JP3781088B2 - Cleaner and image forming apparatus using the same - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a cleaner, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus that transfers an image formed by one or a plurality of image forming units directly or via a recording material on a recording carrier. The present invention relates to a cleaner for cleaning a conveyance body and an improvement of an image forming apparatus using the cleaner.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventional image forming apparatuses have, for example, one or a plurality of image forming units (for example, employing an electrophotographic method) on which toner images of each color component of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black are formed. For example, a conveyance belt that is circulated and conveyed across a pair of stretching rolls is disposed at a portion that performs the transfer, and a transfer device such as a corotron is disposed on the back surface of the conveyance belt that faces the image forming unit. A recording material (paper, OHP sheet or the like) is adsorbed and held on the recording material, and a toner image formed by an image forming unit is transferred to the recording material (for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 2-163777). JP-A-5-53412 and JP-A-8-87145).
[0003]
By the way, in the belt conveyance method using this type of conveyance belt, the toner image from the image forming unit is transferred onto the conveyance belt other than the recording material due to the wrong selection of the recording material size or the recording material jam processing. In the process control (image density control), the toner patch for each color is transferred onto the conveyor belt and the density is read by a sensor or the like to control the image density or registration. In the control (hereinafter referred to as registration control), the ladder pattern of each color is transferred onto the conveyance belt, the pitch of the ladder pattern is read with a sensor or the like, and the position of each color toner image is adjusted positively on the conveyance belt. Some toner images are transferred.
[0004]
In such a type, if the toner image transferred on the conveying belt is left as it is, it causes the back surface of the next recording material to be stained. In order to clean the toner image, a cleaner having a blade, a brush or a web is provided.
For example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-300263, a registration mark for resist control is transferred for each color on a conveyor belt, and after the alignment of the transferred image is performed, a cleaner (in the entire width direction of the conveyor belt) is disclosed. A technique is disclosed in which the registration mark is removed in a correspondingly provided aspect or an aspect provided corresponding to the registration mark creation position.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in this type of cleaner, for example, a process control mark such as a toner patch (hereinafter abbreviated as a process control mark if necessary) or a resist control mark such as a ladder pattern (hereinafter referred to as a resin control mark if necessary). Are abbreviated to a predetermined position in the direction (width direction) orthogonal to the moving direction of the transport belt, and therefore, when the procon mark or the register mark is cleaned with a cleaning member such as a brush, the cleaning member Of these, the location corresponding to each mark creation position is likely to be locally deteriorated (dirty).
[0006]
At this time, depending on the cleaner, for example, there is an aspect in which a toner stain adhered to the cleaning member is removed by, for example, a flicking member or a toner removing roll, but the local deterioration (dirt) of the cleaning member is remarkable. Below, for example, in a situation where a procompatch is frequently created, such as during image quality setup, a situation may occur in which the locally deteriorated portion of the cleaning member cannot be completely removed by the flicking member or the like.
Then, the toner adhering to the cleaning member is transferred again to the conveying belt, and there is a possibility that problems such as poor adsorption of the recording material and back surface contamination of the recording material may occur.
[0007]
In order to solve such a problem, it is conceivable to use a so-called composite cleaner that improves the cleaning performance by using, for example, a blade and a disturber brush as the cleaning member.
However, in this type of composite cleaner, a drive motor and mechanism parts for driving the disturber brush are indispensable, and the configuration of the cleaner is complicated and leads to an increase in cost.
[0008]
The present invention has been made to solve the above technical problem, and has a simple structure and good cleaning performance for a mark image locally formed on a recording and conveying body such as a conveying belt. A cleaner that can be maintained and an image forming apparatus using the cleaner are provided.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
That is, according to the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, a recording / conveying body 2 that has one or a plurality of image forming units 1 and is circulated and conveyed to a portion facing the image forming unit 1 is provided. In a cleaner 5 for cleaning the recording / conveying body 2, the recording / conveying body 2 is used to transfer the image formed on the image forming unit 1 directly or via the recording material 3 to the recording / conveying body 2. A main cleaning member 6 that cleans at least the image carrying area of the transport body 2 and an upstream side of the main cleaning member 6 in the transport direction of the recording transport body 2 are provided, and image forming conditions on the recording transport body 2 are set as follows. And an auxiliary cleaning member 7 that does not require power and locally cleans an area corresponding to the mark image 8 created in a part of the width direction of the image carrying area on the recording carrier 2 for determination. When Is shall.
