JP5472440B2 - Cleaning member, charging device, transfer device, assembly, image forming apparatus, and method for manufacturing cleaning member - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a cleaning member, a charging device, a transfer device, an assembly, an image forming apparatus, and a cleaning member manufacturing method.

  Patent Document 1 describes a cleaning device (cleaning member) that cleans the outer peripheral surface of a charging member by being driven to rotate as the charging member rotates.

JP-A-8-137208

  The subject of this invention is improving the performance of the cleaning of the cleaning member comprised with the foam fixed to the core material helically.

A cleaning member according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a core material, and a plurality of foams fixed to the core material and in contact with a member to be cleaned that is a target of cleaning. It is characterized by being wound around the core material.

The cleaning member according to a second aspect of the present invention is the cleaning member according to the first aspect , wherein at least one end portion in the width direction of the foam in the cross section of the foam perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the core member. Is in contact with the member to be cleaned .

The cleaning member according to claim 3 of the present invention is the cleaning member according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the plurality of foams formed by making a cut in the longitudinal direction of the sheet material are spirally shaped. It is wound around a core material .
The cleaning member according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the cleaning member according to the third aspect, wherein in the cross section of the foam perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the core material, the plurality of the strips in the width direction of the foam. It is characterized in that the foam is connected.

The cleaning member according to claim 5 of the present invention is the cleaning member according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein at least one of the plurality of foams is different from the material of the other foams. It is characterized by that.

Cleaning member according to claim 6 of the present invention, in the cleaning member according to any one of claims 1 to 5, in the cross section of the foam perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the core material, the foaming of the plural rows The width dimension of at least one of the bodies is different from the width direction of the other foams.

Cleaning member according to claim 7 of the present invention, in the cleaning member according to any one of claims 1-6, in the cross section of the foam perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the core material, the foam plural rows The dimension in the thickness direction of at least one strip is different from the dimension in the thickness direction of the other foams.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a charging device comprising: a charging member that charges a surface of an image holding member that holds an image while rotating; and a plurality of foams in contact with the surface of the charging member. The cleaning member described in any one of Claims 1-7 which cleans is provided.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a transfer device comprising: a transfer member that transfers an image while being rotated to a transfer member to which an image is transferred; and a plurality of foams in contact with the surface of the transfer member. The cleaning member according to any one of claims 1 to 7 , wherein the transfer member is cleaned.

An assembly according to a tenth aspect of the present invention includes an image holding body that holds an image, and the charging device according to the eighth aspect that charges the surface of the image holding body, and is replaceable with respect to the main body. It can be assembled.

An image forming apparatus according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention is an assembly according to the tenth aspect , and an exposure apparatus that exposes the surface of the image carrier charged by the charging device to form an electrostatic latent image. And a developing device for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus comprising: an image holding member; the charging device according to claim 8 that charges a surface of the image holding member; and the surface of the image holding member charged by the charging device. An exposure device that forms an electrostatic latent image by exposure, a developing device that develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the image carrier, and an image developed on the surface of the image carrier. And a transfer device for transferring to a transfer target member to be transferred.

The manufacturing method of the cleaning member which concerns on Claim 13 of this invention winds around the core material the foam of several strips formed by making a cut | interruption in the longitudinal direction of a sheet | seat material, The said foaming to the said core material The body is fixed in a spiral shape.

According to the cleaning member of Claim 1, 2 , compared with the case where the foam fixed to the core material is 1 item | strip, the cleaning of the cleaning member comprised with the foam fixed to the core material helically Improved performance.

According to the cleaning member of Claim 3, the cleaning performance of the cleaning member comprised of the foam fixed to the core material in a spiral shape is compared with the case where the foam fixed to the core material is one line. Will improve.

According to the cleaning member of claim 4, the cleaning performance of the cleaning member composed of the foam that is spirally fixed to the core material is compared with the case where the foam fixed to the core material is a single line. Will improve.

