JP2006010955A - Image recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image recording device with which the excessive stress on a cleaning blade and a photoreceptor in a cleaning process can be reduced and a high-definition image can be obtained for a long period of time even when a small-diameter toner is used. <P>SOLUTION: In the image recording device having at least a toner image forming means, a transfer means, a fixing means, and a cleaning means, the cleaning means has the cleaning blade for scraping off the transfer residue toner on an image carrier, a dam-up member for temporarily damming up the transfer residue toner at the tip of the cleaning blade and forming a toner pool at this part, and a magnetic brush existing on the upstream side of the cleaning blade and abutting on the image carrier and further has a mechanism to move the cleaning blade and the image carrier back and forth relatively in the axial direction of the rotation of the image carrier. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus that forms a toner image on an image carrier and transfers the toner image to a recording medium or an intermediate transfer member. Specifically, the image is recorded by a method such as electrophotographic recording or electrostatic recording. The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus for recording images.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image recording apparatus that transfers a toner image formed on an image carrier such as a photosensitive drum to a recording medium such as paper is well known. In these image forming apparatuses, for example, in a general electrophotographic image forming apparatus represented by a copying machine or a laser printer, a charging step for uniformly charging the surface of an image carrier having a photosensitive layer on the surface. , An exposure step of forming an electrostatic latent image by irradiating image light on the surface of the charged image carrier, a developing step of forming a toner image by attaching toner to the electrostatic latent image, and recording the toner image An image is formed by a transfer process for transferring to a medium, a fixing process for fixing a toner image on the recording medium, a cleaning process for removing toner remaining on the image carrier in the transfer process, and the like.

  As a cleaning device used in the cleaning process, a method of removing toner remaining on an image carrier by a cleaning blade (hereinafter, simply referred to as “blade”) is well known. As such a cleaning device, a transfer residual toner blocking sheet is provided behind the blade in order to prevent abnormal noise and damage to the blade tip due to minute vibrations when the blade slides on the surface of the photoreceptor. The thing is proposed (for example, refer patent document 1).

According to this cleaning device, the transfer residual toner blocked by the blocking sheet forms a toner reservoir and covers the tip of the blade, thereby reducing minute vibrations of the blade due to sliding with the photosensitive member. Sound and damage to the blade tip can be prevented.
However, if the toner flow stagnates in the toner reservoir and packing (aggregation) occurs, excessive pressure is applied to the surface of the photoconductor, wear increases and the photoconductor life is shortened, or the photoconductor surface is damaged. May occur. In addition, when the discharge product is adhered on the image carrier, the blade slips, and excessive stress (stress) is likely to act on the blade.

  In addition, when a carrier or a foreign substance is mixed in the toner reservoir, the possibility of staying in the toner reservoir increases. As a result, the toner easily enters between the blade and the photoconductor, resulting in cleaning failure and photoconductor scratches. Sometimes.

By the way, the reduction in the diameter of the toner has the advantage that a high-resolution image with high resolution can be obtained, the toner consumption can be reduced, and the price per sheet can be reduced. The kneading and pulverization method has been attracting attention because it can easily produce a small-diameter toner having an average particle diameter of 5 μm or less, which was difficult to obtain. However, the toner packing in the toner reservoir portion is more likely to occur as the diameter of the toner becomes smaller, and there is a problem that the problems with the photosensitive member and the blade are likely to occur.
JP 11-161125 A

The object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art.
That is, the present invention provides an image recording apparatus that can reduce excessive stress on a cleaning blade and a photoreceptor in a cleaning process, and can obtain a high-quality image over a long period of time even when a small-diameter toner is used. Is an issue.

The above-mentioned subject is achieved by the following present invention. That is, the present invention
<1> At least a toner image forming unit that forms a toner image on an image carrier, a transfer unit that transfers the toner image to a recording medium, a fixing unit that fixes the transferred toner image on the recording medium, and an image carrier In an image recording apparatus having cleaning means for cleaning transfer residual toner on the body,
A cleaning blade for scraping off the transfer residual toner on the image carrier; and a blocking member for temporarily blocking the transfer residual toner at the tip of the cleaning blade to form a toner reservoir; A magnetic brush on the upstream side of the cleaning blade and in contact with the image carrier, and a mechanism for reciprocally moving the cleaning blade and the image carrier relative to the rotation axis of the image carrier. An image recording apparatus comprising:

  As described above, a blocking member is provided between the blade and the magnetic brush, and an oscillation mechanism that reciprocally moves the blade and the image carrier relative to the rotation axis of the latent image carrier is provided. Therefore, even when a small-diameter toner is used, the packing is crushed by the action of the oscillation, and the toner in the toner pool can be actively replaced by the action of the magnetic brush, so that the flow of the toner in the toner reservoir is reduced. It is possible to prevent the occurrence of packing due to stagnation and to suppress excessive pressure on the photoreceptor.

<2> The mechanism according to <1>, wherein the mechanism that reciprocally moves the cleaning blade and the image carrier relative to each other in the rotation axis direction of the image carrier is a mechanism that moves only the cleaning blade. This is an image recording apparatus.

<3> A cleaning unit that includes at least the cleaning blade and a collection box that collects the removed material from the surface of the image carrier, and relatively connects the cleaning blade and the image carrier to the image carrier. The image recording apparatus according to <1>, wherein the mechanism that reciprocates in the direction of the rotation axis is a mechanism that moves the cleaning unit together.

<4> The mechanism according to <1>, wherein the mechanism for reciprocally moving the cleaning blade and the image carrier relative to each other in the rotation axis direction of the image carrier is a mechanism for moving only the image carrier. It is an image recording device of description.

  That is, in the present invention, as a mechanism for reciprocally moving the cleaning blade and the image carrier relative to the rotation axis direction of the image carrier, any one of the cleaning blade, the cleaning unit, and the image carrier only is used. It is preferable that the mechanism is a mechanism for moving the above, and the effect of the present invention can be obtained by any of these mechanisms.

<5> The image according to any one of <1> to <4>, wherein the blocking member has a plate shape and is provided on the side opposite to the image carrier via the cleaning blade. It is a recording device.

<6> The blocking member is a plate spring-like member, and is provided so as to act to press the toner against the image carrier in the toner reservoir. <1> to <5 > The image recording apparatus according to any one of the above.

