JPH11184353A - Process cartridge and electrophotographic image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a process cartridge and an electrophotographic image forming device capable of more precisely and more accurately maintaining positional relation in the case of attaching the process cartridge to an electrophotographic image forming device main body. SOLUTION: An elastic part 12c abutting on an opening/closing member 20b possessed by the electrophotographic image forming device main body 16 in a closed state in the case of attaching the process cartridge B to the main body 16 is provided at a part of a knob 12d. In a state where the elastic part 12c abuts on the member 20b, its elastic force acts on the cartridge B nearly in the same direction as an inserting direction in the case of inserting the cartridge B in the main body 16. Thus, the positional relation in the case of attaching the cartridge B to the main body 16 can be more precisely and more accurately maintained.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a process cartridge detachable from an electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus capable of detaching the process cartridge.

Here, the electrophotographic image forming apparatus forms an image on a recording medium by using an electrophotographic image forming process. For example, an electrophotographic copying machine, an electrophotographic printer (for example, an LED printer, a laser beam Printer, etc.), an electrophotographic facsimile machine, and an electrophotographic word processor.

[0003] Here, the process cartridge can be attached to and detached from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus by a user himself / herself, so that maintenance of the apparatus can be easily performed.

[0004]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an electrophotographic 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 electronic device. A process cartridge system that can be attached to and detached from the photographic image forming apparatus main body is employed.

According to this process cartridge system,
Since the maintenance of the apparatus can be performed by the user himself without relying on a service person, the operability can be remarkably improved. Therefore, the process cartridge system is widely used in electrophotographic image forming apparatuses.

In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus using such a process cartridge, it is necessary to accurately maintain the mounting positioning when the pusher sedge is mounted on the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to satisfying the above-mentioned demands. It is an object of the present invention to mount a process cartridge on an electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body in order to obtain a good image. The positional relationship at the time more accurately,
An object of the present invention is to provide a process cartridge and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus which can be maintained accurately.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a process cartridge and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus having the following features.

[1] An electrophotographic photosensitive member, a developing means for developing a latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and a process cartridge detachable from a main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. A handle that is held when the electrophotographic image forming apparatus is attached to or detached from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body, wherein the handle is attached to an opening / closing member of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body when the process cartridge is mounted on the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body. An elastic portion that abuts in a closed state in a part thereof, wherein the elastic portion is inserted when the process cartridge is inserted into the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus with respect to the process cartridge in a state where the opening / closing member abuts; A process cartridge for applying an elastic force in substantially the same direction as the direction.

[2] The process cartridge according to [1], wherein the elastic portion is provided at a tip of the handle.

[3] The process cartridge according to [2], wherein the elastic portion is formed using a substance having elasticity.

[4]: In a process cartridge detachable from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a developing means for developing a latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and a process cartridge are provided. A handle that is held when the electrophotographic image forming apparatus is attached to or detached from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body, wherein the handle is attached to an opening / closing member of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body when the process cartridge is mounted on the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body has a front end contacting in a closed state and an elastic portion supporting the front end, and the elastic portion contacts the process cartridge in the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body with the front end in contact with the opening / closing member. A process cartridge for applying an elastic force in substantially the same direction as the insertion direction when inserting the cartridge.

[5] The process cartridge according to [4], wherein the elastic portion is formed so as to bend while the tip is in contact with an opening / closing member.

[6]: a first frame for supporting the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and a second frame for supporting the developing means and rotatably coupled to the first frame; The first frame has a positioning member for positioning the process cartridge in the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus when the process cartridge is mounted on the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and the handle is provided in the first frame. The process cartridge according to any one of [1] to [5], which is formed integrally with the frame.

[7] The process cartridge according to [6], wherein the handle is formed integrally with the first frame above the positioning member.

[8]: The handle is provided in the first direction in a longitudinal direction substantially perpendicular to an insertion direction of the process cartridge.
Characterized in that it is provided substantially at the center of the frame [6]
Or the process cartridge of [7].

[0017]

[9]: The process cartridge includes a charging unit for charging the electrophotographic photosensitive member, a cleaning unit for cleaning the electrophotographic photosensitive member after development, the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and the developing unit. Wherein the cartridge is integrally formed as a cartridge, and the cartridge is detachably mountable to the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

[10]: The process cartridge is
One of a charging unit for charging the electrophotographic photoreceptor and a cleaning unit for cleaning the electrophotographic photoreceptor after development, and the cartridge integrally comprising the electrophotographic photoreceptor and the developing unit The process cartridge according to any one of [1] to [8], wherein the cartridge is detachable from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

[11]: An electrophotographic image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium in which a process cartridge is detachably mountable. An electrophotographic photosensitive member, a developing unit for developing a latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and a handle for holding a process cartridge when the process cartridge is attached to and detached from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body, The handle has, in part, an elastic portion in which the process cartridge is mounted on the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body and abuts on an opening / closing member of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body in a closed state, and the elastic portion includes the opening / closing member. A process cartridge for applying an elastic force to the process cartridge in a direction substantially the same as the insertion direction when the process cartridge is inserted into the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body in a state where the process cartridge is in contact with the process cartridge. Mounting means; b. An opening / closing member provided in the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body so as to be openable and closable and abutting on the elastic portion of the handle of the process cartridge mounted on the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body in a closed state; c. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus, comprising: a conveying unit for conveying the recording medium.

