JP2005266654A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To surely remove a contaminant stuck on an intermediate transfer body while reducing wearing of the intermediate transfer body of an image forming apparatus and an intermediate transfer body cleaning means for cleaning the intermediate transfer body. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus includes: a rotatable intermediate transfer body 16 which carries a toner image; a cleaning brush 101 for removing a contaminant stuck on the intermediate transfer body 16; an intermediate transfer body cleaning means 17 comprising an actuator section 104 which changes an abutting force of the cleaning brush 101 to the intermediate transfer body 16 or displaces its position away from the intermediate transfer body 16 or abutting thereto; and a control means for reinforcing the abutting force of the cleaning brush 101 to the intermediate transfer body 16 via the actuator section 104 or for displacing the cleaning brush 101 to the abutting position to the intermediate transfer body 16 via the actuator section 104 when cleaning the intermediate transfer body 16. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a page printer that prints image data using dots.

  In recent years, an image forming apparatus such as a laser beam printer using an electrophotographic process and a laser technology has been used as an output terminal of a personal computer or a workstation. Particularly, an image forming apparatus capable of forming a color image has been rapidly used. It is becoming popular.

  Hereinafter, a conventional image forming apparatus for forming such a color image will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing a conventional image forming apparatus.

  In FIG. 4, the image forming apparatus is a photoconductor (image carrying rotator) in which a photosensitive layer such as an organic photoconductor is formed in a thin film shape on the outer peripheral surface of a closed loop belt base material made of Ni (nickel) or the like. 1 The photoreceptor 1 is supported by the photoreceptor rollers 2, 3 and 4, and is rotated in the direction of arrow A by the photoreceptor rollers 2, 3 and 4. In the vicinity of the photoreceptor 1, a charger 5 that includes a charging wire made of tungsten wire or the like, a shield plate made of metal or the like, and a grid plate, and uniformly charges the surface of the photoreceptor 1 to a predetermined potential. Has been placed. Further, in the vicinity of the photoconductor 1, a photoconductor cleaning unit 12 that removes toner remaining on the photoconductor 1 after transfer of the toner image, and an electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor 1 after transfer of the toner image are removed. A static eliminator 13 is disposed. The photosensitive rollers 2, 3 and 4, the charger 5, the photosensitive member cleaning means (cleaning means) 12, and the static eliminator 13 are integrated with each other and can be detached from the image forming apparatus as the photosensitive unit 14. .

  A laser driving device, a polygon mirror, a lens system, and a polygon mirror rotating motor are provided at a position facing the photosensitive member 1, and an exposure light beam 15 that has been subjected to light intensity modulation or pulse width modulation is emitted toward the photosensitive member 1. An exposure optical system 6 is provided.

  Developing units 7, 8, 9, and 10 are disposed on the top of the photoreceptor 1. The developing units 7, 8, 9, and 10 store toners of respective colors of black (K), yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C), and are formed on the photoreceptor 1. The developed electrostatic latent image is supplied and developed. In the vicinity of each of the developing units 7, 8, 9, and 10, developing unit contact cams 7b, 8b, 9b, and 10b for contacting and separating the developing units 7, 8, 9, and 10 with respect to the photosensitive member 1 by rotation are provided. The developing unit separating / connecting drive motors 7a, 8a, 9a, 10a for rotating the developing unit separating cams 7b, 8b, 9b, 10b and the positions of the developing units 7, 8, 9, 10 with respect to the photoreceptor 1 are recognized. Developing unit position sensors 7c, 8c, 9c, and 10c are provided, respectively.

  An intermediate transfer member (image bearing rotating member) 16 to which a toner image formed on the photosensitive member 1 is transferred is disposed in contact with the photosensitive member 1. This intermediate transfer member 16 is provided with a belt-shaped sheet made of a conductive resin or the like on the outer periphery of a metal tube such as aluminum, and is supported by intermediate transfer member rollers 71, 72, 73 and indicated by an arrow B. It is rotated in the direction (directions that are the same at the contact position with the photosensitive member 1). In the vicinity of the intermediate transfer member 16, an intermediate transfer member cleaning unit (cleaning unit) 17 for removing toner remaining on the intermediate transfer member 16 after the toner image transfer is installed. The intermediate transfer member cleaning unit 17 includes rubber or the like formed in a blade shape, and scrapes off toner adhering to the intermediate transfer member cleaning unit 17. The intermediate transfer body 16, the intermediate transfer body rollers 71, 72, 73 and the intermediate transfer body cleaning means 17 are integrated with each other and can be detached from the image forming apparatus as the intermediate transfer body unit 11.

