JP5565073B2 - Cleaning member, image forming apparatus, and cleaning method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a cleaning member for cleaning a photosensitive drum, an image forming apparatus having a process unit to which the cleaning member can be attached, and a method for cleaning the photosensitive drum by the cleaning member.

  Conventionally, as a cleaning member for cleaning a conveyance roller, a cleaning sheet is known in which a locking hole that is locked to a hook provided in an apparatus main body of an image forming apparatus is formed (see Patent Document 1). Specifically, in this technique, the apparatus main body is provided with a hook capable of appearing and retracting in the paper conveyance path and a sensor for detecting the locking hole.

  In this technique, when the locking hole is detected by the sensor while the cleaning sheet is being conveyed by each conveyance roller, the hook jumps out into the conveyance path and enters the locking hole, and the cleaning sheet moves. It can be stopped. As a result, the conveyance roller is cleaned by sliding the conveyance roller with respect to the stopped cleaning sheet. Note that since the photosensitive drum carrying the toner image also has a function of conveying paper, it is possible to clean the photosensitive drum with the above-described cleaning sheet.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-92934

  However, the above-described technique has a problem in that the apparatus becomes complicated because it is necessary to provide a sensor for detecting the locking hole and a hook that can be moved in and out. On the other hand, when the sensor or the like is not provided, the apparatus becomes simple, but it is necessary to put a hand inside the opening of the apparatus main body and to lock the locking hole of the cleaning sheet to a part of the apparatus main body. Therefore, there is a problem that the mounting work becomes complicated.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to achieve both simplification of the apparatus and simplification of the mounting operation of the cleaning member.

An image forming apparatus of the present invention that solves the above problems includes an apparatus main body, a process unit that is detachable from the apparatus main body, a photosensitive drum provided in the process unit, and a developer image on the photosensitive drum. And a cleaning member for cleaning the photosensitive drum. The cleaning member is provided on both ends of the cleaning unit and a sheet-like cleaning unit that contacts the photosensitive drum. And a pair of attachment portions attached to a pair of parts of the process unit, wherein the cleaning portion is sandwiched between the conveyance belt and the photosensitive drum.

  According to the present invention, since a pair of attachment portions of the cleaning member may be attached to the process unit removed from the apparatus main body, the conventional hooks and sensors are unnecessary, and the apparatus can be simplified. Also, since the cleaning member only needs to be attached to the process unit removed from the apparatus main body, the cleaning member can be easily attached compared to the method of putting the hand inside the opening of the apparatus main body and attaching the cleaning member to the apparatus main body. Become.

  According to the present invention, both simplification of the apparatus and simplification of the mounting operation of the cleaning member can be achieved.

It is explanatory drawing which simplifies and shows the color printer which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is the perspective view which looked at the drawer from the upper part. It is the perspective view which looked up at the drawer from the bottom. It is a perspective view which shows a cleaning member. It is a perspective view which shows the state which attached the cleaning member to the drawer. It is explanatory drawing (a) which shows the layer structure of a cleaning part, and the enlarged view (b) which shows a crease | fold. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the separation between a photosensitive drum and a developing roller. It is a flowchart which shows the control at the time of cleaning mode. It is a flowchart which shows printing control. It is explanatory drawing (a)-(c) which shows the modification of the layer structure of a cleaning part.

  Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. In the following description, first, an overall configuration of a color printer as an example of an image forming apparatus will be described, and then details of characteristic portions of the present invention will be described.

  In the following description, the direction will be described with reference to the user when using the color printer. That is, in FIG. 1, the left side toward the paper surface is “front side (front side)”, the right side toward the paper surface is “rear side (back side)”, the back side toward the paper surface is “left side”, and it faces the paper surface. Let the near side be the “right side”. In addition, the vertical direction toward the page is defined as the “vertical direction”.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the color printer 1 includes an image forming unit in which a paper feeding unit 20 that supplies paper P, an image forming unit 30 that forms an image on the fed paper P, and an image are formed. And a paper discharge section 90 for discharging the paper P.

  The paper feed unit 20 mainly includes a paper feed tray 21 that stores the paper P and a paper transport device 22 that transports the paper P from the paper feed tray 21 to the image forming unit 30.

  The image forming unit 30 mainly includes a scanner unit 40, a process unit 50, a transfer unit 70, and a fixing unit 80.

