JP2008012846A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device which can prevent matter removed from a rotary body by a cleaning member, from remaining on a contact portion of the cleaning member, to the rotary body. <P>SOLUTION: According to the structure of the image forming device, a pump 78 is connected to a suction nozzle 72 extending toward the contact portion between a blade 49 and a conveying belt 28, and negative pressure is generated at a suction port 72A of the suction nozzle 72 by driving the pump 78, to thereby suck ink accumulated on the contact portion between the blade 49 and the conveying belt 28. Further the suction nozzle 72 is moved along the contact portion between the blade 49 and the conveying belt 28 by a moving mechanism 80. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium.

  In an inkjet printer as an image forming apparatus, it is intended to prevent clogging of nozzles toward a conveying member that conveys a recording medium and a rotating member such as an intermediate transfer member on which an image is formed by ink droplets. Ink drops ejected unrelated to image formation (so-called preliminary ejection) are used to clean ink adhering to a rotating body with a blade as a cleaning member (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

By the way, in an ink jet printer, if ink is left in a contact portion between the blade and the rotator, the ink adheres to the contact portion between the blade and the rotator, which reduces the cleaning ability of the blade and causes cleaning. Defects may occur.
JP 2004-196505 A

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-described facts, and suppresses the thing removed from the rotating body by the cleaning member from accumulating at the contact portion between the cleaning member and the rotating body.

  The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium directly or via an intermediate transfer member, and a rotating body that is rotatably provided in an apparatus provided with the image forming unit. And a cleaning member that contacts the rotator and cleans the rotator, and a suction unit that sucks an object accumulated in a contact portion between the cleaning member and the rotator.

  In the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, the image forming unit forms an image directly on the recording medium or via an intermediate transfer member, and in the apparatus provided with the image forming unit, the cleaning member includes: Clean the rotating body in contact with the rotating body. Moreover, the thing accumulated in the contact part of a cleaning member and a rotary body is attracted | sucked by a suction means.

  Thereby, it can suppress that the thing removed from a rotary body by the cleaning member accumulates in the contact part of a cleaning member and a rotary body compared with the past.

  An image forming apparatus according to a second aspect is the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the image forming unit is a liquid droplet ejection head that ejects liquid in droplets.

  In the image forming apparatus according to claim 2, when the liquid ejected in the form of droplets from the droplet ejection head adheres to the rotating body provided in the apparatus, the liquid adhered to the rotating body is removed by the cleaning member. To be cleaned. Moreover, when the liquid adhering to the rotating body accumulates in the contact portion between the cleaning member and the rotating body, the liquid is sucked by the suction means.

  Thereby, compared with the past, it can suppress that a liquid accumulates in the contact part of a cleaning member and a rotary body, and can suppress generation | occurrence | production of the problem resulting from a liquid collecting in the contact part of a cleaning member and a rotary body. .

  The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image forming apparatus includes a cap member that caps a nozzle of the droplet discharge head, and the suction unit includes the cleaning member. And a suction nozzle extending toward the contact portion between the rotating body, the suction nozzle, and a pump for generating a negative pressure in the cap member.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect, the nozzle of the droplet discharge head is capped by the cap member, so that thickening or drying of the liquid in the droplet discharge head can be prevented. Further, a negative pressure is generated in the cap member by the pump, whereby the liquid in the droplet discharge head is sucked from the nozzle. Thereby, bubbles in the droplet discharge head are discharged, and the liquid discharge performance of the droplet discharge head is restored.

  Here, the pump that generates a negative pressure in the cap member generates a negative pressure in the suction nozzle that extends toward the contact portion between the cleaning member and the rotator, and is accumulated in the contact portion between the cleaning member and the rotator. An object is sucked from the suction nozzle.

  In other words, a pump for performing maintenance of the droplet discharge head and a pump for sucking the matter accumulated in the contact portion between the cleaning member and the rotating body are shared, and the cleaning member and the rotating body are in contact with each other. Since a dedicated pump for sucking the material accumulated in the section is not necessary, it is possible to suppress an increase in cost from the conventional method in which no suction means is provided.

  An image forming apparatus according to a fourth aspect is the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect, further comprising a conveying member that holds a recording medium and conveys the recording medium so as to face the droplet discharge head, and the suction The means includes a suction nozzle extending toward a contact portion between the cleaning member and the rotating body, the suction nozzle, and a pump that generates a negative pressure on a surface of the transport member that holds the recording medium. It is characterized by.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the fourth aspect, the recording medium is conveyed in a state of being opposed to the droplet discharge head by the conveying member. At this time, a negative pressure is generated on the surface of the conveying member that holds the recording medium by the pump, so that the recording medium is attracted to the conveying member.

  Here, the pump that generates a negative pressure on the surface of the conveying member that holds the recording medium generates a negative pressure at the suction nozzle that extends toward the contact portion between the cleaning member and the rotating body, whereby the cleaning member and the rotating body. The thing collected in the contact part is sucked from the suction nozzle.

  That is, the pump for adsorbing the recording medium to the conveying member and the pump for sucking the material accumulated in the contact portion between the cleaning member and the rotating body are shared, and the cleaning member and the rotating body are in contact with each other. Since a dedicated pump for sucking the material accumulated in the section is not necessary, it is possible to suppress an increase in cost from the conventional method in which no suction means is provided.

  The image forming apparatus according to claim 5 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the suction unit extends toward a contact portion between the cleaning member and the rotating body. And a pump for generating a negative pressure in the suction nozzle, and a moving means for moving the suction nozzle along a contact portion between the cleaning member and the rotating body.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the fifth aspect, the negative pressure is generated in the suction nozzle extending toward the contact portion between the cleaning member and the rotating body by the pump. The suction nozzle is moved along the contact portion between the cleaning member and the rotating body by the moving means. As a result, the suction force of the suction nozzle can be applied to the entire contact portion between the cleaning member and the rotating body.

