JP2000056650A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent toner from being accumulated in a toner carrying path by setting the position of a rocking member so that the rocking member may give a shock to the toner in the toner carrying path by its rocking. SOLUTION: A holder 23 is supported by a unit case so that it can turn around a supporting shaft 52 and a shaft part 53 together with a cleaning blade 22, and turning inclination in a clockwise direction is given to the holder 23 and the blade 22 by a tension spring 57 whose respective ends are locked on the holder 23 and the unit case, whereby the edge part of the tip of the blade 22 abuts on the surface of a photoreceptor and the blade 22 is positioned. When a cleaning means 21 is rocked, in such a case, a projection part 62 intermittently butts against a side plate so as to give the shock to the toner in the toner carrying path, whereby the toner is loosened and prevented from being flocculated and accumulated.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for visualizing an electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of an image carrier as a toner image by a developing device, and transferring the toner image to a transfer material. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that removes toner attached to a sheet by cleaning means.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Electronic copiers, printers, facsimile machines,
Alternatively, an image forming apparatus of the above type configured as a multifunction peripheral having at least two functions thereof has been conventionally known. It is also known that this type of image forming apparatus employs a configuration in which the toner removed from the surface of the image carrier by the cleaning unit is returned to the developing device, and the toner is reused in the developing device. The toner removed from the surface of the image carrier by the cleaning means is guided to a developing device through a toner conveying path, and the toner is reused for visualizing an electrostatic latent image. As a result, the amount of toner consumption can be reduced, and the problem of generating a large amount of waste toner can be prevented.

However, in this type of image forming apparatus, the toner in the toner conveying path is aggregated and deposited,
This may hinder the conveyance of the toner, and may make it impossible to convey the toner to the developing device. Therefore, there has been proposed an image forming apparatus in which an agitator is provided in a toner conveyance path, and the agitator is rotated by a driving device to loosen toner, thereby preventing the accumulation. However, the image forming apparatus according to this proposal requires a large number of components for transmitting the operation of the driving device to the agitator, so that the structure of the image forming apparatus is complicated and the cost thereof is unavoidable. .

On the other hand, this type of image forming apparatus is provided with a oscillating means for oscillating at least one of the members. By applying an impact to the toner, it is possible to prevent toner accumulation while avoiding the above-described disadvantages.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made based on the above-described novel recognition, and an object of the present invention is to make it possible for the toner in the toner conveying path to be moved by the swinging member as described above. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of preventing deposition.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an image carrier driven to move its surface, charging means for charging the surface of the image carrier, and Latent image forming means for forming an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the image carrier,
A developing device that visualizes the electrostatic latent image as a toner image,
Transfer means for transferring the toner image onto a transfer material; cleaning means for removing toner adhering to the surface of the image carrier after transferring the toner image; and guiding the toner removed by the cleaning means to the developing device. A toner conveying path, and a rocking means for rocking at least one member constituting the image forming apparatus, wherein the rocking member applies an impact to the toner in the toner conveying path by the rocking. An image forming apparatus in which the position of the oscillating member is set so as to give the image is proposed (claim 1).

In order to achieve the same object, the present invention provides an image carrier driven to move its surface, charging means for charging the surface of the image carrier, and a charged image carrier surface A latent image forming means for forming an electrostatic latent image on the toner image, a developing device for visualizing the electrostatic latent image as a toner image, a transfer means for transferring the toner image to a transfer material, and a toner image Cleaning means for removing toner adhering to the surface of the image carrier, a toner conveying path for guiding the toner removed by the cleaning means to the developing device, cleaning means for cleaning the charging means, and cleaning means And an oscillating means for oscillating the image forming apparatus, wherein the position of the cleaning means is set so that the cleaning means gives an impact to the toner in the toner conveying path by the oscillating means. Suggest (charge 2).

In this case, it is advantageous that the charging means comprises a charging roller which is in contact with the surface of the image carrier.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image carrier driven to move its surface, charging means for charging the surface of the image carrier, and a charged image carrier surface. A latent image forming means for forming an electrostatic latent image on the toner image, a developing device for visualizing the electrostatic latent image as a toner image, a transfer means for transferring the toner image to a transfer material, and a toner image A cleaning unit that removes toner adhering to the surface of the image carrier, a toner conveying path that guides the toner removed by the cleaning unit to the developing device, and a swing unit that swings the cleaning unit. The present invention proposes an image forming apparatus in which the position of the cleaning unit is set such that the cleaning unit applies an impact to the toner in the toner conveying path due to the swing of the cleaning unit.

