JP2015225237A - Optical scanner and image forming apparatus including the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical scanner that can extend the life of a cleaning member.SOLUTION: An optical scanner radiates light to form an electrostatic latent image. The optical scanner includes a holder 51, a transmissive member 52, and a cleaning member 53. The transmissive member 52 closes an emission port formed corresponding to an image carrier. The cleaning member 53 is arranged corresponding to the transmissive member 52. The holder 51 swingably supports the cleaning member 53. The holder 51 moves so that the cleaning member 53 slides on the transmissive member 52.

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical scanning apparatus that forms an electrostatic latent image by irradiating light onto an image carrier in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and an image forming apparatus including the optical scanning apparatus.

  An image forming apparatus such as a color copying machine or a color printer that employs an electrophotographic system is provided with an optical scanning device. The optical scanning device irradiates a charged image carrier with light to form an electrostatic latent image on the image carrier. The housing of the optical scanning device includes a housing part having one surface opened, and a cover part covering the opening. A scanning optical system is incorporated inside the housing portion, and an exit port for light emitted from the scanning optical system is formed in the cover portion corresponding to the image carrier. Furthermore, the emission port is covered with a transmissive member. The transmissive member is a member that is transmissive to the light emitted from the scanning optical system.

  The transmissive member is provided to prevent entry of toner, dust, or the like into the optical scanning device. If toner or dust adheres to some or all of the plurality of optical components arranged inside the optical scanning device, the optical characteristics may deteriorate. Deterioration of optical characteristics degrades the quality of an image formed on a recording medium such as paper.

  On the other hand, when toner, dust, or the like adheres to the outer surface of the transmissive member, the optical characteristics may deteriorate. For this reason, it is necessary to periodically clean the outer surface of the permeable member. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an automatic cleaning mechanism that automatically cleans the outer surface of the permeable member. This automatic cleaning mechanism moves the holder by a screw shaft disposed along the longitudinal direction of the permeable member. A cleaning member is fixed to the holder, and when the holder moves, the cleaning member slides on the outer surface of the permeable member. Thereby, the permeable member is cleaned.

JP 2009-143108 A

  However, like the automatic cleaning mechanism disclosed in Patent Document 1, when the cleaning member is fixed to the holder, the cleaning member deteriorates due to the stress acting on the cleaning member during cleaning of the permeable member, As a result, there is a problem that the life of the cleaning member is shortened.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an optical scanning device capable of extending the life of a cleaning member and an image forming apparatus including the same.

  An optical scanning device according to the present invention includes a housing, a transmissive member, a cleaning member, a holder, and a moving mechanism. The casing is formed with a light emission port. The permeable member closes the emission port. The transmissive member is transmissive to the light. The cleaning member is disposed corresponding to the permeable member. The holder supports the cleaning member in a swingable manner. The moving mechanism moves the holder so that the cleaning member slides on the permeable member.

  An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes an image carrier and the optical scanning device. The optical scanning device forms an electrostatic latent image by irradiating the image carrier with light.

  According to the present invention, the lifetime of the cleaning member can be increased.

1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an overall configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a top view which shows the cover part of the optical scanning device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a top view for demonstrating operation | movement of the holder provided in the cover part which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating a motion of the cleaning member which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating a motion of the cleaning member which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, in the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is not repeated. In addition, the drawings schematically show each component as a main component for easy understanding. Accordingly, the thickness, length, and the like of each illustrated component are different from actual ones for the convenience of drawing.

(First embodiment)
First, the structure of the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus 1.

  The image forming apparatus 1 is a tandem color printer. The image forming apparatus 1 includes photoconductor drums 11a to 11d that are rotatable as a plurality of photoconductors (image carriers). For each of the photosensitive drums 11a to 11d, an organic photosensitive member (OPC photosensitive member) including an organic photosensitive layer, an amorphous silicon photosensitive member including an amorphous silicon photosensitive layer, or the like is used. The photoconductive drums 11a to 11d are arranged in tandem so as to correspond to magenta, cyan, yellow, and black colors.

