present embodiment
Are injection-molded with polystyrene resin and are integrally formed.

When a material having a charging series close to that of the toner component is used as the material of the frame members 12, 13, and 14, even if the toner rubs against the inner wall of the frame member during image formation, there is no risk of abnormal charge due to frictional charging. Image quality is not degraded.

In this respect, in the present embodiment, the following Table 1
As shown in (Literature “Surface Polymer and Static Electricity” edited by Japan Surface Science Society, Surface Thin Film Molecular Design Series 5, by Yuji Murata), what is polystyrene as the material of the frame and styrene / acryl as the component of the toner? Since they are of the same styrene type and have a similar charging series, there is no risk of an abnormal charge even if the toner rubs against the inner wall of the frame. The term "styrene-based" as used herein means a base material containing 60% or more of styrene.

[0096]

[Outer 1]

Now, as shown in FIG. 7, the toner frame 12
A toner reservoir 10a and a toner feeding member 10b are provided in the. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the outer surface of the toner frame 12 has a plurality of lateral ribs 12d in the longitudinal direction.
Is provided and constitutes the handle portion. Further, the lateral lengths of the lateral ribs 12d provided on the lower portion of the outer surface of the toner frame 12 are sequentially different, and are configured to have an R shape as a whole. For this reason, when the process cartridge B is attached to or detached from the image forming apparatus A, the toner frame 12 does not easily slip even if it is held by hand, and the lower portion has a shape that is easy to hold by hand. Is improved.

As shown in FIG. 7, the developing device frame 13 is provided with a developing sleeve 10d and a developing blade 10e. As shown in FIG. 11, the developing blade 10e is attached by screwing the vicinity of both ends of the blade attaching member 10j in the longitudinal direction to the frame body 13. In this embodiment, the blade attaching member is attached prior to the screw attaching. 10
Position j on the developing device frame 13. Therefore, the development frame 1
Positioning boss 13g perpendicular to the blade mounting surface 13f of No. 3
Is provided, and a hole drilled in the blade mounting member 10j is fitted into the boss 13g for positioning. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 11, positioning bosses 13i are provided perpendicularly to the joint surface 13h with the toner frame 12 (provided on both sides of the developing frame 13 in the longitudinal direction as shown in FIG. 11). Boss 13
i is fitted into the fitting hole 12c on the side of the toner frame 12 to perform the joint positioning of the developing frame 13 and the toner frame 12.

Here, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG.
The blade mounting surface 13f and the joining surface 13 of the developing device frame 13
It is configured to be parallel to h. Therefore, when the developing frame body 13 is injection-molded, the positioning boss 13g for the blade and the positioning boss 13i for the toner frame body are parallel to each other, and therefore the molding die 33 need only be divided in the left-right direction after the injection molding. The molding die 33 can be easily constructed.

Next, as shown in FIG. 7, the cleaning frame 14 is provided with a photosensitive drum 7, a charging roller 8, a cleaning blade 11a as a cleaning means 11, a squeeze sheet 11b, and a waste toner reservoir 11c.
Even when the cleaning blade 11a is attached to the cleaning frame 14, the developing blade 1 described above is also used.
0e, the blade mounting member 11
The blade mounting member 11d is positioned on the frame 14 prior to the screw fixing, although the vicinity of both longitudinal ends of d is fixed to the frame 14 with screws. Therefore,
As shown in FIG. 8, a positioning boss 14d is provided vertically on the blade mounting surface 14c of the frame body 14, and a hole (not shown) drilled in the blade mounting member 11d is fitted into the boss 14d for positioning.

At this time, the blade mounting surface 14c is constructed so as to be perpendicular to the die removing direction of the injection molding die 34 shown by the arrow in FIG. By doing so, the projecting direction of the positioning boss 14d formed on the blade mounting surface 14c and the die-releasing direction of the molding die 34 coincide with each other, which facilitates the construction of the molding die 34.

A drum shutter 35 shown in FIG. 3 is rotatably attached to the cleaning frame 14.
The drum shutter 35 is for opening and closing an opening provided for the photoconductor drum 7 to face the transfer roller 4, and is automatically opened when the process cartridge B is attached to the image forming apparatus A, as will be described later. When it is detached from the image forming apparatus A, it is automatically closed.

(Welding of Toner Frame Body and Development Frame Body) Here, the connection between the toner frame body 12 and the development frame body 13 will be described. Both frames 12 and 13 are joined by ultrasonic welding. That is, after the cover film 28 is attached to the opening 12e of the toner frame 12 and the opening 12e is closed, as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 9, the toner frame 12 is set in the concave portion 75a of the receiving jig 75, and the cover film pull-out knob 12f which is formed integrally with the frame 12 and is cuttable is bent downward. The developing frame body 13 is superposed on the toner frame body 12, and the upper side of the developing frame body 13 is pressed by the pressing jig 76. When ultrasonic waves are applied to the toner frame body 12 and the developing frame body 13 in this state, the rib strips 13s (see FIG. 7) provided in the longitudinal direction of the welding frame surface of the developing frame body 13 are melted to the welding surface of the toner frame body 12. Both frames 12 and 13 are welded and joined.

When the ultrasonic waves are applied, both frame bodies 12,
13 is easily deformed in the lateral direction (the direction of arrow J in FIG. 29). However, in this embodiment, the developing device frame 13
As shown in FIG. 11, a reinforcing rib 13t is provided in the longitudinal direction, and a blade supporting member 10j made of a metal plate or the like.
Since it is attached, it is strong and difficult to deform. Further, since the toner frame 12 is not provided with the ribs or the like, it is weak in strength and is generally easily deformed, but in this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. Collars 12g are provided on both sides of the frame body 12 in the lateral direction. This Tsuba 1
The distance L12 of 2 g is substantially equal to the short-side length L13 of the joint surface 13h of the developing device frame 13, and the joint surface 13 of the developing device frame 13 is
h is fitted between the flanges 12g.

Therefore, when ultrasonically welding both frames 12 and 13, the joint surface 13h of the developing frame 13 is fitted to the brim 12g of the toner frame 12 and the positioning boss 13i of the developing frame 13 is attached. Is fitted into the fitting hole 12c of the toner frame body 12, the toner frame body 12 is not easily deformed, and neither of the frame bodies 12 and 13 is displaced.

In welding the two frames 12 and 13, since all the frames 12, 13 and 14 are made of the same material, that is, polystyrene resin, the welding bond strength is very high. Get higher Since the developing frame body 13 and the cleaning frame body 14 are not welded to each other, from the viewpoint of increasing the welding bond strength, the cleaning frame body 14 is
Need not necessarily be made of the same material as the toner frame 12 and the developing frame 13.

In this embodiment, the positioning boss 13i is provided only on one side in the lateral direction of the developing device frame 13 as described above. However, as shown in FIG.
3i may be provided on both sides of the frame body 13 in the lateral direction. By doing so, the toner frame 12 at the time of welding
Also, the deformation of the developing device frame 13 can be prevented more reliably, and the deviation between the two frame members 12 and 13 can be surely eliminated.

Further, as shown in FIG. 31, a positioning boss (not shown) of the developing frame and the toner frame 12 into which the boss is fitted.
By disposing a plurality of the fitting holes 12c side by side in the longitudinal direction of the frame body, the deformation and displacement of the frame body can be prevented more reliably. In this case, as described above, the flanges 12g may not be provided on both sides in the lateral direction of the toner frame 12.

(Structure for facilitating assembly of the process cartridge) At the time of assembling the process cartridge B, the toner feeding member 10b is attached to the toner frame 12 and the cover film 28 is adhered to the toner reservoir 10.
The toner is stored in a, the antenna wire 27 is further attached, and then the developing frame 13 is welded. And this developing frame 1
The developing sleeve 10d and the like are incorporated into 3. At this time, the toner developing frame body C in which the developing frame body 13 and the toner frame body 12 are integrated is fixed to the assembly tray to assemble the parts (see FIG. 33), but in this embodiment, Figure 32
As shown in (a), a fitting hole 12a is provided at a predetermined position of the toner frame 12, and the frame bottom 12b is formed in a flat shape. Therefore, the member 3 provided on the assembly tray 36
By fitting 6a into the fitting hole 12a, the toner frame 12 is easily fixed, and the developing sleeve 10d, the developing blade 10e, and the like can be easily assembled.
Assembly operability is improved.

Similarly, the cleaning frame body 14 is assembled with parts such as the cleaning blade 11a in the frame body 14. However, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 32 (b), the bottom of the cleaning frame body 14 is In addition to being flat, a fitting hole 14e is provided in the bottom portion. Therefore, when the fitting protrusion 37a provided on the assembly tray 37 is fitted into the fitting hole 14e when assembling the blade 11a and the like into the frame body 14, the cleaning frame body 14 can be easily fixed. Parts such as the cleaning blade 11a can be easily incorporated, and the assembling operability is improved.

Here, a case where the assembly is performed by an automatic machine will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. First, when assembling the toner developing frame C, as shown in FIG. 33, the fitting hole 12a of the toner frame 12 is inserted into the assembling tray 36 of the assembling tray 36 with respect to the assembling tray 36 moving in the arrow direction via the conveyor roller 36b. The developing blade 10e is fitted with the projecting member 36a, and the developing blade 10e is screwed with. In addition, by incorporating the developing sleeve 10d,
This is fixed with and the toner developing frame C is taken out with and the process proceeds to the next step. After the toner developing frame C is taken out, the assembly tray 36 is returned by the auxiliary line on the lower side, and the above steps are repeated again.

By providing the toner frame 12 with the fitting portion for the assembly tray 36 as described above, the step of clamping or unclamping the toner frame 12 can be eliminated, and the toner frame 12 can be assembled. Easy to do.

Next, in assembling the cleaning frame body 14, as shown in FIG. 34, the fitting hole 14e of the cleaning frame body 14 is assembled with the assembly tray 37 which moves in the direction of the arrow via the conveyor roller 37b. Tray 37
Then, the squeeze sheet 11b is attached with, the cleaning blade 11a is incorporated with, and the screw is fixed with. Further, the photosensitive drum 7 is incorporated and fixed with. Then, the cleaning frame body 14 assembled in is taken out to proceed to the next step. In addition, the assembly tray 37 after the cleaning frame body 14 is taken out
Returns by the lower auxiliary line and repeats the above steps again.

Therefore, like the toner developing frame C, the cleaning frame 14 is also provided with a fitting portion with the assembly tray 37, so that the step of clamping or unclamping the cleaning frame 14 can be eliminated. The cleaning frame body 14 can be easily assembled. As shown in FIG. 4, the cleaning frame 14 is provided with a locking recess 14o for the assembly machine to clamp and lock the frame 14 when moving between stations during automatic assembly. is there.

The toner frame body 12 and the cleaning frame body 14 are assembled by the assembly trays 36 and 37 not only by the automatic machine but also by a manual assembly line using a simple tool. By using it, work efficiency can be improved as well.

As described above, after the respective parts are incorporated into the toner developing frame C in which the toner frame 12 and the developing frame 13 are integrated, and the cleaning frame 14, the toner developing frame C and the cleaning frame 14 are assembled. , And the frame bodies may be placed on the table at this time. At this time, before the toner developing frame C and the cleaning frame 14 are combined, the photosensitive drum 7 incorporated in the cleaning frame 14 and the developing sleeve 10d incorporated in the developing frame 13 are exposed. Therefore, there is a possibility that the parts may come into contact with the table and be damaged. In particular, the photoconductor drum 7 is the most important component for forming an image, and if the surface of the drum is slightly scratched, the image is disturbed and a high-quality image cannot be obtained. Therefore, when mounting the frame body incorporating the photosensitive drum 7 or the like on the table in the assembly work or the like, it is necessary to take sufficient care not to contact the table and the photosensitive drum 7 or the table and the developing sleeve 10d. There is.

Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG.
Protrusions 14f are provided at both ends on the open side of the cleaning frame body 14 in which the photosensitive drum 7 is incorporated. The photosensitive drum 7 is arranged inside the cleaning frame 14 with respect to the line connecting the tips of the protrusions 14f.
Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 35 and 36, when the cleaning frame 14 is placed on the table, the protrusion 14f does not come into contact with the table, and the photosensitive drum 7 does not come into contact with the table.
There is no risk of the surface of the drum 7 being scratched.

Similarly, as shown in FIG. 37, projecting portions 13j are provided at both ends on the open side of the toner developing frame C incorporating the developing sleeve 10d. The developing sleeve 10d is located closer to the developing frame 1 than on the line connecting the tips of the projecting portions 13j.
It is arranged so that it is inside 3. Therefore, when the developing frame body 13 integrated with the toner frame body 12 is placed on the table,
The protrusion 13j comes into contact with the table, and the developing sleeve 10d does not come into contact with the table.

