JP2016167054A - Charging device, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Charging device, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus Download PDF

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JP2016167054A
JP2016167054A JP2016028429A JP2016028429A JP2016167054A JP 2016167054 A JP2016167054 A JP 2016167054A JP 2016028429 A JP2016028429 A JP 2016028429A JP 2016028429 A JP2016028429 A JP 2016028429A JP 2016167054 A JP2016167054 A JP 2016167054A
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charging roller
charging
force
photosensitive drum
charging member
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JP2016167054A5 (en
JP6727839B2 (en
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元就 伊藤
Motonari Ito
元就 伊藤
広由 岩山
Hiroyoshi Iwayama
広由 岩山
平松　隆
Takashi Hiramatsu
隆 平松
悠 深澤
Yu Fukasawa
悠 深澤
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Canon Inc
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Canon Inc
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Priority to US15/058,991 priority Critical patent/US9563144B2/en
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
    • G03G15/02—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for laying down a uniform charge, e.g. for sensitising; Corona discharge devices
    • G03G15/0208—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for laying down a uniform charge, e.g. for sensitising; Corona discharge devices by contact, friction or induction, e.g. liquid charging apparatus
    • G03G15/0216—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for laying down a uniform charge, e.g. for sensitising; Corona discharge devices by contact, friction or induction, e.g. liquid charging apparatus by bringing a charging member into contact with the member to be charged, e.g. roller, brush chargers
    • G03G15/0233—Structure, details of the charging member, e.g. chemical composition, surface properties
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
    • G03G15/02—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for laying down a uniform charge, e.g. for sensitising; Corona discharge devices
    • G03G15/0283—Arrangements for supplying power to the sensitising device
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G21/00—Arrangements not provided for by groups G03G13/00 - G03G19/00, e.g. cleaning, elimination of residual charge
    • G03G21/16—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements
    • G03G21/18—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements using a processing cartridge, whereby the process cartridge comprises at least two image processing means in a single unit
    • G03G21/1803—Arrangements or disposition of the complete process cartridge or parts thereof
    • G03G21/1814—Details of parts of process cartridge, e.g. for charging, transfer, cleaning, developing

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Plasma & Fusion (AREA)
  • Computer Vision & Pattern Recognition (AREA)
  • Electrostatic Charge, Transfer And Separation In Electrography (AREA)

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To determine the position of a charging member in a configuration to clean the charging member with a brush member.SOLUTION: A charging device used in an image forming apparatus comprises: an image carrier that carries an image; a charging member that charges the image carrier while rotating in contact with the image carrier; and a brush member that is in contact with the charging member to clean the charging member. When driven to rotate, the charging member receives a predetermined force in the longitudinal direction of the charging member at a force receiving part. The charging member is in contact with the brush member at a place different from the force receiving part, and a direction where the predetermined force acts is the same in the longitudinal direction as a direction where bristles of the brush member fall.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

本発明は感光体などの像担持体の表面を帯電させる帯電装置、この帯電装置を備えるプロセスカートリッジ及び記録媒体上に画像を形成する画像形成装置に関するものである。   The present invention relates to a charging device that charges the surface of an image carrier such as a photoconductor, a process cartridge including the charging device, and an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium.

近年、電子写真装置や静電記録装置などの画像形成装置の帯電装置として、コロナ帯電器に代えて、導電性を有する帯電部材を感光体に直接当接させて、感光体表面を均一帯電しオゾンの発生を抑えた、接触ＤＣ帯電方式が広く採用されている。この方式の一例としてあげると、帯電部材である帯電ローラにＤＣバイアスを印加し、感光体表面に接触回転しながら均一放電を行い、感光体表面を一様に帯電するものである。   In recent years, as a charging device for an image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic apparatus or an electrostatic recording apparatus, instead of a corona charger, a conductive charging member is brought into direct contact with the photosensitive member to uniformly charge the surface of the photosensitive member. A contact DC charging method that suppresses generation of ozone is widely adopted. As an example of this method, a DC bias is applied to a charging roller, which is a charging member, and uniform discharge is performed while rotating in contact with the surface of the photoreceptor to uniformly charge the surface of the photoreceptor.

この帯電ローラは印刷領域をきちんと帯電する為に、長手方向における位置を一定化する必要があり、長手で位置決めすることが望ましい。例えば、特許文献１にあるように、感光体の回転軸と帯電ローラの回転軸とが所定の角度（交差角）をもって交差する位置関係とする構成が示されている。このような構成とすることで回転駆動により帯電ローラは長手方向のスラスト力を受け、所定の位置へと移動することが可能となる。   In order to charge the printing area properly, the charging roller needs to have a constant position in the longitudinal direction, and is desirably positioned in the longitudinal direction. For example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a configuration is shown in which the rotational axis of the photosensitive member and the rotational axis of the charging roller intersect with each other at a predetermined angle (intersection angle). With this configuration, the charging roller receives a thrust force in the longitudinal direction by rotational driving, and can move to a predetermined position.

一方でまた、接触ＤＣ帯電方式では感光体表面に直接接しているために帯電ローラ表面にトナーや外添剤等が付着しやすいため、帯電不良となりやすい。特に帯電ローラの長寿命化や感光体表面を清掃するクリーニング部材がない場合、帯電ローラの汚れは大きな問題となる。そこで、このような接触帯電部材表面の汚れを防止するために帯電部材を清掃する手段が色々と提案されている。例えば、特許文献２によると、ブラシによる接触帯電部材を清掃する構成が示されている。   On the other hand, in the contact DC charging system, since the toner is in direct contact with the surface of the photosensitive member, toner, external additives, and the like are likely to adhere to the surface of the charging roller, so that charging failure tends to occur. In particular, when the charging roller has a long life and there is no cleaning member for cleaning the surface of the photosensitive member, contamination of the charging roller becomes a serious problem. Therefore, various means for cleaning the charging member have been proposed in order to prevent such contamination on the surface of the contact charging member. For example, according to Patent Document 2, a configuration for cleaning a contact charging member using a brush is shown.

特許４７４９０４９号公報Japanese Patent No. 4749049 特開２００２−１０８０６９号公報JP 2002-108069 A

帯電ローラ及び感光体の長手位置決めをするため、上述したような感光体と帯電ローラが交差角を設ける、また、帯電ローラがギアにより駆動する場合にはハス歯ギアにすることで長手方向に対して一定方向へのスラスト力を受けるようにする方法がある。これにより帯電ローラ及び感光体は所定方向に移動し、位置決めすることが可能となる。   In order to position the charging roller and the photosensitive member in the longitudinal direction, a crossing angle is provided between the photosensitive member and the charging roller as described above, and when the charging roller is driven by a gear, a helical gear is used in the longitudinal direction. There is a method to receive a thrust force in a certain direction. As a result, the charging roller and the photoconductor can be moved and positioned in a predetermined direction.

