JPS6292969A - Device for absorbing sensitivity fluctuation of photosensitive body - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To easily absorb the fluctuation of sensitivity of a photosensitive body by providing a cartridge, where the photosensitive body is stored, with a slit width control member which can vary the aperture width of an aperture part for exposure. CONSTITUTION:A slit width control member 20 which can set variably an effective exposure width (t) is provided in the position of the exposure slit 5 of the housing 6 of the cartridge where a photosensitive drum 1 and its peripheral device are stored. The sensitivity of the photosensitive body is fluctuated by the fluctuation of the coated film thickness of photosensitive materials or the like. The slit control member 20 is used to narrow the aperture width for a high-sensitivity photosensitive body and to extend it for a low-sensitivity photosensitive body, and the control member 20 is fixed by adhesion. Thus, the fluctuation of sensitivity of the photosensitive body is easily absorbed by a simple constitution.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Technical Field] This invention relates to a device for absorbing sensitivity variations in photoreceptors used in copying machines, etc., and particularly relates to a device for absorbing sensitivity variations in a cartridge that integrates a photoreceptor drum and its surrounding parts. .

<Prior Art and Its Disadvantages> It is common for photoreceptors to have different sensitivities depending on factors such as variations in the coating thickness of the photosensitive material and differences in the loft of the photosensitive material. If such variations in sensitivity are ignored, the characteristics of a copying machine or the like in which the photoreceptor is mounted will change significantly, so generally a device is provided to absorb these variations in sensitivity.

One conventional method is to attach a symbol indicating the sensitivity level divided into multiple stages to the lot number display section of the photoconductor itself, and to attach a symbol to the main body according to the symbol during assembly or service stage. Set the sensitivity selector switch.

On the main body side, the voltage level of the light source for exposing the document or the output level of the charger is changed depending on the position of the changeover switch. In addition, in the case of a cartridge type in which the photoreceptor drum and surrounding parts are integrated, a protrusion is provided on the housing of the cartridge at a position corresponding to the sensitivity of the photoreceptor, and a switch is provided on the main body side to detect the protrusion. That's what I do. In such a device, the sensitivity of the photoreceptor can be determined by a detection switch that is turned on on the main body side when the cartridge is installed. That is, the voltage level of the light source is changed according to the detected sensitivity, and the output level to the charger is changed.

In this way, conventionally, in order to absorb sensitivity variations, humans were required to switch the sensitivity switch when assembling the main unit or during the service stage.
When the cartridge is installed, the main body learns the sensitivity of the photoconductor through a combination of a protrusion on the cartridge and a detection switch, and then changes the voltage level of the light source or adjusts the output level of the charger on the main body. I was trying to change things. However, with the method of switching the sensitivity switch, there is a possibility of switching errors because the switching work is done by humans, and both of these methods require a means to change the voltage level or output level to the charger on the main body side. This method requires a switch, a changeover switch, a detection switch, etc., which increases cost and complexity.

<Objective of the Invention> An object of the present invention is to provide a device that can absorb variations in sensitivity in a cartridge that can be attached to a main body by simply making some modifications to the cartridge.

<Configuration and Effects of the Invention> The present invention provides a cartridge 7 in which a photoreceptor drum and at least an exposure opening for the photoreceptor drum are integrated and can be attached to a main body. It is characterized by providing a slit width regulating member that can variably set the opening width.

With the above configuration, according to the present invention, when a highly sensitive photoreceptor is used, the opening width of the exposure aperture is narrowed by the slit width regulating member, and a low sensitivity photoreceptor is used. In some cases, by widening the opening width, variations in sensitivity of the photoreceptor can be easily absorbed on the cartridge side itself. In other words, since the cartridge itself is provided with a means for changing the width of the exposure opening, there is no need to provide a changeover switch or a detection switch on the main body, and a means for changing the voltage level or the output level to the charger is provided. Even if there is no one, sensitivity variations can be easily absorbed by simply setting the aperture width to an appropriate position according to the sensitivity of the photoreceptor. This has the advantage of greatly contributing to the simplification of the main body and cost reduction.

<Embodiment> FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of a copying machine in which the present invention is implemented. The photosensitive drum 1 is integrally attached to a housing 6 together with a charger 2, a cleaner unit 3, a peeling unit 4, and an exposure opening (exposure slit) 5 located around the photosensitive drum 1 to constitute a cartridge 7. This cartridge 7 can be attached to the main body 8 of the copying machine. When the front panel of the copying machine main body 8 is opened and the cartridge 7 is pushed forward in a direction perpendicular to the page, the cartridge 7 is installed in the copying machine main body 8. Conversely, when the cartridge 7 is pulled out toward the front, the cartridge 7 is removed from the copying machine main body 8.

