JP4997941B2 - Image carrier cleaning apparatus and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image carrier cleaning device and an image forming apparatus.

As an image forming apparatus, an image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known. The image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 is a transfer belt that is stretched between two support rollers and is disposed close to the transfer area of the photosensitive drum, and acts on the back side of the transfer belt to clean the back side of the transfer belt. And a belt cleaning brush.
JP-A-11-38774

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image carrier cleaning device and an image forming apparatus with a simple configuration.

  An image carrier cleaning device according to claim 1 of the present invention includes an endless belt-like image carrier that circulates, a first cleaning member that cleans an outer peripheral surface of the image carrier, and the image carrier sandwiched between the image carrier and the image carrier. A second cleaning member disposed opposite to the first cleaning member and cleaning an inner peripheral surface of the image holding member.

  An image carrier cleaning apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the configuration of the first aspect, the first cleaning member is a rotating brush formed in a cylindrical shape.

  An image carrier cleaning device according to a third aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the configuration of the first or second aspect, a portion that contacts the inner peripheral surface of the image carrier can be changed. .

An image carrier cleaning device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the configuration of any one of the first to third aspects, a deformation amount during cleaning is smaller than that of the first cleaning member.
An image carrier cleaning device according to claim 1 of the present invention is arranged to face the third cleaning member with a third cleaning member for cleaning the outer peripheral surface of the image carrier and the image carrier interposed therebetween. And a cylindrical opposing member, wherein the second cleaning member cleans an outer peripheral surface of the opposing member.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image carrier forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the image carrier is wound around and rotated to drive the image carrier. And the second cleaning member is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the drive member for cleaning.

An image forming apparatus according to claim 6 of the present invention, an image forming means for forming an image on the image carrier, a transfer unit that transfers the image on the image carrier to a recording medium, according to claim 1 to 5 The image carrier cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the image carrier cleaning unit is disposed on the image carrier downstream from the transfer unit and upstream from the image forming unit. Features.

  According to the configuration of the first aspect of the present invention, since the second cleaning member also serves as a member facing the first cleaning member, the number of parts can be reduced and the configuration can be simplified as compared with the case where the configuration of the present invention is not provided. Become.

  According to the structure of Claim 2 of this invention, the cleaning power of a 1st cleaning member can be stabilized.

  According to the structure of Claim 3 of this invention, since it cleans in the several site | part of a 2nd cleaning member, the cleaning power improves by changing a site | part suitably according to the contamination of a 2nd cleaning member.

According to the configuration of the fourth aspect of the present invention, the cleaning force of the first cleaning member can be stabilized as compared with the case where the configuration of the present invention is not provided.
According to the structure of Claim 1 of this invention, compared with the case where it does not have the structure of this invention, the damage of an image holding body at the time of a 3rd cleaning member and an image holding body contacting can be reduced.

According to the configuration of the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the damage to the image holding member due to the foreign matter adhering to the surface of the driving member as compared with the case where the configuration of the present invention is not provided.

According to the configuration of the sixth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to obtain an image forming apparatus in which the cleaning power of the image carrier is improved.

  Below, an example of an embodiment concerning the present invention is described based on a drawing.

(Whole structure of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment)
First, the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 schematically shows the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  The image forming apparatus 10 forms an endless belt-like intermediate transfer belt 46 as an example of an image carrier, and a toner image forming unit 12Y as an image forming unit in this embodiment that forms a toner image transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 46. , 12M, 12C, 12K (hereinafter referred to as 12Y-12K) and first transfer members 30Y, 30M, 30C, 30K (hereinafter, referred to as toner images formed by the toner image forming portions 12Y-12K) to the intermediate transfer belt 46. , 30Y to 30K), a second transfer member 48 for transferring the toner image transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 46 by the first transfer members 30Y to 30K to the recording medium K, and an image carrier for cleaning the intermediate transfer belt 46. And a cleaning device 58.

  The toner image forming units 12Y to 12K correspond to four colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), respectively. Photoreceptor drums 22Y, 22M, 22C, and 22K (hereinafter referred to as 22Y to 22K) are provided as examples of an image holding body that holds the toner image.

