JP3355922B2 - Image forming device - 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 such as a laser printer, a facsimile apparatus, and an electrophotographic copying machine for forming an image using toner, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus such as a photoreceptor. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus using a cleaning device that removes the removed toner by scraping with a blade.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There are many image forming apparatuses in offices and homes that can perform high-speed image processing with high quality using a so-called electrophotographic system. Among these, the number of laser printers used has increased remarkably due to the spread of computers. Therefore, a laser printer will be described below as an example.

In a laser printer, a photosensitive drum is usually used as a cylindrical image carrier, and a uniform charge is charged on the photosensitive drum using a charging means such as a charging roller. Then, the charged drum surface is irradiated with a laser beam to form an electrostatic latent image corresponding to image information. This electrostatic latent image is developed by a developing device to form a toner image on the drum surface. The toner image is transferred onto a sheet by a transfer unit such as a transfer roller, fixed by a fixing device, and discharged out of the device. To reuse the photosensitive drum in the next image forming process, the drum surface is cleaned. There is a need. For this purpose, a cleaning device is used.

There are various types of cleaning devices, and one of them is a device using a cleaning blade. The cleaning blade is a blade made of a relatively soft resin, and the blade is brought into contact with the surface of the photoreceptor to scrape off the toner electrostatically attached to the drum surface.

FIG. 7 shows an arrangement relationship of various components including a cleaning device on a photosensitive member surface of a conventional image forming apparatus. The surface 101 of the photoreceptor drum (hereinafter referred to as the photoreceptor surface) is moving at a constant speed in the direction of arrow 102 by the rotation of the photoreceptor. The charging roll 103 rotatably held by a predetermined immovable member is in rolling contact with the photoreceptor surface 101 so as to uniformly apply a charge thereto. A developing sleeve 104 is similarly rotatably disposed downstream of the charging roll 103. A light beam scans between the developing sleeve 104 and the charging roll 103, whereby an electrostatic latent image corresponding to image information is formed. Developing sleeve 104
Develops this electrostatic latent image with toner. The developed toner image is transferred onto a sheet by a transfer roll (not shown) disposed downstream of the toner image. Since the photoconductor drum has a circular cross section, the photoconductor surface 101 after the transfer passes through the cleaning device 106 located above in FIG. At this time, the toner remaining on the photoreceptor surface 101 is removed, and the preparation for forming the next electrostatic latent image is performed.

[0006] With this conventional apparatus, the cleaning device 106 is used.
Includes a cleaning blade 112 having one end supported by a cleaning blade support member 111. The cleaning blade 112 is formed by cutting a relatively soft flat resin such as urethane rubber into a strip shape, and one side edge thereof is in contact with the photoreceptor surface 101 at a predetermined pressure to scrape off the toner. It has become. In some cases, the portion from which the toner is scraped is processed into a wedge shape. The toner image is formed to have the width in which the developing sleeve 104 is present. The scraped toner may be collected as it is in a toner collecting container (not shown), or the toner may be collected along a cleaning blade 112 in the axial direction 11 of the photosensitive drum.
Some move to 4. Therefore, in order to prevent such moved toner from dropping out of the toner collecting container and soiling the inside of the image forming apparatus, the sealing member 11 is used.
5, 116 are arranged.

The pair of sealing members 115, 116
Has an L-shape or an inverted L-shape (hereinafter simply referred to as an L-shape) that is symmetric to the L-shape.
12 is pressed against the photoreceptor surface 101 in close contact with the side portions 118 and 119. Further, in order to effectively shut off the toner moved along the cleaning blade 112, as shown in FIG.
In some cases, the seal members 115 and 116 may be configured to be in close contact with the vicinity 121 and 122 of the edge of the second edge.

[0008] A scoop sheet 124 for scooping the toner scraped off by the cleaning blade 112 and collecting the scraped toner in the toner collection container is disposed on the photoreceptor surface 101. The rake sheet 124 has the cleaning blade 112 side (upper end side in the figure) in contact with the photoreceptor surface 101, and together with the cleaning blade 112, has a shallow V-shaped wall as a whole, or a two-plane Make up one wall. The photoreceptor surface 101A is exposed between the walls, and the scraped toner is guided to the rake sheet 124 while being collected to some extent in this portion, and is collected in the toner collection container. The movement of the toner running laterally along the cleaning blade 112 is stopped by the seal members 115 and 116, and is also guided by the rake sheet 124 to be collected in the toner collecting container.

In a conventional image forming apparatus provided with such a cleaning device 106, if L-shaped seal members 115 and 116 as shown in the figure are used, an error in the mounting position when assembling them, or an electrophotographic While the process is progressing, the sealing members 115, 11
6 may be caught between the edge of the cleaning blade 112 and the photosensitive member surface 101. When such a situation occurs, the deposited surface layer such as the CTL layer or the CGL layer on the photoreceptor surface 101 is gradually removed. Thereby, the metal material such as aluminum constituting the photoconductor drum is partially exposed on the photoconductor surface 101. When the charging roll 103 comes into contact with the metal material, a charge leak occurs at this portion. Then, a phenomenon that a horizontal streak occurs in the image quality occurs. Further, there is also a problem that toner leaks from the shaved portion of the surface layer, cleaning is incomplete, and black streaks are generated on the paper due to toner leakage.

Therefore, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1-185587 proposes that the cleaning blade and the seal member be integrated. In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-27861, the both edges of the cleaning blade and the edges of the seal member with which these edges come into contact are tapered so that the cleaning blade comes into close contact with each other as the cleaning blade approaches a predetermined mounting position. It is proposed to form. In the latter proposed image forming apparatus, the sealing member 11 shown in FIG.
5 and 116, the sealing members 1 and 122 are provided near the edges 121 and 122 of the edge of the cleaning blade 112.
15 and 116 do not have a close contact structure, and are separated by a predetermined distance or more. This is to prevent this portion from being caught between the cleaning blade 112 and the photosensitive member surface 101 due to an error in attaching the seal member as described above.

In the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 7, a sealing member 115 in the axial direction 114 of the photosensitive drum is used.
The position of the leading end of S 116 is the maximum section S _{1 in} which an electrostatic latent image is formed by the charging roll 103 on the photoconductor surface 101.
It is set to be outside. This is so that even if the sealing members 115 and 116 are caught under the cleaning blade 112, the charging roller 103 does not come into contact with the shaved portion of the photoreceptor surface 101, thereby preventing charge leakage. To do that.

