JP6932521B2 - cartridge - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a cartridge that is detachably provided in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, and a facsimile apparatus.

An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material by using an electrophotographic image forming method (electrophotographic process) is known. Examples of the image forming apparatus include a copier, a laser beam printer, and the like.

In an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic image forming method, an electrophotographic photosensitive member as an image carrier (hereinafter, simply referred to as “photoreceptor”) is uniformly charged. Next, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photoconductor by selectively exposing the charged photoconductor. Next, a developer (toner) is supplied to the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor to visualize it as a toner image and make it a visible image. Then, the toner image formed on the photoconductor is transferred to a recording material such as a recording sheet or a plastic sheet. Then, the toner image transferred onto the recording material is heated and pressurized to be thermally melted and heat-fixed to the recording material.

Such an image forming apparatus generally requires maintenance of various image forming process means. In order to facilitate the maintenance of these various image forming process means, a process cartridge in which a photoconductor, a charging means, a developing means, a cleaning means, and the like are integrally integrated into a cartridge is adopted. Such a process cartridge is detachably attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus. According to the process cartridge method, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus having excellent ease of use.

The cleaning frame of such a process cartridge is supported by a photosensitive drum, a charging roller for charging the surface of the photosensitive drum, and a cleaning member that scrapes the developer remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum from the photosensitive drum. Will be done. The photosensitive drum is rotatably supported via a bearing member provided on the cleaning frame.

In such a process cartridge, a part of the surface of the photosensitive drum is exposed from the opening of the frame. Therefore, the user may come into contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum. When the user comes into contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum, hand grease or the like may adhere to the surface of the photosensitive drum, causing image damage.

The surface of the photosensitive drum may be covered with a drum cover to prevent the user from coming into contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum. The drum cover has a role of light-shielding, dust-proofing, and preventing user contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum. In order to further reduce the risk of the user accidentally touching the surface of the photosensitive drum, in Patent Document 1, the user touches the surface of the photosensitive drum on a flexible sheet member protruding from one edge of the opening of the frame. Characters that call attention to the situation are printed.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-0229368

After removing the drum cover that covers the surface of the photosensitive drum (photoreceptor), the process cartridge may be attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus. When the process cartridge is attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus, a part of the surface of the photosensitive drum is exposed from the opening of the frame body. Therefore, after removing the drum cover, the user may come into contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum until the process cartridge is inserted into the main body of the image forming apparatus.

Further, in recent years, with the extension of the life of the process cartridge, a drum cartridge on the side where the photosensitive drum is provided and a developing cartridge on the side where the developing device is provided are proposed as separate bodies. As a result, the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge can be replaced separately. In such a configuration, the surface area of the photosensitive drum exposed from the opening of the frame is further increased. Therefore, there is a demand for a configuration that prevents the user from coming into contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum.

The present invention solves the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a cartridge that prevents a user from coming into contact with a photoconductor.

Representative structure according to the present invention for achieving the above object, a cartridge used in the apparatus body having a developing member device to a body of the image forming apparatus, a frame body, rotatably on the frame A photoconductor that is supported and configured to supply toner from the developing member, a charging member that is provided so as to face the photoconductor, and a photoconductor provided on the frame body that can be attached to the frame body. an opening for exposure to the outside, so as to cover at least a portion of said photosensitive body which is exposed from the opening, and a cover member removably attached to the frame body, there by flexible sheet member Te, possess one end is fixed to the first fixing portion of the cover member, the sheet member other end portion is separation secured to the second fixing portion of the frame body, wherein the photosensitive The cartridge is located between the lower end of the cover member and the second fixing portion of the frame below the charging member when the cartridge is oriented so that the body is above the charging member. Information on handling precautions for the cartridge is displayed on the seat member portion that is exposed to the outside of the cartridge, and the cover member is removed and mounted on the apparatus main body. and wherein a call is.

According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the user from coming into contact with the photoconductor.

It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the image forming apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective explanatory view which shows the mode that the drum cartridge and the development cartridge are independently attached to and detached from the main body of an image forming apparatus. It is a perspective explanatory view which shows the structure of the drum cartridge. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the drum cartridge. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the development cartridge. (A) is a cross-sectional explanatory view showing an exposed region on the surface of a photosensitive drum when the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge are formed as separate bodies. (B) is a cross-sectional explanatory view showing an exposed region on the surface of the photosensitive drum when the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge are rotatably connected and integrally formed around a rotation shaft. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the drum cover detachably attached to the cleaning frame body of a drum cartridge at the time of shipment from a factory. It is a perspective view which shows the state which the drum cover and the seat member are attached to the drum cartridge. It is explanatory drawing of the separation structure of a sheet member. It is sectional drawing explaining the detached state of a drum cover. It is sectional drawing which saw the drum cartridge from the direction of the rotation axis of a photosensitive drum. It is a perspective view which shows the state which the drum cover and the seat member are attached to the drum cartridge.

