JP2011203507A - Developer recovery device and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a developer recovery device in which deterioration in the suction force of a suction means is suppressed, the deterioration occurring, when a recovery member and a sealing member are in contact with a developer holding member.SOLUTION: A cleaning device 100 includes a housing 102; a cleaning blade 106; the sealing member 108; a retracting mechanism 130 for bringing a cleaning blade 106 and the sealing member 108 into contact with an intermediate transfer belt 68 or separating them from it; a suction unit 110; and a hole 150 for taking air into the housing 102. In this case, when the cleaning blade 106 and sealing member 108 come into contact with the intermediate transfer belt 68, air is taken into the housing 102 from the hole 150. As a result, an air flow is generated in each part of the housing 102 in the lengthwise direction thereof, and suction of toner is consequently performed. As a result of this, suppression of deterioration in the suction force of the suction unit 110 is conducted.

Description

  The present invention relates to a developer recovery apparatus and an image forming apparatus.

  The cleaning device of Patent Document 1 is provided with a suction device that sucks the inside of the cleaner housing. When the cleaning device moves away from the outer peripheral surface of the member that holds the toner, the suction device sucks the toner into the cleaner housing. Collected.

Patent No. 4069350

  An object of the present invention is to provide a developer recovery apparatus and an image forming apparatus that can suppress a reduction in suction force by a suction means when a recovery member and a sealing member are in contact with a developer holding member.

  In the developer recovery apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention, the opening disposed opposite to the developer holding member that holds and conveys the developer while rotating is in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the developer holding member. A housing formed long along the edge, and provided along the downstream edge of the opening in the transport direction so as to come into contact with the developer holding member, and the developer from the outer peripheral surface of the developer holding member A recovery member that peels off and recovers in the casing, and is provided so as to come into contact with the developer holding member along an upstream edge of the opening in the transport direction, and the casing and the developer A sealing member that seals a gap between the holding member, a moving unit that moves the recovery member and the sealing member to a position in contact with the developer holding member or a position away from the developer holding member; and the development Agent holding member At least one of the casing, the recovery member, and the sealing member within the installation range of the suction member that sucks the peeled developer into the casing and the recovery member or the sealing member in the longitudinal direction of the casing. And a take-in means for taking air into the housing.

  In the developer collecting apparatus according to claim 2 of the present invention, the take-in means is opened when the moving means brings the collecting member and the sealing member into contact with the developer holding member and is sucked by the suction means. The valve is closed when air is taken in and the moving means separates the recovery member and the sealing member from the developer holding member.

  In the developer collecting apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention, the take-in means includes a hole portion formed in the sealing member or the housing, and a ventilation portion attached to the hole portion so as to allow ventilation. And a ventilation member that cannot pass through the body.

  In the developer recovery apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the suction unit is provided on the recovery member side of the housing, and the sealing member is disposed below the developer holding member, The insertion means is provided at a part to which the sealing member or the sealing member of the housing is attached.

  An image forming apparatus according to claim 5 of the present invention comprises: a latent image holding body that holds a latent image; and a developing unit that develops the latent image on the latent image holding body with a developer to form a developer image; A transfer belt as the developer holding member for transferring the developer image on the latent image holding body and holding the developer image, and a transfer unit for transferring the developer image on the developer holding member to a recording medium And a developer recovery device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the developer on the developer holding member is recovered after the transfer is performed by the transfer means.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, a reduction in suction force by the suction means when the recovery member and the sealing member are in contact with the developer holding member can be suppressed as compared with a configuration in which means for taking air into the housing is not provided. it can.

  The invention according to claim 2 can prevent the leakage of the developer from the housing as compared with the configuration in which no valve is provided.

  The invention of claim 3 can prevent leakage of the developer from the housing as compared with the configuration in which the ventilation member is not provided.

  According to the invention of claim 4, the developer recovered by the recovery member can be efficiently sucked compared to the configuration in which air is taken in from the recovery member side.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the deterioration of the image due to the scattered developer can be suppressed as compared with a configuration in which means for taking air into the housing is not provided.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of an image forming unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a perspective view of a cleaning device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. (A) It is sectional drawing which shows the internal structure of the cleaning apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. (B) It is sectional drawing which shows the filter attachment part of the cleaning apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the retract mechanism part of the cleaning apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the installation state of the suction duct which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the exhaust part provided in the upstream of each suction duct which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIGS. 3A and 3B are cross-sectional views illustrating a toner recovery state and air flow when the cleaning blade and the seal member according to the first embodiment of the present invention are separated from or in contact with the intermediate transfer belt. It is sectional drawing which shows the internal structure of the cleaning apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. (A) and (B) It is the perspective view and sectional drawing which show the structure of the sealing member which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. (A), (B) It is sectional drawing which shows the opening-and-closing state of the opening-and-closing member provided in the sealing member which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

  An example of the developer recovery apparatus and the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 1 shows an image forming apparatus 10 as an example of the first embodiment. The image forming apparatus 10 is supplied from the sheet storage unit 12 in which the recording sheet P is stored and the sheet storage unit 12 provided on the sheet storage unit 12 from the lower side to the upper side in the vertical direction (arrow V direction). The image forming unit 14 that forms an image on the recording paper P to be formed, the document reading unit 16 that is provided on the image forming unit 14 to read the read document G, and each unit of the image forming apparatus 10 that is provided in the image forming unit 14 And a control unit 20 that controls the operation of the above. In the following description, the vertical direction of the apparatus main body 10A of the image forming apparatus 10 is described as an arrow V direction, and the horizontal direction is described as an arrow H direction.

  The paper storage unit 12 is provided with a first storage unit 22, a second storage unit 24, and a third storage unit 26 that store recording paper P having different sizes as an example of a recording medium. The first storage unit 22, the second storage unit 24, and the third storage unit 26 are provided with a delivery roll 32 that sends the stored recording paper P to a conveyance path 28 provided in the image forming apparatus 10. A pair of transport rolls 34 and transport rolls 36 that transport the recording paper P one by one are provided on the transport path 28 downstream of the feed roll 32. An alignment roll 38 that stops the recording paper P at one end and feeds it to a secondary transfer position (described later) at a predetermined timing downstream of the conveyance roll 36 in the conveyance direction of the recording paper P in the conveyance path 28. Is provided.

