JP2016122219A - Cleaning device and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a belt cleaning device that can improve workability in attaching/detaching a three cleaning sub units to/from a sub unit holding casing.SOLUTION: A transmission mechanism 185 comprising a first relay gear 187 that receives a drive-side driving force transmitted from the outside, and three output gears (189a to 189c) for transmitting a rotation driving force received by the first relay gear to cleaning pulleys provided respectively to three cleaning sub units, is removably attached to a sub unit holding casing; connection joints connecting the three cleaning pulleys and three output gears (189a to 189c) in the rotation axis direction are provided respectively on the three cleaning pulleys and three output gears (189a to 189c).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 18

Description

  The present invention relates to a cleaning device having a plurality of cleaning members that scrape off deposits adhering to the surface of an object to be cleaned, and an image forming apparatus for cleaning toner on the surface of an image carrier using such a cleaning device. It is.

  Conventionally, as this type of image forming apparatus, the one described in Patent Document 1 is known. FIG. 20 is an enlarged configuration diagram illustrating the cleaning device 900 in the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1 together with the intermediate transfer belt 908 serving as an image carrier. The cleaning device 900 includes a first subunit 901, a second subunit 911, a third subunit 921, a subunit holder 950 that holds these subunits, and the like. Further, the three subunits (901, 911, 921) hold various members such as cleaning brush rollers (902, 912, 922) by a subunit casing (906, 916, 926) as a holding body. .

  The subunit holding body 950 has a first support portion 951 that supports the first subunit 901 so as to be slidable in the longitudinal direction (direction perpendicular to the drawing sheet). The second support unit 952 that supports the second subunit 911 so as to be slidable in the longitudinal direction and the second support unit 953 that supports the third subunit 921 so as to be slidable in the longitudinal direction are also provided. Yes. By such slide movement, the three subunits (901, 911, 921) can be attached to and detached from the subunit holder 950.

  In this configuration, it is assumed that any one of the three cleaning brush rollers (902, 912, 922) has reached the end of its life. In this case, the user replaces only the subunit that holds the cleaning brush roller that has reached the end of its life among the plurality of cleaning subunits, so that the other subunits remain in the cleaning device 900 for use. It is possible to continue. Therefore, the maintenance cost of the cleaning device can be reduced as compared with a configuration in which various components are held by one holding body without being made into subunits.

  However, in the case where a plurality of subunits can be attached to and detached from the subunit holder (for example, 950) as in the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1, when the plurality of cleaning subunits are attached to and detached from the subunit holder. In addition, there was a problem of being troublesome. Hereinafter, this problem will be described in detail.

  For example, in the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1, three cleaning subunits (901, 911, 921) are detachable from the subunit holder 950. For these three cleaning subunits, it is necessary to transmit a driving force for driving various members inside each from the transfer unit. The transfer unit is attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body while supporting the intermediate transfer belt 908 and various rollers. One of the configurations for transmitting the driving force from the transfer unit to the three cleaning subunits is as follows. In other words, the tip ends of the three driving shafts provided in the transfer unit are connected in the rotational axis direction to the ends of the drive receiving shafts provided in the three cleaning subunits. However, it is difficult to adopt this configuration for the following reason. That is, in this configuration, when the three cleaning subunits are mounted on the subunit holder 950, the drive receiving shafts of the cleaning subunits are arranged with respect to the tip of the driving shaft extending from the transfer unit side. It is necessary to connect the ends of the. For this purpose, it is necessary to strictly align the drive receiving shaft of each cleaning subunit with the drive shaft of the transfer unit. However, a backlash of the subunit holder 950 that can be attached to and detached from the transfer unit and a backlash of the three cleaning subunits to the subunit holder 950 are superimposed on the drive shaft of the transfer unit. Because of this superposition, it is difficult to strictly align the three cleaning subunits with the transfer unit, so it is difficult to adopt the above-described configuration.

  As another configuration for transmitting the driving force from the transfer unit to the three cleaning subunits, the following can be considered. That is, the driving shaft extending from the transfer unit is connected to the end of the rotating shaft on the holding body, which is a rotating shaft provided on the subunit holding body 950. Then, a belt is wound around the rotating shaft on the holding body and the drive receiving shaft of one cleaning sub-unit to transmit the driving force from the rotating shaft on the holding body to the drive receiving shaft. Further, a belt is wound around the drive receiving shaft and the drive receiving shafts of the other cleaning sub-units to transmit a driving force from the former drive receiving shaft to the latter drive receiving shaft. In this manner, the driving force is sequentially transmitted to the driving receiving shafts of the three cleaning subunits by the plurality of belts. In this configuration, the rotation shaft on the holding body provided in the subunit holding body 950 may be aligned with the driving shaft of the transfer unit, and the alignment is not affected by the backlash of the cleaning subunit. It can be carried out. Therefore, this configuration is generally adopted.

  However, in this configuration, when an arbitrary cleaning subunit is taken out from the subunit holder 950, it is necessary to remove the belt that is wound around the drive receiving shaft of the cleaning subunit. Further, when the removed cleaning subunit is attached to the subunit holder 950, it is necessary to attach a belt to the drive receiving shaft of the cleaning subunit. In order to attach / detach the plurality of cleaning subunits to / from the subunit holder 950, it is necessary to attach / detach the belt to / from each of the cleaning subunits, which is troublesome.

  Up to now, the problems that occur in the cleaning device 900 have been described. However, the unit device includes a plurality of subunits each having a driving member that is driven by a rotational driving force, and is configured to be detachable from the machine body. If so, similar problems can arise.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above background, and an object of the present invention is to provide a unit device that can improve workability when attaching / detaching a plurality of subunits to / from a subunit holder, A cleaning device and an image forming apparatus are provided.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention includes a plurality of subunits each including a driving member that is driven by receiving a rotational driving force, and a subunit holding body that holds the plurality of subunits. In the unit device configured to be detachable with respect to the motor, a driving force receiving rotating shaft that receives a driving side rotating driving force sent from the outside, and a plurality of the subunits that receive the rotating driving force received by the driving force receiving rotating shaft A transmission mechanism having a plurality of drive transmission rotary shafts for transmission to the drive receiving rotary shafts provided on the sub-units, respectively, detachably provided on the subunit holder, and the drive receiving rotary shafts and the drive transmission rotary shafts Are connected to the plurality of drive receiving shafts and the plurality of drive transmission rotating shafts, respectively. .

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, there exists an outstanding effect that workability | operativity at the time of attaching or detaching a some subunit with respect to a subunit holding body can be improved.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a main part of a printer according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is an enlarged configuration diagram illustrating a belt cleaning device of the printer and its surroundings in an enlarged manner. FIG. 3 is an enlarged schematic diagram illustrating a chevron patch formed on an intermediate transfer belt of the printer. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the intermediate transfer belt and a toner consumption pattern formed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt. FIG. 3 is an enlarged configuration diagram illustrating a belt cleaning device of the printer. FIG. 3 is an enlarged configuration diagram illustrating an enlarged first sub-cleaning unit and its surrounding configuration in the cleaning device. FIG. 4 is an enlarged configuration diagram illustrating an enlarged second sub-cleaning unit and its surrounding configuration in the cleaning device. FIG. 4 is an enlarged configuration diagram illustrating an enlarged third sub-cleaning unit and its surrounding configuration in the cleaning device. The rear view which shows the back side board of the subunit holding | maintenance casing of the same cleaning apparatus. The rear view which shows the upper part of the back side board with the 3rd cleaning subunit. The partial expansion perspective view which shows the rear-end part and joint cap of the 3rd cleaning subunit. The partial expansion perspective view which shows the 3rd back main positioning pin and the back side board of the 3rd cleaning subunit. The partial expansion perspective view which shows the 3rd back subpositioning pin and the back side board of the 3rd cleaning subunit. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a belt driving unit disposed in a transfer unit of the printer together with a part of the third cleaning subunit 121. The partial expansion perspective view which shows the front-end part of the same belt cleaning apparatus. The partial perspective view which shows partially the belt cleaning apparatus of the state which mounted | wore with the transmission mechanism in the front plate from the front side. The partial perspective view which shows the belt cleaning apparatus of the state which mounted | wore the transmission mechanism in the front side plate from the front side with the angle different from FIG. The perspective view which shows the transmission mechanism from the back side. The top view which shows the front side edge part of the belt cleaning apparatus of the state which attached the transmission mechanism to the front side plate. FIG. 6 is an enlarged configuration diagram showing a cleaning device in an image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1 together with an intermediate transfer belt. In the printer which concerns on an Example, the partial perspective view which shows partially the cleaning apparatus of the state which removed the transmission mechanism from the side of a front side board. The perspective view which shows the transmission mechanism of the state attached to the cleaning apparatus main body.

  Hereinafter, as an embodiment of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied, a so-called tandem type intermediate transfer type printer (hereinafter simply referred to as a printer) will be described. First, the basic configuration of the printer will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a main part of the printer. The printer includes four process units 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K for generating toner images of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black (hereinafter referred to as Y, M, C, and K). The four process units 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K have drum-shaped photoreceptors 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K, respectively. Around the photoreceptors 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K, charging devices 2Y, 2M, 2C, and 2K, developing devices 5Y, 5C, 5M, and 5K, drum cleaning devices 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4K, and static eliminating devices (not shown) ) Etc. The process units 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K use Y, M, C, and K toners of different colors, but have the same configuration. Above the process units 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K, there is an optical writing unit (not shown) for irradiating the surface of the photoreceptors 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K with laser light L to write an electrostatic latent image. It is arranged.

  Below the process units 6Y, 6M, 6C and 6K, a transfer unit 7 having an endless intermediate transfer belt 8 as an image carrier is disposed. In addition to the intermediate transfer belt 8, a plurality of stretching rollers disposed inside the loop, a secondary transfer roller 18, a tension roller 16, a belt cleaning device 100, a lubricant application device 200, and the like disposed outside the loop. have.

  Inside the loop of the intermediate transfer belt 8, four primary transfer rollers 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K, a driven roller 10, a driving roller 11, a secondary transfer counter roller 12, and three cleaning counter rollers 13, 14 are provided. 15 and an application brush facing roller 17 are disposed. Each of these rollers functions as a stretching roller that stretches the intermediate transfer belt 8 around a part of its peripheral surface to stretch the belt. The cleaning counter rollers 13, 14, and 15 do not necessarily have to have a function of applying a constant tension, and may be driven to rotate as the intermediate transfer belt 8 rotates. The intermediate transfer belt 8 is moved endlessly in the counterclockwise direction in the figure by the rotation of the driving roller 11 that is driven to rotate counterclockwise in the figure by a driving means (not shown).

  The four primary transfer rollers 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K disposed inside the belt loop sandwich the intermediate transfer belt 8 between the photoreceptors 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K. As a result, primary transfer nips for Y, M, C, and K in which the front surface of the intermediate transfer belt 8 and the photoreceptors 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K abut are formed. The primary transfer rollers 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K are each applied with a primary transfer bias having a polarity opposite to that of the toner by a power source (not shown).

