JP3283740B2 - Image forming apparatus cleaning device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a cleaning apparatus for an image forming apparatus, and more particularly, to a cleaning apparatus for rotating a surface of an object on which a toner image to be transferred onto a sheet is formed. The present invention relates to a cleaning device of an image forming apparatus to be cleaned.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There is an image forming apparatus such as a color copying machine in which a color image is transferred onto paper using an intermediate transfer member such as a transfer belt. In this method, an original image is read by an exposure unit, and this image is separated into four colors of magenta, cyan, yellow, and black. Of these, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to a single color is formed on the photosensitive drum, and the image on the photosensitive drum is visualized with the toner of this color. Further, the toner image is transferred to a transfer belt that is driven to rotate while being in contact with the photosensitive drum. The same process is repeated for each of the four colors to form a full-color toner image on the transfer belt. Thereafter, the sheet is conveyed between the transfer belt and a transfer roller provided opposite thereto,
Transfer the toner image onto paper.

In such a color copying machine, a cleaning device for the transfer belt is provided in order to remove the toner remaining on the surface of the transfer belt after transferring the toner image onto the paper. The cleaning device includes, for example, a cleaning blade whose tip is in contact with the transfer belt in a rotating direction, a casing for collecting toner scraped off by the cleaning blade, and a toner scraped by the cleaning blade. And an auxiliary blade for guiding the fluid into the casing. The cleaning blade and the auxiliary blade are provided to face each other across an opening for toner recovery provided on a side surface of the casing, and are pressed against the surface of the transfer belt.
However, the cleaning blade and the auxiliary blade are separated from the surface of the transfer belt until the first color transfer from the photosensitive drum to the transfer belt is performed and the full-color toner image is transferred from the transfer belt to the paper. There is a need.

[0004]

In such a transfer belt cleaning device, a guide rail is provided for attaching and detaching the transfer belt to and from the image forming apparatus. It is common to attach and detach. However, the opening for collecting the toner of the cleaning device is often provided on the side surface in terms of structure, and there is a possibility that the toner may scatter from inside the casing when the cleaning device is attached or detached. If the guide rails are loose, the cleaning blade, the auxiliary blade, or a part of the casing of the cleaning device may be damaged by contacting the transfer belt.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a cleaning device for an image forming apparatus which has a simple structure, can be easily attached and detached, and can prevent toner scattering and damage to the apparatus.

[0006]

A cleaning device for an image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a casing, a cleaning member, a supported portion, and a driving mechanism. The casing has an opening for collecting the toner separated from the surface of the object. The cleaning member is attached to the opening edge of the casing, and can be pressed against the surface of the object. The supported portion is provided below the opening of the casing, and is guided by a support shaft provided in the image forming apparatus to guide the casing to a predetermined position, and is supported by the support shaft to swing the casing. The drive mechanism swings the casing to press and separate the cleaning member from and to the surface of the object. Branch
The shaft has a fitting groove with a smaller outer diameter than other parts.
You. The supported portion has an open engaging groove that swingably engages with the support shaft. The engagement groove is fitted into the fitting groove,
It is guided to another part of the support shaft.

In such a cleaning device for an image forming apparatus, the supported portion provided below the opening is guided by a support shaft provided in the image forming apparatus, and the casing can be guided to a predetermined position. It can be mounted at a predetermined position. The supported portion is supported by a support shaft for swinging the casing. Therefore, when the cleaning member is pressed against and separated from the surface of the object, the support shaft on which the casing rotates also serves as a guide member at the time of mounting, and the cleaning device can be attached and detached with a simple structure. Further, since the casing can be attached and detached by rotating so that the opening thereof faces upward, scattering of toner can be prevented.

[0008] The cleaning member can be attached so that its tip is opposed to the direction of rotation of the surface of the object, and can be constituted by a cleaning blade made of synthetic resin or metal. In the case where the surface of the object is driven in a direction moving from above to below the opening of the casing, the cleaning member can be attached to one side edge located below the opening of the casing.