  The scanner unit 40 is provided in an upper part of the apparatus main body 10 and includes a laser light emitting unit, a polygon mirror, a lens, a reflecting mirror, and the like not shown. In the scanner unit 40, the laser beam is irradiated on the surface of each photosensitive drum 51 of the process unit 50 by high-speed scanning through a path indicated by a two-dot chain line in the drawing.

  The process unit 50 can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body 10 through an opening 10 </ b> A formed by opening the front cover 11 disposed on the front surface of the apparatus main body 10. The process unit 50 includes a drawer 60 as an example of a first frame, four photosensitive drums 51 that are rotatably supported by the drawer 60, and a second unit that is detachably attached to the drawer 60 so as to correspond to each photosensitive drum 51. Four developing cartridges 52 as an example of two frames are mainly provided.

  The respective photosensitive drums 51 are arranged along the front-rear direction (predetermined direction) in a state where the process unit 50 is mounted on the apparatus main body 10. The drawer 60 is appropriately provided with a known charger (not shown), and the developing cartridge 52 is rotatably provided with a developing roller 53 for supplying toner (developer) to the photosensitive drum 51 and contains a known toner. A chamber, a supply roller and the like are provided. Details of the structure of the drawer 60 will be described later.

  The transfer unit 70 is provided between the paper feeding unit 20 and the process unit 50, and includes a known drive roller 71, driven roller 72, transport belt 73, and transfer roller 74.

  The driving roller 71 and the driven roller 72 are arranged in parallel in a spaced manner in the front-rear direction, and a conveyance belt 73 formed of an endless belt is stretched between them. The outer surface of the conveyance belt 73 is in contact with each photosensitive drum 51. In addition, four transfer rollers 74 that sandwich the conveyor belt 73 between the photosensitive drums 51 are arranged inside the conveyor belt 73 so as to face the photosensitive drums 51. A transfer bias is applied to the transfer roller 74 by constant current control during transfer.

  The fixing unit 80 is disposed on the back side of the process unit 50 and the transfer unit 70, and includes a heating roller 81 and a pressure roller 82 that is disposed to face the heating roller 81 and presses the heating roller 81.

  In the image forming unit 30 configured as described above, first, the surface of each photosensitive drum 51 is uniformly charged by a charger and then exposed by the scanner unit 40. As a result, the potential of the exposed portion is lowered, and an electrostatic latent image based on the image data is formed on each photosensitive drum 51. Thereafter, the toner (developer) in the developing cartridge 52 is supplied to the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 51 by the developing roller 53 rotatably supported by the developing cartridge 52, so A toner image is carried.

  Next, the paper P supplied onto the conveyance belt 73 passes between each photosensitive drum 51 and each transfer roller 74, so that the toner image formed on each photosensitive drum 51 is transferred onto the paper P. The Then, as the paper P passes between the heating roller 81 and the pressure roller 82, the toner image transferred onto the paper P is thermally fixed.

  The paper discharge unit 90 mainly includes a plurality of transport rollers 91 that transport the paper P. The sheet P on which the toner image has been transferred and heat-fixed is transported by the transport roller 91 and discharged outside the apparatus main body 10.

<Drawer structure>
Next, the cleaning member 100 (see FIG. 4) for cleaning each photosensitive drum 51 in the color printer 1 described above will be described. First, the drawer 60 to which the cleaning member 100 is attached will be described in detail.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the drawer 60 is formed in a box shape that opens upward, and at the bottom thereof, the four photosensitive drums 51 are arranged to be exposed downward (outside). Further, in the drawer 60, three partition walls 61 arranged at intervals in the front-rear direction are provided, and thereby, four mounting spaces for mounting the four developing cartridges 52 in the drawer 60 are provided. 60A is formed.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the front wall 62 of the drawer 60 is provided with a concave front handle portion 62 </ b> A that is a portion on which a user's finger is put. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a U-shaped rear handle 63A, which is a portion on which the user's finger is applied, is provided at the upper end of the rear wall 63 of the drawer 60 so as to protrude upward.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the front handle 62A is formed in a concave shape that opens downward, and a user's finger can be inserted into the inside thereof from below. Also, as shown in FIG. 2, the rear handle 63A is formed in a U-shape that opens downward, and a user can enter a hole 63B formed by the rear handle 63A and the upper end of the rear wall 63. Can be inserted from the front and back.