  Further, the intermediate transfer belt 8 is sandwiched between the secondary transfer counter roller 12 disposed inside the belt loop and the secondary transfer roller 18 disposed outside the belt loop. As a result, a secondary transfer nip where the front surface of the intermediate transfer belt 8 and the secondary transfer roller 18 abut is formed. Note that a secondary transfer bias having a polarity opposite to that of the toner is applied to the secondary transfer roller 18 by a power source (not shown). The paper transfer belt is bridged by the secondary transfer roller, several supporting rollers, and a driving roller, and the intermediate transfer belt 8 and the paper transfer belt are placed between the secondary transfer roller 18 and the secondary transfer counter roller 12. It is good also as a structure inserted | pinched.

  Further, the three cleaning facing rollers 13, 14, 15 disposed inside the belt loop are connected to three cleaning brush rollers (details will be described later) of the belt cleaning device 100 disposed outside the belt loop. The intermediate transfer belt 8 is sandwiched between the two. Thus, a cleaning nip is formed in which the front surface of the intermediate transfer belt 8 and the three cleaning brush rollers abut. The belt cleaning device 100 can be replaced integrally with the transfer unit 7. It is also possible to remove the belt cleaning device 100 from the transfer unit 7 removed from the printer body. Further, a cleaning subunit, which will be described later, in the belt cleaning device 100 can be attached to and detached from the belt cleaning device 100 with the transfer unit 7 and the belt cleaning device 100 attached to the printer main body. Details of the belt cleaning device 100 will be described later.

  The printer includes a paper feed unit (not shown) having a paper feed cassette for storing the recording paper P and a paper feed roller for feeding the recording paper P from the paper feed cassette to the paper feed path. In addition, a registration roller pair (not shown) that receives the recording paper sent from the paper feeding unit and feeds it at a predetermined timing toward the secondary transfer nip is provided on the right side of the secondary transfer nip in the drawing. In addition, a fixing device (not shown) that receives the recording paper P sent out from the secondary transfer nip and fixes the toner image to the recording paper P is provided on the left side of the secondary transfer nip in the drawing. . Further, Y, M, C, and K toner replenishing devices (not shown) that replenish Y, M, C, and K toners to the developing devices 5Y, 5M, 5C, and 5K as necessary are also provided.

  In recent years, in addition to plain paper that has been widely used as recording paper, special recording paper that is used for thermal transfer such as special paper having an uneven surface or iron print as a design has been increasingly used. When such special paper is used, transfer defects are more likely to occur when the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 8 on which the color toners are superimposed is secondarily transferred onto the paper, as compared with conventional plain paper. Therefore, in the present printer, an elastic layer having low hardness is provided on the intermediate transfer belt 8 so that the toner layer and recording paper with poor smoothness can be deformed at the transfer nip portion. By providing the intermediate transfer belt 8 with an elastic layer having low hardness and making the intermediate transfer belt 8 elastic, the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 8 can be deformed following local irregularities. Thereby, without excessively increasing the transfer pressure with respect to the toner layer, good adhesion can be obtained, there is no loss of transfer of characters, and there is no transfer unevenness even on paper with poor smoothness, A transfer image having excellent uniformity can be obtained.

  In this printer, the intermediate transfer belt 8 includes at least a base layer, an elastic layer, and a surface coat layer.

  Examples of the material used for the elastic layer of the intermediate transfer belt 8 include elastic members such as elastic material rubber and elastomer. Specifically, butyl rubber, fluorine rubber, acrylic rubber, EPDM, NBR, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene rubber, natural rubber, isoprene rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, butadiene rubber, urethane rubber, syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene , Epichlorohydrin rubber, polysulfide rubber, polynorbornene rubber, thermoplastic elastomer (eg polystyrene, polyolefin, polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, polyamide, polyurea, polyester, fluororesin) One type or two or more types selected from the group can be used. However, it is not limited to these materials.

  The thickness of the elastic layer depends on the hardness and the layer structure, but is preferably in the range of 0.07 to 0.5 [mm]. More preferably, the range of 0.25-0.5 [mm] is good. Further, if the thickness of the intermediate transfer belt 8 is as thin as 0.07 [mm] or less, the pressure on the toner on the intermediate transfer belt 8 at the secondary transfer nip portion becomes high, and transfer deficiency is likely to occur. The toner transfer rate decreases.

  The hardness of the elastic layer is preferably 10 [°] ≦ HS ≦ 65 [°] (JIS-A). Although the optimum hardness differs depending on the layer thickness of the intermediate transfer belt 8, if the hardness is lower than 10 [°] JIS-A, transfer deficiency tends to occur. On the other hand, when the hardness is higher than 65 ° JIS-A, it is difficult to stretch the roller, and since it is stretched by long-term stretching, there is no durability and early replacement is necessary.

  The base layer of the intermediate transfer belt 8 is made of a resin with little elongation. Specifically, materials used for the base layer include polycarbonate, fluororesin (ETFE, PVDF, etc.), polystyrene, chloropolystyrene, poly-α-methylstyrene, styrene-butadiene copolymer, styrene-vinyl chloride copolymer, Styrene-vinyl acetate copolymer, styrene-maleic acid copolymer, styrene-acrylic acid ester copolymer (styrene-methyl acrylate copolymer, styrene-ethyl acrylate copolymer, styrene-butyl acrylate copolymer) Styrene-octyl acrylate copolymer and styrene-phenyl acrylate copolymer), styrene-methacrylic acid ester copolymer (styrene-methyl methacrylate copolymer, styrene-ethyl methacrylate copolymer, styrene) -Phenyl methacrylate copolymer, etc.), steel -Α-chloromethyl acrylate copolymer, styrene resin such as styrene-acrylonitrile-acrylate ester copolymer (monopolymer or copolymer containing styrene or styrene substitution product), methyl methacrylate resin, methacryl Acid butyl resin, ethyl acrylate resin, butyl acrylate resin, modified acrylic resin (silicone modified acrylic resin, vinyl chloride resin modified acrylic resin, acrylic / urethane resin, etc.), vinyl chloride resin, styrene-vinyl acetate copolymer, chloride Pinyl-vinyl acetate copolymer, rosin-modified maleic acid resin, phenol resin, epoxy resin, polyester resin, polyester polyurethane resin, polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutadiene, polyvinylidene chloride, ionomer resin, polyurethane resin, silicone Fat, ketone resins, ethylene - can be used ethyl acrylate copolymer, xylene resin and polyvinyl butyral resin, polyamide resin, one kind or two kinds or more selected from the group consisting of modified polyphenylene oxide resin. However, it is not limited to these materials.

  In addition, in order to prevent the elastic layer made of a rubber material having a large elongation from extending, a core layer made of a material such as a canvas may be provided between the base layer and the elastic layer. Examples of materials for preventing elongation used in the core layer include natural fibers such as cotton and silk, polyester fibers, nylon fibers, acrylic fibers, polyolefin fibers, polyvinyl alcohol fibers, polyvinyl chloride fibers, and polyvinylidene chloride fibers. , One or more selected from the group consisting of synthetic fibers such as polyurethane fiber, polyacetal fiber, polyfluoroethylene fiber and phenol fiber, inorganic fibers such as carbon fiber and glass fiber, and metal fibers such as iron fiber and copper fiber Threaded or woven fabric can be used. Of course, the material is not limited to the above. The above-described yarn may be twisted in any manner, such as one or a plurality of filaments twisted, one-twisted yarn, various twisted yarns, double yarn, or the like. Further, for example, fibers of a material selected from the above material group may be blended. Of course, the yarn can be used after being subjected to an appropriate conductive treatment. On the other hand, as the woven fabric, any woven fabric such as knitted fabric can be used, a cross-woven fabric can be used, and a conductive treatment can be performed.

  The coat layer on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 8 is for coating the surface of the elastic layer, and is composed of a layer having good smoothness. The material used for the coating layer is not particularly limited, but generally, a material that increases the secondary transferability by reducing the amount of toner adhering to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 8 is used. For example, one or more types of polyurethane, polyester, epoxy resin, etc., or materials that reduce surface energy and increase lubricity, such as fluorine fats, fluorine compounds, fluorocarbons, titanium oxide, silicon carbide, etc. Can be used by dispersing one type or two or more types or changing the particle size as required. Further, it is also possible to use a material such as a fluorine-based rubber material in which a heat treatment is performed to form a fluorine layer on the surface and the surface energy is reduced.

  If necessary, the base layer, the elastic layer, or the coating layer is, for example, carbon black, graphite, metal powder such as aluminum or nickel, tin oxide, titanium oxide, antimony oxide, indium oxide, for the purpose of adjusting resistance. Conductive metal oxides such as potassium titanate, antimony oxide-tin oxide composite oxide (ATO), and indium oxide-tin oxide composite oxide (ITO) can be used. Here, the conductive metal oxide may be coated with insulating fine particles such as barium sulfate, magnesium silicate, and calcium carbonate. However, it is not limited to these materials.

  The surface of the intermediate transfer belt 8 is coated with a lubricant by a lubricant coating device 200 in order to protect the belt surface. The lubricant application device 200 is a coating that abuts on a surface of the intermediate transfer belt 8 with a solid lubricant 202 such as a zinc stearate lump and a lubricant powder that comes into contact with the solid lubricant and is scraped off from the solid lubricant by rotation. And a coating brush roller 201 as a member. The printer is provided with the lubricant application device 200. However, depending on the toner used, the material of the intermediate transfer belt 8, and the surface friction coefficient, it may not be necessary, and the application is not necessarily required.

  When image information is sent from a personal computer or the like, the printer rotates the drive roller 11 to move the intermediate transfer belt 8 endlessly. The stretching rollers other than the driving roller 11 are driven and rotated by the belt. At the same time, the photosensitive members 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K of the process units 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K are rotationally driven. Further, an electrostatic latent image is formed by irradiating the charged surface with laser light L while uniformly charging the surfaces of the photoreceptors 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K with the charging devices 2Y, M, C, and K. To do. The electrostatic latent images formed on the surfaces of the photoreceptors 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K are developed by the developing devices 5Y, 5M, 5C, and 5K, so that Y, M are formed on the photoreceptors 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K. , C, K toner images are obtained. The Y, M, C, and K toner images are primarily transferred while being superimposed on the front surface of the intermediate transfer belt 8 in the above-described primary transfer nips for Y, M, C, and K. As a result, a four-color superimposed toner image is formed on the front surface of the intermediate transfer belt 8.

  On the other hand, in the paper feed unit, the recording paper P is sent out from the paper feed cassette one by one by the paper feed roller 27 and conveyed to the registration roller pair. Then, at a timing that can be synchronized with the four-color superimposed toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 8, the registration roller pair is driven to feed the recording paper P to the secondary transfer nip, and the four-color superimposed toner image on the belt is transferred. Batch transfer onto the recording paper P is performed. Thereby, a full-color image is formed on the surface of the recording paper P. The recording paper P after the formation of the full-color image is conveyed from the secondary transfer nip to a fixing device and subjected to a toner image fixing process.

