JP2012220563A - Cleaning device and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cleaning device in which the assemblability of a cleaning blade in a blade holding part can be improved.SOLUTION: A cleaning blade 130 includes blade side engagement parts 131b, 133 and 131d, and a blade holding part 140 includes holding part side engagement parts 140b, 143 and 140d which can be engaged with the blade side engagement parts 131b, 133 and 131d. In the cleaning blade 130, a movement in a first direction D1 where the cleaning blade 130 goes from its top end side to its base end side and a movement in a second direction D2 where the cleaning blade 130 gets away from the surface of an image carrier 2 are regulated by engaging the blade side engagement parts 131b, 133 and 131d with the holding part side engagement parts 140b, 143 and 140d, and a movement in a third direction D3 where the cleaning blade 130 gets close to the surface of the image carrier 2 is allowed in such a state that the cleaning blade 130 is not pressed against the surface of the image carrier 2 and is regulated in such a state that the cleaning blade 130 is pressed against the surface of the image carrier 2.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a copier, a facsimile, or a complex machine of these, and a cleaning device in the image forming apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, image forming apparatuses such as printers, copiers, facsimiles, or multifunction peripherals are known as apparatuses for forming (printing) images on paper. In the image forming apparatus, a charging step of charging the surface of the photosensitive drum as an image carrier, an exposure step of irradiating the charged photosensitive drum with laser light to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum, A developing step of developing by attaching toner to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum, a transferring step of transferring a toner image formed from the toner attached to the surface of the photosensitive drum to paper, and An image is formed on the sheet by sequentially performing the fixing process of fixing the toner image transferred onto the sheet onto the sheet.

  By the way, after the toner image is transferred to the paper by the transfer process, there is a possibility that toner that cannot be transferred to the paper may remain on the surface of the photosensitive drum. Therefore, in order to remove toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum after the transfer process, the image forming apparatus is provided with a cleaning device.

  The cleaning device includes, for example, a cleaning blade that is disposed in contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum and scrapes off the toner from the surface of the photosensitive drum, and a blade holding unit that holds the cleaning blade (for example, the following patent document) 1). The cleaning blade and the blade holding unit are fixed by a fixing member such as a screw so that the contact state between the cleaning blade and the surface of the photosensitive drum is maintained.

JP 7-175393 A

  However, a cleaning device having a structure in which the cleaning blade and the blade holding portion are fixed by a fixing member such as a screw requires a step of fixing the cleaning blade and the blade holding portion in the manufacturing process. It is not excellent in assembling with the blade holding part, and is not particularly suitable for assembling with an automatic machine.

The present invention can improve the assemblability of the cleaning blade and the blade holding unit in a cleaning device including a cleaning blade that scrapes off toner from the surface of the image carrier and a blade holding unit that holds the cleaning blade. An object is to provide a cleaning device.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus including the cleaning device.

  According to the present invention, the cleaning blade is disposed in contact with the surface of the image carrier and scrapes the toner from the surface of the image carrier, and the contact state between the cleaning blade and the surface of the image carrier is maintained. A blade holding portion that holds the cleaning blade, and the cleaning blade has a blade side engaging portion, and the blade holding portion is engageable with the blade side engaging portion. The cleaning blade has an engaging portion, and in the cleaning blade, the movement in the first direction from the tip end side toward the base end side and the movement in the second direction separated from the surface of the image carrier are performed by the blade. The movement in the third direction approaching the surface of the image carrier is controlled by the cleaning blade before the side engagement portion and the holding portion side engagement portion are engaged. While being allowed in the state not pressed against the surface of the image bearing member, to a cleaning device is regulated in a state where the cleaning blade is pressed against the surface of the image bearing member.

  In the cleaning blade, movement in the fourth direction from the base end side toward the tip end side is restricted by engaging the blade side engaging portion and the holding portion side engaging portion. It is preferred that

  Further, in the cleaning blade, movement in the fourth direction from the base end side toward the tip end side is allowed in a state where the cleaning blade is not pressed against the surface of the image carrier, and the cleaning blade Is preferably regulated in a state where the pressure is pressed against the surface of the image carrier.

  In addition, it is preferable that a fixing member for fixing the cleaning blade is not used for holding the cleaning blade by the blade holding unit.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image carrier, a charging unit disposed opposite to and in contact with the surface of the image carrier, and charging the surface of the image carrier, and the image carrier charged by the charging unit. An exposure unit that forms an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the body, a developer that forms a toner image on the surface of the image carrier by attaching toner to the electrostatic latent image formed by the exposure unit, and the development A transfer unit that directly or indirectly transfers a toner image formed on the surface of the image carrier to a sheet-like transfer material by a container, and the cleaning device, the image passing through the transfer unit The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus including a cleaning device that removes toner remaining on a surface of a carrier.