As described above, since the developing sleeve 10d and the photosensitive drum 7 do not come into contact with the base when the developing frame 13 and the cleaning frame 14 are placed on the base, the photosensitive drum 7 and the like are inadvertently Assembling workability is improved without being damaged.

As described above, after the respective parts are incorporated into the developing frame body 13 integral with the toner frame body 12 and the cleaning frame body 14, the developing frame body 13 and the cleaning frame body 14 are joined together to form a process cartridge. Assemble B. The frame members 13 and 14 are connected by the connecting member 38 shown in FIG. 38. Next, the connecting structure will be described.

In FIG. 38, the connecting member 38 is a base 38.
There is provided a screw hole 38b for penetrating the screw 39 with respect to a, and the vertical portions 38 are provided on both sides with the screw hole 38b interposed therebetween.
c and a spring mounting portion 38d are provided. The vertical portion 38c
Protrudes downward from the base body 38a, and restricts a connecting projection portion of the developing device frame 13 which will be described later from coming off. Further, the spring mounting portion 38d is provided in parallel with the vertical portion 38c, and the compression spring 38e is attached to the tip of the spring mounting portion 38d so as to project further downward than the vertical portion 38c.

Arms 13k are provided on both sides of the developing device frame 13 in the longitudinal direction. The arm 13k is provided with a coupling projection 13m so as to project laterally, and the arm 1k.
A spring receiving recess 13n is provided on the top surface of 3k.

On the other hand, the cleaning frame 14 is provided with a coupling concave portion 14g into which the coupling projection 13m is fitted, and a fastening portion 14h is provided above it. A fitting hole 1 into which the vertical portion 38b of the coupling member 38 is fitted in the fastening portion 14h.
4i, the female screw portion 14j for fastening the screw 39, and the spring 3
A through hole 14k through which 8e penetrates is provided.

To connect the toner developing frame C and the cleaning frame 14 to each other, a perspective explanatory view of FIG. 39 (a),
As shown in the cross-sectional explanatory view of (b), after fitting the coupling projection 13m of the developing frame body 13 into the innermost portion of the coupling recess 14g of the cleaning frame body 14, the coupling member 38 is fastened to the fastening portion 14h. To install. That is, the vertical portion 38 of the connecting member 38.
b is fitted in the hole 14i, the spring 38e is passed through the through hole 14k, and is received by the spring receiving recess 13n of the developing device frame 13 in a compressed state, and then the screw 39 is screwed through the screw hole 38b. To conclude.

As a result, the toner developing frame C and the cleaning frame 14 are rotatably connected about the connecting protrusion 13m, and the assembly of the process cartridge B is completed. Then, in a state in which both the frame bodies 13 and 14 are coupled, the ring member 10f is pressed against the peripheral surface of the photoconductor drum 7 to determine the positions of the photoconductor drum 7 and the developing sleeve 10d. Further, the elasticity of the compression spring 38e presses the developing sleeve 10d toward the photoconductor drum 7 (in this embodiment, the spring force of the compression spring 38e is set to about 2 kg, and a pressing force of about 1 kg is applied to the developing sleeve 10d. I'm trying to join).

When the toner developing frame C and the cleaning frame 14 are combined, the helical gear 7c provided on the side end of the photosensitive drum 7 meshes with the gear 10g provided on the side end of the developing sleeve 10d. .

In the engaging structure of the toner developing frame C and the cleaning frame 14 according to the present embodiment, the toner developing frame C can be attached and detached from the direction of the connecting concave portion 14g, so that the connecting protrusions 13m can be located on both outsides (inner side). Directed to. Therefore, the longitudinal direction (thrust direction) of both frame bodies 13 and 14 is positioned, and the thrust stopper becomes unnecessary.

Further, since the connecting member 38 is inserted from above and fastened, the toner developing frame C can be pressed at the same time when the connecting member 38 is attached. In this respect, conventionally, after the toner developing frame and the cleaning frame are joined together, it is necessary to hook the tension springs on both the frames so that the two frames come into pressure contact with each other, and to attach the springs to expose the space. In addition, it was troublesome to install the spring. According to the configuration of the present embodiment, it is possible to solve the conventional problems such as the troublesomeness when mounting the tension spring and the mounting space.

When disassembling, when the screw 39 fastening the coupling member 38 is loosened, the pressure applied by the compression spring 38e is gradually released, and since there is no thrust stopper, it can be disassembled extremely easily.

{Cartridge mounting structure} Next, a structure for mounting the process cartridge B having the above structure on the apparatus main assembly A will be described.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a left guide member 17 and a right guide member 18 having first guide portions 17a and 18a and second guide portions 17b and 18b are attached to the apparatus main body 15, respectively. There are some things mentioned above. Correspondingly, from the outer side surfaces in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning frame 14 of the process cartridge B, as shown in the right side surface of the cartridge B shown in FIG. 4 and the left side surface shown in FIG. The bearing portion 14a guided along 17a and 17b and the shaft 21 project from substantially symmetrical positions. Further, protruding ribs 40 guided along the second guide portions 17b and 18b are provided above the bearing portion 14a and the shaft 21 at symmetrical positions.

A pressure surface 41 against which the pressure member 19 attached to the apparatus main body 15 applies pressure is provided on both upper surfaces in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning frame 14 and serves as a receiving portion for the abutting member 20. A positioning groove 42 for abutting and positioning is provided.

Further, on the right side surface of the cleaning frame 14 in the longitudinal direction, an auxiliary rib 43 is formed so as to protrude above the protruding rib 40 as shown in FIG.
A link portion 35a for opening and closing 5 is provided. The link portion 35a is rotated in association with the attachment / detachment operation of the process cartridge B, and the drum shutter 35 connected thereto is opened and closed. The opening / closing configuration of the drum shutter 35 will be described later.

Here, the case where the process cartridge B is attached to and detached from the apparatus main body A will be described with reference to FIGS.
This will be described with reference to FIG. The process cartridge B is similarly guided on both sides in the longitudinal direction by the left and right guide members 17 and 18, but only the guide of the right guide member 18 will be described here for simplifying the description.

First, as shown in FIG. 41, after opening the opening / closing cover 16 of the apparatus main body 15, the shaft 21 of the process cartridge B is placed on the first guide portion 18a, and the projecting rib 40 is attached to the second guide portion 18b. Put. Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 42, the shaft 21 and the protruding rib 40 are slid along the guide portions 18a and 18b and pushed into the apparatus body 15. Then, the pressing surface 41 of the process cartridge B is pressed by the pressing member 19 of the apparatus main body 15, and the process cartridge B is pushed in while the protruding rib 40 is being pressed onto the second guide portion 18b.

Then, as shown in FIG. 43, the protruding rib 40
When the pressure exceeds the stepped portion 18b1 of the second guide portion 18b, the process cartridge B is slightly rotated in the counterclockwise direction by the pressing force of the pressure member 19, and the shaft 21 is rotated by the first guide portion 18b.
supported on a. And further process cartridge B
44, the process cartridge B further rotates in the counterclockwise direction, and the abutting member 20 of the apparatus main body 15 is moved to the positioning groove 42 of the cartridge B as shown in FIG.
Engage with. After this, when the operator releases his hand, as shown in FIG.
fall into c. At this time, the abutting member 20 and the positioning groove 42
And the process cartridge B is mounted on the apparatus main body 15 while being pressed by the pressing member 19. At this time, the helical gear 7c provided on the side end of the photoconductor drum 7 meshes with the drive gear (see FIG. 6) 45 of the apparatus main body 15, and the drive force is transmitted. Further, when the process cartridge B is mounted, the pressing member 19 for the process cartridge B is caused as the cartridge B falls downward.
The pressure applied by is reduced. Therefore, the operator who mounts the cartridge B has a click feeling and can easily recognize that the cartridge B is positioned at the mounting position.

The abutting member 20 provided on the apparatus main body side and the positioning groove 42 provided on the process cartridge B are provided such that the contact surfaces 20a, 42a are substantially horizontal. For this reason, since the abutting member 20 may be assembled to the apparatus body 15 so that the contact surface 20a is substantially horizontal, the design of the member 20 and the assembly to the apparatus body 15 are easy, and a dimensional error is unlikely to occur. . Therefore, it becomes easy to accurately mount the process cartridge B in the apparatus main body 15.

A roller 19b is attached to the pressure member 19, and the roller 19b moves when the pressure surface 41 of the process cartridge B moves while being pressed by the pressure member 19.
Sliding resistance is reduced by applying pressure through. Further, although the pressing surface 41 of the process cartridge B which is pressed by the roller 19b has a surface shape in this embodiment, if it is not formed into a surface shape but into a rib shape, the contact area becomes smaller, so that the sliding resistance is further increased. Can be made smaller.

As is clear from the sectional view of FIG. 1 and the cartridge appearance view of FIG. 4, the upper portion of the process cartridge B is formed in a substantially straight line, and the upper surface is substantially parallel to the mounting direction of the cartridge. Is configured as follows. Therefore, the space for mounting the cartridge in the apparatus main body 15 can be minimized, and the space for storing toner or waste toner in the process cartridge B can be efficiently obtained.

Next, when removing the process cartridge B, as shown in FIG. 46, the process cartridge B is slightly rotated in the counterclockwise direction (the direction of arrow a) so that the projecting rib 40 is located at the step of the second guide portion 18b. It can be mounted on the portion 18b1 and can be removed by pulling it out. When the process cartridge B is rotated in the counterclockwise direction, the auxiliary rib 43 (see FIG. 4) causes the shutter cam portion 18d to rotate more than necessary.
In the left guide member 17, the protruding rib 40 abuts against the rotation restricting guide portion (see FIG. 5) to restrict rotation in the counterclockwise direction. When the cartridge is mounted, the auxiliary rib 43 on the right side of the cartridge is inserted between the second guide portion 18b and the shutter cam portion 18d, and the protruding rib 40 on the left side of the cartridge is placed between the second guide portion 17b and the rotation restricting guide portion 17d. Since the process cartridge B is inserted, the trajectory when the process cartridge B is attached and detached is further regulated, and the process cartridge B is attached and detached more smoothly.

{Drum Shutter Opening / Closing Configuration} Now, as the process cartridge B is attached / detached, the drum shutter 35 is attached.
Is opened and closed, and its opening and closing operation will be described next.

As shown in FIG. 4, in the drum shutter 35, arm portions 35b provided on both sides in the longitudinal direction are attached so as to be rotatable around a shaft 35c, and a link portion 35a is provided at the center of the rotation. It is provided integrally with 35b.
Therefore, when the link portion 35a is rotated, the arm portion 35
b rotates, and the drum shutter 35 opens and closes. A link boss 35d is provided on the arm portion 35b so as to project therefrom.
When the link portion 35a and the link boss 35d are engaged with the shutter cam portion 18d, the drum shutter 35
Opens and closes. This will be described with reference to FIGS. 41 to 45 in a state in which the above-described process cartridge B is mounted in the image forming apparatus A.

The shutter cam portion 18d formed on the right guide member 18 has a link portion 35 as shown in FIGS.
The first cam portion 18d1 engaged with a and the link boss 35d
Has a second cam portion 18d2 which is engaged with. The inclination angle of the first cam portion 18d1 is determined by the process cartridge B.
The angle is substantially the same as that of the second guide portion 18b that guides the protruding rib 40, and the inclination angle of the second cam portion 18d2 is larger than that of the first cam portion 18d1.

When the process cartridge B is inserted and pushed in as shown in FIG. 41, the link portion 35a engages with the first cam portion 18d1 of the shutter cam portion 18d as shown in FIG. 35a is a shaft 35c
Rotate around. This causes the arm portion 35b to rotate and the drum shutter 35 to open. At this time, however, the drum shutter 35 is not completely opened, but is in a so-called half-opened state. When the cartridge B is further pushed in, the link boss 35d engages with the second cam portion 18d2 as shown in FIG.
When it is further pushed, as shown in FIG. 44, the rotation of the arm portion 35b is continued from the engagement between the link portion 35a and the first cam portion 18d1 to the engagement between the link boss 35d and the second cam portion 18d2. When the mounting of the process cartridge B shown in FIG. 45 is completed, the drum shutter 3
Reference numeral 5 is wide open so that the recording medium 2 guided and conveyed to the lower part of the cartridge does not get caught.

