JP6465631B2 - Cartridge and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a cartridge and an image forming apparatus using the cartridge.

  Here, the cartridge is detachably attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus.

  For example, a cartridge in which at least one of an electrophotographic photosensitive drum and at least one of a developing unit, a charging unit, and a cleaning unit as the process unit is integrated into a cartridge may be used. The image forming apparatus forms an image on a recording medium. Examples of the 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.

  In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus (hereinafter, also simply referred to as “image forming apparatus”), an electrophotographic photosensitive member that is generally a drum type as an image carrier, that is, a photosensitive drum is uniformly charged. Next, an electrostatic latent image (electrostatic image) is formed on the photosensitive drum by selectively exposing the charged photosensitive drum. Next, the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum is developed as a toner image with toner as a developer. The toner image formed on the photosensitive drum is transferred to a recording material such as recording paper or a plastic sheet, and the toner image is further transferred to the recording material by applying heat or pressure to the toner image transferred onto the recording material. The image is recorded by fixing it to the surface.

  Such an image forming apparatus generally requires toner replenishment and maintenance of various process means. In order to facilitate this toner replenishment and maintenance, the photosensitive drum, charging means, developing means, cleaning means, etc. are put together into a cartridge to form a cartridge, and a process cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body is put into practical use. Has been.

  According to this process cartridge system, since the user can perform maintenance of the apparatus himself, the operability can be remarkably improved, and an image forming apparatus excellent in usability can be provided. For this reason, this process cartridge system is widely used in image forming apparatuses.

  In such a process cartridge, a configuration has been proposed in which a toner supply opening that communicates between a toner container and a developing chamber is sealed with a toner seal member, and the toner seal member is opened with a rotating member (for example, Patent Document 1). reference).

  A configuration is also known in which a coupling for receiving a driving force for driving the rotating member and a rotating body such as a developing roller from an image forming apparatus main body is provided (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

JP 2014-071126 A JP2013-214116A

  The present invention is an extension of the above-described conventional configuration. The purpose is to quickly remove the sealing member for sealing the opening of the storage chamber for storing the developer when the cartridge is used.

The first aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object, an apparatus body of the image forming apparatus A removable cartridge to the apparatus main body having a body driving unit, the image bearing member for bearing a toner image an image bearing member unit having a developer carrying member for carrying a developer to be supplied to said image bearing member, wherein a yield vessel chamber you accommodating a developer, accommodated in said developer the developing and a sealing member for the sealing and storage chamber having an opening which the developer passes, the developer is the open mouth so as not to outside the housing chamber when applied to the carrier, wherein a removing member for removing a sealing member from said opening, a driving force that drive the front Symbol removing member and a driving force receiving portion for receiving from the main assembly driving portion, said cartridge said apparatus body When mounted, the developer carrier is not supported by the image carrier. A contact with a contact position on the body, said a separated position in which the developer carrying member is separated from said image bearing member, a developing unit connected to the image bearing member unit to be taken and the pre hear The power receiving portion has a first posture capable of engaging with the main body driving portion and receiving the driving force when the developing unit takes the contact position in a state where the cartridge is mounted on the apparatus main body. When the developing unit takes the separated position, the rotation position of the driving force receiving portion is a second posture that can be engaged with the main body driving portion and receive the driving force, rather than the first posture. And the rotation axis of the developer carrying member are configured to take a second posture having a large angle .
In order to achieve the above object, a second aspect of the present invention includes an image carrier that carries a toner image and a developer carrier that carries a developer to be supplied to the image carrier. A developing unit configured to be able to take a contact position where the agent carrier contacts the image carrier and a separation position where the developer carrier separates from the image carrier, and drive the developing unit In the image forming apparatus including the driving unit, the developing unit is a storage chamber that stores the developer, and the developer passes when the stored developer is supplied to the developer carrier. A storage chamber having an opening to be sealed, a sealing member for sealing the opening so that the developer does not come out of the storage chamber, and a removal member for removing the sealing member from the opening, Engage with the drive unit to drive the removal member Anda driving force receiving portion for receiving a driving force from the driving portion,
The driving force receiving portion takes a first posture that engages with the driving portion and receives the driving force when the developing unit takes the contact position, and when the developing unit takes the separated position. A second posture in which the angle formed by the rotational axis of the driving force receiving portion and the rotational axis of the developer carrying member is larger than that in the first posture so that the driving portion can be engaged and receive the driving force. It is characterized by taking.

  According to the invention according to the present application, the sealing member can be quickly removed.

Side view of the process cartridge of the first embodiment Sectional drawing of the image forming apparatus main body and process cartridge of 1st Example Sectional view of the process cartridge of the first embodiment 1 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus main body according to a first embodiment in a state where an opening / closing door is opened. The perspective view of the state which opened the opening-and-closing door of the image forming apparatus main body of the 1st example, and pulled out the tray 1 is a perspective view showing a state where a process cartridge is taken out from an image forming apparatus main body according to a first embodiment. The perspective view of the positioning part by the side of the drive of the process cartridge of 1st Example The perspective view of the non-driving side positioning part of the process cartridge of 1st Example Sectional drawing of the cleaning unit of the process cartridge of 1st Example Exploded view of the process cartridge of the first embodiment Exploded view of the process cartridge of the first embodiment Exploded view of the process cartridge of the first embodiment Exploded view of the process cartridge of the first embodiment The top view of the coupling part of the apparatus main body and process cartridge of 1st Example Side view of process cartridge of second embodiment The schematic diagram which shows operation | movement of the separation member of 2nd Example. Top view of coupling part

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

  The direction of the axis of rotation of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum is hereinafter referred to as 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 overall configuration and the image forming process will be described with reference to FIGS.

