JP2010186096A

JP2010186096A - Electrophotographic apparatus

Info

Publication number: JP2010186096A
Application number: JP2009030729A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Yoshinari Konuma; 良成小沼
Original assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
Current assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
Priority date: 2009-02-13
Filing date: 2009-02-13
Publication date: 2010-08-26

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electrophotographic apparatus which enables a photoreceptor to be easily replaced at low cost without being damaged. <P>SOLUTION: The electrophotographic apparatus includes: the attachable/detachable photoreceptor; a developing device including a developing roller for developing a toner image on the photoreceptor so as to be close to the photoreceptor; a photoreceptor support member which rotatably supports the photoreceptor in the position where the photoreceptor is prevented from contacting the developing roller, when the photoreceptor is attached/detached; and a holder holding the photoreceptor support member, wherein the photoreceptor support member and a cleaning member for cleaning the photoreceptor support member are set to the holder. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

本発明は、レーザービームプリンタなどに代表される電子写真方式を用いて画像を形成する電子写真装置に係り、特に着脱可能な感光体を有する電子写真装置に関するものである。 The present invention relates to an electrophotographic apparatus that forms an image using an electrophotographic system typified by a laser beam printer or the like, and more particularly to an electrophotographic apparatus having a detachable photoconductor.

電子写真装置は、光導電性を有する感光体に光を照射して形成した感光体上の潜像を、現像機にて現像を行ないトナー像を形成し、転写、定着プロセスを経て画像を形成するように構成されている。また、電子写真装置は、感光体上のトナー像を記録紙などに転写した後の感光体上の残留トナーを清掃するための清掃部材を備えている。通常、清掃部材は、円筒の表面にポリアミド樹脂製のブラシを接着したクリーニングブラシなどが用いられる。感光体は印刷動作を行なうにつれて、これら清掃部材や記録紙との摺擦による機械的疲労や、帯電、露光、除電の繰り返しによる電気的疲労などから定期的な交換が必要であり、電子写真装置は感光体が容易に着脱可能な構成が必要とされる。 An electrophotographic apparatus develops a latent image on a photoconductor formed by irradiating a photoconductive photoconductor with light, forms a toner image by a developing machine, and forms an image through a transfer and fixing process. Is configured to do. The electrophotographic apparatus also includes a cleaning member for cleaning residual toner on the photoconductor after the toner image on the photoconductor is transferred to a recording sheet or the like. Usually, a cleaning brush or the like in which a polyamide resin brush is bonded to a cylindrical surface is used as the cleaning member. As the photoconductor performs a printing operation, it must be periodically replaced due to mechanical fatigue due to rubbing against these cleaning members and recording paper, and electrical fatigue due to repeated charging, exposure, and charge removal. Requires a structure in which the photosensitive member can be easily attached and detached.

電子写真装置の現像装置において、感光体上にトナー像を形成する部位（一般的に現像ローラ）は、高品質な画像を得るために、感光体に極めて近接することは一般的である。このため、電子写真装置においては、感光体を着脱する際に近接した現像ローラに感光体が接触して感光体が損傷する恐れがあるため、感光体の着脱作業は熟練した技術を持つサービスマンが行なっていた。 In a developing device of an electrophotographic apparatus, a portion (generally a developing roller) on which a toner image is formed on a photoreceptor is generally very close to the photoreceptor in order to obtain a high quality image. For this reason, in an electrophotographic apparatus, there is a risk that the photosensitive member may come into contact with a developing roller adjacent to the photosensitive member when the photosensitive member is attached or detached, and the photosensitive member may be damaged. Was doing.

しかしながら、近年、電子写真装置においては、ランニングコスト低減のため、電子写真装置の保守メンテナンスをサービスマンでなくユーザー自身で行なうことが望まれており、電子写真装置の各部位において定期交換部品の交換作業を簡素化するための改良が進められている。 However, in recent years, in order to reduce running costs in the electrophotographic apparatus, it is desired that the maintenance of the electrophotographic apparatus is performed by the user himself, not by a service person, and replacement of periodic replacement parts is performed at each part of the electrophotographic apparatus. Improvements are being made to simplify the work.

感光体においては、着脱する際に上記の如く感光体が損傷しないように保護する手段として、交換作業時に電子写真装置本体に設けたゴムなどの弾性体で構成された弾性ローラを、現像ローラに比べて感光体により近接した位置に設け、弾性ローラによって感光体を直接支持し、感光体と現像ローラとの間に隙間を設けることで感光体の損傷を防止する方法や、交換作業時に感光体を保護する保護カバーを設ける方法がある。例えば、後者の方法については、特許第３４７３８０６号公報に記載されている。 In the photoconductor, as a means for protecting the photoconductor from being damaged as described above when the photoconductor is attached or detached, an elastic roller made of an elastic material such as rubber provided in the electrophotographic apparatus main body at the time of replacement is used as a developing roller. Compared with the photosensitive member, the photosensitive member is directly supported by an elastic roller, and a gap is provided between the photosensitive member and the developing roller to prevent the photosensitive member from being damaged. There is a method of providing a protective cover for protecting the camera. For example, the latter method is described in Japanese Patent No. 3473806.

