JP2004126156A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus in which the replacement life of a recovering means is prolonged by effectively utilizing a space in the recovering means by a simple structure and the miniaturization of the apparatus is realized by the configuration of the recovering means within a limited space. <P>SOLUTION: The apparatus has: an external cover 202 which is disposed such that it can be opened/closed, covers a waste-toner container 61 when closed, and separates the waste-toner container 61 from a front plate 201 in conjunction with an opening operation when opened from a closed state; and a pressing spring 67 which pulls back the waste-toner container 61 separated from the front plate 201 in conjunction with the opening operation of the external cover 202, thereby striking the container 61 against the front plate 201. A pile of waste toner H in the waste toner container 61 is securely crushed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention employs an electrostatic recording system or an electrophotographic recording system, and has a function of forming an image on a recording medium such as a sheet. For example, an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, or a facsimile machine It is about.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic system charges an electrophotographic photosensitive member as an image carrier and then exposes the photosensitive member to form an electrostatic latent image. An image is obtained by finally transferring an image (toner image) using a developer obtained by developing using the developer onto a recording material and fixing the image.
[0003]
In an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer using such an electrophotographic method, a latent image is formed on at least one electrophotographic photosensitive member as an image carrier, and the latent image is developed with a developer to form a toner image. An intermediate transfer method is known in which a toner image is formed on an intermediate transfer body once and then transferred to a recording material at once.
[0004]
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a conventional intermediate transfer type image forming apparatus 200.
[0005]
First, the image forming apparatus 200 forms a latent image on a drum-type electrophotographic photosensitive member serving as an image carrier using light, magnetism, electric charge, and the like, that is, the photosensitive drum 11, and the latent image is formed with a developer. A plurality of image forming units 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d as image forming means for obtaining a visible image (toner image) by visualizing, and a visible image is sequentially transferred from each of the image forming units 10a to 10d to form a multi-color image Transfer belt 31 as an intermediate transfer member to be transferred, secondary transfer means 36 for transferring the multi-color image on the intermediate transfer belt 31 to the recording material P, and a multi-color image transferred on the recording material P to the recording material P And a fixing device 40 for fixing on the upper side.
[0006]
The intermediate transfer belt 31 is a belt-shaped member that is stretched around a plurality of rollers and rotates endlessly. The intermediate transfer belt 31 is adjacent to the plurality of image forming units 10a to 10d, and a visible image formed on the photosensitive drum 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d provided in each of the image forming units 10a to 10d is transferred to each image forming unit. The primary transfer is performed by primary transfer chargers 35a, 35b, 35c, and 35d as primary transfer means disposed at positions facing the intermediate transfer belt 31 with the intermediate transfer belts 10a to 10d. In some cases, a cylindrical intermediate transfer drum that rotates around a drum axis is used as the intermediate transfer body.
[0007]
The visible images primary-transferred from the plurality of photosensitive drums 11a to 11d are superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 31, and are conveyed to a position Te where the intermediate transfer belt 31 is rotated and transferred to the recording material P.
[0008]
The visible image on the intermediate transfer belt 31 is secondarily transferred to the recording material P supplied by the recording material supply unit 20 in the secondary transfer area Te by the secondary transfer charger 36 as the secondary transfer unit.
[0009]
Further, the image secondarily transferred to the recording material P is fixed by the fixing unit 40, and a full-color image can be obtained on the recording material P. When a single-color image is obtained, a single-color visible image is primarily transferred from a specific image forming unit onto the intermediate transfer belt 31, and a single-color image is obtained through a process similar to that for forming a full-color image.
[0010]
In the image forming apparatus 200 having such a configuration, the intermediate transfer body cleaning device 50 is disposed near the intermediate transfer belt 31 and downstream of the secondary transfer area Te in the movement (rotation) direction of the intermediate transfer belt 31. Then, the intermediate transfer body cleaning device 50 cleans untransferred toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 31 without being transferred onto the recording material P after the completion of the secondary transfer, and prepares for the next image formation.