When the process cartridge B is pulled out from the state shown in FIG. 45 in order to remove it from the image forming apparatus A, the torsion coil spring 35e locked to the arm portion 35 urges the cartridge B in the opposite manner to the above. The link boss 35d, the link portion 35a, and the shutter cam portion 18d are sequentially engaged, and the drum shutter 35 is closed.

The drum shutter 35 described above protects the photosensitive drum 7, but in this embodiment, a laser shutter is provided in the image forming apparatus A in addition to the drum shutter 35. This laser shutter constitutes a laser light path blocking means so that the laser light emitted from the optical system 1 to the photoconductor drum 7 does not leak from the optical unit 1a (apparatus main body side) when the apparatus is not used.

{Laser Optical Path Blocking Structure} Next, the structure of the laser optical path blocking means will be described. This is Figure 47
As shown in, the optical unit 1a is provided with an opening 1a1 for irradiating the photoconductor drum 7 with laser light,
The laser shutter 46 is formed by bending a metal plate so as to close the opening 1a1. That is, the laser shutter 4
Reference numeral 6 is a sheet metal bent to form a shutter portion 46a, and a link portion 46b is integrally formed on the left side of the shutter portion 46a. The laser shutter 46 is rotatably attached to the apparatus body 15 by a shaft 46c.

Further, in the vicinity of the left guide member 17 for guiding the attachment / detachment of the process cartridge B, an arm member 47 rotatable about a shaft 47a is attached. This arm member 47 is capable of contacting the rotating end of the arm member 47 with the link portion 46b of the laser shutter 46, and the process cartridge B
When the cartridge is mounted on the apparatus main body 15, the cartridge B is disposed at a position where the end of the cartridge B abuts.

In the above structure, when the process cartridge B is inserted while being guided by the left and right guide members 17 and 18, the opening / closing member of the cartridge causes the arm member 47 to move as shown in FIG.
7 Push in the direction of arrow a. Thereby, the arm member 47
The tip of the rotation pushes out the link portion 46b of the laser shutter 46, and the shutter portion 46a rotates in the direction of arrow b.
As a result, the opening 1a1 of the optical unit 1a is opened, and the laser beam can be applied to the photoconductor drum 7. Further, the tension spring 4 is attached to the link portion 46b of the laser shutter 46.
7b is attached, and the laser shutter 46 is always biased in the direction of closing the opening 1a1 by biasing the spring. Therefore, when the process cartridge B is removed from the image forming apparatus A, the pressing by the arm member 47 is lost, so that the laser shutter 46 is replaced by the spring 47b.
The elastic force of 1 automatically closes the opening 1a1.

As a result, the laser beam is not emitted from the optical unit 1a to the photosensitive drum or the like except when the image is recorded. The link portion 46b for opening and closing the laser shutter 46 and the arm member 47 are the left guide member 17.
Since it is arranged in the vicinity of the right guide member 18 side where the link portion 35a for opening and closing the drum shutter 35 is located, it is possible to effectively secure a space for arranging these. Therefore, the space can be effectively used, and the size of the entire apparatus can be reduced. In this embodiment, as shown in the plan view of FIG. 48, the position where the protrusion 14m and the arm member 47 contact each other is set to a position Y1 = about 5 to 6 mm from the end portion in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge.

{Position of the handle part} As shown in FIG.
When the process cartridge B is attached to the image forming apparatus A, a protrusion 14m serving as an opening member provided on the left shoulder portion in the longitudinal direction (thrust direction) of the process cartridge B is provided on the apparatus main body side for opening and closing the laser shutter 46. When the arm member 47 is pressed, the metal shaft 21 (diameter X1 is about 10 m for the diameter X1) is formed at the same time at the same time as the process cartridge B so as to project on the right side surface in the longitudinal direction.
m, the projection amount X2 is about 5 mm) contacts the ground contact member 51, which is an electrical contact having spring properties provided on the apparatus main body side. Further, the link portion 35a provided on the right side in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge B contacts the shutter cam portion 18d of the apparatus main body to open the drum shutter 35.

Therefore, when the cartridge B is mounted, the left side in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge B receives a load against the bias of the spring 47b to open the laser shutter 46. On the other hand, the right side in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge B is the metal shaft 21.
Receives a load that contacts the ground contact member 51 to deform the contact member 51 having a spring property and a load that resists the bias of the torsion coil spring 35e to open the drum shutter 53. Of the above loads, the load for opening the drum shutter 53 is the largest. As a result, when the cartridge B is inserted, the load is offset to the right of the center C _{2 in the} longitudinal direction of the cartridge.

Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 48, the lateral rib 12d serving as a grip portion provided on the cartridge B is formed.
The longitudinal center C ₁ of the drum shutter 35 is larger than the longitudinal center C ₂ of the process cartridge B.
The lateral rib 12d is offset toward the end where the 5a is provided and the direction in which the metal shaft 21 that is a conductive member is provided.
Is provided. That is, in this embodiment, the center C of the length L11 (about 300 mm) in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge B is set.
Center C in the longitudinal direction of the horizontal rib 12d is about 10 mm more than _2.
Longitudinal center C ₁ of that reverse biases the ₁ (the lateral ribs 12d are biased to about 10mm than the recording medium conveyance center when the process cartridge B is mounted. Or center C ₁
Is about 10 mm offset from the longitudinal center of the photosensitive drum 7 of the process cartridge B).

In this way, the operator can check the cartridge B
49, when mounted on the image forming apparatus A, as shown in FIG. 49, to the right of the longitudinal center C ₂ of the cartridge B,
That is, the cartridge B is inserted into the main body of the apparatus while holding the end portion side of the drum shutter 35 where the link portion 35a is provided. As a result, the cartridge B receives a slightly larger force in the longitudinal direction on the end side where the link portion 35a is provided than on the other end side. This bias of force offsets the opening / closing load of the drum shutter 35, and the cartridge B as a whole is smoothly inserted into the image forming apparatus A without rattling.

Further, since the lateral rib 12d is provided in parallel with the photosensitive drum 7 provided in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge B, when the lateral rib 12d is inserted, the longitudinal direction of the cartridge is set to the insertion direction. It is easy to maintain a right angle, and it is easier to reduce rattling on both sides in the longitudinal direction when the cartridge is mounted.

Incidentally, the handle portion may be constituted by the lateral rib 12d as shown in FIG. 48, but may be constituted by the concave portion 73 provided in the frame body as shown in FIG. 50, or as shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the convex portion 74 provided on the frame may be used. In other words, the shape is not limited as long as the operator can easily hold it.

Further, in the present embodiment, an example is shown in which the handle portion is provided on one side of the drum shutter 35 where the link portion 35a and the metal shaft 21 are provided, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the spring 47b of the laser shutter 46
Of the coil spring 35e is stronger than the load that resists the bias of the spring 47b and the load that deforms the contact member 51.
When the load against the urging of the handle is large, the handle is provided so as to be offset to the side where the protrusion 14m is provided. As described above, when the process cartridge is mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus, the handle portion is brought into contact with the main body side member provided on the main body of the image forming apparatus so as to be biased to the side where the mounting resistance received by the frame body is large. Is provided.

[Explanation of Electrical Contact] Next, electrical connection to each member when the process cartridge B is mounted will be described.

The process cartridge B is connected to the image forming apparatus A.
Mounted on the process cartridge B, the contact portions provided on the process cartridge B come into contact with the contact members provided on the apparatus main body 15 side, and the process cartridge B and the image forming apparatus main body are electrically connected. That is, as shown in the perspective view of the lower portion of the cartridge in FIG. 52, the contact portion 27a, which is the end portion of the antenna wire 27 for detecting the toner remaining amount from the lower portion of the developing device frame 13, is shown.
Is exposed, and a developing bias contact portion 48 for applying a developing bias to the developing sleeve 10d is exposed. A charging bias contact portion 49 for applying a charging bias to the charging roller 8 is exposed from the bottom of the cleaning frame 14. That is, the contact portion 27a of the antenna wire and the developing bias contact portion 48 are arranged on one side of the photosensitive drum 7, and the charging bias contact portion 49 is arranged on the other side. The charging bias contact portion 49 is integrally formed with the contact member 26 (see FIG. 10) described above.

Accordingly, the apparatus main body 15 side is shown in FIG.
As shown in the internal plan view of FIG. 1, the antenna wire 27 is provided on one side of the recording medium 2 in the conveying direction with the transfer roller 4 sandwiched so that the contact portions 27a, 48, 49 contact each other when the process cartridge B is mounted. An antenna wire contact member 50a with which the contact portion 27a contacts and a developing bias contact pin 50b with which the developing bias contact portion 48 contacts are provided, and a charging bias contact pin 50c with which the charging bias contact 49 contacts is disposed on the other side. It is arranged. The contact pins 50b,
As shown in FIG. 54, the reference numeral 50c is attached to the holder cover 50d so as not to fall off and to be able to project, and the wiring pattern of the electric board 50e to which the holder cover 50d is attached and each contact pin 50b, 50c are connected by a conductive compression spring 50f. It is biased upward and is electrically connected. In addition, among the contact members 48 and 49 that are in pressure contact with the contact pins 50b and 50c, the charging bias contact member 49 has a curved portion between the linear portions so that the rotating hinge 16a side of the opening / closing cover 16 has a curvature. It has a bow shape that is tied. This is because when the opening / closing cover 16 mounted with the process cartridge B is closed in the direction of arrow c around the hinge 16a, the opening / closing cover 16 is closest to the hinge 16a.
The contact between the charging bias contact member 49 and the contact hinge 50c having the smallest radius of gyration associated with the rotation of the
In addition, it is for performing well.

One shaft 21 for supporting the rotation of the photosensitive drum 7 is made of metal, and the photosensitive drum 7 is grounded via the shaft 21. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 48, the right guide member 18 on which the shaft 21 is positioned when the process cartridge B is mounted.
The bearing portion 18c is provided with a leaf spring-shaped ground contact member 51 that is grounded via the chassis of the apparatus body 15. The shaft 21 contacts the ground contact member 51 when the cartridge is mounted. To do.

FIG. 2 shows the arrangement of the electric contacts.
2 will be described. As shown in FIG. 22, on the same side with respect to the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum 7, the helical gear 7
On the side opposite to the side where c is provided, the contacts 48, 4
9 is arranged, and on the side opposite to the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum 7 (the side on which the helical gear 7c is provided),
A metal shaft 21 is arranged as a drum ground contact. In the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum 7 (recording medium conveying direction), the developing bias contact member 48 is provided on one side (developing unit 10 side) of the photosensitive drum 7.
Is arranged on the other side (the cleaning means 11 side)
A charging bias contact member 49 is arranged in the.
In addition, the metal shaft 21 as the contact for drum ground is the frame 14
Of the photosensitive drum 7 and is located at the center of axial rotation of the photosensitive drum 7.

The developing bias contact member 48 and the charging bias contact member 49 are arranged substantially linearly with respect to the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum 7, and the gear flange 7d made of a spur gear and the photosensitive drum 7 are provided. It is located across the and. Moreover, both contact members 48 and 49 are arranged inside the outer end of the gear flange 7d provided at the end of the photosensitive drum 7 in the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum 7.

As a result, the size of the photosensitive drum 7 of the process cartridge B in the longitudinal direction can be reduced, which in turn makes it possible to downsize the process cartridge.

Further, the charging bias contact member 49 is bowed outward as described above. That is,
When the process cartridge is attached to the main assembly of the apparatus, there is a straight line portion at the end, and the straight line portion is curved in an arch. As a result, the process cartridge B
When the image forming apparatus A is mounted, the charging bias contact member 49 and the charging bias contact pin 50c on the apparatus body side.
Even if there is a variation in the contact angle between the charging bias contact member 49 and the charging bias contact member 49, the charging bias contact member 49 and the charging bias contact pin 50c can be reliably and satisfactorily contacted.

Here, the charging bias contact member 49 is located at the leading end in the mounting direction when the process cartridge B is mounted in the image forming apparatus A, but the contact member 49 and the contact pin 50c are damaged during mounting. There is no.

Furthermore, the toner reservoir 10 of the developing means 10
The contact portion 27a of the antenna wire 27 for the apparatus main body side to discriminate the remaining amount of toner in a is located on the same side as the developing bias contact member 48 in the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum 7, and On one side (developing means 10
Side) on the same side as the contact member 48 for developing bias,
It is provided farther from the photoconductor drum 7 than the developing bias contact member 48.

