Cartridge, image forming apparatus, and method for fixing cleaning member

Abstract

To provide a technique allowing highly accurate assembly of a cleaning member.SOLUTION: A cartridge has: a resin frame body 5; an image carrier that is rotatably supported by the frame body 5; and a cleaning member 10 that has an elastic part 10a in contact with a surface of the image carrier and a support part 10b supporting the elastic part 10a and having fixed parts fixed to the frame body 5 at both ends in a longitudinal direction parallel to a rotation axis direction of the image carrier, and removes a developer from the surface of the image carrier. The cartridge can be removably attached to an apparatus main body of an image forming apparatus that forms an image of a recording material. The support part 10b has, on its both ends, notch parts 101 recessed inward in the longitudinal direction from end faces of both ends. The frame body 5 has regulation parts 61 that each are in contact with one end and the other end of the notch part 101 in a short direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction and not in contact with the notch part 101 in the longitudinal direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1C

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cartridge, an image forming apparatus, and a method for fixing a cleaning member. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, image forming devices such as printers that form images on recording materials using an electrophotographic image forming method (electrophotographic process) are equipped with a cleaning blade as a cleaning member for cleaning a photosensitive drum serving as an image carrier. The cleaning blade removes residual toner from the photosensitive drum by bringing a blade made of an elastic material into contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum. In general, the cleaning blade is structured such that the blade is attached by molding to the tip of a metal plate that serves as a support. In addition, the metal plate is attached to a frame with screws or the like, so that the blade is brought into contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum with a predetermined pressure.

[0003] In recent years, image forming devices such as printers have become smaller and faster as they become more widespread. However, because the frame and cleaning blade have manufacturing dimensional tolerances, it is necessary to set a pressure higher than the required pressure as the design center so that the cleaning performance can be satisfied even with the tolerances taken into account. This may result in an increase in the driving torque of the photosensitive drum more than necessary, which may lead to an increase in the motor specifications and number of motors in the device body.