  A developing device 2a, a charger 13a, and a cleaning device 14a are disposed around the photosensitive drum 11a. Similarly, developing devices 2b to 2d, chargers 13b to 13d, and cleaning devices 14b to 14d are disposed around the photosensitive drums 11b to 11d, respectively. An optical scanning device 12 is disposed below the developing devices 2a to 2d. The optical scanning device 12 individually irradiates the photosensitive drums 11a to 11d with light to form electrostatic latent images on the photosensitive drums 11a to 11d. In this specification, “lower” and “upper” indicate “lower” and “upper” in the drawings.

  The developing devices 2a to 2d are arranged on the right side of the photosensitive drums 11a to 11d, respectively. The developing devices 2a to 2d are opposed to the photosensitive drums 11a to 11d, respectively, and supply toner to the photosensitive drums 11a to 11d. In this specification, “right” and “left” indicate “right” and “left” in the drawings.

  The chargers 13a to 13d are arranged on the upstream side of the developing devices 2a to 2d in the photosensitive member rotation direction, and face the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 11a to 11d, respectively. The chargers 13a to 13d uniformly charge the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 11a to 11d, respectively.

  The optical scanning device 12 individually exposes each of the photosensitive drums 11a to 11d by optical scanning based on image data such as characters and patterns input to the image input unit from a personal computer or the like. The housing 12a of the optical scanning device 12 includes a housing portion 12b having one surface opened, and a cover portion 12c that covers the opening. The scanning optical system 120 is incorporated in the housing portion 12b. The cover portion 12c is formed with an emission port for each light (each laser beam) emitted from the scanning optical system 120 corresponding to each photoconductor drum 11a to 11d. Furthermore, as will be described later with reference to FIG. 2, each emission port is covered with a transmissive member. Each transmissive member is a member having transparency to each light emitted from the scanning optical system 120.

  The scanning optical system 120 includes a laser light source (not shown) and a polygon mirror. The scanning optical system 120 includes at least one reflecting mirror and a lens corresponding to each of the photosensitive drums 11a to 11d. Laser light emitted from the laser light source passes through the polygon mirror, the reflection mirror group, and the lens group from the downstream side of the chargers 13a to 13d in the photosensitive member rotation direction to the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 11a to 11d. Each is irradiated. Electrostatic latent images are formed on the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 11a to 11d by the irradiated laser light. These electrostatic latent images are developed into toner images by the developing devices 2a to 2d.

  The endless intermediate transfer belt 17 is stretched around the tension roller 6, the driving roller 25, and the driven roller 27. The driving roller 25 is rotated by a motor, and the intermediate transfer belt 17 is circulated by the rotation of the driving roller 25.

  The photosensitive drums 11a to 11d are arranged below the intermediate transfer belt 17 so as to be adjacent to each other along the transport direction (the arrow direction in FIG. 1). The photosensitive drums 11a to 11d are in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 17, respectively. The primary transfer rollers 26a to 26d face the respective photosensitive drums 11a to 11d with the intermediate transfer belt 17 interposed therebetween. The primary transfer rollers 26a to 26d are respectively pressed against the intermediate transfer belt 17 and form primary transfer portions together with the photosensitive drums 11a to 11d. In each of these primary transfer portions, the toner image is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 17. Specifically, the intermediate transfer belt 17 rotates, and the toner images on the photosensitive drums 11a to 11d are sequentially transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 17 at a predetermined timing. As a result, a full-color toner image is formed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 17. The full color toner image is a toner image in which toner images of four colors of magenta, cyan, yellow, and black are superimposed.

  The secondary transfer roller 34 faces the drive roller 25 with the intermediate transfer belt 17 interposed therebetween. The secondary transfer roller 34 is pressed against the intermediate transfer belt 17 and forms a secondary transfer portion together with the driving roller 25. In the secondary transfer portion, the toner image on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 17 is transferred onto the paper P. After the toner image is transferred, the belt cleaning device 31 cleans the toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 17.

