Manufacturing method of developing unit, developing unit, and image forming device

A manufacturing method of a developing unit including an OPC (organic photoconductor), a cleaning member disposed at a cleaning position in a predetermined radial direction of the OPC to clean the OPC, and a frame on which the OPC and the cleaning member are mounted. The method includes mounting the OPC on the frame to rotate in a predetermined operating direction, and mounting the cleaning member on the frame so that the cleaning member is moved toward and disposed at the cleaning position in a direction that is substantially the same as the operating direction of the OPC in a vicinity of the cleaning position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application 2005-33106 filed on Apr. 21, 2005, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

An aspect of the present invention relates to a manufacturing method of a developing unit, a developing unit, and an image forming device, and more particularly, to a manufacturing method of a developing unit, a developing unit, and an image forming device improving a disposing process of a cleaning member.

2. Description of the Related Art

Conventionally, an image forming device includes a feeder, a developing unit, a fixing unit, and a discharge unit. The feeder supplies printing paper into the developing unit, and then the developing unit selectively applies developer to the printing paper to form an image. The fixing unit fixes the applied developer on the printing paper. The discharge unit receives the printing paper with the fixed developer from the fixing unit and discharges it to the outside.

FIG. 1is a schematic view illustrating a conventional developing unit100. As shown inFIG. 1, the developing unit100includes an organic photoconductor (OPC)110, a developing roller111, a cleaning member120, and a charging roller117. The OPC110receives light from a light emitting unit (not shown) and forms a latent image. The developing roller111applies developer to the OPC110and develops the latent image on the OPC110. The developer applied to the OPC110is transferred to printing paper (not shown) by a transfer roller (not shown).

The cleaning member120is disposed at a cleaning position which is located between the transfer roller (not shown) of the OPC110and the charging roller117in a predetermined radial direction of the OPC110, and cleans any residual developer remaining on the OPC110after the developer on the OPC110is transferred to the printing paper. The cleaned residual developer is collected by a waste developer collecting part144. The charging roller117applies an electric charge to the OPC110so that the OPC110has a uniform electric potential. A supplying roller113supplies the developer from a developer storage part114to the developing roller111. An agitator115mixes the developer and facilitates supply of the developer to the supplying roller113. A doctor blade116controls an amount of the developer applied by the developing roller111to the OPC110.

The developing unit100includes a main frame130and a cleaning frame140. The main frame130rotatably supports the OPC110, the developing roller111, the supplying roller113, and the agitator115, and fixedly supports the doctor blade116. The cleaning frame140supports the cleaning member120to enable the cleaning member120to clean the OPC110, and rotatably supports the charging roller117.

FIG. 2is a schematic view illustrating a manufacturing method of the developing unit100ofFIG. 1. As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, in a conventional manufacturing method of the conventional developing unit100, the OPC110is rotatably supported by the main frame130to rotate in a predetermined operating direction (R) and the cleaning frame140supports the cleaning member120with a lubricant (A) being applied to a portion of the cleaning member120facing the OPC110. The cleaning frame140is coupled to the main frame130so that the cleaning member140is disposed at the cleaning position in the predetermined radial direction of the OPC110. The lubricant (A) reduces friction between the cleaning member120and the OPC110the first time the developing unit100is operated.

However, in the manufacturing method of the conventional developing unit100, the cleaning member120is moved toward and disposed at the cleaning position in a direction (a) that is substantially opposite to the operating direction (R) of the OPC110when the cleaning frame140is coupled to the main frame130. At this moment, in the process of disposing the cleaning member120at the cleaning position, the lubricant (A) applied to the cleaning member120adheres to the OPC110between the cleaning position and the charging roller117, and then the lubricant (A) may contaminate the OPC110.

Further, when the developing unit100performs a developing process for forming an image, the lubricant (A) adhered to the OPC110moves together with the OPC110as the OPC110rotates in the operating direction (R). Therefore, an image contaminated by the lubricant (A) may be formed on the printing paper.