  Here, since the suction nozzle is moved along the contact portion between the cleaning member and the rotator by the moving means, the suction nozzle is provided over the entire contact portion between the cleaning member and the rotator. Thus, the total amount of the flow area of the suction nozzle is reduced, and the negative pressure generated in the suction nozzle is increased even when the power of the pump is the same. Accordingly, the suction force acting on the contact portion between the cleaning member and the rotating body can be increased as compared with the case where the suction nozzle is provided in the entire contact portion between the cleaning member and the rotating body. It is possible to improve the uniformity of the suction force acting on the contact portion.

  The image forming apparatus according to claim 6 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the suction unit is arranged along a contact portion between the cleaning member and the rotating body, Each of the plurality of suction nozzles extending toward the contact portion between the cleaning member and the rotating body, and at least a suction nozzle row having a length equal to or longer than the contact portion between the cleaning member and the rotating body; And a pump for generating a negative pressure in the suction nozzle.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the sixth aspect, a suction nozzle row including a plurality of suction nozzles arranged along the contact portion between the cleaning member and the rotating body is formed. Each suction nozzle constituting the suction nozzle row extends toward the contact portion between the cleaning member and the rotating body, and the length of the suction nozzle row is equal to or longer than the length of the contact portion between the cleaning member and the rotating body. Thus, when negative pressure is generated in the plurality of suction nozzles by the pump, negative pressure acts on the entire contact portion between the cleaning member and the rotating body.

  Here, by making the length of the suction nozzle row equal to or greater than the length of the contact portion between the cleaning member and the rotator, negative pressure is applied to the entire contact portion between the cleaning member and the rotator without moving the suction nozzle. Can act. Accordingly, since a mechanism for moving the suction nozzle is not required, it is possible to suppress an increase in cost that has not been provided with suction means.

  The image forming apparatus according to claim 7 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the cleaning member is a blade inclined to the upstream side in the rotation direction of the rotating body with respect to the centrifugal direction of the rotating body. The suction port of the suction nozzle is formed on the plate surface of the blade facing the upstream side in the rotation direction of the rotating body.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the seventh aspect, the blade that contacts the rotating body and cleans the rotating body is inclined to the upstream side in the rotation direction of the rotating body with respect to the centrifugal direction of the rotating body. For this reason, the thing removed from a rotary body accumulates on the plate | board surface of the braid | blade which faced the rotation direction upstream of the rotary body.

  Here, the suction port of the suction nozzle is formed on the plate surface of the blade facing the upstream side in the rotation direction of the rotating body, and the suction nozzle sucks the material accumulated in the contact portion between the blade and the rotating body. Is possible.

  The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the cleaning member is a blade inclined to the downstream side in the rotation direction of the rotating body with respect to the centrifugal direction of the rotating body. The suction port of the suction nozzle is formed on the end surface of the blade facing the rotating body.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the eighth aspect, the blade that contacts the rotating body and cleans the rotating body is inclined to the downstream side in the rotation direction of the rotating body with respect to the centrifugal direction of the rotating body. For this reason, the thing removed from the rotating body collects on the end surface of the blade facing the rotating body.

  Here, the suction port of the suction nozzle is formed on the end face of the blade facing the rotating body, and the suction nozzle can suck the matter accumulated at the contact portion between the blade and the rotating body. .

  Since this invention was set as the said structure, compared with the past, it can suppress that the thing removed from a rotary body by a cleaning member accumulates in a contact part with the rotary body of a cleaning member.

  Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the direction of rotation of the conveyor belt 28 as a rotating body (hereinafter referred to as the belt rotation direction) is indicated by an arrow A in the figure.

  FIG. 1 shows an ink jet recording apparatus 12 as an image forming apparatus of the present embodiment. A paper feed tray 16 is provided in the lower part of the casing 14 of the ink jet recording apparatus 12, and the sheets P stacked in the paper feed tray 16 can be taken out one by one by a pickup roll 18. The taken paper P is transported by a plurality of transport roller pairs 20 constituting a predetermined transport path 22.

  Above the paper feed tray 16, an endless transport belt 28 is stretched around a drive roll 24 and driven rolls 26, 27, and 29. The driving roll 24 and the driven roll 26 are disposed substantially horizontally, and below the driven roll 27 and the driven roll 29 are disposed substantially horizontally.

  A recording head array 30 is disposed above the conveyor belt 28 and faces a flat portion 28 </ b> F of the conveyor belt 28 between the drive roll 24 and the driven roll 26. This opposed area is an ejection area SE where ink droplets are ejected from the recording head array 30. The paper P transported by the transport path 22 is held by the transport belt 28 and reaches the discharge area SE, and ink droplets corresponding to image information are attached from the recording head array 30 in a state of facing the recording head array 30. The

  In this embodiment, the recording head array 30 has a long shape in which the effective recording area is equal to or larger than the width of the paper P (the length in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction), and is yellow (Y) and magenta (M). Ink jet recording heads (hereinafter referred to as recording heads) 32 as four image forming means corresponding to four colors of cyan, cyan (C), and black (K) are arranged along the belt rotation direction. Images can be recorded.

  Each recording head 32 is driven by a head drive circuit (not shown). The head drive circuit has a configuration in which, for example, the ejection timing of ink droplets and the ink ejection port (nozzle) to be used are determined according to image information and a drive signal is sent to the recording head 32.