[12] The electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to [11], wherein the opening / closing member has a convex portion at a contact portion which contacts the elastic portion of the handle.

[13] The electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to [12], wherein the projection is formed integrally with the opening / closing member.

[14]: An electrophotographic image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium in which a process cartridge is detachably mountable. An electrophotographic photosensitive member, a developing unit for developing a latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and a handle for holding a process cartridge when the process cartridge is attached to and detached from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body, The handle has an end in which the process cartridge is mounted on the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus and comes into contact with an opening / closing member of the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus in a closed state, and an elastic portion supporting the end. A process cartridge that applies an elastic force to the process cartridge in a direction substantially the same as the insertion direction when the process cartridge is inserted into the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus with the front end in contact with the opening / closing member; Mounting means for removably mounting; b. An opening / closing member which is provided in the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body so as to be openable and closable, and which abuts on a tip of the handle of the process cartridge mounted on the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body in a closed state; c. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus, comprising: a conveying unit for conveying the recording medium.

[15] The electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to [14], wherein the opening / closing member has a convex portion at a contact portion that contacts the tip of the handle.

[16] The electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to [15], wherein the projection is formed integrally with the opening / closing member.

[17]: An electrophotographic image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium in which a process cartridge is detachably mountable: a. An electrophotographic photosensitive member, a developing unit for developing a latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and a handle for holding a process cartridge when the process cartridge is attached to and detached from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body, The handle is a mounting means for detachably mounting the process cartridge having the front end in which the process cartridge is mounted on the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus and abuts on an opening / closing member of the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus in a closed state. And b. An opening / closing member which is provided in the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body so as to be openable and closable, and which abuts on a tip of the handle of the process cartridge mounted on the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body in a closed state; c. Conveying means for conveying the recording medium, wherein the opening / closing member inserts the process cartridge into the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus with respect to the process cartridge in a state in which the opening / closing member is in contact with the tip of the handle. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus having an elastic portion for applying an elastic force in substantially the same direction as the insertion direction at the time.

[18]: The elastic portion is formed into a convex portion using a substance having elasticity.
7) The electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

[Operation] When the process cartridge of [1] is mounted on the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body, the opening / closing member of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body contacts the elastic portion of the handle in a closed state. The elastic portion applies an elastic force to the process cartridge in a direction substantially the same as the insertion direction when the process cartridge is inserted into the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus in a state where the opening / closing member is in contact with the elastic member. As a result, the process cartridge can be accurately and accurately positioned and fixed at a predetermined position on the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, so that the positional relationship when the process cartridge is mounted on the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus can be more accurately and accurately determined. Can be maintained.

When the process cartridge of [4] is mounted on the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the opening / closing member of the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus abuts on the tip of the handle in a closed state. The elastic portion supporting the leading end acts on the process cartridge in a direction substantially the same as the insertion direction when the process cartridge is inserted into the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus in a state where the opening / closing member is in contact therewith. As a result, the process cartridge can be accurately and accurately positioned and fixed at a predetermined position on the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, so that the positional relationship when the process cartridge is mounted on the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus can be more accurately and accurately determined. Can be maintained.

The electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to the above [11],
The opening and closing member contacts the elastic portion of the process cartridge in a state where the opening and closing member is closed in a state of being mounted on the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. Accordingly, the elastic portion applies an elastic force to the process cartridge in a direction substantially the same as the insertion direction when inserting the process cartridge into the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. As a result, the process cartridge is accurately positioned at a predetermined position in the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus,
Since the process cartridge is accurately positioned and fixed, the positional relationship when the process cartridge is mounted on the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus can be maintained more accurately and accurately.

The electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to the above [14],
The opening and closing member abuts on the front end of the process cartridge in a state of being mounted on the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body in a closed state. As a result, the elastic portion supporting the front end exerts an elastic force on the process cartridge in substantially the same direction as the insertion direction when inserting the process cartridge into the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body. As a result, the process cartridge is accurately and accurately positioned and fixed at a predetermined position of the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, so that the positional relationship when the process cartridge is mounted on the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus can be more accurately determined. It can be maintained accurately.

The electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to the above [17],
When mounted on the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body, the elastic portion contacts the front end of the process cartridge with the opening / closing member closed. Accordingly, the elastic portion applies an elastic force to the process cartridge in a direction substantially the same as the insertion direction when inserting the process cartridge into the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. As a result, the process cartridge is accurately and accurately positioned and fixed at a predetermined position of the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, so that the positional relationship when the process cartridge is mounted on the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus can be more accurately determined. It can be maintained accurately.

[0032]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, a first embodiment will be described as a suitable embodiment of the present invention, and then other embodiments will be described.

[First Embodiment] A first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, as an order of description, first, the configuration for attaching and detaching the electrophotographic image forming apparatus and the process cartridge will be described, and then the configuration for detecting the presence or absence of the process cartridge will be described.

(Overall Configuration of Process Cartridge and Electrophotographic Image Forming Apparatus) The overall configuration of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus and the process cartridge will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory view showing the overall configuration of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus equipped with a process cartridge, and FIG.
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of a process cartridge, and FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the appearance of the process cartridge.

As shown in FIG. 1, the electrophotographic image forming apparatus (laser beam printer) A uses a process cartridge B
Forming an image by an electrophotographic image forming process of forming a latent image by irradiating a drum-shaped electrophotographic photosensitive member (hereinafter referred to as a "photosensitive drum") 7 and developing the toner image to form a toner image It is.

In synchronization with the formation of the toner image, the recording medium 2 is moved from the paper feed tray 3a to the pickup roller 3
b, and is conveyed by a conveying means 3 including a conveying roller 3c.
Next, the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 7 is transferred to the recording medium 2 by applying a voltage to a transfer roller 4 as a transfer unit.

Next, the recording medium 2 to which the toner image has been transferred from the photosensitive drum 7 is guided by the guide plate 3d and conveyed to the fixing means 5. The fixing unit 5 includes a fixing rotator 5a having a built-in heater, and a pressure roller 5b for pressing the recording medium 2 to the rotator 5a and conveying the recording medium 2, and applies heat and pressure to the recording medium 2 to transfer toner. The image is fixed on the recording medium 2. This recording medium 2 is discharged to a pair of discharge rollers 3e, 3
The sheet is conveyed at f and discharged to the discharge section 6.

On the other hand, the process cartridge B has 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. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the process cartridge B of the present embodiment includes the charging unit 8, the developing unit 10, and the cleaning unit 11,
It has integrally with.

Then, the photosensitive drum 7 having the photosensitive layer is rotated, and the surface thereof is uniformly charged by applying a voltage to a charging roller 8 serving as a charging means, and a laser beam corresponding to image information from the optical means 1 Is exposed to the photosensitive drum 7 through the exposure opening 9 to form a latent image, and the latent image is
Develop with 0. Here, the optical unit 1 includes a laser diode 1a that emits light in accordance with image information, and a polygon mirror 1 for scanning the laser diode 1a onto a photosensitive drum 7.
b, a lens 1c, and a reflection mirror 1d are housed in a frame 1e to form a unitized laser unit.

The developing means 10 sends the toner in the toner storage section 10a to a developing chamber 10b, rotates a developing roller 10c having a fixed magnet provided in the developing chamber 10b, and generates a triboelectric charge by a developing blade 10d. The applied toner layer is formed on the surface of the developing roller 10c. Then, the toner is supplied to a developing area of the photosensitive drum 7, and the latent image is developed to form a toner image.

After the toner image is transferred to the recording medium 2 by applying a voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the toner image to the transfer roller 4, the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 7 is scraped off by the elastic cleaning blade 11a. The residual toner on the photosensitive drum 7 is removed from the scraped toner by the cleaning unit 11 that collects the scraped toner in the waste toner storage unit 11b.

Each member such as the photosensitive drum 7 is supported in a cartridge frame 12 to form a cartridge. The cartridge frame 12 is a first frame that supports the photosensitive drum 7, the charging roller 8, the cleaning unit 11, and the like.
A cleaning frame 12a as a frame and a developing frame 12b as a second frame supporting the developing means 10
And the developing roller 10c is configured to abut on the photosensitive drum 7 via a spacer (not shown). The cartridge frame 12 is provided with an exposure opening 9 for exposing an image and a shutter member 14 capable of opening and closing a transfer opening 13 for opposing the photosensitive drum 7 to the recording medium 2.
The shutter member 14 is attached so as to be rotatable around a shaft 14a, and urges the exposure opening 9 and the transfer opening 13 in a direction in which the exposure opening 9 and the transfer opening 13 are always closed by a torsion coil spring 15. Then, the process cartridge B is moved to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body (hereinafter referred to as “apparatus main body”) 16.
When the shutter member 14 is inserted into the shutter member 14, the shutter projection 14 b provided at a predetermined position of the shutter member 14 is locked at a predetermined position of the apparatus main body 16, and the shutter member 14 rotates, and the exposure opening 9 and the transfer opening 13 are automatically opened. Let it. On the other hand, when the process cartridge B is pulled out from the apparatus main body 16, the spring 15
The shutter member 14 is automatically closed by the urging force.

