JP2014142608A - Cleaning device process unit, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent vibration of a blade member of a cleaning device with a simple configuration.SOLUTION: A cleaning device 5 for removing toner remaining on a surface of a photoreceptor drum 2 includes: a blade member 50 which comes into contact with the surface of the photoreceptor drum 2 to remove toner; a conductor plate 54 in contact with the blade member 50 and formed of a conductor plate; and a magnet 56 which generates a magnetic field passing through the conductor plate 54 in a thickness direction. The conductor plate 54 can be arranged in a longitudinal direction of the blade member 50. The magnet 56 may include a magnetically permeable member 57 which increases changes in magnetic flux density distribution in a lateral direction of the blade member 50, or a yoke member 58 which longitudinally distributes a magnetic field in the blade holder 53.

Description

  The present invention relates to a cleaning device that removes toner remaining on the surface of an image carrier, a process unit including the cleaning device, and an image forming apparatus.

  In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, toner is supplied onto an electrostatic latent image formed on an image carrier to form a toner image, and the toner image is transferred onto a transfer material to form a printed matter. On the other hand, the toner remaining on the image carrier that cannot be transferred is removed by bringing the blade member (cleaning blade) into contact with the surface of the image carrier. Further, in order to stabilize the contact state between the blade member and the image carrier, a powdery lubricant is introduced into the surface of the image carrier, and a blade member (coating blade) similar to the blade member is used as the image carrier. A lubricant is also applied to the surface of the image carrier by contact.

  In such a case, the blade member vibrates, and this vibration may cause vibration of the blade holder that holds the blade member, generating noise, and preventing this is a design problem of the image forming apparatus. It has become. As a countermeasure against this noise, it is possible to suppress the generation of noise by changing the natural frequency of the blade holder by providing a weight on the blade holder at the time of design or changing the structure of the blade holder.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a cleaning device provided with means for detecting vibration on a blade holder and a mechanism for bringing an elastic body into contact with the blade holder for the purpose of preventing vibration noise. This cleaning device detects vibrations on the blade holder, measures the amplitude spectrum of the vibrations, and controls the moving contact means when vibrations whose amplitude spectrum exceeds a preset threshold value occur. The vibration is reduced by bringing the elastic body into contact with the blade holder.

  However, with conventional noise countermeasures, it is possible to take countermeasures against noise that is known to occur during design, but it is possible to take countermeasures against noise that occurs over time. difficult. In such a case, it is necessary to take measures such as adding a part such as a blade holder or replacing the part by hand.

  In addition, the device described in Patent Document 1 requires a control system such as an FFT analyzer and a control mechanism for moving means, and a mechanical moving means for bringing the elastic body into contact with each other, which makes the mechanism complicated. There's a problem.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides a cleaning device, a process unit, and an image forming apparatus capable of suppressing vibration of a blade member with a simple configuration.

  A cleaning device according to the present invention is a cleaning device that removes toner remaining on the surface of an image carrier, a blade member that contacts the surface of the image carrier and removes the toner, and a blade member on the blade member It is characterized by comprising: a conductor member that is attached and configured by a flat plate of a conductor; and a magnet that generates a magnetic field that penetrates the conductor member in the thickness direction.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to automatically reduce the vibration of the blade member without requiring a complicated control system and the like, thereby stabilizing the behavior of the cleaning member and improving the cleaning performance.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a process unit of the image forming apparatus. FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the cleaning apparatus of the image forming apparatus. It is a schematic diagram which shows the distribution state of the magnetic field generated from the magnet arrange | positioned at the blade member of the cleaning apparatus. It is a perspective view which shows the cleaning apparatus of the image forming apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a cleaning device for an image forming apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the cleaning apparatus of the image forming apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the cleaning apparatus of the image forming apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 5 of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating Embodiment 6 of this invention. In Embodiment 6 of this invention, it is a figure which shows the distribution state around the blade holder of the magnetic field generated from the magnet, and the deformation | transformation state at the time of the vibration of a blade holder. It is a figure for demonstrating Embodiment 7 of this invention. In Embodiment 7 of this invention, it is a figure which shows the magnetic flux line distribution at the time of making the magnetic flux line which penetrates a blade holder radial, and giving the gradient of magnetic flux density to the orthogonal | vertical direction. 4 is a diagram showing an example of means for giving a gradient to the magnetic flux density in the vertical direction passing through the blade holder 53. FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating Embodiment 8 of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating Embodiment 9 of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating Embodiment 9 of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating Embodiment 6 of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating Embodiment 6 of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating Embodiment 11 of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating Embodiment 11 of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating Embodiment 11 of this invention.

