JP2003241624A - Process cartridge and bonding frame of process cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the image defect occurring in toner deterioration by the temperature rising in the machine. <P>SOLUTION: An air trunk to admit the air taken in by an intake fan into the process cartridge from vent holes disposed at side covers and to pass the air near a developing sleeve out to a laser opening and a transfer roll side is configured. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a process cartridge and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus used for forming an image in a printer, a copying machine or the like.

Here, the electrophotographic image forming apparatus is an apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium by using an electrophotographic image forming process. For example, an electrophotographic copying machine, an electrophotographic printer (for example, laser beam printer, LED printers, etc.), electrophotographic facsimile machines, electrophotographic word processors, etc.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic image forming process, an electrophotographic photosensitive drum (hereinafter referred to as a photosensitive drum) and a process means acting on the photosensitive drum are integrally formed into a cartridge. Then, a process cartridge system in which this cartridge is detachably attached to the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus is adopted. In such a process cartridge system,
There is one in which the photosensitive drum and at least one of the charging means, the developing means and the cleaning means or at least the developing means are integrally made into a cartridge, and the cartridge can be attached to and detached from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. .

According to this type of process cartridge system, the maintenance of the apparatus can be performed by the user himself without resorting to a serviceman, so that the operability can be markedly improved. Therefore, this process cartridge system is widely used in electrophotographic image forming apparatuses.

Further, in this type of process cartridge, a photoconductor unit in which a photoconductor drum, cleaning means, and the like are integrally united, and a developing device unit in which a developing sleeve, a toner container, and the like are unitized are combined. An integrated cartridge is known.
In this process cartridge, the photoconductor unit is configured by attaching a photoconductor drum, a charging unit, and a cleaning unit to the drum frame, and the developing device unit further includes a developing blade in addition to the developing sleeve and the toner storage container. And toner conveying means are incorporated. Then, both side surfaces of the photoconductor unit and the developing device unit are joined together by side covers or the like to integrally form a process cartridge.

In such an image forming apparatus, when the temperature inside the apparatus remarkably rises, the developer may deteriorate and good development may not be obtained. In order to prevent this, in many cases, a cooling fan is provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus to suppress the temperature rise inside the apparatus.

However, when the size of the apparatus is reduced and the printing speed is increased, the temperature inside the apparatus is also likely to increase. Also, inside the process cartridge, the amount of heat generated by friction between the developing sleeve and the developing blade, friction between the photosensitive drum and the cleaning blade, and sliding of the bearing portion of the developing sleeve increases, and the temperature near the developing device easily rises. Become.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a process cartridge which can effectively cool the inside of the process cartridge, especially the periphery of the developing sleeve in the above-mentioned situation, and can obtain good development. To aim.

[0009]

The structure of the process cartridge of the present invention for achieving the above object is as follows.

(Structure 1) A process cartridge detachable from the main body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a drum frame for supporting the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and the electrophotographic photosensitive drum. A developing device having a developing sleeve for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the developing device with a developer; a first frame body for fixing a side surface of the drum frame body on one end side of the developing device; An exposure opening provided for irradiating light for forming a latent image on the photographic photosensitive drum, and a through hole provided in the first frame and serving as an air passage for flowing air inside the process cartridge. ,
The air introduced into the process cartridge through the through hole is discharged to the outside of the process cartridge through the exposure opening, the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and the facing portion of the developing sleeve.

(Structure 2) In the process cartridge having the above structure 1, the through hole has the electrophotographic photosensitive drum and the electrophotographic photosensitive drum when viewed from the axial direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum. A first through hole arranged near the facing portion of the developing sleeve, a first opening provided in the first frame body, and a second opening formed in the drum frame body. It is characterized in that it is constituted by at least one of the two through holes.

(Structure 3) In the process cartridge according to Structure 1 or 2, the drum frame and the second frame for fixing the side surface on the other end side of the developing device and the developer in the developing device are arranged. Conveying means for conveying, a gear provided on the other end side of the developing frame for rotating the conveying means, and a gear provided on the second frame for flowing air into the process cartridge. A third through hole that serves as an air passage, and the third through hole is provided in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis of the gear. The introduced air is discharged to the outside of the process cartridge through the facing portion of the exposure opening, the electrophotographic photosensitive drum and the developing sleeve.

