JPH09190058A - Process cartridge, developing device and electrophotographic image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To stabilize the load state of an electrophotographic photoreceptor and a developing means by changing the movable or set conditions of a process cartridge, based on information stored in a storage means. SOLUTION: The information on residual toner stored in a storage element 101 is read in a controller to calculate the present energizing force with the information on the residual toner. Then, it is judged whether pressing is needed or not by the calculated energizing force. Pressure required for making the energizing force proper is calculated and the thrusting quantity of a pressing part 100a, that is, the thrusting quantity of a cylindrical part, required for generating the pressure is calculated. Then, pressing is executed with the calculated thrusting quantity. Thus, an energizing force control part is provided in an image forming device, so that the energizing force of a photoreceptor drum and the developing roller can be properly kept by using a process cartridge, even if the residual toner is changed.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a process cartridge, a developing device and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus to which the process cartridge or the developing device can be mounted.

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

Further, as the process cartridge, the charging means, the developing means or the cleaning means and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally made into a cartridge, and the cartridge can be attached to and detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus, or At least one of the charging means, the developing means, and the cleaning means and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally made into a cartridge so as to be attachable to and detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus, or at least the developing means and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are It refers to a unit that can be integrated into a cartridge and can be attached to and detached from the apparatus body.

[0004]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic image forming process, an electrophotographic photosensitive member and process means acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge, and this cartridge is used as an image forming apparatus. A process cartridge system detachable from the main body is employed. According to this process cartridge system, the maintenance of the apparatus can be performed by the user himself without relying on a service person, so that the operability can be remarkably improved. Therefore, this process cartridge method,
Widely used in image forming apparatuses.

In such a process cartridge, the electrophotographic photosensitive member and the developing member are opposed to each other with a minute gap therebetween. As a configuration therefor, for example, as shown in FIG. 25, a developing roller 51, which is a developing member, is attached to the first frame 50.
Is rotatably attached, and the photoconductor drum 53, which is an electrophotographic photoconductor, is rotatably attached to the second frame 52. Then, the dowel 50a provided on the first frame 50 is fitted into the fitting hole 52a of the second frame 52, and the retaining ring 54 is attached to one dowel 50a so that both frame bodies 50, 52 can be rotated. Bind to.

Further, a tension spring 55 is hooked on the bosses 50b, 52b provided on the side surfaces of both the frame bodies 50, 52 to urge the photosensitive drum 53 and the developing roller 51 toward each other, and a spacer (not shown) is used. The two members 53, 51 are opposed to each other with a minute gap. In this structure, a spring cover (not shown) is attached so that the tension spring 55 is not exposed.

FIG. 26 (a) shows another configuration.
As shown in (b), a U groove 57a is formed in a second frame 57 in which the photosensitive drum 56 is rotatably mounted, and a first frame 59 in which a developing roller 58 is rotatably mounted in this U groove 57a. The boss 59a is fitted and the stopper member 60 is attached to the second frame 57 by screwing. The stopper member 60 has a locking portion 60a and a compression spring 60b. The locking portion 60a is passed through the through hole 57b of the second frame 57, and the spring 60b is passed through the through hole 57c with screws. To do. As a result, FIG.
As shown in (b), the boss 59a is prevented from coming out of the U groove 57a, and the two frame bodies 57 and 59 are rotatably coupled. In addition, the spring 60b causes the seat surface 59 of the first frame 59 to
b is pressed and is pressed in the direction in which the photosensitive drum 56 and the developing roller 58 come into contact with each other.

In this way, the first frame body and the second frame body are rotatably coupled, and the electrophotographic photosensitive member and the developing member are biased toward each other.

In the above-mentioned structure, the urging force and the rubbing force are applied to the spacer that makes the photosensitive drum and the developing roller face each other at a minute interval. Therefore, the urging force must be minimized.

Further, in such a process cartridge, a toner feeding member for feeding a developer (hereinafter referred to as toner) to a developing device is provided, and the toner feeding member is a gear mounted integrally with the photosensitive drum. It is general that the driving force is transmitted by the above. In such a configuration, when the toner is full, the driving resistance of the toner feeding member is large and decreases as the toner is consumed.

Further, in such a process cartridge, a developing roller as a developing member for supplying toner to the photosensitive drum is provided, and the developing roller is integrally attached to the photosensitive drum, like the toner feeding member. The driving force is generally transmitted by a gear or the like.

[0012]

The present invention is a further development of the above-mentioned conventional technique.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a process cartridge, a developing device, and a process cartridge capable of stabilizing the load states of the electrophotographic photosensitive member and the developing means regardless of the usage time of the process cartridge or the developing device. An object is to provide an electrophotographic image forming apparatus using a cartridge or a developing device.

Another object of the present invention is to obtain a stable image by changing the operating conditions of the developing means of the process cartridge or the developing device according to the usage amount of the process cartridge or the developing device. To provide a process cartridge, a developing device, and an image forming apparatus using such a process cartridge or the developing device.

[0015]

The above objects can be achieved by an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, a process cartridge and a developing apparatus according to the present invention. In summary, the present invention provides an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a process means having at least a developing means, which acts on the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and various information in a process cartridge detachable from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. A process cartridge characterized by having storage means for storing and means for changing a moving condition or a setting condition of the process cartridge according to the information stored in the storage means.

