JPH02197875A - Process cartridge freely attachable and detachable to image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a process cartridge that can be attached to and detached from an image forming apparatus such as a laser beam printer or a copying machine.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, image forming apparatuses that use electrophotography require replacement of photoreceptor drums, replenishment and replacement of developer, and other adjustments, cleaning, and replacement after long periods of use. However, such maintenance work is practically difficult for anyone other than service personnel with specialized knowledge. As a means to solve this problem, a process cartridge has been commercialized in which image forming process means such as an image carrier (photosensitive drum), a developing device, and a cleaning device are integrated as a unit. This has made it possible for users to easily perform maintenance and replacement by themselves, and it has become possible to easily obtain high quality images at low cost.

On the other hand, with the spread of process cartridges, there has been a desire to increase the amount of developer due to demands such as reduction in running costs. To this end, the volume of the developer container was increased, and a stirring member was provided inside the developer container to prevent the developer from stagnation, and the developer was sent into the developing section by the rotational conveyance force of the stirring member. Process cartridges are also being considered.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in the conventional example described above, when the amount of developer is increased, there are the following drawbacks.

(1) A large load is applied to the rotational force of the agitation member provided to prevent the developer from stagnation, and it is necessary to increase the torque of the drive motor.

(2) When the density of the developer in the developing section becomes high, circulation of the developer is prevented, and development with fresh developer is not performed, resulting in poor development or poor image quality.

(3) Detection of the remaining amount of developer becomes difficult as the amount of developer increases, making it difficult for the user to recognize the remaining amount of developer.

[Means and effects for solving the problems] The present invention provides a process cartridge that can be attached to and removed from an image forming apparatus, in which a developer storage section for accommodating developer to be supplied to a developing section is divided into a plurality of sections, and each developer is The developer accommodating sections are sequentially opened to supply the developer in each unsealed developer accommodating section to the developing section, and unused developer accommodating sections are displayed. As a result, the present invention can reduce the load on the developing roller, provide good development and image quality, and easily inform the user of the remaining amount of developer.

[Example] The present invention will be explained below based on illustrated embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a process cartridge 1, which is a specific example constructed according to the present invention. The process cartridge 1 of this embodiment includes an image carrier 2 and an image carrier 2.
A charger 5 that charges the developer tt, t2 . t:+, a developing section 3 that performs development, and a cleaning section 14 that collects the developer remaining on the surface of the image carrier 2. , these imaging process devices are integrated as a unit. Further, as an image forming method, a well-known electrophotographic process is used.

A laser beam emitted from a laser optical system (not shown) in response to an image forming signal is irradiated onto the image carrier 2 charged by the charger 5 to form an electrostatic latent image. On the other hand, developer 1. is supplied from the developer storage container 1O, fed into the developing section 3 by the stirring member 4, and applied to the surface of the image carrier 2 by the developing roller in the developing section 3, so that the latent image is visualized.

Further, the sheet material S is conveyed by a feeding device (not shown) at a predetermined timing with an image signal, and the developer t1 is transferred by the transfer means 8. Finally, the image is fixed on the sheet material S by a fixing section (not shown), and the sheet material S is discharged outside the machine. Further, the developer t remaining after transfer on the surface of the image carrier 2.

are collected by the cleaning section 14.

On the other hand, a sensor 15 for detecting the remaining amount of developer t1 is provided in the developing section, so that the user can recognize the remaining amount. In the present invention, the developer storage container is provided in 10.11.
12, and each container contains developer tI+.
t2+t3 is accommodated.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the process cartridge of the present invention. First, the user moves the sealing member 21 that constitutes the partition wall of the developer storage container 10 in the direction of the arrow in FIG.
When the developer t1 is pulled out parallel to the developer container 10, the developer t1 contained in the developer storage container 10 is sent into the developing section provided with the agitating member 4 at the bottom of the figure, and an image is formed according to the above-described process. The user detects developer 1. using the developer remaining amount detection sensor. Recognizes the remaining amount of developer 1. When the remaining amount of developer t2 becomes low, the developer t2 can be used by pulling out the seal member 22 forming the partition wall of the developer storage container 11 in the same manner as the seal member 21 described above. Further, the seal members 21, 22, and 23 are provided with numbers or colors so that the user can recognize the remaining number of developer storage containers (unused ones).

In other words, by storing the developer separately in each developer storage container and opening the containers one by one by the user, there is a structure in which the developer charge does not exceed a predetermined developer charge. It has become.

[Other Embodiments] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a process cartridge showing a second embodiment of the present invention. The same members as in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and repeated explanations will be omitted, and parts with different configurations will be explained.

In the first embodiment, the developer storage container was divided horizontally, but in this embodiment, it is divided vertically. The developer storage container is vertically divided into 34° and 35.36 squares, each containing 1.5mm developer. 1. ．． 13 are accommodated. The developer storage containers are separated by seal members 31, 32, and 33. When the seal member 31 is pulled out in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 3, the rear of the seal member 31 is the seal member 32.
The sealing member 32 is pulled out from the front of the sealing member 32 or to the outside of the process cartridge, and when the remaining amount of developer t□ becomes low, the sealing member 32 is pulled out from the same place where the sealing member 31 was pulled out. Developer t2 can be used. The same applies to the seal member 33.

[Effects of the Invention] The present invention has the following effects by providing a plurality of developer storage containers that can be opened in sequence in the above-described structure.

As the amount of developer increases, the cost of the drive motor required to rotate the stirring member and the transmission means can be simplified.

Since the remaining amount of developer can be detected with respect to the minimum necessary amount of developer, more accurate remaining amount can be detected.

By stirring the necessary minimum amount of developer, fresh developer can always be supplied to the developing section, thereby providing better development and image quality.

By displaying unused developer storage containers, the user can grasp the usage status of the developer.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a process cartridge embodying the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the process cartridge of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a process cartridge showing another embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, l is a process cartridge, 2 is an image carrier, 4 is a stirring member, 10, 11, 12, 34° 35.3
6 is a developer storage container, 21, 22, 23, 31. :1
2, 3:1 indicates an unsealable seal member of each developer storage container.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] A process cartridge that includes an image carrier and a developing section that develops a latent image formed on the image carrier, and is removably attached to an image forming apparatus, and supplies the process cartridge to the developing section. A plurality of developer accommodating portions for accommodating developer, means for sequentially unsealing the plurality of developer accommodating portions to enable supply of developer to the developing portion, and means for displaying unused developer accommodating portions. A process cartridge characterized by having.