An embodiment of a process cartridge according to the present invention and an image forming apparatus including the process cartridge according to the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

<Image forming device>
First, the configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 to which the process cartridge according to the present invention is detachably mounted will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional explanatory view showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective explanatory view showing how the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge constituting the process cartridge are independently and detachably attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus 100.

As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 100 main body is provided with openings 101a, 101b, 101c, and 101d. For convenience of explanation, the openings 101 may be used as a representative of the openings 101a, 101b, 101c, and 101d. Each opening 101 is arranged along an inclined surface inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the horizontal plane of the image forming apparatus 100 body as a whole.

Inside each opening 101, a mounting portion for mounting the process cartridge detachably is provided. Specifically, lower guide portions 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d, 104a, 104b, 104c, 104d in which a concave groove having a U-shaped cross section is formed are provided. Further, inside each opening 101, upper guide portions 103a, 103b, 103c, 103d, 105a, 105b, 105c, 105d having a concave groove having a U-shaped cross section are provided.

In some cases, the lower guide portion 102 may be used as a representative of the lower guide portions 102a, 102b, 102c, and 102d. Each lower guide portion 102 is arranged so that the opening side of the concave groove having a U-shaped cross section faces substantially upward. Further, the upper guide unit 103 may be used as a representative of the upper guide units 103a, 103b, 103c, and 103d. Each upper guide portion 103 is arranged so that the opening side of the concave groove having a U-shaped cross section faces substantially downward.

Further, the lower guide portion 104 may be used as a representative of the lower guide portions 104a, 104b, 104c, and 104d. Each lower guide portion 104 is arranged so that the opening side of the concave groove having a U-shaped cross section faces substantially upward.

For convenience of explanation, the drum cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K constituting the process cartridge will be described simply using the drum cartridge 9, and the developing cartridges 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4K will be simply developed. In some cases, the cartridge 4 will be used for explanation. The same applies to other image forming process means.

In FIG. 2, the lower guide portions 104a and 104c are not shown because the field of view is obstructed by the developing cartridge 4Y and the drum cartridge 9C in the pulled-out state, respectively. Further, the upper guide portion 105 may be used as a representative of the upper guide portions 105a, 105b, 105c, and 105d. Each upper guide portion 105 is arranged so that the opening side of the concave groove having a U-shaped cross section faces substantially downward.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, protrusions 27c and 27d protruding in the vertical direction are provided on the upper and lower ends of the cleaning frame 27 of each drum cartridge 9. As shown in FIG. 2, the protrusion 27c of the drum cartridge 9 is slidably fitted and mounted in the concave groove on the front side in the mounting direction of the lower guide portion 102, and is placed in the concave groove on the front side in the mounting direction of the upper guide portion 103. The protruding portion 27d of the drum cartridge 9 is slidably fitted and engaged. Then, the drum cartridge 9 is moved along the upper guide portion 103 and the lower guide portion 102 in the insertion direction indicated by the arrow F in FIG. As a result, the drum cartridge 9 can be inserted and mounted at a predetermined position in the main body of the image forming apparatus 100.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, protrusions 31g and 31h protruding in the vertical direction are provided on the upper and lower ends of the developing frame 31 of each developing cartridge 4. As shown in FIG. 2, the protrusion 31 g of the developing cartridge 4 is slidably fitted and mounted in the concave groove on the front side in the mounting direction of the lower guide portion 104, and is placed in the concave groove on the front side in the mounting direction of the upper guide portion 105. The protrusion 31h of the developing cartridge 4 is slidably fitted and engaged. Then, the developing cartridge 4 is moved along the upper guide portion 105 and the lower guide portion 104 in the insertion direction indicated by the arrow F in FIG. As a result, the developing cartridge 4 can be inserted and mounted at a predetermined position in the main body of the image forming apparatus 100.

As described above, the drum cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C, 9K and the developing cartridges 4Y, 4M, 4C, 4K are independently and detachably provided to the image forming apparatus 100 main body. Photosensitive drums 1a to 1d serving as image carriers are rotatably supported on the cleaning frame body 27 (frame body) of each drum cartridge 9. Each developing cartridge 4 is provided with developing devices 15a to 15d as developing means.

In the image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 2, the upstream side in the mounting direction of the drum cartridge 9 and the developing cartridge 4 (the front side of the paper surface in FIG. 2) is referred to as the front side surface side of the image forming apparatus 100. Further, the downstream side in the mounting direction of the drum cartridge 9 and the developing cartridge 4 (the back side of the paper surface in FIG. 2) is referred to as the back side surface side of the image forming apparatus 100.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, four drum cartridges 9 and four developing cartridges 4 are arranged side by side along an inclined surface inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the horizontal plane of the image forming apparatus 100 as a whole. The longitudinal directions of the individual drum cartridges 9 and the developing cartridges 4 are arranged in the horizontal direction.

