Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6585848
-
Patent Number
6,585,848
-
Date Filed
Thursday, February 8, 200123 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, July 1, 200321 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
- Aftergut; Jeff H.
- Goff; John L.
Agents
- Fitzpatrick, Cella, Harper & Scinto
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 399 103
- 399 106
- 399 111
- 399 119
- 156 285
- 156 556
- 156 DIG 2
- 156 DIG 37
- 156 289
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
A mounting method for mounting an electroconductive sheet on a developer seal member for sealing a developer discharging opening provided in a developer accommodating container for accommodating a developer. The electroconductive sheet is provided with an adhesive material on one surface thereof. A separation sheet is adhered to the one surface, wherein the separation sheet is larger than the electroconductive sheet. The method includes a suction step of contacting a suction tool to the other surface of the electroconductive sheet. The suction tool is effective to suck air to attract the electroconductive sheet thereon. An exposure step separates the separation sheet from the electroconductive sheet, while the electroconductive sheet is being sucked by the attraction tool, so that the one surface of the electroconductive sheet is exposed. A bonding step, after performing the exposure step, binds the one surface of the electroconductive sheet to the developer seal member, while the electroconductive sheet is being sucked by the suction tool.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION AND RELATED ART
The present invention relates to a method for attaching an electrically conductive sheet to a developer sealing member used to seal an opening with which a developer container is provided to release developer. An electrically conductive sheet is used, for example, to detect whether the developer sealing member is open. A developer container is placed in, for example, a developer cartridge or a process cartridge, which is removably mountable in the main assembly of an image forming apparatus.
Here, an image forming apparatus includes an apparatus which forms an image on recording medium with the use of, for example, an electrophotographic image forming system. As examples of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, there are an electrophotographic copying machine, an electrophotographic printer (for example, laser beam printer, LED printer, and the like), a facsimile apparatus, a word processor, and the like.
A process cartridge means a cartridge in which at least one among a charging means, a developing means, and a cleaning means, and a photosensitive member, are integrally placed, and which is removably mountable in the main assembly of an image forming apparatus.
Conventionally, an image forming apparatus which employs an electrophotographic image formation process also employs a process cartridge system. According to a process cartridge system, an electrophotographic photosensitive member, and a single or plural processing means, which act on an electrophotographic photosensitive member, are integrally placed in a cartridge which is removably mountable in the main assembly of an image forming apparatus. Also according to the process cartridge system, an image forming apparatus can be maintained by users themselves without relying on service personnel, and therefore, operational efficiency can be drastically improved. As a result, a process cartridge system is widely used in the field of the image forming apparatus.
The developer releasing opening of the developer (toner) containing portion of the above described process cartridge is sealed with a toner sealing member. A toner sealing member is removed to release the developer into a developing means containing portion. As for a method for removing a toner sealing member, there are a method in which a toner sealing member is pulled off by a user, and a method in which one end of a toner sealing member is fixed to a winding shaft, and the toner sealing member is automatically wound away by the driving force transmitted from the image forming apparatus main assembly.
The above-described methods for removing a toner sealing member also apply to a developer cartridge.
Thus, a method has been sought for detecting whether the developer releasing opening of a developer containing portion is entirely exposed when a toner sealing member is automatically removed. For this purpose, it has been a common practice that an electrically conductive portion which is severed as the toner sealing member is removed is formed on a toner sealing member, and whether the developer releasing opening is entirely exposed is detected by reading the condition of the electrically conductive portion, on the image forming apparatus main assembly side. However, the electrically conductive portion is an extremely thin sheet of electrically conductive material, such as aluminum foil, coated with adhesive, and therefore, tends to plastically deform when it is separated from a separation sheet, or in the like situations. Therefore, a conventional method for pasting an electrically conductive portion onto a toner sealing member, without deforming the electrically conductive portion, and with a high degree of positional accuracy, requires a substantial number of steps, which in turn results in a high cost.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The primary object of the present invention is to provide a method for pasting an electrically conductive sheet on a developer sealing member and a developer holding portion, with a high degree of positional accuracy, without plastically deforming the electrically conductive sheet.
These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1
is a schematic sectional view of the process cartridge in the first embodiment of the present invention, at a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge.
FIG. 2
is a schematic sectional view of the main assembly of the image forming apparatus in the first embodiment of the present invention, at a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge in the apparatus.
FIG. 3
is a schematic perspective view of the toner holding portion of the process cartridge, in a brand-new condition, in the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4
is a schematic perspective view of the toner holding portion of the process cartridge in the first embodiment of the present invention, after the toner sealing member was wound away.
FIG. 5
is a schematic perspective view of the toner holding portion of the process cartridge in the first embodiment of the present invention, while the stirring member is rotated.
FIG. 6
is a schematic perspective view of the toner holding portion of the process cartridge in the first embodiment of the present invention, while the toner sealing member is wound away.
FIG. 7
is a schematic perspective view of the toner holding portion of the process cartridge in the first embodiment of the present invention, while the photosensitive drum and stirring member are rotated.
FIG. 8
is a sectional view of the toner sealing member in the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9
is a plan view of the toner sealing member in the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10
is a schematic perspective view of the toner holding portion of the process cartridge in the first embodiment of the present invention, during the process in which an electrically conductive member formed of metallic foil is pasted to the toner holding portion.