The present invention is also directed to an image forming apparatus including the above-described cleaner.
[0010]
In such a technical means, as shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus that is the subject of the present application is a so-called tandem type in which a plurality of image forming units 1 are arranged in parallel (including both vertical and horizontal types). Alternatively, an embodiment having one image forming unit 1 may be used.
In addition, as an image forming method of the image forming unit 1, an electrophotographic method, an electrostatic recording method or the like is used, and an image transfer method to the recording material 2 on the recording material 2 directly or on the recording material 2 is also described. A method of transferring an image formed by the image forming unit 1 to the recording material 3 side via a transfer means 4 (see FIG. 1), such as an electrophotographic method or an electrostatic recording method, is mainly used.
Further, the recording / conveying member 2 is not limited to the one that conveys the recording material 3, and may be an intermediate transfer member that temporarily transfers and holds the respective color component images before being transferred to the recording material 3. The specific form of the recording / conveying body 2 may be either a belt shape or a drum shape. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, in a so-called tandem type in which a plurality of image forming units 1 are arranged in parallel, From the viewpoint of the arrangement of the forming units and the image alignment, the belt-like recording carrier 2 is often used.
[0011]
Further, the layout of the cleaner 5 may be appropriately selected. For example, the belt-like recording / conveying body 2 requires at least a backup member for supporting the recording / conveying body 2, but from the viewpoint of reducing the number of parts. For example, it is preferable to use a tension roll of the belt-like recording / conveying member 2 as a backup member.
Here, as an aspect of the main cleaning member 6, a brush, a blade, a web shape, or the like may be appropriately selected.
[0012]
On the other hand, for the auxiliary cleaning member 7,
(1) The main cleaning member 6 is provided on the upstream side in the transport direction of the recording transport body 2;
(2) When determining the image forming conditions on the recording / conveying body 2, the area corresponding to the mark image 8 created in a part in the width direction of the image carrying area on the recording / conveying body 2 is locally cleaned. The thing that is,
(3) No need for power,
If it is a requirement.
[0013]
Regarding (1), the main cleaning member 6 and the auxiliary cleaning member 7 may be provided in separate cleaner cases. However, from the viewpoint of easy post-treatment of the collected residue, the same cleaner case may be used. It is preferable to incorporate it into
Regarding (2), the “mark image 8” means a process control mark (for example, a toner batch) formed at the time of process control, a register control mark (for example, a ladder pattern) formed at the time of resist control, and the like. The location is appropriately selected such as on the side in the width direction of the image carrier area on the recording carrier 2 or near the center of the image carrier area on the recording carrier 2 using the inter-image area. The
Regarding (3), as long as power is not required, a straight hair brush, a blade, a cylindrical brush, an elastic roll or the like may be appropriately selected.
[0014]
Further, as the auxiliary cleaning member 7, for example, a brush body such as a straight brush or a cylindrical brush is disposed in contact with the recording / conveying body 2, so that the mark image 8 on the recording / conveying body 2 is temporarily damped and then passed through little by little. Function is realized.
[0015]
Further, with respect to the shape of the auxiliary cleaning member 7, for example, an upstream edge in the transport direction of the recording transport body 2 may be provided with an inclined portion inclined obliquely toward the transport direction side of the recording transport body 2. The function of moving the dammed mark image 8 along the inclined portion is realized.
In particular, in a mode in which the main cleaning member 6 cleans the image carrying area of the recording transport body 2 and the non-image carrying area adjacent thereto, the mark image 8 on the recording transport body 2 is mainly dammed and recorded on the auxiliary cleaning member 7. An upstream side edge of the transport body 2 in the transport direction is provided with a one-side inclined portion that is inclined obliquely outward toward the transport direction side of the recording transport body 2, and the outer end of the one-side inclined portion is arranged on the non-side of the recording transport body 2. If it is arranged so as to face the image carrying area, the mark image 8 can be collected toward the non-image carrying area when cleaning.