By arranging the contacts as described above, the charging bias contact member 49 and the metal shaft 21 as the drum ground contact are separated from each other, which may cause a stray capacitance between the contacts. As a result, the charging voltage becomes stable and uneven charging does not occur. That is, if the contact for drum ground is arranged near other contacts, stray capacitance is generated between the wiring, contacts, etc. placed around the contact for drum ground and other contacts, and development, charging, toner residual amount detection It becomes easy to make the AC voltage applied to the output deviate. In particular, in the case of roller charging in which charging is performed by contacting the photosensitive drum 7, the constant current control is performed, and therefore the AC voltage fluctuation due to the stray capacitance greatly disturbs the image. In this respect, by arranging each contact as in the present embodiment, stray capacitance does not occur, an AC voltage can be normally applied, and uneven charging is eliminated.

Further, since the developing bias contact member 48 and the charging bias contact member 49 are provided on the opposite sides of the photosensitive drum 7, the distance between the contacts can be maintained and both can be electrically connected. It will not interfere.

[Toner Remaining Amount Detection and Cartridge Installation Presence / Absence Detection Circuit] Next, the detection of the toner remaining amount and the installation presence / absence of the process cartridge B in this apparatus will be described. In this apparatus, as described above, the antenna wire 27 provided on the process cartridge B and the developing sleeve 10d
The remaining amount of the toner in the cartridge is detected by the change in the electrostatic capacity between them, and the circuit of FIG. 55 is provided for that purpose.

In the circuit of FIG. 55, the developing sleeve 10
The d and the antenna wire 27 form a capacitor equivalently. HV is a high-voltage power supply, which applies a rectangular wave AC voltage (V _PP = about 1600 V) to the developing sleeve 10 d. The high voltage from the high-voltage power supply HV actually has a rising and falling slope of a rectangular wave, and the developing sleeve 1
0d and the capacitance between the antenna line 27 and the resistances R ₁ and R ₂
Is detected as a differential waveform ANT. The diode D ₁ is a negative output clamp diode.

The differential waveform ANT has resistances R ₁ and R ₂
In divided, the operational amplifier OA1, a diode D _2, is detected peaks by the first peak hold circuit comprising a capacitor C _1, it is converted into a DC signal. Incidentally, the resistance R ₃
Is for discharging the capacitor C ₁ .

The electrostatic capacity between the developing sleeve 10d and the antenna wire 27 depends on the amount of toner existing between the developing sleeve 10d and the antenna wire 27. That is, when toner is present between the two conductors, the dielectric constant between the conductors is increased and the electrostatic capacitance between the two is increased. Therefore, since the dielectric constant between the conductors decreases as the toner decreases and the electrostatic capacity also decreases, the voltage detected by the first peak hold circuit also decreases as the toner amount decreases.

On the other hand, the output from the high voltage power supply HV is supplied to the developing sleeve 10d and the reference capacitor C ₂
And resistors R ₄ , R ₅ (volume resistors), R ₆ are also supplied to the differentiation circuit. Incidentally, the diode D ₃
Is a negative output clamp diode.

The differential waveform detected via the volume resistor R ₅ is converted into a DC signal by the second peak hold circuit composed of the operational amplifier OA2, the diode D ₄ , the capacitor C ₃ and the discharging resistor R ₇ .
The volume resistor R ₅ is adjusted so that the output from the second peak hold circuit has a desired reference value (which is set to about 2.7 V in this embodiment).

Output of the first peak hold circuit (potential of the capacitor C ₁ → value corresponding to the remaining amount of toner) and output of the second peak hold circuit (potential of the capacitor C ₃ →
The reference value) is compared by the comparator CO1 and output as a signal indicating the remaining amount of toner. Therefore, when the toner is present sufficiently between the developing sleeve 10d and the antenna line 27, the potential capacitor C ₃ of the capacitor C ₁
Is higher than the potential of, the output of the comparator CO1 becomes high level. Further, as the amount of toner between the developing sleeve 10d and the antenna wire 27 decreases, the potential of the capacitor C ₁ decreases. Then becomes lower than the potential of the capacitor C _3, the output of the comparator CO1 becomes low level. Therefore, the remaining amount of toner can be detected by the output of the comparator CO1.

The process cartridge B is used in this embodiment.
It is also detected whether or not is attached to the image forming apparatus A. That is, in the circuit of FIG. 55, when the potential of the capacitor C ₁ becomes equal to or lower than the reference potential E (about 1 V in this embodiment),
The output of the comparator CO2 becomes low level, and it is determined that the process cartridge B is not mounted in the image forming apparatus A.

For example, when the power is turned on, the controller that controls the apparatus outputs a rectangular wave AC from the high voltage power supply HV to the developing sleeve 10d. However, when the process cartridge B is not inside the apparatus main body, the photosensitive drum 7, the developing sleeve 10d, the antenna wire 27 in the circuit of FIG.
Signal does not exist, no signal is input to the operational amplifier OA1. Therefore, at this time, the potential of the capacitor C ₁ becomes zero level. Therefore, by setting the reference potential E to a positive voltage with a certain margin with respect to the zero level and lower than the potential of the capacitor C ₁ when the toner in the cartridge is empty, the process cartridge B The presence or absence can be detected.

FIG. 56 shows the voltage relationship between the detection level of presence / absence of remaining toner and the detection level of presence / absence of cartridge mounting. In FIG. 56, the reference voltage for detecting the presence / absence of the remaining amount of toner (potential of the capacitor C ₃ ) is preferably set to a warning level for notifying the shortage of toner necessary for recording. In this embodiment, the reference voltage is set to the developing sleeve 10d.
The volume resistance R ₅ is adjusted and set at the time of factory shipment by the electrostatic capacity (about 7.5 pF) corresponding to the presence of about 20 g of toner between the antenna wire 27 and the antenna wire 27. The reference voltage for detecting whether or not the cartridge is mounted may be configured such that the power supply voltage is divided by a resistor.

In the circuit of FIG. 55, the comparator CO2 is used to detect the presence / absence of the cartridge mounting. However, instead of the comparator, inverters IN1 and IN2 having appropriate slice levels are used as shown in the circuit of FIG. You may. Also in this case, the detection voltage level from the antenna line 27 is set to the resistance R so that the outputs of IN1 and IN2 do not become low level when there is no toner in the cartridge.
It is necessary to adjust by ₁ , R ₂ , R ₄ , R ₅ , and R ₆ .

The detection of the presence / absence of mounting of the cartridge is carried out by referring to
As shown in FIG. 8, if the output of the capacitor C ₁ is sent to the control unit via the buffer amplifier BA and analog-digital conversion is performed, more reliable detection becomes possible.

{Control Unit} Now, a schematic control configuration of the image forming apparatus A described above will be described with reference to a functional block diagram shown in FIG.

In FIG. 59, reference numeral 60 denotes a control unit for controlling the entire image forming apparatus, for example, a CPU such as a microprocessor, a ROM storing a control program of the CPU and various data, and a work area of the CPU. R used to store various data temporarily
It has AM and so on.

The control unit 60 receives a signal from a sensor group 61 including, for example, a paper jam sensor (jam sensor). Further, a signal is received from the toner remaining amount detecting mechanism 61a for detecting the toner remaining amount in the process cartridge B due to the change in the electrostatic capacitance between the antenna wire 27 and the developing sleeve 10d. Further, it receives an image signal from a host 62 such as a computer or a word processor.

Then, the control unit 60, for example, exposes 63, charges 64 (charging roller 8
Etc.), development 65 (development sleeve 10d, etc.), transfer 66
(Transfer roller 4 and the like) and fixing 67 (fixing roller 5b and the like)
Each process step such as and conveyance of recording medium 68 (registration rollers 3d1 and 3d2, discharge rollers 3f1 and 3f2, etc.)
To control. Further, the main drive motor 71 is drive-controlled via the counter 70 that counts the number of drive pulses given from the control unit 60 to the driver 69.

Further, in the present embodiment, the control unit 60 receives the toner absence signal by the toner remaining amount detection, and issues the replacement notification 72 of the process cartridge B (for example, blinking of a lamp or buzzer). There is.

[Image Forming Operation] Next, the operation of mounting the process cartridge B in the image forming apparatus A to form an image will be described.

When the recording medium 2 is set on the feeding tray 3a shown in FIG. 1 and a detection sensor (not shown) detects it,
Alternatively, when the cassette 3h accommodating the recording medium 2 is set and the recording start key is pressed, the pickup roller 3b or 3i is pressed.
Is driven, the pair of separation rollers 3c1 and 3c2 and the pair of registration rollers 3d1 and 3d2 rotate to convey the recording medium 2 to the image forming unit. The photosensitive drum 7 rotates in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1 in synchronization with the conveyance timing of the pair of registration rollers 3d1 and 3d2, and a charging bias is applied to the charging roller 8 to uniformly charge the surface of the photosensitive drum 7. To do. Then, a laser beam corresponding to an image signal is emitted from the optical system 1 onto the surface of the photoconductor drum 7 through the exposure section 9, and a latent image corresponding to the light irradiation is formed on the surface.

Simultaneously with the formation of the latent image, the developing means 10 of the process cartridge B is driven and the toner feeding member 10b is driven to remove the toner in the toner reservoir 10a from the developing sleeve 1.
Developing sleeve 10 that rotates while being sent in the 0d direction
A toner layer is formed on d. The latent image on the photosensitive drum 7 is toner-developed by applying a voltage having the same polarity as the charging polarity of the photosensitive drum 7 and substantially the same potential to the developing sleeve 10d. By conveying the recording medium 2 between the photosensitive drum 7 and the transfer roller 4 and applying a voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the toner to the transfer roller 4, the toner image on the photosensitive drum 7 is recorded on the recording medium 2. Transcribe.

The photosensitive drum 7 onto which the toner image has been transferred further rotates in the direction of the arrow in FIG.
The toner remaining on the photosensitive drum is scraped off and removed by 1a and collected in the waste toner reservoir 10c.

On the other hand, the recording medium 2 on which the toner image has been formed as described above is conveyed to the fixing means 5, and the fixing means 5 applies heat and pressure to fix the toner on the recording medium 4, and then discharges the toner. The rollers 3e, 3f1 and 3f2 discharge the sheet to the discharge section 6. In this way, the desired image is recorded on the recording medium 2.
To be recorded in. Although the so-called heat fixing is used as the fixing unit in this embodiment, a so-called pressure fixing device or the like can be applied in addition to this.

{Recycling of Process Cartridge} Next, recycling of the process cartridge according to this embodiment will be described. Conventionally, the process cartridge has been discarded as it is when the stored toner is used up.
Therefore, reusable parts, such as rollers, have been discarded together. However, due to the recent increase in global environmental protection, various electric devices and electronic devices should be recycled (recycled or reused) instead of discarding products as in the past for the purpose of resource saving, energy saving, and reduction of dust. Is beginning to take place.

Therefore, even in the process cartridge according to the present embodiment, the parts such as the charging member, the developing member, and the cleaning member have a long product life and can be used even after the toner in the cartridge is used. In that, it is considered that the cartridge after the toner is used is collected and the parts and the like are taken out and recycled.

Now, the procedure for recycling the process cartridge will be described. The general procedure for recycling process cartridges is (1) collection, (2) sorting,
(3) disassembly, (4) selection, (5) cleaning, (6) inspection, and (7) reassembly. This will be specifically described as follows.

(1) Collection Collect used process cartridges at a collection center with the cooperation of users and service personnel.

(2) Sorting Used process cartridges collected at collection centers in various places are transported to a cartridge recycling factory. Then, the collected used process cartridges are sorted by model.

(3) Disassembly Disassemble the sorted process cartridge and take out parts.

(4) Screening The taken out parts are inspected to select reusable parts and parts that have reached the end of their lives or are damaged and are not suitable for reuse.

(5) Cleaning Only the parts that have passed the selection are cleaned so that they can be reused as new cartridge parts.

(6) Inspection It is inspected whether the parts that have passed the screening and have been cleaned have their functions sufficiently restored and can be reused.

(7) Reassembly A new process cartridge is assembled using the parts that have passed the inspection.

At the time of recycling, the charging roller 8 and the developing sleeve 10d are reassembled and used, but the frame 1
Items 2, 13 and 14 crash and are reused as materials. At this time, if the frame bodies 12, 13, 14 are made of different materials, if they are crashed together, the mechanical properties will deteriorate when they are reused as materials. Therefore, you have to crash for each frame,
Since the toner frame and the developing frame are welded together, they cannot be separated unless the joint portion of both frames is cut, and the recycling process is troublesome.

