JP3614208B2 - Cleaning device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Industrial application fields]
The present invention relates to a cleaning device having a buffer device that reduces a shock when a pressure member applies a shocking external force to a member to be pressed.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Various machines and devices are provided with a pressure member that applies an impact external force to the member to be pressed. The impact generates noise in the machine and device, and various types of machines and devices. May adversely affect elements.
[0003]
Therefore, conventionally, a shock absorber for reducing the impact has been used. For example, a buffer member such as a rubber sheet is attached to the surface of a member to be pressurized that receives an impact external force by the pressure member, and the pressure member applies an external force to the member to be pressurized through the rubber sheet. The configured shock absorber is widely used, but according to such a structure, an external force is directly applied to the rubber sheet by the pressurizing member, so that the rubber sheet deteriorates due to permanent deformation at an early stage, and its buffer function. Is unavoidable the disadvantages that decline.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
An object of the present invention is to provide a cleaning device having a shock absorber that eliminates the above-mentioned conventional drawbacks.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a cleaning case, a cleaning blade, a swing support member that supports the cleaning blade in a fixed manner and is swingably supported with respect to the cleaning case, and the swing A solenoid for driving the support member; a pressure member pivotally attached to the plunger of the solenoid; and a pivot member pivotably attached to the cleaning case; and a buffer member attached to the swing support member. And the pressurizing member is rotated with respect to the cleaning case by the urging of the solenoid, and the pressurizing portion of the pressurizing member applies an impact external force to the swing support member via the buffer member. The cleaning device rotates the swing support member together with the cleaning blade, and the buffer member is attached to the swing support member. And a rigid plate integrally laminated on the surface of the elastic body, and a shock absorber is applied so that the pressure member of the pressure member abuts on the rigid plate and gives a shocking external force to the buffer member. When the position of the member is set and the pressurizing part of the pressurizing member starts to hit the rigid plate, the pressurizing part comes into contact with the substantially central part of the rigid plate and sequentially contacts the rigid plate and the pressurizing part. The cleaning device is characterized in that the relative position between the pressure member and the buffer member is set so that the portion approaches the end of the buffer member.
[0006]
At this time, it is advantageous that the surface area of the rigid plate and the elastic body is set larger than the area where the pressure member of the pressure member contacts the rigid plate.
[0007]
Further, it is particularly advantageous that the elastic body is made of a foam and a rigid plate is laminated on the surface thereof.
[0008]
Furthermore, when the elastic body is made of a sheet-like foam and the rigid plate is laminated on the elastic body so that the entire surface is covered with the rigid plate, the buffer function can be further enhanced.
[0010]
【Example】
The shock absorber according to the present invention can be used in various machines and devices. Specific examples of the shock absorber used in the image forming apparatus cleaning device will be described below.
[0011]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of such an image forming apparatus. First, the overall configuration and operation thereof will be clarified.
[0012]
The image forming apparatus 1 shown here includes a document reading unit 4, a system control unit 3, and a printer unit 2. The system control unit 3 controls the document reading unit 4 and the printer unit 2 in an integrated manner.
[0013]
The photoconductor 5 provided in the printer unit 2 is rotationally driven counterclockwise in the drawing by a drive motor (not shown). During this rotation, the surface of the photoreceptor 5 is uniformly charged by the action of the charging charger 6. Next, the exposure unit 7 performs optical writing scanning with the laser light 9 emitted from the laser light writing system 8, thereby forming a predetermined electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor 5.
[0014]
The electrostatic latent image is first visualized as a black toner image by the black developing device B of the rotary developing device 13 having the black developing device B, the yellow developing device Y, the magenta developing device M, and the cyan developing device C. Is done. The intermediate transfer belt 14 is rotationally driven in the clockwise direction in the drawing, and the black toner image is primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 14 by the action of the transfer charger 15 in the primary transfer region 11. Is done. The intermediate transfer belt 14 is wound around rollers 35, 36, 37, 38, and 39 and is driven to rotate.