[0016]
Further, as the cleaner 5, for example, a mode in which the main cleaning member 6 is constituted by a brush, the collected deposits are scattered from the brush by bringing the flicking member into contact with the brush, and suction and recovery by airflow is adopted. In this case, from the viewpoint of effectively removing the dirt on the main cleaning member 6, it is preferable to arrange a flicking member and / or a blower suction port for generating airflow at a position corresponding to the auxiliary cleaning member 7. .
[0017]
Next, the operation of the technical means described above will be described.
The main cleaning member 6 cleans at least the image carrying area of the recording transport body 2.
On the other hand, the auxiliary cleaning member 7 is provided on the upstream side of the main cleaning member 6 in the transport direction of the recording transport body 2 in a state where no power is required, and the recording transport body is used for determining the image forming conditions on the recording transport body 2. The area corresponding to the mark image 8 created in a part in the width direction of the image bearing area on 2 is locally cleaned.
Accordingly, the mark image 8 on the recording / conveying body 2 is first cleaned by the auxiliary cleaning member 7 and then cleaned in two stages by the main cleaning member 6, and accordingly, the area corresponding to the mark image 8. The cleaning load on the main cleaning member 6 is reduced, and local deterioration (dirt) of the main cleaning member 6 is effectively suppressed.
[0018]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.
Embodiment 1
FIG. 2 shows Embodiment 1 of a color image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied.
In the figure, the color image forming apparatus has four image forming units 22 (specifically, 22a to 22d) in a vertical direction in a main body housing 21 (in this embodiment, black, yellow, magenta, and cyan). A recording material supply cassette 23 that accommodates a recording material (not shown) such as paper for supply is disposed below the recording material supply cassette, and a recording material supply cassette is provided at a position corresponding to each image forming unit 22. The recording material conveyance path 24 serving as the recording material conveyance path 23 is arranged in the vertical direction.
[0019]
In the present embodiment, the image forming units 22 (22a to 22d) are for black, yellow, magenta, and cyan in order from the upstream side of the recording material conveyance path 24 (the arrangement is not necessarily in this order). The toner image is formed, and includes a photoconductor cartridge 30 and an exposure unit 40.
Here, the photoconductor cartridge 30 includes, for example, a photoconductor drum 31, a charging roll 32 that precharges the photoconductor drum 31, and a static image formed by exposure on the charged photoconductor drum 31 by the exposure unit 40. A developing device 33 that develops the electrostatic latent image with a corresponding color toner (for example, negative polarity in the present embodiment) and a cleaner 34 that removes residual toner on the photosensitive drum 31 are integrally formed into a cartridge. .
On the other hand, the exposure unit 40 stores a semiconductor laser (not shown), a polygon mirror 42, an imaging lens 43, and a mirror 44 in the case 41, and deflects and scans light from the semiconductor laser (not shown) with the polygon mirror 42. An optical image is guided to an exposure point on the photosensitive drum 31 via the image lens 43 and the mirror 44.
[0020]
Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a conveyance belt 80 that circulates along the recording material conveyance path 24 is provided at a position corresponding to each photosensitive drum 31 of each image forming unit 22. It is arranged.
The conveying belt 80 is made of a belt material (such as a plastic film such as PET or PVdF or an elastic material such as urethane or urea) that can electrostatically adsorb the recording material 25. ⁶ -10 ¹² A high resistance coating layer (not shown) of about Ω · cm is formed.
The conveyor belt 80 is stretched between a pair of stretching rolls 81 and 82 (for example, a metal roll, an elastic body roll, etc.). In this embodiment, the upper stretching roll 82 is a drive roll, The tension roll 81 on the side is a driven roll.
[0021]
Furthermore, a transfer roll 50 (for example, 10 in this example) is provided on the back side of the conveyance belt 80 corresponding to the photosensitive drum 31 of each image forming unit 22. ^Three -10 ^Ten Ω · cm) is arranged, and the transfer drum 50 allows the photosensitive drum 31 and the recording material 25 on the conveying belt 80 to be in close contact with each other. A transfer bias power source (not shown) is connected to the transfer roll 50 so that a predetermined transfer bias is applied at an appropriate timing.