According to the present invention, in a cleaning device including a cleaning blade that scrapes off toner from the surface of an image carrier and a blade holding unit that holds the cleaning blade, the assembly of the cleaning blade and the blade holding unit is improved. It is possible to provide a cleaning device capable of
In addition, according to the present invention, an image forming apparatus including the cleaning device can be provided.

FIG. 3 is a side view for explaining the arrangement of each component in the printer 1 as an embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of a cleaning device 11 according to the first embodiment installed in the printer 1 illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a blade holding unit 140 and a cleaning blade 130 shown in FIG. 2. 4 is an explanatory view showing a state where the tip of the cleaning blade 130 held by the blade holding unit 140 is not pressed by the photosensitive drum 2. FIG. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a blade holding unit 140 with a cleaning blade 130 assembled thereto. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a cleaning blade 130 and a blade holding unit 140. FIG. FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating a state where a cleaning blade 230 held by a blade holding unit 240 is pressed against a photosensitive drum 2 in a cleaning device 11A according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a state where a cleaning blade 230 is not pressed against a photosensitive drum 2 in a cleaning device 11A of a second embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the state in which the blade holding | maintenance part 240 of 11 A of cleaning apparatuses of 2nd Embodiment is holding the cleaning blade 230. FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view of the blade holding part 240 and the cleaning blade 230 in the cleaning device 11A of the second embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
The overall structure of the printer 1 according to the embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a side view for explaining the arrangement of components in a printer 1 as an embodiment of an image forming apparatus of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, a printer 1 as an image forming apparatus includes an apparatus main body M and an image forming unit GK that forms a predetermined toner image on a sheet T as a sheet-like transfer material based on predetermined image information. And a paper supply / discharge unit KH that supplies the paper T to the image forming unit GK and discharges the paper T on which the toner image is formed.
The external shape of the apparatus main body M is comprised by case body BD as a housing | casing.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming unit GK includes a photosensitive drum 2 as an image carrier (photosensitive member), a charging unit 10 for charging the photosensitive drum 2, a laser scanner unit 4 as an exposure unit, A developing unit 16, a toner cartridge 5, a toner supply unit 6, a cleaning device 11, a static eliminator 12, a transfer roller 8 as a transfer unit, and a fixing unit 9 are provided.

As shown in FIG. 1, the paper supply / discharge unit KH includes a paper feed cassette 52, a manual paper feed unit 64, a transport path L of the paper T, a registration roller pair 80, and a paper discharge unit 50.
Hereinafter, each configuration of the image forming unit GK and the paper supply / discharge unit KH will be described in detail.

First, the image forming unit GK will be described.
In the image forming unit GK, in order from the upstream side to the downstream side along the surface of the photosensitive drum 2, charging by the charging unit 10, exposure by the laser scanner unit 4, development by the developing device 16, transfer by the transfer roller 8. Then, static elimination by the static eliminator 12 and cleaning by the cleaning device 11 are performed.

  The photosensitive drum 2 is made of, for example, a cylindrical member having an amorphous silicon semiconductor layer formed on the surface thereof, and functions as a photosensitive member or an image carrier. The photosensitive drum 2 is disposed so as to be rotatable in the direction of an arrow about a first rotation axis J1 (see FIG. 2) extending in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the paper T in the conveyance path L. An electrostatic latent image can be formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 2.

  The charging unit 10 is disposed to face the surface of the photosensitive drum 2. Although not shown, the charging unit 10 includes a charging roller and a charging cleaning brush. The charging roller provided in the charging unit 10 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 to negative (minus polarity) or positive (plus polarity). The charging cleaning brush provided in the charging unit 10 cleans the surface of the charging roller after the photosensitive drum 2 is charged.

  The laser scanner unit 4 functions as an exposure unit, and is disposed apart from the surface of the photosensitive drum 2. The laser scanner unit 4 includes a laser light source (not shown), a polygon mirror, a polygon mirror driving motor, and the like.

  The laser scanner unit 4 scans and exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 based on image information input from an external device such as a PC (personal computer). The scanning exposure by the laser scanner unit 4 removes the charge on the exposed portion of the surface of the photosensitive drum 2. Thereby, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 2.