A stirring means for stirring the developer,
The movable condition is preferably a stirring speed of the developer by the stirring unit. According to another aspect, it is preferable that a developing roller is provided as a developing unit, and the movable condition is a rotation speed of the developing roller.

The electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body has a first frame member for holding the developing unit and a second frame member for holding the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body includes the electrophotographic photosensitive member and the developing unit. It is preferable that there is an urging unit for urging the urging units to move toward each other, and the setting condition is the urging force of the urging unit. The information is preferably the remaining amount of the developer stored in the process cartridge.

According to another aspect of the present invention, in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus in which a process cartridge can be attached and detached and which forms an image on a recording medium, (a) an electrophotographic photosensitive member and the electrophotographic photosensitive member. A process means having at least a developing means, a storage means for storing various information, and a means for changing the movable condition or the set condition of the process cartridge according to the information stored in the storage means. A process cartridge having
Mounting means for detachably mounting to the apparatus main body;
An electrophotographic image forming apparatus comprising: (b) a conveying unit that conveys the recording medium; and (C) a unit that reads information from the storage unit or writes information to the storage unit. .

The electrophotographic image forming apparatus is preferably an electrophotographic copying machine, a laser beam printer or a facsimile machine.

According to another aspect of the present invention, in a developing device having a developing means having a developer accommodating portion and detachable from an image forming apparatus, a storage means for storing various information is provided. Further, there is provided a developing device, characterized in that it has means for changing a moving condition or a setting condition of the developing device according to the information stored in the storage means.

[0021]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The electrophotographic image forming apparatus, process cartridge, and developing apparatus according to the present invention will be described below in more detail with reference to the drawings.

First Embodiment A process cartridge according to a first embodiment of the present invention and an image forming apparatus to which the process cartridge can be mounted will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 17. Here, as the order of the description, first, the overall structure of the process cartridge and the image forming apparatus using the process cartridge will be described, and then the structure of the cartridge frame will be described. The biasing structure of the means will be described.

{Overall Configuration} This electrophotographic image forming apparatus (laser beam printer) A has a structure as shown in FIG.
Information light based on image information is emitted from the optical system 1 to a drum-shaped electrophotographic photosensitive member to form a latent image on the photosensitive member, and the latent image is developed to form a toner image. Then, the recording medium 2 is fed to the paper feed cassette 3a in synchronization with the formation of the toner image.
From the pick-up roller 3b and the pressure-contact member 3c in pressure contact with the pick-up roller 3b to separate and feed the sheets one by one.
d, recording is performed by applying a voltage to the toner image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member cartridged as the process cartridge B, which is transported by the transporting means 3 including the pair of registration rollers 3e. The recording medium 2 is transferred onto the medium 2, and the recording medium 2 is conveyed to the fixing unit 5 by the conveying belt 3f.

The fixing means 5 comprises a drive roller 5a, a heater 5b, and a fixing rotary member 5d formed of a cylindrical sheet rotatably supported by a support member 5c. The transfer toner image is fixed by applying pressure. Then, the recording medium 2 is conveyed by the pair of discharge rollers 3g and 3h, and the discharge section 6 is passed through the reverse conveyance path.
It is configured to discharge to The image forming apparatus A can also be manually fed by a manual tray 3i and a roller 3j.

Further, in the image forming apparatus A, a storage element 101 which is a storage means provided in the process cartridge B.
A connecting unit (not shown) for exchanging information with the above is provided, and the connecting unit is wired to the controller unit 102 that performs various controls of the image forming apparatus A (see FIG. 5).

Further, in the image forming apparatus A, biasing force control units 100 for changing the biasing forces of the photosensitive drum 7 and the developing means 10 are provided on the process cartridges at both longitudinal ends of the photosensitive drum 7. (See FIG. 1).

On the other hand, the process cartridge B includes an electrophotographic photosensitive member and at least one process means. Here, as the process means, for example, a charging means for charging an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a developing means for developing a latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member, a cleaning means for cleaning toner remaining on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member Etc.

In the process cartridge B of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, a photosensitive drum 7 which is an electrophotographic photosensitive member having a photosensitive layer is rotated, and a charging roller 8 which is a charging means.
Voltage is applied to uniformly charge the surface of the photosensitive drum 7,
An optical image from the optical system 1 is exposed to the charged photosensitive drum 7 through the opening 9 to form a latent image, and the latent image is developed by the developing means 10.

The developing means 10 sends out the toner in the toner storage portion 10a by a rotatable first toner feeding member 10b1 and second toner feeding member 10b2,
While rotating the developing roller 10d incorporating the fixed magnet 10c, a toner layer to which a triboelectric charge is applied by the developing blade 10e is formed on the surface of the developing roller 10d.
By transferring the toner to the photosensitive drum 7 according to the latent image, a toner image is formed and visualized.

Then, after a voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the toner image is applied to the transfer roller 4 to transfer the toner image to the recording medium 2, the cleaning blade 11a scrapes off the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 7, and at the same time, the squeeze sheet. The residual toner on the photosensitive drum 7 is removed by the cleaning means 11 that collects the scum by 11b and collects it in the waste toner storage portion 11c.

Each member such as the photosensitive drum 7 is housed and supported in a cartridge frame body in which a toner developing frame body 12 which is a first frame body and a cleaning frame body 13 which is a second frame body are housed and supported to form a cartridge. , Is attached to the apparatus body 14.