[0004] As a method for fixing the cleaning blade described above, normally, regulating portions for regulating the cleaning blade in the short side direction are provided at both longitudinal ends of the cleaning frame. The cleaning blade can be easily assembled by inserting a notch provided in the cleaning blade sheet metal into this regulating portion (Patent Document 1). Also, Patent Document 2 proposes a configuration in which a regulating portion for regulating the cleaning blade in the short side direction (direction perpendicular to the long side direction) is not provided on the cleaning frame. In this configuration, the cleaning blade can be assembled while adjusting the short side direction to a desired position, so that the position in the short side direction can be set regardless of the tolerance of parts, and it is possible to improve the positional accuracy of the tip of the cleaning blade. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-051071 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2018-077456 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Here, in a cleaning blade fixing configuration in which a regulating portion for regulating the widthwise direction is not provided on the cleaning frame, it is necessary to set a large screw tightening force to suppress the cleaning blade from fluctuating in the widthwise direction when an impact is applied during logistics, etc. In this configuration, the screw tightening force is increased to increase the screw loosening torque, and the frictional force between the cleaning blade and the frame is ensured, thereby suppressing fluctuations due to impact. However, even when the screw tightening force is set large, the loosening torque may become small due to changes over time or changes in the environmental temperature, so that the loosening torque must be managed. There is a demand for a fixing method of a cleaning blade that suppresses logistics fluctuations regardless of the screw tightening torque and has high assembly accuracy.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a technique that enables highly accurate assembly of a cleaning member. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, the cartridge of the present invention comprises: A resin frame; an image carrier rotatably supported by the frame; a cleaning member that has an elastic portion that contacts the surface of the image carrier, and a support portion that supports the elastic portion and has fixing portions that are fixed to the frame body at both ends in a longitudinal direction parallel to a rotation axis direction of the image carrier, and that removes developer from the surface of the image carrier; A cartridge detachably mountable to a main body of an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material, comprising: The support portion has, at both ends, notch-shaped portions recessed inward in the longitudinal direction from end surfaces of the both ends, The frame has one end of the notch in a short direction perpendicular to the long direction. The first end is and The notch other end and a second end portion, and does not abut on the notch-shaped portion in the longitudinal direction. death, the restricting portion extends continuously in a direction from a third end, which is one end of the restricting portion that abuts against the first end, toward a fourth end, which is the other end of the restricting portion that abuts against the second end, When the cleaning member is viewed from a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction, the regulating portion is configured to be entirely inserted inside the notch-shaped portion in both the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction. It is characterized by the above. In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention comprises: An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material, A resin frame; an image carrier rotatably supported by the frame; a cleaning member that has an elastic portion that contacts the surface of the image carrier, and a support portion that supports the elastic portion and has fixing portions that are fixed to the frame body at both ends in a longitudinal direction parallel to a rotation axis direction of the image carrier, and that removes developer from the surface of the image carrier; In an image forming apparatus comprising: The support portion has, at both ends, notch-shaped portions recessed inward in the longitudinal direction from end surfaces of the both ends, The frame has one end of the notch in a short direction perpendicular to the long direction. The first end is and The notch other end and a second end portion, and does not abut on the notch-shaped portion in the longitudinal direction. death, the restricting portion extends continuously in a direction from a third end, which is one end of the restricting portion that abuts against the first end, toward a fourth end, which is the other end of the restricting portion that abuts against the second end, When the cleaning member is viewed from a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction, the regulating portion is configured to be entirely inserted inside the notch-shaped portion in both the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction. It is characterized by the above. In order to achieve the above object, the method for fixing a cleaning member of the present invention comprises the steps of: A resin frame; an image carrier rotatably supported by the frame; an elastic portion that contacts the surface of the image carrier; a support portion having fixing portions fixed to the frame body at both ends in a longitudinal direction parallel to a rotation axis direction of the image carrier; and a cleaning member for removing developer from the surface of the image carrier; A method for fixing the cleaning member to the frame of a cartridge detachably mountable to a main body of an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material, comprising: a first step of positioning and fixing the support portion of the cleaning member to the frame; a second step of injecting resin into notched portions provided at both ends of the support portion so as to be recessed inward in the longitudinal direction from end faces of the both ends, so as to contact both one end and the other end of the notched portions in a short direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction but not in the longitudinal direction, and hardening the resin to form a restricting portion integral with the frame body, the restricting portion contacting both the one end and the other end but not in contact with the notched portions in the longitudinal direction; The present invention is characterized by comprising: In order to achieve the above object, the method for fixing a cleaning member of the present invention comprises the steps of: A resin frame; an image carrier rotatably supported by the frame; a cleaning member that has an elastic portion that contacts the surface of the image carrier, and a support portion that supports the elastic portion and has fixing portions that are fixed to the frame body at both ends in a longitudinal direction parallel to a rotation axis direction of the image carrier, and that removes developer from the surface of the image carrier; a method for fixing the cleaning member to the frame in an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material, the method comprising: a first step of positioning and fixing the support portion of the cleaning member to the frame; a second step of injecting resin into notched portions provided at both ends of the support portion so as to be recessed inward in the longitudinal direction from end faces of the both ends, so as to contact both one end and the other end of the notched portions in a short direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction but not in the longitudinal direction, and hardening the resin to form a restricting portion integral with the frame body, the restricting portion contacting both the one end and the other end but not in contact with the notched portions in the longitudinal direction; The present invention is characterized by comprising: Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, the cleaning member can be assembled with high precision. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1A] FIG. 11 is a detailed perspective view showing a fixing method of the cleaning member according to the embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 1B] FIG. 11 is a detailed perspective view showing a fixing method of the cleaning member according to the embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 1C] FIG. 11 is a detailed perspective view showing a fixing method of the cleaning member according to the embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a process cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of a process cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 5]FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of a process cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a cleaning member according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a detailed perspective view of a cleaning frame according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a fastening state between the cleaning frame and the cleaning member; [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a method for regulating the length of a cleaning member in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a method for restricting the width of a cleaning member in an embodiment of the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, and relative positions of the components described in the embodiment may be changed as appropriate depending on the configuration and various conditions of the device to which the invention is applied. In other words, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment.

[0012] Example 1 <Overall Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus 100> The overall configuration of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus (hereinafter referred to as image forming apparatus) 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus 100. The process cartridge 1 and the developer supply cartridge (toner cartridge, developer cartridge) 13 are detachable from the image forming apparatus main body. Note that the portion of the image forming apparatus 100 excluding the cartridges (1, 13) may be referred to as the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 (apparatus main body, image forming apparatus main body).

[0013] Image forming apparatus 100 includes image forming units (first to fourth image forming units) each provided for a different color of image to be formed (yellow, magenta, cyan, black). The configuration and operation of each image forming unit are substantially the same except for the color of the image to be formed. Therefore, in the following description where it is necessary to distinguish between colors, the suffixes Y, M, C, and K representing yellow, magenta, cyan, and black are added to the reference numerals indicating the components, and the suffixes are omitted in the description where it is not necessary to distinguish between colors.

[0014] The first to fourth process cartridges 1 are arranged in a row in the horizontal direction. The cartridge 1 is formed of a cleaning unit (drum unit) 4 and a developing unit 6. The cleaning unit 4 has a photosensitive drum 7 as an image carrier, a charging roller 8 as a charging means for uniformly charging the surface of the photosensitive drum 7, and a cleaning blade 10 as a cleaning means (cleaning member). The developing unit 6 has a developing roller 11 and a developing means for containing a developer T (hereinafter, toner) and developing an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 7. The cleaning unit 4 and the developing unit 6 are supported so as to be able to swing relative to each other. The first process cartridge 1Y contains yellow (Y) toner in the developing unit 6. Similarly, the second process cartridge 1M contains magenta (M) toner, the third process cartridge 1C contains cyan (C) toner, and the fourth process cartridge 1K contains black (K) toner.

