JP5520878B2 - Reciprocating mechanism of moving body, cleaning mechanism, exposure apparatus, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a reciprocating mechanism of a moving body that reciprocates with rotation of a rotating shaft, a cleaning mechanism that cleans a predetermined object using the reciprocating mechanism, an exposure apparatus including the cleaning mechanism, and an exposure apparatus thereof The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus including

  An image forming apparatus such as a copying machine has a charging wire extending along the axial direction of the photosensitive drum, and applies a voltage to the charging wire to uniformly charge the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum. And an exposure device that scans the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum through a window portion to form an electrostatic latent image on the peripheral surface. The charging device and the exposure device have a cleaning member for cleaning the charging wire and the window. The cleaning member cleans the charging wire and the window part by reciprocating along the charging wire and the window part.

  The thing of patent document 1 is known as a reciprocating mechanism which reciprocates the cleaning member. In the reciprocating mechanism of Patent Document 1, a cleaning member that engages with a rotating shaft and reciprocates along the axial direction of the rotating shaft as the rotating shaft rotates is used. The cleaning member moves in the first moving direction along the axial direction of the rotating shaft as the rotating shaft rotates, and when the cleaning member reaches the vicinity of the shaft end of the rotating shaft, the rotating shaft is rotated in the reverse direction. As a result, the cleaning member moves in the second movement direction opposite to the first movement direction (that is, the cleaning member reciprocates). A switch is used as means for obtaining a timing for rotating the rotation shaft in the reverse direction. The switch is disposed at a position corresponding to both shaft ends of the rotating shaft. When the cleaning member advances in the first movement direction, approaches the shaft end of the rotation shaft and presses the switch, the rotation shaft is rotated in the reverse direction, and the cleaning member starts moving in the second movement direction. In Patent Document 1, the cleaning member is reciprocated by such a configuration using a switch.

JP-A-8-194365

  However, in the cleaning mechanism of Patent Document 1, although the movement direction of the cleaning member can be switched from the first movement direction to the second movement direction at an appropriate timing by using a switch, the cleaning mechanism is equivalent to the use of the switch. Costs increase.

  In view of the above circumstances, the present invention includes a reciprocating mechanism capable of smoothly reciprocating a moving body (cleaning member) while avoiding an increase in cost, a cleaning mechanism using the reciprocating mechanism, and a cleaning mechanism thereof. Another object of the present invention is to provide an exposure apparatus and an image forming apparatus including the exposure apparatus.

  In order to achieve the above object, a reciprocating mechanism of a moving body according to the present invention has a peripheral surface and a spiral peak formed on the peripheral surface and extending in a spiral shape in the axial direction, and performs a first rotation. A rotation shaft rotatable in a direction and a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction, a drive source for rotating the rotation shaft, and the rotation in an engaged state engaged with the spiral mountain portion A moving body that reciprocates along the axial direction as the shaft rotates, wherein the first state moves in the first moving direction as the rotating shaft rotates in the first rotational direction; After moving in one moving direction, the first state is re-engaged with the helical peak portion in accordance with the second state in which the engaged state is canceled and the rotation of the rotating shaft in the second rotating direction. A moving body that changes state between a third state that moves in a second moving direction opposite to the moving direction, and the moving body changes the second state. The moving body is brought into contact with the end portion of the spiral ridge by its own weight, and the moving body is brought into the spiral ridge as the rotation shaft rotates in the second rotation direction. Re-engaging means for re-engaging.

  According to the reciprocating mechanism of the moving body according to the present invention, the moving body moves in the first moving direction in accordance with the rotation of the rotating shaft in the first rotating direction based on the engagement relationship with the spiral mountain portion of the rotating shaft. While moving (first state), it moves in the second moving direction as the rotating shaft rotates in the second rotating direction (third state). Thus, the moving body reciprocates along the axial direction of the rotating shaft as the rotating shaft rotates.

  And when the moving body is in the second state in which the engagement state with the spiral ridge is eliminated, that is, until the rotation direction of the rotation shaft is switched from the first rotation direction to the second rotation direction, The moving body is in contact with the terminal end portion of the spiral ridge by its own weight by the re-engaging means. When the rotating shaft starts to rotate in the second rotation direction, the moving body again smoothly engages with the spiral mountain portion from the end portion using its own weight. Thus, since the moving body re-engages with the spiral peak using its own weight, the cost can be reduced as compared with a configuration in which the moving body is reciprocated using a switch or the like.

  In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the re-engaging means causes the moving body to contact the terminal portion by inclining the moving body toward the terminal portion.

  According to this configuration, the moving body can be brought into contact with the end portion by its own weight by a simple operation of tilting the moving body toward the end portion.

  In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the re-engaging means includes a first inclined portion having a first inclined surface that inclines the movable body toward the terminal portion.

  According to this configuration, the moving body can be brought into contact with the end portion by its own weight with a simple structure using an inclined surface.

  In still another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the moving body has an engaging portion that engages with the spiral ridge, and the first inclined portion uses the engaging portion as a fulcrum. Tilt.

  According to this structure, since the 1st inclination part utilizes the engaging part of a moving body as a fulcrum, a moving body can be inclined easily.

  In still another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first inclined portion moves the movable body at a timing when the movable body advances in the first movement direction and the engaging portion starts to engage with the terminal portion. The guide body is inclined on the first inclined surface, and after the engaging portion is detached from the terminal end portion, the movable body is brought into contact with the terminal end portion in an inclined state.

  According to this configuration, the first inclined portion guides the movable body on the first inclined surface at the timing when the engaging portion of the movable body starts to engage with the terminal portion, so that the movable body can be easily inclined. it can.

  In still another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the spiral ridge portion is composed of a plurality of ridges arranged at a predetermined pitch, and the first inclined portion is a portion of the engagement portion as viewed from the end portion. The movable body is guided on the first inclined surface at a timing of engaging the mountain within the pitch of / 2.

  According to this configuration, since the timing at which the first inclined portion guides the moving body onto the first inclined surface is the timing at which the engaging portion engages with a peak within ½ pitch when viewed from the end portion, the moving body Can begin to tilt smoothly.

  In still another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first inclined surface has a first inclination angle, and the rotation shaft has an outer diameter that decreases from a portion in the vicinity of the terminal portion toward the outside in the axial direction. The taper angle of the said surrounding surface is set more than the said 1st inclination angle.