Further, the process cartridge B is provided with a storage element 101, and the storage element is provided with a connecting portion (not shown) for enabling reading or writing of information from the outside.

The cartridge mounting means is a shaft 15a (see FIG. 7).
As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, when the opening / closing member 15 is opened around the center (see FIG. 13), the left and right side surfaces of the cartridge mounting space are downwardly swelled and have a curved shape that bulges downward (substantially in this embodiment). Guide rail 1 formed in a circular shape
6 are provided substantially symmetrically, and a guide member 17 is provided above them.
Is attached. Further, on the inlet side of the guide rail 16, a first inclined surface 16a and subsequently a second inclined surface 16b having an inclination larger than that of the first inclined surface 16a are formed.

On the other hand, guide portions which are guided along the guide rails 16 are formed on both outer side surfaces of the process cartridge B in the longitudinal direction corresponding to the guide rails 16.
The guide portion is configured so as to project from substantially symmetrical positions on both outer side surfaces in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge frame, and as shown in FIG. 9, the boss 18 and the rib 19 are integrally formed. . The boss 18 and the rib 19 are formed integrally with the cleaning frame 13 to which the photoconductor drum 7 is attached, the boss 18 is located on an extension of the rotation axis of the photoconductor drum 7, and the rib 19 is continuous from the boss 18. And a curved shape (substantially circular arc shape in this embodiment) that bulges downward in conformity with the shape of the guide rail 16 behind the process cartridge B in the insertion direction.

In the above structure, when the process cartridge B is mounted, as shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, the opening / closing member 15 is opened and the boss 18 and the rib 19 are arranged along the guide rail 16 so that the cartridge tip is installed. The optical system 1 is inserted under the optical system 1. The guide rail 16 is formed in a substantially circular arc shape, and the guide member 17 above the guide rail 16 also has a shape following this, and the rib 19 is also a substantially circular arc shape. Accordingly, the process cartridge B becomes substantially horizontal.

When the cartridge B is further pushed in, the abutting members 20 provided on the apparatus main body 14 come into contact with the abutting surfaces 21 provided near both ends of the tip of the cleaning frame 13 and then the boss 18 of the process cartridge B. Falls into the receiving recess 16c formed at the end of the guide rail 16. As a result, the drum gear (not shown) fixed to the side end of the photoconductor drum 7 is driven by the drive gear 22 (see FIG. 14) on the apparatus body 14 side.
And the driving force can be transmitted to the process cartridge B.

Next, when the opening / closing member 15 is closed, as shown in FIG. 12, the pressing member 24 pivotally supported by the opening / closing member 15 and urged by the screw coil spring 23 is attached to the arm portion 25 of the cleaning frame 13. Abut and twist coil spring 23
Is pressurized at a predetermined pressure while being twisted. Further, at this time, the abutting member 20 provided on the apparatus main body 14 and the contact surface 21 of the process cartridge B come into contact with each other so that the process cartridge B
Is positioned and mounted. Further, the connect section provided in the image forming apparatus A and the connect section provided in the process cartridge B are connected.

When taking out the process cartridge B, as shown in FIG. 15, when the opening / closing member 15 is opened, the pressure applied by the pressure member 24 is released. In this state, after the boss 18 of the cartridge B is pulled up so as to ride on the recess 16c, the process cartridge B can be pulled out by turning it counterclockwise in FIG. 15 while aligning the rib 19 with the guide rail 16. .

An opening for contacting the recording medium 2 on which the photosensitive drum 7 is conveyed is formed in the lower portion of the cartridge frame, and the opening is closed by the drum shutter member 28 when the cartridge is not used. As a result, the photoconductor drum 7 is protected. This shutter member 28
As shown in FIG. 9, a shutter arm 27 rotatably provided on one side of the outer side surface in the longitudinal direction of the developing device frame 12a about a shaft 26 and rotation of both outer side surfaces in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge frame body. A ring member 2 rotatably provided around a center 29a
It is rotatably supported by 9.

When the process cartridge B is inserted along the guide rail 16 as described above, the protruding portion 29b formed by bending the link member 29 causes the first inclined surface 16a and the second inclined surface of the guide rail 16 to be formed. The shutter member 28 is opened by contacting with 16b (see FIGS. 11 and 12), and conversely, when the process cartridge B is pulled out, the shutter member 28 is pushed by the bias of the screw coil spring 30 (see FIG. 9) attached to the shaft 26. It is designed to close automatically.

When the process cartridge B is attached to or detached from the image forming apparatus A, as shown in FIG. 10, the handle portion formed on the toner developing frame 12 is held and operated by hand. The structure of the grip portion is such that a large number of ribs 12cl are formed in the longitudinal direction of the inclined surface formed in the upper portion of the cartridge frame (the direction orthogonal to the mounting and demounting direction of the process cartridge with respect to the apparatus main body) to form minute irregularities (see FIG. ), The portion is configured as a handle portion. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, an R portion projecting downward is formed in the lower portion of the cartridge frame, and a grip portion is formed by providing a plurality of ribs 12a9 in the same direction as the rib 12al in this R portion. ing. When the process cartridge B is held, the handle portion (rib 1
2c1, 12a9 portions) by hand, and the boss 18 and rib 19 formed on the cleaning frame 13 as described above.
Is attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus A by operating along the guide rails 16.