[0015] The process cartridge 1 is detachably attached to the image forming apparatus 100 via attachment means such as an attachment guide (not shown) and a positioning member (not shown) provided on the main body of the image forming apparatus 100. A scanner unit 12 for forming an electrostatic latent image is disposed below the process cartridge 1. Furthermore, a waste toner transport unit 23 is disposed behind the process cartridge 1 in the image forming apparatus (downstream in the attachment / detachment direction of the process cartridge 1).

[0016] The first to fourth toner cartridges (developer supply cartridges) 13 are arranged horizontally below the process cartridge 1 in an order corresponding to the color of toner contained in each process cartridge 1. That is, the first toner cartridge 13Y contains yellow (Y) toner. Similarly, the second toner cartridge 13M contains magenta (M) toner, the third toner cartridge 13C contains cyan (C) toner, and the fourth toner cartridge 13K contains black (K) toner. Each toner cartridge 13 supplies toner to the process cartridge 1 containing toner of the same color.

[0017] The toner cartridge 13 is replenished when a toner remaining amount detection unit (not shown) provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 detects a shortage of toner remaining in the process cartridge 1. The toner cartridge 13 is detachably attached to the image forming apparatus 100 via attachment means such as an attachment guide (not shown) and a positioning member (not shown) provided in the image forming apparatus 100. The process cartridge 1 and the toner cartridge 13 will be described in detail later.

[0018] Inside the main body of the image forming apparatus 100, first to fourth toner transport devices 14 are disposed below the first to fourth cartridges 13 at positions corresponding to the cartridges 13, respectively. Each toner transport device 14 transports the toner received from each toner cartridge 13 upward, and supplies the toner to the developing unit 6 of each process cartridge. The toner transport device 14 has a passage through which the toner passes, and a screw disposed inside the passage. The toner moves upward through the inside of the passage of the toner transport device 14 by rotation of the screw.

[0019] An intermediate transfer unit 19 is provided above the process cartridge 1 as an intermediate transfer body. The intermediate transfer unit 19 is disposed substantially horizontally with the primary transfer portion S1 side facing downward. The intermediate transfer belt 18 facing each photosensitive drum 7 is a rotatable endless belt, and is stretched around a plurality of tension rollers. On the inner surface of the intermediate transfer belt 18, a primary transfer roller 20 is disposed on the opposite side of the intermediate transfer belt 18 from each photosensitive drum 7 as a primary transfer member, and the primary transfer roller 20 and the photosensitive drum 7 form a primary transfer portion S1. A secondary transfer roller 21, which is a secondary transfer member that contacts the intermediate transfer belt 18, and another roller are disposed to face each other across the intermediate transfer belt 18, forming a secondary transfer portion S2. Furthermore, an intermediate transfer belt cleaning unit 22 is disposed on the opposite side to the secondary transfer portion S2 in the left-right direction (the direction in which the secondary transfer portion S2 and the intermediate transfer belt are stretched).

[0020] A fixing unit 25 is disposed further above the intermediate transfer unit 19. The fixing unit 25 is composed of a heating unit 26 and a pressure roller 27 that is in pressure contact with the heating unit 26. A discharge tray 32 is disposed on the top surface of the device main body, and a waste toner collection container 24 is disposed between the discharge tray 32 and the intermediate transfer unit 19. A paper feed tray 2 for storing recording material 3 is disposed at the bottom of the device main body.

[0021] <Image formation process> 2 and 3, the image forming operation in the image forming apparatus 100 will be described. Fig. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the process cartridge according to this embodiment.

[0022] During image formation, the photosensitive drum 7 is rotationally driven at a predetermined speed in the direction of arrow A in Fig. 3. The intermediate transfer belt 18 is rotationally driven in the direction of arrow B in Fig. 2 (the forward direction of the rotation of the photosensitive drum 7).

[0023] First, the surface of the photosensitive drum 7 is uniformly charged by the charging roller 8. Next, the surface of the photosensitive drum 7 is scanned and exposed by laser light irradiated from the scanner unit 12, and an electrostatic latent image based on image information is formed on the photosensitive drum 7. The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 7 is developed into a toner image (developer image) by the developing unit 6. At this time, the developing unit 6 is pressurized by a developing pressure unit (not shown) provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus 100. Then, the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 7 is primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 18 by the primary transfer roller 20.