  The photosensitive drums 22Y to 22K rotate in a predetermined direction, and the charging devices charge the photosensitive drums 22Y to 22K around the photosensitive drums 22Y to 22K along the rotational direction of the photosensitive drums 22Y to 22K. 24Y, 24M, 24C, and 24K, exposure devices 26Y, 26M, 26C, and 26K that expose the surfaces of the charged photosensitive drums 22Y to 22K to form electrostatic latent images on the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 22Y to 22K; Developing devices 28Y, 28M, 28C, and 28K that develop electrostatic latent images formed on the surfaces of the body drums 22Y to 22K to form toner images, first transfer members 30Y to 30K, and photosensitive drums 22Y to 22K Toner removing devices 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K that remove residual toner remaining on the surface, and a charge eliminating device 34 that removes the surface of the photosensitive drums 22Y to 22K. , 34M, 34C, 34K are respectively provided.

  The intermediate transfer belt 46 is wound around a driving roll 36 that is driven to rotate, a driven roll 38, a counter roll 40 that faces the second transfer member 48, and a tension applying roll 44 that applies a constant tension to the intermediate transfer belt 46. The drive roll 36 is configured to circulate and move as the drive roll 36 rotates. These are held by a common holding member, and are configured to be integrally removable from the main body of the image forming apparatus in this embodiment as an image holding body portion.

  First transfer members 30Y to 30K are arranged on the inner peripheral side of the intermediate transfer belt 46 so as to face the photosensitive drums 22Y to 22K, and the toner images formed on the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 22Y to 22K are as follows. The image is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 46 by the first transfer members 30Y to 30K.

  The toner image transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 46 is conveyed between the second transfer member 48 and the opposing roll 40 by the intermediate transfer belt 46.

  In addition, the image forming apparatus 10 includes a recording medium container 50 that stores the recording medium K, and a conveyance unit 18 that conveys the recording medium K from the recording medium container 50 to the intermediate transfer belt 46 and the second transfer member 48. The fixing device 20 that fixes the toner image to the recording medium K on which the toner image has been transferred by the second transfer member 48, and the recording medium K on which the toner image has been transferred by the second transfer member 48 are conveyed to the fixing device 20. And a transport unit 16.

  The transport unit 18 feeds the recording medium K from the recording medium storage unit 50, and the recording medium K sent from the recording medium storage unit 50 by the sending roll 52 to the intermediate transfer belt 46 and the second transfer member 48. And a plurality of transport rolls 54 transported in between.

  On the recording medium K transported between the intermediate transfer belt 46 and the second transfer member 48 by the transport roll 54, the toner image transported by the intermediate transfer belt 46 is transferred by the second transfer member 48.

  The transport unit 16 includes a plurality of endless transport belts 56. The conveyor belt 56 is wound around a plurality of rolls 56A, and is configured to circulate and move when one of the rolls 56A rotates, and fixes the recording medium K onto which the toner image has been transferred by the second transfer member 48. Transport to device 20. The toner image is fixed on the recording medium K conveyed to the fixing device 20 by the fixing device 20.

(Configuration of cleaning device 58 for cleaning intermediate transfer belt 46)
Next, the configuration of the cleaning device 58 that cleans the intermediate transfer belt 46 will be described. FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing the configuration of the cleaning device 58 according to the present embodiment.

  The cleaning device 58 according to the present embodiment includes a housing 59 as a cleaning member portion that houses each component. A first cleaning brush 60 as an example of a first cleaning member that cleans the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 46 is provided in the housing 59.

  The first cleaning brush 60 is configured by winding the brush 60B around the entire circumference of the shaft portion 60A, and the shaft portion 60A is rotatably supported. The first cleaning brush 60 is arranged on the outer peripheral side of the intermediate transfer belt 46 so that the tip of the brush 60 </ b> B contacts the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 46.

  Further, the first cleaning brush 60 is driven to rotate in a direction along the intermediate transfer belt 46 by receiving a driving force from a driving unit (not shown). That is, the intermediate transfer belt 46 circulates in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 2, while the first cleaning brush 60 rotates in the clockwise direction, which is the opposite direction to the intermediate transfer belt 46.

  The peripheral speed of the first cleaning brush 60 is set faster than the peripheral speed of the intermediate transfer belt 46. Based on this peripheral speed ratio, the first cleaning brush 60 scrapes off adhering substances such as paper dust, residual toner, and external additives attached to the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 46.

  The brush 60B is formed of fibers made of acrylic or other resin. As the brush 60B, a material that can be frictionally charged by contact with the intermediate transfer belt 46 and can electrically adsorb paper powder or toner by static electricity due to frictional charging may be selected.

  A second cleaning brush 62 as an example of a second cleaning member that cleans the inner peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 46 is disposed on the inner peripheral side of the intermediate transfer belt 46 so as to face the first cleaning brush 60. .