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

  FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge B. Here, the apparatus main body A is a portion obtained by removing the cartridge B from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

<Entire configuration of electrophotographic image forming apparatus>
The electrophotographic 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. When the cartridge B is mounted on the apparatus main body A, an exposure device 3 (laser scanner unit) for forming a latent image on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum 62 of the cartridge B is disposed. In addition, a sheet tray 4 that stores a recording medium (hereinafter referred to as a sheet material P) 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 conveyance roller pair 5c, a transfer guide 6, a transfer roller 7, a conveyance guide 8, a fixing device 9, along the conveyance direction D of the sheet material P. A pair of discharge rollers 10, a discharge tray 11, and the like are sequentially arranged. The fixing device 9 includes a heating roller 9a and a pressure roller 9b.

<Image formation process>
Next, an outline of the image forming process will be described. Based on the print start signal, the electrophotographic photosensitive drum (hereinafter referred to as drum 62) is rotationally driven in the direction of arrow R with a predetermined peripheral speed (process speed).

  The charging roller 66 to which the bias voltage is applied contacts the outer peripheral surface of the drum 62 and uniformly charges the outer peripheral surface of the drum 62.

  The exposure device 3 outputs a laser beam L corresponding to the image information. The laser light L passes through a laser opening 71 h provided in the cleaning frame 71 of the cartridge B, and scans and exposes the outer peripheral surface of the drum 62. As a result, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image information is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the drum 62.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, in the developing unit 20 as the developing device, the toner T in the toner chamber 29 as the developer accommodating portion is transferred to the first conveying member 43, the second conveying member 44, and the third conveying member 50. Is rotated and agitated and conveyed, and sent to the developing chamber 28.

  A developing roller 32 is provided inside the developing 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) disposed inside the developing roller 32. The layer thickness of the toner T on the peripheral surface of the developing roller 32 is regulated while being frictionally charged by the developing blade 42.

  The toner T is transferred to the drum 62 in accordance with the electrostatic latent image, and is visualized as a toner image.

  The drum 62 is an image carrier that carries a toner image (developer image) on its surface. The developing roller 32 is a developer carrying member that carries a developer for developing the latent image.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the sheet material P stored in the lower part of the apparatus main body A is moved to the sheet tray by the pickup roller 5a, the feeding roller pair 5b, and the conveying roller pair 5c in accordance with the output timing of the laser beam L. 4 is sent out. Then, the sheet material P 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 P.

  The sheet material P to 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. The sheet material P 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 on the sheet material P. The sheet material P that has undergone the toner image fixing process is conveyed to the discharge roller pair 10 and discharged to the discharge tray 11.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, the drum 62 after the transfer is used again in the image forming process after the residual toner on the outer peripheral surface is removed by the cleaning blade 77. The toner removed from the drum 62 is stored in a waste toner chamber 71 b of a cleaning unit (image carrier unit) 60.

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

<Removal of cartridge>
Next, attachment / detachment of the cartridge B to / from the apparatus main body A will be described with reference to FIGS. 4, 5, and 6.

  FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the apparatus main body A with the open / close door 13 opened in order to detach the cartridge B. As shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the apparatus main body A and the cartridge B in a state in which the opening / closing door 13 is opened and the cartridge tray 18 is pulled out in order to attach and detach the cartridge B. The cartridge tray 18 is a cartridge support member that can move relative to the apparatus main body A with the cartridge B mounted. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a state where the cartridge B is taken out with the open / close door 13 opened and the tray 18 pulled out.

  An opening / closing door 13 is rotatably attached to the apparatus main body A, and a cartridge insertion opening 17 is provided when the opening / closing door 13 is opened. A tray 18 for mounting the cartridge B to the apparatus main body A is provided in the cartridge insertion opening 17. When the tray 18 is pulled out to a predetermined position, the cartridge B is attached to the tray 18 along the attaching / detaching direction E. Detachable. That is, FIG. 6 shows an external position (attachment / detachment position) where the tray 18 is outside the apparatus main body A and the cartridge B is attached to and detached from the tray 18.

  Then, the cartridge B is mounted in the apparatus main body A along a guide rail (not shown) in the direction of arrow C in FIG. This is the state shown in FIGS. 4 and 2 show a state in which the tray 18 is inside the apparatus main body A and is in an internal position (image forming position) where the cartridge B is arranged at a position where an image can be formed.

<Cartridge support>
Next, the support structure of the cartridge B of the apparatus main body A will be described with reference to FIGS. 4, 7, and 8.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the apparatus main body A is provided with a driving side plate 15 and a non-driving side plate 16 for supporting the cartridge B. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the drive side plate 15 is provided with a drive side first support portion 15a, a drive side second support portion 15b, and a rotation support portion 15c of the cartridge B. The non-driving side plate 16 is provided with a non-driving side first support portion 16a, a non-driving side second support portion 16b, and a rotation support portion 16c.