FIG. 11
is a schematic perspective view of the separation sheet backed electrically conductive member formed of metallic foil, which is being held to the suction based holding jig by suction, in the first embodiment of the present invention
FIG. 12
is a schematic perspective view of the separation sheet backed electrically conductive member formed of metallic foil, a portion of which has been bent inward of the recess of the suction based holding jig, in the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 13
is a schematic perspective view of the separation sheet backed electrically conductive member formed of metallic foil, a portion of the separation sheet portion of which has been separated from the electrically conductive member, and has become a separation tab for peeling the separation sheet from the electrically conductive member, in the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 14
is a schematic perspective view of the electrically conductive member formed of metallic foil, which is being held to the suction based holding jig, in the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 15
is a schematic perspective view of the first coupling of the process cartridge, and the first coupling of the image forming apparatus main assembly, in the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 16
is a plan view of the second coupling of the process cartridge, and the second coupling of the image forming apparatus main assembly, in the first embodiment of the present invention, while they are rotating in the direction to remove the toner seal.
FIG. 17
is a plan view of the second coupling of the process cartridge, and the second coupling of the image forming apparatus main assembly, in the first embodiment of the present invention, while they are rotating in the direction to drive the stirring member.
FIG. 18
is a flowchart of the toner seal removing operation in the first embodiment.
FIG. 19
is a simplified version of the toner seal removal detection circuit in the first embodiment.
FIG. 20
is a schematic perspective view of the toner container, and the electrically conductive member formed of metallic foil, in the second embodiment of the present invention, during the process for pasting the electrically conductive member to the toner container.
FIG. 21
is a schematic perspective view of the separation sheet backed electrically conductive member formed of metallic foil, which is being held to the suction based holding jig by suction, in the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 22
is a schematic perspective view of the separation sheet backed electrically conductive member formed of metallic foil, a portion of which has been bent inward of the recess of the suction based holding jig, in the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 23
is a schematic perspective view of the separation sheet backed electrically conductive member formed of metallic foil, a portion of the separation sheet portion of which has been separated from the electrically conductive member, and has become a separation tab for peeling the separation sheet from the electrically conductive member, in the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 24
is a schematic perspective view of the electrically conductive member formed of metallic foil, which is being held to the suction based holding jig by suction, in the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 25
is a plan view of the toner seal, electrically conductive member formed of metallic foil, and suction based holding jig, during the process in which the electrically conductive member formed of metallic foil is pasted to the toner seal with the use of the suction based holding jig, in the second embodiment of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Hereinafter, the preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the appended drawings.
Embodiment 1
(Description of Process Cartridge and Image Forming Apparatus Main Assembly)
Referring to
FIGS. 1 and 2
, the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 1
is a sectional view of the process cartridge in this embodiment, at a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge, and
FIG. 2
is a sectional view of the main assembly of the image forming apparatus in this embodiment, at a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge. This process cartridge is provided with an image bearing member, and a single or plurality of processing means which act on the image bearing member. As for the processing means, there are, for example, a charging means for charging the peripheral surface of the image bearing member, a developing means for forming a toner image on the image bearing member, and a cleaning means for removing the toner remaining on the peripheral surface of the image bearing member. A requirement for a cartridge to be a process cartridge, is to be provided with an image bearing member, and a minimum of one processing means.
This embodiment relates to a process cartridge which comprises at least a developing means. Referring to
FIG. 1
, the process cartridge
15
in this embodiment comprises: an electrophotographic photosensitive drum
11
(hereinafter, “photosensitive drum”); a charge roller
12
as a charging means; a development roller
18
as a developing means; a development blade
19
; a toner holding frame portion
16
as a developer container in which toner as developer is held; a stirring member
20
, that is, a rotational member, for stirring the toner within the toner holding frame portion
16
; a cleaning blade
14
as a cleaning means; and a cleaning means holding portion
37
; and a housing in which the preceding components are integrally placed, and which is removably mountable in the main assembly of an image forming apparatus main assembly
13
. The charge roller
12
, development roller
18
, development blade
19
, and cleaning blade
14
are positioned in a manner to surround the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum
11
.
This process cartridge
15
is mounted in the image forming apparatus main assembly
13
illustrated in
FIG. 2
, to be used for image formation. An image forming operation is carried out in the following manner. First, a sheet S of recording medium is fed out of a sheet cassette
6
mounted in the bottom portion of the image forming apparatus main assembly
13
, into the image forming apparatus main assembly
13
, by a sheet feeding roller
7
a,
and then is conveyed to a transfer station by a conveying roller pair
7
b
having a retarding function, and a registration roller pair
7
c.
In the transfer station, the toner image on the photosensitive drum
11
is transferred onto the recording medium sheet S. As for the photosensitive drum
11
, after being charged by the charge roller
12
, the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum
11
is selectively exposed by an exposing apparatus
8
, in accordance with image formation information. As a result, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum
11
. The exposing process by the exposing apparatus
8
is carried out in synchronism with the sheet conveyance by the registration roller pair
7
c.