  A paper feed cassette 32 is disposed below the image forming apparatus 1. The paper feed cassette 32 can store a plurality of sheets of paper P. A stack tray 35 for manual sheet feeding is disposed on the right side of the sheet feeding cassette 32. A first paper transport path 33 is disposed on the left side of the paper feed cassette 32. The first paper transport path 33 transports the paper P fed from the paper feed cassette 32 to the secondary transfer unit. A second paper transport path 36 is disposed on the left side of the stack tray 35. The second sheet conveyance path 36 conveys the sheet fed from the stack tray 35 to the secondary transfer unit. Further, a fixing unit 18 and a third sheet conveyance path 39 are disposed on the upper left side in the image forming apparatus 1. The fixing unit 18 performs a fixing process on the paper P on which an image is formed. The third paper transport path 39 transports the paper P on which the fixing process has been performed to the paper discharge unit 37.

  The paper feed cassette 32 can be pulled out of the main body of the image forming apparatus 1 (the front surface side in FIG. 1). Thereby, the paper P can be replenished to the paper feed cassette 32. The paper P stored in the paper feed cassette 32 is fed out to the first paper transport path 33 side by a pickup roller 33b and a separating roller pair 33a. When a plurality of sheets P are stored in the sheet feed cassette 32, the sheets P are fed out one by one to the first sheet transport path 33 side by the pickup roller 33b and the separating roller pair 33a.

  The first paper transport path 33 and the second paper transport path 36 merge before the upstream side (upstream side) of the registration roller pair 33c. The registration roller pair 33c conveys the paper P to the secondary transfer unit. The registration roller pair 33c takes the timing of the image forming operation on the intermediate transfer belt 17 and the paper feeding operation to the secondary transfer unit. The full color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 17 is secondarily transferred to the paper P conveyed to the secondary transfer portion by the secondary transfer roller 34 to which a bias potential is applied. The paper P on which the full color toner image is transferred is conveyed to the fixing unit 18.

  The fixing unit 18 includes a fixing belt, a fixing roller, and a pressure roller. The fixing belt is heated by a heater. The fixing roller is inscribed in the fixing belt. The pressure roller is pressed against the fixing roller across the fixing belt. The fixing unit 18 heats and pressurizes the paper P on which the toner image is transferred. Thereby, the fixing process is performed. After the toner image is fixed on the paper P by the fixing unit 18, the paper P is reversed in the fourth paper conveyance path 40 as necessary. As a result, the toner image is secondarily transferred to the back surface of the paper P by the secondary transfer roller 34, and the toner image is fixed by the fixing unit 18. The sheet P on which the toner image is fixed passes through the third sheet conveyance path 39 and is discharged to the sheet discharge unit 37 by the discharge roller pair 19.

  Next, the optical scanning device 12 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, and 4. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the cover portion 12 c of the optical scanning device 12. FIG. 3 is a plan view for explaining the operation of the holder 51 provided in the cover portion 12c. FIG. 4 is a view for explaining the movement of the cleaning member 53 supported by the holder 51.

  As described above, the housing 12a of the optical scanning device 12 includes the accommodating portion 12b and the cover portion 12c attached to the accommodating portion 12b. The cover portion 12c corresponds to each of the photosensitive drums 11a to 11d. Thus, an emission port for each laser beam is formed. The shape of each emission port is a rectangular shape that is long in the main scanning direction of the corresponding laser beam, and each emission port is formed so that their longitudinal directions are parallel to each other. These emission ports are respectively closed by the transmissive member 52. Each of the transmissive members 52 is provided to prevent toner, dust, or the like from entering the optical scanning device 12. Each permeable member 52 is, for example, a glass cover.

  In the present embodiment, the optical scanning device 12 includes a plurality of holders 51 (here, two), and each holder 51 supports a plurality of cleaning members 53 (here, two) in a swingable manner. The plurality of holders 51 are provided on the outer surface of the cover portion 12c (the surface on the photosensitive drums 11a to 11d side). Each cleaning member 53 is supported by each holder 51 so as to be arranged corresponding to each permeable member 52. Each cleaning member 53 is made of an elastic member such as a rubber material. Each cleaning member 53 is, for example, a cleaning blade. Each holder 51 is made of, for example, resin.

