JPH08278736A - Photoreceptor drum unit with protective paper removing function - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide a photoreceptor drum unit where protective paper covering a photoreceptor drum is easily and surely separated. CONSTITUTION: This photoreceptor drum unit possesses the photoreceptor drum where both end part front surfaces in an axial direction function as a non-image forming area, the protective paper 16 where both ends are bonded by an adhesive agent or the like in the state of being wound on the drum and a supporting holder 17 hanging and holding the drum. When the drum is attached on the side of a copying machine by inserting a boss hole 21 provided at the axial center of the drum into a boss member 22 on the side of the copying machine using the supporting holder 17, a tension imparting member 28 at the inside of the drum is pushed up from a retreating position by the boss member 22 entering at the inside of the boss hole 21 and is pushed out to an operation position. By the projecting operation of the tension imparting member 28 to the operation position, tension component in the peripheral direction of the photoreceptor drum is imparted to the bonded part 20 of the protective paper 16, so that the protective paper 16 is peeled from the drum.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention comprises a photoconductor drum used as an image forming means in an image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine, and particularly when replacing the photoconductor drum, protection for covering the surface of a new photoconductor drum. The present invention relates to a photosensitive drum unit with a protective paper removing function having a function of removing paper.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, as image forming means used in a copying machine or the like, there are roughly classified a photosensitive drum having a photosensitive layer formed on the surface of a drum-shaped main body, and a belt having the photosensitive layer formed on the surface of an endless belt. Photoconductors are widely used. By the way, these image forming means can be replaced with new ones when the deterioration of the photosensitive layer progresses, but in the unused product, the surface photosensitive layer is entirely covered with a protective paper for the purpose of easy mounting. Therefore, the protective paper must be removed from the photosensitive layer at the time of use.

Conventionally, as means for removing protective paper, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 60-84569 discloses a means for a belt photoreceptor. That is, in this prior art example, perforations are provided in the width direction of the loop-shaped cover sheet as the protective paper that covers the surface of the belt photosensitive member. Further, one of the two traveling roller shafts for rotating the belt photosensitive member in rotation can be moved with respect to the other.

When the belt photosensitive member is mounted, one of the traveling roller shafts is moved to widen the distance between the two traveling roller shafts, and tension is applied in the longitudinal direction of the belt photosensitive member and the cover sheet, so that the cover sheet is covered. The perforation part is torn to remove the cover sheet.

[0005]

However, the above-mentioned prior art examples are directed to the belt photosensitive member which is looped between the two traveling roller shafts, and the interval between both belt traveling shafts is widened to form the cover sheet. Since it is configured to tear and remove the perforations, it cannot be applied to a photosensitive drum that is rotationally driven around a single drum rotation axis.

Further, when the distance between the two belt running axes is widened, only the cover sheet has to be torn from the perforations without excessive tension being applied to the belt photosensitive member, and therefore the belt photosensitive member is better than the belt photosensitive member during storage. It is necessary to shorten the cover sheet, in other words, make a slack in the belt photosensitive member.

Therefore, during storage, the belt photosensitive member is damaged by an external force acting on the slack portion, or immediately after the cover sheet is separated from the perforations so that the cover sheet can be removed when the belt photosensitive member is mounted on a copying machine or the like. When the body is stretched between the two traveling roller shafts, an excessive force acts on the slack portion of the belt photosensitive member, which may damage the image forming area at the central portion of the surface of the photosensitive member.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and is incorporated in the photosensitive drum itself in order to correspond to the photosensitive drum of a uniaxial rotation type,
In addition, it is possible to easily and surely separate the protective paper, and to provide a photoconductor drum unit including protective paper separating means for preventing damage to the drum surface image forming area when the protective paper is attached to the image forming apparatus. That is the purpose.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, a photosensitive drum unit of the present invention has an image forming area on the surface in the central portion in the axial direction, and has a surface on the end portion in the axial direction continuous from the image forming area. Protective paper separation including a photosensitive drum having a non-image forming area, a protective paper wound around the entire surface of the photosensitive drum, and acting on the protective paper to remove from the photosensitive drum surface The means is incorporated in the end portion in the axial direction inside the photosensitive drum.

The protective paper separating means acts on the protective paper on the non-image forming area of the photoconductor drum, and imparts a tension component in the drum circumferential direction to the weakened portion or the joint portion of the protective paper to weaken the weakened portion. A tension applying member is provided which can be displaced between two positions, that is, an operating position for separating the joint or the joint and a retracted position that does not act on the protective paper.

More specifically, it is desirable that the tension applying member be constructed as follows. That is, a plurality of the tension applying members are provided, and their acting positions on the protective paper are arranged at positions facing the weakened portion or the joint portion of the protective paper. Also,
The acting portion of the tension applying member with respect to the protective paper is formed in an arc shape of a predetermined length having a curvature substantially the same as the curvature of the drum cylindrical surface. Further, each tension applying member is moved to the working position in response to the mounting operation of the photosensitive drum to the image forming apparatus, and after moving to the working position, it is returned to the retracted position again.

