JP3785050B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus including a cleaning unit using a cleaning blade and an image forming apparatus including a process cartridge including a cleaning unit.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The above-described conventional image forming apparatus is also applicable to the present invention. As an example, the one shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 has been proposed, and its outline will be briefly described. In FIG. 9, 1 is a photosensitive member, 2 is a charging unit, 3 is a developing unit, 4 is a transfer unit, and 5 is a cleaning unit.
[0003]
As shown in FIG. 10, the cleaning means 5 has a cleaning blade 6 and side seals 7 disposed on both sides thereof. The untransferred toner adhered to the surface of the photosensitive member by the cleaning blade 6. Remove. At this time, the non-transferred toner is prevented from leaking from the end of the cleaning blade 6 by the side seal 7, but it is difficult to reliably prevent the leakage.
[0004]
The untransferred toner leaked from the end of the cleaning blade 6 in this way is scattered as it is and contaminates the inside of the apparatus, but most of the toner adheres to the surface of the photoreceptor 1 by the electrostatic force of the toner. In some cases, it stays and scatters and contaminates the inside of the apparatus.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The untransferred toner adhering to the surface of the photoconductor 1 in this way is conveyed again to the cleaning means 5 while adhering to the surface of the photoconductor 1, but deviates from the width region of the cleaning blade 6. It cannot be recovered. For this reason, it is difficult to solve for a long time the problem that the toner is scattered in the apparatus over time.
[0006]
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to eliminate the problems of the conventional image forming apparatus as described above, and to ensure that the untransferred toner adhering to the surface of the photoreceptor is scattered and contaminates the inside of the apparatus. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus having a cleaning unit and a process cartridge having a cleaning unit.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, the invention described in claim 1 includes an image provided with a cleaning unit that removes untransferred toner on the surface of the photosensitive member and cleans it using a cleaning blade. In the forming apparatus, the cleaning unit has a toner shifting mechanism that scrapes the untransferred toner toward the center of the cleaning blade, and the toner shifting mechanism is attached to and detached from the cleaning unit by an attaching / detaching mechanism. The toner gathering mechanism includes a PUR blade that is provided upstream of the cleaning blade and contacts the upstream surface of the photosensitive member, and a polyurethane foam that presses the PUR blade against the photosensitive member and contacts the photosensitive member. is a fixedly arranged with the structure, the said PUR blade, the PUR blade edge, the photoreceptor The edge abutment angle adjusting member which is adapted to abut provided, the edge contact angle adjusting member is characterized in configuration der Rukoto that attaching a PUR film of bending the PUR blade.
[0009]
The invention according to claim 2 is the invention according to claim 1 , wherein the PUR film is attached to a region other than the edge peripheral portion on the surface of the PUR blade facing the photoreceptor, and the attached PUR The film is characterized in that the edge of the PUR blade pressed by the foamed polyurethane is in contact with the surface of the photoconductor obliquely toward the central portion in the width direction of the photoconductor. .
[0013]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the attachment / detachment mechanism is a resin film attached to the toner gathering mechanism, and with respect to the attachment hole provided in the cleaning means, By attaching and bending the resin film, the toner gathering mechanism can be attached and detached.
[0014]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the attachment / detachment mechanism is a claw provided on the holding member of the toner gathering mechanism, and the claw is provided in the attachment hole provided in the cleaning unit. It is characterized in that the attachment / detachment is realized by elastically deforming.
[0015]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the attaching / detaching mechanism is provided with a holding member having a screw hole formed in the toner moving mechanism, and the toner moving mechanism is fixed to the cleaning unit with a screw. It is the structure which carries out.
[0016]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a process cartridge which integrally supports the cleaning unit and at least one unit selected from a photosensitive member, a charging unit, and a developing unit, and is detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus. The process cartridge cleaning means is the cleaning means according to any one of claims 1 to 5 .
[0017]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, details of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The same parts as those in the conventional example described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. This embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus provided with a process cartridge having cleaning means in the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 denotes an entire process cartridge, 1 denotes a photosensitive member, 2 denotes a charging unit, 3 denotes a developing unit, 4 denotes a transfer unit, and 5 denotes a cleaning unit. In the present invention, a plurality of components such as the photosensitive member 1, the charging unit 2, the developing unit 3 and the cleaning unit 5 described above are integrally coupled as a process cartridge 10. The process cartridge 10 is configured to be detachable from a main body of an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer.
