JPH1010824A - Photoreceptor drum holder - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) Abstract: A cylindrical or columnar support column in which the outer diameter is formed to be smaller than the inner diameter of a cylindrical photosensitive drum (2), and into which the photosensitive drum (2) is inserted to support it. A plurality of support members 31 each having a plurality of support members 32, 33 are provided.
One of the support members 31, 32, 33 is detachably mounted on a lower tray 4 on which a disk-shaped convex portion 5 having a step-like structure substantially the same as the inner diameter of each of the support members 31, 32, 33 is protruded. The photoconductor drum holder 1 provided. According to the present invention, not only can the storage space when not in use be saved, but also the photosensitive drum of various sizes can be accommodated by one lower tray, so that it is economical. The cost can be reduced.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a photosensitive drum holder suitably used for storing and transporting a photosensitive drum.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a photosensitive drum holder, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, a set of four photosensitive drums, each of which is a hard plastic having a rounded upper side. The photosensitive drums are assembled by using flat plates 3,3,3,3 of which the respective flat plate surfaces have an angle of 90 degrees with each other and inserted into the cylindrical photosensitive drum. Each flat plate has a shape that can be supported from the inside without touching its outer surface.
The support member 30 is formed by bonding the butted portions of 3, 3, and 3 with an acrylic adhesive or the like.
Are fixedly installed upright on the lower tray 4. The holder 13 supports the photosensitive drum in an upright state on the lower tray 4 by inserting and supporting the photosensitive drum in each support member 30, and then, if necessary, attaches the cover member 6 to the photosensitive drum. It is stored and transported from above. Here, the height of each support member 30 is formed slightly lower than the height of the photosensitive drum, and the photosensitive drum supported by the support member 30 has its upper end protruding from the support member 30. ing. A plurality of projections (omitted in FIG. 3) inserted into the upper end opening of the photoconductor drum are provided on the lower surface of the lid member 6 so that the photoconductor drum can be appropriately pressed from above. It is.

However, such a photosensitive drum holder requires a large storage space when not in use because the support member is fixed to the lower tray, and also requires a photosensitive drum having a different size. In order to use it, lower trays with supporting members of various sizes must be prepared, which is uneconomical. Furthermore, when using a lid member, it is necessary to manufacture a lower tray having a plurality of projections projecting from the lower surface, separately from the lower tray. For this purpose, for example, a mold dedicated to the lid member is prepared. Needed.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and can save storage space when not in use, can accommodate various sizes of photosensitive drums, and can rationalize manufacturing. It is an object of the present invention to provide a photosensitive drum holder capable of reducing the manufacturing cost.

[0005]

According to the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, the outer diameter of the cylindrical photosensitive drum is formed smaller than the inner diameter thereof, and the photosensitive drum is inserted and supported. Provided is a photoconductor drum holder, wherein a support member having a cylindrical or columnar support column is detachably mounted on a lower tray.

That is, according to the present invention, the support member of the holder for the photosensitive drum and the lower tray are detachable, so that the support member is erected on the lower tray when the holder is used. The drum can be held, while the support member is removed from the lower tray when not in use, so that the support member can be stored collectively and the lower tray can be stored by overlapping with another lower tray. Storage space can be saved. In addition, since the support members can be replaced, support members of various sizes with different outer diameters and heights of the support columns are prepared, and are erected on the lower tray according to the size of the photosensitive drum. If the support member to be selected can be selected, it is reasonable that one lower tray can correspond to photosensitive drums of various sizes.

Here, a disk-shaped convex portion is protruded from the lower tray, and a hollow portion for inserting a convex portion formed at the lower end of the support member is detachably fitted to the convex portion. When the supporting member is provided on the lower tray, the supporting member can be easily attached to and detached from the lower tray, and the stability when the supporting member is provided on the lower tray is improved. It is. In this case, the disc-shaped convex portion has a step-like structure in which a plurality of disc bodies are concentric with each other and the upper disc body is stacked so as to have a smaller diameter than the lower disc body. It is more preferable to provide a plurality of support members whose lower end hollow portions are detachably fitted to the plate body, since it is easy to correspond to photosensitive drums of various sizes.

In addition, a male screw portion is formed on the outer periphery of the lower end of the support member, and a concave portion is formed on the inner peripheral wall of the lower tray, the female screw portion being screwed with the male screw portion. By screwing the male screw portion of the support member to the screw portion, even if the support member is detachably mounted on the lower tray, the support member and the lower tray can be easily attached and detached. is there. In this case, by providing a plurality of types of support members having the same configuration of the male screw portion and having different outer diameters of the support columns, it is possible to cope with photosensitive drums of various sizes.

