JPH08320634A - Image carrier supporting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To enhance operability and workability so that a drum-like photoreceptor can be quickly and easily exchanged and to accurately position and hold the photoreceptor. CONSTITUTION: This device is provided with a metallic drum-like image carrier 1, a pair of flanges having bearing holes respectively fitted with both ends of the carrier 1 and a shaft 7 piercing through the bearing holes of the pair of flanges. Besides, it is provided with a shaft fixing part 8 having a flat surface part 8a and a circumferential surface part 8b which are obtained by cutting one part of the circumferential surface of both ends of the shaft 7 along a parallel surface by interposing the shaft center, whose vertical cross sections to the shaft center is formed to be an oval shape on both ends of the shaft 7 and which are mutually faced and a shaft holding part 8 constituted so that a circular hole 6b having an inside diameter with which the circumferential surface part 8b of the fixing part 8 is fitted is formed and provided with an aperture part 6a through which the faced flat part 8a of the fixing part 8 inserted in the hole 6b is made to pass.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image carrier supporting device applied to a hard copy output device using an electrophotographic system such as a copying machine, a laser printer and a facsimile.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When replacing a photosensitive drum or the like which is a conventional image carrier, the photosensitive drum or the like is rotatably supported by a shaft fixed to the main body of the apparatus. The shaft is released from the fixing, and then the shaft is pulled out from the side plate of the apparatus main body and the photoconductor drum to remove the support of the photoconductor and take out the photoconductor from the apparatus body. There is also a unit in which the photoconductor, the consumable developer replenishment unit, and the waste toner recovery unit are integrated into a unit, which also supports the photoconductor when the unit is replaced. I was pulling out the shaft and taking out the unit from the main body of the device. In this way, the photosensitive drum was replaced by inserting and removing the shaft.

[0003]

By the way, when replacing the photoconductor drum mounted on the main body device, one hand supports the photoconductor drum which is out of the shaft support, and the other hand further supports the main body device and the photoconductor drum. Since the shaft is pulled out from the shaft, the work is complicated and time-consuming and requires skill of the operator. Further, when the photoconductor drum is attached to the main body device, it is necessary to prevent the photoconductor surface from being directly touched by the hand, and the places where the photoconductor drum can be directly handled are limited. As described above, it is troublesome to mount and remove the photosensitive drum, and therefore, there is a problem in operability and workability when mounting the photosensitive drum.

When the photosensitive body is unitized,
Since the shaft support of the photoconductor is supported by the main body of the device, and the developing roller is supported by the unit body, the distance between the photoconductor and the developing roller is fixed, and the outer diameter of the photoconductor or the developing roller varies. The contact state is not uniform in the longitudinal direction, or the mutual positions are not parallel, which causes a problem that the positional accuracy cannot be obtained, which causes uneven development.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an image carrier supporting device which has improved operability and workability so that a drum-shaped photosensitive member can be replaced quickly and easily and which can be positioned and held with high precision. And

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 provides a drum-shaped image carrier made of metal, and a pair fitted to both ends of the drum-shaped image carrier. Flanges having bearing holes, a shaft penetrating the bearing holes of the pair of flanges, and a part of peripheral surfaces of both ends of the shaft are cut off along a plane parallel to each other with the axial center interposed therebetween. Forming a shaft fixing portion having opposing flat portions and a peripheral surface portion each having an oval cross section perpendicular to the axis, and a circular hole having an inner diameter into which the peripheral surface portion of the shaft fixing portion fits. Together with a shaft holding portion having an opening for passing the opposing flat surface portion of the shaft fixing portion that is continuous with the circular hole, and fitting the shaft fixing portion into the circular hole of the shaft holding portion to form the shaft. To hold And butterflies.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a drum-shaped image bearing member made of metal, a flange having a pair of bearing holes fitted respectively at both ends of the drum-shaped image bearing member, and the pair of flanges. Of the shaft penetrating the bearing hole and a part of the peripheral surfaces of both ends of the shaft are cut along a plane parallel to the shaft center so that the shaft has an oval cross section perpendicular to the shaft center. A shaft cutout portion is formed that has opposed flat surface portions and peripheral surface portions that are formed, and a circular hole having an inner diameter into which the peripheral surface portion of the shaft cutout portion fits is formed, and the shaft cutout portion that is continuous with the circular hole is formed. A shaft holding member having an opening for passing the facing flat surface portion of the portion,
A fixed support portion for fixedly supporting the shaft holding member is provided, and the shaft cutout portion is fixedly supported by the fixed support portion via the shaft holding member.

According to the invention of claim 3, the flange is
It is characterized by being formed of a conductive member.

The invention according to claim 4 is the flange,
A conductive member for connecting the shaft and the inner wall surface of the drum-shaped image carrier is provided.

The invention according to claim 5 is characterized in that the shaft holding member is formed of a metallic member.

The invention according to claim 6 is characterized in that the shaft holding member is formed of a conductive resin.

The invention according to claim 7 is characterized in that handle parts for gripping the shaft are attached to both ends of the shaft except the peripheral surface part.

According to an eighth aspect of the invention, in the image carrier supporting device according to the seventh aspect, a fixing claw portion is provided on one or both of the pair of left and right grip portions attached to both ends of the shaft. On the other hand, on the other hand, the shaft holding portion is fixed at the position where the grip portion is rotated to a predetermined rotation position at which the opposing peripheral surface portions of the shaft fixing portion are fitted to the inner circumference of the circular hole of the shaft holding portion. It is characterized in that a grip fixing portion which engages with the claw portion and stops the rotation of the grip portion is formed.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the image carrier supporting device according to the seventh or eighth aspect, one or both of a pair of left and right grip portions attached to both ends of the shaft are provided with a left and right handle. Is provided with a mark for identifying

According to a tenth aspect of the invention, in the image carrier supporting device according to the ninth aspect, the left and right identification marks provided on one or both of the pair of left and right grip portions are convex. It is characterized by being formed.

The invention of claim 11 relates to claim 7,
8. The image carrier supporting device according to any one of 8, 9, and 10, wherein a reverse mounting prevention interference portion is formed on one or both of the pair of left and right grip portions, and the drum is attached to the shaft holding portion. When the drum-shaped image carrier is mounted in the right-left direction, it does not interfere with the reverse mounting prevention interference portion, but when the drum-shaped image carrier is mounted left-right, it interferes with the reverse mounting prevention interference portion. The handle interference protrusion is formed.

The invention according to claim 12 is the invention according to claim 7,
In the image carrier supporting device according to any one of 8, 9, 10 or 11, a pair of left and right waste toner recovery tank holding portions are formed in the vicinity of the pair of left and right grip portions at both ends of the shaft, and Above the drum-shaped image carrier,
In a normal state, a pair of left and right shaft fitting portions formed on both ends thereof are fitted to the pair of left and right waste toner recovery tank holding portions, respectively, so that the regular image is formed close to the drum-shaped image carrier. The waste toner collecting tank is located at a position and is spaced above the drum-shaped image carrier, and has a cleaning means for cleaning at least the surface of the drum-shaped image carrier. One or both of them do not interfere with the waste toner recovery tank in the regular position when the grips are in the predetermined rotation position, but the grips rotate to the predetermined position. In the state where the waste toner recovery tank is not in the normal position, a waste toner recovery tank interference protrusion portion that interferes with the waste toner recovery tank at the regular position is formed.