  The upstream portion of the conveyance path 28 is provided in a straight line from the left side of the sheet storage unit 12 to the lower left side of the image forming unit 14 in the arrow V direction when the image forming apparatus 10 is viewed from the front. The downstream portion of the conveyance path 28 is provided from the lower left portion of the image forming portion 14 to the paper discharge portion 15 provided on the right side surface of the image forming portion 14. Further, a double-sided conveyance path 29 through which the recording paper P is conveyed and reversed in order to form an image on both sides of the recording paper P is connected to the conveyance path 28.

  The double-sided conveyance path 29 includes a first switching member 31 that switches between the conveyance path 28 and the double-sided conveyance path 29 from the lower right side of the image forming unit 14 to the right side of the sheet storage unit 12 in a front view of the image forming apparatus 10. A reversing unit 33 linearly provided in the direction of arrow V, a transporting unit 37 transported in the direction of arrow H while the rear end of the recording paper P transported to the reversing unit 33 enters, a reversing unit 33 and a transporting unit And a second switching member 35 for switching 37. The reversing unit 33 is provided with a pair of conveying rolls 42 at intervals, and the conveying unit 37 is provided with a pair of conveying rolls 44 at intervals.

  The first switching member 31 is a triangular prism-shaped member, and the leading end portion is moved to either the transport path 28 or the double-side transport path 29 by a driving unit (not shown) so as to switch the transport direction of the recording paper P. It has become. Similarly, the second switching member 35 is a triangular prism-shaped member when viewed from the front, and the leading end is moved to either the reversing unit 33 or the conveyance unit 37 by a driving unit (not shown), so that the recording paper P is conveyed. The direction is changed. The downstream end of the transport unit 37 is connected to the front side of the transport roll 36 in the upstream portion of the transport path 28 by a guide member (not shown). Further, a foldable manual sheet feeding unit 46 is provided on the left side surface of the image forming unit 14 and is connected from the manual sheet feeding unit 46 to a position in front of the alignment roll 38 in the conveyance path 28. .

  The document reading unit 16 includes a document transport device 52 that automatically transports the read document G one by one, a platen glass 54 that is disposed below the document transport device 52 and on which one read document G is placed, and a document transport device. An original reading device 56 that reads the read original G conveyed by 52 or the read original G placed on the platen glass 54 is provided. The document conveyance device 52 has an automatic conveyance path 55 in which a plurality of pairs of conveyance rolls 53 are arranged, and a part of the automatic conveyance path 55 is arranged so that the recording paper P passes over the platen glass 54. . The original reading device 56 reads the read original G conveyed by the original conveying device 52 while being stationary at the left end of the platen glass 54, or is read on the platen glass 54 while moving in the arrow H direction. G is read.

  On the other hand, the image forming unit 14 is provided with a cylindrical photosensitive member 62 as an example of a latent image holding member in the center of the apparatus main body 10A. The photosensitive member 62 is rotated in an arrow + R direction (clockwise direction in the drawing) by a driving unit (not shown) and holds an electrostatic latent image formed by light irradiation. A corotron charging member 64 that charges the surface of the photoconductor 62 is provided above the photoconductor 62 and at a position facing the outer peripheral surface of the photoconductor 62.

  An exposure device 66 is provided at a position downstream of the charging member 64 in the rotation direction of the photoconductor 62 and facing the outer peripheral surface of the photoconductor 62. The exposure device 66 is composed of an LED (Light Emitting Diode), and irradiates (exposes) light to the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive member 62 charged by the charging member 64 based on image signals corresponding to each toner color. An electrostatic latent image is formed. The exposure device 66 is not limited to the LED system, and may be one that scans laser light with a polygon mirror, for example.

  The electrostatic latent image formed on the outer peripheral surface of the photoconductor 62 is developed with toner of a predetermined color on the downstream side of the portion irradiated with the exposure light of the exposure device 66 in the rotation direction of the photoconductor 62. A rotation switching type developing device 70 is provided as an example of a developing means for visualizing. Details of the developing device 70 will be described later.

  A developer holding member and a transfer belt to which a toner image formed on the outer peripheral surface of the photoconductor 62 is transferred downstream of the developing device 70 in the rotation direction of the photoconductor 62 and below the photoconductor 62. As an example, an intermediate transfer belt 68 is provided. The intermediate transfer belt 68 is endless, and is driven by being in contact with a drive roll 61 that is rotationally driven by the control unit 20, a tension applying roll 63 for applying tension to the intermediate transfer belt 68, and the back surface of the intermediate transfer belt 68. It is wound around a plurality of rotating transport rolls 65 and an auxiliary roll 69 that rotates in contact with the back surface of the intermediate transfer belt 68 at a secondary transfer position described later. The intermediate transfer belt 68 rotates in the direction of the arrow -R (the counterclockwise direction in the drawing) as the driving roll 61 rotates.

  A primary transfer roll 67 is provided on the opposite side of the photoreceptor 62 across the intermediate transfer belt 68 to primarily transfer the toner image formed on the outer peripheral surface of the photoreceptor 62 to the intermediate transfer belt 68. The primary transfer roll 67 is in contact with the back surface of the intermediate transfer belt 68 at a position away from the position where the photoconductor 62 and the intermediate transfer belt 68 are in contact with the downstream side in the moving direction of the intermediate transfer belt 68. The primary transfer roll 67 is primarily energized from a power source (not shown) to primarily transfer the toner image on the photoreceptor 62 to the intermediate transfer belt 68 by a potential difference from the grounded photoreceptor 62.

  Further, on the opposite side of the auxiliary roll 69 across the intermediate transfer belt 68, a secondary transfer roll 71 as an example of transfer means for secondary transfer of the toner image primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 68 onto the recording paper P. Between the secondary transfer roll 71 and the auxiliary roll 69 is a secondary transfer position for transferring the toner image onto the recording paper P. The secondary transfer roll 71 is in contact with the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 68. When the secondary transfer roll 71 is energized from a power source (not shown), the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 68 is secondarily transferred onto the recording paper P by a potential difference from the auxiliary roll 69 that is grounded. Yes.

  Further, a cleaning device 100 as an example of a developer recovery device that recovers residual toner after secondary transfer of the intermediate transfer belt 68 is provided on the opposite side of the drive roll 61 with the intermediate transfer belt 68 interposed therebetween. Details of the cleaning device 100 will be described later. Further, a predetermined reference on the intermediate transfer belt 68 is detected by detecting a mark (not shown) on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 68 at a position facing the tension applying roll 63 around the intermediate transfer belt 68. A position detection sensor 83 is provided for detecting a position and outputting a position detection signal that serves as a reference for the start timing of the image forming process.

