JP2023007942A - Cleaning device for fixing device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a cleaning device for a fixing device that has a simple constitution and requires no labor.SOLUTION: A cleaning device 10 for a fixing device includes: a peeling claw 11a provided at a tip; a polishing material 11b provided on the same plane as the peeling claw 11a in succession to the peeling claw 11a; a holding unit 11 for holding the peeling claw 11a and the polishing material 11b; and a positioning device 20 for selectively positioning the holding unit 11 at a first position and a second position. When the positioning device 20 is at the first position (indicated by a solid line in the drawing), the separation claw 11a abuts against a pressure roller 12, and when the positioning device 20 is at the second position (indicated by a dotted line in the drawing), the polishing material 11b abuts against the pressure roller 12.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

The present invention relates to a cleaning device for a fixing device.

2. Description of the Related Art When a sheet of paper is passed through a fixing device provided in an image forming apparatus, the edge of the sheet damages the fixing belt and the fixing roller. For example, if the fixing belt or fixing roller is damaged by the edge of an A4 size paper, image defects such as vertical streaks (along the paper transport direction) will occur when fixing to a larger B4 or A3 size paper. Occur.

Conventionally, when such belt damage occurs in the fixing belt, a service person removes the fixing unit or the fixing roller from the main body of the apparatus and replaces the fixing unit or the fixing belt. However, it is necessary to call a service person to deal with the problem by replacing the unit or parts. Until the service person arrives, the image forming apparatus is in a stopped state and cannot be used.

For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2017-134174 (Patent Document 1).

FIG. 8 shows the fixing device of Patent Document 1. FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the fixing device 150, and FIG. 8B is a view showing a contact state of the peeling claw (lower claw) 155 against the pressure roller 154 shown in FIG. 8A. 8C is a diagram showing the contact position of the lower claw 155 and the lower claw mark 156 formed by the lower claw 155. FIG. 8A to 8C, fixing device 150 includes heating roller 151, fixing roller 152, fixing belt 153, and pressure roller 154. FIG. The fixing belt 153 is an endless belt wound around the heating roller 151 and the fixing roller 152 so that heat can be transferred from the heating roller 151 to the fixing roller 152 . Further, the fixing belt 153 has a predetermined thickness (for example, 250 μm). The pressure roller 154 is pressed against the fixing roller 152 with the fixing belt 153 therebetween to form a fixing nip area between the fixing belt 153 and the pressure roller 154 .

The heating roller 151 and the fixing roller 152 are provided with cylindrical cored bars. Inside the heating roller 151, a heat source (here, a halogen heater lamp) 151a is provided. As a result, the heating roller 151 is heated by the heat source 151a, the heat of the heating roller 151 is transferred to the fixing belt 153, and further transferred to the surface of the fixing roller 152 via the fixing belt 153, thereby heating the fixing roller 152. .

The fixing device 150 also has a plurality of peeling claws 155 . The peeling claw 155 is a member that peels the recording paper from the rotating member (fixing belt 153 or pressure roller 154) in the fixing device 150, and is sandwiched between the fixing belt 153 and the pressure roller 154 in the fixing nip area. This prevents the recording paper from winding around the rotating member (here, pressure roller 154).

As described above, the fixing device 150 has a problem that the fixing belt 153 is damaged by the paper edge when the recording paper is passed through the fixing nip area. Since this belt damage causes an image defect that causes vertical streaks in the image on the recording paper, maintenance of the fixing belt 153 is required to prevent this image defect.

In the conventional fixing device, belt scratches on the fixing belt 153 are repaired by polishing with a polishing device. In the polishing apparatus, the peeling claw holding member 163 can be removed from the opening/closing cover 161 and attached to the opening/closing cover 161 instead of the peeling claw holding member 163 .

JP 2017-134174 A

In the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, as described above, the polishing apparatus can detach the peeling claw holding member from the opening/closing cover and attach it to the opening/closing cover instead of the peeling claw holding member. There is a problem that it is necessary to replace the peeling claw and the cleaning member manually, and it is necessary to prepare separate members, and it takes time and effort to replace them manually.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a cleaning device for a fixing device which has a simple structure and does not require much work.

