JP2006133817A - Photosensitive drum, method of assembling the same, and image forming apparatus using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To attach a flange member to a drum body accurately in a short time in a state in which the phases of rotation unevenness of gear portions at both ends of a photosensitive drum are matched.
SOLUTION: Flange members 16 and 18 are mounted on a head 46 of a mounting portion 38. The tip portion of the cylindrical body 78 is inserted into the inner periphery of the distal end of the cylindrical portion 20 of the flange members 16, 18, and the convex piece 26 is located outside the cylindrical body 78. Compressed air is supplied to the space S substantially sealed by the cylindrical body 78, the flange members 16 and 18, and the insertion shaft 56, and the end face of the gear portion 24 is pressed against the front end face of the head 46 by the air pressure. 18 is in a state of rotating integrally with the head 46. In a state where the sensor 80 is operated, the flange members 16 and 18 are rotated integrally with the head 46 to detect which rotation angle position of the convex piece 26 is in the head 46, and based on the detection result, the flange member is detected. The phases of the 16 and 18 gear portions 24 are aligned.
[Selection] Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to a photosensitive drum used in an electrophotographic apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer, an assembling method thereof, and an image forming apparatus using the same.

The photosensitive drum is generally composed of a drum body and two flange members attached to both ends of the drum body in the longitudinal direction.
The drum body includes a photosensitive layer formed on the outer peripheral surface thereof, and fitting holes formed at both ends in the longitudinal direction. Each said flange member is provided with the cylindrical part fitted and fixed to the said fitting hole, and the bearing part located in the center of the said cylindrical part.
One flange member of the two flange members is provided with a gear portion, and rotational power is input to the gear portion. The photosensitive drum is connected to the gear portion with the centers of the bearing portions of the flange members on both sides as a central axis. It is comprised so that it may rotate integrally.

On the other hand, in recent years, color copiers and color printers, called tandem types, that use a plurality of photoconductor drums arranged in parallel have rapidly spread, and these color copiers and color printers support multiple photoconductor drums. Thus, the size of the apparatus is inevitably increased because a toner hopper is required.
Therefore, from the viewpoint of making the color copying machine and color printer compact and reducing the number of parts, a gear portion is also provided on the other flange member of the two flange members, and the gear portion of one flange member is input. It is conceivable that the rotational power for rotating the photosensitive drum is transmitted to another drive system by the gear portion of the other flange member, and the photosensitive drum is used as a part of the power transmission path. For example, in a color copying machine or a color printer, a toner hopper is provided corresponding to a plurality of photosensitive drums, and a roller such as a dispenser roller is rotated in each toner hopper. It can be considered that the roller in the toner hopper is rotated by rotational power for rotating the photosensitive drum.

By the way, each flange member disposed at both ends of the drum body is often manufactured as a molded product made of synthetic resin, and due to manufacturing errors, the gear portion is slightly located with respect to the center of the bearing portion. It is eccentric or the shaft center of the gear part is slightly inclined with respect to the shaft center of the bearing part. And since it is manufactured using the same metal mold | die, the flange member has the substantially same manufacturing error.
Because of such manufacturing errors, when a gear that has an accurate shape and rotates at a constant speed is driven by meshing with the gear portion of the flange member, the rotation speed of the flange member increases or decreases. Unevenness is observed. In particular, the rotation unevenness caused by the eccentricity and the inclination of the shaft center described above is gradually increased from the minimum rotation speed to reach the maximum rotation speed during one rotation of the flange member, and then gradually reduced to the minimum rotation speed. Rotation unevenness occurs such that a cycle of returning once occurs.
Therefore, a certain angular position of the flange member becomes a position of the maximum rotational speed, and an angular position substantially opposite to the angular position of the maximum rotational speed becomes a position of the minimum rotational speed of the flange member.

Therefore, when the gear portion having such rotation unevenness is disposed at both ends of the drum body without considering the rotation unevenness, the angle of the maximum rotation speed of the gear portion of the flange member fitted to one end of the drum body. If the position and the angular position of the maximum rotational speed of the gear portion of the flange member fitted to the other end happen to be reversed (that is, if they have a phase difference close to 180 °), one end of the drum body Between the drive system upstream gear meshed with the gear portion of the flange member and the drive system downstream gear meshed with the gear portion of the flange member at the other end Since the phases are substantially aligned, the rotation unevenness is superimposed, and a large rotation unevenness occurs in the downstream gear. For example, when the rotational power for rotating the photosensitive drum is transmitted to the roller in the toner hopper through the two gear portions, the rotation unevenness of the roller becomes remarkable.
In order to suppress such rotation unevenness of the drive system downstream gear, the angular position of the maximum rotation speed is made uniform between the gear portions of the flange member fitted to both ends of the drum body (this is the minimum rotation speed). The angular positions of the two flange members cancel each other, and the rotational unevenness of the downstream gear of the drive system is reduced. .