{Structure of Cartridge Frame} Next, the structure of the cartridge frame will be described. This cartridge frame is formed by injection molding of polystyrene resin. As shown in FIG. 16, the developing lower frame 12b is welded to the side of the developing frame 12a and the lid frame 12c is attached to the upper part. The toner developing frame body 12 which is the first frame body is formed by welding,
The toner developing frame 12 is combined with a cleaning frame 13 which is a second frame.

The toner supply opening 1 is provided on the side surface of the developing frame 12a.
2a, and a toner filling port 12a2 on one side surface in the longitudinal direction. A plurality of support members 12a3 are provided upright in the longitudinal direction inside the developing device frame 12a.

When assembling the developing means, the lid member 12c is welded after the first toner feeding member 10bl is incorporated in the developing frame 12a. Next, the toner supply opening 12a
A film-shaped toner seal member 31 is welded to the seal attaching seating surface 12a5 formed around l to seal the opening 12al, and toner is filled into the opening 12al. Then, the cap 32 is covered with the filling opening 12a2. Then, the toner storage portion 10a is sealed.

The toner seal member 31 that seals the opening 12al has the opening 12al as shown in FIG.
Is folded back at one side in the longitudinal direction of the developing frame 12 at the free end side.
It is pulled out from the slit 12a8 provided in a. When the process cartridge B is used, the toner seal member 31 is pulled out and removed by the free end.

Next, the developing lower frame 12 is provided on the side of the developing frame 12a.
Then, the second toner feeding member 10b2 is attached to the developing lower frame 12b. Further, a seal 35 made of urethane foam or the like is attached below the blade mounting seat surface 12a4 formed at the upper opening of the developing frame 12a, and the developing blade 10e is screwed to the blade mounting seat surface 12a4.

Further, the bearings 33a and 33b and a seal 34 made of urethane foam or the like are attached to the bearings 33a and 33b.
The developing roller 10d is pivotally supported on b. Incidentally, the developing device frame 12a
A circular arc portion 12a6, which is a positioning means for fixing the bearings 33a and 33b, is formed on the bearings 33a and 3b.
When 3b is attached to the developing device frame 12a, the arcuate portion 12a6
Fixed to Therefore, the developing roller 10d axially supported by the bearings 33a and 33b is accurately attached to the developing device frame 12a.

A link support member 36 is provided on one side of the toner developing frame 12 in the longitudinal direction so as to cover the cap 32.
Attached to the other side, and the photosensitive drum 7 and the developing roller 1 on the other side.
After assembling a gear train (not shown) for transmitting the driving force to 0d or the like, a gear cover 37 is attached so as to cover the gear train. The gear cover 37 has a positioning shaft 37a.
Is provided, and the shaft 37a is connected to the hole 33al of the bearing 33a.
Then, it is inserted into the hole 12a7 of the developing device frame 12a for positioning, and is attached and fixed to the developing device frame 12a with a locking claw or a screw.

An arm portion 38 as a connecting portion is integrally formed at one end in the longitudinal direction of the developing device frame 12a, and a connecting portion is also connected to a gear cover 37 attached to the other end in the longitudinal direction of the developing device frame 12a. Is formed as an arm portion 38 (see FIG. 16).

An arm is provided with a toner developing frame 12 to which each member constituting the developing means is assembled, and a cleaning frame 13 to which each member constituting the photosensitive drum 7, the charging roller 8 and the cleaning means 11 is assembled. The process cartridge B is configured by being coupled via the portion 38.

{Coupling Structure and Energizing Structure of Developing Frame Body and Cleaning Frame Body} Next, the bonding structure of the toner developing frame body 12 and the cleaning frame body 13 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4. 2 is an explanatory view of the connection inclination of both the frames 12 and 13, FIG. 3 is an internal illustration of the connection part, and FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view of the connection part. Further, both frame bodies 12 and 13 are rotatably coupled via the arm portions 38 on both sides in the longitudinal direction, but since the configurations are the same on the left and right, only one side will be described here.

Toner developing frame 12 and cleaning frame 1
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the coupling member 39 for coupling 3 has a spring mounting portion 39a and a cylindrical portion 39d formed integrally, and a compression spring 40 is mounted on the spring mounting portion 39a. is there. The cylindrical portion 39d has a diameter larger than the diameter of the spring 40 attached to the attaching portion 39a, a rib 39b is provided on the head portion, and two flanges 39c are provided on the side portions.

A recess 38a is formed on the top surface of the arm portion 38 of the toner developing frame 12, and the recess 38a allows the toner developing frame 12 and the cleaning frame 13 to rotate as will be described later. It is provided so as to be located below the mounting hole 13a of the cleaning frame body in the coupled state. Further, a through hole 38b through which a pin 41 described later penetrates is formed at the tip of the arm portion 38.

On the other hand, the cleaning frame 13 is provided with a mounting hole 13a for mounting the coupling member 39, and the mounting hole 13a has a flange 39c and a cylindrical portion of the coupling member 39 as shown in FIGS. It is formed of a cylindrical hole portion 13al slightly larger than 39d and a cutout portion 13a2. In addition, the outer wall surface 13b of the cleaning frame 13
A hole 13c is formed through which the pin 41 penetrates, and a hole 13e for press-fitting the pin 41 is formed on an inner wall surface 13d thereof. The hole 13c is provided coaxially with the hole 13e and in parallel with the axis line connecting the central axes of the hole 13e and the similar hole 13c provided on the other side in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning frame 13. Further, the mounting hole 13a of the cleaning frame body 13
A rib 13f is provided on the rear surface in the vicinity of.