Further, if a lower tray having the same shape as that of the lower tray is prepared separately and used as a lid member, it is not necessary to separately prepare a mold for the lid member at the time of manufacturing the holder. It is possible to rationalize the production of tools.

As described above, the photoconductor drum holder of the present invention can save storage space when not in use, can accommodate photoconductor drums of various sizes, and can be manufactured at the time of manufacture. It is also possible to streamline. The photoconductor drum holder of the present invention supports the photoconductor drum with the support member from the inside of the drum so that the support member does not touch the surface of the photoconductor drum. Since the photosensitive drum product can be held without being damaged, it is of course particularly preferably used for storage and transportation of the photosensitive drum product.
The photoreceptor drum tube before the photoreceptor layer is formed can also be suitably used because it can be stored and transported without impairing the surface smoothness.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 illustrates a configuration example of a photosensitive drum holder 1 of the present invention.
The photoconductor drum holder 1 includes a cylindrical support member 31 having an outer diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the photoconductor drum 2, a lower tray 4, and a lid member not shown in FIG. And three discs 51, 5 are placed on the lower tray 4.
2 and 53 are concentric with each other, and a disc-shaped convex portion 5 having a step-like structure in which three discs are stacked so that the upper disc body has a smaller diameter than the lower disc body is protruded at a plurality of locations. ing. In the case of the holder 1, the support members 31 of the same shape are prepared as a set of the number corresponding to the number of the disk-shaped convex portions 5, and the support member 31 is provided on a photosensitive drum larger than the photosensitive drum 2. In order to cope with this, a pair of a support member 32 having an outer diameter slightly larger than the support member 31 and a support member 33 slightly larger than the support member 32 are provided.

The support member 31 has a cylindrical shape as described above, and the inner diameter thereof substantially matches the diameter of the uppermost disk body 51 of the disk-shaped convex portion 5 having a step-like structure. .
Each of the support members 32 and 33 also has a cylindrical shape, and each inner diameter has an intermediate disk body 52 of the disk-shaped convex portion 5 having a stepped structure, and a lowermost circle. The diameter substantially matches the diameter of the plate 53.

Here, the material of each of the support members 31, 32, 33 is not particularly limited, as long as the support members 31, 32, 33 have a hardness sufficient to support them when inserted into the photosensitive drum. For example, a metal, a plastic material or the like can be used, and among these, a plastic material is preferable, and specific examples of the plastic material include polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, and polypropylene. it can. When such a plastic material is used, when it is molded into a cylindrical shape as described above, for example, after the plastic material is formed into a sheet shape, the sheet is rolled into a cylindrical shape, and the overlapping portions at both ends are heat-sealed. Or by joining the butted portions at both ends, it can be molded into a cylindrical shape, the size (diameter and height) of the support member can be easily adjusted, and there is no unevenness in thickness. In addition, since a mold and the like are not required, the molding cost can be reduced, which is preferable. On the other hand, when using the inverted U-shaped test tube type support member 34 as in the other configuration example of the present invention shown in FIG. 2, if the above-described plastic material is used, the injection molding method or the blow molding method can be used. The plastic material is also suitable as the material of the inverted U-shaped test tube type support member 34 because it can be easily formed into the above-described shape by the above-described method.

The size of each of the support members 31, 32, and 33 is not particularly limited, but since the inner diameter of the photosensitive drum is usually about 50 to 200 mm, the outer diameter may be set to a size corresponding thereto. Preferably, for example, 100 m inside diameter
m, the outer diameter of the support member is 9
It is preferable that the distance is slightly larger than 8 mm. In addition,
If the height of each support member 31, 32, 33 is the same as the height of the photosensitive drum, the photosensitive drum can be supported with good stability. The thickness of each of the support members 31, 32, and 33 is not particularly limited, but is preferably about 2 mm.

Next, the lower tray 4 is provided with a plurality of disk-shaped protrusions 5 having a step-like structure on the upper surface thereof as described above, and the number of such disk-shaped protrusions 5 is set. Although there is no particular limitation, there are usually three in a row, about two rows, that is, about six disc-shaped protrusions 5 on one lower tray 4.
It is preferable to install Here, the size of the disk-shaped protrusion 5 is such that the diameter of the disk bodies 51, 52, 53 of each step is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of each of the support members 31, 32, 33, and each of the support members 31, 32, 33. And the height of each step is such that the supporting members 31, 32, 33 can be stably erected on the lower tray 4 by such fitting. For example, in order to support a support member having an outer diameter slightly larger than 98 mm as described above, a member having a step having an outer diameter of about 98 mm is suitable. In addition, the height of the disk bodies 51, 52, 53 of each step is usually preferably about 50 mm.