しかしながら、特許第３４７３８０６号公報に記載された電子写真装置においては、感光体１つ１つに保護シートを設けなければならないため、コストがかかるといった問題や、電子写真装置に感光体を装填した後に感光体から保護シートを引き剥がす手間や引き剥がした保護シートを捨てる手間が必要であるといった問題があった。 However, in the electrophotographic apparatus described in Japanese Patent No. 3473806, since a protective sheet must be provided for each photoconductor, there is a problem of cost, and after the electrophotographic apparatus is loaded with the photoconductor. There is a problem that it takes time and labor to peel off the protective sheet from the photoreceptor and to throw away the peeled protective sheet.

また、上記した前者の方法については、感光体印刷動作中に現像装置内から飛散したトナー、金属粉や、感光体交換作業中に電子写真装置より取り出した使用済の感光体に付着しているトナー、金属粉が電子写真装置に設けた弾性ローラに付着する恐れがある。新しい感光体を電子写真装置に取り付ける際に、上記の如く弾性ローラに付着したトナー、金属粉によって新しい感光体が損傷するおそれがあった。 As for the former method, the toner adheres to the toner and metal powder scattered from the developing device during the photoconductor printing operation, and the used photoconductor removed from the electrophotographic apparatus during the photoconductor replacement operation. There is a risk that toner and metal powder may adhere to the elastic roller provided in the electrophotographic apparatus. When a new photoconductor is attached to the electrophotographic apparatus, the new photoconductor may be damaged by the toner and metal powder adhering to the elastic roller as described above.

本発明は、上記した従来技術の問題を鑑みてなされたものであり、安価で、感光体交換時に感光体を傷つけることなく交換可能な電子写真装置を提供することを目的とする。 The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems of the prior art, and an object thereof is to provide an electrophotographic apparatus that is inexpensive and can be replaced without damaging the photosensitive member when the photosensitive member is replaced.

上記目的を達成するために、本発明の第１の手段は、着脱可能な感光体と、前記感光体上にトナー像を現像するための現像ローラを前記感光体に近接して具備する現像装置と、前記感光体を着脱する際に、前記感光体が前記現像ローラに接触しない位置にて支持する回転可能な感光体支持部材と、前記感光体支持部材を保持するホルダを有する電子写真装置において、前記感光体支持部材と前記感光体支持部材を清掃する清掃手段を前記ホルダに設置したことを特徴とするものである。 In order to achieve the above object, a first means of the present invention is a developing device comprising a removable photoconductor and a developing roller for developing a toner image on the photoconductor in the vicinity of the photoconductor. An electrophotographic apparatus comprising: a rotatable photosensitive member supporting member that supports the photosensitive member at a position where the photosensitive member does not contact the developing roller when the photosensitive member is attached or detached; and a holder that holds the photosensitive member supporting member. The photosensitive member supporting member and a cleaning means for cleaning the photosensitive member supporting member are provided in the holder.

本発明の第２の手段は前記第１の手段において、前記感光体支持部材はローラであって、前記清掃部材は弾性部材であって、前記感光体支持部材と前記清掃部材とが圧接して取り付けられていることを特徴とするものである。 According to a second means of the present invention, in the first means, the photosensitive member supporting member is a roller, the cleaning member is an elastic member, and the photosensitive member supporting member and the cleaning member are pressed against each other. It is characterized by being attached.

本発明の第３の手段は前記第２の手段において、前記清掃部材は連続気泡多孔質材で構成されていることを特徴とするものである。 According to a third means of the present invention, in the second means, the cleaning member is made of an open-cell porous material.

本発明によれば、着脱可能な感光体と、感光体上にトナー像を現像する現像ローラを感光体に近接して具備する現像装置と、感光体を着脱する際に、感光体を現像ローラに接触しない位置にて支持する回転可能な感光体支持部材とを有する電子写真装置において、前記感光体支持部材と前記感光体支持部材を清掃する清掃手段を前記ホルダに設置し、前記清掃手段を連続気泡多孔質材より構成することで、安価で、感光体交換時に感光体表面を傷つけることなく交換可能な電子写真装置を提供することができる。 According to the present invention, a detachable photoconductor, a developing device that includes a developing roller that develops a toner image on the photoconductor in the vicinity of the photoconductor, and the photoconductor when the photoconductor is attached or detached. In an electrophotographic apparatus having a rotatable photosensitive member support member that is supported at a position not in contact with the photosensitive member, a cleaning unit that cleans the photosensitive member support member and the photosensitive member support member is installed in the holder, and the cleaning unit is By comprising an open-cell porous material, it is possible to provide an electrophotographic apparatus that is inexpensive and can be replaced without damaging the surface of the photoreceptor when the photoreceptor is replaced.