[0022]
In the present embodiment, the recording material supply cassette 23 is provided with a takeaway roll 61 for picking up the recording material 25, and is positioned between the takeaway roll 61 and the transfer portion of the most upstream image forming unit 22a. The recording material transport path 24 is provided with a feed roll 62 for feeding the recording material 25 at a predetermined timing. A suction roll 90 is disposed at the entrance portion of the conveyor belt 80.
Further, a fixing device 64 is provided in the recording material conveyance path 24 located on the downstream side of the most downstream image forming unit 22d, and a discharge roll 66 for discharging the recording material is provided on the downstream side of the fixing device 64. The discharged recording material is accommodated in an accommodation tray 67 formed in the upper part of the main body housing 21. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 65 denotes a recording material guide that guides the recording material 25 delivered from the conveyance belt 80 to the fixing device 64.
[0023]
Furthermore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, a cleaner 110 is disposed on the upstream side of the position of the suction roll 90 of the conveyance belt 80.
The cleaner 110 is disposed to face a tension roll 81 located on the upstream side of the conveyor belt 80, and has a cleaner case 112 that can swing around a swing fulcrum (not shown). A cylindrical brush 113 as a main cleaning member is mounted in 112, and a short straight hair brush 114 as an auxiliary cleaning member is attached to the upstream side of the cylindrical brush 113 (upstream in the conveyance direction of the conveyance belt 80). It is a thing.
[0024]
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 4, the cylindrical brush 113 is made of, for example, nylon, polypropylene, or the like around a rotating shaft 113 a that is rotatably supported by bearings 115 on both side walls of the cleaner case 112. In this embodiment, the brush material 113b may be provided over at least the image carrying area (corresponding to the area corresponding to the maximum width of the image) of the conveyor belt 80. It is provided over a range substantially corresponding to the width dimension of the conveyor belt 80.
In FIG. 4, reference numeral 116 denotes a drive motor for the cylindrical brush 113, and 117 denotes a drive gear for drivingly connecting the end of the rotary shaft 113 a of the cylindrical brush 113 and the drive motor 116.
[0025]
Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the straight bristle brush 114 is obtained by implanting a brush material 114 b such as nylon or polypropylene on a support plate 114 a, and is a process control formed on the conveyor belt 80. This corresponds to the professional control mark 120 (in this example, the patch-like images of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) are arranged in a line along the conveyance direction of the conveyance belt 80). In this embodiment, the present embodiment has a dimension w1 that is slightly larger than the width dimension (dimension along the width direction of the conveyor belt 80) w of the process control mark 120, and the center position of each other. Are arranged so as to substantially match.
In the present embodiment, a registration control mark (for example, a ladder pattern) for registration control is also created at a position similar to the creation position of the process control mark 120 on the conveyance belt 80.
[0026]
Furthermore, in the present embodiment, a portion of the conveying belt 80 corresponding to the downstream side of the most downstream image forming unit 22d and the front side of the stretching roll 82 is used to detect the process control mark 120 or the registration control mark. A mark sensor 130 is provided.
The mark sensor 130 detects each mark with an optical sensor, for example. A plurality of mark sensors 130 may be provided to detect each mark, but in the present embodiment, a single mode is used. Has been.
[0027]
Next, the operation of the color image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described.
First, the print mode will be described. When color printing is instructed, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, each color component toner image is formed in each image forming unit 22a to 22d, and supplied from the recording material supply cassette 23. The recording material 25 is sucked and held on the transport belt 80 by the suction roll 90, and is sequentially transported along the transport belt 80.
Then, the color component toner images formed by the image forming units 22 a to 22 d are sequentially transferred onto the recording material 25, and the recording material 25 onto which the color component toner images are multiplex-transferred passes through a fixing device 64 and is stored in a storage tray. It is discharged to 67.
Thereafter, paper dust, toner and the like adhering on the conveyance belt 80 in the cleaning cycle are collected by the cleaner 110.
[0028]
Next, the operation of the color image forming apparatus in the process control mode will be described.
In this mode, in order to correct the density of an image, for example, a color control mark 120 of each color is formed on the conveyance belt 80, the density of the color control mark 120 is read by the mark sensor 130, and the density is adjusted.