[0012]

Among such conventional image forming apparatuses, the one in which the cleaning blade and the seal member are integrated has a more effective toner shielding effect than the case where the seal member is independently disposed. There was a problem that it was hard to achieve completely. In addition, the edge of the seal member where the both edges of the cleaning blade and these edges abut,
In the technology in which the cleaning blade is formed in a tapered shape so that the cleaning blade comes into strong contact with each other as it approaches the predetermined mounting position, the cleaning blade or the seal member is deformed at the pressed portion, and the cleaning blade and the seal member are deformed at the deformed portion. In some cases, there is a problem that a gap may be generated, and toner may leak out of the gap, resulting in incomplete cleaning. Further, when both the cleaning blade and the seal member are processed into a tapered shape, if the angles do not match, a similar problem may occur in a portion that is in local contact.

In the apparatus shown in FIG. 7, since the blocking of the toner is prevented at both the side and the edge of the cleaning blade, the contact area is considerably large, and the problem of deformation of the cleaning blade and the seal member does not occur. Also,
The position of the tip of the seal member 115, 116 in the axial direction 114 of the photosensitive drum as shown in FIG. 7, the outer side of the maximum section S ₁ on which an electrostatic latent image is formed by the charging roller 103 in the surface of the photosensitive member 101 With this setting, even if the photosensitive member surface 101 is scraped by the seal members 115 and 116, the charging roll 103 does not contact this portion. That is, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of horizontal streaks in the image due to the leakage of the charge by the charging roll 103.

However, in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 7, unless the lubricant is constantly supplied to the cleaning blade 112, the cleaning blade 112 is broken by friction and toner leaks out of this portion, resulting in defective cleaning. In some cases. This will be described in detail below.

In the image forming apparatus, since the toner particles also function as a lubricant for members such as the cleaning blade 112, it is usual that no lubricant is used. Even in such an apparatus, a lubricant is applied to the cleaning blade 112 and the seal members 115 and 116 at the time of assembling.
This prevents initial winding of the blade caused by friction between the edge portion 2 and the photoconductor surface 101 and an increase in the rotational torque of the photoconductor drum. As the use of the image forming apparatus is continued, the initially applied lubricant gradually decreases, but a part of the toner scraped off by the cleaning blade 112 adheres strongly to the edge of the cleaning blade 112. This strongly adhered toner (hereinafter, referred to as strongly adhered toner) has a lubricating effect of reducing friction between the photosensitive member surface 101 and the edge portion of the cleaning blade 112.

Therefore, in the substantially central area of the photosensitive member surface 101 shown by the developing sleeve 104, the toner image is scraped off by the cleaning blade 112 so that the strongly adhered toner is present at the edge of the cleaning blade 112. And reduce friction. That is, the problem that the cleaning blade 112 is broken at this portion hardly occurs.

On the other hand, in a region (hereinafter, referred to as a non-developing region) outside a region corresponding to the developing sleeve 104 (hereinafter, referred to as a developing region), the toner scraped by the cleaning blade 112 runs laterally. Will come. These toners are overwhelmingly smaller than the amount of toner generated in the development area. In the developing area on the photoconductor surface 101, the cleaning blade 1
Since the action of scraping is always working at the edge portion 12, the toner adhering to this edge portion is highly likely to be strongly adhered toner. In the non-development area, only the toner once scraped has moved. Therefore, it is extremely unlikely that such toner goes under the cleaning blade 112 in a direction opposite to the moving direction of the photoconductor surface 101 and strongly adheres to this portion. Further, even if it adheres, the toner becomes a toner which adheres weakly (hereinafter, referred to as a weakly adhered toner). As understood from the above description, the presence of the weakly adhered toner makes the effect of the lubricant insufficient in the non-development area, and the friction becomes higher than in the development area.

Next, the influence of the charging step will be considered. FIG.
The use of the charging roll 103 as shown in (1), compared with the case where charging is performed by a charge corotron utilizing the discharge phenomenon of a wire, between the photosensitive member surface 101 or generally the image carrier and the cleaning blade 112 It is generally known that the friction increases. In the case of the charging roll 103, the charging is performed between the charging roll 103 and the photosensitive member surface 101.
This occurs at a minute gap between the portion near the nip portion and the photosensitive member surface 101. That is, a voltage in which both a DC voltage and an AC voltage are superimposed is applied to the charging roll 103. When the instantaneous value of these combined voltages exceeds the discharge voltage of the gas, the gap portion is formed. , A gas discharge to the photoreceptor surface 101 is performed. Then, the charging of the photoconductor surface 101 is repeated by repeating the charging of the opposite polarity to the charging of the photoconductor surface 101, so that the photoconductor surface 101 is uniformly charged.

The photoreceptor surface 101 is oxidized by gas discharge using the charging roll 103. This allows
A hydrophilic functional group is generated on the photoconductor surface 101, and the surface energy of the image carrier increases. As a result, the frictional force of the cleaning blade 112 in contact with the photoreceptor surface 101 having the increased surface energy increases. In particular, both end portions of the charging roll 103 are processed in a C-shape or an inverted C-shape (hereinafter simply referred to as a C-shape) as shown in FIG. . In this C-shaped portion, a minute gap is similarly generated between the photoconductor surface 101 and gas discharge is also actively performed in these portions. The photoreceptor surface 10 at these portions
The surface potential of No. 1 is significantly increased due to the above-described gas discharge in the vicinity of the nip region in the other portion of the charging roll 103. Therefore, considering this surface potential, a phenomenon occurs in which the frictional force is locally higher at both ends of the charging roll 103 than at the relatively central portion.

Further, as described above, urethane rubber is mainly used as the material of the cleaning blade 112. Urethane rubber causes changes such as a decrease in hardness with an increase in temperature, an increase in rebound resilience, and a decrease in tensile strength. Accordingly, when the image forming apparatus is used in a high-temperature and high-humidity environment, or when the temperature of the inside of the apparatus body is increased by continuously performing the electrophotographic process, the temperature of the cleaning blade 112 itself is also increased, and the temperature of the cleaning blade 112 itself is increased. The frictional force between the surfaces 101 also increases.

Therefore, if the cleaning blade 112 is initially brought into strong contact with the photoreceptor surface 101, the hardness of the cleaning blade 112 is increased at the two ends of the charging roll 103 where the frictional force is greatest due to gas discharge. The deformation occurs with the decrease. Then, due to the increase in the repulsive force due to the temperature rise of the urethane rubber, a force in the direction of returning the cleaning blade 112 to the base is applied at this deformed portion. As a result, at the edge portion of the cleaning blade 112, chattering (vibration) occurs due to these contradictory forces, and the edge blade loses the strength of the urethane rubber itself and comes into contact with the photoreceptor surface 101 due to a decrease in tensile strength. The tip of the part is broken so that it is cut off.