In this case, in order to suppress the rotation unevenness of the drive system downstream side gear and to reduce the cost of the photosensitive drum, it is necessary to match the rotation unevenness phases of the gear portions at both ends and attach them to the drum body. How to do it accurately in a short time is extremely important.
The present invention has been devised in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide gear portions on flange members at both ends of the photosensitive drum, and to use the photosensitive drum as part of a power transmission path. In this case, the method of adjusting the rotation angle of the flange member of the photosensitive drum and the assembly of the photosensitive drum can be performed in a short time and accurately by attaching the flange member to the drum body in a state where the phases of the rotation unevenness of the gear portions at both ends are matched. It is to provide a method.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a flanged photosensitive drum obtained by the assembling method and an image forming apparatus using the photosensitive drum.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention relates to a gear portion slightly decentered from the rotational axis and a fitting hole in an end portion of the drum body, and the gear portion is fixed to the drum in such a fitted state. Method for adjusting rotation angle of flange member when assembling a photosensitive drum by fitting and fixing the cylindrical portion of a flange member having a cylindrical portion positioned at an end portion of the main body into a fitting hole at the end portion of the drum main body A convex piece protruding from the opposite side of the gear portion is provided on the cylindrical portion, and an angular difference between an eccentric direction of the gear portion and a formation angle position of the convex piece in the flange member. The flange member is supported by a rotation support member so as to be rotatable about the rotation axis, and a cylindrical body separate from the flange member is provided, and the flange member or the cylinder is provided. At least one of the body Thus, the cylindrical body and the flange member are brought close to each other, whereby the convex piece is positioned outside the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body, and the position of the convex piece is detected on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body, Measure the angular position of the convex piece relative to the rotational support member, and based on the measured angular position of the convex piece and the stored angular difference, to control the rotational position of the rotational support member, The rotational angle position of the flange member is adjusted so that the eccentric direction of the gear portion of the flange member is directed to a desired angle.
Further, the present invention provides a gear portion slightly decentered from the rotation axis and a fitting hole in the end portion of the drum main body, and the gear portion is fixed to the end portion of the drum main body in such a fixed state. Assembling the photosensitive drum by fitting and fixing the cylindrical portion of the flange member including the cylindrical portion positioned at the center and the bearing hole positioned at the center of the cylindrical portion into the fitting hole at the end of the drum body A method for adjusting the rotation angle of the flange member, wherein the cylindrical portion is provided with a protruding piece that protrudes on the opposite side of the gear portion, and the eccentric direction of the gear portion and the protruding piece in the flange member The angle difference between the formation angle position of the rotation plate and the rotation angle and the head having an insertion shaft protruding from the center of the rotation plate is provided, the insertion shaft is inserted into the bearing hole, and the gear portion Place the flange member with the end face facing the rotating plate. The cylinder is disposed on the same axis as the insertion shaft, and at least one of the head or the cylinder is moved to bring the cylinder and the flange member closer to each other. The convex piece is positioned outside the surface to create a space that is substantially sealed by the insertion shaft, the flange member, and the cylindrical body, and then compressed gas is supplied to the space from the tip of the insertion shaft, By measuring the angular position of the convex piece with respect to the head by detecting the position of the convex piece on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body by abutting the end face of the gear portion against the rotating plate by the atmospheric pressure of Based on the measured angular position of the convex piece and the stored angular difference, the rotational position of the head is controlled, and the eccentric direction of the gear portion of the flange member is directed to a desired angle. Adjust the rotation angle position of the flange member Characterized in that way the.
Further, the present invention provides a gear portion slightly decentered from the rotation axis and a fitting hole in the end portion of the drum main body, and the gear portion is fixed to the end portion of the drum main body in such a fixed state. Assembling the photosensitive drum by fitting and fixing the cylindrical portion of the flange member including the cylindrical portion positioned at the center and the bearing hole positioned at the center of the cylindrical portion into the fitting hole at the end of the drum body A method for adjusting the rotation angle of the flange member, wherein the cylindrical portion is provided with a protruding piece that protrudes on the opposite side of the gear portion, and the eccentric direction of the gear portion and the protruding piece in the flange member The angle difference between the formation angle position of the rotation plate and the rotation angle and the head having an insertion shaft protruding from the center of the rotation plate is provided, the insertion shaft is inserted into the bearing hole, and the gear portion Place the flange member with the end face facing the rotating plate. The cylinder is disposed on the same axis as the insertion shaft, and at least one of the head or the cylinder is moved to bring the cylinder and the flange member into contact with each other. The convex piece is positioned outside the outer peripheral surface, the end surface of the gear portion is abutted against the rotating plate, and the position of the convex piece is detected on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body, so that the head is used as a reference. The angular position of the convex piece is measured, the rotational position of the head is controlled based on the measured angular position of the convex piece and the stored angular difference, and the eccentricity of the gear portion of the flange member is measured. The rotation angle position of the flange member is adjusted so that the direction is directed to a desired angle.
The present invention also provides a photosensitive drum in which flange members are fitted and fixed in the fitting holes at both ends of the drum body, each flange member has a gear portion, and each gear portion has a rotation shaft of the flange member. When uneven rotation occurs due to the eccentricity with respect to the center, by aligning the eccentric directions of the gear portions of both flange members, the rotation unevenness generated by these gear portions is matched to cancel the rotation unevenness. The method of adjusting the rotation angle of the flange member of the photosensitive drum, wherein the cylindrical portion is fitted and fixed in the fitting hole, the bearing hole is located at the center of the cylindrical portion, and the cylindrical portion is the fitting portion. A convex piece projecting to the opposite side of the gear portion is provided on the cylindrical portion of the flange member provided with a gear portion positioned at an end portion of the drum body in a state of being fitted and fixed in a fitting hole, and the convex piece So that The two flange members are arranged coaxially, a pair of cylinders are arranged coaxially with the flange member so as to face each convex piece, and then at least one of the flange member or the cylinder is moved. The cylindrical body and the flange member are brought close to each other, thereby positioning the convex piece on the outer side of the outer peripheral surface of each cylindrical body, and then detecting the position of the convex piece on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body. Further, one or both of the two flanges are rotated so that the eccentric directions of the gear portions of both flange members are aligned based on the detected position of the convex piece. .
The present invention also provides a photosensitive drum in which flange members are fitted and fixed in the fitting holes at both ends of the drum body, each flange member has a gear portion, and each gear portion has a rotation shaft of the flange member. When uneven rotation occurs due to the eccentricity with respect to the center, by aligning the eccentric directions of the gear portions of both flange members, the rotation unevenness generated by these gear portions is matched to cancel the rotation unevenness. The method of adjusting the rotation angle of the flange member of the photosensitive drum, wherein the cylindrical portion is fitted and fixed in the fitting hole, the bearing hole is located at the center of the cylindrical portion, and the cylindrical portion is the fitting portion. A convex piece projecting on the opposite side of the gear portion is provided on the cylindrical portion of the flange member provided with a gear portion positioned at an end portion of the drum body in a state of being fitted and fixed in a fitting hole, and a rotating plate Projecting from the center of the rotating plate A pair of heads having insertion shafts are provided coaxially so that the insertion shafts face each other, and the insertion shafts are inserted into the bearing holes of the flange members to be fitted and fixed in the fitting holes at both ends of the drum body. Each flange member is mounted on a pair of heads with the end face of the gear portion facing the rotating plate, and a pair of cylinders are disposed coaxially with the insertion shaft and facing each insertion shaft, Then, at least one of the head or the cylinder is moved to bring the cylinder and the flange member closer to each other, whereby the convex piece is positioned outside the outer peripheral surface of each cylinder, and the tip of the cylinder is moved to the cylindrical portion. Is located in the vicinity of the tip of the insertion shaft to create a substantially sealed space by the insertion shaft, the flange member, and the cylinder, and then compressed gas is supplied from the tip of the insertion shaft to the space by the atmospheric pressure in the space. The end face of the gear part is Abutting against the rolling plate, then detecting the position of the convex piece on the outer peripheral surface of the cylinder, and then, based on the detected position of the convex piece, the eccentric direction of the gear portions of both flange members One or both of the two flanges are rotated so that they are aligned.
The present invention also provides a photosensitive drum in which flange members are fitted and fixed in the fitting holes at both ends of the drum body, each flange member has a gear portion, and each gear portion has a rotation shaft of the flange member. When rotation unevenness occurs due to the eccentricity with respect to the center, the rotation unevenness generated by the gear portions of both flange members is aligned to cancel the rotation unevenness. A method of assembling the photosensitive drum, wherein the cylindrical portion of the flange member is provided with a projecting piece projecting on the opposite side of the gear portion, and a pair of heads having insertion shafts are provided. The drum body is arranged coaxially with a larger interval than the longitudinal direction of the drum body so that the insertion shafts are opposed to each other, and fitted and fixed to the fitting holes at both ends of the drum body. The insertion shafts are inserted through the bearing holes of the flange members, the flange members are respectively attached to a pair of heads, and a pair of cylinders are arranged coaxially with the insertion shafts and opposed to the insertion shafts. Next, the cylindrical body is brought close to the flange member, whereby the convex piece is positioned outside the outer peripheral surface of each cylindrical body, and then the position of the convex piece is detected on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body. Then, based on the detected position of the convex piece, one or both of the two flanges are rotated so that the eccentric directions of the gear portions of both flange members are aligned, and after the rotation, the flange The cylindrical body is removed from the member, and then the drum body is positioned coaxially with the insertion shaft of the pair of heads, and the tubular portions of the flange members are fitted and fixed to the fitting holes at both ends of the drum body, respectively. It is characterized by that.
Further, the present invention provides a gear portion slightly decentered from the rotation axis and a fitting hole in the end portion of the drum main body, and the gear portion is fixed to the end portion of the drum main body in such a fixed state. A method for adjusting the rotation angle of the flange member when assembling the photosensitive drum by fitting and fixing the cylindrical portion of the flange member including the cylindrical portion positioned at the end of the drum body, A mark is provided on the flange member, and an angular difference between the eccentric direction of the gear portion and the formation angle position of the mark is determined and stored in the flange member, and the flange member is attached to the rotation axis. The angular position of the mark is measured by measuring the angular position of the mark relative to the rotational support member by detecting the position of the mark by supporting the rotational support member so as to be rotatable as a center. Then, based on the stored angular difference, the rotational position of the rotation support member is controlled, and the rotational angle position of the flange member is adjusted so that the eccentric direction of the gear portion of the flange member faces a desired angle. It is characterized by being adjusted.
The flanged photosensitive drum of the present invention is obtained by the assembling method, and the image forming apparatus of the present invention uses the flanged photosensitive drum obtained by the assembling method. Features.

According to the method for adjusting the rotation angle of the flange member of the photosensitive drum of the present invention, the phase of the rotation unevenness of the gear portions at both ends of the photosensitive drum can be accurately adjusted in a short time.
Further, according to the method for assembling the photosensitive drum of the present invention, it is possible to obtain a photosensitive drum in which the phases of the rotation unevenness of the gear portions at both ends are accurately matched in a short time.
In addition, according to the photosensitive drum with a flange and the image forming apparatus of the present invention, it is advantageous for suppressing uneven rotation and obtaining a clear image.

A method for assembling the photosensitive drum according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described below together with the apparatus.
First, a photosensitive drum used in a color copying machine will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 is a partially sectional front view of a photosensitive drum, FIG. 2 is an explanatory view of a flange member, (A) is a front view of the flange member, (B) is a sectional side view of the flange member, and (C) is a flange member. (D) is a view from the direction of arrow D in (B), and (E) is a view from the direction of arrow E in (C).
As shown in FIG. 1, the photosensitive drum 12 includes a drum main body 14 and flange members 16 and 18 disposed at both ends thereof.
The drum body 14 is configured by forming a photosensitive layer 1404 on the outer peripheral surface of an aluminum alloy cylinder 1402, and fitting holes 1406 are formed at both ends of the cylinder 1402.

As shown in FIGS. 2A to 2E, the flange members 16 and 18 include a cylindrical portion 20 that is fitted and fixed in a fitting hole 1406, a bearing portion 22 that is supported on the frame side, The cylindrical portion 20 is provided with gear portions 24 positioned at both ends of the drum main body 14 in a state where the cylindrical portion 20 is fixed to the fitting hole 1406. In the present embodiment, a convex piece 26 is provided at the tip of the cylindrical portion 20. Yes.
A plurality of recesses 2002 extending in the axial direction at equal intervals in the circumferential direction are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 20.
The bearing portion 22 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and a shaft is inserted into a center hole 2202 (corresponding to a bearing hole in claims) of the bearing portion 22, and the photosensitive drum 12 rotates on the frame side via the shaft. Will be supported as possible. Therefore, the center hole 2202 defines the rotational axis AX of the flange members 16 and 18 (see FIG. 2B).