  Further, a mounted portion 64 to which a mounting portion 120 (to be described in detail, an engaging portion 123) to be described later of the cleaning member 100 is mounted is formed on the inner lower portion of the front wall 62 of the drawer 60. The attached portion 64 includes a hook-shaped portion 64A and a pair of concave portions 64B and 64C disposed adjacent to the left and right of the hook-shaped portion 64A.

  The hook-shaped portion 64A is formed such that the tip is bent in a hook shape (see FIG. 3), and the pair of concave portions 64B and 64C are formed with different widths. Therefore, the attached portion 64 is formed in an asymmetric shape on the left and right (as viewed from the direction in which the engaging portion 123 of the cleaning member 100 is attached), so that the lower end portion 123A of the asymmetrically engaging portion 123 described later is erroneous. Thus, the attachment to the attached portion 64 is prevented. That is, it is possible to prevent the cleaning member 100 from being attached to the drawer 60 by turning it upside down.

<Structure of cleaning member>
Next, the structure of the cleaning member 100 will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4, the cleaning member 100 includes a sheet-like cleaning unit 110 that is formed in a size that can contact the four photosensitive drums 51, and a pair of attachments provided on both ends in the front-rear direction of the cleaning unit 110. Parts 120 and 130. As shown in FIG. 5, the cleaning member 100 has a pair of mounting portions 120 and 130 that are connected to the drawer 60 in a state where the cleaning unit 110 is in contact with the exposed portions (see FIG. 3) of the four photosensitive drums 51. Are attached so as to wrap around from the outside to the front and rear end side parts (attached part 64 and rear handle part 63A).

  As shown in FIG. 6A, the cleaning unit 110 includes a sheet-like base layer 111 connected to the pair of attachment parts 120 and 130, a plurality of intermediate layers 112 fixed to the base layer 111, and the intermediate layers 112. And a plurality of polishing layers 113 having an abrasive material.

  The base layer 111 is a portion that is in sliding contact with the conveyance belt 73 during cleaning, and is formed of a material that is less charged than the intermediate layer 112 such as paper (a material different from the intermediate layer 112). In addition, the base layer 111 is formed of a material that is difficult to be charged in this way, so that the base layer 111 is prevented from being charged and stuck to the transport belt 73 due to sliding contact with the transport belt 73.

  The intermediate layer 112 is formed of a material that facilitates the formation of the polishing layer 113 such as a resin, and a plurality of intermediate layers 112 are arranged at predetermined intervals in front and rear so as to correspond to the respective photosensitive drums 51. Specifically, in a state where the cleaning member 100 is attached to the drawer 60, the center position CP in the front-rear direction of the intermediate layer 112 receives a force from the rotating photosensitive drum 51 from the rotation axis 51A of the corresponding photosensitive drum 51. They are arranged in a direction opposite to the (rear) direction (front).

  The polishing layer 113 is formed on the entire surface of the intermediate layer 112. Accordingly, the center position CP of the polishing layer 113 is also shifted from the rotation axis 51 </ b> A of the photosensitive drum 51 like the intermediate layer 112. Since the center position CP of the polishing layer 113 is offset forward from the rotation axis 51A in this way, polishing is performed by receiving a force from the photosensitive drum 51 during cleaning (when the photosensitive drum 51 rotates). It is possible to suppress the layer 113 from coming back from the photosensitive drum 51.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6B, the cleaning unit 110 can be bent in a convex shape toward the upper side (the photosensitive drum 51 side) at a substantially central portion 111A (a portion not facing the photosensitive drum 51) of the base layer 111. There is a fold line 111B for making the Thereby, when the cleaning member 100 is not used, the cleaning member 100 can be folded and stored compactly with reference to the fold 111B.

  Further, since the fold 111B is formed at a position not facing the photosensitive drum 51, it is possible to prevent the photosensitive drum 51 from being damaged by the fold 111B. Furthermore, since the fold line 111B faces upward, it is possible to prevent the conveyor belt 73 from being damaged by the fold line 111B.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the pair of attachment portions 120 and 130 are formed in different shapes. As a result, it is possible to prevent the pair of attachment portions 120 and 130 from being attached to the drawer 60 by being reversed in the front-rear direction.

  Specifically, of the pair of attachment portions 120, 130, the front attachment portion 120 extends substantially rearward from the front extension portion 121 extending so as to cover the front wall 62 of the drawer 60 and the upper end of the front extension portion 121. A mounting restricting portion 122 and an engaging portion 123 formed by cutting and bending a substantially central portion of the mounting restricting portion 122 are provided.

