JP2020160195A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To make it possible to clean an exposure surface of an exposure device without increasing the number of components.SOLUTION: A charging roll 121 that charges a surface of a photoreceptor drum 11 to a required potential, and an exposure device 13 that performs image exposure from an exposure surface are arranged opposite to an outer peripheral surface of the photoreceptor drum 11. The charging roll 121 includes a cleaning roll 122 that cleans an outer peripheral surface of the charging roll 121 on its back side. The exposure device 13 is movable between an exposure position opposite to the outer peripheral surface of the photoreceptor drum 11 and a cleaning position in contact with the cleaning roll 122 on the exposure surface, and moves toward the cleaning roll 122 to have the exposure surface cleaned.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

Conventionally, as a technique for cleaning an exposure apparatus that exposes a photoconductor to a photoconductor in accordance with image information in an image forming apparatus, for example, those disclosed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 have already been proposed.

According to Patent Document 1, when the optical unit is exposed, the optical path surface portion on the optical path of the light output from the optical element on the surface of the optical unit moves to the first position exposed from the opening of the housing. However, when no exposure is performed, the optical path surface portion is configured to move to a second position housed inside the housing, and the optical path surface portion is located at the open end of the housing as the optical unit moves. A cleaning member is provided to remove foreign matter adhering to the optical path surface portion by rubbing against the light.

Patent Document 2 states that when the exposure apparatus moves from the retracted position to the exposure position, the contact between the cleaning surface of the cleaning member deformed by pressing the surface of the lens of the exposure apparatus and the surface of the lens of the exposure apparatus is maintained. It is provided with an exposure apparatus support mechanism that supports the exposure apparatus while changing the posture of the exposure apparatus.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2008-03220 JP-A-2018-001752

An object of the present invention is to make it possible to clean an exposed surface of an exposure apparatus without increasing the number of parts.

The invention according to claim 1 comprises an exposure means that has a light emitting element that emits light according to image information and exposes the image holding means from an exposed surface.
A cleaning means arranged around the image holding means and cleaning means to be cleaned other than the exposed means, and a cleaning means.
With
The exposure means is an image forming apparatus in which the exposed surface is cleaned by moving toward the cleaning means side.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the cleaning means is a charging means for charging the image holding means.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning means is cleaned by constantly contacting the charging means.

The invention according to claim 3 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the cleaning means is driven to rotate according to the charging means.

The invention according to claim 4 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning means is rotationally driven by transmitting a driving force from the image holding means via a driving force transmitting means.

The invention according to claim 5 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the cleaning means rotates in a direction opposite to that of the means to be cleaned.

The invention according to claim 6 is described in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the cleaning means has a collecting member for collecting deposits and a storage member for accommodating the deposits collected by the collecting member. It is an image forming apparatus of.

The invention according to claim 7 comprises a plurality of image holding means and
A plurality of charging means for charging the plurality of image holding means, and
A plurality of exposure means having a light emitting element that emits light according to image information and exposing an image to the plurality of image holding means, respectively.
A cleaning means arranged around the plurality of image holding means and cleaning the plurality of charging means, and a cleaning means.
An exposure position for exposing the plurality of exposure means to the plurality of image holding means, and a moving means for simultaneously moving the plurality of exposure means to a retracted position facing the plurality of cleaning means.
It is an image forming apparatus provided with.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the exposed surface of the exposure apparatus can be cleaned without increasing the number of parts.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the cleaning means is a charging means for charging the image holding means, and the cleaning means reliably cleans the exposed means as compared with the case where the charging means is not always in contact with the charging means. Can be brought into contact with the means.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the cleaning means can rotationally drive the cleaning means with a simple configuration as compared with the case where the cleaning means is driven separately from the charging means.

According to the invention described in claim 4, the cleaning means can reliably rotate and drive the cleaning means as compared with the case where the cleaning means is driven to rotate.

According to the invention described in claim 5, the cleaning means can improve the cleaning efficiency of the means to be cleaned and the exposed means as compared with the case where the means to be cleaned rotates in the same direction as the means to be cleaned.

According to the invention described in claim 6, the cleaning means is a cleaning means as compared with the case where the collecting member for collecting the deposits and the accommodating member for accommodating the deposits collected by the recovery member are not provided. It is possible to suppress the retention of deposits.

According to the invention described in claim 7, even when a plurality of exposure means are provided, the exposed surface of each exposure apparatus can be cleaned without increasing the number of parts.

It is a block diagram which shows the whole outline of the image forming apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the image-forming apparatus of the image forming apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the main part of the image forming apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the charging apparatus of the image forming apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a perspective block diagram which shows the exposure apparatus. It is a perspective view and cross-sectional view which show the charging apparatus. It is a perspective block diagram which shows the cleaning roll. It is a block diagram which shows the operation of the image forming apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the moving mechanism of the image forming apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the moving mechanism at the time of cleaning in the image forming apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the operation at the time of cleaning in the image forming apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the main part of the image forming apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the main part of the image forming apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the main part of the image forming apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the main part at the time of cleaning of the image forming apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 4 of this invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[Embodiment 1]
FIG. 1 shows an overall outline of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 shows an enlarged view of a main part (an image forming apparatus or the like) of the image forming apparatus.

