JP2011100006A - Process cartridge and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the usability by enabling a process cartridge to be conveyed in the state where it is mounted in the image forming apparatus body, and protecting the image forming apparatus body and the process cartridge conveyed in the mounted state in the image forming apparatus body. <P>SOLUTION: A toner seal of the process cartridge mounted in the body is used as an intervention member between a drum and a Tr roller or between electric contacts. The toner seal can be opened automatically. Thus, a user can remove the toner seal and intervention member without extracting the cartridge from the body, and can use it after initial installation of the body. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a process cartridge that can be attached to and detached from an electrophotographic image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium, and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic image forming process, an electrophotographic photosensitive member and process means acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrated into a unit to form a process cartridge. A system that can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body is adopted.

Conventionally, as a physical distribution form of an image forming apparatus and a process cartridge, an image forming apparatus and a process unit are packed in separate boxes, or an image forming apparatus and a process cartridge are packed in a single box. . The process cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus during use and is positioned at an image formable position. Among them, for the purpose of reducing the volume of the box when packing the image forming apparatus and the process cartridge in one box and increasing the distribution efficiency, it is proposed that the process cartridge is packed in the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes: a first mounting unit that mounts and holds the process cartridge at an image formable position; and a second mounting unit that mounts and holds the process cartridge at a position different from the image formable position. The device is known. (For example, see Patent Document 1)
In addition, with the process cartridge mounted on the image forming apparatus main body, a seal that seals the opening of the developer storage chamber so that the developer stored in the developer container of the process cartridge does not leak during transportation. A configuration for automatically removing the stop member is known. (For example, see Patent Document 2)
Further, when the process cartridge is shipped in a state where it is mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus, when the sealing member that seals the opening of the developer storage chamber is removed, the gripping member that the user grips is the photosensitive drum and the transfer roller. There is known a configuration in which the shaft is separated by being inserted into the shaft portion. (For example, see Patent Document 3)

JP 07-104637 A (described in [0015] to [0019]) JP 2000-347487 A (described in [0045] to [0048]) Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 08-314351 (described in [0023] to [0047])

  Conventionally, when a process cartridge is packaged and transported with the image forming apparatus mounted, the contact between the photosensitive drum and the transfer roller is protected, and the vibration and impact that the electrical contact between the main body and the process cartridge is subjected to during transportation. There are cases where countermeasures against this are desired. In addition, cushioning materials and protective members that are included for the purpose of reducing vibration and impact during transportation may have to be removed from the image forming apparatus main body before the user newly uses the process cartridge. .

  A first object according to the present application is to enable transport of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus in a state where a process cartridge is accommodated in the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and to provide a packaging material for transportation of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus and a space required for transportation. Is to reduce.

  A second object according to the present application is to provide a contact portion between a photosensitive drum and a transfer roller, a main body, It is to protect the electrical contact portion of the process cartridge.

  A third object of the present application is to simultaneously remove the interposition member and the protective member used when the electrophotographic image forming apparatus is transported in a state where the process cartridge is accommodated in the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. It is to improve.

In order to achieve the above object, a first invention according to the present application is a process cartridge that can be attached to and detached from a main body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus and can be transported while being housed in the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. In
A developing roller for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member;
A developer accommodating portion for accommodating a developer used for developing the electrostatic latent image by the developing roller;
A cartridge member in contact with a main body member provided in the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus when performing image formation;
A developer supply opening provided in the developer storage section for supplying the developer stored in the developer storage section to the developing roller;
In order to prevent the developer stored in the developer storage portion from leaking out, the developer supply opening is sealed in a severable manner, and the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body is stored. In order to prevent the cartridge member and the main body member from coming into contact with each other when the process cartridge is transported in a closed state, an interposition part interposed between the cartridge member and the main body member is integrated. A flexible member
Have
Prior to image formation by the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the developer supply opening and the cartridge member are moved by moving the flexible member while the process cartridge is mounted on the main body. The process cartridge is characterized in that the flexible member is removed from between the body member.

  To achieve the above object, according to a second aspect of the present invention, in the process cartridge according to the first aspect, the cartridge member is an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and the main body member is the developing roller. The process cartridge is a transfer roller for transferring the developer image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum to a recording medium.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to a third invention of the present application, in the process cartridge described in the first and second inventions, prior to performing the image formation, in conjunction with driving of the process cartridge, A process cartridge for moving the flexible member.