[0015]
On the photoconductor 5 that continues to rotate, after the above-described formation of the electrostatic latent image, different color-separated electrostatic latent images are sequentially formed. Each time an image is formed, yellow, magenta, and cyan toner images are sequentially formed by the other developing devices Y, M, and C of the rotary developing device 13. Then, a toner image of each color is sequentially superimposed and secondarily transferred onto the black toner image transferred first, thereby forming a full-color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 14. After the toner images of the respective colors on the photoconductor 5 are transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 14, the toner remaining on the photoconductor 5 is removed from the photoconductor 5 by the cleaning device 31.
[0016]
On the other hand, the transfer paper 17 is sent from the paper feed tray 16 toward the registration roller pair 18 via the transport roller pair 20 by the rotation of the paper feed roller 19. The transfer paper 17 whose leading end reaches the registration roller pair 18 is subjected to secondary transfer by rotation of the registration roller pair 18 so that the leading end of the full-color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 14 and the leading end of the transfer paper 17 are secondarily transferred. It is sent to the transfer area 12 so as to meet the opportunity in the area 12. A full-color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 14 is secondarily transferred to the transfer paper 17 sent toward the secondary transfer region 12 by the action of the transfer charger 21. After this transfer, the transfer paper 17 is separated from the intermediate transfer belt 14 by the action of the separation charger 22.
[0017]
The conveyor belt 23 is stretched between a pair of rollers 23A and 23B and is driven to rotate counterclockwise in the drawing. The transfer paper 17 separated from the intermediate transfer belt 14 is sent toward the fixing roller pair 24 of the fixing device by the rotation of the conveying belt 23.
[0018]
The fixing roller pair 24 includes a heat fixing roller 24A and a pressure roller 24B in pressure contact with the heat fixing roller 24A. The heat fixing roller 24A is rotationally driven in the direction of the arrow in the figure, and the pressure roller 24B also rotates in the direction of the arrow. Driven. While the transfer paper 17 passes between these rotating rollers, the transfer toner image on the transfer paper is fixed. After this fixing, the transfer paper is transported toward the paper discharge tray 27 by the rotation of the transport roller pair 25 and the discharge transport roller pair 26, and is accommodated in the tray 27 as full-color copy paper.
[0019]
In the case of a single color copy, the toner images of a plurality of colors are not overlaid and transferred, the single color toner image is transferred from the photoreceptor 5 to the intermediate transfer belt 14, and the transfer toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 14 is transferred to the transfer paper. After being transferred, the single-color copy paper is discharged to the paper discharge tray 27.
[0020]
In the image forming apparatus of this example, manual sheet feeding from the manual sheet feeding table 28 is also possible. When manually feeding paper, the manual paper feeding table 28 is laid sideways, and the leading end side of the transfer paper is inserted below the feeding roller 29 along the table surface. Then, the feeding roller 29 rotates, and the transfer paper is fed toward the registration roller pair 18 via the conveyance roller pair 30.
[0021]
The intermediate transfer belt 14 is provided with a cleaning device 32 having a buffer device, which will be described later, so that the toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 14 after the toner image is secondarily transferred from the intermediate transfer belt 14 to the transfer paper 17. Cleaning is performed by the cleaning device 32. The cleaning device 32 will be described in detail later.
[0022]
An original (not shown) is placed and set on a contact glass 140 installed on the upper portion of the casing of the original reading unit 4, an optical system including an original illumination lamp 141 and a first mirror 142, and second and third mirrors. When the optical system composed of 143 and 144 is driven to run in the right direction in FIG. 1 at a speed ratio of 2: 1, the document placed on the contact glass 140 is read and scanned by these optical systems. . Then, the scanning light image at this time is projected onto the reading element 145 made of, for example, a CCD through the imaging lens 150, and the image information of the original is read. Such image information is reproduced as a recorded image on the transfer paper 17 in the printer unit 2 as described above.
