JP3315550B2 - Image forming apparatus and process cartridge - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus provided with a cleaning device in an electrophotographic method for forming an image and a process cartridge.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIGS. 13 and 14 show a conventional process cartridge PC. 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an electrophotographic apparatus that forms an image using an electrophotographic process or the like, an image formed on an image carrier is transferred to transfer paper, and then a developer remaining on the image carrier, As the cleaning device 4 for cleaning the developer, a cleaning blade 4-1 using a plate-like rubber having a spring-type hardness of about JISC and a hardness of about 65 degrees is attached to the image carrier 1 at a contact pressure of about 30 gf / cm. I was in contact.

Here, as shown in a schematic sectional view of FIG. 13, for example, in a process cartridge PC in which the image carrier 1, the charging device 2, the cleaning device 4, and the developing device 3 are integrated. And a first unit in which the image carrier 1, the charging device 2 and the cleaning device 4 are integrated, and a second unit in which the developer 5 and the developing device 3 are integrated.

Here, the cleaning device 4 in the first unit comprises a housing 4-3, a cleaning blade 4-1, a squeeze sheet 4-2, and an end seal 4-4. tip,
The area surrounded by the squeeze sheet 4-2 and the end seal 4-4 forms an elongated rectangular opening. The opening of the cleaning container 4-5 formed by these components is closed by the contact of the image carrier 1 as shown in the longitudinal sectional view of FIG. The agent 5 does not leak to the outside.

[0005] In the cleaning container 4-5, partition plates 4-6 are provided at substantially equal intervals in the longitudinal direction.
The inside of the cleaning container 4-5 is equally divided. Thus, in a state where the use of the process cartridge PC is advanced and the amount of the developer 5 in the cleaning container 4-5 is increased, for example,
Even when the process cartridge PC is taken out of the laser printer main body and tilted sideways, as shown in FIG. 15, the developer 5 in the cleaning container 4-5 is not all biased in one direction. Therefore, all the developers 5 are not biased in one direction, and the opening of the cleaning container 4-5 is not pressed, so that the developer 5 does not leak out of the cleaning container 4-5.

The partition plate 4-6 is close to the opening and close to the image carrier 1.
3 standing perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the housing 4
-3 as a reinforcing material.

[0007]

However, in the process of electrophotography, the distribution of the transfer residual developer contained in the cleaning container in the longitudinal direction is not uniform, and it is not uniform at both ends of the image, that is, in the longitudinal direction. In general, the amount of the transfer residual developer at both ends is larger than the amount of the transfer residual developer at the center. Therefore, in the above conventional example, as the use of the process cartridge progresses, the amount of the developer in the cleaning container increases, but the amount of the developer in each room in the cleaning container divided by the partition plate is increased. Is not constant, and the developer is full from the chambers at both ends in the longitudinal direction.Therefore, the room in the central part in the longitudinal direction still has room for There was a problem that the limit would come.

At this time, in order to move the developer from a room full of the developer to a room having room for storage, the size of the partition plate is reduced, and the developer moves in the longitudinal direction. It is good to provide an area that can be
The original function of the partition plate to prevent the movement of the entire developer, which occurs when the process cartridge is tilted, cannot be performed.

Further, in order to enlarge the room at both ends in the longitudinal direction where a large amount of residual transfer developer is present, it is possible to make the space between the both ends wider than the center instead of making the space between the partition plates equal. In such a case, the effect of the partition plate as a reinforcing material of the housing is weakened at the longitudinal end.

At both ends in the longitudinal direction, there are end seals for preventing the transfer residual developer from leaking from the cleaning container to the outside. In the chambers at both ends of the cleaning container adjacent to the unit seal, when the amount of the transfer residual developer increases, a large amount of developer always stays between the image carrier and the end seal, and this developer is In some cases, the toner is rubbed by the image carrier and the end seal and adheres to the image carrier, which may cause an image defect.

A first object of the present invention is to increase the filling rate of the developer in the cleaning container while preventing the developer in the cleaning container of the electrophotographic apparatus from leaking out of the container, thereby increasing the volume of the cleaning container. Is used effectively.

A second object of the present invention is to increase the filling rate of the developer in the cleaning container and to increase the volume of the cleaning container by slightly increasing the size of the cleaning container of the cleaning device of the electrophotographic apparatus. Use it effectively.