  The recording head array 30 may be stationary in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction. However, if the recording head array 30 is configured to move as necessary, an image with higher resolution can be obtained by multi-pass image recording. Or the failure of the recording head 32 is not reflected in the recording result.

  Four maintenance units 34 corresponding to the respective recording heads 32 are arranged on both sides of the recording head array 30. As shown in FIG. 2, when performing maintenance on the recording head 32, the recording head array 30 is moved upward, and the maintenance unit 34 moves into the gap formed between the conveyance belt 28 and enters. . Then, a predetermined maintenance operation (suction, wiping, capping, etc.) is performed while facing the nozzle surface.

  Further, an ink tank 35 for storing ink of each color is disposed above the recording head array 30. Each recording head 32 is connected to each ink tank 35.

  Each recording head 32 performs ink droplet ejection (so-called preliminary ejection) that is unrelated to image formation for the purpose of preventing clogging of unused nozzles.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a charging roll 36 to which a power source 38 is connected is disposed upstream of the recording head array 30 in the belt rotation direction. The charging roll 36 is driven while sandwiching the conveyance belt 28 and the paper P with the driven roll 26, and presses the paper P against the conveyance belt 28. At this time, since a predetermined potential difference is generated between the grounded follower roll 26, the sheet P can be electrostatically adsorbed to the transport belt 28 by applying an electric charge to the sheet P.

  A separation claw 40 is disposed on the downstream side of the recording head array 30 in the belt rotation direction, and the sheet P is separated from the conveyance belt 28. The peeled paper P is transported by a plurality of discharge roller pairs 42 constituting a discharge path 44 on the downstream side in the transport direction of the peeling claw 40, and is discharged to a paper discharge tray 46 provided at the top of the housing 14.

  A belt cleaning unit 48 is disposed downstream of the peeling claw 40 in the belt rotation direction. The belt cleaning unit 48 comes into contact with a portion of the transport belt 28 wound around the driven roll 27 and scrapes off ink adhering to the transport belt 28, and a blade 49 as a cleaning member, and the transport belt 28 by the blade 49. And a recovery box 51 for recovering ink and the like scraped off.

  Further, the blade 49 is supported by the collection box 51 so as to incline toward the upstream side in the belt rotation direction with respect to the outer diameter direction of the driven roll 27 (the centrifugal direction of the transport belt 28). Further, an absorber 53 is spread on the bottom of the collection box 51, and the liquid dropped from the blade 49 is absorbed by the absorber 53.

  Further, the oil application unit 64 and the backup plate 66 are opposed to each other between the driven roll 26 and the driven roll 27 with the conveying belt 28 interposed therebetween. The oil application unit 64 faces the outer peripheral surface of the conveyor belt 28, and the backup plate 66 is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the conveyor belt 28.

  The oil application unit 64 includes a case 68, an oil application roll 71 that is rotatably supported by the case 68, and an oil blade 73 that is supported by the case 68. The oil application roll 71 is pressed against the backup blade 66 with the conveyance belt 28 interposed therebetween, and rotates following the conveyance belt 28. The oil application roll 71 is made of a porous material such as polyethylene or urethane, impregnated with silicone oil, and applies the silicone oil to the conveyor belt 28. On the other hand, the ink ejected from the recording head 32 is a water-based ink. For this reason, when ink adheres to the conveyance belt 28 due to unnecessary ink ejection at the time of paper jam, or preliminary ejection performed on the conveyance belt 28, the water repellent effect of the silicone oil film on the conveyance belt 28 As a result, the ink aggregates. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress an increase in the force with which the ink adheres to the conveyance belt 28, and the ink is easily peeled from the conveyance belt 28 when the conveyance belt 28 is cleaned by the blade 49.

  By the way, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the inkjet recording apparatus 12 is provided with a suction mechanism 70 as a suction means. The suction mechanism 70 includes a suction nozzle 72, waste liquid tubes 74 and 75, a waste ink tank 76, a pump 78, and a moving mechanism 80 as a moving means.

  The moving mechanism 80 includes a motor 82, a ball screw 84 that is a rotation shaft of the motor 82, a pipe joint portion 86 that is coupled to the ball screw 84 by a screw action, and a shaft 87 that supports the pipe joint portion 86 together with the ball screw 84. The ball screw 84 is rotated by driving the motor 82 to move the pipe joint portion 86 in the axial direction of the ball screw 84.

  The ball screw 84 and the shaft 87 extend from one end side to the other end side in the width direction of the conveyor belt 28 on the upstream side of the blade 49 in the belt rotation direction, on the downstream side of the peeling claw 40 in the belt rotation direction and on the side of the blade 49. Yes. For this reason, the pipe joint portion 86 is moved along the longitudinal direction of the blade 49 by the rotation of the ball screw 84.

  Further, the pipe joint portion 86 connects one end portion of the suction nozzle 72 and one end portion of the waste liquid tube 74. The other end of the waste liquid tube 74 and one end of the waste liquid tube 75 are connected to the upper portion of the waste ink tank 76. Further, a negative pressure generating pump 78 is connected to the other end of the waste liquid tube 75. Thus, when the pump 78 is driven, a negative pressure is generated at the suction port 72 </ b> A that is the other end of the suction nozzle 72.

  Here, the suction port 72A is directed to the contact portion between the blade 49 and the conveyance belt 28, and ink or the like accumulated in the contact portion between the blade 49 and the conveyance belt 28 due to the negative pressure generated at the suction port 72A. The ink is sucked from the suction port 72A and collected in the waste ink tank 76.