[0023]
2 is an enlarged detailed view of the cleaning device 32 shown in FIG. 1, and the cleaning device 32 shown here is detachably attached to the image forming apparatus main body 100 (FIG. 1). In this example, a belt unit in which the intermediate transfer belt 14 and rollers 35 to 39 for winding the intermediate transfer belt 14 are integrally assembled is configured, and a cleaning device 32 is detachably connected to the unit. The belt unit is pulled out in front of the image forming apparatus main body 100, that is, in the front direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIGS. 1 and 2, and the belt unit is extracted from the image forming apparatus main body 100 and pushed in the opposite direction. After the belt unit is extracted from the image forming apparatus main body 100, the cleaning device 32 can be detached from the unit.
[0024]
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the cleaning device 32 detached from the belt unit extracted from the image forming apparatus main body 100. As described above, the cleaning device 32 is pushed into the image forming apparatus main body 100 in the direction of arrow A while being attached to the belt unit, and is set at a predetermined position shown in FIGS. It is pulled out in the direction opposite to A and removed from the image forming apparatus main body 100.
[0025]
The cleaning device 32 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 is in contact with the cleaning case 40 that receives toner (not shown) removed from the intermediate transfer belt 14 and the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 14 as shown in FIG. The cleaning blade 41 is an example of a cleaning member that removes residual toner on the intermediate transfer belt 14, and a seal member 42. The cleaning blade 41 is made of, for example, an elastic material such as rubber or a relatively soft resin. A tip edge portion of the cleaning blade 41 comes into pressure contact with the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 14 and scrapes and removes toner remaining on the surface.
[0026]
The toner removed from the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 14 in this way is received in the cleaning case 40 as shown in FIG. 2, and is removed from the cleaning case 40 by a toner conveying screw 43 provided at the bottom of the case 40 and driven to rotate. 3 and is conveyed to a waste toner tank (not shown) through a conveyance pipe 44 connected to the cleaning case 40 as shown in FIG.
[0027]
The seal member 42 is made of, for example, a thin elastic sheet made of resin, and a base end portion thereof is stuck and fixed to a seal support member 45 described later, and a distal end portion thereof is in contact with the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 14. At that time, the seal member 42 contacts the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 14 at a portion upstream of the portion where the cleaning blade 41 contacts the intermediate transfer belt 14 in the moving direction of the intermediate transfer belt 14. The toner scraped off from the intermediate transfer belt 14 and floating in the cleaning case 40 is prevented from scattering outside.
[0028]
As can be seen from FIG. 3, the cleaning case 40, the cleaning blade 41 and the seal member 42 extend in the width direction in parallel with the intermediate transfer belt 14, and the toner conveying screw 43 shown in FIG. It extends long over the entire length in the direction.
[0029]
As described above, toner images of different colors are sequentially transferred from the photoreceptor 5 onto the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 14. Such toner images are transferred to the cleaning blade 41 and the seal member 42 of the cleaning device 32. If these are in contact with the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 14 when passing through the toner, the toner on the intermediate transfer belt 14 will be disturbed. After the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 14 is transferred to the transfer paper 17, the cleaning blade 41 and the seal member 42 are applied to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 14 only when cleaning the toner remaining on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 14. At other times, these need to be separated from the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 14. In addition, if the cleaning blade and the seal member are always in pressure contact with the surface of the image carrier, they are deteriorated at an early stage. To prevent this, the cleaning blade and the seal member are Some cleaning devices are spaced from the surface of the carrier.
[0030]
For this reason, the cleaning blade 41 is in contact with the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 14 as shown by a solid line in FIG. 2 and away from the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 14 as shown by a chain line in FIG. The cleaning case 40 is supported so as to be swingable between the two positions. Similarly, the seal member 42 swings between a position in contact with the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 14 as indicated by a solid line in FIG. 2 and a position spaced from the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 14 as indicated by a chain line. The cleaning case 40 is supported as possible. In this way, the cleaning blade 41 and the seal member 42 can be brought into contact with the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 14 only when necessary.
[0031]
As described above, the seal member 42 is fixed to the plate-like seal support member 45 extending in parallel therewith, and the seal support member 45 has a bearing member as shown in FIG. The cleaning case 40 is swingably supported through 46 and 47. The cleaning blade 41 is integrally attached to a holder 48 whose base end extends in parallel to the blade 41, and the holder 48 is detachably fixed to the swing support member 49 by screws (FIG. 3). ing.