Meanwhile, the toner within the toner holding frame portion
16
is sent into the developing means holding frame portion
17
, in which the toner is coated in a thin layer onto the peripheral surface of the development roller
18
by the development blade
19
, and then, the toner on the development roller
18
is supplied to the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum
11
, in accordance with the latent image on the photosensitive drum
11
, by applying development bias to the development roller
18
. As a result, a toner image is formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum
11
. Then, this toner image is transferred onto the recording medium sheet S by the bias voltage applied to a transfer roller
9
, in the transfer station. Then, the recording medium sheet S is conveyed to a fixing apparatus
10
, in which the toner image on the recording medium sheet S is fixed to the recording medium sheet S. Finally, the recording medium sheet S is discharged into a delivery portion
2
on top of the apparatus main assembly, by discharge roller pairs
1
.
(Description of Opening of Toner Seal and Stirring Drive)
FIGS. 3 through 5
show the toner holding frame portion
16
of the process cartridge in this embodiment.
FIGS. 6 and 7
show the gear trains in the process cartridge
15
and image forming apparatus main assembly
13
.
FIG. 3
shows the process cartridge
15
in the brand-new state. In this state, the opening
31
of the toner holding frame portion
16
of the process cartridge
15
is covered with a toner sealing member
21
, which is welded or pasted to the seal attachment surface
16
c
, that is, the surrounding edge portion of the opening
31
, of the toner holding frame portion
16
. More specifically, the toner sealing member
21
is placed across the opening
31
from one longitudinal end of the opening to the other, and then is folded upon the portion attached to the surrounding edge portion of the opening
31
, all the way back to the starting point being fixed to a winding member
23
rotationally attached to the toner holding frame portion
16
. For the sake of convenience in describing this embodiment,
FIG. 3
shows the states of the developing means holding frame portion
17
, toner holding frame portion
1
, and their adjacencies, before they are joined. In reality, however, the developing means holding frame portion
17
and toner holding frame portion
16
are attached to each other, with the interposition of another frame portion, and with the dowel-like positioning projections
16
a
and
16
b
of the toner holding frame portion
16
fitted in the unillustrated positioning holes of the developing means holding frame portion
17
.
The toner sealing member
21
is provided with an electrically conductive portion
22
a
(hereinafter, “conductive portion
22
a
”) for detecting whether the opening
31
is fully exposed, and an electrically conductive portion
22
b
(hereinafter, “conductive portion
22
b
”) for detecting whether the process cartridge
15
is properly positioned in the image forming apparatus main assembly
13
. In this embodiment, the dimensions of the conductive portions
22
a
and
22
b
corresponding to the width direction of the opening
31
, that is, the direction perpendicular to the removing direction of the toner sealing member
21
, are made greater than the width W of the portion of the toner sealing member
21
, which is to be torn away. The conductive portions
22
a
and
22
b
are placed on the toner sealing member
21
to be opened, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the opening
31
, across the opening
31
. They are formed of aluminum foil (
30
μm thick) and are coated with adhesive (50 μm thick). To these conductive portions
22
a
and
22
b
, voltage is applied by detecting portions
35
and
36
of the image forming apparatus main assembly
13
, through a metallic plate with contacts
34
a
,
34
b
, and
34
c
, of the process cartridge
15
.
As the process cartridge
15
in the brand-new state is mounted into the image forming apparatus main assembly
13
, the detecting portion
35
becomes electrically connected to the contacts
34
b
and
34
c
which are electrically connected to each other by the conductive portion
22
b,
whereas the detecting portion
36
becomes electrically connected to the contacts
34
a
and
34
c
which are connected to each other by the conductive portion
22
a.
Prior to the winding away of the toner sealing member
21
, the conductive portions
22
a
and
22
b
are intact in terms of electrical conductivity. These states of the conductive portions
22
a
and
22
b
are detected by the detecting portions
35
and
36
of the image forming apparatus main assembly
13
. After the mounting of the process cartridge
15
into the image forming apparatus main assembly
13
, a motor
26
as a driving force source provided on the image forming apparatus main assembly
13
side begins to rotate in the direction of an arrow mark A (FIGS.
3
and
6
).
Referring to
FIG. 6
, as the motor
26
rotates in the direction of the arrow mark A, a first coupling
43
on the image forming apparatus main assembly
13
side moves in the direction of an arrow mark D while being rotated in the direction of an arrow mark C by the motor
26
through an idler gear
42
, so that the first coupling
43
rotates without engaging with a first coupling
44
attached to one of the longitudinal ends of the photosensitive drum
11
in the process cartridge
15
. A pinion gear
26
a
fitted around the shaft of the motor
26
is meshed with the idler gear
42
, which is meshed with a gear
43
g
which is the peripheral portion of the first coupling
43
. A second coupling gear
24
on the process cartridge
15
side is engaged with a second coupling
25
, and is rotated in the direction indicated by an arrow mark E as the driving force from the motor
26
on the image forming apparatus main assembly
13
side is transmitted through the pinion gear
26
a,
an idler gear
33
, and the gear
25
g
of the second coupling
25
on the image forming apparatus main assembly
13
side, as shown in FIG.
3
.