  A cleaning device, a process unit, and an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment for carrying out the present invention will be described. The cleaning device according to the embodiment removes residual toner on the image carrier and has the following characteristics. A flat plate of conductor is attached to the blade member, and a magnetic field is generated that penetrates the conductor in the thickness direction. When the blade vibrates, the magnetic flux density changes through the conductor. An eddy current is generated to generate a force in the direction of the movement. Then, a Lorentz force in a direction to suppress vibration is always generated in the conductor on the blade by this eddy current, and the vibration of the blade member is attenuated by this Lorentz force.

<Embodiment 1>
Hereinafter, a cleaning device, a process unit, and an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, a schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus will be described.
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. The image forming apparatus includes four process units 1Y, 1C, 1M, and 1Bk as image forming apparatuses in the image forming apparatus main body 10. Each process unit 1Y, 1C, 1M, 1Bk contains toner of different colors of yellow (Y), cyan (C), magenta (M), and black (Bk) corresponding to the color separation components of the color image. Other than that, it has the same configuration.

  Specifically, each of the process units 1Y, 1C, 1M, and 1Bk includes a photosensitive drum 2 as an image carrier, a charging device 3, a developing device 4, a cleaning device 5, and a lubricant applying device 6. I have. The charging device 3 charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 2. The developing device 4 forms a toner image on the photosensitive drum 2. The cleaning device 5 cleans the surface of the photosensitive drum 2. The lubricant application device 6 applies a lubricant to the surface of the photosensitive drum 2.

  The process units 1Y, 1C, 1M, and 1Bk are configured to be detachable integrally with the image forming apparatus main body 10. The process units have been described in the order of yellow, cyan, magenta, and black. However, the process units are not specified in this order, and may be arranged in any order.

  A toner bottle 7 filled with toner of each color is provided on the upper portion of the image forming apparatus main body 10. Each color toner in the toner bottle 7 is transferred to a corresponding developing device 4 via a toner transfer pipe (not shown). Under each process unit 1Y, 1C, 1M, 1Bk, an exposure device 8 that exposes the surface of each photosensitive drum 2 is arranged. From the exposure device 8, laser light is irradiated to each photosensitive drum 2.

  Further, a transfer device 9 is disposed above each process unit 1Y, 1C, 1M, 1Bk. The transfer device 9 has an intermediate transfer belt 11 constituted by an endless belt as a transfer body. The intermediate transfer belt 11 is stretched around a plurality of support rollers 12, 13, 14, and 15. One of the plurality of support rollers 12, 13, 14, 15 is a driving roller, and the intermediate transfer belt 11 travels in the direction indicated by the arrow in the figure as the driving roller rotates.

  Four primary transfer rollers 16 as primary transfer means are disposed at positions facing the four photosensitive drums 2. The primary transfer roller 16 is a conductive elastic roller, and is disposed so as to be pressed against the photosensitive drum 2 from the back surface of the intermediate transfer belt 11. A bias having a polarity opposite to that of the toner is applied to the primary transfer roller 16 as a primary transfer bias. A primary transfer nip is formed at a position where the intermediate transfer belt 11 is sandwiched between each primary transfer roller 16 and each photosensitive drum 2.