[0032]
End portions of the swing support member 49 in the longitudinal direction are formed as ear portions 50 and 51 that stand up with respect to the intermediate plate-like portion. Concentric pins 52 and 53 projecting outward in the longitudinal direction are integrally provided, and the respective pins 52 and 53 are rotatably fitted in support holes formed at respective longitudinal ends of the cleaning case 40. Yes. As will be described later with reference to FIG. 4, the cleaning case 40 includes a case main body 54 and a cover member 55 that is detachably fixed to the inner side of the case main body 54. The front side of the pins 52 and 53 described above. The pin 52 is fitted in a support hole formed in the case main body 54, and the back-side pin 53 is fitted in a support hole formed in the case member 55 so as to be freely rotatable. In this way, the swing support member 49 is swingably supported by the cleaning case 40.
[0033]
Here, the illustrated cleaning device 32 has a solenoid as an example of a drive device that swings and drives the cleaning blade 41 as described below, and the cleaning blade 41 is interposed via the holder 48 as described above. The swing support member 49 supported by the cleaning case 40 so as to swing freely is driven by the solenoid.
[0034]
As shown in FIG. 3, a notch 56 is formed at the center in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning case 40, and a tongue 57 formed at the center in the longitudinal direction of the swing support member 49 enters the notch 56. FIG. 5 shows the state of the tongue 57 that has entered the notch 56 and the elements in the vicinity thereof, as viewed from below in FIG. 3, and FIG. 6 is a perspective view thereof. The main body of the above-described solenoid 58 is fixed to the lower surface of the case main body 54 of the cleaning case 40, and the pressurizing member 60 is pivotally attached via a pivot pin 59 so as to be swingable around the axis of the pin 59. Has been. The first free end 61 of the pressure member 60 is pivotally attached to the plunger 63 of the solenoid 58, and the pressure part 62, which is the second free end, is a buffer member 64 attached to the tongue 57. And press the tongue 57 through. In the state shown in FIG. 5, the third free end portion 65 of the pressure member 60 is in pressure contact with the cleaning case 40 via the elastic sheet 66 attached to the cleaning case 40. The buffer member 64 constitutes the buffer device of this example, which will be described in detail later.
[0035]
Further, the pressure member 60 and the cleaning case 40 are engaged with respective end portions of a first pressure spring 67 made of a tension spring. As a result, a moment is applied to the pressure member 60 so that the third free end portion 65 is in pressure contact with the elastic sheet 66, and the pressure member 60 is received by the cleaning case 40 via the elastic sheet 66. Has been stopped. Further, the end portions of the second pressure spring 68 constituted by a tension spring are also latched between the tongue portion 57 of the swing support member 49 and the cleaning case 40, whereby the tongue portion 57 and the cleaning portion 40 are joined. The pressurizing part 62 of the pressure member 60 is in pressure contact via the buffer member 64.
[0036]
FIG. 5 shows the state of the solenoid 58 and the pressure member 60 when the cleaning blade 41 is in pressure contact with the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 14 as shown by the solid line in FIG. 63 and the pressure member 60 are held at the positions shown in FIG. 5, so that the swing support member 49 is also held at the position shown in FIG. 2, and the cleaning blade 41 is pressed against the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 14 as described above. The residual toner on the surface is removed.
[0037]
When the cleaning blade 41 is to be separated from the intermediate transfer belt 14, the solenoid 58 is energized by the command, whereby the plunger 63 is pulled in and held in the retracted position. As a result, the pressure member 60 rotates around the pivot pin 59 in the clockwise direction in FIG. 5 and occupies the position indicated by the chain line in FIG. As a result, the pressurizing portion 62 of the pressurizing member 60 pressurizes the tongue 57 via the buffer member 64, and the swing support member 49 is moved against its pin 52, against the action of the second pressurizing spring 68. It is rotated around the axis 53 (FIG. 3) in the direction shown by the arrow B in FIG. FIG. 6 shows the situation at this time. By rotating the swing support member 49 in this way, the cleaning blade 41 fixedly supported by the swing support member 49 is rotated to the position indicated by the chain line in FIG. 2 and is separated from the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 14.