  According to this configuration, the rotation shaft has a taper shape, and the taper angle of the peripheral surface is set to be equal to or greater than the first inclination angle of the first inclined surface, so that the first inclined portion tilts the moving body. The rotating shaft does not interfere with its operation. Thereby, a mobile body can be inclined smoothly.

  In still another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the re-engaging means further includes a second inclined portion having a second inclined surface that inclines the movable body with the engaging portion as a fulcrum, and the second inclined portion. Is located downstream of the first inclined portion in the first movement direction, and the moving body is a member extending downstream in the first movement direction, in addition to the engagement portion, A first contact portion that contacts the first inclined surface; and a second contact portion that is located downstream of the first contact portion in the first movement direction and contacts the second inclined surface.

  According to this configuration, the second inclined portion is located downstream of the first inclined portion in the first movement direction, and the second contact portion of the moving body is further in the first movement direction than the first contact portion. Located downstream. Therefore, the distance between the engaging portion that is the fulcrum and the second contact portion that is the power point is greater than the distance between the engaging portion and the first contact portion. Thereby, the 2nd inclination part can incline a mobile body easily.

  In still another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second inclined surface has a second inclination angle, and the second inclination angle is set to be larger than the first inclination angle.

  According to this configuration, since the second inclination angle of the second inclined surface is set larger than the first inclination angle of the first inclined surface, the second inclined portion can easily incline the moving body.

  In still another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the reciprocating mechanism of the moving body further includes a control unit that controls the drive source, and the control unit controls the drive source so that the rotation shaft is moved to the first shaft. After rotating in one rotation direction for a first predetermined time, the rotating shaft is rotated in the second rotation direction for a second predetermined time.

  According to this configuration, the control unit controls the drive source to rotate the rotation shaft in the first rotation direction for the first predetermined time, and then rotates the rotation shaft in the second rotation direction for the second predetermined time. . The control unit performs a simple control operation for controlling the rotation of the rotation shaft according to time. Therefore, it takes a certain time to switch the rotation shaft from the first rotation direction to the second rotation direction. Meanwhile, the moving body is in contact with the end portion by its own weight. As described above, when the rotation shaft rotates in the second rotation direction, the moving body smoothly re-engages with the helical peak. Thus, even if the rotation of the rotating shaft is simply controlled by time, in the present invention, the moving body can be smoothly reciprocated. Therefore, the configuration for controlling the rotation of the rotating shaft can be simplified as compared with the configuration in which the moving body is reciprocated using a switch or the like.

  A cleaning mechanism according to another aspect of the present invention includes a cleaning member that cleans an object to be cleaned within a predetermined cleaning region, and the reciprocating mechanism of the moving body described above, wherein the reciprocating mechanism is the moving body. The cleaning member is reciprocated.

  According to the cleaning mechanism of the present invention, the cleaning member takes the first state based on the engagement relationship with the spiral peak of the rotating shaft, and takes the first state as the rotating shaft rotates in the first rotating direction. While moving in the moving direction, as the rotating shaft rotates in the second rotating direction, it takes the third state and moves in the second moving direction. Thus, the cleaning member reciprocates along the axial direction of the rotation shaft as the rotation shaft rotates.

  And when the cleaning member has taken the 2nd state which canceled the engagement state between spiral ridges, that is, until the rotation direction of a rotating shaft is switched from the 1st rotation direction to the 2nd rotation direction. Meanwhile, the cleaning member is in contact with the terminal end portion of the spiral ridge by its own weight by the re-engaging means. When the rotation shaft starts to rotate in the second rotation direction, the cleaning member uses its own weight to smoothly engage the spiral mountain portion from the end portion again. Thus, since the cleaning member re-engages with the spiral peak using its own weight, the cost can be reduced as compared with a configuration in which the cleaning member is reciprocated using a switch or the like.

  In still another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the re-engaging means further includes a biasing member that biases the cleaning member toward the terminal end when the cleaning member is in the second state. .

  According to this configuration, when the cleaning member is in the second state, the cleaning member is urged toward the end portion by the urging member while contacting the end portion by its own weight. Therefore, the cleaning member can easily re-engage with the helical peak when the rotation shaft starts to rotate in the second rotation direction.

  In still another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cleaning mechanism further includes a support plate that supports the rotating shaft and the cleaning unit, and the urging member has elasticity and is attached to the cleaning member. The elastic member is a restoring force when the cleaning member moves in the first movement direction and then abuts against a predetermined portion of the support plate to bend and the cleaning member is in the second state. The cleaning member is urged toward the end portion by.

  According to this configuration, an elastic member having elasticity is used as the urging member, and the cleaning member can be urged toward the terminal portion by a simple operation using the restoring force of the elastic member.

  In still another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cleaning member has elasticity, and has a cleaning pad for cleaning the object to be cleaned in the cleaning region, and the elastic member is the cleaning pad. When the cleaning member is in the second state, the cleaning pad exceeds the cleaning region and bends in contact with the predetermined portion.

  According to this structure, since the cleaning pad which the cleaning member originally has is used as the elastic member, the cleaning member can be biased toward the terminal portion without increasing the number of parts. In addition, when the spring is used as the elastic member and the cleaning member is pressed against the end portion by the restoring force of the spring and the cleaning member is re-engaged with the helical peak, the cleaning member is moved to the end portion by the restoring force of the spring. Therefore, noise is generated, and the end portion and the cleaning member are damaged. However, in the cleaning mechanism according to the present invention, since the cleaning member is brought into contact with the terminal portion by the weight of the cleaning member while utilizing the elasticity of the cleaning pad, the above-described problems can be avoided.

  In still another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cleaning pad is separated from the object to be cleaned at a timing when the first inclined portion starts to tilt the cleaning member.

  According to this configuration, since the cleaning pad is separated from the object to be cleaned, the force resulting from the friction between the cleaning pad and the object to be cleaned does not act on the cleaning member. Thereby, since the 1st inclination part does not receive the force which inhibits the operation | movement which inclines a cleaning member, it can begin to incline a cleaning member smoothly.

  An exposure apparatus according to the present invention has a window portion, an exposure mechanism that scans a laser beam with respect to a predetermined target through the window portion to form an electrostatic latent image on the predetermined target; A cleaning mechanism configured to clean the window, and the cleaning mechanism configured as described above is used as the cleaning mechanism, and the cleaning member of the cleaning mechanism cleans the window.