しかしながら、帯電ローラ表面を清掃する為のブラシ部材を帯電ローラ表面に当接させると、帯電ローラに負荷が生じてしまう。このため、帯電ローラがスムーズに長手方向へ移動することができず、帯電ローラ及び感光体の長手位置が定まらない。交差角を大きくすることで帯電ローラのスラスト力は大きくなるが、長手方向での当接が不安定になるため好ましくない。   However, if a brush member for cleaning the surface of the charging roller is brought into contact with the surface of the charging roller, a load is generated on the charging roller. For this reason, the charging roller cannot smoothly move in the longitudinal direction, and the longitudinal positions of the charging roller and the photoreceptor cannot be determined. Increasing the crossing angle increases the thrust force of the charging roller, but it is not preferable because the contact in the longitudinal direction becomes unstable.

そこで本発明は帯電部材をブラシ部材で清掃する構成において、帯電部材を位置決めすることを目的とする。   Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to position the charging member in a configuration in which the charging member is cleaned with a brush member.

上記目的を達成するための本発明の代表的な構成は、
画像形成装置にて用いられる帯電装置において、
像を担持する像担持体と、
像担持体と接触し、回転しながら前記像担持体を帯電する帯電部材と、
前記帯電部材と接触して前記帯電部材を清掃するブラシ部材と、
を有し、
前記帯電部材は回転駆動する時に、力受け部において前記帯電部材の長手方向に所定の力を受けるものであって、
前記帯電部材は、前記力受け部と異なる場所にて前記ブラシ部材と接触し、
前記所定の力が作用する方向と、前記ブラシ部材が毛倒れする方向が前記長手方向において同じ側であることを特徴とする。 A typical configuration of the present invention for achieving the above object is as follows.
In a charging device used in an image forming apparatus,
An image carrier for carrying an image;
A charging member that contacts the image carrier and charges the image carrier while rotating;
A brush member for cleaning the charging member in contact with the charging member;
Have
The charging member receives a predetermined force in the longitudinal direction of the charging member at the force receiving portion when driven to rotate,
The charging member is in contact with the brush member at a location different from the force receiving portion;
The direction in which the predetermined force acts and the direction in which the brush member falls are on the same side in the longitudinal direction.

上記構成とすることで帯電部材をブラシ部材で清掃する構成において、帯電部材を位置決めすることを目的とする。   In the structure which cleans a charging member with a brush member by setting it as the said structure, it aims at positioning a charging member.

実施例１及び実施例２における画像形成装置の概略断面図Schematic cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus in Example 1 and Example 2 実施例１における帯電ローラ近傍の概略断面図Schematic sectional view of the vicinity of the charging roller in Embodiment 1. 実施例１における帯電ローラと感光体ドラムの構成を示す概略図FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a charging roller and a photosensitive drum in Embodiment 1. 実施例１における帯電ローラと感光体ドラムとの当接状態を示す概略図FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a contact state between a charging roller and a photosensitive drum according to the first exemplary embodiment. 実施例１における帯電ローラとブラシ部材の構成を示す概略図Schematic which shows the structure of the charging roller and brush member in Example 1. FIG. 実施例２における帯電ローラと感光体ドラムの駆動側の構成を示す概略図FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a driving side of a charging roller and a photosensitive drum in Embodiment 2. 実施例２における帯電ローラとブラシ部材の構成を示す概略図Schematic which shows the structure of the charging roller and brush member in Example 2. FIG. カートリッジの説明図Cartridge illustration クリーナレス構成の説明図Illustration of cleanerless configuration

＜実施例１＞
＜画像形成装置の構成概略＞
以下、本発明に係る画像形成装置を図面に則して更に詳しく説明する。以下に説明する実施例は、例示的に本発明を説明するものであって、以下に記載される構成部品の寸法、材質、形状、その相対配置などは、特に特定的な記載がない限りは、本発明の範囲をそれに限定するものではない。図１をもとに本発明の本実施例にかかる画像形成装置１００の概略断面図をもとに画像形成工程を説明する。 <Example 1>
<Outline of configuration of image forming apparatus>
The image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described below in more detail with reference to the drawings. The examples described below illustrate the present invention by way of example, and the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, etc. of the components described below are not particularly specified unless otherwise specified. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. An image forming process will be described based on a schematic sectional view of an image forming apparatus 100 according to this embodiment of the present invention with reference to FIG.

本実施例における画像形成装置は不図示のパーソナルコンピュータ等からの画像情報の信号が電子写真画像形成装置の受信部としてのＣＰＵ（不図示）が受け取ると、装置下部に装着されたシートカセット５１から搬送ローラ５２によってシートＳを搬送する。このシート搬送と同期して、像担持体である感光体ドラム１が回転駆動を開始する。   When an image information signal from a personal computer (not shown) or the like is received by a CPU (not shown) as a receiving unit of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus in the present embodiment receives from a sheet cassette 51 mounted at the lower part of the apparatus. The sheet S is conveyed by the conveyance roller 52. In synchronization with this sheet conveyance, the photosensitive drum 1 as an image carrier starts to rotate.

本実施例での感光体ドラム１はφ２４ｍｍの負極性ＯＰＣ感光体である。この感光体ドラム１は矢印Ａ方向に周速度１００ｍｍ／ｓｅｃ（＝プロセススピードＰＳ、印字速度）の一定速度をもって回転駆動される。   The photosensitive drum 1 in this embodiment is a negative OPC photosensitive member having a diameter of 24 mm. The photosensitive drum 1 is driven to rotate in the direction of arrow A at a constant speed of 100 mm / sec (= process speed PS, printing speed).

帯電部材としての帯電ローラ２があり、感光体ドラム１表面を帯電する。図２に示すようにこの帯電ローラ２は導電性の弾性ローラであり、芯金２ａと導電性弾性層２ｂからなる。この帯電ローラ２を感光体ドラム１に所定の押圧力で圧接させて感光体ドラム１との間に帯電領域を形成させてある。本例ではこの帯電ローラ２は感光体ドラム１の回転に対して矢印Ｂ方向に従動回転する。帯電ローラ２に帯電バイアスを印加する帯電電源（不図示）があり、本例ではこの帯電電源から芯金２ａに直流電圧を印加する。印加する直流電圧は、感光体ドラム１表面と帯電ローラ２との電位差が放電開始電圧以上となるような値に設定されており、具体的には帯電バイアスとして−１３００Ｖの直流電圧を印加している。このとき、感光体ドラム１面を帯電電位（暗部電位）−７００Ｖに一様に接触帯電させている。また、帯電ローラ２の表層を清掃するため、帯電ローラ２に当接するように配設されたブラシ部材１０が設けられている。帯電ローラ２、ブラシ部材１０に関しては後述する。   There is a charging roller 2 as a charging member, which charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the charging roller 2 is a conductive elastic roller, and includes a core metal 2a and a conductive elastic layer 2b. The charging roller 2 is brought into pressure contact with the photosensitive drum 1 with a predetermined pressing force to form a charging region between the charging roller 2 and the photosensitive drum 1. In this example, the charging roller 2 is driven to rotate in the direction of arrow B with respect to the rotation of the photosensitive drum 1. There is a charging power source (not shown) for applying a charging bias to the charging roller 2. In this example, a DC voltage is applied from the charging power source to the metal core 2a. The DC voltage to be applied is set to a value such that the potential difference between the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 and the charging roller 2 is equal to or higher than the discharge start voltage. Specifically, a DC voltage of -1300 V is applied as a charging bias. Yes. At this time, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is uniformly contact-charged to a charging potential (dark portion potential) of −700V. Further, in order to clean the surface layer of the charging roller 2, a brush member 10 disposed so as to contact the charging roller 2 is provided. The charging roller 2 and the brush member 10 will be described later.

