JPH0915960A - Process cartridge for electrophotographic device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To save the number of parts so as to make a cost low in the developing part of an eletrophotographic device and to simplify the second time sealing of developer so as to easily recycle and use the developer. CONSTITUTION: The cartridge case 30 of this process cartridge K is constituted by the division of a lower box 31 and an upper box 23. A developing chamber 37 is provided inside the box 31. A developer presetting part 59 is provided inside the box 32. A partitioning wall 60 is provided on the boundary position between the chamber 37 and the part 59, a long and thin communicating aperture 61 is formed on the wall 60, and a partitioning member 62 is provided on the aperture 61 so as to be freely opened and closed. When the case 30 is attached inside the device body of a laser copying machine, and the device body is driven, two-component developer inside the part 59 falls inside the chamber 37 while the position of the member 62 is an open position. When the case 30 is exchanged to be recovered because of its life, the position of the member 62 is returned to a close position and the two-component developer is sealed inside the part 59 so as to reproduce the case 30.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, etc. using a laser to form a latent image on a photoconductor by charging and writing and depositing toner on the photoconductor. It can be applied to an electrophotographic apparatus that visualizes the latent image and transfers the visible image to form an image on a sheet. Specifically, in such an electrophotographic device,
For example, the present invention relates to a process cartridge in which some of the parts for charging, developing, transferring, etc., which have almost the same life, are put together with a photoconductor or separately from the photoconductor in order to simplify the work at the time of maintenance.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, some laser copying machines use a two-component developer composed of a toner and a carrier as a developer.

In such a laser copying machine, as shown in, for example, FIG.
A developing chamber 3 is provided therein, a developing sleeve 4 and first and second screw members 5 and 6 are rotatably provided in the developing chamber 3, and a developer cartridge 7 is separately provided above the developing chamber 3. It was configured to be detachable. The developer cartridge 7 stores the two-component developer inside the case,
The sealing member 8 is attached and sealed.

The developing device 1 is removably assembled in the main body of the apparatus so that the developing sleeve 4 and the photosensitive member 9 are adjacent to each other, and the toner bottle 11 is placed on the toner replenishing chamber 10.
Was provided.

However, after the assembling of the developing device 1, when the use is started, the seal member 8 is peeled off and the two-component developer in the developer cartridge 7 is dropped into the developing chamber 3.

During recording, the two-component developer in the developing chamber 3 is supplied to the developing sleeve 4 while being stirred by the first and second screw members 5 and 6, and the toner on the developing sleeve 4 is exposed to light. It adhered to the body 9 and was developed. Also,
When the detection sensor 12 detects that the toner concentration is below a certain level, the toner bottle 11 is rotated to supply the toner in the bottle into the toner replenishing chamber 10, and the rotation of the rotating member 13 causes the toner to flow into the developing chamber 3. I was supplying.

After that, when the developing device 1 was replaced with a new one due to the end of its life and collected, the reusable parts were selected and reused together with the developing device case 2.

[0008]

However, in such a conventional developing device, since the developer cartridge 7 is provided separately from the developing device case 2, there is a problem that the number of parts increases and the cost increases. Further, if the two-component developer is to be enclosed in the developer cartridge 7 again, it is necessary to remove the adhesive remaining after the seal member 8 is peeled off, which is troublesome and therefore the recycling of the developer cartridge 7 is difficult. There was a problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to reduce the number of parts in the developing section of an electrophotographic apparatus to reduce the cost, and to refill the developer again to facilitate the recycle use. .