<7> The magnetic brush is a spike of magnetic particles formed on the magnet roll, and the spike of the magnetic particle can pass between the magnetic brush side tip of the blocking member and the magnet roll. The image recording apparatus according to any one of <1> to <6>, wherein a gap is provided.

<8> The image recording apparatus according to any one of <1> to <7>, wherein a window through which the toner can pass is provided at a toner reservoir forming portion of the blocking member.

<9> The image forming apparatus according to any one of <1> to <8>, wherein a volume average particle diameter of toner constituting the toner image is in a range of 2 to 5 μm.
That is, according to the configuration of the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the toner packing generated at the blade tip can be easily crushed. Can be obtained.

  According to the present invention, a blocking member is provided between the blade and the magnetic brush, and an oscillation mechanism that relatively moves the blade and the image carrier is provided, so that even when a small diameter toner is used. The packing is crushed by the action of the oscillation, and the toner in the toner pool can be actively replaced by the action of the magnetic brush, preventing the occurrence of packing due to the flow of toner in the toner pool. Further, it is possible to suppress excessive pressure from being applied to the photoconductor. In addition, even if a carrier or foreign matter enters the toner reservoir, the carrier adheres to the magnetic brush, and the foreign matter can be discharged from the toner reservoir when the toner reservoir is replaced, preventing occurrence of poor cleaning and photoconductor scratches. can do. With these, high-quality images can be obtained over a long period of time.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail.
<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of an image recording apparatus of the present invention. The image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is a quadruple tandem full-color image forming apparatus (the image forming apparatus of the present invention). The image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is a first to first electrophotographic method that outputs yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) images based on color-separated image data. Fourth image forming stations 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K (image forming means) are provided. These image forming stations (hereinafter simply referred to as “stations”) 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K are arranged in parallel at a predetermined distance from each other in a substantially horizontal direction.

Above each station 10Y, 10M, 10C, 10K, an intermediate transfer belt 20 as an intermediate transfer member is extended through each station. The intermediate transfer belt 20 used has a surface resistivity of 10 ¹⁰ to 10 ¹² by dispersing a material for imparting conductivity such as carbon or an ion conductive material in a resin material such as polyimide, polycarbonate, or fluorine resin. It is formed so as to be adjusted to about Ω / □ (measurement voltage: 100 V). The intermediate transfer belt 20 is wound and stretched around a drive roller 22 and a support roller (support member) 24 that are spaced apart from each other in the lateral direction, and is endless in the direction from the first station 10Y to the fourth station 10K. It is designed to run. The support roller 24 is urged away from the drive roller 22 by a spring or the like (not shown), and a predetermined tension is applied to the intermediate transfer belt 20 stretched between the two. Further, an intermediate transfer member cleaning device 30 is provided on the side of the image carrying side of the intermediate transfer belt 20 so as to face the driving roller 22.

  Since the first to fourth stations 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K described above have substantially the same configuration, here, a first image that forms a yellow image disposed on the upstream side in the running direction of the intermediate transfer belt 20 is formed. One station 10Y will be described as a representative. Note that members having the same functions as those of the first station 10Y are given the same reference numerals with magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) instead of yellow (Y). The description of the fourth stations 10M, 10C, and 10K is omitted.

  The first station 10Y has a photoreceptor 1Y that functions as an image carrier. Around the photoconductor 1Y, a charging roller 2Y for charging the surface of the photoconductor 1Y to a predetermined potential as a charging device in order in the rotation direction of the photoconductor 1Y, and a laser based on an image signal obtained by color-separating the charged surface. An exposure device 3 that forms an electrostatic latent image by exposure with a light beam 3Y; a developing device 4Y that supplies charged toner (developer) to develop the electrostatic latent image (the above-described photosensitive member, charging device, and exposure device) And the developing device is referred to as a toner image forming unit in the present invention), a primary transfer roller (transfer unit) 5Y that transfers the developed toner image onto the intermediate transfer belt 20, and the surface of the photoreceptor 1Y after the primary transfer. A photosensitive member cleaning device (cleaning means) 6Y for removing the toner is disposed. The primary transfer roller 5Y is disposed inside the intermediate transfer belt 20 and is provided at a position facing the photoreceptor 1Y. Further, a bias power source (not shown) for applying a primary transfer bias is connected to each of the primary transfer rollers 5Y, 5M, 5C, and 5K. Each bias power source varies the transfer bias applied to each primary transfer roller under the control of a control unit (control means) (not shown).

Hereinafter, an operation of forming a yellow image in the first station 10Y will be described. First, prior to the operation, the surface of the photoreceptor 1Y is charged to a potential of about −600V to −800V by the charging roller 2Y. In addition to the charging roller, a contact charger such as a scorotron may be used as the charger.
The photoreceptor 1Y (photoreceptor drum) is formed by laminating a photosensitive layer on a conductive metal base. This photosensitive layer usually has a high resistance, but has a property that the specific resistance of the portion irradiated with the laser beam changes when irradiated with the laser beam 3Y. Therefore, a laser beam 3Y is output from the exposure device 3 to the surface of the charged photoreceptor 1Y in accordance with yellow image data sent from a control unit (not shown). The laser beam 3Y is applied to the photosensitive layer on the surface of the photoreceptor 1Y, whereby an electrostatic latent image of a yellow print pattern is formed on the surface of the photoreceptor 1Y. The diameter of the photosensitive drum is preferably in the range of 20 to 100 mm.

  The electrostatic latent image is an image formed on the surface of the photoreceptor 1Y by charging, and the specific resistance of the irradiated portion of the photosensitive layer is lowered by the laser beam 3Y, and the charged charge on the surface of the photoreceptor 1Y is reduced. On the other hand, it is a so-called negative latent image formed by the charge remaining in the portion not irradiated with the laser beam 3Y.

  The electrostatic latent image thus formed on the photoreceptor 1Y is rotated to a predetermined development position by the rotation of the photoreceptor 1Y. At this development position, the electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor 1Y is converted into a visible image (toner image) by the developing device 4Y.

  In the developing device 4Y, for example, yellow toner having a volume average particle diameter in the range of 2 to 5 μm containing at least a yellow colorant and a binder resin is accommodated. The yellow toner is triboelectrically charged by being stirred inside the developing device 4Y, and has a charge of the same polarity (−) as the charge on the surface of the photoreceptor 1Y. As the surface of the photoreceptor 1Y passes through the developing device 4Y, yellow toner is electrostatically attached only to the latent image portion on the surface of the photoreceptor 1Y, and the latent image is developed with the yellow toner. The photoreceptor 1Y continues to rotate, and the toner image developed on the surface of the photoreceptor 1Y is conveyed to a predetermined primary transfer position.