露光手段（露光装置）として、レーザダイオード・ポリゴンミラー等を含むレーザビームスキャナ３がある。このレーザビームスキャナ３は目的の画像情報の時系列電気ディジタル画素信号に対応して強度変調されたレーザ光を出力し、該レーザ光で上記回転感光体ドラム１の一様帯電面を走査露光する。感光体ドラム１の一様帯電処理面をレーザ光で全面露光した場合、感光体ドラム１面の電位が−１５０Ｖになるようにレーザーパワーは調整されている。レーザビームスキャナ３が感光体ドラム１を露光することで、感光体ドラム１に静電潜像（静電像）が形成される。   As an exposure means (exposure device), there is a laser beam scanner 3 including a laser diode, a polygon mirror and the like. The laser beam scanner 3 outputs a laser beam whose intensity is modulated in accordance with a time-series electric digital pixel signal of target image information, and scans and exposes the uniformly charged surface of the rotating photosensitive drum 1 with the laser beam. . When the uniformly charged surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is exposed entirely with laser light, the laser power is adjusted so that the potential of the photosensitive drum 1 surface becomes −150V. The laser beam scanner 3 exposes the photosensitive drum 1 to form an electrostatic latent image (electrostatic image) on the photosensitive drum 1.

現像装置（現像器）４には、本実施例では現像剤として、負極性の磁性一成分トナーを使用している。トナー担持体である現像スリーブ１３および現像ブレード１４が配置されている。現像スリーブ１３は矢印Ｃ方向に回転駆動している。磁性トナーは、現像スリーブ１３に内包された磁界発生手段であるマグネット（不図示）の磁力によって現像スリーブ１３に引きつけられる。トナーｔは現像ブレード１４によって所定の層厚に規制されつつ、一定の負極性の摩擦帯電を帯びる。その後、現像バイアス印加電源（不図示）により現像スリーブ１３と感光体ドラム１との間に印加された現像バイアスにより現像部ａにおいて感光体ドラム１上の静電潜像を顕像化する。現像バイアスは−３５０Ｖに設定している。つまり感光体ドラムの潜像が現像スリーブ１３によって現像することで感光体ドラム１の上にトナー像（現像剤像）が形成される。   In the present embodiment, a negative magnetic one-component toner is used as the developer in the developing device (developing device) 4. A developing sleeve 13 and a developing blade 14 which are toner carriers are disposed. The developing sleeve 13 is driven to rotate in the direction of arrow C. The magnetic toner is attracted to the developing sleeve 13 by the magnetic force of a magnet (not shown) that is a magnetic field generating means included in the developing sleeve 13. The toner t has a certain negative triboelectric charge while being regulated to a predetermined layer thickness by the developing blade 14. Thereafter, the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 1 is visualized in the developing section a by the developing bias applied between the developing sleeve 13 and the photosensitive drum 1 by a developing bias application power source (not shown). The developing bias is set to -350V. That is, the latent image on the photosensitive drum is developed by the developing sleeve 13 to form a toner image (developer image) on the photosensitive drum 1.

感光体ドラム１は、像（トナー像、潜像）を担持する像担持体である。現像装置４は像担持体に現像剤を供給して潜像を現像するものである。現像装置４に設けられた現像スリーブ１３は現像剤を担持して、潜像を現像する現像剤担持体である。   The photosensitive drum 1 is an image carrier that carries an image (toner image, latent image). The developing device 4 supplies a developer to the image carrier and develops the latent image. The developing sleeve 13 provided in the developing device 4 is a developer carrying member that carries the developer and develops the latent image.

接触転写手投として中抵抗の転写ローラ５があり、感光体ドラム１に所定に圧接させて転写ニップ部ｂを形成させてある。本例で使用の転写ローラ５は、芯金に中抵抗発泡層を形成した、ローラ抵抗値５×１０８Ωのものであり、＋２．０ｋＶの電圧を芯金に印加して転写を行なった。つまり転写ローラ５（転写装置、転写部材）によって、感光体ドラム１からトナー像が被転写材に転写される。なお、本実施例では転写装置（転写ローラ５）は、感光体ドラム１から記録媒体（シート）に直接トナー像を転写させる。しかし、感光体ドラム１から一端、中間転写体にトナー像を転写し、その中間転写体から記録媒体（シート）にトナー像を間接的に転写する構成であってもよい。このときには中間転写体が、感光体ドラム１からトナー像が転写される被転写材である。   A transfer roller 5 having a medium resistance is used as a contact transfer hand throw, and a transfer nip portion b is formed by being pressed against the photosensitive drum 1 at a predetermined pressure. The transfer roller 5 used in this example has a roller resistance value of 5 × 10 8 Ω in which a medium resistance foam layer is formed on the core metal, and the transfer was performed by applying a voltage of +2.0 kV to the core metal. That is, the toner image is transferred from the photosensitive drum 1 to the transfer material by the transfer roller 5 (transfer device, transfer member). In this embodiment, the transfer device (transfer roller 5) transfers the toner image directly from the photosensitive drum 1 to the recording medium (sheet). However, the configuration may be such that the toner image is transferred from the photosensitive drum 1 to the intermediate transfer member at one end, and the toner image is indirectly transferred from the intermediate transfer member to the recording medium (sheet). At this time, the intermediate transfer member is a transfer material onto which the toner image is transferred from the photosensitive drum 1.

なお、転写工程が終了した感光体ドラム１表面に若干残存する転写残トナーはクリーニング装置６により除去される。このクリーニング装置６は、板金等からなる支持部材の先端部に、ウレタンゴム等の弾性部材を有するクリーニングブレード６ａを具備している。弾性部材（クリーニングブレード６ａ）の先端部を感光体ドラム１表面に対して、いわゆるカウンタ方向で所定の押圧力をもって当接させることにより、転写残留トナーを感光体ドラム１表面から除去する。   Note that the transfer residual toner slightly remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 after the transfer process is removed by the cleaning device 6. The cleaning device 6 includes a cleaning blade 6a having an elastic member such as urethane rubber at the tip of a support member made of sheet metal or the like. The transfer residual toner is removed from the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 by bringing the tip of the elastic member (cleaning blade 6a) into contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 with a predetermined pressing force in a so-called counter direction.