(Removable Configuration of Process Cartridge) Next, the configuration of the mounting means for removably mounting the process cartridge B to the apparatus main body 16 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 3, the process cartridge B has circular first protrusions 18 serving as positioning means (positioning members) on both longitudinal side surfaces (both axial ends of the photosensitive drum 7) of the cleaning frame 12a. And a circular second protrusion 19 for holding the posture (FIG. 3 shows only one side). The first projection 18 is provided to protrude outward from the cleaning frame 12a on the same axis as the axis of the photosensitive drum 7. Further, the second protrusion 19 is also formed on the cleaning frame 12.
a to protrude outward from the first projection 18.
Than the photosensitive drum 7 in the insertion direction when the process cartridge B is inserted into the image forming apparatus A.
Are provided above the first protrusion 18 in a state where is positioned below. Further, in the present embodiment, the cleaning frame 12a
The handle 12d is integrally provided on the upper surface of the cartridge.
Is operated by hand. Note that the handle 12d is the first
It is provided so as to be located above a line CC (see FIG. 5A) connecting the centers of the projections 18 and the second projections 19.

On the other hand, in the electrophotographic image forming apparatus A, the apparatus main body 16 is covered with an exterior cover 20. As shown in FIG. 1, the exterior cover 20 is an opening / closing member that is rotatable by a shaft 20a. A cover 20b is attached.
When the cover 20b is opened, a cartridge mounting space is provided inside the apparatus main body 16, and guide members 21 as cartridge mounting means as shown in FIG. 4 are mounted on both left and right sides of the space. The guide member 21 has a guide groove 21 for guiding the first protrusion 18 and the second protrusion 19 of the process cartridge B.
a is provided obliquely downward, and a positioning recess 21b is formed at the end of the guide groove 21a.

Therefore, when the process cartridge B is mounted on the apparatus main body 16, the operator opens the opening / closing cover 20b, and as shown in FIG. The process cartridge B is inserted into the apparatus main body 16 along the guide groove 21a, and the process cartridge B is positioned and mounted by dropping the first projection 18 into the positioning recess 21b as shown in FIG. When the process cartridge B is mounted, the second protrusion 19 is
a, and the attitude of the process cartridge B is maintained.

The first projection 18 may fall into the positioning recess 12b by its own weight of the process cartridge B. In the present embodiment, the guide member 21 includes:
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a torsion coil spring (hereinafter, referred to as "spring") 22 urged clockwise about a shaft 22a and locked to a locking portion 22b is attached, and When the projection 18 falls into the positioning recess 21 b, the first projection 18 pushes up the spring 22. Therefore, the first projection 18 is pressed obliquely downward by the bias of the spring 22, pressed against the positioning recess 21b, and is positioned and fixed in the positioning recess 21b.

However, as the mounting and dismounting of the process cartridge B is repeated, the guide groove 21a is inserted in the range in which the first projection 18 and the second projection 19 slide.
Further, the first projection 18 and the second projection 19 are scraped (weared) at portions where they are in contact with the sliding of the guide groove 21a, and the sliding resistance at the time of insertion is increased.

Further, the first projection 18 falls into the positioning recess 21b, or the first projection 18 falls into the positioning recess 21b.
When it is pulled out of the torsion coil spring 22, it comes into contact with the torsion coil spring 22. Therefore, as described above, when the mounting and dismounting of the process cartridge B is repeated, the first protrusion 18 is scraped (worn) at the contact portion with the torsion coil spring 22, and the sliding resistance at the time of insertion increases. . As a result, the device body 1
When the cartridge is mounted on the cartridge 6, complete positioning and fixing may not be performed, and a good image may not be obtained, for example, pitch unevenness may occur.

Here, in the present embodiment, in order to prevent a state in which the cartridge is not completely positioned and fixed (a state in which the first projection 18 slightly floats from the positioning recess 21b (so-called cartridge floating)) for the above-described reason. ,
As shown in FIG. 5A, when the process cartridge B has been mounted on the apparatus main body 16 and the opening / closing cover 20b is closed at a stage before the apparatus main body 16 is operated, the front end 12c of the handle 12d is closed. The opening / closing cover 20b is brought into contact with a projection (convex portion) 20c formed integrally. Here, the height of the projection (projection height) of the projection 20c is 0 to 3 m.
m is preferable. The contact between the projection 20c and the handle tip 12c when the opening / closing cover 20b is closed is made in a direction E substantially parallel to the insertion direction D of the process cartridge B.