  Further, the motor 82 and the pump 78 are controlled by the control unit 88, and the suction nozzle 72 that is driven in synchronism with the timing at which the recording heads 32 perform preliminary discharge and generates negative pressure at the suction port 72A. , And moves along the contact portion between the blade 49 and the conveyor belt 28. As a result, a suction force acts on the entire contact portion between the blade 49 where the ink preliminarily ejected from each recording head 32 is accumulated and the conveyor belt 28.

  Accordingly, the ink removed from the conveyance belt 28 can be prevented from accumulating at the contact portion between the blade 49 and the conveyance belt 28, and thus the ink can be prevented from sticking to the contact portion between the blade 49 and the conveyance belt 28. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the cleaning ability of the conveying belt 28 by the blade 49, and thus it is possible to suppress poor cleaning of the conveying belt 28 by the blade 49.

  In addition, since the suction nozzle 72 is moved along the contact portion between the blade 49 and the transport belt 28 by the moving mechanism 80, the suction nozzle 72 is provided in the entire contact portion between the blade 49 and the transport belt 28. Compared to the case, the total amount of the flow passage area of the suction nozzle 72 is reduced, and the negative pressure generated in the suction nozzle 72 is increased even when the power of the pump 78 is the same.

  This makes it possible to increase the suction force acting on the contact portion between the blade 49 and the conveyor belt 28 as compared with the case where the suction nozzle 72 is provided in the entire contact portion between the blade 49 and the conveyor belt 28. The uniformity of the suction force acting on the contact portion between the conveyor belt 28 and the conveyor belt 28 can be improved.

  The timing at which the suction mechanism 70 is driven may be every time each recording head 32 performs preliminary ejection once, or every time each recording head 32 performs preliminary ejection a predetermined number of times. Further, the suction port 72A of the suction nozzle 72 may be brought into contact with the blade 49, may be brought into contact with the blade 49 and the transport belt 28, or may be in non-contact with the blade 49 and the transport belt 28. good.

  The suction nozzle 72 and the waste liquid tubes 74 and 75 may be made of a pipe material such as resin, rubber, or metal, but the waste liquid tubes 74 and 75 are preferably flexible pipe materials.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the structure similar to 1st Embodiment, and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the inkjet recording apparatus 100 as an image forming apparatus is provided with a suction mechanism 90 as a suction means. The suction mechanism 90 includes a nozzle array 92 as a suction nozzle row, waste liquid tubes 75 and 94, a waste ink tank 76, and a pump 78. The nozzle array 92 is a rectangular plate material joined to the plate surface of the blade 49 facing the upstream side in the belt rotation direction, and a plurality of suction nozzles 93 that are circular holes extending in the width direction of the blade 49 are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the blade 49. It is formed at predetermined intervals in the direction.

  One end of the waste liquid tubes 75 and 94 is connected to the upper part of the waste liquid tank 76, and the other end of the waste liquid tube 75 is connected to the pump 78. Further, the other end side of the waste liquid tube 94 is branched into a plurality and connected to one end portion of each suction nozzle 93. Thus, when the pump 78 is driven, a negative pressure is generated at each suction port 93 </ b> A that is the other end of each suction nozzle 93.

  Here, each suction port 93A is directed to a contact portion between the blade 49 and the transport belt 28, and ink or the like accumulated in the contact portion between the blade 49 and the transport belt 28 due to the negative pressure generated in the suction port 93A. Is sucked from the suction port 93 </ b> A and collected in the waste ink tank 76.

  A plurality of suction ports 93A directed to the contact portion between the blade 49 and the conveyor belt 28 are arranged at predetermined intervals from one end side to the other end side in the longitudinal direction of the blade 49. A suction force acts on the entire contact portion.

  Accordingly, the ink removed from the conveyance belt 28 can be prevented from accumulating at the contact portion between the blade 49 and the conveyance belt 28, and thus the ink can be prevented from sticking to the contact portion between the blade 49 and the conveyance belt 28. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the cleaning ability of the conveying belt 28 by the blade 49, and thus it is possible to suppress poor cleaning of the conveying belt 28 by the blade 49.

  Here, by setting the length of the nozzle array 92 in the belt width direction to be equal to or longer than the length of the contact portion between the blade 49 and the transport belt 28, the suction nozzle 93 is not moved and the blade 49 and the transport belt 28 are moved. Negative pressure can be applied to the entire contact portion. Accordingly, since a mechanism for moving the suction nozzle 93 is not required, it is possible to suppress an increase in cost that has not been provided with suction means.

  Although an example in which all the suction nozzles 93 are connected to one pump 78 has been described, a pump 78 may be provided for each suction nozzle 93, or a plurality of pumps 78 may be provided. A plurality of suction nozzles 93 may be connected to the pump 78.

  Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the structure similar to 1st, 2nd embodiment, and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, an ink jet recording apparatus 200 as an image forming apparatus is provided with a suction mechanism 96 as a suction means. The suction mechanism 96 includes a nozzle array 98 as a suction nozzle row, waste liquid tubes 75 and 94, a waste ink tank 76, and a pump 78. The nozzle array 98 includes a plurality of suction nozzles 99 formed on the blade 49 at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction of the blade 49, and each suction nozzle 99 is a hole extending in the width direction of the blade 49.