A cleaning device for cleaning the surface of a roller of a fixing unit, wherein the cleaning device of the fixing device includes a peeling claw provided at the tip and an abrasive provided continuously from the peeling claw and on the same plane as the peeling claw. a holding part for holding the peeling claw and the abrasive; and a positioning device for selectively positioning the holding part at a first position and a second position, wherein the positioning device is at the first position. At one point, the abrasive material abuts the roller and the stripper finger abuts the roller when the positioning device is in the second position.

Since the peeling claw and the abrasive material are integrated and the peeling claw and the abrasive material are brought into contact with the roller as required by the positioning device, it is possible to provide a cleaning device for the fixing device which has a simple structure and does not require much labor.

Preferably, the width of the stripper finger is smaller than the width of the abrasive.

Since the width of the peeling claw is smaller than the width of the abrasive, the peeling material is provided only where necessary.

More preferably, the holding part has a claw holder that connects an end opposite to the stripping claw and a predetermined rotation axis, and rotation of the claw holder around the rotation axis causes the positioning device to: Toggle between a first position and a second position.

The positioning device switches between a first position and a second position so that the required processing can be performed at each of the first position and the second position.

The pawl holder has an extension extending in a direction away from the holding portion from the axis of rotation, and the extension is provided with an actuator for switching between a first position and a second position.

Since the actuator for switching between the first position and the second position is provided, the actuator can easily switch between the first position and the second position.

In one embodiment of the invention the actuator is a solenoid.

In another aspect of the present invention, an image forming apparatus includes the fixing device cleaning device described above.

In still another aspect of the present invention, the fixing device includes a cleaning device, and the cleaning device includes a peeling claw provided at the tip, an abrasive provided continuously from the peeling claw and on the same plane as the peeling claw, A holding part for holding a peeling nail and an abrasive, and a positioning device for selectively positioning the holding part at a first position and a second position, and when the positioning device is at the first position , the abrasive material abuts the roller and the stripper finger abuts the roller when the positioning device is in the second position.

In still another aspect of the present invention, a cleaning method for cleaning a roller of a fixing device comprises: a peeling claw provided at the tip; a holding portion for holding the peeling claw and the abrasive; and a positioning device for selectively positioning the holding portion between a first position and a second position; Positioning the positioning device at position 1 to bring the abrasive material into contact with the roller; positioning the positioning device at position 2 to bring the peeling claw into contact with the roller; The steps of positioning in the first position and positioning the positioning device in the second position are repeated.

The cleaning device of the fixing device of the present invention integrates the peeling claw and the abrasive, and the positioning device brings the peeling claw and the abrasive into contact with the roller as needed. It has such an effect.

1 is a sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus to which the invention is applied; FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an image forming process in the image forming apparatus; 2 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of a cleaning device of the fixing device; FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a holding portion provided in the fixing device; It is a figure which shows the detail of a holding|maintenance part. It is a figure which shows the detail of a holding|maintenance part. It is a figure which shows the detail of a holding|maintenance part. It is a figure which shows the detail of a holding|maintenance part. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a usage state of a cleaning device having a plurality of holding portions; FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a usage state of a cleaning device having a plurality of holding portions; FIG. 10 is a view showing a contact state of the cleaning device with the pressure roller during use; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a contact state of the cleaning device with the pressure roller when the cleaning device is in use; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a contact state of the cleaning device with the pressure roller when the cleaning device is in use; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a conventional cleaning method for a fixing device; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a conventional cleaning method for a fixing device; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a conventional cleaning method for a fixing device;

[First Embodiment]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus 100 to which the invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a diagram explaining an image forming process in the image forming apparatus 100. As shown in FIG.

The image forming apparatus 100 includes a main body portion 110, a document reading portion 120, and a document conveying device 130, as shown in FIG. Main unit 110 has an image forming unit for printing an image on recording paper. The document reading section 120 is arranged above the main body section 110 and reads a document when copying the document.