  Each holder 51 is connected to a linear member 54 that is annularly stretched so as to pass between adjacent permeable members 52. The linear member 54 is, for example, a wire. The linear member 54 is rotated in an annular direction in which the linear member 54 is stretched by a driving force of a winding motor 55 that is a driving unit. With this rotation of the linear member 54, each holder 51 moves, and each cleaning member 53 slides on the outer side surface (surface on the photosensitive drums 11a to 11d side) of the corresponding transmissive member 52. . Thereby, the outer surface of each permeable member 52 is simultaneously cleaned by the corresponding cleaning member 53. In the present embodiment, the moving mechanism for moving each holder 51 includes a linear member 54 and a take-up motor 55.

  The take-up motor 55 can rotate forward and reverse. Thereby, it becomes possible to repeatedly perform the cleaning process of each permeable member 52. The cleaning process is executed by the user operating an input device such as a touch panel when the state of the image forming apparatus 1 is in the maintenance mode. For example, every time printing (image formation) of about 10,000 sheets is performed, the cleaning process may be periodically performed.

  Here, with reference to FIG.2 and FIG.3, operation | movement of each holder 51 at the time of one cleaning process is demonstrated. In the present embodiment, the corresponding cleaning member 53 reciprocates once along the longitudinal direction of each permeable member 52 in one cleaning process. Here, the case where the rotation direction of the linear member 54 changes from the direction indicated by the arrow D1 (first direction) to the direction indicated by the arrow D2 (second direction) during the cleaning process will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 2, when the cleaning process is started, the linear member 54 rotates in the first rotation direction indicated by the arrow D1. Thereby, each holder 51 moves from the position shown in FIG. 2 to the position shown in FIG. Thereafter, the rotation direction of the winding motor 55 is reversed, and the linear member 54 rotates in the second rotation direction (opposite to the first rotation direction) indicated by the arrow D2. Thereby, each holder 51 moves from the position shown in FIG. 3 to the position shown in FIG. Thereafter, the operation of the take-up motor 55 is stopped.

  In the present embodiment, the two holders 51 are connected to each other along the direction (main scanning direction of the laser beam) perpendicular to the direction in which the plurality of transparent members 52 are juxtaposed as the linear member 54 rotates. Move linearly in the opposite direction. At this time, the two cleaning members 53 supported by the holders 51 move in the same direction. On the other hand, when one cleaning member 53 is supported by one holder, it is necessary to stretch the linear member 54 so that the adjacent cleaning members 53 move in directions facing each other. For this reason, compared with the case where the some cleaning member 53 is supported by the one holder 51 like this embodiment, the length of the required linear member 54 becomes long. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the length of the required linear member 54 can be shortened and resources can be utilized efficiently.

  Further, in the present embodiment, a plurality of tension pulleys 56 are rotatably held on the outer surface of the cover portion 12c. The plurality of tension pulleys 56 are provided to stretch the linear member 54 in a predetermined annular shape. A tension adjusting pulley 57 is rotatably held on the outer surface of the cover portion 12c. The linear member 54 is annularly stretched between a plurality of tension pulleys 56 and a tension adjustment pulley 57. Specifically, the linear member 54 is stretched between the adjacent transmissive members 52 by a plurality of tension pulleys 56 so as to be parallel to the main scanning direction of the laser light. The tension adjusting pulley 57 is an example of a tension adjusting mechanism. The tension adjusting pulley 57 is provided to adjust the tension applied to the linear member 54. Thus, the linear member 54 can be smoothly rotated by using the pulleys 56 and 57 in order to stretch the linear member 54 annularly.

  The linear member 54 is wound around the winding drum 58 many times, and the linear motor 54 rotates in the annular direction when the winding motor 55 rotates the winding drum 58. The winding motor 55 and the winding drum 58 are disposed in a recess 59 formed in the cover portion 12c. Specifically, the take-up drum 58 is rotatably held by the cover portion 12 c in the recess 59. The winding motor 55 is fixed to the cover portion 12 c in the recess 59. The take-up motor 55 may be fixed to the housing portion 12b.

