JPH06130817A - Process cartridge and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To detect the presence of the fitting of a process cartridge without using a part causing the raising of cost and to attain miniaturization by providing an image carrier, at least one process means acting on the image carrier, a detecting member detecting the remainder of a developer supplied to the image carrier by means of a change in electrostatic capacitance. CONSTITUTION:A means fitting the cartridge having an photosensitive drum 7 as the image carrier, at least one process means acting on the photosensitive drum 7 and the detecting member for detecting the remainder of the developer supplied to the photosensitive drum 7 by the change in the electrostatic capacitance, a discriminating means discriminating the presence of the fitting of the cartridge to a device by the output of a means detecting the change in the electrostatic capacitance and a means carrying a recording medium are provided. In other words, residual toner can be detected by the output of a comparator CO1 and the presence of the fitting of the cartridge to the device can be detected by the output of a comparator CO2.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a process cartridge used for image formation and an image forming apparatus for mounting the process cartridge to form an image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An image forming apparatus such as a printer forms a latent image by selectively exposing a uniformly charged photosensitive drum (image carrier) to form a latent image, and the latent image is visualized with toner. At the same time, the toner image is transferred to a recording medium to record an image.
In such an apparatus, the toner must be replenished every time the toner runs out, but this toner replenishment work is not only troublesome, but it may be contaminated. In addition, maintenance of each member can be performed only by a specialized service person, which often causes inconvenience to the user.

Therefore, the photosensitive drum, the charging device, the developing device, the cleaning portion, etc. are integrally formed into a cartridge so that the user can replenish the toner and reach the end of life by mounting the cartridge in the main body of the apparatus. It has been put into practical use that parts such as the photoconductor drum can be replaced and the maintenance is easy.

Since such a cartridge is often attached to and detached from the apparatus main body, it is necessary to detect and confirm whether or not the cartridge is mounted in the apparatus main body when forming an image. Conventionally, the presence / absence of cartridge mounting has been detected by opportunistic structural parts such as tact switches and actuators.

That is, when the cartridge is mounted on the apparatus main body, the tact switch is turned on by the actuator, and when the cartridge is taken out from the apparatus main body, the tact switch is turned off by the actuator. And the signal from the tact switch is sent to the controller,
Whether or not the process cartridge is mounted is determined.

[0006]

However, in the detection structure of the process cartridge, mechanical components such as a tact switch and an actuator are used, which causes a cost increase.

Further, since it is necessary to provide parts such as a tact switch and an actuator, there is a problem that the size reduction of the device is restricted.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and an object thereof is to detect the presence / absence of mounting of a process cartridge without using a costly component, and to downsize the process cartridge. Another object is to provide a process cartridge and an image forming apparatus to which the process cartridge can be mounted.

[0009]

A typical constitution according to the present invention for achieving the above object is to provide an image carrier, at least one process means acting on the image carrier, and the image carrier. Mounting means for mounting a cartridge having a detection member for detecting the remaining amount of the developer to be supplied based on a change in electrostatic capacity, a detecting means for detecting the change in the electrostatic capacity, and the detecting means. The image forming apparatus is configured by providing a determining unit for determining whether or not the process cartridge is mounted in the apparatus main body by the output of the above and a conveying unit for conveying the recording medium.

[0010]

In the above structure, if the process cartridge is not mounted in the apparatus main body, the electrostatic capacitance becomes zero level because the detection member itself provided in the cartridge does not exist. Therefore, it is possible to detect the remaining amount of the developer as well as the presence or absence of the mounting of the process cartridge based on the change in the capacitance.

[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 forms a toner image corresponding to the latent image to make it a visible image. Then, the toner image is recorded on the recording medium 2 by the transfer means 4.
After the transfer of the toner onto the photosensitive drum 7, 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, which is provided with a recording 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 15 optical units 1a.

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. This polygon mirror 1b is rotated at high speed by a scanner motor 1c, and the polygon mirror 1b is rotated.
The image light reflected by the image forming lens 1d and the reflecting mirror 1e
The surface of the photosensitive drum 7 is selectively exposed by irradiating the surface of the photosensitive drum 7 via the light source, and a latent image according to image information is formed on the photosensitive drum 7.

(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. The configuration for manual feeding is
As shown in FIG. 1, when one or more recording mediums 2 are set on the feeding tray 3a and image formation is started, the recording medium 2 on the feeding tray 3a is fed into the apparatus by the pickup roller 3b. When a plurality of recording media 2 are set, they are separated and fed one by one by the pair of separating rollers 3c1 and 3c2, and are conveyed so that the leading end of the recording medium 2 abuts on the pair of registration rollers 3d1 and 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 section. Further, the recording medium 2 on which the image has been formed is conveyed to the fixing means 5, and is ejected to the ejection portion 6 by the intermediate ejection roller 3e and the ejection roller pair 3f1 and 3f2. A guide member 3g for guiding the conveyance of the recording medium 2 is provided between the rollers.

The feeding tray 3a comprises 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 has a mounting portion for the cassette 3h on the inner bottom portion of the apparatus main body 15, and the mounting portion is provided when the recording medium 2 is not manually fed. The recording medium 2 in the cassette 3h mounted in the above is fed to the registration roller pairs 3d1 and 3d2 one by one from the top by the pickup roller 3i and the feeding roller 3j.
Then, after the pair of registration rollers 3d1 and 3d2, the same members as in the case of the above-described manual feeding are conveyed. 3k is a sensor for detecting the presence or absence of the recording medium 2 in the cassette 3h.

(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, a hinge is provided on the top of the device body 15.
An opening / closing cover 16 that can be opened and closed by 16a is attached. 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 have first guide portions 17a, 18a inclined downward to the front, and second guide portions 17b, 18 above them.
b are provided at symmetrical positions. 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 the second guide portions 17b and 18b have step portions 17b1 and
18b1 is provided.

Further, the left guide member 17 has a second guide portion 17b.
A cartridge rotation restricting guide portion 17d is provided above. Further, the right guide member 18 is provided with a shutter cam portion 18d for opening and closing the drum shutter 35 of the process cartridge B above the second guide portion 18b.

A pressing member 19 is attached above the rotation restricting portion 17d and the shutter cam portion 18d, and the torsion coil spring 19a urges the attached process cartridge B downward. Further, an abutting member 20 for positioning the process cartridge B is provided on the front side (front side in the direction of inserting the cartridge) of the left and right guide members 17, 18.

After the opening / closing cover 16 is opened, the process cartridge B has the first guide portions 17a of the guide members 17 and 18,
The cartridge B is mounted while being guided by the 18a and the second guide portions 17b, 18b. The mounting of the cartridge B will be described in detail after the structure of the process cartridge B is described.

{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 is provided with 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. Are arranged, and these are covered with a housing including a toner frame 12, a developing frame 13, and a cleaning frame 14 to be integrated, and are configured to be attachable to and detachable from the apparatus main body 15.

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

(Photosensitive Drum) The photosensitive drum 7 according to this embodiment is a drum base 7a made of cylindrical 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 a cleaning frame 14
Drive motor 71 (see FIG. 59) provided on the apparatus main body side in a helical gear 7c (see FIG. 8A) fixedly attached to one end of the photosensitive drum 7 in the longitudinal direction. By transmitting the force, the photosensitive drum 7 is rotated in the arrow direction of FIG. 1 in accordance with 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 and a bearing portion 14 of the frame body 14
Insert the metal shaft 21 (made of iron in this embodiment) into the hole of the resin-made helical gear 7c fitted to the other end a and fixed to the frame body 14. Is rotatably attached to the frame body 14. The shaft 21 has a shaft portion 21a.
And the collar portion 21b are integrally configured, and the collar portion 21b is attached and fixed by being screwed to the frame body 14 with a screw 21c. The gear flange 7d is a spur gear, and the helical gear 7c receives the driving force from the main body to transmit the rotational force of the photosensitive drum 7 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 has the hole portion 22a through which the metal shaft 21 is inserted. At the same time, a contact portion 22b having a spring property is provided so as to cover the hole portion 22a. When the metal shaft 21 is inserted into the hole 22a, the tip of the shaft 21 comes into contact with the contact 22b by pushing it out. Further, the conductive member 22 is provided with bifurcated claw portions 22c protruding left and right, and the flange portion 7c1 is attached to the photosensitive drum 7
When it is fitted in, 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 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, the so-called "charging noise" 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 photoconductor drum 7, as shown in the rotational radial direction sectional views of FIGS. 8A and 8B, the shaft inside the photoconductor 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, smaller than the inner diameter of the photosensitive drum 7 by about 100 μm. The outer diameter filler 7e is inserted into the hollow drum base 7a and attached. That is, the drum base 7
The maximum gap between a and the filling material 7e is 100 μm or less,
An adhesive (for example, cyanoacrylate-based or epoxy resin-based) 7f is applied to the outer circumference of the filling or the inner circumference of the drum base 7a, and the filling 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. 10, the charging roller 8 is rotatably provided in the cleaning frame 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 EPD
The elastic rubber layer, such as M or NBR, has carbon dispersed therein, and has a function of guiding the 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 having a spring property is provided at one axial end of the metal roller shaft 8a of the charging roller 8.
26 is brought into contact, and a voltage is applied to the charging roller 8 from the apparatus main body side through the contact member 26.