[0018]
In the image forming apparatus having the cleaning unit 5 according to the present invention configured as described above, the photosensitive member 1 is rotationally driven at a predetermined peripheral speed. In the rotation process, the photosensitive member 1 is uniformly charged at a predetermined positive or negative potential on the peripheral surface thereof by the charging unit 2, and then receives image exposure light from an image exposure unit such as slit exposure or laser beam scanning exposure. In this way, electrostatic latent images are sequentially formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive member 1, and the formed electrostatic latent image is then developed with toner by the developing unit 3, and the developed toner image is transferred from the paper feeding unit to the photosensitive member 1. The transfer unit 4 sequentially transfers the transfer material (paper) fed to the transfer unit 4 in synchronization with the rotation of the photosensitive member 1. In this way, the transfer material that has undergone image transfer is separated from the surface of the photoreceptor 1 and introduced into the image fixing means, where the image is fixed, and printed out as a copy (copy). Further, the surface of the photoreceptor 1 after the image transfer is subjected to removal of the transfer residual toner by the cleaning unit 4 to be cleaned, further discharged, and repeatedly used for image formation.
[0019]
2 and 3 show a first embodiment of the present invention. 6 indicates a cleaning blade, 7 indicates a side seal, 13 indicates a PUR blade, 14 indicates a foamed PUR, 15 indicates a PUR film, and 16 indicates a floating portion. In this embodiment, 13 is a PUR blade, which is a toner gathering mechanism provided on the upstream side of the side seal 7, and this PUR blade 13 is pressed against the photosensitive member 1 by a foamed PUR 14 attached to the lower surface. Has been. At this time, the presence of the attached PUR film 15 on the PUR blade 13 causes the PUR blade 13 to be bent in the direction of the photoconductor 1, so that the edge of the PUR blade 13 comes into contact with the photoconductor 1 reliably.
[0020]
When the image forming apparatus operates in such a state, the transfer toner that has run along the cleaning blade 6 as shown by an arrow A in FIG. 1 may leak from one end of the cleaning blade 6. The leaked toner adheres to the surface of the photosensitive member 1 due to the electrostatic force of itself, makes a round together with the photosensitive member 1, and returns to the cleaning means 5 again as indicated by an arrow B.
[0021]
The leakage toner as described above is guided to the edge of the PUR blade 13 which is a toner moving member inclined toward the center of the cleaning blade 6 and pushed back to the width region of the cleaning blade 6. In this way, the leaked toner from one end of the cleaning blade 6 can be guided as indicated by arrows B and C and recovered again by the cleaning means 5.
[0022]
Unlike FIG. 4, FIG. 4 shows the operation state in the case where the PUR film 15 is not provided. In this case, the pressure of the foamed PUR 14 is changed to the edge portion due to the rigidity of the PUR blade 13. Therefore, the floating portion 16 of the edge portion may be generated.
[0023]
Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, the side seal 7 is configured by a pile upper member or a hair transplanting member formed so that the hair fall direction is directed toward the center of the cleaning blade 6. For this reason, the leaked toner is guided in the direction of falling down as indicated by an arrow D and is collected again.
[0024]
Here, in the case of the present invention, by providing the toner gathering mechanism in the cleaning means, it is possible to effectively improve toner leakage from both ends of the cleaning blade. However, the toner gathering mechanism is accompanied by the use of a machine (copier). Since it is worn out and deteriorates, it is desirable that it can be replaced with time. In other words, the third embodiment shown below allows replacement maintenance to be performed in the same manner as other consumable parts by making the toner gathering mechanism detachable.
[0025]
The configuration and operation of the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, a toner shifting mechanism is formed by the PUR film 15, the PUR blade 13, and the foamed PUR14. A PET film 20 is affixed as a resin film to the upper surface of the foam PUR 14 of this toner gathering mechanism, and this PET film 20 is a saddle-shaped holding shape portion formed on the casing 21 of the cleaning means 5. Removably fitted in 22 and 23. Thereby, the toner gathering mechanism can be freely attached and detached. That is, when exchanging the toner gathering mechanism, first, after removing the photoreceptor 1, the PET film 20 is bent and removed by moving the toner gathering mechanism in the left direction in FIG. And when attaching a new toner approach mechanism, it can carry out similarly by making the PET film 20 bend and fitting in the holding shape parts 22 and 23 of the housing | casing 21 of the cleaning means 5. FIG.