According to the cleaning member of the fifth aspect, the cleaning performance of the cleaning member formed of the foam that is spirally fixed to the core is compared with the case where the materials of the plurality of foams are all the same. improves.

According to the cleaning member of claim 6 , as compared with a case where the widthwise dimensions of the plurality of foams are all the same, cleaning of the cleaning member formed of the foam that is spirally fixed to the core member Improved performance.

According to the cleaning member of Claim 7 , compared with the case where all the dimensions of the thickness direction of the foam of several strips are the same, the cleaning comprised with the foam fixed to the core material helically The cleaning performance of the member is improved.

According to the charging device according to claim 8, in comparison with the case without the cleaning member according to any one of claims 1 to 7, to improve the ability of the cleaning of the cleaning member for the charging member.

According to the transfer device according to claim 9, in comparison with the case without the cleaning member according to any one of claims 1 to 7, to improve the ability of the cleaning of the cleaning member with respect to the transfer member.

According to the assembly of the tenth aspect , the cleaning performance of the cleaning member relative to the charging member is improved as compared with the case where the charging device according to the eighth aspect is not provided.

According to the image forming apparatus of the eleventh aspect , the cleaning performance of the cleaning member with respect to the charging member is improved as compared with the case where the assembly of the tenth aspect is not provided.

According to the image forming apparatus of the twelfth aspect , the cleaning performance for the charging member is improved as compared with the case where the charging apparatus of the eighth aspect is not provided.

According to the cleaning member manufacturing method of the thirteenth aspect , it is possible to manufacture a cleaning member having a low production cost as compared with the case where a plurality of independent foams are wound around the core material.

It is the front view which showed the cleaning member etc. which concern on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is the front view which showed the cleaning member, charging device, and exchange cartridge which concern on 1st Embodiment of this invention. (A) (B) (C) (D) It is the side view which showed the cleaning member etc. which concern on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is the perspective view which showed the cleaning member which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing which showed the cleaning member which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. (A) (B) It is sectional drawing which showed the cleaning member which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is the front view which showed the cleaning member etc. which concern on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is the front view which showed the cleaning member etc. which concern on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is the front view which showed the cleaning member etc. which concern on 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is the side view which showed the cleaning member, transfer belt, etc. which concern on 5th Embodiment of this invention.

  An example of the cleaning member, the cleaning device, the assembly, and the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, arrow UP shown in a figure shows the vertical direction upper direction.

(overall structure)
As shown in FIG. 5, an image processing unit 12 that performs image processing on input image data is provided inside the main body 10 </ b> A of the image forming apparatus 10.

  The image processing unit 12 processes the input image data into gradation data of four colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). An exposure device 14 that receives the gradation data and performs image exposure with the laser beam LB is provided in the center of the main body 10A.

  Above the exposure device 14, four image forming units 16Y, 16M, 16C, and 16K of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) are spaced apart in the horizontal direction. Are arranged. When there is no need to distinguish between Y, M, C, and K, Y, M, C, and K may be omitted.

  These four image forming units 16Y, 16M, 16C, and 16K are all configured in the same manner. A cylindrical image carrier 18 that is rotationally driven at a predetermined speed, and an outer periphery of the image carrier 18. Developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the outer peripheral surface of the charging member 20 for charging the surface and the image holding member 18 charged by the image exposure of the exposure device 14 with toner of a predetermined color. The developing member 22 is visualized as a toner image, and the cleaning blade 24 is used to clean the outer peripheral surface of the image carrier 18. A cleaning member 64 that contacts the cylindrical charging member 20 and cleans the outer peripheral surface of the charging member 20 is provided below the charging member 20.

  A charging device 68 is constituted by the charging member 20 and the cleaning member 64 as an example of a member to be cleaned constituting the image forming unit 16, and the assembly is constituted by the image carrier 18, the charging member 20 and the cleaning member 64. As an example, a replacement cartridge 66 (see FIG. 2) is configured, and each of the replacement cartridges 66 is replaceable with respect to the main body 10A. Details of the cleaning member 64 will be described later.