The tip 12c is formed by two-colored elastomer or a urethane sponge bonded to the handle 12d1 on the handle assisting portion 12d1 for supporting the tip 12c so that an elastic force is generated when the tip 12c comes into contact with the projection 20c. Alternatively, it is made of an elastic material such as urethane rubber. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the distal end 12c is an elastic portion.

With this, when the opening / closing cover 20b is closed, the tip end 12c of the handle 12d is elastically moved in the direction E substantially parallel to the insertion direction D of the process cartridge B in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. Force F works. Then, the first projection 18 and the second projection 19 tend to move in the insertion direction D of the process cartridge B along the guide groove 21a due to the x component Fx of the elastic force F. The elastic force F
The y component Fy is applied as a rotational moment to the first projection 18 with the second projection 19 as a fulcrum, and the first projection 18 tries to further enter the positioning recess 21b. as a result,
The state where the process cartridge B is not completely positioned and fixed (the state where the first protrusion 18 slightly floats from the positioning recess 21b (so-called cartridge floating)) is eliminated. Thereby, the positional relationship when the process cartridge B is mounted on the apparatus main body 16 can be more accurately determined.
It can be maintained accurately.

Therefore, the process cartridge B is completely positioned and fixed to the apparatus main body 16, and the occurrence of image defects such as pitch unevenness due to the floating of the cartridge during image formation can be suppressed, and a good image can be obtained. it can.

A drum gear 23 consisting of a helical gear, which is a driving force receiving portion for receiving a driving force, is fixed to one end of the photosensitive drum 7 in the longitudinal direction. Is mounted on the image forming apparatus A, the drum gear 23 is provided on the apparatus main body 16 and meshes with a driving gear 24 composed of a helical gear for transmitting driving force connected to a motor, and the driving force from the apparatus main body 16 As a result, the rotational force is transmitted to the photosensitive drum 7.

Next, the process cartridge B is inserted into the main assembly 1 of the apparatus.
In the case where the first projection 18 is to be removed from the device 6, the first projection 18 cannot be pulled out because the first projection 18 is fitted into the positioning recess 21b. Therefore, the first protrusion 1
It is necessary to release the fitting state between the positioning recess 8 and the positioning recess 21b and then pull it out. In the present embodiment, the release of the fitted state can be performed in association with the pulling operation.

That is, when the process cartridge B is taken out, the operator pulls the handle 12d toward the user, and the process cartridge B rotates counterclockwise in FIG. Then, the fitted state between the first projection 18 and the positioning recess 21b is easily released. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 5B, when the handle 12d is pulled in the direction of arrow P, the force P
Of the first projection 18 with the second projection 19 as a fulcrum
And the first projection 18 easily comes out of the positioning recess 21b. Then, the first projection 18 and the second projection 19 slide along the guide groove 21a by the x component Px of the force P, and the process cartridge B is pulled out. Therefore, the operator can take out the process cartridge B from the apparatus main body 16 simply by pulling the handle 12d in the direction of arrow P (the direction in which the cartridge B is taken out).

Here, the first projection 18 and the second projection 19 according to the present embodiment will be described more specifically with reference to FIG. FIG. 6A shows the cleaning frame 12a.
FIG. 6B shows the cleaning frame 12.
The left side of FIG. As described above, the first protrusion 18 is a pair of the right first protrusion 18a and the left first protrusion 18 provided on both side surfaces of the cleaning frame 12a at both ends in the longitudinal direction.
b, and the second projections 19 are similarly formed on the cleaning frame 1.
It comprises a pair of right second protrusions 19a and left second protrusions 19ab provided on both side surfaces of both ends in the longitudinal direction of 2a. The respective outer diameters are: outer diameter of right first projection 18a = outer diameter of left first projection 18b <outer diameter of right second projection 19a <left second
The projections 19b are configured to have a relationship of the outer diameter.

By setting the size of each projection as described above, when the process cartridge B is mounted on the apparatus main body 16, the process cartridge B is supported at so-called three points, so that the mounting position accuracy is improved. become.

The elongated right connecting projection 2 is connected to the outer peripheral surface of the right first projection 18a and the right second projection 19a.
5a, and similarly, an elongated left connecting projection 25b is provided so as to connect the outer peripheral surfaces of the left first projection 18b and the left second projection 19b. These left and right connecting projections 25a, 25b
Is to prevent the process cartridge B from being largely rotated even if the operator accidentally releases the hand from the handle portion 12d immediately after the start of the insertion of the process cartridge B into the image forming apparatus A or immediately before the end of the removal. is there. Even if the left and right connection projections 25a and 25b are not provided, no problem occurs when the process cartridge B is attached or detached.