  In the present embodiment, each holder 51 is engaged with the cover portion 12c so as to be movable along the main scanning direction of the laser beam. Hereinafter, an example of the engagement between each holder 51 and the cover portion 12c will be described.

  In the present embodiment, a pair of outer rails (guide members) 60 are provided on the outer surface of the cover portion 12 c corresponding to each holder 51. The outer rail 60 is an example of a first guide member. Each outer rail 60 extends along the main scanning direction of the laser beam, and both end portions of each holder 51 engage with a corresponding pair of outer rails 60. Each holder 51 is guided along the main scanning direction of the laser beam by a corresponding pair of outer rails 60. Therefore, each holder 51 can be stably moved along the main scanning direction of the laser light.

  Each outer rail 60 has an inverted L shape in which the upper end portion protrudes toward the center of the corresponding holder 51. Both ends of each holder 51 are respectively engaged with the upper end portions of the corresponding pair of outer rails 60 in the direction away from the housing 12a of the optical scanning device 12, so that the vertical direction of each holder 51 (linear member) Movement (positional deviation) in the direction of the height of 54 is limited. Further, the holder 51 can be prevented from being detached from the cover portion 12c, and the corresponding cleaning member 53 can be stably adhered to each permeable member 52. Preferably, the upper end portions of the respective outer rails 60 are formed so that both end portions of the respective holders 51 are always in contact with the upper end portions of the corresponding outer rails 60. Thereby, each cleaning member 53 can be pressed by the corresponding permeable member 52. Therefore, each cleaning member 53 can be more closely attached to the corresponding permeable member 52.

  Further, in the present embodiment, a guide rib (guide member) 61 is provided on the outer surface of the cover portion 12 c corresponding to each holder 51. The guide rib 61 is an example of a second guide member. Each guide rib 61 extends between adjacent transmissive members 52 along the main scanning direction of the laser beam. Each guide rib 61 is engaged with the lower end side of the corresponding holder 51. Accordingly, each guide rib 61 guides the corresponding holder 51 along the main scanning direction of the laser light. Thereby, each holder 51 can be stably moved along the main scanning direction of the laser beam.

  Each guide rib 61 is preferably disposed at a position closer to the linear member 54. Thereby, the shaking of each holder 51 can be suppressed during the cleaning process. That is, each holder 51 can be moved more stably along the main scanning direction of the laser beam. More preferably, each guide rib 61 is provided directly below the linear member 54. Thereby, the shaking of each holder 51 at the time of a cleaning process can be suppressed further.

  In the present embodiment, the linear member 54 is connected to the upper end side of each holder 51, and each guide rib 61 engages with the lower end side of the corresponding holder 51. Thereby, each guide rib 61 can be provided directly under the linear member 54.

  Preferably, each holder 51 is locked to the corresponding guide rib 61 in a direction away from the housing 12a of the optical scanning device 12 so that the movement of each holder 51 in the vertical direction can be restricted. When each end of each holder 51 is always brought into contact with the upper end of the corresponding outer rail 60 and each cleaning member 53 is brought into close contact with the corresponding permeable member 52, each holder 51 is deformed into a bow shape. there is a possibility. When each holder 51 is deformed into a bow shape, each cleaning member 53 may be separated from the corresponding permeable member 52 on the center side of each holder 51. On the other hand, in the direction away from the housing 12 a of the optical scanning device 12, the lower end portion of each holder 51 is locked to the corresponding guide rib 61, whereby the bow-shaped deformation of each holder 51 can be suppressed. . Therefore, the corresponding cleaning member 53 can be stably adhered to each permeable member 52. More preferably, the corresponding holder 51 is engaged with each guide rib 61 below the surface on which each permeable member 52 is disposed. Thereby, the effect which suppresses the deformation | transformation of the bow shape of each holder 51 can be heightened.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 4, the operation of each cleaning member 53 during the cleaning process of each permeable member 52 will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, in the present embodiment, each holder 51 includes a holding member 51 a that holds a corresponding cleaning member 53. Each holding member 51a is rotatably supported by a support shaft 51b. Further, each holder 51 includes a pair of stoppers 51c. Each holding member 51a is disposed between a pair of corresponding stoppers 51c. When each holding member 51a rotates about the support shaft 51b, it abuts against one of the corresponding pair of stoppers 51c. That is, each stopper 51c restricts the rotation of the corresponding holding member 51a. Accordingly, the swing range of the corresponding holding member 51a is defined by the pair of stoppers 51c.