(Structure 4) Provided for supporting the electrophotographic photosensitive drum of the process cartridge which is attachable to and detachable from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and for performing light irradiation for forming a latent image on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum. A side surface of the drum frame body having the exposed exposure opening and a developing device having a developing sleeve for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum with a developer. In the coupling frame, at least a first through hole that forms a first air passage through which air flows inside the process cartridge and a second through hole that forms a second air passage through which air flows inside the process cartridge. The first through hole is provided in the vicinity of a facing portion between the electrophotographic photosensitive drum and the developing sleeve when the coupling frame is viewed from the axial direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum. The second air passage is formed by the second through hole and an opening provided in the drum frame, and the air introduced into the process cartridge from the through hole is the exposure opening and the air. A coupling frame body which is pulled out to the outside of the process cartridge through a facing portion between the electrophotographic photosensitive drum and the developing sleeve.

(Structure 5) The electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body supports an electrophotographic photosensitive drum of a detachable process cartridge, and is provided to irradiate light for forming a latent image on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum. A drum frame having an exposed exposure opening, a developing sleeve for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum with a developer, and a transporting means for transporting the developer. , A coupling frame body for coupling and fixing the one end side to a developing device provided at one end side of the developing frame body and having a gear for rotationally driving the carrying means, a wind for flowing air into the process cartridge. A through hole that forms a path, the through hole is provided in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis of the gear, and the air introduced into the process cartridge from the through hole is exposed through the exposure opening and the front. Coupling frame, characterized in that exit the process cartridge out through the electrophotographic photosensitive drum opposing portion of the developing sleeve.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (First Embodiment) An embodiment of a process cartridge and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

First, an embodiment of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus in which a process cartridge constructed according to the present invention is detachably mounted will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the configuration of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of a process cartridge detachable from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to the present invention. is there. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus uses an electrophotographic image forming process to print a recording sheet,
An apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium such as a P-sheet, cloth, etc., such as an electrophotographic copying machine, an electrophotographic printer (eg, LED printer, laser beam printer, etc.), an electrophotographic facsimile machine, an electrophotographic word processor, etc. However, in the present embodiment, an electrophotographic laser beam printer will be described as an example.

The image forming apparatus (laser beam printer in this embodiment) A is an electrophotographic photosensitive drum (hereinafter
(Also simply referred to as a photoconductor drum) 7, and the photoconductor drum 7
Is charged by a charging roller 8 as a charging means, and then a laser diode, a polygon mirror, a lens,
A latent image corresponding to the image information is formed on the photoconductor drum 7 by irradiating the laser beam light according to the image information from the optical unit 1 having a reflecting mirror. The latent image is developed by a developing device using a developer (hereinafter, also simply referred to as toner) to be a visible image, that is, a toner image.

In the developing device, a developing sleeve 10 which is a developer carrying member for sending toner to the photosensitive drum 7, a magnet roller (fixed magnet) 11 incorporated in the developing sleeve 10, and a surface of the developing sleeve 10 are attached. Developing blade 12 which is a regulating member for regulating the amount of toner
And a developing frame 1 held by the developing frame 13 and holding the developing sleeve 10 and the developing blade 12.
Reference numeral 3 forms a developing device unit 20 in combination with a toner storage container 14 for storing toner.

Toner storage portion 14a of the toner storage container 14
The toner is agitated and the toner is applied to the developing frame body 13.
A toner feeding member 15 for feeding the toner to the developing chamber 13a therein is provided, and the developing sleeve 13 is provided in the developing chamber 13a.
A rotatable toner stirring member 16 is provided in the vicinity of 2, and circulates the toner in the developing chamber 13a. With this configuration, the toner accommodated in the toner accommodating portion 14a is stored in the developing chamber 13a by the rotation of the toner feeding member 15.
To the toner stirring member 16 in the developing chamber 13a.
The toner is fed to the developing sleeve 10 while being stirred by. The toner has magnetism, and the magnet roller 11
Adheres to the surface of the developing sleeve 10 containing therein. Then, the toner is conveyed by the rotation of the developing sleeve 10, a triboelectric charge is applied by the developing blade 12, a toner layer having a predetermined thickness is formed on the developing sleeve 10, and the toner is conveyed to the developing area of the photosensitive drum 7. To be done. The toner supplied to the developing area is transferred to the latent image on the photoconductor drum 7 to form a toner image on the photoconductor drum 7. The developing sleeve 10 is connected to a developing bias circuit provided in the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus A, and is normally applied with a developing bias voltage in which a DC voltage is superimposed on an AC voltage.

