KR102022327B1 - Electrophotographic image forming apparatus and development cartridge - Google Patents

Electrophotographic image forming apparatus and development cartridge Download PDF

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Publication number
KR102022327B1
KR102022327B1 KR1020130045045A KR20130045045A KR102022327B1 KR 102022327 B1 KR102022327 B1 KR 102022327B1 KR 1020130045045 A KR1020130045045 A KR 1020130045045A KR 20130045045 A KR20130045045 A KR 20130045045A KR 102022327 B1 KR102022327 B1 KR 102022327B1
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KR
South Korea
Prior art keywords
developing
cartridge
photosensitive drum
nip
photosensitive
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Application number
KR1020130045045A
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Korean (ko)
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KR20140095403A (en
Inventor
이동근
김성진
문용일
문지원
박승찬
장형석
Original Assignee
휴렛-팩커드 디벨롭먼트 컴퍼니, 엘.피.
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Application filed by 휴렛-팩커드 디벨롭먼트 컴퍼니, 엘.피. filed Critical 휴렛-팩커드 디벨롭먼트 컴퍼니, 엘.피.
Priority to US14/029,172 priority Critical patent/US9058017B2/en
Publication of KR20140095403A publication Critical patent/KR20140095403A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of KR102022327B1 publication Critical patent/KR102022327B1/en

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G21/00—Arrangements not provided for by groups G03G13/00 - G03G19/00, e.g. cleaning, elimination of residual charge
    • G03G21/16—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements
    • G03G21/18—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements using a processing cartridge, whereby the process cartridge comprises at least two image processing means in a single unit
    • G03G21/1839—Means for handling the process cartridge in the apparatus body
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G2221/00—Processes not provided for by group G03G2215/00, e.g. cleaning or residual charge elimination
    • G03G2221/16—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements and complete machine concepts
    • G03G2221/18—Cartridge systems
    • G03G2221/183—Process cartridge

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Vision & Pattern Recognition (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electrophotography Configuration And Component (AREA)

Abstract

The disclosed electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a separating member mounted to a developing cartridge. The separating member includes a developing nip separating portion and a charged nip separating portion that separate the developing nip and the charged nip, respectively, when the developing cartridge is attached to the mounting portion of the photosensitive cartridge mounted on the main body.

Description

Electrophotographic image forming apparatus and development cartridge

An electrophotographic image forming apparatus and a developing cartridge capable of individually replacing a photosensitive cartridge and a developing cartridge.

An image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic method supplies a toner to an electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive member to form a visible toner image on the photosensitive member, transfers the toner image to a recording medium, and then transfers the transferred toner image to the recording medium. The image is printed on the recording medium by fixing.

The process cartridge is an assembly of parts for forming a visible toner image, which is detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus, and is a consumable that is replaced when its life has elapsed. The integrated process cartridge has a photoconductor and contains toner to be supplied to the photoconductor. By the way, the amount (life time) of the toner accommodated in the process cartridge is shorter than the life of the photosensitive member. Since the life of the process cartridge depends on the amount of toner contained therein, when the toner runs out, the process cartridge itself must be replaced even if the life of the photoconductor is not used, which leads to an increase in the cost of consumables for the user.

In order to reduce the cost of consumables, a separate process cartridge has been devised so that the photosensitive cartridge including the photosensitive member and the developing cartridge containing the toner can be replaced separately.

An electrophotographic image forming apparatus capable of attaching and detaching a photosensitive cartridge and a developing cartridge separately to a main body, wherein the charging nip formed by the photosensitive drum and the charging roller and the developing nip formed by the photosensitive drum and the developing roller can be separated at the same time. An object of the present invention is to provide an electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

An electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes a main body having an opening; A photosensitive member cartridge detachably attached to the main body through the opening, and having a mounting portion and a photosensitive drum and a charging roller which are in contact with each other to form a charging nip; A developing cartridge attached to and detached from the mounting unit through the opening in a state in which the photosensitive cartridge is mounted on the main body, the developing cartridge including a developing roller in contact with the photosensitive drum to form a developing nip; A cover which opens and closes the opening, which fixes the developing cartridge to the mounting portion by pressing the developing roller while the opening is closed; And a separating member mounted to the developing cartridge, wherein the developing cartridge is equipped with a developing nip separating portion and a charged nip separating portion for separating the developing nip and the charged nip, respectively, when the developing cartridge is mounted to the mounting portion.

The developing cartridge further includes a gap holding member in contact with the photosensitive drum to regulate the developing nip, wherein the developing nip separating portion is positioned in front of the gap holding member so that the developing cartridge is mounted on the mounting portion. It may be located between the drum and the gap holding member.

The charging nip separating part may be inserted between the rotating shaft of the charging roller and the photosensitive drum when the developing cartridge is mounted to the mounting part to separate the charging roller from the photosensitive drum.

And a shaft support member rotatably supporting the charging roller with respect to the frame of the photosensitive member cartridge, wherein the charging nip separating portion is inserted between the shaft support member and the photosensitive drum when the developing cartridge is mounted to the mounting portion. To space the charge roller from the photosensitive drum.

