JP2021071686A - Image forming apparatus including cleaning unit for cleaning light transmission member - Google Patents

Abstract

To prevent a situation where, when a cleaning unit moves in a state where a cleaning part for cleaning a light transmission member while in contact with the light transmission member is separated from the light transmission member, the cleaning part is brought into contact with the light transmission member.SOLUTION: A first guide of a swing member when a cleaning unit moves along a guide of the cleaning unit in a state where a cleaning part is in contact with a light transmission member, is different from a second guide of the swing member when the cleaning unit moves along the guide of the cleaning unit in a state where the cleaning part is separated from the light transmission member.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 13

Description

The present invention relates to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as a laser printer or a multifunction device, and particularly cleans a light transmitting member that blocks a light emitting portion of a scanner unit that scans a photoconductor with light according to image information. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus including a cleaning unit.

The light emitting port of the scanner unit is blocked with a light transmitting member such as a transparent cover glass so that foreign matter such as toner and dust does not enter the inside of the scanner unit. However, since foreign matter may adhere to the outer surface of the light transmitting member, there is also an image forming apparatus provided with a cleaning mechanism for cleaning the light transmitting member.

Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which the cleaning member moves on the light transmitting member when the process cartridge is taken in and out of the printer body. Further, in Patent Document 1, during the outbound period (the period during which the process cartridge is inserted into the printer body), the cleaning member is brought into contact with the light transmitting member to clean the light transmitting member. On the other hand, during the return period (the period during which the process cartridge is pulled out from the printer), the cleaning member is separated from the light transmitting member, and the cleaning member is returned to the cleaning start position without cleaning the light transmitting member.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-242432

In Patent Document 1, when the cleaning member is returned to the cleaning start position in a state of being separated from the light transmitting member during the return path, the cleaning member is separated from the light transmitting member by the force of the spring. However, if the elasticity of the spring is lost due to durability, it is conceivable that the cleaning member comes into contact with the light transmitting member during the return route. Since the moving direction of the cleaning member on the return route is opposite to the moving direction during cleaning, if the cleaning member comes into contact with the light transmitting member during the returning route, dirt may return from the cleaning member to the light transmitting member.

An object of the present invention is to prevent a situation in which the cleaning unit comes into contact with the light transmitting member when the cleaning unit moves in a state where the cleaning unit that comes into contact with the light transmitting member and cleans the light transmitting member is separated from the light transmitting member. There is.

The present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems includes an apparatus main body and a scanner unit that scans a surface to be scanned with light corresponding to image information, and has a light transmitting member that blocks the light outlet of the scanner unit. A scanner unit, a detachable unit that can be attached to and detached from the device body, a cleaning unit that cleans the light transmitting member, and a cleaning unit that moves in conjunction with the attachment and detachment operation of the detachable unit, and the cleaning unit. In an image forming apparatus having a guide of the cleaning unit for guiding movement and forming a toner image according to image information on a recording material, the cleaning unit moves along the guide of the cleaning unit. The body has a cleaning portion that comes into contact with the light transmitting member to clean the light transmitting member, and has a swinging member that can swing with respect to the main body, and the cleaning portion has the light transmitting member. The first guide of the rocking member when the cleaning unit moves along the guide of the cleaning unit in a state of being in contact with the cleaning unit, and the cleaning unit in a state where the cleaning portion is separated from the light transmitting member. It is characterized in that it is different from the second guide of the swinging member when moving along the guide of the cleaning unit.

According to the present invention, when the cleaning unit moves in a state where the cleaning unit that comes into contact with the light transmitting member and cleans the light transmitting member is separated from the light transmitting member, it is possible to prevent the cleaning unit from coming into contact with the light transmitting member. ..

Cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus Cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the cartridge inserted in the device body Perspective view of the cartridge View of the cleaning unit in the -X and + X directions Perspective view of slide member Perspective view of rotating member and rocking member Perspective and cross-sectional view of the insertion guide Cross-sectional view showing the engaged state of the insertion guide and the slide member Perspective view of insertion guide Operation diagram of the cleaning unit when inserting the cartridge Operation diagram of the cleaning unit when inserting the cartridge Operation diagram of the cleaning unit when inserting the cartridge Operation diagram of the cleaning unit when inserting the cartridge Operation diagram of the cleaning unit when inserting the cartridge Operation diagram of the cleaning unit when the cartridge is pulled out Operation diagram of the cleaning unit when the cartridge is pulled out Operation diagram of the cleaning unit when the cartridge is pulled out The figure which shows Example 2 The figure which shows Example 2

[Example 1]
(Overall configuration of image forming apparatus)
The image forming apparatus 1 of the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus 1. A cassette 2 accommodating the recording material P is retractably housed in the lower portion of the image forming apparatus 1. A feeding roller 3 for picking up the recording material is arranged near the end of the cassette 2. The recording material P picked up from the cassette 2 is conveyed to the resist roller 5.

The image forming apparatus 1 includes four cartridges (process cartridges) 12Y, 12M, 12C, and 12K corresponding to yellow, magenta, cyan, and black colors, respectively. Hereinafter, the four cartridges will be referred to as the cartridge 12 as a representative. In the case of other members as well, when the member is represented, YMCK after the number is omitted. The four cartridges 12 are replacement parts that are replaced because the toner contained therein is exhausted or the like. The four cartridges 12 are a combination of the first units 6Y, 6M, 6C, 6K and the second units 9Y, 9M, 9C, 9K, respectively. The first unit 6 includes drum-shaped photoconductors 7Y, 7M, 7C, 7K, chargers 8Y, 8M, 8C, 8K for charging the surface of the photoconductor 7, and a cleaning blade 10Y for removing residual toner from the photoconductor 7. It has 10M, 10C and 10K. The second unit 9 is provided with developing rollers 11Y, 11M, 11C, and 11K that supply toner to the photoconductor 7.

The scanner unit 13 scans the photoconductor (scanned surface) 7 with a laser beam corresponding to the image information. As a result, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photoconductor 7. Toner is supplied from the developing roller 11 to the electrostatic latent image, and a toner image is formed on the surface of the photoconductor 7.

An intermediate transfer unit 16 is provided above the four cartridges (detachable units) 12. The intermediate transfer unit 16 has a rotatable endless intermediate transfer belt 18 stretched on a plurality of tension rollers. Primary transfer rollers 19Y, 19M, 19C, and 19K are arranged on the inner surface of the intermediate transfer belt 18. The primary transfer roller 19 forms the primary transfer portions 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K together with the photoconductor 7 via the intermediate transfer belt 18. When a voltage having a polarity opposite to the charging polarity of the toner is applied to the primary transfer roller 19 in the primary transfer unit 20, the toner image is transferred from the photoconductor 7 to the intermediate transfer belt 18. As a result, the toner images of four colors are superimposed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 18. In this embodiment, a unit including an intermediate transfer belt 18, a plurality of tension rollers for tensioning the intermediate transfer belt 18, and a primary transfer roller 19 is provided as an intermediate transfer unit 16 so as to be detachable from the main body of the apparatus.

The secondary transfer roller 21 is in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 18 and forms a secondary transfer portion 17 with a roller on the opposite side via the intermediate transfer belt 18. At the secondary transfer unit 17, the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 18 is secondarily transferred to the recording material P. The toner that cannot be completely transferred to the recording material P by the secondary transfer and remains on the intermediate transfer belt 18 is removed by the cleaning unit 22. The toner removed by the cleaning unit 22 is conveyed to a toner recovery container (not shown) via a toner conveying section (not shown).

The recording material P to which the toner image is transferred is conveyed to the fixing portion 25 and heated while passing through a nip formed by the heating unit 25a and the pressurizing roller 25b inside the fixing portion 25. In this process, the toner image is fixed on the recording material P. The recording material P that has passed through the fixing portion 25 is conveyed to the discharge roller pair 26 and discharged to the recording material loading portion 27.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of one cartridge 12 mounted on the image forming apparatus 1 and its vicinity as viewed in the + Y direction. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the cartridge 12. In FIG. 3, the second unit 9 is omitted for simplification of the description.