More particularly, the lubricant (A) adhered to the OPC110may contaminate the charging roller117. Therefore, a contaminated image containing a blemish, such as a white or black horizontal band or a black spot, may be formed on the printing paper. To prevent formation of a contaminated image caused by the contaminated charging roller117, when the developing unit100is operated for the first time, a user should warm it up for hours or clean the charging roller117. Further, to minimize the contamination of the charging roller117, the amount of the lubricant (A) applied to the cleaning member120should be precisely controlled.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An aspect of the present invention relates to a manufacturing method of a developing unit, a developing unit, and an image forming device which can dispose a cleaning member to prevent formation of a contaminated image on a printing paper.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a manufacturing method of a developing unit is provided for a developing unit including an OPC (organic photoconductor), a cleaning member disposed at a cleaning position in a predetermined radial direction of the OPC to clean the OPC, and a frame on which the OPC and the cleaning member are mounted. The method includes mounting the OPC on the frame to rotate in a predetermined operating direction, and mounting the cleaning member on the frame so that the cleaning member is moved toward and disposed at the cleaning position in a direction that is substantially the same as the operating direction of the OPC.

The manufacturing method of the developing unit may further include applying a lubricant on a portion of the cleaning member facing the OPC after the mounting of the OPC on the frame and before the mounting of the cleaning member on the frame.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a developing unit includes an OPC (organic photoconductor) rotatable in a predetermined operating direction, a cleaning member disposed at a cleaning position in a predetermined radial direction of the OPC to clean the OPC, and a guiding part guiding the cleaning member so that the cleaning member is moved toward and disposed at the cleaning position in a direction that is substantially the same as the operating direction of the OPC.

The developing unit may further include a main frame on which the OPC is mounted, a cleaning frame, coupling with the main frame, on which the cleaning member is mounted. The guiding part may include a guide pin provided in one of the main frame and the cleaning frame, and a guide groove provided in another one of the main frame and the cleaning frame to receive the guide pin so that the cleaning member is moved toward and disposed at the cleaning position in a direction that is substantially the same as the operating direction of the OPC when the cleaning frame couples with the main frame.

The cleaning frame may rotatably couple with the main frame.

According to another aspect of the invention, a manufacturing method of a developing unit is provided for a developing unit including an OPC (organic photoconductor) and a cleaning member cleaning the OPC at a cleaning position. The manufacturing method includes mounting the OPC to move in a predetermined operating direction, moving the cleaning member toward the cleaning position in a direction that is substantially the same as the operating direction of the OPC in a vicinity of the cleaning position until the cleaning member reaches the cleaning position, and mounting the cleaning member at the cleaning position after the cleaning member has reached the cleaning position.

According to another aspect of the invention, a developing unit includes an OPC (organic photoconductor) movable in a predetermined operating direction, a cleaning member cleaning the OPC at a cleaning position, and a structure guiding the cleaning member toward the cleaning position in a direction that is substantially the same as the operating direction of the OPC in a vicinity of the cleaning position until the cleaning member reaches the cleaning position.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an image forming device includes any of the developing units described above.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 3is a schematic view illustrating a developing unit1according to an embodiment of the present invention, andFIG. 4is a schematic view illustrating a manufacturing method of the developing unit1ofFIG. 3. As shown inFIGS. 3 and 4, the developing unit1includes an OPC10, a cleaning member20, and a guiding part50.

The OPC10is made of a material that is an insulator in the dark and becomes a conductor when exposed to light, and is rotatably supported by a main frame30to rotate in a predetermined operating direction (R) for forming an image. As a developing process for forming the image progresses, the OPC10rotates in the operating direction (R) past a charging roller17, a light emitting unit (not shown), a developing roller11, a transfer roller12, and the cleaning member20in turn. The OPC10, the charging roller17, the developing roller11, the transfer roller12, a supplying roller13, and an agitator15are rotated by a driving part (not shown) at a predetermined speed.

The charging roller17applies an electric charge to the OPC10so that the OPC10has a uniform electric potential, and the light emitting unit (not shown) scans a light beam across the OPC10to form a desired image. A portion of the OPC10exposed to the light beam from the light emitting unit (not shown) forms an electrostatic latent image due to local changes in the uniform electric potential of the OPC10. The developing roller11applies developer, which is supplied from the supplying roller13, to the OPC10and develops the electrostatic latent image on the OPC10. The transfer roller12applies a positive high voltage to the developer applied to the OPC10, and makes the developer transfer to printing paper (P) which advances between the OPC10and the transfer roller12. A fixing unit (not shown) fixes the developer on the printing paper with heat and pressure, thereby forming an image on the printing paper (P).