  In addition, the exposure apparatus 14 is provided with four semiconductor lasers (not shown) that are configured in common to the four image forming units 16Y, 16M, 16C, and 16K. From these semiconductor lasers, laser light LB-Y, LB-M, LB-C, and LB-K are emitted according to the gradation data.

  The laser beams LB-Y, LB-M, LB-C, and LB-K emitted from the semiconductor laser are irradiated to a polygon mirror 26, which is a rotating polygon mirror, through an f-θ lens (not shown). The mirror 26 is deflected and scanned. The laser beams LB-Y, LB-M, LB-C, and LB-K deflected and scanned by the polygon mirror 26 pass through the imaging lens (not shown) and a plurality of mirrors on the image carrier 18. The exposure point is scanned and exposed from obliquely below.

  Further, since this exposure device 14 scans and exposes an image on the image carrier 18 from below, this exposure device 14 includes four image forming units 16Y, 16M, 16C, and 16K positioned above. There is a risk that toner or the like may fall from the developing member 22 or the like. Therefore, the periphery of the exposure device 14 is sealed by a rectangular parallelepiped frame 28. In the upper part of the frame 28, four laser beams LB-Y, LB-M, LB-C, and LB-K are directed onto the image carriers 18 of the image forming units 16Y, 16M, 16C, and 16K. And transparent glass windows 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K are provided.

  On the other hand, a primary transfer unit 21 is provided above the image forming units 16Y, 16M, 16C, and 16K. The primary transfer unit 21 includes an endless intermediate transfer belt 32, a drive roll 40 around which the intermediate transfer belt 32 is wound and rotated to rotate the intermediate transfer belt 32 in the direction of the arrow, and the intermediate transfer belt 32. Is wound around the intermediate transfer belt 32, a tension applying roller 36 that applies tension, a cleaning blade 38 that cleans the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 32, and the image carriers 18 </ b> Y, 18 </ b> M, and 18 </ b> C across the intermediate transfer belt 32. , 18K and primary transfer rolls 34Y, 34M, 34C, and 34K.

  Then, yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (sequentially formed on the image carrier 18 of the image forming units 16Y, 16M, 16C, and 16K by the four primary transfer rolls 34Y, 34M, 34C, and 34K. C) and black (K) toner images are transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 32 in a multiple manner.

  A secondary transfer roll 42 is provided on the opposite side of the drive roll 40 with the intermediate transfer belt 32 in between. The yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) toner images transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 32 in a multiple manner are conveyed by the intermediate transfer belt 32 and are transferred to the drive roll 40 and the second transfer roller 40. The sheet is sandwiched between the next transfer rolls 42 and secondarily transferred to a sheet member P as a recording medium conveyed along the sheet conveyance path 56.

  Further, on the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the sheet member P with respect to the secondary transfer roll 42 (hereinafter simply referred to as the downstream side), the fixing that fixes the toner image transferred to the sheet member P to the sheet member P by heat and pressure. A device 44 is provided.

  Further, on the downstream side of the fixing device 44, a discharge roll 46 that discharges the sheet member P on which the toner image is fixed to a discharge portion 48 provided on the upper portion of the main body 10 </ b> A of the image forming apparatus 10 is provided.

  On the other hand, a sheet feeding member 50 on which the sheet members P are stacked is provided on the lower side in the main body 10 </ b> A of the image forming apparatus 10. Further, a sheet feeding roll 52 for feeding the sheet members P stacked on the sheet feeding member 50 to the sheet conveying path 56 is provided, and the sheet members P are separated and conveyed one by one on the downstream side of the sheet feeding roll 52. A separation roll 54 is provided. Further, an alignment roll 58 for adjusting the conveyance timing is provided on the downstream side of the separation roll 54. Thus, the sheet member P supplied from the sheet feeding member 50 is moved to a position (secondary transfer position) where the intermediate transfer belt 32 and the secondary transfer roll 42 are in contact with each other by the alignment roll 58 that rotates at a predetermined timing. It is configured to be sent out.