The document conveying device 130 is arranged above the document reading section 120 and is rotated upward with the rear side of the device as a fulcrum so that the front side of the device is opened. Further, in the automatic reading mode, the document conveying device 130 sequentially conveys the documents placed on the document set tray toward the document placing table of the document reading section 120 .

The image data handled by the image forming apparatus 100 corresponds to a color image using each color of black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y), or a single color (for example, black). It corresponds to the monochrome image that was used. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 100 has four image stations Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pd associated with black, cyan, magenta, and yellow, and forms four types of toner images corresponding to each color. can do. Each of the image stations Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pd has a developing device 42, a photoreceptor drum 43, a drum cleaning device 44, and a charger 45 (see FIG. 2).

Further, the optical scanning device 41 is shared among the image stations Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pd. Specifically, the optical scanning device 41 includes one polygon mirror and four semiconductor lasers (not shown). The laser beams emitted from the respective semiconductor lasers are scanned in different optical paths in the main scanning direction by rotating polygon mirrors, and pass through optical members such as lenses and mirrors to the respective image stations Pa, Pb, Incident on the surface of the photosensitive drum 43 of Pc and Pd.

In each of the image stations Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pd, toner image formation on the photosensitive drum 43 is performed in the following procedure. First, the drum cleaning device 44 removes and collects residual toner on the surface of the photoreceptor drum 43, and then the charger 45 uniformly charges the surface of the photoreceptor drum 43 to a predetermined potential. Next, the optical scanning device 41 exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 43 to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface, and the developing device 42 develops the electrostatic latent image. Thereby, a toner image of each color is formed on the surface of each photosensitive drum 43 .

Subsequently, while the intermediate transfer belt 51 is circulating, the belt cleaning device 52 removes and collects the residual toner on the intermediate transfer belt 51 . The images are sequentially transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 51 by the roller 46A and the power source 46B) and superimposed. Thereby, a color toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 51 .

A nip area is formed between the intermediate transfer belt 51 and the transfer roller of the secondary transfer device 53, and the recording paper conveyed through the paper conveying path is sandwiched in the nip area and conveyed. At that time, the color toner image on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 51 is transferred onto the recording paper. Then, the fixing device 50 heats and presses the recording paper to fix the color toner image on the recording paper.

On the other hand, the recording paper is pulled out from the paper feed cassette 48, conveyed through the paper conveying path, passed through the secondary transfer device 53 and the fixing device 50, and conveyed to the paper discharge tray via the paper discharge rollers 62. . A registration roller 61 for transporting the recording paper in synchronization with the transfer timing of the toner image in the nip area, a transport roller for urging the transport of the recording paper, a discharge roller, and the like are arranged in the paper transport path.

Next, the cleaning device 10 of the fixing device 50 according to the present embodiment will be described below using a fixing device having a pressure roller as an example.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of the fixing device cleaning device 10 according to the present embodiment. Referring to FIG. 3, cleaning device 10 is provided for polishing and repairing scratches left on pressure roller 12 . The cleaning device 10 includes a holding portion 11 that holds a peeling claw 11a provided at the tip, an abrasive material 11b that is provided continuously with the peeling claw 11a and on the same plane as the peeling claw 11a, and a holding portion 11 that is positioned at a first position. position (the position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 3, during polishing) and a second position (the position indicated by the dotted line in FIG. 3, during peeling).

[Second embodiment]
The positioning device 20 includes a claw holder 21 that connects a rotation center 11c provided at the end of the holding portion 11 opposite to the peeling claw 11a and a predetermined rotation shaft 22 provided above the pressure roller 12. , and rotation of the pawl holder 21 about the rotation axis 22 causes the positioning device 20 to switch the holding portion 11 between the first position and the second position.

The abrasive material 11b contacts the pressure roller 12 when the holding portion 11 is at the first position, and the peeling claw 11a contacts the pressure roller 12 when the positioning device 20 is at the second position.

The peeling claw 11a and the abrasive 11b are integrated by the holding portion 11, and the positioning device 20 moves the peeling claw 11a (second position) and the abrasive 11b (first position) to the pressure roller 12 as needed. , the cleaning device 10 for the fixing device can be provided with a simple structure and without much work.