The invention according to claim 13 is the invention according to claim 7,
In the image carrier supporting device according to any one of 8, 9, 10 or 11, a pair of left and right waste toner recovery tank holding portions are formed in the vicinity of the pair of left and right grip portions at both ends of the shaft, and Above the drum-shaped image carrier,
In a normal state, a pair of left and right shaft fitting portions formed on both ends thereof are fitted to the pair of left and right waste toner recovery tank holding portions, respectively, so that the regular image is formed close to the drum-shaped image carrier. The waste toner collecting tank is located at a position and is spaced above the drum-shaped image carrier, and has a cleaning means for cleaning at least the surface of the drum-shaped image carrier. Is formed in a chamfered shape at the upper portions of the handle portions when the handle is in the predetermined rotation position.

[0019]

According to the structure of claim 1, the shaft for supporting the photosensitive member, which is the drum-shaped image carrier, can be integrally set in advance, and the shaft can be mounted or taken out from the apparatus main body as it is. . Moreover, on the shaft fixing part,
It has a flat part corresponding to the opening that leads to the positioning part of the shaft holding part, and a peripheral surface part corresponding to the circular hole that is the positioning part. Makes it easy and quick.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the first aspect, the shaft holding member is a jig or the like for the photosensitive member which is a drum-shaped image bearing member, and the intermediate roller of the developing section. After adjusting the gap or the amount of bite, etc. to a certain value, it can be fixed to the fixed support part.
Even if the outer diameter of the intermediate roller varies from lot to lot,
It is possible to adjust the position corresponding to it, and it is also possible to absorb individual minute variations, which enables highly accurate positioning.

According to the third aspect of the invention, since the flange is made of a conductive member, the photosensitive member, which is the drum-shaped image bearing member, can be grounded to the shaft and grounded to the main unit. . Therefore, the photoconductor can be reliably grounded, and the charges on the photoconductor surface when the photoconductor is exposed by the optical writing means can be released.

According to the structure of claim 4, the flange is provided with a conductive member for grounding the shaft and the photosensitive member which is the drum-shaped image bearing member, whereby the photosensitive member which is the drum-shaped image bearing member is provided. Can be grounded to the shaft, and grounded to the main unit. Therefore, the photoconductor can be reliably grounded, and the charges on the photoconductor surface when the photoconductor is exposed by the optical writing means can be released.

According to the fifth aspect of the invention, since the shaft holding member is made of a metallic member, the shaft which supports the photosensitive member which is the drum-shaped image bearing member and is grounded to the photosensitive member. Can be electrically connected to the shaft holding member that is grounded to the main body device, so that the photoconductor can be reliably grounded and the charge on the photoconductor surface when the photoconductor is exposed by the optical writing means can be eliminated. You can escape.

According to the sixth aspect of the invention, since the shaft holding member is made of a conductive resin, the shaft that supports the photosensitive member, which is the drum-shaped image bearing member, and is grounded to the photosensitive member. Can be electrically connected to the shaft holding member that is grounded to the main body device, so that the photoconductor can be reliably grounded and the charge on the photoconductor surface when the photoconductor is exposed by the optical writing means can be eliminated. You can escape. Further, it is possible to prevent rust and corrosion of the shaft holding member.

According to the structure of claim 7, since the grips are provided at positions other than the peripheral surface portions at both ends of the shaft, the grips are held when the photoconductor is replaced, and the shaft holding portion or the shaft holding member is attached / detached and fitted. One-touch fixed operation. Therefore, when the photoconductor is removed from the shaft holding portion or the shaft holding member, the toner attached to the photoconductor can be removed without touching the toner. Further, when the photoconductor is fitted and fixed to the shaft holding portion or the shaft holding member, it can be set without touching the photoconductor.

According to the structure of claim 8, a fixed claw portion is formed on one or both of the pair of left and right grip portions attached to both ends of the shaft. On the other hand, the handle fixing portion formed on the shaft holding portion has a predetermined rotation position in which both of the facing peripheral surface portions of the shaft fixing portion are fitted to the inner circumference of the circular hole of the shaft holding portion, that is, The shaft is engaged with the fixing claw portion at a position where the handle is rotated to a rotation position where the shaft is fitted and fixed to the shaft holding portion instead of being in the detachable guide state, and the rotation of the handle is stopped. That is, the grip portion is fixed. This prevents the shaft from moving as the photoconductor rotates. It should be noted that the fixing claw portions may be formed on both the pair of left and right grip portions, and correspondingly, the grip fixing portions may be formed on the pair of left and right shaft holding portions, respectively, so that the shaft is balanced in the left and right directions. It is desirable because it can be fixed.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, a mark for identifying the left and right is provided on one or both of the pair of left and right grips attached to both ends of the shaft. For example, only the left handle is marked with the Chinese character “left”, only the right handle is marked with the Chinese character “right”, or the left handle is marked with the Chinese character “left” while the right handle is marked. Right or left, such as marking the handle “K” on the handle, “L” instead of “Left”, or “R” instead of “Right”. Characters and symbols used to distinguish between can be used. As a result, the shape is almost bilaterally symmetric, and it is difficult to judge the absolute left and right only by the difference in the shape of the parts that are not bilaterally symmetric. Even when a different photoconductor is attached, the left and right identification marks provided on the handle can be attached in the right and left directions.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, marks such as "left" and "right" provided on one or both of the pair of left and right grip portions for identifying left and right are formed in a convex shape. To be done. As a result, when the operator grips and rotates the grip portion with his / her hand, the relief-shaped characters such as “left” and “right” become non-slip.

According to the eleventh aspect of the invention, the reverse mounting prevention interference portion is formed on one or both of the pair of left and right grip portions. On the other hand, when the drum-shaped image carrier is mounted on the shaft holding portion in the right and left direction, the drum-shaped image carrier does not interfere with the reverse mounting prevention interference part, but the drum-shaped image carrier is mounted on the left and right sides. In some cases, a handle interference protrusion that interferes with the reverse mounting prevention interference portion is formed. As a result, the drum-shaped image bearing member cannot be mounted even if it is mounted upside down, but it can be mounted when mounted in the right-left direction.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, a pair of left and right waste toner recovery tank holding portions formed at both ends of the shaft in the vicinity of the pair of left and right grip portions have left and right portions formed at both ends thereof. The waste toner recovery tank is located above the drum-shaped image bearing member and close to the drum-shaped image bearing member, that is, in normal operation, by fitting the pair of shaft fitting portions to each other. It is in a regular position at the time, and is separated above the drum-shaped image carrier as necessary. Further, the waste toner recovery tank has a cleaning means for cleaning at least the surface of the drum-shaped image carrier. On the other hand, the waste toner collecting tank located at the regular position in a state in which the shaft is fitted and fixed to one or both of the pair of left and right grips at the predetermined rotation position. State that the handles are not rotated to the predetermined position,
That is, when the shaft is not fitted and fixed, a waste toner recovery tank interference protrusion that interferes with the waste toner recovery tank located at the regular position is formed. As a result, when the drum-shaped image carrier is incompletely mounted, the waste toner recovery tank cannot be lowered to the normal position during normal operation.