  On the other hand, as supported portions of the cartridge B, a supported portion 73b and a supported portion 73d of the drum bearing 73, a driving side boss 71a of the cleaning frame 71, a non-driving side protrusion 71f, and a non-driving side boss 71g are provided. ing. The supported portion 73b is supported by the drive side first support portion 15a, the supported portion 73d is supported by the drive side second support portion 15b, and the drive side boss 71a is supported by the rotation support portion 15c. Further, the non-driving side protrusion 71f is supported by the non-driving side first support portion 16a and the non-driving side second support portion 16b, and the non-driving side boss 71g is supported by the rotation support portion 16c, whereby the cartridge B is It is positioned in the apparatus main body A.

<Configuration of the entire cartridge>
Next, the entire configuration of the cartridge B will be described with reference to FIGS. 3, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge B, FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the cleaning unit, and FIGS. 10, 11, 12, and 13 are perspective views illustrating the configuration of the cartridge B. FIG. 11 and 13 are views of the broken line portion of FIGS. 10 and 12 as viewed from below. In this embodiment, the screws for connecting the parts are omitted.

  The cartridge B has a cleaning unit 60 and a developing unit 20. In general, the process cartridge is a cartridge in which an electrophotographic photosensitive member and at least one of a charging unit, a developing unit, and a cleaning unit that act on the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrated. The process cartridge is detachable from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the cleaning unit 60 includes a drum 62, a charging roller 66, a cleaning member 77, a cleaning frame body 71 that supports them, and a lid member 72 fixed to the cleaning frame body 71 by welding or the like. Have In the cleaning unit 60, the charging roller 66 and the cleaning member 77 are disposed in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the drum 62.

  The cleaning member 77 includes a rubber blade 77a that is a blade-like elastic member formed of rubber as an elastic material, and a support member 77b that supports the rubber blade. The rubber blade 77 a is in contact with the drum 62 in the counter direction with respect to the rotation direction of the drum 62. That is, the rubber blade 77 a is in contact with the drum 62 so that the tip end portion thereof faces the upstream side in the rotation direction of the drum 62.

  FIG. 9A is a cross-sectional view of the cleaning unit 60 taken along the cutting line GG in FIG. 9B. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 9, the waste toner removed from the surface of the drum 62 by the cleaning member 77 is conveyed by a first screw 86, a second screw 87, and a third screw 88 as waste toner conveying members. . As a result, the waste toner is stored in a waste toner chamber 71 b formed by the cleaning frame 71 and the lid member 72. Further, the first screw 86 is rotated by a drive transmitted from the coupling 21 shown in FIG. 13 by a gear (not shown). The second screw 87 receives the driving force from the first screw 86 and the third screw 88 rotates from the second screw 87, respectively. The first screw 86 is disposed near the drum 62, the second screw 87 is disposed at the longitudinal end of the cleaning frame 71, and the third screw 88 is disposed in the waste toner chamber 71b. Here, the rotation axes of the first screw 86 and the third screw 88 are parallel to the rotation axis of the drum 62, and the rotation axis of the second screw 87 is orthogonal to the rotation axis of the drum 62.

  A drum contact sheet 65 for preventing waste toner from leaking from the cleaning frame 71 is provided at the edge of the cleaning frame 71 so as to contact the drum 62.

  The drum 62 is rotationally driven in the direction of arrow R in the drawing according to an image forming operation by receiving a driving force from a main body driving motor (not shown) as a driving source.

  The charging roller 66 is rotatably attached to the cleaning unit 60 via a charging roller bearing 67 at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning frame 71 (substantially parallel to the rotation axis direction of the drum 62). The charging roller 66 is in pressure contact with the drum 62 by the charging roller bearing 67 being pressed toward the drum 62 by the biasing member 68. 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. A magnet roller 34 is provided in the developing roller 32. In the developing unit 20, a developing blade 42 for restricting the toner layer on the developing roller 32 is disposed. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 12, a spacing member 38 is attached to the developing roller 32 at both ends of the developing roller 32, and the spacing roller 38 and the drum 62 abut so that the developing roller 32 is a drum. 62 and a slight gap. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a developing roller contact sheet 33 for preventing toner from leaking from the developing unit 20 is provided at the edge of the bottom member 22 so as to contact the developing roller 32. Further, a toner chamber (accommodating chamber for accommodating a developer) 29 is formed by the developing container 23 and the bottom member 22. In the toner chamber 29, a first transport member 43, a second transport member 44, and a third transport member 50 are provided. The first transport member 43, the second transport member 44, and the third transport member 50 agitate the toner stored in the toner chamber 29 and transport the toner to the developing chamber 28.

  An opening 29a (part indicated by a broken line) is provided between the toner chamber 29 and the developing chamber 28. The opening 29a is sealed by a seal member (sealing member) 45 until the cartridge B is used. Has been. The toner stored in the toner chamber 29 is prevented from moving outside the toner chamber (that is, inside the developing chamber 28).

  The seal member 45 is a sheet-like member made of a material such as polyethylene. One end side is welded to the developing container 23 around the opening 29 a, and the other end side is fixed to the first transport member 43.

  When the first conveying member 43 rotates when the cartridge B is used for the first time, the sheet member 45 is wound around the first conveying member 43 while the welded portion with the developing container 23 is peeled off, and the opening 29a is formed. Opened.

  The first conveying member 43 is a member that conveys the developer (toner) and at the same time is an opening member that opens the opening 29a by removing the seal member 45 from the opening 29a.

  As shown in FIGS. 10 and 12, the cartridge B is configured by combining the cleaning unit 60 and the developing unit 20.