  One end of the waste liquid tubes 75 and 94 is connected to the upper part of the waste liquid tank 76, and the other end of the waste liquid tube 75 is connected to the pump 78. Further, the other end side of the waste liquid tube 94 is branched into a plurality and connected to one end portion of each suction nozzle 99. Thus, when the pump 78 is driven, a negative pressure is generated at each suction port 99 </ b> A that is the other end of each suction nozzle 99.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 6B, the blade 49 is inclined toward the upstream side in the belt rotation direction with respect to the outer diameter direction of the driven roll 27 (the centrifugal direction of the transport belt 28), and the tip side (width) Of the pair of edge portions on the conveyance belt side in the direction), the edge portion 49A on the upstream side in the belt rotation direction is in contact with the conveyance belt. For this reason, since ink is accumulated on the plate surface 49D of the blade 49 that is located upstream of the edge portion 49A in the belt rotation direction and faces the upstream side of the belt rotation direction, the suction port 99A of the suction nozzle 99 is connected to the transport belt 28. When formed on the front end surface 49 </ b> B of the opposing blade 49, the suction nozzle 99 cannot suck ink collected at the contact portion between the blade 49 and the transport belt 28.

  Therefore, each suction nozzle 99 is bent toward the upstream side in the belt rotation direction on the tip side of the blade 49, and the suction port 99A is formed in the plate surface 49D. As a result, the suction nozzle 99 can suck the ink accumulated in the contact portion between the blade 49 and the transport belt 28.

  Further, since the suction nozzle 99 is formed in the blade 49, the edge portion 49A is opened upstream in the belt rotation direction regardless of the length of the suction nozzle 99. The suction nozzle 99 can be made longer and the suction port 99A can be brought closer to the edge portion 49A compared to the case where the suction nozzle 99 is stacked on the upstream side, and the suction of the ink collected at the contact portion between the blade 49 and the conveying belt 28 is achieved. The power can be increased.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the nozzle array 98 in the present embodiment bonds and welds a plate 49T formed with a plurality of grooves 49S extending in the width direction and a top plate 49U formed with a suction port 99A. It can form by joining by methods, such as.

  As the material of the blade 49, rubber (for example, fluororubber, NBR, HNBR, etc.), metal (SUS thin plate, etc.), resin (for example, polyurethane, PET film, etc.), etc. can be applied.

  The hole diameter and pitch of the suction port 99A may be set as appropriate so that the suction performance can be maintained.

  Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the structure similar to 1st thru | or 3rd embodiment, and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 8A, an ink jet recording apparatus 300 as an image forming apparatus is provided with a suction mechanism 102 as a suction unit. The suction mechanism 102 includes a nozzle array 103 as a suction nozzle row, waste liquid tubes 75 and 94, a waste ink tank 76, and a pump 78. The nozzle array 103 includes a plurality of suction nozzles 105 formed on the blade 49 at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction of the blade 49, and each suction nozzle 105 is a hole extending in the width direction of the blade 49.

  One end of the waste liquid tubes 75 and 94 is connected to the upper part of the waste liquid tank 76, and the other end of the waste liquid tube 75 is connected to the pump 78. Further, the other end side of the waste liquid tube 94 is branched into a plurality and connected to one end portion of each suction nozzle 105. Thus, when the pump 78 is driven, a negative pressure is generated at each suction port 105 </ b> A that is the other end of each suction nozzle 105.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 8B, the blade 49 is inclined toward the downstream side in the belt rotation direction with respect to the outer diameter direction of the driven roll 27 (the centrifugal direction of the conveying belt 28), and the tip side (width) Of the pair of edge portions on the conveyance belt side in the direction), the edge portion 49C on the downstream side in the belt rotation direction is brought into contact with the conveyance belt. For this reason, since ink is collected on the front end surface 49A of the blade 49 facing the transport belt 28, the suction nozzle 105 is connected to the blade 49 by forming the suction port 105A of the suction nozzle 105 on the front end surface 49B of the blade 49. Ink accumulated in the contact portion with the conveyance belt 28 can be sucked. Therefore, each suction nozzle 105 extends straight to the tip surface 49B of the blade 49, and a suction port 105A is formed in the tip surface 49B.

  In addition, since the suction port 105A is formed on the tip surface 49B, the suction port 105A can be brought closer to the edge portion 49B, and the suction force with respect to the ink collected at the contact portion between the blade 49 and the transport belt 28 can be increased. can do.

  As shown in FIG. 9A, the suction nozzle array 103 according to the present embodiment bonds and welds a plate 49T formed with a plurality of grooves 49S extending in the width direction of the blade 49 and a top plate 49V. It can form by joining by methods, such as.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9B, the suction port 105A is formed on the distal end surface by forming the end portion on the distal end surface 49B side of the wall portion 49H formed between the groove 49S and the groove 49S in a triangular shape. 49B can be formed without a gap. Thereby, the suction force of the suction nozzle 105 can be improved.

  Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the structure similar to 1st thru | or 4th embodiment, and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 10, an inkjet recording apparatus 400 as an image forming apparatus is provided with a suction mechanism 106 as a suction unit. The suction mechanism 106 includes a nozzle array 103, waste liquid tubes 75 and 94, a waste ink tank 76, a pump 78, and a plurality of valves 108. Each valve 108 is provided in a branch portion 94A branched from the waste liquid tube 94, and its opening / closing operation is controlled by the control portion 110.

  Here, when ink is sucked from a large number of suction ports 105A by driving one pump 78, the suction force is biased toward the suction nozzle 105 having a low flow path resistance, and the ink suction amount is biased toward the suction nozzle 105. is there.

  Therefore, the control unit 110 drives the pumps 78 with all the valves 108 closed before each recording head 32 performs preliminary ejection, and all the valves 108 when each recording head 32 performs preliminary ejection. Is released. As a result, the negative pressure in the waste ink tank 76 increased before each recording head 32 performs preliminary ejection is released to the suction port 105A after each recording head 32 performs preliminary ejection. It is possible to cause the suction nozzle 105 to exert a suction force having a magnitude corresponding to the capacity of the suction nozzle.