Each drum cartridge 9 constituting the process cartridge is provided with a photosensitive drum 1 serving as an image carrier made of an electrophotographic photosensitive member. Further, a charging roller 2 is provided around the photosensitive drum 1 as a charging means. Further, a cleaning member 6 serving as a cleaning means is provided. Image forming process means such as the photosensitive drum 1, the charging roller 2, and the cleaning member 6 are integrally provided on each drum cartridge 9. Further, in each developing cartridge 4, a developing roller 25 serving as a developing agent carrier and an image forming process means such as a developing blade 35 are integrally arranged.

The charging roller 2 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 that rotates clockwise in FIG. 1. An image exposure means for selectively exposing the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 based on image information to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 below the drum cartridge 9 and the developing cartridge 4 shown in FIG. The scanner unit 3 is provided. The developing roller 25 supplies a developer (toner) to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 to develop it as a toner image and visualize it.

On the other hand, a feed cassette 17 accommodating the recording material S is detachably attached to the lower portion of the image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. The recording material S housed in the feeding cassette 17 is fed out by the feeding roller 54, and is separated and fed one by one in cooperation with the separation pad 19. The recording material S fed by the feeding roller 54 is conveyed by the conveying roller 76, and the tip portion abuts on the nip portion of the resist roller 55 that has temporarily stopped, and the recording material S is skewed due to the strength of the waist of the recording material S. Is corrected.

Above the drum cartridge 9 and the developing cartridge 4, an intermediate transfer unit 5 is provided as an intermediate transfer means for primary transfer of the toner image formed on the surface of each photosensitive drum 1. The intermediate transfer unit 5 is provided with an intermediate transfer belt 14 stretched by a drive roller 56, a driven roller 57, and a secondary transfer inner roller 59 so as to be rotatable in the counterclockwise direction of FIG.

On the inner peripheral surface side of the intermediate transfer belt 14, a primary transfer roller 58 serving as a primary transfer means facing the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 of each color is provided via the intermediate transfer belt 14. The secondary transfer inner roller 59 is provided with a secondary transfer outer roller 69, which serves as a secondary transfer means, facing each other with an intermediate transfer belt 14 interposed therebetween.

The outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 14 circulates in the counterclockwise direction of FIG. 1 so as to face and contact the surface of each photosensitive drum 1. By applying a primary transfer voltage to each primary transfer roller 58, a toner image formed on the surface of each photosensitive drum 1 is sequentially primary-transferred and superimposed on the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 14.

On the other hand, at a predetermined timing, the recording material S is conveyed by the resist roller 55 to the secondary transfer nip portion between the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 14 and the secondary transfer outer roller 69. Then, a predetermined secondary transfer voltage is applied to the secondary transfer inner roller 59 arranged on the inner peripheral surface side of the intermediate transfer belt 14. Further, a predetermined secondary transfer voltage is applied to the secondary transfer outer roller 69 arranged on the outer peripheral surface side of the intermediate transfer belt 14. As a result, the toner image supported on the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 14 is secondarily transferred to the recording material S.

The recording material S to which the toner image is secondarily transferred at the secondary transfer nip portion between the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 14 and the secondary transfer outer roller 69 is conveyed to the fixing device 74 serving as the fixing means. The fixing device 74 is arranged above the image forming device 100 shown in FIG. After the toner image is heat-fixed to the recording material S by the fixing device 74, it is discharged to the discharge unit 75 by the discharge roller 72.

<Image formation operation>
The image forming operation by the image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. First, each photosensitive drum 1 is rotated in the clockwise direction of FIG. 1, and the surface of each photosensitive drum 1 is uniformly charged by the charging roller 2. After that, a laser beam corresponding to the image information is emitted from the scanner unit 3 to irradiate the surface of the uniformly charged photosensitive drum 1 for selective exposure. As a result, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1. A developer (toner) is supplied to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of each photosensitive drum 1 by a developing roller 25 provided in the developing apparatus 15 of each color to develop the electrostatic latent image as a toner image. As a result, toner images of each color are formed on the surface of each photosensitive drum 1.

In synchronization with the operation of forming a toner image of each color on the surface of each photosensitive drum 1, the recording material S is transferred by the resist roller 55 between the secondary transfer inner roller 59 and the secondary transfer outer roller 69 with the intermediate transfer belt 14 interposed therebetween. It is conveyed to the secondary transfer nip that is in contact. Then, by applying a secondary transfer bias voltage to the secondary transfer outer roller 69, the toner image on the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 14 is secondarily transferred to the recording material S.

The recording material S on which the toner image is formed is heated and pressurized in the process of being sandwiched and conveyed by the fixing roller and the pressure roller provided in the fixing device 74, and the toner image is thermally melted and heated to the recording material S. Be fixed. After that, the recording material S is sandwiched and conveyed by the discharge roller 72 and discharged to the discharge unit 75.

After the toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is first transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 14, the residual toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is scraped off by the cleaning member 6 to be removed. Further, after the toner image primaryly transferred to the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 14 is secondarily transferred to the recording material S, the residual toner remaining on the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 14 is removed by the cleaning member 26 serving as a cleaning means. It is scraped off and removed.

<Drum cartridge>
Next, the configuration of the drum cartridge 9 as an example of the cartridge according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 3 is a perspective explanatory view showing the configuration of the drum cartridge 9. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional explanatory view showing the configuration of the drum cartridge 9. The drum cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 have the same configuration.