[Second Embodiment] In the above-described first embodiment, the tip 12c of the handle 12d is formed by two-color molding of the handle assisting portion 12d1 or the handle assisting portion 12d1.
In the present embodiment, an example is shown that is made of a material having elasticity such as urethane sponge or urethane rubber adhered to the surface. However, in this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 7 (a), (b) and (c), the cleaning is performed. By providing a pair of slits 12s in the vertical direction substantially perpendicular to the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 7, the handle assisting portion 12d1 and the tip 12c, which are provided integrally with the frame 12a and made of the same material, are the same as the tip 12c. And a narrow and thin support 12f supporting the tip 12e. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the support 12f is an elastic portion.

The opening and closing cover 2 is attached to the tip 12e.
When 0b is closed, the protrusion 20c formed integrally with the opening / closing cover 20b is brought into contact. Thereby, the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained by utilizing the elastic force F generated when the support 12f supporting the distal end 12e bends.

Here, the width of the support is preferably 3 mm or less, and the thickness thereof is preferably about 1.5 mm or less.

Here, the positioning and fixing of the process cartridge B using the elastic force F when the column 12f bends will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. The opening / closing cover 2
0b, the support 12f bends in the thickness direction as shown by a two-dot chain line, and the tip 12e is moved in the direction indicated by the arrow E shown in FIG. 8 in a direction E substantially parallel to the insertion direction D of the process cartridge B. The elastic force F works. Then, the first projection 18 and the second projection 19 tend to move in the insertion direction D of the process cartridge B along the guide groove 21a due to the x component Fx of the elastic force F. Also, y of the elastic force F
The component Fy includes the first protrusion 18 with the second protrusion 19 as a fulcrum.
As a rotational moment, the first projection 18 tries to further enter the positioning recess 21b. As a result, the above-mentioned process cartridge B is not completely positioned and fixed (from the positioning recess 21b to the first protrusion 1).
The state in which 8 slightly floats (so-called cartridge floating) is eliminated. Thus, the positional relationship when the process cartridge B is mounted on the apparatus main body 16 can be maintained more accurately and accurately.

Therefore, the process cartridge B is completely positioned and fixed to the apparatus main body 16, and the occurrence of image defects such as pitch unevenness due to the floating of the cartridge during image formation can be suppressed, and a good image can be obtained. it can.

[Third Embodiment] In the first embodiment described above, the projection 20c of the opening / closing cover 20b and the tip 12c of the handle 12d, which are in contact with each other, are formed of the same material, respectively.
An example is shown in which the distal end 12c is formed as an elastic portion by an elastic material such as a two-colored elastomer formed on the handle assisting portion 12d1 or a urethane sponge or urethane rubber adhered to the handle assisting portion 12d1. An elastomer in which the handle assisting portion 12d1 and the tip 12c are integrally formed on the upper surface of the cleaning frame 12a with the same material, and the protrusion 20c of the opening / closing cover 20b is formed in two colors on the opening / closing cover 20b; Alternatively, also in the case of using a material having elasticity such as urethane sponge or urethane rubber adhered to the handle assist 12d1, the elastic force F generated in the protrusion 20c is used to make the first
The same effect as that of the embodiment can be obtained. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the protrusion 20c is an elastic portion.

Here, the elastic force F generated on the projection 20c
The positioning and fixing of the process cartridge B using the above will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. The opening / closing cover 20b
In the closed state, the protrusion 20 is attached to the tip 12c of the handle 12d.
c contacts. As a result, an elastic force F acts on the front end 12c in the direction indicated by the arrow shown in FIG. 9 in a direction E substantially parallel to the insertion direction D of the process cartridge B. Then, the first projection 18 and the second projection 19 tend to move in the insertion direction D of the process cartridge B along the guide groove 21a due to the x component Fx of the elastic force F. The y component Fy of the elastic force F is applied as a rotational moment to the first projection 18 with the second projection 19 as a fulcrum.
8 tries to further enter the positioning recess 21b. As a result, the state in which the process cartridge B is not completely positioned and fixed (the state in which the first projection 18 slightly floats from the positioning recess 21b (so-called cartridge floating)) is eliminated. Thus, the positional relationship when the process cartridge B is mounted on the apparatus main body 16 can be maintained more accurately and accurately.

Therefore, the process cartridge B is completely positioned and fixed to the apparatus main body 16, so that the occurrence of image defects such as pitch unevenness due to the floating of the cartridge during image formation can be suppressed, and a good image can be obtained. it can.

[Other Embodiments] Next, other examples of each part of the process cartridge B and the image forming apparatus A according to the above-described embodiment will be described.