Further, a cleaning member is attached to one side edge located above the opening of the casing so that the surface of the object moves upward from below with respect to the opening of the casing. An auxiliary cleaning member may be further provided on the other side edge located below the opening. The toner scraped off by the cleaning member is guided into the casing by the auxiliary cleaning member, thereby preventing the toner from scattering to the outside. As this auxiliary cleaning member, an auxiliary cleaning blade made of synthetic resin or metal can be used.

The cleaning device can be used for a photosensitive drum, and an intermediate transfer member that transfers a toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum and transfers the toner image to a sheet that is conveyed. It can also be used for belts. In this case, the intermediate transfer belt may be stretched between the driving roller and the driven roller. Further, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which the casing is urged such that the tip of the cleaning member is pressed against the surface of the object.

[0011]

FIG. 1 shows a copier to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied. The copying machine 1 has a document table 2 on which a document is placed on the upper surface. A document holder for covering the document table 2 is mounted on the upper surface of the copier 1 so as to be openable and closable. Panels are arranged.

An exposure unit 3 for reading a document placed on a document table 2 is provided above the copying machine 1. The exposure unit 3 includes a light source, a mirror, a lens unit, and the like. The original image from the exposure unit 3 is a color CCD 4
And stored as a two-dimensional image. An image forming unit 5 for forming a toner image of a read document is provided at the center of the copying machine 1. The image forming section 5 has a photosensitive drum 6 on the surface of which an electrostatic latent image is formed. Around the photosensitive drum 6, a charging device 7, an optical system 8 for irradiating light for forming an electrostatic latent image, developing devices 9, 10, 11, 12, a transfer device 13, a cleaning device 14, and the like are arranged. Have been. Developing units 9, 10, 11, 1
Reference numeral 2 is filled with magenta, cyan, yellow, and black toners, and visualizes toner images corresponding to the respective colors on the photosensitive drum.

The cleaning device 14 is provided with a cleaning member such as a cleaning roller, a cleaning blade or a fur brush, which is pressed against the surface of the photosensitive drum 6 to remove toner on the photosensitive drum 6. Configuration. The transfer device 13 includes a driving roller 15, driven rollers 16, 17, an auxiliary roller 1
8, 19, a bias roller 20, a transfer belt 21 stretched over these rollers, a secondary transfer roller 22 opposed to the transfer belt 21, a cleaning device 23, and the like. The transfer belt 21 is driven to rotate by the driving roller 15 at substantially the same speed as the surface of the photosensitive drum 6.
The transfer belt 21 is in contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 6 between the auxiliary roller 19 and the bias roller 20. The bias roller 20 is disposed inside the transfer belt 21, and transfers toner adhering to the surface of the photosensitive drum 6 by applying a high-voltage charge to the transfer belt 21.
Transfer to The driven roller 16 and the secondary transfer roller 22 are opposed to each other so as to come into contact with each other via the transfer belt 21 and the conveyed sheet.
2, the transfer belt 21
Transfer the upper toner to the paper.

A paper feed unit 24 is provided below the copying machine 1. The paper feeding unit 24 is configured to feed paper cassettes 25, 26, 27, and 28 arranged vertically below the copying machine 1 and the paper stored in the paper feeding cassettes 25 to 28 to the image forming unit 5.
And a paper feed conveyance path 29 for conveying the paper to the printer. At the downstream side of the image forming unit 5 in the sheet conveying direction, the sheet is
A discharge conveyance path 30 for conveying to the left, a fixing device 31 for fusing and fixing the toner image on the paper, a discharge roller 32 for discharging the paper after fixing, and a paper discharge for receiving the discharged paper A tray 33 is provided.

The cleaning device 23 provided in the transfer device 13 has a configuration as shown in FIGS. The cleaning device 23 has a casing 34 having an opening 35 on a side surface. A main blade 36 made of a hard synthetic resin is attached to a side edge located above the opening 35. A lower blade 37 made of a soft synthetic resin is attached to a side edge located below the opening 35. The lower end of the casing 34 constitutes a supported portion 39 which engages with a support shaft 38 fixed to the copying machine 1 side.