In this manner, the cleaning blade 11
If the tip of the edge portion 2 is broken, toner will leak from the damaged portion. This causes inconveniences such as image contamination due to defective cleaning and charging failure due to toner contamination of the charging roll 103. Even before the edge portion is damaged, the wear of the photosensitive member surface 101 and the friction between the photosensitive member surface 101 and the cleaning blade 112 increase with time by repeating the electrophotographic process. Can be considered. Therefore, the cleaning blade 1
Even in a situation where no specific damage occurs to the blade 12, the wear of the blade portion is promoted, and the ground color portion is worn near the design life, the image density is reduced, and the cleaning performance is reduced. This caused problems in image quality.

Of course, in order to solve such a problem, the cleaning blade 112 is attached to the photosensitive member surface 101.
Can be initially contacted with a relatively small force. However, when such an initial setting is performed, when the image forming apparatus is used in a low-temperature and low-humidity environment, the hardness increases and the rebound resilience decreases due to the temperature characteristics of the urethane rubber. As a result, the cleaning blade 112 cannot come into contact with the photoconductor surface 101 with a sufficient force, and paper dust generated by the conveyance of the paper is caught between the photoconductor surface 101 and the cleaning blade 112. A minute gap is generated at this location. Since the toner leaks from the gap, as a result, poor cleaning or charging failure due to toner contamination of the charging roll 103 occurs as in the previous case.

As described above, in order to ensure sufficient cleaning performance from the environment of high temperature and high humidity to the low temperature and low humidity, and from the initial state to the entire design life, the cleaning blade 1 for the photosensitive member surface 101 is required.
There is a problem that the design tolerance of the contact pressure of No. 12 is narrow. For this reason, mounting the cleaning blade 112 requires very high precision. Also, for the surface material of an image carrier such as a photosensitive drum,
It is necessary to take measures such as mixing friction reducing materials such as silicone to reduce the frictional force, and there is a problem in terms of cost. Further, various restrictions have been required such that the voltage applied to the charging roll 103 is made as low as possible, and the increase in the surface energy of the photoconductor surface 101 due to gas discharge is suppressed as much as possible.

In addition, in such a conventional image forming apparatus, if initial settings and various restrictions of the apparatus are erroneously made, there is a danger of causing a serious trouble due to friction between the photosensitive member and the cleaning blade 112 particularly in a non-developing area. Therefore, there were no measures to stably avoid these troubles.

An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of stably reducing the frictional force between the surface of an image carrier such as a photosensitive drum and a cleaning blade in a non-developing area. .

[0027]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, (a) an image carrier for moving its surface relatively in a predetermined direction; and (b) a charge pattern on the surface of the image carrier. (C) developing means for developing the charge pattern formed by the charge pattern forming means to form a toner image, and (d) forming a predetermined angle with the moving direction of the image carrier. A cleaning blade for scraping the toner, the tip of which is arranged so as to be in linear contact with the surface of the image carrier, and (e) a toner collecting means for containing the toner scraped by the cleaning blade. (F) L-shaped or inverted L-shaped portions from both sides of the cleaning blade to the vicinity of both sides of the edge of the tip of the cleaning blade in contact with the surface of the image carrier, respectively. The edge of the tip of the cleaning blade and a portion thereof contacting and extending in parallel with the edge extend at least to the region where the charge pattern formed by the charge pattern forming means exists, and the predetermined portion is the image carrier. The image forming apparatus is provided with a side seal for preventing the toner scraped by the cleaning blade in contact with the surface from leaking out of the toner collecting means.

That is, according to the first aspect of the present invention, an image carrier such as a photosensitive drum or a photosensitive belt capable of holding a charge pattern is subjected to a process of charging and exposing, or a method of applying a charge with a pin. When a charge pattern is formed by various methods, the charge pattern is developed to create a toner image, and the toner image or the toner after transferring the toner image to a predetermined medium such as paper is scraped off by a cleaning blade. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus in which toner is prevented from leaking out of a toner collecting means by a side seal, and the side seal contacts an edge of a cleaning blade from both sides of the cleaning blade with a surface of an image carrier. To the vicinity of both sides in an L-shape or inverted L-shape, respectively. Tsu di and part of which is characterized in that this and extends parallel to a portion in contact are extend at least until the presence region of the charge pattern formed by the charge pattern forming means. That is, the edge of the tip of the cleaning blade and the entire side seal are not in contact with each other, and some of the side seals are not in contact with each other. As a result, strongly adhered toner is generated, and the frictional force between the surface of the image carrier and the cleaning blade is stably reduced. Therefore, the side seal may extend to the region where the charge pattern formed by the charge pattern forming means exists. A rake sheet for contacting the surface of the image carrier at a predetermined interval so as to face the cleaning blade, scraping the toner scraped off by the cleaning blade from the surface of the image carrier, and storing the toner in a toner collection container. May be arranged.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, (a) an image carrier whose surface is relatively moved in a predetermined direction;
Charging means for charging the surface of the image carrier; (c) exposing means for exposing the image carrier charged by the charging means to form an electrostatic latent image; and (d) static electricity on the image carrier. Developing means for developing an electrostatic latent image to form a toner image; and (e) arranging the image forming body at a predetermined angle with respect to the moving direction of the image carrier so that the tip thereof is in linear contact with the surface of the image carrier. A cleaning blade for scraping the removed toner, (f) toner collecting means for storing the toner scraped by the cleaning blade, and (g) a cleaning blade contacting the image carrier surface from both sides of the cleaning blade. L to the vicinity of both sides of the edge of the tip of
A portion extending in parallel with the edge of the tip of the cleaning blade in contact with the edge of the cleaning blade and extending in parallel therewith at least reaches the area charged by the charging means, and a predetermined portion carries an image. The image forming apparatus is provided with a side seal for preventing the toner scraped by the cleaning blade in contact with the body surface from leaking out of the toner collecting means.