In this mode, a cleaning cycle for cleaning the process control mark 120 by the cleaner 110 is performed in order to write a toner image on the conveyance belt 80.
[0029]
At this time, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the process control mark 120 on the conveying belt 80 is temporarily dammed by the straight hair brush 114, and only the toner passing between the straight hair brushes 114 is the straight hair brush. Since it goes to the cylindrical brush 113 in a state where it is diffused to the width dimension w1 (w1> w) of 114, the load on the cylindrical brush 113 is reduced.
In addition, once the toner of the pro-con mark 120 is blocked, the toner gradually passes between the straight hair brushes 114 after the rotation time of the conveying belt 80 has elapsed, and finally most of the toner is collected by the cylindrical brush 113. Will be.
In such an operation process, a portion corresponding to the process control mark 120 of the cylindrical brush 113 is not locally soiled.
[0030]
On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (b), the cleaning process in the process control mode of the comparative embodiment including the cleaner 110 ′ not provided with the straight hair brush 114 is shown in FIG. a) As shown in (b), when the process control mark 120 having the width direction dimension w enters the cylindrical brush 113, the cylindrical brush 113 has a width dimension w substantially equal to the range in which the process control mark 120 is placed. The toner adheres with '.
Therefore, in this comparison form, it is understood that the portion corresponding to the process control mark 120 of the cylindrical brush 113 is locally soiled.
[0031]
Furthermore, the specific modes of the main cleaning member and the auxiliary cleaning member are not limited to those shown in the above embodiment, and for example, as shown in FIG. 8A, a cylindrical brush as a main cleaning member A short blade 141 (for example, urethane rubber or the like) as an auxiliary cleaning member may be disposed upstream of 113 via a support bracket 142. As shown in FIG. 8B, the main cleaning member A short cylindrical brush 143 as an auxiliary cleaning member may be disposed upstream of the cylindrical brush 113 as a main cleaning member, or a blade 144 as a main cleaning member as shown in FIG. (For example, urethane rubber) is disposed via a support bracket 145, and an auxiliary cleaning member is disposed upstream of the support bracket 145. Including arranging the short straight hair brush 114 Te, no problem and appropriate design modifications.
[0032]
In addition, the cleaner 110 according to the present embodiment includes the cylindrical brush 113, but any of the following bias brush system or fur brush system may be employed.
FIG. 9A shows a bias brush system in which the toner on the conveyor belt 80 is mainly removed using electric force.
In this method, a cylindrical brush (volume resistance 10 ^Five -10 ⁸ Degree) 113 is placed in contact, and a bias having a polarity opposite to that of the toner (for example, +2 kv, where the tension roll 81 as the opposite roll is grounded) is applied to the cylindrical brush 113, whereby the toner is transferred onto the conveying belt 80. To the cylindrical brush 113.
The toner adhering to the cylindrical brush 113 is applied to a toner removing roll (metal roll) 151 that is in contact with the cylindrical brush 113 by applying a higher bias (for example, +2.2 kv) than the cylindrical brush 113. From the brush 113 to the toner removing roll 151.
The toner transferred onto the toner removal roll 151 is scraped off from the roll 151 into the cleaner case (collection box) 112 by mechanical force by bringing the blade 152 into contact with the roll 151.
Reference numeral 153 denotes a position change cam for retracting the cleaner 110.
[0033]
FIG. 9B shows a fur brush method in which the toner on the conveyor belt 80 is removed mainly using mechanical force (brush waist).
In this method, a cylindrical brush 113 is disposed in contact with the tension roll 81, and the cylindrical brush 113 is rotated at a high speed (for example, 1600 rpm), and toner is transferred from the conveying belt 80 by the waist of the cylindrical brush 113. It is to be removed.
Then, the toner adhering to the cylindrical brush 113 is scattered downward by bringing a flickering member (flicker bar) 155 provided in the cleaner case 112 into contact with the cylindrical brush 113.
The scattered toner is sucked by a blower (air inhaler) 156 provided in the cleaner case 112, and collected by the filter 157 by providing a filter 157 or the like in front of the blower 156.
Reference numeral 153 denotes a position change cam for retracting the cleaner 110.
In particular, when this method is employed, in order to increase the cleaning efficiency of the cylindrical brush 113, it is preferable to provide a flicking member 155 or a suction port for the blower 156 at a location corresponding to the process control mark 120.