  An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes an image carrier, an exposure device that scans the image carrier with laser light based on image information, and forms an electrostatic latent image on the image carrier; A developing device that visualizes the electrostatic latent image, a transfer unit that transfers the visualized image from the image carrier onto the recording sheet, and a fixing device that fixes the image on the recording sheet. The exposure apparatus having the above-described configuration is used as the exposure apparatus.

  According to the reciprocating mechanism of the moving body, the cleaning mechanism using the reciprocating mechanism, the exposure apparatus including the cleaning mechanism, and the image forming apparatus including the exposure apparatus according to the present invention, the moving body (cleaning member) is Since the self-weight is used to re-engage with the spiral mountain portion of the rotating shaft, it is possible to smoothly move the moving body (cleaning member) back and forth while avoiding an increase in cost.

1 is a cross-sectional view showing an internal structure of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is the external appearance perspective view which looked at the exposure apparatus from diagonally upward. It is the top view which looked at the exposure apparatus from the upper part. It is a figure for demonstrating the 1st state which the main-body part of a cleaning member advances to a 1st movement direction. It is a figure for demonstrating the state in which the main-body part of the cleaning member is being switched to the 2nd state by the re-engagement means. It is a figure for demonstrating the 2nd state of the main-body part of a cleaning member. It is a figure for demonstrating the 3rd state in which the main-body part of a cleaning member re-engages with the helical peak part of a rotating shaft. It is a schematic diagram which shows the state which the cleaning pad advanced along the 1st moving direction, and was spaced apart from LSU glass. It is a schematic diagram which shows the state which the cleaning pad contact | abutted to the level | step difference on a cover and bent.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing an internal structure of an image forming apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Here, a printer is shown as the image forming apparatus 1, but the image forming apparatus 1 may be a facsimile machine or a multifunction machine having these functions.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 includes an image forming unit 12 that forms an image in a box-shaped apparatus body 11 based on image information transmitted from an external device such as a computer, and an image forming unit 12. A fixing unit 13 that performs a fixing process on the image formed by the transfer process on the paper P, a paper storage unit 14 that stores the transfer paper P, and a paper discharge unit 15 that discharges the paper P after the fixing process. including.

  The image forming unit 12 forms a toner image on the paper P fed from the paper storage unit 14. In the present embodiment, the image forming unit 12 sequentially arranges from the upstream side (left side of the paper surface in FIG. 1) to the downstream side. A magenta unit 12M using a magenta developer, a cyan unit 12C using a cyan developer, a yellow unit 12Y using a yellow developer, and a black developer are provided. Including a black unit 12K.

  Each of the units 12M, 12C, 12Y, and 12K is arranged along the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 121 that is rotatably provided around a drum center extending in the front-rear direction (a direction orthogonal to the paper surface of FIG. 1). A charging device 122, a developing device 123, a primary transfer roller 124, and a cleaning device 125 are disposed in a clockwise direction from a position immediately below the drum 121 in FIG. 1, and an exposure device (LSU) is further below the charging device 122. ) 2 is provided.

  The photosensitive drum 121 is for forming an electrostatic latent image and a toner image along the electrostatic latent image on the peripheral surface, and is an extremely smooth amorphous silicon layer that is tough and has excellent wear resistance on the peripheral surface. Are made suitable for forming these images.

  The charging device 122 uniformly charges the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 121 rotating clockwise around the drum center, and applies a charge to the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 121 by corona discharge.

  The exposure apparatus 2 scans the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 121 with laser light based on image data transmitted from an external device such as a computer, and removes charges on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 121. As a result, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 121. In the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, two exposure devices are arranged, the left exposure device 2 corresponds to the magenta unit 12M and the cyan unit 12C, and the right exposure device 2 is the yellow unit 12Y. And the black unit 12K.

  The developing device 123 forms a toner image on the peripheral surface by supplying toner to the electrostatic latent image on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 121. Each developing device 123 is supplied with a developer from a toner cartridge (not shown).

  A transfer belt 126 stretched between the driving roller 126 a and the driven roller 126 b is provided at a position above the photosensitive drum 121 so as to contact the photosensitive drum 121. The transfer belt 126 is driven by a drive roller 126a while being synchronized with each photoconductive drum 121 while being pressed against the peripheral surface of the photoconductive drum 121 by a primary transfer roller 124 provided corresponding to each photoconductive drum 121. It circulates between the rollers 126b.

  As the transfer belt 126 circulates, the toner image of the magenta toner is transferred onto the surface of the transfer belt 126 by the photosensitive drum 121 of the magenta unit 12M, and then the transfer belt 126 is transferred to the same transfer position. Then, the toner image of the cyan toner is transferred by the photoconductor drum 121 of the cyan unit 12C in an overcoated state, and then the yellow image by the photoconductor drum 121 of the yellow unit 12Y is transferred to the same transfer position on the transfer belt 126. The transfer of the toner image of the toner is performed in the overcoating state. Finally, the transfer of the toner image of the black toner by the photosensitive drum 121 of the black unit 12K is performed in the overcoating state at the same transfer position. As a result, a color toner image is formed on the surface of the transfer belt 126. The color toner image formed on the surface of the transfer belt 126 is transferred onto the paper P conveyed from the paper storage unit 14.

  The cleaning device 125 cleans the photosensitive drum 121 by removing toner remaining on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 121 after the transfer process.

  A sheet conveyance path 111 extending in the vertical direction is provided at a right position of the image forming unit 12 in FIG. A conveyance roller pair 112 is disposed at an appropriate position on the sheet conveyance path 111, and the sheet P from the sheet storage unit 14 is conveyed toward the secondary transfer roller 113 by the conveyance roller pair 112. The secondary transfer roller 113 is disposed to face the driving roller 126a with the transfer belt 126 interposed therebetween. The sheet P is pressed and clamped between the transfer belt 126 and the secondary transfer roller 113 so that the toner image on the transfer belt 126 is transferred onto the sheet P.

