JP3398271B2 - Corona discharger discharge wire cleaning device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic device for recording on paper by using an electrophotographic system such as a printer, a copying machine, a facsimile, etc. using a laser, such as charging, exposure, development, transfer and cleaning. It can be applied to photographic devices.
Specifically, in such an electrophotographic apparatus, it can be applied to a corona discharger such as a charger or a transfer device that applies a high voltage to a discharge wire stretched in a case. More specifically, it relates to a discharge wire cleaning device for cleaning a discharge wire in such a corona discharger.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, in a corona discharger, dust or the like is liable to adhere to the discharge wire, and unevenness in the discharge causes uneven discharge. Therefore, it is necessary to clean the discharge wire over time.

Therefore, conventionally, some discharge wire cleaning devices for such a corona discharger are equipped with a cleaning means 1 shown in FIG. 12, for example. When cleaning the discharge wire 2 using this cleaning means 1, the cleaning means 1 or a corona discharger (not shown) is moved in the direction in which the discharge wire 2 is stretched. Then, immediately, the movable portion 3 of the cleaning means 1 is pushed in the direction of the arrow in the drawing to be bent by the cam surface of the container case of the corona discharger,
The cleaning member 4 is pressed against the discharge wire 2. Therefore, when the cleaning means 1 or a corona discharger (not shown) is moved in the stretching direction of the discharge wire 2 as it is, the discharge wire 2 can be cleaned by rubbing with the cleaning means 1.

Further, there is also one having a cleaning means 6 shown in FIG. When cleaning the discharge wire 2 using this cleaning means 6, the cleaning means 6 or a corona discharger (not shown) is moved in the direction in which the discharge wire 2 is stretched. Then, immediately, the movable portion 7.8 of the cleaning means 6 is pushed in the direction of the arrow in the drawing to bend by the cam surface of the container case of the corona discharger, and the cleaning member 9.1.
At 0, the discharge wire 2 is sandwiched. Therefore, when the cleaning means 6 or a corona discharger (not shown) is moved as it is in the stretching direction of the discharge wire 2, the discharge wire 2 can be cleaned by rubbing with the cleaning means 6.

However, in the discharge wire cleaning device shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the effect of cleaning the discharge wire 2 was not sufficiently obtained.

Therefore, in order to obtain a sufficient cleaning effect of the discharge wire 2 in the conventional discharge wire cleaning device, FIG.
There are those equipped with the cleaning means 12 shown in FIG. When cleaning the discharge wire 2 using this cleaning means 12, the cleaning means 12 or a corona discharger (not shown) is moved in the direction in which the discharge wire 2 is stretched. Then, immediately, the movable parts 14 and 15 of the cleaning means 12 are pushed in the direction of the arrow in FIG. Then, after pressing the cleaning members 16 and 17 against the discharge wire 2,
Further, the cleaning members 16 and 17 are made to bite in the thickness direction of each other to obtain the state shown in FIG. Therefore, the cleaning means 12
Alternatively, the corona discharger (not shown) can be directly used as the discharge wire 2
When it was moved in the stretching direction, the cleaning members 16 and 17 could squeeze and clean the discharge wire 2.

[0007]

However, as shown in FIG.
In the conventional discharge wire cleaning device shown in FIG. 1, when cleaning the discharge wire 2, the cleaning members 16 and 17 are squeezed, so that a sufficient cleaning effect can be obtained. Since the bite is made to bite in the direction, there is a large variation in the bite amount, and there is a problem that the bite of the discharge wire is broken in the worst case because the bite amount is too large.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to reduce the variation in the amount of biting of the cleaning member in the discharge wire cleaning device for cleaning the discharge wire by squeezing with the two cleaning members as described above, and to prevent the discharge wire from breaking. To prevent the occurrence of

[0009]

Therefore, the invention described in claim 1 is, for example, as shown in the following embodiments.
For example, a corona discharger such as the charger 26 and its cleaning means 50 are moved relative to each other in the stretching direction of the discharge wire 45 of the corona discharger, and the discharge wire 45 is rubbed by the cleaning means 50 for cleaning. In a discharge wire cleaning device of a corona discharger, the cleaning means 50 can be moved between a support member 51, a first cleaning member 53 fixed to the support member 51, and a movable member 52 on the support member 51 between a retracted position and a sliding position. And a second cleaning member 54 attached to the first cleaning member 53, and the first cleaning member 53 and the second cleaning member 54 are staggered at intervals in the extending direction of the discharge wire 45 and sandwiching the discharge wire 45. while Ru is provided, wherein the corona discharge
When the cam surface 49 is formed on the container case 40 of the container and it is cleaned
The corona discharger and the cleaning means 50 relative to each other.
The cam surface 49 moves to move the second cleaning member 54.
The moving portion 52 is bent, and the second cleaning member 54 is moved to the retracted position.
After moving from the set position to the rubbing position, the discharge wire 45 is pressed against the first cleaning member 53 by the second cleaning member 54, and is further bitten in the thickness direction of the first cleaning member 53. It is characterized by