The above-described process cartridge B is for forming a single-color image. However, the process cartridge is not only used for forming a single-color image, but is also provided with a plurality of developing means and a plurality of color images (for example, two-color images). Image, three-color image or full-color image).

Various developing methods such as a known two-component magnetic brush developing method, a cascade developing method, a touch-down developing method, and a cloud developing method can be used as the developing method.

The electrophotographic photosensitive member is not limited to the photosensitive drum, but includes, for example, the following. First, a photoconductor is used as a photoconductor. Examples of the photoconductor include amorphous silicon, amorphous selenium, zinc oxide, titanium oxide, and an organic photoconductor (OP).
C) and the like. The shape on which the photoconductor is mounted includes, for example, a rotating body such as a drum or a belt, and a sheet. In general, a drum-shaped or belt-shaped one is used. For example, in the case of a drum-type photoconductor, a photoconductor is deposited or coated on a cylinder of an aluminum alloy or the like. It is.

In the first embodiment, a so-called contact charging method is used. However, as another configuration, a metal shield such as aluminum is provided around three sides of a conventionally used tungsten wire. It goes without saying that a configuration may be used in which positive or negative ions generated by applying a high voltage to the tungsten wire are moved to the surface of the photoreceptor drum, and the surface of the drum is uniformly charged.

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

The process cartridge according to the present invention has at least an electrophotographic photosensitive member and a developing means. Therefore, as a typical mode, a developing unit, an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a charging unit and a cleaning unit are integrally formed into a cartridge, and the cartridge is mounted on the apparatus main body.
Further, the developing means, the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and the charging means or the cleaning means are integrally formed into a cartridge so that the cartridge can be detachably attached to the apparatus main body. Further, there is a device in which the developing means and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge and can be detachably attached to the apparatus main body.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, a laser beam printer is exemplified as the image forming apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, another apparatus such as an LED printer, an electrophotographic copying machine, a facsimile machine, or a word processor may be used. Naturally, it can be used for an image forming apparatus.

[0076]

As described above, according to the process cartridge of the present invention, the process cartridge is accurately and accurately positioned at a predetermined position of the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus by utilizing the elastic portion of the handle. Since the process cartridge can be fixed, the positional relationship when the process cartridge is mounted on the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus can be maintained more accurately and accurately. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of image defects such as pitch unevenness due to the floating of the process cartridge during image formation, and to obtain a good image.

According to the electrophotographic image forming apparatus of the present invention, the process cartridge is moved to a predetermined position of the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus by utilizing the elastic portion of the handle or the elastic portion of the opening / closing member. Since the positioning and fixing can be performed accurately and accurately, the positional relationship when the process cartridge is mounted on the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus can be maintained more accurately and accurately. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of image defects such as pitch unevenness due to the floating of the process cartridge during image formation, and to obtain a good image.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory view showing an overall configuration of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus equipped with a process cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a process cartridge.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view illustrating the appearance of a process cartridge.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a positioning mounting configuration when the process cartridge is mounted on the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a positioning mounting configuration when a process cartridge having an elastic portion at the tip of a handle is mounted on an electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are explanatory diagrams of a configuration of a positioning projection provided on a cleaning frame, wherein FIG. 6A is a right side view, and FIG. 6B is a left side view.

7A and 7B are explanatory views of the configuration of an elastic portion of a handle provided on the cleaning frame, where FIG. 7A is a left side view, FIG. 7B is a rear view seen from the H direction shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing.

8 is an explanatory diagram showing a positioning mounting configuration when the process cartridge having the handle shown in FIG. 7 is mounted on the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a positioning mounting configuration when a process cartridge is mounted on an electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body having an elastic portion in an opening / closing member.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 3 conveying means 7 electrophotographic photosensitive member 8 charging roller (charging means) 10 developing means 11 cleaning means 12a cleaning frame (first frame) 12b developing frame (second frame) 12c tip (elastic portion) 12d handle 12d1 Handle assisting part (elastic part) 16 Electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body 18 First protrusion (positioning member) 19 Second protrusion (positioning member) 20b Openable cover (openable member) 20c Projection (convex part (elastic part)) B Process cartridge

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Toru Koizumi Canon Inc. 3- 30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo

Claims (18)