[0011]
FIG. 5 shows the configuration of the waste toner container in the image forming apparatus 200 having such a configuration. The transfer residual toner (waste toner) removed from the intermediate transfer belt 31 by the intermediate transfer body cleaning device 50 is disposed outside the front plate 210 of the image forming apparatus by a waste toner conveyance path 51 including a conveyance screw. It is transported to the waste toner container 61 and collected. The waste toner container 61 is held by a holding member 62, and when fullness is detected by a fullness detection sensor (not shown) disposed near the waste toner container opening 63, the waste toner overflows from the waste toner container opening 63. It is replaced by the operator before it is lost.
[0012]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the case of the above-described conventional technology, the following problems have occurred.
[0013]
In recent years, as the size and cost of the apparatus have been reduced, it has become difficult for the image forming apparatus as shown in FIG. 4 to secure a sufficient capacity of the waste toner container.
[0014]
That is, in order to efficiently collect the waste toner as a powder, the waste toner container 61 preferably has a vertically long shape as shown in FIG. 6 (a). become.
[0015]
As shown in FIG. 6B, if the waste toner container 61 has a shape that is long in the horizontal direction, this can be realized without contradicting the miniaturization of the apparatus. However, the waste toner as a powder is piled up in a mountain shape. For this reason, the full toner sensor disposed near the waste toner container port 63 detects fullness without filling the waste toner container 61 to every corner.
[0016]
Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of ports for discharging waste toner are provided by a second waste toner transport path 52 including a transport screw to disperse the loading of waste toner. As disclosed in the publication, there is a method in which another movable member is brought into contact with (separated from) the waste toner container when the movable member is moved, and the pile of waste toner loaded in the container is broken by the contacted (separated) vibration. However, the configuration was complicated, which was against the cost reduction of the device, or lacked the certainty of breaking the mountain.
[0017]
The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and its purpose is to extend the replacement life of the collecting means by effectively utilizing the space in the collecting means with a simple configuration, An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus in which the size of the apparatus is reduced by forming the collecting unit in a limited space.
[0018]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention,
Cleaning means for removing and recovering attached matter from the surface of the object to be cleaned;
A collection unit that is provided swingably with respect to the frame and collects the attached matter removed by the cleaning unit;
In the image forming apparatus provided with
A cover member that is provided so as to be openable and closable, covers the collection unit in a closed state, and separates the collection unit from the frame in conjunction with the opening operation when an opening operation is performed from the closed state.
Pull-back means for pulling back the collecting means separated from the frame in conjunction with the opening operation of the cover member, and pulling the collecting means back toward the frame to collide with the frame.
It is characterized by having.
[0019]
It is also preferable that the collecting means includes a support portion rotatably supported by the frame, and a contact portion with which the cover member comes into contact when the cover member is opened.
[0020]
The collection unit includes a collection container that stores the attached matter removed by the cleaning unit, and a container holding member that holds the collection container,
It is also preferable that the support portion and the contact portion are provided on the container holding member.
[0021]
The cover member includes a first engagement portion that engages with the collection unit during an opening operation,
It is also preferable that the contact portion is a second engagement portion that engages with the first engagement portion.
[0022]
The first and second engagement portions are protrusions that engage with each other when the cover member is closed,
It is also preferable that the engagement state of the projection is released when the recovery unit rotates by a predetermined amount in conjunction with the opening operation of the cover member.
[0023]
It is also preferable that the cover member is an exterior cover of an image forming apparatus main body.
[0024]
The cover member also serves as a cover that forms a part of the image forming apparatus and covers a regular replacement member that is periodically replaced,
It is also preferable that the amount of the deposit that can be stored in the collection container is the amount of the deposit that adheres to the surface of the body to be cleaned over a period exceeding the replacement period of the periodic replacement member.
[0025]
It is also preferable that the object to be cleaned is an intermediate transfer member to which an image by a developer is transferred.
[0026]
It is also preferable that the object to be cleaned is an image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, and the electrostatic latent image is developed with a developer to form an image with the developer.
[0027]
It is also preferable that the object to be cleaned is a recording material transport unit that transports the recording material.
[0028]
It is also preferable that the object to be cleaned is a transfer unit that applies a transfer electric field by contacting a recording material onto which an image formed by the developer is transferred.