A third object of the present invention is to prevent transfer residual developer from collecting near an end seal of a cleaning device of an electrophotographic apparatus to prevent the developer from sticking to an image carrier, and to provide a stable image for a long time. To obtain a good image.

[0014]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cleaning means for contacting an image carrier to clean a developer on the image carrier, and storing the developer cleaned by the cleaning means. And a storage device for storing the cleaning device, the cleaning device has three or more partition plates that divide the longitudinal direction in the storage portion, and the area of the partition plate is An image forming apparatus is characterized in that a central part is larger than an end part.

The second invention of the present application is the image forming apparatus according to the first invention, wherein the cleaning device is detachable from the image forming device.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus comprising:
A cleaning means for cleaning the developer on said image bearing member, and a housing portion for accommodating a developer cleaned by the cleaning unit, the housing
The image forming apparatus includes a cleaning device having an opening closed by an image carrier , wherein the cleaning device has at least two or more partition plates that divide a longitudinal direction in the storage unit, and the partition plate is Are arranged so as to divide the longitudinal direction of the opening equally.
The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the rooms at both ends in the longitudinal direction are larger than the other rooms in the volume of each room in the storage section divided by the partition plate.

A fourth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the positions of the surfaces at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the inner wall of the storage portion are outside the positions of both ends in the longitudinal direction of the opening of the storage portion. An image forming apparatus according to a third aspect.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect, wherein rooms at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the storage section are deeper than other rooms.

The sixth invention of the present application is the image forming apparatus according to the third invention, wherein the cleaning device is detachable from the image forming device.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus comprising:
A cleaning unit for cleaning the developer on the image carrier, a storage unit for storing the developer cleaned by the cleaning unit, and the image carrier provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the storage unit; An image forming apparatus having a cleaning device provided with an end seal member for preventing the developer in the storage portion from leaking out of the storage portion in contact with the cleaning device, wherein the cleaning device includes:
The storage unit has at least two or more partition plates that divide the longitudinal direction, and among the partition plates disposed in the storage unit, the position of the outermost partition plate in the longitudinal direction is the end seal. An image forming apparatus, which is inside a member and outside a development area.

An eighth invention of the present application is the image forming apparatus according to the seventh invention, wherein the cleaning device is detachable from the image forming device.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, at least an image carrier, a cleaning unit that contacts the image carrier and cleans a developer on the image carrier, and a developer cleaned by the cleaning unit. In a process cartridge detachable from an image forming apparatus having a storage section for storing therein, the process cartridge has at least three or more partition plates that divide the longitudinal direction in the storage section, and the area of the partition plate is in the longitudinal direction. A process cartridge characterized in that a central portion is larger than an end portion.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, at least an image carrier, cleaning means for contacting the image carrier and cleaning a developer of the image carrier, and accommodating the developer cleaned by the cleaning means. And a storage section for closing the storage section by the image carrier.
In a process cartridge detachable from an image forming apparatus having an opening to be twisted, the process cartridge has at least two or more partitioning plates for dividing a longitudinal direction in the storage portion, and the partitioning plates have the same length in the longitudinal direction of the opening. A process cartridge is provided so as to be divided, and the room at both ends in the longitudinal direction is larger than the other rooms in the volume of each room in the storage section divided by the partition plate.

An eleventh aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the positions of the surfaces of both ends in the longitudinal direction of the inner wall of the storage portion are outside the positions of both ends in the longitudinal direction of the opening of the storage portion. A process cartridge according to a tenth aspect.

A twelfth invention of the present application is the process cartridge according to the tenth invention, wherein the rooms at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the storage section are deeper than other rooms.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, at least an image carrier, a cleaning unit for contacting the image carrier and cleaning a developer on the image carrier, and a developer cleaned by the cleaning unit are provided. A storage portion for storing, and ends provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the storage portion for preventing the developer in the storage portion from leaking out of the storage portion by contacting the image carrier. A process cartridge having a unit seal member and detachable from the image forming apparatus, wherein at least two or more partition plates for dividing a longitudinal direction in the storage unit are provided, and among the partition plates disposed in the storage unit, The process cartridge is characterized in that the position of the outermost partition plate in the longitudinal direction is inside the end sealing member and outside the developing area.