In order to achieve the above object, a fourth invention according to the present application provides an electrophotographic image forming apparatus in which a process cartridge is detachable and forms an image on a recording medium.
(I) a body member;
(Ii) a developing roller for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member;
A developer accommodating portion for accommodating a developer used for developing the electrostatic latent image by the developing roller;
A cartridge member that contacts the main body member when performing image formation;
A developer supply opening provided in the developer storage section for supplying the developer stored in the developer storage section to the developing roller;
In order to prevent the developer stored in the developer storage portion from leaking out, the developer supply opening is sealed in a severable manner, and the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body is stored. In order to prevent the cartridge member and the main body member from coming into contact with each other when the process cartridge is transported in a closed state, an interposition part interposed between the cartridge member and the main body member is integrated. A flexible member
Have
Prior to image formation by the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the developer supply opening and the cartridge member are moved by moving the flexible member while the process cartridge is mounted on the main body. A mounting portion that detachably mounts a process cartridge that removes the flexible member from between the main body member;
(Iii) conveying means for conveying the recording medium;
An electrophotographic image forming apparatus having

As explained above, according to the present invention,
According to the first invention of the present application, the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body has a member having a sealing portion and an interposition portion that seals the developer supply opening provided in the process cartridge so as to be openable. Transportation with the process cartridge mounted is possible. As a result, it is possible to transport the image forming apparatus main body with the process cartridge mounted without increasing the size of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body, thereby reducing the packaging material for transportation and the space required for transportation.

  According to the first aspect of the present application, the interposition part of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body and the process cartridge is also removed in conjunction with the operation of removing the sealing part provided in the process process cartridge. Therefore, the sealing portion and the intervening portion are not removed, and usability is improved.

  According to the first invention of the present application, since the member having the sealing portion and the interposition portion is removed in a state where the process cartridge is mounted on the main body, usability is improved.

  According to the third aspect of the present application, since the member having the sealing portion and the interposition portion is automatically removed when the drive of the image forming apparatus main body is transmitted, usability is improved.

Schematic sectional view showing the entire image forming apparatus Schematic cross section of process cartridge Schematic perspective view of process cartridge 1 Schematic perspective view of cleaning means Schematic perspective view of developing means 1 Schematic perspective view of developing means 2 Schematic perspective view of developing means 3 Illustration of gear train Perspective view showing coupling of cleaning means and developing means Schematic perspective view of process cartridge 2 Schematic cross-sectional view of process cartridge when mounted Schematic sectional view of the process cartridge when installed Perspective view of the vicinity of the guide member on the right side of the image forming apparatus main body Perspective view of the vicinity of the guide member on the left side of the image forming apparatus main body Schematic cross-sectional view of process cartridge when shipped Schematic perspective view of process cartridge 3

Example 1
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The longitudinal direction of the process cartridge is a direction that intersects the direction in which the process cartridge is mounted on the main body of the electronic image forming apparatus (a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum), and is substantially parallel to the surface of the recording medium. And a direction intersecting (substantially orthogonal) with the conveyance direction of the recording medium. Further, the left and right sides of the process cartridge are left or right when the recording medium is viewed from above in accordance with the conveyance direction of the recording medium. Further, the upper surface of the process cartridge is a surface located above in the state where the process cartridge is mounted on the main body of the electronic image forming apparatus, and the lower surface is a surface located below.

  First, the process cartridge and the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body to which the process cartridge can be attached and detached will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory view showing the structure of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body equipped with a process cartridge, and FIG. 2 is a schematic explanatory view showing the structure of the process cartridge.

(overall structure)
As shown in FIG. 1, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body (laser beam printer or the like, hereinafter referred to as “image forming apparatus”) A has a drum-shaped electrophotographic photosensitive member (image carrier) from an optical system 1 as optical means. (Hereinafter referred to as “photosensitive drum”) 7 is irradiated with information light based on image information. As a result, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 7, and this electrostatic latent image is developed with a developer (hereinafter referred to as "toner") to form a toner image. In synchronization with the formation of the toner image, the recording medium (recording paper, OHP sheet, cloth, etc.) 2 is separated one by one from the paper feed unit (cassette) 3a by the pickup roller 3b and the pressure contact member 3c that presses the pickup roller 3b. To feed. The toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 7 of the process cartridge B is transferred to the recording medium 2 conveyed along the conveyance guide 3f1 by applying a voltage to the transfer roller 4 serving as a transfer unit. Further, the recording medium 2 onto which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to the fixing unit 5 along the conveyance guide 3f2. The fixing means 5 includes a driving roller 5a and a heater 5b, and is composed of a fixing rotating body 5d composed of a cylindrical sheet rotatably supported by a support 5c. Heat and pressure are applied to the recording medium 2 passing therethrough. Is applied to fix the transferred toner image. The recording medium 2 on which the transferred toner image has been fixed is conveyed by the discharge roller 3d and discharged to the discharge unit 6 through the reverse conveyance path. In this embodiment, the conveying means 3 is constituted by the pickup roller 3b, the press contact member 3c, the discharge roller 3d, etc., but this is not restrictive.

(Process cartridge configuration)
The process cartridge B includes the photosensitive drum 7 and at least one process means. Examples of the process means include a charging means for charging the photosensitive drum 7, a developing means for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 7, a cleaning means for cleaning toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 7, and the like. There is. In the process cartridge B of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, a photosensitive drum 7 that is an electrophotographic photosensitive member having a photosensitive layer is rotationally driven, and a voltage is applied to a charging roller 8 that is a charging unit. The surface of the photosensitive drum 7 is uniformly charged. Information light (optical image) based on image information from the optical system 1 is exposed to the charged photosensitive drum 7 through the exposure opening 9b, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 7. The electrostatic latent image is formed and developed by the developing means 10.

  In the developing unit 10, the toner in the toner storage portion 10a is sent out by a rotatable feed member 10b that is a toner feeding unit. Then, the developing roller 10d, which is a developing rotator (developer carrying member) incorporating the fixed magnet 10c, is rotated, and a toner layer imparted with triboelectric charge is formed on the surface of the developing roller 10d by the developing blade 10e. The toner is transferred to the photosensitive drum 7 in accordance with the electrostatic latent image, thereby forming a toner image and making it visible.

  Then, a voltage having a reverse polarity to the toner image is applied to the transfer roller 4 to transfer the toner image to the recording medium 2. The toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 7 after the transfer is scraped off by a cleaning blade 11a provided in the cleaning means 11, and is prevented from leaking out of the removed toner storage portion 11c by a squeeze sheet 11b.

  Next, a specific configuration of the cleaning unit 11 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  A first seal member 11e (see FIG. 4, one end not shown) that prevents the toner stored in the removed toner storage portion 11c from leaking out from the back of both ends of the rubber of the cleaning blade 11a, and leakage from the back of the cleaning blade. The second sealing member 11h to be prevented (see FIG. 2) is fixed to a predetermined position of the cleaning frame 11d with a double-sided tape or the like.

  The cleaning blade 11a is fixed to a predetermined position of the cleaning frame 11d with screws or the like.

  Further, a third seal member 11f (see FIG. 4, one end not shown) for preventing toner leakage from both ends of the rubber of the cleaning blade 11a and wiping off toner adhering to the photosensitive drum is provided on the cleaning frame 11d. It is fixed in place with double-sided tape or the like.

  Further, the squeeze sheet 11b which is a scooping member (the transfer residual toner on the photosensitive drum 7 is stored in the toner storage portion 11c and the toner scraped off by the cleaning blade 11a is not leaked out of the toner storage portion 11c) is cleaned. The frame 11d is fixed to a predetermined position by a double-sided tape 11g or the like.

  Furthermore, an electrode 8c for supplying power to the charging roller 8 from the image forming apparatus main body A is attached to the cleaning frame 11d.

  Further, a conductive roller bearing 8b is incorporated in the cleaning frame 11d so as to provide a power feeding path from the electrode 8c to the charging roller 8 and rotatably support the charging roller 8. A roller bearing 8a that rotatably supports the charging roller 8 is incorporated at the other end in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning frame 11d. The cored bar portions 8d at both ends of the charging roller 8 are fitted into the conductive roller bearing 8b and the roller bearing 8a. The conductive roller bearing 8b and the roller bearing 8a are slidably supported in the direction of the rotation center of the photosensitive drum 7, and are pressurized in the direction of the rotation center of the photosensitive drum 7 by a compression spring 8e. As a result, the charging roller 8 comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 7 with a predetermined pressure, and is driven to rotate by the rotation of the photosensitive drum 7.

  A drum gear 7 a is coupled to one end in the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum 7. The drum gear 7a includes an end face coupling 7b for driving transmission from the image forming apparatus main body A, a first gear 7c that transmits driving to the developing roller 10, and a second gear 7d that transmits driving to the transfer roller 4. It has become. At the longitudinal position of the transfer roller 4 facing the second gear 7d, a transfer gear 4a is provided (see FIG. 13). When the photosensitive drum 7 is driven to rotate, the transfer roller 4 meshes with the second gear 7d. Rotation drive. However, the rotation of the transfer roller 4 is not limited to the drive transmission from the second gear 7d, and other methods may be used. A flange 7 e having a bearing is coupled to the other end in the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum 7. A bearing member 18c is provided on the end face coupling 7b side of the photosensitive drum 7, and rotatably supports the drum gear 7a, and is coupled to the cleaning frame 11d by a fixing means such as a screw. A metal positioning pin 18d is provided on the other end side of the photosensitive drum 7, and the flange 7e is rotatably supported, and is press-fitted so as to fit within a positioning 18b provided in the cleaning frame 11d. . As a result, the photosensitive drum 7 is rotatably supported with respect to the cleaning frame 11d. A metal ground plate (not shown) is attached to the flange 7e, and is brought into contact with the cylinder inner diameter portion of the photosensitive drum 7 and the positioning pin 18d, thereby electrically connecting the photosensitive drum 7 and the positioning pin 18d. Is secured. The positioning pin 18d is electrically grounded via the image forming apparatus main body A, thereby electrically grounding the photosensitive drum 7. However, the method for electrically grounding the photosensitive drum 7 is not limited to this method.