The materials of the lower tray 4 and the disk-shaped convex portion 5 are not particularly limited, and the support members 31, 32, 3
The same material as that of the above-mentioned 3 can be used. In particular, if a plastic material such as polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, or polypropylene is used, the disc-shaped convex portions 5 are integrally formed on the lower tray 4 by, for example, a vacuum molding method. It is suitable because it can be molded into If the lower tray 4 and the disk-shaped convex portion 5 are molded by this method, the molding is easy, the manufacturing cost can be reduced, and a plurality of lower trays 4 can be overlapped when not in use. The lower tray 4 and the convex portion 5 can be molded in a hollow shape so as to be suitable, so that it is preferable.

In the photosensitive drum holder 1, one of the support members 31, 32, and 33 is erected on the lower tray 4 by the disc-shaped convex portion 5 having the stepped structure of the lower tray 4. The photosensitive drum 2 is supported by inserting the photosensitive drum 2 therein. As described above, the photosensitive drum 2 may be either a product having the photosensitive layer formed on the drum surface or a tube before the photosensitive layer is formed. Then, if necessary, a cover member (not shown) is further covered from above to hold and transport the photosensitive drum 2.
Here, when the cover member is placed on the photosensitive drum 2 supported upright on the lower tray 4, for example, the upper end of the photosensitive drum 2 should be covered so as not to be shifted sideways during transportation. The shape of the support member 31 is not particularly limited as long as the support member 31 is provided at a position corresponding to the disk-shaped convex portion 5 of the lower tray 4 on the lower surface thereof, for example, as in the above-described conventional lid member. May be provided with a convex portion whose outer diameter is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the lower tray 4. In this case, a disk-shaped convex portion having the same shape as the lower tray 4, that is, a step-like structure is used. A plurality of projections are prepared separately from the lower tray, and the trays are placed on the photosensitive drum 2 such that the disk-shaped projections are on the lower surface side, and the support members 31, 32, and
33 (in the case of the configuration example shown in FIG. 1, support members 31, 32, and 32).
33 is used as a cover member that covers the upper end opening of the photosensitive drum 2 by inserting the respective disc-shaped protrusions into any one of the upper end openings of the photosensitive drum 2. Not only can a mold be used, but also a disc body to be inserted into the upper end opening of the photosensitive drum is appropriately selected according to the size of the photosensitive drum,
This is preferable because the photoconductor drum hardly shifts laterally during transportation, and the photoconductor drum supported on the lower tray can be more reliably supported from above.

According to the photosensitive drum holder 1, the supporting members 31, 32, and 33 to be attached to the lower tray 4 are selected according to the size of the photosensitive drum 2, and these are formed into a disk-like shape of the lower tray 4. By fitting the projections 5 on the lower tray 4 to stand up on the lower tray 4, the photosensitive drums 2 of various sizes can be supported by one lower tray. When 1 is not used, the support members 31, 32, 33 can be removed from the lower tray 4, and the lower tray 4 and the support members 31, 32, 33 can be stored separately. Can be saved to save storage space. In particular, in the case of the photoconductor drum holder 1, since the support members 31, 32, and 33 are hollow, the support members 33 are supported in the support member 33. Element 2, supported in the support member 32 member 31
, Each can save more storage space. Further, when storing a plurality of sets of holders 1,
By adjusting the positions of the disc-shaped protrusions 5 of each lower tray 4, a plurality of lower trays 4 can be stored in an overlapping manner, so that a storage space can be further reduced. In addition, the lid member to be used is connected to the lower tray 4 as described above.
If it has the same shape as described above, it is not necessary to separately prepare a mold for the lid member, and the rationalization at the time of manufacturing can be achieved.

As shown in FIG. 2, the support member 34 is of an inverted U-shaped test tube type provided with a support column 34a having an outer diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the photosensitive drum 2. The lower tray 4 has an external thread portion 34b formed on the outer peripheral portion, and the lower tray 4 has an external thread portion 34b on the inner peripheral wall.
A concave portion 4a formed with a female screw portion to be screwed into the lower tray 4 is formed by screwing a male screw portion 34b of the support member 34 into a female screw portion of the concave portion 4a of the lower tray 4. Also, the photosensitive drum holder 12 erected on the
The same effect as in the above example can be obtained.