The scanner unit 13 is arranged below the cartridge 12. The laser beam L emitted from the opening 32 of the housing 30 of the scanner unit 13 passes through the opening 32 and irradiates the photoconductor 7. The housing 30 of the scanner unit 13 is provided with a cover glass 31 as a light transmitting member that closes the opening 32 while transmitting the laser light L. The cover glass 31 prevents foreign substances such as toner, paper dust, and dust from entering the housing 30 of the scanner unit 13.

The image forming apparatus 1 has a sheet metal stay member 33 forming a main body skeleton that partitions between the cartridge 12 and the scanner unit 13. The stay member 33 is provided with an opening 34 for guiding the laser beam L transmitted through the cover glass 31 of the scanner unit 13 to the photoconductor 7 at a position facing the cover glass 31.

The stay member 33 supports an insertion guide 29 that serves as a guide when inserting and removing the cartridge 12. When the user inserts the cartridge 12 into the image forming apparatus 1, the cartridge 12 is inserted so that the rib 40 integrally formed with the first unit 6 of the cartridge 12 is guided by the insertion guide 29.

(Cleaning unit)
Next, the configuration of the cleaning unit 60 will be described in detail. FIG. 4A is a view of the cleaning unit 60 viewed in the −X direction, and FIGS. 4B and 4C are views of the cleaning unit 60 viewed in the + X direction. 5 (a) is a perspective view of a slide member 61 provided in the cleaning unit 60, FIG. 6 (a) is a perspective view of a rotating member provided in the cleaning unit 60, and FIG. 6 (b) is a cleaning unit. It is a perspective view of the rocking member provided in 60.

The cleaning unit 60 is movably supported in the ± Y direction with respect to the insertion guide 29, and is moved in the + Y direction (first direction) by inserting the cartridge 12 and in the −Y direction (second direction) by pulling out the cartridge 12. Move to. The insertion guide 29 that guides the movement of the cartridge 12 also serves as a guide for the cleaning unit 60. As a result, the accuracy of the relative positions of the cartridge 12 and the cleaning unit 60 is improved, and the cartridge 12 and the cleaning unit 60 are smoothly interlocked with each other.

The insertion rib 40 of the cartridge 12 is provided with a first contact portion 41 and a second contact portion 42 that engage with the cleaning unit 60 (see FIG. 3).

The cleaning unit 60 has a slide member (main body of the cleaning unit) 61 that is movably supported by the insertion guide 29 in the ± Y direction, and a swing member 62 that is swingably supported with respect to the slide member 61. Further, the cleaning unit 60 includes a rotating member 66 rotatably supported with respect to the shaft portion 61d of the slide member 61, and a compression spring 65.

The slide member 61 has a contact portion 61a with which the first contact portion 41 of the cartridge 12 comes into contact when the cartridge 12 is inserted, and a shaft portion 61d for holding the rotating member 66 rotatably. Further, it has an engaging portion 61e that engages the slide member 61 with the insertion guide 29 so that the slide member 61 moves along the insertion guide 29.

When the cartridge 12 is pulled out from the main body of the apparatus (when the cartridge 12 is moved in the −Y direction), the second contact portion 42 of the cartridge 12 comes into contact with the rotating member 66 to move the cleaning unit 60. A portion 66a is provided. Further, the rotating member 66 is provided with a posture holding portion 66b that engages with the insertion guide 29 and holds the posture of the cleaning unit 60. The posture holding unit 66b functions when the cartridge 12 is pulled out from the main body of the apparatus.

As shown in FIG. 6B, the rocking member 62 is fixed to the bottom of the rocking member 62, and comes into contact with the surface of the cover glass 31 to clean the cover glass 31 and a sheet-shaped cleaning sheet 63 for cleaning. It includes a wiping member 64 that is laminated and attached to the sheet 63. The spring 65 is provided between the slide member 61 and the swing member 62, and urges the swing member 62 in the −Z direction. By this urging force, the cleaning sheet 63 and the wiping member 64 come into contact with the surface of the cover glass 31. In this example, the cleaning sheet 63 and the wiping member 64 are provided as the cleaning portion that comes into contact with the cover glass 31, but the configuration of the cleaning portion is not limited to this.