The cleaning frame 14 has the contact member
A regulating member 14b for suppressing the deformation of 26 is provided, and even if a force to the left side of FIG. 10 is applied to the roller shaft 8a by dropping the process cartridge B, the contact member 26 is regulated. It abuts the 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 in FIG. 10), the charging roller 8 is always positioned on the photosensitive drum 7.

On the other hand, the bearing 24 is used to position the other end of the charging roller 8 in the axial direction. That is, the bearing 24 is shown in FIG.
As shown in, the key-shaped abutting portion 24a is integrally formed with the bearing body. The roller shaft 8a is attached to 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 bearing 24 and the contact member 26, which have high wear resistance, and their axial movement is restricted, so that they do not come into contact with the frame body 14. Here, it is conceivable that the axial end of the roller shaft 8a is brought into contact with the frame body 14 to restrict the movement in the axial direction. In this case, however, the frame body 14 is made of a metal roller shaft 8a. Material resistant to rubbing against, for example polyphenylene oxide resin (PP
O) and so on. On the other hand, if the roller shaft 8a is prevented from rubbing against the frame 14 as in the present embodiment, it is not necessary to enhance the abrasion resistance of the frame 14. Therefore, in this embodiment, the frame 14 can be made of polystyrene resin (PS) or the like, which is cheaper than PPO, and the cost of the process cartridge B can be reduced.

The material of the bearing 24 need not be limited to polyacetal, and may be made of nylon or the like as long as it has a 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 controlled to constant current with an AC component V _PP = about 1800 V and a DC component V _DC1 = about −670 V.

(Exposure Section) The exposure section 9 exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 7 uniformly charged by the charging roller 8 with the optical image irradiated 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 external view of FIG. The exposure unit is configured by providing the. That is, the rectangular notch 9a is formed on the upper surface 13r of the developing device frame 13.
And the upper wall portion 14n of the cleaning frame 14 is arranged so as to cover a part of the notch 9a.
Are configured.

(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. 3, and for delivering the toner into the toner reservoir 10a. A toner feeding member 10b that rotates in the direction of the arrow is provided. Further, the toner sent out is
The developing sleeve 10d having the magnet 10c therein is rotated to form a thin toner layer on the surface thereof. This developing sleeve
When the toner layer is formed on 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 in order to regulate the layer thickness of the toner.

In the present embodiment, as the developing bias, an AC component V _PP = about 1600 V and a DC component V _DC2 = about −50.
0 V is applied. In the relationship between the DC component V _{DC2 of the} developing bias and the DC component V _DC1 (about -670V) of the charging bias described above, when the value of VDC ₁ -V _DC2 becomes -50V or more (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 10
d, the developing blade 10e is attached to the developing device frame 13.
The longitudinal joints of the two frames 12 and 13 are integrally welded by ultrasonic welding.

Developing sleeve 10 on which the toner layer is formed
d 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 of the developing sleeve 10d is in the vicinity of both ends of the developing sleeve 10d and outside the toner layer forming area, and the outer diameter is larger than the outer diameter of the developing sleeve by the distance. A ring member 10f is provided, and the ring member 10f contacts the outside of the latent image forming area of the photosensitive 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 is a developing frame
When the cleaning frame body 13 and the cleaning frame body 14 are combined, they mesh with the above-described helical gear 7c of the photoconductor drum 7, and the photoconductor drum 7
The developing sleeve 10d is rotated in accordance with the rotation of. Further, the gear 10g meshes with a gear (not shown) connected to the toner feeding member 10b, and transmits the rotational force of the photosensitive 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. The toner is transferred according to the image. The toner layer is formed on the developing sleeve 10d only at the carbon coating portion coated on the developing sleeve 10d, and the photosensitive layer area in the longitudinal direction (axial direction) of the photosensitive drum 7 and the charging roller 8 are formed. The lengths of the charging area and the toner layer supplying area (developing area) to the developing sleeve 10d are defined so as 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 in the longitudinal direction of the opening 13a provided in the developing device frame 13 for sending the toner to the developing sleeve 10d. A blowing sheet 10i is attached to the lower edge of the opening 13a so as to come into contact with the developing sleeve 10d over the entire longitudinal direction.

The thickness of the toner leakage prevention seal 10h is equal to the step formed on the lower 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. Becomes the same height as the lower edge 13o.
The blowing sheet 10i is attached to the upper surface of the lower edge portion 13o by a double-sided tape (not shown). The lengthwise direction of the blowout sheet 10i is longer than the lengthwise direction of the opening 13a, and both ends thereof overlap with the toner leakage prevention seal 10h so as to overlap with each other, and the front end edge in the lateral direction thereof is on the outer peripheral surface of the developing sleeve 10d in the axial direction. Abut along with a suitable pressing force.

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

Therefore, when the toner layer is formed on the developing sleeve 10d, the toner t _m passing through the gap 10k adheres to the developing sleeve 10d in a raised state. However, the the rotation area of the toner t _m 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 outside the cartridge.

Further, FIG. 13A shows the AA cross section of FIG. 11, and FIG. 13B shows the BB cross section of FIG. This Figure 13
As shown in (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. As in the example, if the blowout sheet 10i is not bent and is in close contact with the toner leakage prevention seal 10h, there is no risk of toner leakage.

Further, in the structure of this embodiment, the contact angle of the leading edge portion 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. Furthermore, since the blowing sheet 10i is not bent and used, the contact angle of the sheet 10i is unlikely to change 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 leakage of toner, there is a possibility that the toner may also leak from 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 13b, 13c, 13d are provided at the portion where the developing frame body 13 abuts in the longitudinal direction of the developing blade 10e.
And the first rib 13b and the second rib 13c are the developing blade 10
The third rib 13d is in pressure contact with the blade mounting member 10j made of sheet metal or the like for mounting the developing blade 10e. Further, the tip of the second rib 13c which is pressed against the developing blade 10e is formed into a sharp edge shape, and when the first rib 13b abuts on the developing blade 10e and the third rib 13d abuts on the blade mounting member 10j. The edge of the edge-shaped second rib 13c is made of rubber and has a thickness of about 1.3.
It is designed to bite into the developing blade 10e of about mm.

The edge-shaped second rib 13c is formed in a curved shape in which the central portion in the longitudinal direction slightly protrudes from both side portions. Therefore, when the developing blade 10e is attached to the frame body 13, screws are attached to the blade attaching member 10j near both ends in the longitudinal direction. Even if the central portion in the longitudinal direction is bent at this time, the second rib 13c is formed as described above. Since the central part of the cartridge is curved so as to protrude (preferably, in the A4 size width recordable cartridge, about 0.1 to 0.5 mm
The rib 13c surely bites into the developing blade 10e over the entire longitudinal direction. Therefore, no gap is generated between the developing device frame 13 and the blade 10e, and toner leakage can be prevented.

Even if a gap is created between the edge-shaped second rib 13c and the developing blade 10e and toner leaks from the gap, the third rib 13d is still 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. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 15, the structure is a joint portion between the toner frame 12 and the developing frame 13, and a metal antenna wire 27 is attached to the toner passage from the toner reservoir 10a to the developing sleeve 10d. There is. 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 remaining toner 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 (process cartridge replacement notification) or the like to notify the 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 between 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. This is 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 to be hermetically sealed, and the end portion of the cover film 28 is exposed to the outside from the short side of the joint portion. This is for pulling out the end portion of the film 28 at the start of use. Therefore, a seal for preventing toner leakage is attached to the short-side joint between the toner frame 12 and the developing frame 13.
29 is attached to prevent the toner from leaking from the joint.