[0024] For example, when a full-color image is formed, the above-mentioned process is sequentially performed in the image forming units S1Y to S1K, which are the first to fourth primary transfer units, so that toner images of each color are superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 18 in sequence.

[0025] On the other hand, the recording material 3 contained in the paper feed tray 2 is fed at a predetermined control timing and transported to the secondary transfer section S2 in synchronization with the movement of the intermediate transfer belt 18. Then, the four-color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 18 is secondarily transferred onto the recording material 3 all at once by a secondary transfer roller 21 that is in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 18 via the recording material 3.

[0026] Thereafter, the recording material 3 onto which the toner image has been transferred is transported to a fixing unit 25. In the fixing unit 25, the recording material 3 is heated and pressurized, so that the toner image is fixed onto the recording material 3. Thereafter, the recording material 3 with the fixed image is transported to a discharge tray 32, and the image forming operation is completed.

[0027] Furthermore, primary transfer residual toner (waste toner) remaining on the photosensitive drum 1 after the primary transfer process is removed by the cleaning blade 10. Secondary transfer residual toner (waste toner) remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 18 after the secondary transfer process is removed by the intermediate transfer belt cleaning unit 22. The waste toner removed by the cleaning blade 10 and the intermediate transfer belt cleaning unit 22 is transported by a waste toner transport unit 23 provided in the main body of the apparatus, and is accumulated in a waste toner collection container 24. Note that the image forming apparatus 100 can also form a monochromatic or multi-colored image using only a desired single or several (not all) image forming units.

[0028] <Process cartridge> 3, 4, and 5, the overall structure of the process cartridge 1 to be mounted in the image forming apparatus 100 according to this embodiment will be described. 5 is an overall perspective view of the process cartridge 1 as viewed from the upstream side (the front side (front surface) of the image forming apparatus) in the process cartridge mounting / removal direction. Fig. 5 is an overall perspective view of the process cartridge 1 as viewed from the upper side (the rear side (back surface) of the image forming apparatus) in the process cartridge mounting / removal direction.

[0029] The process cartridge 1 is made up of a cleaning unit 4 and a developing unit 6. The cleaning unit 4 and the developing unit 6 are coupled to each other so as to be able to swing about a rotation support pin 30.

[0030] The cleaning unit 4 has a cleaning frame 5 that supports various members in the cleaning unit 4. In addition to the photosensitive drum 7, charging roller 8, and cleaning blade 10, the cleaning unit 4 also has a waste toner screw 15 that extends in a direction parallel to the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum 7. The cleaning frame 5 has cleaning bearings 33 that rotatably support the photosensitive drum 7 and are provided at both longitudinal ends of the cleaning unit 4 and include a cleaning gear train 31 for transmitting driving force from the photosensitive drum 7 to the waste toner screw 15.

[0031] The charging roller 8 provided in the cleaning unit 4 is biased in the direction of arrow C toward the photosensitive drum 7 by charging roller pressure springs 36 arranged on both ends. The charging roller 8 is provided to follow the movement of the photosensitive drum 7, and rotates in the direction of arrow D (the forward direction of the rotation of the photosensitive drum 7) when the photosensitive drum 7 is rotationally driven in the direction of arrow A during image formation.

[0032] The cleaning blade 10 provided in the cleaning unit 4 is composed of an elastic member (elastic portion) 10a for removing residual toner (waste toner) remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 7 after the primary transfer, and a support member (support portion) 10b for supporting the elastic member 10a. The waste toner removed from the surface of the photosensitive drum 7 by the cleaning blade 10 is accommodated in a waste toner storage chamber 9 formed by the cleaning blade 10 and the cleaning frame 5. The waste toner accommodated in the waste toner storage chamber 9 is transported toward the rear of the image forming apparatus 100 (downstream in the mounting and demounting direction of the process cartridge 1) by a waste toner transport screw 15 installed in the waste toner storage chamber 9. The transported waste toner is discharged from a waste toner discharge portion 35 and transferred to a waste toner transport unit 23 of the image forming apparatus 100.

[0033] The developing unit 6 has a developing frame 16 that supports various members in the developing unit 6. The developing frame 16 is divided into a developing chamber 16a in which the developing roller 11 and the supply roller 17 are provided, and a toner storage chamber 16b in which the toner is stored and an agitating member 29 is provided.

[0034] The developing chamber 16a is provided with a developing roller 11, a supply roller 17, and a developing blade 28. The developing roller 11 carries toner, rotates in the direction of an arrow E during image formation, and conveys the toner to the photosensitive drum 7 by contacting the photosensitive drum 1. The developing roller 11 is rotatably supported by the developing frame 16 by a developing bearing unit 34 at both ends in its longitudinal direction (rotation axis direction). The supply roller 17 is rotatably supported by the developing frame 16 by the developing bearing unit 34 while in contact with the developing roller 11, and rotates in the direction of an arrow F during image formation. A developing blade 28 as a layer thickness regulating member for regulating the thickness of the toner layer formed on the developing roller 11 is disposed so as to abut against the surface of the developing roller 11.