  Before the start of the cleaning process, as shown in FIG. 4A, each cleaning member 53 stands by at one end (standby position) of each movement path. When the cleaning process is started, first, as shown in FIGS. 4B and 4C, each cleaning member 53 is moved in the direction indicated by the arrow along the longitudinal direction of the corresponding permeable member 52. Moving. At this time, the first surface 53a of each cleaning member 53 comes into contact with the outer surface of the corresponding permeable member 52 in an inclined state. Thereby, the outer surface of each permeable member 52 is cleaned by the first surface 53 a of the corresponding cleaning member 53.

  As shown in FIG. 4D, each cleaning member 53 moves to the other end (standby position) of each movement path. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 4E, each cleaning member 53 moves in the direction indicated by the arrow along the longitudinal direction of the corresponding permeable member 52 to one end of each movement path. At this time, the 2nd surface (surface on the opposite side to the 1st surface 53a) 53b of each cleaning member 53 contacts the outer surface of the corresponding permeable member 52 in the inclined state. Thereby, the outer surface of each permeable member 52 is cleaned by the second surface 53 b of the corresponding cleaning member 53.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the cover portion 12 c is provided with a plurality of removal portions 62. Each removing portion 62 is provided between each end of the moving path of each cleaning member 53 and the corresponding permeable member 52. At the time of the cleaning process of each permeable member 52, each cleaning member 53 slides on each corresponding removal portion 62. At this time, foreign matters (for example, toner and dust) adhering to each cleaning member 53 are removed from each cleaning member 53 by each removing unit 62.

  In the first embodiment, each removing portion 62 is made of a foam material. Therefore, when each cleaning member 53 slides on each corresponding removal part 62, the foreign material adhering to each cleaning member 53 moves to and adheres to each removal part 62. In addition, the material of each removal part 62 is not limited to a foam material. As each removal part 62, a brush material may be used, for example. Also in this case, the foreign matter adhering to each cleaning member 53 moves to each removal unit 62 and adheres. Or each removal part 62 may contain both a foaming material and a brush material. Alternatively, some of the plurality of removal portions 62 may include a foam material, and the other removal portions 62 may include a brush material.

  The first embodiment has been described above. According to the first embodiment, each cleaning member 53 is swingably supported by the corresponding holder 51. Thereby, the stress which acts on each cleaning member 53 at the time of a cleaning process is disperse | distributed. Therefore, deterioration of each cleaning member 53 can be suppressed, and the life of each cleaning member 53 can be increased.

  Since each cleaning member 53 can swing, each cleaning member 53 slides on the outer surface of the corresponding permeable member 52 in an inclined state. Thereby, compared with the case where the cleaning member is being fixed, the contact area of each cleaning member 53 and the outer side surface of the corresponding permeable member 52 can be expanded, and the cleaning capability can be enhanced.

  Further, according to the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, in the housing 12 a (cover portion 12 c) of the optical scanning device 12, the recess 63 is formed in a region corresponding to both ends of the moving path of each cleaning member 53. Are formed respectively. Accordingly, each cleaning member 53 is not in contact with the corresponding transmissive member 52 and the housing 12a of the optical scanning device 12 at both ends (each standby position) of each movement path. On the other hand, when the cleaning member is always in contact with one of the transmissive member and the housing of the optical scanning device, foreign matters such as toner and dust are accumulated at both ends (each standby position) of the cleaning member movement path, and the cleaning member The cleaning surface is dirty. Therefore, unevenness of cleaning of the permeable member occurs during the cleaning process. On the other hand, according to the first embodiment, each cleaning member 53 is not in contact with the corresponding transmissive member 52 and the housing 12a of the optical scanning device 12 at both ends of each moving path. Dirt on the cleaning surface of each cleaning member 53 can be suppressed. Therefore, uneven cleaning of each permeable member 52 can be reduced. Moreover, each cleaning member 53 can maintain a high cleaning capability over a long period of time.