The gear portion 24 is formed with an outer diameter larger than that of the cylindrical portion 20, and the outer peripheral portion between the gear portion 24 and the cylindrical portion 20 protrudes against the end surface of the drum main body 14 (cylindrical body 1402). A contact surface 2402 is formed.
The gear portion 24 is designed to be concentric with the rotation axis AX. However, due to manufacturing errors, the gear portion 24 is substantially concentric with the rotational axis AX, but is slightly eccentric from the rotational axis AX.
An annular plate portion 28 is provided between the entire inner periphery of the boundary between the tubular portion 20 and the gear portion 24 and the entire outer periphery of the bearing portion 22, and the plate portion 28 faces the gear portion 24 side. Are provided with a plurality of ribs 2802 extending in the radial direction, and a cylindrical portion 2804 concentric with the bearing portion 22 and the cylindrical portion 20 on the surface of the plate portion 28 facing the cylindrical portion 20 side. .
The convex piece 26 has a thickness smaller than that of the cylindrical portion 20 and is formed to extend in the axial direction with a small width.

The flanges 16 and 18 having such a configuration are made of synthetic resin and are molded using a mold. Therefore, the eccentric direction of the gear portion 24 of the flange members 16 and 18 due to a manufacturing error is the same among a large number of flange members 16 manufactured using the same mold, and the same mold is used. The same is true among the many flange members 18 manufactured.
Further, when the drive gear having an accurate shape is meshed with the eccentric gear portion 24 and the drive gear is rotated at a constant speed, the drive gear is included in the gear around the gear portion 24. When meshing with the teeth of the portion located in the eccentric direction of the portion 24, the rotational speed of the flange members 16, 18 is somewhat slow, and the portion located 180 ° opposite to the eccentric direction When meshing with the teeth of the gear portion 24, the rotational speed of the flange members 16, 18 is somewhat faster.
Therefore, the eccentricity of the gear portion 24 of the flange members 16 and 18 causes the rotation unevenness, and the phase of the rotation unevenness is determined by the eccentric direction of the gear portion 24. And since the flange member manufactured with the same metal mold | die has the same angle difference between the eccentric direction of the gear part 24 and the formation angle position of the convex piece 26 in the flange member, in the present invention, This angle difference is measured in advance prior to the assembly of the photosensitive drum, the angle difference value is stored, and the angle position of the flange member is adjusted using the stored angle difference value. Thus, the photosensitive drum can be efficiently assembled.

Next, a photosensitive drum assembling apparatus will be described.
3A is a front view of the photosensitive drum assembling apparatus, FIG. 4B is a side view thereof, FIG. 4 is a front view of the rotation angle adjusting apparatus, FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a main part of the rotation angle adjusting apparatus, and FIG. FIG. 7A is a front view of the mounting table portion, FIG. 7B is a side view of the mounting table, FIG. 7 is a front view of the rotation angle adjusting device, and FIGS. FIG. 6 is a plan view of a pushing device that pushes the drum into the drum body, and FIGS.
The schematic configuration and the outline of movement of the photosensitive drum assembling apparatus 30 are as follows.
The photosensitive drum assembling apparatus 30 aligns the eccentric directions of the gear portions 24 of the flange members 16 and 18 at both ends of the photosensitive drum, thereby aligning the phases of the rotational unevenness generated by the gear portions 24, and the rotational unevenness thereof. Are configured by a rotation angle adjusting device 32, a pushing device 34 for pushing the flange members 16 and 18 into the drum body 14, and a control unit 35 for controlling the movement of these devices 32 and 34.
The assembly device 30 includes a mounting portion 36 on which the drum body 14 is mounted, two mounting portions 38 on which the flange members 16 and 18 are mounted, a convex piece position detecting device 40, and the like. 36, the mounting portion 38, and the convex piece position detection device 40 are provided on a movable base 42. In FIG. 3B, reference numeral 43 denotes an area sensor that detects when something has entered the base 42 and stops the movement of the device 30 via the control unit 35.
In the present embodiment, the rotation angle adjusting device 32 is configured by the mounting portion 38 and the convex piece position detecting device 40, and the pushing device 34 is configured by the mounting portion 36 and the mounting portion 38. .

When the flange members 16 and 18 are mounted on the mounting portions 38 on both sides, the rotation angle adjusting device 32 automatically detects the position of the convex piece 26, and the flange members 16 and 18 are detected based on the position of the convex piece 26. The rotation unevenness of the gear portions 24 of the flange members 16 and 18 that are rotated by a predetermined angle and fixed to both ends of the drum main body 14 is matched.
In this state, the flange members 16 and 18 are pushed and fixed to both ends of the drum main body 14 by the pushing device 34, and the photosensitive drum 12 is obtained.

Next, the rotation angle adjusting device 32 will be described in detail.
As described above, the rotation angle adjusting device 32 includes the mounting portion 38 and the convex piece position detecting device 40, and the mounting portions 38 are provided on both sides of the mounting portion 36, respectively, as shown in FIG. One mounting portion 38 is fixed on the base 42, and the other mounting portion 38 is disposed so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction of the drum main body 14 mounted on the mounting portion 36. The movement of the mounting portion 38 is performed via an air cylinder 44 in which air supply / exhaust is controlled by the control portion 35, and the retracted position shown in FIGS. 8 (A), (B), (D), and (E). It moves between (A) and the forward movement position (B) shown in FIG.
The two mounting portions 38 are disposed so as to face each other with the mounting portion 36 therebetween, and the configuration thereof is substantially the same. Therefore, one mounting portion 38 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.
The mounting portion 38 includes a head 46 (corresponding to a rotation support member and a head in claims) to which the flange members 16 and 18 are mounted. The shaft portion 46A of the head 46 is immovable in the axial direction and is a bearing. The shaft portion 46 </ b> A is configured so as to be rotatable via a belt 48, and the rotational drive is controlled via a belt pulley mechanism 50, a motor 52, and the control portion 35. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 3502 denotes a rotation angle sensor that detects the rotation angle of the head 46.

A circular recess 54 is formed at the center of the front surface of the head 46, and an insertion shaft 56 projects forward from the bottom surface of the recess 54, and an air supply passage 58 penetrating in the axial direction is formed at the center of the insertion shaft 56. ing.
The air supply path 58 is connected to an air supply source such as an air compressor via an electromagnetic valve 60, and the electromagnetic valve 60 is controlled to be opened and closed by the control unit 35. When the electromagnetic valve 60 is opened, compressed air is supplied to the air supply path 58, and compressed air is blown out from the tip of the insertion shaft 56. In the present embodiment, air is used as a gas, but it is of course possible to use a gas other than air.
The flange members 16 and 18 are attached to the head 46 by inserting the insertion shaft 56 through the center hole 2202 of the flange members 16 and 18 with the convex piece 26 facing the mounting portion 36 side. Is made to face the front surface of the head 46 and come into contact therewith. The mounting of the flange members 16 and 18 on the head 46 may be performed manually by an operator or may be performed automatically using a machine.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, the convex piece position detecting device 40 is provided as a pair corresponding to the mounting portion 38, and is retracted above the mounting portion 38 via the upper frame 62 and the air cylinder 64. It is arranged so that it can be raised and lowered between the position (c) and the detection position (d) facing the mounting part 38.
As shown in FIG. 4, the convex piece position detecting device 40 has a block 66 that is moved up and down by an air cylinder 64, and a shaft 68 is rotatable through a bearing 70 and movable in the axial direction in the block 66. It is arranged.
The shaft 68 is disposed so as to be positioned coaxially with the head 46 of the mounting portion 38 in a state where the convex piece position detecting device 40 is lowered to the detection position (d). The shaft 68 is mounted by an air cylinder 72. The shaft 68 is moved between the retracted position away from the portion 38 and the advanced position approaching the mounting portion 38, and the shaft 68 is positioned at the retracted position except during detection. The drive control of the air cylinder 72 is performed by opening and closing the electromagnetic valve 74 provided in the air supply path connecting the air cylinder 72 and the compressor by the control unit 35.