The supported portion 39 is provided with the engagement groove 4 opened downward.
0, and is formed in a substantially C-shape. Furthermore, the supported portion 39 as shown in FIG. 3, are provided in the longitudinal direction end of the cleaning device 2 3. Engagement groove 4 of supported portion 39
The width of 0 is set smaller than the outer diameter of the support shaft 38 and larger than the outer diameter of the fitting groove 41 provided on the support shaft 38.

At the other end in the length direction of the cleaning device 23, a mounting plate 42 is provided. The mounting plate 42, the mounting hole 43 is provided corresponding to the end of the support shaft 3 8. A spiral 44 driven by a motor (not shown) is built in the cleaning device 23.

On the other side in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning device 23, a solenoid mounting plate 50 is mounted on the copying machine 1. A solenoid 52 is mounted on the solenoid mounting plate 50 such that the plunger 51 moves inward when a signal is input. The plunger 51 has a solenoid lever 53
Is attached. The solenoid lever 53 is attached so as to be rotatable integrally with the rotation shaft 47, and rotates the rotation shaft 47 by moving the plunger 51 of the solenoid 52.

When the cleaning device 23 is mounted on the copying machine 1, the slide shaft 49 is slid to move the position regulating plate 48 to the regulation release position. In this state, the pressing lever 46 can rotate regardless of the position regulating plate 48, and the pressing plate spring 45 can be retracted to a position where the plunger 51 of the solenoid 52 projects most. The cleaning device 23 can be mounted by fitting the engaging groove 40 of the supported portion 39 from the fitting groove portion 41 of the support shaft 38 and pushing it to a predetermined position. At this time, the support shaft 38 provided on the copying machine 1 guides the supported portion 39 to a predetermined position. At this time, since the pressing lever 46 and the pressing plate spring 45 are in a free state without being restricted in position, there is no obstacle when the cleaning device 23 is mounted. Thereafter, the sliding shaft 49 is moved to set the position regulating plate 48 to the regulating position.

In the transfer device 13, when a toner image is transferred from the photosensitive drum 6, the solenoid 52 is turned off, and the position of the plunger 51 is set to the position indicated by the one-dot chain line in FIG. As a result, the pressing lever 46 and the pressing leaf spring 45 are at the retracted positions via the plunger 51, the solenoid lever 53, and the rotating shaft 47. At this time, the cleaning device 23 rotates in the lower left direction in FIG. 2 by its own weight, and the main blade 36 and the lower blade 37 separate from the transfer belt 21.

After the sheet is conveyed between the secondary transfer roller 22 and the driven roller 16 and the transfer of the toner image on the transfer belt 21 to the sheet is performed or simultaneously with the execution of the transfer, a signal is sent to the solenoid 52. Enter Thus, the plunger 51 is at the position indicated by the dotted line in FIG. 4, and at the same time, the pressing lever 46 and the pressing plate spring 45 are at the position where the casing 34 of the cleaning device 23 is pressed.

At this time, the tips of the main blade 36 and the lower blade 37 are pressed against the transfer belt 21. As a result, the toner remaining on the surface of the transfer belt 21 is scraped off by the main blade 36 and collected in the opening 35. The toner collected in the opening 35 is
The lower blade 37 prevents leakage to the outside.

When the transfer belt 21 is not cleaned, the opening 35 is rotated so as to face the upper surface in order to rotate the transfer belt 21 about a support shaft 38 located below the cleaning device 23. Therefore, even when the toner adheres to the inside of the tip of the main blade 36, the toner is collected inside the casing without scattering to the outside. Other Embodiments (A) Instead of the main blade 36 and the lower blade 37, a fur brush can be used. (B) Instead of a color copying machine, the present invention can be applied to an ordinary copying machine using a transfer belt. (C) It can be adopted as a cleaning device for the photoconductor. (D) When the rotation direction of the transfer belt 21 is reversed, the main blade 36 is opened instead of the lower blade 37.
Can be attached to the side edge located below. In this case, a side edge blade located above the opening 35 can be omitted.