That is, according to the present invention, an electrostatic latent image is formed on an image carrier such as a photosensitive drum or a photosensitive belt capable of holding an electrostatic latent image through a process of charging and exposure. The electrostatic latent image is developed to form a toner image, and when the toner image or the toner after transferring the toner image to a predetermined medium such as paper is scraped off by a cleaning blade, the toner is removed by a side seal. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, such as a copying machine or a printer, which prevents leakage from the collection means, and the edge of the tip of the cleaning blade where the side seals contact the surface of the image carrier from both sides of the cleaning blade. To both sides of the cleaning blade in an L-shape or an inverted L-shape, respectively. It is characterized in that it at least extends to a region portion extending in the row is present in an electrostatic latent image formed by the electrostatic latent image forming means. That is, the edge of the tip of the cleaning blade and the entire side seal are not in contact with each other, and some of the side seals are not in contact with each other. As a result, strongly adhered toner is generated, and the frictional force between the surface of the image carrier and the cleaning blade is stably reduced. Therefore, the side seal may extend to a region where the electrostatic latent image formed by the charging unit exists. A rake sheet for contacting the surface of the image carrier at a predetermined interval so as to face the cleaning blade, scraping the toner scraped off by the cleaning blade from the surface of the image carrier, and storing the toner in a toner collection container. May be arranged.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, (a) an image carrier for moving its surface relatively in a predetermined direction;
Charging means for charging the surface of the image carrier; (c) exposing means for exposing the image carrier charged by the charging means to form an electrostatic latent image; and (d) static electricity on the image carrier. Developing means for developing an electrostatic latent image to form a toner image; and (e) arranging the image forming body at a predetermined angle with respect to the moving direction of the image carrier so that the tip thereof is in linear contact with the surface of the image carrier. A cleaning blade for scraping the removed toner, (f) toner collecting means for storing the toner scraped by the cleaning blade, and (g) a cleaning blade contacting the image carrier surface from both sides of the cleaning blade. Of the tip of the cleaning blade is sandwiched in an L-shape or an inverted L-shape, respectively, and a portion facing the edge of the tip of the cleaning blade is predetermined from both sides of the tip of the cleaning blade. The edge extends in parallel to the center of the edge in contact with the edge, and the tip is tapered so that it gradually moves away from the edge. The image forming apparatus is provided with a side seal for preventing the toner scraped by the blade from leaking out of the toner collecting means.

That is, according to the present invention, an electrostatic latent image is formed on an image carrier such as a photosensitive drum or a photosensitive belt capable of holding an electrostatic latent image through a process of charging and exposure. The electrostatic latent image is developed to form a toner image, and when the toner image or the toner after transferring the toner image to a predetermined medium such as paper is scraped off by a cleaning blade, the toner is removed by a side seal. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer which prevents leakage from outside of the collecting means, and the side seals of the cleaning blade come into contact with the surface of the image carrier from both sides of the cleaning blade. Parts are sandwiched in L-shape or inverted L-shape, respectively, and the portion facing the edge of the tip of the cleaning blade is the cleaning blade. Predetermined distance extending parallel toward the center portion of the edge in contact with this edge from both sides of the tip of, is characterized in that the tip than this has a tapered shape gradually away from the edge. That is, the edge of the tip of the cleaning blade and the side seal are in contact with each other for a predetermined distance from both sides of the cleaning blade, but thereafter have a tapered shape that gradually separates. Therefore, when the toner scraped off by the cleaning blade slides along the blade, the toner is pressed against the substantially wedge-shaped space between the tapered side seal and the cleaning blade, and the pressure of the cleaning blade is increased by the pressure. The toner adheres to the edge as strongly adhered toner. This allows
The frictional force between the surface of the image carrier and the cleaning blade is stably reduced. A rake sheet for contacting the surface of the image carrier at a predetermined interval so as to face the cleaning blade, scraping the toner scraped off by the cleaning blade from the surface of the image carrier, and storing the toner in a toner collection container. May be arranged.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, (a) an image carrier whose surface is relatively moved in a predetermined direction;
Charging means for charging the surface of the image carrier; (c) exposing means for exposing the image carrier charged by the charging means to form an electrostatic latent image; and (d) static electricity on the image carrier. Developing means for developing an electrostatic latent image to form a toner image; and (e) arranging the image forming body at a predetermined angle with respect to the moving direction of the image carrier so that the tip thereof is in linear contact with the surface of the image carrier. A cleaning blade for scraping the removed toner, (f) toner collecting means for storing the toner scraped by the cleaning blade, and (g) a cleaning blade contacting the image carrier surface from both sides of the cleaning blade. L to the vicinity of both sides of the edge of the tip of
The edge of the tip of the cleaning blade is in contact with the edge of the cleaning blade, and a portion extending in parallel with the edge extends at least to the area charged by the charging means, and The portion in contact with the surface is made of an elastic foam member, and this portion contains a solid or liquid lubricant, and the toner is scraped off by the cleaning blade due to the presence of the portion in contact with the surface of the image carrier. The image forming apparatus is provided with a side seal for preventing the toner from leaking out of the toner collecting means.

That is, according to the present invention, an electrostatic latent image is formed on an image carrier such as a photosensitive drum or a photosensitive belt capable of holding an electrostatic latent image through a process of charging and exposure. The electrostatic latent image is developed to form a toner image, and when the toner image or the toner after transferring the toner image to a predetermined medium such as paper is scraped off by a cleaning blade, the toner is removed by a side seal. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, such as a copying machine or a printer, which prevents leakage from the collection means, and the edge of the tip of the cleaning blade where the side seals contact the surface of the image carrier from both sides of the cleaning blade. To both sides of the cleaning blade in an L-shape or an inverted L-shape, respectively. The portion extending in the row extends at least to the region charged by the charging means, and the portion in contact with the surface of the image carrier is formed of an elastic foam member, and a solid or liquid lubricant is applied to this portion. It is characterized by being contained. In other words, as described in the second aspect of the present invention, the toner is supplied to the non-contact area of the side seal at the portion facing the cleaning blade, so that strongly adhered toner is generated at the edge of the cleaning blade. However, before the toner is supplied, there is a possibility that the edge portion may be damaged by contact with the image carrier.
Therefore, in the invention according to claim 4, a portion of the side seal that comes into contact with the surface of the image carrier is formed of an elastic foam member, and a solid or liquid lubricant is applied to this portion or impregnated in the manufacturing process. In the initial state before the strongly adhered toner plays the role of a lubricant, the original lubricant prevents the cleaning blade from being damaged. Therefore, the frictional force between the surface of the image carrier and the cleaning blade can be stably reduced. A rake sheet for contacting the surface of the image carrier at a predetermined interval so as to face the cleaning blade, scraping the toner scraped off by the cleaning blade from the surface of the image carrier, and storing the toner in a toner collection container. May be arranged.

[0035]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0036]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to embodiments.