  The developing device 16 is provided corresponding to the photosensitive drum 2 and is disposed to face the surface of the photosensitive drum 2. The developing device 16 attaches a single color (usually black) toner to the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductive drum 2 to form a single color toner image on the surface of the photoconductive drum 2. The developing device 16 includes a developing roller 17 disposed opposite to the surface of the photosensitive drum 2, a stirring roller 18 for stirring the toner, and the like.

  The toner cartridge 5 is provided corresponding to the developing device 16 and stores toner supplied to the developing device 16.

  The toner supply unit 6 is provided corresponding to the toner cartridge 5 and the developing device 16, and supplies the toner accommodated in the toner cartridge 5 to the developing device 16. The toner supply unit 6 and the developing device 16 are connected by a toner supply path (not shown).

  The transfer roller 8 transfers the toner image developed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 to the paper T. A transfer bias for transferring the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 2 to the paper T is applied to the transfer roller 8 by a transfer bias applying unit (not shown).

  The transfer roller 8 is brought into contact with or separated from the photosensitive drum 2. Specifically, the transfer roller 8 is configured to be movable between a contact position where the transfer roller 8 is in contact with the photosensitive drum 2 and a separation position where the transfer roller 8 is separated from the photosensitive drum 2. Specifically, the transfer roller 8 is disposed at the contact position when the toner image developed on the photosensitive drum 2 is transferred to the paper T, and is disposed at the separation position in other cases.

  A sheet T conveyed through the conveyance path L is sandwiched between the photosensitive drum 2 and the transfer roller 8. The sandwiched paper T is pressed against the surface of the photosensitive drum 2. A transfer nip N is formed between the photosensitive drum 2 and the transfer roller 8. In the transfer nip N, the toner image developed on the photosensitive drum 2 is transferred to the paper T.

  The static eliminator 12 is disposed to face the surface of the photosensitive drum 2. The static eliminator 12 irradiates the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 with light, thereby neutralizing the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 after the transfer is performed (removing the electric charge).

The cleaning device 11 is disposed to face the surface of the photosensitive drum 2. The cleaning device 11 removes deposits such as toner and paper dust remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 2, and transports the removed deposits to a predetermined recovery mechanism for recovery.
Details of the cleaning device 11 will be described later.

  The fixing unit 9 melts and presses the toner constituting the toner image transferred to the paper T and fixes the toner on the paper T. The fixing unit 9 includes a heating rotator 9a heated by a heater and a pressure rotator 9b pressed against the heating rotator 9a. The heating rotator 9a and the pressure rotator 9b sandwich and heat the paper T on which the toner image is transferred, pressurize it, and transport it. By transporting the paper T while being sandwiched between the heating rotator 9a and the pressure rotator 9b, the toner transferred onto the paper T is melted and pressurized, and is fixed to the paper T.

Next, the paper supply / discharge unit KH will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, in the lower part of the apparatus main body M, a single paper feed cassette 52 that stores paper T is disposed. The paper feed cassette 52 is configured to be drawable in the horizontal direction from the right side (the right side in FIG. 1) of the apparatus main body M. In the paper feed cassette 52, a placement plate 60 on which the paper T is placed is disposed. In the paper feed cassette 52, the paper T is stored in a state of being stacked on the placement plate 60. The paper T placed on the placement plate 60 is sent out to the transport path L by the cassette paper feed unit 51 arranged at the paper feed side end of the paper feed cassette 52 (the right end in FIG. 1). . The cassette paper feed unit 51 includes a forward feed roller 61 for taking out the paper T on the placement plate 60 and a paper feed roller pair 63 for feeding the paper T one by one to the transport path L. Is provided.

  On the right side (right side in FIG. 1) of the apparatus main body M, a manual paper feed unit 64 is provided. The manual paper feed unit 64 is provided mainly for supplying the apparatus main body M with a paper T of a size and type different from the paper T set in the paper feed cassette 52. The manual paper feed unit 64 includes a manual feed tray 65 that forms a part of the front surface of the apparatus main body M in the closed state, and a paper feed roller 66. The manual feed tray 65 is attached to the vicinity of the paper feed roller 66 at its lower end so as to be rotatable (openable and closable). The paper T is placed on the open manual feed tray 65. The paper feed roller 66 feeds the paper T placed on the open manual feed tray 65 to the manual feed path La.

  A paper discharge unit 50 is provided on the upper side of the apparatus main body M. The paper discharge unit 50 discharges the paper T to the outside of the apparatus main body M by the third roller pair 53.