  The front extended portion 121 has a lower end fixed to the base layer 111, and a front handle portion 62A (specifically, an opening of the front handle portion 62A) of the drawer 60 shown in FIG. For this purpose, an opening 121A is formed. As a result, even when the cleaning member 100 is attached to the drawer 60, the user can grip the front handle portion 62A of the drawer 60, so that the operability can be improved.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the mounting restricting portion 122 is formed by being bent from the front extending portion 121 so as to protrude into the mounting space 60 </ b> A of the developing cartridge 52 in a state where the cleaning member 100 is attached to the drawer 60. ing. Thus, when the cleaning member 100 is attached to the drawer 60, the predetermined developing cartridge 52 cannot be attached to the drawer 60.

  Here, as the predetermined developing cartridge 52, it is desirable to employ a cartridge in which toner for monochrome printing (for example, black toner) is accommodated. This is because, in general, the color printer 1 prohibits printing control unless toner is contained in the developing cartridge 52 for monochrome printing. That is, as will be described in detail later, when the cleaning member 100 is attached to the drawer 60, the developing cartridge 52 for monochrome printing is not attached to the drawer 60, so that the cleaning member 100 is erroneously printed. It is possible to prevent this from happening.

  The engaging part 123 is bent substantially downward from the front edge of the hole 122A formed in the mounting restricting part 122, and the lower end part 123A (front end part) is engaged with the hook-like part 64A of the drawer 60. An engaging hole 123B is formed. And this engagement hole 123B is formed so that it may be biased to the right side with respect to the lower end part 123A.

  Thereby, the width | variety of the site | part of the engagement hole 123B right and left both sides is the width | variety which can enter into a pair of recessed part 64B, 64C (refer FIG. 2) mentioned above among lower end parts 123A. That is, the shape of the lower end portion 123A of the engaging portion 123 is asymmetrical on the left and right (as viewed from the direction in which the engaging portion 123 is attached to the hook-like portion 64A), similarly to the above-described attached portion 64 (see FIG. 2). Is formed.

  The rear attachment portion 130 includes a rear extension 131 that extends to cover the rear wall 63 of the drawer 60 and an upper wall 132 that extends forward from the upper end of the rear extension 131.

  The rear extension 131 is formed in a substantially C shape in a side view, and its lower end is fixed to the base layer 111 (see FIG. 4). A substantially rectangular engagement hole 132A that engages with the rear handle portion 63A of the drawer 60 from the front side from the substantially vertical center portion of the rear side extending portion 131 to the substantially central portion of the upper wall portion 132 in the front-rear direction. Is formed.

  The engagement hole 132A is configured such that the front edge thereof is hooked on the rear handle portion 63A, and in this state, the hole 63B formed by the rear handle portion 63A and the upper end of the rear wall 63 is formed. Is formed larger than the hole 63B. Thereby, even when the cleaning member 100 is attached to the drawer 60, the user can put the hand into the hole 63B of the rear handle portion 63A from the rear side and hold it, so that the operability can be improved. It has become.

  Further, one attachment auxiliary portion 132B cut downward and bent is formed on each of the left and right sides of the engagement hole 132A in the upper wall portion 132. Each attachment assisting part 132B is formed to extend obliquely rearward and downward from the upper wall part 132, and engages with the rear wall 63 of the drawer 60 from the front side. As a result, the upper wall portion 132 is not only hooked on the rear handle portion 63A by the engagement hole 132A, but is also hooked on the upper end of the rear wall 63 by the pair of mounting auxiliary portions 132B. It can be attached to the drawer 60.

<Detailed configuration of color printer>
Next, the structure of the color printer 1 related to the cleaning by the cleaning member 100 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the apparatus main body 10 of the color printer 1 is provided with a control unit 200 and an optical sensor 300 as an example of a detection member. Specifically, the optical sensor 300 transmits light to the toner storage chamber through one transmission window provided in the developing cartridge 52, and receives light emitted from the other transmission window, thereby controlling the amount of toner in the toner storage chamber. Detected.

  Further, the color printer 1 is provided with a contact / separation mechanism 210 that separates the developing roller 53 from the photosensitive drum 51 as shown in FIG.

