JP2017146409A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus that can appropriately clean an image carrier.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus comprises: an image carrier; a first cleaning member that rotates to remove a foreign substance on the image carrier; a second cleaning member that is arranged on the downstream side of the first cleaning member in the direction of rotation of the image carrier and removes a foreign substance on the image carrier; and a scattering suppression member that is arranged between the first cleaning member and second cleaning member in the direction of rotation of the image carrier and suppresses the foreign substance removed by the second cleaning member from scattering toward the first cleaning member.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

  In general, an image forming apparatus (printer, copying machine, facsimile, etc.) using an electrophotographic process technology irradiates (exposes) a charged photosensitive drum (image carrier) with laser light based on image data. To form an electrostatic latent image. Then, by supplying toner from the developing device to the photosensitive drum on which the electrostatic latent image is formed, the electrostatic latent image is visualized to form a toner image. Further, after the toner image is directly or indirectly transferred to the sheet, the toner image is formed on the sheet by fixing it by heating and pressing at the fixing nip.

  On the surface of the photosensitive drum in such an image forming apparatus, foreign matter such as toner remaining without being transferred to the paper, toner used for a refresh patch for refreshing toner in the developing device, and paper dust of the paper A cleaning device that cleans foreign matter on the surface of the photosensitive drum because it adheres is generally known.

  For example, the cleaning device described in Patent Document 1 includes a cleaning roller and a cleaning blade for cleaning a photosensitive drum. The cleaning blade is disposed downstream of the cleaning roller in the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum, and scrapes off foreign matters that could not be cleaned by the cleaning roller.

JP 2014-2344 A

  By the way, in such a cleaning apparatus, the structure provided with the sealing member for scraping a foreign material to the downstream of the said rotation direction rather than a cleaning blade can be considered in preparation for the case where it cannot scrape off with a cleaning blade. FIG. 1 is a view showing a cleaning device provided with a seal member.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the cleaning device 215 includes a cleaning roller 215A, a cleaning blade 215B, and a seal member 215C in order from the upstream side in the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 213. The seal member 215 </ b> C is configured to scrape the foreign matter G that could not be scraped off by the cleaning blade 215 </ b> B by coming into contact with the photosensitive drum 213.

  However, the foreign matter G scraped off by the seal member 215 </ b> C is scattered upward due to the laminar flow W generated by the rotation of the photosensitive drum 213. In the space inside the cleaning device 215, since no wind force or the like that pushes back the laminar flow W is generated, the pressure loss is smaller than the portion where the laminar flow W is generated. Therefore, the scattered foreign matter G rides on the laminar flow W toward the space inside the cleaning device 215 and then falls.

  When the cleaning blade 215 </ b> B is present at the point where the foreign matter G falls, the cleaning blade 215 </ b> B is dielectrically caused by the charged potential of the photosensitive drum 213, and thus the foreign matter G that has fallen is electrically adsorbed. If the cleaning blade 215B adsorbs a large amount of foreign matter G that has fallen in this manner, the foreign matter G may adhere to the surface of the photosensitive drum 213 again, which may result in image defects.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of appropriately cleaning an image carrier.

An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes:
An image carrier;
A first cleaning member that rotates to clean foreign matter on the image carrier;
A second cleaning member that is disposed downstream of the first cleaning member in the rotational direction of the image carrier and that cleans foreign matter on the image carrier;
Scattering that is disposed between the first cleaning member and the second cleaning member in the rotation direction of the image carrier and suppresses foreign matter cleaned by the second cleaning member from scattering toward the first cleaning member. A restraining member;
Is provided.

  According to the present invention, the image carrier can be appropriately cleaned.

It is a figure which shows the cleaning apparatus provided with the sealing member. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a main part of a control system of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. It is a figure which shows the drum cleaning apparatus which concerns on this Embodiment. It is an enlarged view of the 2nd seal member part of the drum cleaning device concerning modification 1. FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of a second seal member portion of a drum cleaning device according to Modification 2.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a main part of a control system of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment.

  The image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is a direct transfer type monochrome image forming apparatus using electrophotographic process technology. In other words, the image forming apparatus 1 forms an image by directly transferring a K component (black) toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 213 to a sheet.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the image forming apparatus 1 includes an image reading unit 11, an operation display unit 12, an image processing unit 13, an image forming unit 20, a paper feed unit 14, a paper discharge unit 15, a paper transport unit 16, and the like. A control unit 17 is provided.