[0038]
When the cleaning blade 41 is to be brought into pressure contact with the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 14, the solenoid 58 is urged again by the command, and the plunger 63 protrudes to the position shown in FIG. 5 and is held at this position. As a result, the pressure member 60 is pulled by the first pressure spring 67 and returns to the position shown by the solid line in FIG. 5, and the swing support member 49 is pulled by the second pressure spring 68, and the arrow in FIG. It rotates around the pins 52 and 53 in the direction opposite to B. As a result, the cleaning blade 41 is brought into pressure contact with the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 14, and residual toner on the surface can be removed.
[0039]
As described above, the solenoid 58 constitutes an example of a drive device that drives the cleaning blade 41 to swing.
[0040]
When the cleaning blade 41 is separated from the intermediate transfer belt 14, the pressing member 60 is actuated by the bias of the solenoid 58 as described above. At this time, the pressing member 60 applies a shocking external force to the tongue portion 57. give. When the impact force is large, not only a large impact sound is generated, but also a large impact force is applied to the cleaning blade 41 fixed to the swing support member 49, and the toner adhering to the cleaning blade 41 is scattered. This may adhere to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 14. When the toner adheres to the intermediate transfer belt 14 in this way, when the toner image is next transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 14, the toner image is soiled.
[0041]
As can be understood from the above description, the tongue portion 57 of the swing support member 49 is an example of a member to be pressed to which a shocking external force is applied by the pressing member 60. When an impact is applied to a member, if the impact force is large, various problems as described above occur. Therefore, for the purpose of alleviating such an impact, a shock absorber having the above-described shock absorber 64 is provided. That is, this shock absorber has a shock absorber 64 attached to the surface of the tongue 57 to which a shocking external force is applied by the pressure member 60, and the shock absorber 64 is shown in FIGS. The sheet-like elastic body 69 is attached to the surface of the tongue portion 57 constituting the member to be pressurized by being attached with a double-sided adhesive tape, and the rigid plate 70 is integrally laminated on the surface. Yes. The rigid plate 70 is made of, for example, a thin metal plate or a hard synthetic resin plate. The rigid plate 70 and the elastic body 69 can be obtained by punching a material in which these are integrally laminated.
[0042]
When the pressing member 60 impactively presses the tongue portion 57, the pressing portion 62 hits the rigid plate 70 of the buffer member 64. That is, the position of the buffer member 64 is set so that the pressurizing portion 62 of the pressurizing member 60 contacts the rigid plate 70 and gives a shocking external force to the buffer member 64. As described above, the pressing unit 62 applies an impact force to the rigid plate 70 having a higher rigidity than the elastic body 69, and external force acts on the elastic body 69 via the rigid plate 70. Although the impact force is repeatedly applied, the elastic body 69 deteriorates early and does not permanently deform early. For this reason, the buffer member 64 exhibits a buffer function for a long period of time, and can prevent the toner from scattering from the cleaning blade 41 when the cleaning blade 41 is separated from the intermediate transfer belt 14.
[0043]
Further, as can be seen from FIGS. 5 and 6, the surface area of the rigid plate 70 and the elastic body 69 is set to be much larger than the area where the pressing portion 62 of the pressing member 60 contacts the rigid plate 70. For this reason, the external force applied to the rigid plate 70 by the pressurizing unit 62 is greatly dispersed, and the dispersed force is applied to the elastic body 69. Thus, since the elastic body 69 receives an external force on a large surface, the impact force can be effectively reduced. Moreover, since the external force from the pressurizing part 62 is applied to the rigid plate 70 having a large area, the force can be effectively dispersed and transmitted to the elastic body 69.