<Overall configuration of image forming apparatus>
The image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment is configured as, for example, a color printer. The image forming apparatus 1 displays an image forming apparatus 10 as an example of a plurality of image forming means for forming a toner image developed by the toner constituting the developer 4, and a toner image formed by each image forming apparatus 10. An intermediate transfer device 20 that holds each of them and conveys them to a secondary transfer position that is finally transferred to a recording paper 5 as an example of a recording medium, and a required recording that should be supplied to the secondary transfer position of the intermediate transfer device 20. It includes a paper feeding device 50 that accommodates and conveys the paper 5, a fixing device 40 that fixes a toner image on the recording paper 5 that has been secondarily transferred by the intermediate transfer device 20, and the like. The image forming apparatus 10 and the intermediate transfer apparatus 20 constitute an image forming unit. Note that 1a in the figure indicates a device main body of the image forming apparatus 1, and the device main body 1a is formed of a support structural member, an exterior cover, and the like.

The image forming apparatus 10 is a four image forming apparatus 10Y, 10M, 10C, 10K that exclusively forms toner images of four colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), respectively. It is configured. These four image forming devices 10 (Y, M, C, K) are arranged so as to be arranged in a row in an inclined state in the internal space of the device main body 1a. In the four image forming devices 10 (Y, M, C, K), the yellow (Y) image forming device 10Y is located above the vertical direction and is relatively high, and the black (K) image forming device is relatively high. It exists at a position where 10K is relatively low.

Each image forming apparatus 10 (Y, M, C, K) includes a rotating photoconductor drum 11 as an example of an image holder, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Each device as an example of the following toner image forming means is mainly arranged around the photoconductor drum 11. The main devices are a charging device 12 as an example of a charging means for charging a peripheral surface (image holding surface) capable of forming an image of the photoconductor drum 11 to a required potential, and a charged peripheral surface of the photoconductor drum 11. An exposure device 13 as an example of an exposure means for forming an electrostatic latent image (for each color) having a potential difference by irradiating a surface with light based on image information (signal), and a color corresponding to the electrostatic latent image. A developing device 14 (Y, M, C, K) as an example of a developing means for developing with the toner of the developer 4 of (Y, M, C, K) to form a toner image, and intermediate transfer of each toner image. The primary transfer device 15 (Y, M, C, K) as an example of the primary transfer means to be transferred to the device 20, and the deposits such as toner remaining on the image holding surface of the photoconductor drum 11 after the primary transfer. A drum cleaning device 16 (Y, M, C, K) or the like for removing and cleaning.

The photoconductor drum 11 has an image-holding surface having a photoconductive layer (photosensitive layer) made of a photosensitive material formed on the peripheral surface of a cylindrical or columnar base material to be grounded. The photoconductor drum 11 is supported so that power is transmitted from a drive device (not shown) and the photoconductor drum 11 rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow A.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the charging device 12 is in contact with the peripheral surface of the photoconductor drum 11 as a charged body, and is in a roll shape in which a charging voltage is applied between the charging device 12 and the photoconductor drum 11. As an example of a cleaning means for cleaning the surface of the charging roll 121, which is arranged so as to come into contact with the peripheral surface of the charging roll 121 other than the surface of the charging roll 121 in contact with the photoconductor drum 11. It is provided with a cleaning roll 122. A charging voltage is supplied to the charging roll 121. As the charging voltage, when the developing device 14 performs reverse development, a voltage or current having the same polarity as the charging polarity of the toner supplied from the developing device 14 is supplied. The cleaning roll 122 is pressed against the surface of the charging roll 121 with a required pressing force, so that the cleaning roll 122 rotates in a driven manner as the charging roll 121 rotates.

As shown in FIG. 6, the charging roll 121 has a cylindrical core metal 123 made of a metal such as stainless steel or iron, and elasticity in which the outer periphery of the core metal 123 is coated with a required thickness to impart conductivity. It has a body layer 124 and a surface layer 125 coated on the surface of the elastic body layer 124. The core metal 123 is provided so as to project from both ends along the axial direction of the charging roll 121 and also serves as a rotation shaft.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the core metal 123 of the charging roll 121 is connected to the high voltage power supply device 126 (an example of the voltage applying device) via a bearing member (not shown). The control device 200 controls the value of the high voltage applied to the charging roll 121 and the timing of applying the voltage by the high-voltage power supply device 126.

The elastic layer 124 of the charging roll 121 is made of, for example, a porous foam having cavities or irregularities inside or on the surface. The elastic layer 124 is made of an effervescent resin material such as polyurethane, polyethylene, polyamide, olefin, melamine, or polypropylene, or EPDM (ethylene-propylene-diene copolymer rubber), NBR (acrylonitrile-butadiene copolymer rubber), or styrene. -Structured to have the required resistance value by dispersing resistance modifiers such as carbon black and ionic conductive agent in foamable rubber materials such as butadiene rubber, chloroprene rubber, silicone rubber, nitrile rubber, and natural rubber. Will be done. Further, the elastic body layer 124 may be a solid type rubber that is not foamed. Further, the surface layer 125 of the charging roll 121 is provided, for example, by applying a coating in which granular fillers are dispersed on the outer peripheral surface of the elastic body layer 124.

The charging roll 121 may not have a surface layer 125 other than the elastic layer 124.