Therefore, in this embodiment, as described above, the toner frame 12, the developing frame 13 and the cleaning frame 14 are all made of the same material (polystyrene resin), so that the respective frames 12, 13, 14 are formed. The mechanical properties do not deteriorate even if they are crushed into a crash reppet and reused as a material, improving recycling efficiency.

Since the polystyrene resin, which is the material of the frame, is the same material as the components of the toner used in this embodiment (both styrene type), the frame of the used cartridge is not completely cleaned and its inner wall Even if the frame body is crushed in the state where the toner is adhered to the toner, the mechanical properties are not deteriorated as in the case where different materials are mixed.

Since the cleaning frame body 14 is separable from the toner developing frame body C, it is not always necessary that the cleaning frame body 14 is made of the same material from the viewpoint of crashing by dividing the frame bodies made of the same material. However, as described above, from the viewpoint of being composed of the same material as the toner component, it is preferably composed of the same material as the toner developing frame C.

However, the cleaning frame 14 needs to have some mechanical strength to support the photosensitive drum 7 and the like. However, when the cleaning frame 14 is made of the same polystyrene resin as the toner developing frame C as in this embodiment, polyphenylene oxide (P
The mechanical strength is lower than that in the case of using PO) or polyphenylene ether (PPE).

Therefore, the cleaning frame body 14 of the present embodiment.
As shown in the partially cutaway view of FIG. 60, the upper wall portion 14n extends over both side walls 14p of the cleaning frame supporting the rotary shaft of the photosensitive drum 7 and covers the upper side of the photosensitive drum 7.
(FIG. 4, FIG. 7, FIG. 47 to FIG. 51), both side walls 14p
I am trying to reinforce.

A partition 14q is provided inside the waste toner reservoir 11c so as to be divided into a plurality of chambers, and a reinforcing rib 14r is provided on the inner side wall of each chamber. The partition wall 14g also has a function of preventing the toner stored in the waste toner reservoir 11c from moving carelessly in the longitudinal direction of the waste toner reservoir 11c and preventing the toner from leaking from the waste toner reservoir 11c.

By reinforcing the cleaning frame 14 as described above, sufficient mechanical strength can be obtained even if the frame 14 is made of polystyrene resin which is the same material as the toner developing frame C.

(Other Embodiments of Remanufacturing for Recycling of Process Cartridge) Next, another embodiment of remanufacturing for recycling of the process cartridge B will be described.

In the above-mentioned recycling procedure, the method of crashing the frame body and reusing it as a material has been described as an example, but in the embodiment described below, the frame body can be reused without crashing. This is an example of simple recycling.

The following is a description. Also in this embodiment, reproduction is performed according to the same procedure as the above-described recycling procedure. Here, (1) disassembly of the process cartridge B, (2) replenishment of toner to the toner storage 10a,
Each step of (3) attaching the cover film 28 for closing the opening 12e, and (4) reassembling the process cartridge B will be described.

Before explaining the disassembling step, the schematic structure of the toner developing frame C before disassembling will be described with reference to FIG. In the developing sleeve 10d, the sleeve flanges 10p fitted at both ends thereof have the first support piece 81 and the second support piece 8 respectively.
It is rotatably supported by 7, and is attached to the opening 13a of the developing device frame 13 to which the developing blade 10e is attached. Also, the magnet 1 mounted in the developing sleeve 10d
The shaft portions 10m projecting from both ends of 0c penetrate the sleeve flange 10p. The tip of the shaft portion 10m is the locking hole 7 provided in the first support member 77 and the second support member 78.
7a, 78a, the support members 77,
78 are fixed to both sides of the toner developing frame C by screws. That is, the sleeve flange 10p of the developing sleeve 10d is rotatably supported by the first and second support pieces 81 and 87, and the tip of the shaft portion 10m is positioned by the first and second support members 77 and 78. Supported. Incidentally, the first and second support members 77, 7 of the shaft portion 10m
8 is provided with a cutout in the locking portion 10n, and the cutout portion has a locking hole 77 for the first and second support members 77, 78.
The magnet 10c is positioned by fitting into the a and 78a.

(1) Disassembly Next, disassembly of the process cartridge B will be described.

As shown in FIG. 38, the process cartridge B is disassembled into the toner developing frame C and the cleaning frame 14. Upon disassembly, as shown in FIG. 39 (b),
The screw 3 fastened to the female screw portion 14j through the screw hole 38b
Remove 9. Then, the engagement of the spring 38e compressed in the spring receiving recess 13n is released, and the spring 38e is pulled out from the through hole 14k, and the vertical portion 38c is pulled out from the hole 14i.
The connecting member 38 is removed as shown in FIG. by this,
The toner developing frame C and the cleaning frame 14 that are rotatably connected about the connecting protrusion 13m can be easily disassembled to the left and right.

Then, both side surfaces of the toner developing frame C in the longitudinal direction are removed. In FIG. 71, the first support member 77
Is provided over both side surfaces of the integrated toner frame 12 and the developing frame 13 and covers the drive transmission gear train 83 for transmitting the driving force to the toner feeding member 10b of the developing means 10. It also serves as a frame. Further, in FIG. 73, the second support member 78 covers the side surface portion of the developing device frame 13 and also serves as the outer frame. The first support member 77
Also, the second supporting member 78 supports the engaging portion 10n provided at the tip of the shaft portion 10m fixedly mounted on the magnet 10c incorporated in the developing sleeve 10d by fitting them into the engaging holes 77a and 78a, respectively. ing.

When removing the first support member 77, as shown in FIG. 71, the screw hole 77p provided in the arm portion 13k, the screw hole 77c provided in the lower portion of the first support member, and the toner corresponding thereto are provided. Screws 80a fitted and fixed in the screw holes 79a and 79b on the developing device frame C side,
Remove 80b. Next, the pins 77d, 77e protruding from the inner surface of the first support member 77 are pulled out from the pin holes 81a, 81b provided in the first support piece 81 supporting the sleeve flange 10p, and the toner development is performed. The fitting with the boss 82 on the frame C side is released, the fitting with the locking portion 10n and the locking hole 77a is released, and the gear shaft 83d is further released.
The first supporting member 77 is removed from the side surface of the toner developing frame C by releasing the fitting between the first supporting member 77 and the fitting hole 77f.

Incidentally, when the first support piece 81 is attached at a predetermined position, the pin holes 81a provided in the support piece 81,
81b, which is a position facing 81b.
Pins 77d and 77e are projected on the side. Further, at a position facing the screw holes 77b and 77c provided in the first supporting member 77 and on the toner developing frame C side,
a and 79b are provided. Therefore, the screws 80a, 8
0b penetrates the first supporting member 77 and is fixed to the toner developing frame C, and at the same time, the pins 77d and 77e penetrate the first supporting piece 81 to position and fix the supporting piece 81 to the toner developing frame C. is doing.

Further, the arm portion 1 of the first supporting member 77.
A coupling protrusion 13m for fitting the toner developing frame C into the innermost portion of the coupling recess 14g of the cleaning frame 14 is integrally molded at the end of 3k.

The drive transmission gear train 83 is constituted by meshing four helical gears having different diameters. Specifically, the gear 10g fitted to the sleeve flange 10p integrally fitted to the end portion of the developing sleeve 10d, and the shafts 84a and 84 protruding from the toner frame side.
Gears 83a and 83b are attached so as to be fitted to b, and a gear 83c is connected to the end portion of the toner feeding member 10b via a fitting portion 84c. The above gear 10g
Engages with a helical gear 7c fitted to the end of the photosensitive drum 7 held on the cleaning frame 14 side. Therefore, the rotational force of the photoconductor drum 7 is changed by the gears 10g, 83a,
Toner feed member 10b via 83b and gear 83c
Is transmitted to drive the toner feeding member 10b. The gears 83a, 83b, 83c can be easily removed by pulling them out from the shafts 84a, 84b and the fitting portion 84c as shown in FIG.

Further, as shown in FIG. 72, the first support piece 81 has the gear flange 10p fitted to the end portion of the developing sleeve 10d and the gear 10g fitted to the sleeve flange 10p removed therefrom. The first support piece 81 loosely fitted in 10P is rotated in the clockwise direction so that the developing device frame 13
Remove from.

Next, when removing the second support member 78, as shown in FIG. 73, the screw hole 78b provided in the arm portion 13k, the screw hole 78c provided near the center of the second support member, and the screw holes 78c are provided. Developing frame 13 corresponding to
Screw 8 fitted and fixed in the screw holes 85a and 85b on the side
Remove 6a and 86b. Next, the pin 78d protruding from the inner surface side of the second support member 78 is pulled out from the pin hole 88a provided in the second support piece 87 supporting the sleeve flange 10p, and the second support member 78 is also pulled out. The protrusion 78e protruding on the inner surface side of is pulled out from the space 88b.
Further, the second support member 78 of the toner developing frame C is released from the toner developing frame C by releasing the engagement with the boss 89 on the developing frame 13 side and further releasing the engagement with the locking portion 10n and the locking hole 78a. Remove from the side.

When the second support piece 87 is attached at a predetermined position, the second support member 78 is provided with a pin facing the pin hole 88a provided in the second support piece 87. 78d is projected. Therefore, the pin 78d penetrates the second support piece 87, and the support piece 87 is connected to the developing frame 1.
Position and fix to 3.

Further, the arm portion 13 of the second support member 78.
At the end of K, the toner developing frame C is attached to the cleaning frame 1.
The coupling projection 13m for fitting in the innermost portion of the coupling recess 14g of No. 4 is integrally molded.

An electrode 90 for applying a developing bias to the developing sleeve 10d is attached to the inner surface of the second supporting member 78 and around the locking hole 78a. Therefore, by removing the second support member 78, the contact between the electrode 90 and the contact piece 91 pulled out from the developing sleeve 10d is released.

Next, as shown in FIG. 73, the second supporting piece 87 is loosely fitted to the sleeve flange 10p integrally fitted to the end portion of the developing sleeve 10d, and the second supporting piece 87 is formed. Is rotated counterclockwise and removed from the developing device frame 13. That is, the sleeve flange 10 p on one end side of the developing sleeve 10 d is rotatably supported by the first support piece 81, and the sleeve flange 10 p on the other end side is rotatably supported by the second support piece 87. .

As described above, since the first support piece 81 and the second support piece 87 support the sleeve flange 10p which rotates together with the developing sleeve 10d, an abrasion resistant material such as polyacetal resin or polybutylene terephthalate is used. There is. Further, the first support member 77 and the second support member 78 are for fixing and supporting the shaft portion 10m connected to the magnet 10c, and not for supporting the rotating member, so that the manufacturing cost is taken into consideration. It is not always necessary to use a wear-resistant material. In this embodiment, it is made of polystyrene resin which is lower in cost than the wear resistant material. That is, in this embodiment, the first and second support pieces 81, 87
Since the first and second support members 77 and 78 are made of different members and made of different materials, the manufacturing cost can be reduced and the assembling workability can be improved.

Next, as shown in FIG. 74, the developing sleeve 10d whose support at both ends of the shaft portion 10m is opened is removed in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction. Next, the screws 92a, 92b fitted and fixed in the screw holes 13u, 13v provided on the blade mounting surface 13f of the developing device frame 13 and the corresponding screw holes 10q, 10r of the blade mounting member 10j are removed. Then, the engagement and fitting of the notch 10s that engages with the left and right positioning bosses 13g provided on the blade mounting surface 13f of the developing device frame 13 and the fitting hole 10t that engages with the developing device are released, and the developing blade 10e develops. Remove from body 13. With the above, the disassembling work is completed.

As a result, the opening 13a of the toner developing frame C equipped with the antenna wire 27 and the toner feeding member 10b on the back side can be opened. In the disassembly work described above, after removing the first support member 77, the second support member 78 is removed.
Although the description has been made so as to remove, the order of disassembly may be from any order, or both may be performed at the same time in the case of automation. Similarly, in the assembling work described later, either may be performed, or both may be performed simultaneously in both directions.

(2) Replenishment of Toner Next, toner is replenished to the toner developing frame C after disassembly. When replenishing, as shown in FIG. 75, the toner developing frame C is held with the opening 13a facing upward,
The tip portion is inserted into the toner reservoir 10a from the opening 13a using a funnel 93 or the like and set. Then, separately prepared refilling toner is poured into the funnel 93 as shown by an arrow in the drawing to fill the toner reservoir 10a. still,
It is not limited to the funnel 93 that is used when replenishing the toner, and any other device may be used as long as it can smoothly fill the toner reservoir 10a without leaking the toner. For example, a predetermined amount of toner is automatically discharged from the nozzle. It may be automated by using a mechanism for discharging and replenishing.