[0026]
Next, the configuration and operation of the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, a toner shifting mechanism is formed by the PUR film 15, the PUR blade 13, and the foamed PUR14. As shown in FIG. 7, a holding member 24 is attached to the foaming PUR 14 of the toner gathering mechanism, and claw portions 25 and 26 are formed inside the holding member 24. On the other hand, an attachment hole 21a is formed in the casing 21 of the cleaning means 5, and the claw portions 25 and 26 can be attached to the attachment hole 21a. As a result, when replacing the toner gathering mechanism, the claws 25 and 26 of the holding member 24 can be elastically deformed and removed from the housing 21, and a new toner gathering mechanism can be attached in the reverse procedure to that described above. In this example, the mounting hole 21a is formed on the housing 21 side, but conversely, the mounting hole may be formed on the cleaning means 5 side and the claw portion may be formed on the housing 21 side. .
[0027]
Next, the configuration and operation of the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Also in this embodiment, a toner approach mechanism is formed by the PUR film 15, the PUR blade 13, and the foamed PUR 14 as in the above embodiment. Further, a holding member 30 is attached to the foaming PUR 14 of the toner gathering mechanism, and an attachment portion 31 is provided at substantially the center of the holding member 30, and a screw hole 33 is formed in the attachment portion 31. Yes. On the other hand, the housing 21 of the cleaning means 5 is formed with a mounting hole 21b into which the mounting portion 31 can be inserted. That is, when the toner gathering mechanism is attached, the toner gathering mechanism is fixed by fastening the attachment screw 32 to the attachment portion 31 on the housing 21 side by the attachment screw 32. Then, when replacing the toner gathering mechanism, the attachment screw 32 is removed, the toner gathering mechanism is moved to the left in the figure and removed, and a new toner gathering mechanism is attached in the reverse procedure.
[0028]
【The invention's effect】
The present invention is as described above, and the invention according to claim 1 is an image forming apparatus including a cleaning unit that uses a cleaning blade to remove and clean untransferred toner on the surface of the photoreceptor. The cleaning unit has a toner shifting mechanism that scrapes the untransferred toner toward the center of the cleaning blade , and the toner shifting mechanism is detachably attached to the cleaning unit by an attaching / detaching mechanism. Since the PUR blade provided upstream of the cleaning blade and in contact with the upstream surface of the photoconductor and the polyurethane foam pressed against the photoconductor to be in contact with the photoconductor are fixedly arranged. It can reduce that untransferred toner adhering to the surface is scattered and contaminates the inside of the device. There is an effect that kill. That is, since the toner gathering mechanism is composed of a PUR blade provided upstream of the cleaning blade, it is possible to efficiently scrape the untransferred toner to the width region of the cleaning blade without damaging the photoreceptor.
Further, since the polyurethane foam is provided as a member for pressing the PUR blade against the photoconductor, the above-described effect can be obtained without providing a complicated pressurizing mechanism. That is, the toner gathering mechanism is composed of a fixedly arranged PUR blade and foamed polyurethane, so that it has a simple configuration and can be reduced in cost.
Further, by making the toner gathering mechanism detachable from the cleaning means, there is an effect that replacement maintenance can be performed in the same manner as other consumable parts.
Further, the PUR blade is provided with an edge contact angle adjusting member in which the edge of the PUR blade comes into contact with the photosensitive member, and the edge contact angle adjusting member is attached with a PUR film for curving the PUR blade. Because it is configured, even if a pressure system is used that presses the PUR blade against the photoreceptor using foamed polyurethane, which is difficult due to precision, the edges of the PUR blade will surely touch the photoreceptor. There is an effect that it is possible to secure a position condition that makes contact.
[0030]
The invention according to claim 2 is the invention according to claim 1 , wherein the PUR film is attached to a region other than the edge peripheral portion on the surface of the PUR blade facing the photoreceptor, and the attached PUR the film, the edge of the pressed PUR blade polyurethane foam, over the surface of the photoreceptor so that the contact with the slanted toward the central portion in the width direction of the photosensitive member, to the effect of the above claims 1 In addition, it is only necessary to consume a minimum space as a member for deforming and molding the PUR blade in this manner, and the cleaning means can be reduced in size and weight. On the other hand, a PUR film is interposed between the region other than the edge peripheral portion on the surface of the PUR blade and the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive member, and most of the region on the surface of the PUR blade is in direct surface contact with the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive member. Since the surface of the PUR film that does not need to be touched and is in contact with the region is a smooth film-like surface, it is possible to reduce the frictional resistance generated between the two, which hinders the rotational movement of the photoreceptor.