  Further, a secondary transfer roller 17 as a secondary transfer unit is in contact with the outer peripheral surface on the right side of the intermediate transfer belt 11 in FIG. A secondary transfer nip is formed at a position where the intermediate transfer belt 11 is sandwiched between the secondary transfer roller 17 and the support roller 12 facing the secondary transfer roller 17. A power supply for secondary transfer bias is connected to the support roller 12. By applying a voltage having the same polarity as the toner to the support roller 12, a voltage is generated in which the toner travels from the intermediate transfer belt 11 toward the recording paper, so that the toner image can be transferred to the recording paper.

  The secondary transfer roller 17 is a conductive elastic roller, and a secondary transfer bias power source is connected to the secondary transfer roller 17 so that a transfer bias having a polarity opposite to that of the toner is applied to the secondary transfer roller 17. A mode in which the toner image on the transfer belt 11 is secondarily transferred to a recording sheet may be used. In addition, one of the power sources for transfer bias may be connected to the support roller 12 and the other to the secondary transfer roller 17.

  After the primary transfer process, a slight amount of toner that cannot be transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt remains on the surface of the photosensitive drum 2. The cleaning device 5 for the photosensitive drum 2 includes a plate-like blade member 50 having elasticity for scraping off the residual toner, and the tip edge of the blade member 50 is brought into contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 for cleaning. A belt cleaning device 18 for cleaning the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 11 is disposed on the outer peripheral surface at the left end of the intermediate transfer belt 11 in the drawing.

  A lower part of the image forming apparatus main body 10 is provided with a paper feed tray 19 that stores recording paper P as a recording medium, a paper feed roller 20 that carries the recording paper P out of the paper feed tray 19, and the like. In addition, a conveyance path R for guiding the recording paper P upward from the paper feed tray 19 is formed in the image forming apparatus main body 10. In the transport path R, a pair of registration rollers 21 for measuring the transport timing of the recording paper P is disposed midway from the position where the paper feed roller 20 is disposed to the position where the secondary transfer roller 17 is disposed. .

  A fixing device 22 for fixing the toner image on the recording paper P is disposed above the position where the secondary transfer roller 17 is disposed. Further, above the fixing device 22, a pair of paper discharge rollers 24 for discharging the recording paper P to the stock portion 23 formed by denting the upper surface of the image forming apparatus main body 10 is disposed.

  The basic operation of the image forming apparatus will be described below with reference to FIG. When the image forming operation is started, the photosensitive drums 2 of the process units 1Y, 1C, 1M, and 1Bk are driven to rotate clockwise in the drawing by a driving device (not shown), and the surface of each photosensitive drum 2 is charged by the charging device 3. Are uniformly charged to a predetermined polarity. The surface of each charged photosensitive drum 2 is irradiated with laser light from the exposure device 8 to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of each photosensitive drum 2.

  At this time, the image information to be exposed on each photosensitive drum 2 is single-color image information obtained by separating a desired full-color image into color information of yellow, cyan, magenta, and black. The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 2 in this manner is supplied with toner by each developing device 4 so that the electrostatic latent image is developed (visualized) as a toner image.

  When the driving roller that stretches the intermediate transfer belt 11 is driven to rotate, the intermediate transfer belt 11 travels in the direction indicated by the arrow in the figure. Further, a constant voltage having a polarity opposite to the charging polarity of the toner or a voltage under constant current control is applied to each primary transfer roller 16. As a result, a transfer electric field is formed in the primary transfer nip between each primary transfer roller 16 and each photosensitive drum 2. Then, the toner images of the respective colors formed on the photosensitive drums 2 of the process units 1Y, 1C, 1M, and 1Bk are sequentially superimposed and transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 11 by the transfer electric field formed in the primary transfer nip. Is done.

  Thus, the intermediate transfer belt 11 carries a full-color toner image on its surface. Further, the toner remaining on the surface of each photoconductive drum 2 is removed by the cleaning device 5 on the surface of each photoconductive drum 2 after the transfer of the toner image, and then the lubricant is applied by the lubricant applying device 6. The

  When the image forming operation is started, rotation of the paper feed roller 20 is started, and the recording paper P stored in the paper feed tray 19 is sent out to the transport path R. The recording paper P sent to the transport path R is temporarily stopped by the registration roller 21. Thereafter, the driving of the registration roller 21 is resumed, and the recording paper P is placed in the secondary transfer nip between the secondary transfer roller 17 and the intermediate transfer belt 11 in synchronization with the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 11. send.