[0044]
In addition, an elastic member such as a rubber sheet can be used as the elastic body 69, but when a foam is used as the elastic body 69 and the rigid plate 70 is laminated integrally on the surface thereof, the buffer member 64 becomes the pressure member 60. When the elastic body 69 made of a foam is subjected to a compressive deformation by receiving an impact force from the air, the air that has remained in the foam until then escapes from the foam. When such air flows out, a damping action on the pressurizing member 60 is obtained, and an even greater buffering function can be ensured. At that time, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the elastic body 69 is made of a sheet-like foam, and the rigid plate 70 is laminated on the elastic body 69 so that the entire surface is covered with the rigid plate 70. When the elastic body 69 receives an impact force and compressively deforms, the air remaining in the foam is little by little through the narrow side edge of the elastic body 69 sandwiched between the rigid plate 70 and the tongue portion 57. Get out of the foam. By covering the surface of the elastic body 69 with the rigid plate 70, the air escape portion in the elastic body 69 is narrowed so that the air escapes to the outside over time. Thereby, a much larger damping action can be obtained, and the buffer function can be further enhanced.
[0045]
When the pressurizing part 62 of the pressurizing member 60 starts to press the rigid plate 70, as shown by the arrow P in FIG. However, the swinging support member 49 to which an external force is applied rotates around the pins 52 and 53, and the pressing member 60 also rotates around the pivot pin 59. The relative contact portions sequentially change as indicated by an arrow Q in FIG. 6, and finally the pressurizing portion 62 pressurizes the end region of the buffer member 64. Thus, since the pressurizing portion 62 initially presses the substantially central portion of the buffer member 64, the force is uniformly distributed over the entire elastic body 69, and then the contact portion is the end of the buffer member 64. Therefore, a local external force can be applied to the elastic body 69. That is, when the elastic body 69 starts to be subjected to a large impact external force from the pressurizing portion 62, the amount of compressive deformation is kept small, and then the amount of compressive deformation increases by receiving the local external force. As described above, the elastic body 69 receives the dispersed force at the beginning when the pressure is applied, and the amount of compressive deformation is reduced, and the impact force is effectively reduced. When the elastic body 69 starts to be applied with an impact force, if the elastic body 69 is immediately greatly compressed and deformed, the impact mitigating function is lowered. At the beginning of applying an impact force, the amount of compressive deformation of the elastic body 69 is suppressed to obtain a high buffer function. Then, the impact force gradually decreases, and as the external force approaches a static force, the amount of compressive deformation of the elastic body 69 is increased, the impact force is relaxed, and an effective buffer function is obtained throughout the entire process. It is. Thus, when the pressurizing part 62 of the pressurizing member 60 starts to hit the rigid plate 70, the pressurizing part 62 comes into contact with the substantially central part of the rigid plate 70, and the rigid plate 70 and the pressurizing part 62 are sequentially formed. By setting the relative position of the pressurizing member 60 and the buffer member 64 so that the contact portion approaches the end of the buffer member 64, the buffer function can be enhanced.
[0046]
By the way, as described above, the seal member 42 is also supported by the cleaning case 40 so as to be able to come into contact with and separate from the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 14. At this time, the cleaning device 32 shown in FIG. An interlocking means for swinging the seal member 42 in conjunction with the swing is provided, and a specific example thereof will be described below.
[0047]
FIG. 4 is a perspective view in which the cover member 55 is separated from the case main body 54 of the cleaning case 40, and the state of the interlocking means provided in the cover member 55 is clarified. FIGS. It is explanatory drawing explaining the effect | action of a means.
[0048]
The interlocking means shown here has a tension spring 71, a cam member 72, and an intermediate link 73. As described above, the seal support member 45 to which the seal member 42 is fixed is supported swingably on the cleaning case 40 via the bearing members 46 and 47 as shown in FIG. Each end of the seal member 45 is locked to a free end side opposite to the swing center side of the seal member 45 and a pin 74 protruding from the case main body 54 of the cleaning case 40. As a result, the spring 71 rotates and biases the seal support member 45 in a direction in which the seal member 42 is separated from the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 14 (FIG. 2).
[0049]
The cam member 72 has a base end portion rotatably fitted to the pin 74 described above, and the base end portion is pivotally attached to the cleaning case 40. Further, the distal end side of the cam member 72 constitutes a cam surface, and the distal end surface 75 presses the free end side of the seal support member 45 against the action of the spring 71 as shown in FIG. As a result, as shown by the solid line in FIG. 2, the tip of the seal member 42 comes into contact with the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 14. FIG. 7 shows the state at this time.