When the yellow toner image on the surface of the photoreceptor 1Y is conveyed to the primary transfer position, a predetermined primary transfer bias is applied to the primary transfer roller 5Y, and the electrostatic force directed from the photoreceptor 1Y to the primary transfer roller 5Y generates toner. The toner image on the surface of the photoreceptor 1Y is transferred to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 20 by acting on the image. The transfer bias applied at this time is a (+) polarity opposite to the polarity (−) of the toner. For example, in the first station 10Y, a constant current is controlled to about +10 μA by a control unit (not shown).
On the other hand, the untransferred toner on the surface of the photoreceptor 1Y is cleaned by the cleaning device 6Y. Details of the cleaning device 6Y will be described later.

The primary transfer bias applied to the primary transfer rollers 5M, 5C, and 5K after the second station 10M is also controlled in the same manner as described above.
In this way, the intermediate transfer belt 20 to which the yellow toner image is transferred at the first station 10Y is sequentially conveyed through the second to fourth stations 10M, 10C, and 10K, and the toner images of the respective colors are similarly superimposed and transferred in a multiple manner. The

The intermediate transfer belt 20 on which the toner images of all colors have been transferred in multiple passes through the first to fourth stations is conveyed in the direction of arrow C and is an image of the support roller 24 and the intermediate transfer belt 20 that contact the inner surface of the intermediate transfer belt 20. It reaches a secondary transfer portion constituted by a secondary transfer roller (transfer means) 26 arranged on the carrying surface side.
On the other hand, a recording paper (recording medium) P is fed at a predetermined timing between the secondary transfer roller 26 and the intermediate transfer belt 20 via a supply mechanism, and a predetermined secondary transfer bias is applied to the support roller 24. Is done. The transfer bias applied at this time has the same polarity (−) as the polarity (−) of the toner, and the electrostatic force from the intermediate transfer belt 20 toward the recording paper P acts on the toner image, and the toner on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 20 The image is transferred to the surface of the recording paper P. The secondary transfer bias at this time is determined according to the resistance detected by a resistance detection means (not shown) for detecting the resistance of the secondary transfer portion, and is controlled by a constant voltage.

  Thereafter, the recording paper P is sent to a fixing device (fixing means) 28, where the toner image is heated and pressurized, and the color-superposed toner image is melted and permanently fixed on the surface of the recording paper P. The recording paper P on which the color image has been fixed is carried out in the direction of arrow D toward the discharge unit, and a series of color image forming operations is completed.

Details of the configuration of the cleaning device (cleaning means) 6Y in the first station 10Y are shown in FIG.
The cleaning device 6Y is provided in the vicinity of the photosensitive drum 1Y, and includes a cleaner box (recovery box) 36 that opens to the side facing the photosensitive drum 1Y and collects the removed material from the surface of the photosensitive drum. A seal member 38 is fixed to the lower opening end of the cleaner box 36. The seal member 38 substantially closes the gap between the photosensitive drum 1Y and the cleaning device 6Y, and prevents the transfer residual toner T and the like in the cleaning device 6Y from leaking to the outside.

  In the cleaning device 6Y, a magnetic brush roller 40 having a magnetic brush is disposed downstream of the seal member 38 in the rotation direction A of the photosensitive drum 1Y. The magnetic brush roller 40 includes a magnet roll 42 in which a magnet 42B is fixedly disposed inside a cylindrical member 42A, and a magnetic particle layer (magnetic brush) 44 is formed on the magnet roll 42.

  A total of four magnets 42 </ b> B in the cylindrical material 42 </ b> A are alternately arranged in the circumferential direction with N and S poles. The cylindrical member 42A is made of a conductive member such as aluminum and can be applied with a voltage. Here, the magnetic brush roller 40 is provided with application means (not shown) for applying a bias voltage. The magnet roll 42 in which the magnet 42B is fixedly disposed in the cylindrical member 42A is rotationally driven in the counterclockwise direction (arrow B direction) in FIG. Here, the distance between the magnet roll 42 and the photosensitive drum 1Y is preferably in the range of 0.1 to 1 mm.

  A cleaning blade 50 is provided downstream of the magnetic brush roller 40 in the rotation direction (arrow A direction) of the photosensitive drum 1Y so that the tip 50A contacts the surface of the photosensitive drum 1Y. The cleaning blade 50 is made of a plate-like rubber member such as urethane rubber having a thickness of 1.5 to 3.0 mm, and a base end portion 50B is bonded to a pressure application plate 52 made of a sheet metal having an L-shaped cross section. Yes. A holder 54 is arranged inside the bending of the pressure application plate 52. The pressure application plate 52 is fixed to the holder 54 with a set screw 56. The holder 54 includes a rotation shaft 54A and is rotatable about the rotation shaft 54A. A through hole 52A is formed at one end (the left end in FIG. 2) of the pressure application plate 52, and one end of the spring 58 is attached. The other end of the spring 58 is attached to the frame 60. .

  A plate-like blocking member 62 is provided on the back side of the cleaning blade 50 (the side opposite to the side where the photosensitive drum 1Y is disposed). The blocking member 62 has a base end portion 62A sandwiched between the holder 54 and the pressure application plate 52, and is fixed to three mounting holes 62D (see FIG. 3) formed in the base end portion 62A. 56 is inserted and fixed. The dimension (width W in FIG. 3) of the blocking member 62 in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper is the same as the dimension in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the sheet where the tip 50A of the cleaning blade 50 contacts the surface of the photosensitive drum 1Y. . As shown in FIG. 2, from the intermediate portion 62B to the distal end portion 62C of the blocking member 62, a curved portion 62R curved in a gentle arc shape protruding toward the cleaning blade 50 is formed. A part of 62 </ b> R is in contact with the cleaning blade 50.

  A gap is provided between the tip 62C of the blocking member 62 and the surface of the magnet roll 42 so that the head of the magnetic brush roller 40 can pass through. The gap is in the range of 0.2 to 2 mm. It is preferable that The transfer residual toner T remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1Y is temporarily blocked between the blocking member 62, the tip 50A of the cleaning blade 50, and the surface of the magnetic brush roller 40. A toner reservoir 64 is formed.