  In the second cleaning brush 62, the tip of the brush 62 </ b> B is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 46. Accordingly, the intermediate transfer belt 46 is disposed between the second cleaning brush 62 and the first cleaning brush 60, and the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 46 are detected by the second cleaning brush 62 and the first cleaning brush 60. To the intermediate transfer belt 46.

  The second cleaning brush 62 is configured by winding a brush 62B around a shaft portion 62A.

  The second cleaning brush 62 is movable in the axial direction, and one axial end portion of the shaft portion 62A of the second cleaning brush 62 is formed in a polygonal shape as shown in FIGS. On the side surface of the housing 59, an insertion part into which the polygonal end is inserted is provided. In the example shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the end portion of the shaft portion 62A is formed in a square shape, and the insertion portion is not shown in FIGS.

  The second cleaning brush 62 is fixed at a predetermined rotational position by inserting the polygonal end portion into the insertion portion. As a result, the inner peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 46 that circulates and the brush portion of the second cleaning brush 62 rub against each other, and paper dust, residual toner, and external additives attached to the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 46 Scrape off.

  In addition, the second cleaning brush 62 is moved in the axial direction, the polygonal end portion is pulled out from the insertion portion, rotated by a predetermined angle, and then inserted into the insertion portion into the polygonal end portion. The portion of the second cleaning brush 62 that contacts the inner peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 46 is changed.

  In the present embodiment, since the end of the shaft is formed in a quadrangular shape, it is possible to use four parts by rotating each end by 90 degrees. In FIG. 3, each part to be used is indicated by a two-dot chain line.

  The brush 62B is formed of a fiber made of acrylic, other resin, or the like. As the brush 62B, a material that can be frictionally charged by contact with the intermediate transfer belt 46 and can electrically adsorb paper powder or toner by static electricity due to frictional charging may be selected. In the present embodiment, the brush 62B is illustrated as an example of the second cleaning member, but the second cleaning member may be a non-woven fabric, a foamed resin, or the like. Further, the shape need not be cylindrical, and a polygon or the like can be applied as appropriate.

  The length and rigidity of the second cleaning brush 62 are selected so that deformation at the time of pressing is smaller than that of the first cleaning brush 60. Thereby, it is comprised so that the cleaning power of the belt surface by a 1st cleaning member may be stabilized.

  A cleaning blade 64 as an example of a third cleaning member that cleans the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 46 is provided in the housing 59.

  The cleaning blade 64 is disposed on the outer peripheral side of the intermediate transfer belt 46 and upstream of the first cleaning brush 60 in the rotational direction of the intermediate transfer belt 46. The cleaning blade 64 is supported by a support portion 65 at a position where the tip portion of the cleaning blade 64 contacts the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 46.

  As a result, the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 46 that circulates and the tip of the cleaning blade 64 come into contact with each other, and scrapes such as paper dust, residual toner, and external additives attached to the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 46 are scraped. take. The cleaning blade 64 is made of rubber, metal or the like.

  On the inner peripheral side of the intermediate transfer belt 46, a counter roll 66, which is a cylindrical counter member disposed to face the cleaning blade 64, is provided. The outer peripheral surface of the facing roll 66 is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 46. Thus, the intermediate transfer belt 46 is disposed between the opposing roll 66 and the cleaning blade 64, and the intermediate transfer belt 46 is sandwiched between the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 46 by the opposing roll 66 and the cleaning blade 64. Yes.

  The counter roll 66 is in contact with the tip of the brush 62 </ b> B of the second cleaning brush 62, and the counter roll 66 is rotated by being driven by the intermediate transfer belt 46. As a result, paper dust, residual toner, and external additives attached to the outer peripheral surface of the facing roll 66 are scraped off and cleaned.

  Further, in the housing 59, there is provided a dropping portion 68 that hits the brush 60B of the rotating first cleaning brush 60 and repels the brush 60B to drop the adhered matter attached to the brush 60B.

  In a direction intersecting the axial direction of the first cleaning brush 60, the deposit that has fallen into the housing 59 by the dropping portion 68 and the deposit that has been scraped off by the cleaning blade 64 and dropped into the housing 59 are first cleaned. A first transport unit 70 that transports the brush 60 in a direction that intersects the axial direction of the brush 60 is provided. The first transport unit 70 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 2 and includes blades 70 </ b> A that transport the deposit, and the deposit is transported by the rotation of the first transport unit 70.