  Further, next to the discharge roll 46, the sheet member P on which the image is fixed on one side by the fixing device 44 is not discharged onto the discharge unit 48 as it is by the discharge roll 46 but is conveyed to the double-side conveyance path 62. A roll 60 is provided. As a result, the sheet member P conveyed along the duplex conveyance path 62 is conveyed again to the alignment roll 58 with the front and back sides reversed, and this time, the toner image is transferred to the back surface of the sheet member P. It is fixed and discharged onto the discharge unit 48.

  With this configuration, an image is formed on the sheet member P as follows.

  First, gradation data of each color is sequentially output from the image processing unit 12 to the exposure device 14, and the laser beams LB-Y, LB-M, LB-C, and LB emitted according to the gradation data from the exposure device 14 are output. -K is scanned and exposed on the outer peripheral surface of the image carrier 18 charged by the charging member 20, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the image carrier 18. The electrostatic latent images formed on the image holding member 18 are yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) toners by developing members 22Y, 22M, 22C, and 22K, respectively. Visualized as an image.

  Further, yellow (Y) and magenta (M) formed on the image carrier 18 by the primary transfer roll 34 of the primary transfer unit 21 disposed above the image forming units 16Y, 16M, 16C, and 16K. , Cyan (C), and black (K) toner images are transferred in multiple onto the rotating intermediate transfer belt 32.

  Further, the toner images of the respective colors transferred in multiple onto the circulating intermediate transfer belt 32 are transferred from the paper supply member 50 to the paper supply roll 52, the separation roll 54, and the alignment roll 58 by the secondary transfer roll 42, and the paper conveyance path. Then, the toner image is secondarily transferred to the sheet member P conveyed at 56 at a predetermined timing.

  Further, the sheet member P to which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to the fixing device 44. The toner image transferred to the sheet member P is fixed to the sheet member P by the fixing device 44 and fixed, and then discharged to the discharge portion 48 provided at the upper portion of the main body 10A of the image forming apparatus 10 by the discharge roll 46. The

  Further, when images are formed on both sides of the sheet member P, the sheet member P, on which the image is fixed on one side by the fixing device 44, is not directly discharged onto the discharge unit 48 by the discharge roll 46, and the conveyance direction is switched. Then, the sheet is conveyed to the double-sided conveyance path 62 via the conveyance roll 60. Then, by conveying the sheet member P along the duplex conveyance path 62, the front and back of the sheet member P are reversed, and the sheet member P is conveyed again to the alignment roll 58. This time, the toner image is transferred / fixed on the back surface of the sheet member P, transferred and fixed, and then discharged onto the discharge portion 48 by the discharge roll 46.

(Main part configuration)
Next, the cleaning member 64 that cleans the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical charging member 20 will be described.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a cleaning member 64 is provided so as to face the charging member 20 and extend in the axial direction of the charging member 20 (hereinafter simply referred to as the axial direction). The cleaning member 64 includes a columnar core member 70 extending in the axial direction, and a plurality of strips 72 (80 as an example in the present embodiment) disposed in a spiral manner on the core member 70. Yes. In the present embodiment, the foams 72 and 80 are formed of, for example, an elastically deformable urethane resin foam, and are fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the core member 70 by using a double-sided tape (not shown). It is like that.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4, both ends of the foam 72 sandwich the end of the foam 72 between the core 70 and the end of the foam 72 is the core. A cylindrical holding material 78 is provided to prevent peeling from 70.

  Further, both ends of the cleaning member 64 are rotatably supported by the bearing member 74 from the outside of the holding member 78 provided at both ends of the cleaning member 64, and the bearing member 74 is a foam 72. , 80 support the cleaning member 64 in a state where the outer peripheral surface of the charging member 20 is compressed by a predetermined amount. With this configuration, the cleaning member 64 is driven to rotate along with the rotation of the charging member 20 due to the frictional force reported between the foam 72 and the charging member 20.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3A, the cross-sections perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the two foams 72 and 80 have the same shape, and both ends 72A of the foams 72 and 80 are the same. , 80A protrudes (warps) in the radial direction of the core material 70 (hereinafter simply referred to as the radial direction) from the central portion. And the material of the foam 72 and the foam 80 is different, for example, physical property values, such as hardness, a foaming magnification, and a compression repulsion force, are different values.