In this case, the cleaning means includes a cleaning blade which presses against the surface of the image carrier, and a holder which holds the cleaning blade. It is advantageous if the position of the holder is set so as to give an impact to it (claim 5).

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of an image forming unit 1 constituting a main part of an image forming apparatus, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the image forming unit 1. The image forming unit 1 is pushed in the depth direction with respect to the paper surface of FIG. 1 and is mounted at a predetermined position in the image forming apparatus main body (not shown). On the contrary, the image forming unit 1 is pulled out to the near side. The image forming unit 1 can be detached from the image forming apparatus main body. FIG. 1 shows a state where the image forming unit 1 is positioned and mounted at a predetermined position in the main body of the image forming apparatus.

The unit case 2 of the image forming unit 1 is largely divided into an upper case 2A and a lower case 2B, and the upper case 2A and the lower case 2B are integrated with each other by screws (not shown). FIG. 4 shows the upper case 2A and the lower case 2
B is shown, and the lower case 2B is viewed from obliquely above.

As shown in FIG. 1, a drum case 3, which is an example of an image carrier, is rotatably supported on a unit case 2 of the image forming unit 1. Is rotated counterclockwise in FIG. 1 by a driving device (not shown) provided on the image forming apparatus main body side. The photoreceptor 3 is driven so that its surface moves. At this time, the photoreceptor 3 has a light L1 from a neutralization lamp 4 disposed on the image forming apparatus main body outside the image forming unit 1. And the potential on the surface of the photoconductor is initialized. The unit case 2 includes the light L
A through-hole 5 into which 1 enters is formed.

A charging roller 6, which is an example of charging means, is rotatably supported on the unit case 2 via an arm, as will be described later. The charging roller 6 rotates clockwise in FIG. 1 following the rotation of the photoconductor 3. At this time, a voltage of a predetermined polarity is applied to the charging roller 6, whereby the surface of the photoconductor is uniformly charged to that polarity. As described above, the charging means including the charging roller 6 serves to charge the surface of the image carrier to a predetermined polarity.

An optical writing unit 7 which is an example of a latent image forming means is provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus outside the image forming unit 1, and a light-modulated laser beam L2 emitted from this unit 7 Enter the unit case 2 through another through hole 8 formed in the unit case 2,
The charged photoconductor surface is exposed. As a result, a predetermined electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photoconductor. Thus, the latent image forming means serves to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the charged image carrier.

On the other hand, the image forming unit 1 is provided with a developing device 9 for visualizing the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor 3 as a toner image. And a developing roller 11, which is an example of a developer carrying member provided in the case 10 and rotatably supported by the unit case 2, and a developing roller 11 inside the developing roller 11. And the first and second stirring members 13 and 14 that convey the developer D contained in the developer case 10 while stirring the magnet 12 that is immovably disposed in the developer case 10.
And In this example, a powdery two-component developer having a magnetic carrier and a toner is used as the developer D, but a one-component developer having no carrier may be used.

In FIG. 4, the first and second stirring members 1
3 and 14 are simply shown in a roller shape,
These stirring members 13 and 14 are configured as screw conveyors having spiral blades as is well known per se,
As these rotate, the developer D in the developer case 10 is conveyed while being agitated as shown by an arrow A in FIG. A partition 15 formed by a part of the unit case 2 is provided between the first stirring member 13 and the second stirring member 14.
The partition 15 has an opening 1 through which the developer flows.
6, 17 are formed.

As the developer D is agitated as described above, the toner and the carrier are frictionally charged to opposite polarities, and the developer is supplied to the peripheral surface of the developing roller 11 by the first agitating member 13. . The developer supplied onto the developing roller 11 is carried on the peripheral surface of the developing roller by the action of the magnetic force of the magnet 12, and the developing roller 11 is rotated clockwise in FIG. 1 by a driving device (not shown). , The developer is transported in this direction. After the transport amount of the developer is regulated by the regulating blade 18, the developer is conveyed to a developing area between the developing roller 11 and the photoconductor 3, where the toner in the developer forms an electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor. And the latent image is visualized as a toner image.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 19 denotes a toner density sensor for magnetically (permeability) detecting the mixing ratio of toner and carrier. The sensor 19 detects a decrease in the toner density of the developer. The toner supplied from a toner replenishing device (not shown) provided in the image forming apparatus main body passes through the toner replenishing pipe 20 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 and flows from the toner receiving port 63 shown in FIG. As shown, the developer is supplied into the developer case 10.