According to the structure of the thirteenth aspect, the pair of left and right waste toner recovery tank holding portions formed in the vicinity of the pair of left and right grip portions at both end portions of the shaft have left and right portions formed at both ends thereof. The waste toner recovery tank is located above the drum-shaped image bearing member and close to the drum-shaped image bearing member, that is, in normal operation, by fitting the pair of shaft fitting portions to each other. It is in a regular position at the time, and is separated above the drum-shaped image carrier as necessary. Further, the waste toner recovery tank has a cleaning means for cleaning at least the surface of the drum-shaped image carrier. On the other hand, an upper portion of the pair of left and right grip portions is chamfered in a state where the pair of left and right grip portions are in the predetermined rotation position and the shaft is fitted and fixed.
Thus, when the waste toner recovery tank is lowered to the normal position during normal operation after the shaft is fitted and fixed and the drum-shaped image carrier is mounted, the pair of left and right shafts are fitted. When the parts descend to the pair of left and right waste toner recovery tank holding parts formed near the grips at both ends of the shaft and are fitted into them, the vicinity of the upper part formed in the chamfered shape of the grips When passing, the shaft fitting portion is guided in the chamfered shape above the handle portion. Therefore, the waste toner recovery tank can be installed smoothly.

[0032]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the essential parts of an electrophotographic recording apparatus used in the first embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 1 is a drum-shaped photosensitive member having a photosensitive layer, 6 is a shaft holding portion formed in the developing unit 14, 7 is a shaft that supports the photosensitive member 1 and is held by the shaft holding unit 6, and 10 is a paper feed cassette 11 A sheet feeding roller that conveys the recording sheets loaded in the sheet one by one, a charging roller 12 that uniformly charges the surface of the photoconductor, and an optical writing unit 13 that exposes the photoconductor 1 to form an electrostatic latent image. , 14a is a developing hopper to which the toner replenishing tank 20 is mounted, 14b is a replenishing roller, 14c is a developing roller that adsorbs new toner conveyed from the replenishing roller 14b on the surface to form a toner layer, and 14d is a developing roller 14c.
Is an intermediate roller which comes into contact with the photoconductor 1 and conveys the toner on the developing roller 14b to the photoconductor 1. The replenishing roller 14b, the developing roller 14c, and the intermediate roller 14d are supported by respective roller shafts 14b ₁ , 14c ₁ , 14d ₁ which are supported by bearings formed on the side wall of the developing hopper 14a. Like the supply roller 14b, the developing roller 14c, and the intermediate roller 14d, the shaft 7 of the photoconductor 1 is also supported by the same developing hopper, so that both the intermediate roller 14d and the photoconductor 1 are accurately positioned. . Reference numeral 15 is a transfer roller for transferring the toner image onto the recording paper P, 16 is a fixing device for fixing the toner image transferred onto the recording paper P, 17 is a pair of registration rollers for sending the recording paper P to the transfer roller 15 with timing. 18 is a waste toner collection tank,
The waste toner recovery tank 18 is provided with a recovery brush roller 18 a for scraping off the residual toner on the photoconductor 1. 19 removes residual charges on the surface of the photoconductor 1
This is a static elimination lamp that returns to the initial state. Reference numeral 20 denotes a toner replenishing tank in which new toner is stored, 21 denotes a first arm, 22 denotes a second arm, one end of the first arm 21 is attached to the waste toner recovery tank 18, and the other end is U-shaped. The shaft 7 is formed at a predetermined position, for example, the photoconductor 1
Is engaged between the end surface of the shaft holder 6 and the shaft holding portion 6. Second
One end of the arm 22 is attached to the toner supply tank 20, and the other end is formed in a U shape like the first arm and is engaged with the shaft 7. The waste toner recovery tank 18 and the toner replenishment tank 20 are connected by a first arm 21 and a second arm 22. 23 is a paper ejection roller for ejecting the recording paper P after fixing to the outside of the apparatus, 24 is a paper ejection tray for receiving the recording paper P ejected from the paper ejection roller 23, 25 is a pressing member which is an elastic member, and 26 is an upper cover. Is. A pressing member 25 is provided inside the upper cover 26, and the pressing member 25 abuts on the upper side of the waste toner collecting tank 18, and depending on the closing direction of the upper cover 26, the waste toner collecting tank 18 is provided.
Is configured to be pushed downward. With this pressing force, the first arm 21 pushes the shaft 7 downward, and the shaft 7 is tightly housed in the shaft holding portion 6 without rattling.

To replace the photoconductor 1 of the electrophotographic recording apparatus having the above structure, first, the first arm 21 and the second arm 2 are replaced.
The first arm 21 and the second arm 22 are respectively from the shaft 7, the toner replenishment tank 20 is from the developing hopper 14a, and the waste toner recovery tank 18 and the toner replenishment tank 20 connected by 2 are simultaneously taken out upward. The waste toner recovery tank 18 is removed from a support member (not shown) to remove the photoconductor 1.
Open the upper side of. In this way, the photoconductor 1 can be taken out from the direction of arrow A.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the photosensitive member supporting portion of this embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the photosensitive member supporting portion. Reference numeral 2a denotes a flange A, a gear of which is partially formed, and is fitted to one end of the photoconductor 1. Reference numeral 2b is a flange B fitted to the other end of the photoconductor 1. Sliding portions 4a and 4b of A and B are formed in the centers of the flanges A2a and B2b, respectively, and the shaft 7 penetrates the sliding portions A4a and B4b to rotatably support the sliding portions A4a and B4b. ing. Further, the flanges A2a and B2b are press-fitted and fixed to the drum-shaped photoconductor 1 or fixed by electrical bonding, adhesive bonding, or the like. Two
Reference numeral c is a conductive member provided on the flange A2a, and the inner wall of the photoconductor 1 and the shaft 7 are grounded. Reference numeral 8 denotes a shaft fixing portion formed at both ends of the shaft 7. The shaft fixing portion 8 has a flat surface portion 8a cut along a plane parallel to the shaft axis center and a flat surface portion 8a.
A peripheral surface portion 8b of the outer shape of the shaft, which is offset by 90 degrees and faces a
And have. A portion having the flat surface portion 8a and the peripheral surface portion 8b has an oval shape in a cross section perpendicular to the shaft axis. Reference numerals 3 are handles provided on both ends of the shaft 7. The handle 3 has an engaging portion 3 that engages with the shaft 7.
A and a longitudinal portion 3b that can be gripped by hand are formed. The engaging portion 3a is fixed to the shaft 7 by means (not shown) such as a stop screw, a split pin, or an adhesive.

A pair of shaft holding portions 6 holds the shaft fixing portion 8 on the apparatus main body side. The shaft holding portion 6 is provided on the developing hopper 14a so as to project therefrom. The shaft holding portion 6 has a pair of shaft holding portions 6 formed with an opening portion 6a opened so as to pass the flat surface portion 8a of the shaft fixing portion 8 and a circular hole 6b fitted into the peripheral surface portion 8b. .

The projection of the shaft holding portion 6 is not limited to the developing hopper 14a. For example, a protrusion provided on the photoconductor unit, the transfer unit, the fixing unit, or the main body device may be used.

The photoconductor 1 thus positioned and held by the main body device is transmitted to the photoconductor drive gear 5 from a drive source (not shown), and the flange A
2a is transmitted to a gear 9 formed integrally with the drum 2a to rotate the drum-shaped photoreceptor 1 fitted to the flange A2a. At this time, the shaft 7 is fixed, and the flange A2a and the flange B2b rotate about the shaft 7.