  In this embodiment, the developing cartridge 52 (52K, 52Y, 52M, 52C) containing toners for black, yellow, magenta, and cyan is upstream of the conveyance direction of the paper P (see FIG. 1). It is assumed that they are arranged in this order. In the following description and FIG. 7, when specifying the photosensitive drum 51, the developing cartridge 52, the developing roller 53, etc. corresponding to the color of the toner, it is associated with each of black, yellow, magenta, and cyan, The symbols K, Y, M, and C are attached.

  The control unit 200 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and receives a print command (print data), a paper feed unit 20, an image forming unit 30, a paper discharge unit 90, and a contact / separation mechanism 210 according to a program prepared in advance. It is comprised so that control may be performed.

  Then, when executing the color mode, the control unit 200 makes a contact / separation mechanism so that all the developing rollers 53K, 53Y, 53M, and 53C come into contact with the corresponding photosensitive drums 51K, 51Y, 51M, and 51C, respectively. 210 is controlled. Further, when the control unit 200 executes the monochrome mode, only the black developing roller 53K contacts the photosensitive drum 51K, and the other three-color developing rollers 53Y, which are located downstream of the developing roller 53K, The contact / separation mechanism 210 is controlled so that 53M and 53C (development rollers for other color printing) are separated from the corresponding photosensitive drums 51Y, 51M, and 51C.

  In this embodiment, the control unit 200 controls the contact / separation mechanism 210 in the same manner as the monochrome mode when the cleaning member 100 cleans the photosensitive drum 51 (hereinafter also referred to as “cleaning mode”). Thus, the developing rollers 53Y, 53M, and 53C are separated from the three-color photosensitive drums 51Y, 51M, and 51C. Here, since the black developing roller 53K is removed from the drawer 60 in the cleaning mode as described above, it does not need to be particularly separated.

  Specifically, the control unit 200 executes the cleaning mode according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the control unit 200 first determines whether or not there is a command to start the cleaning mode (S1). Here, the “determination as to whether or not a cleaning mode command has been issued” may be determined based on, for example, whether or not a user has pressed a switch for starting a cleaning mode provided in the apparatus body 10, or a personal computer It may be determined whether or not a signal for starting the cleaning mode output from is received.

  If there is a cleaning mode command in step S1 (Yes), the control unit 200 separates the developing roller 53 as described above (S2) and drives the photosensitive drum 51 for a predetermined time (S3). Thereby, the rotating photosensitive drum 51 is brought into sliding contact with each polishing layer 113 (see FIG. 6) of the cleaning member 100, and the surface of the photosensitive drum 51 is cleaned.

  Further, the control unit 200 executes print control according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the control unit 200 first determines whether or not there is a print command (S11). Here, the “print command” may be a command from a switch provided in the apparatus main body 10 or a command output from a personal computer or the like.

  If there is a print command in step S11 (Yes), the control unit 200 determines whether the toner in the black developing cartridge 52K is equal to or greater than a predetermined value based on the signal from the black optical sensor 300. Is determined (S12). When there is toner (S12; Yes), the control unit 200 executes print control (S13). When there is no toner (S12; No), the control unit 200 prohibits print control and ends this control. .

  By configuring the printing control in such a flow, when the drawer 60 with the cleaning member 100 attached is mounted on the apparatus main body 10, it is prohibited to enter the printing control by mistake. Yes. That is, as described above, in the present embodiment, when the cleaning member 100 is attached to the drawer 60, the black developing cartridge 52K cannot be attached to the drawer 60, and therefore, No is determined in step S12. Print control is prohibited.

  That is, when the drawer 60 to which the cleaning member 100 is attached is mounted on the apparatus main body 10, the drawer 60 does not have the black developing cartridge 52 </ b> K, so that the light is not blocked by the toner in the black photosensor 300. The light is received as it is. This is the same situation as when the toner in the black developing cartridge 52K is empty, so that it is reliably determined No in step S12, and it can be reliably prevented from entering the print control.

  Here, in the present embodiment, “information that the amount of received light is equal to or greater than a predetermined value” detected by the optical sensor 300 is “toner is empty”, “the developing cartridge 52 is removed from the drawer 60”, and It indicates that “the drawer 60 (process unit 50) to which the cleaning member 100 is attached is attached to the apparatus main body 10”.