In the case of the photoreceptor drum holder 12, the size of the photoreceptor of various sizes is prepared by preparing various support members having the same external thread portion but different outer diameters of the support columns. One lower tray 4 can support the drum. Here, in the case of the photosensitive drum holder 12, the height of the support member 34 is slightly lower than that of the photosensitive drum 2, but as shown in FIG. When the lid member 6 is placed on the photosensitive drum 2 supported in a state where the lid member 6 stands upright on the lower tray 4, a convex portion 6 a projecting from the lower surface of the lid member 6 (of the lower tray 4). The concave portion 4a) is inserted into the opening at the upper end of the photosensitive drum 2, so that the photosensitive drum 2 can be held with good stability, and there is no possibility that the cover member 6 is laterally shifted on the photosensitive drum 2. The upper end opening of the photosensitive drum 2 can be covered so as to support the photosensitive drum 2 from above. Further, in the case of the lid member 6, the same shape as the lower tray 4 is used as in the case of the photosensitive drum holder 1, so that it is not necessary to separately prepare a die for the lid member or the like. However, in particular, in the case of the lid member 6, as described above, the convex portion 6 a corresponds to a concave portion having a female screw portion on its inner surface when viewed from above, and as described above with this lid member 6. After the upper end opening of the photosensitive drum is covered, a separately prepared support member is inserted into a concave portion having a female screw portion on the upper surface of the lid member 6 and used to obtain a two-tiered holder. Therefore, the holder can be used more rationally, and the storage space for the photosensitive drum can be omitted.

The holder for a photosensitive drum according to the present invention comprises:
The present invention is not limited to the above configuration, and various changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, not only means for attaching the support member to the lower tray by screwing with a male screw portion and a female screw portion as shown in FIG.
A locking portion is provided on the inner wall of the concave portion of the lower tray, and a support member which is locked to the locking portion when the supporting member inserted into the concave portion of the lower tray is twisted, for example, on the outer periphery of the lower end of the supporting member. It is also preferable to provide a locking portion, insert the support member into the recess of the lower tray as described above, and then twist the support member to detachably attach the support member to the lower tray.

[0022]

According to the photoreceptor drum holder of the present invention, not only can the storage space when not in use be saved, but also a single lower tray can accommodate photoreceptor drums of various sizes. It is economical to get. In addition, if the lid member used has the same shape as the lower tray, the manufacturing cost can be reduced. The photoconductor drum holder can hold and transport the photoconductor layer of the photoconductor drum product without damaging the photoconductor layer, and also holds the photoconductor drum tube without deteriorating its surface smoothness. It can be transported, so it is useful as a photosensitive drum holder for storing and transporting photosensitive drum products of various sizes and photosensitive drum base tubes.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of a holder for explaining a configuration example of a photosensitive drum holder of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of a holder for explaining another configuration example of the holder for a photosensitive drum of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a holder for explaining an example of a conventional holder for a photosensitive drum.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 12, 13 Photoconductor Drum Holder 2 Photoconductor Drum 30, 31, 32, 33, 34 Supporting Member 34a Supporting Column 34b Male Thread 4 Lower Tray 4a Depression 5 Discoid Protrusion 51, 52, 53 yen Plate 6 Lid member

Claims (5)

[Claims] An outer diameter is formed smaller than an inner diameter of a cylindrical photoreceptor drum, and a support member provided with a cylindrical or columnar support column for inserting and supporting the photoreceptor drum is lowered. A holder for a photosensitive drum, which is detachably mounted on a tray. 2. A disk-shaped projection is projected from the lower tray, and a projection insertion hollow formed at a lower end of the support member is detachably fitted to the projection. 2. A holder for a photosensitive drum according to claim 1, wherein said support member is erected on a lower tray. 3. A step-like structure in which the disc-shaped projections are formed by stacking a plurality of discs concentrically with each other and so that an upper disc has a smaller diameter than a lower disc. 3. The holder for a photosensitive drum according to claim 2, further comprising a plurality of support members each of which has a lower end hollow portion detachably fitted to each of said disc bodies. 4. A male screw portion is formed on an outer peripheral portion of a lower end of the support member, and a concave portion is formed on the inner peripheral wall of the lower tray, the female screw portion being screwed with the male screw portion. 2. The holder for a photosensitive drum according to claim 1, wherein the support member is detachably mounted on the lower tray by screwing a male screw part of the support member into the female screw part of the recess. 5. The holder for a photosensitive drum according to claim 1, further comprising a lid member having the same shape as the lower tray.