定着手段として、熱定着方式の定着装置７があり、転写部を通過してトナー画像の転写を受けたシートＳは回転感光体ドラム１の面から分離されてこの定着装置７に導入される。そしてシートＳ、トナー画像の定着を受けて画像形成物（プリントコピー）として排紙部８へ排出される。   As a fixing unit, there is a fixing device 7 of a thermal fixing type, and the sheet S that has passed the transfer portion and has received the transfer of the toner image is separated from the surface of the rotating photosensitive drum 1 and introduced into the fixing device 7. The sheet S and the toner image are fixed, and are discharged to the paper discharge unit 8 as an image formed product (print copy).

本実施形態では、画像形成装置１００の装置本体にプロセスカートリッジＰ（図８参照）が着脱可能（装着可能）な構成である。感光体ドラム１と、帯電ローラ２、現像装置４等はカートリッジＰの一部として装置本体に着脱可能な構成である。なお装置本体とは、画像形成装置１００からカートリッジＰを除いた部分である。   In the present embodiment, the process cartridge P (see FIG. 8) is detachable (attachable) to the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus 100. The photosensitive drum 1, the charging roller 2, the developing device 4 and the like are configured to be detachable from the apparatus main body as a part of the cartridge P. The apparatus main body is a portion obtained by removing the cartridge P from the image forming apparatus 100.

＜感光体ドラム・帯電ローラおよびブラシ部材の位置関係＞
ここで図２、図３をもとに感光体ドラム１と帯電ローラ２およびブラシ部材１０に関して詳述する。図２は帯電ローラ近傍の概略断面図であり、図３は帯電ローラ近傍の長手方向の概略図である。 <Positional relationship between the photosensitive drum, charging roller and brush member>
Here, the photosensitive drum 1, the charging roller 2, and the brush member 10 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view in the vicinity of the charging roller, and FIG. 3 is a schematic view in the longitudinal direction in the vicinity of the charging roller.

なお以下の説明において、感光体ドラム１、帯電ローラ２、ブラシ部材１０を含んだ構成を特に帯電装置と呼ぶ場合がある。   In the following description, a configuration including the photosensitive drum 1, the charging roller 2, and the brush member 10 may be particularly referred to as a charging device.

感光体ドラム１は画像形成装置から駆動手段（不図示）より駆動力を受け、回転軸線ｑを中心として矢印Ａ方向に回転駆動する。感光体ドラム１はアルミニウム等からなるシリンダ１ａの外周面に有機感光体層１ｂが塗布されており、シリンダ１ａの長手方向一端部には、駆動伝達手段としてのカップリング部材２８が設けられており、他方においては画像形成装置を介して接地されている。なお本実施例では、感光体ドラム１や帯電ローラ２の長手方向に関して、このカップリング部材２８が設けられている側を駆動側とよび、駆動側とは反対側を非駆動側と呼ぶ。感光体ドラム１はカップリング部材２８が設けられた駆動側から、駆動を受ける構成である。   The photosensitive drum 1 receives a driving force from a driving unit (not shown) from the image forming apparatus and is driven to rotate in the direction of arrow A about the rotation axis q. The photosensitive drum 1 has an organic photoreceptor layer 1b coated on the outer peripheral surface of a cylinder 1a made of aluminum or the like, and a coupling member 28 serving as a drive transmission means is provided at one longitudinal end of the cylinder 1a. On the other hand, it is grounded via the image forming apparatus. In this embodiment, with respect to the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum 1 and the charging roller 2, the side on which the coupling member 28 is provided is called a driving side, and the side opposite to the driving side is called a non-driving side. The photosensitive drum 1 is configured to receive driving from the driving side on which the coupling member 28 is provided.

帯電ローラ２は先述したように芯金２ａとその周囲に導電性弾性層２ｂからなり、外径１０ｍｍ、長手方向の長さを２３０ｍｍのローラ形状に形成されている。芯金２ａとしては直径６ｍｍのＳＵＳ棒にニッケルメッキを施したものが用いられている。   As described above, the charging roller 2 includes the cored bar 2a and the conductive elastic layer 2b around the cored bar 2a, and is formed in a roller shape having an outer diameter of 10 mm and a length in the longitudinal direction of 230 mm. As the metal core 2a, a SUS rod having a diameter of 6 mm and subjected to nickel plating is used.

この芯金２ａの両端部はそれぞれ軸受２６、２７によって回転自在に支持されている。軸受２６、２７は加圧バネ２５によって感光体ドラム１へ所定の加圧力Ｓ（３〜９Ｎ）で付勢されており、このバネ加圧力で帯電ローラ２が感光体ドラム１に当接し、感光ドラム１の駆動回転に伴い従動回転する。   Both ends of the metal core 2a are rotatably supported by bearings 26 and 27, respectively. The bearings 26 and 27 are urged to the photosensitive drum 1 by a pressurizing spring 25 with a predetermined pressure S (3 to 9 N), and the charging roller 2 contacts the photosensitive drum 1 with this spring pressure, and the photosensitive drum 1 is exposed to light. As the drum 1 is driven to rotate, it is driven to rotate.

軸受２６、２７はＰＯＭなどの摺動性のよい部材で形成されている。本実施例では非駆動側の軸受２６は帯電電源９１から帯電ローラ２への帯電バイアスの給電経路となっているため、カーボンなどの導電性フィラーを均一分散させて、その抵抗を１０１〜１０３Ω・ｍとしている。   The bearings 26 and 27 are formed of a member having good slidability such as POM. In this embodiment, the non-driving side bearing 26 serves as a charging bias feeding path from the charging power source 91 to the charging roller 2, so that conductive fillers such as carbon are uniformly dispersed and the resistance is 101 to 103Ω · m.

本実施例での帯電ローラ２の位置決めは、確実に帯電ローラ２に給電できるよう給電経路側とし、帯電ローラ２は非駆動側に移動するようにする。そのため軸受２６には帯電ローラ２の芯金２ａを受ける芯金受け面を有している。   In this embodiment, the charging roller 2 is positioned on the feeding path side so that the charging roller 2 can be reliably fed, and the charging roller 2 moves to the non-driving side. Therefore, the bearing 26 has a metal core receiving surface that receives the metal core 2 a of the charging roller 2.

図４は感光体ドラム１と帯電ローラ２との当接状態を示す概略図である。図４に示すように、本実施例の形態では感光体ドラム１の回転軸線ｑと帯電ローラ２の回転軸線ｐとが所定の交差角θを有して当接するように帯電ローラ２が配設されている。また、その傾きの方向としては、帯電ローラ２の上方からみた際に、帯電ローラ２は長手方向駆動側が帯電ローラ２の非駆動側に対して感光体ドラム１の回転方向上流側となるように配置されている。   FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing a contact state between the photosensitive drum 1 and the charging roller 2. As shown in FIG. 4, in this embodiment, the charging roller 2 is disposed so that the rotation axis q of the photosensitive drum 1 and the rotation axis p of the charging roller 2 come into contact with each other with a predetermined crossing angle θ. Has been. The inclination direction of the charging roller 2 is such that the longitudinal driving side of the charging roller 2 is upstream of the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 1 with respect to the non-driving side of the charging roller 2 when viewed from above the charging roller 2. Has been placed.