  The conveyance path L for conveying the paper T is a first conveyance path L1 from the cassette paper feeding unit 51 to the transfer nip N, a second conveyance path L2 from the transfer nip N to the fixing unit 9, and a discharge from the fixing unit 9. A third conveyance path L3 to the section 50, a manual conveyance path La that joins the paper supplied from the manual sheet feeding unit 64 to the first conveyance path L1, and the third conveyance path L3 from the downstream side to the upstream side. And a return transport path Lb that reverses the front and back of the paper T and returns it to the first transport path L1.

Moreover, the 1st junction part P1 and the 2nd junction part P2 are provided in the middle of the 1st conveyance path L1. A first branch portion Q1 is provided in the middle of the third transport path L3.
The first joining part P1 is a joining part where the manual feed path La joins the first transport path L1. The second junction P2 is a junction where the return conveyance path Lb merges with the first conveyance path L1.
The first branch portion Q1 is a branch portion where the return transport path Lb branches from the third transport path L3, and includes a first roller pair 54a and a second roller pair 54b. One roller of the first roller pair 54a and one roller of the second roller pair 54b are combined.

  In the middle of the first conveyance path L1 (specifically, between the second junction P2 and the transfer roller 8), a paper detection sensor (not shown) for detecting the paper T and a skew (oblique) of the paper T A registration roller pair 80 for adjusting the timing of paper feed) and the timing of toner image formation in the image forming unit GK is disposed. A paper detection sensor (not shown) is disposed immediately before the registration roller pair 80 in the transport direction of the paper T (upstream in the transport direction). The registration roller pair 80 conveys the paper T by performing skew correction and timing adjustment based on detection signal information from the paper detection sensor.

  The return conveyance path Lb is a conveyance path that is provided so that the opposite surface (unprinted surface) to the surface that has already been printed faces the photosensitive drum 2 when performing duplex printing on the paper T.

  According to the return conveyance path Lb, the sheet T conveyed from the first branching section Q1 to the sheet discharge section 50 side by the first roller pair 54a is reversed and returned to the first conveyance path L1 by the second roller pair 54b. Thus, it can be transported to the upstream side of the registration roller pair 80 disposed on the upstream side of the transfer roller 8. A predetermined toner image is transferred onto the unprinted surface at the transfer nip N on the paper T that is reversed upside down by the return conveyance path Lb.

  A paper discharge unit 50 is formed at the end of the third transport path L3. The paper discharge unit 50 is disposed on the upper side of the apparatus main body M. The paper discharge unit 50 opens toward the right side of the apparatus main body M (the right side in FIG. 1, the manual paper feed unit 64 side). The paper discharge unit 50 discharges the paper T transported through the third transport path L3 to the outside of the apparatus main body M by the third roller pair 53.

On the opening side of the paper discharge unit 50, a paper discharge stacking unit M1 is formed. The paper discharge stacking unit M1 is formed on the upper surface (outer surface) of the apparatus main body M. The paper discharge stacking unit M1 is a part formed by the upper surface of the apparatus main body M being depressed downward. The bottom surface of the paper discharge stacking unit M1 constitutes a part of the top surface of the apparatus main body M. In the paper discharge stacking unit M1, sheets T formed with a predetermined toner image and discharged from the paper discharge unit 50 are stacked and stacked.
A sensor (not shown) for paper detection is disposed at a predetermined position on each transport path.

  Briefly described, the printer 1 described above includes a photosensitive drum 2, a charging unit 10 that is disposed to face and contact the surface of the photosensitive drum 2, and charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 2; A laser scanner unit 4 that forms an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 charged by the charging unit 10, and a toner is attached to the electrostatic latent image formed by the laser scanner unit 4, so that the photosensitive drum 2 A developing unit 16 that forms a toner image on the surface, a transfer roller 8 that directly or indirectly transfers the toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 by the developing unit 16 to the sheet-like paper T, and a transfer And a cleaning device 11 (which will be described in detail below) that removes deposits TN such as toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 that has passed through the roller 8.

Hereinafter, the details of the cleaning device 11 of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of the cleaning device 11 according to the first embodiment installed in the printer 1 illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the blade holding unit 140 and the cleaning blade 130 shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a state where the tip of the cleaning blade 130 held by the blade holding unit 140 is not pressed by the photosensitive drum 2. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the blade holding unit 140 with the cleaning blade 130 assembled thereto. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing the cleaning blade 130 and the blade holding part 140.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the cleaning device 11 according to the first embodiment is disposed immediately upstream of the charging unit 10 with respect to the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 2.
As shown in FIG. 2, the cleaning device 11 includes a housing 110, a cleaning roller 120, a cleaning blade 130, and a blade holding unit 140.