  As shown in FIG. 6, in the cross section orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the foam 72 in a free state in which no external force is applied, both ends 72 </ b> A of the foam 72 have a diameter of the core material 70 rather than the center. Both sides 72B of the cross section that projects in the direction (hereinafter simply referred to as the radial direction) and is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction are warped in the direction in which the end portion 72 is close.

(Function)
As shown in FIG. 5, the toner image formed on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating image carrier 18 is transferred to the rotating intermediate transfer belt 32. Further, foreign matters such as toner remaining on the outer peripheral surface of the image carrier 18 without being transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 32 are removed from the outer peripheral surface of the image carrier 18 by the cleaning blade 24.

  Here, foreign substances such as an external additive having a small particle diameter contained in the developer pass through the cleaning blade 24. Foreign substances such as external additives that have passed through the cleaning blade 24 adhere to the outer peripheral surface of the charging member 20.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 (A), (B), and (C), foreign substances such as external additives attached to the outer peripheral surface of the charging member 20 rotating in the direction of the arrow are in the foam 72 of the cleaning member 64 that is driven to rotate. The end portion 72A is pushed by the outer peripheral surface of the charging member 20, and is elastic in the thickness direction (G direction shown in FIG. 3A) and the width direction (H direction shown in FIG. 3A) of the foam 72. By being deformed (elastically compressed), the foam 72 is pressed and aggregated. Then, as shown in FIG. 3D, the elastic deformation is restored by releasing the end 72A of the foam 72 of the cleaning member 64 that is driven to rotate from the contact with the charging member 20, and this restoring force is restored. Accordingly, the aggregated foreign matter such as the external additive is loosened from a dense state or repelled from the outer peripheral surface of the charging member 20.

  Further, when the cleaning member 64 is driven to rotate, the foam 80 is elastically deformed and restored in the same manner as the foam 72, and this restoring force loosens foreign substances such as agglomerated external additives from a dense state. Or is repelled from the outer peripheral surface of the charging member 20.

  In the drawing of FIG. 3, the radial dimension of the foam 72 is exaggerated so that the radial deformation of the foam 72 can be easily understood.

  As described above, the end portions 72A and 80A of the foams 72 and 80 are shaped so as to protrude from the central portion, and the end portions 72A and 80A are elastically deformed in the thickness direction and the width direction of the foam bodies 72 and 80. (Elastic compression) By effectively using the restoring force of the end portions 72A and 80A as compared with the case of elastically deforming only in the thickness direction, the foreign matter attached to the charging member 20 It is repelled (removed) from the outer peripheral surface. Thereby, the cleaning performance of the cleaning member 64 is improved.

  Here, since the foams 72 and 80 are spirally arranged on the core member 70, the deformation in the width direction is restored, so that the foreign matter attached to the charging member 20 also acts as a component force in the axial direction.

  A part of the removed foreign matter is stored inside the foam, and a part of the foreign matter is dropped and captured by a foreign matter reservoir (not shown) provided below the cleaning member 100 in the gravity direction. Further, the foreign matter present on the surface of the charging member 20 that is desired to be loosened from the dense state may move to the image carrier 18 and be collected by an image carrier cleaning device (not shown).

  Moreover, the cleaning performance of the cleaning member 64 improves by using the foams 72 and 80 of two or more lines (this embodiment two lines) compared with the case of one line.