Further, the protective paper has a contact portion where the protective paper between the tension applying members comes into contact with the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum when the respective tension applying members are in the working position, and the weakening of the contact portion. It is desirable that the portion or the joint portion is arranged so as to include a plane which passes through the position where the tension applying member is applied and is perpendicular to the axis of the photosensitive drum.

Further, in the present invention, a support holder for supporting the photosensitive drum so that it can be mounted on the image forming apparatus is provided, and the following structure can be added in relation to this support holder. That is, first, the region where the weakened portion or the joint portion of the protective paper is present is provided so as to be movable from one end to the other end in the drum axial direction using the support holder as a guide, and the protective paper is weakened when moving from one end to the other end. Paper separating means for separating parts or joints, secondly, releasing means for releasing the engagement state of the photosensitive drum and the support holder in conjunction with the movement of the protecting paper separating means, and thirdly, the protecting paper. It is possible to provide a weakening portion, or a joint side end portion of the protective paper, which is concealed by confronting the support holder so as to conceal the protective paper and the relative position of the support holder in the circumferential direction of the drum.

[0014]

According to the above construction, the weakened portion of the protective paper is arranged so as to pass through the position where the tension applying member disposed in the non-image forming area of the photoconductor drum and to include the plane perpendicular to the axis of the photoconductor drum. Therefore, the tension applied to the protective paper by the tension applying member becomes a component in the circumferential direction of the photosensitive drum as it is, and the weakened portion or the joint portion of the protective paper is more easily separated. Further, the tension acting on the protective paper acts between the acting position of the tension applying member at the same end and the weakened portion or the joint portion. Secondly, the tension of the component in the circumferential direction of the drum is applied to the weakened portion of the protective paper wound around the photosensitive drum, for example, a weakened portion formed of perforated portions, or a joint portion formed by adhesion or sticking with a seal. The protective paper can be made removable by applying a tension applying member provided in the non-image portion to tear the perforated portion and peel off the adhesive portion.

Thirdly, in a non-image forming area of the drum, a tension applying member capable of projecting and retracting radially from the drum surface applies tension to the protective paper in the circumferential direction of the drum in association with the operation of mounting the photosensitive drum. By doing so, the tension applying member moves to the operating position according to the mounting operation of the photoconductor drum, so that the protective paper can be removed by one operation of the mounting operation. Fourthly, by arranging the action parts of the plurality of tension applying members at, for example, rotationally symmetrical positions, the protective paper between the tension applying members is always on the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum when the tension applying members are in the operation position. Since they are in contact with each other, the moving distance of the tension applying member may be the shortest.

Fifth, by making the acting position of the tension applying member face the weakened portion or the joint portion of the protective paper, the tension imparted member directly acts on the weakened portion or the joint portion of the protective paper and the normal line of the photosensitive drum. Since the acting force of the tension applying member acts in the direction, the weakened portion or the joint portion of the protective paper is easily separated.
Sixth, the tension applying member has substantially the same curvature as the cylindrical surface of the drum, so that the tension applying member does not protrude to the drum surface during winding, and does not penetrate the protective paper when the tension applying member acts. Seventh, by pulling the tension applying member away from the drum surface after separating the protective paper, the tension applying member moves to the operating position, removes the protective paper, and then returns to the retracted position again. It doesn't get in the way when you remove it.

Eighth, in a replacement unit composed of a photosensitive drum, a protective paper and a support holder, one end of the protective paper is adhered to the support holder to support the photosensitive drum so that the photosensitive drum can be mounted on the image forming apparatus. By connecting the protective paper, the protective paper can also be removed by the operation of removing the support holder. Ninth, the protective paper peeling means is moved along the longitudinal direction of the drum using the support holder as a guide, so that the protective paper is weakened when the protective paper separating means moves from one end to the other end. Since the portion or the joint portion is separated, the work of separating the weakened portion or the joint portion of the protective paper can be easily performed without damaging the photoconductor.

Tenthly, after the protective paper is separated by the protective paper separating means, the releasing means is operated in conjunction with the movement of the protective paper separating means, so that the protective paper is separated before the separating. It is possible to prevent the support holder from being accidentally removed. Eleventhly, it is possible to prevent the protective paper from being mistakenly separated by making the weakened portion of the protective paper or the end portion of the protective paper on the joining side face the supporting holder of the photosensitive drum so as to conceal it.

[0019]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an outline of an electrophotographic copying machine equipped with a photosensitive drum having a protective paper removing function according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a document placing table provided on the upper surface portion, and an exposure optical system 2 is arranged below the document placing table 1. The exposure optical system 2 includes a light source lamp 3 for scanning an original (not shown) placed on the original placing table 1 while irradiating the original, and a plurality of reflecting mirrors for guiding the reflected light from the original to the photosensitive drum 4. 5 and a lens unit 6 arranged in the optical path of the reflected light.

On the outer periphery of the photosensitive drum 4, a charger 7 for charging the surface thereof to a predetermined potential, an inter-image eraser (not shown), and an electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 4 are developed. The developing device 8, the transfer charger 9 for transferring the toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 4 to the sheet, and the cleaning device 10 for collecting the residual toner on the surface of the photosensitive drum.
A static eliminator (not shown) and the like are also provided.