In the above structure, when the toner developing frame 12 and the cleaning frame 13 are joined together, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the arm 38 provided on the toner developing frame 12 is replaced by the cleaning frame. 13 into the joint portion of the cleaning frame 13, and the pin 41 is made to penetrate from the hole 13c provided in the cleaning frame 13 to the through hole 38b of the arm portion 38 in this order.
Press into e. As a result, the toner developing frame 12 and the cleaning frame 13 are rotatably coupled about the pin 41. In this state, the photosensitive drum 7 and the developing roller 10d are not biased, so that it is possible to easily confirm the rotating state of both.

Next, as shown in FIG. 3, the coupling member 39 to which the spring 40 is attached is dropped into the attachment hole 13a.
When this is dropped, the notch 13a2 of the mounting hole 13a and the flange 39c of the coupling member 39 are aligned,
The tip of the spring 40 is brought into contact with the bottom surface of the recess 38a, and is linearly pushed toward the compression direction of the spring 40, the upper surface of the flange 39c of the coupling member 39 is below the rib 13f, and the cylindrical portion 39d is attached to the mounting hole 13a. It is dropped to a position where it is guided by the cylindrical hole portion 13a1. In this state, the connecting member 39 is rotated by 90 °,
When the pressing force on the
The restoring force of (1) pushes it upward along the cylindrical hole portion 13al, and stops at the position where the flange 39c abuts the lower surface of the mounting hole 13a.

As a result, the developing roller 10d attached to the toner developing frame 12 is pressed by the spring 40 toward the photosensitive drum 7 attached to the cleaning frame 13 and is attached to both ends of the developing roller 10d in the longitudinal direction. The ring member 10f (see FIG. 16) serving as a spacer comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 7 to position the developing roller 10d with respect to the photosensitive drum 7. At this time, a drum gear (not shown) fixed to the side end of the photosensitive drum 7 is a roller gear (not shown) fixed to the side end of the developing roller 10d.
And the drive force can be transmitted.

On the other hand, in FIG. 1, the urging force control section 100 provided in the image forming apparatus A is provided with a pressing section 100a, and the pressing section 100a is controlled by the urging force control section 100 to cause the image forming apparatus A to operate. With the process cartridge B mounted, the cylindrical portion 39d of the coupling member 39 shown in FIG. 3 can be pushed downward. As an example of the urging force control section, there is a method of regulating the movement amount of the pressing section 100a by a cam whose angle can be controlled.

When the pressing portion 100a pushes the cylindrical portion 39d downward, the spring 40 is compressed, and the force with which the developing roller 10d presses the photosensitive drum 7 increases.

Next, the control of the urging force will be described with reference to FIGS.
This will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control unit, and FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the procedure of biasing force control.

The storage element 101 provided in the process cartridge B stores various kinds of information regarding the process cartridge B, and by connecting with a connecting portion (not shown), the image forming apparatus or an external device can receive signals. Can interact.

Now, the procedure for controlling the biasing force will be described. First, in step 1, the information on the residual toner amount stored in the storage element 101 is read into the controller 102. The remaining toner amount is detected by a known method,
Power on / off the image forming apparatus after each image forming operation
Every time the flip-flop operation is performed, or the data is written in the memory element from the controller unit at a certain fixed interval. In step 2, the current urging force is calculated from the information on the remaining toner amount. In step 3,
Based on the urging force calculated in step 2, it is determined whether pressing is necessary. The information necessary for the judgment is
Either store it in the controller in advance, or
It may be stored in the storage element 101.

In step 4, the pressing force required to obtain an appropriate biasing force is calculated. In step 5, the pressing amount of the pressing portion 100a, that is, the pressing amount of the cylindrical portion 39d, which is necessary to generate the pressing force, is calculated. To calculate the pushing amount, the spring constant of the spring 40 may be stored in the storage element 101 or the controller in advance. Next, in step 6, pressing is performed based on the calculated pressing amount. This completes the control of the biasing force.

As described above, the storage element for storing the residual toner amount is provided in the process cartridge, and the biasing force control unit is provided in the image forming apparatus, so that the residual toner amount is changed by using the process cartridge. Even in such a case, the urging force between the photosensitive drum 7 and the developing roller 10d can be appropriately maintained. Therefore, when the toner is fully loaded, it is possible to reduce the load on the ring members 10f attached to both ends of the developing roller 10d in the longitudinal direction.

In this embodiment, the case where the urging force between the photosensitive drum 7 and the developing means 10 is generated by the compression coil spring has been exemplified, but the same applies to the case of the tension coil spring and the torsion coil spring. You can

In the present embodiment, the urging force control is controlled by the pushing amount of the pressing portion 100a, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the urging force control portion 1 may be used.
It is also possible to provide a pressure sensor in 00 to directly measure the pressing force of the pressing portion.

Embodiment 2 FIG. 18 shows a developing device C in the form of a cartridge which is another embodiment of the present invention.