[0029]
At least one image carrier;
An image forming unit that develops an electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier to form a developer image,
An intermediate transfer body on which a developer image formed on the image carrier by the image forming unit is primarily transferred by a primary transfer unit;
Cleaning means for removing transfer residual toner adhered to the intermediate transfer member,
A transfer residual toner collection container for collecting transfer residual toner removed by the cleaning unit,
Wherein the developer image on the intermediate transfer member is secondarily transferred to a transfer material by a secondary transfer unit.
The transfer residual toner collection container is provided to be openable and closable, covers the transfer residual toner collection container in a closed state, and when the opening operation is performed from the closed state, the transfer residual toner collection container is removed from the frame in conjunction with the opening operation. A cover member to be separated,
Pull-back means for pulling back the transfer residual toner collection container separated from the frame in conjunction with the opening operation of the cover member and pulling the container to the frame side to collide with the frame,
It is characterized by having.
[0030]
Note that the above-described configurations can be employed in combination as much as possible.
[0031]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be illustratively described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, and the like of the components described in this embodiment should be appropriately changed depending on the configuration of the apparatus to which the invention is applied and various conditions. It is not intended to limit the scope to the following embodiments. Note that the same components as those described in the section of the related art are denoted by the same reference numerals.
[0032]
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic cross section of an embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.
[0033]
The image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is a color image forming apparatus in which a plurality of image forming units as image forming units using an electrophotographic method are arranged in parallel, in particular, a color electrophotographic copying machine.
[0034]
The image forming apparatus 1 has an image output unit 1P and an image reading unit 1R. The image reading unit 1R obtains document image information as an electric signal by irradiating a CCD with a reflected light obtained by scanning and exposing a document image placed on a document table via a lens system.
[0035]
The image output unit 1P is roughly divided into first to fourth image forming units (stations) 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d, which are a plurality of image forming units arranged in parallel, a sheet feeding unit 20, and an intermediate transfer unit 30. And a fixing unit 40 as a fixing unit and a control unit 70.
[0036]
Hereinafter, each unit will be described in more detail.
[0037]
First, the image forming units 10a to 10d will be described. The image forming units 10a to 10d have the same configuration except that the color of the developer is different. To indicate that the element belongs to each of the image forming units 10a to 10d, subscripts a, b, c, and d are given to the reference numerals assigned to each element.
[0038]
In each of the image forming units 10a to 10d, a drum-type electrophotographic photosensitive member as an image carrier, that is, photosensitive drums 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d are pivotally supported at their centers, and are driven to rotate in the direction of the arrow in the figure. . Opposite to the outer peripheral surfaces of the photosensitive drums 11a to 11d, there are primary chargers 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d as charging means in the rotation direction thereof, optical systems 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d as exposure means, and developing means. Developing devices 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d are arranged.
[0039]
The primary chargers 12a to 12d apply a uniform amount of charge to the surfaces of the rotating photosensitive drums 11a to 11d. Next, the optical systems 13a to 13d irradiate a light beam such as a laser beam modulated in accordance with a recording image signal to expose the photosensitive drums 11a to 11d. Thus, electrostatic latent images are formed on the photosensitive drums 11a to 11d.
[0040]
Further, the electrostatic latent images formed on the respective photosensitive drums 11a to 11d are developed by the developing devices 14a to 14d respectively storing developers of four colors of yellow, cyan, magenta, and black (hereinafter, referred to as “toners”). Visualize.
[0041]
The photosensitive drum cleaning devices 15a, 15b are disposed downstream of the primary transfer areas Ta, Tb, Tc, Td for transferring the visualized visible image (toner image) to the intermediate transfer belt 31 in the rotation direction of the photosensitive drums 11a to 11d. Reference numerals 15b, 15c, and 15d are provided, and thereby, attached matter such as toner (transfer residual toner) remaining on the photosensitive drums 11a to 11d without being transferred to the recording material P is scraped off to remove the photosensitive drums 11a to 11d. Clean the surface of.
[0042]
According to the above-described process, the image forming units 10a to 10d sequentially form the images with the respective color toners.
[0043]
Next, the paper feeding unit 20 includes a cassette 21 for storing a recording material P such as recording paper, a pickup roller 22 for feeding out the recording material P one by one from the cassette 21, and a recording medium fed from the pickup roller 22. A paper feed roller 23 and a paper feed guide 24 for conveying the material P to the registration roller pair 25, and a registration roller for sending the recording material P to the intermediate transfer unit 30 in accordance with the image forming timing in the image forming units 10a to 10d. A pair 25 is provided.