(3) Attachment of Cover Film Next, the opening 12a of the toner frame 12 after the above toner replenishment
The cover film 28 is attached to. Hereinafter, this method will be described. As shown in FIG. 76 (b), the cover film 28 is held so as to be wound on both sides of a thin plate 94 such as a stainless plate having a thickness of less than about 1 mm. An adhesive layer 28a is provided on one surface of the cover film 28,
The release sheet 28b is attached on the adhesive layer 28a. The release sheet 28b covers the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 28a so as not to be peeled off from the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 28a when attached, and is folded back on the opposite surface side beyond the tip portion 94a of the thin plate 94 so as to overlap the release sheet 28b covering the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 28a. Is attached to.

Next, as shown in FIG. 76 (a), the toner leakage prevention seal 29 is inserted from the gap t (t = about 1 mm) provided at the joining portion of the toner frame 12 and the developing frame 13 on the shorter side.
While compressing the (sponge), the tip portion 94a of the thin plate 94 holding the film 28 and the sheet 28b described above is pushed in the direction of the arrow and inserted so as to close the opening 12a. Hereinafter, from the disassembly / cleaning of the toner developing frame C to the developing sleeve 1
The attaching process of the cover film 28 up to the assembling of 0d will be specifically described with reference to FIG.

First, as shown in FIG. 77 (a), the developing sleeve 10d is removed from the toner developing frame C according to the disassembling process described above. Then, the opening 1 of the developing device frame 13
3a inside and the opening 1 of the toner frame 12 continuous with this
The residual toner inside the toner reservoir 10a provided inside the opening 2a and further inside the opening 12a is cleaned using an air gun or the like.

Next, as shown in FIG. 77 (b), toner is filled in the toner reservoir 10a through the opening 13a in accordance with the above-mentioned toner replenishing step (2).

Next, as shown in FIG. 77 (c), the cover film 28 is prepared to be wound around the front end portion 94a of the thin plate 94. In this embodiment, the thin plate 94 has a width of 40 m.
SUS of m, length 350 mm, thickness 0.3 mm
A (stainless steel) plate was used. Of course, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be appropriately selected.

Next, as shown in FIG. 78, the operator holds the thin plate 94 around which the cover film 28 is wound by hand, and the arrow is drawn from the gap t formed on the side surface side (right side in the drawing) to which the second support member 78 is attached. Insert in the direction. That is, FIG.
As shown in (d), the operator can move the tip 9 of the thin plate 94.
4a is a toner leakage prevention seal 2 on the second support member 78 side.
9 and the toner frame 12 and through the opening 12a, and further inserted up to the middle between the toner leakage prevention seal 29 and the toner frame 12 on the first support member 77 side. At this time, the peeling sheet 28b is pulled back to the side of the adhesive layer 28a before the space between the toner leakage prevention seal 29 and the toner frame 12 is reached, and the folded back portion of the thin plate 94 is passed over the tip portion 94a.

Then, after inserting the thin plate 94 to the middle between the toner leakage prevention seal 29 and the toner frame 12, as shown in FIG. 77 (e), the cover film 28 is inserted.
The release sheet 28b so as not to pull it back.
Hold 8c and pull out from gap t. As a result, the release sheet 28b is peeled off from the adhesive layer 28a, and the adhesive layer 28a is sequentially attached around the opening 12a on the toner frame 12 side by the pressing force of the thin plate 94. Then, the thin plate 94 is completely pulled out from the gap t. As a result, the opening 12a is sealed and the attachment of the cover film 28 is completed. still,
When the release sheet 28b is pulled out, the tip on the folded back side is on the side of the adhesive layer 28a, so that it can be pulled out smoothly.

Next, as shown in FIG. 77 (f), the developing sleeve 10d is assembled to the toner developing frame C. This step will be described in detail later in (4) Reassembly of the process cartridge B.

Incidentally, the toner leakage prevention seal 2 provided at both joints of the toner frame 12 and the developing frame 13 on the shorter side.
Reference numeral 9 is a sponge, which usually has a thickness of about 2 mm, and is press-fitted into a gap t of about 1 mm, in addition to the seal 2.
8 is further compressed by being inserted, so that the restoring force maintains a good sealed state.

The thin plate 94 is not limited to a metal plate such as stainless steel, but may be a plastic plate or the like as long as it has a certain degree of rigidity.

Also, the cover film 2 used in this example.
The material of No. 8 is, for example, polyester, OPP, non-woven fabric, or the like, and a long sheet having a thickness of, for example, about 50 μm to about 150 μm (standard value 100 μm) is used.

Another embodiment of the method of attaching the cover film 28 will be described with reference to FIG. still,
The steps of (a) disassembly / cleaning, (b) toner filling, and (g) assembly are the same as those shown in FIGS. 77 (a), (b), and (f).
Since it is the same as the step shown in FIG. 6, the same drawing is used, and the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description is used.

First, (a) the developing sleeve 10d is removed from the toner developing frame C, and the toner developing frame C is cleaned. Next, (b) the toner developing frame C is charged with toner (see FIGS. 77 (a) and 77 (b)).

Next, as shown in FIG. 79 (c), the cover film 28 is prepared to be wound around the front end portion 94a of the thin plate 94. In this embodiment, as in FIG. 77, the cover film 28 is held so as to be wound around both sides of the thin plate 94. Hot melt 95 is applied to one surface (lower side of the drawing) of the cover film 28 up to the vicinity of the tip 94a of the thin plate 94 (see thick line in enlarged view). This hot melt 95
When it is heated to about 40 ° to about 80 °, it melts and acts as an adhesive, but at room temperature it is a solid with a smooth surface. Therefore, preferably as shown by the broken line in the enlarged view,
By applying the hot melt 95 to the cover film 28 wrapped around both ends of the thin plate 94, the slip is improved, and the thin plate 94 is easily inserted into the gap t. As a material for the hot melt 95, a thermoplastic resin such as nylon-based, polyester-based, polyolefin-based or ethylene vinyl acetate-based resin is preferably used.

Next, the operator holds the thin plate 94 wound with the cover film 28 by hand and inserts it into the gap t formed on the side surface side to which the second support member 78 is attached. That is,
Next, as shown in FIG.
The front end portion 94a of the second support member 78 and the toner leakage preventing seal 29 on the side of the second supporting member 78 and the toner frame 12 to pass through the opening 12a.
After that, it is further inserted up to the middle between the toner leakage prevention seal 29 on the first support member 77 side and the toner frame 12.

Next, as shown in FIG. 79 (e), the thin plate 9
4 is completely pulled out from the gap t. At this time, the cover film 28 is held in a state in which the film coated with the hot melt 95 and the film folded back without being coated overlap each other. That is, the cover film 28 is the toner frame 1
Both ends are held by the restoring force of the toner leakage prevention seal 29 (sponge) that is press-fitted into both the joints on the shorter side of the developing frame 13 and the developing frame 13.

Next, as shown in FIG. 79 (f), the toner developing frame body C is filled with toner on the support base 96, and the toner frame body 12 side and the developing frame body 13 are lengthwise with the toner frame body 12 side facing down. Place and fix so that both side joints are supported. And
About 40 ° with respect to the cover film 28 coated with the hot melt 95 using the heating tool 97 from the developing frame 13 side.
~ Heat at about 80 °. At this time, heat is transferred to the toner frame 12 side through the developing frame 13 and the hot melt 95
Melts and acts as an adhesive, and sticks around the opening 12a on the toner frame 12 side. Thereby, the opening 12a
Can be completely sealed by the cover film 28.

Next, (g) the developing sleeve 10d is assembled to the toner developing frame C (see FIG. 77 (f)).

According to this embodiment, the structure of the cover film 28 can be simplified, and the work for removing the release sheet 28b can be omitted when the cover film 28 is attached. Therefore, the workability is further improved. To do.

(4) Assembly of Process Cartridge B As described above, the toner reservoir 10a is refilled with toner, and the opening 12a of the toner frame 12 is covered with the cover film 28.
Is attached again, the opening 12a is sealed with the cover film 28, and then the process cartridge B is assembled again. In order to reassemble the process cartridge B, the disassembling step shown in (1) above may be carried out in the reverse order. That is, as shown in FIG. 74, the developing blade 10e is attached by screwing the blade attaching member 10j to the blade attaching surface 13f of the developing device frame 13. After that, the developing sleeve 10d is set so as to cover the opening 13a such that both ends of the developing sleeve 10d are in contact with the toner leakage prevention seal 10h.

Next, as shown in FIG. 73, the developing sleeve 1
The second support piece 87 was fitted to the sleeve flange 10p of 0d, locked to the developing device frame 13, and fitted to the locking hole 78a of the second support member 78 so as to lock the locking portion 10n. After that, these are screwed.

Next, as shown in FIG. 72, the developing sleeve 1
The first support piece 81 is fitted to the sleeve flange 10p of 0d and locked to the developing device frame 13,
Fit the gear 10g into p. Further, the shafts 84a and 84b protruding from the toner frame 12 and the gear 83a on the fitting portion 84c,
83b and 83c are fitted and engaged with each other. Next, the first support member 77, the pins 77d and 77e, the pin holes 81a,
81b, the locking portion 10n is locked in the locking hole 77a, and the gear shaft 83d is fitted in the fitting hole 77f so that the gear shaft 83d fits in the fitting hole 77f. Assemble the frame C.

Here, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 80, the drive transmission gear train 83 is attached to the first support member 77.
Holes 77g and 77h are drilled at positions corresponding to.
Therefore, the assembling operator can directly visually confirm, through the holes 77g and 77h, whether or not each gear is properly attached after the toner developing frame C is assembled, for example, at the final assembly inspection in a factory. If necessary, the gear 10g fitted into the sleeve flange 10p can be manually rotated to check the rotation state of each gear through the holes 77g and 77h. Therefore, the assembling workability can be remarkably improved.

The holes 77g and 77h are provided with the first support member 7 in consideration of visually confirming the presence or absence of the gear or the rotating state of the gear and minimizing the intrusion of dust and the like.
2 places in 7 and the hole diameter is about φ2mm ~ φ about 10mm
The optimum value is about 5 mm. In addition, the above holes 77g, 7
The position 7h is preferably a position where the meshing state of each gear can be confirmed, or a position where the individual gears can be confirmed. In the present embodiment, a position where the meshing state of the gears 83a and 83b can be confirmed (opposite the meshing position of both gears). position)
The gear 83b is provided at a position where it can be confirmed (a position facing the gear 83b).

It is not always necessary to provide the above-mentioned hole, but it may be provided if necessary. When the above holes are provided, the number, size, arrangement, etc. of the holes may be appropriately selected.

Next, the toner developing frame C is assembled to the cleaning frame 14 so that the connecting protrusion 13m provided on the first and second supporting members 77 and 78 is fitted into the connecting recess 14g on the cleaning frame 14 side. Then, the connecting member 38
The spring 38e to the through hole 14k and the vertical portion 38c to the hole 14k.
i respectively, and the base body 38a is pushed in and fitted,
By fixing the base body 38a with a screw, both are fixed,
The assembly of the process cartridge B is completed.

The above-mentioned mounting work is performed by the second support member 78.
Although it has been described that the first support member 77 is removed after attaching, the order of attachment may be any, or both may be performed simultaneously in the case of automation.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the method of assembling the process cartridge has been described by taking the case of recycling as an example, but the invention is not limited to this, and a case of assembling a new process cartridge Also applies to. In this embodiment, after the developing sleeve 10d is removed, the toner is replenished from the opening 13a formed in the developing frame body 13. However, at a position corresponding to the toner reservoir 10a of the toner frame body 12, for example, a drill or the like is used. It is also possible to make a hole with a tool, replenish the toner from the hole, and then seal the hole with a seal or the like. In this case, since the cover film can be attached prior to the replenishment of the toner, it is possible to further prevent the toner leakage at the time of replenishing the toner.

That is, when replenishing the toner into the toner reservoir 10a through the opening 13a as in the above-described embodiment, the toner is replenished before the cover film 28 is attached. When a hole for replenishing toner is formed in the toner frame 12 as in this embodiment, the cover film 28 can be attached prior to replenishing the toner.

The numerical values described above are examples of this embodiment and are not limited to these. Further, it goes without saying that each step of the above-mentioned embodiment may be appropriately automated by using a robot.

[Other Embodiments] Next, other embodiments of the respective parts of the above-mentioned process cartridge and image forming apparatus will be described.