  At this time, a transfer voltage having a polarity opposite to the toner charging polarity of the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 11 is applied to the secondary transfer roller 17, thereby forming a transfer electric field in the secondary transfer nip. When the recording paper P and the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 11 reach the secondary transfer nip, the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 11 is transferred onto the recording paper P by the transfer electric field formed in the secondary transfer nip. Are collectively transferred. Further, the toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 11 after the transfer is removed by the belt cleaning device 18.

  The recording paper P onto which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to the fixing device 22 where the toner image is fixed on the recording paper P. Thereafter, the recording paper P is discharged to the stock unit 23 by the paper discharge roller 24.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment forms a full-color image on recording paper and forms a single-color image using any one of the four process units 1Y, 1C, 1M, and 1Bk. be able to. The image forming apparatus can also form a two-color or three-color image using two or three process units.

  Next, the configuration of each process unit 1Y, 1C, 1M, 1Bk will be described. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of the process units 1Y, 1C, 1M, and 1Bk. Hereinafter, the configuration of each of the process units 1Y, 1C, 1M, and 1Bk will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the charging device 3 includes a contact-type charging roller 30 that is a charging member disposed to face the photosensitive drum 2, and a surface opposite to the surface on which the charging roller 30 faces the photosensitive drum 2. The charging cleaning roller 31 is disposed so as to be in contact with the surface.

  The charging roller 30 can be in contact with the photosensitive drum 2 to suppress generation of ozone. The charging roller 30 may be opposed to the photosensitive drum 2 with a small gap therebetween, which makes it difficult for dirt such as toner from the photosensitive drum 2 to adhere to the surface of the charging roller 30. It is possible to prevent the contamination of 30 and extend its life.

  The charging roller 30 performs AC charging in which an AC voltage is superimposed on a DC voltage on the photosensitive drum 2. By performing AC charging, the charging current flows sufficiently and the influence of fluctuations in the charging potential due to minute gap fluctuations is suppressed, and the image carrier charging potential is stabilized by uniform charging, resulting in high-quality images. can get.

  The developing device 4 includes a developing case 40 that contains a developer, and a developing roller 41 that is rotatably supported by the developing case 40 and that faces the photosensitive drum 2 through an opening formed in the developing case. And comprising. The developing device 4 includes a developing blade 42 that regulates the amount of developer on the developing roller 41, and a conveying screw 43 that conveys the developer in the developing case 40 to the developing roller 41. A two-component developer having a toner and a carrier is used as the developer.

  The cleaning device 5 includes a blade member 50 that removes residual toner on the photosensitive drum 2, a blade holder 53 that holds the blade member, and a waste toner collection coil 51 that conveys the removed toner to a waste toner bottle (not shown). Have Further, a lubricant application device 6 is disposed on the downstream side of the cleaning device 5 with respect to the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 2. A spreading blade 35 is disposed further downstream of the lubricant application device 6 with respect to the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 2.

  Next, operations of the process units 1Y, 1C, 1M, and 1Bk will be described with reference to FIG. When the image forming operation is started, the photosensitive drum 2 is driven to rotate clockwise in FIG. 2, and at this time, the photosensitive drum 2 is charged to a predetermined polarity by the charging roller 30 to which a charging voltage is applied. The charging roller 30 is cleaned by a charging cleaning roller 31. Thereafter, the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 2 formed by exposure from an exposure device (not shown) moves to a position facing the developing roller 41, and toner is supplied from the developing roller 41 to the electrostatic latent image. .

  Specifically, the developer carried on the developing roller 41 that rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 2 is regulated to a predetermined thickness by the developing blade 42, and then the developing region between the developing roller 41 and the photosensitive drum 2. Carried to. Then, the toner in the developer is electrostatically transferred to the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 2, and the electrostatic latent image is visualized as a toner image. Then, the toner image on the photosensitive drum 2 moves to an upper position of the photosensitive drum 2 and is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt here.