The second coupling gear
24
transmits the driving force to a pivotal gear
29
, by meshing with the pivotal gear
29
with which the process cartridge
15
is provided. The pivotal gear
29
is rotationally supported by the end portion of an unillustrated arm attached to the process cartridge
15
in such a manner that the pivotal axis of the pivotal gear
29
coincides with the rotational axial of the second coupling gear
24
. Thus, the pivotal gear
29
pivots in the clockwise direction, remaining engaged with the second coupling gear
24
, due to the presence of the load applied to the teeth of the pivotal gear
29
by the teeth of the second coupling gear
24
as the second coupling gear
24
rotates in the direction of an arrow mark E. As the pivotal gear
29
is pivoted in the clockwise direction, it meshes with an idler gear
30
, transmitting the driving force to the idler gear
30
. As a result, a bevel gear
23
g,
which is an integral part of a winding member
23
, and is meshed with a bevel gear portion
30
g
of the idler gear
30
, rotates, causing the toner sealing member
21
to be wound away in the direction of an arrow mark B by the winding member
23
. During this period, the pivotal gear
29
remains separated from an idler gear
27
, it remains disengaged from the idler gear
27
.
Referring to
FIG. 4
, toward the end of the process in which the opening
31
is entirely exposed, the conductive portion
22
a
is severed, and therefore, the electrical conduction between the contacts
34
a
and
34
c
is interrupted. As this interruption of the electrical conduction caused by the severing of the conductive portion
22
a
is detected by the detecting portion
36
of the image forming apparatus main assembly
13
, the motor
26
, the driving force of which has been transmitted to the winding member
23
, begins to rotate in reverse, that is, in the direction indicated by an arrow mark F, as shown in
FIGS. 5 and 7
. As the motor
26
rotates in reverse in the direction of the arrow mark F as shown in
FIGS. 5
and
7
, the driving force is transmitted to the first coupling
43
on the image forming apparatus main assembly
13
side through the pinion gear
26
a,
idler gear
42
, and gear
43
g,
and moves the first coupling
43
in the direction of an arrow mark H, while rotating it in the direction of an arrow mark G. As a result, the first coupling gear
43
engages with the first coupling
44
attached to one of the longitudinal ends of the photosensitive drum
11
in the process cartridge
15
, and rotates with the first coupling
44
, transmitting the driving force to the photosensitive drum
11
. In this embodiment, the gears
42
and
43
g
are given helical teeth to move the first coupling
43
on the image forming apparatus main assembly
13
side in the direction indicated by either the arrow mark D or H. However, another mechanical arrangement may be employed to move the first coupling
43
on the main assembly side. Meanwhile, the second coupling gear
24
on the process cartridge
15
side rotates in reverse, that is, in the direction of an arrow mark I. As a result, the pivotal gear
29
is disengaged from the idler gear
30
by the load received by the teeth of the pivotal gear
29
from the second coupling gear
24
, and meshes with the idler gear
27
, rotating the idler gear
27
. Consequently, the driving force is transmitted to a pair of stirring gears
32
which rotate the stirring members
20
within the toner holding frame portion
16
illustrated in
FIG. 1
, through an idler gear
28
meshed with the idler gear
27
. The idler gears
27
and
28
are step gears.
(Description of Toner Sealing Member)
The toner sealing member
21
used in this embodiment is shown in
FIGS. 8 and 9
. This toner sealing member
21
has a laminar structure. That is, listing from the top side, the toner sealing member
21
comprises: a surface layer, or a 12 μm thick polyester layer (strength providing layer; designated by a reference character
21
i
in FIG.
8
); a 7 μm thick aluminum foil layer (laser light shielding layer; designated by a reference character
21
j
in FIG.
8
); a 50 μm thick polyester layer (tear line providing layer; designated by a reference character
21
k
in FIG.
8
); and a 50 μm thick sealant layer (adherent layer; designated by a reference character
211
in FIG.
8
).
Tear lines
21
e
(FIG.
9
), along which the toner sealing member
21
is torn away to expose the opening
31
, are formed by a laser. More specifically, a laser beam is projected upon the toner sealing member
21
from the sealant layer
211
side to melt predetermined portions of polyester layer, as the tear line providing layer
21
k,
and the sealant layer
211
, so that numerous perforations
21
h
(
FIG. 8
) are created.
FIG. 8
is a sectional view of the toner sealing member
21
, and shows one of the perforations
21
h
created by a laser. The aluminum foil layer
21
j
shields the top layer, or the polyester layer
21
i,
from the laser beam, and therefore, the polyester layer
21
i
is not damaged by the laser beam, remaining fully capable of keeping the toner sealed in the toner holding frame portion
16
. When exposing the opening
31
, as the toner sealing member
21
is pulled, the stress caused by the pulling concentrates to the perforations
21
h
created by the laser, assuring that the toner sealing member
21
is torn along the tear lines
21
e
to expose the opening
31
.
The conductive member
22
in this embodiment is a patterned piece of aluminum foil pasted on the toner sealing member
21
. One aspect of the conductive member
22
is electrical resistance. The value of the electrical resistance of the conductive member
22
to which voltage is applied to test the conductivity of the conductive member
22
may be as large as it can be, as long as the amplitude of the voltage applied to test the conductivity of the conductive member
22
can be increased accordingly. In reality, however, applying high voltage for testing the conductivity is difficult from the standpoints of safety as well as cost. Thus, the electrical resistance value of the conductive member
22
is desired to be as small as possible so that the conductivity can be tested even if the low voltage is applied. More specifically, it is desired to be no more than 100 Ω, possibly, no more than 10 Ω. The electrical resistance value of the conductive member
22
in this embodiment is approximately 1 Ω; in other words, the conductivity of the conductive member
22
is excellent prior to its severance. After the severance, the electrical resistance of the conductive member
22
is infinite, preventing electrical current from flowing through the once conductive member
22
.