On the other hand, in synchronization with the formation of the toner image, the recording medium 2 set in the paper feed cassette 3a is conveyed to the transfer position by the pickup roller 3b and the conveying roller pairs 3c, 3d and 3e. A transfer roller 4 as a transfer unit is disposed at the transfer position, and a toner image on the photosensitive drum 7 is transferred to the recording medium 2 by applying a voltage.

The recording medium 2 to which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to the fixing means 5 via the conveying guide 3f. The fixing unit 5 includes a driving roller 5c and a fixing roller 5b having a heater 5a built therein, and applies heat and pressure to the recording medium 2 passing therethrough to fix the transferred toner image on the recording medium 2.

The recording medium 2 is conveyed by the pair of discharge rollers 3g and 3h, and is discharged to the discharge tray 6 via the reversing path 3i. The discharge tray 6 is provided on the upper surface of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus A. Note that the swingable flapper 3j can be operated to eject the recording medium 2 without passing through the inversion path 3i. In the present embodiment, the conveying means 3 is constituted by the pickup roller 3b, the conveying roller pairs 3c, 3d, 3e, the conveying guide 3f, the discharge roller pairs 3g, 3h and the like.

The photosensitive drum 7 after the toner image is transferred onto the recording medium 2 by the transfer roller 4 is subjected to the next image forming process after removing the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 7 by the cleaning means 17. It The cleaning unit 17 uses the elastic cleaning blade 17 a provided in contact with the photoconductor drum 7 to remove the photoconductor drum 7.
The upper residual toner is scraped off and collected in the waste toner reservoir 17b.

Next, the process cartridge according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, in the process cartridge B of the present embodiment, the toner accommodating container 14 is integrally welded to the developing device frame 13 that holds the developing device such as the developing sleeve 10 and the developing blade 12 to form the developing device unit 20. I am configuring. The toner storage container 14 includes a toner storage portion 14a that stores toner.
And a toner supply opening 14b for supplying the toner in the toner storage portion 14a to the developing chamber 13a in the developing device frame 13.
The toner feeding member 15 is rotatably supported in the toner containing portion 14a. The toner supply opening 14b is sealed by a developer seal (not shown) until the process cartridge B is used, and the developer seal is pulled out by the user when the process cartridge B is first used. Thus, the toner can be supplied.

Further, the cleaning means 17 such as the photosensitive drum 7, the charging roller 8 and the elastic cleaning blade 17a is attached to the drum frame 19 and constitutes an integral photosensitive unit 21.

The photosensitive drum 7 is attached to the drum frame 19 as shown in FIG. That is, gear flanges 7a and 7b are attached to both ends of the photosensitive drum 7, and the gear flange 7a is a drum bearing 24.
Is rotatably supported on the drum shaft 2 by the gear flange 7b.
5, the drum bearing 24 and the drum shaft 25 are attached to the side plates 19a and 19b of the drum frame 19, respectively.
Incorporated into 1. The gear flange 7a is provided with a rotational driving force from the apparatus main body side by connecting a rotation driving mechanism on the apparatus main body side to the end portion thereof, and the gear on the circumference transmits the driving force to the developing sleeve 10 and the like. In addition, the gears on the circumference of the gear flange 7b serve to transmit the driving force to the transfer roller 4 and the like.

The photoconductor unit 21 thus constructed
Is integrated with the developing device unit 20 to form the process cartridge B.

Next, an embodiment of a structure in which the photoconductor unit 21 and the developing device unit 20 are connected to each other will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 are exploded perspective views of the first embodiment of the process cartridge according to the present invention.