[0027]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a first embodiment of the present invention and is a schematic sectional view of a laser printer main body forming a laser printer having a detachable process cartridge PC mounted thereon.

As shown in FIG. 2, the process cartridge PC has a compact arrangement of an image carrier 1, a charging device 2, a developing device 3, and a cleaning device 4.
In this process cartridge PC, a first unit in which the image carrier 1, the charging device 2 and the cleaning device 4 are integrated, and a second unit which is a unit of the developing device 3 including the developer 5 are combined. Things.

The developing device 3 contacts the developing sleeve 3-1 for transporting the developer 5 with the magnet roller 3-2 and the developing sleeve 3-1 at a pressure of 230 gf / cm ^2. -1 comprises a developing elastic blade 3-3 for regulating the coating of the developer 5 on the developer container 1 and a developing container 3-4 for storing the developer 5.

The main body of the laser printer includes a paper feed roller 6, a transfer device 7, a fixing device 8, a paper discharge roller 9, a fan 10, an optical unit 11 for emitting a laser beam, and an exterior unit 12.
, And the process cartridge PC is mounted thereon, thereby completing a laser printer.

The charging device 2 has a bearing 2-2-1 supporting a charging roller 2-1 as a charging member and a metal core 2-1-1 of the charging roller 2-1. The image forming apparatus comprises a guide member 2-2-2 for guiding in the direction of the body 1, and a supporting member 2-2 provided with a spring 2-2-3 for urging the bearing 2-2-1 in the direction of the image carrier 1. Arrow b following contact with the carrier 1
To charge the image carrier 1. The latent image is formed by exposing the image carrier 1 charged by the charging roller 2-1 with a laser beam indicated by an arrow d sent from the optical unit 11. The developing device 3 is placed close to the image carrier 1 and conveys the developer 5 to perform development by rotating the developing sleeve 3-1 in the direction of arrow c.

The latent image on the image carrier 1 is developed by the developing device 3, and this image is transferred by the transfer device 7 to the transfer paper 13 sent out by the paper feed roller 6, and further fixed. The paper is fixed on the transfer paper 13 by the paper discharge roller 8 and discharged out of the apparatus by the paper discharge roller 9. At this time, the developer 5 not completely transferred to the transfer paper 13 and remaining on the image carrier 1 is
The cleaning device 4 removes the toner from the image carrier 1.

The cleaning device 4 includes a cleaning blade 4-1 as a cleaning member, a squeeze sheet 4-
2. A first housing 4-3 that forms an end seal 4-4 and a cleaning container 4-5 together with the end seal 4-4 and supports the image carrier 1 and the charging device 2. The hardness of the cleaning blade 4-1 is a spring. Cleaning is performed by abutting the image carrier 1 at 30 g weight / cm with a JISC type 65 degree hardness.

As shown in FIG. 3 in a horizontal sectional view of the housing 4-3, partition plates 4-6 are provided at equal intervals in the longitudinal direction of the opening (between the end seals 4-4) inside the cleaning container 4-5.
Is provided.

Here, in the present embodiment, according to the present invention, the size of the partition plate 4-6 is gradually reduced from the center to the end. As the usage amount of the process cartridge PC advances, the cleaning container 4
The -5, the transfer residual current image agent 5, will be accommodated, but usually, the amount is often enough both ends in the longitudinal direction. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, even if a large amount of the residual transfer developer 5 is generated at both ends from the center in the longitudinal direction, the partition plates 4-6 at both ends are relatively small. Due to the small size, only the rooms at both ends separated by the partition plate 4-6 are left untransferred.
Without being filled with the current image agent 5, it is possible to go around in the room next as shown by the arrow e in FIG. 4, is not as shown in FIG. 5.

Further, even when the process cartridge PC is taken out of the laser printer body and tilted sideways,
As shown in FIG. 6, all of the transfer residual developer 5 in the cleaning container 4-5 is biased in one direction, and presses the opening of the cleaning container 4-5 so that the developer 5 is removed. There is no leakage out of 5.