In other words, as for the material for the conductive member, any material will suffice as long as it satisfies the requirement that the electrical resistance value of the conductive member must be low enough to afford the conductive member a sufficient degree of electrical conductivity, prior to its severance. For example, foil of copper, nickel, or the like metals, can be used as the material for the conductive member. Further, the conductive member
22
must be severed along the tear lines
21
e
of the developer sealing member. Thus, if it is not assured that the conductive member
22
can be severed with the application of a small amount of force, it is possible that the force which must be applied to open the conductive member
22
will be excessively large, or the entirety of the conductive member
22
formed of metallic foil, will be peeled away, adhering to, or falling onto, the other parts of the apparatus. As for a method for reducing the tear resistance of the conductive member
22
, it is effective to reduce the thickness of the metallic foil. However, the reduction in the metallic foil thickness tends to cause the conductive member
22
formed of metallic foil to deform, when the conductive member
22
is separated from a separation sheet
53
, or when the conductive member
22
is pasted to the toner sealing member
21
.
(Method for Pasting Adhesive Coated Conductive Member)
Referring to
FIGS. 10 through 14
, a method for pasting an adhesive coated metallic foil will be described. Here, it is assumed that the opening
31
of the toner holding frame portion
16
has been already sealed with the toner sealing member
21
. First, the conductive member
22
, the separation paper
53
, and a suction based holding jig
50
, are prepared. One surface of the conductive member
22
has been coated with adhesive, and this adhesive coated surface of the conductive paper
53
placed in contact with the adhesive layer. The separation paper
53
is greater in size than the conductive member
22
, extending beyond the edge of the conductive member
22
, and is square. Referring to
FIG. 10
, the toner releasing opening
31
of the toner holding frame portion
16
is entirely sealed with the toner sealing member
21
which has been heat-welded to the surrounding edge of the opening
31
. Further, the toner holding frame portion
16
is provided with the dowel-like projections
16
a
and
16
b
for positioning the toner holding portion
16
relative to the developing means holding frame portion
17
.
A method for forming the conductive member
22
on the toner sealing member
21
will be described. Referring to
FIG. 11
, the suction based holding jig
50
is provided with a plurality of suction holes
51
. The conductive member
22
formed of metallic foil, coated with a layer of adhesive and backed by the separation paper as a separation sheet, is held by suction to the positioning portion
52
of the suction based holding jig
50
, with the separation paper
53
being on the outward side, so that the separation paper can be peeled away while leaving the conductive member
22
held to the suction based holding jig
50
. The suction holes
51
are connected to a hose
50
d
(
FIGS. 11-14
) connected to a suction generating apparatus (unillustrated). The area of the suction based holding jig
50
, to which the aforementioned extending portion of the separation paper
53
is held, is provided with a recess
50
a,
which is located so that it partially overlaps with the conductive member
22
formed of metallic foil when the metallic foil is being held to the suction based holding jig
50
. With the conductive member
22
formed of metallic foil, coated with adhesive and backed by the separation paper
53
, being held to the suction based holding jig
50
; if the separation paper backed corner portion
53
a
of the metallic foil, which extends over the recess
50
a
as shown in
FIG. 11
, is bent inward of the recess
50
a
as shown in
FIG. 12
, the corner portion
53
a
of the conductive member
22
formed of metallic foil remains bent inward of the recess
50
a,
whereas the portion of the separation paper
53
corresponding to the portion
53
a
straightens back, separating itself from the corner portion
53
a,
becoming a separation tab
53
b
(FIG.
13
), because the separation paper
53
is harder to deform compared to the conductive member
22
formed of metallic foil. With the employment of this method, the separation paper
53
can be safely separated from the adhesive coated surface of the conductive member
22
formed of metallic foil, without deforming the conductive member
22
formed of metallic foil, except for the portion corresponding to the above-described separation tab
53
b.
Next, the separation paper
53
is separated (FIG.
14
). Then, the suction based holding jig
50
is placed on the toner holding frame portion
16
, with the metallic foil holding surface facing the toner holding frame portion
16
, and also with the dowel-like positioning projections
16
a
and
16
b,
which are provided on the toner holding frame portion
16
in order to paste the conductive member
22
formed of metallic foil, held to the surface of the suction based holding jig
50
, to the toner sealing member
21
, being aligned with the corresponding positioning holes
50
b
and
50
c
of the suction based holding jig
50
. Then, the suction to the suction based holding jig
50
is stopped. As a result, the conductive member
22
formed of metallic foil is accurately positioned to be pasted to the toner sealing member
21
, across the predetermined area (FIG.
10
). Thereafter, the conductive member
22
formed of metallic foil is pressed again onto the toner sealing member
21
. With the employment of the above described method, the conductive member
22
can be perfectly pasted to the toner sealing member
21
, from one longitudinal edge of the toner releasing opening
31
to the other, from one longitudinal edge of the toner sealing member
21
to the other, or even from one longitudinal edge of the toner holding frame portion
16
to the other, across the opening
31
in terms of its width direction.