感光体ドラム１が矢印方向Ａに駆動回転を開始すると帯電ローラ２が矢印方向Ｂに従動回転を行う。前記交差角θによって帯電ローラ２はその回転軸線ｐ方向（長手方向）に沿って矢印Ｒ方向へのスラスト力Ｒ（軸線方向（長手方向）へ作用する所定の力（帯電ローラ２を長手方向に移動させるよう作用する））を受ける。   When the photosensitive drum 1 starts driving rotation in the arrow direction A, the charging roller 2 rotates following the arrow direction B. Due to the crossing angle θ, the charging roller 2 has a thrust force R in the direction of the arrow R along the rotation axis p direction (longitudinal direction) (a predetermined force acting in the axial direction (longitudinal direction)) Acts to move))).

つまり、帯電ローラ２に対して感光体ドラム１が傾いているため、感光体ドラム１と帯電ローラ２が回転する際に、帯電ローラ２と感光体ドラム１の間に生じる摩擦力が帯電ローラに長手方向に作用することになる。つまり帯電ローラ２は、感光体ドラム１と接触する接触部（力受け部）から、上記スラスト力Ｒを受ける。   That is, since the photosensitive drum 1 is inclined with respect to the charging roller 2, the frictional force generated between the charging roller 2 and the photosensitive drum 1 is applied to the charging roller when the photosensitive drum 1 and the charging roller 2 rotate. It will act in the longitudinal direction. That is, the charging roller 2 receives the thrust force R from a contact portion (force receiving portion) that contacts the photosensitive drum 1.

また、感光体ドラム１は回転軸線ｑに沿って矢印Ｔ方向へとスラスト力Ｔを受ける。本実施例では感光体ドラム１の回転軸線ｑと帯電ローラ２の回転軸線ｐとが長手方向において帯電ローラ２中央部付近で公差し、その交差角θの絶対値は、０．３±０．１°に設定している。   Further, the photosensitive drum 1 receives a thrust force T in the direction of arrow T along the rotation axis q. In this embodiment, the rotational axis q of the photosensitive drum 1 and the rotational axis p of the charging roller 2 are projected near the center of the charging roller 2 in the longitudinal direction, and the absolute value of the crossing angle θ is 0.3 ± 0. It is set to 1 °.

＜ブラシ部材１０の毛倒れ処理＞
図５をもとに帯電ローラ２とブラシ部材１０の関係および効果を詳述する。帯電ローラ２表面に接触するようにブラシ部材１０を枠体４０（図２、３、６参照）に配設している。このブラシ部材１０は弾性層３１及び支持体３２、ブラシ毛３３からなる。ブラシ毛３３は長さ２ｍｍ、太さ３０μｍで導電性を有しており、ナイロン・レーヨン等の樹脂からなり、密度を３０，０００本／ｃｍ２程度で支持体３２上に縫いこんでいる。弾性層３１でブラシ部を支持することで帯電ローラ２と安定して接触させることができ、また、帯電ローラ２との当接圧でブラシ毛３３が変形することを防止することができる。ブラシ毛３３は帯電ローラ２と同電位とすることが望ましく、そのため、支持体３２およびブラシ毛３３の抵抗は約１０２〜１０８Ω・ｍとするのが好ましい。本実施例では、ブラシ毛３３は、長手方向非駆動側に毛倒れするよう斜毛処理が施されている。本実施例においてはブラシ毛の毛倒れ角度は、根元から先端に向けて約３０°としている。つまり、ブラシ毛は帯電ローラ２の回転軸線ｐに直交する面に対して約３０°傾いている。 <Hair fall processing of brush member 10>
The relationship and effect between the charging roller 2 and the brush member 10 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. The brush member 10 is disposed on the frame body 40 (see FIGS. 2, 3 and 6) so as to contact the surface of the charging roller 2. The brush member 10 includes an elastic layer 31, a support 32, and brush bristles 33. The brush bristles 33 have a length of 2 mm and a thickness of 30 μm and are electrically conductive. The brush bristles 33 are made of a resin such as nylon or rayon and are sewn on the support 32 with a density of about 30,000 / cm 2. By supporting the brush portion with the elastic layer 31, it is possible to stably contact the charging roller 2, and it is possible to prevent the brush hair 33 from being deformed by the contact pressure with the charging roller 2. It is desirable that the brush bristles 33 have the same potential as the charging roller 2, and therefore the resistance of the support 32 and the brush bristles 33 is preferably about 102 to 108 Ω · m. In the present embodiment, the bristles 33 are subjected to bevel treatment so as to fall down toward the non-driving side in the longitudinal direction. In the present embodiment, the falling angle of the bristle is about 30 ° from the root toward the tip. That is, the brush bristles are inclined by about 30 ° with respect to the plane orthogonal to the rotation axis p of the charging roller 2.

斜毛処理は、例えば、ブラシ毛３３に対して毛倒れするように癖をつけたり、支持体３２にブラシ毛３３を植毛する際にあらかじめ斜め方向へと植設するなどの方法によって行うことが一般的である。   The oblique hair treatment is generally performed by, for example, a method of attaching a heel so that the brush hair 33 falls down or planting the brush hair 33 on the support 32 in an oblique direction in advance. Is.

上述したような構成とすることで、ブラシ部材１０のブラシ毛３３によって帯電ローラ２表面が清掃される。さらにブラシ毛３３には長手方向非駆動側に斜毛処理が行われている。そのため、帯電ローラ２はブラシ部材１０と当接した状態で回転を開始すると、その当接部において矢印Ｓ方向のスラスト力Ｓ（帯電ローラ２の長手方向に作用する（帯電ローラ２を長手方向に移動させるよう作用する）第２の力）を受ける。   With the configuration as described above, the surface of the charging roller 2 is cleaned by the brush bristles 33 of the brush member 10. Further, the bristles 33 are subjected to bevel treatment on the non-driving side in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, when the charging roller 2 starts to rotate in contact with the brush member 10, the thrust force S in the direction of arrow S (acts in the longitudinal direction of the charging roller 2 at the contact portion (the charging roller 2 is moved in the longitudinal direction). The second force) acting to move.

ここでこのスラスト力Ｓと、前述のスラスト力Ｒ（帯電ローラ２が感光体ドラム１から受ける力）は長手方向において互いに同じ向きに作用する。つまり、帯電ローラ２が、ブラシ部材１０との当接部でブラシ部材１０から受ける力の長手方向成分（スラスト力Ｓ）と、感光体ドラム１と接触する接触部（力受け部）で感光体ドラム１から受ける力の長手方向成分（スラスト力Ｒ）は同じ向きである。   Here, this thrust force S and the aforementioned thrust force R (the force that the charging roller 2 receives from the photosensitive drum 1) act in the same direction in the longitudinal direction. In other words, the longitudinal direction component (thrust force S) of the force that the charging roller 2 receives from the brush member 10 at the contact portion with the brush member 10 and the contact portion (force receiving portion) that contacts the photosensitive drum 1 are the photosensitive member. The longitudinal component (thrust force R) of the force received from the drum 1 is the same direction.

