JP2021051114A - Cleaning device and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Cleaning device and image forming apparatus Download PDF

Info

Publication number
JP2021051114A
JP2021051114A JP2019172337A JP2019172337A JP2021051114A JP 2021051114 A JP2021051114 A JP 2021051114A JP 2019172337 A JP2019172337 A JP 2019172337A JP 2019172337 A JP2019172337 A JP 2019172337A JP 2021051114 A JP2021051114 A JP 2021051114A
Authority
JP
Japan
Prior art keywords
cleaning
cleaning member
intermediate transfer
transfer belt
cleaning device
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
JP2019172337A
Other languages
Japanese (ja)
Other versions
JP7354718B2 (en
Inventor
明彦 嶋津
Akihiko Shimazu
明彦 嶋津
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Konica Minolta Inc
Original Assignee
Konica Minolta Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Konica Minolta Inc filed Critical Konica Minolta Inc
Priority to JP2019172337A priority Critical patent/JP7354718B2/en
Publication of JP2021051114A publication Critical patent/JP2021051114A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of JP7354718B2 publication Critical patent/JP7354718B2/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

Landscapes

  • Cleaning In Electrography (AREA)
  • Electrostatic Charge, Transfer And Separation In Electrography (AREA)

Abstract

To provide a cleaning device that certainly removes a residual toner from an image carrier in an image forming apparatus.SOLUTION: A cleaning device 10 comprises: two cleaning members 11, 21 that are in contact with an intermediate transfer belt 51 being an image carrier of an image forming apparatus on the upstream side and the downstream side in its feed direction; and seal members 12 and seal members 22 that are arranged at both ends in feed width direction of the cleaning member 11 and cleaning member 21, respectively. The cleaning member 21 on the downstream side is strongly brought into contact with the seal members 22 compared with the cleaning member 11 on the upstream side.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

本発明は、画像形成装置のクリーニング装置、および画像形成装置に関する。 The present invention relates to a cleaning device for an image forming apparatus and an image forming apparatus.

従来、レーザープリンタや複写機等の電子写真方式の画像形成装置において、トナー像が形成される像担持体（感光体、中間転写ベルト等）の表面の、用紙等への転写部位の下流側にロールブラシやブレード状のワイパー等のクリーニング部材を摺接させることによって、像担持体の表面に付着した残留トナー等の異物を除去（クリーニング）する技術が知られている。ブレード状のクリーニング部材は、像担持体の送り幅方向（回転軸方向）の両端の端面に、像担持体から掻き取ったトナー等が漏れ出さないように、シール部材が当接されている。 Conventionally, in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as a laser printer or a copying machine, the surface of an image carrier (photoreceptor, intermediate transfer belt, etc.) on which a toner image is formed is located downstream of a transfer portion to paper or the like. A technique for removing (cleaning) foreign matter such as residual toner adhering to the surface of an image carrier by sliding a cleaning member such as a roll brush or a blade-shaped wiper is known. In the blade-shaped cleaning member, a seal member is brought into contact with the end faces of both ends of the image carrier in the feed width direction (rotational axis direction) so that toner or the like scraped from the image carrier does not leak.

クリーニング部材は、ゴム等の弾性材料で形成されているので、変形しないように、シール部材を強く当接させ難い。そのため、クリーニング部材とシール部材との間に間隙が生じる場合があり、掻き取ったトナーが間隙から擦り抜けて像担持体や画像形成装置の他の部材に付着することがある。クリーニング部材を変形させない程度にシール部材を間隙なく当接させるには、シール部材をケーシング等に取り付ける際に高い貼付け精度を要する。その結果、画像形成装置の組立において、作業時間がかかったり貼付け不良によって仕損費が増大したりする等、生産性が低下し、また、メンテナンス性が悪化する。そこで、例えば、特許文献１には、クリーニング部材の下流側に、このクリーニング部材よりも送り幅方向長の長いもう一つのクリーニング部材を配置して、間隙から漏出したトナーを除去する技術が開示されている。 Since the cleaning member is made of an elastic material such as rubber, it is difficult to strongly abut the seal member so as not to deform it. Therefore, a gap may be generated between the cleaning member and the sealing member, and the scraped toner may slip through the gap and adhere to the image carrier or other members of the image forming apparatus. In order to bring the seal member into contact without a gap so as not to deform the cleaning member, high sticking accuracy is required when the seal member is attached to the casing or the like. As a result, in assembling the image forming apparatus, productivity is lowered and maintainability is deteriorated, such as a long working time and an increase in scrap cost due to poor sticking. Therefore, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique of arranging another cleaning member having a longer feed width direction than the cleaning member on the downstream side of the cleaning member to remove the toner leaked from the gap. ing.

特許第５９８６０４８号公報Japanese Patent No. 5986048

特許文献１に記載された画像形成装置は、下流側に配置したクリーニング部材からもトナーが漏出する虞がある。 In the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1, toner may leak from a cleaning member arranged on the downstream side.

本発明は、前記問題点に鑑みてなされたものであり、画像形成装置において像担持体から残留トナーを確実に除去するクリーニング装置、およびこのようなクリーニング装置を備える画像形成装置を提供することを課題とする。 The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides an image forming apparatus for reliably removing residual toner from an image carrier in an image forming apparatus, and an image forming apparatus including such a cleaning apparatus. Make it an issue.

本発明の上記課題は、下記の構成により解決される。 The above problem of the present invention is solved by the following configuration.

（１）用紙に転写するトナー像を担持する像担持体から残留トナーを除去するクリーニング装置であって、
前記像担持体の送り方向の上流側と下流側とで前記像担持体に接触する２つのクリーニング部材、および前記クリーニング部材のそれぞれの前記像担持体の送り幅方向における両端に配置されたシール部材を備え、
前記下流側のクリーニング部材は、前記上流側のクリーニング部材と比較して、より強く前記シール部材に当接されていることを特徴とするクリーニング装置。 (1) A cleaning device that removes residual toner from an image carrier that carries a toner image to be transferred to paper.
Two cleaning members that come into contact with the image carrier on the upstream side and the downstream side in the feed direction of the image carrier, and seal members arranged at both ends of each of the cleaning members in the feed width direction of the image carrier. With
A cleaning device characterized in that the cleaning member on the downstream side is in contact with the seal member more strongly than the cleaning member on the upstream side.

（２）前記下流側のクリーニング部材は、前記上流側のクリーニング部材よりも剛性が高い（１）に記載のクリーニング装置。 (2) The cleaning device according to (1), wherein the cleaning member on the downstream side has a higher rigidity than the cleaning member on the upstream side.

（３）前記下流側のクリーニング部材は、金属材料からなる（２）に記載のクリーニング装置。 (3) The cleaning device according to (2), wherein the cleaning member on the downstream side is made of a metal material.

（４）前記下流側のクリーニング部材は、前記上流側のクリーニング部材と比較して、より弱く前記像担持体に当接する（２）または（３）に記載のクリーニング装置。 (4) The cleaning device according to (2) or (3), wherein the cleaning member on the downstream side abuts weakly on the image carrier as compared with the cleaning member on the upstream side.

（５）前記下流側のクリーニング部材の前記送り幅方向の長さが、前記上流側のクリーニング部材の前記送り幅方向の長さよりも長い（１）乃至（４）のいずれか一項に記載のクリーニング装置。 (5) The item according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the length of the downstream cleaning member in the feed width direction is longer than the length of the upstream cleaning member in the feed width direction. Cleaning equipment.

（６）前記下流側のクリーニング部材は、板状のスクレーパである（１）乃至（５）のいずれか一項に記載のクリーニング装置。 (6) The cleaning device according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein the cleaning member on the downstream side is a plate-shaped scraper.

（７）前記上流側のクリーニング部材は、前記下流側のクリーニング部材よりも厚い板状のスクレーパである（６）に記載のクリーニング装置。 (7) The cleaning device according to (6), wherein the cleaning member on the upstream side is a plate-shaped scraper thicker than the cleaning member on the downstream side.

（８）前記上流側のクリーニング部材は、前記送り幅方向における端面に前記シール部材が対面し、
前記下流側のクリーニング部材は、前記像担持体に対向する面の反対側の面に前記シール部材が対面する（６）または（７）に記載のクリーニング装置。 (8) In the cleaning member on the upstream side, the seal member faces the end face in the feed width direction.
The cleaning device according to (6) or (7), wherein the cleaning member on the downstream side faces the surface opposite to the surface facing the image carrier.

（９）前記下流側のクリーニング部材の両端に配置された前記シール部材同士の間隙が、前記上流側のクリーニング部材の前記送り幅方向の長さよりも長い（８）に記載のクリーニング装置。 (9) The cleaning device according to (8), wherein the gap between the seal members arranged at both ends of the downstream cleaning member is longer than the length of the upstream cleaning member in the feed width direction.

（１０）少なくとも一方の前記クリーニング部材に対して、その前記送り方向の上流側に配置されたトナー飛散防止シートと、前記クリーニング部材および前記トナー飛散防止シートを固定するケーシングと、を備え、
前記クリーニング部材、前記クリーニング部材に当接する前記シール部材、前記ケーシング、および前記トナー飛散防止シートは、前記像担持体との間に、前記トナー飛散防止シートと前記像担持体との間隙を除いて閉空間を形成する（１）乃至（９）のいずれか一項に記載のクリーニング装置。 (10) For at least one of the cleaning members, a toner scattering prevention sheet arranged on the upstream side in the feeding direction and a casing for fixing the cleaning member and the toner scattering prevention sheet are provided.
The cleaning member, the seal member in contact with the cleaning member, the casing, and the toner scattering prevention sheet are provided between the image carrier and the toner scattering prevention sheet except for a gap between the toner scattering prevention sheet and the image carrier. The cleaning device according to any one of (1) to (9), which forms a closed space.

（１１）１つの前記ケーシング、それに固定された前記クリーニング部材および前記トナー飛散防止シート、ならびに前記クリーニング部材に当接する前記シール部材は、前記像担持体に対して着脱可能なクリーニングユニットを構成する（１０）に記載のクリーニング装置。 (11) The one casing, the cleaning member fixed to the casing, the toner scattering prevention sheet, and the seal member in contact with the cleaning member constitute a cleaning unit that can be attached to and detached from the image carrier (11). The cleaning device according to 10).

（１２）（１）乃至（１１）のいずれか一項に記載のクリーニング装置を備える画像形成装置。 (12) An image forming apparatus including the cleaning apparatus according to any one of (1) to (11).

本発明に係るクリーニング装置および画像形成装置によれば、像担持体から残留トナーを確実に除去することができる。 According to the cleaning device and the image forming device according to the present invention, residual toner can be reliably removed from the image carrier.

本発明に係る画像形成装置の要部の概略構成図である。It is a schematic block diagram of the main part of the image forming apparatus which concerns on this invention. 本発明に係るクリーニング装置の断面図であり、図１に示す画像形成装置の部分拡大図である。It is sectional drawing of the cleaning apparatus which concerns on this invention, and is the partially enlarged view of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 本発明に係るクリーニング装置のクリーニングユニットの概略構成図である。It is a schematic block diagram of the cleaning unit of the cleaning apparatus which concerns on this invention. 本発明に係るクリーニング装置の、ケーシング内から見た平面図である。It is a top view from the inside of the casing of the cleaning apparatus which concerns on this invention. 図４のＶＡ−ＶＡ線における断面図である。It is sectional drawing in the VA-VA line of FIG. 図４のＶＢ−ＶＢ線における断面図である。It is sectional drawing in the VB-VB line of FIG.