  A transfer belt 23 is disposed in contact with the intermediate transfer member 16. The transfer belt 23 is made of conductive rubber or the like formed in a belt shape, and is supported by the transfer body rollers 74, 75, 76, 77 and is the same in the direction of arrow C (in the proximity of the intermediate transfer body 16). In a direction). The toner image formed on the intermediate transfer body 16 is transferred to the recording medium 18 that passes between the intermediate transfer body 16 and the transfer belt 23 by applying a predetermined voltage in the loop of the transfer belt 23. A transfer unit 24 and a separator 25 that attracts the recording medium 18 with an electrostatic force and peels it from the intermediate transfer member 16 by applying a predetermined voltage are arranged. The transfer belt 23, the transfer device 24, the separator 25, and the transfer body rollers 74, 75, 76, and 77 are integrated with each other, and can be detached from the image forming apparatus as the transfer unit 22.

  A recording medium cassette 19 for storing the recording medium 18 is provided at the lower part of the apparatus. The recording medium 18 is fed one by one to the paper transport path 21 by the paper feed roller 20. The sheet conveyance path 21 forms a route that passes between the intermediate transfer member 16 and the transfer belt 23 and reaches the sheet discharge tray 78. A fixing unit 26 is disposed downstream of the transfer position of the toner image onto the recording medium 18 between the intermediate transfer member 16 and the transfer belt 23. The fixing unit 26 has a configuration in which a heat roller 27 and a pressure roller 28 that are pressed against each other are integrated, and the recording medium 18 on which the toner image is transferred is heated by the heat roller 27 and the pressure roller 28. The toner is melted and fixed on the recording medium 18 by being pressurized. The fixing unit 26 is detachable from the image forming apparatus. The heat roller 27 generally has a heat source inside. However, the heat source may be composed of an IH heater or the like.

  Next, the operation of the conventional image forming apparatus having the above configuration will be described.

  First, as a charging step, a high voltage is applied to the charger 5 to cause corona discharge, and the surface of the photoreceptor 1 is uniformly charged to about −700V.

  Next, as an exposure process, the charged photoconductor 1 is rotated in the direction of arrow A by a driving device (not shown), and corresponds to an image of a predetermined color among a plurality of color components on the photoconductor 1. The exposure light beam 15 is irradiated. As a result, the light-irradiated portion on the photoreceptor 1 loses its charge, and an uncharged electrostatic latent image is formed. Here, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to a black image is first formed.

  Next, as a developing process, in accordance with a color selection signal from a developing device control means (not shown), the developing device 7 storing black toner by a developing device contact / separation drive motor 7a and a developing device contact cam 7b. It is brought into contact with the photoreceptor 1. The toner in the developing unit 7 is negatively charged in advance, and the toner adheres only to the electrostatic latent image portion on the photoreceptor 1. By such a negative positive process, the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor 1 is developed with black toner. During this development, the other developing devices 8, 9, and 10 are separated from the photoreceptor 1, and the developing device 7 is also separated from the photoreceptor 1 after the development is completed. Such separation / contact state between the developing units 7, 8, 9, 10 and the photosensitive member 1 is detected by the developing unit position sensors 7c, 8c, 9c, 10c, respectively.

  Next, as a transfer process, the photosensitive member 1 on which the black toner image is formed is pressed against the intermediate transfer member 16 rotating in the direction of arrow B at the same speed as the photosensitive member 1, and the black toner image is formed. Transferred to the intermediate transfer member 16.

  Thereafter, as a photosensitive member cleaning process, the toner remaining on the photosensitive member 1 without being transferred is removed by the photosensitive member cleaning means 12, and the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive member 1 by the static eliminator 13 is removed from the static eliminator. 13 to remove.

  Then, by repeating the above charging process, exposure process, development process, transfer process, and photoreceptor cleaning process for each of yellow, magenta, and cyan colors, four color toners are formed on the intermediate transfer body 16. A composite toner image is formed by superimposing the images.