On the other hand, the cleaning roll 122 is a member for cleaning the surface of the charging roll 121. As shown in FIG. 7, the cleaning roll 122 is densely planted on the core metal 150 as an example of the brush base made of a metal such as stainless steel or iron and on the outer periphery of the core metal 150 at a required density, and is to be cleaned. It is provided with a large number (plurality) of brush bristles 151 whose tips are in contact with the charging roll 121. In the illustrated example, the first brush bristles 151a and the second brush bristles 151b are densely planted as the brush bristles 151 in a spiral shape through the gap 151c. Further, the cleaning roll 122 may be one in which a sponge is spirally wound around the outer circumference of the core metal 150 instead of brush bristles, or a cylindrical shape is provided on the outer circumference of the core metal 150. The core metal 150 is provided so as to project from both ends of the cleaning roll 122 and also serves as a rotation shaft.

The exposure apparatus 13 irradiates the peripheral surface of the photoconductor drum 11 after being charged with light configured according to the information of the image input to the image forming apparatus 1 to form an electrostatic latent image. It is a thing. When the latent image is formed, the exposure apparatus 13 transmits image information (signal) input to the image forming apparatus 1 by any means. The exposure apparatus 13 irradiates the photoconductor drum 11 with light according to image information by means of a plurality of LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) as light emitting elements arranged along the axial direction of the photoconductor drum 11 to perform an electrostatic latent image. It consists of an LED print head that forms the above.

As shown in FIG. 5, the exposure apparatus 13 includes a housing 130 formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape having an elongated recess 131 having an upper end surface opened along the longitudinal direction. At the bottom of the recess 131 of the housing 130, a mounting substrate (not shown) in which LEDs as a plurality of light emitting elements are arranged along the axial direction of the photoconductor drum 11 is arranged. Further, in the exposure apparatus 13, a lens array 132 as an example of an optical member is projected from the housing 130 so as to face a plurality of LEDs mounted on a mounting substrate inside a recess 131 of the housing 130. It is provided in a state of being sealed with a sealing agent (not shown). In the exposure apparatus 13, the upper end surface of the lens array 132 is the exposure surface 133. As shown in FIG. 3, the exposure apparatus 13 is arranged so that the exposure surface 133 faces the surface of the photoconductor drum 11 with a required gap.

As shown in FIG. 2, each of the developing devices 14 (Y, M, C, K) holds the developing agent 4 inside the housing 140 in which the opening and the accommodating chamber of the developing agent 4 are formed. The developing roll 141 that conveys the developing agent 4 to the developing region facing the photoconductor drum 11, the stirring conveying members 142 and 143 such as two screw augers that convey the developer 4 so as to pass through the developing roll 141 while stirring, and the developing roll 141. It is configured by arranging a layer thickness regulating member 144 or the like that regulates the amount (layer thickness) of the developing agent held in the. A developing voltage is supplied to the developing device 14 from a power supply device (not shown) between the developing roll 141 and the photoconductor drum 11. Further, the developing roll 141 and the stirring and conveying members 142 and 143 rotate in a required direction by transmitting power from a driving device (not shown). Further, as the four-color developer 4 (Y, M, C, K), a two-component developer containing a non-magnetic toner and a magnetic carrier is used.

The primary transfer device 15 (Y, M, C, K) is a contact type provided with a primary transfer roll that contacts and rotates around the photoconductor drum 11 via an intermediate transfer belt 21 and is supplied with a primary transfer voltage. It is a transfer device of. As the primary transfer voltage, a DC voltage indicating a polarity opposite to the charging polarity of the toner is supplied from a power supply device (not shown).

The drum cleaning device 16 comes into contact with the container-shaped main body 160, which partially opens and covers the area extending below the charging device 12, and the peripheral surface of the photoconductor drum 11 after the primary transfer with a required pressure. A cleaning plate 161 that is arranged to remove and cleans the deposits such as residual toner, and a delivery member 162 such as a screw auger that collects the deposits such as toner removed by the cleaning plate 161 and conveys them to a collection system (not shown). It is composed of etc. As the cleaning plate 161, a plate-shaped member (for example, a blade) made of a material such as rubber is used. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 161a indicates a support member made of sheet metal or the like to which the lower end portion of the cleaning plate 161 is attached.

As shown in FIG. 1, the intermediate transfer device 20 is arranged so as to be located above each image drawing device 10 (Y, M, C, K). The intermediate transfer device 20 includes an intermediate transfer belt 21 that rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow B while passing through a primary transfer position between the photoconductor drum 11 and the primary transfer device 15 (primary transfer roll), and an intermediate transfer belt 21. Is arranged on the outer peripheral surface (image holding surface) side of a plurality of belt support rolls 22 to 26 that hold the belt in a desired state from its inner surface and rotatably support it, and an intermediate transfer belt 21 that is supported by the belt support roll 25. The secondary transfer device 30 is an example of a secondary transfer member that secondary transfers the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 21 to the recording paper 5, and the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 21 after passing through the secondary transfer device 30. It is mainly composed of a belt cleaning device 27 for removing and cleaning adhering substances such as toner and paper dust remaining on the belt.

As the intermediate transfer belt 21, for example, an endless belt made of a material in which a resistance modifier such as carbon black is dispersed in a synthetic resin such as a polyimide resin or a polyamide resin is used. Further, the belt support roll 22 is configured as a drive roll that is rotationally driven by a drive device (not shown), the belt support roll 23 is configured as a driven roll that holds the traveling position of the intermediate transfer belt 21, and the belt support roll 24 is intermediate. It is configured as a tension applying roll that applies tension to the transfer belt 21, the belt support roll 25 is configured as a backup roll for secondary transfer, and the belt support roll 26 covers the back surface of the intermediate transfer belt 21 that is cleaned by the belt cleaning device 27. It is configured as a supporting roll to support.