  A cleaning device 73 is provided on the downstream side of the primary transfer roller 67 in the rotation direction of the photoconductor 62 to clean residual toner or the like remaining on the surface of the photoconductor 62 without being primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 68. . The cleaning device 73 is configured to collect residual toner and the like with a cleaning blade and a brush roll that are in contact with the surface of the photoreceptor 62. Further, on the upstream side of the cleaning device 73 in the rotation direction of the photosensitive member 62 (downstream side of the primary transfer roll 67), a static eliminator 75 is provided that performs static elimination by irradiating the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive member 62 with light. Yes. The neutralization device 75 reduces the adhesive force due to static electricity by irradiating the outer peripheral surface of the photoconductor 62 with light before collecting the residual toner by the cleaning device 73, thereby increasing the recovery rate of the residual toner. Is. It should be noted that neutralization means after collecting residual toner or the like may be provided downstream of the cleaning device 73 and upstream of the charging member 64.

  The secondary transfer position of the toner image by the secondary transfer roll 71 is set in the middle of the transport path 28 described above, and the secondary transfer roll 71 in the transport direction of the recording paper P in the transport path 28 (shown by the arrow A). On the further downstream side, a fixing device 80 for fixing the toner image on the recording paper P on which the toner image is transferred by the secondary transfer roll 71 is provided. The fixing device 80 is disposed on the toner image surface side (upper side) of the recording paper P, and has a heating roll 82 having a heat source that generates heat when energized, and the recording paper P disposed on the lower side of the heating roll 82 and the outer periphery of the heating roll 82. It is comprised with the pressurization roll 84 which pressurizes toward a surface. A transport roll 39 that transports the recording paper P toward the paper discharge unit 15 or the reversing unit 33 is provided downstream of the fixing device 80 in the transport direction of the recording paper P in the transport path 28.

  On the other hand, below the document reading device 56 and above the developing device 70, yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), black (K), first special color (E), and second special color. Toner cartridges 78Y, 78M, 78C, 78K, 78E, and 78F that store the respective color (F) toners are provided to be replaceable in the horizontal direction. The first special color E and the second special color F are selected from special colors (including transparent) other than yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, or are not selected. Then, when the first special color E and the second special color F are selected, the developing device 70 forms an image with six colors of Y, M, C, K, E, and F, and the first special color E When the second special color F is not selected, image formation with four colors Y, M, C, and K is performed. In this embodiment, as an example, a case where image formation is performed with four colors Y, M, C, and K and the first special color E and the second special color F are unused will be described. As an example, image formation may be performed with five colors using four colors Y, M, C, and K and the first special color E or the second special color F.

  Next, the developing device 70 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the developing device 70 includes yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), black (K), first special color (E), and second special color (F) toners. Developing units 72Y, 72M, 72C, 72K, 72E, and 72F corresponding to the colors are arranged side by side in the circumferential direction (counterclockwise in this order) and are rotated by a motor (not shown) that is a rotating means. By rotating the central angle by 60 °, the developing devices 72Y, 72M, 72C, 72K, 72E, and 72F for performing the development processing are switched so as to face the outer peripheral surface of the photoconductor 62. Since the developing units 72Y, 72M, 72C, 72K, 72E, and 72F have the same configuration, the developing unit 72Y will be described here, and the other developing units 72M, 72C, 72K, 72E, and 72F will be described. Is omitted.

  The developing device 72Y includes a case member 76 serving as a main body, and includes toner and a carrier that are supplied into the case member 76 from a toner cartridge 78Y (see FIG. 1) via a toner supply path (not shown). A developer (not shown) is filled. The case member 76 is formed with a rectangular opening 76 </ b> A facing the outer peripheral surface of the photoconductor 62, and the developing roll whose outer peripheral surface faces the outer peripheral surface of the photoconductor 62 is formed in the opening 76 </ b> A. 74 is provided. Further, a plate-like regulating member 79 for regulating the layer thickness of the developer is provided along the longitudinal direction of the opening 76A at a portion near the opening 76A in the case member 76.

  The developing roller 74 includes a cylindrical developing sleeve 74A that is rotatably provided, and a magnetic member 74B that includes a plurality of magnetic poles fixed inside the developing sleeve 74A. The developing sleeve 74A rotates. Thus, the developer (carrier) magnetic brush is formed, and the layer thickness is regulated by the regulating member 79, whereby the developer layer is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the developing sleeve 74A. The developer layer on the outer peripheral surface of the developing sleeve 74A is conveyed to a position facing the photoconductor 62, and a toner corresponding to a latent image (electrostatic latent image) formed on the outer peripheral surface of the photoconductor 62 is attached. To develop.

  In addition, in the case member 76, two conveyance rollers 77 formed in a spiral shape are arranged in parallel so as to be rotatable, and the case member 76 is filled by rotating the two conveyance rollers 77. The developer is circulated and conveyed in the axial direction of the developing roll 74 (longitudinal direction of the developing device 72Y). The six developing rolls 74 provided in each of the developing units 72Y, 72M, 72C, 72K, 72E, and 72F are arranged in the circumferential direction so that the distance from the adjacent developing roll 74 is a central angle of 60 °. Then, by switching the developing device 72, the next developing roll 74 is opposed to the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive member 62.

  Next, the cleaning device 100 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the cleaning device 100 includes a housing 102 in which a rectangular opening 104 is formed so as to face the intermediate transfer belt 68 (see FIG. 2), and an intermediate transfer belt provided in the opening 104. A cleaning blade 106 as an example of a collecting member that contacts the toner 68 and collects the toner, and is provided in the opening 104 at a position opposite to the cleaning blade 106, and contacts the intermediate transfer belt 68 and the housing 102. And a sealing member 108 as an example of a sealing member that seals a gap with the transfer belt 68.

  Further, the cleaning device 100 includes a suction unit 110 (see FIGS. 6 and 7) as an example of a suction unit that sucks residual toner or the like of the intermediate transfer belt 68 into the housing 102, and a toner provided in the housing 102. As an example of a moving unit that moves the filter 112 that collects dust, the cleaning blade 106 and the seal member 108 to a position where they contact the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 68 or a position away from the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 68. Part of the retract mechanism 130, a plurality of holes 150 as an example of intake means for taking air into the housing 102, and a filter 152 as an example of the intake means and ventilation member (FIG. 4B ))).