  The housing 110 is a housing that houses the cleaning roller 120, the cleaning blade 130, and the blade holding unit 140. The housing 110 is fixed to the case body BD (see FIG. 1).

  The cleaning roller 120 is disposed on the upstream side of the charging unit 10 with respect to the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 2 so as to face the surface of the photosensitive drum 2. The cleaning roller 120 is disposed so as to contact the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 after the toner image is transferred to the transfer roller 8 (see FIG. 1). The cleaning roller 120 has substantially the same length as the length of the photosensitive drum 2 along the direction of the first rotation axis J1. The cleaning roller 120 polishes the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 and removes the adhering matter TN (see FIG. 3) such as toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 2, paper dust of the paper T, and discharge products.

  Here, the discharge product is a substance generated by discharging the charging unit 10 to the photosensitive drum 2 in the vicinity of a position where the surface of the charging unit 10 and the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 are in contact with each other. The generated discharge product adheres to the surface of the photosensitive drum 2. The discharge product is, for example, nitrogen oxide.

  The cleaning blade 130 is disposed opposite to the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 on the downstream side of the cleaning roller 120 in the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 2. The cleaning blade 130 is held by the blade holding unit 140. The blade holding part 140 is fixed to the housing 110 by an attachment mechanism (not shown).

The blade holding unit 140 holds the cleaning blade 130 so that the contact state between the tip of the cleaning blade 130 (tip of the blade body 132) and the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 is maintained.
Below, the structure of the cleaning blade 130 and the blade holding | maintenance part 140 is explained in full detail.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the cleaning blade 130 includes a blade support member 131 held by the blade holding unit 140 and a blade body 132 fixed to the blade support member 131.
The blade support member 131 is a plate made of metal or resin. The blade body 132 is a plate-like body formed of synthetic rubber such as polyurethane rubber.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the blade support member 131 is provided on the main body plate portion 131 a having a long plate shape along the direction of the first rotation axis J <b> 1 of the photosensitive drum 2, and the main body plate portion 131 a. The first to third three types of blade side engaging portions 131b, 133, and 131d are provided.

The first blade side engaging portion 131b extends along the surface of the main body plate portion 131a from the base end side edge portion (the edge portion on the side away from the photosensitive drum 2) of the main body plate portion 131a of the blade support member 131. And a rectangular protrusion extending in a direction away from the photosensitive drum 2.
The second blade side engaging portion 133 is a positioning hole penetrating the main body plate portion 131a along the thickness direction.
The third blade side engaging portion 131d is bent substantially perpendicularly from the front end side edge portion (the edge portion on the side close to the photosensitive drum 2) of the main body plate portion 131a and away from the photosensitive drum 2. It is an extended edge plate part.

  The blade holding portion 140 includes a thick plate-like holding portion main body 141 having a blade arrangement surface 141a on which the blade supporting member 131 is arranged, and a base end side edge portion of the holding portion main body 141 (separated from the photosensitive drum 2). And an upright plate portion 142 that rises substantially vertically from the side edge portion). The blade holding part 140 has first to third types of holding parts as holding part side engaging parts that can be engaged with the blade side engaging parts 131b, 133, 131d on the blade support member 131. It has side engaging parts 140b, 143, and 140d.

  The first holding portion side engaging portion 140b is a hole portion in which the first blade side engaging portion 131b is fitted in a direction along the blade arrangement surface 141a, and extends in a direction away from the photosensitive drum 2. When the cleaning blade 130 is assembled to the blade holding part 140, it is necessary to first insert the first blade side engaging part 131b obliquely into the first holding part side engaging part 140b. In that case, the 1st holding | maintenance part side engaging part 140b is expanded toward the opening part so that it may not interfere with the 1st braid | blade side engaging part 131b.

The second holding portion side engaging portion 143 is a columnar body that fits into the second blade side engaging portion 133. The second holding portion side engaging portion 143 protrudes vertically from the blade arrangement surface 141a.
The third holding portion side engaging portion 140d is a groove into which the third blade side engaging portion 131d is fitted. The third holding portion side engaging portion 140d extends in a direction away from the photosensitive drum 2 in the depth direction, and extends along the first rotation axis J1 of the photosensitive drum 2 in the width direction. Yes.

  The cleaning blade 130 includes first to third three types of blade-side engaging portions 131b, 133, and 131d, and first to third three types of holding-unit-side engaging portions 140b, 143, and 143 of the blade holding portion 140. By being engaged with 140d, the blade holding unit 140 is held in a predetermined inclined state inclined to the upstream side in the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 2 with respect to the surface (outer peripheral surface) of the photosensitive drum 2.