  After the toner image is transferred, the toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 is removed by the blade member 50, and the removed residual toner is conveyed to a waste toner bottle (not shown) by the waste toner collecting coil 51. Thereafter, a lubricant is applied to the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 by the brush roller 61 that rotates clockwise in FIG. 2, and the applied lubricant is spread on the photosensitive drum 2 by the spreading blade 35.

  Next, the cleaning device 5 will be described. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the cleaning device according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a distribution state of a magnetic field generated from a magnet disposed on a blade member of the cleaning device. A conductor flat plate 54 as a conductor member is attached on the blade member 50 of the cleaning device 5 (attachment means “physically fixed”. The same applies to the above and below). Furthermore, the magnet 56 is attached to the blade holder 53, and the magnet attachment member 55 that arranges the magnet 56 immediately above the blade holder 53 is provided.

  Thereby, the magnetic field which penetrates in the thickness direction of the conductor flat plate 54 with the magnet 56 is generated. In the cleaning device 5 having such a configuration, when the blade member 50 vibrates, a change occurs in the magnetic flux density passing through the conductor flat plate 54. At this time, the movement due to the vibration of the flat plate is caused on the conductor flat plate 54 according to Lenz's law. An eddy current is generated in the direction of cancellation. Thereby, the Lorentz force in the direction opposite to the vibration direction is generated by the action of the eddy current and the magnetic field, and the force in the direction repelling the vibration direction is generated, so that the vibration can be suppressed and the vibration can be attenuated.

  At the same time, the behavior of the tip of the blade member 50 is stabilized, leading to an increase in cleaning performance. The conductor flat plate 54 needs to be a conductor in order to generate eddy current, and the eddy current becomes larger and the repulsive force due to the Lorentz force becomes larger when a material having a low resistance is used. The magnet 56 may be a general permanent magnet or an electromagnet.

<Embodiment 2>
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a cleaning device according to Embodiment 2 of the cleaning device of the present invention. The blade member 50 may not be uniformly vibrated in the longitudinal direction of the blade but may be generated as local vibration. Therefore, in the cleaning device according to the second embodiment, the conductor flat plate 54 is arranged along the longitudinal direction on the blade member 50. Thereby, even if vibration generate | occur | produces in any place of the blade member 50, the vibration suppression effect can be exhibited. In this case, it is desirable to provide a plurality of magnets 56 in the longitudinal direction.

<Embodiment 3>
FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a cleaning device according to Embodiment 3 of the cleaning device of the present invention. In order to increase the vibration suppressing effect of the blade member 50, the magnetic flux density distribution of the magnetic field penetrating the conductor flat plate 54 needs to change in the short direction of the blade. Therefore, in the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the magnetic field generated from the magnet 56 is concentrated in the thickness direction of the conductor flat plate 54. Thereby, since the change of the magnetic flux density on the conductor flat plate 54 when the conductor flat plate 54 vibrates increases and the current density of the eddy current increases, the vibration suppressing effect can be increased.

<Embodiment 4>
FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing a cleaning device according to Embodiment 4 of the cleaning device of the present invention. As described above, in order to increase the vibration suppressing effect, it is desirable that the magnetic flux density distribution of the magnetic field generated from the magnet 56 be changed in the short direction of the blade. In the fourth embodiment, a soft magnetic permeable member 57 is disposed around the magnet 56.

In this example, the magnetically permeable member 57 is provided between the magnet 56 and the magnet mounting member 55. Thereby, the magnetic field generated from the magnet 56 is sucked into the magnetically permeable member 57 which is a soft magnetic material, and the change in the magnetic flux density distribution in the short direction of the blade member 50 can be increased. For the magnetically permeable member 57, it is desirable to use a material having a high relative magnetic permeability. For example, permalloy or the like is used.
<Embodiment 5>
FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing a cleaning device according to Embodiment 5 of the cleaning device of the present invention. In order to suppress vibration, it is desirable that a gradient of magnetic flux density exists in the short direction of the blade. On the other hand, when the conductor flat plate 54 is distributed in the longitudinal direction of the blade, the magnetic field must also be distributed in the longitudinal direction.