As shown in FIG. 1, a transfer roller 64, which is an example of a transfer unit, is provided to face the photosensitive member 3.
The transfer roller 64 is rotatably supported by the image forming apparatus main body, and is driven to rotate clockwise by a driving device (not shown).

On the other hand, a transfer sheet P, which is an example of a transfer material fed from a sheet feeding device (not shown) provided at a lower portion of the main body of the image forming apparatus, is transferred at a predetermined timing as indicated by an arrow I. It is fed between the photoconductor 3 and the transfer roller 64. At this time, the transfer roller 64 rotates while being pressed against the photoconductor 3 via the transfer paper P, and a voltage having a polarity opposite to the charging polarity of the toner on the photoconductor is applied to the transfer roller 64. The upper toner image is transferred to the transfer paper P. As described above, the transfer unit transfers the toner image formed on the surface of the image carrier to the transfer material.

The transfer paper P is separated from the photosensitive member 3 by the action of electric discharge from the discharge needle 65, and then, when passing through a fixing device (not shown), the toner image on the transfer paper P is fixed on the transfer paper. . Subsequently, the transfer paper is discharged onto a discharge tray (not shown).

The toner remaining on the surface of the photoreceptor without being transferred is scraped off by the cleaning member of the cleaning means 21. The cleaning means 21 of this embodiment has a cleaning member including a cleaning blade 22 having a front edge pressed against the surface of the photoreceptor, and a holder 23 for fixing and supporting a base end of the cleaning blade 22. Are supported by the unit case 2 in a manner described later. The cleaning blade 22 is made of, for example, an elastic material such as urethane rubber, and scrapes off and removes transfer residual toner attached to the surface of the photoreceptor by its leading edge pressed against the surface of the photoreceptor.

As described above, the cleaning means 21
The surface of the photoreceptor whose surface has been cleaned by the cleaning unit 21 is used to remove toner adhered to the surface of the image carrier after the transfer of the toner image, and the surface of the photoreceptor is irradiated with light from the neutralization lamp 4 to have a surface potential of After initialization, the above operation is repeated to form an image on the next transfer sheet.

The toner removed from the surface of the photoreceptor 3 by the cleaning means 21 accumulates in a cleaning case 24 formed by a part of the unit case 2, and the toner is removed by a toner discharging member 25 arranged in the cleaning case 24. It is discharged out of the case 24. As shown in FIG. 5, the toner discharging member 25 of the present embodiment is formed by a screw conveyor having spiral blades, and when this is rotated, the toner in the cleaning case 24 causes the toner in the cleaning case 24 to be in front of the image forming unit 1 (see FIG. 1). The paper is conveyed to the front of the paper. In this example, the toner discharge member 25 is drivingly connected to the photoconductor 3 via a gear (not shown), and the toner discharge member 25 is driven to rotate using the photoconductor 3 as a drive source. The cleaning unit 21, the cleaning case 24, and the toner discharging member 25 constitute an example of a cleaning device that removes transfer residual toner on the surface of the image carrier and discharges the toner to the outside.

The toner conveyed to the front of the image forming unit 1 is discharged to the outside through a discharge port 26 formed in the unit case 2 as shown in FIG. In FIG. 2, reference numeral T is attached to the discharged powdery toner. After the toner T falls on the toner conveying path 28, it slides down the toner conveying path 28 by its own weight as shown by an arrow C in FIG. 2, and from the toner intake port 29 (see also FIG. 4) therebelow. The developer is sent to the developer case 10. The toner that has entered the developer case 10 is stirred and mixed with the developer D in the developer case by the stirring member 14 described above. In this way, the toner returned to the developing device 9 is reused in the developing device 9 for visualizing the electrostatic latent image.

The toner conveying path 28 of the present embodiment includes a guide plate 27 fixed integrally to the side plate 31 on the front side of the unit case 2 and arranged in an inclined position, and a side plate 31 facing the guide plate 27 and facing the guide plate 27. As shown in FIG. 3, the toner scattering prevention plate 30 is integrally fixed to the toner and the cover 32 covers the space defined by the toner scattering prevention plate 30, and the toner T falls on the guide plate 27. The cover 32 is detachably fixed to the unit case 2 by screws.
In FIG. 2, the cover 32 is removed to clarify the structure of the toner conveyance path 28.