In the present embodiment, in the insertion direction of the drum cartridge 9 and the developing cartridge 4 shown by the arrow F in FIG. 2, the upstream side in the insertion direction (the front side of the paper surface in FIG. 2) is referred to as the front side of the image forming apparatus 100. Further, the downstream side in the insertion direction (the back side of the paper surface in FIG. 2) is referred to as the back side of the image forming apparatus 100.

As shown in FIG. 3, the photosensitive drum 1 is rotatably supported on the cleaning frame 27 of the drum cartridge 9 by bearings 10 and 11 provided on the flange portions 18a and 18b. A drum coupling 16 is provided on the bearing 11 side, which is one end side in the longitudinal direction (axial direction) of the photosensitive drum 1, to transmit the rotational driving force from the motor 20 which is the driving source shown in FIG. ..

As shown in FIG. 4, a charging roller 2 and a cleaning member 6 are provided around the photosensitive drum 1. The cleaning member 6 includes an elastic member 7 formed of a rubber blade and a support member 8. The tip portion 7a of the elastic member 7 is in contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 in the counter direction opposite to the rotation direction indicated by the arrow a in FIG. 4 of the photosensitive drum 1.

As a result, the residual toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 after the primary transfer is scraped off by the tip portion 7a of the elastic member 7 and removed. The residual toner removed from the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 by the cleaning member 6 falls into the removal toner chamber 27a formed by the cleaning frame 27.

The cleaning frame 27 is provided with an opening 27b that exposes a part of the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 to the outside. Therefore, in order to prevent the removal toner contained in the removal toner chamber 27a from leaking to the outside from the opening 27b, the tip of the scooping sheet 21 whose one end is supported by the cleaning frame 27 is a photosensitive drum. It is in contact with the surface of 1.

The rotational driving force of the motor 20 as the driving source shown in FIG. 3 is transmitted to the photosensitive drum 1 rotatably provided on the drum cartridge 9 shown in FIG. 3 via the drum coupling 16. The CPU (Central Processing Unit) 22 serving as a control means controls the motor 20 according to the image forming operation to rotate and drive the photosensitive drum 1. The charging roller 2 is rotatably attached to the drum cartridge 9 via a bearing 28, and is pressurized toward the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 by the pressurizing member 33 to drive the photosensitive drum 1 to rotate.

<Development cartridge>
Next, the configuration of the developing cartridge 4 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional explanatory view showing the configuration of the developing cartridge 4. Toner serving as a developer is housed in the toner storage chamber 31a formed by the developing frame 31 of the developing cartridge 4 shown in FIG.

The yellow toner is housed in the developing cartridge 4Y shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Further, magenta-colored toner is housed in the developing cartridge 4M. In addition, cyan-colored toner is housed in the developing cartridge 4C. In addition, black toner is housed in the developing cartridge 4K. Each developing cartridge 4 has the same configuration except that the color of the toner contained therein is different.

In the developing chamber 31c formed by the developing frame 31 of the developing cartridge 4, a developing roller 25 that comes into contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 and rotates in the direction of arrow b in FIG. 5 is rotatably supported. Further, in the developing chamber 31c, a supply roller 34 that rotates in contact with the surface of the developing roller 25 is rotatably supported. Further, the developing frame 31 supports a developing blade 35 that regulates the layer thickness of the toner supported on the surface of the developing roller 25.

The toner storage chamber 31a and the developing chamber 31c are partitioned by a partition wall 31d, and an opening 31b penetrating the partition wall 31d is provided. The toner storage chamber 31a and the developing chamber 31c are communicated with each other through the opening 31b. In the toner storage chamber 31a, a transport member 36 that agitates and conveys the toner stored in the toner storage chamber 31a is rotatably supported.

The toner contained in the toner accommodating chamber 31a is agitated and conveyed by the conveying member 36 rotating clockwise around the rotating shaft 36a, and is conveyed from the opening 31b into the developing chamber 31c. After that, the toner is supplied onto the surface of the developing roller 25 by the supply roller 34 that rotates in the clockwise direction of FIG. The layer thickness of the toner supported on the surface of the developing roller 25 is regulated by the developing blade 35.

The developing chamber 31c is provided with an opening 31f for exposing a part of the surface of the developing roller 25 to the outside. Therefore, the other end of the sealing member 23 whose one end is supported by the developing frame 31 is in contact with the surface of the developing roller 25 so that the toner in the developing chamber 31c does not leak from the opening 31f. The seal member 23 is provided on the downstream side of the developing position where the developing roller 25 and the photosensitive drum 1 face each other in the rotation direction of the developing roller 25 shown by the arrow b in FIG. On the other hand, the developing blade 35 is provided on the upstream side of the developing position.