[0034]
Embodiment 2
FIGS. 10A and 10B are explanatory views showing the periphery of the cleaner of the image forming apparatus used in the second embodiment. Components similar to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof is omitted here.
In the figure, a cleaner 110 according to the present embodiment is provided with a cylindrical brush 113 as a main cleaning member, and is made of urethane rubber or the like as an auxiliary cleaning member at a location corresponding to the upstream position of the process control mark 120. A short blade 141 is arranged via a support bracket (not shown).
In particular, in the present embodiment, the blade 141 has an upstream edge in the transport direction of the transport belt 80 obliquely outward toward the transport direction side of the transport belt 80 by θ ° (relative to the width direction of the transport belt 80). The one-side inclined portion 161 inclined by 20 ° is provided, and the outer side end of the one-side inclined portion 161 is arranged to face the non-image carrying area Z of the conveying belt 80.
[0035]
Therefore, according to the present embodiment, in the process control mode, the process control mark 120 enters the blade 141. However, the process control mark 120 is almost blocked by the blade 141 as shown in FIGS. Only a small amount of toner that has passed through 141 reaches the cylindrical brush 113. For this reason, the load of the cylindrical brush 113 is reduced.
On the other hand, the toner almost blocked by the blade 141 moves to the outside in the width direction of the conveying belt 80 along the one-side inclined portion 161 and is collected by the cylindrical brush 113 in the non-image carrying area Z.
At this time, the portion corresponding to the non-image carrying area Z of the cylindrical brush 113 is locally soiled, but since it is not an image carrying area, a good print with no backside dirt can be obtained.
[0036]
Embodiment 3
12A and 12B are explanatory views showing the periphery of the cleaner of the image forming apparatus used in the third embodiment. Components similar to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof is omitted here.
In the same figure, the cleaner 110 according to the present embodiment is provided with a cylindrical brush 113 as a main cleaning member substantially in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and at a location corresponding to the creation position of the upstream process control mark 120, Although a short straight hair brush 114 is disposed as an auxiliary cleaning member, the configuration of the straight hair brush 114 is different from that of the first embodiment.
[0037]
That is, the bristle brush 114 according to the present embodiment has its center substantially aligned with the center in the width direction of the process control mark 120 and has a width that is somewhat longer than the width w of the process control mark 120 with the center line of the process control mark 120 as a boundary. It has a line-symmetric shape with dimension w3.
The straight bristle brush 114 has an upstream edge in the conveyance direction of the conveyance belt 80 at an angle of θ ° (both of the conveyance belt 80) toward the conveyance direction side of the conveyance belt 80 with the center line of the process control mark 120 as a boundary. Both side inclined portions 162 inclined by 20 ° with respect to the width direction are provided.
[0038]
Therefore, according to the present embodiment, in the process control mode, the process control mark 120 enters the straight hair brush 114. However, as shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B, the process control mark 120 is the straight hair brush 114. After being once dammed up, it passes between the straight hair brushes 114 while moving to both sides along the both side inclined portions 162 of the straight hair brushes 114.
Therefore, since the pro-con mark 120 reaches the cylindrical brush 113 after being dispersed and passed in a state where the width of the straight bristle brush 114 is widened by w3, the situation in which the cylindrical brush 113 is locally soiled is the first embodiment. It is avoided more reliably than.
The toner of the pro-con mark 120 once blocked is gradually passed between the straight hair brushes 114 after the rotation time of the conveying belt 80 elapses, and finally most of the toner is collected by the cylindrical brush 113. Will be.
[0039]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, in addition to the main cleaning member, the auxiliary cleaning member is provided in the region corresponding to the image forming condition determination mark image creation position on the recording and conveying member. It is possible to effectively suppress local deterioration (dirt) corresponding to the mark image of the main cleaning member under cleaning conditions that stress the cleaner (for example, continuous cleaning of the process control mark during process control), and to obtain good cleaning performance. be able to.