  The process cartridge B of the present embodiment is provided with a drum shutter 12 that can cover the transfer opening 9a facing the transfer roller 4 of the photosensitive drum 7, and is rotatably supported by the cleaning frame 11d.

  The configuration of the drum shutter 12 will be described. The drum shutter 12 includes a drum protection unit 12 a that can cover the transfer opening 9 a where the photosensitive drum 7 contacts the transfer roller 4. Further, the drum shutter 12 has a rotating shaft 12b that is rotatably supported with respect to the cleaning frame body 11d by a bearing portion 18e provided in the vicinity of the left and right charging roller 8 support portions of the cleaning frame body 11d. Moreover, it has the rod part 12b3 which connects the right and left rotating shafts 12b. Further, the drum shutter 12 has connecting portions 12c provided at two left and right positions connecting both ends of the drum protection portion 12a and the outer side of the rotating shaft 12b. Of the connecting portion 12c, the side end surface on the flange side of the photosensitive drum 7 in the longitudinal direction has a rib 12e extending outward in the longitudinal direction as shown in FIGS. 3 and 9, and the rib 12e is the image shown in FIG. The posture in which the drum shutter 12 is opened is held in contact with the shutter guide Gb9 of the guide Gb on the forming apparatus main body side. A biasing force is applied to the drum shutter 12 in the direction in which the drum shutter 12 covers the photosensitive drum 7 by the spring force of the shutter spring 12d. As a result, when the process cartridge B is removed from the image forming apparatus A, the drum shutter 12 maintains a state of covering the transfer opening 9a of the photosensitive drum 7 as shown in FIG. When the image forming operation is possible, the drum shutter opening / closing means on the image forming apparatus main body side is rotated to expose the transfer opening 9a as shown in FIG. 1 or 2, and the photosensitive drum 7 and the transfer roller 4 are in contact with each other. Take a posture where you can touch.

  Next, the developing means 10 of the process cartridge B will be described.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the developing unit 10 includes a toner developing frame 10f1 and a lid member 10f2 to form a toner chamber (toner accommodating portion) 10a and a developing chamber 10i.

  The toner developing frame 10f1 includes a stirring shaft 10b1 for supplying toner and a sheet member 10b2 fixed to the stirring shaft 10b1. Further, at one end of the toner developing frame 10f1, a conveyance gear 10b3 that transmits driving to the stirring shaft 10b2 and regulates the length of the stirring shaft 10b1 is rotatably attached. In order to prevent the toner from leaking out of the toner developing frame 10f1, a seal member 10b4 is disposed in the space between the conveyance gear 10b3 and the toner developing frame 10f1.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the toner developing frame 10f1 is provided with a toner passage opening 10k through which the toner stored in the toner storage portion 10a passes when supplied to the developing roller 10d.

  A toner seal member 17 made of a flexible material is attached to seal the toner passage opening 10k. The toner seal member 17 is fixed to the seal mounting portion 10h along the edges of the four sides of the toner passage opening 10k by means such as heat fixing. Further, a toner filling port (not shown) for filling the toner chamber 10a with toner is provided at one end in the longitudinal direction of the toner developing frame 10f1, and is sealed with a cap member 10j after toner filling. However, toner filling is not limited to this method.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 6, end seal members 10r that prevent toner leakage from both ends of the developing roller 10d are attached to the toner developing frame 10f1. In addition, a seal member 10s that prevents toner leakage from between the both ends of the developing blade 10e and the toner developing frame 10f1 is attached to a predetermined position of the toner developing frame 10f1 by a double-sided tape or the like. Further, the developing blade 10e is fixed to the toner developing frame 10f1 by fastening both ends of the sheet metal portion 10e1 with screws or the like. At this time, the scraping member 10t that scrapes off the toner at the end of the developing roller 10d is also fixed at the same time. The toner developing frame 10f1 is provided with a rib 10f3 having a thin tip, and is set to have a size that is surely inserted into the developing blade rubber portion 10e2. A gap is provided between the rubber portion 10e2 of the developing blade and the toner developing frame 10f1. Is not possible.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a developing roller gear 10n (see FIG. 6) fixed to the end of the developing roller 10d meshed with a first gear 7c (not shown) fixed to the end of the photosensitive drum 7. A gear train including two idler gears 10p and 10q for transmitting drive from the developing roller gear 10n to the conveying gear 10b3 of the toner feeding member 10b is a first end portion disposed at one end in the longitudinal direction of the developing unit 10. It is covered with the member 10g1.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a transmission gear 10u, which is a spur gear, is attached to the stirring shaft 10b1 at the other end in the longitudinal direction of the toner developing frame 10f1. A seal member 10v is disposed in the space between the transmission gear 10u and the toner developing frame 10f1 in order to prevent toner leakage outside the toner developing frame 10f1. An idler gear 10x having a spur gear portion 10x1 and a bevel gear portion 10x2 connected to the transmission gear 10u is disposed. Further, the winding member 10w for winding the toner seal member 17 includes a locking portion 10w1 for locking the drawer portion 17a, and a bevel gear-shaped winding gear 10w3 connected to the bevel gear portion 10x2 of the idler gear 10x. The shaft portion 10w4 is rotatably supported by the support portion 10f5 of the toner developing frame 10f1.

  Further, the lead-out portion 17a of the toner seal member 17 is folded back at one end in the longitudinal direction of the toner passage opening 10k, and pulled out through the hole 10f4 of the toner developing frame 10f1. Then, after being pulled out by substantially the entire length of the photosensitive drum 7 in the axial direction, it is folded back and locked to the locking portion 10w1 of the winding member 10w.

  Then, the folded-back portion 17b of the toner seal member 17 drawn out by the entire length in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 7 is drawn out from the opening 10g5 of the second end member 10g2, and the second end member 10g2 is Attached to the toner developing frame 10f1.

  A winding mechanism of the toner seal member 17 having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG.

  A driving force is received from the main body A by connecting a drive transmission member 30 having a substantially concave triangular twist of the main body A, which will be described later, and an end surface coupling 7b (see FIGS. 4 and 11) of the photosensitive drum 7. As a result, the driving force is transmitted to the first gear 7 c provided on the photosensitive drum 7. Then, the driving force is transmitted to the stirring shaft 10b1 via the developing roller gear 10n, the two idler gears 10p and 10q, and the transport gear 10b3 connected thereto. Further, the toner seal member 17 can be taken up by rotating the take-up member 10w from there through the transmission gear 10u, the idler gear 10x, and the take-up gear 10w3.

  Next, the coupling of the developing unit 10 and the cleaning unit 11 configured as described above will be described. As shown in FIG. 9, arm portions 10g7 and 10g9 protrude from the first end member 10g1 and the second end member 10g2 toward the cleaning frame 11d, respectively. Pins 13 to be fitted into the coupling holes 10g8 and 10g10 provided at the ends of the arm portions 10g7 and 10g9, and the first coupling hole 11i (see FIG. 11) and the second coupling hole 11j (see FIG. 12) provided in the cleaning frame. Thus, the cleaning frame 11d and the end member 10g can be coupled so as to be rotatable. A compression coil spring 10g3 having an inner diameter inserted into the spring stopper of one first end member 10g1 is contracted between the cleaning frame 11d. Further, a tension spring 10g4 is hung on the cleaning frame 11d and the second end member 10g2. A predetermined amount of gap between the photosensitive drum 7 and the developing roller 10d formed by the gap holding member 10m on both sides of the developing roller 10d is held by the applied pressure in this way, and the process cartridge B is completed. However, the means for applying the pressure is not limited to the above-described method.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 10 a, the folded portion 17 b of the toner seal member 17 having a substantially full length of the photosensitive drum 7 is disposed so as to cover the transfer opening 9 a of the photosensitive drum 7. At this time, the folded portion 17b is fixed to the process cartridge B by the plurality of fixing protrusions 10f6 and 11l disposed on the lid member 10f2 and the cleaning frame 11d. Further, the plurality of fixing protrusions 10f6 and 11l prevent the toner seal member 17 covering the transfer opening 9a of the photosensitive drum 7 from being displaced from the surface of the photosensitive drum 7, and when the toner seal member 17 is removed, Any configuration that does not hinder the process is acceptable. That is, the fixing protrusions 10f6 and 11l having a key-shaped cross section parallel to the axis of the photosensitive drum 7 as shown in FIG.

(Attachment / detachment configuration of the process cartridge to the main body)
A process cartridge B assembled as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 14 with respect to image formation and a mounting configuration for mounting the process cartridge B on the main body of the image forming apparatus.

  The bearing member 18c attached to the cleaning frame 11d of the process cartridge B has an arc portion (first contact portion) formed coaxially with the rotation center axis of the photosensitive drum 7 as a mounting guide for the image forming apparatus A. ) 18c1 and an arcuate rotation stop portion (second contact portion) 18c2 formed at the corner portion of the bearing member 18c and on the bottom surface side of the cartridge frame. The rotation stop portion (second contact portion) 18c2 determines the posture of the process cartridge B around the central axis of the photosensitive drum 7.

  The arc portion 18c1 is located outside the developing unit 10 in the longitudinal direction. Further, the rotation stopper 18c2 is located outside the developing unit 10 in the longitudinal direction. The rotation stopper 18c2 is disposed behind (upstream) the arc 18c1 in the direction in which the process cartridge is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body.

  Further, the end surface coupling 7b that receives a driving force from the image forming apparatus main body A is disposed on the inner side in the longitudinal direction than the bearing member 18c.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the image forming apparatus main body A is formed with a guide member Ga for guiding the process cartridge B to the image forming position (mounting position) while sliding the arc portion 18c1 and the rotation stop portion 18c2. Is done.