[0010]

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the discharge wire cleaning device for a corona discharger according to the first aspect of the present invention, for example, as in the following illustrated embodiment, the first cleaning member 5 is used.
3 and the second cleaning member 54 have abrasive particles dispersed therein.

In the invention described in claim 2 , the first
When the cleaning member 53 and the second cleaning member 54 are cut and the discharge wire 45 enters inside, the discharge wire 45 is rubbed with abrasive particles.

[0013]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a schematic structure around a photoconductor of a laser copying machine.

In the figure, reference numeral 21 is a belt-shaped photosensitive member, which is a driving roller 22, driven rollers 23 and 24, and a tension roller.
It will be placed between La 25. A charger 26, a developing device 27, a transfer device 28, and a cleaning device 29, which are corona dischargers, are arranged around the photoconductor 21 in the driving direction indicated by arrow A in the figure.

Then, at the time of recording, the paper P is sent out from a paper feed cassette (not shown) and conveyed to the lower side of the photoconductor 21 at a timing by a pair of registration rollers.

The photosensitive member 21 is rotationally driven in the clockwise direction indicated by the arrow A, and at that time, the surface is uniformly charged by the charger 26, and the surface is irradiated with laser light from the optical writing device to be exposed. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the body 21.

Subsequently, when passing through the position of the developing device 27, the electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor 21 is made visible by toner.

Then, this visible image is transferred by the transfer device 28 onto the upper surface of the paper P conveyed to the lower side of the photoconductor 21. After the transfer, the charge is removed and the paper P is separated from the photoconductor 21.

After the separation, the sheet P is conveyed to a fixing device (not shown), where the transferred image is fixed and then discharged to the outside of the apparatus main body.

On the other hand, after the image transfer, the photoconductor 21 removes the residual toner from the cleaning blade 30 of the cleaning device 29.
After removing by, the electricity is removed and statically initialized to prepare for the next use.

In the illustrated laser copying machine, a process cartridge K is formed by integrating the photoconductor 21, the charging device 26 and the cleaning device 29 described above.

The cartridge case 32 of the process cartridge K is provided with window holes 33 and 34 on the side facing the developing device 27, the transfer device 28, etc., and the photoconductor 21, the drive roller 22 and the driven roller are provided inside. -The rollers 23 and 24 and the tension roller 25 are rotatably provided.

Now, the above-mentioned process cartridge K
2, the cartridge case 32 is provided with a guide 36 for the charger 26.

The guide 36 has a rail shape, and is provided between the front side plate 37 and the rear side plate (not shown) of the cartridge case 32 so as to extend in parallel along the surface of the photoconductor 21.

The front side plate 37 is provided with an insertion port 38 for the charger 26, and a guide port portion 39 which projects outward from the edge of the insertion port 38 and is open upward.

On the other hand, the charging device 26 is the same as that shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 4, the container case 40 is formed in a box shape that is horizontally long in the width direction of the photoconductor 21, the upper side and the lower side are opened, and the upper and lower edges of the opposite side plates 41 and 42 are bent outward respectively to form the collar portion 41a. 41b and 42a are provided. An end block 43 is attached to one end on the back side of the container case 40 shown in FIG. The end block 43 is provided with convex portions 43a and 43b vertically protruding from both side surfaces, respectively. Further, an end block 44 is attached to one end on the front side of the container case 40 shown in FIG. The end block 44 is provided with a finger hook 44a. Then, the discharge wire 4 is placed between the end blocks 43 and 44.
5 is stretched and provided in the container case 40.

Therefore, the charger 2 having the above-described structure
2 is inserted from the direction of arrow B in FIG. 2 into the guide opening 39, and is guided therethrough to pass through the insertion opening 38, and the convex portion 43a of the end block 43 and the flange portion 41a of the opposing side plates 41, 42.
42a is placed on the guide 36 and pushed in to be attached to the cartridge case 32.