つまり帯電ローラ２は異なる２つの場所、すなわち感光体ドラム１との接触部（力受け部）と、ブラシ部材１０との接触部において異なる２つの力を受ける。この２つの力、すなわちスラスト力Ｒとスラスト力Ｓは長手方向において同じ向き（同一方向）に作用するため、帯電ローラ２はスムーズに力の加わる方向である非駆動側へと移動する。   That is, the charging roller 2 receives two different forces at two different places, that is, a contact portion (force receiving portion) with the photosensitive drum 1 and a contact portion with the brush member 10. Since these two forces, that is, the thrust force R and the thrust force S, act in the same direction (same direction) in the longitudinal direction, the charging roller 2 smoothly moves to the non-driving side where the force is applied.

よって、帯電ローラ２を帯電装置内で確実に所望の位置へと位置決めすることが可能となる。   Therefore, the charging roller 2 can be reliably positioned at a desired position in the charging device.

なお、ブラシ毛３３の設定に関しては、本実施例で示したのは一例であり、帯電ローラ２表面が清掃でき、かつ帯電ローラに所定のスラスト力がかかるものであればよい。   In addition, regarding the setting of the brush bristles 33, the example shown in the present embodiment is only an example, as long as the surface of the charging roller 2 can be cleaned and a predetermined thrust force is applied to the charging roller.

＜実施例２＞
以下、本発明に係る第２実施例について説明する。なお、第２の実施例は第１実施例と比較し、帯電ローラ２が駆動構成となっていること、クリーニング装置６がないことが異なっている。 <Example 2>
The second embodiment according to the present invention will be described below. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the charging roller 2 has a driving configuration and the cleaning device 6 is not provided.

＜クリーナレスシステム＞
次に、本実施例における、クリーナレスシステムについて図９を用いて詳細に説明する。転写工程後に感光体ドラム１上に残った転写残トナーは、帯電ローラ２と感光体ドラム１の間に生じる放電によって、感光体ドラム１と同様に負極性に帯電される。このとき、感光体ドラム１の表面は、−７００Ｖに帯電される。負極性に帯電した転写残トナーは、帯電部において電位差の関係（感光体ドラム１の表面電位＝−７００Ｖ、帯電ローラ電位＝−１３００Ｖ）で帯電ローラ２には付着せず通過することになる。 <Cleanerless system>
Next, the cleanerless system in the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. The transfer residual toner remaining on the photoconductive drum 1 after the transfer process is charged to a negative polarity like the photoconductive drum 1 by a discharge generated between the charging roller 2 and the photoconductive drum 1. At this time, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is charged to −700V. The transfer residual toner charged to the negative polarity passes through the charging portion without adhering to the charging roller 2 due to a potential difference (surface potential of the photosensitive drum 1 = −700 V, charging roller potential = −1300 V).

帯電部を通過した転写残トナーは、感光体ドラム１の表面のうちレーザビームスキャナ３からレーザ光が照射されるレーザ照射位置に到達する。転写残トナーはレーザビームスキャナ３のレーザ光を遮蔽するほど多くないため、感光体ドラム１上の静電像（潜像）を作像する工程に影響しない。レーザ照射位置を通過したトナーのうち非露光部（レーザ照射を受けていない感光体ドラム１の面）のトナーは、現像部において、静電力によって現像スリーブ１３に回収される。そしてこのようなトナーは現像スリーブ１３を介してさらに現像装置４に回収される。   The transfer residual toner that has passed through the charging unit reaches the laser irradiation position on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 where the laser beam is irradiated from the laser beam scanner 3. Since the transfer residual toner is not so large as to block the laser beam from the laser beam scanner 3, it does not affect the process of forming an electrostatic image (latent image) on the photosensitive drum 1. Of the toner that has passed through the laser irradiation position, the toner in the non-exposed portion (the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 that has not been irradiated with the laser) is collected by the developing sleeve 13 by electrostatic force in the developing portion. Such toner is further collected by the developing device 4 via the developing sleeve 13.

一方、レーザ照射位置を通過したトナーのうち露光部（レーザ照射を受けた感光体ドラム１の面）のトナーは、静電力的には回収されずにそのまま感光体ドラム１上に存在し続ける。しかし、一部のトナーは、現像スリーブ１３と感光体ドラム１の周速差による物理的な力で回収されることもある。このようなトナーも現像スリーブ１３を介して現像装置４に回収される。   On the other hand, of the toner that has passed through the laser irradiation position, the toner in the exposed portion (the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 that has received the laser irradiation) remains on the photosensitive drum 1 as it is without being recovered electrostatically. However, a part of the toner may be collected by a physical force due to a difference in peripheral speed between the developing sleeve 13 and the photosensitive drum 1. Such toner is also collected by the developing device 4 via the developing sleeve 13.

転写されずに感光体ドラム１上に残ったトナーは、露光部のトナーを除くと概ね現像装置４に回収される。そして、現像装置４に回収されたトナーは、現像装置４内に収容されていたトナーと混合され再度使用される。   The toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 1 without being transferred is generally collected by the developing device 4 except for the toner in the exposed portion. The toner collected in the developing device 4 is mixed with the toner stored in the developing device 4 and used again.

つまり現像装置４は、潜像を現像するとともに、感光体ドラム１に残ったトナーを回収することを同時に行っている。   That is, the developing device 4 simultaneously develops the latent image and collects the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 1.

クリーナレス構成の場合、クリーニングブレード６ａがないため、感光体ドラム１のトルクが下がり、長手方向のブレーキがないため、感光体ドラム１の長手方向の位置ずれが生じやすい。   In the case of the cleanerless configuration, since there is no cleaning blade 6a, the torque of the photosensitive drum 1 is reduced, and there is no brake in the longitudinal direction, so that the positional displacement of the photosensitive drum 1 in the longitudinal direction is likely to occur.

図６は帯電ローラおよび感光体ドラムの駆動側における構成の概略図である。本実施例では帯電ローラ２は芯金２ａに帯電ローラ駆動ギア２９を介して、感光体ドラム１に対して１１０％の周速差をもって駆動している。帯電ローラ駆動ギア２９は、感光体ドラム１に設けられたカップリング部材２８に形成されたギア部とかみ合うことで駆動力を受ける構成である。   FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a configuration on the driving side of the charging roller and the photosensitive drum. In this embodiment, the charging roller 2 is driven with a difference in peripheral speed of 110% with respect to the photosensitive drum 1 via the charging roller driving gear 29 on the metal core 2a. The charging roller driving gear 29 is configured to receive a driving force by engaging with a gear portion formed on a coupling member 28 provided on the photosensitive drum 1.