  That is, the optical sensor 300 for detecting the toner amount can detect “whether or not the developing cartridge 52 is removed from the drawer 60” and “the drawer 60 (process) to which the cleaning member 100 is attached (process). It is also possible to detect whether or not the unit 50) is attached to the apparatus main body 10. Then, the control unit 200 displays “information indicating that the developing cartridge 52 has been removed from the drawer 60” or “information indicating that the process unit 50 to which the cleaning member 100 is attached has been attached to the apparatus main body 10”. When received from the optical sensor 300, the printing control is prohibited.

<Cleaning method>
Finally, a method for cleaning the photosensitive drum 51 using the cleaning member 100 will be described.

  First, the user attaches the pair of attachment portions 120 and 130 of the cleaning member 100 shown in FIG. 4 to the attachment portion 64 and the rear handle portion 63A (see FIG. 5) of the drawer 60 removed from the apparatus main body 10. It attaches to a pair of site | part (1st step). Next, the user attaches the drawer 60 to which the cleaning member 100 is attached to the apparatus main body 10 (second step).

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 6A, the cleaning unit 110 (the polishing layer 113) of the cleaning member 100 is surely affected by the nip pressure from the transfer roller 74 urged toward the photosensitive drum 51. 51 is contacted.

  Thereafter, the user starts a cleaning mode by, for example, pressing a switch provided in the apparatus main body 10. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 8, after the developing roller 53 is separated, the photosensitive drum 51 is rotationally driven for a predetermined time (third step). As described above, the photosensitive drum 51 is slidably contacted with the cleaning member 100 to be satisfactorily cleaned.

According to the above, the following effects can be obtained in the present embodiment.
Since the pair of attachment portions 120 and 130 of the cleaning member 100 may be attached to the drawer 60 removed from the apparatus main body 10, conventional hooks and sensors are unnecessary, and the apparatus can be simplified. Further, since the cleaning member 100 may be attached to the drawer 60 removed from the apparatus main body 10, the cleaning member is attached more easily than the method of putting the hand inside the opening of the apparatus main body and attaching the cleaning member to the apparatus main body. It becomes easy.

  Since the cleaning unit 110 is configured to contact the plurality of photosensitive drums 51, the plurality of photosensitive drums 51 can be cleaned together.

  Since the pair of attachment portions 120 and 130 are attached to the drawer 60 from the outside in a state where the cleaning portion 110 is in contact with the exposed portions of the plurality of photosensitive drums 51, a transfer roller is attached to the process unit as in this embodiment. Even if there is no structure (that is, a structure in which the cleaning member cannot be sandwiched between the transfer roller and the photosensitive drum), the cleaning member 100 can be reliably attached to the drawer 60 by the pair of attachment portions 120 and 130.

  Since the base layer 111 and the intermediate layer 112 of the cleaning unit 110 are formed of different materials, for example, as in the present embodiment, the base layer 111 is formed of a material that is difficult to be charged, such as paper, and the intermediate layer 112 is polished with a resin or the like. The layer 113 can be formed using a material that facilitates formation. Further, for example, one of the base layer and the intermediate layer can be formed of a material that is less expensive than the other.

  Since a plurality of polishing layers 113 are provided corresponding to the plurality of photosensitive drums 51 and are arranged at intervals, for example, as shown in FIG. 10A, the polishing layer 113 (and the intermediate layer 112) are provided. Compared with the case where the base layer 111 is formed over substantially the whole, the material cost can be reduced.

  Since the central position CP of the polishing layer 113 is arranged in a direction opposite to the direction of receiving the force from the rotating photosensitive drum 51 with respect to the rotation axis 51A of the photosensitive drum 51, the force from the photosensitive drum 51 is applied during cleaning. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress the polishing layer 113 from being detached from the photosensitive drum 51.

  Since the fold line 111B that protrudes toward the photosensitive drum 51 is attached to a portion of the cleaning unit 110 that does not face the photosensitive drum 51, the cleaning member 100 can be folded in a compact manner with reference to the fold line 111B. 51 and the conveyance belt 73 can be prevented from being damaged by the fold 111B.

  Since the mounting restricting portion 122 extending so as to protrude into the mounting space 60A of the developing cartridge 52 is provided in the mounting portion 120, when the cleaning member 100 is mounted on the drawer 60, the predetermined developing cartridge 52 is mounted on the drawer 60. Can be prohibited. Thereby, when the drawer 60 with the cleaning member 100 is attached to the apparatus main body 10, it is possible to reliably prevent the printing control from being erroneously performed.