以下に、本発明を実施するための形態（実施形態）における画像形成装置を、図面を参照して説明する。なお、図面に示す部材は、説明を明確にするために、大きさや位置関係等を誇張していることがあり、また、形状を単純化していることがある。また、以下の説明において、同一のまたは同質の部材については、同一の符号を付し、説明を適宜省略する。 Hereinafter, the image forming apparatus in the embodiment (embodiment) for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The members shown in the drawings may be exaggerated in size, positional relationship, etc., and may be simplified in shape in order to clarify the explanation. Further, in the following description, members of the same or the same quality are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

〔画像形成装置〕
図１は、本発明に係る画像形成装置の要部の概略図であり、側方から見た構成図である。図１に示す画像形成装置１００は、フルカラー対応の中間転写方式の画像形成装置であり、紙等のシート状の被印刷物Ｗの表面にカラー画像を形成する。画像形成装置１００は、画像処理部３、４色の画像形成ユニット４ｙ，４ｍ，４ｃ，４ｋ、中間転写ベルト（像担持体）５１、中間転写ベルト５１の残留トナーを除去するクリーニング装置１０、中間転写ベルト５１を張架して一定方向に送るローラ５２〜５７、二次転写ローラ６１、加熱ローラ６２および加圧ローラ６３、ならびに、被印刷物Ｗの搬送機構、これらを収容する筐体、および操作パネル等（図示省略）を備える。 [Image forming device]
FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a main part of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, and is a configuration diagram viewed from the side. The image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1 is a full-color compatible intermediate transfer type image forming apparatus, and forms a color image on the surface of a sheet-like printed matter W such as paper. The image forming apparatus 100 includes an image processing unit 3, 4 color image forming units 4y, 4m, 4c, 4k, an intermediate transfer belt (image carrier) 51, a cleaning apparatus 10 for removing residual toner from the intermediate transfer belt 51, and an intermediate. Rollers 52 to 57 on which the transfer belt 51 is stretched and fed in a fixed direction, a secondary transfer roller 61, a heating roller 62 and a pressure roller 63, a transfer mechanism for a printed matter W, a housing for accommodating these, and an operation. A panel or the like (not shown) is provided.

（画像処理部）
画像処理部３は、外部から入力された画像データをデジタル画像処理し、処理したデータに基づいて画像形成ユニット４ｙ，４ｍ，４ｃ，４ｋを制御する。 (Image processing unit)
The image processing unit 3 digitally processes the image data input from the outside, and controls the image forming units 4y, 4m, 4c, and 4k based on the processed data.

（画像形成ユニット）
画像形成ユニット４ｙ，４ｍ，４ｃ，４ｋは、それぞれ、イエロー（Ｙ）、マゼンダ（Ｍ）、シアン（Ｃ）、ブラック（Ｋ）の各色のトナー像を形成する。画像形成ユニット４ｙ，４ｍ，４ｃ，４ｋは、それぞれ、感光体ドラム４１、帯電装置４２、露光装置４３、現像装置４４、およびドラムクリーニング装置４５を備える。感光体ドラム４１は、表面（周面）に単色のトナー像を形成される像担持体であり、図１の紙面垂直方向を軸に回転駆動し、周方向に順に、帯電装置４２、露光装置４３、現像装置４４、中間転写ベルト５１、ドラムクリーニング装置４５と対向する。帯電装置４２は、感光体ドラム４１の表面を一様に帯電する。露光装置４３は、画像処理部３からの信号に基づいて感光体ドラム４１にレーザー光等を照射して、表面の画像形成領域を露光して静電潜像を形成する。現像装置４４は、帯電したトナーを供給し、電界力の作用により、感光体ドラム４１の表面の静電潜像を現像してトナー像を形成する。感光体ドラム４１は、中間転写ベルト５１を挟んで対向する一次転写ローラ５４によって中間転写ベルト５１に圧接して、表面に形成されたトナー像を中間転写ベルト５１に転写する。ドラムクリーニング装置４５は、感光体ドラム４１表面の、トナー像が中間転写ベルト５１に転写された後に残留するトナーを除去する。ドラムクリーニング装置４５は、ロールブラシや後記のクリーニング装置１０の第１クリーニング部材１１のようなブレードを感光体ドラム４１の表面に当接するように配置して備え、例えば、クリーニング装置１０の第１クリーニングユニット１（図３参照）のような構成とすることができる。 (Image formation unit)
The image forming units 4y, 4m, 4c, and 4k form toner images of each color of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), respectively. The image forming units 4y, 4m, 4c, and 4k each include a photoconductor drum 41, a charging device 42, an exposure device 43, a developing device 44, and a drum cleaning device 45, respectively. The photoconductor drum 41 is an image carrier on which a monochromatic toner image is formed on the surface (peripheral surface), and is rotationally driven around the vertical direction of the paper surface of FIG. 1, and the charging device 42 and the exposure device are sequentially driven in the circumferential direction. It faces the 43, the developing device 44, the intermediate transfer belt 51, and the drum cleaning device 45. The charging device 42 uniformly charges the surface of the photoconductor drum 41. The exposure apparatus 43 irradiates the photoconductor drum 41 with laser light or the like based on a signal from the image processing unit 3 to expose an image forming region on the surface to form an electrostatic latent image. The developing device 44 supplies charged toner and develops an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoconductor drum 41 by the action of an electric field force to form a toner image. The photoconductor drum 41 is pressed against the intermediate transfer belt 51 by the primary transfer rollers 54 facing each other across the intermediate transfer belt 51, and the toner image formed on the surface is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 51. The drum cleaning device 45 removes the toner remaining on the surface of the photoconductor drum 41 after the toner image is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 51. The drum cleaning device 45 is provided with blades such as a roll brush and a first cleaning member 11 of the cleaning device 10 described later arranged so as to be in contact with the surface of the photoconductor drum 41. For example, the first cleaning of the cleaning device 10 is provided. It can be configured as in unit 1 (see FIG. 3).

（中間転写ベルト）
中間転写ベルト５１は、画像形成ユニット４ｙ，４ｍ，４ｃ，４ｋの各感光体ドラム４１から順次トナー像を転写されることによってフルカラーのトナー像を表面に形成される像担持体である。中間転写ベルト５１は、無端ベルトであり、外周側を表面として、従動ローラ５２，５３、４つの一次転写ローラ５４、駆動ローラ５５、二次転写バックアップローラ５６、およびクリーニング対向ローラ５７で張架されて一定方向（図１では時計回り）に送られる。以下、本明細書において、上流、下流とは、別途記載のない限り、中間転写ベルト５１の送り方向（図中、白抜き矢印で表す）におけるものを指す。 (Intermediate transfer belt)
The intermediate transfer belt 51 is an image carrier on which a full-color toner image is formed on the surface by sequentially transferring a toner image from each of the photoconductor drums 41 of the image forming units 4y, 4m, 4c, and 4k. The intermediate transfer belt 51 is an endless belt, and is stretched by driven rollers 52, 53, four primary transfer rollers 54, a drive roller 55, a secondary transfer backup roller 56, and a cleaning facing roller 57 with the outer peripheral side as the surface. Is sent in a certain direction (clockwise in FIG. 1). Hereinafter, in the present specification, the terms "upstream" and "downstream" refer to those in the feed direction (indicated by white arrows in the figure) of the intermediate transfer belt 51 unless otherwise specified.

一次転写ローラ５４は、中間転写ベルト５１を挟んで、画像形成ユニット４ｙ，４ｍ，４ｃ，４ｋの各感光体ドラム４１と対向して配置され、中間転写ベルト５１を感光体ドラム４１に圧接させる。二次転写バックアップローラ５６は、中間転写ベルト５１を挟んで二次転写ローラ６１と対向して配置され、搬送されてきた被印刷物Ｗに中間転写ベルト５１を圧接させて、中間転写ベルト５１表面のトナー像を被印刷物Ｗ表面に転写させる。従動ローラ５２，５３および駆動ローラ５５は、中間転写ベルト５１を所定の軌道上で送るために配置され、このうちの駆動ローラ５５が回転駆動して中間転写ベルト５１を一定方向に送る。駆動ローラ５５は、画像形成ユニット４ｙ，４ｍ，４ｃ，４ｋにおける最下流すなわち画像形成ユニット４ｋの感光体ドラム４１に対向する一次転写ローラ５４の下流側に配置されることが好ましく、したがって、前記一次転写ローラ５４と二次転写バックアップローラ５６との間に配置される。一方、従動ローラ５２，５３は、画像形成ユニット４ｙの感光体ドラム４１に対向する一次転写ローラ５４と、二次転写バックアップローラ５６との間に配置される。さらに、図２に示すように、従動ローラ５２は、中間転写ベルト５１の、クリーニング装置１０の第１クリーニング部材１１との当接部位の裏面で当接するように配置される。クリーニング対向ローラ５７は、中間転写ベルト５１の、クリーニング装置１０の第２クリーニング部材２１との当接部位の下流側近傍の裏面で当接するように配置される。 The primary transfer roller 54 is arranged so as to face the photoconductor drums 41 of the image forming units 4y, 4m, 4c, and 4k with the intermediate transfer belt 51 interposed therebetween, and the intermediate transfer belt 51 is pressed against the photoconductor drum 41. The secondary transfer backup roller 56 is arranged so as to face the secondary transfer roller 61 with the intermediate transfer belt 51 interposed therebetween, and the intermediate transfer belt 51 is pressed against the conveyed object W to be printed to form the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 51. The toner image is transferred to the surface of the object to be printed W. The driven rollers 52, 53 and the drive roller 55 are arranged to feed the intermediate transfer belt 51 on a predetermined orbit, and the drive roller 55 among them is rotationally driven to feed the intermediate transfer belt 51 in a fixed direction. The drive roller 55 is preferably arranged on the most downstream side of the image forming unit 4y, 4m, 4c, 4k, that is, on the downstream side of the primary transfer roller 54 facing the photoconductor drum 41 of the image forming unit 4k. It is arranged between the transfer roller 54 and the secondary transfer backup roller 56. On the other hand, the driven rollers 52 and 53 are arranged between the primary transfer roller 54 facing the photoconductor drum 41 of the image forming unit 4y and the secondary transfer backup roller 56. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the driven roller 52 is arranged so as to come into contact with the back surface of the contact portion of the intermediate transfer belt 51 with the first cleaning member 11 of the cleaning device 10. The cleaning opposing roller 57 is arranged so as to abut on the back surface of the intermediate transfer belt 51 near the downstream side of the contact portion with the second cleaning member 21 of the cleaning device 10.