  On the other hand, on the other end side in the longitudinal direction of the bearing member 18c, as a part of the cleaning frame 11d, there are a positioning portion 18b for covering the positioning pin 18d, and a projection 18g for determining the posture of the process cartridge B at the time of attachment / detachment. Is formed.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 14, the image forming apparatus main body A has a guide member formed so as to maintain the same posture at the other end in the longitudinal direction when the process cartridge B is attached and detached, which is determined on the bearing member 18c side. Gb is provided.

  With reference to FIGS. 13 and 14, a configuration for attaching and detaching the process cartridge B to the image forming apparatus main body A will be described.

  First, the opening / closing door member 20 constituting the discharge opening 6 of the image forming apparatus main body A is opened to expose the guide members Ga and Gb. With the arc portion 18c1 in the insertion direction front side (downstream side) and the rotation stop portion 18c2 in the insertion direction rear side (upstream side), the guide member Ga has the arcuate portion 18c1 on the first guide surface Ga1 slightly bent in the insertion direction front side. And the rotation stopper 18c2 is placed. At this time, the positioning portion 18b and the protrusion 18g are placed on the first guide surface Gb1 of the guide member Gb.

  In this state, the process cartridge B is pushed inward of the image forming apparatus main body A.

  Accordingly, the arc portion 18c1 and the rotation stopper portion 18c2 are formed in the second guide surface Ga2 formed in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first guide surface Ga1, and in the third direction formed in a substantially horizontal direction from the second guide surface Ga2. It is guided while sliding to the mounting position defined by the guide surface Ga3 and the curved fourth guide surface Ga4 formed continuously from the third guide surface Ga3.

  The arc portion 18c1 contacts the fourth guide surface Ga4 as a first main body receiving portion that determines the approximate position of the process cartridge B in the image forming apparatus main body A when the mounting is completed. At this time, the rotation stopper 18c2 also contacts the fourth guide surface Ga4. When the mounting is completed, the transfer roller 4 and the photosensitive drum 7 are in contact with each other, and the process cartridge B is shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 by the pressure applied by the transfer roller 4 toward the photosensitive drum 7. A repulsive force in the direction of arrow Z is applied, and the process cartridge B is urged in the direction of arrow Z described above. At this time, the repulsive force receiving portion 18c3 comes into contact with the fifth guide surface Ga5 provided behind the third guide surface Ga3 in the insertion direction, so that the movement of the process cartridge B in the above-described arrow Z direction is made a predetermined amount. It is regulated.

  On the other hand, the bearing member 18c, the positioning portion 18b on the other end side in the longitudinal direction, and the protrusion 18g are formed as a second guide surface Gb2, a third guide surface Gb3, and a fourth guide surface Gb4 that are formed continuously with the first guide surface Gb1. The positioning portion 18b is placed on the positioning guide surface Gb5 when the mounting is completed.

  As described above, the process cartridge B is mounted at the mounting completion position of the image forming apparatus main body A. Next, when the open / close door member 20 constituting the discharge opening 6 of the image forming apparatus main body A is closed, the torsional substantially concave triangular drive transmission member 30 of the image forming apparatus main body A moves to the process cartridge B side, The end coupling 7b of the process cartridge B is fitted, and the rotational driving force is transmitted from the image forming apparatus main body A to the process cartridge B.

  When the drive transmission member 30 of the image forming apparatus main body A and the end face coupling 7b of the process cartridge B are fitted together, a gap is formed between the arc portion 18c1 and the fourth guide surface Ga4, and a repulsive force receiving portion. A gap is also formed between 18c3 and the fifth guide surface Ga5. Further, since the process cartridge B is biased in the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 7 by the drive transmission, the rotation stopper 18c2 and the fourth guide surface Ga4 remain in contact with each other in the rotation direction of the process cartridge B. Positioning is done.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the bearing member 18 c and the positioning portion 18 b on the other end side in the longitudinal direction are accommodated in the U-shaped groove formed by the positioning guide surface Gb 5 when the process cartridge B is mounted. Positioning is performed by an elastic force applying member (not shown) using a torsion coil spring in order to suppress force and vibration generated when the photosensitive drum 7 is rotationally driven. The protrusion 18g is set to a position and shape that do not contact the image forming apparatus main body A within the range of component accuracy and assembly accuracy.

  Further, the protrusion 12e provided on the drum shutter 12 abuts on the first shutter guide surface Gb7 formed on the guide Gb in the process of mounting the process cartridge B described above, and rotates around the rotation shaft 12b. Begin. Thereafter, along the mounting locus of the process cartridge B, the protrusion 12e slides on the second shutter guide surface Gb8, reaches the mounting completion position, contacts the third shutter guide surface Gb9, and the drum shutter 12 is shown in FIGS. 2 is held at a position that does not hinder the image formation shown in FIG.

  The mounting completion state described above is the posture of the process cartridge B during image formation and when the image forming apparatus main body A is transported.