As described above, the image forming apparatus of this embodiment has the toner conveying path 28 for guiding the toner removed from the surface of the image carrier by the cleaning means 21 to the developing device 9. In this embodiment, the toner transport path 28 is constituted by the inclined guide plate 27 and the like, but the toner transport path may be constituted by, for example, a toner transport pipe. Also, instead of transporting the toner T on the toner transport path by its own weight, for example, a toner transport member including a rotatably driven coil or a screw conveyor is provided in the toner transport path, thereby forcibly transporting the toner. Can also.

The reference numeral 33 in FIG. 1 denotes a shutter rotatably mounted on the unit case 2.
For example, when the image forming unit 1 is removed from the image forming apparatus main body, the shutter 33 rotates to a position covering the photoconductor 3 to protect the photoconductor 3.

Here, in the image forming apparatus of the above-described type, if the toner T in the toner transport path accumulates in the transport path 28, for example, as shown in FIG. The toner transport path 28 is blocked, and the toner T cannot be guided to the developing device 9. Therefore, as described above, a configuration has been proposed in which an agitator is provided in the toner conveying path, and the agitator is rotationally driven to loosen the toner to prevent a problem that the toner is accumulated. , Causing the structure of the image forming apparatus to become complicated,
The disadvantage of rising costs is inevitable.

Therefore, in the image forming apparatus of this embodiment,
Focusing on the fact that a rocking means for rocking the members constituting the image forming apparatus has been conventionally used, the rocking gives an impact to the toner T in the toner conveying path 28 and causes the toner T to accumulate. It is configured to prevent Hereinafter, a specific configuration example will be clarified.

Since the charging roller 6 shown in FIG. 1 is in contact with the surface of the photosensitive member 3, it is inevitable that a small amount of toner adheres to the charging roller 6. However, if this is left as it is, the toner migrates to the surface of the photoreceptor again, and a toner image formed on the photoreceptor is stained with a background.
The image quality deteriorates. Further, if the toner remains attached to the charging roller 6, the charging function of the charging roller 6 is reduced, which also deteriorates the image quality of the toner image.

Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 1, 6, and 7, a cleaning means 34 for cleaning the charging roller 6 is provided inside the unit case 2, and the cleaning means 34 illustrated in these figures is provided. Is composed of a cleaning member 35 pressed against the surface of the charging roller 6 and opposed to the photoconductor 3 with the charging roller 6 interposed therebetween, and a holding member 36 for holding the cleaning member 35. The cleaning member 35 is made of an elastic material such as foamed polyurethane, for example, and extends in the axial direction of the charging roller 6. The cleaning member 35 is adhered to a holding member 36 formed of, for example, a sheet metal by, for example, a double-sided adhesive tape. The cleaning member 35 comes into pressure contact with the surface of the charging roller 6 to remove toner adhered thereto.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the charging roller 6
Each end of the roller shaft 6A at the center in the longitudinal direction is pushed into the bearings 38, 38A of the arms 37, 37A, respectively, and is supported rotatably.
Each of the bearing holes 39, 39A formed in these is supported by a support shaft (not shown) projecting from the inner surface of the case of the front and rear side plates 31, 31A (FIGS. 1 and 2) of the unit case 2. It is fitted rotatably. Each arm 37,3
7A and the unit case 2 have compression springs 40, 4
0A are respectively press-fitted, whereby the arms 37, 3
7A and the transfer roller 6 supported thereon are urged to rotate clockwise in FIG. 1, and the transfer roller 6 is pressed against the surface of the photoconductor 3 with an appropriate pressure.

The holding member 36 of the cleaning means 34 is slidable in the longitudinal direction so that the claw portions 4 of the arms 37 and 37A can be slid.
1, 41A. Moreover, elongated holes 42, 42 extending in the longitudinal direction are provided at each longitudinal end of the holding member 36.
A is formed, and stepped screws 43, 43A inserted into the respective elongated holes 42, 42A so as to be relatively slidable are screwed to the respective arms 37, 37A. As a result, the holding member 36 is slidably attached to each of the arms 37 and 37A in the longitudinal direction of the holding member 36 for a predetermined stroke. Pressure with appropriate pressure.