As shown in FIG. 1, the secondary transfer device 30 has a secondary transfer belt 21 at a secondary transfer position which is an outer peripheral surface portion of the intermediate transfer belt 21 supported by the belt support roll 25 in the intermediate transfer device 20. This is a contact-type transfer device provided with a secondary transfer roll 31 that contacts and rotates on the peripheral surface and is supplied with a secondary transfer voltage. Further, a DC voltage indicating the opposite polarity or the same polarity as the charging polarity of the toner is supplied to the secondary transfer roll 31 or the belt support roll 25 of the intermediate transfer device 20 as the secondary transfer voltage.

As shown in FIG. 2, the belt cleaning device 27 is configured in the same manner as the drum cleaning device 16, and is required for the container-shaped main body 270 that is partially opened and the peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 21 after the secondary transfer. A cleaning plate 271 that is arranged so as to come into contact with each other to remove and clean the deposits such as residual toner, and a cleaning plate 271 that collects the deposits such as toner removed by the cleaning plate 271 and transports them to a collection system (not shown). It is composed of a delivery member 272 or the like such as a screw auger. As the cleaning plate 271, a plate-shaped member (for example, a blade) made of a material such as rubber is used.

As shown in FIG. 1, the fixing device 40 includes a roll-shaped or belt-shaped heating rotating body 41 that is heated by a heating means so that the surface temperature is maintained at a required temperature, and the heating rotating body 41. It is configured by arranging a belt-type or roll-type pressurizing rotating body 42 or the like that rotates in contact with a predetermined pressure in a state substantially along the axial direction. In the fixing device 40, the contact portion where the heating rotating body 41 and the pressurizing rotating body 42 come into contact with each other serves as a fixing processing portion that performs the required fixing treatment (heating and pressurization).

The paper feed device 50 is arranged so as to exist at a position on the lower side of the image drawing device 10 (Y, M, C, K) of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). Will be done. The paper feeding device 50 is a sending device that feeds out a single (or a plurality of) paper accommodating bodies 51 that accommodate the recording paper 5 of a desired size, type, etc. in a loaded state, and one recording sheet 5 from the paper accommodating body 51. It is mainly composed of 52 and 53. The paper container 51 is attached so that, for example, the user of the apparatus main body 1a can pull it out to the front surface (left side surface in the illustrated example), which is the surface facing the apparatus main body 1a during operation.

Examples of the recording paper 5 include plain paper and OHP sheets used in electrophotographic copiers, printers, and the like. In order to further improve the smoothness of the image surface after fixing, it is preferable that the surface of the recording paper 5 is as smooth as possible. For example, coated paper in which the surface of plain paper is coated with resin or the like, art paper for printing, or the like. So-called thick paper with a relatively large basis weight can also be used.

Between the paper feed device 50 and the secondary transfer device 30, a single (or multiple) paper transfer roll pair 54, a transfer guide 55, etc. that transport the recording paper 5 sent out from the paper feed device 50 to the secondary transfer position, etc. A paper feed transfer path 56 composed of the above is provided. The paper transport roll pair 54 is configured as, for example, a roll (resist roll) for adjusting the transport timing of the recording paper 5. Further, between the secondary transfer device 30 and the fixing device 40, a transfer guide for transporting the recording paper 5 after the secondary transfer sent from the secondary transfer roll 31 of the secondary transfer device 30 to the fixing device 40. 57, 58 and the like are provided. Further, at the portion of the apparatus main body 1a near the paper ejection port, the fixed recording paper 5 sent out from the fixing device 40 is ejected to the paper ejection unit 60 provided on the upper part of the apparatus main body 1a along the transport guide 59. A paper ejection roll pair 61 is arranged for this purpose.

A switching gate 62 for switching the paper transport path is provided between the fixing device 40 and the paper ejection roll pair 61. The rotation direction of the paper ejection roll pair 61 can be switched between the forward rotation direction (ejection direction) and the reverse rotation direction. When an image is formed on both sides of the recording paper 5, after the rear end of the recording paper 5 on which the image is formed on one side passes through the switching gate 62, the rotation direction of the paper ejection roll pair 61 is changed to the normal rotation direction (ejection). Switch from direction) to reverse direction. The recording paper 5 transported in the reverse direction by the paper ejection roll pair 61 is transported to the double-sided transport path 63 formed on the side surface of the apparatus main body 1a along the substantially vertical direction by switching the transport path by the switching gate 62. Will be done. The double-sided transport path 63 includes a paper transport roll pair 64 that transports the recording paper 5 to the paper transport roll pair 54 in a state where the front and back sides are inverted, a transport guide 65 to 68, and the like.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 70 indicates a manual feed tray provided on the front surface (left side surface in the drawing) of the apparatus main body 1a so as to be openable and closable around the lower end portion, and the manual feed tray 70 and the paper transport roll pair 54 are provided. A delivery device 71 for feeding out the recording papers 5 stored in the manual feed tray 70 one by one, and a manual paper transport path 76 composed of a plurality of paper transport roll pairs 72 to 74, a transport guide 75, and the like are provided between them. ing.