  The cleaning unit 60 is provided with a cleaning frame 71, a lid member 72, a drum 62, and a drum bearing 73 and a drum shaft 78 for rotatably supporting the drum 62. As shown in FIG. 13, on the driving side, the drum 62 is rotatably supported by a hole 73 a of a drum bearing 73 on a driving side drum flange 63 provided on the driving side. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 11, on the non-driving side, the drum shaft 78 press-fitted into the hole 71c provided in the cleaning frame 71 can rotate the hole (not shown) of the non-driving side drum flange 64. It is the structure which supports to.

  As shown in FIGS. 3, 10, and 12, the developing unit 20 includes a bottom member 22, a developing container 23, a driving side developing side member 26, a developing blade 42, a developing roller 32, and the like. The developing roller 32 is rotatably attached to the developing container 23 by bearing members 27 and 37 provided at both ends.

  Then, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 13, the cartridge B is configured by coupling the cleaning unit 60 and the developing unit 20 so as to be rotatable with a coupling pin 69.

  Specifically, the development container 23 is provided with a development first support hole 23 a and a development second support hole 23 b at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the development unit 20. In addition, a first suspension hole 71 i and a second suspension hole 71 j are provided in the cleaning frame 71 at both longitudinal ends of the cleaning unit 60. The coupling unit 69 press-fitted and fixed in the first suspension hole 71i and the second suspension hole 71j is fitted with the development first support hole 23a and the development second support hole 23b, so that the cleaning unit 60 and the development unit 20 are rotated with each other. It is linked movably.

  The first hole 46Ra of the driving side biasing member 46R is hooked on the boss 73c of the drum bearing 73, and the second hole 46Rb is hooked on the boss 26a of the driving side developing side member 26.

  Further, the first hole 46Fa of the non-driving side urging member 46F is hooked on the boss 71k of the cleaning frame 71, and the second hole 46Fb is hooked on the boss 37a of the bearing member 37.

  In this embodiment, the driving side urging member 46R and the non-driving side urging member 46F are formed by tension springs. The developing unit 20 is urged toward the cleaning unit 60 by the urging force of the spring so that the developing roller 32 is surely pressed toward the drum 62. The developing roller 32 is held at a predetermined interval from the drum 62 by a spacing holding member 38 attached to both ends of the developing roller 32.

<Drive transmission configuration from the main unit to the cartridge>
Next, a configuration for inputting drive from the apparatus main body A to the cartridge B will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 7, a drum coupling (second driving force receiving portion) 70 for receiving a driving force from the apparatus main body A and a developing coupling (first driving force receiving portion) 21 are provided on the side surface of the cartridge B. Is provided.

  Here, the drum coupling 70 is provided in the cleaning unit 60, and the development coupling 21 is provided in the development unit 20. In the configuration of this embodiment, the drum coupling 70 transmits driving to the drum 62, and the developing coupling 70 is connected to the developing roller 32 and the first to third transport members 43, 44, 50 via the gear train in the cartridge B. , And the drive is transmitted to the first to third screws 86, 87, 88.

  Each of the drum coupling 70 and the development coupling 21 is configured to be inclined with respect to the cartridge B. The drum coupling 70 and the developing coupling 21 are respectively connected to the second drive shaft (second body drive unit) 14 and the first drive shaft (first body drive unit) 19 of the apparatus main body A by attaching and detaching the cartridge B. Engages and disengages.

  As shown in FIG. 14A, when the cartridge B is not mounted, the drum coupling 70 and the development coupling 21 are attached by the torsion coil springs 24 and 74 so that the tip is directed to the downstream side in the insertion direction C. It is energized.

  That is, the drum coupling 70 is attached and detached, and the axis (rotation axis) L2 of the drum coupling 70 is inclined with respect to the axis L6 of the drum 62. Similarly, when the cartridge B is not mounted, the developing coupling 21 is also attached and detached, and the axis L1 of the developing coupling 21 is inclined with respect to the axis L5 of the developing roller 32. The attachment / detachment posture is a posture of the drum coupling 70 or the development coupling 21 when the cartridge B is attached / detached.

  Since the drum coupling 70 is tiltable, the angle θb formed by the axis L2 of the drum coupling 70 and the axis L6 of the drum 62 is variable. Similarly, since the development coupling 21 is tiltable, the angle θa formed by the axis L1 of the development coupling 21 and the axis L5 of the development roller 32 is variable.

  With this configuration, as shown in FIG. 14B, when the cartridge B is mounted on the apparatus main body A, the drum coupling 70 and the development coupling 21 are engaged with the second drive shaft 14 and the first drive shaft 19, respectively. It becomes possible.

  As shown in FIG. 14B, when the drum coupling 70 is engaged with the second drive shaft 19, the axis L2 of the drum coupling 70 is set to the axis L6 of the drum 21 or the axis L4 of the second drive shaft 14. It is almost parallel to it. That is, when the drum coupling 70 is engaged with the second drive shaft 14, the inclination angle θb is changed to change from the attach / detach posture to the drive posture. The driving attitude of the drum coupling 70 is an attitude when the drum coupling 70 drives (rotates) the drum 62 by transmitting a driving force to the cleaning unit 60 during image formation.

  When the drum coupling 70 is in the driving posture, the angle θb (inclination angle) formed by the axis L4 of the drum coupling 70 and the axis L6 of the drum 21 is made smaller than when the drum coupling 70 is in the attachment / detachment posture. In this embodiment, when the drum coupling 70 is in the driving posture, the tilt angle θb is substantially 0 degree, and the drum coupling 70 is hardly tilted. The axes L2, L4, and L6 are substantially parallel.