Further, the holding member 36 and the unit case 2
Are connected by a tension spring 44, whereby the holding member 36 is urged together with the cleaning member 35 in the front side in the longitudinal direction, that is, in the direction of the arrow H (FIG. 6). A shaft 45 is fixed to the front end of the holding member 36.
5, a roller 46 is rotatably supported.
A cam 47 is arranged to face 6. This cam 47
Is rotatably supported by a pin (not shown) protruding from the inner surface of the case of the side plate 31 on the front side of the unit case 2, and as shown in FIG. The roller 46 is in rolling contact with the roller 46 under the action of. A gear 49 is formed on the peripheral surface of the cam 47, and the gear 49 meshes with a gear (not shown) provided on one end side of the photoconductor 3 in the axial direction.

With the above configuration, when the photosensitive member 3 rotates,
The cam 47 also rotates. Accordingly, when the roller 46 comes into pressure contact with the peak of the cam surface 48 as shown in FIG.
The holding member 36 moves together with the cleaning member 35 in a direction (arrow E direction) against the urging force of the tension spring 44. When the cam 47 further rotates and the roller 46 comes into pressure contact with the valley of the cam surface 48 as shown in FIG. 8B, the holding member 36 and the cleaning member 35 It is returned in the direction of arrow H opposite to the above direction. Therefore, the photoconductor 3
Is rotated, the cleaning member 35 is attached to the charging roller 6.
While being pressed against the surface of the charging roller 6, it swings in the axial direction, whereby the toner attached to the surface of the charging roller 6 can be effectively removed.

As described above, in the image forming apparatus of this embodiment, the cleaning unit 3 for cleaning the charging roller 6 which is an example of the charging unit.
4 and a swinging means for swinging the cleaning means 34. In the illustrated example, a cam 47 which is driven to rotate, a roller 46 rotatably supported by the holding member 36, and the roller 46 Spring 44 pressed against cam surface 48 of cam 47
The swing means is constituted by the above.

Here, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the holding member 36 has a protrusion 50 at an end on the front side thereof, and the protrusion 50 is provided on the toner conveying path 28 shown in FIG. Are located facing the inner surface of the case of the side plate 31 that defines
The holding member 36 swings as described above, and the holding member 36
Is pulled back toward the near side (in the direction of arrow H) by the tension spring 44, the projection 50 projects to the inner surface of the case of the side plate 31. When the holding member 36 swings to one side, it collides with the inside of the side plate 31 that partitions the toner conveying path 28. While the holding member 36 is swinging, the protrusion 50 intermittently hits the side plate 31, and transmits the impact to the toner T in the toner conveying path 28 to loosen it. Thus, an impact is applied to the toner T in the toner conveying path 28, and the toner T is prevented from being aggregated and deposited. The position of the cleaning unit 34 is set so that the cleaning unit 34 gives an impact to the toner T in the toner conveying path by the swing.

As described above, in the image forming apparatus of this embodiment,
The charging means comprises a charging roller 6 in contact with the surface of the image carrier comprising the photoreceptor 3, and oscillates a cleaning means 43 for cleaning the charging roller 6. Since the impact can be given to the toner T inside and the toner T can be loosened, the toner T can be guided to the developing device 9 smoothly. In addition, a dedicated driving device for loosening the toner T is not required, so that the structure of the image forming apparatus can be simplified and its cost can be reduced.

Next, instead of, or in addition to, the above-described configuration in which the protrusion 50 of the holding member 36 abuts against the side plate 31 of the unit case 2, the following configuration may be employed.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 9, the cleaning blade 22 of the cleaning means 21 disposed inside the unit case 2 extends long along the axial direction of the photoconductor 3, and is mounted on a holder 23 made of, for example, a sheet metal. Bonded by hot melt welding or the like. As shown in FIG. 9, a hole 51 is formed at the end of the holder 23 on the front side of the image forming unit, and the hole 51 is formed on a support shaft 52 projecting from the inner side surface of the side plate 31 on the front side of the unit case 2. 51 are rotatably fitted. As shown in FIG. 10, a shaft 53 is integrally provided at the end of the holder 23 on the back side of the image forming unit, and is fixed to the inner side surface of the side plate 31 </ b> A on the back side of the unit case 2. The shaft portion 53 is rotatably fitted in the hole 55 of the bearing portion 54.