4, 5 and 6 are explanatory views showing the shaft fixing portion 8 until it is inserted and fixed in the shaft holding portion 6. FIG. 4 shows a facing state before the shaft 7 supporting the photoconductor 1 is inserted into the shaft holding portion 6 of the main body device.
At this time, the flat surface portion 8a of the shaft fixing portion 8 is oriented in the same direction as the width surface 6c of the opening 6a of the shaft holding portion 6 on the receiving portion side. From this state, the shaft fixing portion 8 is inserted into the circular hole 6b of the shaft holding portion 6 as shown in FIG. At this time, the flat surface portion 8a has the opening 6
Guided by the width surface 6c of a, the peripheral surface portion 8b is inserted until it abuts against the edge of the circular hole 6b. Circumferential surface 8b is circular hole 6b
When you hit the edge of the
The circular surface portion 8b and the circular hole 6b are fitted with each other.
As a result, the shaft 7 is positioned and fixed to the shaft holding portion 6. In this case, when the peripheral surface portion 8b and the circular hole 6b are fitted together, there is a slight clearance, which causes rattling, but the weight of the waste toner recovery tank 18 causes the shaft 7 to pass through the shaft 7 through the first arm 21.
Since it is pushed down, the peripheral surface portion 8b and the circular hole 6b can be fitted tightly without looseness. Therefore, the backlash of the photoconductor 1 is prevented, and further, the deterioration of the positioning accuracy is suppressed. Also, the upper cover 26
However, since the waste toner collecting tank 18 is pressed downward via the pressing member 25, the waste toner collecting tank 18 is
Also, since the vertical direction is fixed, rattling of the photoconductor 1 is completely prevented.

The rotation angle of the handle 3 is not limited to 90 degrees, and may be any number as long as the shaft 7 is fixed. The lock after rotating the handle by 90 degrees is locked by a locking means (not shown). In this case, springs, leaf springs, friction bodies,
It may be a mechanical means, an electrical means, or the like.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the essential parts of an electrophotographic recording apparatus used in the second embodiment of the present invention. The same members as those in the configuration of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 described above are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In the figure, 30 is a shaft for supporting the photosensitive member 1, and 34 is a shaft holding member for supporting the shaft 30. The shaft holding member 34 is fixed to a fixed support portion of the developing portion hopper 14a (not shown).

The shaft holding member 34 is not limited to being fixed to the developing section hopper 14a, but may be fixed to, for example, a photoconductor unit, a transfer unit, a fixing unit, or a main unit.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an image carrier supporting device according to the second to seventh embodiments of the present invention. Referring to the second embodiment in the drawings, 2a is a flange A, and a gear is formed on a part of the flange A, and the flange 2a is fitted to one end of the photoconductor 1. 2b
Is fitted to the other end of the photoconductor 1 with a flange B. Sliding portions 4a and 4b of A and B are formed at the centers of the flanges A2a and B2b, respectively, and the sliding portions A4a and B4b are formed.
A shaft 30 penetrates through the shaft 30 and rotatably supports the sliding portions A4a and B4b. The flanges A2a and B2b are press-fitted and fixed or electrically joined to the drum-shaped photoreceptor 1.
It is fixed by adhesive bonding. A conductive member 33 is provided on the flange A2a to connect the inner wall of the tube of the photosensitive member 1 and the shaft 30 to the ground, and when the photosensitive member 1 is exposed by the optical writing means 13, the surface charge of the photosensitive member 1 is reduced. It is designed to run away. Reference numeral 31 denotes a shaft cutout portion formed at both ends of the shaft 30. The shaft cutout portion 31 has a flat surface portion 31-a cut along a plane parallel to the shaft axis center and a flat surface thereof. It has a portion 31-a and a peripheral surface portion 31-b of the outer shape of the shaft, which faces the portion 31-a with a shift of 90 degrees. The shaft cutout portion 31 having the flat surface portion 31-a and the peripheral surface portion 31-b has an oval shape in a cross section perpendicular to the shaft axis. Reference numeral 34 denotes a pair of shaft holding members for holding the shaft cutout portion 31.
The shaft holding member 34 is fixed to the fixed support portion 37 with a screw 35 after adjusting the photosensitive member 1 and the intermediate roller 14d to a certain gap or bite amount using a jig or the like. Thus, the photoconductor 1 and the intermediate roller 14d
By adjusting the distance or the position with respect to each other, even if the outer diameter or the like of the intermediate roller 14d varies from lot to lot, it is possible to adjust the position corresponding to it, and it is also possible to absorb individual minute variations. Positioning can be performed with high accuracy with a fixed value. Especially the intermediate roller 14d
Since it is an elastic body, it is difficult to obtain the outer diameter accuracy, and if the position is not adjusted, an error occurs in the positional relationship with the photoconductor 1 and the development quality deteriorates. Further, the shaft holding member 34 is formed with an opening 34-a opened so as to pass the flat surface portion 31-a of the shaft cutout portion 31 and a circular hole 34-b fitted with the peripheral surface portion 31-b. Has been done.

The photosensitive member 1 thus positioned and held
Is transmitted from a drive source (not shown) to a gear 9 formed integrally with the flange A2a via a photoconductor drive gear (not shown), and rotates the drum-shaped photoconductor 1 fitted to the flange A2a. At this time, the shaft 30 is fixed by the shaft holding member 34, and the flange A2a and the flange B2b rotate about the shaft 30.
Further, the intermediate roller 14d is configured such that a gear 38 provided on the intermediate roller 14d meshes with a gear 39 formed integrally with the flange B2b to transmit drive.

A third embodiment of the present invention is shown in the figure. By using the flange A2a and the flange B2b or one of the flanges as a conductive member, a shaft which is grounded to the photosensitive member 1 and the main body device. Since 30 is connected to the ground, the ground can be surely taken and the charge on the surface of the photoconductor at the time of exposure can be escaped.

In the fourth embodiment of the present invention, a conductive member for grounding the photoconductor 1 and the shaft 30 is provided on the flange A2a and the flange B2b or any one of the flanges. The body 1 and the shaft 30, which is grounded to the main body apparatus, can be surely grounded, and the charges on the surface of the photoconductor at the time of exposure can be released.

In addition, in the fifth embodiment of the present invention, the shaft holding member 34 is formed of a metallic member, and the shaft holding member 34 is attached with a ground plate 36 which is grounded to the main unit. By holding the shaft 30 in the shaft holding member 34, the shaft 3
The photoconductor 1 electrically connected to 0 is surely electrically connected to the main body device and grounded.

A sixth embodiment of the present invention is shown in the drawing. The shaft holding member 34 is formed of a conductive member, and the shaft holding member 34 is attached with a ground plate 36 which is grounded to the main unit. By holding the shaft 30 in the shaft holding member 34, the shaft 3
The photoconductor 1 electrically connected to 0 is surely electrically connected to the main body device and grounded.

As described above, the photoconductor 1 is electrically connected to the shaft 30 and the shaft holding member 34 is made a conductive member, whereby the photoconductor 1 and the main body device are grounded.
Shaft holding member 3 of shaft 30 supporting photoconductor 1
Along with the installation on 4, the ground connection is easily obtained.