  Similarly, in FIG. 14B, the developing coupling 21 also takes a driving posture, and the axis of the developing coupling 21 is substantially parallel to the axis L5 of the developing roller 32 and the axis L3 of the first driving shaft 19. That is, when the development coupling 21 is engaged with the first drive shaft 19, the inclination angle θa is changed to change from the attach / detach posture to the drive posture. The driving posture of the developing coupling 21 is a posture when the developing coupling 21 drives (rotates) the developing roller 32 by transmitting a driving force to the developing unit during image formation.

  When the developing coupling 21 takes the driving posture, the angle (inclination angle) θa formed by the axis L1 of the developing coupling 21 and the axis L5 of the developing roller 32 is made smaller than when the developing coupling 21 takes the attaching / detaching posture. In this embodiment, when the development coupling 21 takes the driving position, the inclination angle θa is substantially 0 degrees, and the development coupling 21 is hardly inclined. The axes L1, L3, and L5 are substantially parallel. In this manner, the drum coupling 70 and the development coupling 21 can be inclined. Accordingly, the cartridge B can be mounted on the apparatus main body along a direction intersecting with the axis L4 of the second drive shaft 14 and the axis L3 of the first drive shaft 15 (a direction substantially perpendicular to the arrow C direction). Alternatively, the cartridge B can be detached from the apparatus main body along the direction opposite to the arrow C.

  That is, in the process of mounting the cartridge B in the apparatus main body (the process of changing from FIG. 14A to FIG. 14B), the drum coupling 70 and the development coupling 21 change from the attach / detach posture to the drive posture. Thereby, the drum coupling 70 and the development coupling 21 can be engaged with the second drive shaft 14 and the first drive shaft 19, respectively.

  Similarly, in the process of removing the cartridge B from the apparatus main body (the process of changing from FIG. 14B to FIG. 14A), the drum coupling 70 and the development coupling 21 are changed from the driving posture to the attaching / detaching posture. As a result, the drum coupling 70 and the development coupling 21 can be disengaged from the respective drive shafts (14, 19).

  Each coupling (70, 21) is engaged with each drive shaft (14, 19) so that each coupling (70, 21) can receive a driving force from the apparatus main body A. At the time of image formation, a driving force (rotational force) is transmitted from the second drive shaft to the cleaning unit 60 via a drum coupling taking a driving posture. As a result, the drum 62 and the like rotate. Similarly, at the time of image formation, a driving force (rotational force) is transmitted from the first drive shaft to the developing unit 20 via a developing coupling that takes a driving posture. As a result, the developing roller 32, the first conveying member 43, and the like rotate.

<Separation of spacing member>
Next, a configuration in which the spacing member 38 is separated from the drum 62 will be described with reference to FIG. As described above, the developing roller 32 is held at a predetermined interval from the drum 62 by the interval holding member 38 attached to both ends contacting the drum 62. However, if vibration or impact (for example, due to physical distribution) is applied to the cartridge B in this state, the contact portion of the spacing member 38 or the drum 62 may be deformed or damaged. In this case, there is a possibility that normal image quality cannot be obtained or normal operation cannot be performed.

  For this reason, in the cartridge B of this embodiment, the developing roller 32 is separated from the drum 62 except during image formation, so that the spacing member 38 does not come into contact with the drum 62. As shown in FIG. 1, the developing unit 20 is provided with a contact portion 20a, and the apparatus main body A is provided with a cam 59 that rotates about a fulcrum 59a. When the cartridge B is inserted into the apparatus main body A, the abutting portion 20a and the cam 59 abut so that the developing unit 20 moves around the development first support hole 23a (and the development second support hole 23b) in the direction of arrow F. Rotate. As a result, the spacing member 38 provided on the developing roller 32 is separated from the drum 62 (FIG. 1B).

  This is a state in which the developing unit 20 has moved to the separated position. The separation position is a position for increasing the distance between the developing roller 32 and the drum 62 when the cartridge B is not used (during non-image formation) than when the cartridge B is used (during image formation). is there.

  On the other hand, when the image forming operation is performed, the cam 59 rotates to be separated from the contact portion 20a, and the developing unit 20 is held at a position where the interval holding member 38 contacts the drum 62 (FIG. 1A). ). That is, the developing unit 20 is moved to the image forming position (developing position) as shown in FIG. The image forming position is a position (developing position) where the developing unit 20 develops the latent image on the drum 62 by the developing roller 32. When the developing unit 20 is at the image forming position, the developing roller 32 supplies developer to the latent image on the drum 62 and forms a developer image (toner image) on the drum 62.

  Here, when the spacing member 38 provided on the developing roller 32 is separated from the drum 62 (the developing unit 20 is in the separated position), the developing coupling 21 is connected to the first drive shaft 19 as shown in FIG. And the axis is out of alignment. That is, the developing coupling 21 is inclined, and the axis of the developing coupling 21 is inclined with respect to the axis of the first drive shaft 19.

  When the developing coupling 21 takes the inclined posture (FIG. 17), the angle θa formed by the axis L1 of the developing coupling 21 and the axis L5 of the developing roller 32 is larger than when the developing coupling 21 takes the driving posture (FIG. 14B). Become. On the other hand, when the development coupling 21 takes the inclined posture (FIG. 17), θa is smaller than when the developing coupling 21 takes the attaching / detaching posture (FIG. 14A).