帯電ローラ２が感光体ドラム１に対して周速差を持って駆動することで、感光体ドラム１との当接部において、帯電ローラ２に付着した付着物を摺擦によりネガ化することができる。これにより帯電ローラ２及び感光体ドラム１との電位差により、付着物を感光体ドラム１に戻すことができ、帯電ローラ２表面の汚れを軽減することができる。   When the charging roller 2 is driven with a peripheral speed difference with respect to the photosensitive drum 1, the adhering matter adhering to the charging roller 2 can be negated by rubbing at the contact portion with the photosensitive drum 1. it can. As a result, due to the potential difference between the charging roller 2 and the photosensitive drum 1, the adhered matter can be returned to the photosensitive drum 1, and contamination on the surface of the charging roller 2 can be reduced.

この帯電ローラ駆動ギア２９はＰＯＭなどの部材で構成されており、感光体ドラム１駆動側に設けられたカップリング部材２８のギア部と係合することで、駆動力を受ける構成をしている。また、帯電ローラ駆動ギア２９およびカップリング部材２８に設けられたギア部はハス歯形状をしている。これは実質の噛み合い率を大きくとることができ、帯電ローラ２の回転ムラの発生を抑制することが可能となる。   The charging roller driving gear 29 is composed of a member such as POM, and is configured to receive a driving force by engaging with a gear portion of a coupling member 28 provided on the photosensitive drum 1 driving side. . Further, the gear portions provided in the charging roller driving gear 29 and the coupling member 28 have a helical tooth shape. As a result, the substantial meshing rate can be increased, and the occurrence of uneven rotation of the charging roller 2 can be suppressed.

本実施例においては、帯電ローラ駆動ギア２９（第１のハス歯ギア）およびカップリング部材２８のギア部（第２のハス歯ギア）の形状は、帯電ローラ２および感光体ドラム１が長手方向の駆動側にスラスト力を受けるようにした。つまり各ギアの歯の傾きを図６のようにしている。   In the present embodiment, the charging roller driving gear 29 (first helical gear) and the shape of the gear portion (second helical gear) of the coupling member 28 are such that the charging roller 2 and the photosensitive drum 1 are in the longitudinal direction. The thrust side is now subjected to thrust force. That is, the inclination of each gear tooth is as shown in FIG.

帯電ローラ２および感光体ドラム１を駆動側で位置決めすることで帯電ローラ駆動ギア２９とドラムカップリング部材２８との噛み合い幅をきちんととることにつながり、結果、回転ムラの発生を抑制することが可能となる。また、帯電ローラ駆動ギア２９及びカップリング部材２８の位置決め部として、摺動性のよい摺動部材４２、４３をそれぞれ設けている。この摺動部材としてはＰＯＭ、摺動剤入りＰＯＭ、ポリカーボネイト、摺動剤剤入りポリカーボネイト、ナイロン等の樹脂で成形されたものを枠体４０に圧入、接着、ねじ止め等により接合している。   Positioning the charging roller 2 and the photosensitive drum 1 on the driving side leads to a proper engagement width between the charging roller driving gear 29 and the drum coupling member 28, and as a result, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of rotation unevenness. It becomes. Further, sliding members 42 and 43 having good slidability are provided as positioning portions for the charging roller driving gear 29 and the coupling member 28, respectively. As this sliding member, POM, a POM containing a sliding agent, polycarbonate, a polycarbonate containing a sliding agent, a material formed of a resin such as nylon is joined to the frame body 40 by press-fitting, bonding, screwing, or the like.

図７をもとに本実施例における帯電ローラ２とブラシ部材１０の関係及びその効果を詳述する。本実施例においては、ブラシ部材１０のブラシ毛３３には帯電ローラ２が駆動側に斜毛処理が行われている。これにより、帯電ローラ２が感光体ドラム１と当接した状態で駆動を開始すると、ブラシ部材１０から実施例１と同様にスラスト力Ｓを受ける。   Based on FIG. 7, the relationship between the charging roller 2 and the brush member 10 in this embodiment and the effects thereof will be described in detail. In the present embodiment, the bristle 33 of the brush member 10 is subjected to oblique hair treatment on the drive side of the charging roller 2. Thus, when driving is started in a state where the charging roller 2 is in contact with the photosensitive drum 1, the thrust force S is received from the brush member 10 as in the first embodiment.

また帯電ローラ２が、帯電ローラ駆動ギア２９を通して矢印Ｂ方向へと回転駆動力を受けるに際して、スラスト力Ｕが生じる。つまり、帯電ローラ２は帯電ローラ駆動ギア２９（ハス歯ギア、力受け部）において、感光体ドラム１（カップリング部材２８）から、帯電ローラの長手方向に所定の力（スラスト力Ｕ）を受ける。つまり、スラスト力Ｕは、帯電ローラ２を長手方向に移動させるよう作用する力である。   Further, when the charging roller 2 receives a rotational driving force in the direction of arrow B through the charging roller driving gear 29, a thrust force U is generated. That is, the charging roller 2 receives a predetermined force (thrust force U) in the longitudinal direction of the charging roller from the photosensitive drum 1 (coupling member 28) in the charging roller driving gear 29 (the helical gear, force receiving portion). . That is, the thrust force U is a force that acts to move the charging roller 2 in the longitudinal direction.

本実施例においても、帯電ローラ２は異なる場所、すなわち帯電ローラ駆動ギア２９（力受け部）と、ブラシ部材１０の接触部においてそれぞれ力（スラスト力Ｕ、スラスト力Ｓ）を受ける。ただし、これらスラスト力Ｕ、スラスト力Ｓは、長手方向において同じ方向に向けて作用する。つまり、帯電ローラ駆動ギア２９が受ける力の長手方向成分（スラスト力Ｕ）と、ブラシ部材１０の接触部で受ける力の長手方向成分（スラスト力Ｓ）はそれぞれ同じ向きである。これにより、帯電ローラ２は長手方向駆動側へとスムーズに移動することにより、帯電ローラ２を確実に所望の位置へと移動することが可能となる。   Also in the present embodiment, the charging roller 2 receives forces (thrust force U and thrust force S) at different places, that is, the charging roller driving gear 29 (force receiving portion) and the contact portion of the brush member 10. However, these thrust force U and thrust force S act in the same direction in the longitudinal direction. That is, the longitudinal component (thrust force U) of the force received by the charging roller drive gear 29 and the longitudinal component (thrust force S) of the force received at the contact portion of the brush member 10 are in the same direction. As a result, the charging roller 2 moves smoothly to the longitudinal direction drive side, so that the charging roller 2 can be reliably moved to a desired position.

比較例としてブラシ毛３３の斜毛処理が逆向きの場合においては、帯電ローラ２にかかるスラスト力Ｕとスラスト力Ｓが逆方向になるため、帯電ローラ２の長手位置決めがスムーズに行われない。結果、帯電ローラ駆動ギア２９とカップリング部材２８との噛み合い率がきちんと取れないことによる回転ムラや、帯電ローラ駆動ギア２９が芯金２ａから外れてしまう現象が発生した。その際には帯電不良が発生した。   As a comparative example, when the oblique hair processing of the brush bristles 33 is in the reverse direction, the thrust force U and the thrust force S applied to the charging roller 2 are in opposite directions, so that the longitudinal positioning of the charging roller 2 is not performed smoothly. As a result, non-uniform rotation due to the meshing rate between the charging roller driving gear 29 and the coupling member 28 not being properly obtained, and a phenomenon in which the charging roller driving gear 29 is detached from the metal core 2a occurred. At that time, charging failure occurred.