（二次転写ローラ、加熱ローラ、加圧ローラ）
二次転写ローラ６１は、中間転写ベルト５１を挟んで二次転写バックアップローラ５６と対向して配置され、被印刷物Ｗを搬送しながら中間転写ベルト５１に圧接して、中間転写ベルト５１表面のトナー像を被印刷物Ｗ表面に転写する。加熱ローラ６２および加圧ローラ６３は、二次転写ローラ６１に対して被印刷物Ｗの搬送方向の下流側に、互いに対向して配置され、一方が回転駆動して他方が従動し、加熱ローラ６２がヒータで加熱される。加熱ローラ６２および加圧ローラ６３は、間に被印刷物Ｗを挟んで搬送しながら、被印刷物Ｗにその表面に付着したトナー像を熱圧着して定着させる。 (Secondary transfer roller, heating roller, pressure roller)
The secondary transfer roller 61 is arranged so as to face the secondary transfer backup roller 56 with the intermediate transfer belt 51 interposed therebetween, and press-contacts the intermediate transfer belt 51 while transporting the printed matter W to obtain toner on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 51. The image is transferred to the surface of the object W to be printed. The heating roller 62 and the pressure roller 63 are arranged so as to face each other on the downstream side in the transport direction of the printed matter W with respect to the secondary transfer roller 61, one of which is rotationally driven and the other is driven, and the heating roller 62. Is heated by the heater. The heating roller 62 and the pressure roller 63 hold the printed matter W in between and convey the toner image to the printed matter W by thermocompression bonding.

〔クリーニング装置〕
図２は、本発明に係るクリーニング装置の断面図であり、図１に示す画像形成装置の部分拡大図である。本実施形態に係るクリーニング装置１０は、画像形成装置１００の中間転写ベルト５１の表面に付着した残留トナー等の異物を除去する。そのために、クリーニング装置１０は、中間転写ベルト５１の表面に、二次転写ローラ６１と画像形成ユニット４ｙの感光体ドラム４１との間で対向するように配置される。クリーニング装置１０は、上流と下流の２箇所で中間転写ベルト５１の表面に接触するように配置された２つのクリーニング部材１１，２１、およびクリーニング部材１１，２１のそれぞれの中間転写ベルト５１の送り幅方向における両端（両縁）に配置されたシール部材１２，２２を備える。クリーニング部材１１，２１について、上流側を第１クリーニング部材１１、下流側を第２クリーニング部材２１と称する。また、中間転写ベルト５１の送り幅方向（以下、送り幅方向）とは、中間転写ベルト５１の送り方向に直交する方向であり、ローラ５２〜５７等の回転軸方向である。 [Cleaning device]
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the cleaning device according to the present invention, and is a partially enlarged view of the image forming device shown in FIG. The cleaning device 10 according to the present embodiment removes foreign matter such as residual toner adhering to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 51 of the image forming device 100. Therefore, the cleaning device 10 is arranged on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 51 so as to face the secondary transfer roller 61 and the photoconductor drum 41 of the image forming unit 4y. The cleaning device 10 has two cleaning members 11 and 21 arranged so as to come into contact with the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 51 at two locations upstream and downstream, and a feed width of each intermediate transfer belt 51 of the cleaning members 11 and 21. Sealing members 12, 22 arranged at both ends (both edges) in the direction are provided. Regarding the cleaning members 11 and 21, the upstream side is referred to as a first cleaning member 11, and the downstream side is referred to as a second cleaning member 21. The feed width direction of the intermediate transfer belt 51 (hereinafter referred to as the feed width direction) is a direction orthogonal to the feed direction of the intermediate transfer belt 51, and is a rotation axis direction of the rollers 52 to 57 and the like.

クリーニング装置１０はさらに、第１クリーニング部材１１の上流側に配置されたトナー飛散防止シート１３と、第１クリーニング部材１１、シール部材１２、およびトナー飛散防止シート１３を固定するケーシング１５と、第２クリーニング部材２１の上流側に配置されたトナー飛散防止シート２３と、第２クリーニング部材２１、シール部材２２、およびトナー飛散防止シート２３を固定するケーシング２５と、を備える。クリーニング装置１０はさらに、トナー飛散防止シート１３，２３のそれぞれの両縁に配置されたシール部材１４，２４と、第１クリーニング部材１１を支持してケーシング１５に固定する支持部材１６と、を備える。中間転写ベルト５１と対向する側（正面側）に開口部を有するケーシング１５、ならびにこれに固定された第１クリーニング部材１１、シール部材１２，１４、支持部材１６、およびトナー飛散防止シート１３は、第１クリーニングユニット１を構成する。同様に、正面側に開口部を有するケーシング２５、ならびにこれに固定された第２クリーニング部材２１、シール部材２２，２４、およびトナー飛散防止シート２３は、第２クリーニングユニット２を構成する。クリーニング装置１０は、このように２つの分離したクリーニングユニット１，２で構成されることにより、画像形成装置１００において、中間転写ベルト５１に対して個別に着脱可能である。したがって、クリーニング装置１０は、画像形成装置１００におけるレイアウトの自由度が高く、また、メンテナンス性がよい。 The cleaning device 10 further includes a toner scattering prevention sheet 13 arranged on the upstream side of the first cleaning member 11, a casing 15 for fixing the first cleaning member 11, the sealing member 12, and the toner scattering prevention sheet 13, and a second cleaning device 10. A toner scattering prevention sheet 23 arranged on the upstream side of the cleaning member 21 and a casing 25 for fixing the second cleaning member 21, the sealing member 22, and the toner scattering prevention sheet 23 are provided. The cleaning device 10 further includes sealing members 14 and 24 arranged on both edges of the toner scattering prevention sheets 13 and 23, and a support member 16 that supports the first cleaning member 11 and fixes it to the casing 15. .. The casing 15 having an opening on the side facing the intermediate transfer belt 51 (front side), and the first cleaning member 11, the sealing members 12, 14, the support member 16, and the toner scattering prevention sheet 13 fixed to the casing 15 The first cleaning unit 1 is configured. Similarly, the casing 25 having an opening on the front side, the second cleaning member 21, the sealing members 22, 24, and the toner scattering prevention sheet 23 fixed to the casing 25 constitute the second cleaning unit 2. By being composed of the two separated cleaning units 1 and 2 in this way, the cleaning device 10 can be individually attached to and detached from the intermediate transfer belt 51 in the image forming device 100. Therefore, the cleaning device 10 has a high degree of freedom in layout in the image forming device 100 and is easy to maintain.

（第１クリーニングユニット）
第１クリーニング部材１１を備える第１クリーニングユニット１は、電子写真方式の画像形成装置の一般的なクリーニングユニットと同様の構成とすることができ、その一例を図３に示す。図３は、本発明に係るクリーニング装置の第１クリーニングユニットの概略構成図であり、クリーニング対象である画像形成装置の中間転写ベルトに対向する側から見た斜視図である。図４は、ケーシング内から見たクリーニング装置の平面図である。図５Ａは、図４のＶＡ−ＶＡ線における断面図であり、クリーニング装置の、第１クリーニング部材の中間転写ベルトとの当接部位における断面図である。第１クリーニングユニット１の各要素について、詳細に説明する。 (1st cleaning unit)
The first cleaning unit 1 including the first cleaning member 11 can have the same configuration as a general cleaning unit of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and an example thereof is shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of a first cleaning unit of the cleaning device according to the present invention, and is a perspective view seen from the side of the image forming device to be cleaned facing the intermediate transfer belt. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the cleaning device as seen from the inside of the casing. FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VA-VA of FIG. 4, which is a cross-sectional view of the cleaning device at a contact portion with the intermediate transfer belt of the first cleaning member. Each element of the first cleaning unit 1 will be described in detail.

第１クリーニング部材１１は、弾性材料で形成された細長い長方形の平板状部材であり、具体的には、ウレタンゴム、フッ素ゴム（ＦＫＭ）、スチレンブタジエンゴム（ＳＢＲ）、アクリロニトリルゴム（ＮＢＲ）等が適用され、厚さが０．５ｍｍ以上２．０ｍｍ以下であることが好ましい。第１クリーニング部材１１は、長辺を送り幅方向とし、長辺の一辺（先端）を上流側へ斜め方向に向けて中間転写ベルト５１の表面に当接するように配置され、したがって、先端における表面（中間転写ベルト５１と対向する面）側の稜線が中間転写ベルト５１の表面に接触する。第１クリーニング部材１１は、先端が摺接しながら送られる中間転写ベルト５１の表面から異物を掻き取るスクレーパである。そのために、第１クリーニング部材１１は、当該第１クリーニング部材１１の弾性によって、中間転写ベルト５１に押し付けられるように当接する。第１クリーニング部材１１は、送り幅方向において、長さｗ１が、中間転写ベルト５１のトナー像形成領域よりも長く形成され、一方、中間転写ベルト５１の全幅よりも短いことが好ましい。また、第１クリーニング部材１１は、軟質であるため、剛性の高い板材である支持部材１６を介して、ケーシング１５に取り付けられていてもよい。ここでは、第１クリーニング部材１１の裏面が支持部材１６の表面に接着されている。第１クリーニング部材１１は、先端が張り出すように支持部材１６に接着され、固定されていない領域の短辺方向長（自由長）が１０ｍｍ前後であることが好ましい。第１クリーニング部材１１は、中間転写ベルト５１への当接圧を強くするために、中間転写ベルト５１を張架するローラとの当接部位の表側で当接するように配置されることが好ましい。画像形成装置１００においては、第１クリーニング部材１１は、従動ローラ５２に対向して配置される。 The first cleaning member 11 is an elongated rectangular flat plate member made of an elastic material, and specifically, urethane rubber, fluororubber (FKM), styrene butadiene rubber (SBR), acrylonitrile rubber (NBR) and the like are used. It is applied, and the thickness is preferably 0.5 mm or more and 2.0 mm or less. The first cleaning member 11 is arranged so that the long side is in the feed width direction and one side (tip) of the long side is directed to the upstream side in an oblique direction so as to abut against the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 51. The ridgeline on the side (the surface facing the intermediate transfer belt 51) comes into contact with the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 51. The first cleaning member 11 is a scraper that scrapes foreign matter from the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 51 that is fed while its tip is in sliding contact. Therefore, the first cleaning member 11 comes into contact with the intermediate transfer belt 51 by the elasticity of the first cleaning member 11 so as to be pressed against the intermediate transfer belt 51. The length w1 of the first cleaning member 11 is preferably formed longer than the toner image formation region of the intermediate transfer belt 51 in the feed width direction, while being shorter than the total width of the intermediate transfer belt 51. Further, since the first cleaning member 11 is soft, it may be attached to the casing 15 via a support member 16 which is a plate material having high rigidity. Here, the back surface of the first cleaning member 11 is adhered to the front surface of the support member 16. The first cleaning member 11 is preferably adhered to the support member 16 so that its tip protrudes, and the short side direction length (free length) of the unfixed region is preferably about 10 mm. In order to increase the contact pressure with the intermediate transfer belt 51, the first cleaning member 11 is preferably arranged so as to abut on the front side of the contact portion with the roller on which the intermediate transfer belt 51 is stretched. In the image forming apparatus 100, the first cleaning member 11 is arranged so as to face the driven roller 52.