  Further, as described above, since the materials of the foam 72 and the foam 80 are different, the physical properties of the foam 72 and the foam 80 are different. For this reason, even when the object to be cleaned (foreign matter adhering to the charging member 20) or the cleaning environment is different, the cleaning member 64 efficiently removes the object to be cleaned from the outer surface of the charging member 20 as compared with the case where the physical property values are the same. Remove. For example, when the cleaning target is an external additive contained in the toner and the developer, the material is selected according to each cleaning target.

  Further, when the cleaning member 64 repels (removes) foreign matters such as external additives attached to the outer peripheral surface of the charging member 20, charging failure of the image carrier 18 is suppressed. For this reason, the quality of the toner image formed on the image carrier 18 is improved.

  Further, since the quality of the toner image formed on the image carrier 18 is improved, the quality of the output image formed on the sheet member P is improved.

  Although the present invention has been described in detail with respect to specific embodiments, the present invention is not limited to such embodiments, and various other embodiments are possible within the scope of the present invention. It is clear to the contractor. For example, in the said embodiment, although both ends 72A and 80A of the foams 72 and 80 protruded rather than the center part, it is not limited to both in particular, either one in either foam It may be an end. In the case of one end, when the cleaning member is driven to rotate, it is more effective to charge foreign substances such as external additives by projecting the end of the foam that first contacts the charging member. It is repelled (removed) from the member.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although demonstrated with the example of the two foams 72 and 80, it is not limited to this in particular, Three or more may be sufficient.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the foamed material of the urethane resin which employ | adopted elastic deformation was employ | adopted as a material of the foams 72 and 80, it is not limited to this in particular, Other materials, such as a foam material of a rubber material, are used. It may be adopted.

  In the above-described embodiment, the replacement cartridge 66 is configured by the image carrier 18, the charging member 20, and the cleaning member 64. However, other members such as a developing member may be added as components of the replacement cartridge 66. Good.

  Next, an example of the cleaning member according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, about the same member as 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As FIG. 8 shows, the dimension of the width direction of the two foams 104 and 106 arrange | positioned helically to the core material 102 of the cleaning member 100 of 2nd Embodiment differs.

  Specifically, when the dimension in the width direction of the foam 104 is dimension A and the dimension in the width direction of the foam 106 is dimension B, the dimension B is larger than the dimension A.

  In this way, by making the widthwise dimensions of the two foams 104 and 106 different from each other, the object to be cleaned (foreign matter adhering to the charging member 20) or the cleaning environment can be compared with the case where the widthwise dimensions are the same. Even if different, the cleaning member 100 efficiently removes the object to be cleaned from the outer surface of the charging member 20.

  Here, the foam body 104 is configured by being wound around the core material 102 in a spiral shape. As shown in FIG. 7A, the cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the foam 104 wound spirally around the core member 102 of the cleaning member 100 of the second embodiment is free before being wound around the core member. In the state, it is rectangular.

  When the foam 104 is spirally wound around the core member 102 and the bottom 104C of the foam 104 is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the core member 102, the bottom 104C and the central portion 104B are connected to the axis of the core member 102. When the distance from the center is different, the center portion 104B is pulled in the longitudinal direction. In the present embodiment, by optimizing the radius of the core material 102, the thickness and hardness of the foam material 104, the cross-section of the foam material 104 after being wound around the core material 102 is as follows. It is comprised so that.

  That is, as shown by the solid line in FIG. 7B, in the state where the foam 104 is wound around the core material 102, the end 104A in the cross section of the foam 102 orthogonal to the longitudinal direction is foamed before being wound. Projecting in the radial direction from both end portions 104A of the body 104 (two-dot chain line shown in FIG. 7A). Further, in a state where the foam 104 is spirally wound around the core member 102, the central portion 104B in the cross section of the foam 104 orthogonal to the longitudinal direction is recessed from the central portion 104B of the foam 104 before being wound. . In addition, the amount of protrusion of the end portion 104A, the amount of depression of the central portion 104B, the distance between the end portions 104A, and the like are adjusted by winding the foam 104 around the core in a state where an appropriate tension is applied in the longitudinal direction. can do.