Furthermore, in the present invention, since the cleaning auxiliary member does not require power and has a simple configuration, it is possible to obtain good cleaning performance at a lower cost than the conventional composite cleaner.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1A is an explanatory view showing an outline of a cleaner according to the present invention and an image forming apparatus using the cleaner, and FIG. 1B is a view as viewed from the B direction in FIG.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an overall configuration of Embodiment 1 of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a cleaner layout and an outline of a cleaner configuration according to the first embodiment.
4A is an explanatory view showing a state of the cleaner according to Embodiment 1 at the start of cleaning the procompat, and FIG. 4B is an arrow view seen from the B direction in FIG. 4A.
FIGS. 5A and 5B are explanatory views showing a process of cleaning a procompat of the cleaner according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 6A is an explanatory view showing a state of the cleaner according to the comparative embodiment at the start of cleaning the procompact, and FIG. 6B is an arrow view seen from the B direction in FIG.
FIGS. 7A and 7B are explanatory views showing a process for cleaning a procompat of a cleaner according to a comparative embodiment. FIGS.
FIGS. 8A to 8C are explanatory views showing modifications of the cleaner according to the first embodiment.
FIGS. 9A and 9B are explanatory views showing a dirt removal configuration example of the cylindrical brush of the cleaner according to the first embodiment. FIGS.
FIG. 10A is an explanatory view showing a state of the cleaner according to Embodiment 2 at the start of cleaning the procompact, and FIG. 10B is a view seen from the direction B in FIG.
FIGS. 11A and 11B are explanatory views showing a process for cleaning a procompact of a cleaner according to Embodiment 2. FIGS.
FIG. 12A is an explanatory view showing a state of the cleaner according to Embodiment 3 at the start of cleaning the procompact, and FIG. 12B is an arrow view seen from the B direction in FIG.
FIGS. 13A and 13B are explanatory views showing a process of cleaning a procompat of the cleaner according to the third embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image forming unit, 2 ... Recording conveyance body, 3 ... Recording material, 4 ... Transfer means, 5 ... Cleaner, 6 ... Main cleaning member, 7 ... Auxiliary cleaning member, 8 ... Mark image, 22 (22a-22d) ... Image forming unit, 25 ... recording material, 50 ... transfer roll, 80 ... conveying belt, 110 ... cleaner, 113 ... cylindrical brush, 114 ... short straight hair brush, 120 ... procon mark, 141 ... short blade, 143 ... short cylinder Brush, 144 ... blade, 161 ... one side inclined part, 162 ... both side inclined part

Claims (6)

One or a plurality of image forming units is provided, and a recording transport body that is circulated and transported to a portion facing the image forming unit is disposed, and is formed on the image transporting unit directly or via a recording material. Used in an image forming apparatus for transferring a transferred image, and in a cleaner for cleaning the recording carrier,
A main cleaning member for cleaning at least the image carrying region of the recording carrier;
The main cleaning member is provided on the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the recording / conveying member, and is created in a part of the width direction of the image carrying area on the recording / conveying member for determining the image forming conditions on the recording / conveying member. A cleaner comprising: an auxiliary cleaning member that does not require power and locally cleans an area corresponding to a mark image. The cleaner of claim 1,
A cleaner characterized in that the auxiliary cleaning member is used to pass the mark image on the recording / conveying member little by little after it is once damped. The cleaner of claim 1,
The auxiliary cleaning member is provided with an inclined portion in which the upstream edge in the transport direction of the recording transport body is inclined obliquely toward the transport direction side of the recording transport body. The cleaner of claim 1,
The main cleaning member is for cleaning the image carrying area of the recording carrier and the non-image carrying area adjacent thereto.
The auxiliary cleaning member mainly dams the mark image on the recording / conveying member, and includes a one-side inclined portion in which the upstream edge in the conveying direction of the recording / conveying member is inclined obliquely outward toward the conveying direction of the recording / conveying member. A cleaner, characterized in that the outer side end of the one-side inclined portion faces the non-image carrying area of the recording / conveying member. In the cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the main cleaning member is constituted by a brush, and the collected deposits are scattered from the brush by bringing the flicking member into contact with the brush, and the suction collection is performed by airflow.
A cleaner characterized in that a flicking member and / or a blower suction port for airflow generation is arranged at a position corresponding to the auxiliary cleaning member. An image forming apparatus comprising the cleaner according to claim 1.

Images