Further, a timing roller 11, a conveying roller 12, a sheet feeding cassette 13 and a sheet feeding roller 14 for feeding a sheet at a predetermined timing are provided on the sheet input side with respect to the photosensitive drum 4. A fixing device 15 that fixes the toner image transferred onto the paper to the paper is provided on the paper output side of the drum 4.

In the copying machine having the above construction, when the power switch (not shown) is turned on, the warm-up process is first performed. When the copy start switch (not shown) is turned on after the completion, the light source lamp 3 of the exposure optical system 2 scans the original placed on the original placing table 1. The light reflected from the original at this time is applied to the photoconductor drum 4 via the reflecting mirror 5 and the lens unit 6, and is charged to a predetermined potential by the charger 7.
An electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the.

This electrostatic latent image is developed by the toner supplied from the developing device 8. The toner image formed on the surface of the photoconductor drum 4 is transferred to the paper supplied from the paper feeding cassette 13 by the transfer charger 9, and the fixing device 15
Is heat-fixed on the paper. As a result, a copy image corresponding to the original image is formed on the sheet.

When the surface photosensitive layer of the photosensitive drum 4 constructed as described above and mounted in the operating copying machine is deteriorated,
It is necessary to replace the unused photosensitive drum 4. By the way, the surface of the unused photoconductor drum 4 is entirely covered with a protective paper. However, the photoconductor drum of the present embodiment itself has the following structure when the drum 4 is mounted as described below. A protective paper separating mechanism for removing the protective paper 16 in synchronism with the mounting operation is incorporated.

2 to 5 show a photoconductor drum unit according to this embodiment, FIG. 2 is an overall appearance, FIG. 3 is a front view of one end of the photoconductor drum 4 in the axial direction, and FIG. The longitudinal side surfaces of the drum mounting portion and one end of the photosensitive drum 4 in the axial direction are shown. In these figures, the drum unit includes a photosensitive drum 4, a protective paper 16 covering the entire surface of the photosensitive drum 4, and a support holder 17 for supporting the photosensitive drum 4 at a predetermined position in a copying machine as an image forming apparatus. It is composed by.

The photosensitive drum 4 is a cylindrical drum main body 18 made of an aluminum tube or the like, and a flange 19 is provided at both end openings.
A photosensitive layer (not shown) is formed on almost the entire outer peripheral surface of the drum body 18, and as shown by the imaginary line in FIG. The photosensitive layer functions as the image forming area a, and the surfaces of both axial end portions continuous from the image forming area a function as the non-image forming area b. The protective paper 16 is made of a rectangular paper material whose length and width are approximately the entire length of the photosensitive drum 4 and a dimension slightly longer than the entire circumference. The protective paper 16 is wound around the photosensitive drum 4 and has its both ends joined by an adhesive or the like. ing.
In FIG. 4, 20 indicates the joint.

As shown in FIG. 4, a boss hole 21 penetrating in the axial direction of the drum is formed at the center of each flange 19, and each boss hole 21 is provided on the copying machine side for fixing a drum. By inserting the member 22 into the member 22, the photosensitive drum 4 is attached to a predetermined portion on the copying machine side. The boss member 22 on the copying machine side is attached to a mechanism portion 23 that supports the photosensitive drum 4 so as to be capable of projecting and retracting in the horizontal direction, and is biased in the retracting direction by a spring 24.

The support holder 17 is provided with a handle 26 at the center of the top surface of the gate form 25, and the lower ends of both sides of the gate form 25 are removably engaged with the bosses of the side flanges 19. As a result, the photosensitive drum 4 is suspended and held.

In FIGS. 3 and 4, reference numeral 27 is a protective paper separating mechanism, which is installed inside the flange portion of the drum body 18 corresponding to the non-image forming area b at the end portion in the drum axial direction. The protective paper separating mechanism 27 includes a pair of upper and lower tension applying members 28, and sliding holes 29 into which the respective tension applying members 28 are fitted so as to be retractable from the non-image forming area b toward the protective paper 16.
And a tension applying member return spring 30.

The spring 30 is provided to constantly pull the tension applying member 28 inward in the radial direction of the photosensitive drum 4 and store it in the retracted position. The spring 30 is urged in the retracted direction, that is, the axial direction of the drum. Spring applying portion 3 provided on the inner surface side of the tension applying member 28 and on the inner surface side of the flange 19.
It is stretched between 1 and 32. Each sliding hole 29 is a boss hole 2
1 and a non-image forming area b on the drum surface, and a step portion 33 is formed in the middle of the non-image forming area b so as to have a large diameter outward in the drum radial direction. The rear side of the drum is open inside the drum body 18.

Each tension applying member 28 acts on the protective paper 16 wound around the photoconductor drum 4 by the projecting operation in the radial direction of the drum, and the tension in the circumferential direction of the photoconductor drum 4 is applied to the protective paper joining portion 20. It serves to impart a component to separate the joint portion 20, and is formed by a plate-like body having a shape similar to that of the sliding hole 29 in a front view, and the inner end portion thereof in the retracted state is the boss hole 21. The front surface of the drum fixing boss member 22 that abuts inside is chamfered as an inclined guide surface, and its outer end is formed in a partial arc shape having a curvature substantially equal to the surface of the photosensitive drum. ing.