The separating member may include a coupling part detachably coupled to the housing of the developing cartridge.

The separating member may be provided with a handle that can be gripped by the user.

A developing cartridge according to an aspect of the present invention is a developing cartridge mounted to a mounting portion of the photosensitive cartridge in a state in which a photosensitive drum including a photosensitive drum and a charging roller which are in contact with each other to form a charging nip is mounted on an image forming apparatus body. A housing; A developing roller rotatably supported by the housing, the developing roller being in contact with the photosensitive drum while the developing cartridge is mounted to the mounting unit to form a developing nip; And a coupling member coupled to the housing, and a developing member including a developing nip separating portion and a charged nip separating portion that separate the developing nip and the charged nip, respectively, when the developing cartridge is mounted to the mounting portion.

The developing cartridge further includes a gap holding member in contact with the photosensitive drum to regulate the developing nip, wherein the developing nip separating portion is positioned in front of the gap holding member so that the developing cartridge is mounted on the mounting portion. It may be located between the drum and the gap holding member.

The charging nip separating part may be inserted between the rotating shaft of the charging roller and the photosensitive drum when the developing cartridge is mounted to the mounting part to separate the charging roller from the photosensitive drum.

The charging nip separating portion is inserted between the photosensitive drum and the shaft support member for rotatably supporting the charging roller with respect to the frame of the photosensitive member cartridge when the developing cartridge is mounted to the mounting portion so that the charging roller is removed from the photosensitive drum. Can be spaced apart.

According to the embodiments of the present invention described above, it is possible to simultaneously separate the charging nip formed by the photosensitive drum and the charging roller and the developing nip formed by the photosensitive drum and the developing roller using one separating member.

1 is a schematic structural diagram of an embodiment of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 2A is a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1, illustrating a state where a photosensitive cartridge and a developing cartridge are removed from a main body.
FIG. 2A is a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1, illustrating a state where a photosensitive cartridge and a developing cartridge are mounted in a main body. FIG.
3A is a view showing the arrangement of the charging roller and the photosensitive drum.
3B is a view showing an arrangement of the photosensitive drum and the developing roller in the contact developing method.
4 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a photosensitive cartridge.
5 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a development cartridge.
6 is a perspective view illustrating the guide rail in detail.
Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a state where the developing cartridge is mounted in the mounting portion after the photosensitive cartridge is mounted in the main body.
8 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of a cover.
9 is a side view showing a state in which the developing cartridge is pressed by the pressing unit in a state where the cover is closed.
10 is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of a separating member.
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX 'of FIG. 10.
12A is a side view showing the action of the charged nip separator.
12B is a side view showing the action of the charged nip separator.
13 is a perspective view showing a state in which the separating member is coupled to the photosensitive cartridge.

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Embodiment of this invention is described in detail, referring an accompanying drawing below. In addition, in the present specification and drawings, components having substantially the same functional configuration will be omitted by the same reference numerals.

1 is a schematic structural diagram of an embodiment of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to the present invention. 2A and 2B are schematic perspective views of one embodiment of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1, in which the photosensitive cartridge 200 and the developing cartridge 300 are removed from and to the main body 100, respectively. Figures showing the mounted state.

1, 2A, and 2B, an image forming apparatus main body 100, a photosensitive cartridge 200, and a developing cartridge 300 are shown. The main body 100 is provided with an opening 101 which provides a passage through which the photosensitive cartridge 200 and the developing cartridge 300 are mounted / removed. The cover 400 opens and closes the opening 101. The main body 100 is provided with an exposure machine 110, a transfer roller 120, and a fixing unit 130. In addition, the main body 100 is provided with a recording medium conveying structure for loading and conveying a recording medium P on which an image is to be formed.

The photosensitive cartridge 200 includes a photosensitive drum 1. The photosensitive drum 1 may be an example of a photosensitive member having an electrostatic latent image formed on a surface thereof, and may include a conductive metal pipe and a photosensitive layer formed on an outer circumference thereof. The charging roller 2 is an example of a charger for charging the photosensitive drum 1 to have a uniform surface potential. 3A is a perspective view showing the positional relationship between the charging roller 2 and the photosensitive drum 1. Referring to FIG. 3A, the charging roller 2 is rotated while being in contact with the photosensitive drum 1 to form the charging nip C. The charging roller 2 may include, for example, a rotating shaft 21 made of metal and a conductive rubber layer 22 provided on the outer circumference of the rotating shaft 21. The charging bias voltage for charging the photosensitive drum 1 may be applied through the rotation shaft 21. The shaft support member 23 is coupled to both ends of the rotation shaft 21. The shaft support member 23 may be, for example, a mold bearing or a sintered bearing containing oil. The elastic member 24 applies the elastic force in the direction in which the charging roller 2 is in contact with the photosensitive drum 1 to the shaft support member 23. The shaft support member 23 may be guided by the support part 203 provided in the frame 202 of the photosensitive cartridge 300 described later, for example. The shaft support member 23 is guided by the support part 203 and slides toward the photosensitive drum 1 by the elastic force of the elastic member 24, so that the charging roller 2 may contact the photosensitive drum 1. .