Further, the image is formed between the manual feed sheet transport path 76 and the image forming apparatus 10 (Y, M, C, K) of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C) and black (K). A high-voltage power supply device 77 composed of electric elements such as a step-up transformer and a capacitor that supplies a high voltage to the device 10 (Y, M, C, K) is arranged. Further, below the high-voltage power supply device 77, a plate-shaped air guide member that prevents or suppresses the air flow blown from the blower fan from flowing into the bypass paper transport path 76 and guides the air flow along the high-voltage power supply device 77. 78 is provided along the transport direction of the bypass paper transport path 76.

Further, a plurality of reference numerals 145 (Y, M, C, K) in FIG. 1 are arranged along a direction orthogonal to the paper surface, and at least toner to be supplied to the corresponding developing apparatus 14 (Y, M, C, K) is supplied. Toner cartridges are shown as an example of a developer storage container containing a developer containing the developer.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the photoconductor drum 11 and an image forming member such as a charging device 12 and a drum cleaning device 16 arranged around the photoconductor drum 11 are integrally united. It is assembled and assembled, and constitutes a photoconductor module 800 as an example of an image forming unit. Further, the developing device 14 is modularized as a developing module 81 independently of the photoconductor module 800. The photoconductor module 800 and the developing module 810 can be independently attached to and detached from the apparatus main body 1a of the image forming apparatus 1. The exposure apparatus 13 is mounted on the apparatus main body 1a side of the image forming apparatus 1.

<Operation of image forming device>
Hereinafter, the basic image forming operation by the image forming apparatus 1 will be described.

Here, an operation of forming a full-color image composed by combining toner images of four colors (Y, M, C, K) using the four image forming devices 10 (Y, M, C, K). Will be described.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the image forming apparatus 1 receives command information of a request for an image forming operation (printing), and receives four image forming apparatus 10s (Y, M, C, K) and intermediate transfer. The device 20, the secondary transfer device 30, the fixing device 40, and the like are started.

Then, in each image forming apparatus 10 (Y, M, C, K), each photoconductor drum 11 first rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow A, and each charging device 12 requires the surface of each photoconductor drum 11. The polarity (negative polarity in the first embodiment) and the potential are charged respectively. Subsequently, the exposure apparatus 13 converts the information of the image input to the image forming apparatus 1 into each color component (Y, M, C, K) on the surface of the photoconductor drum 11 after charging, and obtains an image. The light emitted based on the signal of is irradiated, and an electrostatic latent image of each color component composed of a required potential difference is formed on the surface thereof.

Subsequently, each developing device 14 (Y, M, C, K) has a corresponding color charged with a required polarity (minus polarity) with respect to the electrostatic latent image of each color component formed on the photoconductor drum 11. The toners (Y, M, C, K) are supplied from the developing rolls 141 and electrostatically adhered to each of them for development. The electrostatic latent image of each color component formed on each photoconductor drum 11 by this development is visualized as a toner image of four colors (Y, M, C, K) developed with the toner of the corresponding color. To be made.

Subsequently, when the toner image of each color formed on the photoconductor drum 11 of each image forming apparatus 10 (Y, M, C, K) is conveyed to the primary transfer position, the primary transfer apparatus 15 moves the toner image of each color. The toner image is primarily transferred in a state of being sequentially superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 21 rotating in the direction indicated by the arrow B of the intermediate transfer device 20.

Further, in each image forming apparatus 10 in which the primary transfer is completed, the drum cleaning apparatus 16 scrapes off the deposits to clean the surface of the photoconductor drum 11. As a result, each image forming apparatus 10 is put into a state in which the next image forming operation can be performed.

Subsequently, the intermediate transfer device 20 holds the toner image that has been primarily transferred by the rotation of the intermediate transfer belt 21 and conveys it to the secondary transfer position. On the other hand, in the paper feed device 50, the required recording paper 5 is sent out to the paper feed transfer path 56 in accordance with the image drawing operation. In the paper feed transport path 56, the paper transport roll pair 54 as a resist roll feeds and supplies the recording paper 5 to the secondary transfer position in accordance with the transfer timing.

At the secondary transfer position, the secondary transfer roll 31 of the secondary transfer device 30 collectively transfers the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 21 to the recording paper 5. Further, in the intermediate transfer device 20 in which the secondary transfer is completed, the belt cleaning device 27 removes and cleans the deposits such as toner remaining on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 21 after the secondary transfer.

Subsequently, the recording paper 5 on which the toner image is secondarily transferred is separated from the intermediate transfer belt 21 and the secondary transfer roll 31 and then conveyed to the fixing device 40 via the transfer guides 57 and 58. In the fixing device 40, the necessary fixing treatment (heating and addition) is performed by introducing the recording paper 5 after the secondary transfer into the contact portion between the rotating rotating body 41 for heating and the rotating body 42 for pressurization. Pressure) is applied to fix the unfixed toner image on the recording paper 5. Finally, the recording paper 5 after the fixing is completed is installed, for example, on the upper part of the apparatus main body 1a by the paper ejection roll pair 61 when the image forming operation is only to form an image on one side thereof. It is discharged to the paper ejection unit 60.