As shown in FIG. 5, an annular wall 76 coaxial with the shaft 68 is provided on the tip end face where the shaft 68 faces the mounting portion 38, and a cylindrical body 78 coaxial with the annular wall 76 is formed from the tip of the annular wall 76. Protrusions are formed.
The outer diameter of the cylindrical body 78 and the protruding length from the annular wall 76 are such that the flange members 16 and 18 protrude outwardly in the radial direction of the cylindrical body 78 when the shaft 68 is positioned at the forward movement position at the detection position (d). The piece 26 is located, and in this state, air is supplied to the space S formed by the tip surface of the shaft 68, the annular wall 76, the cylindrical body 78, the cylindrical portion 20, the plate portion 28, the bearing portion 22, and the insertion shaft 56. When compressed air is supplied from the path 58, the end face of the gear portion 24 of the flange members 16 and 18 is pressed against the front end face of the head 46 by the air pressure, and the flange members 16 and 18 can rotate integrally with the head 46. It is formed as follows.
Specifically, in the present embodiment, the outer diameter of the cylindrical body 78 is formed with a dimension that can be inserted into the inner periphery of the cylindrical portion 20 of the flange members 16 and 18.
In addition, the protruding length of the cylindrical body 78 from the annular wall 76 is such that the cylindrical portion 20 has a protruding portion 26 on the radially outer side of the cylindrical body 78, and the protruding portion 26 of the flange member 16, 18 is positioned on the inner side of the tip of the cylindrical portion 20. The body 78 is formed with a dimension where the tip is located.

The protruding length of the cylindrical body 78 is such that when the compressed air is supplied to the space S as described above, the end face of the gear portion 24 of the flange members 16 and 18 is pressed against the front end face of the head 46 by the air pressure. Therefore, the tip of the cylindrical body 78 does not necessarily have to be positioned inside the tip of the cylindrical portion 20. For example, even if air leakage is taken into account, the end face of the gear portion 24 of the flange members 16 and 18 is pressed against the front end face of the head 46 by the air pressure, so that the protruding length of the cylinder 78 is set in the radial direction of the cylinder 78. The front end of the cylindrical body 78 is arbitrarily positioned in the vicinity of the front end of the cylindrical portion 20 in a state where the convex pieces 26 of the flange members 16 and 18 are positioned on the outside.
At least the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body 78 is formed in a color that allows the presence or absence of the convex piece 26 to be more easily determined when the convex piece 26 is positioned on the radially outer side of the cylindrical body 78. In the present embodiment, since the flange members 16 and 18 including the convex pieces 26 are formed of a synthetic resin having a black color, the cylindrical body 78 is formed of a synthetic resin having a white color. .

Further, the convex piece position detecting device 40 includes a sensor 80 for detecting the presence or absence of the convex piece 26, and the sensor 80 is supported by a block 66 via a vertical lift mechanism 82 as shown in FIG. The position of 80 is adjusted by the vertical lift mechanism 82 so that the measurement point is on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body 78.
In FIG. 4, reference numeral 84 denotes a continuity test needle, and the needle 84 is moved up and down by the lifting mechanism 86. In the photosensitive drum 12, when a flange member is not formed of a conductive material, a ground contact piece (not shown) is attached to one flange member 16, but the ground contact piece of the needle 84 is a photosensitive layer. It is for inspecting whether or not it is attached to the flange member 16 in a state where it can be electrically connected to the ground side.

Next, the pushing device 34 will be described in detail.
As described above, the pushing device 34 includes the mounting portion 36 and the mounting portion 38, and the mounting portion 38 is as described in the rotation angle adjusting device 32.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the mounting unit 36 includes a mounting table 86 having a rectangular shape in plan view, and a pair of V blocks 88 are erected near both longitudinal ends of the mounting table 86. The drum main body 14 is placed on the V groove 8802 of the pair of V blocks 88, and in this state, the drum body 14 extends in the longitudinal direction between the pair of mounting portions 38.
The mounting table 86 is disposed on the movable table 90 so as to be linearly movable in the direction between the pair of mounting portions 38, and extends on the base 42 in a direction orthogonal to the direction between the pair of mounting portions 38. A guide 92 is provided, and the movable table 90 is disposed so as to be movable along the guide 92.

The movable table 90 is provided with an air cylinder 94, which is connected to the mounting table 86, and the mounting table 86 is moved in the direction between the pair of mounting portions 38 by the operation of the air cylinder 94. It is configured.
The movable table 90 is moved along the guide 92 by an air cylinder (not shown), so that the mounting table 86 is separated from between the pair of mounting portions 38 as shown in FIGS. 8 (A) and 8 (E). The drum body is moved between the loading / unloading position (e) and the flange member fitting position (f) shown in FIGS. 8 (B), (C), and (D). Then, when the mounting base 86 is positioned at the fitting position (f) in a state where the drum main body 14 is mounted on the V groove 8802 of the pair of V blocks 88, the drum is coaxial with each head 46 of the pair of mounting portions 38. The main body 14 is configured to extend.

Next, a procedure for assembling the photosensitive drum 12 by the photosensitive drum assembling apparatus 30 will be described.
As described above, in the present invention, the eccentric direction of the gear portion 24 and the formation angle position of the convex piece 26 having a common value between the flange members for a plurality of flange members manufactured by the same mold. Is obtained in advance prior to the assembly of the photosensitive drum. Then, the calculated angle difference value is stored in the control unit 35.
When assembling, first, the movable mounting portion 38 is positioned at the retracted position (A) (see FIG. 8E), and the convex piece position detecting device 40 is positioned at the retracted position (C) (see FIG. 7A). The mounting table 86 is positioned at the loading / unloading position (e) (see FIG. 8E).
In this state, as shown in FIG. 7A, the flange members 16 and 18 are attached to the heads 46 of the respective attachment portions 38. Specifically, the flange members 16 and 18 are mounted in such a manner that the insertion shaft 56 is inserted into the center hole 2202 of the flange members 16 and 18 with the convex piece 26 facing the mounting portion 36 side. Is brought into contact with the front surface of the head 46. The mounting of the flange members 16 and 18 may be performed manually by an operator, or may be automatically performed using a machine.
Further, in this state, as shown in FIG. 8A, the drum main body 14 is placed on the V groove 8802 of the pair of placing tables 88 by a worker's manual work or automatically using a machine. The Whether or not the adhesive is applied to the fitting hole 1406 is arbitrary.

Next, as shown in FIG. 7B, the pair of convex piece position detecting devices 40 descends from the retracted position (c) to the detected position (d).
Next, as shown in FIG. 7C, the shaft 68 of each convex piece position detecting device 40 moves from the retracted position to the advanced position.
This state is as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, and by the movement of the shaft 68, the tip of the cylindrical body 78 is inserted into the inner periphery of the distal end of the cylindrical portion 20 of the flange members 16 and 18, and the radius of the cylindrical body 78 is reached. The convex piece 26 of the flange members 16 and 18 is located on the outer side in the direction. In addition, a substantially sealed space S is formed by the tip surface of the shaft 68, the annular wall 76, the cylindrical body 78, the cylindrical portion 20, the plate portion 28, the bearing portion 22, and the insertion shaft 56.
Next, compressed air is supplied from the air supply path 58 to the space S, and the end face of the gear portion 24 of the flange members 16, 18 is pressed against the front end face of the head 46 by the air pressure, whereby the flange members 16, 18 are pressed. Can be rotated integrally with the head 46.
In this state, the needle 84 is raised by the elevating mechanism 86 and is abutted against the abutting surface 2402 of the flange member 16 so that the ground contact piece (not shown) can conduct between the photosensitive layer and the ground side. It is inspected whether it is attached to the member 16, and if the ground contact piece is properly attached, the needle 84 is lowered. If it is not properly attached, the needle 84 is once lowered, and after rotating the flange member 16 several times, the needle 84 is raised and the continuity is checked again. If the test is inappropriate, the flange member 16 is removed as a defective product, and a new flange member 16 is mounted.

Next, the control unit 35 rotates the head 46 once or twice via the belt pulley mechanism 50 and the motor 52 in a state where the sensor 80 whose measurement point is on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body 78 is operated. Thus, based on the sensor signal from the sensor 80 and the sensor signal from the rotation angle sensor 3502 representing the rotation angle of the head 46, the flange members 16 and 18 are rotated integrally with the head 46, and output between them. The angular position of the convex piece 26 with respect to the head 46 (that is, how much the convex piece 26 is positioned at the angular position rotated from the reference angular position on the head 46) is measured.
Further, the control unit 35 rotates one or both of the heads 46 on both sides based on the measured angular position and the previously-stored angular difference (that is, the rotation of the head 46). By controlling the position and adjusting the angular position of the flange members 16 and 18 so that the eccentric direction of the flange members 16 and 18 is directed to a desired angle), the eccentricity of the gear portion 24 of the flange members 16 and 18 is adjusted. By aligning the directions, the phase of the rotation unevenness generated by these gear portions 24 is matched. Accordingly, the rotation unevenness is canceled out, and the rotation of the gear meshed with the gear portion 16 of one flange member 16 is smoothly transmitted to the gear meshed with the gear portion 24 of the other flange member 18.