However, as described above, the antenna wire 27 has one end portion thereof for the frame bodies 12, 13 in order to apply a voltage.
It is necessary to form the contact portion 27a at the end of the frame so as to project to the outside of the frame more than the joint. Therefore, the antenna wire 27 must be projected to the outside through the short side joint between the toner frame 12 and the developing frame 13 to which the toner leakage prevention seal 29 is attached. To attach this antenna wire 27,
As shown in FIG. 16, a concave portion 13e is formed in the joint portion of the developing frame body 13, an 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 body 13.
When the antenna wire 27 is dropped, as shown in FIG. 16, the adhesive 30 applied to the recess 13e 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 may not be completely adhered to the developing device frame 13 and a gap 31 may be formed. 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), the antenna wire 27 was dropped into the recess 13e coated with the adhesive 30, and then raised from the recess 13e as shown in FIG. 17 (b). Apply adhesive to the antenna wire using a rod-shaped member, etc.
The ridges are evened out by extending them above 27 (so that the antenna wire 27 is hidden). After that, Fig. 17 (c)
As shown in, when the toner leak prevention seal 29 is attached,
The seal 29 is in close contact with the joint surface of the developing device frame 13 without forming a gap, and the toner leakage as described above is prevented. As shown in FIG. 17B, when the rising of the adhesive 30 is leveled, an adhesive may be added in addition to the leveled adhesive 30 so that the antenna wire 27 is hidden.

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. The toner leakage prevention seal 29 is made of foamed urethane or the like having a thickness of about 4 mm, which has elasticity and is shown in FIG. 18 (a) when the exposed portion of the antenna wire 27 is struck. As antenna wire 27
May float up from the developing device frame 13. Also at this time, a minute gap 32 is formed 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 between the toner frame 12 and the developing frame 13 has a "" -shaped character 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. Since the seal 29 having a thickness of about 4 mm is compressed to about 1 mm at the bent portion 27b, 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. This makes the figure
Since there is no gap as shown in 18 (a), there is no risk of toner leakage.

(Toner Leakage-Preventing Seal) Next, the toner leakage-preventing seal 29 will be described. This is the case where a foamed rubber such as urethane foam is used as a toner frame by a double-sided adhesive tape.
The two openings 12e are attached to both sides in the longitudinal direction. And figure
As shown in FIG. 11, a tear prevention sheet 29a having a thickness of 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. is there.

The reason why the tearing prevention sheet 29a is provided is as follows. That is, it is necessary to remove the cover film 28 blocking the opening 12e by hand when the cartridge B is used. At this time, the operator pulls out the film 28 in the film drawing direction (the same direction as the longitudinal direction of the opening 12e).
There is no problem if you pull it out in parallel with. However, when the film is drawn at an angle α with respect to the film drawing direction as shown in FIG. 19, as shown in FIG.
There is a possibility that the short side direction of (1) may be moved in one direction (upward in FIG. 20) and contract, and the fold may rub against the toner leak prevention seal 29 and tear the seal 29 (hatched portion in FIG. 20). If the toner leakage prevention seal 29 is torn, the toner may leak from the gap and stain the operator's hand, or the toner may fall inside the apparatus body and stain the recorded recording medium.

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 occurs, the tear prevention sheet 29a protects the seal 29, and 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.

Also, in the lateral direction of the seal 29, the opening
By providing the tear-prevention sheet 29a on the 12e side, when the cover film 28 is pulled out, the toner attached to the film 28 is scraped off by the tear-prevention sheet 29a and the hand of the pulled-out film 28 is soiled. Can be prevented.

When the toner frame 12 and the developing frame 13 are welded and joined to the toner leakage prevention seal 29 and the tear prevention sheet 29a, two sides (in the direction perpendicular to the cover film withdrawing direction) ( The upper and lower sides of FIG. 11 are two frame bodies 12,
Since the sheet 29a is bitten and firmly fixed by the sheet 13, the sheet 29a is not displaced from the seal 29.

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

Further, in the case of sticking the tearing prevention sheet 29a narrower than the width of the toner leakage prevention seal 29 in the lateral direction,
As shown in FIG. 21, when the sheet 29a is attached at a predetermined distance U from the edge 29b of the toner leakage prevention seal 29 in the cover film pull-out direction (arrow direction in FIG. 21), the cover film 28 is pulled out. Edge 29b
The toner attached to the film 28 can be scraped off more effectively. When the distance U is set to about 5 mm or less, the effect of preventing the toner leak prevention seal 29 from being torn when the cover film 28 is pulled out is not lowered.

As described above, the tear prevention sheet 29a need not be narrower than the width of the toner leakage prevention seal 29 in the lateral direction, 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 this embodiment will be illustrated with reference to FIGS. 22 and 23. However, 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 32mm (6) Width of gear flange 7d (W2) → About 5.6mm (7) Length of photoconductor drum 7 ( 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) Metal of photoconductor drum 7 Diameter of shaft 21 (D4) → Approx. 10 mm (11) Length of developing sleeve 10d (L3) → Approximately 246 mm (12) Length of carbon coating part of developing sleeve 10d (L4) → 216 mm (13) Developing sleeve Diameter of 10d (D5) → about 16mm (14) Outer diameter of ring member 10f (D6) → about 16.5m m (15) Length of ring member 10f (L5) → Approx. 12 mm (16) Length of ring member 10f (L6) → Approx. 9 mm (17) Outer diameter of drum contact portion of ring member 10f (D7) → Approx. 16.7mm (18) Thickness of the drum contact part of the ring member 10f (E1) → About 0.3mm (19) Width of the drum contact part of the ring member 10f (W3) → About 4mm (20) Teeth of the developing gear 10g Number → 17 teeth (21) Development gear 10g diameter (D8) → About 18.1mm (22) Development gear 10g width (W4) → About 8.3mm (23) Charging bias contact 49 length (L7) → About 7mm (24) Width of charging bias contact 49 (W5) → About 7.8mm (25) Length of developing bias contact 48 (L8) → About 6mm (26) Width of developing bias contact 48 (W6) → About 9.4 mm (27) Diameter of contact point 27a of antenna line 27 (D9) → Approx. 2 mm (28) Width of contact point 27a of antenna line 27 (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

In this case, the helical gear 7c and the developing gear 10g are used.
Is 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 Unit) Next, the cleaning unit 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 unit 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. Located below the blade 11a,
Further, the squi sheet 11b which is in contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 7
And a waste toner reservoir 11c for storing 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 10e.
Similarly, 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 14 with screws. The squi sheet 11b is attached to the squeeze sheet attachment seat surface (edge portion) 11c1 of the waste toner reservoir 11c by attaching it with a 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 both ends in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning blade 11a and the cleaning frame 14 facing the cleaning blade 11a. Therefore, the blade 11a
Toner leakage preventing seals are attached to both longitudinal ends of the toner, but if the blade 11a and the toner leakage preventing seal are not completely in close contact with each other, the toner will propagate through the gap between them and toner leakage will occur. . Similarly, the waste toner reservoir 11c to which the toner leakage prevention seal and the squi sheet 11b are attached
If it is not completely in close contact with the squishy sheet attaching seat surface 11c1, the toner will leak through the gap.

Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 24, toner leakage prevention seals 11e are provided at both longitudinal ends 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 of the blade 11a in the longitudinal direction are adhered. A partition member 11c3 is provided on the upper edge 11c2 of the waste toner reservoir 11c so as to contact the inner surface of the seal 11e.

Here, the attachment of the toner leakage prevention seal 11e will be described. First cleaning blade 11
a is attached to the cleaning frame 14, and the edges S _{2 of the} seal 11e are closely attached to the edges S ₁ of the cleaning blade 11a shown in FIG. Here, the cleaning blade 11
When the width L ₁ of the seal 11e is longer than the distance L ₀ to a, the lower end portion T ₁ of the seal 11e and the squeeze sheet pasting seat surface
There is a gap in 11c1, which causes toner leakage. In order to prevent this, in this embodiment, the seal is set to L ₀ > L _{1 due} to the tolerance.
Gives collapse amount X to 11e, must be affixed by pressing a sealing lower end T ₁ by the shaded portion T ₂ of the dip sheet sticking seat surface 11c1, the waste toner collecting sheet stuck because of the shielding member 11c3 in this embodiment Slip below the seat to prevent leakage. 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 frames. Then, the toner frame body 12 and the developing frame body 13 are welded to be integrated, and then 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. The frames 12, 13, 14 in this embodiment are integrally formed by injection molding of polystyrene resin.