支持部材１６は、長辺が第１クリーニング部材１１（ｗ１）以上の長さの長方形の平板状部材であり、第１クリーニング部材１１を表面に接着して支持すると共に、ケーシング１５に支持される。支持部材１６は、軟質な第１クリーニング部材１１を、中間転写ベルト５１に送り幅方向に一様な荷重で当接させるように支持する。そのために、支持部材１６は、変形し難いように剛性が第１クリーニング部材１１よりも高く、金属板等で形成される。支持部材１６は、長辺を送り幅方向とし、ケーシング１５に、第１クリーニング部材１１を接着した短辺方向の一端（先端）側を開口部上に張り出させて、他端側を溶接や螺着等によって固定される。 The support member 16 is a rectangular flat plate-shaped member having a long side longer than that of the first cleaning member 11 (w1), and the first cleaning member 11 is adhered to and supported on the surface and is supported by the casing 15. .. The support member 16 supports the soft first cleaning member 11 so as to come into contact with the intermediate transfer belt 51 with a uniform load in the feed width direction. Therefore, the support member 16 has a higher rigidity than the first cleaning member 11 so as not to be easily deformed, and is formed of a metal plate or the like. The support member 16 has a long side in the feed width direction, one end (tip) side in the short side direction to which the first cleaning member 11 is adhered is projected onto the opening, and the other end side is welded. It is fixed by screwing or the like.

シール部材１２は、シート状のクッション部材であり、発泡ウレタン、発泡ポリエチレン、モケット、フェルト等の可撓性を有する材料で形成され、弾性を有することが好ましい。シール部材１２はさらに、剛性が第１クリーニング部材１１以下であることが好ましく、第１クリーニング部材１１よりも軟質であることがさらに好ましい。シール部材１２は、このような構成により、第１クリーニング部材１１にある程度押し付けるように配置されても、第１クリーニング部材１１を変形させないようにすることができる。また、シール部材１２は、厚さが第１クリーニング部材１１以上であることが好ましい。シール部材１２は、第１クリーニング部材１１とケーシング１５、支持部材１６とケーシング１５のそれぞれの間隙を塞ぐ部材である。シール部材１２は、端面が、第１クリーニング部材１１の両縁のそれぞれの端面に接触するように、第１クリーニング部材１１の送り幅方向両外側にそれぞれ配置され、裏面がケーシング１５の表面（外面）に接着されて固定される。図５Ａに、シール部材１２とケーシング１５との接着された界面を太線で表す。詳しくは、シール部材１２は、第１クリーニング部材１１が中間転写ベルト５１に当接した状態で、端面が、第１クリーニング部材１１の両縁の各端面の少なくとも一部の領域に接触可能に対面し、第１クリーニング部材１１の先端を含む領域で対面することが好ましく、より広い領域で対面することがより好ましい。また、本実施形態では、送り幅方向において支持部材１６が第１クリーニング部材１１よりも長く形成されているので、支持部材１６の第１クリーニング部材１１からはみ出した領域については、その表面にシール部材１２の裏面が対面する。なお、図４および図５Ａにおいては、一方のシール部材１２が第１クリーニング部材１１の端面に接触し、他方のシール部材１２が第１クリーニング部材１１との間に間隙を生じた状態で示す。 The seal member 12 is a sheet-shaped cushion member, and is preferably made of a flexible material such as urethane foam, polyethylene foam, moquette, or felt, and has elasticity. The sealing member 12 preferably has a rigidity of 1st cleaning member 11 or less, and more preferably softer than the 1st cleaning member 11. With such a configuration, the seal member 12 can be arranged so as to be pressed against the first cleaning member 11 to some extent so as not to deform the first cleaning member 11. Further, the seal member 12 preferably has a thickness of the first cleaning member 11 or more. The seal member 12 is a member that closes the gap between the first cleaning member 11 and the casing 15, and the support member 16 and the casing 15. The sealing member 12 is arranged on both outer sides of the first cleaning member 11 in the feed width direction so that the end faces come into contact with the respective end faces of both edges of the first cleaning member 11, and the back surface is the front surface (outer surface) of the casing 15. ) Is glued and fixed. In FIG. 5A, the bonded interface between the sealing member 12 and the casing 15 is represented by a thick line. Specifically, in the state where the first cleaning member 11 is in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 51, the sealing member 12 faces the end faces so as to be in contact with at least a part of each end face of both edges of the first cleaning member 11. However, it is preferable to face each other in the region including the tip of the first cleaning member 11, and it is more preferable to face each other in a wider region. Further, in the present embodiment, since the support member 16 is formed longer than the first cleaning member 11 in the feed width direction, a seal member is provided on the surface of the region of the support member 16 protruding from the first cleaning member 11. The back surfaces of 12 face each other. In addition, in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5A, one seal member 12 is in contact with the end surface of the first cleaning member 11, and the other seal member 12 is shown in a state where a gap is formed between the seal member 12 and the first cleaning member 11.

シール部材１２は、送り幅方向中心に向かって押し込むような第１クリーニング部材１１への当接圧を強くしないように配置され、さらには当接圧０で第１クリーニング部材１１に接触していることが好ましい。第１クリーニング部材１１は、荷重を強くかけられると、中間転写ベルト５１に当接する際の弾性変形を妨げられ、また、長期的に変形する虞があり、さらには、先端が中間転写ベルト５１の表面から部分的に浮いて間隙を生じ、異物を掻き取ることができなくなる。 The seal member 12 is arranged so as not to increase the contact pressure with the first cleaning member 11 that pushes it toward the center in the feed width direction, and further, the seal member 12 is in contact with the first cleaning member 11 with a contact pressure of 0. Is preferable. When a strong load is applied to the first cleaning member 11, elastic deformation at the time of contact with the intermediate transfer belt 51 is hindered, and there is a possibility that the first cleaning member 11 may be deformed for a long period of time. It partially floats from the surface to create a gap, making it impossible to scrape off foreign matter.

さらに、シール部材１２は、表面が中間転写ベルト５１の表面に接触するように配置されてもよく、中間転写ベルト５１の第１クリーニング部材１１との当接部位の送り幅方向外側における近傍で接触することが好ましい。本実施形態では、シール部材１２は、中間転写ベルト５１の表面に、第１クリーニング部材１１との当接部位から下流側の近傍まで接触している。シール部材１２の中間転写ベルト５１への当接圧は、第１クリーニング部材１１の中間転写ベルト５１への当接圧がシール部材１２近傍で低くならないようにするために、前記当接圧以下であることが好ましく、それよりも低いことがさらに好ましい。ケーシング１５に固定されたシール部材１２が中間転写ベルト５１に当接することにより、第１クリーニングユニット１と中間転写ベルト５１とで構成される空間の閉塞性が高くなり、中間転写ベルト５１の表面から掻き取られた異物が流出し難い。 Further, the seal member 12 may be arranged so that the surface of the seal member 12 contacts the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 51, and the seal member 12 contacts the intermediate transfer belt 51 in the vicinity of the contact portion with the first cleaning member 11 on the outside in the feed width direction. It is preferable to do so. In the present embodiment, the seal member 12 is in contact with the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 51 from the contact portion with the first cleaning member 11 to the vicinity on the downstream side. The contact pressure of the seal member 12 to the intermediate transfer belt 51 is equal to or lower than the contact pressure so that the contact pressure of the first cleaning member 11 to the intermediate transfer belt 51 does not become low in the vicinity of the seal member 12. It is preferably present, and even more preferably lower. When the seal member 12 fixed to the casing 15 comes into contact with the intermediate transfer belt 51, the space formed by the first cleaning unit 1 and the intermediate transfer belt 51 becomes more occluded, and the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 51 becomes more closed. It is difficult for the scraped foreign matter to flow out.

トナー飛散防止シート１３は、第１クリーニングユニット１と中間転写ベルト５１とで構成される空間の閉塞性を高めて、中間転写ベルト５１の表面から掻き取られた異物を流出させないために設けられる。トナー飛散防止シート１３は、弾性材料で形成された細長い長方形の平板状部材またはシート状部材であり、長辺を送り幅方向とし、送り方向に第１クリーニング部材１１と略対称になるように、長辺の一辺（先端）を下流側へ斜め方向に向けて中間転写ベルト５１の表面に当接するように配置される。ただし、トナー飛散防止シート１３は、第１クリーニング部材１１よりも低荷重で中間転写ベルト５１の表面に接触するように配置され、当接圧０、すなわち押し付けられずに中間転写ベルト５１の表面と接触していてもよい。具体的には、トナー飛散防止シート１３が中間転写ベルト５１の表面に付着した異物を掻き取ることのない程度の当接圧であればよい。また、異物を流出させなければ、トナー飛散防止シート１３は、中間転写ベルト５１に非接触であってもよい。トナー飛散防止シート１３は、第１クリーニング部材１１と同様の構成とすることができる。また、トナー飛散防止シート１３は、送り幅方向において、中間転写ベルト５１のトナー像形成領域よりも長く形成され、第１クリーニング部材１１（ｗ１）以上の長さに形成されることが好ましい。トナー飛散防止シート１３は、第１クリーニング部材１１との先端同士の間隙が、中間転写ベルト５１の表面の異物が十分に通り抜けられる長さとなるように配置され、ただし、間隙が狭いほど異物を流出させ難い。トナー飛散防止シート１３は、ケーシング１５に固定されていない領域が自重で垂れ下ったりしないような厚さおよび当該領域の短辺方向長に形成される。 The toner scattering prevention sheet 13 is provided to enhance the blockage of the space composed of the first cleaning unit 1 and the intermediate transfer belt 51 and prevent foreign matter scraped from the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 51 from flowing out. The toner scattering prevention sheet 13 is an elongated rectangular flat plate-shaped member or sheet-shaped member made of an elastic material, and has a long side in the feed width direction and is substantially symmetrical with the first cleaning member 11 in the feed direction. It is arranged so that one side (tip) of the long side faces the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 51 in an oblique direction toward the downstream side. However, the toner scattering prevention sheet 13 is arranged so as to come into contact with the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 51 with a lower load than the first cleaning member 11, and has a contact pressure of 0, that is, the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 51 without being pressed. It may be in contact. Specifically, the contact pressure may be such that the toner scattering prevention sheet 13 does not scrape off foreign matter adhering to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 51. Further, the toner scattering prevention sheet 13 may not be in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 51 as long as the foreign matter does not flow out. The toner scattering prevention sheet 13 can have the same configuration as the first cleaning member 11. Further, it is preferable that the toner scattering prevention sheet 13 is formed longer than the toner image forming region of the intermediate transfer belt 51 in the feed width direction, and is formed to have a length of the first cleaning member 11 (w1) or more. The toner scattering prevention sheet 13 is arranged so that the gap between the tips of the first cleaning member 11 is long enough to allow foreign matter on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 51 to pass through. However, the narrower the gap, the more foreign matter flows out. It's hard to let. The toner scattering prevention sheet 13 is formed to have a thickness so that a region not fixed to the casing 15 does not hang down due to its own weight and a length in the short side direction of the region.