Next, the configuration of the holding portion 11 will be described. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view showing a side surface of the holding portion 11. As shown in FIG. Referring to FIG. 4, the holding portion 11 has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the side, and has a peeling claw 11a provided at an acute-angled tip portion (the portion surrounded by a circle in the drawing), and an abrasive material at the oblique side portion. 11b is provided, and a rotation center 11c for rotating the holding portion 11 is provided at the end of the holding portion 11 opposite to the peeling claw 11a.

A pawl holder 21 connects this rotation center 11 c and a predetermined rotation shaft 22 provided above the pressure roller 12 . The positioning device 20 switches between the first position and the second position by rotating the pawl holder 21 about the rotation axis 22 .

Next, details of the peeling claw 11a and the abrasive material 11b of the holding portion 11 will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing this. 5A is a perspective view of the holding portion 11, FIG. 5B is a view of the portion indicated by arrow VB-VB in FIG. 5A, and FIG. 5C is a view of the portion indicated by arrow VC-VC in FIG. 5B. FIG. 5D is an arrow view of a portion indicated by an arrow VD-VD in FIG. 5C.

Referring to FIGS. 5A to 5D, holding portion 11 has a rectangular shape with a certain width, and includes a longest side, a side intersecting at an acute angle, and a side intersecting at a substantially right angle. and a side connecting opposite ends. The longest side is provided with a peeling claw 11a having a constant width and an abrasive material 11b having a width wider than the constant width and provided continuously therewith.

A support portion 11d for supporting the abrasive material 11b is provided on the back side of the abrasive material 11b along the abrasive material 11b. The support portion 11d is thicker than the abrasive material 11b, and the peeling claw 11a and the abrasive material 11b have substantially the same thickness.

A center of rotation 11c is provided in the vicinity of the longest side and the side that crosses the longest side at a substantially right angle. The support portion 11d is provided from the peeling claw to the front of the rotation center 11c without supporting the entire abrasive material 11b.

[Third Embodiment]
Here, the width of the peeling claw 11a varies depending on the pressure roller, but is about 3 to 5 mm, and the width of the abrasive material 11b is larger than the width of the peeling claw 11a by about 1 mm on both sides. As a result, the traces of the peeling claw 11a formed on the pressure roller are repaired. Since the width of the peeling claw is smaller than the width of the abrasive, the peeling material is provided only where necessary.

Next, operation of the cleaning device 10 will be described. FIG. 6 is a perspective view for explaining the operation of the cleaning device 10. FIG. In this embodiment, four peeling claws 11a are provided on the pressure roller 12 at intervals.

FIG. 6A is a diagram showing a state during cleaning, and FIG. 6B is a diagram showing a state during normal fixing. Referring to FIG. 6A, holding portion 11 is held at the lower end portion of rectangular nail holder 21 at a constant interval. The holder 21 and the holding portion 11 are arranged to form an obtuse angle.

On the other hand, during fixing, the claw holder 21 and the holding portion 11 are arranged to form an acute angle so that the tip of the peeling claw 11a comes into contact with the pressure roller 12 in order to peel off the paper.

In this way, the claw holder 21 is provided with the holding portion 11 of the claw holder 21 in order to bring the peeling claw 11a and the abrasive 11b into contact with the pressure roller 12 depending on the working conditions. It rotates around a rotating shaft 22 provided in the thickness direction of the claw holder 21 at the end on the side.

As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, a positioning device 20 is connected to one widthwise end of the pawl holder 21 in the direction opposite to the holding portion 11 of the rotating shaft 22 of the pawl holder 21 . An extension 28 is provided for

Next, the operation of positioning device 20 will be described. 7A and 7B are diagrams for explaining the operation of the positioning device 20, showing how the holding portion 11 is moved by the rotation of the nail holder 21 and the separation nail 11a and the abrasive material 11b are brought into contact with the pressure roller 12. FIG. is a side view showing. For ease of understanding, FIG. 7A is a diagram showing two superimposed states, a state during cleaning and a state during normal fixing, and FIG. 7B is a diagram showing only the state during cleaning. and FIG. 7C are diagrams showing the state at the time of normal fixing.