  Here, the case where the exposure optical system 6 and the exposure light beam 15 are one set has been described, but the exposure optical system for each of black (K), yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C). 6 and the exposure light beam 15 may be arranged so that four color toner images are superimposed on the photosensitive member 1 and the intermediate transfer member 16.

  As the composite toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer member 16, the recording medium 18 is discharged from the recording medium cassette 19 to the paper conveyance path 21 by the paper feed roller 20. Next, the separated transfer unit 22 contacts the intermediate transfer body 16 and a high voltage of about +1 kV is applied to the transfer unit 24. As a result, when the recording medium 18 conveyed in the paper conveyance path 21 comes into contact with the intermediate transfer body 16 and the transfer belt 23 and passes between them, the composite toner image on the intermediate transfer body 16 is transferred to the recording medium 18. Are collectively transferred. When the batch transfer is completed, a voltage is applied to the separator 25 to act as an electrostatic force that attracts the recording medium 18, and the recording medium 18 is peeled from the intermediate transfer body 16. Further, the toner remaining on the intermediate transfer body 16 after the transfer is removed by the intermediate transfer body cleaning means 17.

  Here, the toner image is formed on the photosensitive member 1 and transferred to the intermediate transfer member 16. However, the toner image on the photosensitive member 1 is directly recorded on the recording medium without the intermediate transfer member 16. 18 may be a structure that is batch-transferred to.

  The recording medium 18 to which the composite toner image has been transferred is conveyed through the sheet conveying path 21 to the fixing unit 26, and is heated and pressed by a heat roller 27 and a pressure roller 28, whereby the toner is melted and fixed, and a color image is obtained. Is established. Thereafter, the recording medium 18 is discharged onto a paper discharge tray 78 by a paper discharge roller 79.

  A color image is formed on the recording medium 18 by the operation as described above, but as the image formation is repeated, the performance of the photoconductor unit 14, the intermediate transfer unit 11, the transfer unit 22, and the fixing unit 26 deteriorates. For example, in the intermediate transfer body unit 11 that is in contact with the recording medium 18, the performance progresses due to contamination of the recording medium 18 such as paper dust and unnecessary toner on the surface.

  Therefore, the intermediate transfer member cleaning unit 17 is in contact with the surface of the intermediate transfer member 16 in order to remove contaminants.

  In the conventional technique, the intermediate transfer member cleaning means 17 is a resin-made, rubber- or metal-made blade-like or brush-like one, and is arranged so that the tip of the intermediate transfer member 16 comes into contact with the surface. In addition, the structure is configured to remove contaminants adhered and remaining on the surface of the intermediate transfer body 16 by the contact portion of the tip.

The image forming apparatus as described above is described in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-215948.
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2003-215948 (FIG. 1)

However, in the conventional image forming apparatus as described above, the intermediate transfer member cleaning unit 1 is used.
7 is always brought into contact with the surface of the intermediate transfer member 16 to remove contaminants, and after the contact force is adjusted at the time of assembly, it does not change except for changes in shape such as wear. is there.

  For this reason, the surface of the intermediate transfer member 16 is always scraped by the intermediate transfer member cleaning means 17, and the surface of the intermediate transfer member 16 is gradually worn out, resulting in a decrease in performance.

  On the other hand, the surface of the intermediate transfer body 16 and the wear of the intermediate transfer body cleaning means 17 can be reduced by weakening the pressing force of the intermediate transfer body cleaning means 17, but the function of removing contaminants. It will be accompanied by a decline.

  Further, in the conventional technique, the pressing force of the intermediate transfer member cleaning unit 17 is not particularly adjusted and controlled, so that the paper dust removal performance inevitably changes due to the wear of the intermediate transfer member 16 and the intermediate transfer member cleaning unit 17. As a result, it must be designed to have a certain margin, and the life is relatively shortened.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of reliably removing contaminants attached to an image bearing rotator while reducing wear of the image bearing rotator and a cleaning means for cleaning the image bearing rotator. To do.

  In order to solve this problem, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes an image carrying rotator that is rotatably provided and carries a toner image, a removing unit that removes contaminants attached to the image carrying rotator, and A drive unit that is attached to the removal unit and changes a contact force of the removal unit to the image carrying rotator or displaces the removal unit between a separation position and a contact position with respect to the image carrying rotator; A cleaning means for cleaning the image carrier rotator, and at the time of cleaning the image carrier rotator, a contact force of the removal unit to the image carrier rotator is increased via the drive unit, or via the drive unit. Control means for displacing the removing section to a position of contact with the image bearing rotator is provided.