The cartridge 7 is attached to and removed from the copying machine main body 8 by a guide mechanism including a rail (not shown).

A convergent light transmitter 9 is arranged above the exposure slit 5, and forms an optical system together with a light source IO provided on the left side thereof. The original placed on the original table 11 is scanned by light from the light source 10 as the original table 11 moves horizontally, and is exposed onto the photosensitive drum 1 via the convergent light transmitter 9. The photosensitive drum 1 rotates in the direction of the arrow in the figure, is uniformly charged by a charger 2, and then exposed to light passing through an exposure slit 5. Next, the developed image is visualized by the developing device 12, and the visualized image is transferred to a transfer paper at the position of the transfer charger 13. Transfer paper is fed by a paper feed roller 15 from a paper cassette 14 mounted at the bottom of the copying machine main body 8. Transfer charger 13
The transfer paper on which the image on the photoreceptor drum has been transferred is peeled off from the photoreceptor drum 1 at the position of the peeling unit 4, and then transferred to the fixing roller 1.
It is moved one step to position 6 and fixed. After that, the paper is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 17. Note that the paper discharge tray 17 can be rotated about the pin 18 in the direction of the arrow in the figure.

When performing a copying operation, the paper discharge tray 17 is rotated counterclockwise from the position shown in the figure around 718 and fixed at a position substantially parallel to the copying machine main body 8. Further, the developing unit 12 is provided with two developing sections, and can use either developing section by rotating. FIG. 1 shows an enlarged view of the cartridge 7. .

The housing 6 includes a photoreceptor drum 10 rotating shaft, a charger 2,
A cleaner unit 3 and a peeling unit 4 are attached,
Further, a portion of the photoreceptor drum 1 facing the exposure portion A is opened to form an exposure slit 5. At the position of this exposure slit 5, a sulin 1-width regulating member 20 is placed in the housing 6.
It is fixed with adhesive etc. This Surin) IW
The position of the tip of the regulating member 20 determines the effective exposure width t. If the slit width regulating member 20 is shaped so that its tip penetrates deeply into the exposure area A, the effective exposure width will be shortened. On the other hand, if the tip is shaped so that it moves away from the exposure area A, the effective exposure width will be widened. For this reason, if the slit width regulating member 20 has a shape that changes the effective exposure width t to various lengths depending on the position of its tip, an appropriate one can be selected according to the sensitivity of the photoreceptor drum 1. However, by fixing it to the housing 6 by adhesive or the like, variations in sensitivity of the photoreceptor drum l can be absorbed.

FIG. 2 shows an example in which the slit+lvm regulating member 20 can be fixed at any position using screws 21. In this apparatus, a holding plate 22 is fixed at a position of the housing 6 corresponding to the exposure section A, and a slit width regulating member 2° is fixed to this holding plate 22 with screws 21. A large opening 23 is previously opened in the holding plate 22, and the width of this opening 230 is determined by the tip of the slit width regulating member 2o. According to this device, there is no need to prepare a large number of slit width regulating members 20 having different shapes, and the slit width regulating member 20 can be fixed at an optimal position with the screws 21.

With the above configuration, variations in sensitivity of the photoreceptor can be absorbed in the cartridge itself. In the above embodiment, the slit width of the exposure slit is adjusted from one side using the regulating member, but regulating members may be provided on both sides of the slit and the slit width may be adjusted using two regulating members. Further, in this embodiment, a cartridge in which a charger 2, a cleaner unit 3, a peeling unit 4, and an exposure slit 5 are integrated with the photoreceptor drum 1 is shown, The present invention can be applied to any type of cart.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a structural diagram of a cartridge implementing a sensitivity variation absorbing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 shows a structural diagram of a cartridge of another embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a copying machine using the cartridge shown in FIG. 1. 1-photosensitive drum, 5-exposure slit, 20-slit width regulating member. 11!1 leap

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) In a cartridge in which a photoreceptor drum and at least an exposure opening for the photoreceptor drum are integrated and can be attached to a main body, a slit width regulating member that can variably set the opening width of the exposure opening A device for absorbing sensitivity variations in a photoconductor, characterized in that it is provided with: