JP2019185022A - Method for manufacturing frame body unit, method for manufacturing image carrying unit, method for manufacturing cartridge, and cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a method for reproducing a first unit including an image carrier including an end member having a part to be regulated, a frame body to which a support member for supporting the image carrier is bonded, and a regulation part for regulating the part to be regulated.SOLUTION: A manufacturing method is for manufacturing a frame body unit from a first unit. The first unit includes a first image carrier, a support member for supporting the first image carrier, and a frame body to which the support member is bonded. The first image carrier includes a first end member and the first end member includes a first part to be regulated. The support member includes a bearing part engaged with the first end member, so that the first image carrier can be rotated around a rotation axis. The frame body includes a first regulation part for regulating the movement of the first image carrier. The manufacturing method has a separation process for separating the first image carrier from the support member in such a state that the support member is bonded to the frame body.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 18

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a frame unit, a method for manufacturing an image carrier unit, a method for manufacturing a cartridge, and a cartridge used in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

  An electrophotographic image forming apparatus forms an image on a recording medium using an electrophotographic image forming system. Examples of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus include an electrophotographic copying machine, an electrophotographic printer (such as an LED printer and a laser beam printer), a facsimile machine, and a word processor.

  The cartridge has a photosensitive member and process means acting on the photosensitive member, and is detachably mounted on the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

  In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus (hereinafter referred to as “image forming apparatus”), a photoconductor (photosensitive drum) as an image carrier that carries an electrostatic latent image is used.

  The photosensitive member is charged, and an electrostatic latent image (electrostatic image) is formed on the photosensitive member by selectively exposing the charged photosensitive member. Next, the electrostatic latent image is developed as a toner image with toner as a developer. The toner image formed on the photoconductor is transferred to a recording material such as recording paper or a plastic sheet, and the toner image is applied to the recording material by applying heat or pressure to the toner image transferred onto the recording material. Image recording is performed by fixing.

  Such an image forming apparatus generally requires toner replenishment and maintenance of various process means. Therefore, there is a cartridge in which a photosensitive member and a cartridge including a frame that supports the photosensitive member are detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus. According to this cartridge system, a part of maintenance of the apparatus can be performed by the user himself.

  Here, Patent Document 1 discloses a cartridge in which a drive-side drum flange attached to a photosensitive drum has a flange portion and a cleaning frame body has a drum regulating rib. The drum regulating rib is disposed on the non-driving side in the longitudinal direction from the flange portion of the drive side drum flange, and faces the flange portion with a gap. When the photosensitive drum moves to the non-driving side beyond this gap, the flange and the drum regulating rib come into contact with each other, and the movement of the photosensitive drum is regulated.

  On the other hand, the cartridge consumes the stored toner as the image forming operation is repeated. The photosensitive drum is also worn away. As a result, the product value of the cartridge is lost when an image with a quality satisfactory for the user cannot be formed.

  Here, a remanufacturing method has been proposed in which a cartridge whose commercial value is lost can be commercialized again. Patent Document 2 discloses a method of replacing a used photosensitive drum with a new photosensitive drum. More specifically, the support member attached to the drum frame with screws is removed from the drum frame. Thereby, the support part (shaft) of the photosensitive drum is released. Then, the photosensitive drum is removed from the drum frame, and a new photosensitive drum is attached to the drum frame.

JP 2017-223952 A JP 2009-109848 A

  When a cartridge having a drum regulating rib as described in Patent Document 1 is reproduced, the drum regulating rib may interfere with the photosensitive drum when the photosensitive drum is detached or attached.

  The main object of the present invention is to provide an image carrier including an end member having a regulated portion, a frame to which a support member that supports the image carrier is bonded, and a regulating portion that regulates the regulated portion. It is to provide a method for reproducing a first unit having. More specifically, the first unit is disassembled to provide a method of manufacturing a frame unit for supporting the image carrier. Another object of the present invention is to provide a frame unit manufactured by the above method and a cartridge having the frame unit.

  In order to achieve the above object, one of the inventions according to the present application is as follows.

A manufacturing method for manufacturing a frame unit from a first unit,
The first unit is:
A first image carrier for carrying an electrostatic latent image, wherein the first image carrier includes a first end member, and the first end member is a first restricted portion; With
A support member for supporting the first image carrier, wherein the support member and the first end member are arranged so that the first image carrier can rotate around a rotation axis. Including a bearing portion to engage,
The support member includes a frame body to which the support member is bonded, and the frame body includes a first restricting portion for restricting movement of the first image carrier, and the first member is arranged in the direction perpendicular to the rotation axis. One restricting portion projects toward the first image carrier, and when the first image carrier moves toward the inside of the support member in the direction of the rotation axis, the first restricting portion Is in contact with the first restricted portion,
The position of the first restricting portion and the position of the bearing portion at least partially overlap in the direction of the rotation axis,
When viewed in the direction of the rotation axis, the first restricting portion includes a first circle drawn by the first restricted portion when the first image carrier rotates around the rotation axis. Overlap,
The manufacturing method includes:
A method of manufacturing a frame unit comprising a separation step of separating the first image carrier from the support member in a state where the support member is bonded to the frame.

  In order to achieve the above object, one of the inventions according to the present application is as follows.

A cartridge detachably attachable to the image forming apparatus, wherein the cartridge is
An image carrier for carrying an electrostatic latent image, the image carrier includes an end member, and the end member includes a regulated portion;
A support member for supporting the image carrier, and the support member includes a bearing portion that engages with the end member so that the image carrier can rotate around a rotation axis;
The support member has a frame body to which the support member is bonded, the frame body includes a restriction portion for restricting movement of the image carrier, and the restriction portion is in the direction orthogonal to the rotation axis. When the image carrier moves toward the inside of the support member in the direction of the rotation axis, the restricting portion comes into contact with the restricted portion,
A developing unit having a developer carrier for supplying a developer to the image carrier;
A concave portion that is recessed toward the rotation axis is formed in the restricted portion,
When viewed in the direction of the rotation axis, the restricting portion overlaps with a first circle drawn by the restricted portion when the image carrier rotates around the rotation axis, and the rotation around the rotation axis. A cartridge characterized in that a circle drawn by the recess when the image carrier rotates is located inside the first circle.

  According to the present invention, the image carrier including the end member including the regulated portion, the frame to which the support member supporting the image carrier is bonded, and the regulation portion regulating the regulated portion are provided. A method of reproducing a single unit can be provided. More specifically, the first unit can be disassembled to provide a method for manufacturing a frame unit for supporting the image carrier. In addition, a frame unit manufactured by the above method and a cartridge having the frame unit can be provided.

The figure which shows the isolation | separation process which isolate | separates a photosensitive drum from a photosensitive unit. Cross section of image forming apparatus Cross section of cartridge The perspective view explaining the structure of a cartridge The perspective view explaining the structure of a cartridge Perspective view of photosensitive unit Cross section of photosensitive unit Cross section of photosensitive unit Sectional drawing of the drum support frame which concerns on 1st Example, and a drum support member Sectional drawing which shows the attachment process of the photosensitive drum which concerns on 1st Example. Sectional drawing which shows the attachment process of the photosensitive drum which concerns on 1st Example. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the non-driving side of the photosensitive unit according to the first embodiment. The perspective view of the drive side flange which concerns on 2nd Example Sectional view of the photosensitive unit according to the second embodiment Sectional view of the photosensitive unit according to the second embodiment Sectional view of the photosensitive unit according to the second embodiment Sectional drawing which shows the attachment process of the photosensitive drum which concerns on 2nd Example. Enlarged view showing the separation process of separating the photosensitive drum from the photosensitive unit Enlarged view showing installation of photosensitive drum

  Embodiments of the present invention are illustrated below with reference to the drawings. However, in principle, the dimensions, materials, shapes, and relative arrangements of the components described in the embodiments should be changed as appropriate according to the configuration of the apparatus to which the invention is applied and various conditions. The scope of the present invention is not intended to be limited to the following embodiments.

<Example 1>
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

<Entire configuration of electrophotographic image forming apparatus>
The overall configuration of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus (hereinafter, image forming apparatus) and the image forming process will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus. Specifically, it is a cross-sectional view of an apparatus main body (hereinafter referred to as apparatus main body A) and a process cartridge (hereinafter referred to as cartridge B) of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge B according to the present embodiment.

  Here, the apparatus main body A is a part obtained by removing the cartridge B from the image forming apparatus.

  In the following description, the direction of the rotation axis (rotation axis direction) of the image carrier described later is the longitudinal direction. In the longitudinal direction, the side on which the electrophotographic photosensitive drum receives driving force from the image forming apparatus main body is defined as a driving side, and the opposite side is defined as a non-driving side.

  The image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 2 is a laser beam printer using an electrophotographic technique in which a cartridge B is detachable from the apparatus main body A.

  In the apparatus main body A, an exposure apparatus 3 (laser scanner unit) for forming an electrostatic latent image on a photosensitive drum 62 described later is disposed. In addition, a sheet tray 4 storing a recording medium (hereinafter referred to as a sheet material PA) that is an image forming target is disposed below the cartridge B.

  Further, the apparatus main body A includes a pickup roller 5a, a feeding roller pair 5b, a transfer guide 6, a transfer roller 7, a conveyance guide 8, a fixing device 9, a discharge roller pair 10, along the conveyance direction D of the sheet material PA. The discharge tray PT and the like are sequentially arranged. The fixing device 9 includes a heating roller 9a and a pressure roller 9b.

  On the other hand, the cartridge A includes a photosensitive drum 62 as an image carrier for carrying an electrostatic latent image (hereinafter, latent image). Hereinafter, the photosensitive drum 62 is simply referred to as a drum 62.

<Image formation process>
Next, an outline of the image forming process will be described.

  Based on the print start signal, the drum 62 is rotationally driven at a predetermined peripheral speed (process speed) in the direction of arrow R in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the charging roller (charging member) 66 to which a voltage is applied contacts the outer peripheral surface of the drum 62 and charges the outer peripheral surface of the drum 62.

  The exposure apparatus 3 outputs a laser beam L corresponding to the image information as shown in FIG. The laser beam L passes through a laser opening 71 h provided in the drum support frame 71 of the cartridge B, and scans and exposes the outer peripheral surface of the drum 62. Thereby, the electric potential of the outer peripheral surface of the drum 62 decreases. An electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image information is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the drum 62, and the drum 62 conveys the electrostatic latent image.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, in the developing unit 20 as a developing device, the toner T in the toner chamber 29 is agitated and conveyed by the rotation of the conveying member (agitating member) 43 and sent out to the toner supply chamber 28.

  The toner T is carried on the surface of the developing roller 32 by the magnetic force of the magnet roller 34 (fixed magnet). The developing roller 32 is a developer carrying member that carries a developer (toner T) on its surface in order to develop the latent image formed on the drum 62.

  While the toner T is frictionally charged by the developing blade 42, the layer thickness on the circumferential surface of the developing roller 32 as a developer carrying member is regulated. The developing blade 42 is configured to press the developing roller 32. The developing blade 42 is a thickness regulating member that regulates the thickness of the toner layer carried on the developing roller 32. In this embodiment, the toner T is a magnetic one-component developer.

  The toner T is supplied to the drum 62 in accordance with the latent image, and develops the latent image. Thereby, the latent image is visualized as a toner image. The drum 62 is an image carrier that carries a latent image or an image (toner image, developer image) formed of toner on the surface thereof. As shown in FIG. 2, the sheet material PA stored in the lower part of the apparatus main body A is sent out from the sheet tray 4 by the pickup roller 5a and the feed roller pair 5b in synchronization with the output timing of the laser beam L. Then, the sheet material PA is conveyed to the transfer position between the drum 62 and the transfer roller 7 via the transfer guide 6. At this transfer position, the toner images are sequentially transferred from the drum 62 to the sheet material PA.

  The sheet material PA onto which the toner image has been transferred is separated from the drum 62 and conveyed to the fixing device 9 along the conveyance guide 8. Then, the sheet material PA passes through the nip portion between the heating roller 9a and the pressure roller 9b constituting the fixing device 9. A pressure / heat fixing process is performed in the nip portion, and the toner image is fixed to the sheet material PA. The sheet material PA on which the toner image is fixed is conveyed to the discharge roller pair 10 and discharged to the discharge tray PT.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, after the toner image is transferred to the sheet material PA, the residual toner on the outer peripheral surface of the drum 62 is removed by the cleaning blade 77. The drum 62 is again used for the image forming process. The toner T removed from the drum 62 is stored in a waste toner chamber 71 b of the photosensitive unit 60.

  In the above, the charging roller 66, the developing roller 32, the transfer roller 7, and the cleaning member 77 are process means that act on the drum 62.

<Configuration of the entire cartridge>
Next, the overall configuration of the cartridge B will be described with reference to FIGS. 3, 4, 5, 7, and 8. FIG. 7 and 8 are sectional views of the photosensitive unit 60. FIG. More specifically, FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken in the direction of the rotation axis of the drum 62. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view cut in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the drum 62. 4 and 5 are perspective views for explaining the structure of the cartridge B. FIG.

  The cartridge B includes a photosensitive unit (corresponding to an image carrying unit, a first unit, or a first material unit) 60 and a developing unit (corresponding to a developer carrying unit) 20.

  In general, an electrophotographic photosensitive member and at least one of process means that act on the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge that is detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus. Call it. Examples of process means include charging means, developing means, and cleaning means.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the photosensitive unit 60 includes a drum 62, a charging roller 66, a cleaning member 77, and a drum support frame (frame) 71 for supporting them.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the drum 62 includes a cylindrical photosensitive cylinder (photoconductor) 62 b, a driving side flange (corresponding to an end member or a first end member) 63, and a non-driving side flange 64. The drive-side flange 63 is attached to the drive-side end of the photosensitive cylinder 62b in the axial direction of the photosensitive cylinder 62b (same as the axial direction of the drum 62). The non-driving side flange 64 is attached to the non-driving side end of the photosensitive cylinder 62b in the axial direction of the photosensitive cylinder 62b.