In this manner, the holder 23 is supported by the unit case 2 so as to be rotatable around the support shaft 52 and the shaft 53 together with the cleaning blade 22.
And a tension spring 57 whose ends are locked to the unit case 2
1 gives the holder 23 and the cleaning blade 22 a clockwise rotation behavior in FIG. 1, whereby the leading edge of the cleaning blade 22
Of the cleaning blade 22
Is positioned.

As shown in FIG. 10, the hole 55 of the bearing 54
A roller 56 is rotatably supported at the distal end of the shaft portion 53 penetrating the shaft 56, and a cam 58 is located opposite the roller 56. The cam 58 is rotatably supported by a pin (not shown) protruding from the inner side surface of the case 31 </ b> A (FIG. 1) on the rear side of the unit case 2. Holder 23
Each end of a tension spring 59 is locked between the center of the unit case 2 and the unit case 2, whereby the holder 23 and the cleaning blade 22 are urged toward the back of the image forming unit 1 (in the direction of arrow F), As a result, the roller 56
8 is pressed against the cam surface 60.

A gear 61 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cam 58. The gear 61 meshes with a gear (not shown) provided on the other axial end of the photosensitive member 3. Accordingly, when the photoreceptor 3 rotates, the cam 58 is driven to rotate, and the holder 23 is moved together with the cleaning blade 22 under the action of the tension spring 59 in the same manner as the holding member 36 of the cleaning member 35 described above.
The photosensitive member 3 swings in the axial direction (the directions of arrows F and G). Thereby, the leading edge portion of the cleaning blade 22
While being pressed against the surface of the photoreceptor 3, the photoreceptor 3 is swung in the axial direction, so that foreign matter such as paper dust sandwiched between the cleaning blade 22 and the photoreceptor 3 is effectively removed, and is caused by the foreign matter. The occurrence of scratches on the cleaning blade 22 is prevented.

Here, as shown in FIG.
Has a projection 62 at the end on the near side of the image forming unit, and when the holder 23 swings toward the side plate 31 on the near side of the unit case 2 with the swing of the holder 23, the projection 62 Abuts against the inner surface of the case of the side plate 31. When the cleaning means 21 swings in this manner, the projections 62 intermittently hit the side plate 31 and give an impact to the toner T in the toner conveying path 28, thereby loosening the toner T. This prevents aggregation and deposition.

As described above, the image forming apparatus of this embodiment is provided with the oscillating means for oscillating the cleaning means 21, and the cleaning means 21 causes the toner T in the toner conveying path 28 to oscillate. The position of the cleaning means 21 is set so as to give an impact to the cleaning means 21. More specifically, the cleaning means 21 is provided with a cleaning blade 22 which is in pressure contact with the surface of the image carrier comprising the photoconductor 3.
And a holder 2 for holding the cleaning blade 22
The position of the holder 23 is set such that the holder 23 gives an impact to the toner in the toner conveying path 28 by the swing. And
In the illustrated example, the cam 58, the roller 56 supported by the holder 23, and the roller 56
The rocking means is constituted by a spring 59 which is brought into pressure contact with.

According to the above configuration, the cleaning means 21
By utilizing the swing of the toner, the toner in the toner conveying path 28 can be loosened, and the toner T can be smoothly guided to the developing device 9. In addition, a dedicated driving device for loosening the toner T is not required, so that the structure of the image forming apparatus can be simplified and its cost can be reduced.

In the above, the structure in which the cleaning means 34 of the charging roller 6 and the cleaning means 21 are oscillated and the toner T is impacted by the oscillation has been described, but only one of these structures is employed. Or they may be employed together. Alternatively, at least one member other than the cleaning unit 34 and the cleaning unit 21 may be oscillated, thereby giving an impact to the toner T and loosening it. In short, a swinging unit for swinging at least one member constituting the image forming apparatus is provided, and the swinging member applies an impact to the toner in the toner conveying path by the swinging. The position of the swinging member is set.

The present invention can be widely applied to image forming apparatuses other than the illustrated type, for example, an image forming apparatus in which a photosensitive member or the like does not constitute an image forming unit, or a method in which a toner image formed on a photosensitive member is transferred to an intermediate transfer member. Is primarily transferred, and the toner image is secondarily transferred to a final transfer material. When an intermediate transfer member is used, the intermediate transfer member constitutes a transfer material on which the toner image on the surface of the image carrier is transferred.