  For the photoreceptors 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K after the primary transfer of the Y, M, C, and K toner images to the intermediate transfer belt 8, the remaining toner is cleaned by the drum cleaning devices 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4K. Apply. Then, after neutralizing with a neutralizing lamp (not shown), the charging devices 2Y, 2M, 2C, and 2K are uniformly charged to prepare for the next image formation. Further, the intermediate transfer belt 8 after the primary transfer to the recording paper P is subjected to a cleaning process for residual toner by the belt cleaning device 100.

  On the right side of the K process unit 6K in the figure, an optical sensor unit 90 is disposed so as to face the front surface of the intermediate transfer belt 8 with a predetermined gap. As shown in FIG. 2, the optical sensor unit 90 includes a Y optical sensor 91Y, a C optical sensor 91C, an M optical sensor 91M, and a K optical sensor 91K arranged in the width direction of the intermediate transfer belt 8. Each of these sensors is a reflection type photosensor, and reflects light emitted from a light emitting element (not shown) by a toner image on the front surface of the intermediate transfer belt 8 or the belt, and detects the amount of reflected light by a light receiving element (not shown). To do. A control unit (not shown) can detect the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 8 or the image density (toner adhesion amount per unit area) based on the output voltage values from these sensors. .

In this printer, image density control for optimizing the image density of each color is executed when the power is turned on or every time a predetermined number of prints are performed. In the image density control, first, gradation patterns Sk, Sm, Sc, Sy of each color as shown in FIG. 2 are formed on the intermediate transfer belt 8 at positions facing the optical sensors 91Y, 91M, 91C, 91K. To do. The gradation pattern of each color is composed of 10 toner patches having an area of 2 [cm] × 2 [cm] having different image densities. The charging potentials of the photoconductors 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K when creating the gradation patterns Sk, Sm, Sc, and Sy of each color are gradually increased, unlike the uniform drum charging potential in the printing process. To do. Then, while forming a plurality of patch electrostatic latent images for forming a gradation pattern image on the photoconductors 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K by scanning with laser light, they are used for Y, M, C, and K, respectively. Development is performed by the developing devices 5Y, 5M, 5C, and 5K. During this development, the value of the developing bias applied to the Y, M, C, and K developing rollers is gradually increased. By such development, gradation pattern images of Y, M, C, and K are formed on the photoreceptors 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K. These are primarily transferred so as to be arranged at a predetermined interval in the main scanning direction of the intermediate transfer belt 8. At this time, the toner adhesion amount of the toner patch in the gradation pattern of each color is about 0.1 [mg / cm ² ] at the minimum and 0.55 [mg / cm ² ] at the maximum, and the toner Q / d distribution When measured, it is almost aligned with the regular charging polarity.

  Each toner pattern (Sk, Sm, Sc, Sy) formed on the intermediate transfer belt 8 passes through a position facing the optical sensor 91 as the intermediate transfer belt 8 moves endlessly. At this time, the optical sensor 91 receives an amount of light corresponding to the toner adhesion amount per unit area with respect to the toner patch of each gradation pattern.

  Next, from the output voltage of the optical sensor 91 when each color toner patch is detected and the adhesion amount conversion algorithm, the adhesion amount of each color toner pattern in each toner patch is calculated, and the image forming condition is based on the calculated adhesion amount. Adjust. Specifically, a function (y = ax + b) indicating a straight line graph is calculated by regression analysis based on the result of detecting the toner adhesion amount on the toner patch and the development potential when each toner patch is imaged. Then, an appropriate development bias value is calculated by substituting the target value of the image density into this function, and the development bias values for Y, M, C, and K are specified.

  The memory stores an image forming condition data table in which several tens of development bias values and appropriate drum charging potentials individually corresponding to the values are associated in advance. For each process unit 6Y, 6M, 6C, 6K, a developing bias value closest to the specified developing bias value is selected from the image forming condition table, and the drum charging potential associated therewith is specified.

The printer also performs color misregistration correction processing when the power is turned on or whenever a predetermined number of prints are performed. In this color misregistration correction process, Y, M, C, and K color toners called chevron patches PV as shown in FIG. 3 are respectively provided at one end and the other end in the width direction of the intermediate transfer belt 8. An image for color misregistration detection composed of an image is formed. As shown in FIG. 3, the chevron patch PV is predetermined in the belt moving direction, which is the sub-scanning direction, with the toner images of the respective colors Y, M, C, and K inclined by about 45 [°] from the main scanning direction. A line pattern group arranged in a pitch. The amount of the chevron patch PV attached is about 0.3 [mg / cm ² ].

  Each color toner image in the chevron patch PV formed at both ends in the width direction of the intermediate transfer belt 8 is detected. As a result, the position in the main scanning direction (photosensitive member axis direction), the position in the sub-scanning direction (belt movement direction), the magnification error in the main scanning direction, and the skew from the main scanning direction are detected in each color toner image. The main scanning direction is a direction in which the laser light is phased on the surface of the photosensitive member as it is reflected by the polygon mirror.

  For such Y, M, C toner images in the chevron patch PV, the optical sensor 91 reads the detection time difference from the K toner image. In the figure, the vertical direction of the paper surface corresponds to the main scanning direction, and after the Y, M, C, and K toner images are arranged in order from the left, the postures are different from those by 90 [°]. , Y toner images are further arranged.

  Based on the difference between the actual measurement value and the theoretical value of the detection time differences tyk, tmk, and tck with respect to K as the reference color, the shift amount in the sub-scanning direction of each color toner image, that is, the registration shift amount is obtained. Then, based on the amount of registration shift, one polygon mirror of an optical writing unit (not shown) which is a part of the toner image forming unit is placed on one surface, and one scanning line pitch is set as one unit, and optical writing on the photosensitive member 1 is performed. The start timing is corrected to reduce registration deviation of each color toner image.

  Further, the inclination (skew) of each color toner image from the main scanning direction is obtained based on the difference in the amount of deviation in the sub-scanning direction between both ends of the belt. Based on the result, surface tilt correction of the optical system reflection mirror is performed to reduce skew of each color toner image. As described above, the color misregistration correction process is a process that corrects the optical writing start timing and surface tilt based on the detection timing of each toner image in the chevron patch PV to reduce registration deviation and skew deviation. By such a color misregistration correction process, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of color misregistration of an image due to a shift in the formation position of each color toner image with respect to the intermediate transfer belt 8 due to a temperature change or the like.

  Further, if the image forming operation with a low image area continues, the amount of old toner that stays in the developing device for a long time increases, so that the toner charging characteristics deteriorate and the image quality deteriorates when used for image formation (development capability decreases, Transferability decline). In order to prevent such old toner from staying in the developing device, the toner is discharged to a non-image area of the photosensitive member 1 at a fixed timing, and new toner is replenished to the developing device whose toner density has been lowered after the discharging to refresh the inside of the developing device. It has a refresh mode.

  A control unit (not shown) stores toner consumption amounts of the developing devices 5Y, 5M, 5C, and 5K and operation times of the developing devices 5Y, 5M, 5C, and 5K. Then, at a predetermined timing, each developing device is checked whether or not the toner consumption amount is equal to or less than a threshold with respect to the operation time of the developing device for a predetermined period, and the refresh mode is executed for the developing device below the threshold.

When the refresh mode is executed, a toner consumption pattern ((a) in FIG. 4) is created in the non-image forming area corresponding to the space between the sheets of the photoreceptor 1 and transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 8. The adhesion amount of the toner consumption pattern is determined based on the toner consumption amount with respect to the operation time of the developing device for a predetermined period, and the maximum adhesion amount per unit area on the intermediate transfer belt is about 1.2 [mg / cm ² ]. May be. Further, when the toner Q / d distribution of the toner consumption pattern (a) transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 8 is measured, it is substantially aligned with the normal charging polarity. In this embodiment, the size of the toner consumption pattern is 25 [mm] × 250 [mm].

  Each color gradation pattern, chevron patch, and toner consumption pattern formed on the intermediate transfer belt 8 are collected by the belt cleaning device 100. At this time, the belt cleaning device 100 must remove a large amount of toner from the intermediate transfer belt 8. However, it cannot be removed by a conventional cleaning device including a polarity control means and a brush roller, or a cleaning device including a brush roller for removing positive toner and a brush roller for removing negative toner. More specifically, untransferred toner images such as each color gradation pattern, chevron patch, and toner consumption pattern could not be removed at once. In such a case, the toner on the intermediate transfer belt 8 that could not be cleaned may be transferred onto the recording paper during the next printing operation, resulting in an abnormal image.

  Therefore, in the belt cleaning apparatus 100 of the printer, untransferred toner images such as each color gradation pattern, chevron patch, and toner consumption pattern can be removed at a time.

  FIG. 5 is an enlarged configuration diagram showing the belt cleaning device 100. In the figure, a belt cleaning apparatus 100 includes a first cleaning subunit 101 and a second cleaning subunit 111 adjacent thereto on the downstream side in the belt moving direction. Further, it also has a third cleaning subunit 121 adjacent to the second cleaning subunit 111 on the downstream side in the belt movement direction.

  The first cleaning subunit 101 has a first cleaning brush roller 102 that is a cleaning member that scrapes off the transfer residual toner from the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 8. Further, the first recovery roller 103 that rotates while contacting the first cleaning brush roller 102 and recovers the transfer residual toner from the brush roller, and the first scraping blade that scrapes the transfer residual toner from the surface of the first recovery roller 103. 104 or the like. The first subunit casing 106 as a holding body also includes a first conveying screw 105 that discharges the transfer residual toner scraped off from the first recovery roller 103 to the outside of the first subunit casing 106. .

  Similar to the first cleaning subunit 101, the second cleaning subunit 111 has the following configuration. That is, the second cleaning brush roller 112, the second recovery roller 113, the second scraping blade 114, the second conveying screw 115, and the second subunit casing 116, which are cleaning members. The third cleaning subunit 121 also has the following configuration, similar to the first cleaning subunit 101. That is, the third cleaning brush roller 122, the third recovery roller 123, the third scraping blade 124, the third transport screw 125, and the third subunit casing 126, which are cleaning members.

  The first cleaning subunit 101, the second cleaning subunit 111, and the third cleaning subunit 121 are individually attached to and detached from a subunit holding casing 150 that is a subunit holder of the belt cleaning device. .