  The control unit 17 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 171, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 172, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 173, and the like. The CPU 171 reads a program corresponding to the processing content from the ROM 172 or the storage unit 182, develops it in the RAM 173, and performs centralized control of the operation of each block of the image forming apparatus 1 in cooperation with the developed program.

  The communication unit 181 includes various interfaces such as a network interface card (NIC), a modem-demodulator (MODEM), and a universal serial bus (USB).

  The storage unit 182 includes, for example, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory (so-called flash memory) or a hard disk drive. The storage unit 182 stores, for example, a lookup table that is referred to when controlling the operation of each block.

  The control unit 17 transmits and receives various data to and from an external device (for example, a personal computer) connected to a communication network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide Area Network) via the communication unit 181. Do. For example, the control unit 17 receives image data (input image data) in a page description language (PDL) transmitted from an external device, and forms an image on a sheet based on the received image data.

  The image reading unit 11 includes an automatic document feeder 111 called an ADF (Auto Document Feeder), a document image scanning device 112 (scanner), and the like.

  The automatic document feeder 111 conveys the document placed on the document tray by the conveyance mechanism and sends it out to the document image scanning device 112. The automatic document feeder 111 can continuously read images (including both sides) of a large number of documents placed on the document tray.

  The document image scanning device 112 optically scans a document conveyed on the contact glass from the automatic document feeder 111 or a document placed on the contact glass, and reflects light from the document to a CCD (Charge Coupled Device). ) Form an image on the light receiving surface of the sensor and read the original image. The image reading unit 11 generates input image data based on the reading result by the document image scanning device 112. The input image data is subjected to predetermined image processing in the image processing unit 13.

  The operation display unit 12 includes, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) with a touch panel, and functions as the display unit 121 and the operation unit 122. The display unit 121 displays various operation screens, an image status display, an operation status of each function, and the like according to a display control signal input from the control unit 17. The operation unit 122 includes various operation keys such as a numeric keypad and a start key, receives various input operations by the user, and outputs an operation signal to the control unit 17.

  The image processing unit 13 includes a circuit that performs digital image processing on input image data according to initial settings or user settings. For example, the image processing unit 13 performs gradation correction based on the gradation correction data under the control of the control unit 17. The image processing unit 13 performs various correction processes such as color correction and shading correction on the input image data. The image forming unit 20 is controlled based on the image data subjected to these processes.

  The image forming unit 20 forms a toner image with a K component toner based on the input image data, and a transfer unit 22 that transfers the toner image formed by the toner image forming unit 21 to a sheet. And a fixing unit 23 for fixing the toner image transferred onto the paper.

  The toner image forming unit 21 includes an exposure device 211, a charging device 212, a photosensitive drum 213, a developing device 214, a drum cleaning device 300, and the like. The photosensitive drum 213 corresponds to the “image carrier” of the invention.

  The photosensitive drum 213 has, for example, an undercoat layer (UCL), a charge generation layer (CGL), a charge transport layer (CGL) on the peripheral surface of an aluminum conductive cylinder (aluminum tube). It is a negatively charged organic photoreceptor (OPC: Organic Photo-conductor) in which CTL (Charge Transport Layer) is sequentially laminated.

  The charging device 212 is constituted by a corona discharge generator such as a scorotron charging device or a corotron charging device. The charging device 212 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 213 to a negative polarity by corona discharge.

  The exposure apparatus 211 is configured by, for example, an LED array in which a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) are arranged in a straight line. The exposure device 211 is controlled by the control unit 17 so that a predetermined drive current flows through the LED array, and a specific LED emits light.

  The exposure device 211 irradiates the photosensitive drum 213 with light corresponding to a monochrome image. The positive charge generated in the charge generation layer of the photosensitive drum 213 upon receiving light irradiation is transported to the surface of the charge transport layer, whereby the surface charge (negative charge) of the photosensitive drum 213 is neutralized. As a result, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 213 due to a potential difference from the surroundings.

  The developing device 214 contains a K-component developer (for example, a two-component developer composed of toner and a magnetic carrier). The developing device 214 visualizes the electrostatic latent image to form a toner image by attaching a K component toner to the surface of the photosensitive drum 213. Specifically, a developing bias is applied to the developing roller (developer carrying member), and an electric field is formed between the photosensitive drum 213 and the developing roller.

  The drum cleaning device 300 includes a drum cleaning blade that is slidably contacted with the surface of the photosensitive drum 213 and removes transfer residual toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 213 after transfer.