Photoreceptor unit 21 and developing device unit 2
0 is joined by side covers 22 and 23 as joining frames on both sides in the longitudinal direction. On one side cover 22, the cylindrical portion 2 of the drum bearing 24 that rotatably supports the gear flange 7a of the photosensitive drum 7.
4a, a reference boss 22b that fits in the reference hole 20a of the developing device unit 20, a side plate 19a of the drum frame 19 of the photoconductor unit 21, and the toner container 14 of the developing device unit 20. Is provided with a plurality of screw fixing portions 22c provided so as to correspond to the screw holes provided on the side surface, and the gear flange 7b of the photosensitive drum 7 is rotatably provided on the other side cover 23. A reference hole 23a for fitting the cylindrical portion 25a of the drum shaft 25 to be supported, a reference boss 23b fitted in the reference hole 20b of the developing device unit 20, and a side plate 19b of the drum frame 19 of the photoconductor unit 21 and development. A plurality of screw fixing portions 23c provided so as to correspond to the screw holes provided on the side surface of the toner storage container 14 of the apparatus unit 20.
Is provided.

Therefore, the side cover 22 is positioned with respect to the photoconductor unit 21 by fitting the reference hole 22a with the cylindrical portion 24a of the drum bearing 24,
The side cover 22 is fixed by screws 28.
Reference boss 22b and reference hole 20 of the developing device unit 20
It is positioned with respect to the developing device unit 20 by fitting a, and is similarly fixed by the screw 28. On the other hand, the side cover 23 is positioned with respect to the photoconductor unit 21 by fitting the reference hole 23a with the cylindrical portion 25a of the drum shaft 25, and is fixed with the screw 28. The developing device unit 20 is also fixed in the same manner as the opposite side.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the process cartridge B mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus A. As shown in FIG. The main body of the image forming apparatus A is provided with an intake fan 30 for cooling the inside of the apparatus. The air taken in by the intake fan 30 is guided in the direction of the process cartridge B by the duct 31 and taken into the inside of the process cartridge B from a through hole as a ventilation hole provided in the side cover 23 (not shown in FIG. 6). Photosensitive drum 7
The exposure opening 19 provided in the drum frame 19 is cooled by cooling the vicinity of the developing sleeve 10 (shown by the broken line)
c and the transfer roller 4 (not shown in FIG. 6) side to be discharged to the outside of the process cartridge B. Next, the flow of air in the process cartridge B will be further described.
The through hole 23d of the side cover 23 is provided with the photosensitive drum 7 (shown by a broken line) and the developing sleeve 10 (shown by a broken line) when the process cartridge B is viewed from the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 7 as shown in FIG. Is provided in the vicinity.
Then, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the air that has flowed into the process cartridge B from the through hole 23d is discharged from the drum frame 19
A direction (arrow a) passing through the exposure opening 19c provided in
It is discharged in the direction (arrow b) passing through the transfer roller 4 side to the outside of the process cartridge B. In this embodiment, as described above, the side cover 2 of the process cartridge B is
The air is taken into the process cartridge B from the through hole 23d of No. 3, passes through the vicinity of the photoconductor drum 7 and the developing sleeve 10, and is discharged to the outside of the process cartridge B. Cooling around the sleeve 10 can be effectively performed.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 9 is a top view of a state in which the process cartridge C of this embodiment is mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus A. In the present embodiment, in order to take in the air taken in from the intake fan 30 into the process cartridge C, the side cover 32 and the drum frame 3
3 are provided with through holes 32a and 33a, respectively.
As shown in FIG. 9, the through hole 32a is a portion that covers the drum frame 33 of the side cover 32 and is provided near the duct 31 of the apparatus main body. The drum frame 33 has a through hole 33 at a position corresponding to the through hole 32a of the side cover 32.
a is provided. The air taken in from the intake fan 30 enters the process cartridge C through the duct 31 and the through holes 32a and 33a. At this time, the through hole 33a
As shown in FIG. 11, the air flowing from the drum frame 33 into the drum frame 33 is attached to the mounting portion 3 of the charging roller 8 of the drum frame 33.
The photosensitive drum 7 and the developing sleeve 10 pass near 3b.
Of the exposure opening 33c as in the first embodiment.
Then, it is discharged to the outside of the process cartridge C through a transfer roller (not shown) side.

In this embodiment, the through holes 32a and 33a are provided in the vicinity of the duct 31, and the air is taken into the process cartridge C from the through holes 32a and 33a, so that the air can efficiently flow in the process cartridge C. Therefore, the periphery of the photosensitive drum 7 and the developing sleeve 10 can be effectively cooled.

