JPH0627082A - Inspecting apparatus of electrophotographic photoconductor drum - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain an inspecting apparatus of an electrophotographic photoconductor drum which can measure an electrical characteristic in the length direction correctly without moving the drum in the axial direction. CONSTITUTION:In an inspecting apparatus of an electrophotographic photoconductor drum designed for measuring the electrical characteristic in the length direction of the drum 1, a fitting member 6 to which a charger 2, an exposure unit 3 and a probe 4 for measuring potential, at least, are fitted is provided around the outer peripheral part of the drum 1 rotatably, and the fitting member 6 is movable in the axial direction of the drum 1. In the case when the exposure unit 3 has a filter, a lens and others fitted and is bulky, it is allowed to fit the charger 2 and the probe 4 for measuring potential, at least, to the fitting member 6 and also to provide the exposure unit 3 having an exposure light source, in the lower part of the fitting member.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for inspecting the electrical characteristics of an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and more particularly to an apparatus for inspecting a drum having a relatively long size.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, electrical characteristics of a drum such as chargeability, sensitivity, cycle characteristics and environmental characteristics have been inspected before shipping the drum. These characteristics are usually measured in the central portion of the drum, and the measured values are represented as the characteristics of the entire drum. However, if the output size of a copying machine or printer using a drum is about A3 size, the length of the drum is around 340 mm, and it is sufficient to measure only the central portion. However, when the output size is A2 or larger, the length of the drum exceeds 450 mm, and if you measure the characteristics of the entire drum by measuring only the central part,
There may be deviation from the actual characteristics. Basically, it is preferable that there is no deviation in characteristics, and when inspecting the drum, the electrical characteristics of the drum should be measured at several points in the rotational axis direction of the drum.

When measuring the electrical characteristics in the direction of the rotation axis, it is necessary to equip the charger and the exposure light source for the length of the drum, but regarding the exposure, as shown in FIG.
Since the amount of light is large at the center of the drum and the amount of light is small at the ends, it is difficult to efficiently measure the electrical characteristics of the entire drum. In order to solve this problem, a method of fixing the light source and the potential measuring probe and moving the drum in the lengthwise direction is described in JP-A-4-40463. This method is effective for finely measuring the electrical characteristics of the drum in the length direction, but when the drum becomes large,
It is inconvenient and costly because the device for moving the drum lengthwise becomes very large.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems in the prior art, and the electrical characteristics in the length direction can be obtained without moving the drum in the length direction. It is an object of the present invention to provide an electrophotographic photosensitive drum inspection device capable of accurately measuring the temperature.

[0005]

That is, the electrophotographic photosensitive drum inspection apparatus of the present invention for measuring the electrical characteristics in the lengthwise direction of the drum has at least the outer peripheral portion of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum mounted rotatably. A mounting member, to which the charger, the exposure light source, and the potential measuring probe are mounted, is provided, and the mounting member is movable in the length direction of the drum.

[0006]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. Reference numeral 1 denotes a drum, and at least an electric charger 2, an exposure unit 3 having an exposure light source, and a potential measuring probe 4 are attached to an outer peripheral portion of the drum via a support rod 5 on an annular attachment member 6. In addition to this, another charger, a static elimination exposure unit, or a plurality of probes for measuring the electric potential at different positions may be attached. Even if the diameters of the drums 1 are different, the support rods 5 are attached to the attachment members 6 so as to be able to move back and forth so that the respective members are located on the outer peripheral portion of the drum 1. The mounting member 6 is slidably mounted in the length direction of the drum 1 by a slide rail 8 laid on the bottom of the housing 7. Bearing members 9 and 10 for supporting both ends of the drum 1 are provided concentrically with the drum 1 in the housing 7, and one bearing member 9 is rotatable in conjunction with a motor 11 and the other bearing member. Reference numeral 10 is movably attached to a slide base 12 fixed to the bottom of the housing 7 by operating a handle 13. A control unit (not shown) is built in the drum inspection device to control the rotation and charging of the drum 1.
Further, since the entire inspection device is housed in the housing 7, the inspection of the drum 1 is performed in a light-shielded state.

When the exposure unit 3 shown in FIG. 2 is bulky by mounting a filter, a lens, etc., the exposure unit 3 having an exposure light source and the like is installed below the mounting member 6 as shown in FIG. Is preferable, and the movement can be performed stably. Further, as a method of focusing light from the exposure unit 3 onto the drum 1, exposure by a lens, exposure by an optical fiber and the like can be mentioned.

When inspecting the electrical characteristics of the drum 1 by the electrophotographic photosensitive drum inspection apparatus of the present invention, one end of the drum 1 is supported by the support member 9, and then the other support member 10 is moved onto the slide base 12. Then, the other end of the drum 1 is supported by the support member 10. Next, while driving the motor 11 to rotate the drum 1, the charger 2 and the exposure unit 3
Also, the attachment member 6 to which the potential measurement probe 4 is attached is slid on the slide rail 8 to measure the electrical characteristics of the drum 1 at several points in the longitudinal direction. The data measured by the potential measuring probe 4 and the like are compared with reference data contained in the control unit, and it is automatically determined whether or not the electrophotographic photosensitive drum has a predetermined electric characteristic.

As described above, according to the drum inspection apparatus of the present invention, the mounting member 6 having the inspection members 2, 3, 4 and the like attached thereto is slid on the outer peripheral portion of the drum 1. The electrical properties can always be measured under constant conditions. The drum 1 is only driven to rotate, and the attachment / detachment of the drum 1 can be achieved by moving one of the supporting members 10 in the front-rear direction on the slide base 12. Therefore, the inspection device can be made compact and the inspection of the drum 1 can be facilitated. It can be carried out.

[0010]

Since the electrophotographic photosensitive drum inspection apparatus of the present invention can measure the electrical characteristics in the length direction of the drum by sliding the mounting member, even when inspecting a long drum, The measurement in the length direction can be easily performed. Since the inspection members such as the charging device, the exposure device, and the measurement probe are fixed to the mounting member, the electrical characteristics in the length direction of the drum can be accurately measured. Further, the entire inspection apparatus can be made smaller than an apparatus that moves the drum itself in the length direction, and the inspection of the drum can be performed efficiently.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a drum inspection device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of an essential part of a drum inspection device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of essential parts of another drum inspection device of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship between an exposure light source and a light amount on a drum surface in a conventional drum inspection device.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Drum, 2 ... Charger, 3 ... Exposure unit, 4 ... Potential measuring probe, 5 ... Support rod, 6
... Mounting member, 7 ... Housing, 8 ... Slide rail, 9, 10 ... Bearing member, 11 ... Motor, 12 ... Slide base, 13 ... Handle.

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A mounting member, to which at least a charger, an exposure light source and a potential measuring probe are mounted, is provided on an outer peripheral portion of an electrophotographic photosensitive drum which is rotatably mounted, and the mounting member is provided in a longitudinal direction of the drum. An electrophotographic photosensitive drum inspection device for measuring electrical characteristics in a longitudinal direction of a drum, which is movable. 2. The electrophotographic photosensitive drum inspection device according to claim 1, wherein at least the charger and the potential measuring probe are mounted on the mounting member, and an exposure unit having an exposure light source is provided below the mounting member.