  The drum support frame 71 has one end and the other end located on the opposite side to the one end in the longitudinal direction. A drum support member (support member) 73 for supporting the drum 62 is bonded to one end of the drum support frame 71. The drum support member 73 is provided with a hole 73a as a bearing portion for rotatably supporting the drive side flange 63. The drive side flange 63 is supported by the hole 73 a of the drum support member 73 so as to be rotatable around the rotation axis.

  As shown in FIG. 7, in the state where the drum 62 is supported by the hole 73 a of the drum support member 73, the axis of the drum 62 is the same as the rotation axis of the drum 62. That is, in a state where the drum 62 is supported by the hole 73 a of the drum support member 73, the axial direction of the drum 62 is the same as the direction of the rotational axis of the drum 62.

  On the other hand, on the non-driving side, as shown in FIG. 5, the drum shaft 78 is press-fitted into a hole 71 c provided in the drum support frame 71. A hole (not shown) of the non-drive side flange 64 is rotatably supported by the drum shaft 78. The rotation axis of the drum 62 passes through the hole 73 a and the drum shaft 78. In other words, each drum flange is a supported bearing portion that is rotatably supported.

  Here, in the present embodiment, the unit including the drum support member 73 and the drum support frame 71 is referred to as a frame unit. That is, the frame body unit is a unit capable of supporting the drum 62 and a new drum 162 described later. The photosensitive unit 60 includes a frame unit and a drum 62. In a broad sense, the drum support member 73 and the drum support frame 71 can also be collectively referred to as a drum support frame.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the drum support member 73 and the drum support frame 71 are bonded to each other at the bonding surface (bonding portion) 73 d of the drum support member 73 and the bonding surface (bonding portion) 71 d of the drum support frame 71. Is done. In addition, the drum support member 73 and the drum support frame 71 are also fixed by screws 12.

  The bonding surface 73d of the drum support member 73 and the bonding surface 71d of the drum support frame 71 are provided around the hole 73a. In other words, as shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 7, the hole 73a is located inside the bonding surface 73d and the bonding surface 71d in the direction orthogonal to the rotation axis of the drum 62. The drum 62, which will be described later, is disassembled and joined in a state where the drum support frame 71 and the drum support member 73 are bonded. Here, an adhesive, a terpene solvent, or the like is used for bonding the bonding surface 73d and the bonding surface 71d, but the bonding surfaces may be bonded to each other as long as the bonding surfaces are bonded to each other.

  On the other hand, the charging roller 66 and the cleaning blade 77 are disposed in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the drum 62.

  The cleaning blade 77 includes a rubber blade 77a, which is a blade-like elastic member made of rubber, and a support member 77b for supporting the rubber blade 77a.

  Waste toner removed from the surface of the drum 62 by the cleaning member 77 is stored in the waste toner chamber 71b.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, in order to prevent waste toner from leaking through the gap between the drum support frame 71 and the drum 62, the edge of the drum support frame 71 is arranged so that the sealing sheet 65 contacts the drum 62. Is provided.

  The longitudinal direction of the drum support frame 71 (the longitudinal direction of the cartridge B) is the same as the direction of the rotation axis of the drum 62.

  The charging roller 66 is supported by the charging roller bearing 67, and the charging roller bearing 67 is pressed toward the drum 62 by the biasing member 68. The charging roller 66 is biased by the drum 62. The charging roller 66 rotates following the rotation of the drum 62.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the developing unit 20 includes a developing roller 32, a developing container 23 that supports the developing roller 32, a developing blade 42, and the like. The developing roller 32 is rotatably attached to the developing container 23 by bearing members 27 (FIG. 5) and 26 (FIG. 4) provided at both ends. The bearing members 27 and 26 are fixed to the developing container 23 by screws 13, 14 and 15.

  A magnet roller 34 is provided in the developing roller 32. In the developing unit 20, a developing blade 42 for regulating the thickness of the toner layer on the developing roller 32 is disposed.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a spacing member 38 is attached to the developing roller 32 at both ends of the developing roller 32. When the interval holding member 38 and the drum 62 are in contact with each other, the developing roller 32 is held with a slight gap between the developing roller 32 and the drum 62. This gap is larger than the thickness of the toner layer regulated by the developing blade 42.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the development side sealing sheet 33 for preventing the toner from leaking from the development unit 20 contacts the development roller 32. Further, the toner chamber 29 formed by the developing container 23 and the bottom member 22 is provided with a transport member 43 that transports toner to the toner supply chamber 28.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the cartridge B is configured by coupling a photosensitive unit 60 and a developing unit 20.

  When the developing unit 20 and the photosensitive unit 60 are coupled, the position of the first suspension hole 71i of the drum support frame 71 and the position of the development first support boss 26a of the developing container 23 are matched. Similarly, the position of the second suspension hole 71j is aligned with the position of the development second support boss 27a. Then, by moving the developing unit 20 in the arrow G direction, the developing first support boss 26a and the developing second support boss 27a are fitted into the first suspension hole 71i and the second suspension hole 71j. Thereby, the developing unit 20 is movably connected to the photosensitive unit 60. More specifically, the developing unit 20 is connected to the photosensitive unit 60 so as to be rotatable (rotatable).

  Thereafter, the drum B is configured by fixing the drum support member 73 to the drum support frame 71. The drum support member 73 covers the engaging portion of the first suspension hole 71i and the development first support boss 26a so as to prevent the development first support boss 26a from dropping out of the first suspension hole 71i.

  Further, the first end portion 46Rb of the driving side biasing member 46R is fixed to the surface 26b of the bearing member 26, and the second end portion 46Ra abuts on the surface 71k which is a part of the drum support frame 71.

  The first end portion 46Lb of the non-driving side urging member 46L is fixed to the surface 27b of the bearing member 27, and the second end portion 46La abuts on a surface 71l that is a part of the drum support frame 71.

  In this embodiment, the driving side biasing member 46R (FIG. 4) and the non-driving side biasing member 46L (FIG. 5) are compression springs. The driving side urging member 46R and the non-driving side urging member 46L urge the developing unit 20 to the photosensitive unit 60. Then, the developing roller 32 is urged toward the drum 62.

  Next, the positional relationship among the drum support frame 71, the drum support member 73, and the drum 62 will be described. FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view on the drive side of the photosensitive unit. More specifically, FIG. 7 is a view of the photosensitive unit 60 cut along the rotation axis of the drum 62 as viewed in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the drum 62.

  The drive-side flange 63 is a flange wall (a restricted portion or a first restricted portion) that protrudes toward the outside (radial direction) of the drum 62 in a direction intersecting the rotation axis of the drum 62 (the orthogonal direction in this embodiment). 63a). The flange wall 63a is located outside the photosensitive cylinder 62b in the radial direction of the cylindrical photosensitive cylinder 62b. The drive side flange 63 has a drive receiving portion 63c that receives drive from the apparatus main body A, and a sliding portion 63b as a shaft portion that is supported by the hole portion 73a. As shown in FIG. 4, the drive receiving portion 63c has a twisted polygonal protrusion shape.

  On the other hand, the drum support frame 71 has a frame wall (corresponding to a restricting portion and a first restricting portion) 71m configured to come into contact with the flange wall 63a when the drum 62 moves in the direction of the rotation axis. have.

  FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the photosensitive unit 60 on the drive side. More specifically, FIG. 8 shows the photosensitive unit 60 obtained by cutting the photosensitive unit 60 in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the drum 62. Further, FIG. 8 is a view of the outer side in the longitudinal direction from the inner position in the longitudinal direction with respect to the frame body wall 71m in the direction of the rotation axis.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the frame wall 71 m protrudes toward the drum 62 in a direction orthogonal to the rotation axis. In other words, the frame body wall 71m protrudes toward the hole 73a in a direction orthogonal to the rotation axis. As shown in FIG. 8, the frame body wall 71 m and the flange wall 63 a are arranged so as to overlap each other when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis of the drum 62. That is, the flange wall 63a has a portion facing the frame body wall 71m in the direction of the rotation axis. Therefore, when the flange wall 63a and the frame body wall 71m are projected along the rotation axis of the drum 62 on a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis of the drum 62, the region where the flange wall 63a is projected and the frame body wall 71m are The projected areas overlap one another. In this embodiment, a portion where the region where the flange wall 63a is projected and the region where the frame body wall 71m is projected overlaps has a width W.

  The relationship between the frame wall 71m and the flange wall 63a can also be expressed as follows. A circle drawn by the drive side flange 63 when the drum 62 rotates around the rotation axis is defined as a first circle 63R1. The first circle 63R1 is the same as the circle drawn by the flange wall 63a. At this time, the first circle 63R1 and the frame body wall 71m are arranged so as to overlap each other when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis. That is, a part (tip portion) of the frame body wall 71m is located inside the first circle 63R1. In the present embodiment, the flange wall 63a and the frame body wall 71m overlap each other in the direction perpendicular to the rotation axis and in the radial direction of the flange wall 63a (same as the radial direction of the first circle 63R1) by the overlap amount OL. Note that there is a gap between the frame wall 71m and the photosensitive cylinder 62b in the direction orthogonal to the rotation axis of the drum 62.

  In the direction of the rotation axis of the drum 62, the frame body wall 71m is provided inside the flange wall 63a. As shown in FIG. 7, when the drum 62 moves in the MA direction in the direction of the rotation axis, the frame body wall 71m and the flange wall 63a come into contact with each other before the sliding portion 63b is detached from the hole 73a. The movement of 62 is restricted. In other words, in the direction of the rotation axis, the moving distance required to remove the sliding part 63b from the hole 73a is longer than the moving distance for the frame body wall 71m and the flange wall 63a to contact each other. As shown in FIG. 7, the frame wall 71m is configured to abut against the flange wall 63a when the drum 62 moves from the driving side to the non-driving side in the direction of the rotation axis. This restricts the movement of the drum 62 toward the inside of the drum support member 73 in the direction of the rotation axis. That is, the frame body wall 71m abuts on the flange wall 63a to restrict the drum 62 from moving from the outside to the inside of the drum support member 73 in the direction of the rotation axis. As shown in FIG. 7, in the direction of the rotation axis of the drum 62, the position of the frame body wall 71m and the position of the hole 73a at least partially overlap. Since the drive side flange 63 has both the sliding portion 63b and the flange wall 63a, the positioning accuracy of the sliding portion 63b with respect to the hole 73a in the direction of the rotation axis of the drum 62 can be improved. Further, the space for arranging the frame body wall 71m and the hole 73a in the direction of the rotation axis of the drum 62 can also be reduced.

  Here, the direction from the driving side toward the non-driving side is also a direction in which the drum support member 73 moves from the one end bonded to the drum support frame 71 toward the other end on the opposite side of the one end. .

<Reproduction method of cartridge>
A method for remanufacturing the cartridge B will be described.

  When the cartridge B is mounted on the apparatus main body A and image formation using the cartridge B is repeated, the toner T accommodated in the toner chamber 29 is consumed. Further, the photosensitive layer of the photosensitive cylinder 62b of the drum 62 is also reduced. When the image having the quality desired by the user cannot be formed, the cartridge B reaches the end of its life.

  The used cartridge B can be reused by collecting and remanufacturing it. In this reproduction process, cleaning of the cartridge B, replacement of parts, and the like are performed.

  Note that the cartridge B, which is a material for reproduction, may not be used. For example, the cartridge B is collected for some reason without reaching its lifetime.

  Further, the parts of the cartridge B may be reused as they are or may be replaced with new parts. When the parts of the cartridge B are reused, the cartridge from which the parts are removed and the cartridge to which the removed parts are attached need not be the same.

  In the following description, separating a unit or part provided in the cartridge B from the cartridge B can be referred to as a disassembling process (disassembling method) of the cartridge B.

<Separation of development unit and photosensitive unit>
A process of separating the developing unit 20 and the photosensitive unit 60 (unit separation process) will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, the above-described cartridge B is prepared (preparation process). Then, in order to separate the developing unit 20 and the photosensitive unit 60, the screw 12 that connects the drum support frame 71 and the drum support member 73 is removed.

  Next, the drum support member 73 is deformed in a state where the drum support member 73 is bonded to the drum support frame 71. Specifically, a part of the drum support member 73 covering the engaging portion between the first suspension hole 71i and the development first support boss 26a is deformed. Then, the developing unit 20 is moved in the direction opposite to the arrow G, and the developing unit 20 and the photosensitive unit 60 are separated.

  As described above, the photosensitive unit 60 is separated from the cartridge B serving as a material. Here, the separated photosensitive unit 60 can be referred to as a material unit or a first unit as a material for manufacturing a new photosensitive unit or frame unit described later.

<Drum separation process>
Next, a separation step of disassembling the separated photosensitive unit 60 and separating the drum 62 from the photosensitive unit 60 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 6, 7, 8, and 18.

  FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the photosensitive unit 60. More specifically, FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a process of separating the drum shaft 78 from the photosensitive unit 60. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a separation process for separating the drum 62 from the photosensitive unit 60. FIG. 1A is a diagram when the separation step is started. FIG.1 (b) is a figure which shows the state by which the frame body wall 71m was deform | transformed in the isolation | separation process. FIG. 1C is a diagram illustrating a state where the drum 62 is separated from the drum support member 73. FIG. 18 is an enlarged view showing a separation process for separating the drum 62 from the photosensitive unit 60. More specifically, it is an enlarged view showing a state in which the frame body wall 71m is deformed.

  A separation process for separating the drum 62 as the first image carrier from the drum support member 73 will be described. Specifically, the separation step of the drum 62 refers to a step in which the sliding portion 63 b of the drive side flange 63 is separated from the hole portion 73 a of the drum support member 73. In the following description, the separation step may be expressed as separating the drum 62 from the photosensitive unit 60, separating the drum 62 from the drum support frame 71, and separating the drum 62 from the drum support member 73. .

  In this embodiment, the drum 62 is separated in a state where at least a part of the drum support member 73 is adhered to the drum support frame 71. More specifically, the drum 62 is separated from the drum support member 73 in a state where the portion including the hole 73 a of the drum support member 73 is fixed to the drum support frame 71. That is, there is no need to provide a step of removing the drum support member 73 from the drum support frame 71. Further, this makes it possible to attach a new drum 162 with the same accuracy as the drum 62 when attaching a new drum 162 to be described later to the drum support member 73.