The developing device C of this embodiment includes a developer carrying member 10d such as a developing roller, and a developer containing toner in order to supply the developer (toner) to the developer carrying member 10d. The developing means 10 having the accommodating portion 10a is integrally formed into a cartridge by the plastic frame 12. That is, the developing device C of this embodiment can be considered as a cartridge obtained by integrating the process cartridge B described in Embodiment 1 with the electrophotographic photosensitive member removed.
Therefore, the configuration and operation of the developer accommodating portion 10a and the like are similar to those of the first embodiment, and those having the same configuration and operation are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is incorporated.

Third Embodiment Next, a third embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, here, a part different from the first embodiment will be specifically described. FIG. 19 is a side view of the process cartridge B, FIG. 20 is a block diagram, and FIG.
1 is a flowchart showing a procedure of controlling the rotation speed of the developing roller. The overall configurations of the process cartridge B and the image forming apparatus A are the same as those in the first embodiment.

19 and 20, the process cartridge B is a storage element 101 for storing various information of the process cartridge, a gear 103 for driving the developing roller 10d, and a driving force from an image forming apparatus described later. Coupling 104, coupling 10 for
4, a gear 104a, an idler gear 105, a gear 106 for driving the toner feeding member 10b1, a idler gear 107, a gear 108 for driving the toner feeding member 10b2, and a gear attached integrally with the photosensitive drum. It is equipped with 109.

When the process cartridge B is mounted on the image forming apparatus A in the above-described structure in the same manner as in the first embodiment, it meshes with the drive gear 22 (see FIG. 14) on the apparatus main body 14 side, and the photosensitive drum 7 The driving force can be transmitted to.

Next, when the opening / closing member 15 is closed, as shown in FIG. 12, the pressing member 24 pivotally supported by the opening / closing member 15 and urged by the torsion coil spring 23 is attached to the arm portion 25 of the cleaning frame 13. Abut and twist coil spring 23
Is pressurized at a predetermined pressure while being twisted. Further, at this time, the abutting member 20 provided on the apparatus main body 14 and the contact surface 21 of the process cartridge B come into contact with each other so that the process cartridge B
Is positioned and mounted.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the apparatus main body 14 is provided with a lever 112 that swings in conjunction with the opening / closing operation of the opening / closing member 15, and when the opening / closing member 15 is closed,
The developing means driving part 113 projects and is coupled to the coupling 104 provided in the process cartridge B, so that the developing means 1
The driving force can be transmitted to zero. Further, the developing device driving unit 113 retracts in the direction opposite to the projecting direction by opening the opening / closing member 15, and the process cartridge B can be taken out.

Incidentally, the developing means driving section 113 is the main body 14 of the apparatus.
Drive source 11 for driving the photosensitive drum 7 provided in
Since 0 is driven by a separate drive source 111, the ratio of the rotation speed of the photosensitive drum 7 and the rotation speed of the developing roller 10d can be freely changed.

Further, the storage element 101 provided in the process cartridge B is provided, and the storage element 101 is provided.
Is mounted on the image forming apparatus A, and is connected to the image forming apparatus A, as in the case of the first embodiment.

Next, the procedure for controlling the rotation speed of the developing roller 10d will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, in step 1, the information on the residual toner amount stored in the storage element 101 is obtained from the controller 102.
Read in.

In step 2, the proper value of the rotation speed of the developing roller 10d is calculated from the information on the residual toner amount.

In step 3, the value calculated in step 2 is output to the developing device driving section 113, and the control is completed.

As described above, the storage element 101 for storing the residual toner amount is provided in the process cartridge B, and the developing means driving unit 113 is provided in the image forming apparatus A, whereby the rotational speed of the photosensitive drum 7 and the developing process are performed. The ratio of the rotation speed of the roller 10d can be maintained appropriately, and the developing roller 10d
The ring members 10f attached to both longitudinal ends of d (see FIG.
(See 6) can be reduced.

In the present embodiment, the case where the drive source for driving the developing means is separately provided in the image forming apparatus is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the drive force is transmitted to, for example, the photosensitive drum. The drive source may also be used. In this case, a speed change mechanism may be provided in the developing unit driving unit. In addition, a speed change mechanism is provided in the process cartridge,
The image forming apparatus may control the transmission mechanism.

Fourth Embodiment Next, a fourth embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

22 is a side view of the process cartridge B, FIG. 23 is a block diagram, and FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing a speed control procedure of the toner feeding member. The overall structure of the process cartridge B and the image forming apparatus is as follows.
This is the same as the first embodiment.

22 and 23, the process cartridge B is a storage element 101 for storing various information of the process cartridge, a gear 103 for driving the developing roller 10d, and a driving force transmitted from an image forming apparatus described later. Coupling 114 and coupling 11 for
No. 4 gear 114a, toner feeding member 10d1
Gear 116 for driving the toner and toner feeding member 10b2
A gear 108 for driving the motor and a gear 109 attached so as to be integrated with the photosensitive drum are provided.

When the process cartridge B is mounted on the apparatus main body 14 in the above-described structure as in the first embodiment, the drive gear 22 on the apparatus main body 14 side (see FIG. 14).
And the driving force can be transmitted to the photoconductor drum 7.