  Therefore, yoke members 58 made of a soft magnetic material are provided at both ends of the blade holder 53 in the longitudinal direction. Accordingly, if the magnetic field is distributed in the longitudinal direction, the vibration suppressing effect can be obtained in the entire longitudinal direction, and at the same time, the magnetic flux density gradient in the short direction can be generated to enhance the vibration suppressing effect. it can.

<Embodiment 6>
FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the sixth embodiment of the present invention. The cleaning device of this embodiment is a cleaning device that removes toner remaining on the surface of the image carrier. A blade member that contacts the surface of the image carrier to remove toner, a blade holder that holds the blade member, and a magnet that generates a magnetic field that penetrates the blade holder in a direction perpendicular to the blade attachment surface. .

  In the illustrated example, a magnet 54 is provided in the vicinity of the blade holder 53. A magnet 54 generates a magnetic field that penetrates the blade holder 53 in a direction perpendicular to the attachment surface of the blade member 50. When vibration is generated in the blade holder 53, the blade holder 53 is distorted in the vertical direction, so that the magnetic flux density penetrating the blade holder 53 is changed. At this time, according to Lenz's law, an eddy current is generated on the blade holder 53 in a direction to cancel the deformation. Thereby, since the Lorentz force in the opposite direction to the vibration direction is always generated by the action of the eddy current and the magnetic field, the attenuation can be automatically achieved.

  The blade holder 53 needs to be made of an electric conductor in order to generate eddy current. Conventionally, a rolled steel plate or the like is often used for the blade holder 53. Also in this embodiment, such a conventionally used material can be used. The magnet 54 may be a Kochi permanent magnet or an electromagnet. With respect to the installation position of the magnet 54, in the illustrated example, the blade member 50 is installed on the side opposite to the surface where the blade member 53 is affixed, but the surface where the blade member 50 is affixed may also be used.

  FIG. 10 shows a distribution state of the magnetic field generated from the magnet 54 around the blade holder 53 and a deformation state when the blade holder vibrates. When vibration noise is generated by the blade holder 53, it is known that vibration in a direction perpendicular to the blade attachment surface occurs as shown in FIG. At this time, when the blade holder 53 vibrates, a change occurs in the magnetic flux density of the magnetic field penetrating the blade holder 53 in the vertical direction according to the vibration. As a result, as described above, an eddy current is generated in a direction that cancels the deformation from Lenz's law, and vibration is suppressed. The illustrated vibration mode corresponds to the shape of the primary bending mode with the simplest support at both ends. However, since the deformation in the vertical direction mainly occurs in the higher-order bending mode, the vibration is similarly suppressed.

  In the case of the configuration of the present embodiment, noise is suppressed by a force that automatically suppresses the blade holder 53 corresponding to the displacement caused by vibration of the blade holder 53 automatically acting on the blade holder 53. For this reason, it is impossible to cope in advance with the occurrence of noise during use over time, which has been a problem in the past, and additional measures are required by human hands, but such a case can be eliminated. Further, when compared with a method for detecting noise as described in Patent Document 1 and taking vibration suppression means, a complicated configuration such as noise detection, a control system, and a mechanical device is not required. Therefore, noise suppression can be performed with a simple configuration without knowing in advance the frequency of the noise in question.