Furthermore, a step 34 that interferes with the step 31 of the sliding hole 29 is provided at the intermediate portion of the tension applying member 28 in the projecting and retracting direction, so that the tension applying member 28 does not retract more than necessary. It is considered. The means for restricting the retracting amount of the tension applying member 28 is not limited to the combination of the step 31 and the step 34.

The joint portion 20 of the protective paper 16 is the tension applying member 2
It is disposed so as to include a plane which passes through the operating position of 8 and is perpendicular to the axis of the photosensitive drum 4. Note that FIG. 4 shows a state before the drum unit is mounted on the copying machine side, and the tension applying member 28 is at the retracted position where it does not act on the protective paper 16.

FIG. 5 shows a state in which the drum unit is mounted on the copying machine side. Now, from the state shown in FIG. 4, when the drum unit is inserted to a predetermined position by holding the handle 26 of the support holder 17 in the direction of the white arrow in the figure, the drum fixing boss member 22 is inserted into the boss hole 21 of the photosensitive drum 4. To interfere with the inclined guide surface of the tension applying member 28.
By the entry of the boss member 22, the tension applying member 28 resists the biasing force of the spring 30 from the retracted position and slides in the sliding hole 29.
Is pushed up along with, and its partial arcuate outer end portion jumps out from the surface of the photosensitive drum 4 to the working position.

The tension component in the circumferential direction of the photosensitive drum 4 is applied to the joint portion 20 of the protective paper 16 by the projecting operation of the tension applying member 28 to the working position. In this case, the joint 20
The adhesive strength is set to be weaker than the tension, so that the joint portion 20 is separated by the tension action, and the protective paper 16 is peeled off from the photosensitive drum 4 as shown in FIG. At this time, the tension applying member 28 is moved by the tension applying member return spring 30 to a position above the working position of the photosensitive drum 4.
The protrusion from the surface of the is controlled.

According to this structure, since the joint portion 20 of the protective paper 16 is arranged so as to include a plane which passes through the acting position of the tension applying member 28 and is perpendicular to the axis of the photosensitive drum, the tension Since the tension applied to the protective paper 16 by the applying member 28 becomes the circumferential component of the photoconductor drum 4 as it is, the joint portion 20 of the protective paper 16 can be easily separated. Further, the tension acting on the protective paper 16 acts between the working position of the tension applying member 28 at the end portion and the joint portion 20, so that when the tension is applied to the protective paper 16, the protective paper 16 causes the image on the photosensitive drum 4 to appear. The formation area a is not pressed. Therefore, the protective paper 16 can be removed without damaging the image forming area a of the photosensitive drum 4.

Further, in accordance with the mounting operation of the photosensitive drum 4, the tension applying member 28 is used as the drum fixing boss member 2 on the copying machine side.
Since it is pushed up by 2 and moved to the working position, the protective paper 16 can be removed by one operation of the attaching operation, and the operation of the user or the service person can be simplified.

In the present embodiment having the above-mentioned configuration, the configuration of each part can take various modes as shown below. First, the protective paper 16 is wound around the photosensitive drum 4 at the joint portion 20, but the position of the joint portion 20 is not necessarily limited to that shown in FIG. 4, and, for example, as shown in FIG. It can be arbitrarily set on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 4. Note that FIG. 6 shows a state before the drum unit is attached to the image forming apparatus,
The tension applying member 28 is in the retracted position where it does not act on the protective paper 16.

FIG. 7 shows a state in which the drum unit is mounted on the copying machine side and the tension applying member 28 projects from the surface of the photosensitive drum 4. As shown in this figure, since the components are closely arranged around the photosensitive drum 4, it is necessary to set so that the protrusion of the tension applying member 28 does not interfere with the components around the photosensitive drum 4. .

Therefore, the tension applying member 28 is used for surrounding parts such as the developing device 8 and the blade 10 of the cleaning device 10.
It is necessary to devise so as not to interfere with a. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the longitudinal direction of the photoconductor drum 4 is lengthened, but in addition, although not shown, peripheral parts are arranged away from the photoconductor drum 4, and the like. Various embodiments are possible. The tension applying members 28 are not limited to a pair of upper and lower members, but three or more members may be provided as shown in FIG.
May be provided radially in the radial direction.

9 and 10 show a pair of tension applying members 28.
FIG. That is, FIG. 9 shows the case of the above-mentioned embodiment in which the pair of tension applying members 28 are arranged at the vertical rotational symmetric positions, and FIG. 10 shows the case of arranging the pair of tension applying members 28 at the positions not at the rotational symmetrical positions. . For example, if the diameter of the photosensitive drum 4 is 3
Assuming that the tension applying member 28 is 0 mm and the protrusion amount of the tension applying member 28 from the photosensitive drum 4 is 2 mm, as shown in FIG.
When 8 is in the rotationally symmetrical position, the peripheral length of the protective paper 16 when the tension applying member 28 acts is 98.028 mm.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 10, when the tension applying members 28 are not rotationally symmetrical but are arranged in a biased manner, the circumferential length is 97.617 mm, and the tension applying member 2
Even if the protrusion amount of 8 is the same, the peripheral length becomes longer because the protective paper 16 is in contact with the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 4. Therefore, in the case of having a plurality of tension applying members 28,
If the tension applying members 28 are arranged in a biased manner, the protrusion amount of the tension applying members 28 can be set short.