  Most of the toner constituting the transfer residual toner is charged with a normal charging polarity (negative polarity). Therefore, in the first cleaning subunit 101 located on the most upstream side among the three cleaning subunits, a cleaning bias having a polarity (positive polarity) opposite to the normal charging polarity of the toner is applied to the first cleaning brush roller 102. Is applied. As a result, the transfer residual toner charged to the charging polarity (negative polarity) generated on the intermediate transfer belt 8 is electrostatically captured in the brush of the first cleaning brush roller 102. A positive recovery bias having a value larger than the above-described cleaning bias is applied to the first recovery roller 103. In the belt cleaning device 100, a cleaning bias and the like are set so that about 90 [%] of transfer residual toner generated on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 8 is removed by the first cleaning brush roller 102.

  The transfer residual toner includes a small amount of reversely charged toner that has been charged to a polarity opposite to the normal charged polarity. Therefore, a cleaning bias having the same polarity as the normal charging polarity (negative polarity) of the toner is applied to the second cleaning brush roller 112 of the second cleaning subunit 111. Thereby, the reversely charged toner particles of the transfer residual toner are electrostatically captured in the brush of the second cleaning brush roller 112. A negative recovery bias having a value larger than the above-described cleaning bias is applied to the second recovery roller 113. The second cleaning brush roller 112 injects negative charges having a normal charging polarity to the reversely charged toner particles on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 8 to return the reversely charged toner particles to the normal polarity. It also functions as a means.

  A positive cleaning bias that is opposite to the normal charging polarity of the toner is applied to the third cleaning brush roller 122 of the third cleaning unit 121. Further, a positive collection bias having a value larger than the above-described cleaning bias is applied to the third collection roller 123.

  In the second subunit casing 116 of the second cleaning subunit 111, an insulating seal member 171 for preventing the fall of the reversely charged toner is provided in the vicinity of the opening for exposing the second cleaning brush roller 112. ing. The insulating seal member 171 prevents discharge between the first cleaning brush roller 102 and the second cleaning brush roller 112. Furthermore, transfer of the reversely charged toner from the second subunit casing 116 to the first subunit casing 106 is prevented.

  In the third subunit casing 126 of the third cleaning subunit 121, an insulating seal member 172 for preventing the transfer residual toner from dropping is provided in the vicinity of the opening for exposing the third cleaning brush roller 122. ing. The insulating seal member 172 prevents discharge between the third cleaning brush roller 122 and the second cleaning brush roller 112. In addition, transfer residual toner (normally charged polarity) from the third subunit casing 126 to the second subunit casing 116 is prevented.

  In the third subunit casing 126 of the third cleaning subunit 121, an insulating seal member 173 is provided above the opening for exposing the third cleaning brush roller 122. The insulating seal member 173 prevents discharge between the third cleaning brush roller 122 and the tension roller (16 in FIG. 1).

  Each of the three cleaning brush rollers (102, 112, 122) includes a metal rotary shaft member that is rotatably supported and a brush portion that includes a plurality of raised brushes erected on the peripheral surface thereof. The outer diameter is 15 to 16 [mm]. The raised nail has a two-layer core-sheath structure in which the inside is made of a conductive material such as conductive carbon and the surface portion is made of an insulating material such as polyester. As a result, the lead has substantially the same potential as the cleaning bias applied to the cleaning brush rollers (102, 112, 122), and the toner can be electrostatically attracted to the raised surface. As a result, the toner on the intermediate transfer belt 8 is captured by the raised brushes of the cleaning brush rollers (102, 112, 122).

  In addition, you may comprise the raising | fluff of the cleaning brush roller (102,112,122) only with a conductive fiber instead of the core-sheath structure of a two-layer structure. Moreover, you may make it the so-called oblique hair planted in the attitude | position inclined with respect to the normal line direction of a rotating shaft member. Further, the raised portions of the first cleaning brush roller 102 and the third cleaning brush roller 122 to which a positive cleaning bias is applied may have a core-sheath structure, and the raised portions of the second cleaning brush roller 112 may be formed of only conductive fibers. Good. By forming the raised portions of the second cleaning brush roller 112 to which the negative cleaning bias is applied only with conductive fibers, it is possible to easily generate charge injection from the second cleaning brush roller 112 to the toner. Accordingly, the second cleaning brush roller 112 can satisfactorily align the toner on the intermediate transfer belt 8 with negative polarity. On the other hand, the brushing of the first cleaning brush roller 102 and the third cleaning brush roller 122 has a core-sheath structure, so that charge injection into the toner can be suppressed, and the toner on the intermediate transfer belt 8 is charged positively. To suppress. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the first cleaning brush roller 102 and the third cleaning brush roller 122 from generating toner that cannot be removed electrostatically.

  Further, the three cleaning brush rollers (102, 112, 122) are bitten into the intermediate transfer belt 8 by a biting amount of 1 [mm]. The brush roller is rotationally driven by a driving means (not shown) so as to move the raised hair in the contact position in the direction opposite to the moving direction of the intermediate transfer belt 8 (counter direction). By rotating the raised hair so as to move in the counter direction at the contact position, the linear velocity difference between the cleaning brush roller and the intermediate transfer belt 8 can be increased. This increases the probability of contact with the raised hair until a portion of the intermediate transfer belt 8 passes through the contact range with the cleaning brush roller, and the toner can be removed from the intermediate transfer belt 8 satisfactorily.

  As the three collection rollers (103, 113, 123), all are made of SUS (stainless steel) rollers. The collection rollers (103, 113, 123) may be made of any material as long as the following functions can be exhibited. In other words, the toner adhering to the cleaning brush rollers (102, 112, 122) is transferred from the cleaning brush roller to the collecting roller by the potential gradient between the raised brush and the collecting roller. For example, as a collecting roller, a roller resistance is set to log R = 12 to 13 [Ω] by covering a conductive core metal with a high resistance elastic tube of several [μm] to 100 [μm] or by insulating coating. May be used. By using a SUS roller as the collection roller, there is an advantage that the cost can be reduced, the applied voltage can be kept low, and the power can be saved. On the other hand, by setting the roller resistance to logR = 12 to 13 [Ω], the charge injection into the toner during the collection to the collection roller is suppressed, and the toner has the same polarity as the applied voltage of the collection roller. It can suppress that a recovery rate falls.

The conditions of the three cleaning brush rollers (102, 112, 122) are as follows.
・ Brush material: Conductive polyester (Contains conductive carbon inside the fiber, the fiber surface is polyester, so-called core-sheath structure)
・ Brush resistance: 10E6 to 10E8 [Ω]
・ Brush flocking density: 100,000 [lines / inch ² ]
・ Brush fiber diameter: about 25 to 35 [μm]
-Brush tipping treatment: None-Brush diameter φ: 14-22 [mm]
-Brush fiber biting amount into the intermediate transfer belt 8: 1 [mm]

  The cleaning bias applied to the first cleaning brush roller 102 is set to such a value that a good cleaning performance can be obtained when a large amount of untransferred toner is generated on the intermediate transfer belt 8. The cleaning bias applied to the second cleaning brush roller 112 is set to a high absolute value so that electric charge is injected into the toner on the intermediate transfer belt 8. Further, the brush flocking density, brush resistance, fiber diameter, applied voltage, fiber type, and brush fiber biting amount can be optimized by the system, and thus are not limited thereto. Examples of the types of fibers that can be used include nylon, acrylic, and polyester.

The conditions of the three collection rollers (103, 113, 123) are as follows.
・ Recovery roller core material: SUS303
-Brush fiber biting amount into the collection roller: 1.5 [mm]
The collection roller material, brush fiber entrapment amount, and applied voltage can be optimized by the system, and are not limited thereto.

The conditions of the three scraping blades (104, 114, 124) are as follows.
・ Material: SUS304
・ Blade contact angle: 20 [°]
・ Blade thickness: 0.1 [mm]
・ Blade biting amount into collection roller: 1.0 [mm]
The blade contact angle, the blade thickness, and the amount of biting into the collection roller can be optimized by the system, and are not limited thereto.

  In FIG. 5, the untransferred toner that has passed through the secondary transfer nip (not shown) passes the contact portion between the inlet seal 174 and the belt and moves to the position of the first cleaning brush roller 102 as the intermediate transfer belt 8 moves. Be transported. A cleaning bias having a polarity (positive polarity) opposite to the normal charging polarity of the toner is applied to the first cleaning brush roller 102. The negatively charged toner on the intermediate transfer belt 8 is electrostatically applied to the brush of the first cleaning brush roller 102 by the electric field formed by the potential difference between the intermediate transfer belt 8 and the surface potential of the first cleaning brush roller 102. Adsorb. The negative toner transferred to the first cleaning brush roller 102 is transferred to a contact position with the first recovery roller 103 to which a positive recovery bias having a value larger than that of the first cleaning brush roller 102 is applied. Then, due to the electric field formed by the potential difference between the surface potential of the first cleaning brush roller 102 and the surface potential of the first recovery roller 103, the transfer residual toner in the brush of the first cleaning brush roller 102 is transferred onto the first recovery roller 103. Is electrostatically transferred to. Then, after being scraped off from the surface of the first recovery roller 103 by the first scraping blade 104, the first recovery screw 105 transports it to a toner storage portion (not shown) of the first cleaning subunit 101.

  The transfer residual toner on the intermediate transfer belt 8 that could not be removed by the first cleaning brush roller 102 includes negative polarity toner, positive polarity weakly charged toner, and the like. These untransferred toners are transferred to a contact position with the second cleaning brush roller 112. A voltage having the same polarity (negative polarity) as the normal charging polarity of the toner is applied to the second cleaning brush roller 112, and the polarity of the toner on the intermediate transfer belt 8 is made negative by charge injection or discharge. At the same time, the electric field generated by the potential difference between the intermediate transfer belt 8 and the surface potential of the second cleaning brush roller 112 is transferred into the brush of the second cleaning brush roller 112. Thereafter, after electrostatic transfer to the second recovery roller 113, the second scraping blade 114 scrapes off the second recovery roller 113, and the second recovery screw 115 causes the second cleaning subunit 111 to be not shown. It is transported to the toner reservoir.

  The negative toner that has not been completely removed by the second cleaning brush roller 112 is transferred to a contact position with the third cleaning brush roller 122 as the belt moves. The amount of negative polarity toner transferred in this manner is very small. The toner is electrostatically transferred sequentially to the third cleaning brush roller 122 and the third recovery roller 123 and then scraped off from the third recovery roller 123 by the third scraping blade 124. Then, the toner is conveyed to a toner storage unit (not shown) of the third cleaning subunit 121 by the third recovery screw 125.

  FIG. 6 is an enlarged configuration diagram showing the first sub-cleaning unit 101 and its surrounding configuration in the cleaning device (100) in an enlarged manner. The subunit holding casing (150) of the cleaning device (100) has two support portions for detachably supporting the first sub-cleaning unit 101. These are the first left support part 151 and the first right support part 152. In the state where the first sub-cleaning unit 101 is completely set in the subunit holding casing (150), the first subunit casing 106 includes the first left support portion 151 and the first right support portion as shown in the figure. The state floats from 152. On the other hand, during the operation of sliding the first sub-cleaning unit 101 with respect to the subunit holding casing (150) in the longitudinal direction and attaching / detaching the first sub-cleaning unit 101, the first sub-unit casing 106 has the first left support portion 151. Or on the first right support 152.