  Since the opening portion 121A for exposing the front handle portion 62A of the drawer 60 to the outside is formed in the attachment portion 120, the front handle portion 62A is not hidden by the cleaning member 100, and the drawer 60 with the cleaning member 100 is operated. Can be improved.

  When cleaning the photosensitive drum 51 with the cleaning member 100, the contact / separation mechanism 210 is controlled to separate the developing roller 53 from the photosensitive drum 51, so that the toner slides between the photosensitive drum 51 and the developing roller 53. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the toner.

  Since the control unit 200 prohibits the printing control when the drawer 60 to which the cleaning member 100 is attached is mounted on the apparatus main body 10, the cleaning member 100 is soiled by erroneous printing on the cleaning member 100. Can be prevented.

  Since the pair of mounting portions 120 and 130 of the cleaning member 100 are formed in different shapes, and the mounted portion 64 of the one mounting portion 120 is formed in an asymmetric shape, the cleaning member 100 is front and rear with respect to the drawer 60. It is possible to prevent the attachment from being reversed or upside down.

  Since the pair of attachment portions 120 and 130 are attached to the front and rear ends of the drawer 60 in the conveyance direction (transfer medium movement direction) of the paper P, the cleaning member 100 is conveyed in the conveyance direction by friction with the photosensitive drum 51 and the conveyance belt 73. Even if pulled, the attachment portions 120 and 130 can be securely held by the drawer 60.

In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, It can utilize with various forms so that it may illustrate below.
In the embodiment, a plurality of the intermediate layer 112 and the polishing layer 113 are provided, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. A plurality of polishing layers 113 may be provided as a layer.

  In the above embodiment, the intermediate layer 112 is provided. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 10C, the polishing layer 113 is formed directly on the base layer 111 without providing the intermediate layer 112. May be.

  In the above-described embodiment, the optical sensor 300 for detecting the remaining amount of toner is used as a detection member for detecting whether or not the process unit 50 to which the cleaning member 100 is attached is attached to the apparatus main body 10. For example, a dedicated optical sensor or pressure sensor that directly detects the presence of the cleaning member may be employed. Further, as a detection member that detects whether or not the developing cartridge 52 is removed from the drawer 60, for example, a dedicated optical sensor or pressure sensor that directly detects the presence of the developing cartridge may be employed.

  The attachment portion of the cleaning member may be formed of any material. However, considering the cost, the attachment portion of the anti-stick sheet that is initially set on the drawer when the color printer is sold is reused. It is desirable to use it. Here, the sticking prevention sheet is a sheet that is disposed between the photosensitive drum and the conveyance belt and prevents the photosensitive drum and the conveyance belt from sticking to each other.

  Usually, this sticking prevention sheet is collected by the manufacturer after the color printer is provided to the user, so the handle part of the sticking prevention sheet thus collected is used as the handle part of the cleaning member. By reusing it, the cost can be greatly reduced.

  In addition to the configuration of the above embodiment, a cleaning roller that contacts the photosensitive drum and attracts toner on the photosensitive drum may be provided. In this case, since the toner on the photosensitive drum can be collected by the cleaning roller during the cleaning of the photosensitive drum by the cleaning member, the cleaning member can be further suppressed from being contaminated with the toner.

  In this case, for example, each component is set so as to satisfy the conditions that the belt drive is ON, the charger is ON, the transfer roller transfer bias is OFF, the bias opposite to the toner is applied to the drum cleaner, and the fixing device is OFF May be controlled by the control unit.

  In the above embodiment, the cleaning member 100 is attached to the process unit 50 of the color printer 1. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the cleaning member is attached to the process unit that is attached to and detached from the apparatus body of the monochrome printer. It ’s okay.

  In the above embodiment, the present invention is applied to the color printer 1. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention may be applied to other image forming apparatuses such as a copying machine and a multifunction machine.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Color printer 10 Apparatus main body 50 Process unit 51 Photosensitive drum 52 Developing cartridge 60 Drawer 63A Rear side handle part 64 Mounted part 100 Cleaning member 110 Cleaning part 120,130 Mounting part 200 Control unit 210 Contact / separation mechanism 300 Optical sensor

Claims (16)