As described above, when the plurality of tension applying members 28 are in the working position, the protective paper 16 between the tension applying members 28 may have an abutting portion for abutting the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 4. This has the advantage that the moving distance of the tension applying member 28 may be the shortest.

11 and 12 show the joint portion 2 of the protective paper 16.
A mode in which the positional relationship between 0 and the operating position of the tension applying member 28 is different is shown. That is, as shown in FIG. 11, in the configuration in which the acting position of the tension applying member 28 is opposed to the joint portion 20 of the protective paper 16, the tension applying member 28 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2B, when the tension applying member 28 is projected by the entry of the fixing boss member 22, the tension applying member 28 directly acts on the joint portion 20 of the protective paper 16 and the photosensitive drum Four
Since the acting force of the tension applying member 28 acts in the normal line direction, the joint portion 20 is easily separated.

On the other hand, in the present invention, as shown in FIG. 12, the action position of the tension applying member 28 may not be opposed to the joint portion 20 of the protective paper 16, but in this case, as shown in FIG. When the tension applying member 28 shown in (A) is retracted to the retracted position and the tension applying member 28 is projected by the insertion of the fixing boss member 22, as shown in FIG. Is the joint 20 of the protective paper 16
The separation of the joint 20 is not necessarily functional because the acting force of the tension applying member 28 acts so as to pull the joint 20 apart in the tangential direction without directly acting on the joint 20.

FIGS. 13 and 14 respectively show modes in which the surface shape of the tip end working surface of the tension applying member 28 and the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum are different. That is, as shown in FIG. 13, when the front end acting surface of the tension applying member 28 is formed into a substantially flat plane and does not have the same curvature as the drum peripheral surface, the retracted position shown in FIG. When the tension applying member 28 projects from the position shown in FIG. 2B to the working position, only the edge of the tip action surface abuts the protective paper 16, and the tension applying member 28 is applied to the protective paper 16 in a direction intersecting with the paper surface. Since the component force of the acting force of 28 acts, the protecting sheet 16 may be broken when the protecting sheet 16 is wound or when the tension applying member 28 acts.

In this case, if the protective paper 16 is damaged, inconvenience will occur when the protective paper 16 is removed from the photosensitive drum 4 or discarded. On the other hand, in the structure shown in FIG. 14, the tension applying member 2
8 is formed as a partial arc surface of a predetermined length having the same curvature as the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 4 formed on the cylindrical surface. In this case, the protective paper wound around the photosensitive drum 4 is formed. The front end working surface of the tension applying member 28 can be disposed adjacent to the tension applying member 28, and the front end working surface has an advantage that the protection paper 16 has a large area in contact with the front end working surface, so that the protection paper 16 is not easily torn.

FIG. 15 shows a different mode of the protective paper separating mechanism 27. As shown in FIG. 15 (A), the protective paper separating mechanism 27 omits the tension applying member return spring, and the tension applying member 28 is provided in the sliding hole 29 provided in the flange 19 at the end of the photosensitive drum. A through hole 35 communicating with the sliding hole 29 is formed in the center of the flange 19 in the drum axial direction, and a movable member 36 is mounted in the through hole 35 so as to be movable back and forth. There is.

The movable member 36 has inclined guide surfaces 36a and 36b at its inner end portion for interfering with each of the plurality of tension applying members 28 so as to project and retract the member 28 on the peripheral surface of the drum, and at the outer end portion thereof a copying machine. Side drum fixing boss member 22
Has a fitting hole 36c for fitting thereinto, and is constantly urged to the outside by a spring receiver 36d provided at the outer end portion and a spring 37 loaded between the flange outer end surface.

FIG. 15 (A) shows a waiting state.
At this time, the tension applying member 28 is submerged in the flange, that is, in the photosensitive drum. FIG. 15B shows the photosensitive drum 4.
Is in the middle of being mounted on the copying machine side. At this time, the boss member 22 on the copying machine side is inserted into the fitting hole 3 of the movable member 36.
By moving into 6c, the movable member 36 is pushed inward of the drum against the urging force of the spring 37. As the movable member 36 moves, the tension applying member 28 causes the movable member 3 to move.
6 is guided by the inner inclined guide surface 36a of the photosensitive drum 4
Of the protective paper 16 is applied to the protective paper 16 so that the protective paper 16 is separated from the photosensitive drum 4. Movable member 3
When 6 is further pushed into the photosensitive drum by the boss member 22, the tension applying member 28 is retracted into the photosensitive drum 4 again along the outer inclined guide surface 36b of the movable member 36.

As described above, by constructing the tension applying member 28 so that it returns to the retracted position after moving to the working position, the tension applying member 28 necessarily returns to the retracted position after removing the protective paper 16. In addition, there is an advantage that it does not hinder the removal of the protective paper 16 and that the space around the photosensitive drum can be effectively used.