When the frame members 12, 13 and 14 are made of a material having a charge series close to that of the toner component, there is no possibility that an abnormal charge will be generated by frictional charging even if the toner rubs against the inner wall of the frame member during image formation. 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. (Below margin)

[0096]

As shown in FIG. 7, the toner frame 12 is provided with a toner reservoir 10a and a toner feeding member 10b. Also, on the outer surface of the toner frame 12, as shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of lateral ribs 12d are provided in the longitudinal direction to form a grip 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.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the developing device frame 13 has
A developing sleeve 10d and a developing blade 10e are provided.
As shown in FIG. 11, the developing blade 10e is attached by screwing the vicinity of both longitudinal ends of the blade attaching member 10j to the frame body 13. In the present embodiment, the blade attaching member is attached prior to the screw attaching. 10j is positioned on the developing device frame 13. Therefore, the blade mounting surface 13f of the developing device frame 13
A positioning boss 13g is provided vertically to the boss 13g, and a hole drilled in the blade mounting member 10j is fitted into the boss 13g for positioning.
Further, 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 in the longitudinal direction of the developing frame 13 as shown in FIG. 11). The boss 13i is fitted into the fitting hole 12c on the side of the toner frame 12 to join and position the developing frame 13 and the toner frame 12.

Here, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 27, the blade mounting surface 13f of the developing device frame 13 and the joint surface 13h are configured to be parallel to each other. Therefore, this development frame
Positioning boss for blade 13g when injection molding 13
Since the positioning bosses 13i for the toner frame are parallel to each other, the molding die 33 only needs to be divided into the left and right directions after the injection molding, and the molding die 33 can be easily configured.

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 body 14, it is attached by screwing the vicinity of both longitudinal ends of the blade attachment member 11d to the frame body 14 as in the case of attaching the developing blade 10e described above. ,
Prior to screw fixing, the blade mounting member 11d is positioned on the frame body 14. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 28, a positioning boss 14d is provided perpendicularly to 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 shown in FIG.
It is configured to be perpendicular to the die cutting direction of the molding die 34 for injection molding indicated by the arrow. In this way, the projecting direction of the positioning boss 14d formed on the blade mounting surface 14c and the die cutting 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 the opening provided for the photosensitive drum 7 to face the transfer roller 4.
As will be described later, when the process cartridge B is attached to the image forming apparatus A, it automatically opens, and when it is removed from the image forming apparatus A, it automatically closes.

(Welding of Toner Frame Body and Developing Frame Body) Here, the connection between the toner frame body 12 and the developing 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 to close the opening 12e, the toner frame 12 is set in the recess 75a of the receiving jig 75 as shown in FIG. A cover film pull-out knob 12f which is formed integrally with the frame 12 and which can be cut off is bent downward. The developing frame body 13 is superposed on the toner frame body 12 and a jig for holding the upper side of the developing frame body 13 is held.
Hold with 76. When ultrasonic waves are applied to the toner frame body 12 and the developing frame body 13 in this state, the rib stripes 13s (see FIG. 7) provided in the longitudinal direction of the welding 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 joined by welding.

When the ultrasonic waves are applied, both frame bodies 12, 13 are
Is easily deformed in the lateral direction (the direction of arrow J in FIG. 29). However, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, the developing device frame 13 is provided with the reinforcing ribs 13t in the longitudinal direction, and the blade supporting member 10j made of a sheet metal or the like is attached, so that the developing frame member 13 has a high strength. Yes, it is difficult to deform. Toner frame
Since the ribs 12 are not provided with the ribs or the like, they are weak in strength and generally easily deformed.
Further, as shown in FIG. 11, the flanges 12g are provided on both sides in the lateral direction of the toner frame 12. The interval L12 of the collar 12g is the developing frame body.
The length L13 of the joining surface 13h of 13 is approximately equal to the width direction L13, and the joining surface 13h of the developing device frame 13 is fitted between the collars 12g.

Therefore, when the two frames 12 and 13 are ultrasonically welded to each other, the joint surface 13h of the developing frame 13 has the brim 12 of the toner frame 12.
g, and the positioning boss 13i of the developing frame 13 is fitted in the fitting hole 12c of the toner frame 12, so that the toner frame 12 is also difficult to deform, and both frame bodies 12, 13 There is no deviation.

When welding the two frame bodies 12 and 13,
In this embodiment, since all the frames 12, 13 and 14 are made of polystyrene resin, which is the same material, the welding bond strength becomes very high. The developing frame body 13 and the cleaning frame body
Since it is not welded to 14, the cleaning frame body 14 does not necessarily have to be made of the same material as the toner frame body 12 and the developing frame body 13 from the viewpoint of increasing the welding bond strength.

In this embodiment, as described above, the positioning boss 13i is provided only on one side of the developing frame body 13 in the lateral direction. However, as shown in FIG. 30, the positioning boss 13i is provided on the frame body 13i. It may be provided on both sides in the lateral direction. By doing this, the toner frame 12 and the developing frame during welding
The deformation of 13 can be prevented more reliably, and the displacement of both frame bodies 12 and 13 can be surely eliminated.

Further, as shown in FIG. 31, when a plurality of positioning bosses (not shown) of the developing frame and the fitting holes 12c of the toner frame 12 into which the developing bosses are fitted are provided side by side in the longitudinal direction of the frame, It is possible to more reliably prevent the deformation and the deviation.
In this case, as described above, the toner frame 12
It is not necessary to provide the flanges 12g on both sides in the lateral direction.

(Structure for facilitating the assembling of the process cartridge) When 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 10a. And the antenna wire 27 is attached, and then the developing device frame 13 is welded. Then, the developing sleeve 10d and the like are incorporated into the developing frame body 13. 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 perform the work of assembling the parts (see FIG. 33). As shown in FIG. 32 (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, by fitting the member 36a provided on the assembly tray 36 into the fitting hole 12a, the toner frame 12 is easily fixed, and the developing sleeve 10d, the developing blade 10e, and other parts can be easily incorporated. Assembling 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. A flat surface with a fitting hole at the bottom
14e is provided. Therefore, when the fitting protrusion 37a provided on the assembly tray 37 is fitted into the fitting hole 14e when the blade 11a and other parts are incorporated into the frame 14, the cleaning frame 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, in assembling the toner developing frame C, as shown in FIG. 33, an assembly tray that moves in the direction of the arrow via the conveyor roller 36b.
For 36, insert the fitting hole 12a of the toner frame 12 into the assembly tray.
The developing blade 10e is fitted with the projecting member 36a of 36, and the developing blade 10e is screwed with. Further, the developing sleeve 10d is incorporated, and is fixed with, and the toner developing frame C is taken out with, and the process proceeds to the next step. Further, the assembly tray 36 after the toner developing frame C is taken out is
The auxiliary line on the lower side returns and the above process is repeated again.

As described above, the assembly tray 36 is attached to the toner frame 12.
By providing the fitting portion for and, it becomes possible to eliminate the step of clamping or unclamping the toner frame body 12, and the toner frame body 12 can be easily assembled.

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 arrow direction via the conveyor roller 37b. Fitting protrusion 37a of tray 37
Then, the squi 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. After the cleaning frame 14 is taken out, the assembly tray 37 is returned by the lower auxiliary line, and the above steps are repeated.

Therefore, like the toner developing frame C, the cleaning frame 14 is also provided with a fitting portion with the assembly tray 37, thereby eliminating the step of clamping or unclamping the cleaning frame 14. 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 hold and hold the frame 14 when moving between stations during automatic assembly. is there.

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

As described above, the toner frame body 12 and the developing frame body
Toner developing frame C that integrates 13 and cleaning frame
After assembling each component in 14, the toner developing frame C and the cleaning frame 14 are joined together, but at this time, each frame may be placed on a stand. 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 and the like on the table in the assembly work or the like,
It is necessary to take sufficient care not to contact the base and the photosensitive drum 7, or the base and the developing sleeve 10d.

Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 35, the projecting portions 14f are provided at both ends on the open side of the cleaning frame body 14 in which the photosensitive drum 7 is incorporated. And the both protrusions 14
The photosensitive drum 7 is arranged inside the cleaning frame 14 rather than on the line connecting the tips of f. For this reason
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 danger of being scratched.

Similarly, as shown in FIG. 37, the developing sleeve 10
The protrusions are provided at both ends on the open side of the toner developing frame C incorporating d
13j is provided. Further, the developing sleeve 10d is arranged inside the developing frame body 13 rather than on the line connecting the tips of the both protruding portions 13j. 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, the developing frame body 13, the cleaning frame body
Since the developing sleeve 10d and the photoconductor drum 7 do not come into contact with the base when 14 is placed on the base, the photoconductor drum 7 and the like are not inadvertently damaged and the assembling workability is improved. .

As described above, after the respective parts have been 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, and the connecting structure will be described below.

In FIG. 38, the connecting member 38 is provided with a screw hole 38b for penetrating the screw 39 with respect to the base body 38a.
Vertical part 38c and spring mounting part on both sides of the screw hole 38b
38d is provided. The vertical portion 38c projects downward of the base body 38a, and restricts a connecting protrusion of the developing device frame 13 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 provided at the tip of the vertical portion 38c.
It is attached so that it projects further downward than 38c.

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

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. In the fastening portion 14h, a fitting hole 14i into which the vertical portion 38b of the coupling member 38 is fitted, a through hole 14 through which the female screw portion 14j for fastening the screw 39 and the spring 38e pass.
k is provided.

Toner developing frame C and cleaning frame
To connect with 14, the perspective explanatory view of FIG. 39 (a), (b)
As shown in the cross-sectional explanatory view of FIG.
Is fitted into the innermost portion of the coupling concave portion 14g of the cleaning frame 14, and then the coupling member 38 is fastened and attached to the fastening portion 14h. That is, the vertical portion 38b of the connecting member 38 is fitted into the hole 14i,
After the spring 38e is passed through the through hole 14k and received by the spring receiving recess 13n of the developing device frame 13 in a compressed state, the screw 39 is fastened to the female screw portion 14j through the screw hole 38b.

As a result, the toner developing frame C and the cleaning frame 14 are rotatably connected about the connecting projection 13m, and the assembly of the process cartridge B is completed.
The ring member 10f is pressed against the peripheral surface of the photoconductor drum 7 in a state where the two frame bodies 13 and 14 are joined together.
And the developing sleeve 10d are positioned. Further compression spring 38
The elasticity of e presses the developing sleeve 10d toward the photosensitive drum 7 (in this embodiment, the spring force of the compression spring 38e is set to about 2 kg so that a pressing force of about 1 kg is applied to the developing sleeve 10d. ing).

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

In the engagement 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 projections 13m can be located on both outsides (inner side). Directed to. Therefore, both frame bodies 13 and 14
The longitudinal direction (thrust direction) is positioned, and the thrust stopper is not required.

Further, since the connecting member 38 is inserted and fastened from above, 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, if the screw 39 fastening the connecting 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, the apparatus main body 15 includes first guide portions 17a, 18a and a second guide portion, respectively.
Left guide member 17 and right guide member having 17b, 18b, etc.
As mentioned above, 18 is attached. 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. A bearing portion 14a guided along 17a and 17b and a shaft 21 project from substantially symmetrical positions. And this bearing part 14
Projecting ribs 40 guided along the second guide portions 17b and 18b are provided above the shaft a 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 of the cleaning frame 14 in the longitudinal direction, and is a receiving portion for the abutting member 20. A positioning groove 42 is provided for abutting and positioning.

Further, on the right side surface in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning frame 14, above the projecting rib 40, as shown in FIG.
43 is formed to project, and a link portion 35a for opening and closing the drum shutter 35 is provided. The link part 35
a rotates in association with the attachment / detachment operation of the process cartridge B, and the drum shutter 35 connected thereto rotates. still,
The opening / closing configuration of the drum shutter 35 will be described later.

Here, a case where the process cartridge B is attached to and detached from the apparatus main body A will be described with reference to FIGS. 41 to 44. 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 here, for simplicity of explanation, only the guide of the right guide member 18 will be described.

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 main 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, when the protruding rib 40 crosses the stepped portion 18b1 of the second guide portion 18b, the process cartridge B is slightly rotated counterclockwise by the pressing force of the pressing member 19, and the shaft is rotated. 21 is supported on the first guide portion 18a. When the process cartridge B is further pushed in, the process cartridge B further rotates counterclockwise as shown in FIG. 44, and the abutting member 20 of the apparatus main body 15 engages with the positioning groove 42 of the cartridge B. . After this, when the operator releases his hand, the shaft 21 of the process cartridge B falls into the bearing portion 18c as shown in FIG. At this time, the abutting member 20 and the positioning groove 42 are engaged, and the process cartridge B
Is attached to the apparatus main body 15 while being pressed by the pressing member 19. At this time, the helical gear 7c provided at 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 pressure applied by the pressing member 19 to the process cartridge B is alleviated as the cartridge B falls downward. 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 provided on the apparatus main body side
20 and the positioning groove provided in the process cartridge B
Reference numeral 42 is provided so that the contact surfaces 20a, 42a are substantially horizontal. Therefore, since the abutting member 20 may be assembled to the device body 15 so that the contact surface 20a is substantially horizontal, the design of the member 20 and the assembly to the device body 15 are easy, and 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 pressing member 19, and when the pressing surface 41 of the process cartridge B moves while being pressed by the pressing member 19, the roller is pressed by the roller 19b. The dynamic resistance is reduced. The pressing surface 41 of the process cartridge B, which is pressed by the roller 19b, has a surface shape in the present embodiment. However, if the pressing surface 41 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 cartridge mounting space of the main assembly 15 of the apparatus can be minimized, and the space for storing toner or waste toner in the process cartridge B can be efficiently obtained.

Next, when the process cartridge B is to be removed, as shown in FIG.
Is rotated slightly in the counterclockwise direction (direction of arrow a) so that the protruding rib 40 can ride on the stepped portion 18b1 of the second guide portion 18b, and can be removed by pulling it out as it is. When the process cartridge B is rotated counterclockwise, the auxiliary rib 43 (see FIG. 4) abuts against the shutter cam portion 18d if it is rotated more than necessary,
Further, in the left guide member 17, the projecting rib 40 abuts against the rotation restricting guide portion (see FIG. 5) to restrict the rotation in the counterclockwise direction. When the cartridge is mounted, the auxiliary rib 43 on the right side of the cartridge enters between the second guide portion 18b and the shutter cam portion 18d, and the protruding rib 40 on the left side of the cartridge includes the second guide portion 17b and the rotation restricting guide portion 17.
Since the process cartridge B is inserted into the space d, 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 Structure} The drum shutter 35 is opened / closed with the attachment / detachment of the process cartridge B. Next, the opening / closing operation will be described.

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 about a shaft 35c, and the link portion 35a is located at the center of this rotation.
Are integrally formed with the arm portion 35b. Therefore, when the link portion 35a is rotated, the arm portion 35b is rotated and the drum shutter 35 is opened and closed. A link boss 35d is provided on the arm 35b so as to project therefrom. The drum shutter 35 is opened and closed by engaging the link portion 35a and the link boss 35d with the shutter cam portion 18d. 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.

Shutter cam portion formed on the right guide member 18
As shown in FIGS. 41 to 45, 18d has a first cam portion 18d1 with which the link portion 35a engages and a second cam portion 18d2 with which the link boss 35d engages. The inclination angle of the first cam portion 18d1 is substantially the same as that of the second guide portion 18b that guides the protruding rib 40 of the process cartridge B, and the second cam portion 18d2
Has a larger inclination angle than the first cam portion 18d1.