  As shown in FIG. 6, when the drum 62 is taken out, first, the drum shaft 78 press-fitted into the hole 71 c of the drum support frame 71 is extracted toward the non-driving side in the direction of the rotation axis of the drum 62. .

  Next, as shown in FIG. 7, in order to release the engagement between the sliding portion 63b of the drive side flange 63 and the hole 73a of the drum support member 73, the drum 62 is moved in the direction of the arrow MA. Then, before the engagement between the sliding portion 63b and the hole portion 73a is released, the frame body wall 71m of the drum support frame 71 and the flange wall 63a of the drive side flange 63 come into contact (interference).

  Therefore, a deformation process for deforming the frame body wall 71m is performed. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1A, the non-driving side of the drum 62 is moved in the arrow MB direction in a state where the frame body wall 71m and the flange wall 63a are in contact with each other. Then, the drum support member 73 is elastically deformed in the direction of the arrow MC while the sliding portion 63b of the drive side flange 63 and the hole 73a of the drum support member 73 are engaged. When the drum 62 is further moved in the direction of the arrow MB, the frame wall 71m is elastically deformed as shown in FIGS. At this time, the flange wall 63a may also be deformed. Further, when the drum support member 73 is deformed in the direction of the arrow MC, the projection surface of the flange wall 63a and the projection surface of the frame body wall 71m do not overlap in the direction of the arrow MD that is the extraction direction of the drum 62. That is, when viewed in the axial direction of the tilted drum 62, the overlap amount OL between the flange wall 63a and the frame body wall 71m decreases. In addition, the distance between the frame body wall 71m and the periphery of the hole 73a is in a wider state than before the deformation. Then, as shown in FIG. 1C, the drum 62 can move in the direction of the arrow MD with respect to the drum support member 73, and the drum 62 can be separated.

  In the present embodiment, when the application of force to the drum 62 in the direction of the arrow MB is stopped, the distance between the frame body wall 71m and the hole 73a is restored to the original by its own elasticity. However, the frame body wall 71m may be plastically deformed. Note that the plastic deformation referred to here includes one in which the frame body wall 71m is broken. Moreover, you may implement the fixing process which fixes the frame body wall 71m with an adhesive etc. in the state which the frame body wall 71m deform | transformed. For example, an adhesive or the like may be applied to the base of the frame body wall 71m in the state shown in FIG. By doing so, the frame body wall 71m is prevented from being unintentionally separated from the drum support frame 71.

  Here, another method for separating the drum 62 from the drum support member 73 will be described.

  In the step of separating the drum 62 from the photosensitive unit 60, the drum 62 may be separated by removing at least a part of the frame wall 71m as shown in FIG. At this time, it is desirable that the frame body wall 71m be removed until the overlap amount OL becomes 0. Note that part of the frame body wall 71m may remain or all of the frame body wall 71m may be removed. The frame wall 71m may be removed by displacing the drum 62.

  As another method, the drum 62 may be separated after removing at least a part of the flange wall 63 a of the drive side flange 63. For example, the entire circumference of the flange wall 63a is removed in the rotation direction of the drum 62. The shape of the drive side flange 63 at this time is the same as the shape shown in FIG.

  Moreover, you may remove a part of flange wall 63a so that the recessed part which dents toward a rotating shaft line may be formed in a part of flange wall 63a. In this case, in the rotation direction of the drum 62, the length of the removed portion (recessed portion) of the flange wall 63a is preferably longer than the length of the frame body wall 71m. In other words, the width of the removed portion of the flange wall 63a is preferably wider than the width W of the frame body wall 71m. The shape of the drive side flange 63 at this time is similar to the shape shown in FIG.

  By doing so, the drum 62 can be separated so that the frame body wall 71m passes through the removed portion of the flange wall 63a.

  In either case, in the step of separating the drum 62, the amount of contact between the flange wall 63a and the frame body wall 71m is reduced, so that the drum 62 can be easily separated. In the step of separating the drum 62, the flange wall 63a and the frame body wall 71m are preferably removed so that the flange wall 63a and the frame body wall 71m do not contact each other. Further, both the flange wall 63a and the frame body wall 71m may be removed. In addition, the removal process and deformation | transformation process of the frame body wall 71m demonstrated here can also be called an example of the distance increase process mentioned later.

  As described above, the drum 62 as the first image carrier can be separated from the drum support member 73. Thus, the photosensitive unit 60 can be disassembled, and a frame unit to which a new drum (including reuse of the drum 62) can be attached can be manufactured. The manufacturing process of the frame unit described above can also be referred to as a disassembly process of the photosensitive unit 60.

  Further, as described above, if a gap increasing step is performed in this step, it is possible to further easily attach a new drum. The drum 62 is separated from the drum support member 73 in a state where the portion including the hole 73 a of the drum support member 73 is fixed to the drum support frame 71. Thereby, the position accuracy of the drum 62 and the position accuracy of the new drum can be made equal in the direction orthogonal to the rotation axis. Further, it is not necessary to peel the drum support member 73 from the drum support frame 71. That is, it is possible to easily manufacture a frame unit that can accurately position a new drum to be described later.

<Manufacture of second image carrier>
Next, a process for manufacturing a new drum 162 as a second image carrier will be described. The new drum 162 is a drum replaced with the removed drum 62.

  After separating the drum 62 from the drum support member 73, the drive side flange 63 is separated from the drum 62. Then, the drive side flange 63 is attached to a new photosensitive cylinder 162b, and a new drum 162 is manufactured. At this time, as a method for fixing the drive side flange 63, an adhesive, a screw, a pin, or the like is used, and any method may be used as long as the photosensitive cylinder 162b and the drive side flange 63 can be rotated together.

  Here, if the drum 62 is in a usable state again, the drum 62 may be used as the new drum 162 without separating the drive side flange 63. Further, after separating the drive side flange 63, a combination with the photosensitive cylinder 62b may be used as the new drum 162 again. For example, a used photosensitive cylinder 62b removed from another cartridge B may be used as the photosensitive cylinder 162b. Further, a newly produced drive side flange 63 combined with the photosensitive cylinder 162b may be used as a new drum 162. In addition, a new drum 162 may be used in which all parts are newly manufactured. That is, it is only necessary to select a part to be replaced and a part to be reused according to the state of the drum 62.

  In the following description, a process of coupling a new drum 162 with the drum support frame 71 will be described, but the new drum 162 may be manufactured by any manufacturing method. That is, a part or all of the drum 62 is reused as it is, and is included in the new drum 162.

  Hereinafter, the above-described new drum 162 is simply referred to as a drum 162.

<Frame wall height reduction process>
The process of reducing the height of the frame body wall 71m in the direction orthogonal to the rotation axis will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, the height of the frame body wall 71m refers to the length from the root to the tip of the frame body wall 71m. In other words, the step of reducing the height of the frame body wall 71m is a distance increasing step (gap) that increases the distance (gap) between the frame wall 71m and the rotation axis in the direction orthogonal to the rotation axis. Increase process). By reducing the height of the frame body wall 71m, the frame body wall 71m moves away from the rotation axis and the hole 73a in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis. That is, the distance (gap) between the frame wall 71m and the hole 73a increases in the direction orthogonal to the rotation axis.