Reference numeral 3 is a cleaning roller that removes foreign matter stuck to the surface of the charging roller 2. The cleaning blade 8 is an example of cleaning means for removing toner and foreign matter remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 after the transfer process described later. Instead of the cleaning blade 8, other types of cleaning devices, such as brushes, may be employed. The toner and the foreign matter removed by the cleaning blade 8 are accommodated in the waste toner box 9.

The developing cartridge 300 supplies the toner contained therein to the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 1 to develop the electrostatic latent image into a visible toner image. Toner is accommodated in the developing cartridge 300 when the one-component developing method is adopted, and toner and carrier are contained in the developing cartridge 300 when the two-component developing method is employed. The developing roller 4 is for supplying the toner in the developing cartridge 300 to the photosensitive drum 1. The developing bias voltage may be applied to the developing roller 4. The restricting member 5 regulates the amount of toner supplied by the developing roller 4 to the developing region where the photosensitive drum 1 and the developing roller 4 face each other. The restricting member 5 may be a doctor blade which is elastically contacted with the surface of the developing roller 4.

In this embodiment, a contact one-component developing method is employed. FIG. 3B is a view showing an arrangement of the photosensitive drum 1 and the developing roller 4 in the contact developing method. Referring to FIG. 3B, in the contact developing method, a gap holding member 42 smaller than the diameter of the developing roller 4 may be installed at both ends of the rotating shaft 41 of the developing roller 4. The gap holding member 42 contacts the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 to regulate the contact amount of the developing roller 4 with the photosensitive drum 1. The developing roller 4 is in contact with the photosensitive drum 1 to form the developing nip N. The developing cartridge 300 may further include a feed roller 6 for attaching toner to the surface of the developing roller 4. The supply bias voltage may be applied to the supply roller 6. The developing cartridge 300 may further include an agitator 7a and 7b for agitating the toner to supply the feed roller 6 and the developing roller 4. The stirrers 7a and 7b can frictionally charge the toner by stirring.

Embodiments of a developing method of an image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention have been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications and changes can be made to the developing method.

The exposure apparatus 110 irradiates the photosensitive drum 1 with light modulated corresponding to the image information to form an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 1. As the exposure machine 110, a laser scanning unit (LSU) using a laser diode as a light source, an LED exposure machine using a light emitting diode (LED) as a light source, and the like may be employed.

The transfer roller 120 is an example of a transfer machine for transferring a toner image from the photosensitive drum 1 to the recording medium P. FIG. A transfer bias voltage for transferring the toner image onto the recording medium P is applied to the transfer roller 120. Instead of the transfer roller 120, a corona transfer machine or a pin scorotron type transfer machine may be employed.

The recording medium P is picked up one by one from the mounting table 141 by the pickup roller 142, and the photosensitive drum 1 and the transfer roller 120 face each other by the transfer rollers 143, 144 and 145. Is transferred to the area.

The fixing unit 130 applies heat and pressure to the image transferred to the recording medium P to fix it to the recording medium P. FIG. The recording medium P passing through the fixing unit 130 is discharged to the outside of the main body 100 by the discharge roller 146.

By the above-described configuration, the exposure apparatus 110 scans the light modulated with the image information to the photosensitive drum 1 to form an electrostatic latent image. The developing roller 4 supplies toner to the electrostatic latent image to form a visible toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1. The recording medium P loaded on the mounting table 50 is transferred to the area where the photosensitive drum 1 and the transfer roller 120 face by the pickup roller 142 and the transfer rollers 143, 144, 145. The toner image is transferred from the photosensitive drum 1 onto the recording medium P by the transfer bias voltage applied to the transfer roller 120. When the recording medium P passes through the fixing unit 130, the toner image is fixed to the recording medium P by heat and pressure. The recording medium P on which the fixing is completed is discharged by the discharge roller 146. In the case of performing double-sided printing, the recording medium P having an image printed on one surface of the recording medium P has the photosensitive drum 1 and the transfer roller 120 along the reverse transfer path 150 as the discharge roller 146 is reversely rotated. Re-transfer to the facing area. Next, the recording medium P on which the new toner image is transferred to the rear surface of the recording medium P, and the image is printed on both sides after the fixing process is discharged by the discharge roller 146.

The photosensitive cartridge 200 and the developing cartridge 300 are consumables that are replaced when their lifespan elapses. Since the lifespan of the photosensitive cartridge 200 and the developing cartridge 300 may be different from each other, they may be replaced individually.

In the state in which the photosensitive cartridge 200 and the developing cartridge 300 are combined (process cartridge), a method of mounting or removing the process cartridge on the main body 100 may be considered. According to this method, for example, when only the developing cartridge 300 is to be replaced, after removing the process cartridge from the main body 100, the photosensitive cartridge 200 and the developing cartridge 300 are decoupled, and the new developing cartridge is removed. After coupling the 300 to the photosensitive cartridge 200, the process cartridge should be mounted to the main body 100. Therefore, the procedure of the replacement operation of the developing cartridge 300 is complicated. In addition, the weight of the process cartridge is heavy, making handling in the mounting / removing process easy.