  The first left support 151 supports the left end of the first sub-unit casing 106 of the first sub-cleaning unit 101 in the short direction (left-right direction in the drawing) from below in the vertical direction. More specifically, while supporting the left end portion of the first subunit casing 106 so as to be slidable in the longitudinal direction of the first subunit casing 106 (direction perpendicular to the drawing sheet), the left end portion extends in the short direction. Allow to move. The first left support portion 151 can support the left end portion slidably in the longitudinal direction by a receiving portion that receives the left end portion in a state of extending in the longitudinal direction. It does not have any part that prevents the left end from moving in the short direction. For this reason, movement in the short direction of the left end is allowed.

  The first right support portion 152 supports the right end portion of the first sub-unit casing 106 of the first sub-cleaning unit 101 in the short side direction from below in the vertical direction. More specifically, the first right support portion 152 slides the left end portion in the longitudinal direction by the receiving portion that receives the right end portion of the first subunit casing 106 while extending in the longitudinal direction of the first subunit casing 106. Support in a movable manner. Further, the first right support portion 152 includes a left side wall located on the left side of the right end portion of the first subunit casing 106 and a right side wall located on the right side of the right end portion in addition to the receiving portion described above. doing. The right end portion of the first subunit casing 106 is inserted between the left side wall and the right side wall of the first right support portion 152. The distance between the left side wall and the right side wall is set to be greater than the length in the short side direction of the right end portion of the first subunit casing 106. For this reason, as shown, between the right end of the first subunit casing 106 and the left side wall of the first right support 152, the right end and the right side wall of the first right support 152 A gap G is formed between the two. The first right support portion 152 allows the right end portion of the first subunit casing 106 to move in the short direction within the range of the total size of the gaps G.

  In such a configuration, it is assumed that the size in the short direction of the first subunit casing 106 serving as the holding body is larger than the design value within the playable range described above. Even in such a case, the first subunit casing 106 can be inserted between the first left support portion 151 and the first right support portion 152 and supported by the support portions. Therefore, even if the first subunit casing 106 has a dimensional error or extension in the short direction, the first cleaning subunit 101 can be mounted on the subunit holding casing (150).

  FIG. 7 is an enlarged configuration diagram showing the second sub-cleaning unit 111 and its surrounding configuration in the cleaning device (100) in an enlarged manner. The subunit holding casing (150) of the cleaning device (100) has two support parts for detachably supporting the second sub-cleaning unit 111. The second left support part 153 and the second right support part 154. In the state where the second sub-cleaning unit 111 is completely set in the subunit holding casing (150), the second subunit casing 116 has the second left support portion 153 and the second right support portion as shown in the figure. It will be in a state of floating from 154. On the other hand, when the second sub-cleaning unit 111 is slidably moved in the longitudinal direction with respect to the sub-unit holding casing (150) and attached / detached, the second sub-unit casing 116 is moved to the second left support portion 153. Or on the second right support 154.

  The second left support portion 153 supports the left end of the second sub-unit casing 116 of the second sub-cleaning unit 111 in the short side direction from below in the vertical direction. The left end portion of the second subunit casing 116 is supported so as to be slidable in the longitudinal direction, while allowing the left end portion to move in the short direction. The second right support portion 154 supports the right end portion as the other end portion in the short direction of the second subunit casing 116 from below in the vertical direction. The left end portion is supported so as to be slidable in the longitudinal direction by a receiving portion that receives the right end portion of the second subunit casing 116 while extending in the longitudinal direction of the second subunit casing 116. Further, the second right support part 154 includes a left side wall and a right side wall in addition to the receiving part described above. The right end portion of the second subunit casing 116 is inserted between the left side wall and the right side wall of the second right support portion 154. The distance between the left side wall and the right side wall is set to be larger than the length in the short side direction of the right end portion of the second subunit casing 116. For this reason, as shown in the drawing, between the right end portion of the second subunit casing 116 and the left side wall of the second right support portion 154, the right end portion, and the right side wall of the second right support portion 154 A gap G is formed between the two. The second right support portion 154 allows the right end of the second subunit casing 116 to move in the short direction within the range of the total size of the gaps G.

  In such a configuration, the second cleaning subunit 111 can be mounted on the subunit holding casing (150) even if the second subunit casing 116 has a dimensional error or extension in the short direction.

  FIG. 8 is an enlarged configuration diagram showing the third sub-cleaning unit 121 and its surrounding configuration in the cleaning device (100) in an enlarged manner. The subunit holding casing (150) of the cleaning device (100) has two support parts for detachably supporting the third sub-cleaning unit 121. A third left support part 155 and a third right support part 156. In the state where the third sub-cleaning unit 121 is completely set in the subunit holding casing (150), the third sub-unit casing 126 has the third left support portion 155 and the third right support portion as shown in the figure. Float from 156. On the other hand, when the third sub-cleaning unit 121 is slidably moved in the longitudinal direction with respect to the sub-unit holding casing (150) and attached / detached, the third sub-unit casing 126 is moved to the third left support portion 155. Or on the third right support 156.

  The third left support portion 155 supports the left end portion as one end portion in the short direction of the third sub unit casing 126 of the third sub cleaning unit 121 from below in the vertical direction. The left end portion of the third subunit casing 126 is supported so as to be slidable in the longitudinal direction, while allowing the left end portion to move in the short direction. The third right support portion 156 supports the right end portion as the other end portion in the short direction of the third subunit casing 126 from below in the vertical direction. The left end portion is supported so as to be slidable in the longitudinal direction by the receiving portion that receives the right end portion of the third subunit casing 126 while extending in the longitudinal direction of the third subunit casing 126. The third right support part 156 includes a left side wall and a right side wall in addition to the receiving part described above. The right end portion of the third subunit casing 126 is inserted between the left side wall and the right side wall of the third right support portion 156. The distance between the left side wall and the right side wall is set larger than the length in the short side direction of the right end portion of the third subunit casing 126. Therefore, as shown in the drawing, between the right end portion of the third subunit casing 126 and the left side wall of the third right support portion 156, the right end portion, and the right side wall of the third right support portion 156 A gap G is formed between the two. The third right support portion 156 allows the right end portion of the third subunit casing 126 to move in the short direction within the range of the total size of the gaps G.

  In such a configuration, the third cleaning subunit 121 can be mounted on the subunit holding casing (150) even if the third subunit casing 126 has a dimensional error or extension in the short direction.

  The three cleaning subunits (101, 11, 121) are inserted into the subunit holding casing 150 while being slid from the near side to the far side in the direction orthogonal to the paper surface of FIG. The On the other hand, it is taken out from the subunit holding casing 150 while being slid from the back side to the front side in the direction orthogonal to the drawing sheet. Therefore, when the operator performs the attaching / detaching operation of the cleaning subunit, the operator is positioned on the front side of the printer shown in FIG. Hereinafter, the front (side) in the above direction with respect to the printer shown in FIG.

  FIG. 9 is a rear view showing the rear plate 160 of the subunit holding casing (150). The figure shows the rear plate 160 from the rear side of the subunit holding casing (150). The rear plate 160 has a first reservoir receiving hole 162a, a first main positioning pin receiving hole 163a, a first sub positioning pin receiving hole 164a, and a first recovery bias pin receiving hole 166a corresponding to the first cleaning subunit. doing. Further, it also has a first cleaning bias pin receiving hole 165a. Further, the second reservoir receiving hole 162b, the second main positioning pin receiving hole 163b, the second sub positioning pin receiving hole 164b, the second recovery bias pin receiving hole 166b, and the second cleaning corresponding to the second cleaning subunit. A bias pin receiving hole 165b is provided. In addition, the third reservoir receiving hole 162c, the third main positioning pin receiving hole 163c, the third sub positioning pin receiving hole 164c, the third recovery bias pin receiving hole 166c, and the third cleaning corresponding to the third cleaning subunit. A bias pin receiving hole 165c is provided. Furthermore, it also has a drive shaft receiving hole 161.

  FIG. 10 is a rear view showing the upper part of the rear plate 160 together with the third cleaning subunit 121. In the figure, a drive shaft 130 (described later) of the belt cleaning device passes through the drive shaft receiving hole 161 of the rear plate 160. By this penetration, the rear end portion of the drive shaft 130 protrudes rearward from the rear plate 160, so that the joint provided at the rear end portion is changed to the joint provided at the end portion of the driving shaft on the printer main body side. It can be connected.

  The circular toner storage portion 129 of the third cleaning subunit 121 passes through the third storage portion receiving hole 162c of the rear plate 160. The toner reservoir 129 protrudes in a columnar shape from the rear plate of the third subunit casing of the third cleaning subunit 121. A clearance exists between the inner wall of the third reservoir receiving hole 162c and the toner reservoir 129. Since the toner storage portion 129 passes through the third storage portion receiving hole 162c of the rear side plate 160, the following operation can be performed. That is, with the belt cleaning device (100) removed from the printer body, the toner storage part 129 screwed on the rear plate of the third subunit casing is rotated and removed from the rear plate, and then the internal waste toner is removed. It is a work to dispose of.

  The third cleaning bias pin 127a of the third cleaning subunit 121 passes through the third cleaning bias pin receiving hole 165c of the rear plate 160. The third cleaning bias pin 127a protrudes rearward from the rear plate of the third subunit casing, and is electrically connected to the third cleaning brush roller 122 via a metal bearing (not shown). A clearance exists between the inner wall of the third cleaning bias pin receiving hole 165c and the third cleaning bias pin 127a. Since the rear end portion of the third cleaning bias pin 127a passes through the third cleaning bias pin receiving hole 165c, the following is possible. That is, as shown in FIG. 11, the coupling cap 191 provided on the printer body side is coupled to the rear end portion of the third cleaning bias pin 127a. Then, a cleaning bias is applied from the coupling cap to the third cleaning brush roller (122) via the third cleaning bias pin 127a and a metal bearing (not shown).

  In FIG. 10, the third recovery bias pin 127 b of the third cleaning subunit 121 passes through the third recovery bias pin receiving hole 166 c of the rear plate 160. The third recovery bias pin 127b protrudes rearward from the rear plate of the third subunit casing, and is electrically connected to the third recovery roller 123 via a metal bearing (not shown). A clearance exists between the inner wall of the third recovery bias pin receiving hole 165c and the third recovery bias pin 127b. Since the rear end portion of the third recovery bias pin 127b passes through the third recovery bias pin receiving hole 166c, the following is possible. That is, as shown in FIG. 11, the coupling cap 191 provided on the printer main body side is coupled to the rear end portion of the third recovery bias pin 127b. Then, a recovery bias is applied from the coupling cap to the third recovery roller (123) via the third recovery bias pin 127b and a metal bearing (not shown).