  In the following description, the case where the flange wall 63a is not removed, plastically deformed, or the like is described as an example when the drum 62 is separated from the drum support member 73.

  FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the drum support frame 71 and the drum support member 73. FIG. 19 is an enlarged view showing attachment of the drum 162.

  As described above, the drum support frame 71 has the frame wall 71m. The drive side flange 63 has a flange wall 63a. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 19, when the drum 162 is attached, the frame wall 71m and the flange wall 63a abut before the sliding portion 63b and the hole 73a are engaged.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, at least a part of the frame body wall 71m provided on the drum support frame 71 is removed (removal step). Specifically, the frame body wall 71m is removed in the direction away from the rotation axis in the direction orthogonal to the rotation axis. In other words, at least a part of the frame body wall 71m is removed so that a gap (distance) between the frame body wall 71m and the rotation axis increases in a direction orthogonal to the rotation axis. That is, the distance (gap) between the frame wall 71m and the hole 73a increases in the direction orthogonal to the rotation axis.

  Accordingly, the amount of contact between the frame body wall 71m and the flange wall 63a is reduced, and it is easy to couple the drum 162 to the drum support frame 71 (join to the drum support member 73). At this time, it is preferable to remove the frame body wall 71m beyond the overlap amount OL described above. That is, it is desirable to remove the frame body wall 71m so that the frame body wall 71m and the flange wall 63a do not contact each other.

  In the step of separating the drum 62 from the photosensitive unit 60 described above, when the frame wall 71m is removed, it may be used as the removal step.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1B, a deformation step of deforming the frame body wall 71m with respect to the drum support frame 71 may be performed. Even in this case, the gap (distance) between the rotation axis and the frame wall 71m can be increased. At this time, the frame body wall 71m may be plastically deformed. Further, in order to stabilize the position of the frame body wall 71m, a fixing step of fixing the frame body wall 71m to the drum support frame body 71 or the like using an adhesive or the like may be performed. Further, in the step of separating the drum 62 from the photosensitive unit 60 described above, when the frame wall 71m is plastically deformed, it may be used as a deformation step.

  The frame body wall 71m is preferably removed or deformed so that the frame body wall 71m and the flange wall 63a do not come into contact with each other. In other words, it is preferable that the frame body wall 71m be deformed or removed so that the frame body wall 71m is positioned outside the first circle 63R1 (see FIG. 8) when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis of the drum 62. .

  It can also be said that the above gap increasing process is a distance increasing process in which the distance between the tip of the frame body wall 71m and the rotation axis is increased in the direction orthogonal to the rotation axis. Further, as described above, the distance increasing step (gap increasing step) may be included in the drum 62 separation step. The process including the removing process and the deforming process of the frame body wall 71m as described above can also be referred to as a displacement process of the frame body wall 71m. That is, the above-described height reduction process and distance increase process of the frame wall 71m can also be referred to as a displacement process of the frame wall 71m.

  Thereby, the frame unit to which the drum 162 can be easily attached can be manufactured.

<Drum assembly process>
Next, a method for manufacturing a new photosensitive unit by assembling the drum 162 to the frame unit manufactured as described above will be described.

  An attachment process for attaching the drum 162 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a process of attaching the drum 162, and is a longitudinal cross-sectional view on the drive side when a new drum is assembled. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a process of attaching the drum 162 and is a diagram illustrating a process of assembling the drum 162 to the drum support member 73 after the frame wall 71m is removed.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the drum 162 is assembled to the drum support member 73 from the direction of the arrow ME through the hole 73a.

  At this time, since the frame wall 71m is removed or deformed as described above, the drum 162 can be easily assembled to the drum support frame 71.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, there is nothing that overlaps with the flange wall 63a of the drive side flange 63 in the drum assembly direction ME. Accordingly, the sliding portion 63b of the driving side flange 63 and the hole portion 73a of the drum support member 73 can be easily engaged with each other, so that the drum 162 can be easily assembled to the drum support frame 71.

  Thereby, a new photosensitive unit including the drum 162 can be manufactured from the photosensitive unit 60 as the first unit.

  Note that a step of removing the toner stored in the waste toner chamber 71b may be performed before the drum 162 is attached or after the drum 162 is attached. Further, a process of cleaning or replacing parts such as the cleaning blade 77 and the charging roller 66 may be performed.

  Moreover, you may perform the above-mentioned clearance gap increase process by attaching the drum 162. FIG. That is, the drum 162 is attached with at least a part of the frame body wall 71m remaining. The frame wall 71m may be pushed and deformed toward the outside of the drum support member 73 by the flange wall 63a. At this time, the frame wall 71m may be pushed and broken by the flange wall 63a.

<Formation of second frame body wall (second regulating part)>
A process of forming a second restricting portion that restricts the drum 162 from moving toward the inside of the drum support member 73 in the direction of the rotation axis will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of the non-driving side after the drum is assembled. As shown in FIG. 12, a spacer 72 as a second restricting portion is attached to the non-driving side wall 71 n of the drum support frame 71. The method for attaching the spacer 72 may be any method such as double-sided tape, adhesive, pin, screwing, or the like. This restricts the movement of the drum 162 to the non-driving side. That is, even if the frame body wall 71m is removed, the movement of the drum 162 can be restricted in the direction of the rotation axis in the same manner as the frame body wall 71m. That is, the spacer 72 restricts movement from one end to the other end in the direction of the rotation axis of the drum 162. In other words, the spacer 72 restricts the drum 162 from moving in the direction from the outside to the inside of the drum support member 73 in the direction of the rotation axis of the drum 162.

  In this embodiment, the spacer 72 is provided on the drum support frame 71, but it may be provided on the non-drive drum flange 64 of the drum 162 as long as the movement of the drum 162 to the non-drive side can be restricted.

  In this embodiment, the spacer 72 is attached after the drum 162 is assembled to the drum support frame 71. However, the spacer 72 may be attached before the drum 162 is assembled.

  As described above, a new photosensitive unit 60 including the drum 162 can be manufactured from the photosensitive unit 60 as the first unit.

<Development unit disassembly and other processes>
The steps of disassembling the developing unit and manufacturing a new cartridge from the new photosensitive unit will be described.

  After the photosensitive unit 60 is separated, the developing unit 20 is disassembled and the toner is refilled. In the separated developing unit 20, the driving side developing bearing 26 and the non-driving side developing bearing 27 are removed from the developing container 23. Further, the developing roller 32 and the developing blade 42 are removed from the developing container 23. Then, the developing container 23, the developing roller 32, and the developing blade 42 are cleaned or parts are replaced as necessary.

  Thereafter, the toner chamber 29 of the developing container 23 is refilled with new toner T. The refilling of toner is performed, for example, from the toner supply opening 23d (see FIG. 3) of the developing container 23 with the developing roller 32 and the developing blade 42 removed. At this time, the developing container 23 is held so that the toner supply opening 23d faces upward, and a funnel (not shown) whose tip is substantially the same as or smaller than the toner supply opening 23d is applied to the toner supply opening 23d. Then, a predetermined amount of toner T is filled into the toner chamber 29 from the funnel through the toner supply opening 23d.