[0044]
Next, the intermediate transfer unit 30 will be described in detail.
[0045]
The intermediate transfer unit 30 has a belt-shaped intermediate transfer belt 31 that moves endlessly in the direction of arrow B in the figure as an intermediate transfer body.
[0046]
The intermediate transfer belt 31 is wound around a plurality of rollers, that is, a driving roller 32, a tension roller 33, and a driven roller 34 to form an intermediate transfer member. Then, a primary transfer plane A is formed between the two drive rollers 32 and the tension roller 33.
[0047]
As the material of the intermediate transfer belt 31, for example, PET (polyethylene terephthalate), PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride), or the like can be used.
[0048]
The drive roller 32 has a surface of a metal roller coated with rubber (urethane or chloroprene) having a thickness of several mm to prevent slippage with the intermediate transfer belt 31. The drive roller 32 is driven to rotate by a pulse motor (not shown). The tension roller 33 applies an appropriate tension to the intermediate transfer belt 31.
[0049]
In the primary transfer areas Ta to Td where the respective photosensitive drums 11a to 11d and the intermediate transfer belt 31 face each other, on the back of the intermediate transfer belt 31, that is, on the side opposite to the photosensitive drums 11a to 11d via the intermediate transfer belt 31. Primary transfer chargers 35a, 35b, 35c, and 35d as primary transfer means are arranged.
[0050]
Further, a secondary transfer roller 36 as a secondary transfer unit is disposed so as to face the driven roller 34 via the intermediate transfer belt 31. A nip between the secondary transfer roller 36 and the intermediate transfer belt 31 forms a secondary transfer area Te.
[0051]
In the intermediate transfer unit 30, the toner remaining without being transferred to the image forming surface of the intermediate transfer belt 31 as the surface to be cleaned (transfer residual) is downstream of the secondary transfer area Te in the moving direction of the intermediate transfer belt 31. An intermediate transfer body cleaning device 50 is provided as cleaning means for cleaning the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 31 by removing extraneous matter such as toner).
[0052]
Next, the fixing unit 40 guides the recording material P to a fixing roller 41 having a heat source such as a halogen heater therein, a pressing roller 42 pressed by the fixing roller 41, and a nip portion between the roller pair 41 and 42. And an inner discharge roller 44 and an outer discharge roller 45 for guiding the recording material P discharged from the pair of rollers 41 and 42 to the outside of the image forming apparatus 1. Note that the pressure roller 42 can also be provided with a heat source.
[0053]
Further, the control unit 70 includes a control board for controlling the operation of the mechanism in each unit, a motor drive board, and the like.
[0054]
Further, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is provided with a tray 48 from which the recording material P on which the image is fixed is discharged so as to protrude outside the apparatus. In addition to the cassette 21, a manual tray 27 protruding outside the apparatus is provided so that the recording material P such as an OHP sheet can be manually supplied to the paper feeding unit 20.
[0055]
The recording material P placed on the manual feed tray 27 is introduced into the paper feed guide 24 by the manual pickup roller 26, the paper feed roller 23, and the like, and is conveyed to the registration roller pair 25 in the same manner as described above.
[0056]
Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment including the above-described units will be further described. Here, a case where the recording material P is supplied from the cassette 21 will be described.
[0057]
When the image forming operation start signal is issued, the recording material P is sent out from the cassette 21 one by one by the pickup roller 22. Then, the recording material P is guided between the paper feed guides 24 by the paper feed rollers 23, and is conveyed to the registration roller pair 25. At this time, the registration roller pair 25 is stopped, and the leading end of the recording material P abuts on the nip portion of the registration roller pair 25.
[0058]
Thereafter, the registration roller pair 25 starts rotating at the timing when the image forming units 10a to 10d start forming images. The timing of this rotation is set so that the recording material P and the toner image primarily transferred from the image forming units 10a to 10d onto the intermediate transfer belt 31 exactly match in the secondary transfer area Te.
[0059]
On the other hand, in the image forming units 10a to 10d, when the image forming operation start signal is issued, the above-described process causes the upper surface of the photosensitive drum 11a of the first image forming unit 10a, which is the most upstream in the moving direction of the intermediate transfer belt 31, to move. Is primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 31 in the primary transfer area Ta by the primary transfer charger 35d to which a high voltage is applied.
[0060]
The primary-transferred toner image is transported to the next primary transfer area Tb. In this case, image formation is performed with a delay of the time during which the toner image is conveyed between the image forming sections, and the next toner image is transferred with the registration on the previous image. Subsequently, the same process is repeated. For example, in the case of a full-color image, four-color toner images are sequentially superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 31 and primary-transferred.
[0061]
Thereafter, when the recording material P enters the secondary transfer area Te and comes into contact with the intermediate transfer belt 31, a high voltage is applied to the secondary transfer roller 36 in accordance with the passage timing of the recording material P. Then, the four color toner images formed on the intermediate transfer belt 31 by the above process are transferred to the surface of the recording material P.
[0062]
Thereafter, the recording material P is accurately guided by the conveyance guide 43 to the nip portion between the fixing roller 41 and the pressure roller 42. The toner image is fixed on the surface of the recording material P by the heat of the pair of rollers 41 and 42 and the pressure of the nip.
[0063]
Thereafter, the recording material P on which the image has been fixed is conveyed by the inner discharge roller 44 and the outer discharge roller 45 and discharged to the tray 48 outside the apparatus.
[0064]
On the other hand, the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 31 after the completion of the secondary transfer is cleaned by the intermediate transfer body cleaning device 50 downstream of the secondary transfer area Te in the moving direction of the intermediate transfer belt 31, and is prepared for the next image formation. . The surfaces of the photosensitive drums 11a to 11d after the primary transfer have been cleaned by the photosensitive drum cleaning devices 15a to 15d, respectively, and are provided for the subsequent image formation.
[0065]
Next, a characteristic portion of the present embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG.
[0066]
FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the vicinity of the intermediate transfer body cleaning device 50 and the waste toner container in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.
[0067]
FIG. 1 shows a state in which an exterior cover 202 as a cover member is completely opened in the direction of arrow B.
[0068]
The outer cover 202 is opened and closed by maintenance work such as processing of a paper jam occurring during the operation of the image forming apparatus, toner supply, and replacement of a periodic replacement component (drum cartridge or the like).
[0069]
The waste toner container 61 as a collection container is arranged outside the front side plate 201 as a frame of the image forming apparatus, and is held by a container holding member 62. Further, the waste toner removed from the intermediate transfer belt 31 by the intermediate transfer body cleaning device 50 is connected to the intermediate transfer body cleaning device 50 via a waste toner transport path 51 including a transport screw therein. Can be recovered. Here, the waste toner container 61 and the container holding member 62 constitute a collecting unit. The waste toner container 61 and the container holding member 62 constitute a transfer residual toner collecting container.
[0070]
The container holding member 62 has a rotation fulcrum 64 as a support at the end, and can rotate in the direction of arrow A.
[0071]
Further, a projection 65 is provided on a surface which is in contact with both side surfaces of the waste toner container 61, and when the operator replaces the waste toner container 61, the worker gives a click feeling to the operator to securely remove the waste toner container 61. The container holding member 62 is prevented from being detached from the container holding member 62 when the container holding member 62 rotates.
[0072]
Further, the container holding member 62 is provided with a snap-fit 66 as a second engaging portion (abutting portion) at an end opposite to the end having the rotation fulcrum 64, and the outer cover 202 is closed. In this state, it is configured to engage with a claw 203 as a first engagement portion provided on the exterior cover 202.
[0073]
One of the biasing springs 67 is connected to the container holding member 62 and the other is connected to the front plate 201 of the image forming apparatus, and biases the container holding member 62 in a direction substantially opposite to the direction of arrow A. ing.
[0074]
The full sensor 68 is a pair of infrared transmission type sensors, and is disposed near the waste toner container opening 63. When the waste toner H piled up in the container cuts off the sensor, the full sensor 68 controls the detection signal of the full waste toner. The control unit prompts the operator to replace the waste toner container 61 on a display unit or the like of the image forming apparatus and waits until the waste toner container 61 is replaced, that is, until the sensor recovers. An instruction is issued not to perform the forming operation.