(Description of Driving Force Transmitting Method and Coupling Members)
Next, referring to
FIGS. 15 through 17
, the shapes of the couplings will be described. Referring to
FIG. 15
, the first coupling
44
on the process cartridge side has a projection
44
a
, which has a sectional profile of an approximately equilateral triangle; more precisely, the projection
44
a
is in the form of a triangular pillar twisted about its rotational axis in its rotational direction. The first coupling
43
on the apparatus main assembly side, which engages with the first coupling
44
, has a hole
43
a
, which is in the form of a triangular pillar twisted about its rotational axis in its rotational direction, and into which the projection
44
a
engages. With the provision of this structural arrangement between the two couplings
44
and
43
, as the first coupling
43
on the main assembly side is rotated, with the first coupling
44
on the process cartridge side engaged in the hole
43
a
, the lateral edges of the projection
44
a
come into contact with the corresponding lateral walls of the hole
34
a
, and cause the first coupling
44
on the process cartridge side to rotate in a manner to equalize the three interfaces between the corresponding lateral edges of the projection
44
a
and the lateral walls of the hole
43
a
in terms of the contact pressure. As a result, driving force is transmitted from the first coupling
43
on the apparatus main assembly side to the first coupling on the process cartridge side while the rotational axis of the two couplings
44
and
43
are maintained in alignment with each other.
Referring to
FIGS. 16 and 17
, the second coupling
25
on the apparatus main assembly side has a projection in the form of a flatted round pillar, whereas the second coupling within the process cartridge
15
has a hole
24
b,
the side wall of which constitutes the second coupling gear
24
, which is a combination of the cylindrical, lateral wall of the hole
24
b,
and a pair of ribs
24
a
in the form of a pillar having a sectional profile of a right-angled triangle, attached to the cylindrical, lateral wall of the hole
24
b
in symmetrical manner with respect to the center axis of the hole
24
b.
Looking squarely at
FIGS. 16 and 17
, each rib
24
a
has a sectional profile in the form of a triangle, one of the apexes of which points to the axial line of the gear
24
; in other words, the ribs
24
a
are symmetrically positioned with respect to the axial line of the gear
24
, and the surfaces of one of the ribs
24
a,
and the surfaces of the other rib
24
a,
which are symmetrically positioned with respect to the axial line of the gear
24
, are parallel to each other.
Referring to
FIG. 16
, as the second coupling
25
on the apparatus main assembly side rotates in the direction to remove the toner sealing member
21
, that is, in the direction of the arrow mark E, the surface
24
a
-
1
of each of the ribs
24
a
, which is comparable to one of the two sides of a right-angle triangle, or the shape of the profile of the rib
24
a
, comes into contact with the corresponding contact portion
25
a
of the coupling
25
, and transmits driving force. The cylindrical portion of the hole
24
b
, the lateral wall portions of which constitute portions of the second coupling gear
24
, is not perfectly circular in cross sectional profile; the distance from the portions of the lateral wall of the hole
24
b
immediately adjacent to the ribs
24
a
to the rotational axis of the coupling gear
24
is rendered smaller than the distance between the rest of the lateral wall of the hole
24
b
to the rotational axis of the coupling gear
24
, in order to reduce the gap
40
between the coupling
25
on the apparatus main assembly side and the coupling gear
24
in terms of the diameter direction of the two couplings.
In this embodiment, the gap
40
between the second coupling gear
24
, and the second coupling
25
on the main assembly side, in terms of their diameter direction, is approximately 0.5 mm.
As the drive for removing the toner sealing member
21
ends, the second coupling
25
on the apparatus main assembly side is rotated in reverse, that is, in the direction of the arrow mark I. As a result, the contact portions
25
b
of the second coupling
25
on the apparatus main assembly side come into contact with the corresponding surfaces
24
a
-
2
of the ribs
24
a,
which are comparable to the other sides of the right-angle triangle, or the shape of the profile of the rib
24
a,
and drive the second coupling gear
24
, transmitting driving force to the stirring members. The second coupling
25
on the main assembly side and the second coupling gear
24
on the process cartridge side are structured so that during this reversal rotation of the second coupling
25
on the main assembly side, the second coupling
25
on the main assembly side and the second coupling gear
24
on the process cartridge side, hold a gap
41
in terms of their radius direction. Therefore, rotational driving force can be transmitted from the second coupling
25
on the apparatus main assembly side to the second coupling gear
24
on the process cartridge side while allowing their rotational axes to remain unaligned with each other.
In this embodiment, the gap
41
is approximately 2 mm.
With the employment of this structural arrangement, when the toner sealing member
21
is removed, the rotational axes of the second coupling
25
on the apparatus main assembly side and the second coupling gear
24
on the process cartridge side are aligned with each other, and the photosensitive drum
11
is not driven. Then, after the completion of the removal of the toner sealing member
21
, in other words, during an actual image forming process, the rotational axis of the first coupling
44
of the photosensitive drum
11
and the rotational axis of the first coupling
43
on the apparatus main assembly side are aligned with each other, whereas the second coupling gear
24
on the process cartridge side, and the second coupling
25
on the apparatus main assembly side, for transmitting driving force to the stirring members
20
, simply transmit driving force so that they do not interfere with the alignment between the rotational axes of the first coupling
43
and its counterpart.