[0035] The toner storage chamber 16b is provided with an agitating member 29 for agitating the stored toner T and conveying the toner to the supply roller 17 through the developing chamber communication port 16c. The agitating member 29 is made of a rotating shaft 29a parallel to the rotation axis of the developing roller 11 and a flexible One end of the agitation sheet 29b is attached to the rotating shaft 29a, and the other end of the agitation sheet 29b is a free end. When the rotating shaft 29a rotates, the agitation sheet 29b rotates in the direction of the arrow G, and the toner is agitated by the agitation sheet 29b.

[0036] The developing unit 6 has a developing chamber communication port 16c that communicates the developing chamber 16a and the toner storage chamber 16b. In this embodiment, in a position in which the developing unit 6 is normally used, the developing chamber 16a is located above the toner storage chamber 16b. The toner in the toner storage chamber 16b that is pumped up by the stirring member 29 is supplied to the developing chamber 16a through the developing chamber communication port 16c.

[0037] Furthermore, the developing unit 6 is provided with a toner receiving port 40 at one end downstream in the mounting / removal direction. A toner receiving port seal member 45 and a toner receiving port shutter 41 that is movable in the front-rear direction (the cartridge mounting / removal direction) are disposed above the toner receiving port 40. The toner receiving port 40 is closed by the receiving port shutter 41 when the process cartridge 1 is not mounted in the main body of the image forming apparatus 100. The receiving port shutter 41 is configured to be linked to the mounting / removal operation of the process cartridge 1, engage with the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 when the process cartridge 1 is mounted, and be pushed open by the main body of the image forming apparatus 100.

[0038] A receiving and conveying path 42 is provided in communication with the toner receiving inlet 40, and a receiving and conveying screw 43 is disposed inside the receiving and conveying path 42. Furthermore, a storage chamber communication port 44 for supplying toner to the toner storage chamber 16b is provided near the longitudinal center of the developing unit 6, and communicates the receiving and conveying path 42 with the toner storage chamber 16b. The receiving and conveying screw 43 extends parallel to the rotational axis direction of the developing roller 11 and the supply roller 17, and conveys the toner received through the toner receiving inlet 40 to the toner storage chamber 16b via the storage chamber communication port 44.

[0039] <Supporting Structure and Fixing Method of Cleaning Blade According to the Present Embodiment> Fig. 6 is a schematic perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the cleaning member according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 6, the cleaning blade 10 has an elastic member 10a that contacts the surface of the photosensitive drum 7 as an image carrier, and a support member 10b that supports the elastic member 10a.

[0040] The support member 10b is an electrogalvanized steel sheet metal bent along a bending line extending in the longitudinal direction (the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 7) and having an L-shaped cross section. The support member 10b has a pair of notches 101, 102 on both longitudinal end faces, two screw holes 103, 104 forming fixing parts at both longitudinal end faces, and a longitudinal reference hole 105. The pair of notches 101, 102 are U-shaped notches provided on both longitudinal end faces of the support member 10b, and are provided so as to be recessed inward in the longitudinal direction from both longitudinal end faces of the support member 10b toward the screw holes 103, 104. The two screw holes 103, 104 are holes provided on the longitudinal inner side of the notches 101, 102 at both longitudinal end faces of the support member 10b, and are insertion holes through which screws 60 serving as fastening members are inserted. The longitudinal reference hole 105 is a hole provided near the screw hole 104 of the support member 10b, extending in the short-side direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. Hereinafter, this short-side direction is defined as the Y direction (the elastic blade member side is the positive direction), and the direction perpendicular to the surface of the support member 10b having the screw holes is defined as the Z direction (the drum side as viewed from the elastic member is the positive direction). The elastic member 10a is an elastic member made of urethane rubber that is molded at the tip of the support member 10b and extends in the Y direction.

[0041] 7 is a detailed perspective view of the cleaning frame according to the embodiment of the present invention, where (a) shows the front side of the process cartridge and (b) shows the rear side of the process cartridge. As shown in FIG. 7, the cleaning frame 5 is provided with engagement portions 51 and 52 having screw holes into which a screw 60 can be screwed, at positions facing screw holes 103 and 104 of the cleaning blade 10, respectively. The cleaning blade 10 is arranged such that the screw 60 is inserted into the screw hole 10. 3, 104 to engagement portions 51, 52 of the cleaning frame 5, respectively, and is supported and regulated by seating surfaces 53, 54. Here, the method of fixing the cleaning blade 10 to the cleaning frame 5 is by screws at both longitudinal ends in this embodiment, but is not limited to this and may be by, for example, adhesion, welding, insert molding, or the like.