  In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the control means operates the driving unit when a predetermined number of printed sheets is reached.

  In a further preferred aspect of the present invention, the control means operates the drive unit after activation and before the start of the printing work or after the end of the printing work.

  In a further preferred aspect of the present invention, the control means causes the drive unit to vibrate and operate.

  In a further preferred aspect of the present invention, the image bearing rotator is a photoconductor on which an electrostatic latent image is formed or an intermediate on which a toner image formed on the photoconductor by the development of the electrostatic latent image is transferred. It is a transcript.

  According to the present invention, when the cleaning operation is not performed, the abutting force of the removing unit with respect to the image carrying rotator is relatively weakened, or the removing unit is separated from the image carrying rotator, and the cleaning operation is performed. When performing, the removal unit comes into contact with the image carrying rotator with a stronger contact force, or the removal unit comes into contact with the image carrying rotator, so that the image carrying rotator and cleaning means for cleaning the image carrying rotator Thus, it is possible to obtain an effective effect of reliably removing the contaminants attached to the image bearing rotating body while reducing the wear of the image bearing member.

  Further, if cleaning is performed after a predetermined number of printed sheets, an effective effect is obtained that contaminants can be efficiently removed without frequent cleaning.

  Further, if the drive unit is operated after the start-up and before the start of the print work or after the end of the print work, it is possible to avoid adversely affecting the print work by pressing the cleaning unit against the image carrier rotating body at the time of printing. In addition, an effective effect that the contaminants can be removed is obtained.

  Furthermore, if the cleaning unit is vibrated and pressed against the image bearing rotator, an effective effect can be obtained that the attached contaminants can be vibrated and removed more reliably.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, an image carrying rotator that is rotatably provided and carries a toner image, a removal unit that removes contaminants attached to the image carrying rotator, and a removal unit. A cleaning means for cleaning the image carrying rotator, comprising a drive unit for changing the contact force of the removing unit to the image carrying rotator or displacing the removing unit to the separation position and the contact position with respect to the image carrying rotator. And, when cleaning the image bearing rotator, the control unit increases the contact force of the removal unit with the image bearing rotator via the drive unit or displaces the removal unit to the position of contact with the image bearing rotator via the drive unit. The image forming apparatus has a means for removing the contact portion of the removal portion with respect to the image carrying rotator when the cleaning operation is not performed, or the removal portion is separated from the image carrying rotator. When the cleaning operation is performed, the removal unit comes into contact with the image carrier rotator with a stronger contact force, or the removal unit comes into contact with the image carrier rotator. This has the effect that the contaminants adhering to the image bearing rotating body can be reliably removed while reducing the wear of the cleaning means for cleaning.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the control means is an image forming apparatus that operates the drive unit when the predetermined number of printed sheets is reached, and cleaning is performed after the predetermined number of printed sheets. Thus, the pollutant can be efficiently removed without frequent cleaning.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the control means is an image forming apparatus that operates the drive unit after activation and before the start of the printing work or after the completion of the printing work. There is an effect that contaminants can be removed while avoiding adversely affecting the printing operation by pressing the cleaning means against the image bearing rotating body during printing.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to third aspects, the control means is an image forming apparatus that operates by applying vibration to the drive unit, and the cleaning means Since it can be pressed against the image bearing rotator while being vibrated, it has an effect that the attached contaminants can be vibrated and removed more reliably.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the image bearing rotating body is a photoconductor on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, or an electrostatic latent image. This is an image forming apparatus that is an intermediate transfer body to which a toner image formed on the photoconductor is transferred by the development of the photoconductor, and reliably prevents contamination while reducing wear of the photoconductor, the intermediate transfer body, and the cleaning means for cleaning these. It has the effect that it can be removed.

Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described more specifically with reference to the drawings. Here, in the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are given to the same members, and duplicate descriptions are omitted. In addition, since description here is the best form by which this invention is implemented, this invention is not limited to the said form.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of an intermediate transfer member cleaning unit provided in the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1, and FIG. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an operation of an intermediate transfer member cleaning unit provided in the image forming apparatus.

  The structure and operation of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment are the same as those already described with reference to FIG. 4 except for the intermediate transfer member cleaning unit 17, the printing work monitoring unit 150, and the print number measuring unit 151. The duplicate description in is omitted.

  As shown in detail in FIG. 2, an intermediate transfer member cleaning means (cleaning means) 17 that removes contaminants such as paper dust and unnecessary toner adhering to the intermediate transfer member 16 and cleans them is an intermediate transfer member (image carrier). A cleaning brush (removal unit) 101 that contacts the surface of the rotating body 16 to remove contaminants, a cleaning head unit 102 that holds the cleaning brush 101, a rod 103 that supports the cleaning head unit 102, and a rod 103 An actuator unit (drive unit) 104 attached to the cleaning brush 101 is included.

  The actuator unit 104 includes a magnetic head unit 105 to which the rod 103 is fixed, a spring 106 that displaces the magnetic head unit 105 in a direction in which the rod 103 is pulled in by a tensile force, and a magnetic field that provides the magnetic head unit 105 with a driving force necessary for a cleaning operation. It is the coil part 107 to be generated.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the coil unit 107 is connected to a printed sheet measuring unit (control unit) 151. The printed sheet number measuring means 151 measures the operation amount and operation time in the operation of the image forming apparatus with a parameter called the number of printed sheets, and when a predetermined condition is met, supplies a current to the coil unit 107 to generate a magnetic field, thereby generating a magnetic field. The head unit 105 is driven against the spring force.

  Further, the printed sheet number measuring means 151 is connected to a printing work monitoring means (control means) 150. This print work monitoring means 150 recognizes the start of the print work before or after the start of the print work or the end of the print work, and operates the intermediate transfer member cleaning means 17 via the print number measuring means 151. In the present embodiment, the print number measuring means 151 and the printing work monitoring means 150 which are control means are provided separately, but may be a single control means integrated with each other.

  In FIG. 3, according to such an intermediate transfer member cleaning means 17, the coil portion 107 is not energized when the cleaning operation is not performed. For this reason, the pulling force of the spring 106 against the magnetic head portion 105, the cleaning brush 101. The cleaning brush 101 is weakly in contact with the surface of the intermediate transfer body 16 with a contact force determined by the arrangement conditions such as the softness and the distance to the surface of the intermediate transfer body 16 (FIG. 3A). However, the cleaning brush 101 may be separated from the intermediate transfer member 16 by adjusting these arrangement conditions.

  When the cleaning operation is performed, for example, a DC component drive current is supplied from the printed sheet number measuring unit 151 to the coil unit 107. Then, a magnetic field is formed around the coil part 107, and the magnetic head part 105 is displaced in a direction in which the spring 106 is extended by the generated magnetic field. As a result, the cleaning head unit 102 moves in the direction of the intermediate transfer member 16 via the rod 103 attached to the magnetic head unit 105, and as a result, the cleaning brush 101 strongly moves to the intermediate transfer member 16 as compared with the non-cleaning state. It is pressed (FIG. 3B).

  By rotating the intermediate transfer member 16 with the cleaning brush 101 strongly pressed against the intermediate transfer member 16 in this way, contaminants such as paper dust and unnecessary toner attached to the surface of the intermediate transfer member 16 are removed.

  Here, the cleaning timing is preferably set when the predetermined number of printed sheets is reached by the number-of-printed-sheet measuring unit 151. In this way, contaminants can be efficiently removed without frequent cleaning.

  Such a cleaning operation may be performed at the time of normal printing, but it is assumed that the printing work monitoring unit 150 starts after starting and before starting the printing work or when the state where the printing work is finished is recognized. Is desirable. That is, pressing the intermediate transfer member cleaning unit 17 against the intermediate transfer member 16 during printing may adversely affect the rotation of the intermediate transfer member 16 and reduce the printing performance. Because it is effective to do when not.

  As described above, according to the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, when the cleaning operation is not performed, the contact force of the cleaning brush 101 with respect to the intermediate transfer body 16 is relatively weak, or the cleaning brush 101 is the intermediate transfer body. The cleaning brush 101 is brought into contact with the intermediate transfer member 16 with a stronger contact force when the cleaning operation is performed, or the cleaning brush 101 is brought into contact with the intermediate transfer member 16. Therefore, the contaminants attached to the intermediate transfer body 16 can be reliably removed while reducing the wear of the intermediate transfer body 16 and the intermediate transfer body cleaning means 17 for cleaning the intermediate transfer body 16.