Next, when the opening / closing member 15 is closed, as shown in FIG. 12, the pressing member 24 pivotally supported by the opening / closing member 15 and urged by the torsion coil spring 23 causes the arm portion 25 of the cleaning frame 13 to move. Abut on the screw coil spring 2
While twisting 3, pressurize with a predetermined pressure. At this time, the abutting member 20 provided on the apparatus main body 14 and the contact surface 21 of the process cartridge B are brought into contact with each other to position and mount the process cartridge B. Further, the apparatus main body 14 is provided with a lever 112 that swings in conjunction with the opening / closing operation of the opening / closing member 15, and when the opening / closing member 15 is closed, the toner feeding member driving unit 115 projects and the cup provided in the process cartridge B. By coupling with the ring 104, the driving force can be transmitted to the toner feeding member. Further, the toner feeding member driving unit 115 retracts in the direction opposite to the protruding direction by opening the opening / closing member 15, and the process cartridge B can be taken out.

The toner feeding member driving section 115 is
It is driven by a drive source 111 provided separately from the drive source 110 for driving the photosensitive drum 7 provided in the apparatus main body 14, so that the rotational speed of the toner feeding member is independent of the rotational speed of the photosensitive drum 7. Can be set.

In the process cartridge B,
A storage element 101 is provided, and the storage element 101
Is mounted on the image forming apparatus A, and is connected to the image forming apparatus A, as in the case of the first embodiment.

Next, the procedure of toner feeding speed control by the toner feeding member will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, in step 1, the information on the residual toner amount stored in the storage element 101 is obtained from the controller 102.
Read in.

In step 2, the proper value of the rotation speed of the toner feeding member is calculated from the information on the remaining toner amount.

In step 3, the value calculated in step 2 is output to the drive source 111, and the control is completed.

As described above, the storage element for storing the residual toner amount is provided in the process cartridge, and the toner feeding member drive unit is provided in the image forming apparatus, so that the toner feeding member is irrespective of the rotation speed of the photosensitive drum. Since the rotation speed can be set, it is possible to properly feed the toner according to the remaining toner amount.

In the present embodiment, the case where the drive source for driving the toner feeding member is separately provided in the image forming apparatus has been exemplified, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the drive force is transmitted to, for example, the photosensitive drum. It may also be used as a driving source. In this case, a speed change mechanism may be provided in the toner feeding member driving unit. Further, a speed change mechanism may be provided in the process cartridge and the speed change mechanism may be controlled by the image forming apparatus.

The above-mentioned process cartridge B is for forming a monochromatic image, but the process cartridge is not limited to the case of forming a monochromatic image, but a plurality of developing means are provided and an image of plural colors (for example, two colors). It can also be suitably applied to a cartridge that forms an image, a three-color image, a full-color image, or the like.

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

Further, the electrophotographic photosensitive member is not limited to the above-mentioned photosensitive drum and includes, for example, the following. First, a photoconductor is used as the photoconductor, and as the photoconductor, for example, amorphous silicon, amorphous selenium, zinc oxide, titanium oxide, and an organic photoconductor (OP
C) and the like. The shape on which the photosensitive member is mounted includes, for example, a rotating body such as a drum shape and a belt shape and a sheet shape. Generally, a drum shape or a belt shape is used. In the case of the type of photoconductor, a photoconductor is vapor-deposited or coated on a cylinder of aluminum alloy or the like.

The structure of the charging means is also the same as that in the first embodiment.
The so-called contact charging method was used in the above, but a metal shield such as aluminum is provided around the three sides of a conventionally used tungsten wire as another structure, and a positive or negative voltage is generated by applying a high voltage to the tungsten wire. Of course, it is also possible to use a configuration in which the ions of (1) are moved to the surface of the photosensitive drum to uniformly charge the surface of the drum.

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

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

The process cartridge according to the present invention comprises at least an electrophotographic photosensitive member and developing means. Therefore, as a typical mode, the developing means, the electrophotographic photosensitive member, the charging means, and the cleaning means are integrally made into a cartridge, which can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body, and the developing means and the electrophotographic photosensitive member. , A charging means or a cleaning means integrated into a cartridge which can be attached to and detached from the main body of the apparatus, or a developing means and an electrophotographic photosensitive member which are integrated into a cartridge and attached to the main body of the apparatus, etc. There is.

Further, although the laser beam printer is exemplified as the image forming apparatus in the above-mentioned embodiments, the present invention is not limited to this, and other image forming apparatuses such as an electrophotographic copying machine, a facsimile machine, a word processor, etc. It is also possible to use for.

[0103]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Process cartridge capable of stabilizing the load condition between the electrophotographic photosensitive member and the developing means regardless of the usage time of the process cartridge or the developing device and a good image, the developing device, and such a process An electrophotographic image forming apparatus provided with a cartridge or a developing device can be provided.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a stable image can be obtained by changing the operating condition of the developing means of the process cartridge or the developing device according to the usage amount of the process cartridge or the developing device. It is possible to obtain a different process cartridge, a developing device, and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus equipped with such a process cartridge or a developing device.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an internal explanatory diagram of a process cartridge and an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a combination of a toner developing frame and a cleaning frame.

FIG. 3 is an internal explanatory diagram of a connecting portion between a toner developing frame and a cleaning frame.

FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view of a joint portion of a toner developing frame and a cleaning frame.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control unit.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a control procedure.

FIG. 7 is a schematic explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus.