[0075]
Next, the operation of opening the outer cover will be described with reference to FIG.
[0076]
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the periphery of the waste toner container when viewed from above.
[0077]
FIG. 3A shows a state in which the outer cover 202 is closed, and the claw 203 provided on the outer cover 202 and the snap fit 66 of the container holding member 62 are in an engaged state.
[0078]
FIG. 3B shows a state in which the outer cover 202 is opening in the direction of arrow B and the snap fit 66 is engaged with the claw 203, so that the container holding member 62 also holds the waste toner container 61 while holding the waste toner container 61. It rotates in the A direction by a fixed amount.
[0079]
When the outer cover 202 is further opened as shown in FIG. 3C, the engagement between the claw 203 and the snap fit 66 of the container holding member 62 is released, and the container holding member 62 is moved forward by the urging spring 67. It is forcibly pulled back in the direction of arrow C until it hits the side plate 201.
[0080]
At this time, an impact is applied to the container holding member 62 and the waste toner container 61 by being pulled back by the urging spring 67 until the container holding member 62 and the waste toner container 61 collide with the front side plate 201, and the impact is stacked on the mountain in the waste toner container 61. The waste toner H can be reliably broken.
[0081]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, by applying an impact to the spring-biased waste toner container and the container holding member by the opening operation of the outer cover, the mountain of waste toner in the waste toner container can be easily and reliably removed. Even if the waste toner container is long in the horizontal direction, the waste toner can be efficiently accumulated, and the replacement life of the waste toner container can be extended.
[0082]
Also, if the same outer cover must be opened and closed during reliable toner replenishment work, the waste toner container can be regularly and reliably subjected to an impact, so that it can be more reliably replaced. Life can be extended.
[0083]
Further, the capacity of the waste toner container may be ensured so that the replacement time of the waste toner container is sufficiently longer than the replacement time of the other periodic replacement parts. The amount of the deposit that can be stored in the waste toner container is the amount of the deposit that adheres to the surface of the cleaning object over a period that exceeds the replacement period of the periodic replacement member.
[0084]
In the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus using the intermediate transfer system in which the present invention is most effective has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention works suitably regardless of the transfer method of the image forming apparatus.
[0085]
For example, the object to be cleaned is preferably a photosensitive drum 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d as an image carrier.
[0086]
Further, the object to be cleaned may be a recording material conveying means for conveying the recording material. Here, the recording material conveying means is not particularly limited as long as it conveys the recording material. If the object to be cleaned is a means for supplying (conveying) the recording material to the image forming unit, the attached matter is a piece or a foreign substance of the recording material, and the image is transferred or fixed downstream of the image forming unit. If it is a means for transporting the recording material, the attached matter is a transfer residual toner or the like.
[0087]
Further, the object to be cleaned may be a primary transfer charger 35a, 35b, 35c, 35d or a secondary transfer roller 36 as a transfer unit.
[0088]
Further, in the same image forming apparatus, these different objects to be cleaned may be provided, and a cleaning unit and a collection unit may be provided for each object to be cleaned.
[0089]
Further, in the present embodiment, the snap fit 66 is provided as an abutting portion (second engaging portion) on the container holding member 62 so as to engage with the claw 203 of the outer cover 202, but is not limited to this. Instead, an engagement relationship between the convex portion and the concave portion may be formed. Further, when the outer cover 202 is closed, a part of the outer cover 202 is provided so as to press against the contact portion of the container holding member 62, and the container holding member 62 is pressed against the part of the outer cover 202 ( The opening operation of the outer cover 202 may be linked to the opening operation of the outer cover 202 by a frictional force.
[0090]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to efficiently load the collecting means with a simple configuration, extend the replacement life of the collecting means, and realize a low running cost of the apparatus. it can.
[0091]
Further, the collection means can be configured in a limited space, and the size and cost of the device can be reduced.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the periphery of a waste toner container showing a characteristic portion of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of an intermediate transfer type full-color image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an effect obtained by the embodiment of the present invention in accordance with an opening operation of an exterior cover.
FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an intermediate transfer type full-color image forming apparatus according to the related art.
FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the periphery of a waste toner container according to the related art.
FIG. 6 is a schematic view illustrating the configuration of a waste toner container according to the related art.