  Hereinafter, the longitudinal direction of the housing 102 and the opening 104 is the arrow Z direction, and the in-plane direction of the bottom wall 102A of the housing 102 (see FIG. 4A) is the arrow X direction. The arrangement of each member in the housing 102 will be described with the height direction of the housing 102 orthogonal to the arrow X direction and the arrow Z direction as the arrow Y direction. The arrow Z direction is a direction from the near side to the far side when the image forming apparatus 10 (see FIG. 1) is viewed from the front.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4A, the housing 102 has a shape in which both end portions in the arrow Z direction and the left end portion of the top wall and the upper end portion of the left side wall as viewed in the arrow Z direction are opened. A side plate 114 is attached to both ends in the arrow Z direction with screws. In addition, a first movable member 116 made of a sheet metal having an L shape on the XY plane is provided on the upper portion of the housing 102 with the arrow Z direction as a longitudinal direction. 4A shows a state in which the cleaning blade 106 and the seal member 108 are in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 68. FIG.

  The first movable member 116 is arranged in a mountain shape on the XY plane, and on the back side of one inclined portion 116A (inclined portion toward the lower left in the drawing), a support shaft 118 having an arrow Z direction as an axial direction. Is fixed. The support shaft 118 is rotatably supported at both ends by bearings (not shown) provided on the side plate 114. A support plate 119 made of L-shaped sheet metal on the XY plane is attached to the upper surface of the inclined portion 116A of the first movable member 116 with a screw. Furthermore, one end portion of the cleaning blade 106 arranged along the inclination direction of the inclined portion 116A is fixed to the lower portion of the support plate 119 by adhesion.

  The cleaning blade 106 is a plate made of resin that is rectangular in plan view, and is attached to the support plate 119 so that the longitudinal direction thereof is along the longitudinal direction of the opening 104. As a result, the cleaning blade 106 is provided along the downstream edge of the opening 104 in the conveyance direction (arrow -R direction) of the intermediate transfer belt 68. The cleaning blade 106 is in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 68 at the free end side (the other end not bonded to the support plate 119) when the retract mechanism 130, which will be described later, is arranged in contact. The residual toner on the intermediate transfer belt 68 is collected in the housing 102. Further, on the left side of the housing 102 on the XY plane, a second movable member 120 made of an L-shaped sheet metal whose longitudinal direction is the arrow Z direction is provided.

  The second movable member 120 is disposed so as to protrude leftward on the XY plane, and an arrow Z is provided on the back side of the inclined portion 120A (inclined portion falling to the lower left in the drawing) disposed on the upper side. A support shaft 122 (see FIG. 3) whose direction is the axial direction is fixed. Both ends in the axial direction of the support shaft 122 are rotatably supported by bearings (not shown) provided on the side plate 114 and a side plate 131B (see FIG. 6) described later. Further, one end portion of the seal member 108 in the short direction is fixed to the upper portion of the inclined portion 120A of the second movable member 120 by adhesion.

  Furthermore, a plurality of hole portions 150 which are long holes penetrating with the arrow Z direction as the longitudinal direction are formed in the inclined portion 120A of the second movable member 120 with an interval in the arrow Z direction. Further, a filter 152 is fixed to the back surface of the inclined portion 120 </ b> A of the second movable member 120 so as to cover the plurality of holes 150. The formation positions of the plurality of hole portions 150 are within the installation range of the cleaning blade 106 or the seal member 108.

  As shown in FIG. 4B, the filter 152 is formed of, for example, a urethane resin foam, and is bonded to the back side of the second movable member 120 so as to cover the plurality of holes 150. . The filter 152 is in a foamed state in which the toner T does not flow out of the hole 150 and the air can be taken into the housing 102.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, the seal member 108 is, for example, a rectangular transparent film material in plan view, and along the upstream edge of the opening 104 in the conveyance direction of the intermediate transfer belt 68. The second movable member 120 is attached so as to come into contact with the intermediate transfer belt 68. Further, the seal member 108 is disposed at the free end side (second movable member) when the retract mechanism 130 (described later) is in contact and when the cleaning blade 106 is in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 68. The other end (not bonded to 120) is disposed so as to contact the intermediate transfer belt 68. As a result, the seal member 108 seals the gap between the housing 102 and the intermediate transfer belt 68 in the conveyance direction of the intermediate transfer belt 68. Further, the seal member 108 is disposed below the cleaning blade 106. Here, the front end portion of the seal member 108 is disposed along the moving direction of the intermediate transfer belt 68, and the toner T is not scraped off by the seal member 108.

  The first movable member 116, the support shaft 118, the support plate 119, and the second movable member 120 are members that constitute a part of the housing 102. Further, the opening 104 is an open part from the lower end of the support plate 119 to the upper end of the second movable member 120 in the housing 102.

  As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, a filter 112 is attached to the housing 102 by a frame-like attachment member 113 on the right side of the housing 102 on the XY plane. The filter 112 is an aggregate of fibers, and has a long rectangular shape along the longitudinal direction (the arrow Z direction) of the housing 102 in a front view. By being separated by the filter 112, a rectangular suction path 115 is formed on the right side of the housing 102 on the XY plane. Furthermore, a partition wall 117 is provided in the housing 102 so as to stand on the bottom wall 102A between the opening 104 and the filter 112 in a side view (XY plane) of the housing 102. The suction path 115 constitutes a part of the suction unit 110 whose details will be described later.

  Here, FIG. 8A shows a state in which the cleaning blade 106 and the seal member 108 are separated from the intermediate transfer belt 68. Hereinafter, a state in which the cleaning blade 106 and the seal member 108 are separated from the intermediate transfer belt 68 is referred to as a retracted state.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, a plurality of spiral grooves are formed on the outer peripheral surface at the bottom of the housing 102 and between the partition wall 117 and the second movable member 120, and in the direction of arrow Z Is provided so as to be rotatable about the rotation axis direction. The conveying member 121 is provided with driving means (not shown) including a motor on the near side in the direction of the arrow Z, and is collected in the housing 102 by being driven and controlled by the control unit 20 (see FIG. 1). The toner is conveyed toward the back side in the arrow Z direction. As shown in FIG. 3, a cylindrical collection path 123 in which the toner conveyed by the conveyance member 121 flows toward a collection tank (not shown) is provided on the back side in the arrow Z direction of the housing 102. ing.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the suction unit 110 includes a suction path 115 (see FIG. 4A) in the housing 102 and one end of the suction path 115 in the arrow Z direction (image forming apparatus 10 (FIG. 1), the second duct 144 connected to the other end (the opening 128 described later) of the first duct 126, and the lower end of the second duct 144. The third duct 146 and an intake fan unit 148 attached to the third duct 146 are included.

  As shown in FIG. 6, an opening (not shown) is formed at the bottom of one end in the arrow Z direction of the suction path 115 (see FIG. 4A), and the opening of the first duct 126 is formed in this opening. One end is connected. The first duct 126 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and is disposed on the back side of the image forming apparatus 10 (the back side in the front view of FIG. 1) and on the back side of the intermediate transfer belt 68. The other end of the first duct 126 is provided with an opening 128 that is connected to the central portion in the vertical direction of the second duct 144.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the second duct 144 has a cylindrical shape and is formed in an L shape when viewed from the front, and an opening 144C connected to the third duct 146 is formed at the lower end of the vertical portion. Is provided. Further, a fourth duct 142 is connected to the right end of the horizontal portion in front view, above the intermediate transfer belt 68 and with the width direction of the intermediate transfer belt 68 as the longitudinal direction.

  The fourth duct 142 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and a plurality of openings 143 are formed in the lower part of one side wall in the direction of arrow H along the longitudinal direction. Further, the fourth duct 142 is disposed at a position close to the charging member 64 (see FIG. 2), and inhales ozone or the like generated by charging of the photosensitive member 62 by the charging member 64.

  The third duct 146 is attached to the opening 144C of the second duct 144, and a fan (not shown) provided in the fan unit 148 rotates at the lower end of the third duct 146 to exhaust air. An exhaust port 149 is provided. The fan unit 148 is configured such that an internal fan is rotated or stopped by the control unit 20 (see FIG. 1). The fan unit 148 performs a suction operation when an image is formed in the image forming apparatus 10 (see FIG. 1) or when the intermediate transfer belt 68 is rotating.

  Further, the exhaust port 149 is provided on the bottom side of the image forming unit 14 (see FIG. 1) on the bottom side of the image forming unit 14 (see FIG. 1) and on the image forming unit 14 side of the portion where the step between the image forming unit 14 and the sheet storage unit 12 is formed. It has been. Thus, the suction unit 110 is connected to the inside of the suction path 115, the first duct 126, the second duct 144, the third duct 146, and the fourth duct 142, and the negative generated by the operation of the fan unit 148. Air sucked from each part by pressure is exhausted from the exhaust port 149 to the outside of the image forming apparatus 10.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the retract mechanism unit 130 includes a first mechanism unit 130 </ b> A provided on the near side in the arrow Z direction and a second mechanism unit 130 </ b> B provided on the back side. ing. Further, at positions close to both ends of the intermediate transfer belt 68 in the arrow Z direction (width direction), a side plate 131A is provided on the front side and a side plate 131B is provided on the back side.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the first mechanism portion 130A is moved by the rotation of an eccentric cam 132A provided on the side plate 131A and rotated by a drive source (not shown) and the side cam 114 provided on the side plate 114 of the cleaning device 100. The first movable member 116 and the second movable member 120 (see FIG. 3) are configured to include a link member 134 that moves the first movable member 116 and the second movable member 120 (see FIG. 3).

  The eccentric cam 132A is attached to one end (front side in the arrow Z direction) of a shaft member 133 that is rotatably provided on the side plate 131A and the side plate 131B (see FIG. 7), and is a portion that is eccentric about the shaft member 133. The other end of the spring 135 having one end attached to the side plate 131A is attached. When the eccentric cam 132A is not rotated by the drive source, the eccentric portion is arranged on the side far from the link member 134 due to the tensile force of the spring 135 acting.

  The link member 134 has a configuration in which two plate members having a shape close to a V-shape and the same size are integrated with a gap in front view. Specifically, the link member 134 includes a main body part 134A having an inverted triangle shape, a first arm 134B extending obliquely upward to the left from the upper left part in the front view of the main body part 134A, and a right arm from the upper right part in the front view of the main body part 134A. And a second arm 134C extending obliquely upward. Further, an arcuate cutout portion 134D to which the support shaft 122 is fixed is formed at the lower end (vertical angle portion) of the main body portion 134A. Furthermore, rolls 136A and 136B are rotatably provided at the upper end of the first arm 134B or the second arm 134C, respectively.

  Here, the link member 134 has a notch portion 134D fitted to the end of the support shaft 122 on the front side in the arrow Z direction, so that the support shaft 122 serves as a fulcrum in the + R direction (clockwise direction in the drawing) or -R direction ( The first arm 134B and the second arm 134C can move in the + R direction or the −R direction.

  In the link member 134, one end of a spring 137 is attached to the main body part 134A on the second arm 134C side, and the other end of the spring 137 is attached to the bottom part of the side plate 114. Thereby, the force rotating in the + R direction is acting on the link member 134 in a state where the eccentric cam 132A is not in contact. One end of a spring 139 is attached to the end of the first movable member 116, and the other end of the spring 139 is attached to the bottom of the side plate 114. Thereby, a force for rotating in the + R direction acts on the first movable member 116. The roll 136 </ b> B is in contact with a contact portion 116 </ b> B that is a flat surface provided at the front end portion of the first movable member 116.

  The roll 136A comes into contact with the eccentric cam 132A by the rotation of the eccentric cam 132A in the + R direction, or is separated from the eccentric cam 132A by the rotation of the eccentric cam 132A in the -R direction. Further, when the eccentric cam 132A comes into contact with the roll 136A and moves the link member 134 in the + R direction, the roll 136B pushes the contact portion 116B of the first movable member 116 to move the first movable member 116 in the −R direction. It is designed to move. When the eccentric cam 132A moves away from the roll 136A, the first movable member 116 moves in the + R direction.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6, the second mechanism portion 130B is moved by the rotation of the eccentric cam 132B provided on the side plate 131B and rotated by a drive source (not shown) and the eccentric cam 132B also provided on the side plate 131B. And a link member 136 for moving the first movable member 116 and the second movable member 120 (see FIG. 3).

  The eccentric cam 132B is attached to one end (the back side in the arrow Z direction) of the shaft member 133, and a spring (not shown) having one end attached to the side plate 131A is provided at a portion eccentric about the shaft member 133. The other end is attached. When the eccentric cam 132B is not rotated by the driving source, the eccentric portion is arranged on the side far from the link member 136 due to the tensile force of the spring.