(Charging Means) In the above-described first embodiment, one end of the roller shaft 8a is abutted with the abutment portion 24 of the bearing 24 in order to prevent the charging roller 8 from moving in the roller axial direction.
Although it is made to abut against a, as another embodiment, as shown in FIG.
And a bearing 5 having a cylindrical hole 52a as shown in FIG.
It is also possible to support one end of the roller shaft 8a of the charging roller 8 by means of 2. In this structure, when the roller shaft 8a receives a biasing force in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 61, the end of the roller shaft abuts the bottom 52b of the cylindrical hole 52a and is positioned. Therefore, even with this configuration, the same effect as that of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

As the material of the bearing 52, it is preferable to use a material such as polyacetal having excellent slidability with respect to metal, as in the bearing 24 of the first embodiment.

Further, as shown in FIG. 63, a notch 52c may be provided in the side portion of the bearing 52, and the notch 52c may be elastically deformed to forcibly insert the charging roller shaft 8a. By doing so, the assembling property of the charging roller 8 is improved. Further, when the notch 52c is configured to face downward when the process cartridge B is mounted, even if a minute shaving powder comes out in the cylindrical hole 52a, the shaving powder falls downward from the notch 52c and enters the hole 52a. It will not remain. Therefore, the roller shaft 8a can be stably rotated in the hole 52a.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the bearing 24 or the bearing 52 is used to support one end of the charging roller shaft 8a. However, the bearing 24 or 52 serves to support the rotary shaft of the developing sleeve 10d or the like. You may support it.

Further, in the above-mentioned first embodiment, an example in which the regulating member 14b is provided so that the contact member 26 is not plastically deformed when the charging roller shaft 8a is moved is shown, but as another embodiment, it is shown in FIG. As described above, the cleaning frame 14 may be provided with the rib 53 serving as a regulating member, and the contact member 26 may be fixed to the rib 53 by thermal caulking or the like. In this way, even if the force P shown by the arrow in FIG. 64 is applied to the charging roller 8, the contact member 26 comes into contact with the rib 53 and further deformation is suppressed. Therefore, even if the force P is applied by accidentally dropping the cartridge B during the distribution process or the user's use, the contact member 26 can be prevented from being damaged.

Further, as shown in FIG. 65, a cushioning material 54 such as rubber is attached to the side surface of the rib 53 by a double-sided tape or an adhesive so that the cushioning material 54 is interposed between the rib 53 and the contact member 26. You can This way,
Even if the force P in the direction of the arrow is applied to the charging roller 8, the contact member 26 can prevent the contact member 26 from being plastically deformed by the buffer material 54. Further, unless the tip end of the contact member 26 and the axial end surface of the rotating roller shaft 8a are in parallel contact, the tip end of the contact member 26 is abutted against the axial end surface of the roller shaft 8a and vibrates. It is easy to make noise. However, if the cushioning material 54 is provided as described above,
The vibration can be suppressed to prevent the generation of abnormal noise.

(Developing Means) In the first embodiment described above, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, the developing frame 13 has three ribs 13 b, 1
3c and 13d are provided so that the tips of the second ribs 13c are edge-shaped so as to bite into the developing blade 10e, but the tips of the second ribs 13c are not necessarily edge-shaped, but are shown in FIG. 66, for example. As described above, the tip may have an acute angle, and the tip may be strongly pressed against the developing blade 10e.

In the above-described first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 18, when the exposed portion of the antenna wire 27 is impacted, the antenna wire 27 is prevented from floating above the recess 13e of the developing device frame 13 so that the antenna wire 27 does not float up. Bent portion 27b on line 27
Was set up. However, the shape of the bent portion 27b is not limited to the shape shown in FIG.
In addition, for example, as shown in FIG.
A trapezoidal shape or the like as shown in (b) is also effective.

As a structure for preventing the antenna wire 27 from floating, the bent portion 27 is formed on the antenna wire 27.
In addition to the provision of b, as shown in FIG.
3 may be provided with a cut 13p to form an antenna regulation portion, and the antenna wire 27 may be inserted through the cut 13p. In this way, even if an external force in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 68 is applied to the antenna wire 27, the antenna wire 27 does not float up from the developing device frame 13 and the developing device frame 13
There is no gap between the toner leakage prevention seal 29 and the toner leakage prevention seal 29.

In addition to the structure in which the notch 13p is provided, as shown in FIG. 69, the antenna wire 2 is provided on the developing device frame 13.
It is also possible to provide a round hole 13q having a size through which 7 passes to form an antenna restriction portion, and to pass the antenna wire 27 through the round hole 13q. Even with this, the cut 13p
69, even if an external force in the direction of the arrow in FIG.
Never rises up.

In the first embodiment described above, the positioning of the developing sleeve 10d in the direction of the rotation axis was not described, but this positioning is also performed by mounting one end of the rotation axis on the bearing member similarly to the charging roller 8 shown in FIG. The bearing member may be abutted and positioned, and the structure of this bearing member is shown in FIG.
It is also possible to have a cylindrical shape as shown in FIGS.

Further, in addition to the developing sleeve 10d, when a non-magnetic toner is used, for example, a toner layer is formed on the surface of the developing sleeve 10d by a coating roller. In this case, the coating roller is also used. The bearing member may have the same structure as described above, and the rotary shaft may be positioned so as to abut.

(Cleaning Means) In the above-described embodiment, in the developing means, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, an example is shown in which the blowing sheet 10i and the toner leakage prevention seal 10h overlap each other. 12 and FIG. 13 may be configured in the cleaning means in the relation of the cleaning blade 11a, the squeeze sheet 11b, and the toner leakage prevention seal 11e with respect to the photosensitive drum 7. That is, it is preferable that the cleaning sheet 11b and the toner leak prevention seal 11e overlap each other outside the both ends in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning blade 11a.

(Others) The process cartridge B according to the present invention is not limited to the case where a single color image is formed as described above, but a plurality of developing means 10 are provided and a plurality of color images (for example, two color image, three color image or It can also be suitably applied to a cartridge that forms a full-color (or the like).

As the developing method, various known developing methods such as a two-component magnetic brush developing method, a cascade developing method, a touchdown developing method and a cloud developing method can be used.

Further, as the structure of the charging means, the so-called contact charging method was used in the above-described first embodiment, but a metal shield such as aluminum is provided around the three sides of the tungsten wire which has been conventionally used as another structure. It is of course possible to use a configuration in which positive or negative ions generated by applying a high voltage to the tungsten wire are moved to the surface of the photosensitive drum 7 and the surface of the drum 7 is uniformly charged. is there.

The charging means may be of blade type (charging blade), pad type, block type, rod type, wire type or the like other than the roller type.

Further, as a method for cleaning the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 7, the cleaning means may be constituted by using a blade, a fur brush, a magnetic brush or the like.

The above-mentioned process cartridge 9 is provided with, for example, an electrophotographic photosensitive member as an image carrier and at least one of process means. Therefore, as the mode of the process cartridge, in addition to the embodiment described above, for example, the image carrier and the charging means are integrally made into a cartridge, which can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body. The image carrier and the developing means are integrally formed into a cartridge, which can be attached to and detached from the main body of the apparatus. The image carrier and the cleaning means are integrally made into a cartridge so that it can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body. Further, there is one in which an image carrier and two or more of the above-mentioned process means are combined into an integrated cartridge, which can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body.

That is, the above-mentioned process cartridge is one in which the charging means, the developing means or the cleaning means and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally made into a cartridge, and the cartridge can be attached to and detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus. . Further, at least one of the charging means, the developing means, and the cleaning means and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally made into a cartridge so that it can be attached to and detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus. Further, it means that at least the developing means and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally made into a cartridge so as to be attachable to and detachable from the apparatus main body.

Although the laser beam printer has been illustrated as the image forming apparatus in the above-mentioned embodiments, the present invention is not limited to this, and other examples such as an LED printer, an electrophotographic copying machine, a facsimile machine, or a word processor can be used. Of course, it can be used in an image forming apparatus.

[0283]

According to the present invention relating to the above-described structure and method, when the process cartridge is assembled, the first frame for assembling the image carrier and the second frame for assembling the developing means are disassembled. Since the developing means is attached to the second frame, the assembling work can be performed using a wider space, and the assembling workability is remarkably improved.

Furthermore, in another aspect of the present invention, the first support member is provided with an opening so that an inspector can visually inspect the attachment of the gear means during assembly. Therefore, since the inspector can visually check the mounting state of the gear at the time of inspection at the factory, the number of assembling steps can be reduced, and the assembling workability is remarkably improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall cross-sectional explanatory view of an image forming apparatus equipped with a process cartridge.

FIG. 2 is an external view of an image forming apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional explanatory diagram of a process cartridge.

FIG. 4 is an external view of a process cartridge.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a left guide member.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a right guide member.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory cross-sectional view in which the process cartridge is divided into each frame.

FIG. 8A is a longitudinal sectional view of the photosensitive drum,
(B) is a sectional view in the radial direction of rotation.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a conductive member that contacts a metal shaft.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a bearing of a charging roller.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an overlapping state of a blow-out seal and a toner leak seal.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a positional relationship among a developing blade, a toner leakage prevention seal, and a blowout sheet.

13A is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 11, and FIG. 13B is a sectional view taken along line BB of FIG.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram when the blowing sheet is bent.

FIG. 15 is an enlarged cross-sectional explanatory view of a state where the edge-like rib bites into the developing blade.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory cross-sectional view when the adhesive of the antenna wire is raised.

FIG. 17 (a) is an explanatory view of a state where the antenna wire is dropped and the adhesive is raised, (b) is an explanatory view of a state where the adhesive is raised, and (c) is a state in which a seal member is attached. FIG.

FIG. 18A is a cross-sectional explanatory view when the antenna wire is not bent, and FIG. 18B is a cross-sectional explanatory view when the antenna wire is bent.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory view showing a state where the cover film is pulled out obliquely.

FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram of a relationship with a toner leak prevention seal when the cover film is pulled out obliquely.

FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram showing a state where the tear-off prevention sheet is attached at a distance from the edge of the toner leakage prevention seal.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram showing sizes of respective portions of the photosensitive drum, the developing sleeve, and the charging roller.

FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram showing sizes of charging rollers.

FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram of toner leak prevention seals and partitions provided on both ends of the cleaning blade.

FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram of toner leakage prevention seals and partitions provided on both ends of the cleaning blade.

FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram for sticking toner leakage prevention seals provided on both ends of the cleaning blade.

FIG. 27 is a state explanatory view when the developing device frame is die-cut.

FIG. 28 is an explanatory diagram of a state when the cleaning frame body is die-cut.

FIG. 29 is a process explanatory view of ultrasonically welding a toner frame and a developing frame.

FIG. 30 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment in which a toner frame and a developing frame are provided with positioning bosses and fitting holes on both sides in the lateral direction of the frame.

FIG. 31 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment in which a plurality of positioning bosses and fitting holes for a toner frame and a developing frame are provided in the longitudinal direction of the frame.

32A is an explanatory view of a state where the toner developing frame is mounted on the assembly tray, and FIG. 32B is an explanatory diagram of a state where the cleaning frame is mounted on the assembly tray.

FIG. 33 is a process explanatory view of assembling the toner developing frame by an automatic machine.

FIG. 34 is a process explanatory view of assembling the cleaning frame body by an automatic machine.

FIG. 35 is a configuration explanatory view in which the photosensitive drum is prevented from coming into contact with the table when the cleaning frame is placed on the table.

FIG. 36 is a structural explanatory view in which the photosensitive drum is prevented from coming into contact with the table when the cleaning frame is placed on the table.

FIG. 37 is a structural explanatory view in which the developing sleeve is prevented from coming into contact with the base when the toner developing frame is placed on the base.

FIG. 38 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a state in which the toner developing frame body and the cleaning frame body are coupled by the coupling member.

FIG. 39 (a) is a perspective explanatory view with a coupling member attached, and FIG. 39 (b) is a cross-sectional explanatory view with a coupling member attached.

FIG. 40 is an explanatory diagram showing the left side surface of the process cartridge.

FIG. 41 is an explanatory view of a state in which the process cartridge is attached to the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 42 is an explanatory view of a state in which the process cartridge is attached to the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 43 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the process cartridge is attached to the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 44 is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the process cartridge is attached to the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 45 is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the process cartridge is attached to the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 46 is an explanatory diagram of a state where the process cartridge is removed from the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 47 is a structural explanatory view for opening / closing a laser shutter.

FIG. 48 is an explanatory diagram in which a handle portion is configured by a horizontal rib.

FIG. 49 is an explanatory view showing a state where the handle portion of the cartridge is held by hand.