  Accordingly, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the suction force of the suction nozzle 105 having a high flow path resistance, and it is possible to improve the uniformity of the suction force acting on the contact portion between the blade 49 and the transport belt 28.

  As a control method of the valve 108, a method of opening one by one or a plurality of each can be applied. According to this method, since the suction force concentrates on one or a plurality of suction nozzles 105, a decrease in suction force of the suction nozzle 105 having a high flow path resistance can be suppressed, and the contact portion between the blade 49 and the conveyor belt 28 can be suppressed. It is possible to improve the uniformity of the suction force acting on the.

  Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the structure similar to 1st thru | or 5th embodiment, and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 11, an inkjet recording apparatus 500 as an image forming apparatus is provided with a suction mechanism 70 as in the first embodiment. The maintenance unit 34 is provided with a cap member 112 that caps the nozzles of the recording head 32. The cap member 112 is connected to the upper portion of the tank 111 by the waste liquid tube 113, and the upper portion of the tank 111 and the pump 78 are connected to the pump 78 by the waste liquid tube 114. When the pump 78 is driven, the cap member 112 is connected. Negative pressure is generated in the.

  The waste liquid tubes 114 and 75 are provided with valves 116 and 118, respectively. The valves 116 and 118 are controlled by the control unit 119. During maintenance, the valve 116 is opened and the valve 118 is closed. As a result, the ink in the recording head 32 is sucked and the bubbles in the recording head 32 are discharged. Ink is collected in the tank 111. At this time, no negative pressure is generated in the suction port 72A.

  On the other hand, when the recording head 32 performs preliminary ejection, the valve 116 is closed and the valve 118 is opened. As a result, the ink accumulated in the contact portion between the blade 49 and the transport belt 28 is sucked. At this time, no negative pressure is generated in the cap member 112.

  Here, the pump that generates a negative pressure in the cap member 112 generates a negative pressure in the suction nozzle 72 that extends toward the contact portion between the blade 49 and the conveyance belt 28, thereby causing the blade 49 and the conveyance belt 28 to contact each other. Ink accumulated in the portion is sucked from the suction nozzle 72.

  That is, a pump for performing maintenance of the recording head 32 and a pump for sucking ink accumulated in the contact portion between the blade 49 and the transport belt 28 are shared. Since a dedicated pump for removing the ink accumulated in the contact portion is not necessary, it is possible to suppress an increase in cost that has not been provided with suction means.

  Next, a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the structure similar to 1st thru | or 6th embodiment, and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 12, an inkjet recording apparatus 600 as an image forming apparatus is provided with a suction mechanism 70 as in the first and sixth embodiments. A suction duct 115 is disposed on the inner peripheral side of the flat surface 28F of the conveyor belt 28. The suction duct 115 is connected to a pump 78 by a waste liquid tube 114. When the pump 78 is driven, a negative pressure is generated in the suction duct 120.

  In addition, a large number of small holes are formed in the transport belt 28, and when a negative pressure is generated in the suction duct 120, a negative pressure is generated on the outer peripheral side of the flat surface 28F of the transport belt 28. P is adsorbed on the flat surface 28F.

  The waste liquid tubes 114 and 75 are provided with valves 116 and 118, respectively. The valves 116 and 118 are controlled by the control unit 117. During image formation (paper conveyance), the valve 116 is opened and the valve 118 is closed. As a result, the paper P is attracted to the flat surface 28F of the transport belt 28. At this time, no negative pressure is generated in the suction port 72A.

  On the other hand, when the recording head 32 performs preliminary ejection, the valve 116 is closed and the valve 118 is opened. As a result, the ink accumulated in the contact portion between the blade 49 and the transport belt 28 is sucked. At this time, no negative pressure is generated in the suction duct 120.

  Here, the pump that generates negative pressure on the surface of the conveyance belt 28 that holds the paper P generates negative pressure at the suction nozzle 72 that extends toward the contact portion between the blade 49 and the conveyance belt 28, thereby causing the blade 49. Ink accumulated in the contact portion between the toner and the conveyor belt 28 is sucked from the suction nozzle 72.

  That is, a pump for adsorbing the paper P to the conveyance belt 28 and a pump for sucking ink accumulated in the contact portion between the blade 49 and the conveyance belt 28 are shared, and the blade 49 and the conveyance belt 28 are shared. Since a dedicated pump for removing the ink accumulated in the contact portion is not necessary, it is possible to suppress an increase in cost that has not been provided with suction means.

  Next, an eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the structure similar to 1st thru | or 7th Embodiment, and description is abbreviate | omitted. Further, the rotation direction of the intermediate transfer drum 104 as a rotating body (hereinafter referred to as the drum rotation direction) is indicated by an arrow A in the figure.

  As shown in FIG. 13, an ink jet recording apparatus 700 as an image forming apparatus forms a full color image on paper P with four colors of ink of yellow (Y), magenta (M), black (K), and cyan (C). It is a full color printer. The ink jet recording apparatus 700 is a printer using a so-called offset printing method, and the recording head array 30 ejects ink toward the intermediate transfer drum 104 to temporarily form an ink image on the intermediate transfer drum 104. An ink image is transferred from the intermediate transfer belt 104 to the paper P.

  A paper feed tray 16 is provided at the bottom of the ink jet recording apparatus 700 so that it can be inserted and removed. Sheets P are stacked on the sheet feed tray 16, and a pickup roll 18 is in contact with the uppermost sheet P. The paper P is fed one by one from the paper feed tray 16 by the pickup roll 18 to the downstream side in the transport direction, and the print unit 122 is transported by the transport rolls 109, 120, 121, 123, 125 arranged in order along the transport path. Paper is fed to The transport rollers 123 and 125 have a star wheel that is in contact with the surface to which the ink image of the paper P is transferred.