<Embodiment 7>
FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the seventh embodiment of the present invention. In the cleaning device of this embodiment, the magnetic field penetrating the blade holder has a gradient of magnetic flux density in the vertical direction. In order to effectively suppress the vibration of the blade holder 53, an eddy current generated on the blade holder 53 may be increased. For this purpose, it is sufficient that the amount of change in the magnetic flux density penetrating the blade holder 53 when the vibration of the blade holder 53 occurs increases. Therefore, if the configuration is such that the magnetic flux lines penetrating the blade holder 53 are distributed radially and the gradient of the magnetic flux density exists in the vertical direction, the vibration suppressing effect can be enhanced rather than simply generating a vertical magnetic field. Can do.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the magnetic flux line distribution when the magnetic flux lines penetrating the blade holder 53 are made radial and the gradient of the magnetic flux density is given in the vertical direction. In this case, the magnetic flux density increases in the vicinity of the magnet 54 and decreases as the distance increases. Therefore, when the vibration of the blade holder 53 occurs, the amount of change in the magnetic flux density penetrating the blade holder 53 when the vibration occurs is larger than when the magnetic flux lines are simply distributed in the vertical direction. Thereby, the eddy current generated on the blade holder 53 when the vibration is generated increases. Accordingly, the Lorentz force generated with respect to the blade holder 53 is also increased, so that a greater vibration suppressing effect can be obtained.

  As shown in FIG. 13, as a means for giving a gradient to the magnetic flux density in the vertical direction penetrating the blade holder 53, it is conceivable to arrange both magnetic poles of the magnet 54 in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the blade holder 53. . In such an arrangement, the spread of the magnetic flux increases with respect to the longitudinal direction of the blade holder 53, and when the blade holder 53 vibrates, the change in the magnetic flux density in the vertical direction passing through the blade holder 53 increases. The suppression effect is increased.

<Eighth embodiment>
FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining an eighth embodiment of the present invention. In the cleaning device of this embodiment, the constituent member of the electric conductor is attached on the blade holder. In the basic configuration of the present invention described above, an effect of suppressing vibration is obtained by generating an eddy current on the blade holder 53. However, in order to further enhance the vibration suppressing effect, it is also conceivable to further attach a constituent member 55 of an electric conductor on the blade holder 53. In order to increase the effect of suppressing vibration due to eddy current, it is better to reduce the electrical resistivity of the electrical conductor to be attached in order to increase the eddy current. In addition, if resistance heat is generated due to the eddy current flowing on the conductor, there is a possibility that the temperature inside the image forming apparatus increases. In the process of the image forming apparatus, an unnecessary increase in the in-machine temperature should be avoided. From this viewpoint, it is desirable that the electrical conductor has a low resistivity. In this way, by optimizing the physical properties of the electric conductor, the vibration suppressing effect can be further enhanced. Specifically, it is conceivable to use silver, copper, gold, zinc, brass, aluminum or the like as a material having a lower electrical resistivity than a rolled steel plate or the like generally used for the blade holder 53.

<Ninth Embodiment>
15 and 16 are diagrams for explaining the ninth embodiment of the present invention. In the cleaning device of the present embodiment, the constituent member is attached to a position where the amplitude is large in the predetermined vibration mode of the blade holder. When vibration of the blade holder 53 becomes a problem, the shape of the vibration mode in question can be obtained from simulation or the like. In this embodiment, it is possible to obtain a vibration suppressing effect regardless of the shape of the vibration mode. In particular, when considering suppression of a specific vibration mode, it is conceivable to attach the constituent member 55 made of an electric conductor to a portion where the displacement in the vertical direction corresponding to the antinode of the vibration mode is the largest. In such a portion, the displacement when the vibration is generated becomes large. Therefore, the amount of change in the magnetic flux density of the passing magnetic field is also increased, and a greater vibration suppression effect can be obtained for a specific vibration mode.

<Embodiment 10>
17 and 18 are diagrams for explaining the tenth embodiment of the present invention. In the cleaning device of this embodiment, a soft magnetic material is provided around the magnet in order to increase the gradient of the magnetic flux density in the vertical direction. In order to obtain a greater vibration suppression effect, it is effective to make the magnetic flux line distribution of the magnetic field generated from the magnet 54 radial and to have a magnetic flux density gradient in the vertical direction. The greater the gradient, the greater the change in magnetic flux density that penetrates the blade holder 53 when vibration occurs, and the vibration suppression effect can be enhanced. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 17, it is conceivable to provide a soft magnetic material 59 in the vicinity of the magnet 54 to control the distribution of the magnetic field by generating the suction of the magnetic field and to increase the gradient of the magnetic flux density in the vertical direction. Thereby, the suppression effect of a vibration can be heightened. As the soft magnetic material 59, it is ideal to use a member having a large relative permeability in order to increase the suction of the magnetic field. Specifically, it is conceivable to use permalloy or ferrite.