クリーニング装置１０においては、トナー飛散防止シート１３が、第１クリーニング部材１１と同様に、両縁にシール部材を接触させていてもよい。このシール部材１４は、端面が、トナー飛散防止シート１３の両縁のそれぞれの端面に接触するように、トナー飛散防止シート１３の送り幅方向両外側にそれぞれ配置され、裏面がケーシング１５の外面に接着されて固定される。シール部材１４は、シール部材１２の材料として前記に挙げたもので形成することができ、また、厚さがトナー飛散防止シート１３以上であることが好ましい。シール部材１４を設けることにより、第１クリーニングユニット１と中間転写ベルト５１とで構成される空間の閉塞性が高くなる。シール部材１４とシール部材１２とは、対向する端面同士が間隙のないようにケーシング１５に固定されていることが好ましく、さらには一体に形成されていてもよい。言い換えると、シール部材１２が上流側に延伸して、トナー飛散防止シート１３の送り幅方向両外側に配置される。 In the cleaning device 10, the toner scattering prevention sheet 13 may bring the seal members into contact with both edges in the same manner as the first cleaning member 11. The sealing member 14 is arranged on both outer sides of the toner scattering prevention sheet 13 in the feed width direction so that the end faces come into contact with the respective end faces of both edges of the toner scattering prevention sheet 13, and the back surface thereof is on the outer surface of the casing 15. It is glued and fixed. The seal member 14 can be formed of the material listed above as the material of the seal member 12, and the thickness is preferably the toner scattering prevention sheet 13 or more. By providing the seal member 14, the space blocking property of the space composed of the first cleaning unit 1 and the intermediate transfer belt 51 is enhanced. The seal member 14 and the seal member 12 are preferably fixed to the casing 15 so that the end faces facing each other do not have a gap, and may be integrally formed. In other words, the seal member 12 extends upstream and is arranged on both outer sides of the toner scattering prevention sheet 13 in the feed width direction.

ケーシング１５は、中間転写ベルト５１の表面から掻き取られた異物を収容すると共に、第１クリーニング部材１１を支持する支持部材１６、シール部材１２，１４、およびトナー飛散防止シート１３を、それぞれ所定の配置に固定する。そのために、ケーシング１５は、十分な強度を有する樹脂等の材料で形成される。図３に示すように、ケーシング１５は、送り幅方向に延伸した柱状の筐体であり、中間転写ベルト５１と対向する正面が開口している。本実施形態においては、ケーシング１５は、正面が、中央ならびにその上流側および下流側の３面で構成され、全体が開口した中央の面（以下、開口面）が突出するように他の２面（上流側正面、下流側正面）が開口面に対して傾斜している。さらに、下流側正面の一部が開口面に連続して開口している。ケーシング１５の開口部の下流側正面における深さは、支持部材１６の短辺長等に応じて設計される。ケーシング１５の開口部は、送り幅方向長が、第１クリーニング部材１１および支持部材１６よりも長い。また、ケーシング１５は、正面の３面が、側面から突出するように送り幅方向両外側に張り出している。ケーシング１５の下流側正面に支持部材１６が、上流側正面にトナー飛散防止シート１３が、それぞれ先端を開口面側に張り出して固定される。シール部材１２は、送り幅方向内側の端面が第１クリーニング部材１１の両縁の端面に接触するように、また、ケーシング１５と支持部材１６との間隙を表面から覆うように、ケーシング１５の正面の開口面から下流側正面にかけて、張り出し部分（縁部）の表面に接着される。同様に、シール部材１４は、送り幅方向内側の端面がトナー飛散防止シート１３の両縁の端面に接触するように、ケーシング１５の正面の開口面から上流側正面にかけて、縁部の表面に接着される。 The casing 15 accommodates foreign matter scraped from the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 51, and also has a support member 16, a seal member 12, 14 and a toner scattering prevention sheet 13 that support the first cleaning member 11, respectively. Fix to placement. Therefore, the casing 15 is made of a material such as a resin having sufficient strength. As shown in FIG. 3, the casing 15 is a columnar housing extending in the feed width direction, and the front surface facing the intermediate transfer belt 51 is open. In the present embodiment, the front surface of the casing 15 is composed of three surfaces, the center and the upstream side and the downstream side thereof, and the other two surfaces are projected so that the central surface (hereinafter referred to as the opening surface) that is entirely open protrudes. (Upstream front, downstream front) is inclined with respect to the opening surface. Further, a part of the front surface on the downstream side is continuously opened to the opening surface. The depth of the opening of the casing 15 on the downstream side front surface is designed according to the short side length of the support member 16 and the like. The opening of the casing 15 has a longer feed width direction than the first cleaning member 11 and the support member 16. Further, the casing 15 projects on both outer sides in the feed width direction so that the three front surfaces project from the side surfaces. A support member 16 is fixed to the front surface on the downstream side of the casing 15, and a toner scattering prevention sheet 13 is fixed to the front surface on the upstream side by projecting the tips toward the opening surface. The sealing member 12 faces the front surface of the casing 15 so that the inner end faces in the feed width direction come into contact with the end faces of both edges of the first cleaning member 11 and cover the gap between the casing 15 and the support member 16 from the surface. From the opening surface to the front on the downstream side, it is adhered to the surface of the overhanging portion (edge). Similarly, the sealing member 14 adheres to the surface of the edge portion from the opening surface on the front surface of the casing 15 to the front surface on the upstream side so that the end faces on the inner side in the feed width direction come into contact with the end faces of both edges of the toner scattering prevention sheet 13. Will be done.

第１クリーニングユニット１はさらに、送り幅方向を軸に回転駆動するスクリューやローラ等をケーシング１５内に備えて、第１クリーニング部材１１が掻き取った異物を巻き込んで奥（背面側）やケーシング１５外に移動させる構成としてもよい。また、支持部材１６は、金具等の保持部材を介在してケーシング１５に固定されてもよい。また、第１クリーニングユニット１は、支持部材１６を備えず、ケーシング１５の開口部の下流側正面における深さを小さくして、第１クリーニング部材１１が直接にケーシング１５に接着されて固定されてもよい。 Further, the first cleaning unit 1 is provided with screws, rollers, and the like that are rotationally driven around the feed width direction in the casing 15, and the foreign matter scraped off by the first cleaning member 11 is caught in the back (rear side) and the casing 15. It may be configured to be moved to the outside. Further, the support member 16 may be fixed to the casing 15 via a holding member such as a metal fitting. Further, the first cleaning unit 1 is not provided with the support member 16, the depth of the opening of the casing 15 on the downstream side is reduced, and the first cleaning member 11 is directly adhered to and fixed to the casing 15. May be good.

（第２クリーニングユニット）
第２クリーニング部材２１を備える第２クリーニングユニット２は、第２クリーニング部材２１が第１クリーニング部材１１よりも下流側で中間転写ベルト５１の表面に当接するように、第１クリーニングユニット１の下流側に配置される。第２クリーニングユニット２は、図３に示す第１クリーニングユニット１と同様に、ケーシング１５と同様の形状のケーシング２５に、支持部材１６に代えて第２クリーニング部材２１が取り付けられ、また、シール部材１２，１４およびトナー飛散防止シート１３に代えてシール部材２２，２４およびトナー飛散防止シート２３がそれぞれ取り付けられている。図５Ｂは、図４のＶＢ−ＶＢ線における断面図であり、クリーニング装置の、第２クリーニング部材の中間転写ベルトとの当接部位における断面図である。以下、第２クリーニングユニット２について、第１クリーニングユニット１と異なる部分について特に詳細に説明する。 (2nd cleaning unit)
The second cleaning unit 2 including the second cleaning member 21 is located on the downstream side of the first cleaning unit 1 so that the second cleaning member 21 comes into contact with the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 51 on the downstream side of the first cleaning member 11. Is placed in. In the second cleaning unit 2, similarly to the first cleaning unit 1 shown in FIG. 3, a second cleaning member 21 is attached to the casing 25 having the same shape as the casing 15 instead of the support member 16, and a seal member is also provided. Instead of the 12 and 14 and the toner scattering prevention sheet 13, the sealing members 22 and 24 and the toner scattering prevention sheet 23 are attached, respectively. FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VB-VB of FIG. 4, which is a cross-sectional view of the cleaning device at a contact portion with the intermediate transfer belt of the second cleaning member. Hereinafter, the portion of the second cleaning unit 2 that is different from that of the first cleaning unit 1 will be described in particular detail.

第２クリーニング部材２１は、長方形の平板状部材であり、第１クリーニング部材１１と同様に、長辺を送り幅方向とし、長辺の一辺（先端）を上流側へ斜め方向に向けて中間転写ベルト５１の表面に当接するように配置される。第２クリーニング部材２１は、第１クリーニング部材１１と同様に、先端が摺接しながら送られる中間転写ベルト５１の表面から異物を掻き取るスクレーパである。ただし、後記するように、第２クリーニング部材２１は、第１クリーニング部材１１が中間転写ベルト５１の表面から掻き取った後に再付着した異物を掬い上げる。そのために、図４に示すように、第２クリーニング部材２１は、送り幅方向長ｗ２が第１クリーニング部材１１（ｗ１）よりも長い（ｗ２＞ｗ１）ことが好ましい。また、第２クリーニング部材２１は、外力によって変形し難いように、第１クリーニング部材１１よりも剛性が高いことが好ましい。また、第２クリーニング部材２１は、異物を裏面上に掬い上げ易いように、厚さが小さいことが好ましい。したがって、第２クリーニング部材２１は、ステンレス鋼やリン青銅等の金属板で形成されることが好ましく、厚さが５０μｍ以上１．０ｍｍ以下であることが好ましく、１００μｍ以下であることがさらに好ましい。第２クリーニング部材２１は、第１クリーニングユニット１における支持部材１６と同様に、ケーシング２５に溶接や螺着等によって固定され、あるいは、保持部材を介在して固定されてもよい。 The second cleaning member 21 is a rectangular flat plate-shaped member, and like the first cleaning member 11, the long side is the feed width direction, and one side (tip) of the long side is obliquely directed to the upstream side for intermediate transfer. It is arranged so as to abut on the surface of the belt 51. Like the first cleaning member 11, the second cleaning member 21 is a scraper that scrapes foreign matter from the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 51 that is sent while the tip is in sliding contact with the first cleaning member 11. However, as will be described later, the second cleaning member 21 scoops up the foreign matter reattached after the first cleaning member 11 scrapes off the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 51. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, the second cleaning member 21 preferably has a feed width direction length w2 longer than that of the first cleaning member 11 (w1) (w2> w1). Further, the second cleaning member 21 is preferably more rigid than the first cleaning member 11 so as not to be easily deformed by an external force. Further, the thickness of the second cleaning member 21 is preferably small so that foreign matter can be easily scooped up on the back surface. Therefore, the second cleaning member 21 is preferably formed of a metal plate such as stainless steel or phosphor bronze, preferably has a thickness of 50 μm or more and 1.0 mm or less, and more preferably 100 μm or less. Like the support member 16 in the first cleaning unit 1, the second cleaning member 21 may be fixed to the casing 25 by welding, screwing, or the like, or may be fixed via a holding member.