  In the printing unit 122, the recording head array 30 is disposed above the intermediate transfer drum 104 and faces the upper peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer drum 104. This opposed area is an ejection area SE where ink droplets are ejected from the recording head array 30.

  The recording head array 30 approaches the intermediate transfer drum 104 when ink droplets are ejected. Further, the recording head array 30 secures a space for the maintenance unit 24 to enter the intermediate transfer drum 104 away from the intermediate transfer drum 104 during maintenance. The maintenance unit 34 is retracted outside the ejection area SE during image formation. Further, the maintenance unit 34 enters the ejection area SE during non-image formation.

  Further, transfer rolls 128 and 130 and a peeling claw 132 are disposed on the conveyance path side of the intermediate transfer drum 104. The transfer rolls 128 and 130 are in pressure contact with the intermediate transfer drum 104, and convey the paper P while being pressed against the intermediate transfer drum 104, thereby transferring the ink image from the intermediate transfer drum 104 to the paper P. Further, the peeling claw 132 peels the paper P from the intermediate transfer drum 104.

  And conveyance roll 127,129,131,133,135,137,139 is arrange | positioned in the conveyance direction downstream of the peeling nail | claw 132 from the conveyance direction upstream. The transport rolls 127, 133, 135, 137, and 139 have a star wheel that is in contact with the surface on which the ink image of the paper P is transferred. Is decreasing.

  A paper discharge tray 46 is disposed above the ink tank 35, and a transport roll 139 is disposed on the side of the paper discharge tray 46. That is, the paper P is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 46 by the transport roll 139.

  As shown in FIG. 14, a drum cleaning unit 148 is disposed on the downstream side of the peeling claw 132 in the drum rotation direction and on the upstream side of the recording head array 30 in the drum rotation direction. The blade 49 provided in the drum cleaning unit 148 contacts the intermediate transfer drum 104 and scrapes ink remaining on the intermediate transfer drum 104 without being transferred onto the paper P. The collection box 51 collects ink and the like scraped from the intermediate transfer drum 104 by the blade 49.

  In addition, a suction mechanism 70 is provided for sucking ink accumulated in the contact portion between the blade 49 and the intermediate transfer drum 104. As a result, the ink accumulated at the contact portion between the blade 49 and the intermediate transfer drum 104 is removed. Accordingly, the ink removed from the intermediate transfer drum 104 can be prevented from accumulating at the contact portion between the blade 49 and the intermediate transfer drum 104, so that even when the unused time of the ink jet recording apparatus 700 becomes long, Ink sticking to the contact portion with the intermediate transfer drum 104 can be suppressed, and deterioration of the cleaning ability of the intermediate transfer drum 104 by the blade 49 due to this can be suppressed, and thus the cleaning of the intermediate transfer drum 104 by the blade 49 can be suppressed. Defects can be suppressed.

  Next, a ninth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the structure similar to 1st thru | or 8th Embodiment, and description is abbreviate | omitted. In addition, the rotation direction of the heating roll 228 as a rotating body (hereinafter referred to as a roll rotation direction) is indicated by an arrow A in the figure.

  As shown in FIG. 15, in an image forming unit 802 as an image forming unit in an image forming apparatus 800 using an electrophotographic method, around the photoconductor 214 in the rotation direction of the photoconductor 214 (clockwise direction in the drawing). A charging unit 216, a developing unit 218, a transfer roll 220, and a cleaner unit 222 are arranged in this order. The paper P is conveyed to the nip portion between the photoconductor 216 and the transfer roll 220. The charging unit 216 is disposed above the photoconductor 214. The optical scanning device 210 is disposed above the charging unit 216, and emits a beam B to the photosensitive member 214 from between the charging unit 216 and the developing unit 218.

  In this image forming apparatus 800, first, the photosensitive member 214 is uniformly charged by the charging unit 216, and the charged surface of the photosensitive member 214 is scanned with the beam B by the optical scanning device 210 to form a latent image. Then, the latent image on the photoreceptor 214 is developed with toner by the developing unit 218. Then, the sheet P is conveyed to the nip portion between the photosensitive member 214 and the transfer roller 220 by the conveying roller 224 disposed on the upstream side in the conveying direction of the transfer roller 220, and the toner image on the photosensitive member 214 is transferred by the transfer roller 220. It is transferred to the paper P. Then, untransferred residual toner that has not been transferred to the paper P and remains on the photosensitive member 214 is removed from the photosensitive member 14 by the cleaner unit 222.

  A fixing unit 226 is disposed on the downstream side of the transfer roll 220 in the conveyance direction. The fixing unit 226 includes a heating roll 228 disposed on the transfer surface side of the paper P, a pressure roll 230 disposed on the opposite side of the paper P, and a heating roll cleaning unit 248 that cleans the heating roll 228. And.

  The heating roll 228 and the pressure roll 230 are in pressure contact with each other, and heat and press the paper P to fix the toner image on the paper P to the paper P.

  Further, the blade 49 provided in the heating roll cleaning unit 248 comes into contact with the heating roll 228 and scrapes off toner, paper powder, and the like attached to the heating roll 228. The collection box 51 collects toner, paper powder, and the like scraped from the heating roll 228 by the blade 49.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 16, a suction mechanism 70 is provided for sucking toner, paper dust, and the like accumulated in the contact portion between the blade 49 and the heating roll 228. As a result, toner, paper dust, and the like accumulated at the contact portion between the blade 49 and the heating roll 228 are removed. Accordingly, toner, paper powder, etc. removed from the heating roll 228 can be prevented from accumulating at the contact portion between the blade 49 and the heating roll 228. Can be prevented, and the occurrence of problems such as abnormal noise and poor fixing can be suppressed.