The developing frame 31 is provided with an urging portion 31e that is urged by an urging member (not shown) provided on the main body side of the image forming apparatus 100. Further, the developing frame 31 is provided with developing back bearings and pre-development bearings (not shown) on both sides of the developing roller 25 and the supply roller 34 in the longitudinal direction (axial direction). The developing roller 25 and the supply roller 34 are rotatably supported by the developing frame 31 by these developing back bearings and pre-developing bearings.

<Installation of drum cartridge and development cartridge>
Next, a configuration in which the drum cartridge 9 and the developing cartridge 4 are inserted into and mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, each drum cartridge 9 and each development cartridge 4 are inserted into each opening 101 provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus 100. In that case, the image forming apparatus 100 is arranged in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction (axial direction) of each photosensitive drum 1 indicated by the arrow F direction of FIG. 2 from the front side of the image forming apparatus 100 (the front side of the paper surface of FIG. 2). Insert toward the back side (the back side of the paper in FIG. 2).

In the present embodiment, the upstream side of the drum cartridge 9 and the developing cartridge 4 in the insertion direction indicated by the arrow F in FIG. 2 is referred to as the front side of the image forming apparatus 100 (the front side of the paper surface in FIG. 2). Further, the downstream side in the insertion direction is referred to as the back side of the image forming apparatus 100 (the back side of the paper surface in FIG. 2).

As shown in FIG. 2, an upper guide portion 103 having a U-shaped cross section, which is a first guide portion corresponding to each drum cartridge 9, is provided on the upper right side of each opening 101 provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus 100. Has been done. On the lower right side of each opening 101, a lower guide portion 102 having a U-shaped cross section, which is a second guide portion corresponding to each drum cartridge 9, is provided. The upper guide portion 103 and the lower guide portion 102 are each composed of a rail member having a U-shaped cross section extending along the insertion direction indicated by the arrow F in FIG. 2 of each drum cartridge 9.

Similarly, on the upper left side of each opening 101 provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 2, an upper guide portion 105 having a U-shaped cross section serving as a third guide portion corresponding to each development cartridge 4 is provided. Has been done. On the lower left side of each opening 101, a lower guide portion 104 having a U-shaped cross section, which serves as a fourth guide portion corresponding to each developing cartridge 4, is provided. The upper guide portion 105 and the lower guide portion 104 are each composed of a rail member having a U-shaped cross section extending along the insertion direction indicated by the arrow F direction in FIG. 2 of each developing cartridge 4.

<Drum protection configuration>
Next, with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8, a configuration for calling attention so that the user does not touch the surface of the photosensitive drum 1, which is a feature of the present invention, will be described. FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional explanatory view showing an exposed region on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 when the drum cartridge 9 and the developing cartridge 4 are formed separately. FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional explanation showing an exposed region on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 when the drum cartridge 9 and the developing cartridge 4 are rotatably connected to each other around a rotating shaft 24 and integrally formed. It is a figure. 6 (a) and 6 (b) are cross-sectional views of the drum cartridge 9 and the developing cartridge 4 as viewed from the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum 1, respectively.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional explanatory view showing the configuration of the drum cover 12 and the seal member 13 that are detachably attached to the cleaning frame 27 of the drum cartridge 9 at the time of shipment from the factory. FIG. 8 is a perspective explanatory view showing a state in which information 13a of handling precautions including contact prohibition information for calling attention so that the user does not touch the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is described on the seal member 13.

As shown in FIG. 6A, in the drum cartridge 9 in which the drum cartridge 9 and the developing cartridge 4 are formed separately, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is largely exposed from the opening 27b. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, when the user grips the drum cartridge 9 and attaches / detaches the drum cartridge 9 to the main body of the image forming apparatus 100, the user can come into contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 largely exposed from the opening 27b. It has become.

As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the photosensitive drum 1 is a cylindrical member, and the regions Ra and Rb on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 exposed to the outside from the openings 27b and 31f, respectively, can be contacted by the user. Is expressed by the central angle θ of the fan shape centered on the rotation center c of the photosensitive drum 1.

That is, the region of the central angle θ is the region of the arc portion corresponding to the central angle θ when viewed from the direction of the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum 1. In that case, the central angle θ of the fan shape is set to θa when the drum cartridge 9 and the developing cartridge 4 shown in FIG. 6A are formed separately. Further, the central angle of the region Rb when the drum cartridge 9 and the developing cartridge 4 shown in FIG. 6B are integrally configured is set to θb. Then, the central angles θa and θb have a relationship of θa> θb.

As shown in FIG. 2, when the user grips the drum cartridge 9 and attaches / detaches the drum cartridge 9 to / from the main body of the image forming apparatus 100, when the user comes into contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 exposed from the opening 27b, hand grease or the like is exposed. There is a risk that it will adhere to the surface of the drum 1 and cause image damage. In particular, when the central angle θa of the area Ra on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 that the user can contact is 180 ° or more (the area has an area of half or more of the entire cylindrical surface of the photosensitive drum 1), the user mistakenly exposes the surface. The risk of contact with the surface of the drum 1 increases. As shown in FIG. 6A, the region Ra exposed from the opening 27b of the photosensitive drum 1 is a region of an arc portion corresponding to the central angle θa when the photosensitive drum 1 is viewed from the rotation axis direction, and the center thereof. The angle θa is 180 ° or more.