また、前記感光体支持部材と前記清掃手段が共に前記ホルダに取り付けられているため、長期使用により前記感光体支持部材が劣化し、交換の必要性が発生した場合、前記感光体支持部材と共に前記清掃手段も同時に交換でき、前記感光体支持部材に対する前記清掃手段の位置調整が不要であるため、保守交換性が向上する。 In addition, since both the photosensitive member supporting member and the cleaning unit are attached to the holder, when the photosensitive member supporting member is deteriorated due to long-term use and needs to be replaced, the photosensitive member supporting member and the cleaning unit are combined with the photosensitive member supporting member. Since the cleaning means can be replaced at the same time, and the position adjustment of the cleaning means with respect to the photosensitive member support member is unnecessary, maintenance and exchangeability is improved.

本発明の実施例に係る電子写真装置の感光体周辺の概略構成図である。1 is a schematic configuration diagram around a photoreceptor of an electrophotographic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 本発明の実施例に係る感光体支持部材の拡大図である。It is an enlarged view of the photoreceptor support member which concerns on the Example of this invention.

本発明の実施例について図を用いて説明する。 Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

図１は、着脱可能な感光体を有する電子写真装置の感光体周辺の構成を示す。図１に示すように電子写真装置の感光体１周辺は、感光体上にトナー像を形成する現像ローラ２を有する現像機３、トナー像を記録紙に転写する転写器４、感光体１表面の除帯電を行なう除電器５および帯電器６、感光体１表面を清掃する清掃器７によって構成される。 FIG. 1 shows a configuration around a photosensitive member of an electrophotographic apparatus having a detachable photosensitive member. As shown in FIG. 1, the periphery of the photosensitive member 1 of the electrophotographic apparatus is a developing device 3 having a developing roller 2 for forming a toner image on the photosensitive member, a transfer device 4 for transferring the toner image onto recording paper, and the surface of the photosensitive member 1. The static eliminator 5 and the charger 6 for performing the above-described static elimination, and the cleaner 7 for cleaning the surface of the photosensitive member 1.

感光体１は、電子写真装置本体に設けられた感光体支持シャフト８に回転可能に支持され、片手で容易に着脱が可能な固定ノブ９によって固定されている。感光体１の最下点を挟んで対向した位置には、弾性体の弾性ローラ１０が現像ローラ２よりも感光体１に近接した位置となるように２箇所設けられている。 The photoreceptor 1 is rotatably supported by a photoreceptor support shaft 8 provided in the electrophotographic apparatus main body, and is fixed by a fixing knob 9 that can be easily attached and detached with one hand. Two positions are provided so that the elastic roller 10, which is an elastic body, is positioned closer to the photosensitive body 1 than the developing roller 2 at positions facing each other across the lowest point of the photosensitive body 1.

感光体１を着脱する際には、固定ノブ９を外し感光体支持シャフト８に沿って感光体１を引き出す。電子写真装置より引き出された感光体１の一端が、弾性ローラ１０によって支持され、感光体１は現像ローラ２と一定の隙間を保ちながら引き出されるため、現像ローラ２との接触により感光体の表面を傷つけることはない。 When attaching or detaching the photoreceptor 1, the fixing knob 9 is removed and the photoreceptor 1 is pulled out along the photoreceptor support shaft 8. One end of the photosensitive member 1 drawn out from the electrophotographic apparatus is supported by an elastic roller 10, and the photosensitive member 1 is drawn out while maintaining a certain gap from the developing roller 2, so that the surface of the photosensitive member is brought into contact with the developing roller 2. Will not hurt.

図２に示すように弾性ローラ１０は、ホルダ１１にローラ支持シャフト１２を介して回転可能に保持されており、さらに、弾性持ローラ１０下部には、弾性ローラ１０の表面に圧接するよう連続気泡多孔質材のローラ清掃部材１３が設けられている。 As shown in FIG. 2, the elastic roller 10 is rotatably held by a holder 11 via a roller support shaft 12, and further, an open cell is formed below the elastic holding roller 10 so as to be in pressure contact with the surface of the elastic roller 10. A roller cleaning member 13 made of a porous material is provided.