[0042] A method of fixing the cleaning blade 10 to the cleaning frame 5 will be described with reference to Figures 1A to 1C. Figure 1A is a detailed perspective view showing the method of fixing the cleaning member according to an embodiment of the present invention, and shows the state before the cleaning member is assembled (first step). Figure 1B is a detailed perspective view showing the method of fixing the cleaning member according to an embodiment of the present invention, and shows the state after screw fastening is completed (first step). Figure 1C is a detailed perspective view showing the method of fixing the cleaning member according to an embodiment of the present invention, and shows the state after resin injection is completed (second step).

[0043] 1A, when fixing the cleaning blade 10 to the cleaning frame 5, the notched portions 101 and 102 of the support member 10b are clamped by a device to adjust the position in the Y direction so that the tip of the elastic member 10a (the side that comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 7) is at a desired position. That is, the cleaning frame 5 itself does not have a portion for positioning in the Y direction with respect to the support member 10b, and positioning in the Y direction must be performed using a jig or the like. Meanwhile, the cleaning blade 10 is positioned in the longitudinal direction (X direction) between the cleaning frame 5 and the support member 10b by a longitudinal reference hole 105 and a longitudinal reference boss 55, which will be described later.

[0044] 1B, after the position adjustment in the Y direction is completed, the cleaning blade 10 is fixed to the cleaning frame 5 with screws 60. Fig. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the state in which the cleaning blade 10 is fixed to the cleaning frame 5 with screws.

[0045] 9 is a detailed diagram for explaining a method for regulating the length of the cleaning member. In the lengthwise direction (X direction), a lengthwise reference hole 105 provided in the support member 10b fits into a lengthwise reference boss 55 provided in the cleaning frame 5, thereby regulating the positional relationship between the support member 10b and the cleaning frame 5. The position in the X direction between the cleaning blade 10 and the cleaning frame 5 is determined by the fit of the lengthwise reference hole 105 and the lengthwise reference boss 55, but in the Y direction, the cleaning blade 10 can be displaced by the gap between the lengthwise reference hole 105 and the lengthwise reference boss 55. That is, at this point, the cleaning frame 5 does not have a portion that contacts the cleaning blade 10 simultaneously in both short directions (+Y direction and -Y direction).

[0046] 1C, in order to prevent the cleaning blade 10 from moving in the Y direction when it is subjected to an impact during distribution or the like, resin 61 is injected into the notches 101 and 102 (102 side is not shown). The resin 61 is bonded to the cleaning frame 5 and further injected into the notches 101 and 102 of the support member 10b in the Y direction without any gaps, thereby forming a regulating portion that suppresses the relative positional deviation between the cleaning frame 5 and the cleaning blade 10.

[0047] The cleaning frame 5 has grooves 58, 59 recessed into the seating surfaces 53, 34 of the support member 10b of the cleaning blade 10 at the locations where the resin 61 is injected. The resin 61 injected into a predetermined range of the grooves 58, 59 and hardened is integrally bonded to the cleaning frame 5, which is also made of resin, and constitutes, as a part of the cleaning frame 5, a regulating portion that positions the cleaning blade 10 in the Y direction relative to the cleaning frame 5. In other words, the cleaning frame 5 does not have a portion that simultaneously contacts the support member 10b in both directions (+Y direction and -Y direction) of the short side direction, except for the regulating portion formed by hardening the resin 61. Examples of resins used for the cleaning frame 5 include PS (polystyrene) and PC+ABS (mixed resin of polycarbonate and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene). The resin 61 may be appropriately selected in consideration of compatibility with the cleaning frame 5, and is not limited to a specific resin.

[0048] The restricting portion, which is a resin molded portion formed by hardening the resin 61, is a convex portion protruding from the seating surfaces 51, 52 to which the support member 10b is fixed in the cleaning frame 5. This convex portion protrudes between the opposing end faces of the cutouts 101, 102 that face each other in the short direction at a position separated in the longitudinal direction from the side faces 56, 57 that face the end faces of both ends of the support member 10b in the cleaning frame 5. This convex portion is formed so as to simultaneously abut against the end faces of the cutouts 101, 102 in both short directions (+Y direction and -Y direction) and not to contact them in the longitudinal direction. The resin 61 is injected into the grooves 58, 59 so as to be in close contact with the opposing end faces (one end and the other end of the cutouts 101, 102 in the short direction) of the end faces of the cutouts 101, 102 that face each other in the short direction at least immediately after injection.