(Third Embodiment) Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Figure 1
2 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the process cartridge E of the present embodiment. Similar to the first and second embodiments, the process cartridge E has a configuration in which the photoconductor unit 34 and the developing device unit 35 are connected by the side covers 36 and 37. Inside the developing device unit 35, a toner feeding member and a toner stirring member are provided as in the above embodiment. Then, in the developing device unit 35, a sleeve gear 39 for driving the developing sleeve 38, a gear train 4 for driving the toner conveying member, and the toner feeding member.
0 is placed. Here, the configuration of the gear train 40 will be described. The sleeve gear 38 is driven by the gear flange 41 a of the photosensitive drum 41. The toner transport gear 40d and the toner stirring gear 40e are driven from the sleeve gear 38 via the idler gears 40a, 40b, and 40c. Toner transport gear 40d, toner stirring gear 40
The letter e engages with the toner conveying means and the toner stirring means in the developing device unit 35, and drives them to rotate. The side cover 36 of the present embodiment is provided with through holes 36a and 36b for taking in air from an intake fan 42 described later into the process cartridge E.

FIG. 13 is a view showing a state in which the process cartridge E is attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus D. The image forming apparatus D main body has an intake fan 30 for cooling the inside of the apparatus.
Is provided. The air taken in by the intake fan 42 is guided toward the side cover 36 of the process cartridge E by the duct 43, taken into the inside of the process cartridge E from the through holes 36a and 36b as ventilation holes provided in the side cover 36, and is exposed to light. Drum 41
Then, the vicinity of the developing sleeve 38 is cooled and discharged to the outside of the process cartridge E through the exposure opening 44a provided in the drum frame 44 and the transfer roller side. As shown in FIG. 14, the through holes 36a and 36b of the side cover 36 are formed in the step portions 36c and 36d on the side surface of the side cover 36,
It is provided in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of each gear of the gear train 40 described above. The air taken in from the through holes 36a and 36b flows between the gear trains 40 in the direction of the developing sleeve 38. In this embodiment, the through holes 36a and 36b as ventilation holes on the side where the gear train 40 is provided are provided in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axial direction of the gear, and the air flowing from the through holes passes between the gear trains 40. By facilitating the flow toward the developing sleeve 38, the inside of the process cartridge E can be effectively cooled.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the example in which the intake fan of the main body of the image forming apparatus is provided at one end side or the other end side of the process cartridge has been described. However, a combination of these embodiments should be adopted. The cooling effect can be further enhanced.

[0039]

As described above, according to the process cartridge of the present invention, inside the process cartridge,
In particular, it is possible to effectively cool the periphery of the developing sleeve and obtain good development.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a configuration of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a process cartridge attachable to and detachable from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a photoconductor unit in the first embodiment of the process cartridge according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the first embodiment of the process cartridge according to the present invention as seen from the left.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the first embodiment of the process cartridge according to the present invention as seen from the right.

FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a state in which the process cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present invention is mounted in the image forming apparatus main body.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the flow of air in the process cartridge in the first embodiment of the process cartridge according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a state in which a process cartridge according to a second embodiment of the present invention is attached to an image forming apparatus main body.

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the first embodiment of the process cartridge according to the present invention in an exploded view.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a side cover and a drum frame of the process cartridge according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a driving configuration of a process cartridge according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a state in which the process cartridge according to the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body.

FIG. 13 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a state in which the process cartridge according to the third embodiment of the present invention is attached to the image forming apparatus main body.

FIG. 14 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a state in which a process cartridge according to a third embodiment of the present invention is attached to an image forming apparatus main body.

[Explanation of symbols]