By carrying out this embodiment, the use of the process cartridge PC progresses, and when the transfer residual developer 5 fills the cleaning container 4-5, the chambers at both ends in the longitudinal direction separated by the partition plate 4-6. Is not filled first, and only when all the rooms in the cleaning container 4-5 are filled, the life of the cleaning device becomes longer.
It is possible to extend the life of the cleaning device with a reduced space.

In the present invention, the partition plate 4-6 has an area
As shown in the perspective view of FIG. 7, the partition plate 4-6 has the same size and partitions the opening in the longitudinal direction at equal intervals. May be provided with an opening hole 4-7. As shown in FIG. 6, three opening holes 4-7 are formed in the endmost partition plate 4-6 in order to increase the area of the opening holes as the partition plate 4-6 at the end. One opening hole 4-7 is made in the partition plate 4-6 adjacent to the partition plate at the end. And the central partition plate 4-6
Does not have an opening hole. Alternatively, the number of the opening holes 4-7 may be the same and the area may be changed.

The partition plate 4-6 is connected to the housing 4-3.
In the case where the partition member also serves as the reinforcing member, when the size is reduced and the reinforcing effect is also reduced, the thickness of the partition plate having a smaller end area may be increased.

In this embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a process cartridge PC of a laser printer is described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to the process cartridge PC of a laser printer, and the process cartridge PC may be used. The present invention can also be widely applied to a laser printer that does not have the same or a cleaning device for an electrophotographic device such as a copying machine.

As described above, the charging means, the developing device, and the image carrier are integrally detachable from the image forming apparatus as the process cartridge PC. Alternatively, the image carrier and the cleaning device and the developing device, or the image carrier and the cleaning device and the charging unit may be integrally detachable from the image forming apparatus. This applies to the following embodiments.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 8 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 shows, similarly to the first embodiment, an image carrier 1, a charging device 2, a developing device 3, which are detachably attached to a laser printer main body for forming a laser printer.
FIG. 5 is a horizontal sectional view of the cleaning device in the process cartridge in which the cleaning device 4 is compactly assembled.

The cleaning device 4 includes a cleaning blade 4-1 as a cleaning member, a squeeze sheet 4-
2. A first housing 4-3 that forms an end seal 4-4 and a cleaning container 4-5 together with the end seal 4-4 and supports the image carrier 1 and the charging device 2. The hardness of the cleaning blade 4-1 is a spring. Cleaning is performed by abutting the image carrier 1 at 30 g weight / cm with a JISC type hardness of 65 degrees (see FIG. 2).

Inside the cleaning container 4-5, there is provided a partition plate 4-6 which partitions the longitudinal direction of the opening at equal intervals.

Here, in the present embodiment, according to the present invention, the inner wall surface 4-5 in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning container 4-5 is provided.
The length L1 of the cleaning container 4-5 is longer than the length L0 of the opening of the cleaning container 4-5 in the longitudinal direction.
The inner wall surfaces 4-5-1 at both ends in the longitudinal direction of No. 5 are located outside the positions of both ends of the opening.

In this embodiment, even when a large amount of the residual transfer developer 5 is generated at both ends from the center in the longitudinal direction, both ends in the cleaning container 4-5 partitioned by the partition plate 4-6. Is larger than the other rooms, so that the rooms at both ends are located before the other rooms.
, And the transfer residual developer 5 becomes almost full in all the rooms at the same time, and the life of the cleaning device 4 can be reached without having a useless space in the cleaning container 4-5.

In this embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a process cartridge of a laser printer is described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to a process cartridge of a laser printer and has no process cartridge. The present invention can be widely applied to cleaning devices for electrophotographic devices such as laser printers and copiers.

(Third Embodiment) FIG. 9 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 shows a process cartridge PC in which an image carrier 1, a charging device 2, a developing device 3 and a cleaning device 4 are detachably attached to a laser printer main body for forming a laser printer, similarly to the first embodiment. 3 is a horizontal sectional view of the cleaning device in FIG.

The cleaning device 4 includes a cleaning blade 4-1 as a cleaning member, a squeeze sheet 4-
2. A first housing 4-3 that forms an end seal 4-4 and a cleaning container 4-5 together with the end seal 4-4 and supports the image carrier 1 and the charging device 2. The hardness of the cleaning blade 4-1 is a spring. Cleaning is performed by abutting the image carrier 1 at 30 g weight / cm with a JISC type hardness of 65 degrees (see FIG. 2).