[0010]

Therefore, in the process cartridge K of the electrophotographic apparatus according to the present invention, a developing chamber 37 is provided in the cartridge case 30 and a developer preset is provided on the developing chamber 37 as shown in the following illustrated embodiment. A part 59 is provided, and a partition member 62 is provided at the boundary position between the developing chamber 37 and the developer preset part 59 so as to be openable and closable.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, for example, as in the following illustrated embodiment, in the process cartridge K of the electrophotographic apparatus according to the first aspect, in the cartridge case 30 and the developer preset section 59. An opening 70 communicating therewith is formed, and the opening 70 is capped with a cap 71.
It is characterized by being closed with.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the process cartridge K of the electrophotographic apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, for example, as shown in the following embodiment, has the cartridge case 30 and the developing chamber 37. It is characterized by being configured by being divided into a box 31 and an upper box 32 having the developer presetting section 59.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a partition wall 60 is provided at the boundary position in the process cartridge K of the electrophotographic apparatus according to the first aspect, for example, as in the following illustrated embodiment, and the partition wall is provided. An elongated communication opening 61 is formed in the photosensitive member axial direction at 60, the partition member 62 is arranged in the communication opening 61, and the partition member 62 is an elongated plate material 63 that closes the communication opening 61 and the plate material thereof. Support shafts 64 and 65 that project outward from the center of both ends of 63 and rotatably support the end edges of the communication opening 61;
And elastic pieces 66 and 67 that are provided so as to project from both sides of the partition member 62 and that bridge over the side edge of the communication opening 61 when the partition member 62 is in the closed position to close the gap between the side edge and the plate member 63. It is characterized by

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, for example, as in the following illustrated embodiment, in the process cartridge K of the electrophotographic apparatus according to the fourth aspect, a driven rotary member such as a sector gear 68 is used as the support shaft 65. In preparation for this, the partition member 62 is configured to be in the open position when the rotation is transmitted to the driven rotary member via the drive rotary member by driving the main body of the electrophotographic apparatus.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, for example, in the process cartridge K of the electrophotographic apparatus according to the fifth aspect, as in the following illustrated embodiment, the partition member 62 rotates together with the driven rotary member. It is characterized by comprising an operating portion such as a cam portion for operating the detection means provided in the apparatus body when the closed position is switched to the open position.

[0016]

According to the present invention, when the electrophotographic apparatus is mounted in the apparatus body and started to be used, the partition member 62 is opened and the developer in the developer preset section 59 is dropped into the developing chamber 37. When it is replaced with a new one due to its life, the reusable part is selected and reused together with the cartridge case 30, and the partition member 62 is closed to reseal the two-component developer in the developer preset section 59. And play.

According to the second aspect, when the developer is filled in the developer preset portion 59, the cap 71 is removed and the two-component developer is put in from the opening 70.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, after recovery, the cartridge case 30 is divided into the upper box 32 and the lower box 31 and disassembled, reusable parts are selected, and parts that cannot be reused are replaced with new ones. Assemble and play.

According to the fourth aspect, when the two-component developer is enclosed in the developer preset portion 59, the partition member 62 is set to the closed position, and the plate member 63 and the elastic pieces 66 and 67 form the communication opening 61. Close up. When the electrophotographic apparatus is installed in the apparatus body and started to be used, the partition member 62 is attached to the support shaft 64.
65 is rotated about the center to open the communication opening 61, and the developer in the developer preset section 59 is removed from the developing chamber 37.
Fall into.

According to the fifth aspect of the invention, the rotation is transmitted to the driven rotary member via the drive rotary member by the drive in the main body of the apparatus, and the support shafts 64 and 65 are rotated to bring the partition member 62 to the open position. .

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, when the electrophotographic apparatus is attached to the apparatus main body, the operating portion rotates together with the driven rotating member to operate the detecting means.

[0022]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a main part of a laser copying machine including a process cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The illustrated laser copying machine is provided with a drum-shaped photosensitive member 15 substantially at the center of the main body of the apparatus. Around the photoconductor 15, a charging device 16, a developing device 17, a transfer device 18, and a cleaning device 19 are provided in the direction of arrow A in the figure. An optical writing device 20 is provided above the photoconductor 15.

At the time of recording, the surface of the photosensitive member 15 is uniformly charged by the charging roller 22 of the charging device 16 as the photosensitive member 15 rotates in the direction of arrow A. Then, the optical writing device 20 irradiates the laser light L to perform writing to form an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor 15, and thereafter, toner is attached on the developing sleeve 23 of the developing device 17 and the electrostatic latent image is formed. Visualize the latent image.