  In the first embodiment, the cleaning blade 130 is held by the blade holding unit 140 by the three types of blade side engaging portions 131b, 133, and 131d and the three types of holding unit side engaging portions 140b, 143, and 140d. This is done only by engagement. A fixing member such as a screw for fixing the blade holding unit 140 and the cleaning blade 130 is not used at all.

The cleaning blade 130 has substantially the same length as the length of the photosensitive drum 2 in the direction of the first rotation axis J1.
Then, the tip of the blade body 132 of the cleaning blade 130 held by the blade holder 140 is bent on the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 in a state of being bent away from the photosensitive drum 2 as shown in FIG. Contact.

  As shown in FIG. 3, in the cleaning blade 130, the movement in the first direction D <b> 1 from the distal end side toward the proximal end side is mainly performed by the second blade side engaging portion 133 and the second holding portion. The side engagement portion 143 is engaged, and the third blade side engagement portion 131d and the third holding portion side engagement portion 140d are engaged, thereby being regulated.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, in the cleaning blade 130, the movement in the second direction D <b> 2 away from the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 is mainly performed on the first blade side engaging portion 131 b and the first holding portion side. Engagement with the engaging part 140b, engagement between the second blade side engaging part 133 and the second holding part side engaging part 143, and third blade side engaging part 131d and the third holding It is regulated by the engagement with the portion side engaging portion 140d.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the engagement between the second blade side engaging portion 133 and the second holding portion side engaging portion 143, and the third blade side engaging portion 131d and the third holding portion. The engagement with the portion side engaging portion 140d does not restrict the movement of the cleaning blade 130 in the third direction D3 approaching the surface of the photosensitive drum 2. Therefore, the movement of the cleaning blade 130 in the third direction D3 approaching the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 is allowed in a state where the cleaning blade 130 is not pressed against the surface of the photosensitive drum 2. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, when the cleaning blade 130 is not pressed against the surface of the photosensitive drum 2, the cleaning blade 130 is not deformed and is straightened. As shown in FIG. 3, in a state where the cleaning blade 130 is pressed against the surface of the photosensitive drum 2, the cleaning blade 130 is moved by the pressing force acting on the tip of the cleaning blade 130 from the photosensitive drum 2. Be regulated.

  Furthermore, in the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, in the cleaning blade 130, the movement in the fourth direction D <b> 4 from the base end side toward the tip end side is performed by the second blade side engaging portion. 133 and the second holding portion side engaging portion 143 are engaged, and the third blade side engaging portion 131d and the third holding portion side engaging portion 140d are engaged. Regulated.

The cleaning blade 130 held by the blade holding unit 140 removes a deposit TN (see FIG. 3) such as toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 after the cleaning process by the cleaning roller 120 and paper dust of the paper T. The tip of the cleaning blade 130 that is in contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 is scraped off.
Deposits TN such as toner scraped off by the cleaning blade 130 and paper dust of the paper T are collected at the back of the cleaning roller 120 by the cleaning roller 120 that is driven to rotate in the opposite direction to the photosensitive drum 2. To be discharged.

According to the cleaning device 11 of the first embodiment described above, for example, the following effects are exhibited.
The cleaning device 11 of this embodiment is disposed in contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 to scrape toner from the surface of the photosensitive drum 2, and includes a cleaning blade 130 and a surface of the photosensitive drum 2. A blade holding unit 140 that holds the cleaning blade 130 so that the contact state is maintained. The cleaning blade 130 has blade side engaging portions 131b, 133, and 131d. The blade holding unit 140 includes holding unit side engaging portions 140b, 143, and 140d that can be engaged with the blade side engaging portions 131b, 133, and 131d.

  In the cleaning blade 130, the movement in the first direction D1 from the tip end side to the base end side and the movement in the second direction D2 away from the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 are related to the blade side. The joint portions 131b, 133, 131d and the holding portion side engaging portions 140b, 143, 140d are engaged to be regulated. Further, movement in the third direction D3 approaching the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 is allowed in a state where the cleaning blade 130 is not pressed against the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 (see FIG. 4), and the cleaning blade 130 is photosensitive. It is regulated in a state where it is pressed against the surface of the body drum 2 (see FIG. 3).

  That is, in the cleaning device 11 of the first embodiment, the cleaning blade 130 includes the blade side engaging portions 131b, 133, and 131d of the cleaning blade 130 and the holding portion side engaging portions 140b, 143, and 140d of the blade holding portion 140. It is assembled to the blade holder 140 by a simple operation of engaging, and a predetermined position is regulated.

  Therefore, in the cleaning device 11 including the cleaning blade 130 that scrapes off the toner from the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 and the blade holding unit 140 that holds the cleaning blade 130, the assembly of the cleaning blade 130 and the blade holding unit 140 is improved. Can be improved. In addition, suitability for assembly by an automatic machine can be improved.

Further, in the cleaning device 11 according to the first embodiment, the cleaning blade 130 moves in the fourth direction D4 from the base end side to the tip end side thereof in the blade side engaging portions 133 and 131d and the holding portion side. It is regulated by engaging the engaging portions 143 and 140d.
That is, in the cleaning blade 130, it is not necessary to use a fixing member such as a screw for restricting the movement in the fourth direction D4 from the base end side toward the tip end side, and the fourth direction can be achieved without much effort. Regulation of movement to D4 can be achieved.

Further, in the cleaning device 11 of the first embodiment, a fixing member that fixes both is not used for holding the cleaning blade 130 by the blade holding unit 140.
That is, a fixing member such as a screw that is troublesome in operation is not used for the operation of holding the cleaning blade 130 on the blade holding portion 140, so that the assembly of the cleaning blade 130 and the blade holding portion 140 can be improved. . In addition, suitability for assembly by an automatic machine can be improved.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. About 2nd Embodiment, a different point from 1st Embodiment is mainly demonstrated, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the structure similar to 1st Embodiment, and description is abbreviate | omitted. For the points that are not specifically described in the second embodiment, the description of the first embodiment is applied as appropriate. In the second embodiment, the same effect as that of the first embodiment is achieved.

  FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a state where the cleaning blade 230 held by the blade holder 240 is pressed against the photosensitive drum 2 in the cleaning device 11A according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a state where the cleaning blade 230 is not pressed against the photosensitive drum 2 in the cleaning device 11A of the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the blade holding unit 240 of the cleaning device 11 </ b> A of the second embodiment holds the cleaning blade 230. FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the blade holding unit 240 and the cleaning blade 230 in the cleaning device 11A of the second embodiment.

  In the cleaning device 11 </ b> A of the second embodiment, the cleaning blade 230 holds the blade by engaging the blade side engaging portion provided on the cleaning blade 230 with the holding portion side engaging portion provided on the blade holding portion 240. It is common to the first embodiment in that it is held by the unit 240. On the other hand, the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the configuration of the blade side engaging portion and the holding portion side engaging portion.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 to 10, in the blade support member 231 in the second embodiment, the first blade side engaging portion 131 b, the second blade side engaging portion 233, and the like as the blade side engaging portion. The two blade side engaging portions are provided.

As in the first embodiment, the first blade side engaging portion 131b of the blade support member 231 has a base end side edge portion (on the side away from the photosensitive drum 2) of the main body plate portion 131a of the blade support member 231. The edge is a rectangular protrusion extending along the surface of the main body plate portion 131a.
The second blade side engagement portion 233 in the blade support member 231 is the lower surface of the main body plate portion 131a.

  In the blade holding part 240 in the second embodiment, as a holding part side engaging part that can be engaged with the blade side engaging part, a first holding part side engaging part 140b and a second holding part side engaging part 243 has two holding part side engaging parts.

The first holding portion side engaging portion 140b in the blade holding portion 240 is a hole portion in which the first blade side engaging portion 131b is fitted in a direction along the blade arrangement surface 141a.
The second holding portion side engaging portion 243 in the blade holding portion 240 is a ridge whose tip is in contact with the second blade side engaging portion 233.
The protrusion as the second holding portion side engaging portion 243 has a substantially triangular cross section, protrudes in a direction approaching the photosensitive drum 2, and extends in the direction of the first rotation axis J <b> 1 of the photosensitive drum 2. Extending along.

In the cleaning device 11 </ b> A of the second embodiment, the cleaning blade 230 holds the first and second types of blade-side engaging portions 131 b and 233, and the first and second types of holding of the blade holding portion 240. By being engaged with the portion side engaging portions 140b and 243, the blade holding portion 240 is held in the same inclined state as in the first embodiment.
That is, the cleaning blade 230 is held by the blade holding unit 240 in a predetermined inclination state that is inclined to the upstream side in the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 2 with respect to the surface (outer peripheral surface) of the photosensitive drum 2.

  In the second embodiment, the cleaning blade 230 is held by the blade holding portion 240 only by the engagement between the two types of blade side engaging portions 131b and 233 and the two types of holding portion side engaging portions 140b and 243 described above. Is going on. A fixing member such as a screw for fixing the blade holding part 240 and the cleaning blade 230 is not used at all.

In the cleaning device 11A of the second embodiment, the two types of blade side engaging portions 131b and 233 and the two types of holding portion side engaging portions 140b and 243 are provided with a cleaning blade 130 from the base end side thereof. The engagement part which controls moving to the 4th direction D4 (refer to Drawing 8) which goes to the tip part side is not included.
Therefore, in the cleaning blade 230, movement in the fourth direction D4 from the base end side toward the tip end side is permitted in a state where the cleaning blade 130 is not pressed against the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 (see FIG. 8). The
However, when the front end of the cleaning blade 230 is pressed against the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 (see FIG. 7), the portion of the photosensitive drum 2 that contacts the front end of the cleaning blade 230 is the base end of the cleaning blade 230. It functions as an engaging part that restricts movement in the fourth direction D4 from the part side toward the tip part side, and movement of the cleaning blade 230 in the fourth direction D4 is restricted.

  In the cleaning device 11A of the second embodiment described above, the cleaning blade 130 moves in the fourth direction D4 from the base end side to the tip end side of the cleaning blade 230. Is allowed in a state where it is not pressed (see FIG. 8). The movement in the fourth direction D4 is restricted when the cleaning blade 130 is pressed against the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 (see FIG. 7).

  In such an engagement configuration between the cleaning blade 230 and the blade holding unit 240, the number of engagement points between the cleaning blade 230 and the blade holding unit 240 is reduced compared to the first embodiment. The operation of assembling the cleaning blade 230 to the blade holder 240 is simplified, and the assemblability of the cleaning blade 230 and the blade holder 240 can be further improved. In addition, the suitability for assembly by an automatic machine can be further improved.

In the above-described embodiment, the image forming apparatus has been described as the printer 1 that forms a single-color toner image, but is not limited thereto. The type of the image forming apparatus of the present invention is not particularly limited, and may be a copier, a printer, a facsimile, or a complex machine thereof.
The sheet-like paper T is not limited to paper, and may be a film sheet, for example.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Printer (image forming apparatus), 2 ... Photosensitive drum (image carrier), 4 ... Laser scanner unit (exposure part), 8 ... Transfer roller (transfer part), 10 ... Charging part, 11 , 11A... Cleaning device, 16... Developer, 130, 230... Cleaning blade, 131b, 133, 131d, 233 .. Blade side engaging portion, 140, 240 .. Blade holding portion, 140b, 143, 140d , 243 ... holding part side engaging part, T ... paper (transfer material)

Claims (5)

A cleaning blade disposed in contact with the surface of the image carrier and scraping off toner from the surface of the image carrier;
A blade holding unit that holds the cleaning blade so that the cleaning blade and the surface of the image carrier are kept in contact with each other, and
The cleaning blade has a blade side engagement portion,
The blade holding part has a holding part side engaging part engageable with the blade side engaging part,
In the cleaning blade, the movement in the first direction from the tip end side to the base end side and the movement in the second direction away from the surface of the image carrier are performed by the blade side engaging portion and the holding. The movement in the third direction approaching the surface of the image carrier is restricted when the cleaning blade is not pressed against the surface of the image carrier. A cleaning device that is allowed and regulated in a state in which the cleaning blade is pressed against the surface of the image carrier. In the cleaning blade, the movement in the fourth direction from the base end side toward the tip end side thereof is restricted by engaging the blade side engaging portion and the holding portion side engaging portion. The cleaning device according to claim 1. In the cleaning blade, movement in the fourth direction from the base end side to the tip end side is allowed in a state where the cleaning blade is not pressed against the surface of the image carrier, and the cleaning blade The cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning device is restricted in a state of being pressed against the surface of the image carrier. The cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a fixing member that fixes the cleaning blade is not used for holding the cleaning blade by the blade holding unit. An image carrier;
A charging unit that is disposed to face and contact the surface of the image carrier, and charges the surface of the image carrier;
An exposure unit that forms an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the image carrier charged by the charging unit;
A developing unit that forms a toner image on the surface of the image carrier by attaching toner to the electrostatic latent image formed by the exposure unit;
A transfer unit that directly or indirectly transfers a toner image formed on the surface of the image carrier by the developing unit to a sheet-like transfer material;
5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a cleaning device that removes toner remaining on the surface of the image carrier that has passed through the transfer unit.

Images