  The blocking member 62 is preferably a plate spring-like member made of a resin material, and is fixed to the holder 52 so as to come into contact with the cleaning blade 50 as described above. The pressure which presses against the body 1Y will act.

Next, the configuration and operating conditions of the cleaning means, which is a feature of the present invention, will be described.
The magnetic brush layer 44 magnetically held on the magnet roll 42 in FIG. 2 approaches the surface of the photosensitive drum 1Y by the rotation of the magnet roll 42. At this time, the magnetic brush layer 44 electrostatically attracts the transfer residual toner T and the like remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 </ b> Y and holds it in the magnetic brush layer 44. When the magnet roll 42 rotates, the magnetic particle spikes in the magnetic brush layer 44 can pass between the tip 62C of the blocking member 62 and the surface of the magnet roll 42 shown in FIG. The discharge product adhering to the surface of the photosensitive drum can be efficiently removed before reaching the toner reservoir 64 without stagnation in the toner reservoir.

  On the other hand, a part of the transfer residual toner T remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1Y (transfer residual toner with neutralized charge, transfer residual toner having a polarity repelling the magnetic brush roller 40, etc.) Without being electrostatically attracted to the magnetic brush roller 40, it passes directly in front of the magnetic brush roller 40 and is scraped off by the cleaning blade 50.

  Here, the pressurizing action of the cleaning blade 50 on the photosensitive drum 1Y will be described. When the tensile force (force in the direction of arrow E) of the spring 58 attached to the frame 60 acts on the pressure application plate 52, the pressure application plate 52 rotates about the rotation shaft 54A. When the cleaning blade 50 is interlocked with the rotation of the pressure application plate 52, the front end portion 50 </ b> A of the cleaning blade 50 comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 12. Thus, by using the so-called constant load method as described above as the pressurizing means of the cleaning blade 50, the cleaning blade 50 can be brought into contact with the photosensitive drum 1Y with a constantly desired contact pressure. Thereby, the cleaning blade 50 reliably scrapes off the transfer residual toner T remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1Y.

  The transfer residual toner T scraped off is temporarily blocked by the blocking member 62 between the front end portion 50A of the cleaning blade 50 and the surface of the magnetic brush roller 40. Since the blocking member 62 is interlocked with the rotation of the pressure application plate 52, similarly to the cleaning blade 50, a part of the curved portion 62 </ b> R comes into contact with the back side of the front end of the cleaning blade 50 due to the tensile force of the spring 58. Thereby, the transfer residual toner T is efficiently blocked. Further, since the pressing force toward the photosensitive drum 1Y acts on the blocking member 62, the transfer residual toner T of the blocked toner reservoir 64 is pressed, and as a result, the cleaning blade 50 It is possible to always supply the external additive of the transfer residual toner T to the front end portion 50A and to remove the discharge product remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum by the rubbing force of the transfer residual toner.

  The transfer residual toner T accumulated in the toner reservoir 64 is replaced by the magnetic brush roller 40. The timing of replacement of the transfer residual toner T can be set, for example, according to the number of prints or with a timer, when the apparatus power is turned on / off, when image recording is started or ended, etc. Considering a slight influence on image recording, it is preferable to set the timing at which image recording is not performed. However, it is possible to replace the untransferred toner T even at the timing of image recording.

  Such replacement of the toner accumulated in the toner reservoir is necessary in order to make it difficult for packing to occur at the tip 50A of the cleaning blade 50, and the transfer residual toner T is externally added to the tip 50A of the cleaning blade 50. It is also necessary to reduce the sliding resistance of the cleaning blade 50 with respect to the photosensitive drum 12 by supplying an agent, that is, to maintain the slidability at the tip 50A of the cleaning blade 50 over time. Furthermore, it is also necessary to maintain the rubbing action by the transfer residual toner itself accumulated in the toner reservoir over time.

  As the blocking member 62, a type having no window as shown in FIG. 3 and a type having a window 62W as shown in FIG. 4 can be used. In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, since the toner in the toner reservoir 64 can be replaced by the function of the magnetic brush 40, the normal window 62W is not necessary. However, for example, when the toner fluidity is low, the toner is replaced more actively. In the case where it is desired to be able to perform this, smooth replacement is possible by providing the window 62W.

  However, even if the transfer residual toner T in the toner reservoir 64 is set so as to be smoothly exchanged as described above, the external additive is detached from the toner reservoir or embedded in the toner, and the fluidity of the toner is poor. If this happens, the transfer residual toner T may not be efficiently replaced, and a toner packing state tends to occur at the blade tip.

  When the transfer residual toner T is discharged in order to replace the transfer residual toner T in the toner reservoir 64, a magnetic brush is applied so that the transfer residual toner T acts from the photosensitive drum 1Y side to the magnetic brush roller 40 side. A bias voltage is applied to the roller 40. Such a transfer residual toner T is discharged at an appropriate interval. On the other hand, when the transfer residual toner T is supplied to the toner reservoir 64 after the transfer residual toner T in the toner reservoir 64 is discharged, the transfer residual toner T is moved to the photosensitive drum 1Y side in relation to the surface potential of the photosensitive drum 1Y. A bias voltage is applied to the magnetic brush roller 40 so that the moving electric field acts. Specifically, for example, when the surface potential of the photosensitive drum 1Y is −100 V and the transfer residual toner T is charged to a negative polarity, the bias voltage of about +300 to +500 V is applied to the magnetic brush roller 40. When the negatively charged transfer residual toner T moves to the magnetic brush roller 40 side and a bias voltage of about −200 to −400 V is applied to the magnetic brush roller 40, the negatively charged transfer residual toner T is transferred to the photosensitive drum 1Y side. Moving.

  The transfer residual toner T to be supplied to the toner reservoir 64 is the transfer residual toner T remaining at the time of transfer. In order to supply these transfer residual toner T directly to the toner reservoir 64, the magnetic brush roller 40 is electrostatically charged. What is necessary is just to pass the front of the magnetic brush roller 40 as it is, without attracting | sucking, and what is necessary is just to set to the same bias conditions as the time of the above-mentioned toner supply.