The process cartridge K is detachably attached to the main body of the laser copying machine, and the charger 26 is detachably attached to the process cartridge K in the inserting and removing direction of the process cartridge K.

Now, the illustrated laser copying machine is provided with the discharge wire cleaning device according to the invention as described in claim 1 which is used for the charger 26 which is a corona discharger. Hereinafter, this will be described in detail.

The charging device indicated by reference numeral 26 in FIG. 3 is provided with an escape portion 41d on one of the opposite side plates 41 of the container case 40. As shown in FIG. 4, the escape portion 41d is formed by horizontally recessing the inner surface 41c of the opposite side plate 41 facing the other opposite side plate 42 in the lengthwise direction of the container case 40, and forming a gentle inclined surface 41e. It continues to the inner surface 41c through 41f. Then, in the container case 40 of the charger 26, the inner surface 41c of the opposite side plate 41 is provided.
And the escape portion 41d form a cam surface 49.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, the process cartridge K is provided with cleaning means 50. Cleaning means 5
The 0 has a support member 51, as also shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

The support member 51 is formed of a resin material into a slightly small rectangular plate shape, and is integrally formed with a convex portion 51a and a movable portion 52 downward from the lower surface with a space e shown in FIG. .

The movable portion 52 is composed of a thin plate-like portion 55 extending slightly downward from the support member 51 and a thick plate-like portion 56 connected to the lower end thereof and extending obliquely inward and outward.

Then, the first cleaning member 53 is attached to the lower surface of the convex portion 51a, and the second cleaning member 54 is attached to the inner end portion of the thick plate portion 56 so as to face upward. The first cleaning member 53 and the second cleaning member 54 are foam-molded into a small block shape using polyurethane foam, and after the foam-molding, they are immersed in a liquid containing abrasive particles such as silica and dried, In this configuration, abrasive particles are dispersed and arranged.

Then, when the cleaning means 50 constructed as described above is attached, after the charger 26 is attached in FIG. 2, it is inserted into the container case 40 from the direction of the arrow F, and as shown in FIG. The first cleaning member 53 is provided on the upper side of the discharge wire 45, and the second cleaning member 54 is provided on the lower side thereof in proximity to each other, and the outer end 5 of the thick plate portion 56 is provided.
6a is put in the escape portion 41d. Then, one side of the support member 51 is attached and fixed to the back surface of the front plate 37 above the insertion port 38, and the first cleaning member 53 and the second cleaning member 54 are spaced apart in the direction in which the discharge wire 45 is stretched. To place.

For maintenance, for example, when replacing the process cartridge K, the front cover 59 of the apparatus main body 58 is opened as shown in FIG. 8, and the process cartridge K is indicated by the arrow from the apparatus main body 58 of the laser copying machine. Pull out in the direction you want. Incidentally, as shown in the drawing, the developing device 27
Similarly, it is pulled out in the direction of the arrow from the device main body 58.

On the other hand, when the discharge wire 45 becomes dirty, especially when only the charger 26 needs to be cleaned early, the process cartridge K is attached to the apparatus main body 58 as shown in FIG. Only the charger 26 is extracted from the process cartridge K in the direction of arrow E for inserting and removing the process cartridge K from the main body 58.

Then, in the initial stage of the extraction, the inclined surface 41e of the relief portion 41d is formed on the outer end 56a of the thick plate-like portion 56.
Contact each other, and gradually push the thick plate-like portion 56 by the inclined surface 41e to bend the thin plate-like portion 55 inward, so that the second cleaning member 54 is pressed against the discharge wire 45 and
The discharge member 45 is pushed by the cleaning member 54 and the first cleaning member 5
Press on 3. After that, the outer end 56a of the thick plate portion 56
Contacts the inner surface 41c of the opposite side plate 41, and at that time, the second cleaning member 54 is further bited in the thickness direction of the first cleaning member 53. As a result, the biting amount of the second cleaning member 54 becomes a predetermined amount, and the state shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 is obtained.

Then, when the charger 26 is taken out as it is, the charging wire 45 is cleaned by squeezing it with the first cleaning member 53 and the second cleaning member 54.

After that, when the charger 26 that has been pulled out is pushed in, the charging wire 45 is cleaned by squeezing again with the first cleaning member 53 and the second cleaning member 54 as described above.
Then, eventually, when the outer end 56a of the thick plate-shaped portion 56 enters the escape portion 41d again, the movable portion 52 returns to separate the first cleaning member 53 and the second cleaning member 54 from the discharge wire 45, and FIG. Return to the state shown in.