When forming an image on both sides of the recording paper 5, the paper ejection roll pair 61 does not eject the recording paper 5 having the image formed on one side to the paper ejection unit 60 by the paper ejection roll pair 61, and the paper ejection roll pair 61 is the recording paper. While holding the rear end of 5, the rotation direction of the paper ejection roll pair 61 is switched to the reverse direction. The recording paper 5 transported in the reverse direction by the paper discharge roll pair 61 passes through the upper part of the switching gate 62, and then passes through the double-sided transport path 63 provided with the paper transport roll pair 64, the transport guides 65 to 68, and the like. The paper is conveyed again to the paper conveying roll pair 54 with the front and back sides reversed. The paper transport roll pair 54 feeds the recording paper 5 to the secondary transfer position in accordance with the transfer timing, forms an image on the back surface of the recording paper 5, and is installed on the upper part of the apparatus main body 1a by the paper ejection roll pair 61. The paper is discharged to the paper discharge unit 60.

By the above operation, the recording paper 5 on which the full-color image formed by combining the toner images of four colors is formed is output.

<Structure of characteristic parts of image forming apparatus>
By the way, as shown in FIG. 3, the image forming apparatus 1 configured as described above exposes an image to the surface of the photoconductor drum 11 by an exposure apparatus 13 arranged below the photoconductor drum 11 in the vertical direction. Is given. Around the photoconductor drum 11, a developing device 14 is arranged adjacent to the photoconductor drum 11 on the downstream side along the rotation direction of the photoconductor drum 11. Therefore, deposits such as cloud toner leaking from the developing device 14 and floating around the photoconductor drum 11 tend to adhere to the exposed surface 133 of the exposure apparatus 13. If deposits such as cloud toner adhere to the exposure surface 133 of the exposure apparatus 13, the image quality may deteriorate due to the image exposure being scattered by the deposits adhering to the exposure surface 133.

Conventionally, various techniques have been proposed in which a cleaning member dedicated to the exposure device is provided in the vicinity of the exposure device 13 and the exposure device 13 is moved to the cleaning member side for cleaning at a timing when the exposure device 13 does not perform image exposure. Patent Documents 1, 2, etc.).

However, in recent years, in the image forming apparatus 1, the diameter of the photoconductor drum 11 has been reduced in order to further reduce the size. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, the exposure apparatus 13 is arranged in a small space located between the charging apparatus 12 and the developing apparatus 14 around the photoconductor drum 11, and the exposure apparatus 13 is arranged in the vicinity of the exposure apparatus 13. It is difficult to provide a dedicated cleaning member, and providing a cleaning member dedicated to the exposure apparatus causes an increase in the number of parts.

Therefore, the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment includes a cleaning means that is arranged around the image holding means and cleans the means to be cleaned other than the exposed means, and the exposed means moves toward the cleaning means side. It is configured so that the exposed surface is cleaned with.

That is, as shown in FIG. 8, the image forming apparatus 1 is arranged around the photoconductor drum 11, and as a cleaning means for cleaning the cleaning means other than the exposure device 13, the cleaning means other than the exposure device 13 is used. A cleaning roll 122 for cleaning the charging device 12 as an example is used. Then, when cleaning the exposure device 13, the image forming apparatus 1 moves the exposure device 13 to a cleaning position facing the cleaning roll 122 of the charging device 12 by a retract mechanism 80 as an example of the moving means, thereby performing the cleaning. The exposed surface 133 of the exposure apparatus 13 is cleaned by the roll 122.

As shown in FIG. 9, the retract mechanism 80 is an exposure apparatus for each of the yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) image forming apparatus 10 (Y, M, C, K). A holding member 81 (Y, M, C, K) for holding 13 (Y, M, C, K) is provided. Each holding member 81 (Y, M, C, K) is formed in an elongated box shape arranged along the axial direction of the photoconductor drum 11. In each exposure device 13 (Y, M, C, K), the tip on the photoconductor drum 11 (Y, M, C, K) side is from the holding member 81 (Y, M, C, K) to the photoconductor drum 11. It is held so that it protrudes toward it. The holding members 81 (Y, M, C, K) are arranged at both ends of the photoconductor drum 11 (Y, M, C, K) along the axial direction, and the holding members 81 (Y, M, C) are arranged. , K) are rotatably supported with respect to the apparatus main body 1a of the image forming apparatus 1 about the rotation fulcrum 811 (Y, M, C, K).

The exposure device 13 (Y, M, C, K) is exposed to light around the rotation fulcrum 811 (Y, M, C, K) while being held by the holding member 81 (Y, M, C, K). The exposure position (operating position) facing the surface of the body drum 11 and the cleaning roll 122 (Y, M, C, K) of the charging device 12 (Y, M, C, K) rotated clockwise in FIG. It is possible to move to a cleaning position (retracted position) that faces and contacts K).

The holding member 81 (Y, M, C, K) has the holding member 81 (Y, M, C, K) placed below the one end portion along the longitudinal direction thereof as a rotation fulcrum 811 (Y, M, C, K). ) Is provided as a drive shaft 812 (Y, M, C, K) for moving between the exposure position and the cleaning position.

At one end of the holding member 81 (Y, M, C, K) along the longitudinal direction, an elongated flat plate-shaped drive link member 82 that is movably held along the horizontal direction with respect to the apparatus main body 1a is arranged. Has been done. The drive link member 82 has elongated holes 821 (Y, M, C, K) with which the drive shaft 812 (Y, M, C, K) of the holding member 81 (Y, M, C, K) is engaged. It is provided along the vertical direction.