  Next, the developing unit 20 is assembled. When the toner filling is completed, the toner supply opening 23d is sealed with a sealing member (not shown). Then, the developing roller 32, the developing blade 42, the driving-side developing bearing 26, and the non-driving-side developing bearing 27 are assembled to the developing container 23 by a procedure reverse to the disassembly of the developing unit 20 described above. Thus, the reassembly of the developing unit 20 is completed.

  Finally, the developing unit 20 containing the new toner T is coupled to the new photosensitive unit to which the drum 162 is attached as described above (coupling process). In this way, a new cartridge is manufactured.

  The developing unit 20 may be newly manufactured. Further, the developing unit 20 separated from the other cartridge B may be used.

  As described above, a new cartridge can be manufactured by remanufacturing the cartridge B as a material.

<Example 2>
Next, the form of Example 2 of this invention is demonstrated based on FIG.13, FIG.14, FIG.15, FIG.16, FIG.

  In the present embodiment, parts different from the above-described embodiment will be described in detail. Unless otherwise noted, the material, shape, etc. are the same as in the previous embodiment. Such parts are given the same numbers and will not be described in detail.

  In the first embodiment, the frame body wall 71m is removed or deformed. However, in this embodiment, at least a part of the flange wall 63a is removed and the like is different from the first embodiment.

  In addition, since the process of separating the photosensitive unit 60 and the developing unit 20 and the process of separating the drum 62 from the photosensitive unit 60 can use the same processes as in the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted here.

<Manufacture of second end member>
The manufacture of a new drive-side flange 163 as the second end member will be described with reference to FIGS. 13, 14, 15, and 16.

  FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a new drive-side flange as a second end member according to the present embodiment. 14, 15 and 16 are sectional views of a new photosensitive unit according to this embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 13, at least a part of the flange wall 63a of the drive side flange 63 is removed to manufacture a drive side flange 163 as a second end member. The flange wall 63a may be removed without separating the drive side flange 63 from the drum 62. Further, the flange wall 63a may be removed after the drive side flange 63 is separated from the drum 62.

  The flange wall 63a is removed so that the amount protruding toward the outside of the drum 162 decreases so that the amount of contact with the frame wall 71m decreases in the direction orthogonal to the rotation axis. At this time, all the flange walls 63a may be removed. Furthermore, the front end of the flange wall 63a may be removed so as to be located inside the photosensitive cylinder 162b in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis (radial direction of the photosensitive cylinder 162b).

  For example, as shown in FIG. 14, the flange wall 63a may be removed over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction. At this time, the size of the region where the new drive side flange 163 and the frame body wall 71m overlap is smaller than the size of the region where the flange wall 63a and the frame body wall 71m overlap when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis. Note that the flange wall 63a may be removed so that a gap is generated between the new drive side flange 163 and the frame body wall 71m when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis. That is, the size of the region where the new drive side flange 163 and the frame body wall 71m overlap with each other when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis may be 0 or less.

  In other words, when the drum 162 rotates around the rotation axis, the drive side flange 163 draws a second circle 163R2 (FIG. 14). When viewed in the direction of the rotation axis, the second circle 163R2 is smaller than the first circle 63R1 drawn by the flange wall 63a. That is, the radius (maximum radius) of the second circle 163R2 is smaller than the radius (maximum radius) of the first circle 63R1.

  In this way, the process of assembling the drum 162 to the drum support member 73 can be facilitated.

  The flange wall 63a is preferably removed so that the frame wall 71m is positioned outside the second circle 163R2 when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis.

  Note that the amount of removal of the flange wall 63a in the radial direction of the second circle 163R2 does not have to be uniform in the circumferential direction of the second circle 163R2, even if a recess is formed in part. Good.

  Further, the frame body wall 71m may be removed or deformed as shown in the first embodiment. That is, you may perform together the distance increase process (gap increase process) shown in Example 1. FIG. In this case, as shown in FIG. 14, it is preferable to remove the flange wall 63a or both the flange wall 63a and the frame body wall 71m so that the region 71p disappears.

  In this way, the process of assembling the drum 162 to the drum support member 73 can be facilitated. That is, since the projection surface of the drive side flange 163 and the projection surface of the frame body wall 71m do not overlap in the drum assembly direction ME, the new drum 162 can be easily assembled to the drum support frame 71.

  On the other hand, a part of the flange wall 63a may be removed. This will be described below with reference to FIG.

  In this method, a part of the flange wall 63a of the drive side flange 63 is removed so that the flange wall 163a of the new drive side flange 163 is provided with a recess 163d that is recessed toward the rotation axis. The flange wall 163a provided with the recess 163d corresponds to a second restricted portion. In this method, the flange wall 163a is a part of the flange wall 63a remaining without being removed.

  As shown in FIG. 15, when a new drum 162 rotates around the rotation axis, the flange wall 163a of the new flange 163 draws a second circle 163R2 when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis. The recess 163d draws a third circle 163R3.

  At this time, the second circle 163R2 is the same as the first circle 63R1 when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis. On the other hand, the third circle 163R3 is located inside the second circle 163R2 and the first circle 63R1.

  That is, the amount of contact with the frame wall 71m is reduced in the recess 163d. More preferably, as shown in FIG. 15, it is preferable that the frame body wall 71m is located outside the third circle 163R3 when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis. In the rotation direction of the drum 162, the length of the recess 163d is preferably longer than the length of the frame body wall 71m.

  Further, the frame body wall 71m may be removed or deformed as shown in FIG. That is, the distance increasing process (gap increasing process) shown in the first embodiment may be performed together. In this case, the amount of removing the flange wall 63a can be reduced.

  In addition, it is desirable that the length of the portion 63e from which the drive side flange 63 is removed in the circumferential direction is longer than the length 71q of the frame body wall 71m.

  As described above, a new drive-side flange 163 can be manufactured as the second end member. In the above method, the new drive side flange 163 is manufactured from the drive side flange 63 by removing the flange wall 63a. However, the present invention is not limited to this. A drive side flange having the same shape as the new drive side flange 163 described above may be newly manufactured without reusing the drive side flange 63.

  Further, in the step of separating the drum 62 from the photosensitive unit 60 shown in the first embodiment, when the flange wall 63a is removed, the flange wall 63a removal step (manufacturing step of the new drive side flange 163) is performed accordingly. ).

<Drum installation process>
An attachment process for attaching a new drum 162 having a new drive-side flange 163 to the drum support member 73 through the hole 73a will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view showing a process of attaching the drum 162 according to the present embodiment.

  The drum 162 as the second image carrier has a drive side flange 163 and a new photosensitive cylinder 162b. Since the new photosensitive cylinder 162b is the same as that described in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted here.

  FIG. 17 is a view showing a state in which the drum 162 including the new drive side flange 163 shown in FIG. 15 is assembled to the drum support member 73.

  As shown in FIG. 17, a new drum 162 is assembled to the drum support frame 71 from the direction of the arrow ME. At this time, in the drum assembly direction ME, the amount overlapping the projection surface of the frame body wall 71m of the drum support frame 71 is reduced. As a result, the drive side flange 163 can be easily engaged with the hole 73 a of the drum support member 73, so that the drum 162 can be easily assembled to the drum support frame 71.