16 to 18 show different modes of the support holder 17, and in this example, the protective paper 16 is also removed at the same time when the support holder 17 is removed. That is, in FIG. 16, the photosensitive drum both-side flange 1
An engaging hole 38 that can be engaged and disengaged is formed in the boss portion of 9.
The photoconductor drum 4 is suspended and held by engaging the engaging hole 38 with the boss portion.

On the other hand, strip-shaped connecting pieces 16a are provided on both sides of one end of the protective paper 16, and these connecting pieces 16a are provided.
Is wound around the photosensitive drum 4 so that it is positioned above, and one end and the other end are joined together, and are connected to the back side of the top surface of the support holder gate form 25 by the connecting piece 16a. Further, a positioning boss 39 is provided on the back surface of the gate frame of the support holder 17, and when the support holder 17 is attached to the photosensitive drum 4, the protective paper 1 is provided.
6 and the non-image forming area b of the photoconductor drum 4 are inserted into the positioning holes 40 provided. As a result, the relative positions of the support holder 17 and the protective paper 16 in the circumferential direction are held.

When such a photosensitive drum unit is mounted in a copying machine, it is fixed by a drum fixing boss member 22 as shown in FIG. 17, but as a part of the protective paper 16, it continues from the protective paper 16. Since the connecting piece 16 a is connected to the support holder 17, the support holder 17 is pulled out in this state, and the joining portion 20 is peeled off from the photosensitive drum 4 as shown in FIG. 18. Further, when the support holder 17 is separated from the photosensitive drum 4, the connecting piece 1
The protective paper 16 attached to the support holder 17 by 6a is removed from the photosensitive drum 4.

As described above, a part of the protective paper 16, that is, the connecting piece 16a, is connected to the support holder 17 that supports the photosensitive drum 4 so that it can be attached to the copying machine. After being separated by the paper separating mechanism 27, the protective paper 16 can also be removed at the same time when the operation for removing the support holder 17 is performed.

19 to 21 show a mode in which the protective paper peeling means 41 is added to the support holder 17. In this example, after the protective paper separating mechanism 27 separates the protective paper joining portion 20, the protective paper peeling means 41 is shown. The joint portion 20 of the protective paper 16 can be peeled off entirely by operating the.

That is, as shown in FIG. 19, the protective paper stripping means 41 forms the gate form 25 by mounting the gate form 25 attached to the support holder 17 by two parallel guide rails 42. It is also used as a guide part. A slider 43 is slidably mounted on the guide rail 42, and a protective paper peeling piece 44 is attached to the lower part of the slider 43. It is sandwiched between the ends of the joint portion 20.

The protective paper 16 wound around the photosensitive drum 4 is connected to the support holder 17 by a connecting piece 16a extending from the end of the protective paper 16, whereby the circle of the photosensitive drum 4 and the support holder 17 is connected. The relative position in the circumferential direction is maintained. The relative position holding means for the photosensitive drum 4 and the support holder 17 is as shown in FIG.
Alternatively, the positioning boss 39 protruding from the support holder 17 may be inserted into the positioning holes 40 provided in the photosensitive drum 4 and the protective paper 16 as shown in FIG.

In this manner, with the photosensitive drum 4 and the support holder 17 positioned and fixed, the slider 43 of the protective paper stripping means 41 is slid from one end of the guide rail 42 to the other end, thereby removing the protective paper strip. The reference numeral 44 linearly moves in the region where the joint portion 20 of the protective paper 16 exists, and peels the joint portion 20 of the protective paper 16 as shown in FIG. In this case, the joint portion 20 of the protective paper 16 does not necessarily need to be parallel to the drum axis direction, and when it is not parallel, the guide rail 42 may be provided along the protective paper joint portion 20. Good.

By providing the protective paper peeling means 41 as described above, when the protective paper peeling means 41 moves from one end to the other end using the support holder 17 as a guide, the protective paper joining portion 20 is peeled off. There is an advantage that the peeling work of the protective paper joint portion 20 can be performed easily and without damaging the photosensitive drum 4.

Further, in FIGS. 19 and 20, 45,
Reference numeral 46 is an engaging portion for engaging the both ends of the support holder 17 with the photosensitive drum 4, and the engaging portion 4 on one end side
5 is a rotation fulcrum 47 provided at the corner of the gate formwork 25.
It is composed of an engaging arm that is rotatable around a required angle range.

Then, as shown in FIG. 20, the protective paper peeling piece 44 of the protective paper peeling means 41 moved from one end to the other end using the support holder 17 as a guide is the joint portion 2 of the protective paper 16.
After peeling 0, the arm-shaped engaging portion 45 is further moved and pushed in the direction of the arrow, so that the engaging portion 45 rotates about the rotation fulcrum 47 and the support holder 17 and the photosensitive drum 4 are engaged with each other. After that, the support holder 17 can be removed.

After the protective paper joining portion 20 has been peeled off by the protective paper peeling means 41 in this way, the engaging portion 45 which is the engagement releasing means is operated in conjunction with the movement of the protective paper peeling piece 44. It is possible to reliably prevent the risk that the support holder 17 is accidentally removed before the paper 16 is peeled off.