[0049] Here, since the linear expansion coefficients of the cleaning frame 5 and the support member 10b of the cleaning member 10 are different, the cleaning frame 5 and the cleaning blade 10 may be deformed due to changes in the usage environment, and the tip position of the cleaning blade 10 may change. In order to suppress the change in the tip position of the cleaning blade 10, in this embodiment, the X direction of the cleaning blade 10 is not fixed (a gap is provided) by the regulating portion formed by hardening the resin 61. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, the resin 61 is injected so as not to contact the X direction end surface 106 (hatched portion) of the support member 10b. On the other hand, the resin 61 is injected so as to contact the opposing end surfaces 107a and 107b of the end surfaces of the notches 101 and 102 that face each other in the short direction. According to the regulating portion formed by injecting and hardening the resin 61 in this way, it is possible to suppress the tip position of the cleaning blade 10 from changing due to the difference in linear expansion coefficient and the deformation of the cleaning frame 5 and the cleaning blade 10 due to changes in the usage environment.

[0050] As described above, according to this embodiment, the tip position of the cleaning blade relative to the cleaning frame can be accurately adjusted to suppress the effects of manufacturing variations in the cleaning frame and cleaning blade, allowing for highly accurate assembly. In particular, when assembling the cleaning blade, since the cleaning frame does not have a regulating portion for regulating the short side direction, assembly can be performed with highly accurate adjustment of the short side direction, regardless of the tolerances of the cleaning frame and cleaning member. Furthermore, since the cleaning blade is positioned and regulated in the short side direction by the hardening of the resin injected into the cutout portion of the support member, fluctuations in the position of the cleaning blade in the short side direction due to impacts from logistics, etc. can be suppressed, regardless of the tightening torque or loosening torque of the screws.

[0051] In the above, in this embodiment, a cleaning member that removes toner from a photosensitive drum (photoconductor) as an image carrier as a cleaned body has been described. However, the cleaned body (image carrier) may also be a transfer belt as a transfer member to which a toner image is transferred from the photosensitive drum.

[0052] In this embodiment, the cutouts 101 and 102 are formed by cutting the sheet metal, but when the support member is manufactured from a material other than a processed sheet metal, the cutouts may be formed from the beginning. The cutouts 101 and 102 are arranged so as to be outwardly positioned in the longitudinal direction and overlap in the lateral direction with respect to the screw holes 103 and 104 as the fixing portions, but the arrangement is not limited to this. For example, the cutouts may be offset from each other in the lateral direction, or may be offset from each other in the lateral direction and overlap in the longitudinal direction. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 1...process cartridge, 4...cleaning unit, 5...cleaning frame, 7...photosensitive drum, 10...cleaning blade, 10a...elastic member, 10b...support member, 51, 52...engagement portion, 53, 54...seat surface, 55...longitudinal reference boss, 60...screw, 61...resin, 100...image forming apparatus, 101, 102...notch portion, 103, 104...screw hole, 105...longitudinal reference hole, 106...X-direction end surface

Claims

1. A resin frame; an image carrier rotatably supported by the frame; a cleaning member that has an elastic portion that contacts the surface of the image carrier, and a support portion that supports the elastic portion and has fixing portions that are fixed to the frame body at both ends in a longitudinal direction parallel to a rotation axis direction of the image carrier, and that removes developer from the surface of the image carrier; A cartridge detachably mountable to a main body of an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material, comprising: The support portion has, at both ends, notch-shaped portions recessed inward in the longitudinal direction from end surfaces of the both ends, the frame body has a restricting portion that abuts against both a first end portion that is one end portion of the notch-shaped portion in a short side direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and a second end portion that is the other end portion of the notch-shaped portion in a short side direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and does not abut against the notch-shaped portion in the longitudinal direction; the restricting portion extends continuously in a direction from a third end, which is one end of the restricting portion that abuts against the first end, toward a fourth end, which is the other end of the restricting portion that abuts against the second end, A cartridge characterized in that, when the cleaning member is viewed from a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the short direction, the regulating portion is configured to entirely fit inside the cutout portion in both the longitudinal direction and the short direction.

2. 2. A cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the frame does not have any portion that contacts end faces of the opposite ends of the support portion in the longitudinal direction.

3. 3. A cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the frame does not have any portion, except for the regulating portion, that is in contact with the supporting portion simultaneously in both directions in the lateral direction.

4. A cartridge as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the regulating portion is a convex-shaped portion protruding from a seat surface to which the support portion is fixed in the frame body, protruding between opposing end faces facing each other in the short direction in the cutout portion, and abutting each of the opposing end faces.

5. 5. A cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the regulating portion is provided on the frame body so as to be spaced apart from end faces of both ends of the support portion and from side faces opposed to each other in the longitudinal direction.

6. the fixing portion includes an insertion hole provided on an inner side in the longitudinal direction of the notch-shaped portion of the support portion, The cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the cartridge is provided with a fastening member that is inserted into the insertion hole and fixed to the frame body to fix the support portion to the frame body.

7. A cartridge described in any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the regulating portion has a length in the short direction that is longer than its length in the long direction.