The cleaning sheet 63 is made by bending a film-like sheet material (material is polyester), and when the rocking member 62 swings, the tip of the cleaning sheet 63 in the + Y direction comes into contact with the cover glass 31 or from the cover glass 31. To separate. When the cleaning unit 60 moves in the + Y direction with the cleaning sheet 63 in contact with the cover glass 31, foreign matter on the cover glass 31 is scraped off by the cleaning sheet 63.

The wiping member 64 is a polyester non-woven fabric and collects foreign matter on the cover glass 31.

4 (a) and 4 (b) show the relationship between the slide member 61 and the swing member 62 when the cleaning unit 60 is moving in the + Y direction and the cover glass 31 is being cleaned by the cleaning sheet 63 and the wiping member 64. Shown. FIG. 4C shows the relationship between the slide member 61 and the swing member 62 when the cleaning unit 60 is moving in the −Y direction with the cleaning sheet 63 and the wiping member 64 separated from the cover glass 31. There is. In the cleaning unit 60 of this example, the slide member 61 can be moved in a direction away from the cover glass 61 so that the swing member 62 is completely separated from the cover glass 31. In this case, the first holding portion 62b and the second holding portion 62c of the swing member 62 are held by the first supporting portion 61b and the second supporting portion 61c of the slide member 61. On the other hand, when the cleaning sheet 63 and the wiping member 64 are in contact with the cover glass 31, the first holding portion 62b and the second holding portion 62c of the swinging member 62 are the first supporting portions as shown in FIG. 4 (b). It is separated from 61b and the second support portion 61c.

The swing member 62 has a posture switching portion 62a that engages with the insertion guide 29 to switch the posture of the swing member 62, and two abutting portions 62da that abut against the cover glass 31 by the force of the spring 65 during cleaning. The end portion 62de of the abutting portion 62da has a role of surely separating the cleaning sheet 63 and the wiping member 64 from the cover glass 31 by abutting against the cover glass 31 during non-cleaning. The region of the cover glass 31 with which the abutting portion 62da abuts is a region through which the laser beam does not pass.

(Insert guide)
Next, the insertion guide 29 will be described. FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the insertion guide 29, and FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view of the insertion guide 29 when viewed in the + Y direction. The insertion guide 29 is a swing member 62 of a guide portion 50 that engages with the insertion rib 40 of the cartridge 12 to guide insertion / removal, and a swing member 62 when the cleaning unit 60 moves in the + Y direction (when the cover glass 31 is being cleaned). It has a rail-shaped regulating portion 51 that suppresses the lifting of the posture switching portion 62a on the tip side. Further, a rail-shaped separation holding portion (second guide of the swing member 62) 52, a posture switching lever (switching portion) 53, a notch 54, and a rotating member holding portion 55 for holding the posture of the rotating member 66. It has.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing an engaged state between the insertion guide 29 and the slide member 61. The slide support portion 70u of the insertion guide 29 and the upper engaging portion 61e of the slide member 61 engage with each other, and the slide support portion 70d and the lower engaging portion 61e engage with each other to cause the slide member 61 (cleaning unit 60). ) Is held by the insertion guide 29. As described above, when the cleaning unit 60 is cleaning the cover glass 31, the two abutting portions 62da of the swing member 62 abut against the cover glass 31 by the force of the spring 65. The reaction force in the + Z direction from the cover glass 31 at this time is received when the bottom surface 61fd of the guide groove of the slide member 61 abuts on the slide support portion 70d of the insertion guide 29.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the posture switching lever 53. The posture switching lever 53 is made of an elastic wire rod used for a spring, and one end thereof is fixed by a first lever support portion 57 and a second lever holding portion 58 of the insertion guide 29. The other end is supported only on the lower side by the third lever support 59 of the insertion guide 29. The posture switching lever 53 is held by the insertion guide 29 so as to retract in the direction of arrow R531 in FIG. 9 when the posture switching portion 62a of the swing member 62 abuts.

(Cleaning operation)
Next, the cleaning operation of the cover glass 31 will be described. The cleaning unit 60 is interlocked with the movement of the cartridge 12 mounted on the image forming apparatus 1.