FIG. 1 shows the periphery of a photosensitive drum of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The photoconductor drum 11 is a cylindrical drum, and is rotated at a constant speed in the direction of arrow 12 (counterclockwise) by a main motor (not shown). Around the photosensitive drum 11, a charging roll 14, a developing sleeve 15, a transfer roll 16 and a cleaning device 17, both ends of which are C-plane cut, are arranged in this order along the rotating direction of the drum. The charging roll 14 is a charging device to which a high voltage obtained by superimposing an alternating current on a direct current output from a direct current power supply 18 and an alternating current power supply 19 is applied to uniformly charge the drum surface.
A laser beam 21 emitted from a laser (not shown) is irradiated between the charging roll 14 and the developing sleeve 15. The laser beam 21 is modulated by an image signal, and is repeatedly scanned (main-scanned) in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 11. The photoconductor drum 11 has an arrow 1
Since the drum rotates in two directions (sub-scanning direction), an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image is formed on the drum surface.

The developing sleeve 15 is housed in a developing device (not shown), and is supplied with toner from a toner supplying mechanism (not shown). This toner is electrostatically attracted to the drum surface according to the charge pattern of the electrostatic latent image, and a toner image is created. The created toner image moves to the transfer roll 16 with the rotation of the photosensitive drum 11.
The paper 24 is fed to the photosensitive drum 11 and the transfer roll 16 from a supply tray (not shown) in the direction of arrow 23. A high-voltage circuit (not shown) applies a voltage having a polarity for attracting the toner image to the transfer roll 16, whereby the toner image is transferred to the paper 24. The sheet 24 onto which the toner image has been transferred passes through a fixing device (not shown), is fixed, and is discharged onto a discharge tray (not shown).

After the transfer, a certain amount of toner remains on the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 via the transfer roll 16. In a predetermined case such as when a paper jam (paper jam) occurs, the toner image may remain on the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 as it is. Cleaning device 1
Reference numeral 7 denotes an apparatus for cleaning the toner remaining on the drum surface and preparing for the next electrostatic process.

The cleaning device 17 includes a toner collecting container 26 having a cross-sectional shape obtained by rotating the U-shape by 90 degrees in a counterclockwise direction. The opening of the toner collecting container 26 corresponding to the top of the U-shape faces the surface of the photosensitive drum 11, and the cleaning blade supporting member 27 having an inverted L-shaped cross section is formed on the upper part. Is fixed. A cleaning blade 28 is fixed to one side surface of the cleaning blade support member 27.
An edge portion of the cleaning blade 28 located on the lower side in the drawing is pressed against the photosensitive drum 11. The seal member 29 shown by the broken line is in contact with both sides and a part of the edge of the cleaning blade 28 and
Of the rake sheet 31 and also contacts both sides of the upper end of the rake sheet 31. The seal member 29 is set so as to be in contact with the photosensitive drum 11 in a rotational direction at a width of at least 0.5 mm or more. Rake sheet 3
Numeral 1 is made of a sheet-like urethane material, and its upper end is in contact with the photosensitive drum 11. Rake sheet 3
Numeral 1 is for guiding the toner scraped by the cleaning blade 28 into the toner collecting container 26.

FIG. 2 corresponds to FIG. 7 and shows the positional relationship of various components including the cleaning device on the surface of the photosensitive member of the image forming apparatus. FIG.
Is rotating at a constant speed in the direction of the arrow 41, and the photosensitive member surface 42 is moving at a constant speed in this direction. The charging roll 14 rotatably held by a predetermined stationary member is in rolling contact with the photoreceptor surface 42, and the developing sleeve 15 is further rotatably arranged at a predetermined distance from the photoreceptor surface 42 on the downstream side. Have been. The light beam scans between the developing sleeve 15 and the charging roll 14 to form an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image information. The developing sleeve 15 is developed to form a toner image on the drum surface 42. This toner image is transferred to the sheet 2 by the transfer roll 16 shown in FIG.
The toner remaining on the drum surface 42 at this time is removed by the cleaning device 17.

The cleaning device 17 includes a cleaning blade 28 having one end supported by a cleaning blade support member 27. The cleaning blade 28 is made of a relatively soft band-like resin such as urethane rubber, and the other edge having a cross-section processed into a blade shape is in contact with the photoreceptor surface 42 at a predetermined pressure to scrape toner. To take. The toner image is formed with the width in which the developing sleeve 15 is present. However, some of the scraped toner is collected in the toner collecting container 26 shown in FIG. Some of them move in the axial direction 44 of the photosensitive drum 11 perpendicular to the direction, as described in the conventional image forming apparatus. Seal members 29A and 29B are provided to prevent such moved toner from dropping outside the toner collecting container 26 and soiling the inside of the image forming apparatus.

The pair of seal members 29A, 29B
Has an L-shape as a whole, and is formed by combining two components, a vertical seal portion 45 along the arrow 41 direction and a horizontal seal portion 46 along the axial direction 44 of the photosensitive drum. ing.

FIG. 3 shows the shape of one seal member from the side, and FIG. 4 shows the seal member viewed obliquely. The side 51 of the vertical seal portion 45 on the side facing the cleaning blade 28 has a shape cut linearly in the direction of the arrow 41, and the side 51 or 53 facing the cleaning blade 28 shown in FIG. Closely adhered. A side 54 of the lateral seal 46 facing the cleaning blade 28 is parallel to the axial direction 44 of the photosensitive drum.
The tip end of the center portion 1 is obliquely cut at a predetermined angle so that the lateral sealing portion 46 becomes tapered, and forms a tapered portion 55. Accordingly, the straight portion of the side 54 excluding the tapered portion 55 is in close contact with the edge of the cleaning blade 28 shown in FIG. 2, but the tapered portion 55 is formed between the cleaning blade 28 and the wedge-shaped space 56. Will exist.

In this embodiment, the length Y of the wedge-shaped space 56 in the direction of the arrow 41 is set to several mm as described later.
It is set to about. Further, the axial direction 44 of the photosensitive drum
The position of the leading end of the lateral seal portion 46 in FIG. 4 is substantially coincident with the position of the end of the developing sleeve 15 shown in FIG.
And the boundary position between the taper portion 55 and the start position where the diameter of the charging roll 14 is tapered on both sides. Therefore, the length X of the wedge-shaped space portion 56 in the axial direction 44 of the photosensitive drum is 2 indicating these positions.
It will be equal to the interval between two dashed lines 57, 58. In FIG. 2, the position where the vertical seal portion 45 contacts the side portion of the cleaning blade 28 is indicated by an alternate long and short dash line 61, and the end of the roll portion of the charging roll 14 is indicated by an alternate long and short dash line 62.