[0050]
One end of the intermediate link 73 is rotatably fitted to a pin 76 protruding from the ear 51 on the back side of the swing support member 49. In this manner, one end of the intermediate link 73 is pivotally attached to the swing support member 49 at a position closer to the free end than the swing center (portions of the pins 52 and 53). The other end of the intermediate link 73 is pivotally attached to the cam member 72 via a pin 77 projecting from the intermediate link 73. The other end portion of the intermediate link 73 is pivotally attached to a portion between the swing center of the cam member 72 (the portion of the pin 74) and the tip surface 75.
[0051]
When the cleaning blade 41 and the seal member 42 are in contact with the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 14, the elements of the interlocking unit are positioned as shown in FIG. Here, as described above, the operation of the solenoid 58 causes the swing support member 49 to rotate around the pins 52 and 53 in the direction of arrow B (FIGS. 2 and 7), so that the cleaning blade 41 is moved to the intermediate transfer belt 14. When the cam member 72 is rotated to a position to be separated from the surface, the movement is transmitted to the cam member 72 via the intermediate link 73, and the cam member 72 has a tip end surface 75 from the seal support member 45 as shown in FIG. Rotate around the pin 74 to a position away. For this reason, the seal support member 45 is released from the restraint by the distal end surface 75 of the cam member 72 and is rotated by the action of the spring 71, whereby the seal member 42 is rotated as shown by the chain line in FIG. Separate from. Of course, at this time, the cleaning blade 41 is also separated from the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 14, and FIG. 8 shows the state at this time.
[0052]
When the solenoid 58 is actuated again and the swing support member 49 rotates in the direction opposite to the arrow B from the state of FIG. 8, the movement is transmitted to the cam member 72 via the intermediate link 73, and this is transmitted to the pin 74. The tip end surface 75 rotates around and pressurizes the seal support member 45 against the action of the spring 71, whereby the seal support member 45 rotates, and the seal member 42 is shown by a solid line in FIG. In this way, it is pressed against the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 14. At this time, the cleaning blade 41 is also pressed against the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 14. The cleaning blade 41 and the seal member 42 are restored to the state shown in FIG.
[0053]
As described above, the interlocking unit swings the seal member 42 in conjunction with the swing of the cleaning blade 41, and when the cleaning blade 41 contacts the intermediate transfer belt 14, the seal member 42 also contacts the intermediate transfer belt 14. When the cleaning blade 41 is separated from the intermediate transfer belt 14, the seal member 42 is also separated from the intermediate transfer belt 14. Thereby, it is only necessary to provide a driving device for driving the cleaning blade 41, and the cost of the cleaning device 32 can be reduced.
[0054]
By the way, as described above, when the cleaning blade 41 is in contact with the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 14, the cleaning blade 41 is in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 14 due to an environmental change or the like, that is, the cleaning blade. It is generally unavoidable that the angle posture of 41 changes. The cleaning blade 41 that remains in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 14 swings within a minute angle range. When the cleaning blade 41 swings in this manner, if the seal member 42 also swings in conjunction with this, the contact force of the seal member 42 against the intermediate transfer belt 14 changes, and the pressure becomes too large. If the seal member 42 scrapes off the residual toner on the intermediate transfer belt 14 and the pressure becomes too small, the toner in the cleaning case 40 is scattered outside.
[0055]
Therefore, the above-described interlocking unit is configured to apply a predetermined pressure to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 14 when the cleaning blade 41 is in contact with the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 14 and swings in a minute angle range due to environmental changes. The seal member 42 that is in contact is configured not to swing. As a result, even if the cleaning blade 41 swings a minute angle, the seal member 42 can always keep contact with the intermediate transfer belt 14 at a substantially constant pressure, and the pressure contact force of the seal member 42 against the intermediate transfer belt 14. It is possible to prevent problems such as excessive or too small.