第２クリーニング部材２１は、硬質な板材であることから、中間転写ベルト５１の表面を疵付けないために、中間転写ベルト５１への当接圧が第１クリーニング部材１１よりも弱いことが好ましい。したがって、第２クリーニング部材２１は、弾性変形可能な板バネであるが、湾曲せず平板状で、または第１クリーニング部材１１よりも緩やかに湾曲して、中間転写ベルト５１に当接するように配置されることが好ましい。このように、第２クリーニング部材２１は、中間転写ベルト５１に強く当接させないので、第１クリーニング部材１１のように中間転写ベルト５１を張架するローラとの当接部位に配置する必要がない。したがって、第２クリーニング部材２１およびそれを固定するケーシング２５等からなる第２クリーニングユニット２の、画像形成装置１００におけるレイアウトの自由度が高く、画像形成装置１００を大型化しなくても配置することができる。あるいは、当接圧を制御し易くするために、図２に示すように、第２クリーニング部材２１の中間転写ベルト５１との当接部位に対して下流側に間隔を空けた近傍の裏側で当接するクリーニング対向ローラ５７を配置してもよい。 Since the second cleaning member 21 is a hard plate material, it is preferable that the contact pressure with the intermediate transfer belt 51 is weaker than that of the first cleaning member 11 so as not to scratch the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 51. Therefore, although the second cleaning member 21 is an elastically deformable leaf spring, it is arranged so as to be in a flat plate shape without being curved or to be curved more gently than the first cleaning member 11 so as to abut on the intermediate transfer belt 51. It is preferable to be done. As described above, since the second cleaning member 21 is not strongly brought into contact with the intermediate transfer belt 51, it is not necessary to dispose of the second cleaning member 21 at the contact portion with the roller on which the intermediate transfer belt 51 is stretched as in the first cleaning member 11. .. Therefore, the second cleaning unit 2 composed of the second cleaning member 21 and the casing 25 or the like for fixing the second cleaning member 21 has a high degree of freedom in layout in the image forming apparatus 100, and the image forming apparatus 100 can be arranged without increasing the size. it can. Alternatively, in order to facilitate control of the contact pressure, as shown in FIG. 2, the second cleaning member 21 is hit on the back side in the vicinity of the contact portion with the intermediate transfer belt 51 at a space downstream. The cleaning facing roller 57 in contact may be arranged.

シール部材２２は、シール部材１２と同様に、シート状のクッション部材であり、第２クリーニング部材２１とケーシング２５との間隙を塞ぐ部材である。第２クリーニング部材２１は、厚さが小さく、端面のみへの接触では間隙を十分に塞ぐことが困難であり、また、中間転写ベルト５１への当接圧が弱く、弾性変形による変位量が少ない。そこで、シール部材２２は、第２クリーニング部材２１の裏面に対面させて、第２クリーニング部材２１を裏側から中間転写ベルト５１に向けて押し出すように配置することができる。具体的には、シール部材２２は、図３に示すシール部材１２と同様に、ケーシング２５の正面の縁部の表面に接着されるが、送り幅方向内側の開口部上に張り出すように配置される。図５Ｂに、シール部材２２とケーシング２５との接着された界面を太線で表す。そして、シール部材２２は、図５Ｂに示すように、張り出した部分が、ケーシング２５と第２クリーニング部材２１との間隙からケーシング２５の内側へ差し込まれて第２クリーニング部材２１の裏面に当接する。このとき、ケーシング２５の下流側正面の開口部の端に間隙が生じないように、シール部材２２は十分な厚さとする。なお、シール部材２２は、シール部材１２と同じ材料および同じ厚さでなくてよい。また、シール部材２２は、シール部材１２と同様に、表面が中間転写ベルト５１の表面に接触するように配置されてもよい。 Like the seal member 12, the seal member 22 is a sheet-shaped cushion member, and is a member that closes the gap between the second cleaning member 21 and the casing 25. The thickness of the second cleaning member 21 is small, it is difficult to sufficiently close the gap by contacting only the end face, the contact pressure with the intermediate transfer belt 51 is weak, and the amount of displacement due to elastic deformation is small. .. Therefore, the seal member 22 can be arranged so as to face the back surface of the second cleaning member 21 and push the second cleaning member 21 from the back side toward the intermediate transfer belt 51. Specifically, the seal member 22 is adhered to the surface of the front edge portion of the casing 25 as in the seal member 12 shown in FIG. 3, but is arranged so as to project over the opening inside in the feed width direction. Will be done. In FIG. 5B, the bonded interface between the sealing member 22 and the casing 25 is represented by a thick line. Then, as shown in FIG. 5B, the overhanging portion of the seal member 22 is inserted into the inside of the casing 25 through the gap between the casing 25 and the second cleaning member 21 and comes into contact with the back surface of the second cleaning member 21. At this time, the seal member 22 is made sufficiently thick so that a gap is not formed at the end of the opening on the downstream side front of the casing 25. The seal member 22 does not have to have the same material and the same thickness as the seal member 12. Further, the seal member 22 may be arranged so that the surface of the seal member 22 comes into contact with the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 51, similarly to the seal member 12.

前記したように、第２クリーニング部材２１は、送り幅方向長ｗ２が第１クリーニング部材１１（ｗ１）よりも長いことが好ましい。さらに、図４に示すように、第２クリーニング部材２１は、両縁のシール部材２２，２２と対面していない領域が第１クリーニング部材１１（ｗ１）よりも長いことが好ましい。すなわち、シール部材２２，２２同士の間隙ｗ４（＜ｗ２）が、第１クリーニング部材１１（ｗ１）よりも長い（ｗ４＞ｗ１）ことが好ましい。 As described above, it is preferable that the feed width direction length w2 of the second cleaning member 21 is longer than that of the first cleaning member 11 (w1). Further, as shown in FIG. 4, it is preferable that the region of the second cleaning member 21 that does not face the sealing members 22 and 22 on both edges is longer than that of the first cleaning member 11 (w1). That is, it is preferable that the gap w4 (<w2) between the seal members 22 and 22 is longer (w4> w1) than the first cleaning member 11 (w1).

トナー飛散防止シート２３およびシール部材２４は、それぞれトナー飛散防止シート１３およびシール部材１４と同様の構成とすることができる。トナー飛散防止シート２３は、送り幅方向において、第１クリーニング部材１１（ｗ１）よりも長く形成され、第２クリーニング部材２１（ｗ２）以上の長さに形成されることが好ましい。また、トナー飛散防止シート２３は、第２クリーニング部材２１およびトナー飛散防止シート１３よりも低荷重で中間転写ベルト５１の表面に先端が接触することが好ましく、当接圧０で中間転写ベルト５１の表面に接触することがさらに好ましく、中間転写ベルト５１に非接触であってもよい。ケーシング２５は、ケーシング１５と同様の構成とすることができる。ケーシング２５の開口部の送り幅方向長ｗ３は、第２クリーニング部材２１（ｗ２）よりも長く（ｗ３＞ｗ２）、その差（ｗ３−ｗ２）がシール部材２２の厚さの２倍程度であることが好ましい。このような構成により、ケーシング２５の開口部の端の第２クリーニング部材２１との間隙が、差し込まれたシール部材２２によって適切に塞がれ、また、シール部材２２が第２クリーニング部材２１に強く当接する。 The toner scattering prevention sheet 23 and the sealing member 24 can have the same configuration as the toner scattering prevention sheet 13 and the sealing member 14, respectively. The toner scattering prevention sheet 23 is preferably formed longer than the first cleaning member 11 (w1) in the feed width direction, and is preferably formed to have a length equal to or longer than the second cleaning member 21 (w2). Further, it is preferable that the tip of the toner scattering prevention sheet 23 comes into contact with the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 51 with a lower load than the second cleaning member 21 and the toner scattering prevention sheet 13, and the intermediate transfer belt 51 has a contact pressure of 0. It is more preferably in contact with the surface, and may not be in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 51. The casing 25 can have the same configuration as the casing 15. The length w3 of the opening of the casing 25 in the feed width direction is longer (w3> w2) than the second cleaning member 21 (w2), and the difference (w3-w2) is about twice the thickness of the seal member 22. Is preferable. With such a configuration, the gap between the end of the opening of the casing 25 and the second cleaning member 21 is appropriately closed by the inserted seal member 22, and the seal member 22 is strongly applied to the second cleaning member 21. Contact.

〔クリーニング装置の動作〕
図４を参照して、本発明に係る画像形成装置の動作時における、クリーニング装置の動作を説明する。図１に示すようにローラ６１，５６間を通過して表面のトナー像を被印刷物Ｗに転写した中間転写ベルト５１は、表面に部分的に残留したトナーＴが付着した状態で、トナー飛散防止シート１３の先端、第１クリーニング部材１１の先端に順次接触する。 [Operation of cleaning device]
The operation of the cleaning device during the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, the intermediate transfer belt 51, which has passed between the rollers 61 and 56 and transferred the toner image on the surface to the printed matter W, prevents the toner from scattering in a state where the toner T partially remaining on the surface is attached. The tip of the sheet 13 and the tip of the first cleaning member 11 are sequentially contacted.

中間転写ベルト５１の表面に、十分な当接圧で第１クリーニング部材１１の先端が摺接することにより、中間転写ベルト５１に付着していたトナーＴが掻き取られて、第１クリーニング部材１１の裏面上に掬い上げられる。しかし、第１クリーニング部材１１は厚みがあるので、掻き取ったトナーＴの一部が第１クリーニング部材１１の先端の端面上に溜まり、さらにその一部が横走りして送り幅方向の端（縁）まで移動することがある。そして、図４に示すように、第１クリーニング部材１１とシール部材１２との間にトナー粒径の数〜十数μｍよりも広い間隙が生じていた場合、トナーＴがこの間隙を擦り抜けて流出し、中間転写ベルト５１の表面に再付着する。その結果、第１クリーニング部材１１の先端を通過した中間転写ベルト５１は、第１クリーニング部材１１の両縁の延長上（図４に一点鎖線で表す）の近傍にトナーＴが付着している。このトナーＴは、中間転写ベルト５１との付着力が、第１クリーニング部材１１で掻き取られる前よりも弱い。なお、図４および図５Ａにおいては、第１クリーニング部材１１の一方の側ではシール部材１２に当接し、他方の側でシール部材１２との間に間隙を生じている。クリーニング装置１０は、図５Ａに示す第１クリーニング部材１１の中間転写ベルト５１との当接部位において、太線で表すシール部材１２とケーシング１５との接着面を除いて各部材が互いに接着、接合されておらず、ケーシング１５への取付けや中間転写ベルト５１に対する配置によって接触した状態としている。したがって、接触面積が小さく当接圧が弱い第１クリーニング部材１１とシール部材１２との接触が維持されず、図４および図５Ａに示すように間隙を生じることがある。 When the tip of the first cleaning member 11 slides into contact with the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 51 with sufficient contact pressure, the toner T adhering to the intermediate transfer belt 51 is scraped off, and the first cleaning member 11 It is scooped up on the back side. However, since the first cleaning member 11 is thick, a part of the scraped toner T collects on the end surface of the tip of the first cleaning member 11, and a part of the toner T runs laterally to the end in the feed width direction (the end in the feed width direction). May move to the edge). Then, as shown in FIG. 4, when a gap wider than a few to a dozen μm of the toner particle size is generated between the first cleaning member 11 and the sealing member 12, the toner T slips through this gap. It flows out and reattaches to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 51. As a result, the intermediate transfer belt 51 that has passed through the tip of the first cleaning member 11 has the toner T adhered to the vicinity of the extension of both edges of the first cleaning member 11 (represented by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 4). The adhesive force of this toner T with the intermediate transfer belt 51 is weaker than that before it was scraped off by the first cleaning member 11. In addition, in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5A, one side of the first cleaning member 11 is in contact with the seal member 12, and a gap is formed between the first cleaning member 11 and the seal member 12 on the other side. In the cleaning device 10, each member is bonded and joined to each other at the contact portion of the first cleaning member 11 with the intermediate transfer belt 51 shown in FIG. 5A, except for the bonding surface between the sealing member 12 and the casing 15 represented by the thick line. It is not in contact with the casing 15 and is placed in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 51. Therefore, the contact between the first cleaning member 11 having a small contact area and a weak contact pressure and the sealing member 12 may not be maintained, and a gap may be formed as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5A.