To summarize the above-described operations, a flowchart which sums up the above-described operations is given in
FIG. 18
, and a simplified version of the control circuit for the above-described operations is given in FIG.
19
. Referring to
FIG. 18
, after the mounting (S
1
) of the process cartridge
15
in this embodiment into the image forming apparatus main assembly
13
, it is tested whether electrical current flows through the conductive portion
22
b
(S
2
). If the flow of electrical current through the conductive portion
22
b
is confirmed, it is tested whether or not electrical current flows through the conductive portion
22
a
(S
3
). If the flow of electrical current through the conductive portion
22
a
is confirmed, the winding of the toner sealing member
21
is started (S
4
). As soon as the severance of the conductive portions
22
a
is detected (S
5
), it is determined that the removal of the toner sealing member
21
has been completed (S
6
). At this point, the mounting of the process cartridge
15
into the brand-new state is ended (S
7
). Thereafter, the motor on the image forming apparatus main assembly side is rotated in reverse to start rotating the toner stirring members. On the contrary, if it is confirmed in (S
2
) that electrical current does not flow through the conductive portion
22
b
, (S
9
) is taken, in which it is displayed that there is no process cartridge in the apparatus main assembly
13
. When it is determined in (S
3
) that electrical current does not flow through the conductive portion
22
a
, (S
8
) is taken, in which it is tested whether electrical current flows through the conductive portion
22
b
. If the flow of electrical current through the conductive portion
22
b
is confirmed, (S
6
) is taken, whereas if the flow of electrical current through the conductive portion
22
b
cannot be confirmed, (S
9
) is taken.
Referring to
FIG. 9
, the detecting portions
35
and
36
are provided with a DC current detector and an electrical current which flows through the conductive portions
22
a
and
22
b
while applying electrical voltage to them from a power source. Whether the toner sealing member
21
has been removed, and whether a process cartridge has been mounted in the correct position in the image forming apparatus main assembly, are determined by a CPU
38
based on the measurements provided by the detecting portions
35
and
36
.
Embodiment 2
Referring to
FIGS. 20 through 25
, another method for pasting an adhesive coated conductive member will be described. It is assumed that the opening
31
of the toner holding frame portion
16
has been already sealed with the toner sealing member
21
. First, the conductive member
62
, the separation paper
61
, and a suction based holding jig
60
, are prepared. One of the two surfaces of the conductive member
62
has been coated with adhesive, and this adhesive coated surface of the conductive member
62
is entirely covered with the separation paper
61
placed in contact with the adhesive layer. The separation paper
61
is greater in size than the conductive member
62
, extending beyond the edge of the conductive member
62
, and is square. Referring to
FIG. 20
, the toner releasing opening
31
of the toner holding frame portion
16
is entirely sealed with the toner sealing member
21
which has been heat-welded to the surrounding edge of the opening
31
. Further, the toner holding frame portion
16
is provided with the dowel-like projections
16
d
and
16
e
for positioning the toner holding frame portion
16
relative to the developing means holding frame portion
17
.
A method for forming the conductive member
62
on the toner sealing member
21
will be described. Referring to
FIG. 21
, the suction based holding jig
60
is provided with a plurality of suction holes
60
a
. Further, the suction based holding jig
60
is provided with a pair of retractable positioning bosses
60
b
, which are located on the surface to which the separation paper
61
is held. The separation paper
61
is provided with a pair of positioning holes
61
a
, the positions of which perfectly match the positions of the retractable positioning bosses
60
b
, one for one. Also, the suction based holding jig
60
is provided with a pair of holes, into or from which the retractable positioning bosses
60
b
can be retracted or projected. In order to paste the conductive member
62
to the toner sealing member
21
, first, the bosses
60
b
are put through the positioning holes
61
a
of the separation paper
61
to which the conductive member
62
is adhering. As a result, the separation paper
61
to which the conductive member
62
is adhering is accurately positioned relative to the suction based holding jig
60
. Then, the separation paper
62
, to which the conductive member
62
formed of metallic foil coated with adhesive is adhering, is secured to the surface of the suction based holding jig
60
by suction, with the conductive member
62
formed of metallic foil placed in contact with the surface of the suction based holding jig
60
. Consequently, the combination of the conductive member
62
and separation paper
61
are held to the suction based holding jig
60
in a manner to allow the separation paper
61
to be peeled away from the layer of the adhesive coated on the conductive member
62
. The suction holes
60
a
are connected to a hose
60
e
(
FIGS. 21 through 24
) connected to a suction generating apparatus (unillustrated). Next, the portion
61
b
of the combination of the conductive member
62
formed of metallic foil, and the separation paper
61
, where the conductive member
62
and separation paper
61
overlap with each other, is bent into the recess
60
c
(FIG.
22
). As a result, the corner portion of the conductive member
62
formed of metallic foil corresponding to the portion
61
b
remains bent inward of the recess
60
c
, whereas the portion of the separation paper
61
corresponding to the portion
61
b
straightens back, separating itself from the portion of the conductive member
62
corresponding to the portion
61
b
, becoming a separation tab, because the separation paper
61
is harder to deform compared to the conductive member
62
formed of metallic foil. In this state, the bosses
60
b
of the suction based holding jig
60
are retracted into the suction based holding jig
60
, away from the separation paper
61
(FIG.