  The fixing unit 13 performs a fixing process on the transferred toner image on the paper P. The fixing unit 13 includes a heating roller 131 provided with an energization heating element as a heating source therein, a fixing roller 132 disposed opposite to the heating roller 131, and a fixing belt stretched between the heating roller 131 and the fixing roller 132. 133 and a pressure roller 134 disposed to face the fixing roller 132 with the fixing belt 133 interposed therebetween. When the paper P passes through the fixing nip portion between the fixing belt 133 and the pressure roller 134, the toner image is heated and pressurized and fixed on the paper P.

  The paper P with the color image for which the fixing process has been completed passes through a paper discharge conveyance path 114 extended from the upper part of the fixing unit 13 and is discharged to a paper discharge tray 151 of the paper discharge unit 15 provided at the top of the apparatus main body 11. It is discharged towards.

  The sheet storage unit 14 includes a manual feed tray 141 that can be freely opened and closed on the left side wall of the apparatus main body 11 in FIG. 1, and a paper tray 142 that is detachably mounted in the apparatus main body 11 below the exposure device 2. It is configured with.

  The manual feed tray 141 is for manually feeding the paper P toward the image forming unit 12 and is usually stored on the left wall surface of the apparatus main body 11, but only when paper is fed manually. As shown in FIG. 1, it is pulled out from the wall surface and used for manual paper feeding.

  The paper tray 142 is configured by a box having an upper surface opened, and stores a paper bundle P1 formed by stacking a plurality of papers P. The uppermost sheet P of the sheet bundle P1 is sent out to the sheet conveyance path 111 by the pickup roller 143. As described above, the sheet P is transported through the sheet transport path 111 in the order of the secondary transfer roller 113 and the fixing unit 13.

  Next, the exposure apparatus 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. Since the two exposure apparatuses 2 have the same configuration, only one of the exposure apparatuses 2 will be described. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the exposure apparatus 2 as viewed obliquely from above. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the exposure apparatus 2 as viewed from above.

  The exposure apparatus 2 is a so-called laser scanner unit (LSU), and includes an exposure mechanism 20 that forms an electrostatic latent image on the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 121 and a cleaning mechanism 30 that cleans the exposure mechanism 20. The exposure mechanism 20 and the cleaning mechanism 30 are unitized.

  The exposure mechanism 20 forms an electrostatic latent image using various optical elements. The exposure mechanism 20 is, for example, a laser light source such as an LED that generates laser light, a polygon mirror that scans the laser light source at an equal angle, and laser light that is scanned at an equal angle with respect to the photosensitive drum 121 at a constant speed in the main scanning direction. And a plurality of optical elements such as a reflection mirror that reflects the laser light from the fθ lens and guides it to the photosensitive drum 121. The laser beam is scanned with respect to the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 121 based on the image data, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image on the peripheral surface.

  The exposure mechanism 20 includes a substantially rectangular parallelepiped housing 21 for collecting these optical elements, and a cover 22 that closes an upper opening of the housing 21. The cover 22 has an opening penetrating from the upper surface 22a to the back surface at a position corresponding to the reflection mirror, and an LSU glass 23 (window) is fitted into the opening. The LSU glass 23 has a characteristic that does not inhibit the progress of laser light, and the laser light reflected by the reflection mirror passes through the LSU glass 23 and reaches the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 121. A pair of LSU glasses 23 are provided, and each LSU glass 23 extends in the front-rear direction of the exposure apparatus 2. One LSU glass 23 is disposed near the right end of the exposure apparatus 2, and the other LSU glass 23 is disposed near the left end of the exposure apparatus 2.

  The cleaning mechanism 30 (reciprocating mechanism) cleans the pair of LSU glasses 23 and is disposed on the upper surface 22a of the cover 22 (support plate). The cleaning mechanism 30 includes a rotating shaft 31, a drive source 32, and a cleaning member 33.

  The rotating shaft 31 reciprocates a cleaning member 33 described later, and extends in the front-rear direction of the exposure apparatus 2 at a substantially intermediate position in the left-right direction of the exposure apparatus 2. The rotating shaft 31 includes a shaft portion 310 and a spiral crest portion 313 formed on the peripheral surface 310a of the shaft portion 310 and extending spirally in the axial direction. The spiral crest 313 is composed of a plurality of crests arranged at a predetermined pitch p (see FIG. 4). The rotation shaft 31 can rotate in a first rotation direction R1 (clockwise in FIG. 2) and a second rotation direction R2 (counterclockwise in FIG. 2) opposite to the first rotation direction R1. The rotating shaft 31 has a front shaft end 311 and a rear shaft end 312. The front shaft end 311 is rotatably supported by a front support wall 26 erected on the front edge of the upper surface 22 a of the cover 22, and the rear shaft end 312 is the rear side of the upper surface 22 a of the cover 22. It is rotatably supported by a rear support wall 27 erected on the edge. A drive gear 314 is attached to the front shaft end 311 of the rotation shaft 31, and a motor M that is a drive source 32 is connected to the drive gear 314. The motor M is of a type that can rotate the rotation shaft 31 in both the first rotation direction R1 and the second rotation direction R2 via the drive gear 314.

  The cleaning member 33 (moving body) reciprocates along the axial direction along with the rotation of the rotating shaft 31 in the engaged state where the cleaning member 33 (moving body) is engaged with the spiral crest 313 of the rotating shaft 31, thereby forming a pair of LSU glasses 23. Are cleaned in a predetermined cleaning area (that is, an area where the LSU glass 23 extends). The cleaning member 33 includes a pair of cleaning pads 331, a pair of holders 332 that hold the corresponding cleaning pads 331, a main body portion 333 that engages with the helical peak portion 313 of the rotating shaft 31, a main body portion 333, and a pair of A pair of connecting arms 334 that connect the holder 332 are included. The holder 332, the main body portion 333, and the connecting arm 334 are integrally molded products. The cleaning member 33 is an example of the moving body of the present invention.

  The pair of cleaning pads 331 are provided corresponding to the pair of LSU glasses 23 and clean the corresponding LSU glasses 23. Each cleaning pad 331 has a width direction dimension substantially the same as the width direction dimension of the LSU glass 23 (a dimension in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axial direction of the rotation shaft 31). Each cleaning pad 331 has a thickness dimension along the longitudinal direction of the LSU glass 23.

  Each of the pair of holders 332 extends across the LSU glass 23 in the width direction above the corresponding LSU glass 23, and holds the cleaning pad 331 in contact with the LSU glass 23.