  In this embodiment, a core material having a diameter of 4 mm is used, and urethane foam having a thickness and a width of 2.5 mm and 6 mm in a free state is wound at 25 ° around the axis of the core material. The bottom surface 102C is bonded to the core with a double-sided tape, so that the end 104A has a height of about 3 mm and the central portion 102B has a height of about 2 mm.

  As described above, both end portions 104A of the foam 104 protrude in the radial direction from the free state shape, and the central portion 104B is recessed from the free state shape, thereby generating internal stress due to deformation. The restoring force when the compressed state is released after the end 104A is compressed becomes stronger. For this reason, foreign substances such as external additives attached to the outer peripheral surface of the charging member 20 by the cleaning member 100 are loosened from a dense state or repelled from the outer peripheral surface of the charging member 20.

  The following mechanism is presumed. In the state of FIG. 7B, a stress in the a direction toward the central portion 104B acts on the end portion 104A of the foam 104 wound around the core material 102. Then, the cleaning member 100 rotates with the rotation of the charging member 20, and the end 104 </ b> A of the foam 104 contacts and is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the charging member 20, thereby deforming in the direction opposite to the a direction ( Stretch). Then, when the end 104A is released from contact with the charging member 20, it is rapidly restored in the a direction. This restoring force removes aggregated foreign substances such as external additives from a dense state or repels them from the outer peripheral surface of the charging member 20. Therefore, cleaning is more effective than when no internal stress is present. It is considered possible.

  Since the foam 104 is spirally arranged on the core member 102, the deformation is restored, so that a component force in the axial direction also acts on the foreign matter attached to the charging member 20.

  In the above embodiment, both end portions 104A in the cross section of the foam 104 are protruded in the radial direction as compared with the central portion 104B, but only one end portion may be protruded.

In one case, when the cleaning member is driven to rotate, it is more effective for foreign substances such as external additives to repel from the charging member by projecting the end of the foam that first contacts the charging member. (Removed). In order to project only one end 104A in the radial direction, it can be realized by adjusting the range in which the foam 104 is bonded to the core, the portion or direction to which tension is applied, and the like.
Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the foam of the urethane resin which can be elastically deformed, ie, urethane foam, was employ | adopted as a material of the foam 104, it is not limited to this in particular, You may employ | adopt another material. . However, since it is necessary to deform the end portion 104A due to internal stress, a relatively soft material is preferable, and foamed urethane is easy to project the end portion.
In the present embodiment, the foam 104 has been described, but the foam 106 may also be configured in the same manner as the foam 104, or one of the two foams may be configured as in the first embodiment. May be.

  Next, an example of the cleaning member according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, about the same member as 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the thickness of the two foams 114 and 116 arranged in a spiral manner on the core material 112 of the cleaning member 110 of the third embodiment is different.

  Specifically, if the dimension in the thickness direction of the foam 114 that does not contact the charging member 20 is C, and the dimension in the thickness direction of the foam 116 is D, the dimension D is larger than the dimension C. Yes.

  Thus, by making the thickness direction dimensions of the two foams 114 and 116 different from each other, compared to the case where the thickness direction dimensions are the same, the object to be cleaned (foreign matter adhering to the charging member 20) or cleaning is performed. Even when the environment is different, the cleaning member 110 efficiently removes the object to be cleaned from the outer surface of the charging member 20.

  Next, an example of the cleaning member according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, about the same member as 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 10, three strips of foams 124, 126, and 128 that are spirally wound around the core member 122 of the cleaning member 120 of the fourth embodiment are provided.

  And the winding part (base end part affixed on the core material 122) 129 of the foams 124, 126, and 128 is connected in the width direction.

By having such a configuration, foams 124, 126, and 128 are formed by making slits (cuts) in one sheet material, and the foam body provided with the slits is wound around the core material 122. The respective end portions of the foams 124, 126, and 128 protrude in the radial direction.
Since a large number of end portions can be protruded by winding a single sheet in this way, the production cost is lower than in the case of winding an independent foam.