  In FIG. 10, the third rear main positioning pin 128 a of the third cleaning subunit 121 is fitted in the third main positioning pin receiving hole 163 c of the rear side plate 160. The third rear main positioning pin 128a protrudes from the rear plate of the third subunit casing of the third cleaning subunit 121. There is no clearance between the inner wall of the third main positioning pin receiving hole 163c and the third rear main positioning pin 128a, and both are in close contact with each other. As a result, the rear end portion of the third cleaning subunit 121 is positioned.

  The third rear sub-positioning pin 128b of the third cleaning subunit 121 is fitted in the third sub-positioning pin receiving hole 164c of the rear plate 160. The third rear sub-positioning pin 128b protrudes from the rear plate of the third subunit casing of the third cleaning subunit 121. No clearance exists between the upper and lower inner walls and the third rear sub-positioning pin 128b among the upper, lower, left and right inner walls of the third sub-positioning pin receiving hole 164c. However, a clearance exists between each of the left and right inner walls and the third rear sub-positioning pin 128b.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the third rear main positioning pin 128a of the third cleaning subunit 121 is tapered. Even if the third cleaning sub-unit 121 is pushed into the sub-unit holding casing from the front side of the printer toward the rear side, even if there is a slight misalignment, the tip of the third rear main positioning pin 128a. Enters the third main positioning pin receiving hole 163c. Thereafter, when the third cleaning sub-unit 121 is further pushed in, the root portion of the third rear main positioning pin 128a slides on the inner wall of the third main positioning pin receiving hole 163c. Then, the root portion of the third rear main positioning pin 128a comes into close contact with the entire inner wall of the third main positioning pin receiving hole 163c.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the third rear sub-positioning pin 128b of the third cleaning subunit 121 is tapered. Even if the third cleaning sub-unit 121 is pushed into the sub-unit holding casing from the front side to the rear side of the printer even if there is a slight misalignment, the tip of the third rear sub-positioning pin 128b. Enters the third auxiliary positioning pin receiving hole 164c. Thereafter, when the third cleaning sub-unit 121 is further pushed in, the base portion of the third rear sub-positioning pin 128b slides on the inner wall of the third sub-positioning pin receiving hole 164c. The root portion of the third rear sub-positioning pin 128b comes into close contact with the entire inner wall of the third sub-positioning pin receiving hole 164c.

  The positioning of the rear end portion in the longitudinal direction of the third subunit casing 126 is completed at the next timing. That is, the root portion of the third rear main positioning pin 128a is in close contact with the entire inner wall of the third main positioning pin receiving hole 163c, and the root portion of the third rear sub positioning pin 128b is the third sub positioning pin receiving hole 164c. It is the timing which adhered to the whole area of the inner wall. The bottom of the rear end portion of the third subunit casing 126 thus positioned is in a state of floating from the third left support portion (155) and the third right support portion (156) of the subunit holding casing (150). Become.

  In FIG. 10, the third rear main positioning pin 128a is located near the third cleaning bias pin 127a to which a high voltage cleaning bias is applied. For this reason, if the third rear main positioning pin 128a is made of a metal material, there is a risk of generating a discharge between the third cleaning bias pin 127a and the third rear main positioning pin 128a. Therefore, in this printer, the third main positioning pin 128a is made of an insulating resin material. On the other hand, the third rear sub-positioning pin 128b is located relatively far from the third cleaning bias pin 127a and the third recovery bias pin 127b to which a high voltage recovery bias is applied, and between these bias pins. Does not cause a discharge. Therefore, the third rear auxiliary positioning pin 128b is made of a metal material.

  Although the relationship between the various members at the rear end of the third cleaning subunit 121 and the various holes provided in the rear plate 160 has been described, the various members at the rear end of the first cleaning subunit 101 and the rear plate 160 are described. The relationship with the various holes provided in is also the same. The relationship between various members at the rear end portion of the second cleaning subunit 111 and various holes provided in the rear plate 160 is also the same.

  FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing the belt driving unit disposed in the transfer unit (7) together with a part of the third cleaning subunit 121. In the figure, the belt drive unit includes an output coupling 191, a drive output shaft 192, a drive transmission unit 193 including a timing belt, a drive motor 194, and the like. The belt driving unit is provided on the unit rear plate of the transfer unit (7). When the drive motor 194 is rotationally driven, the rotational driving force is transmitted to the drive output shaft 192 via the drive transmission unit 193, and the drive output shaft 192 rotates. An output coupling 191 is fixed to the tip of the drive output shaft 192.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 10, in the belt cleaning device, the drive shaft 130 is passed through the drive shaft receiving hole 161 of the rear plate 160 of the subunit holding casing (150). The drive shaft 130 passes through a drive shaft receiving hole in a front plate (not shown) of the subunit holding casing, and also passes through a drive shaft receiving hole 161 in the rear plate 160 through the inside of the subunit holding casing. The rear end portion protrudes rearward from the rear side plate 160. FIG. 14 shows the rear end portion of the drive shaft 130 protruding in this manner. As shown in the drawing, an input coupling 131 (joint) is fixed to the rear end portion, and is connected to an output coupling 191 (joint) of the belt drive unit. Thereby, the rotational driving force of the drive output shaft 192 is transmitted to the drive shaft 130, and the drive shaft 130 rotates.

  FIG. 15 is a partially enlarged perspective view showing the front end portion of the belt cleaning device 100. The front plate 140 of the belt cleaning device 100 rotatably supports the front end portions of the three cleaning subunits (101, 111, 121) and the front end portion of the drive shaft 130, respectively.

  On the front surface of the front plate 140, a first subunit face plate 141a is fixed by bolts. The first subunit face plate 141a and the front plate 140 are each provided with a first main positioning pin receiving hole (not shown), and both are in communication with each other. Further, the first sub unit face plate 141a and the front side plate 140 are each provided with a first sub positioning pin receiving hole (not shown), and both communicate with each other.

  On the other hand, a first front main positioning pin 108c and a first front sub positioning pin 108d project from the front side plate of the subunit casing of the first cleaning subunit 101. When the first subunit face plate 141a is fixed to the front plate 140 of the subunit holding casing (150), the front end portion of the first cleaning subunit 101 is positioned as follows. That is, the first front sub-positioning pin 108d of the first cleaning sub-unit 101 is fitted in the first sub-positioning pin receiving hole of the front side plate 140 or the first subunit face plate 141a. At the same time, the first front main positioning pin 108c of the first cleaning subunit 101 is fitted into the first main positioning pin receiving hole of the front plate 140 or the first subunit face plate 141a. Thereby, positioning is made.

  During this positioning, the floor at the front end of the subunit casing of the first cleaning subunit 101 is the first left support (151 in FIG. 6) and the first right support (FIG. 6) of the subunit holding casing (150). 152). Prior to this, the floor of the rear end portion in the subunit casing of the first cleaning sub-unit 101 has already been moved to the first left support portion (151 in FIG. 6) and the first right support portion ( Floating from 152) in FIG. Accordingly, when the first subunit face plate 141 is fixed to the front side plate 140 and the front end portion of the first cleaning subunit 101 is positioned, the entire floor of the subunit casing of the first cleaning subunit 101 becomes the first left support portion. Or float from the first right support. In this way, by floating the entire floor of the subunit casing along with the positioning, the subunit casing can be reliably positioned regardless of the dimensional error, extension, deformation, etc. of the subunit casing. On the other hand, if positioning is performed with the floor of the subunit casing attached to the support portion, the positioning of the subunit casing becomes unstable due to dimensional error, extension, deformation, etc. of the subunit casing, so that positioning can be performed. It may disappear.

  The first subunit face plate 141a supports a first drive transmission portion 146a including a first recovery gear 142a, a first screw gear 143a, a first cleaning pulley 144a, a first relay pulley gear 145a, and the like. The first recovery gear 142a, the first screw gear 143a, the first cleaning pulley gear 144a, and the relay pulley gear 145a are all rotatably supported by the first subunit face plate 141a.

  The first collection gear 142a is connected to the shaft member of the first collection roller (103) (not shown) by a coupling (not shown) on the back side of the first subunit face plate 141a. The first screw gear 143a is connected to the shaft member of the first conveying screw (105) (not shown) by a coupling (not shown) on the back side of the first subunit face plate 141a. The first cleaning pulley 144a is connected to the shaft member of the first cleaning brush roller (102) (not shown) by a coupling (not shown) on the back side of the first subunit face plate 141a.

  The first relay pulley gear 145a meshes the gear portion with the first recovery gear 142a. As a result, the rotational driving force of the first relay pulley gear 145a is transmitted to the first recovery gear 142a, and the first recovery roller (103) (not shown) rotates inside the first cleaning subunit 101. Further, when the first recovery gear 142a rotates, the first screw gear 143a meshing with the first recovery gear 142a rotates. Thereby, the 1st conveyance screw (105) which is not shown in figure inside the 1st cleaning subunit 101 rotates.

  A timing belt is wound around the first relay pulley gear 145a and the first cleaning pulley 144a. Thereby, the rotational driving force of the first cleaning pulley 144a is transmitted to the first relay pulley gear 145a. When the first cleaning pulley 144a rotates, the first cleaning brush roller (102) (not shown) rotates inside the first cleaning subunit 101.

  A drive receiving coupling 181a as a coupling joint is fixed to the front end of the first cleaning pulley 144a so as to rotate on a coaxial line. A drive receiving coupling 181b as a coupling joint is fixed to the front end of the second cleaning pulley 144b so as to rotate on the coaxial line. Further, a drive receiving coupling 181c as a coupling joint is fixed to the front end of the third cleaning pulley 144c so as to rotate on a coaxial line.

  Although the positioning of the front end portion in the longitudinal direction of the first cleaning subunit 101 has been described, the positioning of the front end portion of the second cleaning subunit 111 and the third cleaning subunit 121 is similarly performed. Further, the first drive transmission unit 146a of the first cleaning subunit 101 has been described, but the same applies to the second drive transmission unit 146b of the second cleaning subunit 111 and the second drive transmission unit 146c of the third cleaning subunit 121. It is the composition of.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the rotational driving force transmitted to the drive shaft 130 behind the belt cleaning device is transmitted to the front of the belt cleaning device 100 (FIG. 15) by the drive shaft 130. Specifically, the front end portion of the drive shaft 130 passes through a through hole provided in the front plate 140 of the subunit holding casing and protrudes forward from the front plate 140. An output coupling 182 is fixed to the front end portion of the drive shaft 130. The output coupling 182 is connected to a coupling of a transmission mechanism described later.

  In this printer, the drive transmission system of the belt cleaning device 100 is concentrated in front of the front side plate 140. On the other hand, a coupling cap (191) for applying a cleaning bias and a recovery bias is concentrated behind the rear plate 160. This realizes a layout in which the coupling cap or bias pin to which a high voltage is applied and the metal rotation shaft of the drive transmission system are not brought close to each other, and the occurrence of discharge between them can be avoided.