[Claims] 1. A process cartridge detachable from a main body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, comprising: an electrophotographic photosensitive member; developing means for developing a latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member; A handle that is held when detached from the photographic image forming apparatus main body, wherein the handle is in a state where the process cartridge is mounted on the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body and the opening / closing member of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body is closed. An elastic portion that abuts on a part thereof, wherein the elastic portion has a direction in which the process cartridge is inserted into the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus with respect to the process cartridge in a state where the opening and closing member abuts. A process cartridge which applies elastic force in substantially the same direction. 2. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the elastic portion is provided at a tip of the handle. 3. The process cartridge according to claim 2, wherein the elastic portion is formed using a material having elasticity. 4. A process cartridge detachable from a main body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, comprising: an electrophotographic photosensitive member; developing means for developing a latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member; A handle that is held when detached from the photographic image forming apparatus main body, wherein the handle is in a state where the process cartridge is mounted on the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body and the opening / closing member of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body is closed. And a resilient portion for supporting the resilient portion. The resilient portion inserts the process cartridge into the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus with respect to the process cartridge in a state in which the resilient portion contacts the opening / closing member. A process cartridge for applying an elastic force in substantially the same direction as the insertion direction when the process cartridge is inserted. 5. The process cartridge according to claim 4, wherein the elastic portion is formed so as to bend while the tip is in contact with an opening / closing member. 6. A first frame for supporting the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and a second frame for supporting the developing means and rotatably coupled to the first frame, The first frame has a positioning member for positioning the process cartridge in the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body when the process cartridge is mounted on the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and the handle is provided in the first frame. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the process cartridge is formed integrally with the process cartridge. 7. The process cartridge according to claim 6, wherein the handle is formed integrally with the first frame above the positioning member. 8. The process cartridge according to claim 6, wherein the handle is provided substantially at the center of the first frame in a longitudinal direction substantially orthogonal to an insertion direction of the process cartridge. 9. The process cartridge includes a charging unit for charging the electrophotographic photosensitive member, a cleaning unit for cleaning the electrophotographic photosensitive member after development, the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and the developing device. The process cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a cartridge is integrally formed with the means, and the cartridge is detachably attached to the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body. 10. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the process cartridge includes one of a charging unit for charging the electrophotographic photosensitive member and a cleaning unit for cleaning the electrophotographic photosensitive member after development. 9. A process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said developing means and said developing means are integrally formed as a cartridge, and said cartridge is detachably mountable to said electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body. 11. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus for detachably attaching a process cartridge and forming an image on a recording medium, comprising: a. An electrophotographic photoreceptor, a developing unit for developing a latent image formed on the electrophotographic photoreceptor, and a handle for holding a process cartridge when the process cartridge is attached to and detached from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body, The handle has, in part, an elastic portion in which the process cartridge is mounted on the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body and abuts on an open / close member of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body in a closed state, and the elastic portion is the open / close member. A process cartridge for applying an elastic force to the process cartridge in a direction substantially the same as the insertion direction when the process cartridge is inserted into the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body in a state where the process cartridge is in contact with the process cartridge. Mounting means; b. An opening / closing member provided in the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body so as to be openable and closable and abutting on the elastic portion of the handle of the process cartridge mounted on the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body in a closed state; c. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus, comprising: conveying means for conveying the recording medium. 12. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the opening / closing member has a convex portion at a contact portion that contacts the elastic portion of the handle. 13. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the projection is formed integrally with an opening / closing member. 14. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium in which a process cartridge is detachable, comprising: a. An electrophotographic photoreceptor, a developing unit for developing a latent image formed on the electrophotographic photoreceptor, and a handle for holding a process cartridge when the process cartridge is attached to and detached from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body, The handle has an end in which the process cartridge is mounted on the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus and comes into contact with an opening / closing member of the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus in a closed state, and an elastic portion supporting the end. A process cartridge that applies an elastic force to the process cartridge in a direction substantially the same as the insertion direction when the process cartridge is inserted into the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus with the front end in contact with the opening / closing member; Mounting means for removably mounting; b. An opening / closing member which is provided in the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body so as to be openable and closable, and which abuts on a tip of the handle of the process cartridge mounted on the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body in a closed state; c. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus, comprising: conveying means for conveying the recording medium. 15. The device according to claim 1, wherein the opening / closing member has a convex portion at a contact portion contacting a tip of the handle.
5. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to 4. 16. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said projection is formed integrally with an opening / closing member. 17. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium in which a process cartridge is detachably attached, comprising: a. An electrophotographic photoreceptor, a developing unit for developing a latent image formed on the electrophotographic photoreceptor, and a handle for holding a process cartridge when the process cartridge is attached to and detached from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body, The handle is a mounting means for detachably mounting the process cartridge having the front end in which the process cartridge is mounted on the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus and abuts on an opening / closing member of the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus in a closed state. And b. An opening / closing member which is provided in the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body so as to be openable and closable, and which abuts on a tip of the handle of the process cartridge mounted on the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body in a closed state; c. Transport means for transporting the recording medium, wherein the opening / closing member inserts the process cartridge into the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus with respect to the process cartridge in a state of contact with the tip of the handle. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus having an elastic portion for applying an elastic force in substantially the same direction as the insertion direction at the time. 18. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said elastic portion is formed into a convex portion using a substance having elasticity.