In the illustrated embodiment, the process cartridge K is an example in which the photoconductor 21, the charging device 26, and the cleaning device 29 are integrally formed. However, the process cartridge K is not limited to this, and although not shown, the process cartridge K may be configured by another combination including the charger 26.

In the illustrated embodiment, the discharge wire cleaning device according to the first aspect of the invention is used for the charger 26 which is a corona discharger. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the same can be applied to the transfer device 28 which is a corona discharge device, for example.

Further, in the illustrated embodiment, the charger 26 is moved when cleaning the discharge wire 45. But,
Although not shown, the cleaning means 50 and the like may be moved when cleaning the discharge wire 45.

[0044]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, when cleaning the discharge wire, only the second cleaning member is moved in the thickness direction of the fixed first cleaning member so as to bite into it. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the variation in the bite amount, and it is possible to prevent the breakage of the discharge wire due to the excessive bite amount.

The cam surface is attached to the container case of the corona discharger.
With this structure, when the corona discharger and the cleaning means move relative to each other, the second cleaning member moves in conjunction therewith, so the operation of the cleaning means can be simplified.

According to the invention of claim 2 , claim 1
In addition to the effect of the invention described in (1), the first cleaning member and the second cleaning member are rubbed with the discharge wire over time , and when the discharge wire enters into them, the discharge wire is rubbed with abrasive particles, The cleaning effect of the discharge wire can be maintained as it is. Therefore, it is possible to achieve durable use, and it is possible to prevent the polishing effect from being lost when the cleaning member having the surface coated with the abrasive is cut and the discharge wire enters inside as in the conventional case.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a process cartridge peripheral portion of a laser copying machine.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which a charger and cleaning means are attached to the process cartridge.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a part of a front side of the charger.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a cam surface on the front side thereof.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the cleaning means.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the cleaning means as viewed in the direction of arrow c in FIG.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing a state after the cleaning means is attached.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a state in which a process cartridge and a developing device are pulled out from the apparatus main body during maintenance.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a state in which only a charger is extracted from the process cartridge.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a cleaning state when only the charger is extracted.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a cleaning state of the cleaning unit when viewed from the direction of arrow d in FIG.

FIG. 12 is a schematic configuration diagram of a conventional discharge wire cleaning device for a corona discharger.

FIG. 13 is a schematic configuration diagram of another conventional discharge wire cleaning device.

FIG. 14 is still another conventional discharge wire cleaning device,
(A) is a schematic front view, (B) is a schematic side view as seen from the direction of the arrow (a) in the arrow (A), and (C) is a state diagram at the time of cleaning as seen from the direction of the arrow (A) as the arrow.

[Explanation of symbols]

26 Charger (corona discharger) 40 container case 45 discharge wire 49 Cam surface 50 Cleaning means 51 support member 52 Moving part 53 First cleaning member 54 Second Cleaning Member

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) Reference JP-A-4-16868 (JP, A) JP-A-4-369663 (JP, A) JP-A-7-261520 (JP, A) JP-A-7- 175299 (JP, A) JP-A-6-266210 (JP, A) JP-A-5-323772 (JP, A) Actual development 4-27596 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G03G 15/02 G03G 15/16 101 H01T 19/00

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A corona discharger and its cleaning means are moved relative to each other in a direction in which a discharge wire of the corona discharger is stretched,
In a discharge wire cleaning device of a corona discharger for cleaning the discharge wire by rubbing it with the cleaning means, the cleaning means is retracted to a supporting member, a first cleaning member fixed to the supporting member, and the supporting member via a movable part. A second cleaning member that is movably attached to the position and the sliding position, and the first cleaning member and the second cleaning member are separated from each other in the tension direction of the discharge wire and the discharge wire is removed. while Ru provided alternately in san cam to the corona discharger vessels case
When forming and cleaning surfaces, the corona discharger and the cleaning
By moving the sweeping means relative to each other, the second cleaning screen is moved by the cam surface.
The movable part of the sweeping member is bent and the second cleaning member is retracted.
The corona discharge is formed by moving from the position to the rubbing position , pressing the discharge wire against the first cleaning member by the second cleaning member, and further digging in the thickness direction of the first cleaning member. Discharge wire cleaning device for electric appliances. 2. The first cleaning member and the second cleaning section
The discharge wire cleaning device for a corona discharger according to claim 1, wherein abrasive particles are dispersed and arranged inside the material .