  The transfer unit 22 includes a transfer belt 221, a transfer roller 222, a plurality of support rollers 223, and the like.

  The transfer belt 221 is an endless belt, and is stretched around a plurality of support rollers 223 in a loop shape. At least one of the plurality of support rollers 223 is configured by a driving roller, and the other is configured by a driven roller. As the driving roller rotates, the transfer belt 221 travels and the paper is conveyed at a constant speed.

  The transfer roller 222 is disposed on the inner peripheral surface side of the transfer belt 221 so as to face the photosensitive drum 213. The transfer roller 222 is pressed against the photosensitive drum 213 with the transfer belt 221 interposed therebetween, thereby forming a transfer nip for transferring the toner image from the photosensitive drum 213 to the sheet.

  When the paper passes through the transfer nip, the toner image on the photosensitive drum 213 is transferred to the paper. Specifically, a transfer bias is applied to the transfer roller 222 by a bias application unit (not shown), and a charge (positive charge) having a polarity opposite to that of the toner is applied to the back side of the sheet, that is, the side that contacts the transfer belt 221. As a result, the toner image is electrostatically transferred onto the paper. The sheet on which the toner image is transferred is conveyed toward the fixing unit 23.

  The fixing unit 23 includes an upper fixing unit 231 having a fixing surface side member disposed on the fixing surface of the paper, that is, the surface on which the toner image is formed, and the back surface of the paper, that is, the surface opposite to the fixing surface. A lower fixing unit 232 having a rear surface side support member to be arranged, a heating source 233 for heating the fixing surface side member, and the like are provided.

  The sheet on which the toner image has been transferred and conveyed along the sheet passing path is heated and pressurized when passing through the fixing unit 23. As a result, the toner image is fixed on the paper.

  The paper feed unit 14 includes a paper feed tray unit 141 and a manual paper feed unit 142. In the paper feed tray unit 141, sheets (standard paper, special paper) identified based on basis weight, size, and the like are stored for each preset paper type. The paper feed unit 14 sends the paper fed from the paper feed tray unit 141 or the manual paper feed unit 142 to the paper transport unit 16.

  The paper discharge unit 15 includes a paper discharge roller unit 151 and the like, and discharges the paper sent from the paper transport unit 16 to the outside of the apparatus. The paper transport unit 16 includes a main transport unit 161, a switchback transport unit 162, a back surface print transport unit 163, and the like.

  The paper fed from the paper feeding unit 14 is conveyed to the image forming unit 20 by the main conveying unit 161. Then, when the sheet passes through the transfer nip, the toner image on the photosensitive drum 213 is collectively transferred to the first surface (front surface) of the sheet, and the fixing unit 23 performs a fixing process. The paper on which the image is formed is discharged out of the apparatus by the paper discharge unit 15. When images are formed on both sides of a sheet, the sheet on which the image is formed on the first side is sent to the switchback conveyance unit 162 and is reversed by returning to the main conveyance unit 161 through the backside printing conveyance unit 163. An image is formed on the second surface (back surface).

  Next, details of the drum cleaning device 300 will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a drum cleaning device 300 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the drum cleaning device 300 includes a housing 301, a brush roller 302 provided in the housing 301, a recovery roller 303, a scraper 304, a first seal member 305, a conveying member 306, and a cleaning blade 307. The second seal member 308 and the scattering suppression member 309 are provided.

  The cleaning blade 307 corresponds to the “first cleaning member” of the present invention, and the second seal member 308 corresponds to the “second cleaning member” of the present invention.

  The brush roller 302 is a member that cleans foreign matter on the photosensitive drum 213 and is in contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 213. The brush roller 302 scrapes and holds foreign matter such as toner and paper dust attached to the surface of the photosensitive drum 213 by a fiber member (not shown) planted on the surface by rotating.

  The collection roller 303 is a metal roller, and is in contact with the surface of the brush roller 302 at a position different from the photosensitive drum 213. The collection roller 303 electrically moves and collects the foreign matter held by the brush roller 302 when a voltage is applied.

  The scraper 304 extends from an appropriate position in the housing 301, and the tip is in contact with the collection roller 303. As the collection roller 303 rotates, the foreign matter on the collection roller 303 is scraped off by the scraper 304.