In such an image forming apparatus, the edges of the cleaning blade 28 constituting the cleaning device 17 and the seal members 29A, 29
A lubricant is applied to B. Since both the cleaning blade 28 and the seal members 29A and 29B are formed of foam members, it is possible to store the applied lubricant in these members. Thus, each time the photosensitive drum 11 rotates, the sealing member 29A facing the edge of the cleaning blade 28 in FIG.
The lubricant is supplied to the region where 29B is present, and the friction between the cleaning blade 28 and the photoconductor surface 42 in this region can be reduced.

As the time elapses, the amount of the lubricant initially applied decreases, but the toner scraped off from the photoreceptor surface 42 slides sideways and is always supplied to the wedge-shaped space 56. Then, the toner accumulated in a compressed state in this portion sufficiently functions as a lubricant.
Of course, it has already been described that the toner functions as a lubricant at the central portion of the cleaning blade 28 where the developing sleeve 15 is present. Therefore, the toner is supplied to the cleaning blade 28 over the entire surface of the photoreceptor surface 42 and functions sufficiently as a lubricant. Will do.

As a result, the frictional force between the cleaning blade 28 and the photoreceptor surface 42 can be continuously reduced, and the abrasion of the cleaning blade 28 can be prevented from being promoted. It can be prevented enough. As a result, it is possible to reliably eliminate serious recording problems such as occurrence of cleaning failure and charging failure due to toner contamination of the charging roll 14.

Further, the sealing members 29A and 29B of this embodiment
The tapered portion 55 is provided as shown in FIGS.
Inclined away from For this reason, although the length of the lateral seal portion 46 is longer than that of the related art shown in FIG. Even if it does, it is possible to avoid the occurrence of a situation in which the tip of the lateral seal 46 abuts on the photoreceptor surface 42.
Similarly, even if recording or copying is performed in a state where the photoconductor drum 11 and the cleaning device 17 are not so accurately assembled, the gap between the photoconductor surface 42 and the cleaning blade 28 during the electrophotographic process is advanced. Inconvenience such that a part of the seal members 29A and 29B are pinched between them is eliminated.

The effect provided by the seal members 29A and 29B of this embodiment can be enhanced by setting the lengths X and Y of the tapered portion 55 of the lateral seal portion 46 to appropriate values. Is natural. Table 1 below summarizes the test results when the image forming apparatus was run to the end of the lifetime while changing the values of the lengths X and Y.

[0051]

[Table 1]

In this test, six laser printers using a cartridge in which the developing sleeve 15 and the cleaning device 17 were integrated were used, and the situation until the life of the cartridge was reached was observed. Here, the denominator of the fraction in the parentheses in the items of “the occurrence rate of cleaning failure” and “slight damage to the cleaning blade” indicates six laser printers, and the numerator indicates the number of the corresponding laser printers.

The "slight damage to the cleaning blade" that occurred during the test with the second and third shapes means slight damage to the cleaning blade 28 corresponding to the tapered portion 55 in FIG. Since this damage is slight, it does not reach the occurrence of cleaning failure as shown in the item of "occurrence rate of cleaning failure".

It has been found that the cause of the minor damage is insufficient supply of lubricant from the seal members 29A and 29B to the cleaning blade 28 in the initial state of the electrophotographic process. Therefore, the cleaning blade 28 does not progress this damage after the toner is supplied to the wedge-shaped space 56 shown in FIG. That is, once the electrophotographic process is started and the toner image transfer step is performed, the residual toner that has not been transferred to the paper 24 in the development area of the photoconductor surface 42 passes through the rake sheet 31 as it is. . Then, the photosensitive drum is scraped off and cleaned by the cleaning blade 28 which is in contact with the photosensitive member surface 42 in an upright manner. At this time, a part of the scraped toner strongly adheres to the edge portion of the cleaning blade 28 and becomes a strongly adhered toner. Further, some other toner falls on the rake sheet 31 at the time of being scraped off, and the toner collection container 2
6.

The remaining toner traverses along the edge of the cleaning blade 28 in contact with the photoreceptor surface 42 on either side of the photoreceptor drum 11 in the axial direction.
It reaches the ends of the seal members 29A and 29B in an instant. Then, it enters a wedge-shaped space 56 between the sealing members 29A and 29B and the cleaning blade 28. The wedge-shaped space 56 has a wide frontage on the side where the toner enters, and the residual toner can easily enter the inside. The wedge-shaped space portion 56 is
, The toner that has entered the front is pushed by the toner that enters later and is pushed into a narrow space, and the tapered portion 5 of the cleaning blade 28 is
5 strongly adheres to the part facing. This strongly adhered toner is
Like the strongly adhered toner adhered to the area corresponding to the developing sleeve 15 of the cleaning blade 28, it functions as a lubricant between the cleaning blade 28 and the photosensitive member surface 42. Therefore, the friction of the seal members 29A and 29B in this region is reduced. Moreover, since the toner is sequentially supplied to the wedge-shaped space 56, even if slight damage is initially generated in this area of the cleaning blade 28, the damage is prevented from progressing, and the growth of this damage is prevented. The catastrophic damage of the cleaning blade 28 that occurs can be reliably prevented by the lifetime.

In the test using the third shape shown in Table 1, the area of the tapered portion 55 is large and the lengths X and Y shown in FIG. 3 are long. Therefore, when a unit amount of the residual toner arrives, the time required to fill the wedge-shaped space portion 56 is the longest in comparison with the first and second shapes. For this reason, the pressure of the toner inside the wedge-shaped space 56 is also relatively low, and the adhesion to the cleaning blade 28 is also weak. As a result, the lubricity between the photoreceptor surface 42 and the cleaning blade 28 is low, and the initial damage of the edge portion progresses, and the cleaning blade 28
May lead to damage. In the test using the third shape, the sealing members 29A and 29B
The length of the lightly contacting surface in the direction of arrow 41 was 0.5 mm or less at the shortest part.

On the other hand, in the test using the first shape, the area of the tapered portion 55 is small, and the lengths X and Y shown in FIG. 3 are short. In particular, the length Y indicating the distance between the tip of the lateral seal portion 46 of the seal members 29A and 29B and the cleaning blade 28 is as short as 1 mm. Accordingly, the opening for allowing the residual toner to enter is small, so that a sufficient amount cannot be received at one time. In addition, if the sealing members 29A and 29B are not accurately attached at the time of assembling the image forming apparatus, the cleaning blade 2 cannot be used.
8 and the photoreceptor surface 42. In the test using the first shape, the length in the direction indicated by the arrow 41 of the surface where the sealing members 29A and 29B lightly contact the photosensitive member surface 42 was 2.5 mm or more at the shortest part.

