JPH0728370A - Cleaning device for photoreceptor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a cleaning device for photoreceptor capable of preventing toner, etc., from piling between the surface of a bias roller and a scraper coming into slidable contact with the surface of the bias roller for removing the toner, etc., on the surface that is attracting the toner and the paper dust from a fur brush. CONSTITUTION:In this cleaning device 2 provided with a fur brush 11 relatively moving while being in contact with an image carrier as means for removing the toner, etc., remaining on the image carrier after transferring a toner image formed on the image carrier to a recording paper, a bias roller 12 relatively moving while being in contact with the fur brush 1 and a scraper 13 coming in contact with the bias roller 12, the shaft direction actuating mechanism for rapidly reciprocating the scraper 13 in the shaft direction of the bias roller 12 is equipped.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an improvement of a cleaning device for removing toner and paper dust remaining on a photoconductor in an image forming part of an image forming device utilizing an electrophotographic process, and particularly, it constitutes a cleaning device. The present invention relates to a cleaning device capable of preventing toner and paper dust from accumulating on a contact portion between a scraper and a collection roller.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an image forming apparatus utilizing an electrophotographic process such as a copying machine, a printer and a facsimile machine, a toner image obtained by adhering toner to an electrostatic latent image formed on a photosensitive member. The image is formed by transferring the image onto recording paper, fixing it, and discharging it. Since toner and paper dust remain on the photoconductor after transferring the toner image, it is necessary to remove the toner on the photoconductor in order to move to the next image forming process. A cleaning device is arranged downstream of the position. FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration explanatory view of a conventional cleaning device. The cleaning device 2 arranged downstream of the transfer position of the photoconductor drum (image carrier) 1 irradiates the surface of the photoconductor with corona discharge. And a pre-cleaning charger 3 for controlling the residual toner on the surface of the photoconductor and the polarity and potential of the surface of the photoconductor, and a seal 5 having one end fixed to the casing side for closing the space between the casing 4 and the surface of the photoconductor. , A fur brush 11 that removes residual toner by electrostatic attraction and mechanical rubbing by contacting the surface of the photoconductor with the tip of the flocked while rotating, and one end edge of the fur brush 11 that is disposed on the downstream side of the fur brush 1. The cleaning blade 23, which removes the toner not scraped off by the fur brush by sliding it on the body surface and drops it on the fur brush, and the fur brush 11. The flicker cover 24 for scraping off the toner thus captured, the bias roller (collection roller) 12 for adsorbing the toner and the like on the fur brush when a high bias voltage is applied, and the peripheral surface of the bias roller 12. It has a scraper 13 for scraping off the toner and the like on the peripheral surface by coming into contact with and a discharge coil 14 for collecting the scraped toner and the like.