  The first seal member 305 is disposed at the lower end of the housing 301 that is upstream of the brush roller 302 in the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 213 (hereinafter simply referred to as “rotation direction”). The first seal member 305 fills a gap between the casing 301 and the photosensitive drum 213 by extending in a direction along the rotation direction from the lower end portion of the casing 301 and contacting the surface of the photosensitive drum 213. As a result, the foreign matter scraped by the brush roller 302 and the scraper 304 from the gap is prevented from leaking out of the housing 301.

  The conveying member 306 is disposed below the brush roller 302, the recovery roller 303, and the scraper 304, and the waste toner that is provided on the side of the housing 301 for removing foreign matters scraped and dropped by the brush roller 302, the scraper 304, and the like. Transport toward the storage unit.

  The cleaning blade 307 is a rubber blade that cleans foreign matter on the photosensitive drum 213, and extends in a direction opposite to the rotational direction from an appropriate position downstream of the brush roller 302 in the rotational direction. The cleaning blade 307 scrapes off foreign matter that could not be scraped off by the brush roller 302 when the tip contacts the surface of the photosensitive drum 213.

  The second seal member 308 is a rubber blade that cleans foreign matter on the photosensitive drum 213, and is a direction opposite to the rotational direction from the upper end of the housing 301 that is downstream of the cleaning blade 307 in the rotational direction. , Extending downwards. The second seal member 308 scrapes off foreign matter that could not be scraped off by the cleaning blade 307 when the tip contacts the surface of the photosensitive drum 213.

  If the foreign matter that the cleaning blade 307 could not scrape off reaches the position of the charging device 212 (see FIG. 2) while adhering to the photosensitive drum 213, the device is turned off and left for several hours. Then, the ambient humidity is sucked and is adsorbed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 213. If the apparatus is turned on again in this state, discharge unevenness occurs due to the foreign matter adsorbed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 213, resulting in an image defect. For this reason, in the present embodiment, the second seal member 308 suppresses the occurrence of the above problem by scraping off the foreign matters that the cleaning blade 307 could not scrape off.

  The scattering suppression member 309 is formed in a plate shape, and is disposed downstream of the cleaning blade 307 in the rotation direction and upstream of the second seal member 308.

  Specifically, the scattering suppression member 309 extends from a position on the back side of the portion where the second seal member 308 of the housing 301 is disposed to a position where it does not contact the surface of the photosensitive drum 213 below. Therefore, a predetermined space S is formed between the scattering suppression member 309 and the second seal member 308 above the portion where the second seal member 308 scrapes off the surface of the photosensitive drum 213.

  When the foreign matter scattered by the laminar flow W generated by the rotation of the photosensitive drum 213 enters the space S, the scattering suppressing member 309 suppresses the scattered foreign matter from moving toward the cleaning blade 307 side.

  The scattering suppression member 309 has a length in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 213 (hereinafter simply referred to as “axial direction”) that is equal to or longer than the length of the second seal member 308 in the axial direction. The length of the second seal member 308 in the axial direction is the same as the length of the photosensitive drum 213 in the axial direction. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the foreign matter scraped off by the second seal member 308 over the entire area of the photosensitive drum 213 from moving toward the cleaning blade 307 side.

  Moreover, the scattering suppression member 309 is made of a conductive material such as metal and is electrically grounded. Since the second seal member 308 is dielectrically contacted with the photosensitive drum 213, the scattering suppression member 309 is also charged due to the influence. The scattering suppressing member 309 is dielectrically charged at a potential opposite to that of the charged second seal member 308.

  For this reason, the scattering suppression member 309 is electrically grounded, so that it is possible to adsorb foreign substances charged to a potential opposite to the charged potential of the scattering suppression member 309 among the foreign substances that have entered the space S. Further, the foreign matter charged to the same potential as the charging potential of the scattering suppressing member 309 is adsorbed by the second seal member 308.

The effects of the drum cleaning device 300 configured as described above will be described.
In the drum cleaning device 300, the foreign matter that has not been scraped off by the brush roller 302 and the cleaning blade 307 is scraped off by the second seal member 308. The foreign matter scraped off by the second seal member 308 is attracted to the portion of the second seal member 308 that is dielectrically affected by the effect of the surface potential of the charged photosensitive drum 213 and accumulates in the portion.

  By the way, due to the influence of the laminar flow W generated by the rotation of the photosensitive drum 213, the foreign matter adsorbed on the second seal member 308 is scattered upward. In this embodiment, since the space S is above the contact portion between the second seal member 308 and the photosensitive drum 213, the scattered foreign matter enters the space S. Even if the foreign matter that has entered the space S tends to flow toward the inside of the housing 301, the foreign matter is blocked by the scattering suppressing member 309 located on the upstream side of the second seal member 308.