Next, the shaft 68 of each convex piece position detecting device 40 returns to the retracted position, and the supply of compressed air to the air supply path 58 is stopped.
Next, as shown in FIG. 7D, the pair of convex piece position detection devices 40 rise from the detection position (d) to the retracted position (c), and in the pair of mounting portions 38, the insertion shaft 56 is a flange member. 16 and 18 are inserted into the center holes 2202, the end surfaces of the gear portions 24 are brought into contact with the front surface of the head 46, and the mounting state of the flange members 16 and 18 in which the eccentric directions of both the gear portions 24 are aligned with each other is maintained. The

Next, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the mounting table 86 is moved together with the movable table 90 from the loading / unloading position (e) to the fitting position (f), and the V grooves 8802 of the pair of V blocks 88 are moved. The drum main body 14 placed on top and the flange members 16 and 18 attached to the pair of attachment portions 38 are coaxially positioned.
Next, the air cylinder 94 is in a state in which its piston rod can move freely (with very little resistance) in the axial direction. Therefore, the mounting table 86 and the drum main body 14 mounted on the mounting table 86 are also a drum. The main body 14 can be freely moved linearly in the longitudinal direction.

Next, the movable mounting portion 38 is moved from the reverse position (A) to the forward position (B) by the operation of the air cylinder 44.
When the mounting portion 38 is moved from the retracted position (A) to the forward position (B) by the operation of the air cylinder 44, the tip of the convex piece 26 of the flange member 18 mounted on the mounting portion 38 or the tip of the cylindrical portion 20. Is in contact with the other fitting hole 1406 of the drum body 14, and as described above, the drum body 14 is in a state where it can freely move linearly in the longitudinal direction together with the mounting table 86. The mounting portion 38 is moved by the air cylinder 44 and is moved to the fixed mounting portion 38 side.
Further, by the further movement of the mounting portion 38, press-fitting of the convex piece 26 of the flange member 18 and the other fitting hole 1406 of the cylindrical portion 20 and one of the convex piece 26 of the flange member 16 and the cylindrical portion 20 are performed. The press-fitting into the fitting hole 1406 is performed at the same time.

Then, as shown in FIG. 8C, when the mounting portion 38 reaches the forward position (b), the abutting surface 2402 of the flange members 16 and 18 abuts the end surface of the drum body 14 (tubular body 1402), and the drum The flange members 16 and 18 are fitted and fixed to both ends of the main body 14 in a state where the eccentric direction of the gear portion 24 is aligned (that is, in a state where the rotation unevenness generated due to the eccentricity of the gear portion 24 coincides). The
Next, the mounting table 86 is fixed in this state by the air cylinder 94, the air cylinder 44 is operated, and the mounting portion 38 is returned from the forward movement position (B) to the backward movement position (I). Thereby, the insertion shaft 56 of the mounting portion 38 is extracted from the center hole 2202 of the flange member 18.
Next, the mounting table 86 is returned to the position on the movable table 90 by the air cylinder 94, whereby the insertion shaft 56 of the mounting portion 38 is extracted from the center hole 2202 of the flange member 16.

Then, as shown in FIG. 8 (D), with the mounting table 86 returned to its position and the mounting portion 38 returned to the retracted position (A), on the pair of V blocks 88 of the mounting table 86, The flange members 16 and 18 are fitted and fixed to both ends of the drum body 14 in a state where the eccentric directions of the gear portion 24 are aligned (that is, in a state where the phases of the rotation unevenness generated due to the eccentricity of the gear portion 24 match). Thus, the photosensitive drum 12 is placed.
The shaft centers of the mounting portions 38 on both sides, that is, the shaft centers of the insertion shafts 56 are offset slightly above the shaft center of the drum main body 14 mounted on the V block 88 of the mounting table 86. In other words, when the flange members 16 and 18 are press-fitted into the fitting holes 1406, the drum body 14 is lifted from the V block 88, which is advantageous in preventing damage to the photosensitive layer 1404.

Next, as shown in FIG. 8E, the mounting table 86 on which the photosensitive drum 12 is mounted is moved to the loading / unloading position (e) together with the movable table 90, and the photosensitive table 12 is moved to the loading / unloading position (e). The body drum 12 is removed. The photosensitive drum 12 may be taken out manually by an operator, or automatically using a machine.
When the photosensitive drum 12 is obtained by the above steps and the photosensitive drum 12 is taken out from the mounting table 86, a new drum main body 14 is mounted on the mounting table 86, as shown in FIG. The new flange members 16 and 18 are mounted on the heads 46 of the mounting portions 38, and the next photosensitive drum 12 is assembled in the same procedure as described above.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the convex piece 26 is provided on the cylindrical portion 20 of the flange members 16 and 18, the cylindrical body 78 is positioned inside the convex piece 26, and the flange members 16 and 18 are rotated. Thus, the rotation angle position of the convex piece 26 is detected, and based on the detection result, one or both of the flange members 16 and 18 (the heads 46 on both sides in the present embodiment) are rotated, and the flange members 16 and 18 are rotated. The rotation unevenness of the 18 gear portions 24 is matched in phase.
That is, according to the present embodiment, since the convex piece 26 and the cylindrical body 78 are used, the rotational angle position of the convex piece 26 is clearly determined by the sensor 80 and is fitted into the fitting holes 1406 at both ends of the drum body 14. The rotation angle of the fixed flange members 16 and 18 can be accurately determined in a short time, in other words, the phase of the rotation unevenness of the gear portion 24 of the flange members 16 and 18 can be accurately adjusted in a short time. Become.
Further, since the projecting piece 26 protrudes in the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 78, even if the flange members 16 and 18 are provided with ground contact pieces, the drum body 14 does not interfere with the ground contact pieces. The rotation angle of the flange members 16 and 18 fitted and fixed in the fitting holes at both ends can be accurately determined in a short time, and the phase of the rotation unevenness of the gear portion 24 of the flange members 16 and 18 can be accurately determined in a short time. It becomes possible to match.

In the present embodiment, the flange members 16 and 18 are pressed against the head 46 using air pressure, and the flange members 16 and 18 are rotated integrally with the head 46. The fitting tolerance between the center hole 2202 and the insertion shaft 56 can be increased, and the insertion of the insertion shaft 56 into the center hole 2202 of the flange members 16 and 18, that is, the mounting of the flange members 16 and 18 to the head 46 can be performed smoothly. In addition, the flange members 16 and 18 can be rotated integrally with the head 46 without shifting the rotational phase with respect to the head 46, and are fitted into the fitting holes at both ends of the drum body 14 and fixed in 1406. In order to accurately determine the rotation angle of the flange members 16 and 18 in a short time, the rotation unevenness of the gear portion 24 of the flange members 16 and 18 is also determined. Which is advantageous for combining short time accurately phase.
In the present embodiment, since the rotation unevenness of the gear portion 24 of the flange members 16 and 18 is phased and the flange members 16 and 18 are fitted and fixed to the drum main body 14 in a continuous series of operations, As a result, it is possible to assemble the photosensitive drum 12 in which the phase of the rotation unevenness of the gear portion 24 is adjusted in a short time and is extremely advantageous when the photosensitive drum 12 is used as a part of the power transmission path. Become.

In the above embodiment, when the angular position of the convex piece 26 is measured, a space S is formed by the cylindrical body 78 and the flange members 16, 18, compressed air is supplied to the space S, and the air pressure is increased. In the above description, the end face of the gear portion 24 of the flange members 16 and 18 is pressed against the front end face of the head 46 to rotate the flange members 16 and 18 integrally with the head 46. However, as shown in FIG. Instead of 78, a cylindrical body 178 having substantially the same diameter as the cylindrical portion 2804 of the flange members 16, 18 is used, and the tip of the cylindrical body 178 is connected to the distal end of the cylindrical portion 2804 inside the cylindrical portion 20 of the flange members 16, 18. The flange members 16 and 18 may be rotated integrally with the head 46 by abutting. In this way, the air supply path 58, the electromagnetic valve 60, the air compressor, etc. can be omitted.
In the above-described embodiment, the case where the convex piece 26 is used to determine the phase of the rotation unevenness of the gear portion 24 of the flange members 16 and 18 has been described, but some mark is used instead of the convex piece. Also good. That is, at the time of molding by the mold, some mark is formed on the flange members 16 and 18, and the angular position of the flange members 16 and 18 is adjusted by detecting this mark so that the photosensitive drum is assembled. In this case, the mark may be any mark as long as it can be detected by the detection means on the flange members 16 and 18.