  That is, the inclined posture (FIG. 17) is a posture that is intermediate between the driving posture (FIG. 14B) and the attaching / detaching posture (FIG. 14A).

  In the configuration of this embodiment, even when the development coupling 21 is in the inclined posture (FIG. 17), the state where the development coupling 21 is engaged with the first drive shaft 19 is maintained. In this state, when the first drive shaft 19 rotates, the developing coupling 21 can also rotate. Further, even when the developing coupling 21 is inclined, when the developing coupling 21 rotates, a driving force (rotational force) is transmitted to the developing unit 20.

  That is, even when the developing unit 20 is in the separated position and the developing coupling 21 takes an inclined posture (FIG. 17), the developing coupling 21 is engaged with the first drive shaft 19. The developing coupling 21 is configured to be able to transmit the driving force (rotational force) from the first driving shaft 19 to the developing unit 20.

  Accordingly, when the operation of the image forming apparatus is started, the driving of the first drive shaft 19 can be started while the interval holding member 38 is separated from the drum 62. That is, the driving of the developing coupling 21 can be started without waiting for the cam 59 to rotate and the spacing member 38 to come into contact with the drum 62.

  The first drive shaft 19 may be rotated before the cam 59 is rotated, or the first drive shaft 19 may be rotated while the cam 59 is being rotated.

  In any case, the driving force of the first drive shaft 19 can be transmitted to the developing unit 20 immediately after the operation of the image forming apparatus is started, so that the seal member 45 can be taken up by the first transport member 43. In this embodiment, the rotation start timing of the first drive shaft 19 is set earlier than the rotation start timing of the cam 59.

  If the timing of winding the seal member 45 is advanced, the timing of opening the opening 29a and supplying the developer to the developing roller 32 is also advanced. The image forming apparatus can shorten the time required for an initial operation (preparation operation) necessary before forming an image, and can quickly form an image.

  Therefore, the initial printing time when the cartridge B is used for the first time, that is, the time required to form the first image (First Print Out Time) can be shortened.

  Finally, the configuration of the present embodiment is summarized as follows.

  The cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body A includes a developing roller 32, a developing unit 20, a seal member 45, a first transport member 43, and a developing coupling 21.

  The developing roller 32 is a developer carrying member that carries toner (developer). The developing unit 20 includes a toner chamber (accommodating chamber) 29 for accommodating toner, and supports the developing roller 32. The sealing member 45 is a sealing member that seals the opening 29 a of the toner chamber 29 so that the toner does not come out of the toner chamber 29.

  The first conveying member 43 also serves as an opening member that removes (removes) the seal member 45 from the opening 29a.

  The development coupling 20 is engaged with a first drive shaft (first main body drive unit) 19 so as to receive a drive force for driving the first transport member 43 and the development roller 32. It is.

  The developing coupling 20 can take an inclined posture (FIG. 17) in which the axis L1 of the developing coupling 20 is inclined with respect to the axis L5 of the developing roller 32. Further, the developing coupling 20 can take a driving posture (FIG. 14B) in which the angle θa formed by the axis L1 of the developing coupling 20 and the axis L5 of the developing roller 32 is smaller than the inclined posture (FIG. 17).

  The developing coupling 20 can be engaged with the first drive shaft 19 and can transmit the driving force in any of the inclined posture (FIG. 17) and the driving posture (FIG. 14B). is there. That is, the developing coupling 20 can remove the seal member 45 by transmitting a driving force to the first conveying member 43 in a state where the developing coupling 20 is in the inclined position.

  More specifically, the cartridge B further includes a drum 62 and a cleaning unit 60. The drum 62 is an image carrier on which a latent image is formed and a toner image is carried. The cleaning unit 60 is an image carrier unit that supports the drum 62 and is coupled to the developing unit 22.

  The developing unit 20 is movable with respect to the cleaning unit 60. Thus, the developing unit 20 can take a developing position (FIG. 1A) where the latent image formed on the drum 62 can be developed by the developing roller 32. Further, the developing unit 20 can also take a separated position (FIG. 1B) where the developing roller 32 is separated from the drum 62 rather than when the developing position is taken.

  When the developing unit 20 takes the separated position (FIG. 1B) inside the apparatus main body A, the developing coupling 21 takes an inclined posture while being engaged with the first drive shaft 19 (FIG. 17). When the developing unit 20 takes the developing position in the apparatus main body, the developing coupling 21 takes a driving posture while being engaged with the first driving shaft 19 (FIG. 14A).

  It should be noted that the functions, materials, shapes, and relative arrangements of the components described in this embodiment are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention only to those unless otherwise specified.

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

  In the present embodiment, portions 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.

  As shown in FIG. 15, in the cartridge of this embodiment, a spacing member 48 provided on the developing roller 32 and a separating member 48 for separating the drum 62 are provided on the cleaning unit 60. The separation member 48 of the present embodiment is attached to the driving side end portion and the non-driving side end portion of the cleaning unit 60 respectively, but since the configuration is the same, the driving side will be described as an example.

  The separation member 48 is attached to the cleaning unit 60 by sandwiching an attachment portion 60 a in which the groove portion formed by the guided portion 48 c and the elastic deformation portion 48 d is located in the cleaning unit 60.