10 to 14 are views showing the operation of the cleaning unit 60 when the cartridge is inserted. On the other hand, FIGS. 15 to 17 are views showing the operation of the cleaning unit 60 when the cartridge is pulled out. The figure (a) in each figure shows the positional relationship of the cleaning unit 60 in the whole cover glass 12, and the figure (b) in each figure shows the rocking member 62 and the rotating member 66. It is an enlarged view of the vicinity. In order to show the movements of the swing member 62 and the rotating member 66 which are a part of the cleaning unit 60 in an easy-to-understand manner, the slide member 61 which is a part of the cleaning unit 60 is omitted in the figure (b). Further, the cartridge 12 shows only a first contact portion 41 and a second contact portion 42, which are a part thereof.

(When inserting the cartridge)
First, an operation in which the cleaning unit 60 cleans the cover glass 31 in conjunction with the operation of inserting the cartridge 12 into the image forming apparatus 1 will be described. 10 (a) and 10 (b) show a state before the cartridge 12 and the cleaning unit 60 come into contact with each other. In this state, the cleaning unit 60 stands by at the home position (position shown in FIG. 10A). Reference numeral G indicates a foreign substance adhering to the surface of the cover glass 31. Further, the cleaning sheet 63 and the wiping member 64 are in contact with the surface of the cover glass 31. When the cartridge 12 is inserted (moved in the + Y direction) from the state where the cleaning unit 60 is in the home position, the second contact portion 42 of the cartridge 12 slips through the gap between the slide member 61 and the rotating member 66. ..

As shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, when the cartridge 12 is further pushed in, the first contact portion 41 of the cartridge 12 comes into contact with the contact portion 61a of the slide member 61, and thereafter, the cleaning unit moves the cartridge. It is pushed by 12 and moves in the + Y direction. Then, the posture holding portion 66b provided on the rotating member 66 rides on the rotating member holding portion 55 of the insertion guide 29, so that the rotating member 66 rotates as shown by the arrow R661 in FIG. 11B. The posture of the rotating member 66 is switched.

As shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, when the cartridge 12 is further pushed in, the cleaning unit 60 moves in the + Y direction with the cleaning sheet 63 and the wiping member 64 in contact with the cover glass 31. When the cleaning unit 60 is moving in the + Y direction (when cleaning the cover glass 31), the swing member 62 is pressed against the cover glass 31 by the urging force of the spring 65, and the cleaning sheet 63 and the wiping member 64 are pressed. It is in contact with the cover glass 31. Further, the lift of the posture switching portion 62a on the tip end side of the swing member 62 is regulated by the rail-shaped regulating portion 51. When the cover glass 31 is being cleaned by the cleaning sheet 63 and the wiping member 64, the abutting portion 62da of the swinging member 62 abuts on the cover glass 31 and is guided by the cover glass 31. That is, the cover glass 31 serves as a first guide for the swing member 62.

After that, the cleaning unit 60 reaches the vicinity of the end of the cover glass 31 (near the end in the + Y direction). At this position, the posture switching portion 62a of the swing member 62 and the posture switching lever 53 attached to the insertion guide 29 come into contact with each other.

As shown in FIGS. 13 (a) and 13 (b), when the cartridge 12 is further pushed in, as shown in FIG. 13 (b), it is pushed by the posture switching portion 62a of the swing member 62 and the end of the posture switching lever 53. The part retracts in the direction of arrow R531.

When the cartridge 12 is further pushed in, as shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B, the insertion of the cartridge 12 into the image forming apparatus 1 is completed, and the movement of the cleaning unit 60 is also completed. When the posture switching portion 62a moves in the + Y direction from the end of the posture switching lever 53, the posture switching lever 53 returns to its original position due to the elastic force of the wire spring.

(When pulling out the cartridge)
Next, the operation of the cleaning unit 60 when the cartridge 12 is pulled out from the image forming apparatus 1 will be described.