The device body;
A process unit detachable from the apparatus body;
A photosensitive drum provided in the process unit;
A conveyor belt for transferring the developer image on the photosensitive drum to a recording medium ;
A cleaning member for cleaning the photosensitive drum,
The cleaning member is
A sheet-like cleaning unit that contacts the photosensitive drum;
A pair of attachment portions provided on both ends of the cleaning portion and attached to a pair of parts of the process unit;
The image forming apparatus, wherein the cleaning unit is sandwiched between the conveyance belt and the photosensitive drum. The process unit may have a plurality of photosensitive drums arranged along a predetermined direction,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning unit is characterized in that it is configured to contact the plurality of photosensitive drums. The plurality of photosensitive drums are exposed to the outside of the process unit ,
In a state where the cleaning unit is brought into contact with the portion exposed to the outside of the plurality of photosensitive drums, the image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the pair of mounting portions is characterized in that it is mounted from the outside to the process unit. The cleaning unit
And the base layer is coupled to the pair of mounting portions,
Wherein provided on the base layer, the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it has a polishing layer, a having an abrasive. The cleaning unit
And the base layer is coupled to the pair of mounting portions,
An intermediate layer is affixed to the base layer,
Provided on a surface of the intermediate layer, having a polishing layer having a polishing material,
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said base layer and said intermediate layer are formed of different materials. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein a plurality of the polishing layers are provided corresponding to the plurality of photosensitive drums, and are arranged at intervals. In the state of attaching the said cleaning member in said process unit,
The abrasive layer, than the rotational axis of the center position the photosensitive drum, according to claim 6, the direction receiving the force from the photosensitive drum to rotate, characterized in that it is arranged biased in opposite directions Image forming apparatus . Wherein the sites that are not the photosensitive drum and opposite the cleaning section, of the claims 1 to 7, it is characterized in that with a crease for enabling bending the cleaning portion in a convex shape toward the photosensitive drum The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 . Said process unit, possess a first frame for supporting the photosensitive drum, and a second frame which is detachably attached to the first frame to support the developing roller,
At least one mounting portion, according to claim 1 to claim 8, characterized in that the mounting regulating portion extending as pushed out to the mounting space of the first frame and the second frame is mounted is provided The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 . The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one attachment portion has an opening for exposing a handle portion of the process unit to the outside. . A developing roller for supplying a developer to the photosensitive drum,
A moving mechanism for separating the developing roller from the photosensitive drum,
And a control unit for controlling the moving mechanism,
The control unit is
When cleaning the photosensitive drum by said cleaning member, wherein the separation mechanism is controlled to after separating the developing roller from the photosensitive drum, according to claim 1 claims, characterized in that rotating the photosensitive drum Item 11. The image forming apparatus according to any one of Items 10 to 10 . Wherein the apparatus main body, the cleaning member wherein the process unit is mounted can detect whether mounted in the apparatus main body sensing member is provided,
The control unit is
When receiving the information indicating that the process unit of the cleaning member is attached it is attached to the apparatus main body from said sensing member, an image according to claim 11, characterized in that prohibiting printing control Forming equipment. The pair of attachment portions of the cleaning member are formed in different shapes,
further,
At least one of the attachment portion of the one pair are formed asymmetrically as viewed from the direction of mounting the mounting portion,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the process unit is provided with an asymmetrically attached portion to which the asymmetrically attached portion is attached. A developing roller for supplying a developer to the photosensitive drum,
And a control unit for controlling the rotation of the photosensitive drum,
The apparatus main body is provided with a detection member capable of detecting whether the second frame is removed from the first frame,
The control unit is
Wherein when the second frame from the first frame receives information indicating that it is detached from the sensing member, an image forming apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that prohibiting printing control. A cleaning member for cleaning a photosensitive drum provided in a process unit that can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body,
A sheet-like cleaning unit that contacts the photosensitive drum;
A pair of attachment portions provided on both ends of the cleaning portion and attached to a pair of parts of the process unit ;
A cleaning member, wherein a portion of the cleaning unit that does not face the photosensitive drum is provided with a fold for projecting the cleaning unit in a convex shape toward the photosensitive drum . A first frame that supports the photosensitive drum, and a second frame that supports the developing roller and is detachably provided on the first frame, and cleans the photosensitive drum provided on the process unit that is detachable from the apparatus main body. A cleaning member for
A sheet-like cleaning unit that contacts the photosensitive drum;
A pair of attachment portions provided on both ends of the cleaning portion and attached to a pair of parts of the process unit ;
A cleaning member, wherein at least one mounting portion is provided with a mounting restricting portion extending so as to protrude into a mounting space of the first frame on which the second frame is mounted .

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