  Moreover, the 2nd conveyance part 72 which conveys the deposit | attachment conveyed by the 1st conveyance part 70 along the axial direction of the 1st cleaning brush 60 is provided. The deposits transported by the second transport unit 72 are collected by a collecting unit (not shown).

  According to the configuration of the present embodiment, the intermediate transfer belt 46 after the toner image is transferred by the second transfer member 48 circulates and moves to the cleaning device 58. In the cleaning device 58, the intermediate transfer belt 46 passes between the first cleaning brush 60 and the second cleaning brush 62 and between the cleaning blade 64 and the opposing roll 66.

  The intermediate transfer belt 46 that passes between the first cleaning brush 60 and the second cleaning brush 62 causes the first cleaning brush 60 to adhere paper dust, residual toner, and external additives attached to the outer peripheral surface thereof. , Scraped and cleaned. Further, the second cleaning brush 62 scrapes off and removes adhering substances such as paper dust, residual toner, and external additives attached to the inner peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 46.

  The second cleaning brush 62 also serves as a member facing the first cleaning brush 60, and counters pressure applied from the first cleaning brush 60 to the inner peripheral side of the intermediate transfer belt 46. The first cleaning brush 60 also serves as a member that faces the second cleaning brush 62, and resists pressure applied from the second cleaning brush 62 to the outer peripheral side of the intermediate transfer belt 46.

  The intermediate transfer belt 46 passing between the cleaning blade 64 and the opposing roll 66 is cleaned by scraping the paper blade, residual toner, and external additives attached to the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 46 with the cleaning blade 64. Is done. The counter roll 66 counters the pressure applied from the cleaning blade 64 to the inner peripheral side of the intermediate transfer belt 46 and rotates following the intermediate transfer belt 46.

  By rotating the opposing roll 66, paper dust, residual toner, and attached substances such as external additives attached to the outer peripheral surface of the opposing roll 66 are scraped off and cleaned by the second cleaning brush 62.

  The deposits scraped off by the first cleaning brush 60 are dropped into the housing 59 by the dropping unit 68, and the dropped deposits and the deposits scraped off by the cleaning blade 64 and dropped into the housing 59 are: It is transported from the first transport unit 70 to the recovery unit through the second transport unit 72 and recovered by the recovery unit.

In the cleaning device 58 according to the embodiment, the second cleaning brush 62 also cleans the opposing roll 66. However, the second cleaning brush 62 does not contact the opposing roll 66, and the outer peripheral surface of the opposing roll 66 is removed. The structure which is not cleaned may be sufficient.
Next, a modified example of the cleaning device 58 for cleaning the intermediate transfer belt 46 will be described. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part similar to said embodiment, and description is abbreviate | omitted. FIG. 4 schematically shows the configuration of a cleaning device 78 according to a modification.

  In the cleaning device 78 according to the modified example, the cleaning blade 64 is disposed to face the drive roll 36, and the drive roll 36 functions as an opposing roll that faces the cleaning blade 64.

  Further, the second cleaning brush 62 has the tip of the brush 62B in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the drive roll 36 that functions as the opposing roll 66. The adhering substances such as additives are scraped off and cleaned.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the cleaning device 78 may include a drive control unit 63 that rotates the second cleaning brush 62 and stops the second cleaning brush 62 at a predetermined rotational position. The drive control unit 63 rotates the second cleaning brush 62 in a predetermined time and stops the second cleaning brush 62 at a predetermined rotation position, so that a portion that contacts the inner peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 46 is changed. .

According to the configuration of the modified example, the intermediate transfer belt 46 after the toner image is transferred by the second transfer member 48 is removed between the first cleaning brush 60 and the second cleaning brush 62 and the cleaning blade in the cleaning device 78. 64 and the drive roll 36.

  The intermediate transfer belt 46 that passes between the first cleaning brush 60 and the second cleaning brush 62 causes the first cleaning brush 60 to adhere paper dust, residual toner, and external additives attached to the outer peripheral surface thereof. , Scraped and cleaned. Further, the second cleaning brush 62 scrapes off and removes adhering substances such as paper dust, residual toner, and external additives attached to the inner peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 46.

  The second cleaning brush 62 also serves as a member facing the first cleaning brush 60, and counters pressure applied from the first cleaning brush 60 to the inner peripheral side of the intermediate transfer belt 46. The first cleaning brush 60 also serves as a member that faces the second cleaning brush 62, and resists pressure applied from the second cleaning brush 62 to the outer peripheral side of the intermediate transfer belt 46.