  FIG. 2 shows the case where the magnetic brush roller 40 is rotated in the same direction as the photosensitive drum 1Y. However, the same function is exhibited even if the magnetic brush roller 40 is rotated in the opposite direction to the photosensitive drum 1Y. be able to. In this case, since the rubbing force of the magnetic brush roller 40 against the surface of the photosensitive drum is increased, there is an advantage that the effect of scraping the discharge product is increased.

However, even if the transfer residual toner T is replaced in the toner reservoir 64 as described above, if the transfer residual toner T is not efficiently replaced, a toner packing state tends to occur at the blade tip. This tendency becomes more prominent as the toner particle size is smaller, the toner particle size distribution is sharper, and the toner shape is closer to a sphere. When such a packing state is achieved, excessive pressure is applied to the surface of the photoconductor, which may cause troubles such as the wear of the photoconductor progresses and the life is shortened or scratches occur on the surface of the photoconductor. Further, when the packing density is increased, the blade may be pushed up to cause a cleaning failure, and the cleaning failure becomes more prominent as the toner has a smaller diameter and a spherical shape.
In particular, the above phenomenon tends to occur in the case of a small diameter toner having a volume average particle diameter of 5 μm or less.

  The image forming apparatus of the present invention is provided with a mechanism (oscillation) for reciprocally moving the cleaning blade 50 and the image carrier 1Y relatively in the direction of the rotation axis of the image carrier even when the toner packing is performed. As a result, the toner packing can be crushed and an excessive pressure applied to the photosensitive drum 1Y and the cleaning blade 50 can be prevented.

Hereinafter, the mechanism in the present embodiment will be described.
In the present embodiment, a mechanism for moving only the cleaning blade 50 is employed as a mechanism for reciprocally moving the cleaning blade 50 and the image carrier 1 </ b> Y relatively in the rotation axis direction of the image carrier. The blade pressing method in the image forming apparatus is a constant load method, and the cleaning blade 50 is set at a desired contact pressure because it is set so as to rotate with the rotating shaft 54A of the holder as a fulcrum by a tensile force of a spring. It is in contact with the photosensitive drum 1Y. By using the constant load method, the blade can always be brought into contact with a stable contact pressure.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the mechanism for reciprocating the cleaning blade 50 (moving in the direction of the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum) as viewed from the left side in FIG. In this mechanism, the cleaning blade 50 is moved in the left-right direction in FIG. 5 using a face cam.

  In FIG. 5, a cleaning blade 50 made of urethane rubber is fixed to an oscillation blade holder 55 by a set screw 55A, and both ends of the oscillation blade holder 55 provided with this blade are attached to the main body frame 80 of the cleaning unit. 5 is inserted into a through-hole provided (a plastic sliding bearing (not shown) is fitted in the through-hole so that the blade can move smoothly) and supported so as to be movable left and right in FIG. ing. The one end portion of the oscillation blade holder 55 is reciprocated left and right by the rotation of the face cam 70.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, one of the drive system gears is also used as the face cam 70, and the pressing force by the spring 71 fitted into the other end of the oscillation blade holder 55 is used. Then, the cleaning blade 50 is reciprocated in the axial direction of the oscillation blade holder 55 (the rotational axis direction of the photosensitive drum). As a result, the toner packed in the toner reservoir 64 is crushed.

  FIG. 6 shows the shape of the oscillation blade holder 55. The length of the sheet metal 55B for fixing the cleaning blade 50 in the oscillation blade holder 55 needs to be the width of the photosensitive layer of the minimum photosensitive drum 1Y. Further, the length of the support rod protruding from both ends of the sheet metal 55B is required to be sufficient to move left and right when the oscillation blade holder 55 is supported by the main body frame 80. Note that the stroke required for oscillation is in the range of about 0.5 to 2 mm, but it is not necessarily limited to this distance because it is sufficient that the toner packing can be crushed by the blade tip 50A.

Next, the developer used in the image forming apparatus will be described.
The developer used in the present invention may be a one-component developer composed only of toner or a two-component developer composed of toner and carrier, but various color toners can be used for full-color image formation. Two-component developers are preferred.

  The toner is not particularly limited, and may be obtained by a dry melt kneading and pulverizing method, or may be obtained by a wet granulation method such as an emulsion polymerization method. However, in the present invention, a small-diameter toner can be preferably used, and in this case, a toner obtained by the wet granulation method is preferable.

  The volume average particle size of the toner used in the present invention is preferably in the range of 2.0 to 5.0 μm, and more preferably in the range of 2.0 to 4.0 μm. When the volume average particle diameter of the toner exceeds 5.0 μm, the ratio of coarse particles increases, and the reproducibility and gradation of fine lines and fine dots of an image obtained through the fixing step are deteriorated. On the other hand, when the volume average particle size of the toner is less than 2.0 μm, the powder fluidity, developability, or transferability of the toner deteriorates, and the cleaning property of the toner remaining on the surface of the latent image carrier decreases. Various problems occur in other processes due to the deterioration of powder characteristics.

  Further, as the particle size distribution index of the toner used in the present invention, the volume average particle size distribution index GSDv is preferably at most 1.30. If the volume distribution index GSDv is 1.30 or less, it means that both of the fine coarse powders are small, and any of developability, transferability, and cleaning properties can be preferably maintained.

  The values of the volume average particle size and the volume average particle size distribution index GSDv were measured and calculated as follows. First, the individual toner particle size distribution measured using a measuring instrument such as Coulter Counter TAII (manufactured by Nikka Kisha Co., Ltd.) or Multisizer II (manufactured by Nikka Kisha Co., Ltd.) is divided into individual particle size ranges (channels). A cumulative distribution is drawn from the small diameter side with respect to the volume of the toner particles, and the particle diameter at which accumulation is 16% is defined as volume average particle diameter D16v, and the particle diameter at which accumulation is 50% is defined as volume average particle diameter D50v (this value is expressed as Defined as volume average particle size). Similarly, the particle diameter that is 84% cumulative is defined as the volume average particle diameter D84v. At this time, the volume average particle size distribution index (GSDv) is defined as D84v / D16v, and the volume average particle size distribution index (GSDv) can be calculated using these relational expressions.

  Furthermore, the toner shape factor SF1 in the present invention is preferably in the range of 115 to 145. If the shape factor is smaller than 115, the shape is very close to a sphere, so that it has fluidity like water, and the transportability may deteriorate. If the shape factor is larger than 145, the fluidity of the toner is lowered, and a strong stress is partially applied, or the conveyance force and the stirring force need to be increased.