  The main body 333 has a cylindrical shape, and the rotary shaft 31 is rotatably inserted in the hollow portion. On the inner peripheral surface of the main body portion 333, a spiral main body side peak portion 335 (engagement portion) is formed for approximately one turn that can be engaged with the spiral peak portion 313 of the rotating shaft 31 (FIG. 4). reference). The main body portion 333 can reciprocate in the axial direction of the rotary shaft 31 with the rotation of the rotary shaft 31 when the main body side peak portion 335 is engaged with the spiral peak portion 313. It is. The main body portion 333 includes a first state that moves in the first movement direction D1, a second state that cancels the engagement state, a second state that corresponds to the engagement state between the main body side peak portion 335 and the spiral peak portion 313. 2. The state is changed between the third state moving in the moving direction D2.

  Specifically, when the main body portion 333 is in the first state, the main body side peak portion 335 is engaged with the spiral peak portion 313 of the rotation shaft 31, and the main body portion 333 has the rotation shaft 31 rotated in the first rotation. When rotating in the direction R <b> 1, the main body side peak portion 335 and the spiral peak portion 313 move in the first movement direction D <b> 1 toward the front shaft end portion 311 of the rotation shaft 31.

  In addition, after the main body portion 333 moves in the first movement direction D1, the main body side peak portion 335 is detached from the spiral peak portion 313, and the main body portion 333 is in a second state in which the engagement state with the rotating shaft 31 is released. Become.

  Further, when the rotation shaft 31 rotates in the second rotation direction R <b> 2, the main body side peak portion 335 is re-engaged with the spiral peak portion 313 by the rotation operation of the rotation shaft 31. Thereby, the main body 333 enters a third state in which the main body 333 moves in the second movement direction D2 toward the rear shaft end 312 of the rotation shaft 31.

  The pair of connecting arms 334 connects the corresponding holder 332 and the outer peripheral surface of the main body 333. Therefore, when the rotation shaft 31 rotates in the first rotation direction R1, the pair of cleaning pads 331 move as the main body 333 moves in the first movement direction D1, and the corresponding LSU glass 23 moves in the first direction. Clean along direction D1. On the other hand, when the rotation shaft 31 rotates in the second rotation direction R2, the pair of cleaning pads 331 move along with the movement of the main body 333 in the second movement direction D2, and the corresponding LSU glass 23 is moved in the second direction. Clean along direction D2.

  The drive source 32 that drives the rotary shaft 31 is controlled by the control unit C. The controller C controls the drive source 32 to rotate the rotation shaft 31 in the first rotation direction R1 for a first predetermined time, and then rotates the rotation shaft 31 in the second rotation direction R2 for a second predetermined time. . During the first predetermined time, the cleaning pad 331 moves along the first movement direction D1 from the home position (the position of the most rear end in the LSU glass 23), and reaches the turning position (the position of the most front end in the LSU glass 23). It takes time to complete. Similarly, the second predetermined time is a time required for the cleaning pad 331 to move from the return position along the second movement direction D2 to reach the home position. Since the rotation speed of the rotating shaft 31 is generally substantially the same in the first rotation direction R1 and the second rotation direction R2, the first predetermined time and the second predetermined time are substantially the same.

  The first predetermined time corresponds to the length of time that the main body 333 of the cleaning member 33 is in the first state, and the second predetermined time corresponds to the length of time that the main body 333 is in the third state. To do. Furthermore, the main body 333 is in the second state until the control unit C switches the rotation direction of the rotation shaft 31 from the first rotation direction R1 to the second rotation direction R2.

  On the upper surface 22a of the cover 22, a pair of first rails 25, a pair of second rails 24, and the like are provided in order to smoothly move the main body 333 along with the rotation of the rotary shaft 31 and thus clean the cleaning pad 331. Is arranged. A corresponding holder 332 is slidably attached to the pair of first rails 25. A corresponding connecting arm 334 is slidably attached to the pair of second rails 24.

  Of the pair of first rails 25, one first rail 25 is disposed to the right of the right LSU glass 23, and the other first rail 25 is to the left of the left LSU glass 23. It is arranged. The pair of first rails 25 extend in a range exceeding the LSU glass 23 in the front-rear direction of the exposure apparatus 2. Of the pair of second rails 24, one second rail 24 is disposed between the right LSU glass 23 and the rotating shaft 31, and the other second rail 24 is the left LSU glass. 23 and the rotating shaft 31. The pair of second rails 24 extend in a range exceeding the LSU glass 23 in the front-rear direction of the exposure apparatus 2.

  In the exposure apparatus 2 configured as described above, the main body 333 of the cleaning member 33 is re-engaged with the helical peak 313 of the rotating shaft 31, that is, the state of the main body 333 is changed from the second state to the third state. In order to switch, a re-engaging means 34 is provided. Hereinafter, the re-engaging means 34 and the switching operation thereof will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 7 in addition to FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a first state in which the main body 333 of the cleaning member 33 advances in the first movement direction D1. FIG. 5 is a view for explaining a state where the main body 333 of the cleaning member 33 is being switched to the second state by the re-engaging means 34. FIG. 6 is a view for explaining the second state of the main body 333 of the cleaning member 33. FIG. 7 is a view for explaining a third state in which the main body portion 333 of the cleaning member 33 is re-engaged with the helical peak portion 313 of the rotating shaft 31.

  When the main body 333 of the cleaning member 33 is in the second state, the re-engagement means 34 causes the main body 333 and thus the cleaning member 33 to abut against the terminal end 314 of the spiral peak 313 by its own weight, As the rotation shaft 31 rotates in the second rotation direction R2, the cleaning member 33 is re-engaged with the spiral ridge 313. The re-engaging means 34 makes the main body 333 abut on the terminal end 314 by inclining the main body 333 toward the terminal end 314. The re-engaging means 34 and the cleaning member 33 constitute the cleaning part of the present invention.

  Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the re-engaging means 34 is located immediately below the front shaft end 311 of the rotating shaft 31 and in the vicinity of the front support wall 26 on the upper surface 22 a of the cover 22. (Actually, it is integrally formed on the back surface side of the front support wall 26 on the upper surface 22a). As shown in FIGS. 4 to 7, the re-engaging means 34 includes a first inclined portion 341 having a first inclined surface 341 a and a second inclined portion 342 having a second inclined surface 342 a. The first inclined surface 341 a and the second inclined surface 342 a incline the main body portion 333 toward the terminal end portion 314 of the spiral mountain portion 313.