The photosensitive drum 12 used in the present invention comprises a photosensitive layer 1404 on a conductive support (tubular body 1402). The photosensitive layer 1404 includes a so-called multilayer type in which a charge generation layer and a charge transport layer are separately formed, and a single layer type composed of a single layer. The body is preferred. In particular, in a full-color electrophotographic photosensitive member that requires high sensitivity, a laminated electrophotographic photosensitive member is preferably used. Hereinafter, the photosensitive drum 12 will be described by taking a laminated type as an example.
Examples of the charge generating agent contained in the charge generating layer include selenium and its alloys, arsenic-selenium, cadmium sulfide, zinc oxide, other inorganic photoconductors, phthalocyanines, azo series, quinacridone series, polycyclic quinone series, perylene. Organic pigments such as those based on Indigo, squarylium dyes, azurenium dyes, thiapyrylium dyes, and benzimidazoles can be used. In particular, metals such as copper, indium chloride, potassium chloride, tin, oxytitanium, zinc, vanadium, or phthalocyanines coordinated with oxides or chlorides, metal-free phthalocyanines, or monoazo, bisazo, trisazo, polyazos Azo pigments such as are preferred. Of these, azo pigments or phthalocyanines are more preferable, and so-called Y-type oxytitanium phthalocyanine is particularly preferable because high sensitivity can be obtained. The charge generating agent may be used alone or in combination of two or more. For example, a mixture of so-called Y-type oxytitanium phthalocyanine and so-called β-type oxytitanium phthalocyanine or α-type oxytitanium phthalocyanine may be used as the charge generator.

The so-called Y-type oxytitanium phthalocyanine has a maximum diffraction peak at a Bragg angle (2θ ± 0.2) of 27.3 ° in X-ray diffraction by CuKα rays. This crystalline oxytitanium phthalocyanine is generally referred to as Y-type or D-type. For example, FIG. 2 of JP-A-62-67094 (referred to as type II in the same publication), Fig. 1 of JP-A-2-8256, Fig. 1 of JP-A-64-82045, Journal of Electrophotographic Society Vol. 92 (issued in 1990), No. 3, pages 250-258 (in the same publication) (Referred to as Y-type). This crystalline oxytitanium phthalocyanine is characterized by having a maximum diffraction peak at 27.3 °, but normally has peaks at 7.4 °, 9.7 °, and 24.2 °.
The intensity of the diffraction peak may vary depending on the crystallinity, the orientation of the sample, and the measurement method, but in the measurement by the Bragg-Brendano concentration method usually used when performing X-ray diffraction of the powder crystal, The Y-type oxytitanium phthalocyanine has a maximum diffraction peak at 27.3 °. In addition, when measured by a thin film optical system (generally called thin film method or parallel method), 27.3 ° may not be the maximum diffraction peak depending on the state of the sample. This is probably because it is oriented in the direction.

Various solvents may be used as a dispersion medium for the charge generating agent. For example, ethers such as diethyl ether, dimethoxyethane, tetrahydrofuran and 1,2-dimethoxyethane; ketones such as acetone and methyl ethyl ketone; esters such as methyl acetate and ethyl acetate; alcohols such as methanol, ethanol and propanol alone Alternatively, two or more kinds can be mixed and used.
The amount of the dispersion medium to be used may be any amount as long as the dispersion can be sufficiently performed and an effective amount of the charge generator is contained in the dispersion, and usually 3 to 20 wt as the concentration of the charge generator in the dispersion at the time of dispersion. %, More preferably about 4 to 20 wt%.
As the binder resin used for the charge generation layer, polyvinyl butyral, polyvinyl acetal, polyester, polycarbonate, polystyrene, polyester carbonate, polysulfone, polyimide, polymethyl methacrylate, funol resin, butyral resin, vinyl polymer such as polyvinyl chloride, and The copolymer, phenoxy, epoxy, silicone resin, etc., and these partially crosslinked cured products can be used alone or in combination of two or more.

As a method for mixing the binder resin and the charge generating particles, for example, a method of dispersing the charge generating particles as a powder or a polymer solution at the same time while dispersing the charge generating particles, or dispersing the dispersion of the binder resin. Any method such as a method of mixing in a polymer solution, or a method of mixing a polymer solution in a dispersion, may be used.
Next, the dispersion obtained here may be diluted with various solvents in order to obtain liquid properties suitable for coating. As such a solvent, the solvent illustrated as the said dispersion medium can be used, for example. The ratio between the charge generating agent and the binder resin is not particularly limited, but generally the charge generating agent is used in the range of 5 to 500 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the resin.

  Examples of the charge transfer agent contained in the charge transfer layer include 2,4,7-trinitrofluorenone, tetracyanoxydimethane and other electron withdrawing substances, selbazole, indole, imidazole, oxazole, pyrazole, oxadiazole. , Electron-donating substances such as heterocyclic compounds such as pyrazoline and thiadiazole, aniline derivatives, hydrazone compounds, aromatic amine derivatives, stilbene derivatives, or polymers having groups composed of these compounds in the main chain or side chain. . For the charge transfer layer, the same binder resin as that of the charge generation layer can be used. In particular, it is preferable to use a binder resin having high compatibility with the charge transfer layer. The dispersion for the charge transfer layer is prepared so that the ratio of the charge transfer agent to the binder resin ranges from 5 to 500 parts by weight of the charge transfer substance with respect to 100 weight of the binder resin.

Using the dispersion prepared as described above, a charge generation layer is formed on a conductive support, and a charge transfer layer is laminated thereon to form a photosensitive layer 1404. In the case where the charge generation layer is laminated with the charge transfer layer to form the photosensitive layer 1404, the range of 0.1 μm to 10 μm is preferable, and the thickness of the charge transfer layer is preferably 10 to 40 μm.
The conductive support of the electrophotographic photosensitive member used in the present invention is not particularly limited, but aluminum or an aluminum alloy is preferably used.
Examples of the material of the aluminum conductive support include pure aluminum such as JIS1050, JIS1070, and JIS1080, AL-Mg alloy, AL-Cu alloy, AL-Si alloy, AL-Mg-Si alloy, and AL. Examples include various aluminum alloys such as a Cu—Si based alloy, more preferably JIS 3003 which is an AL—Mn based alloy, JIS 6063 which is an AL—Si based alloy, and the like. In the present invention, the term “aluminum” generally represents a general term including an aluminum alloy unless it is expressed separately from an aluminum alloy.

Although the manufacturing method of these aluminum conductive supports is not particularly limited, an aluminum billet is processed into an extruded tube by a porthole method, a mandrel method, etc., and then a cylinder having a predetermined thickness and outer diameter is obtained. It can be made by drawing, impacting, ironing, or mirroring by cutting. Since drawing oil, cutting oil, rust preventive oil, various dusts in the air, and the like adhere to the surface of the conductive support, the cleaning treatment is usually performed before the photoconductive layer is formed.
A conductive support manufactured by a known method cannot be expected to be a perfect cylindrical shape, and there is a deviation of several μm to several tens of μm, including uneven thickness of the material and bending. It is also conceivable to increase the accuracy of the electrophotographic photosensitive member by reducing this shake. However, it is very expensive and not always practical.
A known barrier layer as commonly used may be provided between the conductive support and the charge generation layer. A surface protective layer may be provided on the outer surface of the photosensitive layer 1404.

Examples of barrier layers include inorganic layers such as anodized films, aluminum oxide, and aluminum hydroxide, and organic layers such as polyvinyl alcohol, casein, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyacrylic acid, celluloses, gelatin, starch, polyurethane, polyimide, and polyamide. used. The barrier layer is most effectively used in the range of 0.1 μm to 20 μm, preferably 0.1 μm to 10 μm.
The total thickness of the charge generation layer, charge transfer layer, and protective layer (hereinafter referred to as “photosensitive layer 1404” in this column) provided on the conductive support is preferably set to about 10 μm to 50 μm. In particular, when the photosensitive layer 1404 is thick, unevenness of the photosensitive layer 1404 itself is likely to occur, and the present invention is more preferably applied. The thickness of the photosensitive layer 1404 is preferably 20 to 50 μm, more preferably 25 to 50 μm, and particularly preferably 30 to 50 μm.