According to the present embodiment, the photosensitive cartridge 200 is mounted on the main body 100, and the developing cartridge 300 is mounted on the mounting portion 201 provided in the photosensitive cartridge 200. When detaching, after the developing cartridge 300 is removed from the mounting portion 201, the photosensitive cartridge 200 is removed from the main body 100. According to such a configuration, since the photosensitive cartridge 200 and the developing cartridge 300 can be separately mounted / detached to / from the main body 100, the replacement of the photosensitive cartridge 200 or the developing cartridge 300 is simple. Do. In addition, since the photosensitive cartridge 200 and the developing cartridge 300 are handled separately in the mounting / removing process, the burden on the weight imposed on the user can be reduced, thereby improving user convenience.

Hereinafter, the mounting direction A1 side of the photosensitive cartridge 200 and the developing cartridge 300 is referred to as the front side, and the opposite direction of the mounting direction A1, that is, the removal direction A2 side, is referred to as the rear side.

4 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the photosensitive cartridge 200. 5 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a development cartridge 300. 4 and 5, the photosensitive cartridge 200 is provided with a mounting portion 201 in which the developing cartridge 300 is mounted. The mounting unit 201 may include, for example, first and second guide members 210 and 220 extending rearward from both sides of the frame 202 of the photoconductor cartridge 200. The first and second guide members 210 and 220 may be connected by a connection member 250 extending in the longitudinal direction B of the photosensitive drum 1. The connection member 250 may be connected to the rear end portions of the first and second guide members 210 and 220. Guide rails 230 are provided on inner walls of the first and second guide members 210 and 220. First and second guide protrusions 310 and 320 are provided at both sides of the developing cartridge 300. The second guide protrusion 320 is located at a position spaced rearward from the first guide protrusion 310. The developing cartridge 300 is mounted / removed to / from the mounting portion 201 by supporting the first and second guide protrusions 310 and 320 on the guide rail 230.

6 is a perspective view illustrating the guide rail 230 in detail. Referring to FIG. 6, the guide rail 230 guides the first and second guide protrusions 310 and 320 to the first and second seating portions 241 and 242, respectively. The guide rail 230 may have a rib shape that protrudes inward from an inner wall of the first and second guide members 210 and 220. The first and second guide protrusions 310 and 320 may have a boss shape that protrudes outward from both sides of the developing cartridge 300. The guide rail 230 guides the first guide rail 231 to guide the first guide protrusion 310 to the first seat 241, and the second guide protrusion 320 to the second seat 242. It may include a second guide rail (232). For example, the first seat 241 may have an inclined "U" or "V" shape so that the cylindrical first guide protrusion 310 may be inserted and seated therein. The second seating portion 242 is, for example, a "U" or "V" that is laid down so that the second guide protrusion 320 is inserted and seated in a state where the cylindrical second guide protrusion 320 is inserted therein. It may be shaped like a child. The shape of the 1st, 2nd mounting part 241 and 242 is not limited to the above-mentioned example. The shape of the first and second seating portions 241 and 242 may be constrained so as not to be separated in a direction crossing the mounting direction A1 while the first and second guide protrusions 310 and 320 are seated. It can be of various shapes.

7 is a schematic view showing a state in which the developing cartridge 300 is mounted on the mounting portion 201 after the photosensitive cartridge 200 is mounted on the main body 100. The developing cartridge 300 approaches the main body 100 in a state where the photosensitive cartridge 200 is mounted on the main body 100 so that the first guide protrusion 310 is supported by the first guide rail 231. In this state, the development cartridge 300 is pushed into the main body 100. The first guide protrusion 310 approaches the first seating portion 241. As the developing cartridge 300 is inserted into the main body 100, the second guide protrusion 320 is guided by the second guide rail 232, and the first and second guide protrusions 310 and 320 are respectively The first and second seating parts 241 and 242 are seated.

The developing cartridge 300 and the photosensitive cartridge 200 when the detachable directions of the developing cartridge 300 and the photosensitive cartridge 200 are in a direction crossing the transfer direction of the recording medium P, that is, the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum 1. ), The photosensitive drum 1 and the developing roller 4 interfere with other components in the main body 100, or the developing cartridge 300 and the photosensitive drum 1 interfere with each other, so that the photosensitive drum 1 ) And the developing roller 4 are relatively at high risk. According to the image forming apparatus of this embodiment, the attaching and detaching directions A1 and A2 of the photosensitive member cartridge 200 and the developing cartridge 300 are the conveyance directions of the recording medium P. FIG. In other words, it is a transverse direction intersecting with the longitudinal direction B of the photosensitive drum 1. According to this structure, there is little possibility of interference between the developing roller 4 and the photosensitive drum 1 in the process of mounting the developing cartridge 300 to the mounting portion 201. Therefore, the risk of damage due to interference between the developing roller 4 and the photosensitive drum 1 can be reduced.