When the process cartridge B is inserted and pushed in as shown in FIG. 41, the link portion 35a is moved to the first cam portion 18 of the shutter cam portion 18d as shown in FIG.
The link portion 35a rotates around the shaft 35c by engaging with d1. As a result, the arm portion 35b rotates to rotate the drum shutter.
35 will open, but at this time it is in a so-called half-open state, not in a completely open state. When the cartridge B is further pushed in, the link boss 35d engages with the second cam portion 18d2 as shown in FIG. As you push it in further, Fig. 44
As shown in FIG. 7, the rotation of the arm portion 35b is caused by the engagement of the link portion 35a and the first cam portion 18d1 with the link boss 35d and the second cam portion.
When the process cartridge B shown in FIG. 45 is completely attached after the engagement with 18d2, the drum shutter 35 is largely opened so that the recording medium 2 guided by the lower part of the cartridge is not 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 35 urges the cartridge B in the opposite direction 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 the present embodiment, a laser shutter is provided in the image forming apparatus A in addition to the drum shutter 35. This laser shutter is based on the optical system 1 described above.
The laser beam path blocking means is configured so that the laser light emitted from the photoconductor drum 7 to the photosensitive 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. As shown in FIG. 47, the optical unit 1a is provided with an opening 1a1 for irradiating the photosensitive drum 7 with a laser beam, and the laser shutter 46 is formed by bending a sheet metal so as to close the opening 1a1. is doing. That is, the laser shutter 46 bends a metal plate to form a shutter portion 46a, and the shutter portion 46a
A link portion 46b is integrally formed on the left side of the. 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
Has a rotatable end that can abut the link portion 46b of the laser shutter 46, and the process cartridge B is attached to the apparatus main body 15
The cartridge B is disposed at a position where the end of the cartridge B abuts when the cartridge B is mounted.

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 toward the arrow a in FIG.
Push in the direction. As a result, the rotating tip of the arm member 47 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 photosensitive drum 7.

Further, the link portion 46 of the laser shutter 46
A tension spring 47b is attached to b, and the laser shutter 46 is always biased in the direction of closing the opening 1a1 by the biasing force of 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 spring-loaded.
The elastic force of 47b 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 and the arm member 47 for opening and closing the laser shutter 46 are arranged in the vicinity of the left guide member 17, and are opposite to the right guide member 18 side where the link portion 35a for opening and closing the drum shutter 35 is located. Since they are on the side, a space for disposing them can be effectively secured.
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.

{Shift of the grip portion} As shown in FIG. 48, when the process cartridge B is mounted on the image forming apparatus A, an opening member provided on the left shoulder portion in the longitudinal direction (thrust direction) of the process cartridge B is used. When the protrusion 14m presses the arm member 47 provided on the apparatus main body side for opening and closing the laser shutter 46, the metal shaft 21 for drum ground formed to project at the right side in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge B at substantially the same time. (Diameter X1 is about 10 mm, protrusion X
2 is about 5 mm) comes into contact with a ground contact member 51 which is an electric contact having a spring property 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 mounting the cartridge B, the left side in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge B is the laser shutter.
It receives a load against the bias of spring 47b to open 46.
On the other hand, on the right side in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge B, the metal shaft 21 comes into contact with the ground contact member 51 to deform the contact member 51 having a spring property, and the torsion coil spring 35e is urged to open the drum shutter 53. Receive a load to withstand. 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 the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 48, the longitudinal center C ₁ of the lateral rib 12d, which is a grip portion provided on the cartridge B, is linked to the drum shutter 35 more than the longitudinal center C ₂ of the process cartridge B. A lateral rib 12d is provided so as to be offset toward the end where the portion 35a is provided and the direction where the metal shaft 21 that is a conductive member is provided.
That is, in this embodiment, the center C ₁ of the lateral rib 12d in the longitudinal direction is offset by about 10 mm from the center C _{2 of the} length L11 (approximately 300 mm) in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge B (the longitudinal direction of the lateral rib 12d). Center C ₁ is process cartridge B
It is offset by about 10 mm from the center of recording medium conveyance when is installed. Alternatively, the center C ₁ is offset by about 10 mm from the longitudinal center of the photosensitive drum 7 of the process cartridge B).

In this way, the operator can
When the cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus A, as shown in FIG. 49, the cartridge is held on the right side of the center C _{2 in} the longitudinal direction of the cartridge B, that is, on the end side where the link portion 35a of the drum shutter 35 is provided. B is inserted into the main body of the device. As a result, in the cartridge B, the end portion side where the link portion 35a is provided receives a slightly larger force than the other end portion side in the longitudinal direction. 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 inserting the lateral rib 12d with the lateral rib 12d, 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 is a horizontal rib as shown in FIG.
Although it may be constituted by 12d, it may be constituted by a concave portion 73 provided in the frame body as shown in FIG. 50, or may be constituted by a convex portion 74 provided in the frame body as shown in FIG. good. In other words, the shape is not limited as long as the operator can easily hold it.

Further, in the present embodiment, an example 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 is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the elastic force of the spring 47b of the laser shutter 46 is strong and the load resisting the bias of the coil spring 35e is larger than the load resisting the bias of the spring 47b and the load deforming the contact member 51, the protrusion 14m It is provided with the handle biased to the side where 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.
When 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 remaining toner amount is exposed from the lower portion of the developing device frame 13 and the developing sleeve 10d is developed. The developing bias contact portion 48 for applying a bias is exposed. Further, a charging bias contact portion 49 for applying a charging bias to the charging roller 8 is exposed from the lower part of the cleaning frame body 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 the contact member 26 described above (see FIG. 10).
It is configured integrally with.

Accordingly, as shown in the internal plan view of FIG. 53, the transfer roller 4 is provided on the apparatus main body 15 side so that the contact portions 27a, 48, 49 come into contact with each other when the process cartridge B is mounted. The antenna wire contact member 50a with which the contact portion 27a of the antenna wire 27 contacts and the developing bias contact pin 50b with which the developing bias contact portion 48 contacts are arranged on one side in the transport direction of the recording medium 2 with the other side interposed therebetween, and the other side. Is provided with a charging bias contact pin 50c with which the charging bias contact 49 contacts. The contact pins 50b and 50c are, as shown in FIG.
A conductive compression spring is attached to the holder cover 50d so as not to fall off and to be able to project, and to connect the wiring pattern of the electric board 50e to which the holder cover 50d is attached and each contact pin 50b, 50c.
It is biased upward by 50f and is electrically connected. Further, 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 straight 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 charging bias contact member 49 is closest to the hinge 16a and has the smallest radius of gyration associated with the rotation of the opening / closing cover 16. This is because the contact with the contact hinge 50c is performed smoothly and satisfactorily.

Further, 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 bearing portion 18 of the right guide member 18 on which the shaft 21 is located when the process cartridge B is mounted.
c is provided with a leaf spring-shaped ground contact member 51 which is grounded through the chassis of the apparatus main body 15 and the shaft 21 contacts the ground contact member 51 when the cartridge is mounted.

FIG. 22 shows the arrangement of the electric contacts.
Will be described with reference to. As shown in FIG. 22, the photosensitive drum 7
Of the contact points 48 and 49 on the same side with respect to the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum 7 as opposed to the side on which the helical gear 7c is provided. On the opposite side (the side on which the helical gear 7c is provided), a metal shaft 21 as a drum ground contact is arranged. Then, in the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum 7 (recording medium conveying direction), one side of the photosensitive drum 7 (developing means 10
Side), the developing bias contact member 48 is disposed,
A charging bias contact member 49 is arranged on the other side (cleaning means 11 side). The metal shaft 21 as a contact for drum ground projects further outward than the frame body 14 and is located at the center of shaft 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, 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, the tip end portion has a straight line portion, and the straight line portion is curved in a bow shape. As a result, when the process cartridge B is mounted on the image forming apparatus A, even if the contact angle between the charging bias contact member 49 and the charging bias contact pin 50c on the apparatus main body varies, the variation is absorbed. As a result, the contact member 49 for charging bias and the contact pin 50c for charging bias can be surely brought into contact with each other.

Here, when the process cartridge B is mounted in the image forming apparatus A, the charging bias contact member 49 is
Although it is located at the tip in the mounting direction, the contact member 49 and the contact pin 50c are not damaged during mounting.

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

By arranging the contacts as described above, the contact member 49 for charging bias and the metal shaft 21 as the contact for drum ground 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 opposite sides of the photosensitive drum 7, the distance between both 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 remaining amount of the toner in the cartridge is detected by the change in the capacitance between the antenna wire 27 provided in the process cartridge B and the developing sleeve 10d, and therefore the circuit of FIG. 55 is provided. ing.