Inside the cleaning container 4-5, partition plates 4-6 are provided at regular intervals with respect to the longitudinal position of the opening.

Here, in this embodiment, according to the present invention, the shape of the cleaning container 4-5 is such that the rooms at both ends of the room partitioned by the partition plate 4-6 in the cleaning container 4-5 It has a deep shape in which the depth from the opening toward the back side is increased so as to be larger than other rooms.

In this embodiment, as in the second embodiment,
Even if much transfer residual developer 5 is generated at both ends from the center in the longitudinal direction, the room at both ends in the cleaning container 4-5 partitioned by the partition plate 4-6 is larger than the other rooms. Because the space is large, the rooms at both ends do not become full of the transfer residual developer 5 before the other rooms.
Becomes full almost simultaneously in all the rooms, and the life of the cleaning device 4 can be reached without having a useless space in the cleaning container 4-5.

In this embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a process cartridge of a laser printer is described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to a process cartridge of a laser printer and has no process cartridge. The present invention can be widely applied to cleaning devices for electrophotographic devices such as laser printers and copiers.

(Fourth Embodiment) FIGS. 10 and 11 show a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 shows an image carrier 1, a charging device 2, which is detachable from a laser printer main body for forming a laser printer, as in the first embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a horizontal sectional view of the cleaning device 4 in the process cartridge PC in which the developing device 3 and the cleaning device 4 are compactly assembled.

The cleaning device 4 includes a cleaning blade 4-1 as a cleaning member, a squeeze sheet 4-
2. A first housing 4-3 that forms an end seal 4-4 and a cleaning container 4-5 together with the end seal 4-4 and supports the image carrier 1 and the charging device 2. The hardness of the cleaning blade 4-1 is a spring. Cleaning is performed by abutting the image carrier 1 at 30 g weight / cm with a JISC type hardness of 65 degrees. A partition plate 4-6 is provided inside the cleaning container 4-5 (see FIG. 2).

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the space between the partition plates 4-6 is equal, but the outermost partition plate 4-6 in the cleaning container 4-5.
Is located inside the end seal 4-4 at the same position as the inner wall surface of the cleaning container 4-5 and outside the developing area A. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 11, in the room partitioned by the partition plate 4-6 in the cleaning container 4-5, the amount of the transfer residual developer 5 stored in the rooms at both ends is always very large. Because less. Image carrier 1
Since the developer 5 hardly intervenes between the end seal 4-4 and the end seal 4-4, the developer 5 on the image carrier 1, which is likely to be generated at both ends in the longitudinal direction, is prevented from being fixed. It has become possible to obtain stable and good images over a long period of time.

The room at both ends, which is separated by the partition plate 4-6 in the cleaning container 4-5, can be smaller than other rooms because almost no transfer residual developer 5 needs to enter. The effect of the present invention can be obtained only by providing a small partition plate 4-6-1 as shown in FIG.

In this embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a process cartridge of a laser printer is described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to a process cartridge of a laser printer and does not have a process cartridge. The present invention can be widely applied to cleaning devices for electrophotographic devices such as laser printers and copiers.

[0060]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there are provided three or more partition plates for dividing the longitudinal direction in the storage portion, and the size of the partition plates in the cleaning device is reduced. By making the cleaning container smaller at both ends in the longitudinal direction than at the center, even if a large amount of untransferred developer is generated at both ends from the center in the longitudinal direction, both ends are transferred first. It is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that can prevent the cleaning device from being full and effectively use the volume of the cleaning container to extend the life of the cleaning device.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, since the cleaning device is detachable from the image forming apparatus, the cleaning device can be easily renewed when the life of the cleaning device comes to an end.

According to the invention of claim 3 of the present application, the size of the room at both ends of the room partitioned by the partition plate in the cleaning device is made larger than the sizes of the other rooms, so that the room in the longitudinal direction is formed. Even if more transfer residual developer is generated at both ends than at the center, the time until the transfer residual developer in the room at both ends and the other room becomes full can be made substantially constant. Therefore, it is possible to extend the life of the cleaning device without substantially changing the size of the cleaning container itself.