  As a result, the foreign matter is prevented from moving toward the cleaning blade 307, so that it can be prevented from falling on the cleaning blade 307 or the like and adhering to the photosensitive drum 213 again, resulting in an image defect. Can be suppressed. That is, the photosensitive drum 213 can be appropriately cleaned.

  Further, since the scattering suppressing member 309 is made of a conductive material and is electrically grounded, it is charged through the second seal member 308 due to the influence of the potential of the photosensitive drum 213. For this reason, among the foreign matters that have entered the space S, foreign matters that are charged to a potential opposite to the charged potential of the scattering suppressing member 309 can be adsorbed, so that the foreign matter that has entered the space S can be in the photosensitive drum 213 below the space S. Can be prevented from falling on the surface.

  Further, since the length of the scattering suppression member 309 in the axial direction is the same as the length of the second seal member 308 in the axial direction, it is possible to prevent foreign matters from traveling all over the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 213 toward the cleaning blade 307. can do.

  Next, Modification 1 will be described. FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the drum cleaning device 300 according to the first modification.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the drum cleaning device 300 in this configuration includes a scattering suppression member 310 having a configuration different from that of the scattering suppression member 309 in the embodiment of FIG. 4. The scattering suppressing member 310 has a first portion 310A, a second portion 310B, and a third portion 310C.

  The first portion 310A extends downward from the portion fixed to the housing 301 so as to be parallel to the second seal member 308.

  The second portion 310B is inclined so as to approach the second seal member 308 as it goes downward from the lower end of the first portion 310A.

  The third portion 310 </ b> C extends from the lower end of the second portion 310 </ b> B to a position not in contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 213 below so as to be parallel to the second seal member 308.

  With this configuration, the first distance L1 between the third portion 310C of the scattering suppression member 310 and the second seal member 308 is equal to the first distance 310A of the scattering suppression member 310 and the second seal member 308. It is smaller than 2 distance L2.

  That is, the first distance L1 formed by the contact position between the second seal member 308 and the photosensitive drum 213 and the position closest to the contact position of the scattering suppression member 310 is the second seal member 308. The distance is shorter than the second distance L <b> 2 formed by the position farthest from the photosensitive drum 213 and the scattering suppression member 310.

  Thereby, since the entrance part of the space S is narrow, the momentum of the laminar flow in the part can be increased. For this reason, the foreign matter can be sent into the space S vigorously. Further, since the depth of the space S is wider, the momentum of the laminar flow becomes weaker toward the depth, and foreign substances can be easily retained in the space S.

  Next, Modification 2 will be described. FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the drum cleaning device 300 according to the second modification.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the drum cleaning device 300 in this configuration includes a scattering suppression member 311 having a configuration different from the scattering suppression members 309 and 310 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

  The scattering suppressing member 311 includes a first portion 311A, a second portion 311B, a third portion 311C, and a fourth portion 311D. The first portion 311A, the second portion 311B, and the third portion 311C have substantially the same configuration as the first portion 310A, the second portion 310B, and the third portion 310C of the scattering suppressing member 310 shown in FIG.

  The first portion 311A is held by a second holding portion 301B that protrudes from a surface facing the surface of the first holding portion 301A that holds the second seal member 308 of the housing 301. The second holding unit 301B is located above the lower end of the first holding unit 301A. A portion surrounded by the first portion 311A, the second holding portion 301B, and the first holding portion 301A is connected to the space S, and a ventilation member 312 is provided in the portion.

  The ventilation member 312 has air permeability and is provided at an appropriate position on the side wall of the housing 301. The ventilation member 312 vents the laminar flow that has entered the space S, so that the flow of the laminar flow can be guided further to the back of the space S.

  Note that a member made of a conductive material may be used in place of the ventilation member 312. Since the member is charged due to the influence of the charging of the scattering suppressing member 311, it is possible to adsorb foreign matter to the member by electrically grounding the member.

  The lower end of the third portion 311C extends further downward than the configuration of FIG. 5, and the third distance L3 between the lower end and the surface of the photosensitive drum 213 is the third portion 311C and the second seal member 308. Is smaller than the first distance L1.