23
). With the employment of this method, the separation paper
62
can be safely separated from the adhesive coated surface of the conductive member
62
formed of metallic foil, without deforming the conductive member
62
formed of metallic foil, except for the portion corresponding to the above-described separation tab. Next, the separation paper
61
is separated using the separation tab. In this state, the conductive member
62
is still held to the suction based holding jig
60
by the suction which is acting on the conductive member
62
through the suction holes
60
a
(FIG.
24
). Then, in order to paste the conductive member
62
formed of metallic foil, being held to the suction based holding jig
60
by suction, to the toner sealing member
21
, the dowel-like positioning projection
16
d
provided on the toner holding frame portion
16
side is inserted into the positioning groove
60
d
of the suction based holding jig
60
, and the rotation controlling boss
60
f
of the suction based holding jig
60
is held against the bottom wall of the toner holding frame portion
16
. In this state, the suction is stopped (FIG.
25
). As a result, the conductive member
62
formed of metallic foil is accurately positioned to be pasted to the toner sealing member
21
, across the predetermined area. Thereafter, the conductive member
62
formed of metallic foil is pressed again onto the toner sealing member
21
. With the employment of the above-described method, the conductive member
62
can be perfectly pasted to the toner sealing member
21
, from one longitudinal edge of the toner sealing member
21
, from one longitudinal end of the toner releasing opening
31
to the other, from one longitudinal edge of the toner sealing member
21
to the other, or even from one longitudinal edge of the toner holding frame portion
16
to the other, across the opening
31
in terms of its width direction.
The other features of this embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment.
According to the above described structural arrangements, it is possible to easily and accurately position a piece of metallic foil, which tends to tear, on a developer sealing member, across a predetermined area, without deforming the piece of metallic foil. As a result, it becomes possible to automatically remove a developer sealing member, without errors, by transmitting driving force from the image forming apparatus main assembly. Further, the above described structural arrangement simplifies the operation for placing a conductive portion formed of metallic foil, reducing, therefore, operational cost.
While the invention has been described with reference to the structures disclosed herein, it is not confined to the details set forth, and this application is intended to cover such modifications or changes as may come within the purposes of the improvements or the scope of the following claims.
Claims
- 1. A mounting method for mounting an electroconductive sheet on a developer seal member for sealing a developer discharging opening provided in a developer accommodating container for accommodating a developer, wherein the electroconductive sheet is provided with an adhesive material on one surface thereof, and a separation sheet is adhered to the one surface, the separation sheet being larger than the electroconductive sheet, said method comprising:a suction step of contacting a suction tool to the other surface of the electroconductive sheet, the suction tool being effective to suck air between the other surface and the suction tool to attract the electroconductive sheet thereon; an exposure step of separating the separation sheet from the electroconductive sheet while the electroconductive sheet is being sucked by the suction tool, so that the one surface of the electroconductive sheet is exposed; and a bonding step of bonding, after performing said exposure step, the one surface of the electroconductive sheet to the developer seal member while the electroconductive sheet is being sucked by the suction tool.
- 2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the electroconductive sheet and the separation sheet have predetermined configurations, and before performing said suction step, the separation sheet is bonded at a predetermined position relative to the electroconductive sheet.
- 3. A method according to claim 1, wherein when the electroconductive sheet is attracted by the suction tool, the electroconductive sheet is positioned relative to the suction tool.
- 4. A method according to claim 2, wherein the electroconductive sheet is positioned relative to the suction tool by positioning the separation sheet relative to the suction tool.
- 5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the developer seal member is provided on the developer accommodating container before performing said bonding step.
- 6. A method according to claim 5, wherein when said bonding step is performed, the suction tool is positioned relative to the developer accommodating container by a positioning means.
- 7. A method according to claim 6, wherein the positioning means includes a dowel provided in one of the developer accommodating container and the suction tool, and one of a hole, a groove, and a contact portion is provided in the other of the developer accommodating container and the suction tool.
- 8. A method according to claim 7, wherein the dowel is provided in the developer accommodating container and is used for positioning the developer accommodating container relative to the developer seal member.
- 9. A method according to claim 1, wherein a suction surface of the suction tool is provided with a recess for facilitating separation of the separation sheet from the suction tool at a position proximate to an end of the separation sheet.
- 10. A method according to claim 1, wherein the electroconductive sheet is used for detecting that the developer seal member is unsealed.
- 11. A method according to claim 1, wherein the electroconductive sheet is a metal foil.
- 12. A method according to claim 1, wherein the separation sheet is a separation paper.
- 13. A method according to claim 1, wherein the electroconductive sheet has a length larger than a width in which the developer seal member is unsealed, andwherein the length is measured in a direction crossing with a longitudinal direction of the developer seal member.
- 14. A method according to claim 1, wherein the developer accommodating container is provided in a process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus, andwherein the process cartridge is provided with a photosensitive member.
- 15. A method according to claim 1, wherein the developer accommodating container is provided in a developing cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus, andwherein the developing cartridge is provided with a developer carrying member for carrying a developer to a development position.
- 16. A method according to claim 1, wherein a suction operation performed by the suction tool is stopped at a point of time during said bonding step.
Priority Claims (1)
Number |
Date |
Country |
Kind |
2000-033508 |
Feb 2000 |
JP |
|
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A |
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A |
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A |
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