FIG. 8 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a process cartridge.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an appearance of a process cartridge.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the process cartridge is attached to the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 11 is an internal explanatory diagram of a state in which the process cartridge is being mounted in the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 12 is an internal explanatory diagram showing a state in which the process cartridge is completely attached to the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a right-side guide configuration that guides attachment / detachment of a process cartridge.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of a left-side guide structure that guides attachment / detachment of a process cartridge.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the process cartridge is taken out from the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 16 is an exploded view of the cartridge frame.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a toner seal is attached to the developing device frame.

FIG. 18 is a configuration diagram illustrating a developing device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a side view of the process cartridge according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a block diagram of a process cartridge and an image forming apparatus according to a third embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a control procedure according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a side view of the process cartridge according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a block diagram of a process cartridge and an image forming apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing a control procedure according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 25 is an explanatory view of the connection between the toner frame and the developing frame according to the related art.

FIG. 26 is an explanatory view of a combination of a toner frame body and a developing frame body according to another conventional technique.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 recording medium 7 photosensitive drum (electrophotographic photosensitive member) 8 charging roller (charging means) 10 developing means 10d developing roller (developer carrying body) 10b1 first toner feeding member (stirring means) 10b2 second toner feeding member (stirring) Means) 11 cleaning means 100 biasing force control section 100a pressing section 101 storage element (storage means) A image forming apparatus main body B process cartridge C developing apparatus

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code Internal reference number FI technical display location G03G 21/18 G03G 15/00 556

Claims (22)

[Claims] 1. A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a process unit having at least a developing unit that acts on the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and for storing various information. And a means for changing a moving condition or a setting condition of the process cartridge according to the information stored in the storing means. 2. The process cartridge according to claim 1, further comprising a stirring unit for stirring the developer, wherein the movable condition is a stirring speed of the developer by the stirring unit. 3. The process cartridge according to claim 1, further comprising a developing roller as the developing means, wherein the movable condition is a rotational speed of the developing roller. 4. A first frame member for holding the developing means and a second frame member for holding the electrophotographic photosensitive member, wherein the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes the electrophotographic photosensitive member and the electrophotographic photosensitive member. 2. The process cartridge according to claim 1, further comprising an urging means for urging the developing means toward each other, and the setting condition is an urging force of the urging means. 5. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the information is the remaining amount of the developer stored in the process cartridge. 6. The process cartridge, wherein the developing means as the process means, the charging means or cleaning means as the process means, and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally made into a cartridge, and the cartridge is 6. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the process cartridge is removable from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. 7. The process cartridge is a cartridge in which the developing unit as the process unit, a charging unit and a cleaning unit, and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrated into a cartridge, and the cartridge is the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The device is detachable from the main body.
1 to 5 process cartridges. 8. The process cartridge is a cartridge in which a developing means as the process means and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge, and the cartridge can be attached to and detached from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The process cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 5. 9. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus, wherein a process cartridge is attachable / detachable and forms an image on a recording medium, comprising: (a) an electrophotographic photosensitive member and at least a developing unit that acts on the electrophotographic photosensitive member. A process cartridge including a process means including the same, a storage means for storing various kinds of information, and a means for changing a movable condition or a set condition of the process cartridge according to the information stored in the storage means are provided in an apparatus main body. It has a mounting means for detachably mounting, (b) a transporting means for transporting the recording medium, and (C) a means for reading information from the storage means or writing information in the storage means. And an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. 10. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising a stirring means for stirring the developer, wherein the movable condition is a stirring speed of the developer by the stirring means. 11. A developing roller as a developing means,
10. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the movable condition is a rotation speed of the developing roller. 12. The process cartridge includes a first frame body that holds the developing means and a second frame body that holds the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body includes the electronic frame. 10. The electrophotographic image according to claim 9, further comprising an urging unit for urging the photographic photosensitive member and the developing unit in a direction of approaching each other, and the setting condition is the urging force of the urging unit. Forming equipment. 13. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the information is a remaining amount of the developer accommodated in the process cartridge. 14. The process cartridge, wherein the developing means as the process means, the charging means or cleaning means as the process means, and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally made into a cartridge, and the cartridge is The electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 9 to 13, which is removable from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. 15. The process cartridge, wherein the developing means as the process means, the charging means and the cleaning means as the process means, and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally made into a cartridge, and the cartridge is The electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 9 to 13, which is detachable from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. 16. The process cartridge, wherein the developing means as the process means and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally made into a cartridge, and the cartridge can be attached to and detached from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 9 to 13. 17. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the electrophotographic image forming apparatus is an electrophotographic copying machine, a laser beam printer, or a facsimile machine. 18. In a developing device having a developing means having a developer accommodating portion and detachable from an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, a storage means for storing various information, and a storage means stored in the storage means. A developing device, comprising: means for changing a moving condition or a setting condition of the developing device according to information. 19. The developing device according to claim 18, further comprising a stirring unit for stirring the developer, wherein the movable condition is a stirring speed of the developer by the stirring unit. 20. A developing roller as a developing means,
19. The developing device according to claim 18, wherein the movable condition is a rotation speed of the developing roller. 21. The developing device main body has a first frame body for holding the developing means, and the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body has a second frame body for holding an electrophotographic photosensitive member, and the electrophotographic photosensitive body. 19. The developing device according to claim 18, further comprising an urging means for urging the body and the developing means toward each other, and the setting condition is an urging force of the urging means. 22. The developing device according to claim 18, wherein the information is a remaining amount of the developer stored in the developer storage portion.