The invention according to claim 4 of the present application is the invention according to claim 3, wherein the positions of the surfaces at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the inner wall of the storage portion are located outside the positions of both the longitudinal ends of the opening of the storage portion. As a result, the present invention can be implemented only by changing the shape of the cleaning container.

The invention according to claim 5 of the present application can be implemented only by changing the shape of the cleaning container, since the room at the longitudinal end portions of the storage section is deeper than the other rooms in the invention according to claim 3. .

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the invention, since the image forming apparatus is detachable, the cleaning apparatus can be easily updated when the life of the cleaning apparatus has expired.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the positions of both ends in the longitudinal direction of the partition plate dividing the longitudinal direction in the cleaning device are set inside the end seal member of the cleaning container and in the developing area. By setting the outer side, the developer is prevented from staying at both ends in the longitudinal direction in the cleaning container, and the developer is rubbed between the image carrier and the end seal member, and is fixed to the image carrier. In order to prevent this, a stable and good image can be obtained over a long period of time.

According to the invention of claim 8 of the present application, in the invention of claim 7, since the cleaning device is detachable from the image forming apparatus, the cleaning device can be easily updated when the life of the cleaning device has expired.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the accommodating portion of the cleaned developer of the process cartridge detachable from the image forming apparatus is partitioned by three or more partition plates, and the area of the partition plate is equal to the longitudinal end portion. Since the central part is larger, the cleaned developer can move to the central part beyond the end partition plate, so that the amount of developer that can be stored in the storage part increases, and the life of the process cartridge is extended. be able to.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, two or more partition plates are provided so as to equally divide the longitudinal direction of the opening of the accommodating portion of the cleaned developer of the process cartridge detachable from the image forming apparatus. Regarding the volume of each room in the divided storage unit, the room at both ends in the longitudinal direction is larger than the other rooms, so each room matches the amount of developer to be cleaned in the longitudinal direction of the opening, The amount of developer that can be stored in the storage section can be increased, and the life of the process cartridge can be extended.

The invention according to claim 11 of the present application is directed to claim 10
In the invention described in (1), the cross-section of the process cartridge is enlarged by setting the positions of the surfaces at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the inner wall of the storage portion outside the positions of both ends in the longitudinal direction of the opening of the storage portion. It is suitable for application to a process cartridge which is detachably mounted in the front-rear direction of the image forming apparatus.

The invention according to claim 12 of the present application is directed to claim 10
In the invention described in the above, since the room at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the storage unit is deeper than the other rooms, the size of the process cartridge in the longitudinal direction can be carried out as it is, and the process cartridge is divided into two parts like a mouth or upward. This is suitable for application to an image forming apparatus in which the process cartridge is detachably opened and closed.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the longitudinal direction of the accommodating portion of the cleaned developer of the process cartridge detachable from the image forming apparatus is divided by two or more partition plates, and the outermost portion in the longitudinal direction is divided. Since the position of the partition plate is inside the end seal member and outside the development area, the room at both ends where no transfer residual developer is generated is reduced, and the transfer residual developer stored in this room is The developer contained in the cleaning container may move toward the end seal member because the developer is always very small, so that there is almost no developer between the image carrier and the end seal member. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the developer from sticking to the image carrier, which is likely to be generated at both ends in the longitudinal direction.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a laser printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the process cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a horizontal sectional view of the cleaning device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a horizontal sectional view showing the operation of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a horizontal sectional view showing the operation of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the operation of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a modification of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a horizontal sectional view of a cleaning device of a laser printer according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a horizontal sectional view of a cleaning device of a laser printer according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a horizontal sectional view of a cleaning device for a laser printer according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a horizontal sectional view showing the operation of FIG.

FIG. 12 is a horizontal sectional view showing a modification of FIG.

FIG. 13 is a longitudinal sectional view of a conventional process cartridge.

FIG. 14 is a horizontal sectional view of a conventional cleaning device.