  The spacing member 48 includes a first position where the spacing member 38 and the drum 62 are spaced apart (operation position: FIG. 15A), and a second position where the spacing member 38 and the drum 62 abut (non-acting). Position: It is movable between FIG. 15 (b)). When the separation member 48 is in the first position, the separation portion 48 a of the separation member 48 is in contact with the contact portion 60 b of the cleaning unit 60 and the contact portion 20 b of the developing unit 20. Accordingly, the cleaning unit 60 and the developing unit 20 are held at a position where the interval holding member 38 and the drum 62 are separated from each other.

  That is, the first position (operating position) of the separation member 48 is a position for causing the separation member 48 to act to hold the developing unit 20 at the separation position (to separate the developing roller 32 from the drum 62).

  On the other hand, when the separation member 48 is in the second position, the separation portion 48a is located away from the contact portion 60b of the cleaning unit 60 and the contact portion 20b of the developing unit 20. For this reason, the cleaning unit 60 and the developing unit 20 are held at a position where the interval holding member 38 and the drum 62 abut.

  That is, the second position (non-acting position) of the separation member 48 is a position that releases the separation state by the separation member 48 and allows the developing unit 20 to move from the separation position to the image forming position. When the separating member 48 is in the second position, the developing roller 32 is disposed at a position where the latent image formed on the drum 62 can be developed.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a configuration in which the separation member 48 is moved from the first position to the second position. FIG. 16A is a diagram in a state where the separation member 48 is in the first position, and FIG. 16C is a diagram in a state where the separation member 48 is in the second position. FIG. 16B is a diagram illustrating a process in which the separation member 48 moves from the first position to the second position.

  As shown in the figure, the cleaning unit 60 is provided with the mounting portion 60 a described above and an arc-shaped guide portion 60 c centering on the axis of the drum 62.

  The spacing member 48 has the groove portion formed by the guided portion 48c and the elastic deformation portion 48d described above sandwiches the attachment portion 60a, and the guided portion 48c is guided by the guide portion 60c, so that the axis of the drum 62 is centered. Is held rotatably. Further, when the locking portion 48g provided at the tip of the elastically deforming portion 48d abuts on the mounting portion 60a, the separation member 48 rotates in the reverse direction (the direction in which it moves from the second position to the first position). Is preventing.

  The movement of the separating member 48 from the first position to the second position is performed by the engaging portion 63a of the driving drum flange 63 pushing the engaged portion 48f of the separating member 48. That is, as the drum 62 rotates in the direction of the arrow R, the engaging portion 63a pushes the engaged portion 48f, so that the separating member 48 is in the first position about the axis of the drum 62 (FIG. 16A). ) To the second position (FIG. 16C) through the position shown in FIG. 16B. Here, as shown in FIG. 16B, in the separation member 48, the convex portion 48e gets over the attachment portion 60a while the elastic deformation portion 48d is deformed in the process of rotational movement. The convex portion 48e gets over the attachment portion 60a to prevent the separation member 48 from rotating in the reverse direction, and the convex portion 48e abuts on the guide portion 60c, whereby the posture of the separation member 48 (attachment portion) (The posture in the rotational direction with 60a as a fulcrum) is regulated. Thereby, the separating member 48 is held at a position where the engaged portion 48f is separated from the engaging portion 63a.

  In the cartridge according to this embodiment, the separation member 48 is attached to the first position before the user uses the cartridge, and the interval holding member 38 and the drum 62 are separated from each other. For this reason, as in the first embodiment, the developing coupling 21 is in a state in which the axis is shifted from the first drive shaft 19.

  When the operation of the image forming apparatus is started, the second drive shaft 14 and the first drive shaft 19 of the apparatus main body A start to rotate at the same time, and drive is transmitted to the drum coupling 70 and the development coupling 21. As a result, the drum coupling 70 rotates the drum 62, so that the separation member 48 moves from the first position to the second position. Further, when the developing coupling 21 is driven, the winding operation of the seal member 45 is started.

  Before the winding of the seal member 45 is completed, the separation portion 48a of the separation member 48 is separated from the contact portion 60b of the cleaning unit 60 and the contact portion 20b of the developing unit 20, and the interval holding member 38 and the drum 62 contact each other. It is like that.

  With such a configuration, the seal member 45 can be wound immediately after the operation of the image forming apparatus is started, as in the first embodiment. If the timing at which the seal member 45 is wound (that is, the timing at which the opening 29a is released) is advanced, the timing at which the developer is supplied to the developing roller 32 is also accelerated as in the first embodiment. As a result, the timing at which the image forming apparatus can form an image can be advanced.

  Further, in this embodiment, the winding of the seal member 45 and the movement of the separation member 48 are simultaneously performed (the separation member 48 is also moved while the opening 29a is opened).

  When the winding of the seal member 45 is completed, the interval holding member 38 and the drum 62 are already in contact with each other. That is, the timing at which the separation member 48 finishes moving to the non-operation position (timing at which the development unit 20 finishes moving to the development position) is earlier than the timing at which the seal member 45 finishes removing from the opening 29a. .

  With this configuration, the time until the image forming apparatus can form an image can be further shortened. In this embodiment, the image forming operation can be started immediately after the winding of the seal member 45 is completed.

  Further, since the spacing member 38 and the drum 62 are separated by the separation member 48 provided in the cleaning unit 60, it is not necessary to provide an operation member such as the cam 59 in the apparatus main body A. The separation between the spacing member 38 provided on the developing roller 32 and the drum 62 can be released simply by inputting a driving force from the first driving shaft 19 to the cartridge B (developing unit 20) via the developing coupling 21. Therefore, since the configuration of the apparatus main body can be simplified, it is possible to contribute to cost reduction and size reduction of the image forming apparatus.