As shown in FIG. 7, in order to prevent the user from coming into contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 1, a drum cover 12 as a cover member covering the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is cleaned on the drum cartridge 9 shipped from the factory. It is detachably attached to the frame body 27. The drum cover 12 shown in FIG. 7 has a role of shading the surface of the photosensitive drum 1, preventing dust, and preventing contact with the user.

The drum cover 12 attached to the cleaning frame 27 covers at least a part of the region Ra exposed from the opening 27b of the photosensitive drum 1. At least a part of the region Ra exposed from the opening 27b of the photosensitive drum 1 is the region Ra exposed from the opening 27b with the drum cover 12 (cover member) removed from the cleaning frame 27 (frame). As a result, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 can be protected from the factory shipment of the drum cartridge 9 until the user removes the drum cover 12 from the cleaning frame 27 of the drum cartridge 9.

After removing the drum cover 12 from the cleaning frame 27 of the drum cartridge 9, the user grasps the drum cartridge 9 and inserts it into the opening 101 of the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 to attach the drum cover 12 as shown in FIG. When the user grasps the drum cartridge 9 and inserts it into the opening 101 of the main body of the image forming apparatus 100, the surface exposed to the outside from the opening 27b of the photosensitive drum 1 provided in the drum cartridge 9 is shown in FIG. 6A. As such, it is not protected by the drum cover 12. Therefore, the user may come into contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 1.

In order to reduce the above risk that occurs when the drum cartridge 9 is mounted, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the cleaning frame 27 and the drum cover 12 are flexible so as to cover the opening 27b. A sheet member 13 having a property is provided. The sheet member 13 has a width that covers the entire longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum 1, one end of which is fixed to the drum cover 12, and the other end of which is separably adhered to the cleaning frame 27. Has been done. The seat member 13 is separated from the cleaning frame 27 and integrally removed from the drum cover 12 by the operation of removing the drum cover 12.

Here, conventionally, parts that are conventionally removed by the user before using the cartridge are often formed in orange. Therefore, even in the present embodiment, the drum cover 12 is formed in orange, and the seat member 13 is also formed in a translucent color similar to that of the drum cover 12. As a result, the user can recognize that the seat member 13 is also a member to be removed before using the cartridge, and further, it is possible to suggest to the user that the seat member 13 and the drum cover 12 are integrally removed. ..

Further, as a means for separately fixing the sheet member 13 to the cleaning frame body 27, a multi-layered sheet material called an easy peel film or the like is used in the present embodiment. For example, the sheet member 13 is a sheet having this multi-layer structure, a material having heat compatibility with the cleaning frame 27 is selected for the layer exposed to the outside, and the other layers are peeled by cohesive peeling, delamination, interfacial peeling, etc. A layer having a structure that can be easily peeled off is provided.

When the outermost layer having heat compatibility with the cleaning frame 27 is installed toward the cleaning frame 27 and heat is applied, the heat compatible layer melts and the sheet member 13 is welded and fixed to the cleaning frame 27. be able to. That is, as shown in FIG. 7, a joint surface 131a welded and fixed to the cleaning frame 27 is provided on a part of the first surface 131, which is a surface of the sheet member 13 that does not come into contact with the photosensitive drum 1. .. Since the sheet member 13 has a separate layer that can be easily peeled off, a layer different from the welded layer is peeled off when a force is applied in the peeling direction, and the sheet member 13 is easily separated from the cleaning frame body 27. It will be possible.

On the other hand, a joint surface 132a fixed to the drum cover 12 is provided on a part of the second surface 132, which is the back surface of the first surface 131, on the surface of the sheet member 13.

In addition, as a means for fixing the sheet member in a separable manner, for example, as shown in FIG. 9A, a direction in which the sheet member 13 is heat-welded to the cleaning frame 27 and the drum cover 12 is removed in the vicinity of the welded portion. The notch 13b may be provided substantially perpendicular to D (seat pulling direction). In this case, the sheet member 13 can be separated from the cleaning frame body 27 by concentrating stress on the notch 13b at the time of pulling and tearing the sheet member 13. Further, instead of the notch 13b, as shown in FIG. 9B, a perforation 13c may be provided. In this case as well, it can be separated from the perforation by the tension applied to the seat member 13 due to the removal of the drum cover 12. In the configuration in which the notch 13b or the perforation 13c is provided in this way, the above-mentioned easily peelable layer becomes unnecessary.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8, information 13a of handling precautions is printed (displayed) on the translucent sheet member 13. As the information 13a to be printed, the content that prevents the user from touching the photosensitive drum 1 is printed. For example, "Don't touch the drum", "Don't Touch", "Prohibited from Contact", or if the photosensitive drum 1 is composed of green, "Don't touch the green roller", etc. The character content that makes the user recognize that the contact with the drum 1 is not preferable is printed. The language to print is not limited to Japanese or English, and it is possible to call attention to users in a wide range of areas by using multilingual notation. In addition, the user may be alerted by an illustration that makes the user recognize that the contact with the photosensitive drum is not preferable, a symbol that impresses the prohibition of contact with the photosensitive drum, or the like.