  The intermediate transfer belt 46 that passes between the cleaning blade 64 and the drive roll 36 is cleaned by scraping the paper blade, residual toner, and external additives attached to the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 46 with the cleaning blade 64. Is done. The drive roll 36 opposes the pressure applied from the cleaning blade 64 to the inner peripheral side of the intermediate transfer belt 46.

  As the driving roll 36 rotates, paper dust, residual toner, and attached substances such as external additives attached to the outer peripheral surface of the driving roll 36 are scraped off and cleaned by the second cleaning brush 62.

  The deposits scraped off by the first cleaning brush 60 are dropped into the housing 59 by the dropping unit 68, and the dropped deposits and the deposits scraped off by the cleaning blade 64 and dropped into the housing 59 are: It is transported from the first transport unit 70 to the recovery unit through the second transport unit 72 and recovered by the recovery unit.

  In addition, the structure of the modified example provided with the drive control part 63 is applicable also in the cleaning apparatus 58 which concerns on said embodiment shown in FIG.

  In the cleaning device 78 according to the modified example, the second cleaning brush 62 also cleans the drive roll 36. However, the second cleaning brush 62 does not contact the drive roll 36, and the outer peripheral surface of the drive roll 36 is removed. The structure which is not cleaned may be sufficient.

  Further, the cleaning device 78 according to the modified example is configured such that the second cleaning brush 62 also cleans the drive roll 36, but this drive roll 36 is a driven roll that rotates following the intermediate transfer belt 46. Also good.

  In the cleaning device 58 according to the embodiment and the cleaning device 78 according to the modification, the cleaning blade 64 is provided. However, the cleaning blade 64 may be omitted.

  In the cleaning device 58 according to the embodiment and the cleaning device 78 according to the modification, the cleaning brush is used as an example of the first cleaning member and the second cleaning member. However, for example, a cleaning blade or the like may be used. Any member may be used as long as it is a member for cleaning.

  In the cleaning device 58 according to the embodiment and the cleaning device 78 according to the modification, the cleaning blade is used as an example of the third cleaning member. However, for example, a cleaning brush or the like may be used. It ’s fine.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications, changes, and improvements can be made.

  In the cleaning device 58 according to the embodiment and the cleaning device 78 according to the modification, the cleaning device that cleans the intermediate transfer belt as an example of the belt has been described. For example, the cleaning device that cleans the transport belt that transports the recording medium K and the like. However, the above configuration is applicable. Further, in an image forming apparatus using a belt-shaped photoconductor, the developing device as an image forming unit, the photoconductor as an image holding member, and a cleaning unit for cleaning the transfer residual toner on the photoconductor. The invention can be applied.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the cleaning device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the second cleaning brush according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a cleaning device according to a modification according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration in which a driving unit that rotates the second cleaning brush is provided in the configuration of the cleaning device according to the modification according to the present embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

10 Image Forming Device 36 Drive Roll 46 Intermediate Transfer Belt (Belt)
58 cleaning device 60 first cleaning brush (first cleaning member)
62 2nd cleaning brush (2nd cleaning member)
64 Cleaning blade (third cleaning member)
66 Opposing roll 78 Cleaning device

Claims (6)

An endless belt-shaped image carrier that circulates,
A first cleaning member for cleaning the outer peripheral surface of the image carrier;
A second cleaning member that is disposed to face the first cleaning member across the image carrier, and that contacts and cleans the inner peripheral surface of the image carrier;
A third cleaning member for cleaning the outer peripheral surface of the image carrier;
A cylindrical facing member disposed to face the third cleaning member across the image carrier;
With
The image holding member cleaning apparatus, wherein the second cleaning member cleans an outer peripheral surface of the facing member.   2. The image carrier cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the first cleaning member is a rotating brush formed in a cylindrical shape.   3. The image carrier cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the second cleaning member is configured to be able to change a portion in contact with an inner peripheral surface of the image carrier.   4. The image carrier cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the second cleaning member has a smaller deformation amount at the time of cleaning than the first cleaning member. 5.   The image carrier is wound and rotated, and includes a drive member that drives the image carrier,
  5. The image carrier cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the second cleaning member cleans in contact with an outer peripheral surface of the driving member. 6.   Image forming means for forming an image on the image carrier;
  Transfer means for transferring an image on the image carrier to a recording medium;
  An image carrier cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
  The image forming apparatus, wherein the image carrier cleaning unit is disposed on the image carrier downstream of the transfer unit and upstream of the image forming unit.

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