Examples of the image forming apparatus using the photosensitive drum 12 of the present invention include a printer, a copying machine, and a facsimile.
Since the electrophotographic photosensitive member of the present invention is configured with less shake, it can be suitably used particularly for full-color printers, copiers, facsimiles, and the like.
The image forming apparatus includes a storage device (1), a storage device (2), a storage device (3), a storage device (4), a hopper, a stacker, a conveyance path for conveying a recording medium (paper), and a fixing unit. is there. Each of the storage devices (1) to (4) is provided with a developing unit (charging device, developing device, fixing device, static eliminator, cleaner), electrophotographic photosensitive member, and optical unit (exposure device).
The recording apparatus (1) includes a yellow (hereinafter referred to as “Y”) developing unit, an electrophotographic photosensitive member, and an optical unit. The recording apparatus (2) includes a developing unit of magenta (hereinafter referred to as “M”), an electrophotographic photosensitive member, and an optical unit. The recording apparatus (3) includes a cyan (hereinafter referred to as “C”) developing unit, an electrophotographic photosensitive member, and an optical unit. The recording apparatus (4) includes a black (hereinafter referred to as “K”) developing unit, an electrophotographic photosensitive member, and an optical unit.

The hopper provides paper to the conveyance path. The stacker is a stack for storing printed sheets. The conveyance path conveys paper. The fixing unit fixes an image transferred from the electrophotographic photosensitive member to a sheet.
The developing unit applies a developing material (toner corresponding to each recording device of Y, M, C, and K) to the latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member and performs development. The electrophotographic photosensitive member is to transfer an image developed by the developing unit onto a sheet after creating an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image to be obtained. The optical unit scans the electrophotographic photosensitive member with a laser beam modulated by each image data (information) to form an electrostatic latent image.

The operation of the image forming apparatus will be described below.
The surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member is charged substantially uniformly using a charger such as corotron or strolocolon. The host computer sends a print command based on information such as images and characters. When printing is instructed from the host computer, if the printer is not ready, it responds with the device busy, and if the printer is ready, it makes a data request. When Y data, M data, C data, and K data are sent from the host computer, the recording devices (1) to (4) of the image forming apparatus are lasers that are modulated by the optical unit according to each color data. Each electrophotographic photosensitive member is scanned with light. Thereby, the electric charge is removed from the portion on the electrophotographic photosensitive member irradiated with the laser beam, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member.

  Thereafter, a developing material such as toner is applied to the electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member in each developing unit to form a visible image on the electrophotographic photosensitive member. Next, the sheet is superimposed on the visible image, a charge opposite to that of the developer is applied to the sheet with a charger from the back of the sheet, and the visible image is transferred to the sheet by electrostatic force. The transferred visible image is fused with heat or pressure to form a permanent image. This operation is performed for each color of Y, M, C, and K on one sheet to obtain a color image on the sheet. On the other hand, the latent image charge on the electrophotographic photosensitive member after transfer is neutralized by light. Further, the developer such as residual toner remaining without being transferred is removed by a cleaner. By repeating the above process, image formation is continuously performed.

In addition, the sheets are placed one by one in the conveyance path by the hopper, and the developed images of the respective colors posted on the electrophotographic photosensitive member are sequentially transferred onto the sheets while the sheets are conveyed by the belt-shaped conveyance means. Then, the image transferred on the paper is fixed by the fixing unit, and finally the printed paper is stacked and stored by the stacker.
As an image forming apparatus, a developer (each color toner) attached on each electrophotographic photosensitive member is transferred to one intermediate transfer belt at one end, and each color toner is combined on the intermediate transfer belt. Then, an image may be formed on a sheet using a transfer unit.

As is clear from the above description, according to the method for determining the rotation angle of the flange member of the photosensitive drum of the present invention, the phase of the rotation unevenness of the gear portions at both ends of the photosensitive drum can be accurately adjusted in a short time. It becomes possible.
Further, according to the method for assembling the photosensitive drum of the present invention, it is possible to obtain a photosensitive drum in which the phases of the rotation unevenness of the gear portions at both ends are accurately matched in a short time.
The flanged photosensitive drum and the image forming apparatus of the present invention are advantageous in obtaining a clear image.

It is a partial cross section front view of a photoconductor drum. It is explanatory drawing of a flange member, (A) is a front view of a flange member, (B) is a cross-sectional side view of a flange member, (C) is a half cross-sectional side view of a flange member, (D) is D of (B). An arrow view and (E) are E arrow views of (C). (A) is a front view of the photosensitive drum assembling apparatus, and (B) is a side view of the same. It is a front view of a rotation unevenness phase alignment apparatus. It is a principal part enlarged view of a rotation angle adjusting device. (A) is the front view of a mounting base part, (B) is the side view. It is a front view of a rotation angle adjusting device, (A) thru | or (D) is the operation | movement explanatory drawing, respectively. It is a top view of the pushing-in apparatus which pushes a flange member into a drum main body, Comprising: (A) thru | or (E) are the operation | movement explanatory drawings, respectively. It is a principal part enlarged view of a rotation angle adjusting device.

Explanation of symbols

12 ... Photosensitive drum, 14 ... Drum body, 16, 18 ... Flange member, 20 ... Cylindrical part, 2202 ... Center hole, 24 ... Gear part, 26 ... Convex piece, 36 ... Mounted Placement unit 38... Mounting unit 40. Convex piece position detecting device 46... Head, 78 178.

Claims (15)