FIG. 7 is a schematic view illustrating the configuration of a waste toner container according to the related art.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Image Forming Apparatus 1P Image Output Section 1R Image Reading Sections 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d Image Forming Sections 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d Photosensitive Drums 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d Primary Chargers 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d Optical System 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d Developing devices 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d Photosensitive drum cleaning device 20 Paper feed unit 21 Cassette 22 Pickup roller 23 Paper feed roller 24 Paper feed guide 25 Registration roller pair 26 Manual pick-up roller 27 Manual feed tray 30 Intermediate transfer unit 31 Intermediate transfer belt 32 Drive roller 33 Tension roller 34 Follower rollers 35a, 35b, 35c, 35d Primary transfer charger 36 Secondary transfer roller 40 Fixing unit 41 Fixing roller 42 Pressure roller 43 Guide 44 Inner discharge roller 45 Outer discharge roller 48 Tray 50 Intermediate transfer body cleaning device 51 Waste toner transport path 61 Waste toner container 62 Container holding member 63 Waste toner container opening 64 Rotating fulcrum 65 Protrusion 66 Snap fit 67 Biasing spring 68 Full detection sensor 70 Control unit 201 Front side plate 202 Exterior cover 203 Claw

Claims (12)

Cleaning means for removing and recovering attached matter from the surface of the object to be cleaned;
A collection unit that is provided swingably with respect to the frame and collects the attached matter removed by the cleaning unit;
In the image forming apparatus provided with
A cover member that is provided so as to be openable and closable, covers the collection unit in a closed state, and separates the collection unit from the frame in conjunction with the opening operation when an opening operation is performed from the closed state.
Pull-back means for pulling back the collecting means separated from the frame in conjunction with the opening operation of the cover member, and pulling the collecting means back toward the frame to collide with the frame.
An image forming apparatus comprising: The said collection | recovery means is provided with the support part rotatably supported by the said frame, and the contact part with which the said cover member abuts at the time of the opening operation | movement of the said cover member, The claim 1 characterized by the above-mentioned. Image forming apparatus. The collection unit includes a collection container that stores the attached matter removed by the cleaning unit, and a container holding member that holds the collection container,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the support portion and the contact portion are provided on the container holding member. The cover member includes a first engagement portion that engages with the collection unit during an opening operation,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the contact portion is a second engagement portion that engages with the first engagement portion. The first and second engagement portions are protrusions that engage with each other when the cover member is closed,
5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the engagement state of the protrusion is released when the recovery unit rotates by a predetermined amount in conjunction with the opening operation of the cover member. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cover member is an exterior cover of an image forming apparatus main body. The cover member also serves as a cover that forms a part of the image forming apparatus and covers a regular replacement member that is periodically replaced,
The amount of the deposit that can be stored in the collection container is the amount of the deposit that adheres to the surface of the cleaning object over a period that exceeds the replacement time of the periodic replacement member. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the object to be cleaned is an intermediate transfer member onto which an image formed by a developer is transferred. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the object to be cleaned is an image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, and the electrostatic latent image is developed with a developer to form an image with the developer. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the object to be cleaned is a recording material conveying unit that conveys a recording material. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the object to be cleaned is a transfer unit that applies a transfer electric field by contacting a recording material onto which an image formed by the developer is transferred. 9. . At least one image carrier;
An image forming unit that develops an electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier to form a developer image,
An intermediate transfer body on which a developer image formed on the image carrier by the image forming unit is primarily transferred by a primary transfer unit;
Cleaning means for removing transfer residual toner adhered to the intermediate transfer member,
A transfer residual toner collection container for collecting transfer residual toner removed by the cleaning unit,
Wherein the developer image on the intermediate transfer member is secondarily transferred to a transfer material by a secondary transfer unit.
The transfer residual toner collection container is provided to be openable and closable, covers the transfer residual toner collection container in a closed state, and when the opening operation is performed from the closed state, the transfer residual toner collection container is removed from the frame in conjunction with the opening operation. A cover member to be separated,
Pull-back means for pulling back the transfer residual toner collection container separated from the frame in conjunction with the opening operation of the cover member and pulling the container to the frame side to collide with the frame,
An image forming apparatus comprising:

Images