  Next, an example of the cleaning member according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, about the same member as 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 11, two foams 134 and 136 wound spirally are added to the outer peripheral surface of the core member 132 of the cleaning member 130 of the fifth embodiment instead of or in addition to the cleaning blade 38. The cleaning member 130 is driven to rotate as the intermediate transfer belt 32 rotates. The cleaning member 120 and the intermediate transfer belt 32 constitute a transfer device 138.

  As a result, foreign matters such as toner and external additives attached to the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 32 are repelled (removed) from the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 32.

  Although the present invention has been described in detail with respect to specific embodiments, the present invention is not limited to such embodiments, and various other embodiments are possible within the scope of the present invention. It is clear to the contractor. For example, in the above embodiment, the cleaning member 130 is used for cleaning the intermediate transfer belt 32, but the cleaning member 130 is not particularly limited to the intermediate transfer belt 32, and the intermediate transfer roll, the transfer belt, the transfer roll, the image holding member, and the like. A cleaning member may be used for cleaning.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image forming apparatus 14 Exposure apparatus (exposure member)
18 Image carrier 20 Charging member (an example of a member to be cleaned)
22 Developing member 32 Intermediate transfer belt (an example of a transfer member and a member to be cleaned)
64 Cleaning member 66 Replacement cartridge 68 Charging device 70 Core material 72 Foam 72A End portion 80 Foam 80A End portion 100 Cleaning member 102 Core material 104 Foam 108 Foam 110 Cleaning member 112 Core material 114 Foam 116 Foam 118 Foam Body 120 Cleaning member 122 Core material 124 Foam 126 Foam 128 Foam 129 Wound portion 130 Cleaning member 132 Core material 134 Foam 136 Foam 138 Transfer device

Claims (13)

A core material,
A plurality of foams fixed to the core material and in contact with a member to be cleaned that is a target of cleaning;
With
The foam is a cleaning member that is spirally wound around the core material.   The cleaning member according to claim 1, wherein at least one end of the foam in the width direction is in contact with the member to be cleaned in a cross section of the foam perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the core material.   The cleaning member according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a plurality of the foams formed by making a cut in a longitudinal direction of the sheet material are wound around the core material in a spiral shape.   The cleaning member according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of foams are connected in the width direction of the foam in a cross section of the foam perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the core material.   The cleaning member according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least one of the plurality of foams is different from a material of the other foams.   The cross section of the foam perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the core material, the width direction dimension of at least one of the plurality of foams is different from the width direction of the other foams. The cleaning member of Claim 1.   In the cross section of the foam orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the core material, the dimension in the thickness direction of at least one of the plurality of foams is different from the dimension in the thickness direction of the other foams. The cleaning member according to any one of 6. A charging member that charges the surface of the image carrier that holds the image while rotating;
The cleaning member according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a plurality of foams contact the surface of the charging member to clean the charging member;
Charging device. A transfer member that transfers the image while being rotated to a transfer member to which the image is transferred;
The cleaning member according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a plurality of foams contact the surface of the transfer member to clean the transfer member;
A transfer device. An image carrier for holding an image;
The charging device according to claim 8, wherein the charging device charges the surface of the image carrier.
And an assembly assembled to the main body in a replaceable manner. An assembly according to claim 10;
An exposure device that exposes the surface of the image carrier charged by the charging device to form an electrostatic latent image; and
A developing device for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier;
An image forming apparatus. An image carrier,
The charging device according to claim 8, wherein the charging device charges the surface of the image carrier.
An exposure device that exposes the surface of the image carrier charged by the charging device to form an electrostatic latent image; and
A developing device for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the image carrier;
A transfer device for transferring an image developed on the surface of the image carrier to a transfer member to which the image is transferred;
An image forming apparatus.   A cleaning member characterized in that a plurality of foams formed by cutting in the longitudinal direction of a sheet material are wound around a core material, and the foam is fixed to the core material in a spiral shape. Production method.

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