On the other hand, the paper feed roller is rotated along with the rotation of the photosensitive member 15, and the paper P is sent out from the paper feed cassette in the direction of arrow B in the figure and abutted against the pair of registration rollers 24 to be stopped.
Then, the timing is matched with the visible image formed on the photoconductor 15, and the photoconductor 15 is moved by the pair of registration rollers 24.
The paper P is sent out to the lower side, and the visible image on the photoconductor 15 is transferred onto the paper P by the transfer roller 25 of the transfer device 18. Then, the charge is removed by the charge removal needle 26 to separate the sheet P from the surface of the photoconductor 15, and the sheet P is conveyed to a fixing device (not shown).
Then, the transferred image is fixed. After that, the paper P is sent out of the apparatus main body by a pair of paper discharge rollers and is stacked on the paper discharge tray.

On the other hand, the surface of the photoconductor 15 after the image transfer is scraped off by the cleaning blade 27 of the cleaning device 19, then discharged by the discharging lamp 28, and then uniformly charged by the charging roller 22 of the charging device 16 again. To be charged.

By the way, in the illustrated laser copying machine, the photosensitive member 15, the charging device 16, the developing device 17, and the cleaning device 19 are collectively formed into a process cartridge K, and the process cartridge K together with the apparatus main body. It can be freely installed inside.

As shown in FIG. 2, the cartridge case 30 of the process cartridge K has a slightly flat and complicated box shape and is composed of a lower box 31, an upper box 32 and a lid member 33 which can be separately assembled.

As shown in FIG. 3, the lower box 31 has a recess 34 that opens upward, and the cleaning chamber 35 is arranged in the recess 34 in order from the left rear side to the right front side in the drawing.
The photoconductor storage portion 36 and the developing chamber 37 are provided separately. In addition, the lower box 31 is provided with an enlarged chamber portion 37a of the developing chamber 37 by projecting outward from one side plate 31a on one side of the opposing side plates 31a and 31b, and sandwiching the enlarged chamber portion 37a to the left in the drawing. A recycled toner carrying section 39 is provided along the side plate 31a, and a toner replenishing section 40 is provided on the right side of the drawing.

Therefore, the toner carrying screw 42 is housed in the cleaning chamber 35. The toner carrying screw 42 is rotatably provided by transmitting a driving force from a driving source to one end side 42a on the inner side in the drawing.

In the recycled toner carrying section 39,
An endless toner transport belt 43 having a plurality of fins on the outer periphery is rotatably accommodated.

As shown in FIG. 4, the photoconductor 15 is rotatably housed in the photoconductor housing section 36 with both ends thereof supported by the side plates 31a and 31b.

Inside the developing chamber 37, the side plate 31a
The developing sleeve 23, the first screw member 47, and the second screw member 48 are rotatably accommodated by supporting both ends by 31b.

A first gear train 49 for transmitting a driving force from a driving source to one end side of the developing sleeve 23, the first screw member 47 and the second screw member 48 on the left side in the drawing.
While the second screw member 48 is provided with the second
A gear train 50 is provided.

A toner concentration detecting sensor 51 is provided in the developing chamber 37.

A rotating member 5 is provided in the toner replenishing section 40.
5 is rotatably stored. The rotating member 55 includes
The driving force is transmitted through the second gear train 50.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5, the upper box 32 is provided with an elongated window hole 57 in the middle in the left-right direction in the drawing. Then, the charging device 16 shown in FIG. 1 is provided inside the upper box 32 in the back side of the drawing, with the window 57 interposed therebetween. Also, upper box 3
A developer preset portion 59 shown in FIG. 6 is provided inside the front side of FIG.