Next, a characteristic configuration of the printer according to the embodiment will be described.
FIG. 16 is a partial perspective view partially showing the belt cleaning device 100 in a state where the transmission mechanism 185 is mounted on the front side plate 140 from the front side. FIG. 17 is a partial perspective view showing the belt cleaning device 100 in a state where the transmission mechanism 185 is mounted on the front side plate 140 at an angle different from that in FIG. 16 from the front side. A first positioning pin 140a and a second positioning pin 140b are projected from the front side plate 140. On the other hand, the casing 186 of the transmission mechanism 185 is provided with a first positioning hole and a second positioning hole. The first positioning pin 140a of the front side plate 140 is fitted into the first positioning hole of the casing 186 of the transmission mechanism 185, and the second positioning pin 140b of the front side plate 140 is fitted into the second positioning hole of the casing 186 of the transmission mechanism 185. Match. As a result, the transmission mechanism 185 is positioned with respect to the belt cleaning device main body. The transmission mechanism 185 is fixed to the front plate 140 with the three bolts 183a, 183b, and 183c in the state of being positioned in this way.

  FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing the transmission mechanism 185 from the back side. The back surface of the casing of the transmission mechanism 185 supports the first relay gear 187 and the second relay gear 188 in a freely rotatable manner. The first relay gear 187 is integrally formed with an input coupling 187a. When the transmission mechanism 185 is attached to the front side plate 140, the input coupling 187a is connected to the output coupling (FIG. 15) at the end of the drive shaft (130 in FIG. 15) provided on the belt cleaning device 100 main body side. 182). As a result, the rotational driving force of the drive output shaft (192 in FIG. 14) of the belt drive unit provided in the transfer unit (7) is transferred to the first relay of the transmission mechanism 185 via the drive shaft (130 in FIG. 14). It is transmitted to the gear 187.

  A belt is wound around the first relay gear 187 and the second relay gear 188. As a result, the rotational driving force of the first relay gear 187 is transmitted to the second relay gear 188. The rotation shaft of the second relay gear 188 meshes with one of the gears in the gear train composed of a plurality of gears inside the casing 186 of the transmission mechanism 185. The gears constituting the gear train include a first output gear 189a, a second output gear 189b, a third output gear 189c, and the like. The rotational driving force of the second relay gear 188 is also transmitted to these three output gears. These three output gears protrude to the back side of the casing 186 through through holes provided in the casing 186, respectively. A drive output coupling 190a as a coupling joint is fixed to the projecting portion of the first output gear 189c from the casing 186 so as to rotate on the same axis. In addition, a drive output coupling 190b as a coupling joint is fixed to the projecting portion of the second output gear 189b from the casing 186 so as to rotate on the same axis. Further, a drive output coupling 190c serving as a coupling joint is fixed to the projecting portion of the third output gear 189c from the casing 186 so as to rotate on the same axis.

  When the transmission mechanism 185 is attached to the front side plate 140 of the cleaning device 100, the drive output coupling 190a of the first output gear 189c of the transmission mechanism 185 is connected to the drive receiving coupling (181a in FIG. 15) of the first cleaning subunit 101. Connect on the same axis. Further, the drive output coupling 190b of the second output gear 189b of the transmission mechanism 185 is coupled on the same axis as the drive receiving coupling (181b of FIG. 15) of the second cleaning subunit 111. Further, the drive output coupling 190c of the third output gear 189c of the transmission mechanism 185 is coupled on the same axis as the drive receiving coupling (181c of FIG. 15) of the third cleaning subunit 121. As a result, the driving force is transmitted to each cleaning subunit.

  In FIG. 16, when removing the three first cleaning subunits (101, 111, 121), the worker performs the following work. First, the three bolts (183a to 183c) are removed, and the transmission mechanism 185 is removed from the front side plate. Next, for example, in the case of the first cleaning subunit 101, the bolts of the first subunit face plate 141 a are loosened and the first subunit face plate 141 a is removed from the front side plate 140. Then, the subunit removal opening covered by the first subunit face plate 141a opens a large opening. Next, a hand is put in this subunit removal opening provided in the front side plate 140, and the first cleaning subunit 101 is pulled out from the subunit holding casing (150). When the first cleaning sub-unit 101 is set in the sub-unit holding casing, a reverse process to the pulling out process may be performed. Similarly, the second cleaning subunit 111 and the third cleaning subunit 121 can be attached to and detached from the subunit holding casing.

  In such a detaching operation, the operator is not forced to remove the belt that is hung between the two cleaning subunits. For this reason, when attaching / detaching a plurality of cleaning subunits to / from the subunit holding casing 150, there is no time and effort required to attach and remove a number of belts, and the transmission mechanism 185 is installed only once. Just attach and detach. Thereby, workability | operativity at the time of attaching or detaching a some cleaning subunit with respect to the subunit holding | maintenance casing 150 can be improved.

  As the drive output couplings 190a to 190c as the coupling joints and the drive receiving couplings 181 to c as the coupling joints, all are made of an insulating resin. In such a configuration, leakage to the outside through the coupling of the cleaning bias applied to the cleaning brush rollers (102, 112, 122) can be avoided.

  In this printer, the transmission mechanism 185 is attached to and detached from the front plate 140 that is an end of the subunit holding casing 150 in the pulling direction of the cleaning subunits (101, 111, 121). In such a configuration, the transmission mechanism 185 can be attached to and detached from the subunit holding casing 150 without removing the entire belt cleaning device 100 from the printer main body. Therefore, since the three cleaning subunits can be attached to and detached from the subunit holding casing 150 without removing the entire belt cleaning device 100 from the printer main body, the detachability operability can be further improved.

  As described above, in FIG. 18, the transmission mechanism 185 receives the rotational driving force from the outside by the first relay gear 187, and then, via the second relay gear 188, the three first output gears 189 a, This is transmitted to the second output gear 189b and the third output gear 189c. The gear groups for transmitting the rotational driving force of the second relay gear 188 to the three first output gears 189a, second output gear 189b, and third output gear 189c are accommodated inside the casing 186. Thus, the transmission mechanism 185 houses its main gear group inside the casing 186.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 15, the main body of the cleaning device 100 exposes the first drive transmission unit 146a, the second drive transmission unit 146b, and the third drive transmission unit 146c held by the front side plate 140 to the outside. ing. As shown in FIG. 18, the transmission mechanism 150 is fixed to the front side plate 140 while avoiding the first drive transmission unit 146a, the second drive transmission unit 146b, and the third drive transmission unit 146c. Three legs 186 a are extended from the base of the casing 186. Since these leg portions 186a are formed by sheet metal processing and are thin, when they are removed from the front side plate 140, they are easily deformed by an external force. When the leg portion 186a is deformed, the alignment accuracy between the transmission mechanism 185 and the first drive transmission unit 146a, the second drive transmission unit 146b, and the third drive transmission unit 146c on the main body side of the cleaning device 100 is deteriorated. Then, it may be difficult to attach the transmission mechanism 185 to the front side plate 140. Specifically, the gears of the three drive receiving couplings (181a to c in FIG. 15) on the main body side of the cleaning device 100 and the gears of the three drive output couplings (190a to c of FIG. 18) on the transmission mechanism 185 side. And collide in the direction of the rotation axis. Since the gear teeth of one gear cannot be inserted between the teeth of the other gear and the two couplings cannot be engaged in the rotation axis direction, the transmission mechanism 185 is attached to the front plate 140. There is a risk that it will not be possible.

Next, a printer according to an example in which a more characteristic configuration is added to the printer according to the embodiment will be described. Unless otherwise specified below, the configuration of the printer according to the example is the same as that of the embodiment.
FIG. 21 is a partial perspective view partially showing the cleaning device 100 with the transmission mechanism (185) removed in the printer according to the embodiment from the front side plate 140 side. On the front surface of the front side plate 140, there are provided three studs 195 that are column parts protruding in the direction of pulling out the cleaning subunit. Each stud 195 includes a column-shaped hollow column main body 195a, a female screw portion (not shown) provided in the hollow, and a bolt 195b screwed into the female screw portion.

  FIG. 22 is a perspective view showing the transmission mechanism 185 attached to the cleaning device main body. The front plate of the transmission mechanism 185 is provided with three holes corresponding to the three studs (195) described above. The bolts 195b of the three studs (195) are screwed into the female screw portions of three studs (not shown) on the back side from the outside of the front plate of the transmission mechanism 185, so that the transmission mechanism 185 has three studs (195). It is fixed to the front plate (140) of the cleaning device main body in a state where it is supported.

  Since the three studs have a very strong structure and do not deform, the transmission mechanism 185 and the three drive transmission parts on the cleaning device main body side are compared with the embodiment in which the transmission mechanism 185 is supported by the legs (186a). Deterioration of alignment accuracy with (146a-c) is suppressed. Thereby, the mounting operability of the transmission mechanism 185 can be improved.

  About the length of the three studs 195, basically, it is desirable to do as follows. That is, in the cleaning device 100, the length from the front surface (end) of the front plate 140 to the tip of the drive receiving coupling (181a-c) and the back of the transmission mechanism 185 from the drive output coupling (190a-c). It is desirable to make it equal to or greater than the total value with the length to the tip. However, a value slightly smaller than that can be adopted as the minimum length. Specifically, it is a value obtained by subtracting the depth of the receiving recess for receiving the other one of the drive receiving coupling (181a-c) and the drive output coupling (190a-c) from the total value. Therefore, in the printer according to the embodiment, the length of each of the three studs 195 is set larger than the above value.

  In consideration of the dimensional error of the parts, it is desirable that the coupling can transmit the drive even if there is a slight deviation in the rotation axis direction. In the printer according to the embodiment, a value larger by 0.4 mm than the above value is adopted as the length of the stud 195.

  Three or more studs 195 are preferably provided. This is because by providing three or more, it is possible to support the transmission mechanism 185 on a plane constituted by the tip of each of the three or more studs 195. In the printer according to the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 21, one stud 195 is provided on the right end side of the front side plate 140, and another stud 195 is provided on the upper side on the left end side. Another stud 195 is provided on the side. In order to stably support the transmission mechanism 185, it is desirable to provide at least one near the center of the three cleaning brush rollers arranged on the cleaning device main body side.

  It is desirable for the stud 195 to exert a certain strength or higher by stably supporting the transmission mechanism 185 against the force generated by driving. Therefore, it is desirable to adopt a cylindrical shape of 5 mm or more made of a metal material such as iron, aluminum, and stainless steel. In the printer according to the embodiment, a cylindrical shape having a diameter of 5 [mm] or more and made of free-cutting steel is provided. These studs 195 have a deformation of only 0.1 mm or less when a load of 6 [N] is applied.

  In the printer according to the embodiment, the stud 195 is made of a conductive material, and a high voltage of X [kv] is applied to the cleaning brush roller. And in order to avoid generation | occurrence | production of the discharge between a cleaning brush roller and the stud 195, the stud 195 is arrange | positioned in the position which separated 2 * Xmm or more.