The fur brush 11 is formed by implanting a large number of conductive fibers on a cored bar roller 11a to which a predetermined bias is applied. The fur brush 11 is rotated clockwise by a drive motor (not shown). Since the residual toner cannot be completely removed, the toner that cannot be completely removed is scraped off on the fur brush by the mechanical rubbing of the cleaning blade 23. The toner attached to the fur brush 11 is separated from the brush or weakened by the impact force when coming into contact with the flick cover 24, and is attracted to the bias roller 12. The toner on the bias roller 12 is scraped off on the discharge coil 14 by the scraper 13. By the way, when the cleaning device is continuously used for a long period of time, toner or paper dust is accumulated on the sliding contact portion between the scraper 13 and the bias roller 12, and when this is gradually pushed into the contact portion, the scraper is lifted. The situation of staying in occurs. When such a poor contact state between the scraper and the bias roller occurs, the ability of collecting the toner and the like on the fur brush is significantly reduced, and the toner is accumulated on the fur brush. Removal ability is reduced. Particularly, in recent years, toners having a small particle diameter have been widely used in order to cope with high image quality, so that the fluidity of the toner is lowered and the above-mentioned problems occur.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and a scraper for slidingly contacting a surface of a bias roller for adsorbing toner and paper powder from a fur brush to remove toner and the like on the surface, and the bias roller. An object of the present invention is to provide a cleaning device for a photoconductor that can prevent toner and the like from accumulating between the surface and the surface.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a means for removing toner and the like remaining on an image carrier after transferring the toner image formed on the image carrier to a recording paper. In a cleaning device including a fur brush that relatively moves while contacting a carrier, a bias roller that relatively moves while contacting the fur brush, and a scraper that contacts the bias roller, the scraper is arranged in an axial direction of the bias roller. Is provided with an axial actuation mechanism for rapidly reciprocating, and as a means for removing the toner and the like remaining on the image carrier after transferring the toner image formed on the image carrier to the recording paper. A fur brush that relatively moves while making contact with the image carrier, a bias roller that relatively moves while making contact with the fur brush, and a mask that makes contact with the bias roller. A cleaning device provided with an axial direction actuating mechanism for temporarily changing the rotation direction of the bias roller, and the toner image formed on the image carrier is transferred onto a recording sheet and then the image carrier is carried. A fur brush that relatively moves while contacting the image carrier, a bias roller that relatively moves while contacting the fur brush, and a scraper that contacts the bias roller as means for removing toner and the like remaining on the body. In the provided cleaning device, a step is provided on a part of the surface of the bias roller, and means for temporarily reversing the rotation direction of the bias roller is provided, and the toner image formed on the image carrier is recorded. A fur brush that relatively moves while contacting the image bearing member as a means for removing toner and the like remaining on the image bearing member after being transferred to paper. In a cleaning device including a bias roller that relatively moves while making contact with the fur brush, and a scraper that makes contact with the bias roller, the axis of the bias roller is eccentric, and the toner formed on the image carrier is A fur brush that relatively moves while contacting the image carrier and a bias roller that relatively moves while contacting the fur brush as a means for removing toner and the like remaining on the image carrier after the image is transferred to recording paper. And a scraper in contact with the bias roller, wherein a plurality of the scrapers are provided.

The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a side view showing a configuration of a main part of a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing a configuration of a scraper swing cam. The same parts as those shown in FIG. 8 will be described with the same reference numerals. The shafts of the fur brush 11 and the bias roller 12 are rotatably supported by bearings 22 on the pair of side plates 20 and 21 constituting the cleaning device 2, and the scraper holder 23 supporting one end of the scraper 13 is also supported. Side plates 20, 2
It is supported so as to be able to move back and forth in the axial direction by a support hole provided between the two. A spring 24 provided on one shaft of the scraper holder 23 biases the scraper holder 23 to the left in the drawing, and a scraper swing roller 26 is provided at the tip of the shaft 25 at the other end.
Is rotatably supported. An outer wall 27 is arranged outside one of the side walls 20, and an extended end of a shaft 28 of the fur brush is rotatably supported by the outer wall 27. A cam portion 31 is provided on the inner surface of a scraper swing cam 30 whose axis is fixed by the shaft 28, and the scraper swing roller 26 is rotatably pressed onto the cam surface of the cam portion 31. ing. Gears 35 and 36 are fixed to the shaft of the fur brush 11 and the shaft of the bias roller 12, respectively, so that the gears mesh with each other so that the driving force from a motor (not shown) is transmitted from one to the other. Has become. Scraper swing cam, scraper swing roller 2
6. The scraper holder 23 constitutes an axial operation mechanism for operating the scraper 13 in the axial direction.