The developer preset section 59 is provided in the upper box 32.
A partition wall 60 that connects the inner surfaces of the
An elongated communication opening 61 is formed substantially in the middle of
And a partition member 62 is provided in the communication opening 61.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the partition member 62 is provided with a plate member 63 which is made of a resin material and is elongated. At both ends of the plate member 63, support shafts 64 and 65 are integrally formed so as to project outward from the center. In addition, plate material 6
Elastic pieces 66 and 67 are provided on both sides of 3. The elastic pieces 66, 67 are formed in a slender shape, the base ends are attached to both sides of the plate 63, and the tips are slightly projected from the side edges of the plate 63.

Then, the support shafts 64 and 65 are rotatably supported by the edge of the communication opening 61, and a sector gear 68, which is a driven rotation member, is mounted on one of the support shafts 65 protruding to the outside of the side plate. It becomes.

Then, as shown in FIG.
3, the communication opening 61 is closed, and the elastic pieces 66 and 67 are bridged over the side edges of the communication opening 61, thereby closing the gap between the communication opening 61 and the plate 63.

By the way, the upper box 32 is provided with a plurality of openings 70 as shown in FIG. The openings 70 communicate with the developer preset portion 59 and are closed by caps 71, respectively. The caps 71 are made of a resin material and are detachably attached to the openings 70.

On the side surface of the upper box 32, a plurality of screwing projections 72 projecting outward are provided.

When assembling the process cartridge K, the upper box 32 configured as described above is covered on the lower box 31, and the screwing projection 72 is attached with a screw to screw the upper box 32 to the lower box 31. At the same time, the recycle toner conveying section 39, the expansion chamber section 37a, and the toner replenishing section 40 are covered with the lid member 33, which is appropriately attached to the lower box 31.

A partition member 62 is provided at the boundary position between the developing chamber 37 and the developer preset portion 59 so as to be openable and closable, and the developer preset portion 59 is filled with a two-component developer consisting of carrier and toner. .

Therefore, in the illustrated laser copying machine, the process cartridge K having the above-described structure is set in the apparatus main body so as to be exchangeable, and the state shown in FIG. 9 is obtained. Then, the toner bottle 76 is rotated on the bottle receiving stand 75. It is freely placed and installed on the toner replenishing section 40.

The toner bottle 76 has an external shape as shown in FIG. 10, has a spiral projection on its inner circumference, and has a mouth 76a in one of the tubes (not shown). Then, through the pipe, the inside of the mouth portion 76a and the toner replenishing portion 40 are
Communicate with the inside.

When the apparatus main body is driven in the state shown in FIG. 9, the driving force from the driving source is applied to the developing sleeve 23, the first screw member 47 and the second screw member 48 via the gear train 49. Along with telling
This is transmitted to the sector gear 68. Then, sector gear 6
8 rotates a predetermined angle to rotate the support shaft 65, and the support shaft 6
The partition member 62 is rotated clockwise in FIG. 9 around 4.65 to the open position shown in FIG. 11, and the two-component developer in the developer preset section 59 is dropped into the developing chamber 37.

Then, the two-component developer is conveyed in the axial direction while being agitated by the rotation of the first screw member 47 and the second screw member 48, and the two-component developer is transferred from the second screw member 48 side to the first side on the inner side in the drawing. While being conveyed to the screw member 47 side, the developing chamber 37 is conveyed from the first screw member 47 side to the second screw member 48 side on the front side in the drawing.
Circulate inside. At this time, the partition projection 77 between the first screw member 47 and the second screw member 48 prevents the two-component developer from overflowing and mixing during stirring and feeding, and supplies the two-component developer to the developing sleeve 23.

Then, the toner on the developing sleeve 23 is attached to the photosensitive member 15 and developed. During the development, the toner remaining on the photoconductor 15 removed by the cleaning device 19 is sent into the recycled toner carrying section 39 by the toner carrying screw 42 and carried into the expansion chamber section 37a by the toner carrying belt 43. Then, it is returned to the developing chamber 37 for recycling.