  In the first to ninth embodiments, the present invention has been described by taking an image forming apparatus using an inkjet recording apparatus and an electrophotographic system as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other image forming apparatuses. It is applicable to.

  The “rotor” in the image forming apparatus of the present invention includes, for example, a photoconductor, an intermediate transfer belt, a transport roll, and the like.

  In addition, the “cleaning member” in the droplet discharge device of the present invention includes a wide range of members that can clean an object attached to a rotating body such as a brush roll and a web.

  Furthermore, the “moving means” in the droplet discharge device of the present invention includes a wide range of means capable of moving the suction nozzle, such as a mechanism using a wire or a V-belt.

1 is a side view illustrating an outline of an ink jet recording apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a side view illustrating an outline of an ink jet recording apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a side view which shows the outline of the printing part of the inkjet recording device of FIG. 1, FIG. FIG. 1A is a perspective view and FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view showing a suction mechanism provided in the ink jet recording apparatus of FIGS. It is a perspective view which shows the suction mechanism with which the inkjet recording device of 2nd Embodiment of this invention was equipped. (A) is a perspective view and (B) is a sectional view showing a suction mechanism provided in an ink jet recording apparatus of a third embodiment of the present invention. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the suction nozzle row with which the suction mechanism of FIG. 6 was equipped. (A) which shows the suction mechanism with which the inkjet recording device of 4th Embodiment of this invention was equipped is a perspective view, (B) is sectional drawing. FIG. 9A is an exploded perspective view showing a suction nozzle array provided in the ink jet recording apparatus of FIG. 8, and FIG. 9B is a plan view showing a suction port of the suction nozzle. It is a side view which shows the suction mechanism with which the inkjet recording device of 5th Embodiment of this invention was equipped. It is a side view which shows the outline of the printing part of the inkjet recording device of 6th Embodiment of this invention. It is a side view which shows the outline of the printing part of the inkjet recording device of 7th Embodiment of this invention. It is a side view which shows the outline of the inkjet recording device of 8th Embodiment of this invention. It is a side view which shows the outline of the printing part of the inkjet recording device of FIG. It is a side view which shows the outline of the image forming apparatus of 9th Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 16 is a side view illustrating an outline of a fixing device provided in the image forming apparatus of FIG. 15.

Explanation of symbols

12 Inkjet recording device (image forming device)
28 Conveyor belt (rotating body)
32 Inkjet recording head (image forming means, droplet discharge head)
49 Blade (cleaning member)
49B End face (end face)
49D Plate surface 70 Suction mechanism (suction means)
72 Suction nozzle 72A Suction port 78 Pump 80 Moving mechanism (moving means)
90 Suction mechanism (suction means)
92 Suction nozzle 98 Suction mechanism (suction means)
99 Suction nozzle 100 Inkjet recording apparatus (image forming apparatus)
102 Suction mechanism (suction means)
104 Intermediate transfer belt (rotating body)
105 Suction nozzle 106 Suction mechanism (suction means)
112 Cap member 200 Inkjet recording apparatus (image forming apparatus)
228 Heating roll (rotating body)
300 Inkjet recording apparatus (image forming apparatus)
400 Inkjet recording apparatus (image forming apparatus)
500 Inkjet recording apparatus (image forming apparatus)
600 Image forming apparatus 700 Inkjet recording apparatus (image forming apparatus)
800 Image forming apparatus 802 Image forming unit (image forming unit)

Claims (8)

Image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium directly or via an intermediate transfer member;
A rotating body rotatably provided in an apparatus provided with the image forming means;
A cleaning member that contacts the rotating body and cleans the rotating body;
A suction means for sucking an object accumulated in a contact portion between the cleaning member and the rotating body;
An image forming apparatus comprising:   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming unit is a droplet discharge head that discharges liquid in a droplet shape. A cap member that caps the nozzle of the droplet discharge head;
The suction means is
A suction nozzle extending toward a contact portion between the cleaning member and the rotating body;
A pump for generating negative pressure in the suction nozzle and the cap member;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: A conveyance member that holds the recording medium and conveys the recording medium to face the droplet discharge head;
The suction means is
A suction nozzle extending toward a contact portion between the cleaning member and the rotating body;
A pump for generating a negative pressure on the suction nozzle and a surface of the conveying member that holds the recording medium;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: The suction means is
A suction nozzle extending toward a contact portion between the cleaning member and the rotating body;
A pump for generating a negative pressure in the suction nozzle;
Moving means for moving the suction nozzle along a contact portion between the cleaning member and the rotating body;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: The suction means is
It is arranged along a contact portion between the cleaning member and the rotator, and each includes a plurality of suction nozzles extending toward a contact portion between the cleaning member and the rotator, and at least the cleaning member and the rotator. A suction nozzle array having a length equal to or longer than the contact portion;
A pump for generating negative pressure in the plurality of suction nozzles;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: The cleaning member is a blade inclined to the upstream side in the rotation direction of the rotating body with respect to the centrifugal direction of the rotating body,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the suction port of the suction nozzle is formed on a plate surface of the blade facing the upstream side in the rotation direction of the rotating body. The cleaning member is a blade inclined to the downstream side in the rotation direction of the rotating body with respect to the centrifugal direction of the rotating body,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein a suction port of the suction nozzle is formed on an end surface of the blade facing the rotating body.

Images