The cleaning member20is disposed at a predetermined radial position of the OPC10between the transfer roller12and the charging roller17, that is, the cleaning member20is disposed at a predetermined cleaning position. As the developing unit1continues the developing process, the cleaning member20cleans any residual developer remaining on the OPC10after the developer on the OPC10is transferred by the transfer roller12to the printing paper (P). The cleaning member20may be a cleaning blade which contacts a surface of the OPC10and cleans the OPC10by preventing the developer applied to the surface of the OPC10from moving with the OPC10as the OPC10rotates.

A developer storage part14stores the developer, and the agitator15mixes the developer in the developer storage part14and helps deliver the developer to the supplying roller13. A waste developer collecting part44collects and stores the residual developer cleaned by the cleaning member20.

Before the cleaning member20is disposed at the cleaning position in the manufacturing method of the developing unit1, a lubricant may be applied to a portion of the cleaning member20facing the OPC10. The first time the developing unit1cycles through the developing process, the lubricant reduces friction between the cleaning member20and the OPC10. The lubricant decreases a torque applied to the cleaning member by the OPC10and prevents the cleaning member20from being flipped over by the friction of the rotating OPC10. The lubricant may be a developer such as a toner or the like, or powdered poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA) or a liquid phase of PMMA or the like.

The guiding part50guides the cleaning member20so that the cleaning member20moves toward the cleaning position in a direction that is substantially the same as the operating direction (R) of the OPC10in a vicinity of the cleaning position during the process of disposing the cleaning member20at the cleaning position in the predetermined radial direction of the OPC10. Therefore, even if the lubricant applied to the cleaning member20adheres to the OPC10during the process of disposing the cleaning member20at the cleaning position, the lubricant will adhere to a portion of the OPC10between the cleaning position of the OPC10and the transfer roller12. After the manufacturing of the developing unit1is finished and the OPC10is rotated in the operating direction (R) to perform the developing process, the lubricant adhered to the OPC10is moved directly to the cleaning position and is cleaned by the cleaning member20before it can adhere to the other units such the charging roller17and the like.

The developing unit1includes the main frame30and a cleaning frame40. The main frame30rotatably supports the OPC10to rotate in the operating direction (R). The cleaning frame40couples with the main frame30and supports the cleaning member20to enable the cleaning member20to be disposed at the cleaning position.

The main frame30rotatably supports the developing roller11, the charging roller17, the supplying roller13, and the agitator15so as to perform the developing process when the OPC10rotates in the operating direction (R). The main frame30may include the developer storage part14and a doctor blade16. The cleaning frame40may include the waste developer collecting part44. The charging roller17may be supported by the cleaning frame40instead of the main frame30.

The guiding part50includes a guide pin52and a guide groove54. The guide pin52is provided on the main frame30, and the guide groove54is provided in a first side of the cleaning frame40at a position corresponding to the guide pin52. The guide groove54receives the guide pin52so that the cleaning member20is moved toward and disposed at the cleaning position in a direction that is substantially the same as the operating direction (R) of the OPC10in a vicinity of the cleaning position when the cleaning frame40couples with the main frame30in the manufacturing of the developing unit1.

The cleaning frame40may rotatably couple with the main frame30. A second side of the cleaning frame40is provided with a rotating bar42, and the main frame30is provided with an accommodating groove32to receive the rotating bar42and allow it to rotate. In the manufacturing of the developing unit1, the rotating bar42of the cleaning frame40supporting the cleaning member20is inserted into the accommodating groove32of the main frame30supporting the OPC10. Then, the cleaning frame40rotates about an axis of the rotating bar42inserted in the accommodating groove32with respect to the main frame30so that the cleaning member20is disposed at the cleaning position in the predetermined radial direction of the OPC10. The cleaning frame40is rotated and the cleaning member20is moved toward the OPC10so that the guide pin52is received in the guide groove54, and then the rotating position of the cleaning frame40is adjusted. Therefore, the cleaning member20is moved toward and disposed at the cleaning position in a direction that is substantially the same as the operating direction (R) of the OPC10in a vicinity of the cleaning position.

The cleaning frame40may be fixed to the main frame30so that the position of the cleaning frame40is fixed after the cleaning member20is disposed at the cleaning position. A conventional fixing unit such as a screw or an adhesive or the like may be used. The cleaning frame40may be fixed to the main frame30by coupling of the guide pin52and the guide groove54without using a separate fixing unit.