When the cartridge 12 is pulled out (moves in the −Y direction) from the states of FIGS. 14 (a) and 14 (b), the second contact provided on the cartridge 12 is provided as shown in FIGS. 15 (a) and 15 (b). The portion 42 abuts on the abutting portion 66a of the rotating member 66. As a result, the cleaning unit 60 moves in the −Y direction in conjunction with the movement of the cartridge 12. At this time, the cleaning unit 60 moves in the −Y direction while the posture holding portion 66b of the rotating member 66 is in contact with the rail-shaped rotating holding portion 55 of the insertion guide 29. Even if the rotating member 66 receives a force from the second contact portion 42, the rotating holding portion 55 receives the posture holding portion 66b, so that the rotating member 66 rotates while maintaining a stable posture without rotating. The motion holding portion 55 is slid. Therefore, the cleaning unit 60 can be moved smoothly.

As shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B, when the cartridge 12 is pulled out, the posture switching portion 62a of the swing member 62 comes into contact with the upper surface of the slope of the posture switching lever 53. Then, since the posture switching portion 62a moves along the slope of the posture switching lever 53, one end of the swing member 62 is lifted in the direction of arrow R621, and the swing member 62 is gradually tilted.

When the cartridge 12 is further pulled out, as shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B, the posture switching portion 62a finishes climbing the slope of the posture switching lever 53. At this time, the rocking member 62 is greatly tilted as shown by the arrow R622, so that the cleaning sheet 63 and the wiping member 64 of the cleaning unit 60 are separated from the surface of the cover glass 31. Further, since the abutting portion 62d of the rocking member 62 is in contact with the cover glass 31, the cleaning sheet 63 and the wiping member 64 are surely separated from the cover glass 31. One of the two abutting portions 62d shown in FIG. 6B covers at a position deviated in the + X direction from the optical path (laser light passing region) of the cover glass 31 in the sub-scanning direction (the short side direction of the cover glass 31). It hits the glass 31. Further, the other of the two abutting portions 62d abuts on the cover glass 31 at a position deviated in the −X direction from the laser beam passing region of the cover glass 31. Therefore, the cleaning unit 60 can be returned to the home position without polluting the optical path of the cover glass 31.

When the cartridge 12 is further pulled out from the positions shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B, the cleaning unit 60 moves in the −Y direction while the posture switching portion 62 slides on the separation holding portion 52 provided on the insertion guide 29. .. During this movement, the cleaning sheet 63 and the wiping member 64 are kept apart from the surface of the cover glass 31.

As shown in FIGS. 17A and 17B, the separation holding portion 52 provided in the insertion guide 29 has a cutout portion 54 at an end portion in the −Y direction. When the cleaning unit 60 moves to this position, the posture switching portion 62 is not held in the notch portion 54. Then, the swinging member 62 rotates in the direction of the arrow R623 by the urging force of the spring 65, and switches to a contact state in which the cleaning sheet 63 and the wiping member 64 abut against the cover glass 31.

Further, the rotating member holding portion 55 is also interrupted at the end portion in the −Y direction. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 17A and 17B, the rotating member 66 rotates in the direction of arrow R662 by the force received from the second contact portion 42 of the cartridge 12. Further, when the cartridge 12 is pulled out, the second contact portion 42 does not come into contact with the contact portion 66a, so that the cleaning unit 60 does not interlock with the movement of the cartridge 12. Then, the cartridge 12 is completely pulled out from the image forming apparatus 1 while the cleaning unit 60 is left in the home position shown in FIG. 10 (a).

As described above, in this example, while the cleaning unit 60 is moved in the first direction in conjunction with the mounting operation of the cartridge 12, the cleaning sheet 63 and the wiping member 64 are brought into contact with the cover glass 31. to clean. Then, when the cleaning unit 60 is moved in conjunction with the withdrawal operation of the cartridge 12, the cleaning sheet 63 and the wiping member 64 are separated from the cover glass by the posture switching lever provided on the insertion guide 29 at the initial stage of withdrawal. The separation state is maintained by the separation holding portion 52 of the insertion guide 29. Further, at the end of the movement of the cleaning unit 60 in the cartridge pull-out direction, the separation holding portion is interrupted, so that the cleaning sheet 63 and the wiping member 64 are switched from the separated state to the contact state with respect to the cover glass 31.