In the circuit of FIG. 55, the developing sleeve 10d and the antenna wire 27 form a capacitor equivalently.
HV is a high-voltage power supply, and a rectangular wave AC voltage (V _PP = about 1600 V) is applied to the developing sleeve 10d. 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 10d and the antenna wire.
Differential waveform ANT by capacitance between 27 and resistances R ₁ and R ₂
Detected as. The diode D ₁ is a negative output clamp diode.

The differential waveform ANT is divided by resistors R ₁ and R ₂ , peaked by a first peak hold circuit composed of an operational amplifier OA1, a diode D ₂ and a capacitor C ₁ , and converted into a DC signal. The resistor 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 also to the differentiation circuit composed of the reference capacitor C ₂ and the resistors R ₄ , R ₅ (volume resistors) and R _6. . 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).

The output of the first peak hold circuit (potential of the capacitor C ₁ → value according to the remaining amount of toner) and the output of the second peak hold circuit (potential of the capacitor C ₃ → reference value) are output by the comparator CO1. They are compared and output as a signal indicating the remaining amount of toner. Therefore developing sleeve
When there is sufficient toner between 10d and the antenna line 27, the potential of the capacitor C ₁ is higher than the potential of the capacitor C ₃ , and 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, when it 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.

In this embodiment, the process cartridge B
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 lower than the reference potential E (about 1 V in this embodiment), the output of the comparator CO2 becomes low level and the process cartridge B is not attached to the image forming apparatus A. Determine.

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, process cartridge B
55 is not present in the apparatus main body, no signal is input to the operational amplifier OA1 because the photosensitive drum 7, the developing sleeve 10d and the antenna line 27 in the circuit of FIG. 55 are not present. 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 the presence / absence of toner and the detection level of the presence / absence of a cartridge. In FIG. 56, the reference voltage for detecting the presence / absence of remaining toner (potential of the capacitor C ₃ ) is preferably set to a warning level for notifying the toner shortage necessary for recording.
In this embodiment, the reference voltage is set to the volume resistance R ₅ by the electrostatic capacity (about 7.5 pF) corresponding to the presence of about 20 g of toner between the developing sleeve 10d and the antenna wire 27.
Are adjusted and set at the factory. 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 shown in FIG. 55, the comparator CO2 is used to detect the presence / absence of the cartridge, but instead of the comparator, inverters IN1 and IN2 having appropriate slice levels are used as shown in the circuit shown in FIG. You may. Also in this case, the detection voltage level from the antenna line 27 is set to the resistances R ₁ and 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 ₂ , R ₄ , R ₅ , and R ₆ .

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

{Control Unit} Next, a schematic control configuration of the image forming apparatus A described above will be described based on 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. RAM that is used as a memory and temporarily stores various data
And so on.

The control unit 60 receives a signal from a sensor group 61 including, for example, a paper jam sensor (jam sensor) and the like. Further, a signal is received from the toner remaining amount detecting mechanism 61a for detecting the toner remaining amount in the process cartridge B by the change of 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, on the basis of such information, for example, the exposure 63, the charging 64 (charging roller 8 etc.),
Development 65 (development sleeve 10d, etc.), transfer 66 (transfer roller 4
Etc.) and fixing 67 (fixing roller 5b, etc.) and recording medium conveyance 68 (registration rollers 3d1, 3d2, discharge rollers 3f1, 3f2, etc.) are controlled. 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 section 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 when the process cartridge B is mounted on 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 detected by a detection sensor (not shown),
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. And the pair of registration rollers 3d1, 3
The photosensitive drum 7 rotates in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1 in synchronization with the conveyance timing of d2, and a charging bias is applied to the charging roller 8 to uniformly charge the surface of the photosensitive drum 7. 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 feed the toner in the toner reservoir 10a toward the developing sleeve 10d, and at the same time, the toner is fed to the rotating developing sleeve 10d. Form the layers. The photosensitive drum 7 is attached to the developing sleeve 10d.
The latent image on the photoconductor drum 7 is developed with toner by applying a voltage having substantially the same potential as the charging polarity of. The photoconductor drum 7
The recording medium 2 is conveyed between the transfer roller 4 and the transfer roller 4, and a voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the toner is applied to the transfer roller 4 to transfer the toner image on the photosensitive drum 7 to the recording medium 2.

The photosensitive drum 7 onto which the toner image has been transferred further rotates in the direction of the arrow in FIG.
By a, the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum is scraped off and removed, 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 discharge part 6 is formed by the rollers 3e, 3f1 and 3f2.
To discharge. In this way, the desired image is recorded on the recording medium 2. 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 the present 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 this embodiment, 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 cartridges and take out parts.

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

(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 selection 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, the developing sleeve 10d, etc. are reassembled and used.
Items 3 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, it is necessary to separate and crash each frame body, but since the toner frame body and the developing frame body are welded, they cannot be separated unless the joint portion of both frame bodies is cut, and the recycling process is troublesome. It will take.

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 frame bodies 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 of them are styrene), the frame of the used cartridge is not completely cleaned and its inner wall is not cleaned. 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 separately for each frame body 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 in order 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 (PP) is used.
O) and polyphenylene ether (PPE) are used, the mechanical strength is reduced.

Therefore, as shown in the partially cutaway view of FIG. 60, the cleaning frame 14 of this embodiment straddles both side walls 14p of the cleaning frame supporting the rotating shaft of the photosensitive drum 7, and the photosensitive drum. An upper wall portion 14n is provided so as to cover the upper portion of 7 (FIGS. 4, 7, and 47 to 51), and both side walls 14p are reinforced.

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 back side wall of each chamber. The partition wall 14g regulates the toner stored in the waste toner reservoir 11c from moving carelessly in the lengthwise direction of the waste toner reservoir 11c, and the waste toner reservoir 11c.
It also has a function of preventing the toner from leaking from c.

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] 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, the charging roller 8 is configured so as to be restricted from moving in the roller axial direction, so that one end of the roller shaft 8a is abutted against the abutting portion 24a of the bearing 24. However, as another embodiment, FIG. 61 and FIG.
As shown by 62, a bearing 52 having a cylindrical hole 52a may be configured to support one end of the roller shaft 8a of the charging roller 8. 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 against 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, if the notch 52c is configured to face downward when the process cartridge B is mounted, the cylindrical hole 52
Even if a small amount of shavings is generated in a, the shavings are notched 52
It does not fall down from c and remain in the hole 52a. 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-described first embodiment, the 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 moves 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. By doing so, 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 By doing so, 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 and the generation of abnormal noise can be prevented.

(Developing Means) FIG. 15 shows the first embodiment described above.
As shown in FIG. 3, three ribs 13b, 13c, 13 are provided on the developing device frame 13.
d is provided so that the tip of the second rib 13c has an edge shape so as to bite into the developing blade 10e.
66 does not necessarily have to be an edge shape, but may have an acute tip shape, for example, as shown in FIG. 66, and this tip may be strongly pressed against the developing blade 10e.

Further, 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 rising from the recess 13e of the developing device frame 13 so that the antenna wire 27 does not float up. A bend 27b is provided on the line 27. However, the shape of this bent portion 27b is shown in FIG. 18 (b).
It is not necessary to limit to the one shown in FIG.
A semi-circular shape as shown in (a) and a trapezoidal shape as shown in FIG. 67 (b) are also effective.

Further, as a structure for preventing the floating of the antenna wire 27, in addition to providing the bent portion 27b on the antenna wire 27, as shown in FIG.
13p is provided to form the antenna regulation part, and this cut 13p
Alternatively, the antenna wire 27 may be passed through. 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 is placed between the developing device frame 13 and the toner leakage prevention seal 29. There is no gap.

In addition to the structure in which the notch 13p is provided, as shown in FIG. 69, a circular hole 13q having a size through which the antenna wire 27 passes is provided in the developing device frame 13 to form an antenna restriction portion.
The antenna wire 27 may be passed through the round hole 13q. Even in this case, even when an external force in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 69 is applied to the antenna wire 27, as in the case of the cut 13p, the antenna wire 27 does not float up from the developing device frame 13.

In the first embodiment described above, the developing sleeve is used.
Although the positioning of 10d in the direction of the rotating shaft has not been described, this positioning may be performed by abutting one end of the rotating shaft on the bearing member as in the charging roller 8 shown in FIG. The member may have a cylindrical shape as shown in FIGS. 61 to 63.