The guide groove54and the guide pin52may be provided in various positions and as various shapes as long as the cleaning member20is moved toward and disposed at the cleaning position in a direction that is substantially the same as the operating direction (R) of the OPC10in a vicinity of the cleaning position when the coupling of the cleaning frame40and the main frame30is adjusted. The guide groove54may be formed in a predetermined slant line direction. Further, the guide pin52may be provided on the cleaning frame40and the guide groove54may be provided in the main frame30. The guide pin52and the guide groove54are not limited to the configuration shown inFIG. 4.

The main frame30and the cleaning frame40may be coupled by a conventional coupling method instead of the rotating method as long as the cleaning member20is disposed at the cleaning position in the predetermined radial direction of the OPC10. In this method, the cleaning frame40is not rotated but is directly coupled to the main frame30so that the cleaning member20is disposed at the cleaning position in the predetermined radial direction of the OPC10.

Further, the function of the guiding part50may be provided by the main frame30and the cleaning frame40themselves without additional elements such as the guide groove54and the guide pin52being provided. If the coupling structure and the coupling configuration of the main frame30and the cleaning frame40are designed to enable coupling in an appropriate direction, the main frame30and the cleaning frame40may be coupled so that the cleaning member20is moved toward and disposed at the cleaning position in a direction that is substantially the same as the operating direction (R) of the OPC10in a vicinity of the cleaning position without additional elements such as the guide groove54and the guide pin52being provided.

The main frame30and the cleaning frame40may be implemented as a single frame not to be separated into two parts as long as the cleaning member20is moved toward and disposed at the cleaning position in a direction that is substantially the same as the operating direction (R) of the OPC10in a vicinity of the cleaning position in the manufacturing of the developing unit1. The single frame may support both the OPC10and the cleaning member20. The single frame supports the cleaning member20so that the cleaning member20is moved toward and disposed at the cleaning position in a direction that is substantially the same as the operating direction (R) of the OPC10in a vicinity of the cleaning position when the cleaning member20is mounted on the single frame.

FIGS. 5A and 5Bare schematic views illustrating operation of the developing unit1ofFIG. 3.FIG. 5Aillustrates the process wherein the cleaning member is disposed at the cleaning position in the predetermined radial direction of the OPC10.FIG. 5Billustrates the process wherein the developing unit1performs the developing process for forming the image for the first time after manufacturing of the developing unit1is completed. As shown therein, in the manufacturing of the developing unit1, the cleaning member20is moved toward and disposed at the cleaning position in a direction (b) that is substantially the same as the operating direction (R) of the OPC10in a vicinity of the cleaning position. At this moment, the lubricant (A) applied to the cleaning member20adheres to a portion of the OPC10between the cleaning position and the transfer roller (not shown).

When the manufacturing is finished and the developing unit1performs the developing process for the first time, the OPC10rotates in the operating direction (R), thereby causing the lubricant (A) adhered to the OPC10to move in the operating direction (R) and directly reach the cleaning position without contacting the other units such as the charging roller17and the like, and then the lubricant (A) adhered to the OPC10is cleaned by the cleaning member20.

Therefore, in the process of disposing the cleaning member20at the cleaning position, the lubricant (A) adhered to the OPC10is intercepted by the cleaning member20and thus does not move past the cleaning position. Accordingly, this prevents a contaminated image from being formed on the printing paper by the lubricant (A), and prevents the charging roller17from being contaminated by the lubricant (A).

An image forming device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the foregoing developing unit1. The image forming device includes a feeder which feeds printing paper to the developing unit1, a fixing unit which receives the printing paper with developer applied thereto and fixes the developer on the printing paper to form an image on the printing paper, and a discharge unit which discharges the printing paper with the image formed thereon to the outside.

Hereinafter, a manufacturing method of the developing unit1according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference toFIGS. 5A and 5B. As shown inFIGS. 5A and 5B, the manufacturing method of the developing unit1includes providing an OPC10, a cleaning member20, and a frame (not shown). The cleaning member20is located at a cleaning position in a predetermined radial direction of the OPC10and cleans the OPC10. The OPC10and the cleaning member20may be supported by the frame (not shown).

The OPC10is rotatably mounted on the frame (not shown) to rotate in a predetermined operating direction (R). A lubricant (A) is applied to a portion of the cleaning member20facing the OPC10. The cleaning member20is mounted on the frame (not shown) so that the cleaning member20is moved toward and disposed at the cleaning position in a direction (b) that is substantially the same as the operating direction (R) of the OPC10in a vicinity of the cleaning position. The lubricant (A) may be applied to the cleaning member20before the OPC10is mounted on the frame (not shown), or at the same time the OPC10is being mounted on the frame.