  The link member 136 has the same configuration as the link member 134 (see FIG. 5), and moves in the + R direction or the −R direction with the above-described support shaft 122 with the other end exposed from the side plate 131B as a fulcrum. The first arm 134B and the second arm 134C move in the + R direction or the −R direction. Note that, similarly to the link member 134, a force that rotates in the + R direction acts on the link member 136 in a state where the eccentric cam 132B is not in contact. Further, when the link member 136 is not in contact, a force for rotating in the + R direction is applied to the first movable member 116. The roll 136 </ b> B is in contact with a contact portion 116 </ b> C that is a flat surface provided at the end on the back side of the first movable member 116.

  The roll 136A comes into contact with the eccentric cam 132B by the rotation of the eccentric cam 132B in the + R direction, or is separated from the eccentric cam 132B by the rotation of the eccentric cam 132B in the -R direction. Further, when the eccentric cam 132B comes into contact with the roll 136A and moves the link member 136 in the + R direction, the roll 136B pushes the contact portion 116C of the first movable member 116 to move the first movable member 116 in the −R direction. It is designed to move. When the eccentric cam 132B moves away from the roll 136A, the first movable member 116 moves in the + R direction.

  In FIG. 3, since the second movable member 120 is fixed to the support shaft 122 and integrated as described above, the link member 134 (see FIG. 5) and the link member 136 (see FIG. 7) are −. If it moves in the R direction, it similarly moves in the -R direction. If it moves in the + R direction, it similarly moves in the + R direction. Further, since the casing 102 is fixed in the image forming apparatus 10 (see FIG. 1), the position of the casing 102 does not change when the first movable member 116 and the second movable member 120 move.

  Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described.

  First, an image forming process in the image forming apparatus 10 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 1, when the image forming apparatus 10 is operated, yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), black (K), the first special color is supplied from an image processing apparatus (not shown) or from the outside. (E) The image data of each color of the second special color (F) is sequentially output to the exposure device 66. At this time, as an example, the developing device 70 is rotated and held so that the developing device 72 </ b> Y (see FIG. 2) faces the outer peripheral surface of the photoreceptor 62. Further, as shown in FIG. 8A, the cleaning blade 106 and the seal member 108 of the cleaning device 100 have the toner images of the respective colors multiplexed (primary) transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 68 and are secondarily transferred onto the recording paper P. Until this is done, the retract mechanism 130 (see FIG. 3) is moved away from the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 68.

  Subsequently, the light emitted from the exposure device 66 according to the image data exposes the outer peripheral surface (front surface) of the photosensitive member 62 charged by the charging member 64, and yellow image data is formed on the surface of the photosensitive member 62. A corresponding electrostatic latent image is formed. Further, the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photoreceptor 62 is developed as a yellow toner image by the developing device 72Y. Then, the yellow toner image on the surface of the photoconductor 62 is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 68 by the primary transfer roll 67.

  Subsequently, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the developing device 70 is rotated by 60 ° in the direction of the arrow + R, and the developing device 72 </ b> M faces the surface of the photoconductor 62. Then, charging, exposure, and development processes are performed, and the magenta toner image on the surface of the photoreceptor 62 is transferred onto the yellow toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 68 by the primary transfer roll 67. Similarly, toner images of cyan (C), black (K), and the first special color (E) and the second special color (F) are sequentially transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 68 in accordance with the color setting. The

  On the other hand, the recording paper P sent out from the paper storage unit 12 and transported through the transport path 28 is subjected to a secondary transfer position in synchronization with the multiple transfer of each toner image onto the intermediate transfer belt 68 by the positioning roll 38. It is conveyed to. The toner image that has been multiplex-transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 68 is secondarily transferred by the secondary transfer roll 71 onto the recording paper P that has been transported to the secondary transfer position. After the secondary transfer, as shown in FIG. 8B, the cleaning blade 106 and the seal member 108 of the cleaning device 100 are moved from the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 68 by the operation of the retract mechanism 130 (see FIG. 3). Contact. The toner T adhering to the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 68 is peeled off by the cleaning blade 106 and collected in the housing 102.

  Subsequently, the recording paper P to which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed toward the fixing device 80 in the direction of arrow A (right direction in the drawing). In the fixing device 80, the toner image is fixed on the recording paper P by being heated and pressed by the heating roll 82 and the pressure roll 84. Furthermore, the recording paper P on which the toner image is fixed is discharged to the paper discharge unit 15 as an example. When images are formed on both sides of the recording paper P, the image is fixed on the surface by the fixing device 80, and then the recording paper P is fed along the arrow -V direction to the reversing unit 33 and along the arrow + V direction. The leading edge and the trailing edge of the recording paper P are switched. Then, the recording paper P is conveyed in the arrow B direction (left direction in the figure) by the double-sided conveyance path 29 and further fed into the conveyance path 28 to form an image on the back side of the recording paper P (at this time, the cleaning blade 106 and the seal member). 108 is in a retracted state) and fixing. After the fixing, the cleaning blade 106 and the seal member 108 come into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 68 by the operation of the retract mechanism unit 130. The toner T adhering to the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 68 is peeled off by the cleaning blade 106 and collected in the housing 102.

  Next, the operation of the cleaning device 100 will be described.

  5 and 6, when the eccentric cam 132A and the eccentric cam 132B rotate and push the link members 134 and 136, as shown in FIG. 8A, the tip of the cleaning blade 106 and the tip of the seal member 108 are obtained. Is in a retracted state in which it is separated from the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 68. 5 and 6, when the eccentric cams 132A and 132B do not rotate and the link members 134 and 136 are not pushed by the eccentric cams 132A and 132B, as shown in FIG. The leading end of 106 and the leading end of the seal member 108 are in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 68.

  In FIG. 8A, the cleaning blade 106 and the seal member 108 are in a retracted state until the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 68 is secondarily transferred to the recording paper P (not shown). After the secondary transfer, the transfer residual toner T adheres to the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 68, and the transfer residual toner T is removed from the cleaning device 100 by the circular movement of the intermediate transfer belt 68 in the −R direction. It is conveyed to. Note that the fan unit 148 (see FIG. 7) of the suction unit 110 is driven from the start of image formation, and the suction path 115 and the inside of the housing 102 are in a negative pressure state. Inhalation into the air is taking place.

  Here, since the cleaning blade 106 and the seal member 108 are not in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 68 and the opening 104 is in an open state, air outside the housing 102 passes through the opening 104. The air flows in the direction of the arrow N1 (direction directed diagonally to the lower right in the XY plane) from the opening 104 toward the filter 112. This air flow is not suppressed because the opening 104 is in an open state, and no air stays in the housing 102. Then, the floating toner T in the housing 102 that has already been collected does not adhere to the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 68 again.