Although the developing cartridge 300 is mounted on the mounting portion 201 of the photosensitive cartridge 200 after the photosensitive cartridge 200 is mounted on the main body 100, the developing cartridge 300 is fixedly coupled to the photosensitive cartridge 200. Is not. In other words, in this state, the user simply pulls the developing cartridge 300 in the detaching direction without any operation of releasing (unlocking) the developing cartridge 300 from the photosensitive cartridge 200, and thus the photosensitive cartridge 200 and the main body. It can be removed from the (100).

Referring to FIG. 4, the photosensitive cartridge 200 is provided with a first handle 260 that a user can grip when mounting / removing the photosensitive cartridge 200 to / from the main body 100. The first handle 260 may be located at the opening 101 side of the photosensitive cartridge 200, that is, at the rear side, so that a user can easily find the cover 400 when the cover 400 is opened. As an example, the first handle 260 may be provided at a central portion of the connection member 250 connecting the first and second guide members 210 and 220.

Referring to FIG. 5, the developing cartridge 300 is provided with a second handle 360 which the user can grip when mounting / removing the developing cartridge 300 to / from the main body 100. The second handle 360 may be located at the opening 101 side of the developing cartridge 300, that is, at the rear side, so that the user can easily find the cover 400 when the cover 400 is opened.

According to the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, when removing the photosensitive cartridge 200 and the developing cartridge 300 from the main body 100, the developing cartridge 300 is first removed from the mounting portion 201 of the photosensitive cartridge 200. After that, the photosensitive cartridge 200 is removed from the main body 100. Referring to FIG. 2B, the second handle 360 is positioned above the first handle 260 while the photosensitive cartridge 200 and the developing cartridge 300 are mounted on the main body 100. In general, the eye level of the user is higher than that of the image forming apparatus. When the cover 400 of the main body 100 is opened, the user's gaze looking into the main body 100 through the opening 101 is directed from the top to the bottom. Therefore, the second knob 360 located above can be more easily found to the user than the first knob 260 located below it, and the user grips the second knob 360 and the development cartridge ( 300) can be removed first.

The image forming apparatus of the present embodiment fixes the developing cartridge 300 to the photosensitive cartridge 200 by pressing the developing cartridge 300 in the mounting direction A1 by the operation of closing the cover 400.

8 is a perspective view illustrating one embodiment of a cover 400. 9 is a side view illustrating a state in which the development cartridge 300 is pressed in a state where the cover 400 is closed. 8 and 9, the cover 400 is provided with a first pressurizing unit 410 and a second pressurizing unit 420. The first pressurizing unit 410 and the second pressurizing unit 420 are located opposite to each other based on the center line L. The first pressing unit 410 is positioned to be spaced apart from the center line L by the first distance D1 to apply the first pressing force F1 to the developing cartridge 300 when the cover 400 is closed. The second pressing unit 420 is positioned to be spaced apart from the center line L by the second distance D2 to apply the second pressing force F2 to the developing cartridge 300 when the cover 400 is closed. As shown in FIG. 5, the developing cartridge 300 includes first and second hydraulic units receiving first and second pressing forces F1 and F2 by the first and second pressing units 410 and 420. 370 and 380 may be provided. The first pressing unit 410 is provided with a plurality of first pressing parts, for example, two first pressing parts 411 and 412 spaced apart in the longitudinal direction (B). The second pressing unit 420 includes a plurality of second pressing units, for example, two second pressing units 421 and 422 spaced apart in the longitudinal direction (B). To this end, referring to FIG. 5, the first and second hydraulic units 370 and 380 are the first and second pressure units 411, 412, 421 and 422, respectively. The pressure receiving parts 371, 372, 381, and 382 may be provided. As such, two first pressing parts 411 and 412 and two second pressing parts 421 spaced apart in the longitudinal direction B to provide the first and second pressing pressures F1 and F2. By providing 422, the balance of the longitudinal direction B of the 1st, 2nd pressing force F1 (F2) can be easily balanced. In addition, since the magnitude of the pressing force applied by each of the first pressing part 411, 412 and the second pressing part 421, 422 can be reduced, the stress applied to the cover 400 and the developing cartridge 300. Can be reduced. In addition, the second pressing unit 422 may also function as a second contact unit electrically connected to the first contact unit (FIG. 5: 391) of the memory unit (FIG. 5: 390) provided in the developing cartridge 300. FIG. .

As described above, the developing cartridge 300 is fixed to the mounting portion 201 by using the operation of closing the cover 400, so that a locking device or the like for fixing the developing cartridge 300 to the photosensitive cartridge 200 is provided. ) Or the photosensitive cartridge 200, there is no need to provide a separate material cost can be reduced. In addition, since the coupling of the developing cartridge 300 and the photosensitive cartridge 200 can be maintained / released only by the operation of closing and opening the cover 400, the mounting / removing of the developing cartridge 300 and the photosensitive cartridge 200 may be performed. Since the operation step of the process can be simplified, user convenience can be improved. Further, the pressing force for pressing the developing cartridge 300 is divided into first and second pressing forces F1 and F2 based on the center line L connecting the center of the photosensitive drum 1 and the developing roller 4 to each other. As a result, the positional stability of the developing cartridge 300 can be improved by compensating for the sliding force and the rotation moment applied to the developing cartridge 300 at the time of image formation, and a stable developing nip N can be maintained.

The photosensitive cartridge 200 and the developing cartridge 300 are consumables separately packaged from the image forming apparatus or distributed together with the image forming apparatus. If the charging roller 2 and the photosensitive drum 1 and the photosensitive drum 1 and the developing roller 4 are in contact with each other, the charging roller 2 and the developing roller 4 may be deformed in the distribution process. In addition, while the elastic layers constituting the charging roller 2 and the developing roller 4 are deteriorated, the photosensitive layer on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 may be damaged. As such, when the photosensitive layer is damaged, a printing defect may occur in which horizontal stripes occur in a printed image. Therefore, a method for separating the charging roller 2 and the photosensitive drum 1 and the photosensitive drum 1 and the developing roller 4 in the distribution process is desired.

According to the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, the photosensitive cartridge 200 and the developing cartridge 300 are separately replaceable, and the developing cartridge 300 includes a photosensitive cartridge (with a photosensitive cartridge 200 mounted on the main body 100). It is mounted to the mounting portion 201 provided in the 200. A first separating member (not shown) is provided on the photosensitive cartridge 200 to separate the charging roller 2 and the photosensitive drum 1, and the developing cartridge 300 includes the developing cartridge 300 on the photosensitive cartridge 200. When installed in the mounting portion 201 of the second photosensitive drum (1) and the development roller (4) can be considered to install a second separation member (not shown) that can be spaced apart. However, in this case, two separate members are required, thereby increasing component cost, and the user removes the first and second separation members from the photosensitive cartridge 200 and the developing cartridge 300, respectively, before mounting them on the main body 100. There is a burden to be done. In view of this, according to the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, the charging roller 2, the photosensitive drum 1, the photosensitive drum 1, and the developing roller 4 using one separating member (Fig. 10: 500) are used. ).

10 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a separating member 500. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line X-X 'of FIG. 10. 12A and 12B are side views illustrating the action of the developing nip separator 530 and the charged nip separator 540.

Referring to FIG. 10, the separating member 500 includes a coupling part 510 coupled to the developing cartridge 300, and the photosensitive drum 1 and the developing roller 4 when the developing cartridge 300 is mounted on the mounting part 201. The developing nip separating part 530 positioned between the first and second developing nip separating parts 530, and the developing cartridge 300 mounted on the mounting part 201, the charging nip separating part 540 positioned between the photosensitive drum 1 and the charging roller 2. Equipped.

The separating member 500 includes a first body 501 seated on the housing 301 of the developing cartridge 300, and a second body 502 connected to the first body 501 by a connecting arm 503. It can be provided. The first body 501 and the second body 502 may have a rod shape extending in the longitudinal direction (B). The first body 501 is supported on the upper surface of the housing 301, the second body 502 is located in front of the housing 301, that is, the front of the developing roller (4). In one embodiment, the coupling part 510 may couple the separating member 500 to the developing cartridge 300 by a snap-fit method. 10 and 11, the coupling part 510 may include a first arm 511 provided on the first body 501 and a second hook 513 extending from the second body 502 and provided at an end thereof. It may include two arms 512. The housing 301 of the developing cartridge 300 is provided with a receiving portion 302 inserted into the first arm 511 and a locking jaw 303 for engaging the hook 513 of the second arm 512. When the separating member 500 is attached to the developing cartridge 300 from above, the first arm 511 is inserted into the receiving portion 302, and the connecting arm 503 is bent forward flexibly to the second arm 512. Hook 513 of the) may be caught in the locking jaw (303). When the separating member 500 is removed from the developing cartridge 300, the first arm 511 is detached from the receiving portion 302 by lifting the separating member 500 upward while slightly tilting it forward, and then the hook ( 513 may be released from the locking step 303.

10 and 11, two developing nip separation portions 530 spaced apart in the longitudinal direction B are illustrated. The two developing nip separators 530 may be located outside the effective image area in the longitudinal direction B. FIG. The developing nip separator 530 may be located at the front of the gap holding member 42, for example. The developing nip separating part 530 may be in contact with the gap holding member 42. By this configuration, when the developing cartridge 300 is mounted on the mounting portion 201 of the photosensitive cartridge 200, the developing nip separating portion 530 is positioned between the photosensitive drum 1 and the gap holding member 42. The developing nip separating member 500 contacts the photosensitive drum 1 first. Then, the developing cartridge 300 is no longer advanced in the mounting direction A1, and the developing roller 4 and the photosensitive drum 1 can be kept in a non-contact state. The thickness T3 of the developing nip separating part 530 is larger than the contact thickness of the developing roller 4 and the photosensitive drum 1 (FIG. 3B: T1).

10 and 12A, two charged nip separators 540 spaced apart in the longitudinal direction B are shown. The two charged nip separators 540 may be located outside the effective image area in the longitudinal direction B. The charging nip separating part 540 is inserted between the charging roller 2 and the photosensitive drum 1 when the developing cartridge 300 is mounted on the mounting portion 201 of the photosensitive cartridge 200, thereby reducing the charging roller 2. Away from the drum (1). For example, the tip portion 541 of the charged nip separation unit 540 may be wedge shaped. The thickness T4 of the charged nip separator 540 may be appropriately determined so that the charged roller 2 and the photosensitive drum 1 do not contact each other. As shown in FIG. 12A, the charging nip separating part 540 may be inserted between the rotating shaft 21 of the charging roller 2 and the photosensitive drum 1. In addition, as shown in FIG. 12B, the charging nip separating part 540 may be inserted between the shaft supporting member 23 and the photosensitive drum 1 supporting the charging roller 2 with respect to the frame 202. .

By such a configuration, since the developing nip N and the charged nip C can be separated using one separating member 500 mounted on the developing cartridge 300, a material cost reduction effect can be obtained.

Further, even when the photosensitive cartridge 200 and the developing cartridge 300 are mounted on the main body 100, the charging roller 2, the photosensitive drum 1, and the photosensitive drum 1 and the developing roller 4 are spaced apart from each other. Can be maintained. Therefore, since the image forming apparatus can be packaged in a state in which the photosensitive cartridge 200 and the developing cartridge 300 are mounted on the main body 100, the packaging cost and the logistics cost can be reduced. In addition, damage to the charging roller 2, the developing roller 4, and the photosensitive drum 1 in the distribution process of the image forming apparatus can be prevented, thereby maintaining the quality of the image forming apparatus in the distribution process.

After purchasing the image forming apparatus, the user opens the cover 400 and separates the developing cartridge 300 from the main body 100 before using the image forming apparatus. In this process, since the charging nip separating part 540 exits between the rotating shaft 21 and the photosensitive drum 1 of the charging roller 2 or between the shaft support member 23 and the photosensitive drum 1, the charging roller ( A naturally occurring charged nip (C) is formed between 2) and the photosensitive drum (1). The user removes the separating member 500 from the developing cartridge 300, mounts the developing cartridge 300 again on the mounting portion 201 of the photosensitive cartridge 200, and closes the cover 400. Then, the developing cartridge 300 is advanced in the mounting direction A1 until the gap retaining member 42 is in contact with the photosensitive drum 1, and the developing nip between the photosensitive drum 1 and the developing roller 4 N) can be formed.

The separating member 500 is provided with a handle 550 that can be gripped by the user. Referring to FIG. 10, the handle 550 may protrude upward from, for example, the first body 501. The separating member 500 may have a different color from the developing cartridge 300 so that the user can easily identify the component to be removed.

The photosensitive cartridge 200 may be sold separately as consumables, and the charging roller 2 and the photosensitive drum 1 need to be kept spaced apart from each other in the distribution process. In this case, an additional cost may be generated when a separate separating member (not shown) for separating the charging roller 2 and the photosensitive drum 1 is employed. In this case, if the separating member 500 can be coupled to the photosensitive cartridge 200, there is no need to prepare a separate separating member for the photosensitive cartridge 200.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the separating member 500 is coupled to the photosensitive cartridge 200. Referring to FIG. 13, the separating member 500 is coupled to the photosensitive cartridge 200. The charging nip separating part 540 is inserted between the rotating shaft 21 of the charging roller 2 and the photosensitive drum 1 (FIG. 12A) or between the shaft support member 23 and the photosensitive drum 1 (FIG. 12B). When the separating member 500 is coupled to the photosensitive cartridge 200, the separating member 500 is coupled to the photosensitive cartridge 200 as shown in FIG. 13. The photosensitive cartridge 200 may be packaged in this state and sold separately. The user who purchased the photosensitive cartridge 200 may remove the separating member 500 to form the charging nip C, and then mount the photosensitive cartridge 200 to the main body 100.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings, this is merely exemplary, and those skilled in the art to which the art belongs can make various modifications and other equivalent embodiments therefrom. I will understand. Therefore, the true technical protection scope of the present invention will be defined by the claims below.

1 photosensitive drum 2 ... Daejeon roller
21.Rotating axis of anti-electric roller 22 ... Conductive rubber
23 ... axial support member 24 ... elastic member
3 ... cleaning roller 4 ... developing roller
5.Regulator 6 ... Supply roller
7a, 7b ... Agitator 8 ... Cleaning Blade
9. Waste toner container 11 ... Rotary axis of photosensitive drum
12 1st gear 41 ... axis of rotation of developing roller
42.Gap holding member 43.2nd gear
100.Body 101 ... Opening
110 ... Gwangju Machine 120 ... Transfer Roller
130.Fixing machine 160 ... First coupler
200 Photosensitive cartridge 201
210, 220 ... First, second guide member 230 ... Guide rail
231, 232 ... 1st, 2nd guide rail 241, 242 ... 1st, 2nd seat
260 ... first handle 280 ... second coupler
300 ... developing cartridge 302 ...
303 ... Jam Jaw 310, 320 ... 1st, 2nd Guide Projection
360 ... 2nd handle 371, 372 ... 1st hydraulic part
380 ... 2nd coupler 381, 382 ... 2nd hydraulic part
390 ... Memory unit 391 ... First contact
380 ... 2nd coupler 400 ... cover
410, 420 ... first and second pressing parts 431 ... pressure member
432 ... Elastic member 500 ... Separable member
501, 502 ... first and second body 503 ... connection arm
510 ... coupling part 511 ... first arm
512 ... 2nd arm 513 ... hook
530 ... developing nip separator 540 ... charging nip separator

Claims (10)

A main body having an opening;
A photosensitive member cartridge detachably attached to the main body through the opening, and having a mounting portion and a photosensitive drum and a charging roller which are in contact with each other to form a charging nip;
A developing cartridge attached to and detached from the mounting unit through the opening in a state in which the photosensitive cartridge is mounted on the main body, the developing cartridge including a developing roller in contact with the photosensitive drum to form a developing nip;
A cover which opens and closes the opening, which fixes the developing cartridge to the mounting portion by pressing the developing roller while the opening is closed;
A developing nip separating portion which is placed between the developing roller and the photosensitive drum when the developing cartridge is mounted on the mounting portion to separate the developing nip, and the developing cartridge is mounted on the mounting portion. And a separating member inserted between the charging roller and the photosensitive drum, the separating member having a charged nip separating portion separating the charging roller from the photosensitive drum. The method of claim 1,
The developing cartridge further includes a gap holding member which contacts the photosensitive drum to regulate the developing nip,
And the developing nip separating portion is located in front of the gap holding member so as to be positioned between the photosensitive drum and the gap holding member when the developing cartridge is mounted to the mounting portion. The method of claim 1,
And the charging nip separating portion is inserted between the rotating shaft of the charging roller and the photosensitive drum when the developing cartridge is mounted to the mounting portion to separate the charging roller from the photosensitive drum. The method of claim 1,
And a shaft supporting member rotatably supporting the charging roller with respect to the frame of the photosensitive member cartridge.
And the charging nip separating portion is inserted between the shaft support member and the photosensitive drum when the developing cartridge is mounted to the mounting portion to separate the charging roller from the photosensitive drum. The method of claim 1,
And the separating member has a coupling part detachably coupled to a housing of the developing cartridge. The method of claim 5,
The separating member is an electrophotographic image forming apparatus having a handle that can be gripped by the user. A developing cartridge mounted to a mounting portion of a photosensitive cartridge, in a state where a photosensitive drum including a photosensitive drum and a charging roller which are in contact with each other to form a charging nip is mounted on an image forming apparatus main body,
housing;
A developing roller rotatably supported by the housing, the developing roller being in contact with the photosensitive drum while the developing cartridge is mounted to the mounting unit to form a developing nip;
A coupling part coupled to the housing, a developing nip separating part positioned between the developing roller and the photosensitive drum to separate the developing nip when the developing cartridge is mounted to the mounting part, and the developing cartridge mounted to the mounting part. And a separating member having a charged nip separating portion inserted between the charging roller and the photosensitive drum to separate the charging roller from the photosensitive drum. The method of claim 7, wherein
The developing cartridge further includes a gap holding member which contacts the photosensitive drum to regulate the developing nip,
And the developing nip separating portion is located in front of the gap holding member so as to be positioned between the photosensitive drum and the gap holding member when the developing cartridge is mounted to the mounting portion. The method of claim 8,
And the charging nip separating part is inserted between the rotating shaft of the charging roller and the photosensitive drum when the developing cartridge is mounted to the mounting part to separate the charging roller from the photosensitive drum. The method of claim 8,
The charging nip separating portion is inserted between the photosensitive drum and the shaft support member for rotatably supporting the charging roller with respect to the frame of the photosensitive member cartridge when the developing cartridge is mounted to the mounting portion so that the charging roller is removed from the photosensitive drum. Spaced development cartridge.
KR1020130045045A 2013-01-24 2013-04-23 Electrophotographic image forming apparatus and development cartridge KR102022327B1 (en)

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US201361756269P 2013-01-24 2013-01-24
US61/756,269 2013-01-24
US201361758965P 2013-01-31 2013-01-31
US61/758,965 2013-01-31

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KR20180008220A (en) * 2016-07-15 2018-01-24 에스프린팅솔루션 주식회사 electrophotographic image forming apparatus and method detecting release of development nip

Citations (3)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2003255702A (en) * 2002-03-06 2003-09-10 Canon Inc Developing device, process cartridge, developer regulation member and electrophotographic image forming apparatus
JP2006106020A (en) * 2004-09-30 2006-04-20 Brother Ind Ltd Image forming apparatus
JP2011191427A (en) * 2010-03-12 2011-09-29 Fuji Xerox Co Ltd Image forming cartridge and image forming device

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
KR100695015B1 (en) * 2005-01-26 2007-03-15 삼성전자주식회사 Printer Cartridge

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2003255702A (en) * 2002-03-06 2003-09-10 Canon Inc Developing device, process cartridge, developer regulation member and electrophotographic image forming apparatus
JP2006106020A (en) * 2004-09-30 2006-04-20 Brother Ind Ltd Image forming apparatus
JP2011191427A (en) * 2010-03-12 2011-09-29 Fuji Xerox Co Ltd Image forming cartridge and image forming device

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