FIG. 50 is an explanatory diagram in which the handle portion is formed by a concave portion.

[Fig. 51] Fig. 51 is an explanatory diagram in which the handle portion is formed by a convex portion.

FIG. 52 is a layout explanatory view of each contact provided in the process cartridge.

FIG. 53 is an explanatory view of the arrangement of contacts provided on the apparatus body.

FIG. 54 is an explanatory diagram of the configuration of contacts and contact pins.

FIG. 55 is a toner remaining amount detection circuit diagram.

FIG. 56 is a graph showing the relationship between the toner amount and the toner remaining amount detection voltage.

FIG. 57 is a circuit diagram of an embodiment in which cartridge presence / absence detection is performed by an inverter.

FIG. 58 is a circuit diagram of an embodiment in which cartridge presence / absence detection is performed by a digital signal.

FIG. 59 is a functional block diagram of a control configuration.

FIG. 60 is an internal explanatory diagram of a cleaning frame body.

FIG. 61 is an explanatory diagram of another embodiment of the charging roller bearing.

FIG. 62 is an explanatory diagram of another embodiment of the charging roller bearing.

FIG. 63 is an explanatory diagram of another embodiment of the charging roller bearing.

FIG. 64 is an explanatory view of another embodiment of the contact member deformation preventing structure.

FIG. 65 is an explanatory view of another embodiment of the contact member deformation preventing structure.

FIG. 66 is an explanatory diagram of an example in which the tips of the second ribs in the developing device frame have an acute angle.

67A is an explanatory diagram of an example in which the bent portion of the antenna wire has a semicircular shape, and FIG. 67B is an explanatory diagram of an example of a trapezoidal shape.

FIG. 68 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment in which a developing frame is provided with a notch and an antenna wire is passed through the notch to prevent the antenna wire from being lifted.

FIG. 69 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment in which a developing frame is provided with a round hole and an antenna wire is passed through the round hole to prevent the antenna wire from floating.

FIG. 70 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of the toner developing frame before disassembly.

FIG. 71 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the first support member is removed from the toner developing frame.

FIG. 72 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the drive transmission gear train is removed from the toner developing frame.

FIG. 73 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the second support member is removed from the developing device frame.

FIG. 74 is an illustration showing a state in which the developing sleeve and the developing blade have been removed from the developing device frame.

FIG. 75 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which toner is supplied to the toner developing frame.

FIG. 76 is an explanatory diagram showing a cover film attached to the toner developing frame and a method of attaching the cover film.

FIG. 77 is an explanatory diagram showing a work process of attaching the cover film to the toner developing frame.

FIG. 78 is an explanatory view showing the work of attaching the cover film to the toner developing frame.

FIG. 79 is an explanatory diagram showing a work process of attaching a cover film to a toner developing frame according to another embodiment.

FIG. 80 is an explanatory view showing holes formed in the first support member.

[Explanation of symbols]

A image forming apparatus B process cartridge C toner development frame 1 optical system 1a optical unit 1a1 opening 1b polygon mirror 1c scanner motor 1d imaging lens 1e reflection mirror 1f laser diode 2 recording medium 3 transport means 3a feeding tray 3a1 inner member 3a2 External member 3b Pickup roller 3c1, 3c2 Separation roller 3d1, 3d2 Registration roller 3e Intermediate discharge roller 3f1, 3f2 Discharge roller 3g Guide member 3h Cassette 3i Pickup roller 3j Feed roller 3k Sensor 4 Transfer means 5 Fixing means 5a Driving roller 5b Fixing roller 5c heater 6 discharge part 7 photosensitive drum 7a drum base 7b organic photosensitive layer 7c helical gear 7c1 flange part 7c2 boss 7d gear flange 7d1 boss 7e filler 7f contact Agent 8 Charging Means 8a Roller Shaft 9 Exposure Section 9a Notch 10 Developing Means 10a Toner Reservoir 10b Toner Feeding Member 10c Magnet 10d Developing Sleeve 10e Developing Blade 10f Ring Member 10g Gear 10h Toner Leak Prevention Seal 10i Blow Sheet 10j Blade Mounting Member 10k Shaft part 10n Locking part 10p Sleeve flange 10q, 10r, 13u, 13v, 77b, 77c, 7
8b, 78c, 79a, 79b, 85a, 85b Screw hole 10s Notch portion 10t Fitting hole 11 Cleaning means 11a Cleaning blade 11b Squisheet 11c Waste toner reservoir 11c1 Squisheet attaching seating surface 11c2 Upper edge 11c3 Toner member 11d Blade leaking member 11e Prevention seal 12 Toner frame 12a Fitting hole 12b Bottom portion 12c Fitting hole 12d Horizontal rib 12e Opening 12f Cover film pull-out knob 12g Tsuba 13 Developing frame 13a Opening 13b First rib 13c Second rib 13d Third rib 13e Recess 13f Blade Mounting surface 13g Positioning boss 13h Joining surface 13i Positioning boss 13j Projection part 13k Arm part 13m Coupling projection 13n Spring receiving recess 13o Lower end edge 13p Notch 13q Round hole 13r Upper surface 13 Rib strip 13t Reinforcing rib 14 Cleaning frame 14a Bearing portion 14b Regulation member 14c Blade mounting surface 14d Positioning boss 14e Fitting hole 14f Projection portion 14g Coupling recess 14h Fastening portion 14i Fitting hole 14j Female screw portion 14k Through hole 14m Protrusion 14n Upper wall Part 14o Locking concave part 14p Side wall 14q Partition wall 14r Reinforcing rib 15 Device body 15a Operation part 16 Opening / closing cover 16a Hinge 17 Left guide member 17a First guide part 17b Second guide part 17b1 Step part 17c Bearing part 17d Rotation regulation guide part 18 Right guide member 18a First guide portion 18b Second guide portion 18b1 Step portion 18c Bearing portion 18d Shutter cam portion 19 Pressing member 19a Torsion coil spring 19b Roller 20 Abutting member 20a Contact surface 21 Metal shaft 21a Shaft portion 21b Collar portion 1c Screw 22 Conductive member 22a Hole 22b Contact point 22c Claw 23 Bearing 24 Bearing 24a Abutment 25 Spring 26 Contact member 27 Antenna wire 27a Contact point 27b Bend 28 Cover film 28a Adhesive layer 28b Release sheet 29 Toner leak prevention Seal 29a Shredding prevention sheet 30 Adhesive 31 Gap 32 Gap 33 Developing frame forming mold 34 Cleaning frame forming mold 35 Drum shutter 35a Link part 35b Arm part 35c Shaft 35d Link boss 35e Twisting coil spring 36 Assembly tray 36a Member 36b Conveyor roller 37 Assembly tray 37a Fitting protrusion 37b Conveyor roller 38 Coupling member 38a Base body 38b Screw hole 38c Vertical portion 38d Spring mounting portion 38e Compression spring 39 Screw 40 Projecting rib 41 Pressure surface 42 Positioning groove 42a Contact surface 43 Auxiliary rib 44 Link member 45 Drive gear 46 Laser shutter 46a Shutter part 46b Link part 46c Shaft 47 Arm member 47a Shaft 47b Spring 48 Development bias contact member 49 Charging bias contact member 50a For antenna wire Contact member 50b Development bias contact pin 50c Charging bias contact pin 50d Holder cover 50e Electric substrate 50f Conductive compression spring 51 Grounding contact member 52 Bearing 52a Cylindrical hole 52b Hole bottom 52c Notch 53 Rib 54 Cushioning material 60 Sensor 61 Sensor Group 61a Toner remaining amount detection sensor 62 Host 63 Exposure 64 Charging 65 Development 66 Transfer 67 Fixing 68 Conveyance 69 Driver 70 Counter 71 Drive motor 72 Exchange notification 73 Recessed portion 74 Convex portion 75 Receiving jig 75a Recessed portion 76 Holding jig 77 First support member 77a, 78a Locking hole 77d, 78d, 77e Pin 77f Fitting hole 77g, 77h Hole 78e Protrusion 78 Second support piece 80a, 80b, 86a, 86b, 92a, 92b Screw 81th One support piece 81a, 81b Pin hole 82, 89 Boss 83 Drive transmission gear train 83a, 83b, 83c Gear 83d Gear shaft 84a, 84b Shaft 84c Fitting portion 87 Second support piece 88a Pin hole 88b Space 90 Electrode 91 Contact piece 93 Funnel 94 Thin plate 95 Hot melt 96 Support base 97 Heating tool

Front page continuation (72) Inventor Masahiko Yashiro 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc.

Claims (21)

[Claims] 1. A process cartridge mountable to a main body of an image forming apparatus, comprising: (a) a first frame having an image carrier having a first gear at one end, (b) developing means, and the developing means. A developer accommodating means for accommodating the developer, a conveying means for conveying the developer in the developer accommodating means, and a driving force for driving the conveying means are provided on the image carrier. A second frame that has a gear unit that meshes with a first gear and a cover that supports one end of the developing unit and that is provided to face the gear unit, and that is coupled to the first frame. A process cartridge having. 2. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the cover is provided with an opening so that an inspector can visually inspect the mounting of the gear of the gear means during assembly. 3. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the first frame and the second frame are rotatably coupled to each other. 4. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the first gear is a helical gear. 5. The gear means includes a second roller coaxial with a developing roller that meshes with the first gear, a third roller that meshes with the second roller, and a conveying means that meshes with the third roller. The process cartridge according to claim 1, further comprising a fourth roller connected to the process cartridge. 6. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the gear included in the gear unit is a helical gear. 7. The developing means includes a developing roller and a magnet provided inside the developing roller, the cover supports a shaft integral with the magnet, and the developing roller supports a supporting piece. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the process cartridge is supported through the process cartridge. 8. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the first frame includes a photoconductor drum as the image carrier and a charging roller that charges the photoconductor drum. 9. The process according to claim 1, wherein the first frame has a photosensitive drum as the image bearing member, and a cleaning blade for removing a residual developer on the photosensitive drum. cartridge. 10. An image forming apparatus capable of mounting a process cartridge and forming an image on a recording medium, comprising: (A) (a) a first frame having an image carrier provided with a first gear at one end; (B) developing means, developer accommodating means for accommodating the developer used in the developing means, conveying means for conveying the developer in the developer accommodating means, and driving force for driving the conveying means. A gear unit that meshes with a first gear provided on the image carrier for transmission, and a cover that supports one end of the developing unit and faces the gear unit. An image forming apparatus comprising: a mounting unit capable of mounting a process cartridge having a second frame coupled to the first frame; and (B) a transporting unit that transports the recording medium. 11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the image forming apparatus is an electrophotographic copying machine. 12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the image forming apparatus is a laser beam printer. 13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the image forming apparatus is a facsimile apparatus. 14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the image forming apparatus is an LED printer. 15. A method for assembling a process cartridge mountable to a main body of an image forming apparatus, comprising: (a) a developing roller having a magnet inside a first frame having a developer accommodating means for accommodating a developer used in a developing means. Upon assembly, the first support member is locked to the base frame so as to support one end of the magnet and one end of the developing roller rotatably supported through the first support piece, A second support member is locked to the base frame so as to support the other end of the magnet and rotatably support the other end of the developing roller via a second support piece. A magnet and a developing roller are attached to the first frame, and (b) after that, a second frame having an image carrier,
A method of assembling a process cartridge, comprising assembling a process cartridge by connecting the first frame. 16. A meshing means for carrying a developer in the developer accommodating means and a first gear provided on the image carrier for transmitting a driving force for driving the carrying means. Gear means, and the first support member is provided so as to face the gear means, and an inspector can visually inspect the attachment of the gear of the gear means on the first support member during assembly. 16. The method for assembling a process cartridge according to claim 15, further comprising an opening. 17. The first support member and the second support member are
16. The method for assembling a process cartridge according to claim 15, wherein the first frame and the second frame, which are coupled to each other, have a rotation shaft when they rotate. 18. The first support member and the second support member,
It is formed of an abrasion resistant material.
5. The method for assembling the process cartridge according to item 5. 19. The first support member is locked to the base frame so as to cover a drive transmission gear train that transmits the rotational force of the developing roller to a conveying unit that conveys the developer in the developer accommodating unit. 16. The method for assembling a process cartridge according to claim 15, wherein the process cartridge is assembled. 20. The method of assembling a process cartridge according to claim 15, wherein an electrical contact for applying a voltage to the magnet is attached to the second support member. 21. The first support member and the second support member,
16. The method for assembling a process cartridge according to claim 15, wherein the process frame is locked to the base frame by screwing.