FIG. 15 is a horizontal sectional view showing the operation of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image carrier 2 Charging device 3 Developing device 3-1 Developing sleeve 3-2 Developing blade 3-3 Magnet roller 3-4 Developing container 4 Cleaning device 4-1 Cleaning blade 4-2 Squeeze sheet 4-3 Housing 4-4 End Part seal 4-5 Cleaning container 4-6 Partition plate 5 Developer 6 Feed roller 7 Transfer device 8 Fixing device 9 Discharge roller 10 Fan 11 Optical unit 12 Exterior unit 13 Transfer paper a Rotation direction of image carrier b Charging roller C Rotation direction of developing sleeve d Exposure of laser light e Direction of movement of developer A Development area

Claims (13)

(57) [Claims] A cleaning device for cleaning a developer on the image carrier by contacting the image carrier; and a storage unit for storing the developer cleaned by the cleaning device. In the image forming apparatus having the cleaning device, the cleaning device has three or more partition plates for dividing a longitudinal direction in the storage unit,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an area of the partition plate is larger at a central portion than at an end portion in a longitudinal direction. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning device is detachable from the image forming device. 3. A cleaning device for cleaning the developer on the image carrier in contact with the image carrier , and a storage unit for storing the developer cleaned by the cleaning device. The storage section is based on the image carrier.
An image forming apparatus having a cleaning device having an opening that is closed by the cleaning device, the cleaning device has at least two or more partition plates that divide a longitudinal direction in the storage unit, and the partition plate has the opening portion. Are arranged so as to divide the longitudinal direction of the compartment equally, and for the capacity of each room in the storage section divided by the partition plate, the room at both ends in the longitudinal direction is larger than the other rooms. Image forming device. 4. The storage device according to claim 3, wherein the positions of the surfaces of both ends in the longitudinal direction of the inner wall of the storage portion are outside the positions of both ends in the longitudinal direction of the opening of the storage portion. Image forming apparatus. 5. The room at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the storage section is deeper than other rooms.
An image forming apparatus according to claim 1. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the cleaning device is detachable from the image forming device. 7. A cleaning unit for cleaning a developer on the image carrier in contact with the image carrier, a storage unit for storing the developer cleaned by the cleaning unit, and a longitudinal portion of the storage unit. Forming an image forming apparatus having an end seal member disposed at both ends in the direction to contact the image carrier and prevent the developer in the storage section from leaking out of the storage section. In the apparatus, the cleaning device has at least two or more partition plates that divide a longitudinal direction in the storage unit,
Among the partition plates disposed in the storage portion, the position of the outermost partition plate in the longitudinal direction is located inside the end seal member and outside the developing region. Image forming device. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the cleaning device is detachable from the image forming device. 9. At least an image carrier, a cleaning unit that contacts the image carrier and cleans the developer on the image carrier, and a storage for storing the developer cleaned by the cleaning unit. A process cartridge detachably mountable to the image forming apparatus, comprising at least three or more partition plates for dividing a longitudinal direction in the storage portion, wherein an area of the partition plate is a central portion from an end in the longitudinal direction. A process cartridge characterized by having a larger one. 10. At least an image carrier, a cleaning unit that contacts the image carrier and cleans a developer of the image carrier, and a storage unit that stores the developer cleaned by the cleaning unit. And have
The storage portion is a process cartridge detachable from an image forming apparatus having an opening closed by an image carrier , and has at least two or more partition plates for dividing a longitudinal direction in the storage portion. Are arranged so as to divide the longitudinal direction of the opening equally, and for the volume of each room in the storage section divided by the partition plate, the room at both ends in the longitudinal direction is larger than the other rooms. A process cartridge characterized by the above-mentioned. 11. The storage device according to claim 10, wherein the positions of the surfaces at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the inner wall of the storage portion are outside the positions of both ends in the longitudinal direction of the opening of the storage portion. Process cartridge. 12. The process cartridge according to claim 10, wherein a room at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the storage section is deeper than other rooms. 13. At least an image carrier, a cleaning unit that contacts the image carrier, and cleans a developer on the image carrier, and a storage for storing the developer cleaned by the cleaning unit. And an end seal member that is disposed at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the storage section and that contacts the image carrier to prevent the developer in the storage section from leaking out of the storage section. In a process cartridge detachable from the image forming apparatus, the process cartridge has at least two or more partition plates for dividing a longitudinal direction in the storage portion, and among the partition plates disposed in the storage portion,
A process cartridge wherein the position of the outermost partition plate in the longitudinal direction is inside the end seal member and outside the developing area.