  As shown in FIG. 18, the gradient of the magnetic flux density can be increased by providing the soft magnetic material 59 over the longitudinal direction of the blade holder 53 so as to be common to the plurality of magnets 54. The soft magnetic body 59 may be provided along the longitudinal direction of the blade holder 53. In this case, since the magnetic flux lines spread in the longitudinal direction along the soft magnetic material 59, the gradient of the magnetic flux density in the vertical direction generated from the magnet 54 can be increased.

<Embodiment 11>
19, 20, and 21 are diagrams for explaining the eleventh embodiment of the present invention. 19, 20, and 21 compare the magnetic flux line distribution from a normal magnet and the magnetic flux line distribution when the soft magnetic material 59 is provided as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, respectively.

  Comparing FIG. 19 with FIG. 20 and FIG. 21, in the form of FIG. 19 where the soft magnetic material 59 does not exist, the magnetic flux lines of the magnetic field generated from the magnet 54 spread radially, and the magnetic flux density decreases. . On the other hand, in the case of the form of FIG. 20 and FIG. 21, the magnetic field generated from the magnet 54 is sucked into the installed soft magnetic body 59, and the change of the magnetic flux density becomes steep. Therefore, the eddy current generated on the blade holder 53 is increased, and the Lorentz force received from the magnetic field is increased, so that the vibration damping effect is increased.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and many variations are possible by those having ordinary knowledge in the art within the technical idea of the present invention.

1Y, 1C, 1M, 1Bk: process unit 2: photosensitive drum 3: charging device 4: developing device 5: cleaning device 6: lubricant coating device 7: toner bottle 8: exposure device 9: transfer device 10: image forming device Main body 11: Intermediate transfer belts 12, 13, 14, 15: Support roller 16: Primary transfer roller 17: Secondary transfer roller 18: Belt cleaning device 19: Paper feed tray 20: Paper feed roller 21: Registration roller 22: Fixing device 23: Stock unit 24: Paper discharge roller 30: Charging roller 31: Charging cleaning roller 35: Spreading blade 40: Developing case 41: Developing roller 42: Developing blade 43: Conveying screw 50: Blade member 51: Waste toner collecting coil 53 : Blade holder 54: Conductor flat plate 55: Magnet mounting member 56: Magnet 57: Magnetic permeability member 58: Yoke Material 59: soft magnetic 61: brush roller P: recording sheet R: conveying path

JP 2011-164575 A

Claims (8)

A cleaning device for removing toner remaining on the surface of an image carrier,
A blade member that contacts the surface of the image carrier and removes the toner;
A conductor member attached to the blade member and composed of a flat plate of a conductor;
A magnet for generating a magnetic field penetrating the conductor member in the thickness direction;
A cleaning device comprising:   The cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the flat plate is disposed along a longitudinal direction of the blade member.   The cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the magnet generates a magnetic field having a gradient of magnetic flux density distribution in a short direction of the blade member.   The cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a soft magnetic body that increases a gradient of a magnetic flux density distribution in a short direction of the blade member is provided around the magnet. .   3. The cleaning according to claim 2, wherein a soft magnetic material is provided at both ends of the blade member to distribute the magnetic field generated by the magnet in the longitudinal direction and to increase the gradient of the magnetic flux density in the short direction. apparatus.   A process comprising at least the cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 and the image carrier to be cleaned by the cleaning device, wherein the process is configured to be integrally attached and detachable. unit.   An image forming apparatus that includes the cleaning device according to claim 1 and the image carrier that is cleaned by the cleaning device, and that records an image on a recording medium. An image forming apparatus.   An image forming apparatus comprising the process unit according to claim 6.