Here, the shape factor SF1 is obtained by the following equation (1).
SF1 = (ML ² / A) × (π / 4) × 100 (1)
In the above formula (1), ML represents the absolute maximum length of the toner particles, and A represents the projected area of the toner particles.

  The SF1 is quantified mainly by analyzing a microscope image or a scanning electron microscope (SEM) image using an image analyzer, and can be calculated as follows, for example. That is, an optical microscope image of the toner scattered on the surface of the slide glass is taken into a Luzex image analyzer through a video camera, the maximum length and the projected area of 100 or more toner particles are obtained, calculated by the above formula (1), and the average Obtained by determining the value.

  Further, the toner of the present invention is externally added with an appropriate amount of fine particles (external additives) such as silica and titania having an average particle diameter in the range of about 10 to 150 nm as a charge control agent and a transfer aid.

  As the carrier, a resin-coated carrier having a resin coating layer in which a conductive material such as carbon black is dispersed on the surface of a ferrite core is preferably used. The volume average particle diameter of the carrier is preferably in the range of 35 to 60 μm.

The mixing ratio of the toner and the carrier in the developer is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. For example, the toner concentration TC (Toner Concentration) is 8% by weight, and the toner charge amount in the developer is 20%. What was set to -30 μC / g can be used. Here, the TC is expressed by the following equation (2).
TC (weight%) = (weight of toner contained in developer (g)) / (total weight of developer (g)) × 100 (2)

If the charge amount of the toner when the toner and the carrier are mixed to form a developer is too high, the adhesion of the toner to the carrier becomes too high and the toner is not developed. On the other hand, if the charge amount is too low, the adhesion of the toner to the carrier is weakened and toner cloud due to free toner is generated, causing fogging in the print. It is desirable that the charge amount of the toner in the agent is in the range of 5 to 50 μC / g, preferably 10 to 40 μC / g in absolute value.
The toner charge amount is measured by a blow-off method with a TB200 manufactured by Toshiba under the conditions of 25 ° C. and 55% RH, for example, by collecting the developer on the magnetic sleeve in the developing device.

<Second Embodiment>
In this embodiment, a mechanism for moving the cleaning unit and the image carrier relative to the rotation axis of the image carrier relative to the rotation axis of the image carrier is employed. Here, the cleaning unit is composed of at least a cleaning blade and a recovery box for recovering a removed material from the surface of the photoreceptor. Each configuration of the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment except that a mechanism for reciprocally moving the cleaning blade and the image carrier relative to the rotation axis of the image carrier is different. The configuration is the same.

  According to this mechanism, the driving unit described later reciprocates the cleaning blade and the recovery box together, so that the recovery box can function as a reinforcing material for the cleaning blade, and the cleaning blade itself has rigidity. Even without this, the lack of rigidity of the cleaning blade can be resolved. Further, since the cleaning blade and the collection box are integrated, it is not necessary to provide a seal member corresponding to the reciprocal movement between the cleaning blade and the collection box. That is, since the reciprocation is performed integrally, the removed material removed by the cleaning blade from the surface of the image carrier is collected in the collection box without providing a seal member. Furthermore, since the above-described constant displacement method can be used as the cleaning blade pressurization method, a structure with a simple structure and a low-cost and space-saving cleaning device can be provided.

  FIG. 7 shows the configuration of a cleaning device employing the above mechanism. FIG. 7 is a view of the state in which the photosensitive drum 1Y is in contact with the cleaning device 6Y as viewed from above in FIG. The cleaning unit 90 includes at least a cleaning blade 50 and a cleaner box (collection box) 65, and both are integrated. The cleaning unit 90 includes the magnetic brush roller (not shown). Note that both ends of the cleaning unit 90 are in contact with both ends of the photosensitive drum 1Y via a seal 68, whereby the end of the cleaner box 65 is sealed.

  With respect to the cleaning unit 90 configured in this way, the entire cleaning unit 90, that is, the cleaning blade 50 and the cleaner box 65 constituting the cleaning unit 90 are integrated and reciprocated in the direction of the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum 1Y. A drive unit 100 to be moved is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the drive unit 100 supports the entire cleaning unit 90 with respect to the main body frame 80 that supports and fixes the photosensitive drum 1Y so as to be movable in the rotational axis direction of the photosensitive drum 1Y. An elastic member 102 such as a spring that urges the cleaning unit 90 supported by the guide pin 101 in one direction, and a reciprocating face cam 103 for reciprocating the cleaning unit 90 along the guide pin 101; , A drive source (not shown) for the reciprocating face cam 103, and a clutch (not shown) disposed between the reciprocating face cam 103 and the drive source.

  According to the drive unit 100 configured as described above, when the drive by the drive source is transmitted to the reciprocating face cam 103 via the clutch, the cleaning unit 90 moves along the guide pins 101, that is, the photosensitive drum 1Y. It reciprocates along the rotation axis direction (arrow direction in the figure). As a result, the cleaning blade 50 in the cleaning unit 90 slides back and forth along the direction of the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum 1Y while being pressed against the surface of the photosensitive drum 1Y. By this reciprocation, the toner packing generated in the toner reservoir can be crushed.

  Note that the reciprocating sliding stroke at this time varies depending on the material of the cleaning blade 50, the arrangement conditions such as the pressure contact amount and the pressure contact angle, the toner type, the type of the photosensitive drum 1Y, and the like. It may be sufficient, for example, it is preferable to set it as the range of about 0.5 mm-2 mm.

  The drive unit 100 does not use the above-described reciprocating face cam 103 as long as it can reciprocate the entire cleaning unit 90. For example, other types of cams or solenoids are used. It may be moved directly.

FIG. 8 shows a schematic structure of a preferable cleaning unit when the cleaning unit as described above is reciprocated.
As shown in FIG. 8, the cleaning unit 90 is a so-called constant displacement unit that pressurizes using the elasticity of the cleaning blade 74. Since the other configuration of the cleaning unit is substantially the same as the configuration shown in FIG. 2, the same reference numerals are given and description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 8, a substantially L-shaped support member 72 made of a galvanized steel plate is fixed to the upper portion of the cleaner housing 36. Then, the support member 72 is positioned so that the cleaning blade 74 presses the surface of the photosensitive drum 1Y with a predetermined pressure. As described above, since the so-called constant displacement method as described above is used as the pressing means of the cleaning blade 74, the structure is simpler than that of the so-called constant load method shown in the first embodiment. Can provide a space-saving cleaning device.