During development, the detection sensor 51 detects the toner concentration in the developing chamber 37. When the toner concentration falls below a certain level, the toner bottle 76 is rotated to move the internal toner. The toner is supplied to the toner replenishing unit 4
0, the rotating member 55 is rotated, and the toner in the toner replenishing section 40 is put into the expansion chamber 37a and the developing chamber 3
Supply within 7. When the toner in the toner bottle 76 is used up, it is replaced with a new toner bottle.

Then, when the process cartridge K reaches the end of its life, the toner bottle 76 is removed and the process cartridge K is replaced with a new one to be collected.

After the collection, the cap 71 is removed, the two-component developer remaining in the developing chamber 37 is sucked through a plurality of openings 70, and after cleaning, the process cartridge K is attached to the lower box 31, the upper box 32 and the lid. The member 33 is divided and disassembled. Then, reusable parts are selected and reused and assembled together with the cartridge case 30. At that time, the partition member 62 is returned from the open position to the closed position.
Then, the two-component developer is put into the development presetting section 59 again, the cap 71 is attached, and reproduction is performed.

By the way, as shown in FIG. 12, it is preferable that the cap 71 has a colored upper surface, and that a cap of a different color be attached each time the process cartridge K is recycled. For example, attach the red cap when using 1 recycling and attach the blue cap when using 2 cycles. And when the cap of a specific color,
Discard. In this way, the process cartridge K
It is possible to determine the number of times the cartridge has been recycled and used, and it is possible to easily determine whether or not the cartridge case can be recycled.

In the example described above, the number of times the process cartridge K has been recycled is determined by the color of the cap 71. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various conceivable examples are provided, for example, the symbol 71a is provided on the upper surface of the cap 71 as shown in FIG. 13, and the number of exchanges 71b is shown on the upper surface of the cap 71 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 15, the protrusions 7 are formed on the upper surface of the cap 71 according to the number of times.
It is also possible to provide 1c and discriminate by the symbol 71a, the number of exchanges 71b and the convex portion 71c.

When the process cartridge K shown in the figure is mounted in the main body of the apparatus, the sector gear 68 is automatically rotated by the drive of the main body of the apparatus to set the partition member 62 to the open position. However, the process cartridge K is not limited to this, and although not shown, the process cartridge K projects one end of the support shaft 64 to the outside of the cartridge case 30, attaches a knob to the process cartridge K, and manually attaches the knob when attached inside the apparatus main body. The partition member 62 may be rotated to the open position.

Further, in the illustrated process cartridge K, although not shown, an operating portion that rotates together with the sector gear 68 and operates a detecting means provided in the apparatus main body when the partition member 62 is switched from the closed position to the open position. For example, the cam portion may be integrally provided with the sector gear 68. Then, when the sector gear 68 is rotated, the actuating portion actuates the detecting means, and the detecting means detects that the partition member 62 is switched from the closed position to the open position. Accordingly, assuming that the partition member 62 is in the open position when the process cartridge K is in the used state, the partition member 62 is switched from the closed position to the open position, so that the process cartridge K is new. Can be easily known.

Further, in the illustrated embodiment, the process cartridge K is formed by integrating the photoconductor 15, the charging device 16, the developing device 17, and the cleaning device 19. However, the process cartridge is not limited to this,
Although not shown, with or without a photoreceptor,
It may be configured by another combination including the developing device 17.

[0059]