Further, as shown in the drawing of the seventh embodiment of the present invention, the grips 32 are provided at both ends of the shaft 30 excluding the peripheral surface part 31-b. The handle 32 has a shaft 3
0-engaging portion 32-a and a hand-held longitudinal portion 32
-B is formed. An inner diameter D-cut 32-c is formed in the engaging portion 32-a, and a method of press-fitting and fixing the D-cut portion of the shaft 30 is used. Shaft 3 with pins and glue
It may be fixed at 0. By providing the handle 32 in this manner, it is possible to prevent the photoconductor 1 from directly touching the photoconductor 1 when the photoconductor 1 is attached or detached, and it is possible to prevent the photoconductor 1 from being soiled or damaged. Further, since the toner attached to the photoconductor 1 is not touched by the hands, the hands can be prevented from being soiled.

9, 10, and 11 show the shaft cutout portion 31.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing a process up to being inserted into and fixed to a shaft holding member 34. FIG. 9 shows a facing state before the shaft 30 supporting the photoconductor 1 is inserted into the shaft holding member 34. At this time, the flat surface portion 31 of the shaft cutout portion 31
The direction of −a should be in the same direction as the width surface 34-c of the opening 34-a of the shaft holding member 34 on the receiving side. From this state, the shaft cutout portion 31 is inserted into the circular hole 34-b of the shaft holding member 34 in FIG. At this time, the flat surface portion 31-a has an opening 34-
Guided by the width surface 34-c of a, the peripheral surface portion 31-b of the shaft cutout portion 31 is inserted until it abuts against the edge of the circular hole 34-b. When the peripheral surface portion 31-b hits the edge of the circular hole 34-b, the grip 32 is rotated by 90 degrees as shown in FIG. 11 to fit the peripheral surface portion 31-b and the circular hole 34-b. As a result, the shaft 30 becomes the shaft holding member 34.
It will be positioned and fixed at. In this case, the peripheral surface portion 3
When the 1-b and the circular hole 34-b are fitted, there is a minute clearance, which causes rattling.
Since the shaft 30 is pushed down through the first arm 21 by the own weight of the waste toner recovery tank 18,
The fitting between the peripheral surface portion 31-b and the circular hole 34-b can be fit tightly without looseness in the upper and lower portions. Therefore, the photoconductor 1
Backlash is prevented, and further deterioration of positioning accuracy is suppressed. Further, since the upper cover 26 presses the waste toner recovery tank 18 downward via the pressing member 25,
Since the waste toner collecting tank 18 is also fixed in the vertical direction, the play of the photoconductor 1 is completely prevented.

The rotation angle of the handle 32 is not limited to 90 degrees,
It does not matter as many times as long as the shaft 30 is fixed.
The lock after rotating the handle by 90 degrees is locked by a locking means (not shown). In this case, springs, leaf springs, friction bodies, mechanical means, electrical means or the like may be used.

FIG. 12 is a schematic view of the essential parts of an electrophotographic recording apparatus to which the image carrier supporting device according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention is applied. For the same members as the members in the configuration of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 described above,
The same reference numerals are given and detailed description is omitted.

In the figure, 40 is a shaft for supporting the photosensitive member 1, and 44 is a shaft holding portion for supporting the shaft 40. The shaft holding portion 44 is formed on a fixed support portion on the side surface of the developing portion hopper 14a (not shown).

The shaft holding portion 44 is not limited to being formed on the developing portion hopper 14a, but may be formed on, for example, a photoconductor unit, a transfer unit, a fixing unit, or a main unit.

A waste toner collecting tank 50 is disposed in the vicinity of the upper portion of the photoconductor 1, and the waste toner collecting tank 50 is disposed.
Is provided with a cleaning blade 50a which is a cleaning unit for scraping and cleaning the residual toner adhering to the surface of the photoconductor 1.

Further, a pair of left and right shaft fitting portions 50b are formed at both left and right ends of the waste toner collecting tank 50,
By fitting the waste toner collecting tank holding portions (not shown in FIG. 12) formed at the left and right ends of the shaft 40 into the cutout portions of the shaft fitting portion, the waste toner collecting tank 50 becomes the photosensitive member 1. Accurately positioned with respect to the normal position in normal operating conditions.

The waste toner recovery tank 50 and the toner replenishment tank 20 have screws 20a and 20 on their side surfaces.
It is integrated by being screwed by b and is formed as one unit. In the electrophotographic recording apparatus according to this embodiment having the above structure, the photosensitive member 1
In order to replace the toner, the waste toner recovery tank 50 is lifted upward with the toner replenishment 20 integrated with the waste toner recovery tank 50 as a fulcrum to secure a space above the photoconductor 1.
This is performed by lifting the photoconductor 1 in the direction indicated by the arrow A in the space and releasing the engagement between the shaft holding portion 44 and the shaft 40.

The configuration of the image carrier supporting device according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

In the figure, 2a is a flange A, and a gear is formed on a part of the flange A, which is fitted to the right end of the photoconductor 1.
2b is a flange B which is fitted to the left end of the photoconductor 1.
At the centers of the flanges A2a and B2b, A and B, respectively.
Sliding parts 4a, 4b are formed, and these sliding parts A4a, B
4b penetrates the shaft 400, and sliding parts A4a, B4b
Is rotatably supported. Also, the flanges A2a and B2
Reference numeral b is fixed to the drum-shaped photosensitive member 1 by press fitting, electrical bonding, adhesive bonding, or the like. A conductive member 43 is provided on the flange A2a to ground the inner wall of the tube of the photoconductor 1 to the shaft 40, and when the photoconductor 1 is exposed by the optical writing means 13, the surface charge of the photoconductor 1 is reduced. I'm trying to escape. Reference numeral 41 denotes a shaft cutout portion formed at both ends of the shaft 30. In the shaft cutout portion 41, a flat surface portion 41-a cut along a plane parallel to the shaft axis center and a flat surface thereof are provided. Parts 41-a and 9
It has a peripheral surface portion 41-b of the outer shape of the shaft which is offset by 0 ° and faces each other. The shaft cutout portion 41 having the flat surface portion 41-a and the peripheral surface portion 41-b has an oval shape in a cross section perpendicular to the shaft axis. Reference numeral 44 denotes a pair of left and right shaft holding portions for holding the left and right shaft cutout portions 41 as described in FIG. In this embodiment, the shaft holding portion 44 is the developing portion hopper 14a.
Is formed on the fixed support portion on the side surface of the.

Further, in the shaft holding portion 44, an opening portion 44-a opened so as to pass the flat surface portion 41-a of the shaft cutout portion 41, and a circular hole which is continuous with the opening portion 44-a and is fitted into the peripheral surface portion 41-b. 44-b are formed. The opening 4
The shaft notch passes through 4-a to temporarily mount the shaft 40 in the circular hole 44-b, and then the shaft 40 is rotated by a predetermined angle, whereby the peripheral surface portions 41 facing each other are provided.
By fitting -b together with the inner circumference of the circular hole 44-b, the photosensitive member 1 supported by the shaft 40 is positioned and held.

The photoconductor 1 thus positioned and held.
Is rotated by a rotational force transmitted from a drive source (not shown) to a gear 39 formed integrally with the flange A2a via a photoconductor drive gear (not shown). At this time the shaft 4
0 is fixed by a shaft holding portion 44, and the flange A2a and the flange B2b rotate about this shaft 40 as an axis.