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 8B, after the secondary transfer, the retract mechanism unit 130 (see FIGS. 5 and 6) operates, and the front end of the cleaning blade 106 and the front end of the seal member 108 are moved to the intermediate transfer belt 68. Contact with the outer peripheral surface. As a result, the residual toner T on the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 68 is peeled off by the cleaning blade 106 and collected in the housing 102. The collected toner T is transported by the transport member 121 or falls in contact with the surface of the filter 112 and is stored between the partition wall 117 and the filter 112. At this time, the seal member 108 and the cleaning blade 106 seal the gap between the housing 102 and the intermediate transfer belt 68 in the moving direction of the intermediate transfer belt 68.

  Here, as a comparative example, in the configuration in which the plurality of holes 150 of the present embodiment are not provided, the cleaning blade 106 and the seal member 108 are in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 68 and A gap between the housing 102 and the intermediate transfer belt 68 in the moving direction is sealed. Then, air outside the casing 102 enters the casing 102 only from the gaps at both ends in the longitudinal direction (arrow Z direction) of the casing 102. As a result, air stays in the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the casing 102 and the toner T floating in the casing 102 cannot be moved to the suction path 115 side. As a result, when the cleaning blade 106 and the seal member 108 are separated from the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 68, the toner T that has not been attracted adheres to the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 68.

  On the other hand, in the cleaning device 100 of the present embodiment, the cleaning blade 106 and the seal member 108 are in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 68, and the housing 102 and the intermediate transfer belt 68 are moved in the moving direction of the intermediate transfer belt 68. Even when the gap is sealed, a plurality of the holes 150 are provided along the longitudinal direction, so that the air outside the housing 102 is entirely in the longitudinal direction of the housing 102 (both ends and the central portion). It enters the housing 102 through the hole 150 and the filter 152. As a result, an air flow in the direction from the hole 150 toward the filter 112 (in the direction of the arrow N2) is formed, and air does not stay in the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the housing 102, thereby suppressing a decrease in suction force in the suction unit 110. It is done.

  In the cleaning device 100, the toner T floating in the housing 102 moves toward the suction path 115, so that even when the cleaning blade 106 and the seal member 108 are separated from the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 68, the cleaning device 100 continues. The toner T is sucked. This suppresses the toner T from adhering to the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 68. Further, in the cleaning device 100, the filter 152 allows air to pass into the housing 102 and the toner collected in the housing 102 to prevent the toner T in the housing 102 from moving outside the housing 102. T is prevented from flowing out of the casing 102.

  In the cleaning device 100, the suction path 115 (suction unit 110) is provided on the cleaning blade 106 side of the housing 102, the seal member 108 is disposed below the intermediate transfer belt 68, and the hole 150 is sucked. Since the seal member 108 of the second movable member 120 on the side farther than the first movable member 116 with respect to the road is provided, suction is performed from the left end to the right end of the housing 102 on the XY plane. Done. Further, the position of the hole 150 for taking air into the housing 102 is on the lower side of the housing 102, and an air flow upward from the hole 150 is formed. The falling toner T and the toner T rising in the housing 102 are sucked along the air flow and moved to the filter 112.

  Next, an example of a developer recovery apparatus and an image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment are given to the members that are basically the same as those in the first embodiment described above, and the description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional view of the XY plane of the cleaning device 160 of the second embodiment. The cleaning device 160 is an example of the second movable member 162 and the sealing member in place of the seal member 108, the second movable member 120, and the filter 152 in the cleaning device 100 of the first embodiment (see FIG. 4A). The sealing member 164 as an example, the hole 164A as an example of the taking-in means, the lid member 166, the taking-in means and the filter 168 as an example of the ventilation member are provided. The lid member 166 is also an example of a valve.

  As shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the seal member 164 is, for example, a rectangular urethane resin film material in plan view, and is upstream of the opening 104 in the conveyance direction of the intermediate transfer belt 68. Attached to the inclined portion 162A of the second movable member 162 so as to come into contact with the intermediate transfer belt 68 along the edge portion. Further, the seal member 164 is located at the free end side (on the second movable member 162) when the retract mechanism unit 130 is in contact with the cleaning member 106 and when the cleaning blade 106 is in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 68. The other end (not bonded) is disposed so as to contact the intermediate transfer belt 68. As a result, the seal member 164 seals the gap between the housing 102 and the intermediate transfer belt 68 in the conveyance direction of the intermediate transfer belt 68. Further, the seal member 164 is disposed below the cleaning blade 106. Here, the front end portion of the seal member 164 is disposed along the moving direction of the intermediate transfer belt 68, and the toner T is not scraped off by the seal member 164.

  The seal member 164 is formed with a plurality of hole portions 164A, which are long holes penetrating with the arrow Z direction as the longitudinal direction, with an interval in the arrow Z direction. A lid member 166 is provided on the surface of the seal member 164 facing the intermediate transfer belt 68 (see FIG. 9) so as to cover each hole 164A.

  The lid member 166 is preferably a plate material having higher rigidity than the seal member 164. For example, when the seal member 164 is a urethane resin film, the lid member 166 is made of a polyester film. In addition, as an example, the cover member 166 has one end 166A bonded to the edge of the hole 164A and a portion close to the free end of the seal member 164 (the side in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 68). The other end 166B is not bonded. Thus, in the cleaning device 160, when the seal member 164 is bent in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 68, one end of the lid member 166 having a rigidity higher than that of the seal member 164 is separated from the seal member 164, The part 164A is opened. Note that the edge of the lid member 164 overlaps with the peripheral edge of the hole 164A so that the lid member 164 is not caught in the hole 164A.

  As shown in FIG. 10B, a filter 168 is bonded to the tip of the second movable member 162 and to the back side of the seal member 164 so as to cover each hole 164A. The filter 168 is formed of, for example, a urethane resin foam material as in the above-described filter 152 (see FIG. 4B), and does not allow the toner T to flow out of the hole 164A and does not contain air. It is in a foamed state that can be taken into the body 102.

  Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described. Since the image forming process in the image forming apparatus 10 is the same as that in the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted, and the operation of the cleaning apparatus 160 will be described.