[0033]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the attachment / detachment mechanism is a resin film attached to the toner gathering mechanism, and the attachment means provided in the cleaning means By attaching and detaching the toner gathering mechanism by bending and fitting the resin film, there is an effect that replacement maintenance can be performed in the same manner as other consumable parts.
[0034]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the attachment / detachment mechanism is a claw provided on the holding member of the toner gathering mechanism, and the claw is provided in the attachment hole provided in the cleaning unit. Since the attachment / detachment is realized by elastically deforming, there is an effect that replacement maintenance can be performed in the same manner as other consumable parts.
[0035]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the attaching / detaching mechanism is provided with a holding member having a screw hole formed in the toner moving mechanism, and the toner moving mechanism is fixed to the cleaning unit with a screw. Thus, the replacement maintenance can be performed in the same manner as other consumable parts.
[0036]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a process cartridge that integrally supports the cleaning unit and at least one unit selected from the photosensitive member, the charging unit, and the developing unit, and is detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus. Since the cleaning means for the process cartridge is the cleaning means according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , replacement maintenance is performed in the same manner as other consumable parts by making the toner gathering mechanism detachable. There is an effect that can be. In addition, there is an effect that it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus including a process cartridge with excellent image quality.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing an image forming apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a front view of the main part of the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of normal operation of the above.
FIG. 4 is a similar operation explanatory diagram of the conventional example compared with the above.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a normal operation according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a normal operation according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a normal operation according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a normal operation according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a schematic configuration diagram of a main part of a conventional image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the same.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Photoconductor 2 Charging means 3 Developing means 4 Transfer means 5 Cleaning means 6 Cleaning blade 7 Side seal 8 Laser optical system
13 PUR blade
14 Foam PUR
15 PUR film
16 Floating part
20 PET film
21 housing
21a, 21b Mounting hole
22, 23 Retaining shape
24 Holding member
25, 26 Claw
30 Holding member
32 mounting screws

Claims (6)

In an image forming apparatus including a cleaning unit that removes and cleans untransferred toner on the surface of a photoreceptor using a cleaning blade,
The cleaning unit has a toner shifting mechanism that scrapes the untransferred toner toward the center of the cleaning blade, and the toner shifting mechanism is detachable with respect to the cleaning unit by an attachment / detachment mechanism,
The toner gathering mechanism has a configuration in which a PUR blade that is provided upstream of the cleaning blade and is in contact with the upstream surface of the photoconductor and a polyurethane foam that is pressed against the photoconductor and is in contact with the photoconductor. ,
The PUR blade is provided with an edge contact angle adjusting member in which the edge of the PUR blade is in contact with the photosensitive member, and the edge contact angle adjusting member is attached with a PUR film for curving the PUR blade. An image forming apparatus having a configuration. The PUR film is affixed to a region other than the edge peripheral edge on the surface of the PUR blade facing the photoconductor,
With this adhered PUR film, the edge of the PUR blade pressed by the polyurethane foam is in contact with the surface of the photoconductor obliquely toward the center in the width direction of the photoconductor. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:   The attachment / detachment mechanism is a resin film attached to the toner gathering mechanism, and the attachment / detachment of the toner gathering mechanism is realized by bending the resin film into an attachment hole provided in the cleaning means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. Detaching mechanism is a pawl provided on the holding member of the toner positioning mechanism, to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that to realize a detachable and the pawl is elastically deformed in a mounting hole provided in the cleaning means The image forming apparatus described. Detaching mechanism is provided with a holding member formed with screw holes in the toner positioning mechanism, an image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that it is configured to fix the cleaning means toner shifting mechanism by a screw .   A cleaning device and a process cartridge that integrally supports at least one device selected from a photosensitive member, a charging device, and a developing device, and is detachably attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus are provided. 6. An image forming apparatus comprising the cleaning unit according to claim 1.

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