Further, the handle 42 is the peripheral surface portion 4 of the shaft 40.
It is provided at both left and right ends except 1-b.
The grip 42 has an engaging portion 42 that engages with the shaft 40.
-A and a longitudinal portion 42-b that can be gripped by hand are formed.
A shaft hole having the same shape as the cross section of the D-cut shaft 45 having a predetermined length formed at each of the left and right ends of the shaft 40 is formed in the engaging portion 42-a. Although the method of press-fitting and fixing the hole is adopted, the present invention is not limited to this, and the hole may be fixed to the shaft 40 by, for example, a fixing screw, a split pin, or an adhesive. The left and right ends of the D-cut shaft 45 function as a waste toner collection tank holding portion with which a shaft fitting portion of a waste toner collection tank 50 described later fits.

By providing the handle 42 in this way,
When the photoconductor 1 is attached or detached, it is possible to prevent the photoconductor 1 from directly touching, and it is possible to prevent the photoconductor 1 from being soiled or damaged. Further, since the toner attached to the photoconductor 1 is not touched by the hands, the hands can be prevented from being soiled.

Further, fixed claw portions 42-c are formed on the left and right handles 42, respectively, and handle fixing portions 44-e are formed on the left and right shaft holding portions 44 corresponding to them, respectively. When 42 is rotated forward by about 90 degrees, the claw at the tip of the fixed claw portion 42-c fits into the cutout portion of the handle fixing portion 44-e. The handle fixing part 4
The protrusion formed in the vicinity of the notch portion of 4-e gradually bends the fixing claw portion 42-c until it fits into the notch portion, thereby providing an appropriate resistance interval, while the notch portion. The fixed claw portion 42-c that has stored energy by flexing until it fits into the abruptly restores to its original state at the moment when it fits into the notch, giving a proper click feeling,
It is easy for the operator to confirm that the photoconductor 1 is completely attached.
Further, since the fixed claw portion 42-c is formed integrally with the handle 42 and the handle fixing portion 44-e is formed integrally with the shaft holding portion 44, the component constant does not increase.

In addition, the longitudinal portions 4 of the left and right handles 42, respectively.
Marks for identifying left and right are formed in a convex shape on 2-b. That is, the left handle 41 is marked with the letter S of the alphabet "L" meaning "left", and the right handle 41 is labeled "R" which means "right".
The letter S is marked. By this, it is possible to intuitively identify the right and left sides, and it is possible to prevent erroneous mounting such that the photoconductor 1 is mounted on the left and right sides. Furthermore, since the letters "L" and "R" are not formed in a plane as marks for identifying left and right, but are formed in a convex shape, the letters "L" and "R" are It will be in relief and will have a non-slip effect when grasped.

Further, the left grip 42 has its engaging portion 4
The reverse mounting prevention interference portion 42-e is formed by widening the width on the 2-a side toward the front side. On the other hand, a grip interference protrusion 44-d is formed in a convex shape on the inner side of the circular hole 44-b of the right shaft holding portion 44. The reverse mounting prevention interference portion 42-e and the handle interference protrusion portion 44-
When the photoconductor 1 is correctly mounted on the left and right sides, it does not interfere with each other as apparent from the figure, but when the photoconductor 1 is mounted on the left and right sides, the interference occurs. That is, even if the photoconductor 1 is mounted on the left and right, the photoconductor 1 cannot be mounted correctly, and erroneous mounting can be prevented. Further, since the reverse mounting prevention interference portion 42-e is formed integrally with the handle 42 and the handle interference protrusion portion 44-d is formed integrally with the shaft holding portion 44, the component constant does not increase.

Now, the shaft 40 becomes the shaft holding portion 44.
After the photoconductor 1 is mounted by being held by, the waste toner recovery tank 50 arranged above the photoconductor 1 is lowered and set to the regular position. In that case, the right shaft fitting portion 50b shown in FIG.
And a shaft fitting portion 50b on the left side (not shown) are respectively positioned and set by fitting to the D-cut shaft 45 which is a waste toner recovery tank holding portion located near the handle 42.

In this case, the waste toner collecting tank 50 may be set in a state where the shaft 40 is not fitted in the shaft holding portion 44, that is, in a state where the photoconductor 1 is not completely mounted. In order to prevent this, in the present embodiment, the waste toner recovery tank interference projections 42 projecting outward in the axial direction of the shaft 40 are provided at the tips of the longitudinal portions 42-b of the left and right grips 42. -D is formed. Note that this will be described later.

14, 15 and 16 show the shaft cutout portion 4.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing a state in which 1 is inserted and fixed in the shaft holding portion 44. In each drawing, only the right side portion of the image carrier supporting device is shown, but the left side portion is also the same.

FIG. 14 shows a shaft 4 supporting the photoconductor 1.
0 shows a facing state before being inserted into the shaft holding portion 44. At this time, the orientation of the flat surface portion 41-a of the shaft cutout portion 41 is such that the opening portion 4 of the shaft holding portion 44, which is the receiving portion side.
The width surface 44-c of the 4-a and the width surface 44-c of the 4-a face the same direction. From this state, the circular hole 44 of the shaft holding member 44
It is FIG. 15 that the shaft cutout portion 41 is inserted into −b. At this time, the flat surface portion 41-a is guided by the width surface 44-c of the opening portion 44-a, and the peripheral surface portion 4 of the shaft cutout portion 41 is guided.
1-b is inserted until it abuts the edge of the circular hole 44-b. When the peripheral surface portion 41-b hits the edge of the circular hole 44-b, the grip 42 is rotated 90 degrees as shown in FIG. 16 to fit the peripheral surface portion 41-b and the circular hole 44-b.
At this time, the rotation of the handle 42 is stopped by fitting the fixed claw portion 42-c into the handle fixing portion 44-e.

As a result, the shaft 40 is positioned and fixed to the shaft holding portion 44. In this case, when the peripheral surface portion 41-b and the circular hole 44-b are fitted together, there is a slight clearance, which causes rattling. However, the weight of the waste toner recovery tank 50 causes the shaft 40 to loosen.
Since it is pushed down, the fitting between the peripheral surface portion 41-b and the circular hole 44-b can be fit tightly without looseness in the upper and lower portions. Therefore, the backlash of the photoconductor 1 is prevented, and further, the deterioration of the positioning accuracy is suppressed. Further, since the upper cover 26 presses the waste toner recovery tank 50 downward via the pressing member 25, the waste toner recovery tank 50 is also fixed in the vertical direction, so that the photoconductor 1 is completely free from rattling. To be prevented. Further, since the shaft 40 does not rotate as the photoconductor 1 rotates, the shaft 40
The fitting support state of the shaft holding portion 44 is maintained.
The rotation angle of the handle 42 is not limited to 90 degrees, and the rotation angle of the shaft 3
It does not matter as many times as long as 0 is fixed.

Next, a case in which the photoconductor 1 is intended to be reversed right and left will be described with reference to FIG.