7A, here, the center of rotation 11c of the holding part 11 and the pawl holder 21 having the rotation shaft 22 are shown in the same manner as in FIG. showing. An extension portion 28 extending from the rotating shaft 22 to the opposite side of the holding portion 11 of the pawl holder 21 is also indicated by a line.

As shown, the end of extension 28 is connected to telescoping portion 25 of solenoid 24 .

By actuating the solenoid 24 in this state, the expandable part 25 expands and contracts, the nail holder 21 rotates about the rotating shaft 22, and either the peeling nail 11a or the abrasive material 11b of the holding part 11 It abuts against the pressure roller 12 .

That is, by rotating the nail holder 21 around the rotary shaft 22, the positioning device 20 moves to the first position where the abrasive 11b abuts against the pressure roller 12, which corresponds to cleaning, and to the peeling position, which corresponds to fixing. The second position where the claw 11a abuts against the pressure roller 12 is switched.

Although the case where a solenoid is used as an actuator for operating the claw holder 21 has been described here, the actuator is not limited to this, and other actuators may be used.

Further, in the above embodiment, the case of removing scratches on the pressure roller has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can also be applied to the case of removing scratches on the fixing roller. It is possible.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but can be implemented in various other forms. Therefore, this embodiment is merely an example in all respects and should not be construed in a restrictive manner. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims and is not restricted by the text of the specification. Furthermore, all modifications and changes within the equivalence range of claims are within the scope of the present invention.

10 Cleaning Device 11 Holding Part 11a Separating Claw 11b Abrasive Material 11c Center of Rotation 12 Pressure Roller 20 Positioning Device 21 Claw Holder 22 Rotational Shaft 24 Solenoid 25 Expandable Part 28 Extension Part 50 Fixing Device

Claims (8)

A cleaning device for cleaning the surface of a roller of a fixing device, comprising:
The cleaning device of the fixing device includes a peeling claw provided at the tip, an abrasive provided continuously from the peeling claw and on the same plane as the peeling claw, and a holder for holding the peeling claw and the abrasive. and a positioning device for selectively positioning the retainer between a first position and a second position;
Cleaning a fixing device, wherein the abrasive material abuts against the roller when the positioning device is at the first position, and the peeling claw abuts against the roller when the positioning device is at the second position. Device. 2. The fixing device cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the width of said peeling claw is smaller than the width of said abrasive. The holding portion has a claw holder that connects an end portion opposite to the peeling claw and a predetermined external rotation shaft, and rotation of the claw holder around the rotation shaft enables the positioning. 3. The fixing device cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the device switches between the first position and the second position. 4. The pawl holder has an extension portion extending away from the holding portion from the rotating shaft, and the extension portion is provided with an actuator for switching between the first position and the second position. 3. The fixing device cleaning device according to claim 1. 5. The fixing device cleaning device according to claim 4, wherein the actuator is a solenoid. An image forming apparatus comprising the fixing device cleaning device according to claim 1 . A fixing device including a cleaning device,
The cleaning device
a peeling claw provided at the tip; an abrasive provided continuously from the peeling claw and on the same plane as the peeling claw; a holding portion for holding the peeling claw and the abrasive; a positioning device that selectively positions one position and a second position;
The fixing device, wherein the abrasive material abuts against the roller when the positioning device is at the first position, and the peeling claw abuts against the roller when the positioning device is at the second position. A cleaning method for cleaning a roller of a fixing device, comprising:
a peeling claw provided at the tip; an abrasive provided continuously from the peeling claw and on the same plane as the peeling claw; a holding portion for holding the peeling claw and the abrasive; providing a positioning device that selectively positions one position and a second position;
positioning the positioning device in a first position to abut the abrasive against the roller;
positioning the positioning device at the second position to bring the peeling claw into contact with the roller;
A method of cleaning a fixing device, wherein the steps of positioning the positioning device at the first position and positioning the positioning device at the second position are repeated as necessary.

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