一方本実施例の構成では、上述したように、帯電ローラ駆動ギア２９により帯電ローラ２が受けるスラスト力の方向とブラシ毛３３から帯電ローラが受けるスラスト力を同一方向に作用させる。そうすることで、帯電ローラ２をスムーズに所定の位置（駆動側）へと移動することができる。また感光体ドラム１も、スラスト力Ｖによって帯電ローラ２が移動する駆動側に位置決めが成されている。つまり、カップリング部材２８のギア部（第２のハス歯ギア）で受ける力の長手方向成分（スラスト力Ｖ）は、スラスト力Ｕやスラスト力Ｓと同じ向きである。その結果、帯電ローラ２および感光体ドラム１の同じ側に長手位置をきめることで噛み合い率が高まり、回転ムラの発生を抑制できる。   On the other hand, in the configuration of this embodiment, as described above, the direction of the thrust force received by the charging roller 2 by the charging roller driving gear 29 and the thrust force received by the charging roller from the brush bristles 33 are applied in the same direction. By doing so, the charging roller 2 can be smoothly moved to a predetermined position (drive side). The photosensitive drum 1 is also positioned on the driving side where the charging roller 2 is moved by the thrust force V. That is, the longitudinal component (thrust force V) of the force received by the gear portion (second helical gear) of the coupling member 28 is in the same direction as the thrust force U and the thrust force S. As a result, the engagement ratio is increased by determining the longitudinal position on the same side of the charging roller 2 and the photosensitive drum 1, and the occurrence of rotation unevenness can be suppressed.

本実施例ではクリーナレス構成としているが、限定することはなく、クリーニング装置がある構成においても本実施例の構成を採用し、スラスト力Ｓ、スラスト力Ｕの方向をそろえることができる。また、本実施例においては帯電ローラ２と感光体ドラム１の間に交差角を設けていないが、実施例１記載の通り帯電ローラ２および感光体ドラム１に長手方向のスラスト力を与えることができるため、さらなる効果を得ることができる。   Although the cleaner-less configuration is used in this embodiment, the configuration is not limited, and the configuration of this embodiment can be adopted even in a configuration with a cleaning device, and the directions of the thrust force S and the thrust force U can be aligned. In this embodiment, no crossing angle is provided between the charging roller 2 and the photosensitive drum 1, but as described in the first embodiment, a thrust force in the longitudinal direction can be applied to the charging roller 2 and the photosensitive drum 1. Therefore, further effects can be obtained.

１ 感光体ドラム
２ 帯電ローラ
４ 現像装置
５ 転写ローラ
１０ ブラシ部材
２６，２７ 軸受
２８ カップリング部材
２９ 帯電ローラ駆動ギア
３１ 弾性層
３２ 支持体
３３ ブラシ毛
１００ 画像形成装置 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Photosensitive drum 2 Charging roller 4 Developing apparatus 5 Transfer roller 10 Brush member 26, 27 Bearing 28 Coupling member 29 Charging roller drive gear 31 Elastic layer 32 Support body 33 Brush hair 100 Image forming apparatus

Claims (8)

画像形成装置にて用いられる帯電装置であって、
像担持体と接触し、回転しながら前記像担持体を帯電する帯電部材と、
前記帯電部材と接触するブラシ部材と、
を有し、
前記帯電部材は、回転する間に、前記帯電部材を前記帯電部材の長手方向に移動させる方向の力を受ける力受け部を備え、
前記帯電部材は、前記力受け部と異なる場所にて前記ブラシ部材と接触し、
前記帯電部材が前記力受け部で受ける力の前記長手方向成分の力と、前記ブラシ部材が毛倒れすることによって前記帯電部材が受ける前記長手方向成分の力は同じ向きであることを特徴とする帯電装置。 A charging device used in an image forming apparatus,
A charging member that contacts the image carrier and charges the image carrier while rotating;
A brush member in contact with the charging member;
Have
The charging member includes a force receiving portion that receives a force in a direction of moving the charging member in a longitudinal direction of the charging member while rotating.
The charging member is in contact with the brush member at a location different from the force receiving portion;
The force of the longitudinal component of the force received by the charging member at the force receiving portion and the force of the longitudinal component received by the charging member when the brush member falls down are in the same direction. Charging device. 前記帯電部材は前記像担持体の回転軸と前記帯電部材の回転軸とが交差しており、前記力受け部は、前記帯電部材と前記像担持体が接触する接触部であることを特徴とする請求項１記載の帯電装置。   The charging member has a rotation axis of the image carrier and a rotation axis of the charging member intersecting, and the force receiving portion is a contact portion where the charging member and the image carrier are in contact with each other. The charging device according to claim 1. 前記帯電部材は第１のハス歯ギアを備え、前記力受け部は、第１のハス歯ギアであることを特徴とする請求項１または２に記載の帯電装置。   The charging device according to claim 1, wherein the charging member includes a first helical gear, and the force receiving portion is a first helical gear. 前記像担持体は第２のハス歯ギアを備え、
前記第２のハス歯ギアが前記第１のハス歯ギアに駆動力を伝達することで、前記像担持体は前記長手方向の力を受け、前記第２のハス歯ギアで受ける力の前記長手方向の成分は、前記帯電部材が前記力受け部で受ける力の前記長手方向成分の力と同じ向きであることを特徴とする請求項３に記載の帯電装置。 The image carrier includes a second helical gear,
When the second helical gear transmits a driving force to the first helical gear, the image carrier receives the longitudinal force and the longitudinal force of the force received by the second helical gear. The charging device according to claim 3, wherein the direction component has the same direction as the force of the longitudinal component of the force received by the charging member at the force receiving portion. 前記ブラシ部材は斜毛処理されていることを特徴とする請求項１乃至４のいずれか一項に記載の帯電装置。   The charging device according to claim 1, wherein the brush member is subjected to oblique hair processing. 請求項１乃至５のいずれか一項に記載の帯電装置と、前記像担持体と、を有し、画像形成装置に装着可能なプロセスカートリッジ。   A process cartridge comprising the charging device according to claim 1 and the image carrier, and capable of being attached to an image forming apparatus. 前記像担持体に現像剤を供給して前記像担持体に現像剤像を形成する現像装置を有ることを特徴とする請求項６に記載のプロセスカートリッジ。   The process cartridge according to claim 6, further comprising a developing device that supplies a developer to the image carrier and forms a developer image on the image carrier. 請求項６又は７に記載のプロセスカートリッジが装着される画像形成装置であって、
前記現像装置は、前記像担持体に形成された潜像を現像するとともに、前記像担持体に残留した現像剤を回収することを特徴とする画像形成装置。 An image forming apparatus to which the process cartridge according to claim 6 or 7 is attached,
The developing device develops the latent image formed on the image carrier and collects the developer remaining on the image carrier.
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