  Further, when the process cartridge B is removed from the image forming apparatus main body A, the operation is the reverse of the above-described mounting operation, and the mounting completion state is moved out of the apparatus along the guides Ga and Gb of the corresponding image forming apparatus main body A. At the same time, the drum shutter 12 is sequentially rotated so as to cover the photosensitive drum 7.

  The protrusion 18g contacts the sixth guide surface Gb6 of the guide member Gb when the process cartridge B is removed from the mounting position, and restricts the front side in the removal direction of the process cartridge B from rotating upward by a predetermined amount or more.

(Form at the time of shipment)
The process cartridge B described above is transported while being mounted on the main body A. The shipping mode at that time will be described below.

  A folded portion 17b of the toner seal member 17 is sandwiched between the photosensitive drum 7 of the process cartridge B and the transfer roller 4 of the main body A during transportation.

  Conventionally, when a process cartridge is mounted on the main body and shipped, the photosensitive drum and the transfer roller are prevented from rubbing between the photosensitive drum and the transfer roller due to vibration and shock during transportation to generate a rubbing memory of the photosensitive drum. A separation member is provided at the shaft portion of the roller to protect the photosensitive drum. For this reason, there is a problem in terms of manufacturing cost of adding a spacing member, and a usability problem of taking out the process cartridge from the main body, removing the spacing member, and remounting the process cartridge.

  However, by adopting the above configuration, when the process cartridge B is shipped in a state where it is mounted on the main body A, the drum is removed by interposing the folded portion 17b of the toner seal 17 between the photosensitive drum 7 and the transfer roller 4. Can be protected.

  Further, the process cartridge B is driven by the main body A at the time of the above-described drive transmission before image formation, so that the winding member 10w causes the toner seal 17 that is an interposed member between the photosensitive drum 7 and the transfer roller 4 to move. The folded portion 17b is wound up. Further, the sealing portion 17c for sealing the toner passage opening 10k is wound up. That is, the toner seal 17 is removed in conjunction with the driving of the process cartridge B. Therefore, the user can use the process cartridge B immediately without removing it from the main body A in which the process cartridge B is bundled.

(Example 2)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the structure similar to a 1st Example, and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As described with reference to FIG. 7 in the first embodiment, the lead-out portion 17a of the toner seal member 17 is folded at one end in the longitudinal direction of the toner passage opening 10k and passes through the hole 10f4 of the toner developing frame 10f1 to the outside. Pulled out. Then, after being pulled out by an arbitrary length, it is folded back and locked to the locking portion 10w1 of the winding member 10w. Next, the folded-back portion 17b of the toner seal member 17 drawn out by an arbitrary length is drawn out from the opening 10g5 of the second end member 10g2, and the second end member 10g2 is attached to the toner developing frame 10f1. It is done.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the folded portion 17b of the toner seal member 17 is provided on the second end member 10g2, and is disposed so as to cover the electrical contact 10g6 that receives the developing bias from the main body A. At this time, the folded portion 17b is fixed to the process cartridge B by the fixing protrusion 10g11 provided on the second end member 10g2.

  At this time, the folding portion 17b covers the electrical contact that receives the development bias, but is not limited to the development bias contact, and may be a contact portion with the main body of a memory (storage element) that stores service information and process information.

  Further, the folded portion 17b may cover the electrode 8c that is attached to the cleaning frame 11d and is a power feeding portion of the charging roller 8.

(Form at the time of shipment)
The process cartridge B described above is transported while being mounted on the main body A. The shipping mode at that time will be described below.

  The folded portion 17b of the toner seal member 17 is sandwiched between the electrical contact 10g6 of the process cartridge B and the contact 24 of the main body A during transportation.

  Therefore, when the process cartridge B is shipped in a state where it is mounted on the main body A, friction due to vibration and impact during transportation is performed between the folded portions 17b of the toner seal 17, and the electric contact 10g6 and the main body A are connected. It does not occur between the contacts 24. Therefore, the electrical contact 10g6 and the contact 24 of the main body A can be protected.

  Further, the process cartridge B is driven by the main body A at the time of driving transmission before the image formation described above, so that the winding member 10w causes the toner seal 17 which is a protection member for the electrical contact 10g6 and the contact 24 of the main body A to be formed. The folded portion 17b is wound up. Further, the sealing portion 17c for sealing the toner passage opening 10k is wound up. That is, the toner seal 17 is removed in conjunction with the driving of the process cartridge B. Therefore, the user can use the process cartridge B immediately without removing it from the main body A in which the process cartridge B is bundled.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 16, the folded portion 17b of the toner seal 17 covers the transfer opening 9a of the photosensitive drum 7, so that the photosensitive drum 7 can be protected at the same time.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Optical system 2 Recording medium 3a Paper feed part (cassette)
3b Pickup roller 3c Pressure contact member 3d Discharge roller 3f1 Conveyance guide 3f2 Conveyance guide 4 Transfer roller 4a Transfer gear 4b Spring seat 4c Bearing 4d Metal core 4e Compression spring 4f Stopper 5 Fixing means 5a Driving roller 5d Heater 5c Fixing 5d Heater 5c Rotating body 6 Discharge portion 7 Photosensitive drum 7a Drum gear 7b End face coupling 7c First gear 7d Second gear 7e Flange 8 Charging roller 8a Roller bearing 8b Conductive roller bearing 8c Electrode 8d Core metal portion 8e Compression spring 9a Transfer opening 9b Exposure Opening 10 Developing means 10a Toner accommodating portion 10b Feeding member 10b1 Stirring shaft 10b2 Sheet member 10b3 Conveying gear 10b4 Sealing member 10c Fixed magnet 10d Developing roller 10e Developing blade 10e1 Sheet metal portion 10e2 Part 10f1 toner developing frame 10f2 lid member 10f3 rib 10f4 hole 10f5 support part 10f6 fixing projection 10g1 first end part member 10g2 second end part member 10g3 compression coil spring 10g4 tension spring 10g5 opening part 10g6 electric contact point 10g7 arm part End member)
10g8 coupling hole (first end member)
10g9 arm (second end member)
10g10 coupling hole (second end member)
10g11 fixed projection 10h seal mounting portion 10i developing chamber 10j cap member 10k toner passage opening 10m gap holding member 10h seal mounting portion 10n developing roller gear 10p idler gear 10q idler gear 10r end seal member 10s seal member 10t scraping member 10u seal gear 10v transmission gear 10v Member 10w Winding member 10w1 Locking portion 10w2 Winding portion 10w3 Winding gear 10w4 Shaft portion 10x Idler gear 10x1 Spur gear portion 10x2 Bevel gear portion 11 Cleaning means 11a Cleaning blade 11b Squee sheet 11c Removal toner storage portion 11d Cleaning frame body 11e 11f Third sealing member 11g Double-sided tape 11h Second sealing member 11i First coupling hole 11j Second coupling hole 11k Opposing part 11l Fixed projection 12 Drum shutter 12a Drum protection part 12b Rotating shaft 12b3 Rod part 12c Connection part 12d Shutter spring 12e Rib 13 Pin 17 Toner seal member 17a Pull-out part 17b Folding part 17c Sealing part 18b Positioning 18c Bearing 18c1 Part (first contact part)
18c2 Anti-rotation part (second contact part)
18c3 Repulsive force receiving portion 18d Positioning pin 18e Bearing portion 18g Protrusion 20 Opening / closing door member 21 Bottom plate 22 Wall portion 23a Side plate 23b Side plate 24 Contact 30 Drive transmission member Ga guide member Gb Guide member Gb5 Positioning guide surface Gb9 Third shutter guide surface

Claims (4)

In a process cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body and can be transported in a state of being housed in the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body,
A developing roller for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member;
A developer accommodating portion for accommodating a developer used for developing the electrostatic latent image by the developing roller;
A cartridge member in contact with a main body member provided in the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus when performing image formation;
A developer supply opening provided in the developer storage section for supplying the developer stored in the developer storage section to the developing roller;
In order to prevent the developer stored in the developer storage portion from leaking out, the developer supply opening is sealed in a severable manner, and the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body is stored. In order to prevent the cartridge member and the main body member from coming into contact with each other when the process cartridge is transported in a closed state, an interposition part interposed between the cartridge member and the main body member is integrated. A flexible member
Have
Prior to image formation by the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the developer supply opening and the cartridge member are moved by moving the flexible member while the process cartridge is mounted on the main body. A process cartridge, wherein the flexible member is removed from between the body member.   2. The cartridge member according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge member is an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and the main body member is a transfer roller that transfers the developer image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum to a recording medium by the developing roller. Process cartridge.   The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the flexible member is moved in conjunction with driving of the process cartridge prior to the image formation. In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus in which a process cartridge is detachable and forms an image on a recording medium.
(I) a body member;
(Ii) a developing roller for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member;
A developer accommodating portion for accommodating a developer used for developing the electrostatic latent image by the developing roller;
A cartridge member that contacts the main body member when performing image formation;
A developer supply opening provided in the developer storage section for supplying the developer stored in the developer storage section to the developing roller;
In order to prevent the developer stored in the developer storage portion from leaking out, the developer supply opening is sealed in a severable manner, and the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body is stored. In order to prevent the cartridge member and the main body member from coming into contact with each other when the process cartridge is transported in a closed state, an interposition part interposed between the cartridge member and the main body member is integrated. A flexible member
Have
Prior to image formation by the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the developer supply opening and the cartridge member are moved by moving the flexible member while the process cartridge is mounted on the main body. A mounting portion that detachably mounts a process cartridge that removes the flexible member from between the main body member;
(Iii) conveying means for conveying the recording medium;
An electrophotographic image forming apparatus comprising: