JP2013033147A - Cleaning device and image forming apparatus using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cleaning device, even when the cleaning device has blades disposed at two parts, facilitating work, capable of replacing a blade at a low cost, and surely preventing toner leakage from a portion between a blade end part and a seal member.SOLUTION: The cleaning device includes a support member 22 that commonly supports both of a cleaning-side seal member 20 for regulating toner leakage from both ends of a cleaning blade, and a leveling-side seal member 21 for regulating toner leakage from both ends of a leveling blade. The support member 22 is attached to a cleaning container 12 in such a manner as adjusting the cleaning-side seal member 20 to a position of butting on the end of the cleaning blade 13 and simultaneously therewith, adjusting the leveling-side seal member 21 to a position of butting on the end of the leveling blade 16.

Description

  The present invention provides a cleaning device including a cleaning unit for removing transfer residual toner remaining on the image carrier, and a lubricant supply unit for supplying a lubricant to the surface of the image carrier, and the same. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

  In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus that repeats the process of transferring a toner image formed on an image carrier such as a photoconductor onto a transfer medium such as paper, it remains on the image carrier in preparation for the next image formation. A cleaning device for removing transfer residual toner is installed. In a blade cleaning type cleaning device using a cleaning blade, it is necessary to scrape the transfer residual toner with the cleaning blade, and at the same time, collect the scraped toner into the collecting unit without leaking from the cleaning device. For this reason, a thin seal member made of urethane rubber, PET or the like is installed as a toner sealing member at the opening edge of the cleaning device. This seal member is in contact with the photoconductor from the trailing direction so that the free end is upstream of the cleaning blade in the moving direction of the photoconductor without passing through the transfer residual toner on the photoconductor without being scraped off. . Further, as another toner sealing member, seal members that are attached so that the free ends are in contact with the cut surfaces of both ends of the blade are generally installed at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning blade. .

  However, for example, when a service man replaces the cleaning blade in the market, it is necessary to peel off the sealing member that is in contact with and attached to the cut surfaces at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning blade and reattach the new one. In the cleaning blade before replacement and the cleaning blade after replacement, there is a difference in tolerance in the dimension from the reference of attachment of the support member that supports the blade member to both ends of the blade. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, in the cleaning blade 13 having a longitudinal length of 300 mm or more, a tolerance dimension is generated in the length from the attachment reference position of the support member 13b to the end of the blade member 13a. Therefore, the position of the seal member attached to the cleaning blade before replacement is not aligned with the cleaning blade after replacement.

  In view of this, for example, Patent Document 1 proposes a means in which the sticking portions of the seal member are integrally formed at both ends of the support member that supports the cleaning blade, and the seal member is attached in advance along the cleaning blade. Yes.

Further, in order to avoid the need to replace the seal member when the cleaning blade is replaced, Patent Document 2 uses an abutting jig for assembling the seal member designed in consideration of the tolerance of the length in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning blade. A method has been proposed. In Patent Document 3, a seal support member capable of adjusting the mounting position is provided on a support member that supports a cleaning blade, and a clearance is provided so that the seal member does not interfere even when a blade having a maximum dimensional tolerance is attached. The position can be adjusted and assembled.

  However, in the cleaning device proposed in Patent Document 1, the seal member is also replaced with the replacement of the cleaning blade, and the shape of the support member is complicated, so there is a concern about an increase in cost.

  Further, in the cleaning device proposed in Patent Document 2, when considering that the seal member does not come into pressure contact regardless of the size of the cleaning blade, it is affixed with a gap and the toner is likely to leak. On the other hand, in order to prevent a gap from being attached regardless of the size of the cleaning blade, it is necessary to apply the seal member while biting it. Alternatively, it is necessary to strictly control the dimensional tolerance of the cleaning blade. In the former method, the contact condition of the cleaning blade to the photosensitive member is extremely changed only at both ends, and there is a risk that defects such as defective cleaning and blade curl may occur. Further, the latter method is not preferable because it may increase the cost of the cleaning blade and deteriorate the production yield.

  In the cleaning device proposed in Patent Document 3, since a predetermined gap is formed between the cleaning blade and the seal member, the toner easily leaks from this gap, and it is difficult to reliably prevent the toner leakage.

  Furthermore, in recent years, cleaning devices are provided with a lubricant that supplies a lubricant to the surface of the photoconductor for the purpose of protecting the surface of the photoconductor and reducing frictional resistance, in addition to a cleaning unit that includes a cleaning blade for removing transfer residual toner. An agent supply unit is installed. In the lubricant supply section, an application roller that contacts the photoreceptor and applies the lubricant, a leveling blade made of polyurethane or the like for uniformizing the lubricant on the photoreceptor, and the like are installed. In such a cleaning device in which the cleaning unit and the lubricant supply unit are used in combination, two blades are arranged, and it is necessary to provide seal members installed at both ends of the blades.

In the cleaning device in which the blades are arranged in two places as described above, when each of the sealing members must be replaced when replacing the blades, the work load and the cost of discarding the sealing members are further increased compared to the case where the blades are provided at one place. The impact will increase. Further, even if the configuration of the seal member proposed in Patent Documents 1 to 3 is employed and the replacement of the seal member becomes unnecessary, there is a concern that the configuration may be further complicated and the cost may be increased as described above, and toner leakage may occur. It is considered difficult to reliably prevent this.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and the purpose of the present invention is to easily replace the blade at a low cost even in a cleaning device in which the blade is disposed at two locations. It is an object of the present invention to provide a cleaning device and an image forming apparatus using the same that can reliably prevent toner leakage from between the seal member and the seal member.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a first aspect of the present invention provides a cleaning blade that removes transfer residual toner remaining on an image carrier, a lubricant application unit that applies a lubricant to the surface of the image carrier, and the image. In a cleaning device having a leveling blade that uniformly smoothes the lubricant applied on the carrier, a cleaning side seal member that regulates toner leakage from both ends of the cleaning blade, and toner from both ends of the leveling blade A leveling seal member that regulates leakage, and a support member that supports the cleaning side seal member and the leveling seal member in common, the support member holding the cleaning side seal member of the cleaning blade. At the same time as it abuts against the end, the leveling seal member can be adjusted to the position where it abuts against the end of the leveling blade. It is attached and is characterized in.

  According to the present invention, even in a cleaning device in which blades are arranged at two locations, the blades can be easily replaced at low cost, and toner leakage from between the blade end and the seal member can be reliably prevented. There is an excellent effect of providing a cleaning device that can perform the above and an image forming apparatus using the same.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing a main configuration of a printer according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming unit of the printer. (A) is a top view which shows the structure of the cleaning unit in the image forming unit, (b) is sectional drawing which shows the structure of a cleaning unit. FIG. 3 is an enlarged configuration diagram of a main part showing a configuration of a seal member of the cleaning device and a support member that supports the seal member, in which (a) shows the ideal dimensions of the cleaning blade and the leveling blade, and (b) shows the cleaning blade. When the dimension of the leveling blade is shorter than that of the cleaning blade, (c) is when the dimension of the leveling blade is longer than that of the cleaning blade. FIG. 4 is an enlarged configuration diagram of a main part showing a configuration of a seal member having another shape and a support member that supports the seal member, in which (a) is an ideal state of the cleaning blade and the leveling blade, and (b) is the cleaning blade. When the dimension of the leveling blade is shorter than that of (c), the dimension of the leveling blade is longer than that of the cleaning blade. The principal part expansion block diagram which shows the structure of the sealing member which consists of another shape, and the supporting member which supports this. The top view which shows the structure of the cleaning unit which concerns on another embodiment. FIG. 3 is an enlarged configuration diagram of a main part showing a configuration of a seal member of the cleaning device and a support member that supports the seal member, in which (a) shows the ideal dimensions of the cleaning blade and the leveling blade, and (b) shows the cleaning blade. When the dimension of the leveling blade is shorter than that of the cleaning blade, (c) is when the dimension of the leveling blade is longer than that of the cleaning blade. FIG. 4 is an enlarged configuration diagram of a main part showing a configuration of a seal member having another shape and a support member that supports the seal member, in which (a) is an ideal state of the cleaning blade and the leveling blade, and (b) is the cleaning blade. When the dimension of the leveling blade is shorter than that of (c), the dimension of the leveling blade is longer than that of the cleaning blade. FIG. 4 is an enlarged configuration diagram of a main part showing a configuration of a seal member having another shape and a support member that supports the seal member, in which (a) is an ideal state of the cleaning blade and the leveling blade, and (b) is the cleaning blade. When the dimension of the leveling blade is shorter than that of (c), the dimension of the leveling blade is longer than that of the cleaning blade. The block diagram explaining the dimensional tolerance of a cleaning blade.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a color printer which is an electrophotographic image forming apparatus will be described. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a main configuration of a printer according to the present embodiment. In this printer, as shown in FIG. 1, four image forming units 10C, 10Y, 10M, and 10K that form toner images of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black colors are horizontally extended. Are juxtaposed at a predetermined interval. In the following, subscripts C, Y, M, and K indicate cyan, yellow, magenta, and black colors, respectively. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming units 10C, Y, M, and K include photoconductors 1C, Y, M, and K, which are image carriers that rotate in the direction of arrow A, and charging rollers 2C, Y, M, K, developing devices 3C, Y, M, K, transfer rollers 4C, Y, M, K, cleaning units 5C, Y, M, K are arranged in this order. An exposure device 6 is provided above the image forming unit 10. The charging roller 2 is disposed in contact with or close to the surface of the photosensitive member 1 and charges the photosensitive member 1 to a predetermined polarity and a predetermined potential by applying a bias. The exposure device 6 uses an LD or an LED as a light emitting element, and irradiates the photosensitive member 1 charged by the charging roller 2 with light modulated based on image data, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive member 1. To do.

The developing device 3 includes a rotatable developing sleeve 3a and a magnet roller fixed therein, and carries the developer on the developing sleeve 3a. In this embodiment, two-component magnetic brush development using a two-component developer composed of a toner and a carrier is used as a developer. However, a single-component development method that does not use a carrier may be used as another development method. A voltage is applied to the developing sleeve 3a from a developing bias power source. Due to the potential difference between the developing bias and the potential of the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive member 1, development is performed by attaching charged toner to the electrostatic latent image in the developing region. The transfer roller 4 is brought into contact with the surface of the photoconductor 1 with a predetermined pressing force at the time of transfer, and a voltage is applied to transfer a toner image on the surface of the photoconductor 1 at the transfer nip portion between the photoconductor 1 and the transfer roller 4. The image is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 7. As will be described later, the cleaning unit 5 removes transfer residual toner remaining on the photoreceptor 1 after transfer and a residue such as a lubricant deteriorated by discharge, and at the same time forms a lubricant layer on the photoreceptor 1. Is.

  The intermediate transfer belt 7 is stretched by a plurality of conveying rollers including a driving roller, and is configured to be movable in the direction of arrow B in the figure. A secondary transfer roller 8 is disposed on the downstream side in the moving direction of the intermediate transfer belt 7 with respect to each of the image forming units 10C, Y, M, and K. The toner images on the photoreceptor 1 developed by the image forming units 10C, Y, M, and K are sequentially transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 7 to which a transfer voltage is applied by the transfer rollers 4C, Y, M, and K. The yellow, cyan, magenta, and black images transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 7 are transferred together on the paper P fed from the paper feed cassette 9 by the secondary transfer roller 8. The multiple toner images on the paper P are fixed by the fixing device 11.

  FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of the image forming unit. The configuration of the image forming unit is the same except that the color of the toner to be accommodated is different, so the subscripts are omitted in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming unit 10 is configured to be detachable from the apparatus main body as a process cartridge integrally including a photosensitive member 1, a developing device 3, a cleaning unit 5, and the like. Further, not only the entire image forming unit 10 can be replaced, but also the structure in which the photosensitive member 1 can be left and replaced with new ones in units such as the charging roller 2, the developing device 4, and the cleaning unit 6. It may be.

  Next, the configuration of the cleaning unit 5 will be described in detail. FIG. 3A is a front view showing the configuration of the cleaning unit, and FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the cleaning unit. FIG. 3 shows an ideal state in which the dimensions of each component are the center values of the design values. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the cleaning unit 5 is disposed in a cleaning container 12 serving as a housing, a cleaning blade 13 for removing residues on the photoreceptor 1, a lubricant block 14, and the photoreceptor 1. An application roller 15 for applying a lubricant and a leveling blade 16 for uniformly distributing the lubricant on the photosensitive member 1 are provided. A recovery roller 17 is provided at the bottom of the cleaning container 12 for recovering the toner scraped off by the cleaning blade 13.

The cleaning blade 13 is fixed to the inner wall of the cleaning container 12 in a state where a blade member 13 a made of an elastic member such as urethane rubber is supported by a support member 13 b made of sheet metal or the like, and a free end is in the rotation direction of the photoreceptor 1. It abuts against the counter direction. Then, cleaning side seal members 20a and 20b, which will be described later, are placed against the cut surfaces at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the blade member 13a of the cleaning blade 13.

  The rotation speed of the application roller 15 is controlled by a drive motor 19 that can control the number of rotations. The application roller 15 is driven to rotate while having a predetermined linear velocity difference with respect to the photoreceptor 1, and the lubricant block 14 is scraped off to remove the photoreceptor 1. To supply. As the application roller 15, for example, an elastic roller, a brush roller, or the like can be used. At this time, the lubricant block 14 is pressed against the application roller 15 by the pressing spring 18. The force that is pressed by the pressing spring 18 is sufficient as the lubricant extends on the photosensitive member 1 to form a lubricating layer. In addition, since the lubricant supplied to the photoreceptor 1 by the application roller 15 may not be a sufficient lubricating layer when supplied, a leveling blade 16 is installed in order to form a more uniform lubricating layer. The leveling blade 16 is fixed to the opening edge of the cleaning container 12 with a blade member 16 a made of an elastic member such as urethane rubber supported by a support member 16 b made of sheet metal or the like, and a free end of the leveling blade 16 of the photoreceptor 1. It is in contact with the rotational direction from the counter direction. Further, leveling side seal members 21a and 21b, which will be described later, are placed against the cut surfaces of both ends of the leveling blade 16 of the leveling blade 16a.

  When the leveling blade 16 for uniformizing the lubricant is installed as in the present embodiment, the leveling blade 16 may also function as a cleaning member, but the residue on the photoreceptor 1 is removed. It is preferable to separate the functions of the cleaning function and the leveling function of making the lubricating layer on the photoreceptor 1 uniform because the frictional state of an appropriate member may be different. In order to more surely form a uniform lubricating layer, it is preferable that the cleaning blade 11 previously removes the residue of the toner 1 as a main component so that the residue does not enter the lubricating layer. preferable. Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the cleaning blade 13 is provided upstream of the leveling blade 16 in the photosensitive member moving direction.

  Further, the leveling blade 16 is brought into contact with the photosensitive member by a pressure blade method in which a rotation fulcrum is provided on the blade support member and pressed by an elastic member such as a spring, and a case of the cleaning container or the like. There is a fixed blade system in which the blade is directly fixed and brought into contact by utilizing the bending of the blade. Compared with the fixed blade method, the pressure blade method is more likely to change the posture of contact with the photoconductor due to variations in blade material or changes in physical properties due to environmental changes. Further, the abutting pressure by the seal member tends to become a rotation load, and the contact pressure of the blade is easily changed.

  Therefore, the leveling blade 16 of the cleaning unit 5 according to the present embodiment employs a fixed blade method. As described above, the minute toner slipping from both ends of the cleaning blade 13 can be finally damped by the leveling blade 16. Therefore, the leveling blade 16 adopting the fixed blade method is advantageous for reliably sealing the toner leakage from the cleaning unit 5.

  Here, the seal members 20a and 21a are fixedly attached to the inner wall of the cleaning container 12 while being supported by a support member 22a made of a common sheet metal. Similarly, the seal members 20b and 21b are fixedly attached to the inner wall of the cleaning container 12 while being supported by a common support member 22b. Further, the lengths of the cleaning side seal members 20a and 20b in the photosensitive member axial direction (hereinafter referred to as seal width) are formed with the same width on the downstream side in the photosensitive member moving direction from the contact ridge line of the cleaning blade 13 with the photosensitive member 1. In order to reliably suppress toner leakage on the upstream side in the photosensitive member moving direction from the contact ridge line, the seal width is formed slightly larger than the previous seal width so as to protrude toward the contact ridge line side. Thereby, the surface which contact | abuts the cut surface of the cleaning blade 13 edge part of the cleaning side sealing members 20a and 20b is formed in the substantially L shape. Similarly, the lengths of the smoothing side seal members 21a and 21b in the photosensitive member axial direction are formed to have the same width on the downstream side in the photosensitive member moving direction from the contact ridge line between the photosensitive member 1 and the smoothing blade 16. In order to reliably suppress toner leakage on the upstream side in the direction of movement of the photosensitive member from the ridge line, it is formed slightly larger than the previous seal width so as to protrude toward the contact ridge line side. Thereby, the surface which contact | abuts the cut surface of the leveling braid | blade 16 edge part of leveling side sealing member 21a, 21b is formed in the substantially L shape.

  The support members 22a and 22b are provided with two long holes 23a, 23b, 24a and 24b. One of the long holes 23 a and 23 b is disposed above the contact ridge line between the photosensitive member 1 and the cleaning blade 13, and the other long hole 24 a and 24 b is formed from the contact ridge line between the photosensitive member 1 and the leveling blade 16. Is also arranged above. The long holes 23a, 23b, 24a, and 24b are long holes whose longitudinal direction is the photoreceptor axial direction. The positions of the support members 22a and 22b in the photosensitive member moving direction are determined by the long holes 24a and 24b and the positioning pins on the cleaning container 12 side. Further, the support members 22a and 22b are each a photoconductor, as will be described later, by elongated holes 23a and 23b and screw holes provided on the cleaning container side and positioning pins provided on the elongated holes 24a and 24b and the cleaning container 12 side. Position adjustment in the axial direction is possible.

  FIG. 4 is an enlarged configuration diagram of the main part showing the configuration of the seal member and the support member that supports the seal member. FIG. 4A shows the case where the dimensions of the cleaning blade and the leveling blade are ideal, and FIG. When the dimension of the leveling blade is shorter than that of the cleaning blade, (c) is when the dimension of the leveling blade is longer than that of the cleaning blade. Hereinafter, the dimension of the blade refers to the length of the blade member in the longitudinal direction. As shown in FIG. 4A, the support member 22a that supports the seal members 20a and 21a is formed with long holes 23a and 24a serving as two positioning positions. Thereby, the support member 22a can be adjusted so that the position of the photoconductor 1 in the axial direction can be adjusted so that the seal members 20a and 21a abut against the cut surface of the longitudinal end of the blade 16 and the cleaning blade 13, respectively. Attached to the container 12.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4B, the seal members 20a and 21a are supported even when the dimension of the blade member 13a of the cleaning blade 13 is longer than the dimension of the blade member 16a of the blade 16 and has a dimensional tolerance. By adjusting the position of the support member 22a, the seal members 20a and 21a can be installed at positions where they abut against the cleaning blade 13 and the cut surface at the longitudinal end of the blade 16. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 4C, even if the dimension of the blade member 13a of the cleaning blade 13 is equal and shorter than the dimension of the blade member 16a of the blade 16, the seal members 20a and 21a are supported. By adjusting the position of the supporting member 22a, the sealing members 20a and 21a can be installed at a position where the cleaning blade 13 and the leveling edge of the blade 16 abut against the cut surface. As described above, since the support member 22 that supports the seal members 20 and 21 in common can be attached to the cleaning container 12, the seal member is peeled off when a serviceman replaces the cleaning blade or the leveling blade in the market. Waste such as reattaching to a new product can be removed. In addition, it can be fixed to the two blades by one-sided abutment adjustment, and operations such as maintenance and unit reuse can be easily performed.

  FIG. 5 is an enlarged configuration diagram of a main part showing a configuration of a sealing member having another shape and a supporting member that supports the sealing member. FIG. 5A shows a case where the dimensions of the cleaning blade and the leveling blade are ideal. ) Is when the leveling blade is shorter than the cleaning blade, and (c) is when the leveling blade is longer than the cleaning blade. As shown in FIG. 4, the sealing width of the cleaning side seal members 25a and 25b decreases from the contact position between the photoreceptor 1 and the cleaning blade 13 toward the downstream side in the photoreceptor movement direction. Similarly, the seal widths of the smoothing side sealing members 26a and 26b become smaller from the contact position between the photoreceptor 1 and the smoothing blade 16 toward the downstream side in the photoreceptor movement direction. As shown in FIG. 4B, when the seal widths of the seal members 20 and 21 are the same within a predetermined range, and the dimension of the blade member 16a is shorter than that of the cleaning blade member 13a, When the sealing members 25a and 26a are abutted against the blade members 13a and 16a, the upper ends of the sealing members 25a and 26a first abut against the end cut surfaces of the blade members 13a and 16a. Between the contact ridge line and the cleaning-side seal member 20a (L-shaped axially short ridge line portion) (X portion in the drawing), the contact ridge line of the leveling blade 16 and the leveling side seal member 21a (L A gap is generated between (a short ridge line portion in the axial direction of the character shape) (Y portion in the figure). On the other hand, the cleaning-side seal member 25a shown in FIG. 5B has a seal width that decreases from the contact ridge line between the photoreceptor 1 and the cleaning blade 13 toward the downstream side in the photoreceptor movement direction. At the time of application, the adhesion between the cleaning blade member 13a and the cleaning-side seal member 25a at the portion indicated by X in the figure increases, and it becomes possible to more reliably prevent the toner scraped off by the cleaning blade 13 from leaking out. . Similarly, the seal member 26a shown in FIG. 5B has a seal width that decreases from the contact ridgeline between the photoreceptor 1 and the leveling blade 13 toward the downstream side in the photoreceptor movement direction. In the figure, the adhesion between the leveling blade member 16a and the leveling seal member 26a at the portion indicated by Y in the figure increases, and the toner scraped off by the leveling blade 16 can be more reliably prevented from leaking. It becomes possible.

Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 5C, when the dimension of the cleaning blade member 13a is shorter than the dimension of the leveling blade member 16a, the cut surface of the end portion of the cleaning blade member 13a and the cleaning side seal member 25a. Is considered to increase from the contact ridge line between the photosensitive member 1 and the cleaning blade 13 toward the downstream side in the photosensitive member moving direction. However, since the cleaning blade member 13a and the cleaning-side seal member 25a are in close contact with each other in the vicinity of the contact ridge line at the end of the cleaning blade 13, toner leakage can be reliably prevented. Similarly, when the gap between the cut surfaces at both ends of the leveling blade member 16a and the leveling seal member 26a increases from the contact ridge line between the photoconductor 1 and the leveling blade 16 toward the downstream side in the photoconductor moving direction. Conceivable. However, since the leveling blade member 16a and the leveling side seal member 26a are in close contact with each other in the vicinity of the contact ridge line at the end of the cleaning blade 16, toner leakage can be reliably prevented.

  FIG. 6 is an enlarged configuration diagram of a main part showing a configuration of a sealing member having another shape and a supporting member that supports the sealing member. FIG. 6A shows an example in which the dimensions of the cleaning blade and the leveling blade are ideal. ) Is when the leveling blade is shorter than the cleaning blade, and (c) is when the leveling blade is longer than the cleaning blade. A seal member 27a shown in FIG. 6 is obtained by integrating the above-described seal members 25a and 26a. As a result, there is no gap between the seal members, so there is no need to worry about toner leakage from this gap.

  FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a configuration of a cleaning unit according to another embodiment, in which the dimension of the cleaning blade is longer than the dimension of the leveling blade. FIG. 8 is an enlarged configuration diagram of the main part showing the configuration of the sealing member of the cleaning device and the support member that supports the sealing member. FIG. 8A shows the case where the dimensions of the cleaning blade and the leveling blade are in an ideal state. Is a case where the dimension of the leveling blade is shorter than that of the cleaning blade, and (c) is a case where the dimension of the leveling blade is longer than that of the cleaning blade. In the cleaning unit shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the positions of the two long holes 23 a and 28 a provided in the support member 22 a are equal to the contact ridgeline between the photosensitive member 1 and the cleaning blade 13, and the photosensitive member 1. It is arranged at the approximate center of the contact ridgeline with the blade 16. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, when the long hole 24a and the positioning pin are above the support member 22a, when the abutting adjustment is performed, the cleaning blade 13 that is far from the long hole 24a is adjusted. The variation in the gap that can be formed between the blade-side seal member 25a and the contact ridge line of the cleaning blade member 13a (portion indicated by X in the drawing) becomes large. If the gap is increased, it is not preferable because the toner easily reaches the end of the cleaning blade member 13a when the toner moves along the contact ridge line of the cleaning blade member 13a. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, the positions of the elongated holes 28a and the positioning pins are preferably closer to the contact ridgelines of the cleaning blade member 13a, and are arranged at substantially the center of the contact ridgelines of the two blade members 13a and 16a. By doing so, the above-described variation can be reduced. The configuration of the cleaning unit shown in FIG. 7 is the same as the configuration of the cleaning unit shown in FIG. 4 except that the positions of the long holes are different.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged configuration diagram of a main part showing a configuration of a sealing member having another shape and a supporting member that supports the sealing member. FIG. 9A shows a case where the dimensions of the cleaning blade and the leveling blade are in an ideal state. ) Is when the leveling blade is shorter than the cleaning blade, and (c) is when the leveling blade is longer than the cleaning blade. In the cleaning unit shown in FIG. 9, the positions of the two long holes 23a, 28a provided in the support member 22a are such that the contact ridge line between the photosensitive member 1 and the cleaning blade 13, the photosensitive member 1, the leveling blade 16, and the like. It is arrange | positioned in the approximate center of the contact ridgeline. The other configuration is the same as that of the cleaning unit described with reference to FIG. As described with reference to FIG. 5, also in the cleaning unit shown in FIG. 9, the seal width of the cleaning-side seal member 25a decreases from the contact ridge line between the photoreceptor 1 and the cleaning blade 13 toward the downstream side in the photoreceptor movement direction. It has become. Similarly, the seal width of the leveling seal member 26a becomes smaller from the contact ridge line between the photoconductor 1 and the leveling blade 16 toward the downstream side in the photoconductor moving direction. As a result, the adhesion between the sealing members 25a and 26a and the blade members 13a and 16b at the portions indicated by X and Y in the drawing increases, and the toner scraped by the cleaning blade 13 and the leveling blade 16 leaks out. It becomes possible to prevent more reliably.

  FIG. 10 is an enlarged configuration diagram of a main part showing a configuration of a sealing member having another shape and a supporting member that supports the sealing member. FIG. 10A shows a case where the dimensions of the cleaning blade and the leveling blade are ideal. ) Is when the leveling blade is shorter than the cleaning blade, and (c) is when the leveling blade is longer than the cleaning blade. In the cleaning unit shown in FIG. 10, the positions of the two long holes 23 a and 28 a provided in the support member 22 a correspond to the contact ridgeline between the photosensitive member 1 and the cleaning blade 13, the photosensitive member 1, and the leveling blade 16. It is arrange | positioned in the approximate center of the contact ridgeline. The other configuration is the same as that of the cleaning unit described with reference to FIG. A seal member 27a shown in FIG. 10 is obtained by integrating the seal member 25a and the seal member 26a described above. As a result, there is no gap between the seal members, so there is no need to worry about toner leakage from this gap.

What has been described above is merely an example, and the present invention has a specific effect for each of the following modes.
(Aspect A)
A cleaning blade such as a cleaning blade 13 that removes transfer residual toner remaining on the image carrier such as the photoconductor 1, a lubricant application unit such as an application roller 15 that applies a lubricant to the surface of the image carrier, and an image carrier. In a cleaning device such as the cleaning unit 5 having a leveling blade such as the leveling blade 16 that uniformly smoothes the lubricant applied on the body, a cleaning side seal member 20a that regulates toner leakage from both ends of the cleaning blade. , 20b, etc .; leveling seal members such as leveling seal members 21a, 21b for regulating toner leakage from both ends of the leveling blade; cleaning side seal members and leveling seal members; Supporting members such as supporting members 22a and 22b that support the Simultaneously abut the ring-side sealing member in the end portion of the cleaning blade, an adjustable state in a position butting the end of the blade leveling the leveling side seal member is attached to the housing of the apparatus main body. According to this, as described above, when the cleaning blade or the leveling blade is replaced, it is not necessary to replace the sealing member, and the sealing member is installed at one position on one side with respect to two blades. Therefore, the operation is easy and low cost. Further, the toner leakage from between the blade member and the seal member can be reliably prevented by adjusting the abutment of the seal member against the blade.
(Aspect B)
In (Aspect A), the length of the cleaning-side seal member in the image carrier axis direction decreases from the contact position between the image carrier and the cleaning blade toward the downstream side in the image carrier movement direction, and / or The length of the leveling seal member in the image carrier axis direction decreases from the contact position between the image carrier and the leveling blade toward the downstream side in the image carrier movement direction. According to this, as described above, the adhesion between the cleaning side sealing member and the cleaning blade and the adhesion between the leveling seal member and the leveling blade increased, and were scraped off by the cleaning blade and the leveling blade. It is possible to more reliably prevent the toner from leaking out.
(Aspect C)
In (Aspect A) or (Aspect B), the cleaning side sealing member and the smoothing side sealing member are integrally formed. According to this, as described above, since there is no gap between the seal members, there is no need to worry about toner leakage from this gap.
(Aspect D)
In (Aspect A), (Aspect B) or (Aspect C), the positioning position of the support member with respect to the axial direction of the image bearing member is determined between the photosensitive member contact position of the cleaning blade and the photosensitive member contact position of the blade. Provide between. According to this, as described above, when the support member is attached to the housing of the apparatus main body, it is possible to reduce the variation in the gap formed between the cleaning-side seal member and the contact ridge line of the cleaning blade. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the toner scraped off by the cleaning blade from leaking more reliably.
(Aspect E)
In (Aspect A), (Aspect B), (Aspect C), or (Aspect D), the leveling blade has a free end on the downstream side in the image carrier movement direction with respect to the contact position between the image carrier and the cleaning blade. The other end is fixed to the housing side of the apparatus main body while abutting on the image carrier. According to this, as described above, since the contact posture to the photosensitive member is less likely to change compared to the pressure blade method, the toner on the image carrier is reliably dammed by the leveling blade, and the toner from the cleaning device Leakage can be reliably suppressed.
(Aspect F)
An image carrier that carries at least a toner image, a transfer unit that transfers the toner image on the carrier to a transfer medium, and a transfer residual toner that remains on the image carrier after the toner image is transferred to the transfer medium. In the image forming apparatus including the cleaning device to be removed, the cleaning device of (Aspect A), (Aspect B), (Aspect C), (Aspect D) or (Aspect F) is used as the cleaning device. According to this, since toner leakage can be reliably suppressed, a high-quality image can be obtained without contaminating the inside of the apparatus.
(Aspect G)
In the image forming apparatus according to (Aspect F), the image forming unit including at least the cleaning device is configured to be detachable integrally with the image forming apparatus main body with the image carrier remaining on the image forming apparatus main body side. According to this, the effect mentioned above is exhibited and the operation | work at the time of blade replacement | exchange can be performed easily.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Photoconductor 2 Charging roller 3 Developing device 4 Transfer roller 5 Cleaning unit 6 Exposure device 7 Intermediate transfer belt 8 Secondary transfer roller 9 Paper feed cassette 10 Image forming unit 11 Fixing device 12 Cleaning container 13 Cleaning blade 14 Lubricant block 15 Application Roller 16 Leveling blade 17 Recovery roller 18 Pressing spring 19 Drive motors 20 and 25 Cleaning side sealing members 21 and 26 Leveling side sealing member 27 Sealing member

JP 2002-328574 A JP 2010-122499 A Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 7-5794

Claims (7)

A cleaning blade for removing transfer residual toner remaining on the image carrier;
In a cleaning apparatus having a lubricant applying means for applying a lubricant to the surface of the image carrier, and a leveling blade for uniformizing the lubricant applied on the image carrier,
A cleaning-side seal member that regulates toner leakage from both ends of the cleaning blade;
A smoothing side sealing member for regulating toner leakage from both ends of the smoothing blade;
A support member that supports the cleaning side sealing member and the leveling side sealing member in common,
The support member can be adjusted to a position where the cleaning side sealing member abuts against the end of the cleaning blade and can be adjusted to a position where the leveling seal member abuts against the end of the leveling blade. A cleaning device that is attached to a housing of the machine. The cleaning device according to claim 1.
The length of the cleaning-side seal member in the image carrier axis direction decreases from the contact position between the image carrier and the cleaning blade toward the downstream side in the image carrier movement direction and / or the leveling. The length of the side seal member in the image carrier axis direction decreases from the contact position between the image carrier and the leveling blade toward the downstream side in the image carrier movement direction. The cleaning device according to claim 1 or 2,
The cleaning device, wherein the cleaning side sealing member and the leveling side sealing member are integrally formed. The cleaning device according to claim 1, 2, or 3,
A cleaning device, wherein a positioning portion of the support member in the moving direction of the image carrier is provided between a photosensitive member contact position of the cleaning blade and a photosensitive member contact position of the leveling blade. The cleaning device according to claim 1, 2, 3, or 4.
The leveling blade is fixed to the housing side of the apparatus body with its free end in contact with the image carrier downstream of the contact position between the image carrier and the cleaning blade in the image carrier movement direction. A cleaning device. An image carrier that carries at least a toner image, a transfer unit that transfers the toner image on the image carrier to a transfer medium, and a transfer residue that remains on the image carrier after the toner image is transferred to the transfer medium. In an image forming apparatus including a cleaning device for removing toner,
An image forming apparatus using the cleaning device according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 as the cleaning device. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6.
The image forming unit including at least the cleaning device is configured to be detachable integrally with the image forming apparatus main body with the image carrier remaining on the image forming apparatus main body side.

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