そして、中間転写ベルト５１は、第２クリーニング部材２１の先端に接触する。第２クリーニング部材２１は当接圧が弱いが、この時点での中間転写ベルト５１の表面上のトナーＴは付着力が弱いので、第２クリーニング部材２１の先端で掻き取ることができる。また、第２クリーニング部材２１は、第１クリーニング部材１１よりも長い（ｗ２＞ｗ１）ので、中間転写ベルト５１のトナーＴが付着し得る領域をカバーすることができる。さらに、第２クリーニング部材２１の両縁のシール部材２２，２２と対面していない領域の長さｗ４が第１クリーニング部材１１よりも長い（ｗ４＞ｗ１）ことにより、第２クリーニング部材２１が掻き取ったトナーＴがシール部材２２との間に入り込んで溜まることなく、ケーシング２５内に収容される。また、第２クリーニング部材２１は厚さが小さいので、その裏面上にトナーＴが容易に掬い上げられる。そして、第２クリーニング部材２１は、強い当接圧かつ広い面積でケーシング２５との間をシール部材２２で塞がれている上、変形し難いので、トナーＴが擦り抜けられるような微小な間隙も生じ難く、掻き取ったトナーＴが流出する虞が小さい。 Then, the intermediate transfer belt 51 comes into contact with the tip of the second cleaning member 21. The contact pressure of the second cleaning member 21 is weak, but the toner T on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 51 at this point has a weak adhesive force, so that the toner T can be scraped off by the tip of the second cleaning member 21. Further, since the second cleaning member 21 is longer than the first cleaning member 11 (w2> w1), it is possible to cover the region where the toner T of the intermediate transfer belt 51 can adhere. Further, the length w4 of the region of the second cleaning member 21 not facing the sealing members 22 and 22 on both edges is longer than that of the first cleaning member 11 (w4> w1), so that the second cleaning member 21 is scratched. The removed toner T is accommodated in the casing 25 without entering between the sealing member 22 and accumulating. Further, since the second cleaning member 21 has a small thickness, the toner T can be easily scooped up on the back surface thereof. The second cleaning member 21 has a strong contact pressure and a large area, and the sealing member 22 closes the gap between the second cleaning member 21 and the casing 25, and the second cleaning member 21 is not easily deformed. Is unlikely to occur, and there is little risk that the scraped toner T will flow out.

このように、クリーニング装置１０は、本来のクリーニング部材である第１クリーニング部材１１に加えて、その下流側に役割の異なる第２クリーニング部材２１を備えることにより、中間転写ベルト５１の表面から異物を漏れなく除去することができる。 As described above, the cleaning device 10 is provided with the second cleaning member 21 having a different role on the downstream side thereof in addition to the first cleaning member 11 which is the original cleaning member, so that foreign matter can be removed from the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 51. It can be removed without leakage.

クリーニング装置１０は、画像形成装置１００において、下方が上流側となる配置で図１および図２に示しているが、上下方向は限定されない。すなわち、クリーニング装置１０は、上方が上流側となる配置でもよいし、また、中間転写ベルト５１の送り方向が水平となる配置であってもよく、この場合、中間転写ベルトの上面下面いずれの側でもよい。 The cleaning device 10 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 in an arrangement in which the lower side is the upstream side in the image forming device 100, but the vertical direction is not limited. That is, the cleaning device 10 may be arranged so that the upper side is on the upstream side, or the intermediate transfer belt 51 may be arranged so that the feeding direction is horizontal. In this case, either the upper surface or the lower surface of the intermediate transfer belt is arranged. But it may be.

〔変形例〕
本発明は、上記実施形態に限定されることなく、本発明の趣旨を逸脱しない範囲で、変更実施が可能であり、例えば以下の態様が挙げられる。 [Modification example]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the following aspects can be mentioned.

クリーニング装置１０は、クリーニング対象がベルトに限られず、ドラム状の像担持体の残留トナーを除去することができる。この場合には、ドラムの周面の位置に合わせて、クリーニング部材１１，２１等をそれぞれ適切な当接圧となるように配置する。また、クリーニング装置１０は、画像形成ユニット４ｙ，４ｍ，４ｃ，４ｋのそれぞれの感光体ドラム４１の残留トナーを除去することもでき、したがって、図１に示すドラムクリーニング装置４５に適用することができる。感光体ドラム４１においては、帯電装置４２の側が下流側であり、こちら側に第２クリーニングユニット２を配置する。そして、画像形成装置１００は、中間転写ベルト５１（またはドラム）を備えずに、感光体ドラム４１から直接に被印刷物Ｗにトナー像を転写する方式であってもよく、また、モノクロ対応であってもよい。 The cleaning device 10 is not limited to the belt to be cleaned, and can remove the residual toner of the drum-shaped image carrier. In this case, the cleaning members 11, 21 and the like are arranged so as to have an appropriate contact pressure according to the position of the peripheral surface of the drum. Further, the cleaning device 10 can also remove the residual toner of each of the photoconductor drums 41 of the image forming units 4y, 4m, 4c, and 4k, and therefore can be applied to the drum cleaning device 45 shown in FIG. .. In the photoconductor drum 41, the charging device 42 side is the downstream side, and the second cleaning unit 2 is arranged on this side. The image forming apparatus 100 may be a method of transferring the toner image directly from the photoconductor drum 41 to the printed matter W without providing the intermediate transfer belt 51 (or the drum), and is compatible with monochrome. You may.

クリーニング装置１０は、クリーニング補助部材として、第１クリーニング部材１１の上流側で中間転写ベルト５１に接触するロールブラシを備えていてもよい。ロールブラシは、中間転写ベルト５１の、トナー飛散防止シート１３および第１クリーニング部材１１のそれぞれとの当接部位同士の間で毛先が摺接するように、送り幅方向を軸にして第１クリーニングユニット１のケーシング１５内に配置される。そして、ロールブラシは、中間転写ベルト５１の送り方向に対して順方向または逆方向となるように回転駆動する。さらに、ロールブラシは、バイアス電荷を印加されていてもよい。 The cleaning device 10 may include a roll brush that comes into contact with the intermediate transfer belt 51 on the upstream side of the first cleaning member 11 as a cleaning auxiliary member. The roll brush is first cleaned with the feed width direction as the axis so that the bristles of the intermediate transfer belt 51 are in sliding contact with each other between the contact portions of the toner scattering prevention sheet 13 and the first cleaning member 11. It is arranged in the casing 15 of the unit 1. Then, the roll brush is rotationally driven so as to be in the forward direction or the reverse direction with respect to the feeding direction of the intermediate transfer belt 51. Further, the roll brush may be subjected to a bias charge.

第２クリーニング部材２１は、第１クリーニング部材１１のように、端面にシール部材２２の端面を接触させるように構成されてもよい。この場合、シール部材２２は第２クリーニング部材２１よりも十分に厚くして、その端面に第２クリーニング部材２１の端面が食い込むように当接させることが好ましい。また、シール部材２２は、内部の間隙が比較的大きいモケットよりも、独立気泡の発泡ウレタン等が好ましい。 Like the first cleaning member 11, the second cleaning member 21 may be configured so that the end face of the seal member 22 is brought into contact with the end face. In this case, it is preferable that the seal member 22 is sufficiently thicker than the second cleaning member 21 so that the end face of the second cleaning member 21 is brought into contact with the end face thereof. Further, the sealing member 22 is preferably a closed-cell urethane foam or the like, rather than a moquette having a relatively large internal gap.

第２クリーニング部材２１の送り幅方向長ｗ２は、第１クリーニング部材１１の送り幅方向長ｗ１以下でもよい。この場合には、第２クリーニング部材２１の両縁のシール部材２２，２２は、送り幅方向において両外側の端同士の距離が第１クリーニング部材１１の長さｗ１よりも長くなるように、また、中間転写ベルト５１の表面に接触するように配置される。さらに、前記したように、第２クリーニング部材２１の端面にシール部材２２の端面を接触させてもよい。このような構成により、第１クリーニング部材１１とシール部材１２との間隙から流出したトナーＴを、第２クリーニング部材２１だけでなく、シール部材２２の表面で掻き取ることができる。 The feed width direction length w2 of the second cleaning member 21 may be less than or equal to the feed width direction length w1 of the first cleaning member 11. In this case, the sealing members 22 and 22 on both edges of the second cleaning member 21 are arranged so that the distance between the outer ends of the second cleaning member 21 is longer than the length w1 of the first cleaning member 11 in the feed width direction. , Arranged so as to come into contact with the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 51. Further, as described above, the end face of the seal member 22 may be brought into contact with the end face of the second cleaning member 21. With such a configuration, the toner T flowing out from the gap between the first cleaning member 11 and the sealing member 12 can be scraped off not only by the second cleaning member 21 but also by the surface of the sealing member 22.

クリーニング装置１０は、第１クリーニング部材１１と第２クリーニング部材２１を、それぞれ別のケーシング１５，２５に固定して、分離した２つのクリーニングユニット１，２を備える構成としたが、１つのケーシングにクリーニング部材１１，２１を固定した一体のクリーニングユニットに構成されてもよい。例えば、第２クリーニングユニット２に対して、トナー飛散防止シート２３と第２クリーニング部材２１との間に、第１クリーニング部材１１および支持部材１６を追加し、また、そのために、支持部材１６を固定する部材をケーシング２５内に設け、さらにケーシング２５の正面にシール部材１２を固定する。 The cleaning device 10 has a configuration in which the first cleaning member 11 and the second cleaning member 21 are fixed to separate casings 15 and 25, respectively, and provided with two separated cleaning units 1 and 2, but the cleaning device 10 is provided in one casing. It may be configured as an integral cleaning unit in which the cleaning members 11 and 21 are fixed. For example, for the second cleaning unit 2, the first cleaning member 11 and the support member 16 are added between the toner scattering prevention sheet 23 and the second cleaning member 21, and the support member 16 is fixed for that purpose. The member to be used is provided in the casing 25, and the seal member 12 is further fixed to the front surface of the casing 25.