As described above, in the image forming apparatus of this example, the first swing member 62 when the cleaning unit 60 moves along the guide 29 of the cleaning unit while the cleaning units 63 and 64 are in contact with the cover glass 31. It has a guide (cover glass 31). Further, the cleaning unit 60 has a second guide 52 of the rocking member when the cleaning unit 60 moves along the guide 29 of the cleaning unit in a state where the cleaning units 63 and 64 are separated from the cover glass 31. The first guide 31 and the second guide 52 are different. With this configuration, when the cleaning unit 60 moves while the cleaning units 63 and 64 are separated from the cover glass 31, it is possible to prevent the cleaning units 63 and 64 from coming into contact with the cover glass 31.

[Example 2]
Next, Example 2 will be described. The same reference numerals are given to the same parts as those described in the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

In this example, the configuration of the posture switching lever for switching the posture of the cleaning unit 60 is different from that of the first embodiment. 18 (a) and 18 (b) are partial cross-sectional views of the insertion guide 29. FIG. 18A is a view immediately before the posture switching portion 62a of the cleaning unit 60 comes into contact with the posture switching lever 67 (a diagram having the same timing as FIG. 12B of the first embodiment), and FIG. 18B is shown in FIG. Is a diagram showing a state in which the posture switching portion 62a comes into contact with the posture switching lever 67, the posture switching lever 67 rotates in the direction of arrow R671, and the posture switching lever 67 retracts.

The posture switching lever 67 is rotatably supported by the lever support shaft 56 of the insertion guide 29, and the urged portion 67a receives the urging force by the urging member (spring) 68 provided on the lever support shaft 56. .. Then, the posture switching lever 67 receives a force in the R672 direction by the spring 68, abuts against the third lever support portion 59 provided on the insertion guide 29, and is held.

When the cartridge 12 is inserted into the image forming apparatus and the posture switching portion 62a comes into contact with the posture switching lever 67, the posture switching lever 67 retracts as shown in FIG. 18B. Further, when the attitude switching portion 62a passes through in the + Y direction, the attitude switching lever 67 returns to the standby position shown in FIG. 18A due to the urging force of the urging member 68.

Here, the posture switching lever 67 is made of a resin material having good slidability, and a torsion coil spring is used for the urging member 68. As a result, the slidability of the posture switching portion 62a and the posture switching lever 67 is improved with respect to the posture switching lever 53 using the wire spring of the first embodiment, and the operability of the cleaning unit 60 operation and the cartridge 12 insertion / removal operation is improved. Can be improved.

Further, as shown in FIG. 19, the same effect can be obtained even if the posture is maintained by the weight of the posture switching lever 67 without applying the urging force by the urging member to the posture switching lever 67.

29 Insertion guide 31 Cover glass 60 Cleaning unit

Claims (2)

With the device body
A scanner unit that scans the surface to be scanned with light corresponding to image information, and a scanner unit having a light transmitting member that blocks the light outlet of the scanner unit.
A detachable unit that can be attached to and detached from the device body,
A cleaning unit that cleans the light transmitting member, and a cleaning unit that moves in conjunction with the attachment / detachment operation of the attachment / detachment unit.
A guide for the cleaning unit that guides the movement of the cleaning unit,
Have,
In an image forming apparatus that forms a toner image according to image information on a recording material,
The cleaning unit has a main body of a cleaning device that moves along a guide of the cleaning unit, and a cleaning unit that comes into contact with the light transmitting member to clean the light transmitting member, and can swing with respect to the main body. With a swinging member,
The first guide of the rocking member when the cleaning unit moves along the guide of the cleaning unit while the cleaning unit is in contact with the light transmitting member, and the cleaning unit is from the light transmitting member. An image forming apparatus characterized in that the cleaning unit is different from the second guide of the rocking member when the cleaning unit moves along the guide of the cleaning unit in a separated state. The device is further characterized by having a switching portion for switching from a state in which the rocking member is guided by a first guide of the rocking member to a state in which the rocking member is guided by a second guide of the rocking member. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

Images