22 and 23 show the weakened portion 2 of the protective paper 16.
0'is confronted with the support holder 17 so as to be concealed, and the protective paper 1
6 shows a mode in which a holding means for protecting the relative position of 6 and the support holder 17 in the drum circumferential direction is added. That is,
The drum unit shown in FIG. 22 is almost the same as the configuration shown in FIG. 16 described above, except that the protective paper 16 has a weakened portion 20 ′ having perforations or the like in the drum longitudinal direction. . In addition, the weakened portion 20 ′ of the protective paper 16
Is set so as to face the support holder 17, and the relative position in the circumferential direction is determined by the positioning boss 39 and the positioning hole 40.
Is held by inserting into.

Now, when the drum unit is mounted on the copying machine side and the support holder 17 is removed as shown in FIG. 23, the protective paper 16 connected to the support holder 17 by the connecting piece 16a is separated from the weakened portion 20 '. , Photoconductor drum 4
Peel from. Further, when the support holder 17 is pulled up, the protective paper 16 is removed from the photosensitive drum 4 as in the case shown in FIG.

The weakened portion 2 of the protective paper 16 as shown in FIG.
It is possible to reliably prevent the protective paper 16 from being erroneously separated by covering the end of the protective paper joint portion 20 as shown in FIG.

[0067]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Since the weakened portion or the joint portion of the protective paper is arranged so as to include the plane perpendicular to the axis of the photoconductor drum, passing through the action position of the tension applying member arranged in the non-image forming area of the photoconductor drum, the tension is applied. The tension applied to the protective paper by the member becomes the component in the circumferential direction of the photosensitive drum as it is, and it is easier to separate the weakened portion or the joint portion of the protective paper, and the weakened portion or the joint portion of the protective paper is separated at different timings. However, the tension acting on the protective paper acts between the acting position of the tension applying member at the same end and the weakened portion or the joint portion, and when the protective paper is tensioned, the protective paper acts as a photoconductor. Since the image forming surface of the drum is not pressed, the image forming surface of the photosensitive drum is not damaged.

According to the second aspect, the tension applying member for separating the weakened portion or the joint portion of the protective paper acts on the protective paper in the non-image forming area of the photosensitive drum. The protective paper can be made removable without damaging it. Further, since the tension applying member is moved to the working position in accordance with the mounting operation of the photosensitive drum, the protective paper can be removed by one operation of the mounting operation, and the operation of the user or service person is reduced.

Further, a plurality of tension applying members are arranged,
Since the protective paper between the tension applying members is always in contact with the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum when the tension applying member is in the working position, the moving distance of the tension applying member may be the shortest. Furthermore, by making the acting position of the tension applying member face the weakened portion or the joining portion of the protective paper, the tension applying member directly acts on the weakened portion or the joined portion of the protective paper, and the tension is applied in the normal direction of the photoconductor drum. Since the acting force of the imparting member acts, the weakened portion or the joint portion of the protective paper is easily separated.

In addition, the action portion can be arranged adjacent to the protective paper wound around the photosensitive member, and the protective paper is not easily torn when it acts on the protective paper. Further, since the tension applying member retracts after removing the protective paper, it does not interfere with the removal of the protective paper. In addition, if the tension applying member is left in the operating position, it will not hit the parts around the photoconductor drum when the photoconductor drum rotates, or the parts cannot be arranged in the part where the tension acting member rotates. It is possible to effectively use the design space around the photoconductor in which the components are closely arranged.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the protective paper is connected to the support holder that supports the photosensitive drum so that the image forming apparatus can be attached, if the weakened portion or the joint portion of the protective paper is separated, the support holder is separated. The protective paper can also be removed by the removal operation of. Further, when the protective paper separating means moves from one end to the other end using the support holder for supporting the photosensitive drum attachably to the image forming apparatus as a guide, the weakened portion or the joint portion of the protective paper is separated, The work of separating the weakened portion or the joint portion of the protective paper can be easily performed without damaging the photoconductor.

Furthermore, after the protective paper is separated by the protective paper separating means, the releasing means is operated in conjunction with the movement of the protective paper separating means. Therefore, before the protective paper is separated, the support holder is accidentally removed. Can be prevented. Furthermore, since the weakened portion of the protective paper or the joint side end of the protective paper is covered with the support holder of the photosensitive drum, it is possible to prevent the protective paper from being accidentally separated.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a copying machine in which a photosensitive drum unit according to the present invention is incorporated.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional front view.

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional side view showing a state before mounting on the copying machine side.

FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional side view showing a state where the tension applying member operates.

FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional side view showing a different mode of a joint portion.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a main part showing a mounting state in a copying machine.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the relevant part.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a state in which tension applying members are arranged at rotationally symmetrical positions.

FIG. 10 is a view showing a state in which the tension applying member is not arranged in a rotationally symmetrical position.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the tension applying member is brought into contact with the protective paper joint portion.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the tension applying member is not brought into contact with the protective paper joint portion.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the tension applying member does not have the same curvature as the drum cylindrical surface.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the tension applying member has the same curvature as the cylindrical surface of the drum.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing a different aspect of the protective paper separating mechanism.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing an example of a support holder.