As described above, according to the present invention, since the developer preset portion is provided in the cartridge case, compared to the conventional case where the developer cartridge and the developer case are provided as separate parts, Costs can be reduced by omitting points. Also, when the cartridge is replaced with a new one due to the end of its life, the partition member can be closed and the developer can be easily enclosed again in the developer preset section, facilitating recycling of the cartridge case, which is the developing section case. can do.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the developer is enclosed in the developer preset portion, the cap is removed and the developer is introduced through the opening, so that the developer can be easily enclosed and the developer can be easily enclosed. It is easy to seal because it can be closed by inserting the cap and then reattaching the cap. Moreover, when a plurality of openings are provided, the developer can be uniformly inserted into the developer preset portion when the developer is sealed, and the developer can be easily removed from the cartridge case when cleaning. Further, for example, if a cap that is color-coded is replaced every time it is recycled, it is possible to determine the number of times the process cartridge has been recycled and used, and it is possible to easily determine whether or not the cartridge case can be recycled.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the cartridge case can be divided into the upper box and the lower box, the disassembling and assembling can be facilitated, and the reusable parts after the recovery can be easily selected. The reproduction of the cartridge can be facilitated.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, since the partition member is rotatably supported by the support shaft, the partition member can be easily opened and closed, and elastic pieces are provided so as to project from both sides of the plate member. Since the communication opening is completely closed by, the communication opening can be easily opened and closed by opening and closing the partition member.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when the electrophotographic apparatus is attached to the main body of the electrophotographic apparatus, the partition member is rotated about the support shaft to open the partition member. It can be automatically dropped into the developing chamber.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, when the process cartridge is attached to the main body of the electrophotographic apparatus, the detecting means operates, so that the partition member is in the open position when the process cartridge is in a used state. Assuming that there is something, by switching the partition member from the closed position to the open position, it is possible to easily know that the process cartridge is new.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a main part of a laser copying machine including a process cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the process cartridge.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a lower box of the cartridge case.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a photoconductor, a developing sleeve, and the like are assembled in the lower box.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an upper box of the cartridge case.

FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view of the developer preset portion.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a partition member provided in the communication opening.

FIG. 8 is a side view showing the partition member as seen from the supporting shaft direction.

FIG. 9 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view showing a state immediately after the process cartridge is mounted in the main body of the laser copying machine.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a toner bottle that stores toner to be supplied to the developing chamber of the process cartridge.

FIG. 11 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view showing a state of the process cartridge when the apparatus main body is driven.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing another example of a cap attached to the opening of the developer preset portion.

FIG. 13 is a plan view showing still another example of the cap.

FIG. 14 is a plan view showing still another example of the cap.

FIG. 15 is a plan view showing still another example of the cap.

FIG. 16 is a configuration diagram of a peripheral portion of a developing device in a conventional laser copying machine.

[Explanation of symbols]

 30 Cartridge Case 31 Lower Box 32 Upper Box 37 Development Chamber 59 Developer Preset Section 60 Partition Wall 61 Communication Opening 62 Partition Member 63 Plate Material 64/65 Spindle 66/67 Elastic Piece 68 Sector Gear (Driven Rotating Member) 70 Opening 71 Cap K Process cartridge

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An electrophotographic apparatus, comprising: a developing chamber provided in a cartridge case; a developer preset portion provided above the developing chamber; and a partition member openable and closable at a boundary position between the developing chamber and the developer preset portion. Process cartridge. 2. The process cartridge for an electrophotographic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an opening communicating with the developer preset portion is formed in the cartridge case, and the opening is closed with a cap. 3. A process cartridge for an electrophotographic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge case is divided into a lower box having the developing chamber and an upper box having the developer preset section. . 4. A partition wall is provided at the boundary position, an elongated communication opening is formed in the partition wall in the axial direction of the photoconductor, and the partition member is arranged in the communication opening, and the partition member is connected to the communication hole. An elongated plate member that closes the opening, a support shaft that protrudes outward from the center of both ends of the plate member and rotatably pivots at the edge of the communication opening, and a partition member that protrudes from both sides of the plate member 2. The process cartridge for an electrophotographic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the process cartridge of the electrophotographic apparatus is configured by an elastic piece that extends over a side edge of the communication opening and closes a gap between the side edge and the plate material when in the closed position. 5. A structure in which a driven rotary member is provided on the support shaft, and the partition member is in an open position when rotation is transmitted to the driven rotary member via the drive rotary member by driving of the main body of the electrophotographic apparatus. The process cartridge of the electrophotographic apparatus according to claim 4, comprising: 6. The operating unit that rotates together with the driven rotating member, and that operates a detecting means provided in the apparatus main body when the partition member switches from the closed position to the open position. A process cartridge for the described electrophotographic apparatus.