  In FIG. 9, the cleaning blade 106 and the seal member 164 are in a retracted state until the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 68 is secondarily transferred to the recording paper P (not shown). After the secondary transfer, the transfer residual toner T adheres to the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 68, and the transfer residual toner T is removed from the cleaning device 160 by the circular movement of the intermediate transfer belt 68 in the −R direction. It is conveyed to. Note that the fan unit 148 (see FIG. 7) of the suction unit 110 is driven from the start of image formation, and the suction path 115 and the inside of the housing 102 are in a negative pressure state. Inhalation into the air is taking place.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 11A, the cleaning blade 106 (see FIG. 9) and the seal member 164 are not in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 68, and the opening 104 (see FIG. 9) is opened. In the state, the air outside the housing 102 is taken into the housing 102 through the opening 104 and an air flow from the opening 104 toward the filter 112 is formed. This air flow is not suppressed because the opening 104 is in an open state, and no air stays in the housing 102. Then, the floating toner T in the housing 102 that has already been collected does not adhere to the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 68 again. At this time, since the seal member 164 is not in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 68, the seal member 164 is not bent and is flat. Accordingly, the lid member 166 is in close contact with the seal member 164, and the hole 164A is closed.

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 11B, the retract mechanism unit 130 (see FIGS. 5 and 6) operates, and the tip of the cleaning blade 106 and the tip of the seal member 164 contact the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 68. At this time, the residual toner T on the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 68 is peeled off by the cleaning blade 106 and collected in the housing 102. The collected toner T is transported by the transport member 121 or falls in contact with the surface of the filter 112 and is stored between the partition wall 117 and the filter 112. At this time, the seal member 164 and the cleaning blade 106 seal the gap between the housing 102 and the intermediate transfer belt 68 in the moving direction of the intermediate transfer belt 68.

  Here, in the cleaning device 160 of the present embodiment, when the tip of the seal member 164 comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 68, the seal member 164 partially bends along the intermediate transfer belt 68. The other end 166B of the lid member 166 that is more difficult to deform than 164 is separated from the seal member 164, and the hole 164A is opened. As a result, the air outside the housing 102 enters the housing 102 through the hole 164A and the filter 168 in the entire longitudinal direction (both ends and center) of the housing 102. Then, an air flow in the direction from the hole 164A toward the filter 112 (see FIG. 9) is formed, and air does not stay in the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the housing 102, and a reduction in suction force in the suction unit 110 is suppressed. .

  Further, in the cleaning device 160, the toner T floating in the housing 102 is attracted to the suction path 115, so that even when the cleaning blade 106 and the seal member 164 are separated from the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 68, the cleaning device 160 continues. The toner T is sucked. As a result, the toner T is prevented from adhering to the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 68 again. Further, in the cleaning device 160, the filter 168 passes air into the housing 102, and the toner collected in the housing 102 is suppressed in order to prevent the toner T in the housing 102 from moving outside the housing 102. T is prevented from flowing out of the casing 102.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to said embodiment.

  The developing device 70 is not only provided with six color developing devices, but may be provided with, for example, four color developing devices divided by 90 °, and provided with a plurality of developing devices of two or more colors excluding four colors or six colors. May be. The charging member 64 may be a contact type charging roll. Further, the cleaning device 100 is not limited to the case in which the housing 102 is fixed in the image forming apparatus 10, and the cleaning blade 106 and the seal member 108 are moved by moving the entire housing 102 closer to or away from the intermediate transfer belt 68. May be brought into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 68 or separated from the outer peripheral surface.

  Cleaning of the outer peripheral surface of the photoconductor 62 may be performed by the cleaning device 100. Further, the plurality of hole portions 150 may be one long hole. Furthermore, the location where the plurality of holes 150 are formed is not limited to the second movable member 120 that is a part of the housing, but may be provided in at least one of the first movable member 116, the housing 102, and the cleaning blade 106. Good. In the cleaning device 160, the filter 168 may not be provided. As another example of the valve, the cover member 166 is attached to the back surface side (the side where the suction path 115 is provided) of the seal member 164, and the casing 102 when the suction unit 110 performs suction or when suction is stopped. The lid member 166 may be moved by a differential pressure between the inside and the outside.

10 Image forming apparatus 62 Photosensitive member (latent image holding member)
68 Intermediate transfer belt (developer holding member, transfer belt)
70 Developing device (developing means)
71 Secondary transfer roll (transfer means)
100 Cleaning device (developer recovery device)
102 Housing 104 Opening 106 Cleaning blade (collecting member)
108 Sealing member
110 Suction unit (suction means)
115 Suction path (suction means)
120 Second movable member (housing)
130 Retract mechanism (moving means)
150 hole (take-in means)
152 Filter (take-in means, ventilation member)
160 Cleaning device (developer recovery device)
164 Sealing member (sealing member)
164A hole (take-in means)
166 Lid member (take-in means, valve)
168 Filter (take-in means, ventilation member)

Claims (5)

A housing in which an opening disposed opposite to a developer holding member that holds and conveys the developer while circling is formed long along a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the developer holding member;
Provided along the downstream edge of the opening in the transport direction so as to come into contact with the developer holding member, the developer is peeled off from the outer peripheral surface of the developer holding member and collected in the housing A recovery member;
A sealing member that is provided so as to come into contact with the developer holding member along an upstream edge of the opening in the transport direction, and seals a gap between the housing and the developer holding member;
Moving means for moving the recovery member and the sealing member between a position where they contact the developer holding member or a position away from the developer holding member;
Suction means for sucking the developer peeled off from the developer holding member into the housing;
An intake means provided in at least one of the casing, the recovery member, and the sealing member within the installation range of the recovery member or the sealing member in the longitudinal direction of the casing and for taking air into the casing When,
A developer recovery apparatus.   The take-in means is opened when the moving means brings the collecting member and the sealing member into contact with the developer holding member and sucked by the suction means, and takes in air, and the moving means holds the developer holding The developer collecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the developer collecting device is a valve that is closed when the collecting member and the sealing member are separated from a member.   The said taking-in means has the hole formed in the said sealing member or the said housing | casing, and the ventilation | gas_flowing member which is attached to this hole and can be ventilated, and a developer cannot pass from the inside of the said housing | casing. The developer recovery apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. The suction means is provided on the collection member side of the housing,
The sealing member is disposed below the developer holding member,
The developer collecting apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the take-in means is provided at a portion to which the sealing member or the sealing member of the housing is attached. A latent image holding body for holding the latent image;
Developing means for developing a latent image on the latent image holding member with a developer to form a developer image;
A transfer belt as the developer holding member that transfers the developer image on the latent image holding body and holds the developer image;
Transfer means for transferring a developer image on the developer holding member to a recording medium;
The developer recovery apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the developer on the developer holding member is recovered after the transfer is performed by the transfer unit.
An image forming apparatus.

Images