<Third Embodiment>
In the present embodiment, a mechanism for moving only the image carrier is employed as a mechanism for reciprocally moving the cleaning blade 50 and the image carrier 1Y relatively in the direction of the rotation axis of the image carrier.
This mechanism does not reciprocate the blade or the cleaning unit including the blade as described above, but reciprocates the photosensitive drum as the image carrier. Each configuration of the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment except that a mechanism for reciprocating the cleaning blade and the image carrier relative to the rotation axis of the image carrier is different. The configuration is the same.

  In this way, the image carrier, which is the member to be cleaned, is moved to change the relative position with the cleaning blade and the toner packing is crushed, so that it is easy to maintain the cleaning performance of the cleaning blade. The life of the cleaning blade can also be extended. Further, since the relative position is changed by fixing the cleaning blade and moving the image carrier, it is not necessary to provide a gap between the cleaning blade end and the housing end. Furthermore, since the above-described constant displacement method can be used as the cleaning blade pressurization method, a structure with a simple structure and a low-cost and space-saving cleaning device can be provided.

Hereinafter, the mechanism will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 9 is a view of the cleaning blade, the photosensitive drum, and the photosensitive drum moving unit that are in contact with the photosensitive drum, as viewed from above in FIG. As shown in FIG. 9, the photosensitive drum 1Y includes a photosensitive portion 1Ya on which a toner image is formed, left and right flange portions 1Yb and 1Yc on both sides of the photosensitive portion 1Ya on which left and right toner images are not formed, and The photoconductor portion 1Ya, the left and right flange portions 1Yb, 1Yc, and the gear portion 1Yd are joined in series in a coaxial manner with the gear portion 1Yd disposed outside the right flange portion 1Yc.

A rectangular cleaning blade 50 that removes transfer residual toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive member 1Ya as the photosensitive member 1Ya rotates is in contact with the photosensitive member 1Ya. The cleaning blade 50 is fixed to a frame (not shown).
Further, the photosensitive drum 1Y is arranged in the direction of arrow F (rotational axis direction of the photosensitive drum) by an elastic member (not shown) having a predetermined urging force and disposed between the left flange portion 1Ya and a frame (not shown). Energized and fixed to the frame so as to be movable in the direction of arrow F.

  A plurality of rolling elements are held between the inner ring and the outer ring, and the left and right flange portions 1Yb and 1Yc are fitted to the inner ring of the bearing 110 having a rotatable inner ring and are rotatably supported. And the bearing 110 has a groove | channel larger than the width | variety of the arrow F direction of the bearing 110, and is mounted in the concave shape member 111 fixed to the flame | frame, and is supported so that a slide is possible in the arrow F direction.

  The gear unit 1Yd is meshed with a gear 114 on which a rotation driving unit 113 is pivotally attached. As the gear 114 rotates, the photosensitive drum 1Y rotates in a predetermined direction. The gear portion 1Yd has a protruding portion 115, and the protruding portion 115 is in contact with the photosensitive drum moving portion 120.

  The photosensitive drum moving unit 120 includes a pressing member that reciprocates while pressing the protruding portion 115 with a pressing force larger than the urging force acting on the photosensitive drum 1Y or weakening the pressing force. And this press member reciprocates the protrusion part 115 to the arrow F direction by rotating, for example.

  Here, the rotation drive unit 113 and the gear 114 may be reciprocally moved integrally with the gear unit 1Yd, and the rotation drive unit 113 and the gear 114 are fixedly installed, and the meshing portion with the gear unit 1Yd is provided. It may be configured to slide.

  According to the above configuration, when the driving by the photosensitive drum moving unit 120 is transmitted to the protruding portion 115 via the pressing member, the photosensitive drum 1Y moves in the direction of arrow F, that is, in the direction of the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum 1Y. Reciprocate along. As a result, the photosensitive drum 1Y slides back and forth along the rotational axis direction of the photosensitive drum 1Y with the cleaning blade 50 pressed against the surface. By this reciprocation, the toner packing generated in the toner reservoir can be crushed.

  The pressing member may be an eccentric cam or a tapered rotating member, but is not particularly limited. Further, the stroke of the reciprocating movement of the photosensitive drum 1Y at this time is preferably in the range of 0.5 mm to 2 mm.

  As the mechanism for reciprocally moving the cleaning blade and the image carrier relatively in the direction of the rotation axis of the image carrier in the present invention, the above three types of mechanisms can be adopted. When a so-called constant displacement method using the elasticity of the blade is adopted, it is not possible to adopt a mechanism for moving only the blade, and therefore it is preferable to adopt a mechanism for reciprocating the cleaning unit or the photosensitive drum.

As described above, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the blocking member is provided between the blade and the magnetic brush, and the blade and the image carrier are reciprocated relatively in the rotation axis direction of the latent image carrier. Equipped with the oscillation mechanism to move, especially when using small diameter toner, the packing is crushed by the action of the oscillation, and the toner in the toner pool can be actively replaced by the action of the magnetic brush. Further, it is possible to prevent the toner flow from stagnation in the toner reservoir and to prevent the occurrence of packing, and to suppress an excessive pressure from being applied to the photosensitive member.
For this reason, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the life of the photoreceptor and the occurrence of poor cleaning, and it is possible to stably obtain a high-quality image over a long period of time.

<Test example>
In order to confirm the operation of the above embodiment, the following comparative test was performed.
(Evaluation equipment)
As an image forming device, Fuji Xerox's color multifunction device DCC500 cleaning device is adjusted so that the gap with the magnet roll becomes 1.5 mm by a blocking member made of 0.1 mm thick plate-like PET resin. 2 is modified so that packing of residual toner can be avoided by a mechanism that reciprocates (oscillates) only the blade in the direction of the rotation axis of the photosensitive member with a stroke of 1 mm as shown in FIG. Cleaning performance was evaluated as a simple cleaning device (type A).
As the cleaning blade, a urethane rubber blade having a thickness of 2 mm was used, and the blade pressure was 3 gf / mm. The length of the portion of the magnet roll that is closest to the photoreceptor and the tip of the cleaning blade was about 15 mm.