  The second inclined portion 342 is located on the downstream side of the first inclined portion 341 when viewed from the first movement direction D1 of the main body portion 333. The second inclination angle β (see FIG. 5) of the second inclined surface 342a is set larger than the first inclination angle α (see FIG. 4) of the first inclined surface 341a. The outer diameter of the front shaft end portion 311 of the rotating shaft 31 is larger than that of the end portion 314 when viewed from the first movement direction D1 of the main body portion 333 from the vicinity of the end portion 314 of the helical peak portion 313. Also, the front shaft end 311 has a tapered shape that decreases from the portion immediately downstream to the outside in the axial direction. The taper angle γ on the peripheral surface 310a of the front shaft end 311 is set to be equal to or greater than the first inclination angle α.

  The main body portion 333 is a member whose cylindrical shape extends downstream in the first movement direction D1, and includes a first contact portion 336 and a second contact portion 337 in addition to the main body side mountain portion 335. The first contact portion 336 is a portion that protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of the main body portion 333 and contacts the first inclined surface 341 a of the first inclined portion 341. The second contact portion 337 is located downstream of the first contact portion 336 in the first movement direction D1 and contacts the second inclined surface 342a of the second inclined portion 342. More specifically, the second contact portion 337 is a corner portion between the end surface on the downstream side in the first movement direction D1 and the outer peripheral surface.

  The main body 333 of the cleaning member 33 moves in the first movement direction D1 as the rotation shaft 31 rotates in the first rotation direction R1 (first state), and as shown in FIG. When approaching the shaft end portion 311, the first contact portion 336 of the main body portion 333 comes into contact with the first inclined surface 341 a of the first inclined portion 341, and the second contact portion 337 of the main body portion 333 is in contact with the second inclined portion 342. It contacts the second inclined surface 342a. At this time, the cleaning pad 331 cleans the LSU glass 23 from the home position toward the folded position along the first movement direction D1.

  When the rotation shaft 31 is further rotated in the first rotation direction R1 and the main body portion 333 is further moved in the first movement direction D1, as shown in FIG. 5, the first inclined portion 341 causes the first contact portion 336 to move to the first contact portion 336. While guiding on the inclined surface 341a, the second inclined portion 342 guides the second contact portion 337 on the second inclined surface 342a. At this time, the first inclined portion 341 and the second inclined portion 342 incline the main body portion 333 using the main body side mountain portion 335 as a fulcrum. The positions of the first inclined portion 341 and the second inclined portion 342 are the timing at which the main body side mountain portion 335 starts to engage the terminal portion 314 of the helical mountain portion 313 while the main body portion 333 advances in the first movement direction D1. The first inclined portion 341 and the second inclined portion 342 are set at positions where the main body portion 333 can start to be inclined. More specifically, the timing is a timing at which the main body side peak portion 335 engages with a peak within ½ pitch p when viewed from the end portion 314.

  As the main body portion 333 moves in the first movement direction D1, the first contact portion 336 further climbs while sliding on the first inclined surface 341a, and the second contact portion 337 slides on the second inclined surface 342a. When climbing further while moving, the main body 333 further tilts. Since the taper angle γ of the front shaft end portion 311 is set to be equal to or greater than the first tilt angle α of the first inclined surface 341a, the front shaft end portion 311 does not interfere with the tilting operation of the main body portion 333 that is tilting. Thereby, the main-body part 333 inclines smoothly.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 6, when the main body side peak 335 is disengaged from the terminal end 314 (when the main body side peak 335 is disengaged from the spiral peak 313), the main body side peak 335 is The main body 333 is in contact with the terminal end 314 in a state of being inclined toward the terminal end 314 (second state). At this time, the main body portion 333 and the cleaning member 33 are in contact with the terminal end portion 314 via the main body side peak portion 335 only by its own weight. At this time, the end portion 314 is located below the horizontal plane including the axis X of the rotating shaft 31, and the main body side mountain portion 335 is terminated by a lower portion 335a extending below the horizontal plane. It is in contact with the portion 314. The main body 333 maintains a state in which the main body 333 is in contact with the end portion 314 by its own weight until the rotation direction of the rotation shaft 31 is switched from the first rotation direction R1 to the second rotation direction R2. In addition, the 1st contact part 336 is located in the downstream rather than the lower part 335a of the main body side peak part 335 seeing from the 1st moving direction D1.

  When the rotary shaft 31 rotates in the second rotation direction R2, the main body portion 333 smoothly engages with the spiral mountain portion 313 from the end portion 314 by its own weight. The main body 333 moves in the second movement direction D2 as the rotation shaft 31 rotates in the second rotation direction R2 (third state). The first contact portion 336 of the main body 333 slides on the first inclined surface 341a and moves away from the first inclined surface 341a as the main body 333 moves in the first movement direction D1. The rotation shaft 31 is rotated in the second rotation direction R2 for a second predetermined time, whereby the cleaning pad 331 cleans the LSU glass 23 along the second movement direction D2 and moves from the folded position toward the home position. Moving.

  In the cleaning mechanism 30 of the exposure apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment described above, the engagement state between the main body portion 333 of the cleaning member 33 and the helical peak portion 313 of the rotating shaft 31 is eliminated as described above. When in the second state, that is, until the rotation direction of the rotation shaft 31 is switched from the first rotation direction R1 to the second rotation direction R2, the main body portion 333 is re-engaged by the reengaging means 34 and the main body side peak portion 335. The end portion 314 of the spiral ridge 313 is in contact with the weight by its own weight. When the rotation shaft 31 starts to rotate in the second rotation direction R2, the main body 333 smoothly engages with the spiral mountain portion 313 from the end portion 314 again using its own weight. As described above, the main body 333 and thus the cleaning member 33 re-engage with the spiral ridge 313 using its own weight, so that the cost can be reduced as compared with the configuration in which the cleaning member is reciprocated using a switch or the like. Can be achieved.

  Further, in the exposure apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment, the re-engagement unit 34 has a simple operation and a simple structure in which the main body 333 is tilted toward the terminal end 314 by the first inclined portion 341 and the second inclined portion 342. Thus, the main body portion 333 can be brought into contact with the end portion 314 by its own weight.