  In addition to the above steps, the spacer 72 may be attached to the wall surface 71n on the non-driving side of the drum support frame 71 as in the first embodiment.

  Further, since a new cartridge manufacturing method by disassembling the developing unit 20, refilling the toner, and recombining the developing unit 20 is the same as that in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted here.

  As described above, a new cartridge can be manufactured by remanufacturing the cartridge B as a material.

  Only one of the methods of the first and second embodiments described above may be performed, or both may be performed as necessary.

  According to the present invention, a new cartridge can be manufactured by remanufacturing the cartridge B as a material. More specifically, the drum 62 including the drive side flange 63 provided with the flange wall 63a, the drum support frame 71 to which the drum support member 73 that supports the drum 62 is bonded, and the frame body wall that regulates the flange wall 63a. The photosensitive unit 60 having 71 m can be reproduced. A frame unit for supporting a new drum 162 can be manufactured from the photosensitive unit 60. In addition, a new photosensitive unit supporting a new drum 162 can be manufactured from the photosensitive unit 60.

  Furthermore, according to the method of the present embodiment, the separation of the drum 62 and the coupling of a new drum 162 can be facilitated.

30 Developing roller gear 30a Gear portion 32 Developing roller (developer carrier)
62 drum (image carrier)
63 Drive wheel drum flange (end member)
63a Flange wall (first regulated part)
71 Drum support frame (frame)
71m frame wall (regulator, first regulator)

Claims (19)

A manufacturing method for manufacturing a frame unit from a first unit,
The first unit is:
A first image carrier for carrying an electrostatic latent image, wherein the first image carrier includes a first end member, and the first end member is a first restricted portion; With
A support member for supporting the first image carrier, wherein the support member and the first end member are arranged so that the first image carrier can rotate around a rotation axis. Including a bearing portion to engage,
The support member includes a frame body to which the support member is bonded, and the frame body includes a first restricting portion for restricting movement of the first image carrier, and the first member is arranged in the direction perpendicular to the rotation axis. One restricting portion projects toward the first image carrier, and when the first image carrier moves toward the inside of the support member in the direction of the rotation axis, the first restricting portion Is in contact with the first restricted portion,
The position of the first restricting portion and the position of the bearing portion at least partially overlap in the direction of the rotation axis,
When viewed in the direction of the rotation axis, the first restricting portion includes a first circle drawn by the first restricted portion when the first image carrier rotates around the rotation axis. Overlap,
The manufacturing method includes:
A method of manufacturing a frame unit comprising a separation step of separating the first image carrier from the support member in a state where the support member is bonded to the frame.   The method of manufacturing a frame unit according to claim 1, further comprising a height reduction step of reducing the height of the first restricting portion in a direction orthogonal to the rotation axis.   The said height reduction process includes the removal process which removes at least one part of said 1st control part, The manufacturing method of the frame body unit of Claim 2 characterized by the above-mentioned.   The first restricting portion is removed so that the first restricting portion is located outside the first circle when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis. Method for manufacturing the frame unit.   The said height reduction process includes the deformation | transformation process which deform | transforms said 1st control part, The manufacturing method of the frame unit of Claim 2 characterized by the above-mentioned.   The first restricting portion is deformed so that the first restricting portion is positioned outside the first circle when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis. Method for manufacturing the frame unit. A method for manufacturing an image carrying unit, comprising:
The first image carrier or a second image carrier for carrying an electrostatic latent image is mounted on the frame unit produced by the production method according to any one of claims 1 to 6. Including the mounting process to attach,
The method of manufacturing an image carrier unit, wherein the first image carrier or the second image carrier is supported by the support member. Forming a second restricting portion;
When the first image carrier or the second image carrier moves toward the inside of the support member in the direction of the rotation axis, the second restricting portion is configured to move the first image carrier. The method of manufacturing an image carrier unit according to claim 7, wherein the movement of the second image carrier is regulated. A method for manufacturing an image carrying unit, comprising:
An attachment step of attaching a second image carrier for carrying an electrostatic latent image to the frame unit produced by the production method according to claim 1, The image carrier is supported by the support member, and the second image carrier includes a second end member,
The second circle drawn by the second end member when the second image carrier rotates around the rotation axis is smaller than the first circle. Production method.   10. The method of manufacturing an image carrying unit according to claim 9, wherein the first restricting portion is located outside the second circle when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis. 11. A method for manufacturing an image carrying unit, comprising:
An attachment step for attaching a second image carrier for carrying an electrostatic latent image to the frame unit produced by the production method according to claim 1, The image carrier is supported by the support member, the second image carrier includes a second end member, and the second end member is provided with a recess recessed toward the rotation axis. Including a second regulated part,
A second circle drawn by the second restricted portion when the second image carrier rotates around the rotational axis when viewed in the direction of the rotational axis, and the first restricting portion; But overlap
A method of manufacturing an image carrier unit, wherein a third circle drawn by the concave portion when the second image carrier rotates around the rotation axis is located inside the first circle.   12. The method of manufacturing an image carrier unit according to claim 11, wherein in the rotation direction of the second image carrier, the length of the concave portion is longer than the length of the first restricting portion.   13. The method of manufacturing an image carrying unit according to claim 11, wherein the first restricting portion is positioned outside the third circle when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis.   14. The method according to claim 9, further comprising a step of manufacturing the second end member from the first end member by removing at least a part of the first restricted portion. A method for producing the image carrying unit according to claim 1. Forming a second restricting portion;
When the second image carrier moves toward the inside of the support member in the direction of the rotation axis, the second restricting portion is configured to use the first image carrier or the second image carrier. The method of manufacturing an image carrier unit according to claim 9, wherein the movement of the image carrier unit is restricted. A method of manufacturing a cartridge detachable from an image forming apparatus,
16. A method of manufacturing a cartridge, comprising: a coupling step of coupling a developing unit for containing a developer to the image carrying unit manufactured by the manufacturing method according to claim 7. A cartridge detachably attachable to the image forming apparatus, wherein the cartridge is
An image carrier for carrying an electrostatic latent image, the image carrier includes an end member, and the end member includes a regulated portion;
A support member for supporting the image carrier, and the support member includes a bearing portion that engages with the end member so that the image carrier can rotate around a rotation axis;
The support member has a frame body to which the support member is bonded, the frame body includes a restriction portion for restricting movement of the image carrier, and the restriction portion is in the direction orthogonal to the rotation axis. When the image carrier moves toward the inside of the support member in the direction of the rotation axis, the restricting portion comes into contact with the restricted portion,
A developing unit having a developer carrier for supplying a developer to the image carrier;
A concave portion that is recessed toward the rotation axis is formed in the restricted portion,
When viewed in the direction of the rotation axis, the restricting portion overlaps with a first circle drawn by the restricted portion when the image carrier rotates around the rotation axis, and the rotation around the rotation axis. A cartridge characterized in that a circle drawn by the recess when the image carrier rotates is located inside the first circle.   The cartridge according to claim 17, wherein a length of the concave portion is longer than a length of the restricting portion in a rotation direction of the image carrier. 19. The cartridge according to claim 17, wherein when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis, the restricting portion is positioned outside a circle drawn by the concave portion when the image carrier rotates.

Images