Next, the behavior of the seat member 13 when the drum cover 12 is removed from the drum cartridge 9 is shown in FIGS. 10 (a), (b), and (c). 10 (a), (b), and (c) of FIG. 10 are views showing the operation of the user moving the drum cover 12 in the removal direction D and removing it from the drum cartridge 9 step by step.

As shown in FIG. 10A, when starting to use the drum cartridge 9 to which the drum cover 12 is attached, the grip portion 12a of the drum cover 12 is moved in the direction of arrow D to remove the drum cover 12. At this time, as shown in FIG. 10B, tension T is applied to the seat member 13 by the operation of the user removing the drum cover 12. At this time, the sheet member 13 is in a state of being wound around the photosensitive drum 1. Direction of tension (tension vector) applied to the portion of the sheet member 13 that contacts the photosensitive drum 1 with respect to the joint surface 131a of the sheet member 13 to the cleaning frame 27 and the portion between the joint surface 131a to the cleaning frame 27. Let θ27 be the angle between the two. On the other hand, the angle formed by the direction of tension applied to the seat member 13 with respect to the joint surface of the drum cover 12 is set to θ12. Then, the ends of the bonded sheet members 13 are folded back so that the angle θ27 on the cleaning frame side is an acute angle and the angle θ12 on the drum cover 12 side is an obtuse angle. In particular, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 10 (a), the seat member 13 is bent with the drum cover 12 attached, thereby providing a portion 13d that covers the joint surface 131a. As a result, the angle θ27 becomes an acute angle.

By making the angle θ27 on the cleaning frame side sharp as described above, the tension T acts as a peeling force, and the sheet member 13 can be easily separated from the cleaning frame 27. Further, by making the angle θ12 on the drum cover side obtuse, “force required to separate the seat member 13 from the cleaning frame 27 <force required to separate the seat member 13 from the drum cover 12”. , It is possible to prevent the sheet member 13 from being separated from the drum cover 12 before the cleaning frame body 27. That is, when the drum cover 12 is separated from the cleaning frame body 27, the seat member 13 is separated from the cleaning frame body 27 without being separated from the drum cover 12.

The configuration in which the seat member 13 is separated from the cleaning frame 27 without being separated from the drum cover 12 when the drum cover 12 is separated from the cleaning frame 27 in this way is the end of the above-mentioned seat member 13. It is not limited to setting the folding direction of the part. For example, the number and size of the adhesive regions and the adhesive strength between the sheet member 13 and the cleaning frame 27 and the drum cover 12 by adhesive means such as adhesive or heat welding may be different. By setting the number and size of the adhesive regions and the adhesive force of the adhesive means, "the force required to separate the sheet member 13 from the cleaning frame 27 <to separate the sheet member 13 from the drum cover 12 It may be "necessary power". Further, the number and size of the adhesive region and the adhesive force of the adhesive means may be set together with the setting of the folding direction of the end portion of the sheet member 13.

Further, since the seat member of the present embodiment is a translucent member, when the drum cover 12 is removed, the user is in the process of removing the drum cover 12 from the drum cartridge 9 as shown by the broken line in FIG. 10 (b). Is visible by stacking the photosensitive drum 1 and the sheet member 13. Since the sheet member 13 contains information 13a of handling precautions, the information 13a is simultaneously visible when the photosensitive drum 1 is visually recognized. As a result, the user can be made aware that the information 13a relates to the photosensitive drum 1 and contact with the photosensitive drum 1 is not preferable, and the risk of contact with the photosensitive drum 1 can be reduced.

In the present embodiment, the sheet member 13 is made of a translucent member so that the photosensitive drum 1 can be visually recognized via the sheet member 13, but the information may be described on the transparent sheet member. ..

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the transparent or translucent sheet member 13 on which the information 13a of the handling precautions of the photosensitive drum 1 is printed is passed over the drum cover 12 of the drum cartridge 9 and the cleaning frame 27. It is possible to make the user recognize that the contact with the photosensitive drum 1 is not preferable. With this configuration, it is possible to provide the user with a cartridge in which the risk of the user coming into contact with the photosensitive drum 1 is further reduced as compared with the conventional drum cover configuration.

If the sheet member 13 is not provided, the user may come into contact with the photosensitive drum 1 exposed from the opening 27b when the drum cover 12 is removed. However, in the present embodiment, the sheet member 13 is provided. Therefore, the possibility of contact with the photosensitive drum when the drum cover 12 is removed can be further reduced.

Then, when the drum cover 12 is removed, the seat member 13 can be easily separated from the cleaning frame and removed integrally with the drum cover 12.

<Modification example>
Next, a modified example will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the drum cartridge 9 as viewed from the direction of the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum 1. In this modification, the areas of the joint surface 131a between the seat member 13 and the cleaning frame 27 and the joint surface 132a between the seat member 13 and the drum cover 12 are different. As a result, "the force required to separate the seat member 13 from the cleaning frame 27 <the force required to separate the seat member 13 from the drum cover 12" is set. Specifically, assuming that the widths of the joint surfaces 131a and 132a when viewed from the direction of the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum 1 are Wa and Wb, respectively, Wa is made smaller than Wb. As a result, the area of the joint surface 131a is made smaller than the area of the joint surface 132a.

Further, as shown in FIG. 11, the joint surface 132a is provided on the first surface 131 of the seat member 13. In this case, when the tension T is applied to the seat member 13, the contact portion 13e of the seat member 13 comes into contact with the drum cover 12, so that the angle θ12 formed between the joint surface 132a and the direction of the tension T applied to the joint surface 132a. Can be an obtuse angle.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the drum cartridge 9 to which the drum cover 12 is attached. As shown in FIG. 12, in this modification, a notch 13f is provided on the side of the sheet member 13 where the joint surface 131a with the cleaning frame 27 is provided, and a part of the cleaning frame 27 is exposed. Normally, when the user removes the drum cover 12, the cleaning frame 27 is held by one hand of the user and the drum cover 12 is held by the other hand, and the drum cover 12 and the seat member 13 are removed from the cleaning frame 27. At this time, if one hand holding the cleaning frame 27 touches the sheet member 13, it may be difficult to remove the sheet member 13 from the cleaning frame 27. In some cases, the user holds the cleaning frame 27. You may have to fix it. Therefore, the sheet member 13 is provided with a notch 13f to expose a part 27c of the cleaning frame body 27 so that one hand holding the cleaning frame body 27 does not easily touch the sheet member 13. As a result, it is possible to prevent the seat member 13 from becoming difficult to remove from the cleaning frame body 27 and improve usability.

1 ... Photosensitive drum 9 ... Drum cartridge 12 ... Drum cover 12a ... Grip 13 ... Sheet member 13a ... Information 13b ... Notch 13c ... Perforation 27 ... Cleaning frame 27b ... Opening

Claims (14)

The cartridge used in the apparatus body having a developing member device to a body of the image forming apparatus,
With the frame
A photoconductor that is rotatably supported by the frame and configured to supply toner from the developing member.
A charging member provided so as to face the photoconductor and charging the photoconductor,
Provided in the frame, an opening for exposing the photosensitive member to the outside of the frame,
A cover member detachably attached to the frame so as to cover at least a part of the photoconductor exposed from the opening.
A flexible sheet member, one end portion is fixed to the first fixing portion of the cover member, the sheet member other end portion is separation secured to the second fixing portion of the frame When,
Have a,
When the cartridge is oriented so that the photoconductor is above the charging member, between the lower end of the cover member and the second fixing portion of the frame below the charging member. Information on handling precautions for the cartridge is displayed on the portion of the seat member that is exposed to the outside of the cartridge.
It is configured to be attached to the apparatus main body with the cover member removed.
Cartridge, wherein a call. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the photoconductor is above the charging member when the cartridge is mounted on the apparatus main body . The sheet member is a member of transparent or translucent, as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that in a state in which the cover member is attached covering the photosensitive member inside the cover member cartridge. Claims 1 to 3, wherein the other end of the seat member is fixed to the second fixing portion of the frame body in a state of being folded back with respect to the portion of the seat member. The cartridge according to any one item . The direction of the tension applied to the seat member when the cover member is removed from the frame is an acute angle in the direction of the tension applied to the seat member with respect to the joint surface of the seat member to the frame. Claims 1 to 4 are characterized in that the seat member is attached to the frame and the cover member so that the direction of tension applied to the seat member with respect to the joint surface to the cover member is an acute angle. The cartridge according to any one of the above. The cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein the sheet member is detachably adhered to the frame body by a peeling layer. The cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein the sheet member is provided with a perforation or a notch in the vicinity of a joint surface with the frame body. The cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 7 , wherein the information on the handling precautions is contact prohibition information that calls attention so that the user does not touch the photoconductor. The cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 8 , wherein the information on the handling precautions is printed with at least one of characters, symbols, and illustrations. The photoconductor is a cylindrical member, and the region exposed from the opening of the photoconductor is a region of an arc portion corresponding to a central angle θa when the photoconductor is viewed from the direction of the rotation axis, and the center thereof. The cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 9 , wherein the angle θa is 180 ° or more. Any one of claims 1 to 10 , wherein when the cover member is separated from the frame body, the seat member is separated from the frame body without being separated from the cover member. The cartridge described in the section. The sheet member includes a first surface and a second surface which is a back surface of the first surface, the first surface of the sheet member is joined to the cover member, and the second surface of the sheet member is formed. The cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 11 , wherein the cartridge is joined to the frame. Claims 1 to 2, wherein the seat member is bent in a state where the cover member is attached to the frame body, and a portion covering the joint surface between the seat member and the frame body is present. 12. The cartridge according to any one of paragraphs 12. The cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 13 , wherein the sheet member includes a notch portion that exposes a part of the frame body.

Images