A, D electrophotographic image forming apparatus B, C, E process cartridges 1 Optical means 2 recording media 3 (3a, 3b ...) Conveying means 4 Transfer roller (transfer means) 5 fixing means 6 discharge tray 7 Photosensitive drum (electrophotographic photosensitive drum) 7a, 7b Gear flange 8 Charging roller (charging means) 10 Development sleeve 11 Magnet roller (fixed magnet) 12 Development blade 13 Development frame 13a Development room 14 Toner storage container 14a toner container 14b Toner supply opening 15 Toner feed member 16 Toner stirring member 17 Cleaning means 17a cleaning blade 17b Waste toner storage 19 drum frame 19a Side plate 19b Side plate 19c Exposure aperture 20 Development unit 21 Photoconductor unit 22 Side cover (combined frame) 22a Reference hole 22b Standard boss 22c screw fixing part 23 Side cover (combined frame) 23a Reference hole 23b Reference boss 23c screw fixing part 23d through hole 24 drum bearing 24a cylindrical part 24c (for screw insertion) hole 25 drum shaft 25a cylindrical part 25b Sheet metal part 25c (for screw insertion) hole 28 (for fixing) screw 30 intake fan 31 duct 32 Side cover 32a through hole 33 drum frame 33a through hole 33b Charging roller mounting part 34 photoconductor unit 35 developing device unit 36 Side cover 36a, 36b through hole 36c, 36d Step portion 37 Side cover 38 Development sleeve 39 Sleeve Gear 40 gear train 40a, 40b, 40c idler gear 40d toner transport gear 40e Toner stirring gear 41 photoconductor drum 41a gear flange 42 intake fan 43 duct 44 drum frame 44a exposure opening

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Ken Kikuchi             3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo             Non non corporation F term (reference) 2H027 JA11 JB13 JB16 JC06 JC15                 2H071 BA04 BA13 BA23 CA05 DA02                       DA06 DA08 DA13 DA15

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A process cartridge attachable to and detachable from a main body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a drum frame supporting the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and the electrophotographic photosensitive drum. A developing device having a developing sleeve for developing the formed electrostatic latent image with a developer; a first frame body for fixing the drum frame body and one end side surface of the developing device; and the electrophotographic photosensitive member. It has an exposure opening provided for irradiating light for forming a latent image on the body drum, and a through hole provided in the first frame body and serving as an air passage for flowing air inside the process cartridge. However, the air introduced into the process cartridge through the through hole may be discharged to the outside of the process cartridge through the facing portion of the exposure opening, the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and the developing sleeve. Process cartridge and butterflies. 2. The through hole is arranged in the vicinity of a facing portion of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum and the developing sleeve when the first frame is viewed from the axial direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum. At least one of a through hole, a first opening provided in the first frame body, and a second through hole formed by a second opening provided in the drum frame body. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the drum frame and a second frame for fixing a side surface of the developing device on the other end side, and a developer in the developing device are conveyed. Transporting means, a gear for rotating the transporting means, which is provided on the other end side of the developing frame, and an air passage, which is provided on the second frame and allows air to flow inside the process cartridge. Has a third through hole provided in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis of the gear, and the air introduced into the process cartridge from the third through hole is the exposure opening and the electrophotographic photosensitive drum. And a process cartridge which passes through the facing portion of the developing sleeve and comes out of the process cartridge. 4. An electrophotographic photosensitive drum of a process cartridge, which is attachable to and detachable from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and is provided for performing light irradiation for forming a latent image on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum. A coupling frame for coupling and fixing side surfaces of a drum frame body having an exposure opening and a developing device having a developing sleeve for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum with a developer. In the body, at least one of a first through hole that forms a first air passage through which air flows inside the process cartridge and a second through hole that forms a second air passage through which air flows inside the process cartridge are provided. The first through hole is disposed in the vicinity of the facing portion of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum and the developing sleeve when the coupling frame is viewed from the axial direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum. The second air passage is formed by the second through hole and an opening provided in the drum frame, and the air introduced into the process cartridge from the through hole is the exposure opening and the electrophotography. A coupling frame body, which is pulled out to the outside of the process cartridge through a facing portion between the photosensitive drum and the developing sleeve. 5. An electrophotographic photosensitive drum of a process cartridge which is attachable to and detachable from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and is provided for irradiating light for forming a latent image on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum. A drum frame having an exposure opening; a developing sleeve for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum with a developer; a conveying means for conveying the developer; In a coupling frame body for coupling and fixing the one end side to a developing device provided at one end side of the developing frame body and having a gear for rotationally driving the conveying means, an air passage for flowing air inside the process cartridge is provided. A through hole to be formed, the through hole is provided in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis of the gear, and the air introduced into the process cartridge from the through hole is the exposure opening and the electron. Coupling frame, characterized in that exit the process cartridge outside through the opposite portion of the developing sleeve and the true photosensitive drum.