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 embodiment described above, 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. The structure shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 may be constituted by the cleaning blade 11a, the squeeze sheet 11b, and the toner leakage prevention seal 11e for the photosensitive drum 7 in the cleaning means. That is,
The cleaning sheet 11b and the toner leak prevention seal 11e are provided outside the both ends of the cleaning blade 11a in the longitudinal direction.
Should be configured so that they overlap.

(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, 2
It can also be suitably applied to a cartridge that forms a color image, a three-color image, a full-color image, 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 constitution of the charging means, the so-called contact charging method was used in the above-mentioned 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 constitution. 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. In addition to the roller type, the charging unit may be of blade type (charging blade), pad type, block type, rod type, wire type, or the like.

As a method of 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 process cartridge 9 described above 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.

Further, although the laser beam printer is 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.

[0233]

As described above, according to the present invention, since the presence or absence of the process cartridge is detected by the structure in which the remaining amount of the developer is detected by the change of the electrostatic capacity, the conventional cartridge mounting is performed. There is no need to use mechanical components such as tact switches or actuators to detect presence / absence. Therefore, it is possible to provide a process cartridge and an image forming apparatus that can reduce the cost and can be downsized.

[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 FIG.
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.

[Explanation of symbols]

A ... Image forming apparatus, B ... Process cartridge, C ... Toner developing frame, 1 ... Optical system, 1a ... Optical unit, 1a1
... aperture, 1b ... polygon mirror, 1c ... scanner motor, 1d ... imaging lens, 1e ... reflection mirror, 1f ... laser diode, 2 ... recording medium, 3 ... conveying means, 3a ...
Feed tray, 3a1 ... Inner member, 3a2 ... Outer member, 3b ... Pickup roller, 3c1, 3c2 ... Separation roller, 3d1, 3d2
... Registration roller, 3e ... Intermediate discharge roller, 3f1, 3f2
... Ejection roller, 3g ... Guide member, 3h ... Cassette, 3
i ... pickup roller, 3j ... feeding roller, 3k ... sensor, 4 ... transfer means, 5 ... fixing means, 5a ... drive roller, 5b ... fixing roller, 5c ... heater, 6 ... discharging section, 7
... Photosensitive drum, 7a ... Drum base, 7b ... Organic photosensitive layer, 7c ... Bevel gear, 7c1 ... Flange portion, 7c2 ... Boss, 7d ... Gear flange, 7d1 ... Boss, 7e ... Filling material,
7f ... Adhesive agent, 8 ... Charging means, 8a ... Roller shaft, 9 ... Exposure part, 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 ... blowing sheet,
10j ... Blade mounting member, 10k ... Gap, 11 ... Cleaning means, 11a ... Cleaning blade, 11b ... Squi sheet, 11c ... Waste toner reservoir, 11c1 ... Squi sheet pasting seat surface, 11c2 ... Mounting member, 11e ... Toner leak prevention seal, 12 ... Toner frame,
12a ... Fitting hole, 12b ... Bottom part, 12c ... Fitting hole, 12d ... Horizontal rib, 12e ... Opening, 12f ... Cover film pull-out knob, 12
g ... 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 ... joint surface,
13i ... positioning boss, 13j ... projection part, 13k ... arm part,
13m ... Coupling projection, 13n ... Spring receiving recess, 13o ... Bottom edge,
13p ... Notch, 13q ... Round hole, 13r ... Top surface, 13s ... Rib line, 13t ... Reinforcing rib, 14 ... Cleaning frame, 14a ... Bearing part, 14b ... Restricting member, 14c ... Blade mounting surface, 14d ...
Positioning boss, 14e ... Fitting hole, 14f ... Projection part, 14g ... Coupling recessed part, 14h ... Fastening part, 14i ... Fitting hole, 14j ... Female screw part, 14k ... Through hole, 14m ... Projection, 14n ... Upper wall part, 14o
... Locking recesses, 14p ... Side walls, 14q ... Partition walls, 14r ... Reinforcing ribs, 15 ... Device body, 15a ... Operation part, 16 ... Open / close cover, 16
a ... hinge, 17 ... left guide member, 17a ... first guide portion,
17b ... 2nd guide part, 17b1 ... step part, 17c ... bearing part, 17d
... Rotation regulation guide section, 18 ... Right guide member, 18a ... First guide section, 18b ... Second guide section, 18b1 ... Step section, 18c ... Bearing section, 18d ... Shutter cam section, 19 ... Pressure member, 19a ... Torsion coil spring, 19b ... Roller, 20 ... Abutting member, 20a ... Abutting surface, 21 ... Metal shaft, 21a ... Shaft part, 21b ... Collar part, 21c ... Screw, 22 ... Conductive member, 22a ... Hole part , 22b ... Contact part, 22c
... claw portion, 23 ... bearing, 24 ... bearing, 24a ... abutting portion, 25 ... spring, 26 ... contact member, 27 ... antenna wire, 27a ... contact portion, 27b ... bent portion, 28 ... cover film, 29 ... toner Leakage prevention seal, 29a ... Split 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, 35
e ... Torsion coil spring, 36 ... Assembly tray, 36a ... Member, 36b ... Conveyor roller, 37 ... Assembly tray, 37a ...
Fitting protrusion, 37b ... Conveyor roller, 38 ... Coupling member, 38a
... Base, 38b ... Screw hole, 38c ... Vertical part, 38d ... Spring mounting part, 38e ... Compression spring, 39 ... Screw, 40 ... Projecting rib, 41 ... Pressurizing surface, 42 ... Positioning groove, 42a ... Contact surface, 43 … Auxiliary ribs,
44 ... Link member, 45 ... Drive gear, 46 ... Laser shutter, 46a ... Shutter section, 46b ... Link section, 46c ... Shaft, 47
... Arm member, 47a ... Shaft, 47b ... Spring, 48 ... Development bias contact member, 49 ... Charging bias contact member, 50a ... Antenna wire contact member, 50b ... Development bias contact pin,
50c ... Charging bias contact pin, 50d ... Holder cover,
50e ... electric board, 50f ... conductive compression spring, 51 ... ground contact member, 52 ... bearing, 52a ... cylindrical hole, 52b ... hole bottom, 52
c ... notch, 53 ... rib, 54 ... cushioning material, 60 ... control unit, 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 ... driving motor, 72 ... replacement notification, 73 ... recess, 74 ... convex, 75 ... receiving jig, 75a ... recess, 76 ... holding jig

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁵ Identification number Office reference number FI technical display location G03G 15/00 101 9314-2H 102 H04N 1/29 F 9186-5C

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A process cartridge attachable to and detachable from a main body of an image forming apparatus, comprising: an image carrier, at least one process unit acting on the image carrier, and a residual amount of a developer supplied to the image carrier. A process cartridge comprising: a detection member for detecting a change in electrostatic capacitance. 2. The detection member is composed of a conductor spaced apart from the developing sleeve by a predetermined distance, and the remaining amount of the developer is detected by a change in electrostatic capacitance between the developing sleeve and the conductor. Process cartridge. 3. The process cartridge comprises a charging means, a developing means or a cleaning means as the process means, and an electrophotographic photosensitive member as the image carrier, which are integrally formed into a cartridge, and the cartridge is formed into an image forming apparatus main body. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the process cartridge is removable. 4. The process cartridge is an image forming apparatus in which at least one of a charging unit, a developing unit, and a cleaning unit as the process unit and an electrophotographic photosensitive member as the image carrier are integrally formed into a cartridge. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the process cartridge is removable from the main body. 5. The process cartridge is configured such that at least a developing unit as the process unit and an electrophotographic photosensitive member as the image carrier are integrally made into a cartridge so as to be attachable to and detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus. The process cartridge according to claim 1, which is a product. 6. An image forming apparatus capable of mounting a process cartridge and forming an image on a recording medium, comprising: an image carrier, at least one process unit acting on the image carrier, and the image carrier. Mounting means for mounting a cartridge having a detection member for detecting the remaining amount of the supplied developer based on a change in electrostatic capacity, detection means for detecting the change in the electrostatic capacity, and the detecting means. The image forming apparatus comprises: a determination unit for determining whether or not the process cartridge is attached to the apparatus main body based on the output of 1. and a transportation unit for transporting the recording medium. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the image forming apparatus is an electrophotographic copying machine. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the image forming apparatus is a laser beam printer. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the image forming apparatus is an LED printer. 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the image forming apparatus is a facsimile apparatus.