An eccentric cam 83 is arranged at one end of the drive link member 82 along the longitudinal direction. The eccentric cam 83 is rotationally driven by a drive means including a drive motor, a solenoid, or the like (not shown). A coil spring 84 is arranged at one end of the drive link member 82 along the longitudinal direction as an example of the urging means for urging the drive link member 82 in the direction of contact with the eccentric cam 83. The other end of the coil spring 84 is locked to the apparatus main body 1a.

Then, the drive link member 82 is rotationally driven in the arrow direction by a drive means (not shown) to move the eccentric cam 83 in the left direction in the drawing by a required distance. When the drive link member 82 moves to the left in the drawing by a required distance, the drive shaft 812 (Y, M, C, K) engages with the elongated holes 821 (Y, M, C, K) of the drive link member 82. As shown in FIG. 10, each holding member 81 (Y, M, C, K) is rotated clockwise around the rotation fulcrum 811 (Y, M, C, K), and is rotated clockwise. The exposure device 13 (Y, M, C, K) held by each holding member 81 (Y, M, C, K) is the cleaning roll 122 (Y, M) of the charging device 12 (Y, M, C, K). , C, K) and the cleaning surface 133 moves to the cleaning position (retracted position) where it comes into contact with the cleaning roll 122 (Y, M, C, K).

At this time, by rotating the cleaning roll 122 (Y, M, C, K) of the charging device 12 (Y, M, C, K), the cleaning surface 133 of the exposure device 13 (Y, M, C, K) Is cleaned by a cleaning roll 122 (Y, M, C, K).

After that, the drive link member 82 is rotationally driven in the arrow direction by a drive means (not shown) to move the eccentric cam 83 in the right direction in the drawing by a required distance. When the drive link member 82 moves to the right in the drawing by a required distance, the drive shaft 812 (Y, M, C, K) engages with the elongated holes 821 (Y, M, C, K) of the drive link member 82. As shown in FIG. 9, each holding member 81 (Y, M, C, K) is rotated counterclockwise in the drawing about the rotation fulcrum 811 (Y, M, C, K). , The exposure position where the exposure device 13 (Y, M, C, K) held by each holding member 81 (Y, M, C, K) faces the photoconductor drum 11 (Y, M, C, K) ( Move to the operating position).

<Cleaning operation of image forming device>
The image forming apparatus 1 rotates and drives the eccentric cam 83 as shown in FIG. 9 at a predetermined cleaning time such as before or after the start or end of the image forming operation, so that each exposure apparatus exposure apparatus 13 The exposed surface 133 of (Y, M, C, K) is moved to a cleaning position where it faces and contacts the cleaning roll 122 (Y, M, C, K) of the charging device 12.

After that, in the image forming apparatus 1, as shown in FIG. 11, the photoconductors of the yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) image forming apparatus 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K. The drum 11 (Y, M, C, K) is rotationally driven. Therefore, the cleaning roll 122 (Y, M, C, K) is driven via the charging roll 121 (Y, M, C, K) in contact with each photoconductor drum 11 (Y, M, C, K). Rotate.

Then, the exposure devices 13 of the yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) image-forming devices 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K each have a rotating cleaning roll 122 (Y, M, C). , K) cleans the exposed surface 133.

After that, in the image forming apparatus 1, the eccentric cam 83 is rotationally driven in the arrow direction by a driving means (not shown), so that the exposed surface 133 of each exposure apparatus 13 (Y, M, C, K) is subjected to the photoconductor drum 11 (Y). , M, C, K) are moved to the exposure position (operating position) facing the surface.

As described above, in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment, it is not necessary to provide a cleaning means dedicated to the exposure apparatus for cleaning each exposure apparatus 13 (Y, M, C, K), and the number of parts is increased. It is possible to clean the exposed surface 133 of each exposure apparatus 13 (Y, M, C, K) without any trouble.

[Embodiment 2]
FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram showing an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

In the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 12, the cleaning roll 122 of the charging device 12 does not rotate driven by the charging roll 121, but the driving force transmission means is transmitted from the photoconductor drum 11. As an example, the rotational driving force is transmitted through a plurality of driving force transmitting gears, and the cleaning roll 122 of the charging device 12 is rotationally driven.

A photoconductor gear 111 having a relatively large outer diameter is attached to one end of the photoconductor drum 11 along the axial direction. The photoconductor gear 111 is meshed with a first driven gear 121a provided at one end of the charging roll 121. Further, the first driven gear 121a of the charging roll 121 is meshed with the second driven gear 122a provided at one end of the cleaning roll 122 along the axial direction via the intermediate gear 127.

In the second embodiment, the cleaning roll 122 is rotated at a required rotational speed with the rotation direction of the charging roll 121 by transmitting the rotational driving force by interposing the intermediate gear 127 between the charging roll 121 and the cleaning roll 122. It is possible to rotate in the opposite direction.

Therefore, in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment, the cleaning roll 121 is cleaned by reliably rotating the cleaning roll 122 in the direction opposite to the rotation direction of the charging roll 121 at a required rotation speed during cleaning. In addition to improving the property, the cleaning roll 122 can clean the exposed surface 133 of each corresponding exposure device 13 from the upper side to the lower side along the vertical direction.