A gear part slightly decentered from the rotation axis, and a cylindrical part that is fitted and fixed in the fitting hole in the end of the drum body, and in which the gear part is positioned at the end of the drum body A flange member rotation angle adjustment method when assembling the photosensitive drum by fitting and fixing the cylindrical portion of the flange member with a fitting hole at the end of the drum body,
Providing a protruding piece projecting on the opposite side to the gear part on the cylindrical part,
In the flange member, the angular difference between the eccentric direction of the gear part and the formation angle position of the convex piece is obtained and stored,
The flange member is supported by a rotation support member so as to be rotatable about the rotation axis,
Provide a cylindrical body separate from the flange member,
Move at least one of the flange member or the cylindrical body to bring the cylindrical body and the flange member closer to each other, thereby positioning the convex piece outside the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body,
By detecting the position of the convex piece on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body, the angular position of the convex piece with respect to the rotation support member is measured,
Based on the measured angular position of the convex piece and the stored angular difference, the rotational position of the rotation support member is controlled so that the eccentric direction of the gear portion of the flange member is directed to a desired angle. The rotation angle position of the flange member was adjusted to
A method for adjusting a rotation angle of a flange member of a photosensitive drum.   2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the cylindrical body is disposed coaxially with the flange member. A gear part slightly decentered from the rotation axis, and a cylindrical part that is fitted and fixed in the fitting hole in the end of the drum body, and in which the gear part is positioned at the end of the drum body And a flange member having a bearing hole positioned at the center of the cylindrical portion, and the flange portion when the photosensitive drum is assembled by fitting and fixing the cylindrical portion of the flange member into the fitting hole at the end of the drum body. A rotation angle adjustment method,
Providing a protruding piece projecting on the opposite side to the gear part on the cylindrical part,
In the flange member, the angular difference between the eccentric direction of the gear part and the formation angle position of the convex piece is obtained and stored,
A head having a rotating plate and an insertion shaft protruding from the center of the rotating plate;
The insertion shaft is inserted through the bearing hole, and the flange member is attached to the head with the end face of the gear portion facing the rotating plate,
A cylinder is disposed coaxially with the insertion shaft,
Next, at least one of the head or the cylinder is moved to bring the cylinder and the flange member closer together, thereby positioning the convex piece outside the outer peripheral surface of the cylinder, and the insertion shaft, the flange member, and the cylinder To create an almost sealed space,
Next, compressed gas is supplied to the space from the tip of the insertion shaft, and the end surface of the gear portion is abutted against the rotating plate by the atmospheric pressure in the space.
By detecting the position of the convex piece on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body, the angular position of the convex piece with respect to the head is measured,
Based on the measured angular position of the convex piece and the stored angular difference, the rotational position of the head is controlled, and the eccentric direction of the gear portion of the flange member is directed to a desired angle. The rotation angle position of the flange member was adjusted.
A method for adjusting a rotation angle of a flange member of a photosensitive drum. A gear part slightly decentered from the rotation axis, and a cylindrical part that is fitted and fixed in the fitting hole in the end of the drum body, and in which the gear part is positioned at the end of the drum body And a flange member having a bearing hole positioned at the center of the cylindrical portion, and the flange portion when the photosensitive drum is assembled by fitting and fixing the cylindrical portion of the flange member into the fitting hole at the end of the drum body. A rotation angle adjustment method,
Providing a protruding piece projecting on the opposite side to the gear part on the cylindrical part,
In the flange member, the angular difference between the eccentric direction of the gear part and the formation angle position of the convex piece is obtained and stored,
A head having a rotating plate and an insertion shaft protruding from the center of the rotating plate;
The insertion shaft is inserted through the bearing hole, and the flange member is attached to the head with the end face of the gear portion facing the rotating plate,
A cylinder is disposed coaxially with the insertion shaft,
Next, at least one of the head or the cylinder is moved to bring the cylinder and the flange member into contact with each other, thereby positioning the convex piece outside the outer peripheral surface of the cylinder and rotating the end surface of the gear portion to the rotation Hit the board,
By detecting the position of the convex piece on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body, the angular position of the convex piece with respect to the head is measured,
Based on the measured angular position of the convex piece and the stored angular difference, the rotational position of the head is controlled, and the eccentric direction of the gear portion of the flange member is directed to a desired angle. The rotation angle position of the flange member was adjusted.
A method for adjusting a rotation angle of a flange member of a photosensitive drum. A flange member is fitted into and fixed to the fitting holes at both ends of the drum body to form a photosensitive drum, each flange member has a gear portion, and each gear portion is eccentric with respect to the rotational axis of the flange member. Therefore, when the rotation unevenness occurs, the flanges of the photosensitive drum for canceling the rotation unevenness by matching the phases of the rotation unevenness generated by the gear portions by aligning the eccentric directions of the gear portions of both flange members. A method for adjusting the rotation angle of a member,
A cylindrical portion that is fitted and fixed in the fitting hole, a bearing hole that is positioned at the center of the cylindrical portion, and the cylindrical portion that is fitted and fixed in the fitting hole and positioned at the end of the drum body Providing a protruding piece projecting to the opposite side of the gear part on the cylindrical part of the flange member provided with a gear part to
The two flange members are arranged coaxially so that the convex pieces face each other,
A pair of cylinders are disposed so as to face each convex piece coaxially with the flange member,
Next, by moving at least one of the flange member or the cylindrical body, the cylindrical body and the flange member are brought close to each other, thereby positioning the convex pieces on the outer side of the outer peripheral surface of each cylindrical body,
Next, the position of the convex piece is detected on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body,
Next, based on the detected position of the convex piece, one or both of the two flanges are rotated so as to align the eccentric directions of the gear portions of both flange members.
A method for adjusting a rotation angle of a flange member of a photosensitive drum. A flange member is fitted into and fixed to the fitting holes at both ends of the drum body to form a photosensitive drum, each flange member has a gear portion, and each gear portion is eccentric with respect to the rotational axis of the flange member. Therefore, when the rotation unevenness occurs, the flanges of the photosensitive drum for canceling the rotation unevenness by matching the phases of the rotation unevenness generated by the gear portions by aligning the eccentric directions of the gear portions of both flange members. A method for adjusting the rotation angle of a member,
A cylindrical portion that is fitted and fixed in the fitting hole, a bearing hole that is positioned at the center of the cylindrical portion, and the cylindrical portion that is fitted and fixed in the fitting hole and positioned at the end of the drum body Providing a protruding piece projecting to the opposite side of the gear part on the cylindrical part of the flange member provided with a gear part to
A pair of heads having an insertion shaft protruding from the center of the rotating plate and the rotating plate are provided on the same axis so that the insertion shafts face each other,
The insertion shaft is inserted into the bearing hole of each flange member to be fitted and fixed in the fitting holes at both ends of the drum body, and the end face of the gear portion faces the rotary plate so that each flange member is a pair of heads. Wearing,
A pair of cylinders are arranged coaxially with the insertion shaft so as to face each insertion shaft,
Next, at least one of the head or the cylinder is moved to bring the cylinder and the flange member closer to each other, whereby the convex piece is positioned outside the outer peripheral surface of each cylinder, and the tip of the cylinder is moved to the cylinder It is located near the tip of the shape part, and a space that is almost sealed by the insertion shaft, the flange member, and the cylinder is created,
Next, compressed gas is supplied to the space from the tip of the insertion shaft, and the end surface of the gear portion is abutted against the rotating plate by the atmospheric pressure in the space.
Next, the position of the convex piece is detected on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body,
Next, based on the detected position of the convex piece, one or both of the two flanges are rotated so as to align the eccentric directions of the gear portions of both flange members.
A method for adjusting a rotation angle of a flange member of a photosensitive drum. A flange member is fitted into and fixed to the fitting holes at both ends of the drum body to form a photosensitive drum, each flange member has a gear portion, and each gear portion is eccentric with respect to the rotational axis of the flange member. Therefore, when the rotation unevenness is generated, the photosensitive drums are offset so as to cancel the rotation unevenness by matching the phases of the rotation unevenness generated by the gear portions by aligning the eccentric directions of the gear portions of both flange members. A method for assembling a photosensitive drum to be assembled,
Provided on the cylindrical portion of the flange member, a protruding piece that protrudes on the opposite side of the gear portion,
A pair of heads having insertion shafts are arranged coaxially so that the insertion shafts are opposed to each other at a larger interval than the longitudinal direction of the drum body,
Each of the flange members is attached to a pair of heads by inserting the insertion shafts into the bearing holes of the flange members to be fitted and fixed to the fitting holes at both ends of the drum body,
A pair of cylinders are arranged coaxially with the insertion shaft so as to face each insertion shaft,
Next, the cylindrical body is caused to approach the flange member, thereby positioning the convex pieces on the outer sides of the outer peripheral surfaces of the cylindrical bodies,
Next, the position of the convex piece is detected on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body,
Next, based on the detected position of the convex piece, rotate one or both of the two flanges so that the eccentric directions of the gear portions of both flange members are aligned,
Remove the cylinder from the flange member after rotation,
Next, the drum body is positioned coaxially with the insertion shaft of the pair of heads,
The cylindrical portion of the flange member was fitted and fixed to the fitting holes at both ends of the drum body,
And a method for assembling the photosensitive drum.   The outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body is formed in a color that allows the convex pieces to be easily distinguished on the outer peripheral surface so that the rotational angle position of the convex pieces can be easily detected. 8. A method for adjusting a rotation angle of a flange member of a photosensitive drum according to claim 1, or a method for assembling a photosensitive drum according to claim 7.   7. The cylindrical body ascends and descends between an inspection position that is coaxial with the insertion shaft and faces the insertion shaft, and a retreat position that is spaced upward from the inspection position. A method for adjusting a rotation angle of a flange member of the photosensitive drum, or a method for assembling the photosensitive drum according to claim 7.   The head has a rotating plate, the insertion shaft protrudes from the center of the rotating plate, and the insertion shaft is inserted into the bearing hole of each flange member to be fitted and fixed in the fitting holes at both ends of the drum body. In the inserted state, the end surface of the gear portion faces the rotating plate, the cylindrical body is brought close to the flange member, and the convex piece is positioned outside the cylindrical body, and the distal end of the cylindrical body is the cylindrical shape A space that is substantially sealed by the insertion shaft, the flange member, and the cylindrical body is formed near the tip of the part, and then compressed air is supplied to the space from the tip of the insertion shaft, 8. The method of assembling a photosensitive drum according to claim 7, wherein an end surface of the gear portion is abutted against the rotating plate by air pressure, and thereby the flange member is rotated integrally with the head.   The drum body is mounted on a mounting table, and the mounting table has a fitting position where the drum body mounted on the mounting table is coaxial with an insertion shaft of the pair of heads, and an insertion shaft of the pair of heads. 8. The method of assembling a photosensitive drum according to claim 7, wherein the photosensitive drum is moved between a loading position and a loading / unloading position that are separated from the fitting position in a direction perpendicular to the fitting position. A gear part slightly decentered from the rotation axis, and a cylindrical part that is fitted and fixed in the fitting hole in the end of the drum body, and in which the gear part is positioned at the end of the drum body A flange member rotation angle adjustment method when assembling the photosensitive drum by fitting and fixing the cylindrical portion of the flange member with a fitting hole at the end of the drum body,
A mark is provided on the flange member,
In the flange member, the angular difference between the eccentric direction of the gear part and the formation angle position of the mark is obtained and stored,
The flange member is supported by a rotation support member so as to be rotatable about the rotation axis,
By detecting the position of the mark, the angular position of the mark with respect to the rotation support member is measured,
Based on the measured angular position of the mark and the stored angular difference, the rotational position of the rotation support member is controlled so that the eccentric direction of the gear portion of the flange member is directed to a desired angle. The rotation angle position of the flange member was adjusted.
A method for adjusting a rotation angle of a flange member of a photosensitive drum.   7. The flange member according to claim 1, wherein the flange member is made of a synthetic resin, is molded by a mold, and an eccentric direction of the gear portion of the flange member formed by the same mold is obtained in advance. The rotation angle adjustment method of the flange member of a photosensitive drum of any one of Claims 13, The rotation angle adjustment method of the flange member of Claim 7, or the rotation angle adjustment method of the flange member of the photosensitive drum of Claim 12.   A flanged photosensitive drum obtained by the method for assembling a photosensitive drum according to claim 7. An image forming apparatus using the flanged photosensitive drum according to claim 14.

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