[0024]

The cleaning device of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention can swing the casing by the supported portion located below the opening of the casing, and the cleaning member is separated from the surface of the object. It is possible to attach and detach the cleaning device. Therefore,
Equipment damage can be prevented. Further, since the supported portion is guided by the support shaft provided in the image forming apparatus to guide the casing to a predetermined position, it is possible to securely attach and detach the casing with a simple configuration without providing a separate guide member. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of a copying machine in which an embodiment of the present invention is adopted.

FIG. 2 is a partial sectional side view showing the main part.

FIG. 3 is a front view thereof.

FIG. 4 is a partial side sectional view thereof.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Copier 5 Image forming part 6 Photoreceptor drum 13 Transfer device 15 Drive roller 16 Follower roller 17 Follower roller 18 Auxiliary roller 19 Auxiliary roller 20 Bias roller 21 Transfer belt 22 Secondary transfer roller 23 Cleaning device 34 Casing 35 Opening 36 Main blade 37 Lower blade 38 Support shaft 39 Supported part 40 Engagement groove 41 Fitting groove part 42 Mounting plate 43 Mounting hole 44 Spiral 45 Pressing plate spring 46 Pressing lever 47 Rotating shaft 48 Position regulating plate 49 Sliding shaft 50 Solenoid mounting plate 51 Plunger 52 Solenoid 53 Solenoid lever

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G03G 21/10-21/12 G03G 15/00 550 G03G 21/16-21/18 G03G 15/16-15 / 16 103

Claims (11)

(57) [Claims] 1. A cleaning device for an image forming apparatus, wherein the cleaning apparatus is configured to clean a surface of an object on which a toner image to be transferred onto a sheet is formed while being rotated inside the image forming apparatus. A casing having an opening for collecting the toner detached from the surface of the object; a cleaning member provided at an opening edge of the casing and capable of pressing against the surface of the object; and a cleaning member provided below the opening of the casing; A supported portion that is guided by a support shaft provided in the image forming apparatus to guide the casing to a predetermined position, and is supported by the support shaft to swing the casing; and a cleaning member that swings the casing to swing the casing. And a drive mechanism for pressing and separating the object from the surface of the object, and the support shaft has a smaller outer diameter than other portions. A mating groove portion, wherein the supported portion has an open engaging groove swingably engaged with the support shaft, and the engaging groove is fitted into the fitting groove portion; The cleaning device of the image forming apparatus is guided to the part. 2. The cleaning member is mounted such that a tip thereof is opposed to a rotation direction of the surface of the object.
A cleaning device for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1. 3. The cleaning device for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said cleaning member is a cleaning blade made of synthetic resin or metal. 4. A cleaning member scraped off by said cleaning member.
Auxiliary cleaner for guiding the toner into the casing
The cleaning device for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning member is attached to one side edge located below the opening of the casing. 5. The cleaning member is attached to one side edge located above an opening of the casing,
An auxiliary cleaning member which is attached to the other side edge located below the opening of the casing opposite to the cleaning member and guides the toner scraped off by the cleaning member to the inside of the casing is further provided. Item 4. A cleaning device for an image forming apparatus according to any one of Items 1 to 3. 6. The cleaning device for an image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said auxiliary cleaning member is an auxiliary cleaning blade made of synthetic resin or metal. 7. A cleaning device for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said object is a photosensitive drum. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the object is an intermediate transfer belt on which a toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum is transferred and the toner image is transferred onto a conveyed sheet. A cleaning device for an image forming apparatus according to any one of the above. 9. The cleaning device for an image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said intermediate transfer member belt is stretched between a driving roller and a driven roller. 10. A cleaning device for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said casing is urged such that a tip of said cleaning member is pressed against a surface of said object. 11. A cleaning device for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said opening is rotated about said support shaft so that said opening is located substantially above and attached to and detached from said image forming apparatus. .