JPH0453661Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to a grounding structure for a photoreceptor used in an electrophotographic recording device.

(Prior Art) Conventionally, when a sheet-shaped photoreceptor is used in an electrophotographic recording device, a roller electrode or a wire brush has been used as an electrode for grounding the base electrode of the photoreceptor. There is. Since the base electrode is formed of an aluminum vapor-deposited film, a Nesa film, or the like, it has the disadvantage that it is easily destroyed by contact with a roller electrode, a wire brush, or the like. In order to avoid this, there is a method in which a conductive paint layer is formed on the base electrode at the end of the photoreceptor, and a roller electrode or a wire brush is connected to the base electrode via the conductive paint layer.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) It is well known that toner particles on a photoreceptor may fall off from a predetermined position and reach, for example, an edge. For this reason, according to the above-mentioned conventional technology, the dropped toner particles reach the end of the photoreceptor and are caught between the conductive paint layer and the roller electrode, resulting in insufficient conduction between the two. be. Further, when a wire brush is used, there is a problem in that a load torque is applied due to increased frictional resistance, resulting in peeling of the conductive paint layer and the base electrode.

An object of the present invention is to provide a grounding structure for a photoreceptor that maintains good conductivity at all times without destroying the base electrode or increasing load torque.

(Means for Solving the Problems) A feature of the present invention is that at least one end of the photoreceptor is composed of an insulating support, a base electrode formed on the top surface of the insulating support, and a photoconductive layer formed on the top surface of the photoconductor. , a base electrode exposed portion is provided where the base electrode is exposed. A conductive ball is disposed on the exposed part of the base electrode and is supported by a conductive ball holder so as to be able to roll freely. An electrically conductive elastic member is interposed therebetween, which allows the electrically conductive ball to be pressed into contact with the exposed portion of the base electrode via the electrically conductive ball holder.

(Function) As the photoreceptor moves, the conductive ball rolls and conducts to the base electrode of the photoreceptor, so the load torque acting on the photoreceptor becomes extremely small, making it difficult for the base electrode to peel off. . When the toner particles on the photoreceptor fall off or scatter and reach the end of the photoreceptor, they are repelled by the rotation of the conductive sphere and separate from the conductive sphere, ensuring that the conductive state is maintained.

(Example) An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a photoreceptor, and 3 has a base electrode 12 formed on the upper surface of an insulating support 11 and a photoconductive layer 13 formed on the upper surface of this base electrode.
It has a layered structure. At least one end of the photoreceptor 1 has a photoconductive layer 1 on the upper surface of the base electrode 12.
3 is not formed, and serves as a base electrode exposed portion 12a. A conductive sphere 2 is provided in the base electrode exposed portion 12a.
is arranged. The solid conductive ball 2 is a conductive ball receiver 3
It is something that is freely accepted by people,
A conical ball receiving recess 31 is formed in the conductive ball holder 3, and the conductive ball 2 is positioned within this recess 31 and can freely roll. A grounded conductive fixing member 5 is provided near the conductive ball receiver 3, and a conductive elastic member 4, such as a coil, is provided between the conductive ball receiver 3 and the conductive fixing member 5. A spring or leaf spring is provided. Therefore, a spring force is applied downward to the conductive ball holder 3, and the conductive ball 2 is brought into pressure contact with the base electrode exposed portion 12a.

FIG. 2 shows an example in which a conductive protective film 14 is formed on the upper surface of the base electrode in order to protect the base electrode exposed portion 12a at the end of the photoreceptor 1. In FIG. For example, the conductive protective film 14 is formed of a highly flexible conductive paint layer such as carbon-based paint. In this example, the conductive ball holder 3A is 2
Two recesses 31A and 31B are formed, and two conductive balls 2A and 2B are located within these recesses and are electrically connected to the base electrode 12 via the terminal electrode 14.

In this way, since the conduction is caused by the conductive balls 2, 2A, and 2B, so-called point contact is made, and the conduction is always maintained reliably. There, the toner particles 6 conveyed on the surface of the photoreceptor 1 fall off or scatter and reach the end of the photoreceptor 1, and the conductive balls 2, 2A, 2
Even if it tries to get under B, it cannot get in because it is pushed left and right by the rolling conductive ball. Therefore, the base electrode exposed portion 12a,
Alternatively, the base electrode 1 can be connected via the conductive protective film 14.
2 and the conductive balls 2, 2A, 2B are as follows:
It will always be maintained.

Note that the photoreceptor 1 may be in the form of a sheet, or may be in the form of a drum with an insulating support made of a rigid body such as glass.

(Effects of the Invention) The present invention is constructed as described above, and the grounded conductive fixing member and the base electrode are electrically connected to each other by the conductive ball that is freely rolled and received. Since this is a so-called point contact, continuity can always be ensured. Furthermore, even if toner particles approach, they are removed by the rolling of the conductive sphere, or they adhere to the conductive sphere and rotate away from the point contact position, so that conductivity is not impaired. Furthermore, since the load torque acting on the exposed portion of the base electrode becomes extremely small, the base electrode is less likely to be destroyed.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The drawings show an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a main part of one embodiment, and FIG. 2 shows another embodiment in which a conductive protective film is formed on the exposed part of the base electrode. , is a sectional view of the main part taken at a position corresponding to the line in FIG. 1; 1...Photoreceptor, 11...Insulating support, 12...
...Base electrode, 12a...Base electrode exposed part, 1
3... Photoconductive layer, 2, 2A, 2B... Conductive sphere,
3,3A... Conductive ball holder, 4... Elastic member, 5...
...Conductive fixing member.

Claims (1)

[Claims for Utility Model Registration] At least one end of a photoreceptor consisting of an insulating support, a base electrode formed on the top surface of the insulating support, and a photoconductive layer formed on the top surface of the base electrode, a base electrode exposed portion through which the base electrode is exposed; a conductive ball that is rollably received by a conductive ball holder is disposed on the base electrode exposed portion; and a grounded conductive fixing member located near the conductive ball holder, an electrically conductive elastic member that presses the conductive ball against the exposed portion of the base electrode via the conductive ball holder. A grounding structure for a photoreceptor, characterized in that it is provided with.