As shown in FIG. 2, the scraper swing cam 30 has a cam portion having a semicircular plane shape on the inner surface thereof.
The shape is set so that the amount of protrusion is gradually increased along the peripheral edge from the lower portion indicated by a to the higher portion indicated by b, and the triangular shape is located along the straight line connecting the a portion and the b portion. Wall c
Forms a step with the flat surface portion d of the cam 30. The scraper rocking roller 26 comes into rolling contact with the surface of the cam portion 31 and rolls along the semicircular edge portion as the cam 30 rotates in the arrow direction. Therefore, the scraper swinging roller 26 is moved by the scraper swinging cam 30.
Scraper holder 23 when it is located at part a
1 is located at the leftmost end in FIG. 1, but as the cam 30 rotates in the direction of the arrow, the contact point with the roller 26 gradually moves from a to b, whereby the scraper holder 23 moves the spring 24. Move to the right against the bias. Further, when the scraper swing cam 30 rotates in the same direction, the roller 26 goes over the step portion, falls off from the portion b, and collides with the flat portion d. When the roller 26 contacts the flat surface portion d and then the cam 30 further rotates in the same direction, the roller 26 reaches the portion a again and rides on the cam portion from the portion a. By repeating this operation, the impact due to the above collision is applied to the scraper holder 23 every time the cam 30 makes one rotation, and the scraper 13 supported by the scraper holder 23 vibrates in the axial direction and accumulates on the tip thereof. And paper dust will be effectively removed.

The scraper 13 is made of a rubber material such as polyurethane rubber or a thin metal plate such as phosphor bronze. Since the scraper 13 repeatedly swings in the axial direction while coming into contact with the bias roller 12, the scraper 13 has an edge portion. The same portion does not repeatedly collide with minute projections existing on the surface of the bias roller, and early damage can be prevented.

Next, FIG. 3 is a side view showing the configuration of the second embodiment of the present invention. The same parts as those in FIG. Shape of moving cam 30 and scraper holder 23 that engages with the cam
The difference between them is that the shape of the shaft portion and the spring for urging the scraper holder 23 do not exist. The scraper swing cam, cam follower 41, scraper holder 23, and drive motor (not shown) constitute an axial actuation mechanism for axially operating the scraper 13 and temporarily reversing the rotation direction of the bias roller. . The scraper swing cam 30 is a disc member having a predetermined thickness, in which a groove 40 having a shape as shown is formed on the outer peripheral surface, and the groove 40 projects from the shaft 25 of the scraper holder 23. The cam follower (pin) 41 is fitted. Since the groove 40 has a curved waveform in the axial direction, when the cam follower 41 (that is, the scraper holder) moves in the axial direction along the groove 40, the scraper 13 moves axially as in the case of the embodiment of FIG. Although it does not move suddenly in the direction, the bias for rotating the motor for driving the fur brush 11 and the bias roller 12 at a predetermined timing (for example, when the machine body is powered on or each time image formation is completed) is reversed. It is possible to rotate the roller 12 in the direction opposite to the normal direction, and as a result, the toner and paper dust sandwiched between the scraper and the bias roller are extruded in the direction opposite to the case of the forward rotation, To be removed.

Next, FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of the essential parts of the third embodiment of the present invention, in which at least one stepped portion D is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the bias roller 12 so as to Rotate in the (a) direction, and rotate in the (a) direction during reverse rotation. During normal image forming operation, since the roller rotates in the (A) direction, toner, paper dust, etc. are embedded in the recess of the step portion D, and the cross-sectional shape of the roller becomes circular as shown by the dotted line.
Even in this state, the toner or the like sandwiched at the tip of the scraper 13 is removed to some extent by passing through the step D. On the other hand, when the bias roller 12 is rotated in the (a) direction, the tip end portion of the scraper 13 is squeezed by the step portion D to effectively remove the toner and the like. However, it is necessary to smoothly form the corners of the step portion so that the tip portion is not damaged when the scraper tip comes into contact with the step portion.

Next, FIG. 5 shows a fourth embodiment, in which a film-shaped resin 45 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical bias roller 12.
And the one end edge E of the resin 45 is not adhered to the roller surface and is floated in the outer diameter direction by the rigidity of the resin itself. One end edge E of this embodiment is shown in FIG.
The same effect as the step portion D of the above embodiment is exhibited, and the tip end portion of the scraper is squeezed to remove the toner and the like. In particular, when a material such as rubber that is relatively easily damaged is used as the material of the scraper, the effect of preventing damage is exhibited.