13, the handle 42 is the one on the left side in FIG. 13, and the shaft holding portion 44 is the one on the right side in FIG. That is, if it is mounted as it is, it will be erroneously mounted. However, as described above, the left handle 42
The reverse mounting prevention interference part 42-e is formed on the right side shaft holding part 44, while the handle interference projection part 44-d is formed on the right shaft holding part 44.
And the handle interference protrusion 44-d interfere with each other to prevent the device from being installed, and reverse mounting is prevented. In addition, on the right handle 42,
It goes without saying that the same effect can be obtained by forming the reverse mounting prevention interference portion 42-e and forming the handle interference protrusion portion 44-d on the left shaft holding portion 44. Further, the left and right grips 42 are formed with reverse mounting prevention interference portions 42-e, respectively, while the left and right shaft holding portions 44 are provided.
It is also possible to form the handle interference protrusions 44-d respectively, in which case reverse mounting is more reliably prevented.

Next, the case where the waste toner collecting tank 50 is to be mounted after the photoconductor 1 is mounted in an incomplete state will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, in the figure,
Only the right side portion of the image carrier supporting device is shown, but the left side is also the same.

As described above, after the photoconductor 1 is mounted by fitting and holding the shaft 40 in the shaft holding portion 44, the waste toner collecting tank 5 disposed above the photoconductor 1 is installed.
0 descends and is set to the regular position, but in that case, the D-cut shaft 45, which is the waste toner recovery tank holding part, in which the shaft fitting portion 50b of the waste toner recovery tank 50 is located near the handle 42. Positioning is set by fitting to.

The state shown in FIG. 18 is a completely mounted state in which the shaft 40 is fitted and fixed to the shaft holding portion 44. In that case, the distance in the front-rear direction between the reverse mounting prevention interference portion 42-d and the D-cut shaft 45 is the distance d2 as shown in FIG.

When the shaft 40 is in an incompletely mounted state in which it is not fitted and fixed to the shaft holding portion 44 as shown in FIG. 15, the reverse mounting prevention interference portion 42-d is present.
And the distance in the front-rear direction from the D-cut shaft 45 is a distance d1 as shown in FIG.

The width in the front-rear direction of the projection on the front side of the notch of the shaft fitting portion 50-b is D. In the present embodiment, the relationship between these distances is d1 <D <d2. As a result, in the completely mounted state in which the shaft 40 is fitted and fixed to the shaft holding portion 44, the shaft fitting portion 5
0-b can be fitted and fixed to the D-cut shaft 45, and the shaft 40
In the incompletely mounted state where the shaft fitting portion 50 is not fitted and fixed to the shaft holding portion 44, the shaft fitting portion 50-b interferes with the reverse fitting prevention interference portion 42-d, and thus the shaft fitting portion 50.
-B cannot be fitted and fixed to the D-cut shaft 45. Therefore, incomplete mounting of the photoconductor 1 and the waste toner recovery tank 50 can be prevented in advance.

Further, as shown in FIG.
However, when the shaft 40 is in a predetermined rotational position where the shaft 40 is fitted and fixed to the shaft holding portion 44, the upper portion is formed into a chamfered shape. As a result, when the waste toner collecting tank 50 is mounted after the mounting of the photoconductor 1, the grip 42
Shaft fitting portion 50-b that will be located in the vicinity of
However, the D-cut shaft 45 fits smoothly without being caught by the handle 42. Therefore, the waste toner recovery tank 5
It is easy to attach 0.

[0082]

According to the first aspect of the invention, when the photoconductor is taken out of the apparatus, the photoconductor and the shaft can be integrally and quickly replaced without removing and inserting the shaft supporting the photoconductor, and the operation can be performed. The property is improved. Further, it is not necessary to separate the photoconductor and the shaft at the time of replacement, and the work is simplified.

According to the invention of claim 2, in addition to the effect of claim 1, the shaft supporting the photosensitive member is fixed to the fixed support portion via the shaft holding member. As a result, the positional adjustment between the intermediate roller for developing and the photosensitive member is accurately performed. Even if the outer diameter of the intermediate roller varies from lot to lot, it is possible to adjust the position according to it, and it is also possible to absorb individual small variations and perform highly accurate positioning. Therefore, stable development quality can be obtained.

According to the third aspect of the invention, since the flange is made of a conductive member, the photosensitive member conducting to the flange is grounded to the main body device and the shaft which is grounded. The ground connection of the photoconductor can be made securely. Therefore, the charges on the surface of the photoconductor when exposed can be surely released, and stable latent image quality can be obtained.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the flange is provided with the conductive member for electrically connecting the photoconductor and the shaft, so that the photoconductor and the main body device are electrically grounded through the conductive member. The shaft is grounded and the photoconductor is securely grounded. Therefore, the charge on the surface of the photoconductor when exposed can be surely released,
Stable latent image quality can be obtained.

According to the fifth aspect of the invention, since the shaft holding member is made of a metal member, the shaft holding member and the shaft holding member, which are electrically connected to the photosensitive member and the main body device, are passed through the shaft holding member. And are electrically connected, and the ground connection of the photoconductor can be reliably established. Therefore, the charges on the surface of the photoconductor when exposed can be surely released, and stable latent image quality can be obtained.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the shaft holding member is made of a conductive resin, so that the shaft that is electrically connected to the photosensitive member and the body device are electrically connected through the shaft holding member made of this electrically conductive resin. The shaft holding member is electrically connected, and the ground connection of the photoconductor can be reliably established. Further, it is possible to prevent rust and corrosion of the shaft holding member. Further, since the shaft holding member can be molded, cost reduction and weight reduction can be achieved.

According to the seventh aspect of the invention, it is possible to prevent the hand from directly touching the photosensitive surface when the photosensitive member is attached or detached. Further, when the photoconductor is attached, it is possible to easily guide the positioning and improve the operability. Furthermore, since the toner adhering to the photoconductor is not touched, stains on hands can be prevented.

According to the eighth aspect of the invention, the fixing claw portion formed on the handle portion is fitted and fixed to the handle fixing portion formed on the shaft holding portion, so that the photosensitive member can be rotated. As a result, the shaft does not move. Therefore, the photoconductor can be reliably positioned and held.

According to the ninth aspect of the invention, since the left and right identification marks provided on the handle can be used as clues to mount the photoconductor in the right and left directions, it is possible to prevent the photoconductor from being erroneously mounted.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the mark formed on the handle portion in a convex shape for left-right identification is slipped when an operator grips the handle portion by hand to rotate it. It will stop. Therefore, the work of mounting the photoconductor can be performed easily and surely.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the reverse mounting prevention interference portion is formed on the grip portion, and the grip interference protrusion portion is formed on the shaft holding portion, so that the photoreceptor is mounted on the right and left sides in reverse. If you try, you can't wear it. Therefore, erroneous mounting of the photoconductor can be prevented.

According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, the waste toner recovery tank interference protrusion is formed on the grip portion, so that the waste toner recovery tank can be removed when the photoconductor is incompletely mounted. It cannot be lowered to the normal position during normal operation. Therefore, it is possible to prevent erroneous mounting of the photoconductor and the waste toner recovery tank.