  Furthermore, in the exposure apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment, the first inclined portion 341 and the second inclined portion 342 use the main body side mountain portion 335 of the main body portion 333 as a fulcrum, so that the main body portion 333 can be easily inclined. it can. In addition, the second inclined portion 342 is located downstream of the first inclined portion 341 in the first movement direction D1, and the second contact portion 337 of the main body portion 333 is further first than the first contact portion 336. It is located on the downstream side in the moving direction D1. Therefore, the distance between the main body side peak portion 335 that is a fulcrum and the second contact portion 337 that is a power point is larger than the distance between the main body side peak portion 335 and the first contact portion 336. Moreover, the second inclination angle β of the second inclined surface 342a of the two inclined portions is set larger than the first inclination angle α of the first inclined surface 341a of the first inclined portion 341. Thereby, the 2nd inclination part 342 can incline the main-body part 333 easily.

  Furthermore, in the exposure apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment, the first inclined portion 341 is a timing at which the main body side peak portion 335 of the main body portion 333 starts to engage with the terminal end portion 314, specifically, the main body side peak portion 335. Since the main body 333 is guided onto the first inclined surface 341a at the timing when the main body 333 engages with a peak within ½ pitch p when viewed from the end portion 314, the main body 333 can be smoothly inclined.

  Furthermore, in the exposure apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment, the control unit C controls the drive source 32 to rotate the rotation shaft 31 in the first rotation direction R1 for the first predetermined time, and then moves the rotation shaft 31 to the first position. Rotate in the second rotation direction R2 for a second predetermined time. The controller C performs a simple control operation for controlling the rotation of the rotating shaft 31 according to time. Therefore, it takes a certain time to switch the rotation shaft 31 from the first rotation direction R1 to the second rotation direction R2. Meanwhile, the main body portion 333 is in contact with the end portion 314 by its own weight. As described above, when the rotation shaft 31 rotates in the second rotation direction R2, the main body side peak portion 335 of the main body portion 333 smoothly re-engages with the spiral peak portion 313. Thus, even if the rotation of the rotating shaft 31 is simply controlled by time, in the present embodiment, the main body 333 can be smoothly reciprocated. Therefore, the configuration for controlling the rotation of the rotating shaft 31 can be simplified as compared with the configuration in which the cleaning member is reciprocated using a switch or the like.

  In the exposure apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment described above, the re-engaging means 34 may include a cleaning pad 331 for cleaning the LSU glass 23 in addition to the first inclined portion 341 and the second inclined portion 342. In this case, the cleaning pad 331 is a member formed of a material having elasticity, and when the main body 333 is in the second state, the main body 333 is moved by the elasticity to the terminal portion 314 via the connecting arm 334. It acts as an urging member that urges toward. Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the cleaning pad 331 and its operation | movement are demonstrated. FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing a state where the cleaning pad 331 advances along the first movement direction D1 and is separated from the LSU glass 23 in a cross section. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a state where the cleaning pad 331 is bent in contact with the step 22 b on the cover 22.

  As described above, the cleaning pad 331 cleans the LSU glass 23 while moving from the home position toward the folding position along the first movement direction D1. The cleaning pad 331 is cleaned by rubbing the LSU glass 23 at its lower end. Therefore, friction occurs between the cleaning pad 331 and the LSU glass 23 during the cleaning operation of the cleaning pad 331.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the cleaning pad 331 moves a predetermined distance along the first movement direction D1 even after the LSU glass 23 is cleaned and separated from the LSU glass 23 (after the cleaning area is exceeded). . The timing at which the cleaning pad 331 is separated from the LSU glass 23 is the timing at which the first inclined portion 341 and the second inclined portion 342 start to tilt the main body portion 333. Therefore, the force resulting from the friction between the cleaning pad 331 and the LSU glass 23 does not act on the main body 333 through the holder 332 and the connecting arm 334. Thereby, since the 1st inclination part 341 and the 2nd inclination part 342 do not receive the force which inhibits the operation | movement which inclines the main-body part 333, it can begin to incline the main-body part 333 smoothly.

  A step 22 b is formed at a predetermined position on the upper surface 22 a of the cover 22. The position of the step 22b is the folding position of the cleaning pad 331. Therefore, at the timing when the main body 333 finishes moving in the first movement direction D1, the cleaning pad 331 comes into contact with the step 22b at the lower end thereof, and is in a direction substantially opposite to the first movement direction D1 (that is, the first movement direction D1). 2 Deflection in the moving direction D2). At this time, the main body portion 333 is in the second state in which the main body portion 333 comes into contact with the terminal end portion 314 of the spiral mountain portion 313 by its own weight.

  Since the cleaning pad 331 is an elastic member, the restoring force F urges the main body 333 toward the terminal end 314 via the holder 332 and the connecting arm 334. Therefore, the main body 333 is urged toward the end portion 314 by the restoring force F of the cleaning pad 331 while contacting the end portion 314 by its own weight. Thereby, when the rotating shaft 31 starts to rotate in the second rotation direction R2, the main body portion 333 can be easily re-engaged from the terminal end portion 314 with the spiral peak portion 313.

  Further, since only the restoring force F of the cleaning pad 331 that is an elastic member is used, the main body 333 can be urged toward the terminal end 314 with a simple operation. Furthermore, since the cleaning pad 331 is a member that the cleaning member 33 originally has, it is not necessary to use another member for urging the main body portion 333 toward the end portion 314, and the number of parts increases. Absent. Furthermore, when a configuration is adopted in which a spring is used as the urging member, the main body portion 333 is pressed against the end portion 314 by the restoring force of the spring, and the main body portion 333 is re-engaged with the spiral mountain portion 313, the restoring force of the spring The main body portion 333 is hit against the end portion 314, so that noise is generated and the end portion 314 and the main body portion 333 are damaged. However, in the cleaning mechanism 30 of the exposure apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment, the main body 333 is brought into contact with the end portion 314 by the weight of the main body 333 (cleaning member 33) while utilizing the elasticity of the cleaning pad 331. The above problems can be avoided.