Therefore, in the second embodiment, as compared with the case where the cleaning roll 122 is driven to rotate the charging roll 121, the cleaning roll 122 is in the direction opposite to the rotation direction of the charging roll 121, and the exposure of each exposure apparatus 13 is performed. The surface 133 can be rotated from above to below along the vertical direction for cleaning, and the deposits adhering to the exposed surface 133 of each exposure apparatus 13 are surely suppressed from remaining on the exposed surface 133.

[Embodiment 3]
FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram showing an image forming apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In the third embodiment, the cleaning means is configured to include a collecting member for collecting the deposits and a storage member for accommodating the deposits collected by the recovery member.

That is, in the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, the blade 161b as an example of the recovery member for collecting the deposits adhering to the cleaning roll 122 and the accommodation for accommodating the deposits recovered by the blade 161b. A storage container 160a is provided as an example of the member.

In the illustrated embodiment, the blade 161b is composed of a support member 161a that supports the lower end of the cleaning plate 161 of the drum cleaning device 16. The blade 161b is formed by extending the lower end portion of the support member 161a to a position where it comes into contact with the surface of the cleaning roll 122.

Similarly, the storage container 160a extends the container-shaped main body 160 of the drum cleaning device 16 to a position where it covers the lower end of the cleaning roll 122, and forms a container-shaped space at the lower end of the cleaning roll 122. Therefore, it is provided integrally with the main body 160 of the drum cleaning device 16.

In the third embodiment, the charged roll 121 cleaned by the cleaning roll 122 and the deposit C on the exposed surface 133 of the exposure apparatus 13 can be removed by scraping with the blade 161b, and are always charged by the clean cleaning roll 122. The exposed surface 133 of the roll 121 and the exposure apparatus 13 can be cleaned.

Further, since the deposit C scraped off by the blade 161b is housed in the storage container 160a, the possibility of polluting the surroundings is reduced.

Further, in the third embodiment, by arranging the delivery member 162 such as the screw auger at the bottom of the storage container 160a, the adhered matter scraped off by the blade is removed together with the recovered material such as toner collected by the cleaning device. , The sending member 162 can simultaneously send to the outside.

[Embodiment 4]
FIG. 14 is a configuration diagram showing an image forming apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In the fourth embodiment, the cleaning means provided in the developing means is used as the cleaning means arranged around the image holding means and cleaning the means to be cleaned other than the exposed means. Then, the exposed surface is cleaned by moving the exposure means toward the cleaning means side of the developing means.

In the image forming apparatus 1 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 14, the developing apparatus 14 is exposed to the upstream end portion of the housing 140 along the rotation direction of the photoconductor drum 11. A seal roll 146 that adsorbs and collects the toner cloud leaking from the gap located between the body drum 11 and the developing roll 141 is provided. The seal roll 146 is made of, for example, a conductive sponge or the like, and is arranged with respect to the outer peripheral surface of the developing roll 141 through a predetermined gap. The seal roll 146 is rotationally driven in a direction opposite to the rotational direction of the developing roll 141 by a driving device (not shown).

Then, the seal roll 146 adsorbs and collects the toner cloud generated on the upstream side in the rotation direction of the developing roll 141 (development sleeve) from the portion facing the developing roll 141 and the photoconductor drum 11.

At the time of cleaning, the exposure apparatus 13 is moved to a cleaning position (evacuation position) facing the seal roll 146 of the developing apparatus 14 by a moving mechanism (not shown), as shown in FIG.

Then, the exposed surface 133 of the exposure apparatus 13 is cleaned by the seal roll 146. The toner recovered by the seal roll 146 is scraped off by a scraper or the like (not shown) and stored inside the housing 140 of the developing device 14 or in a container (not shown).

In the above embodiment, as an example of the image forming apparatus, a yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) image forming apparatus 10 (Y, M, C, K) is provided. Although the color image forming apparatus has been described, it goes without saying that the same can be applied to a monochrome image forming apparatus.

1 ... Image forming device 11 ... Photoreceptor drum 12 ... Charging device 121 ... Charging roll 122 ... Cleaning roll 13 ... Exposure device 132 ... Exposed surface 14 ... Developing device

Claims (7)

An exposure means that has a light emitting element that emits light according to image information and exposes the image holding means from the exposed surface.
A cleaning means arranged around the image holding means and cleaning means to be cleaned other than the exposed means, and a cleaning means.
With
The exposure means is an image forming apparatus in which the exposed surface is cleaned by moving toward the cleaning means side. The cleaning means is a charging means for charging the image holding means.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning means is cleaned by constantly contacting the charging means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the cleaning means is driven to rotate according to the charging means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning means is rotationally driven by transmitting a driving force from the image holding means via a driving force transmitting means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the cleaning means rotates in a direction opposite to that of the cleaning means. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the cleaning means includes a collecting member for collecting deposits and a storage member for accommodating the deposits collected by the collecting member. Multiple image holding means and
A plurality of charging means for charging the plurality of image holding means, and
A plurality of exposure means having a light emitting element that emits light according to image information and exposing an image to the plurality of image holding means, respectively.
A cleaning means arranged around the plurality of image holding means and cleaning the plurality of charging means, and a cleaning means.
An exposure position for exposing the plurality of exposure means to the plurality of image holding means, and a moving means for simultaneously moving the plurality of exposure means to a retracted position facing the plurality of cleaning means.
An image forming apparatus comprising.

Images