[0052]

According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the toner collected from the image carrier can be smoothly guided to the developing device through the toner conveying path while suppressing an increase in the number of parts and an increase in cost. it can.

According to the image forming apparatus of the second aspect,
By utilizing the swing of the cleaning means for cleaning the charging means, a loosening action can be given to the toner in the toner conveying path, and in addition to the above-mentioned effects, the charging means is always kept in a cleaned state. The effect which can be performed can be produced.

According to the image forming apparatus of the third aspect,
The transfer roller in contact with the surface of the image carrier can be cleaned, and the effect of preventing a deterioration in image quality can be achieved.

According to the image forming apparatus of the fourth aspect,
In addition to the functions and effects provided by the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, it is possible to prevent a foreign substance from being clogged between the cleaning member of the cleaning unit and the image carrier.

According to the image forming apparatus of the fifth aspect,
The above operation and effect can be realized with a simple configuration.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view of an image forming unit set in an image forming apparatus main body.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the image forming unit shown in FIG. 1;
It is a figure showing the state where the cover was removed.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the image forming unit with a cover attached.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the lower case as viewed obliquely from above.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a toner discharge member.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a charging roller and a cleaning unit that cleans a peripheral surface thereof.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the cam and the roller shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a cleaning unit and a configuration for swinging the cleaning unit.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the cam and the holder shown in FIG. 9 when viewed from the back side.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which toner is clogged in the toner conveyance path.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 6 charging roller 9 developing device 21 cleaning means 22 cleaning blade 23 holder 28 toner transport path 34 cleaning means T toner

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Jiji Mizuishi 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Ricoh Company (72) Inventor Mayumi Ohori 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Ricoh Company (72) Inventor Masaru Tanaka 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Ricoh Company (72) Inventor Kenzo Tatsumi 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Ricoh Company (72) Invention Noriyuki Usui No. 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Ricoh Company (72) Inventor Toshitaka Yamaguchi 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Ricoh Company (72) Hideki Yoshinami Inventor 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo F-term in Ricoh Co., Ltd. (Reference) 2H034 BA01 BC00 BF10 CA01 CA02 CB01 2H077 AA37 AC02 AC16 CA02 EA01

Claims (5)

[Claims] An image carrier driven to move its surface, charging means for charging the surface of the image carrier, and latent image formation for forming an electrostatic latent image on the charged image carrier surface Means, a developing device for visualizing the electrostatic latent image as a toner image, a transfer means for transferring the toner image to a transfer material, and a toner adhering to the surface of the image carrier after transferring the toner image. A cleaning unit for removing the toner, a toner conveying path for guiding the toner removed by the cleaning unit to the developing device, and a rocking unit for rocking at least one member constituting the image forming apparatus; The moving member is
An image forming apparatus in which the position of the oscillating member is set so that the oscillating gives an impact to the toner in the toner conveying path. 2. An image bearing member driven to move its surface, charging means for charging the surface of the image bearing member, and latent image formation for forming an electrostatic latent image on the charged image bearing member surface Means, a developing device for visualizing the electrostatic latent image as a toner image, a transfer means for transferring the toner image to a transfer material, and a toner adhering to the surface of the image carrier after transferring the toner image. A cleaning unit for removing the toner removed by the cleaning unit to the developing device; a cleaning unit for cleaning the charging unit; and a swing unit for swinging the cleaning unit. An image forming apparatus in which the position of the cleaning unit is set such that the cleaning unit applies an impact to the toner in the toner conveying path by the swing of the cleaning unit. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said charging means comprises a charging roller in contact with a surface of the image carrier. 4. An image carrier driven to move its surface, charging means for charging the surface of the image carrier, and latent image formation for forming an electrostatic latent image on the charged image carrier surface Means, a developing device for visualizing the electrostatic latent image as a toner image, a transfer means for transferring the toner image to a transfer material, and a toner adhering to the surface of the image carrier after transferring the toner image. A cleaning unit for removing the toner, a toner conveying path for guiding the toner removed by the cleaning unit to the developing device, and a rocking unit for rocking the cleaning unit. ,
An image forming apparatus in which the position of the cleaning unit is set so as to give an impact to the toner in the toner conveying path. 5. The cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning unit includes a cleaning blade that presses against the surface of the image carrier, and a holder that holds the cleaning blade. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the position of the holder is set so as to give an impact.