Second shape seal members 29A, 29B
Is a solution to the problems caused by the first and third shapes, and the test shown in Table 1 gives the best results. In the seal members 29A and 29B of the second shape, the length of the contact surface with the photoreceptor surface 42 excluding the portion covered by the rake sheet 31 is at least 0.5 mm or more in the direction of the arrow 41. Thus, the above-described effects are ensured. Also, the second shape seal member 29A,
The toner overflowing from the wedge-shaped space 56 between the cleaning blade 28 and the cleaning blade 28 is sealed by the sealing members 29A and 29B.
Are sequentially dropped from the gap on the opposite side to the photoreceptor surface 42 and are stored in the toner collecting container 26. In this process, the residual toner existing in a compressed state in the wedge-shaped space 56 is strongly pressed against the cleaning blade 28 and becomes strongly adhered toner. These strongly adhered toners serve as a lubricant for the cleaning blade 28. Therefore, the friction in the area corresponding to the tapered portion 55 of the cleaning blade 28 can be reduced to the same level as the area corresponding to the area corresponding to the developing sleeve 15 of the cleaning blade 28.

As a result, the second shape seal member 29 is formed.
In the tests of A and 29B, it is possible to surely prevent the occurrence of serious troubles such as defective cleaning due to breakage of the area corresponding to the tapered portion 55 of the cleaning blade 28 and the turning of the blade.

First Modification

FIG. 5 shows a modification of the seal member. This drawing corresponds to FIG. 4, and the same parts as those in FIG. 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description of these parts will be omitted as appropriate. In the seal member 29 'of this modification, the front side in the figure is the photosensitive member surface 42 side in FIG. 2 of the previous embodiment, and the back side is the toner collection container 26 (FIG. 1) for collecting toner. In this figure, the alternate long and short dash line 71 indicates the same shape as the tapered portion 55 of the lateral seal portion 46 shown in FIG. As can be seen from comparison with the alternate long and short dash line 71, the tapered portion 5 of the lateral seal portion 46 'of this modified example is shown.
5 'is not only inclined to the right in the figure,
It is also inclined toward the back of the figure.

Since the tapered portion 55 'is inclined rightward in the drawing similarly to the tapered portion 55 of FIG. 4, a wedge-shaped space is formed as described above, and the cleaning blade 28 (FIG. 2) is formed. To form a strongly adhered toner on the surface of the substrate, thereby providing a function as a lubricant. Also, the tapered portion 55 '
Is inclined toward the back side of the drawing, so that the residual toner supplied by skidding can be discharged toward this back side. That is, in the image forming apparatus of the embodiment shown in FIG.
6, the discharge is performed in balance with the supply and demand. However, in this modification, the discharge is relatively easy by inclining the tapered portion 55 'downward on the side opposite to the photosensitive member surface 42. To be able to do it.

Of course, when the shape of the tapered portion 55 'is changed in this manner, substantially the same result as that obtained by enlarging the length Y in the shape of the seal members 29A and 29B shown in Table 1 above is produced. . Therefore, in order to obtain the same strongly adhered toner, it is effective to slightly shorten the length Y on the photoconductor surface 42 side.

In the embodiment and the first modification, the tapered portions 55 and 55 'are formed as flat surfaces. However, the tapered portions 55 and 55' may be formed as a washing plate having a plurality of grooves running in the radial direction of the photosensitive drum 11. It may be a thing. Thus, not only the unnecessary residual toner is discharged to the toner collecting container 26 (FIG. 1) side along these grooves, but also the toner blocked in the traveling direction by these grooves is effectively cleaned by the cleaning blade 2.
8 (FIG. 2), which makes it easier to obtain a strongly adhered toner.

Second Modification

FIG. 6 corresponds to FIG. 2 of the previous embodiment, and shows the arrangement of various components including the cleaning device on the surface of the photosensitive member. The same parts as those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate. In the image forming apparatus of the second embodiment, the tapered portion 82 of the lateral seal portion 81 of the seal members 29C and 29D starts from the position indicated by the dashed line 62, and crosses the position indicated by the dashed line 57. Has reached the inside of the area corresponding to.

That is, in the second modified example, the lateral seal portion 81 has penetrated into the developing area. Thus, even if the seal members 29C and 29D enter the development area, they do not affect the quality of the image because they do not affect the toner image immediately after development. Further, in this modification, the other end of the tapered portion 82 extends to both ends of the charging roll 14, whereby the wedge-shaped space between the cleaning blade 28 and the cleaning blade 28 extends to the further end of the blade. However, since the strongly adhered toner adheres to these portions and the lubricant is sufficiently present, this does not cause any inconvenience. After all, regardless of the position of the seal member 29 with respect to the cleaning blade 28, the type including the area corresponding to the developing sleeve 15 or the area not including the same is such that the strongly adhered toner is stably present. It is only necessary that a spatial mechanism for compressing the skid toner be provided by the present invention.

In the above-described embodiment, an image forming apparatus using the charging roll 14 and the transfer roll 16 has been described. However, a part or all of these parts use a charger or a discharger using a corotron wire. In this case, it is obvious that the present invention can be similarly applied. Further, in the present invention, a photoconductor drum is used as a photoconductor or an image carrier, but other photoconductors such as a photoconductor belt or other image carriers holding an electrostatic latent image may be used. Needless to say.

[0069]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a process of charging and exposing is performed on an image carrier such as a photoconductor drum or a photoconductor belt capable of holding a charge pattern. In an image forming apparatus that forms a charge pattern by various methods such as applying a charge with a pin,
Since the performance of the cleaning blade is stably maintained for a long period of time, a discharge product generated due to the formation of a charge pattern, which is one of the causes of increasing friction between the surface of the photosensitive member and the cleaning blade, is sealed by a sealing member. Can be removed. Therefore, the performance of the cleaning blade can be stably maintained for a long time. Also,
Since the damage to the cleaning blade is small, the range of choice of the material is widened, and efficient cleaning and cost reduction can be realized. Further, according to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to remove a discharge product generated along with the formation of the charge pattern formed by a method other than the electrostatographic method by the seal member.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, an electrostatic latent image is formed on an image carrier such as a photosensitive drum or a photosensitive belt capable of holding an electrostatic latent image through a process of charging and exposure. In an image forming apparatus that forms a toner image by developing this electrostatic latent image, the ability of the cleaning blade is stably maintained for a long time.
Discharge products generated due to formation of a charge pattern, which is one of the causes of increasing friction between the photoconductor surface and the cleaning blade, can be removed by the seal member. Therefore, the performance of the cleaning blade can be stably maintained for a long time. Further, since there is little damage to the cleaning blade, the range of selection of the material is widened, and efficient cleaning and cost reduction can be realized. Further, according to the second aspect of the present invention, since the performance of the cleaning blade is stabilized for a long period of time, there is an effect that the reproducibility of an image recorded by the electrostatographic method is stabilized.