According to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, since the upper portion of the handle portion is formed into a chamfered shape, the shaft fitting portion is guided to the chamfered shape above the handle portion,
The waste toner recovery tank can be installed smoothly. Therefore, the waste toner recovery tank can be easily attached to the upper portion of the photoconductor.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an electrophotographic recording apparatus using a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an image carrier supporting device according to first and seventh embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of an image carrier supporting device according to first and seventh embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a mounting sequence of the image carrier supporting device according to the first and seventh embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a mounting sequence of the image carrier supporting device according to the first and seventh embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a view showing a mounting sequence of the image carrier supporting device according to the first and seventh embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a main part configuration diagram of an electrophotographic recording apparatus used in a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an image carrier supporting device according to second to seventh embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a mounting sequence of the image carrier supporting device according to the second and seventh embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a mounting sequence of the image carrier supporting device according to the second and seventh embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a mounting sequence of the image carrier supporting device according to the second and seventh embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a schematic view of the essential parts of an electrophotographic recording apparatus used in an eighth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an image carrier supporting device according to an eighth embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a mounting sequence of an image carrier supporting device according to an eighth embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 15 is a view showing a mounting sequence of an image carrier supporting device according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a view showing a mounting sequence of an image carrier supporting device according to an eighth embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a case where the image carrier supporting device according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention is reversely mounted.

FIG. 18 is a view showing mounting of a waste toner recovery tank in the image carrier supporting device according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Photoconductor 2a ... Flange A 2b ... Flange B 3,32 ... Grip 4a ... Sliding part A 4b ... Sliding part B 5 ... Drive gear 6 ... Shaft holding part 6a ... Opening part 6b ... Circular hole 7,30, 40 ... Shaft 8 ... Shaft fixing portion 8a ... Flat surface portion 8b ... Peripheral surface portion 9 ... Gear portion 10 ... Paper feeding roller 11 ... Paper feeding cassette 12 ... Charging roller 13 ... Optical writing means 14 ... Developing portion 14a ... Developing hopper 14b ... Replenishment roller 14c ... developing roller 14d ... intermediate roller _{14b 1, 14c 1, 14d 1} ... roller shaft 15 ... transfer roller 16 ... fixing device 17 ... a pair of registration rollers 18, 50 ... waste toner tank 18a ... collection brush roller 19 ... removing lamp 20 ... Toner Supply Tank 21 ... First Arm 22 ... Second Arm 23 ... Paper Ejection Roller 24 ... Paper Ejection Tray 25 ... Pressing Member 26 ... Top Cover 31, 41 ... Shaft notch 33 ... Conductive member 34, 44 ... Shaft holding member 35 ... Screw 36 ... Ground plate 37 ... Fixed support 38, 39 ... Gear

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A drum-shaped image bearing member made of metal, a flange having a pair of bearing holes fitted at both ends of the drum-shaped image bearing member, and a shaft penetrating through the bearing holes of the pair of flanges. And a part of peripheral surfaces of both ends of the shaft are cut along a plane parallel to the shaft center, and each of the opposing flat surfaces has an oval cross section perpendicular to the shaft center at both ends of the shaft. Shaft fixing portion including a portion and a peripheral surface portion,
A shaft holding portion having an opening portion formed with a circular hole having an inner diameter into which the peripheral surface portion of the shaft fixing portion fits, and having an opening portion through which the flat surface portion of the shaft fixing portion facing the circular hole passes. An image carrier supporting device characterized in that a shaft fixing portion is fitted into a circular hole of the shaft holding portion to hold the shaft. 2. A drum-shaped image bearing member made of metal, a flange having a pair of bearing holes fitted at both ends of the drum-shaped image bearing member, and a shaft penetrating through the bearing holes of the pair of flanges. And a part of peripheral surfaces of both ends of the shaft are cut along a plane parallel to the shaft center, and each of the opposing flat surfaces has an oval cross section perpendicular to the shaft center at both ends of the shaft. Portion and a peripheral surface portion and a shaft cutout portion, and a circular hole having an inner diameter into which the peripheral surface portion of the shaft cutout portion fits, and pass through the opposed flat surface portion of the shaft cutout portion connected to the circular hole. A shaft holding member having an opening for allowing the shaft holding member to be fixedly supported, and the shaft notch portion being fixedly supported by the fixed supporting portion via the shaft holding member. Characteristic And an image carrier supporting device. 3. The image carrier supporting device according to claim 1, wherein the flange is formed of a conductive member. 4. The image carrier supporting device according to claim 1, wherein the flange is provided with a conductive member that connects the shaft and the inner wall surface of the drum-shaped image carrier. 5. The image carrier supporting device according to claim 2, wherein the shaft holding member is formed of a metallic member. 6. The image carrier supporting device according to claim 2, wherein the shaft holding member is made of a conductive resin. 7. The image carrier according to claim 1, further comprising grips for gripping the shaft, the grips being attached to both ends of the shaft except the peripheral surface. Support device. 8. A fixing claw portion is formed on one or both of a pair of left and right grip portions attached to both end portions of the shaft, while the shaft holding portion is provided with a peripheral surface of the shaft fixing portion facing each other. A handle fixing portion that stops the rotation of the grip portion by engaging the fixing claw portion at a position where the grip portion rotates to a predetermined rotation position where the surface portion fits into the inner circumference of the circular hole of the shaft holding portion. The image carrier supporting device according to claim 7, wherein the image carrier supporting device is formed. 9. A mark for identifying left and right is provided on one or both of a pair of left and right grips attached to both ends of the shaft, respectively.
Or the image carrier supporting device described in item 8. 10. The image carrier supporting device according to claim 9, wherein a mark for left and right identification provided on one or both of the pair of left and right grip portions is formed in a convex shape. 11. A case where a reverse mounting prevention interference portion is formed on one or both of the pair of left and right grip portions, and the drum-shaped image bearing member is mounted on the shaft holding portion in a right and left direction. Is formed with a grip interference protrusion that does not interfere with the reverse mounting prevention interference part, but interferes with the reverse mounting prevention interference part when the drum-shaped image carrier is mounted in the left and right directions. Claim 7, 8, 9 or 1
The image carrier supporting device according to any one of 0. 12. A pair of left and right waste toner recovery tank holders are formed near the pair of left and right grips on both ends of the shaft, and above the drum-shaped image carrier.
In a normal state, a pair of left and right shaft fitting portions formed on both ends thereof are fitted to the pair of left and right waste toner recovery tank holding portions, respectively, so that the regular image is formed close to the drum-shaped image carrier. The waste toner collecting tank is located at a position and is spaced above the drum-shaped image carrier, and has a cleaning means for cleaning at least the surface of the drum-shaped image carrier. One or both of them do not interfere with the waste toner recovery tank in the regular position when the grips are in the predetermined rotation position, but the grips rotate to the predetermined position. 8. A waste toner recovery tank interference protrusion that interferes with the waste toner recovery tank at the regular position when not being formed is formed.
The image carrier supporting device according to any one of 0 and 11. 13. A pair of left and right waste toner recovery tank holders are formed near the pair of left and right grips on both ends of the shaft, and above the drum-shaped image carrier.
In a normal state, a pair of left and right shaft fitting portions formed on both ends thereof are fitted to the pair of left and right waste toner recovery tank holding portions, respectively, so that the regular image is formed close to the drum-shaped image carrier. The waste toner collecting tank is located at a position and is spaced above the drum-shaped image carrier, and has a cleaning means for cleaning at least the surface of the drum-shaped image carrier. 8. The chamfered shape is formed on the upper portions of the handle portions when the handle is in the predetermined rotation position.
The image carrier supporting device according to any one of 8, 9, 10 and 11.