FIG. 6 shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention, in which the rotating shaft 12a of the bias roller 12 is at a position eccentric from the shaft center of the roller, and the roller and scraper 13 are rotated about this shaft 12a. The pressure contact force between and changes periodically. Since the contact position of the scraper edge portion slightly changes when the scraper pressing force is high and when it is low, the toner and paper dust sandwiched between the edge portions are gradually removed.

FIG. 7 shows a sixth embodiment of the present invention, which is characterized in that a second scraper 50 is arranged on the downstream side of the scraper 13 and a toner conveying guide 51 is arranged on the scraper 13. According to this embodiment, even if toner or paper dust is accumulated on the edge portion of the first scraper 13 and a collection failure occurs, the second scraper 50 can back up. A toner transport guide 51 is provided so as to cover the upper surface of the first scraper 13 so that the toner and paper dust scraped off by the second scraper 50 do not fall onto the edge portion of the first scraper 13. Two or more scrapers may be provided if there is no space problem.

[0014]

As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention,
Mechanical rubbing force is applied to the toner and paper powder that accumulates on the contact area between the scraper and the bias roller (collection roller) from a direction different from that during normal operation, so toner and other materials do not easily accumulate Therefore, stable cleaning property can be obtained for a long period of time. Further, by providing a plurality of scrapers and contacting the bias roller, even if toner or the like is deposited on the contact portion between the scraper and the roller, the cleaning property does not immediately deteriorate, and stable cleaning property can be obtained for a long period of time. Can be maintained.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view showing a configuration of a main part of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing the configuration of a scraper swing cam.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing the configuration of the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration of a fifth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of a sixth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Photoconductor, 2 Cleaning Device, 11 Fur Brush, 12 Bias Roller (Recovery Roller), 20, 21
Side plate, 22 bearing, 23 scraper holder, 24
Spring, 25 axis, 26 scraper swing roller, 27 outer wall, 28 axis, 30 scraper swing cam, 31 cam part, 35, 36 gear, 40 groove, 41 cam follower, 45 resin film, 50 second scraper,

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. As a means for removing the toner and the like remaining on the image carrier after transferring the toner image formed on the image carrier to a recording paper, a fur that relatively moves while contacting the image carrier. A cleaning device including a brush, a bias roller that relatively moves while contacting the fur brush, and a scraper that contacts the bias roller, wherein an axial direction for rapidly reciprocating the scraper in the axial direction of the bias roller. A cleaning device for a photosensitive member, which is equipped with an operating mechanism. 2. As a means for removing toner and the like remaining on the image bearing member after transferring the toner image formed on the image bearing member onto a recording paper, a fur that relatively moves while contacting the image bearing member. A cleaning device including a brush, a bias roller that moves relative to the fur brush while contacting the fur brush, and a scraper that contacts the bias roller, the cleaning device including an axial actuation mechanism that temporarily changes the rotation direction of the bias roller. A cleaning device for a photoconductor, which is characterized in that: 3. As a means for removing toner and the like remaining on the image bearing member after transferring the toner image formed on the image bearing member onto a recording paper, a fur that relatively moves while contacting the image bearing member. In a cleaning device including a brush, a bias roller that relatively moves while being in contact with the fur brush, and a scraper that is in contact with the bias roller, a step is provided on a part of the surface of the bias roller, and the bias roller has a step. A cleaning device for a photosensitive member, which is provided with means for temporarily reversing a rotation direction. 4. As a means for removing the toner and the like remaining on the image carrier after transferring the toner image formed on the image carrier to a recording paper, a fur that relatively moves while contacting the image carrier. In a cleaning device including a brush, a bias roller that relatively moves while making contact with the fur brush, and a scraper that makes contact with the bias roller, the axis of the bias roller is eccentric. Cleaning device. 5. As a means for removing toner and the like remaining on the image bearing member after transferring the toner image formed on the image bearing member onto a recording paper, a fur that relatively moves while contacting the image bearing member. A cleaning device comprising a brush, a bias roller that moves relatively while being in contact with the fur brush, and a scraper that is in contact with the bias roller, wherein a cleaning device for a photoconductor is provided with a plurality of the scrapers.