# US 2019/0317445 A1 · Process unit and image forming apparatus

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- Number: US 2019/0317445 A1
- Document ID: US20190317445A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 16/383,308
- Filed: 2019-04-12
- Published: 2019-10-17
- Earliest claimed: 2018-04-17
- Assignees: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
- Applicants: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
- Inventors: TAKASHI HORI
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190317445A1

## CPC

- G03G 21/0029: {Details relating to the blade support}
- G03G 21/1619: {Frame structures}
- G03G: ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY

## Abstract

A process unit includes a photosensitive drum on which an electrostatic latent image is to be formed, a charger that charges an outer circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum to a predetermined polarity and a predetermined potential, a cleaner that removes residual toner from the outer circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum, a process frame that holds the photosensitive drum and is provided with the cleaner, and a charger cover that holds the charger and is rotatably supported on the process frame so as to move the charger away from or closer to the photosensitive drum.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A process unit comprising:
a photosensitive drum on which an electrostatic latent image is to be formed;
a charger that charges an outer circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum to a predetermined polarity and a predetermined potential;
a cleaner that removes residual toner from the outer circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum;
a process frame that holds the photosensitive drum and is provided with the cleaner; and
a charger cover that holds the charger and is rotatably supported on the process frame so as to move the charger away from or closer to the photosensitive drum.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The process unit according to claim 1, wherein in a state where the process unit has been placed on a horizontal plane so as to be in such a position that the cleaner is located below the photosensitive drum, the charger cover is rotatable with respect to the process frame from a first position that the charger cover assumes in moving the charger closer to the photosensitive drum to a second position that the charger cover assumes in moving the charger away from the photosensitive drum and turning the charger upward.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The process unit according to claim 2, wherein the cleaner includes
a cleaning blade that scrapes the residual toner away from the photosensitive drum,
a cleaning blade attacher, formed as part of the process frame, to which the cleaning blade is detachably fitted, and
a waste toner receiver that accommodates residual toner scraped away by the cleaning blade,
in a state where the process unit has been placed on the horizontal plane so as to be in such a position that the cleaner is located below the photosensitive drum, the charger cover is rotatable with respect to the process frame from the first position or the second position to a third position that the charger cover assumes in moving the charger away from the photosensitive drum and turning the charger in a direction opposite to the photosensitive drum,
in a state where the charger cover has been placed in the first position, the process frame is placed in a fourth position on the horizontal plane,
in a state where the charger cover has been placed in the third position, the process frame is placed in a fifth position on the horizontal plane,
in a state where the process frame has been placed in the fourth position, the cleaning blade attacher forms a first angle with the horizontal plane,
in a case where the process frame has been placed in the fifth position, the cleaning blade attacher forms a second angle with the horizontal plane, and
the second angle is smaller than the first angle.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The process unit according to claim 3, wherein the second angle is substantially 0 degree.

### Claim 5 (depends on 2)

The process unit according to claim 2, further comprising a stopper that maintains the charger cover in the second position.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The process unit according to claim 1, wherein the charger is provided in a charging unit, and
the charging unit is attachable to and detachable from the charger cover.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The process unit according to claim 1, wherein the charger is a charging roller that charges the photosensitive drum by making contact with the outer circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

An image forming apparatus comprising the process unit according to claim 1.