[0056]
More specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, the front end surface 75 of the cam member 72 has a predetermined width in the swinging direction, and the front end surface 75 is connected to the cam member 72. Are formed in a circular arc shape with the axis of the pin 74 as the center. The radius of the arc is R as shown in FIG. 7, and the tip end surface 72 is entirely formed in an arc of a constant radius R.
[0057]
Therefore, the cleaning blade 41 oscillates in a minute angle range while being in contact with the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 14, and the movement is transmitted to the cam member 72 via the oscillating support member 49 and the intermediate link 73. Even if the member 72 swings around the central axis of the pin 74, the tip end surface 75 maintains a state in contact with the portion on the free end side of the seal support member 45, and the seal support member 45 is swung. There is no substantial rocking around the center. Thus, the front end surface 75 of the cam member 72 is formed so as not to swing the seal support member 45. If the shape has an arc shape as described above, the above-described effect can be obtained more reliably. However, even if the shape is other than the arc shape, the above-described effect can be obtained.
[0058]
When the cleaning blade 41 is separated from the intermediate transfer belt 14, the cam member 72 is pivoted so that the front end surface 75 of the cam member 72 is separated from the seal support member 45. At this time, the seal member 42 is not hindered. Can be separated from
[0059]
The example in which the buffer device according to the present invention is applied to the cleaning device of the image forming apparatus has been described above, but the present invention can be widely applied to various other machines and devices.
[0060]
【The invention's effect】
According to the configuration of the first aspect, since the buffer member has a rigid plate in addition to the elastic body, and the impact force by the pressurizing member is applied to the rigid plate, the elastic body is permanently deformed and deteriorated at an early stage. Can be prevented, and a buffer function can be exhibited over a long period of time.
[0061]
According to the configuration of the second aspect, since the impact force applied to the buffer member can be dispersed and transmitted to the elastic body, early deterioration of the elastic body can be more effectively prevented, and higher buffering can be achieved. Function can be obtained.
[0062]
According to the configuration of the third aspect, when an impact force is applied to the buffer member, the effect of attenuating the impact can be enhanced, and a higher impact function can be obtained.
[0063]
According to the structure of Claim 4, the said effect | action can be obtained still more reliably.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an internal structure of an image forming apparatus including a cleaning device having a buffer device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the cleaning device shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a cleaning device alone.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the cleaning device with the cover member detached from the case body.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a solenoid and its related configuration.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state after the pressing member presses the tongue.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of interlocking means and its operation.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory view similar to FIG. 7, showing a state where the cleaning blade and the seal member are separated from the intermediate transfer belt.
[Explanation of symbols]
60 Pressure member
62 Pressurizing part
64 cushioning member
69 Elastic body
70 Rigid plate

Claims (4)

A cleaning case, a cleaning blade, a swing support member fixedly supported by the cleaning blade and supported swingably with respect to the cleaning case, a solenoid for driving the swing support member, and a solenoid of the solenoid A pressurizing member pivotally attached to the plunger and pivotably attached to the cleaning case; and a buffer member attached to the swinging support member. The pressure member rotates with respect to the cleaning case, and the pressurizing portion of the pressure member applies a shocking external force to the swing support member via the buffer member, and the swing support member is A cleaning device that rotates together with a cleaning blade, wherein the buffer member is integrally laminated on an elastic body attached to the swing support member and the surface thereof. The position of the buffer member is set so that the pressure member of the pressure member abuts on the rigid plate and gives a shocking external force to the buffer member. When the pressure part begins to hit the rigid plate, the pressure part comes into contact with the substantially central part of the rigid plate so that the contact part between the rigid plate and the pressure part sequentially approaches the end of the buffer member. A cleaning device in which a relative position between the pressure member and the buffer member is set. The cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein a surface area of the rigid plate and the elastic body is set larger than an area where the pressing portion of the pressing member contacts the rigid plate. The cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the elastic body is made of a foam, and a rigid plate is laminated on the surface thereof. The cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the elastic body is made of a sheet-like foam, and the rigid plate is laminated on the elastic body so that the entire surface is covered with the rigid plate.

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