FIG. 17 is a side view of the same.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing a state in which the protective paper is removed.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing another mode of the support holder.

FIG. 20 is a side view of the same.

FIG. 21 is a view showing a relationship between a protective paper and a protective paper peeling unit.

FIG. 22 is an exploded perspective view showing a protective paper and a support holder on which a weakened portion is formed.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view showing a state where the weakened portion of the protective paper is separated.

[Explanation of symbols]

 4 Photoreceptor Drum 8 Developing Device 10a Blade 16 Protective Paper 16a Connecting Piece 17 Support Holder 19 Flange 20 Joint 20 'Weakened Section 22 Drum Fixing Boss 28 Tension Applying Member 30 Tension Applying Member Return Spring 37 Spring 39 Positioning Boss 40 Positioning Hole 41 Protective paper peeling means 45 Engagement part

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A photosensitive drum having an image forming area on the surface in the axial center portion and a non-image forming area on the surface in the axial end portion continuous from the image forming area, and the entire surface of the photosensitive drum. A photosensitive drum unit in which a protective paper is wrapped around and a protective paper separating means for acting on the protective paper and removing it from the surface of the photosensitive drum is incorporated at an axial end portion in the photosensitive drum. The protective paper separating means acts on the protective paper on the non-image forming area of the photosensitive drum, and applies a tension component in the circumferential direction of the photosensitive drum to a weakened portion or a joint portion of the protective paper. A photosensitive member with a protective paper removing function, comprising a tension applying member which is displaceable between two positions, an operating position for separating the weakened portion or the joint portion and a retracted position that does not act on the protective paper. Drum Yu Tsu door. 2. A photoconductor drum having an image forming area on the surface in the central portion in the axial direction, and a non-image forming area on the surface in the axial direction continuous from the image forming area, and the entire surface of the photoconductor drum. A photosensitive drum unit in which a protective paper is wrapped around and a protective paper separating means for acting on the protective paper and removing it from the surface of the photosensitive drum is incorporated at an axial end portion in the photosensitive drum. Wherein, the protective paper separating means, from a position facing the weakened portion or the joint portion of the protective paper on the non-image forming area of the photosensitive drum, to the weakened portion or the joint portion in the circumferential direction of the photosensitive drum. It is displaceable between two positions, that is, a working position where a tension component is applied to separate the weakened portion or the joint portion and a retracted position where the protective paper does not work. It is provided with a plurality of tension applying members formed in an arc shape of a predetermined length having a curvature substantially the same as the curvature of the cylindrical surface, and each tension applying member is compatible with the mounting operation of the photosensitive drum to the image forming apparatus. Then, the protective paper is configured to return to the retracted position after moving to the action position, and further, when the tension applying members are in the action position, the protective paper is provided between the tension applying members. Has a contact portion that contacts the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum, and the weakened portion or the joint portion is arranged including a plane perpendicular to the photosensitive drum axis and passing through the action position of the tension applying member. A photosensitive drum unit with a protective paper removing function, which is characterized by 3. A photoconductor drum having an image forming area on the surface in the central portion in the axial direction, and a non-image forming area on the surface in the axial direction continuous from the image forming area, and an image forming apparatus including the photoconductor drum. A support holder that is attachable to the support drum, and a protective paper that is wound around the entire surface of the photosensitive drum and that has a connecting portion that is connected to the support holder and a separable weakening portion or a joint portion. Protective paper separating means incorporated in the axial end of the photosensitive drum to act on the protective paper to remove it from the surface of the photosensitive drum; and a weakening portion or a joint portion of the protective paper using the support holder as a guide. And a protective paper separating means for separating the weakened portion or the joint portion of the protective paper when moving from one end to the other end in the drum axial direction, and the protective paper separating portion. Release means for releasing the engaged state of the photosensitive drum and the support holder in conjunction with the movement of the step, and the concealment by making the weakened portion of the protective paper or the joining side end of the protective paper face the support holder. The protective paper and the holding means for protecting the relative position of the support holder in the circumferential direction of the drum are provided, and the protective paper separating means is a weakened portion of the protective paper on the non-image forming area of the photosensitive drum. Or, an action position for applying a tension component in the circumferential direction of the photosensitive drum to the weakened portion or the joining portion from a position facing the joined portion to separate the weakened portion or the joined portion, and a retracted position that does not act on the protective paper. A plurality of tension applying members which are displaceable between the two positions and which are formed in an arc shape of a predetermined length having a curvature substantially the same as the curvature of the cylindrical surface of the photosensitive drum. And each The tension applying member is moved to the working position in response to the mounting operation of the photoconductor drum to the image forming apparatus, and is moved to the working position and then returned to the retracted position again. When each of the tension applying members is in the working position, the protective paper between the tension applying members has an abutting portion that abuts on the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum, and the weakened portion or the joining portion is a tension applying member. A photosensitive drum unit with a protective paper removing function, which is arranged so as to include a plane that passes through the action position of and is perpendicular to the photosensitive drum axis.