14 Second drive shaft (second main body drive unit)
19 1st drive shaft (1st main body drive part)
20 developing unit 21 developing coupling (first driving force receiving portion)
32 Development roller (developer carrier)
45 Sealing member
60 Cleaning unit (image carrier unit)
62 drum (image carrier)
70 Drum coupling (second driving force receiver)
A Image forming apparatus body (apparatus body)
B Process cartridge (cartridge)

Claims (11)

A cartridge that is detachable from an apparatus main body of an image forming apparatus and has a main body drive unit ,
An image carrier unit having an image carrier for carrying a toner image;
A developer carrying member for carrying a developer to be supplied to the image bearing member, wherein a yield vessel chamber you accommodating a developer, accommodated in said developer is supplied to said developer carrying member sometimes the the storage chamber having an opening which the developer passes, the sealing member for sealing the open mouth so that the developer does not appear to the outside of the accommodating chamber, the sealing member and the opening a removing member for removing from, the driving force that drive the front Symbol removing member and a driving force receiving portion for receiving from the main assembly driving portion, when the cartridge is mounted on the apparatus main body, wherein A developing unit connected to the image carrier unit so that a contact position where the developer carrier is in contact with the image carrier and a separated position where the developer carrier is separated from the image carrier; ,
Have
Before hear the power receiving unit, in a state in which the cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, when the developing unit takes the contact position, the first to be subjected to the main drive unit and engage the drive force When the developing unit is in the separated position, the driving force receiving portion is engaged with the main body driving portion and can receive the driving force, and the driving force receiving portion is more than the first posture. The cartridge is configured to be able to take a second posture in which the angle formed by the rotation axis of the developer and the rotation axis of the developer carrier is large . A cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that it is configured to drive the developer carrying member by the driving force received by the front hear the power receiving unit. The developing unit includes a biasing member that biases the driving force receiving portion in a direction in which the driving force receiving portion transitions from the first posture to the second posture,
The second posture is a posture in which the rotational axis of the driving force receiving portion is inclined to the downstream side in the mounting direction of the cartridge with respect to the apparatus main body with respect to the rotational axis of the developer carrier. The cartridge according to claim 1 or 2. In a state where the cartridge is not attached to the apparatus main body, the driving force receiving portion has an angle formed by the rotation axis of the driving force receiving portion and the rotation axis of the developer carrier rather than the second posture. Take a big third posture,
The third posture is a posture in which the rotational axis of the driving force receiving portion is inclined to the downstream side in the mounting direction of the cartridge with respect to the apparatus main body with respect to the rotational axis of the developer carrier. The cartridge according to claim 3. When the main body driving unit, the driving force receiving unit, and the driving force are respectively a first main body driving unit, a first driving force receiving unit, and a first driving force,
The image carrier unit has a second driving force receiving portion for receiving a second driving force for driving the image carrier from a second main body driving portion provided in the apparatus main body,
The second driving force receiving portion engages with the second main body driving portion and receives the second driving force in a state where the cartridge is mounted on the apparatus main body; It is configured to be able to take a fifth posture in which the angle formed by the rotation axis of the second driving force receiving portion and the rotation axis of the image carrier is larger than the fourth posture. The cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 4. A biasing member that biases the developing unit in a direction from the separation position toward the contact position; a restriction position that restricts movement of the development unit from the separation position to the contact position ; possess the allowable position for allowing the move, and a movably arranged regulating member between,
The restriction member is configured to move from the restriction position to the permissible position when the second driving force receiving portion is driven by receiving the second driving force. Item 6. The cartridge according to Item 5 . It said removing member is a conveying member provided in the housing chamber, wherein the conveying member is a feature that you removed from the opening What preparative winding said removing member while conveying the developer by rotating The cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 6 . An image carrier for carrying a toner image;
A developer carrier for carrying a developer to be supplied to the image carrier; a contact position where the developer carrier abuts the image carrier; and the developer carrier is the image carrier. A developing unit configured to be able to take a separated position away from
A drive unit for driving the developing unit;
In an image forming apparatus comprising:
The developing unit is a storage chamber for storing the developer, and has a storage chamber having an opening through which the developer passes when the stored developer is supplied to the developer carrier. A sealing member that seals the opening so that an agent does not come out of the storage chamber, a removal member that removes the sealing member from the opening, and a drive member that engages the removal member. A driving force receiving portion for receiving a driving force for driving from the driving portion,
The driving force receiving portion takes a first posture that engages with the driving portion and receives the driving force when the developing unit takes the contact position, and when the developing unit takes the separated position. A second posture in which the angle formed by the rotational axis of the driving force receiving portion and the rotational axis of the developer carrying member is larger than that in the first posture so that the driving portion can be engaged and receive the driving force. An image forming apparatus characterized by that. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the developer carrying member is driven by the driving force received by the driving force receiving portion. 9. The developing unit according to claim 8, further comprising a biasing member that biases the driving force receiving portion in a direction in which the driving force receiving portion transitions from the first posture to the second posture. The image forming apparatus according to 9. The removing member is a conveying member provided in the storage chamber, and the conveying member rotates to wind up the removing member while removing the developer while removing the developer from the opening. Item 11. The image forming apparatus according to any one of Items 8 to 10.

Images