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]
In a unit device configured to be detachable from a machine main body, having a plurality of subunits each including a driving member that receives a rotational driving force and a subunit holding body that holds the plurality of subunits. A driving force receiving rotating shaft that receives a driving force rotational driving force sent from the outside, and a rotating driving force received by the driving power receiving rotating shaft is transmitted to the driving receiving rotating shafts respectively provided in the plurality of subunits. A transmission mechanism having a plurality of drive transmission rotating shafts for removably attaching a coupling joint for connecting the drive receiving rotation shaft and the drive transmission rotating shaft in a rotation axis direction. And a plurality of the drive transmission rotating shafts.

  In such a configuration, the operator first removes the transmission mechanism from the subunit holder before removing the plurality of subunits from the subunit holder. Then, a coupling joint of the drive receiving rotation shaft provided in each of the plurality of subunits, and a coupling joint of the plurality of drive transmission rotation shafts provided in the transmission mechanism so as to individually correspond to each of the drive receiving rotation shafts. The connection is released naturally. As a result, the individual subunits can be independently detached from the subunit holder, so that the operator removes any subunit from the subunit holder. When the subunit is mounted on the subunit holder, the operation may be performed in the reverse process of the removal. In such a detaching operation of the subunit, the operator is not forced to remove or attach the belt that is hung between the two subunits. For this reason, when attaching / detaching a plurality of subunits to / from the subunit holder, there is no need to attach or detach a number of belts. Good. Thereby, workability | operativity at the time of attaching or detaching a some subunit can be improved.

[Aspect B]
In the aspect B, the cleaning member (for example, the cleaning brush rollers (102, 112, 122)) that scrapes off the adhering matter adhering to the surface while being in contact with the surface of the object to be cleaned (for example, the intermediate transfer belt 8), and the cleaning A plurality of cleaning subunits (for example, 101, 111, 121) having a holding body (for example, a subunit casing (106, 116, 126)) and a subunit holding body for holding the plurality of cleaning subunits. In a cleaning device (for example, the belt cleaning device 100) having (for example, the subunit holding casing 150), a driving force receiving rotating shaft (for example, the first relay gear 187) that receives a driving force driving force sent from the outside, and the driving force Times accepted by the receiving rotation axis A transmission mechanism (for example, a transmission mechanism) having a plurality of drive transmission rotation shafts (for example, output gears 189a to 189c) for transmitting a driving force to a drive receiving rotation shaft provided in each of the plurality of cleaning subunits is removable. And connecting joints (for example, drive output couplings 190a to 190c and drive receiving couplings 181a to 181c) that connect the drive receiving rotating shaft and the drive transmitting rotating shaft in the rotation axis direction. A drive receiving rotary shaft and a plurality of the drive transmission rotary shafts are provided respectively.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to improve workability when attaching / detaching the plurality of cleaning subunits to / from the cleaning device main body.

[Aspect C]
Aspect C is characterized in that, in aspect B, the transmission mechanism is attached to and detached from the cleaning device main body in the direction of the rotation axis. Accordingly, when the transmission mechanism is moved in the direction of the rotation axis and is detached from the subunit holder, the coupling joints of the drive receiving shafts of the plurality of cleaning subunits and the coupling joints of the plurality of drive transmission rotation shafts in the transmission mechanism Can be connected and released naturally.

[Aspect D]
Aspect D is characterized in that in Aspect B or C, the connecting joint is made of an insulating material. In such a configuration, it is possible to avoid leakage of the cleaning bias applied to the cleaning member to the outside through the coupling joint.

[Aspect E]
Aspect E is characterized in that in any one of Aspects B to D, the transmission mechanism is attached to and detached from the end of the cleaning device main body in the cleaning subunit pulling direction. In this configuration, as described in the embodiment, a plurality of cleaning subunits can be attached to and detached from the subunit holder without removing the entire cleaning device from the image forming apparatus main body. The sex can be further improved.

[Aspect F]
Aspect F is the aspect E according to aspect E, in which a column portion (stud 195) protruding from the surface of the end in the direction of pulling out the cleaning subunit is provided in the cleaning device body (front plate 140), and the transmission mechanism is fixed to the column portion. It is characterized by that. In this configuration, as described above, the mounting operability of the transmission mechanism can be improved as compared with the case where the transmission mechanism is supported by the sheet metal legs.

[Aspect G]
Aspect G is the aspect F according to the aspect F, wherein the length from the surface of the end in the cleaning subunit pull-out direction to the tip of the coupling joint provided on the drive receiving rotation shaft and the transmission mechanism main body in the cleaning subunit pull-out direction The height of the column portion is less than the value obtained by subtracting the depth of the receiving recess of the other coupling joint from the total value of the length from the back surface to the tip of the drive transmission rotating shaft. It is characterized by increasing the size. In this configuration, as already described, the transmission receiving mechanism can be securely attached to the cleaning device body by accommodating the drive receiving rotation shaft and the drive transmission rotation shaft within the range of the length of the support column.

[Aspect H]
Aspect H is characterized in that, in aspect F or G, three or more of the support columns are provided. In this configuration, as already described, the transmission mechanism can be stably supported on the plane formed by the tips of the three or more support columns.

[Aspect I]
Aspect I is characterized in that, in any of the aspects F to H, a columnar shape having a diameter of 5 mm or more and made of free-cutting steel is provided as the support portion. With such a configuration, it is possible to effectively suppress the deformation of the support column.

[Aspect J]
Aspect J scrapes off an image carrier that carries a toner image, a toner image forming unit that forms a toner image on the surface of the image carrier, and a toner that adheres to the surface of the image carrier. In the image forming apparatus including the cleaning device for cleaning, any one of the cleaning devices according to aspects B to I is used as the cleaning device.

6Y, M, C, K: Process unit (part of toner image forming means)
8: Intermediate transfer belt (object to be cleaned, image carrier)
100: Belt cleaning device (cleaning device)
101: First cleaning subunit 102: First cleaning brush roller (cleaning member)
106: First subunit casing (holding body)
111: Second cleaning subunit 112: Second cleaning brush roller (cleaning member)
116: Second subunit casing (holding body)
121: Third cleaning subunit 122: Third cleaning brush roller (cleaning member)
126: Third subunit casing (holding body)
140: Front side plate (end of the cleaning device main body in the pulling direction)
144a: first cleaning pulley (drive receiving rotating shaft)
144b: Second cleaning pulley (drive receiving rotating shaft)
144c: Third cleaning pulley (drive receiving rotating shaft)
150: Subunit holding casing (subunit holding body)
181a-c: Drive-receiving coupling (connection joint)
185: Transmission mechanism 187: First relay gear 187 (motive force receiving rotating shaft)
189a: first output gear (drive transmission rotating shaft)
189b: second output gear (drive transmission rotating shaft)
189c: third output gear (drive transmission rotating shaft)
190a-c: Drive output coupling (connection joint)
195: Stud (post)

JP 2012-037744 A

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention comprises a plurality of cleaning members that scrape off deposits adhering to the surface while contacting the surface of the object to be cleaned, and a holder that holds the cleaning member. In the cleaning device having the cleaning subunit and the subunit holding body that holds the plurality of cleaning subunits, the driving force receiving rotating shaft that receives the driving force driving force sent from the outside, and the driving force receiving rotating shaft A transmission mechanism having a plurality of drive transmission rotating shafts for transmitting the received rotational driving force to the drive receiving rotating shafts respectively provided in the plurality of cleaning subunits is detachably provided on the cleaning device main body ,
In addition, a coupling joint for connecting the drive receiving rotating shaft and the drive transmitting rotating shaft in the rotation axis direction is provided on each of the plurality of driving receiving rotating shafts and the plurality of drive transmitting rotating shafts. Is.

Claims (10)

A plurality of cleaning subunits comprising a cleaning member that scrapes off deposits adhering to the surface while being in contact with the surface of the object to be cleaned, a holding body that holds the cleaning member, and the plurality of cleaning subunits In a cleaning device having a subunit holder for holding
To transmit a driving force receiving rotating shaft that receives a driving force driving force sent from the outside, and the rotating driving force received by the driving power receiving rotating shaft to the driving receiving rotating shafts provided in the plurality of cleaning subunits, respectively. A transmission mechanism having a plurality of drive transmission rotation shafts is detachably provided,
In addition, a coupling joint for connecting the drive receiving rotating shaft and the drive transmitting rotating shaft in the rotation axis direction is provided on each of the plurality of driving receiving rotating shafts and the plurality of drive transmitting rotating shafts. Cleaning device. The cleaning device according to claim 1.
A cleaning device, wherein the transmission mechanism is attached to and detached from the cleaning device main body in the direction of the rotation axis. The cleaning device according to claim 1 or 2,
A cleaning device using an insulating material as the coupling joint. In the cleaning apparatus in any one of Claims 1 thru | or 3,
A cleaning device, wherein the transmission mechanism is attached to and detached from an end of the cleaning device main body in the direction of pulling out the cleaning subunit. The cleaning device according to claim 4.
Provided in the cleaning device main body a column portion protruding from the surface of the end in the direction of pulling out the cleaning subunit,
A cleaning device, wherein the transmission mechanism is fixed to the support column. The cleaning device according to claim 5.
The length from the surface of the end in the cleaning subunit pull-out direction to the tip of the coupling joint provided on the drive receiving rotation shaft, and the back of the transmission mechanism body in the cleaning subunit pull-out direction from the back surface of the drive transmission rotation shaft. From the total value with the length to the tip, the height of the support column is made larger than the value obtained by subtracting the depth of the receiving recess of the other coupling joint among the coupling joints. Cleaning device. The cleaning device according to claim 5 or 6,
A cleaning apparatus comprising three or more of the supporting columns. The cleaning device according to any one of claims 5 to 7,
A cleaning device comprising a columnar shape having a diameter of 5 [mm] or more and made of free-cutting steel as the support column. An image carrier that carries a toner image, a toner image forming unit that forms a toner image on the surface of the image carrier, and a cleaning that scrapes off and removes toner that is adhering to the surface of the image carrier. An image forming apparatus comprising:
An image forming apparatus using the cleaning apparatus according to claim 1 as the cleaning apparatus. In a unit device configured to be detachable from a machine main body, having a plurality of subunits each including a driving member that receives a rotational driving force and a subunit holding body that holds the plurality of subunits. ,
To transmit a driving force receiving rotating shaft that receives a driving force side rotating driving force sent from the outside, and the rotating driving force received by the driving power receiving rotating shaft to the driving receiving rotating shafts respectively provided in the plurality of subunits. A transmission mechanism having a plurality of drive transmission rotation shafts is detachably provided on the subunit holder,
In addition, each of the plurality of drive receiving shafts and the plurality of drive transmission rotating shafts is provided with a coupling joint for connecting the drive receiving rotating shaft and the drive transmission rotating shaft in the rotation axis direction. apparatus.

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