The evaluation conditions were as follows.
(Developer)
As the toner, emulsion polymerization aggregation using resin fine particles made of styrene / n-butyl acrylate / β-carboethyl acrylate copolymer, colorant particles containing magenta pigment, and release agent fine particles containing polyethylene wax. Magenta toner (volume average particle size: 3.6 μm, shape factor SF1: 115 (spherical shape with a large stress on cleaning)), and silica black treated with carbon black on the ferrite particle surface. A two-component developer prepared by mixing a carrier having a volume average particle size of 45 μm coated with a polymethyl methacrylate copolymer dispersed as an agent so that the toner concentration (TC) is 8% by weight is used.

(Printing conditions)
As an apparatus, in order to add a stress condition for cleaning, a charger is made from a scorotron to a contact-type charging roll (an elastic layer is made of SBR containing carbon black, and an ECO containing an ionic conductive agent is formed on the surface thereof. Furthermore, the surface of the polyamide surface layer containing carbon black and SnO ² is replaced with a volume resistivity: 1 × 10 ⁸ Ωcm, and the voltage applied to the charging roll is 1.6 kV (Peak to Peak) as an AC voltage. ) The frequency was 2 kHz. Such contact-type charging increases the surface energy of the photosensitive member by discharging, thereby increasing the wettability and, as a result, improving the frictional force. Furthermore, the test environment was a high-temperature and high-humidity environment (28 ° C., 85% RH) in which the stress due to the cleaning by the discharge products is large.

Under the conditions as described above, a continuous image was obtained for a 4% halftone image, and the cleaning property was evaluated. The evaluation scale was the number of photoreceptor running cycles (kilocycles) until a cleaning failure occurred in an image.
For comparison, as a cleaning device, a type that does not form a toner reservoir and does not oscillate (type B: a type A in which a blocking member and a moving mechanism are removed), an oscillation that only forms a toner reservoir. No type (Type C: Type A with the moving mechanism removed) and Type that oscillates without forming a toner reservoir (Type D: Type A with the blocking member removed) are the same as above A running test was conducted. The results are shown in Table 1.

  Further, the same test was performed using the above-mentioned cleaning devices of the above developer, with the toner having a volume average particle diameter of 7 μm. The results are also shown in Table 1.

  As shown in Table 1, the image forming apparatus using the cleaning device that forms the toner reservoir of the present invention and uses the oscillation is about 9 times as compared with the case where neither the toner reservoir is formed nor the oscillation. It was confirmed that the reliability was improved. In addition, it was confirmed that the reliability was improved about 3 times as compared with the case where either of the above was adopted. In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, it has been found that even when a small particle size toner is used, the same effect as that obtained when a toner having a particle size of 7 μm is used can be obtained.

It is a schematic block diagram which shows an example of the image recording device of this invention. It is a schematic block diagram which shows an example of the cleaning apparatus in this invention. It is a front view which shows an example of the blocking member in this invention. It is a front view which shows another example of the blocking member in this invention. It is a schematic block diagram which shows an example of the mechanism which reciprocates a cleaning blade. It is a perspective view of the blade holder for oscillation. It is a schematic block diagram which shows an example of the mechanism which makes a cleaning unit reciprocate. It is a schematic block diagram which shows another example of the cleaning apparatus in this invention. It is a schematic block diagram showing an example of a mechanism for reciprocating a photoconductor (image carrier).

Explanation of symbols

1Y, 1M, 1C, 1K, 51 photoconductor (image carrier)
2Y, 2M, 2C, 2K, 52 Charging roller 3Y, 3M, 3C, 3K, 53 Laser beam 3, 56 Exposure device 4Y, 4M, 4C, 4K, 54 Developing device 5Y, 5M, 5C, 5K Primary transfer roller 6Y , 6M, 6C, 6K, 57 Cleaning device 10Y, 10M, 10C, 10K Station 20 Intermediate transfer belt 26 Secondary transfer roller 28 Fixing device 36, 65 Cleaner box 40 Magnetic brush roller (magnetic brush)
42 Magnet roll 46 Earing 46A Magnetic particle 50, 74 Cleaning blade 62, 76 Blocking member 62W Window (penetration part)
70 Face cam 90 Cleaning unit 100 Drive unit 120 Photosensitive drum moving part T Transfer residual toner

Claims (9)

At least a toner image forming unit that forms a toner image on the image carrier, a transfer unit that transfers the toner image to a recording medium, a fixing unit that fixes the transferred toner image on the recording medium, and an image on the image carrier In an image recording apparatus having cleaning means for cleaning transfer residual toner,
A cleaning blade for scraping off the transfer residual toner on the image carrier; and a blocking member for temporarily blocking the transfer residual toner at the tip of the cleaning blade to form a toner reservoir; A magnetic brush on the upstream side of the cleaning blade and in contact with the image carrier, and a mechanism for reciprocally moving the cleaning blade and the image carrier relative to the rotation axis of the image carrier. An image recording apparatus comprising:   2. The image recording according to claim 1, wherein the mechanism for reciprocally moving the cleaning blade and the image carrier relative to each other in the direction of the rotation axis of the image carrier is a mechanism for moving only the cleaning blade. apparatus.   The mechanism for reciprocally moving the cleaning blade and the image carrier relatively in the direction of the rotation axis of the image carrier comprises at least the cleaning blade and a collection box for collecting the removed material from the surface of the image carrier. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image recording apparatus is a mechanism for moving the cleaning unit.   2. The image according to claim 1, wherein the mechanism for reciprocally moving the cleaning blade and the image carrier relative to each other in the rotation axis direction of the image carrier is a mechanism for moving only the image carrier. Recording device.   The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the blocking member has a plate shape and is provided on the opposite side of the image carrier via the cleaning blade.   6. The sealing member according to claim 1, wherein the blocking member is a leaf spring-like member, and is provided so that a pressure for pressing the toner against the image carrier by the toner reservoir acts. The image recording apparatus described.   The magnetic brush is a spike of magnetic particles formed on a magnet roll, and a gap through which the spike of magnetic particles can pass is provided between the magnetic brush side tip of the blocking member and the magnet roll. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image recording apparatus is provided.   The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a window through which the toner can pass is provided at a toner reservoir forming portion of the blocking member.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a volume average particle diameter of toner constituting the toner image is in a range of 2 to 5 μm.

Images