１００ 画像形成装置
１０ クリーニング装置
１ 第１クリーニングユニット（クリーニングユニット）
１１ 第１クリーニング部材（上流側のクリーニング部材）
１２，１４ シール部材
１３ トナー飛散防止シート
１５ ケーシング
１６ 支持部材
２ 第２クリーニングユニット（クリーニングユニット）
２１ 第２クリーニング部材（下流側のクリーニング部材）
２２，２４ シール部材
２３ トナー飛散防止シート
２５ ケーシング
３ 画像処理部
４ｙ，４ｍ，４ｃ，４ｋ 画像形成ユニット
４１ 感光体ドラム
４２ 帯電装置
４３ 露光装置
４４ 現像装置
４５ ドラムクリーニング装置
５１ 中間転写ベルト（像担持体）
５２ 従動ローラ
５３ 従動ローラ
５４ 一次転写ローラ
５５ 駆動ローラ
５６ 二次転写バックアップローラ
５７ クリーニング対向ローラ
６１ 二次転写ローラ
６２ 加熱ローラ
６３ 加圧ローラ
Ｔ トナー
Ｗ 被印刷物 100 Image forming device 10 Cleaning device 1 First cleaning unit (cleaning unit)
11 First cleaning member (upstream cleaning member)
12, 14 Seal member 13 Toner scattering prevention sheet 15 Casing 16 Support member 2 Second cleaning unit (cleaning unit)
21 Second cleaning member (cleaning member on the downstream side)
22, 24 Sealing member 23 Toner scattering prevention sheet 25 Casing 3 Image processing unit 4y, 4m, 4c, 4k Image forming unit 41 Photoreceptor drum 42 Charging device 43 Exposure device 44 Developing device 45 Drum cleaning device 51 Intermediate transfer belt (image bearing) body)
52 Driven roller 53 Driven roller 54 Primary transfer roller 55 Drive roller 56 Secondary transfer backup roller 57 Cleaning opposed roller 61 Secondary transfer roller 62 Heating roller 63 Pressurized roller T Toner W Printed matter

Claims (12)

用紙に転写するトナー像を担持する像担持体から残留トナーを除去するクリーニング装置であって、
前記像担持体の送り方向の上流側と下流側とで前記像担持体に接触する２つのクリーニング部材、および前記クリーニング部材のそれぞれの前記像担持体の送り幅方向における両端に配置されたシール部材を備え、
前記下流側のクリーニング部材は、前記上流側のクリーニング部材と比較して、より強く前記シール部材に当接されていることを特徴とするクリーニング装置。 A cleaning device that removes residual toner from an image carrier that carries a toner image to be transferred to paper.
Two cleaning members that come into contact with the image carrier on the upstream side and the downstream side in the feed direction of the image carrier, and seal members arranged at both ends of each of the cleaning members in the feed width direction of the image carrier. With
A cleaning device characterized in that the cleaning member on the downstream side is in contact with the seal member more strongly than the cleaning member on the upstream side. 前記下流側のクリーニング部材は、前記上流側のクリーニング部材よりも剛性が高い請求項１に記載のクリーニング装置。 The cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning member on the downstream side has higher rigidity than the cleaning member on the upstream side. 前記下流側のクリーニング部材は、金属材料からなる請求項２に記載のクリーニング装置。 The cleaning device according to claim 2, wherein the cleaning member on the downstream side is made of a metal material. 前記下流側のクリーニング部材は、前記上流側のクリーニング部材と比較して、より弱く前記像担持体に当接する請求項２または請求項３に記載のクリーニング装置。 The cleaning device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the cleaning member on the downstream side is weaker than the cleaning member on the upstream side and abuts on the image carrier. 前記下流側のクリーニング部材の前記送り幅方向の長さが、前記上流側のクリーニング部材の前記送り幅方向の長さよりも長い請求項１乃至請求項４のいずれか一項に記載のクリーニング装置。 The cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the length of the cleaning member on the downstream side in the feed width direction is longer than the length of the cleaning member on the upstream side in the feed width direction. 前記下流側のクリーニング部材は、板状のスクレーパである請求項１乃至請求項５のいずれか一項に記載のクリーニング装置。 The cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the cleaning member on the downstream side is a plate-shaped scraper. 前記上流側のクリーニング部材は、前記下流側のクリーニング部材よりも厚い板状のスクレーパである請求項６に記載のクリーニング装置。 The cleaning device according to claim 6, wherein the cleaning member on the upstream side is a plate-shaped scraper thicker than the cleaning member on the downstream side. 前記上流側のクリーニング部材は、前記送り幅方向における端面に前記シール部材が対面し、
前記下流側のクリーニング部材は、前記像担持体に対向する面の反対側の面に前記シール部材が対面する請求項６または請求項７に記載のクリーニング装置。 In the cleaning member on the upstream side, the seal member faces the end surface in the feed width direction.
The cleaning device according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the cleaning member on the downstream side faces the surface opposite to the surface facing the image carrier. 前記下流側のクリーニング部材の両端に配置された前記シール部材同士の間隙が、前記上流側のクリーニング部材の前記送り幅方向の長さよりも長い請求項８に記載のクリーニング装置。 The cleaning device according to claim 8, wherein the gaps between the seal members arranged at both ends of the downstream cleaning member are longer than the length of the upstream cleaning member in the feed width direction. 少なくとも一方の前記クリーニング部材に対して、その前記送り方向の上流側に配置されたトナー飛散防止シートと、前記クリーニング部材および前記トナー飛散防止シートを固定するケーシングと、を備え、
前記クリーニング部材、前記クリーニング部材に当接する前記シール部材、前記ケーシング、および前記トナー飛散防止シートは、前記像担持体との間に、前記トナー飛散防止シートと前記像担持体との間隙を除いて閉空間を形成する請求項１乃至請求項９のいずれか一項に記載のクリーニング装置。 At least one of the cleaning members is provided with a toner scattering prevention sheet arranged on the upstream side in the feeding direction, and a casing for fixing the cleaning member and the toner scattering prevention sheet.
The cleaning member, the seal member in contact with the cleaning member, the casing, and the toner scattering prevention sheet are provided between the image carrier and the toner scattering prevention sheet except for a gap between the toner scattering prevention sheet and the image carrier. The cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, which forms a closed space. １つの前記ケーシング、それに固定された前記クリーニング部材および前記トナー飛散防止シート、ならびに前記クリーニング部材に当接する前記シール部材は、前記像担持体に対して着脱可能なクリーニングユニットを構成する請求項１０に記載のクリーニング装置。 According to claim 10, one casing, a cleaning member fixed thereto, a toner scattering prevention sheet, and a seal member abutting on the cleaning member constitute a cleaning unit that can be attached to and detached from the image carrier. The cleaning device described. 請求項１乃至請求項１１のいずれか一項に記載のクリーニング装置を備える画像形成装置。 An image forming apparatus comprising the cleaning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11.
JP2019172337A 2019-09-20 2019-09-20 Cleaning device and image forming device Active JP7354718B2 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2019172337A JP7354718B2 (en) 2019-09-20 2019-09-20 Cleaning device and image forming device

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2019172337A JP7354718B2 (en) 2019-09-20 2019-09-20 Cleaning device and image forming device

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
JP2021051114A true JP2021051114A (en) 2021-04-01
JP7354718B2 JP7354718B2 (en) 2023-10-03

Family

ID=75157723

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
JP2019172337A Active JP7354718B2 (en) 2019-09-20 2019-09-20 Cleaning device and image forming device

Country Status (1)

Country Link
JP (1) JP7354718B2 (en)

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH06149127A (en) * 1992-11-13 1994-05-27 Mita Ind Co Ltd Cleaning device
JP2008299064A (en) * 2007-05-31 2008-12-11 Ricoh Co Ltd Cleaning device, image forming device, and process cartridge
JP2012203293A (en) * 2011-03-28 2012-10-22 Konica Minolta Business Technologies Inc Cleaning device and image forming apparatus
JP2013033147A (en) * 2011-08-02 2013-02-14 Ricoh Co Ltd Cleaning device and image forming apparatus using the same
JP2015041017A (en) * 2013-08-22 2015-03-02 京セラドキュメントソリューションズ株式会社 Image forming apparatus
JP2015052689A (en) * 2013-09-06 2015-03-19 コニカミノルタ株式会社 Image forming apparatus
JP2019008139A (en) * 2017-06-26 2019-01-17 コニカミノルタ株式会社 Image forming apparatus

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH06149127A (en) * 1992-11-13 1994-05-27 Mita Ind Co Ltd Cleaning device
JP2008299064A (en) * 2007-05-31 2008-12-11 Ricoh Co Ltd Cleaning device, image forming device, and process cartridge
JP2012203293A (en) * 2011-03-28 2012-10-22 Konica Minolta Business Technologies Inc Cleaning device and image forming apparatus
JP2013033147A (en) * 2011-08-02 2013-02-14 Ricoh Co Ltd Cleaning device and image forming apparatus using the same
JP2015041017A (en) * 2013-08-22 2015-03-02 京セラドキュメントソリューションズ株式会社 Image forming apparatus
JP2015052689A (en) * 2013-09-06 2015-03-19 コニカミノルタ株式会社 Image forming apparatus
JP2019008139A (en) * 2017-06-26 2019-01-17 コニカミノルタ株式会社 Image forming apparatus

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JP7354718B2 (en) 2023-10-03

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
JP2005234144A (en) Development apparatus and printer
US20130084098A1 (en) Developing device and cleaning device
JPH08137357A (en) Image forming device
EP3709093B1 (en) Development cartridge having sealing member
JP3532451B2 (en) Powder removal equipment
JP2004109799A (en) Image forming apparatus
JP2021051114A (en) Cleaning device and image forming apparatus
JP4120689B2 (en) Conveying apparatus and image forming apparatus
JP6456152B2 (en) Cleaning device
JP5379987B2 (en) Cleaning device and image forming apparatus
JP6135560B2 (en) Image forming apparatus
JP6390557B2 (en) Cleaning device and image forming apparatus
JP3659310B2 (en) Image forming apparatus
JP2008096630A (en) Cleaning device, process cartridge and image forming apparatus
JP3785050B2 (en) Image forming apparatus
JP2010224281A (en) Cleaner and image forming apparatus
JP3235938B2 (en) Developing device for image forming apparatus
JP6287336B2 (en) Process cartridge and photoreceptor unit
JP6822330B2 (en) Cleaning equipment, image forming equipment
JP6906994B2 (en) Paper dust remover and image forming device
JP6848684B2 (en) Image forming device
JP6645266B2 (en) Cleaning device and image forming device
JP2017049340A (en) Cleaning device and image forming apparatus
JP6631146B2 (en) Image forming device
JP5171499B2 (en) SEALING STRUCTURE, CLEANING DEVICE HAVING THE SAME, AND IMAGE FORMING DEVICE

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
A621 Written request for application examination

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: A621

Effective date: 20220819

A977 Report on retrieval

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: A971007

Effective date: 20230407

A131 Notification of reasons for refusal

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: A131

Effective date: 20230425

A521 Request for written amendment filed

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: A523

Effective date: 20230609

TRDD Decision of grant or rejection written
A01 Written decision to grant a patent or to grant a registration (utility model)

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: A01

Effective date: 20230822

A61 First payment of annual fees (during grant procedure)

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: A61

Effective date: 20230904

R150 Certificate of patent or registration of utility model

Ref document number: 7354718

Country of ref document: JP

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: R150