長期の使用により劣化した感光体１を電子写真装置より着脱する際には、弾性ローラ１０は感光体１との摩擦により、常に表面を感光体１に接触させながらローラ支持シャフト１２を軸に回転する。感光体１と接触した弾性ローラ１０の表面は、感光体１の表面に付着していたトナーや金属粉が付着するが、トナー、金属粉などの付着物は、弾性ローラ１０の下部に設けられたローラ清掃部材１３によって清掃される。ローラ清掃部材１３により除去されたトナーや金属粉は、連続気泡多孔質材であるローラ清掃部材１３の連続した気泡内に収容されるため、電子写真装置を不要に汚さずに作業を行なうことが可能である。この連続気泡多孔質材としては、例えばスポンジ等の発泡体等が挙げられる。 When the photoreceptor 1 that has deteriorated due to long-term use is attached to or detached from the electrophotographic apparatus, the elastic roller 10 rotates about the roller support shaft 12 while always contacting the surface of the photoreceptor 1 due to friction with the photoreceptor 1. To do. The surface of the elastic roller 10 in contact with the photosensitive member 1 adheres toner or metal powder that has adhered to the surface of the photosensitive member 1, but deposits such as toner and metallic powder are provided below the elastic roller 10. It is cleaned by the roller cleaning member 13. Since the toner and metal powder removed by the roller cleaning member 13 are accommodated in the continuous bubbles of the roller cleaning member 13 which is an open-cell porous material, the operation can be performed without unnecessarily polluting the electrophotographic apparatus. Is possible. Examples of the open cell porous material include foams such as sponge.

さらに本発明においては、弾性ローラ１０とローラ清掃部材１３が共にホルダ１１に取り付けられているため、長期使用により弾性ローラ１０が劣化し、交換の必要性が発生した場合、弾性ローラ１０と共にローラ清掃部材１３も同時に交換でき、弾性ローラ１０に対するローラ清掃部材１３の位置調整が不要であるため、保守交換性が良くなる。 Further, in the present invention, since both the elastic roller 10 and the roller cleaning member 13 are attached to the holder 11, when the elastic roller 10 deteriorates due to long-term use and the necessity for replacement occurs, the roller cleaning together with the elastic roller 10 is performed. The member 13 can also be replaced at the same time, and it is not necessary to adjust the position of the roller cleaning member 13 with respect to the elastic roller 10, so that the maintenance and replaceability are improved.

１は感光体、２は現像ローラ、３は現像機、４は転写器、５は除電器、６は帯電器、７は清掃器、８は感光体支持シャフト、９は固定ノブ、１０は弾性ローラ（感光体支持部材）、１１は弾性ローラホルダ、１２弾性ローラ支持シャフト、１３はローラ清掃部材である。 1 is a photosensitive member, 2 is a developing roller, 3 is a developing device, 4 is a transfer device, 5 is a static eliminator, 6 is a charger, 7 is a cleaning device, 8 is a photosensitive member support shaft, 9 is a fixing knob, and 10 is elastic. A roller (photoconductor support member), 11 is an elastic roller holder, 12 is an elastic roller support shaft, and 13 is a roller cleaning member.

特許第３４７３８０６号公報Japanese Patent No. 3473806

Claims

着脱可能な感光体と、前記感光体上にトナー像を現像するための現像ローラを前記感光体に近接して具備する現像装置と、前記感光体を着脱する際に、前記感光体が前記現像ローラに接触しない位置にて支持する回転可能な感光体支持部材と、前記感光体支持部材を保持するホルダを有する電子写真装置において、
前記感光体支持部材と前記感光体支持部材を清掃する清掃手段を前記ホルダに設置したことを特徴とする電子写真装置。 A detachable photoconductor, a developing device including a developing roller for developing a toner image on the photoconductor in the vicinity of the photoconductor, and the photoconductor when the photoconductor is attached or detached, In an electrophotographic apparatus having a rotatable photoreceptor support member that supports a position not in contact with a roller, and a holder that holds the photoreceptor support member.
An electrophotographic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a cleaning means for cleaning the photosensitive member supporting member and the photosensitive member supporting member is provided in the holder.

前記感光体支持部材はローラであって、前記清掃部材は弾性部材であって、前記感光体支持部材と前記清掃部材とが圧接して取り付けられていることを特徴とする請求項１記載の電子写真装置。 2. The electron according to claim 1, wherein the photosensitive member supporting member is a roller, the cleaning member is an elastic member, and the photosensitive member supporting member and the cleaning member are attached in pressure contact with each other. Photo equipment.

前記清掃部材は連続気泡多孔質材で構成されていることを特徴とする請求項２記載の電子写真装置。 The electrophotographic apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the cleaning member is made of an open-cell porous material.