  Further, each cleaning member 53 is not in contact with the corresponding transmissive member 52 and the housing 12a of the optical scanning device 12 at both ends of each moving path. It is possible to switch between the first surface 53a and the second surface 53b. Therefore, compared with the case where each permeable member 52 is cleaned only by one surface of each cleaning member 53, deterioration of the cleaning surface of each cleaning member 53 can be suppressed.

  Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, the foreign matter attached to each cleaning member 53 is removed from each cleaning member 53 by each removing unit 62. Therefore, uneven cleaning of each permeable member 52 can be reduced. Moreover, each cleaning member 53 can maintain a high cleaning capability over a long period of time.

  In the first embodiment, the plurality of recesses 63 are formed in the housing 12a (cover portion 12c) of the optical scanning device 12. However, the cleaning members 53 are respectively corresponding to the transparent members at both ends of each movement path. 52 and the structure which does not contact the housing 12a of the optical scanning device 12 are not limited to this. For example, by selectively increasing the height position of the linear member 54, each cleaning member 53 is connected to the corresponding transmissive member 52 and the housing 12a of the optical scanning device 12 at both ends of each movement path. You may make it non-contact.

  In the first embodiment, the optical scanning device 12 is disposed below the photosensitive drums 11a to 11d. However, the optical scanning device 12 may be disposed above the photosensitive drums 11a to 11d.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a view for explaining the movement of the cleaning member 53 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment only in the removal unit 62. Hereinafter, regarding the second embodiment, matters different from the first embodiment will be described, and description of matters overlapping with the first embodiment will be omitted.

  In the second embodiment, in order to make each cleaning member 53 non-contact with the corresponding transmissive member 52 and the housing 12a of the optical scanning device 12 at both ends (each standby position) of each moving path. A plurality of concave portions 63 are formed in the housing 12 a (cover portion 12 c) of the scanning device 12.

  In the second embodiment, each removing unit 62 has a step shape. In detail, each removal part 62 has a step-like shape which falls toward the bottom side of the recessed part 63 adjacent to each. The material of each removal part 62 may be resin. Each removal part 62 may be integrally formed with the cover part 12c.

  When the cleaning process is started, first, as shown in FIG. 5A to FIG. 5D, each cleaning member 53 moves along the longitudinal direction of the corresponding permeable member 52. Move from one end to the other in the direction indicated by the arrow. At this time, foreign matters (for example, toner and dust) adhering to the first surface 53 a of each cleaning member 53 are scraped off by the corresponding step-like removal portions 62. The foreign matter removed from each cleaning member 53 is stored on each corresponding removal portion 62 or in each corresponding recess 63.

  As shown in FIGS. 5D and 5E, each cleaning member 53 has an arrow extending from the other end to the other end of each movement path along the longitudinal direction of the corresponding permeable member 52. Move in the direction indicated by. At this time, the foreign matter adhering to the second surface 53b of each cleaning member 53 is scraped off by the corresponding step-shaped removal portions 62. The foreign matter removed from each cleaning member 53 is stored on each corresponding removal portion 62 or in each corresponding recess 63.

  The second embodiment has been described above. As described in the second embodiment, by making the shape of each removal portion 62 stepped, foreign matter adhering to each cleaning member 53 is removed by each removal portion 62 by each removal member 62 as in the first embodiment. 53. Therefore, uneven cleaning of each permeable member 52 can be reduced. Moreover, each cleaning member 53 can maintain a high cleaning capability over a long period of time.