  When the drive current supplied from the printed sheet number measuring unit 151 to the coil unit 107 is not a direct current component but an alternating current component, the spring 106, the magnetic force generated by the coil unit 107, the magnetic head unit 105, and the magnetic head unit 105 are connected to them. Since the intermediate transfer body cleaning means 17 can be pressed against the intermediate transfer body 16 while vibrating depending on the portion and the balance of the elastic parameters of the cleaning brush 101, vibrations are applied to the adhering contaminants such as paper dust more reliably. Can be removed.

  Further, when the drive current supplied from the printed sheet number measuring unit 151 to the coil unit 107 is one in which a direct current component and an alternating current component are superimposed, a predetermined pressing force of the intermediate transfer body cleaning unit 17 against the intermediate transfer body 16 is applied. In addition, since vibrations with strength can be added, contaminants can be removed more efficiently.

  In the above description, the removal portion, which is a contact portion of the intermediate transfer body cleaning means 17 with respect to the intermediate transfer body 16, is a brush, but it may be a blade-like resin plate, rubber, or scraper-like one. .

  Further, in this embodiment, the driving force is obtained by energization control to the coil unit 107. However, as a driving force generation source, driving force such as air pressure or hydraulic pressure, shape memory alloy and heat control, piezo element or bimetal is used. Any type can be used as long as the force is increased or decreased.

In the present embodiment, the intermediate transfer member cleaning means 17 for cleaning the intermediate transfer member 16 is described. However, the present invention provides a cleaning of various image bearing rotating members that are rotatably provided and carry toner images. For example, it can also be applied to a means for cleaning the surface of the photosensitive member (image bearing rotating member) 1. In other words, the cleaning means of the present invention can be widely applied to cleaning of a member that carries and rotates an image in an image forming process.

  The present invention can be used for cleaning an intermediate transfer member provided in an image forming apparatus.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of an intermediate transfer member cleaning unit provided in the image forming apparatus of FIG. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of an intermediate transfer member cleaning unit provided in the image forming apparatus of FIG. Schematic showing a conventional image forming apparatus

Explanation of symbols

1 Photoconductor (Rotating image carrier)
2, 3, 4 Photosensitive roller 5 Charger 6 Exposure optical system 7, 8, 9, 10 Developer 7a, 8a, 9a, 10a Developer contact motor 7b, 8b, 9b, 10b Developer contact cam 7c , 8c, 9c, 10c Developer position sensor 11 Intermediate transfer unit 12 Photoconductor cleaning means (cleaning means)
13 Static eliminator 14 Photosensitive unit 15 Exposure beam 16 Intermediate transfer body (rotating body carrying image)
17 Intermediate transfer member cleaning means (cleaning means)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 18 Recording medium 19 Recording medium cassette 20 Paper feed roller 21 Paper conveyance path 22 Transfer unit 23 Transfer belt 24 Transfer device 25 Separator 26 Fixing unit 27 Heat roller 28 Pressure roller 71, 72, 73 Intermediate transfer body rollers 74, 75, 76, 77 Transfer roller 101 Cleaning brush (removal part)
102 Cleaning head part 103 Rod 104 Actuator part (drive part)
105 Magnetic head part 106 Spring 107 Coil part 150 Printing work monitoring means (control means)
151 Number of printed sheets measurement means (control means)

Claims (5)

An image carrying rotator which is rotatably provided and carries a toner image;
A removing unit that removes contaminants attached to the image carrying rotator, and a contact force of the removing unit attached to the removing unit to the image carrying rotator is changed or the removing unit is changed to the image carrying rotator. Cleaning means for cleaning the image carrier rotator, and a drive unit that is displaced between the separation position and the contact position.
At the time of cleaning the image bearing rotating body, the contact force of the removing section with respect to the image bearing rotating body is increased through the driving section, or the removing section is brought into contact with the image bearing rotating body through the driving section. Control means for displacing to a position;
An image forming apparatus comprising: The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit operates the driving unit when a predetermined number of printed sheets is reached. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit operates the driving unit after activation and before the start of a printing operation or after the end of the printing operation. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is operated by applying vibration to the driving unit. The image bearing rotator is a photosensitive member on which an electrostatic latent image is formed or an intermediate transfer member onto which a toner image formed on the photosensitive member is developed by developing the electrostatic latent image. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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