  In the present embodiment, the cleaning mechanism 30 is applied to clean the LSU glass 23 of the exposure apparatus 2. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the cleaning mechanism 30 cleans the charging wire of the charging device 122. Can also be applied.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 2 Exposure apparatus 20 Exposure mechanism 21 Housing 22 Cover 23 LSU glass (window part)
30 Cleaning mechanism 31 Rotating shaft 314 Spiral peak 32 Drive source 33 Cleaning member 331 Cleaning pad (elastic member)
332 Holder 333 Main body portion 334 Connecting arm 335 Main body side peak portion 336 First contact portion 337 Second contact portion 34 Re-engaging means 341 First inclined portion 341a First inclined surface 342 Second inclined portion 342a Second inclined surface D1 First 1 movement direction D2 2nd movement direction R1 1st rotation direction R2 2nd rotation direction

Claims (16)

It has a peripheral surface and a spiral ridge formed on the peripheral surface and extending in a spiral shape in the axial direction, and rotates in a first rotational direction and a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction. Possible rotation axis,
A drive source for rotating the rotating shaft;
A moving body that reciprocates along the axial direction in accordance with the rotation of the rotating shaft in an engaged state engaged with the spiral ridge, and the rotation of the rotating shaft in the first rotating direction. With the first state that moves in the first movement direction, the second state that releases the engagement state after moving in the first movement direction, and the rotation of the rotating shaft in the second rotation direction, A movable body that re-engages with the helical peak and changes state between a third state that moves in a second movement direction opposite to the first movement direction;
When the movable body is in the second state, the movable body is brought into contact with the terminal end of the spiral ridge by its own weight, and the rotation shaft rotates in the second rotation direction. Re-engaging means for re-engaging the movable body with the helical peak ,
The re-engaging means is a reciprocating mechanism of a moving body that abuts the moving body toward the end portion by inclining the moving body toward the end portion . The reciprocating mechanism of the moving body according to claim 1 ,
The re-engaging means is a reciprocating mechanism of a moving body including a first inclined portion having a first inclined surface that inclines the moving body toward the end portion. In the reciprocating mechanism of the moving body according to claim 2 ,
The moving body has an engaging portion that engages with the spiral ridge,
The first inclined portion is a reciprocating mechanism of a moving body that tilts the moving body with the engaging portion as a fulcrum. In the reciprocating mechanism of the moving body according to claim 3 ,
The first inclined portion is inclined by guiding the moving body onto the first inclined surface at a timing when the engaging portion starts to engage with the terminal end portion while the moving body proceeds in the first moving direction. A reciprocating mechanism of a moving body that abuts the moving body in an inclined state after the engaging portion is disengaged from the terminal portion. The reciprocating mechanism of the moving body according to claim 4 ,
The spiral crest is composed of a plurality of crests arranged at a predetermined pitch,
The first inclined portion is a reciprocating mechanism of a moving body that guides the moving body onto the first inclined surface at a timing when the engaging portion engages with the mountain within ½ pitch when viewed from the end portion. . In the reciprocating mechanism of the moving body according to claim 4 or 5 ,
The first inclined surface has a first inclination angle;
The rotating shaft has a tapered shape in which an outer diameter decreases from the portion near the terminal end toward the outside in the axial direction,
The taper angle of the peripheral surface is a reciprocating mechanism of a moving body set to be equal to or greater than the first inclination angle. In the reciprocating mechanism of the moving body according to any one of claims 3 to 6 ,
The re-engaging means further includes a second inclined portion having a second inclined surface for inclining the movable body with the engaging portion as a fulcrum,
The second inclined portion is located downstream of the first inclined portion in the first movement direction,
The moving body is a member extending downstream in the first movement direction, and in addition to the engagement portion, a first contact portion that contacts the first inclined surface, and the first contact portion than the first contact portion. A reciprocating mechanism of a moving body having a second contact portion that is located on the downstream side in the moving direction and contacts the second inclined surface. The reciprocating mechanism of the moving body according to claim 7 ,
The second inclined surface has a second inclination angle;
The reciprocating mechanism of the moving body, wherein the second tilt angle is set to be larger than the first tilt angle. In the reciprocating mechanism of the moving body according to any one of claims 1 to 8 ,
Furthermore, a control unit for controlling the drive source is provided,
The controller controls the drive source to rotate the rotation shaft in the first rotation direction for a first predetermined time, and then rotates the rotation shaft in the second rotation direction for a second predetermined time. Reciprocating mechanism of moving body. A cleaning member for cleaning an object to be cleaned in a predetermined cleaning area;
A reciprocating mechanism of the moving body according to any one of claims 1 to 9 ,
The reciprocating mechanism is a cleaning mechanism that reciprocates the cleaning member as the movable body. The cleaning mechanism according to claim 10 ,
The re-engaging means further includes a biasing member that biases the cleaning member toward the terminal end when the cleaning member is in the second state. The cleaning mechanism according to claim 11 ,
And a support plate for supporting the rotating shaft and the cleaning unit,
The biasing member is an elastic member provided with elasticity and attached to the cleaning member,
The elastic member is bent in contact with a predetermined portion of the support plate after the cleaning member moves in the first movement direction, and when the cleaning member is in the second state, the elastic member is restored by a restoring force. A cleaning mechanism that biases the end toward the end portion. The cleaning mechanism according to claim 12 ,
The cleaning member has elasticity, and has a cleaning pad for cleaning the object to be cleaned in the cleaning region,
The elastic member is the cleaning pad;
When the cleaning member is in the second state, the cleaning pad is a cleaning mechanism that bends in contact with the predetermined portion beyond the cleaning region. The cleaning mechanism according to claim 13 ,
The cleaning pad is a cleaning mechanism that is separated from the object to be cleaned at a timing when the first inclined portion starts to tilt the cleaning member. An exposure mechanism that has a window, scans a laser beam with respect to a predetermined object through the window, and forms an electrostatic latent image on the predetermined object;
A cleaning mechanism for cleaning the window,
With
The cleaning mechanism according to any one of claims 10 to 14 is used as the cleaning mechanism.
The cleaning member of the cleaning mechanism is an exposure apparatus that cleans the window. An image carrier;
An exposure device that scans the image carrier with laser light based on image information to form an electrostatic latent image on the image carrier;
A developing device for visualizing the electrostatic latent image;
A transfer unit that transfers the visualized image from the image carrier onto a recording sheet;
A fixing device for fixing the image on the recording sheet;
With
An image forming apparatus using the exposure apparatus according to claim 15 as the exposure apparatus.

Images