  In addition, the material of each step-shaped removal part 62 is not limited to resin. For example, a foam material or a brush material may be used as the material of each of the step-like removal portions 62 as in the first embodiment. In this case, the foreign matter adhering to each cleaning member 53 moves to each removal unit 62 and adheres. Or each removal part 62 may contain both a foaming material and a brush material. Alternatively, some of the plurality of removal portions 62 may include a foam material, and the other removal portions 62 may include a brush material. When the foreign matter adhering to each cleaning member 53 moves to and adheres to each removing unit 62, the optical scanning device 12 may be disposed above the photosensitive drums 11a to 11d.

  Although specific embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made to the above embodiments.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the tension pulley 56 is used to tension the linear member 54 in an annular shape. However, the member that stretches the linear member 54 in an annular shape is not limited to a pulley. For example, instead of the tension pulley 56, a plurality of protrusions may be provided on the outer surface of the cover portion 12c, and the linear member 54 may be bridged over each protrusion. Similarly, instead of the tension adjusting pulley 57, at least one protrusion may be provided on the outer surface of the cover portion 12c as a tension adjusting mechanism.

  In the above embodiment, one tension adjusting pulley 57 is provided, but the number of tension adjusting pulleys 57 is not particularly limited.

  In the above embodiment, the tension adjusting pulley 57 is provided as a tension adjusting mechanism for adjusting the tension applied to the linear member 54. However, the tension adjusting mechanism may be omitted.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the winding drum 58 was provided, the winding drum 58 may be abbreviate | omitted.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although each holder 51 was moved with the linear member 54 and the winding motor 55, the moving mechanism to which each holder 51 is moved is not limited to this. For example, each holder may be moved by each screw shaft arranged along the longitudinal direction of each permeable member 52. In this case, each holder is provided corresponding to each permeable member 52 and supports one cleaning member in a swingable manner.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the removing portions 62 are provided between the both ends of the movement path of each cleaning member 53 and the corresponding permeable member 52, respectively. The removal part 62 may be provided only between one and the corresponding permeable member 52.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the recording medium is a sheet is described. However, the recording medium may be other than the sheet (for example, a resin sheet or a cloth).

  In the above embodiment, the tandem type color printer shown in FIG. 1 is exemplified. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and an electrophotographic system such as a digital or analog monochrome copying machine, a color copying machine, a facsimile, or the like. The present invention can be applied to various image forming apparatuses employing the above.

  In addition, the material, shape, and the like of each component shown in the above embodiment are examples and are not particularly limited, and various changes can be made without departing from the effects of the present invention.

  In the above embodiment, the optical scanning device included in the image forming apparatus has been described. However, the present invention can also be applied to an optical scanning device included in another electronic device, for example, a projector or a laser microscope.

  In addition, various modifications can be made to the above embodiment without departing from the gist of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatuses 11a-11d Photosensitive drum 12 Optical scanning device 12a Case 12b Housing | casing part 12c Cover part 51 Holder 51a Holding member 51b Support shaft 51c Stopper 52 Transparent member 53 Cleaning member 53a First surface 53b Second surface 54 Line -Like member 55 Winding motor 56 Pulling pulley 57 Tension adjusting pulley 60 Outer rail 61 Guide rib 62 Removing portion 63 Concave portion 120 Scanning optical system

Claims (6)

A housing in which a light exit port is formed;
A transparent member having transparency to the light and closing the exit port;
A cleaning member disposed corresponding to the permeable member;
A holder for swingably supporting the cleaning member;
An optical scanning device comprising: a moving mechanism that moves the holder so that the cleaning member slides on the transparent member. The housing has recesses formed in regions corresponding to both ends of the moving path of the cleaning member;
The optical scanning device according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning member is not in contact with the transmissive member and the housing at both ends of a moving path of the cleaning member.   The removal part which was provided between at least one of the both ends of the movement path | route of the said cleaning member, and the said permeable member, and removes the foreign material adhering to the said cleaning member from the said cleaning member was further provided. The optical scanning device according to 1.   The optical scanning device according to claim 3, wherein the removing unit includes at least one of a brush material and a foam material.   The optical scanning device according to claim 3, wherein the removing unit has a step shape. An image carrier;
An image forming apparatus comprising the optical scanning device according to claim 1, wherein the image bearing member is irradiated with light to form an electrostatic latent image.

Images