  That is, the third distance L3 formed by the position closest to the photosensitive drum 213 of the scattering suppression member 311 and the photosensitive drum 213 is the contact position between the second seal member 308 and the photosensitive drum 213, and the scattering suppression member. 311 is narrower than the first distance L1 that is the distance from the closest position to the contact position. As a result, the momentum of the laminar flow generated by the rotation of the photosensitive drum 213 can be increased at the portion between the lower end of the third portion 311C and the photosensitive drum 213.

  In the space S, the fourth portion 311D extends upward from a connection portion between the second portion 311B and the third portion 311C. By forming the fourth portion 311D as a partition, a portion formed by the fourth portion 311D and the second portion 311B serves as a collection unit S1 that can collect the foreign matter that has entered the space S. .

  A portion between the upper end of the fourth portion 311D and the lower end of the first holding portion 301A of the housing 301 serves as a recovery port for the foreign matter of the recovery unit S1 to enter. Located on the foreign material flow path.

  The upper end of the fourth portion 311D and the lower end of the first holding portion 301A of the housing 301, which is the interval between the recovery ports of the recovery portion S1 in the direction perpendicular to the extending direction and the axial direction of the first distance L1. The four distance L4 is longer than the first distance L1 and shorter than the second distance L2. Thereby, since the space S becomes wider as it goes back, the momentum of the laminar flow that has entered the space S is weakened as it goes back. Foreign matter can be retained in the space S, and the foreign matter can be easily collected in the collection unit S1.

  According to such a configuration, the momentum of the laminar flow generated by the rotation of the photosensitive drum 213 can be increased at the portion between the lower end of the third portion 311C and the photosensitive drum 213. Foreign matter can be put in.

  Further, since the ventilation member 312 ventilates the laminar flow, the foreign matter riding on the laminar flow can be more easily guided to the side of the space S.

  Moreover, since the momentum of the laminar flow is weakened as it goes deeper into the space S, the foreign matter can be further retained in the space S and the foreign matter can be prevented from flowing back from the space S, and the foreign matter can be transferred to other parts. It is possible to suppress scattering.

  Moreover, since the foreign material in the space S is recovered by the recovery unit S1, it is possible to suppress the foreign material from falling below the space S.

  In addition, since the entrance portion of the recovery unit S1 is wider than the first distance L1 and narrower than the second distance L2, foreign matter can be easily retained near the recovery unit S1, so that the recovery efficiency in the recovery unit S1 can be improved. it can.

  In addition, each of the above-described embodiments is merely an example of actualization in carrying out the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be construed as being limited thereto. That is, the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from the gist or the main features thereof.

  The present invention can be applied to an image forming system including a plurality of units including an image forming apparatus. The plurality of units include external devices such as post-processing devices and network-connected control devices, for example.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 300 Drum cleaning apparatus 302 Brush roller 307 Cleaning blade 308 Second seal member 309 Splashing suppression member

Claims (8)

An image carrier;
A first cleaning member that rotates to clean foreign matter on the image carrier;
A second cleaning member that is disposed downstream of the first cleaning member in the rotational direction of the image carrier and that cleans foreign matter on the image carrier;
Scattering that is disposed between the first cleaning member and the second cleaning member in the rotation direction of the image carrier and suppresses foreign matter cleaned by the second cleaning member from scattering toward the first cleaning member. A restraining member;
An image forming apparatus comprising: In the axial direction of the image carrier, the length of the scattering suppressing member is not less than the length of the second cleaning member.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The first distance formed by the contact position between the second cleaning member and the image carrier and the position closest to the contact position of the scattering suppression member is the image carrier of the second cleaning member. Shorter than the second distance consisting of the position farthest from the body and the scattering suppression member,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. A third distance between the image carrier and the position closest to the image carrier of the scattering suppression member is shorter than the first distance;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 3. The scattering suppression member has a recovery unit that recovers foreign matter cleaned by the second cleaning member in a space between the scattering suppression member and the second cleaning member.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The collection port for collecting the foreign matter of the collection unit is located on the flow path of the foreign matter cleaned by the second cleaning member in the space,
The interval between the recovery ports is longer than a first distance comprising a contact position between the second cleaning member and the image carrier and a position closest to the contact position of the scattering suppression member, The second cleaning member is shorter than the second distance formed by the position farthest from the image carrier and the scattering suppression member,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 5. A ventilation member configured to ventilate a laminar flow generated by the rotation of the image carrier in a space between the scattering suppression member and the second cleaning member;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The scattering suppression member is made of a conductive material and is electrically grounded.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

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