Further, according to the third aspect of the present invention, the side seal is formed such that a portion facing the edge of the tip of the cleaning blade is in contact with the edge by a predetermined distance from both sides of the tip of the cleaning blade, so that the center of the edge is formed. The tip is tapered so that it gradually moves away from the edge, so even if the accuracy at the time of installation is not very high, the tapered tip may contact the cleaning blade. , Never get caught in this. Therefore, there is an advantage that the assembling of the image forming apparatus is facilitated and the reliability of the apparatus is improved.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the portion of the side seal that comes into contact with the surface of the image carrier is made of an elastic foam member. As a result, more lubricant can be retained in this portion, and there is an effect of extending the life of the cleaning blade. Another advantage is that the lubricant is supplied stably over time in the initial stage of the apparatus.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a periphery of a photosensitive drum of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a layout explanatory view showing a layout relationship of various components including a cleaning device on a photoconductor surface in the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing a shape of one seal member of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing one of the seal members of the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing one of seal members according to a first modified example of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a layout explanatory view showing a layout relationship of various components including a cleaning device on a photoconductor surface in a second modified example of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a layout explanatory view showing a layout relationship of various components including a cleaning device on a photosensitive member surface of a conventional image forming apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 photoreceptor drum, 14 charging roller, 15 developing sleeve, 16 transfer roll, 17 cleaning device,
28 cleaning blade, 29 seal member (side seal), 31 rake sheet, 42 photoconductor surface,
45: vertical sealing portion, 46, 81: horizontal sealing portion,
54 ... side, 55 ... tapered part

Continuation of front page (56) References JP-A-3-291685 (JP, A) JP-A-6-250572 (JP, A) JP-A-59-34580 (JP, A) JP-A-4-181280 (JP) JP-A-8-123279 (JP, A) JP-A-6-318022 (JP, A) JP-A-1-59279 (JP, U) (58) Fields studied (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB G03G 21/10-21/12 G03G 15/08-15/08 507

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. An image carrier for moving its surface relatively in a predetermined direction, a charge pattern forming means for forming a charge pattern on the surface of the image carrier, and a charge formed by the charge pattern forming means. Developing means for developing a pattern to form a toner image; and arranging a predetermined angle with the moving direction of the image carrier so that its tip is in linear contact with the surface of the image carrier and scrapes the toner. A cleaning blade for removing the toner, toner collecting means for storing the toner scraped by the cleaning blade, and both sides of the edge of the tip of the cleaning blade in contact with the surface of the image carrier from both sides of the cleaning blade The vicinity of the cleaning blade is sandwiched between L-shaped or inverted L-shaped, and the edge of the tip of the cleaning blade and a part thereof are in contact with each other. A portion extending in parallel with this extends at least to a region where the charge pattern formed by the charge pattern forming means exists, and a predetermined portion comes into contact with the surface of the image carrier and is scraped off by the cleaning blade. An image forming apparatus comprising: a side seal for preventing the discharged toner from leaking out of the toner collecting means. 2. An image carrier for moving its surface relatively in a predetermined direction; charging means for charging the surface of the image carrier; and exposing the image carrier charged by the charging means to static electricity. Exposure means for forming an electrostatic latent image, developing means for developing the electrostatic latent image on the image carrier to form a toner image, and forming a predetermined angle with the moving direction of the image carrier A cleaning blade disposed so that the leading end thereof is in linear contact with the surface of the image carrier, and a cleaning blade for scraping toner; a toner collecting unit for storing the toner scraped by the cleaning blade; From the section to the vicinity of both sides of the edge of the tip of the cleaning blade in contact with the surface of the image carrier, respectively, in an L-shape or an inverted L-shape. And at least a portion of the edge contacting and extending in parallel with the edge extends at least to a region charged by the charging unit, and a predetermined portion comes into contact with the surface of the image carrier and is scraped by the cleaning blade. An image forming apparatus comprising: a side seal for preventing the collected toner from leaking out of the toner collecting unit. 3. An image carrier for moving its surface relatively in a predetermined direction, charging means for charging the surface of the image carrier, and exposing the image carrier charged by the charging means to static electricity. Exposure means for forming an electrostatic latent image, developing means for developing the electrostatic latent image on the image carrier to form a toner image, and forming a predetermined angle with the moving direction of the image carrier A cleaning blade disposed so that the leading end thereof is in linear contact with the surface of the image carrier, and a cleaning blade for scraping toner; a toner collecting unit for storing the toner scraped by the cleaning blade; From the section to the vicinity of both sides of the tip of the cleaning blade in contact with the surface of the image carrier, respectively, in an L-shape or an inverted L-shape. The part opposite to the cleaning blade extends parallel to the center of the edge in a state of contacting the edge by a predetermined distance from both sides of the tip of the cleaning blade toward the center of the edge, and the tip becomes a tapered shape gradually moving away from the edge. And a side seal for preventing the toner scraped by the cleaning blade when a predetermined portion comes into contact with the surface of the image carrier to prevent the toner from leaking out of the toner collecting means. Image forming device. 4. An image carrier for moving its surface relatively in a predetermined direction, charging means for charging the surface of the image carrier, and exposing the image carrier charged by the charging means to static electricity. Exposure means for forming an electrostatic latent image, developing means for developing the electrostatic latent image on the image carrier to form a toner image, and forming a predetermined angle with the moving direction of the image carrier A cleaning blade disposed so that the leading end thereof is in linear contact with the surface of the image carrier, and a cleaning blade for scraping toner; a toner collecting unit for storing the toner scraped by the cleaning blade; From the section to the vicinity of both sides of the edge of the tip of the cleaning blade in contact with the surface of the image carrier, respectively, in an L-shape or an inverted L-shape. The edge and a part of the edge contacting and extending in parallel with the edge extend at least to a region charged by the charging unit, and a portion contacting the surface of the image carrier is formed of an elastic foam member. This portion contains a solid or liquid lubricant, and the toner scraped by the cleaning blade leaks out of the toner collecting means due to the presence of the contact portion with the surface of the image carrier. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a side seal for preventing the occurrence of an image.