8. An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material, A resin frame; an image carrier rotatably supported by the frame; a cleaning member that has an elastic portion that contacts the surface of the image carrier, and a support portion that supports the elastic portion and has fixing portions that are fixed to the frame body at both ends in a longitudinal direction parallel to a rotation axis direction of the image carrier, and that removes developer from the surface of the image carrier; In an image forming apparatus comprising: The support portion has, at both ends, notch-shaped portions recessed inward in the longitudinal direction from end surfaces of the both ends, the frame body has a restricting portion that abuts against both a first end portion that is one end portion of the notch-shaped portion in a short side direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and a second end portion that is the other end portion of the notch-shaped portion in a short side direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and does not abut against the notch-shaped portion in the longitudinal direction; the restricting portion extends continuously in a direction from a third end, which is one end of the restricting portion that abuts against the first end, toward a fourth end, which is the other end of the restricting portion that abuts against the second end, an image forming apparatus characterized in that, when the cleaning member is viewed from a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the short direction, the regulating portion is configured to entirely fit inside the cutout portion in both the longitudinal direction and the short direction.

9. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the frame does not have any portion that contacts end faces of the both ends of the support portion in the longitudinal direction.

10. 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the frame does not have any portion, except for the restricting portion, that is in contact with the supporting portion simultaneously in both directions in the lateral direction.

11. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the regulating portion is a convex portion protruding from a seat surface to which the support portion is fixed in the frame body, protruding between opposing end faces facing each other in the short direction in the cutout portion, and abutting each of the opposing end faces.

12. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that the regulating portion is provided at a distance from the end faces of both ends of the support portion and from the side faces of the frame body that face the longitudinal direction.

13. the fixing portion includes an insertion hole provided on an inner side in the longitudinal direction of the notch-shaped portion of the support portion, The image forming apparatus is inserted into the insertion hole and fixed to the frame body, thereby forming the support 13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a fastening member for fastening the portion to the frame.

14. 14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the image carrier is a photoconductor that carries a developer image, or a transfer member onto which the developer image is transferred from the photoconductor.

15. An image forming apparatus as described in any one of claims 8 to 14, characterized in that the regulating portion has a length in the short direction that is longer than a length in the long direction.

16. A resin frame; an image carrier rotatably supported by the frame; a cleaning member that has an elastic portion that contacts the surface of the image carrier, and a support portion that supports the elastic portion and has fixing portions that are fixed to the frame body at both ends in a longitudinal direction parallel to a rotation axis direction of the image carrier, and that removes developer from the surface of the image carrier; A method for fixing the cleaning member to the frame of a cartridge detachably mountable to a main body of an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material, comprising: a first step of positioning and fixing the support portion of the cleaning member to the frame; a second step of injecting resin into notched portions provided at both ends of the support portion so as to be recessed inward in the longitudinal direction from end faces of the both ends, so as to contact both one end and the other end of the notched portions in a short direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction but not in the longitudinal direction, and hardening the resin to form a restricting portion integral with the frame body, the restricting portion contacting both the one end and the other end but not in contact with the notched portions in the longitudinal direction; A method for fixing a cleaning member, comprising:

17. A resin frame; an image carrier rotatably supported by the frame; a cleaning member that has an elastic portion that contacts the surface of the image carrier, and a support portion that supports the elastic portion and has fixing portions that are fixed to the frame body at both ends in a longitudinal direction parallel to a rotation axis direction of the image carrier, and that removes developer from the surface of the image carrier; a method for fixing the cleaning member to the frame in an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material, the method comprising: a first step of positioning and fixing the support portion of the cleaning member to the frame; a second step of injecting resin into notched portions provided at both ends of the support portion so as to be recessed inward in the longitudinal direction from end faces of the both ends, so as to contact both one end and the other end of the notched portions in a short direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction but not in the longitudinal direction, and hardening the resin to form a restricting portion integral with the frame body, the restricting portion contacting both the one end and the other end but not in contact with the notched portions in the longitudinal direction; A method for fixing a cleaning member, comprising:

18. 18. The method for fixing a cleaning member according to claim 17, wherein the image carrier is a photoconductor that carries a developer image, or a transfer member to which the developer image is transferred from the photoconductor.

19. the fixing portion includes an insertion hole through which a fastening member is inserted, the insertion hole being provided on an inner side in the longitudinal direction of the notch-shaped portion of the support portion, The method for fixing a cleaning member according to any one of claims 16 to 18, characterized in that in the first step, the fastening member is inserted into the insertion hole and fixed to the frame body, thereby fixing the support part to the frame body.

20. The method for fixing a cleaning member according to any one of claims 16 to 19, characterized in that in the first step, the fixing portion is fixed to the frame body such that both end portions of the support portion do not have portions that contact the frame body in the longitudinal direction.

Images