JP5734212B2 - Cleaning device and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a cleaning device and an image forming apparatus including the same.

As a cleaning device for an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a cleaning blade (scraping) that scrapes off the toner adhering to the surface of the photosensitive drum is arranged with the tip portion in contact with or close to the surface of the photosensitive drum (image carrier). A cleaning device including a dropping member is disclosed (for example, see Patent Documents 1 and 2).
In a cleaning device including a cleaning blade, toner as a lubricant is required between the tip of the cleaning blade and the surface of the photosensitive drum. This is because if the toner as the lubricant is not supplied to the tip of the cleaning blade, the load on the tip of the cleaning blade increases, which may lead to breakage of the tip of the cleaning blade.

JP 2007-108269 A JP 2011-150095 A

  In the cleaning devices described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the cleaning blade only scrapes off toner from the surface of the photosensitive drum, and a lubricant is provided between the tip of the cleaning blade and the surface of the photosensitive drum. The toner may not be supplied. Therefore, when there is little toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum due to a low printing rate or the like, the amount of toner as a lubricant decreases, and the load on the tip of the cleaning blade increases, leading to the tip of the cleaning blade. The part may be damaged.

  Even if the toner is supplied to the tip of the cleaning blade, if the toner stays in the vicinity of the tip of the cleaning blade for a long time, the toner is caused by friction with the cleaning blade or the photosensitive drum. External additives such as silica and titanium oxide may be detached. The external additive detached from the toner slips between the tip of the cleaning blade and the surface of the photosensitive drum because the particle size of the external additive is very small. The external additive that has passed between the tip of the cleaning blade and the surface of the photosensitive drum has a charging roller that contacts the surface of the photosensitive drum downstream of the cleaning blade in the rotational direction of the photosensitive drum. In the case of being arranged, there is a possibility that the surface of the photosensitive drum adheres to the surface of the charging roller (contamination of the surface of the charging roller). As a result, charging failure of the charging roller may occur, resulting in image formation failure.

  In addition, the toner staying at the tip of the cleaning blade for a long time may cause a charge-up phenomenon, which is a phenomenon in which the toner is excessively charged when the toner is rubbed for a long time between the cleaning blade and the photosensitive drum. There is. When a charge-up phenomenon occurs, a discharge (leak phenomenon) tends to occur on the surface of the photosensitive drum. If a discharge exceeding the pressure resistance of the photosensitive drum occurs, the surface of the photosensitive drum is damaged. May occur.

The present invention includes a scraping member whose tip is disposed in contact with or close to the surface of the image carrier, and can reduce damage to the scraping member, and toner can be applied to the tip of the scraping member. It aims at providing the cleaning apparatus which can reduce staying for a long time.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus including the cleaning device.

  The present invention is a cleaning device for cleaning the surface of an image carrier that is rotatable about a first rotation axis, and has a tip portion disposed in contact with or close to the surface of the image carrier, A scraping member for scraping off toner adhering to the surface of the image carrier, and one or a plurality of toner receiving portions for receiving toner scraped off from the surface of the image carrier by the scraping member; A receiving position where the free end has a position where the free end abuts or approaches a portion on the tip end side of the scraping member, and the free end is a portion on the tip end side of the scraping member One or a plurality of toner receiving portions that can move to a separation position that is a position away from the toner receiving portion, and an end side opposite to the free end portion of the toner receiving portion, and the toner receiving portion is provided on the receiving side. So that it is located at the stop position or the separation position. A support portion that supports the toner receiving portion so as to be rotatable or rotatable, and a biasing portion that biases the toner receiving portion with a predetermined biasing force so that the toner receiving portion is positioned at the receiving position, The toner receiving portion is configured to center on the support portion so as to move from the receiving position to the separated position when receiving a toner having a predetermined weight or more exceeding a predetermined urging force of the urging portion. The present invention relates to a rotating or rotating cleaning device.

  The present invention also relates to an image forming apparatus comprising one or more image carriers on which electrostatic latent images are formed on the surface, and the cleaning device.

According to the present invention, the scraping member is disposed such that the tip portion is in contact with or close to the surface of the image carrier, and damage to the scraping member can be reduced, and at the tip portion of the scraping member. It is possible to provide a cleaning device that can reduce the retention of toner for a long time.
In addition, according to the present invention, an image forming apparatus including the cleaning device can be provided.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an arrangement of each component of the printer 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view for explaining each component of the cleaning device 11 in the printer 1 of the first embodiment, and shows a case where a toner receiving unit 130 is located at a receiving position. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view for explaining each component of the cleaning device 11 in the printer 1 of the first embodiment, and is a diagram illustrating a case where a toner receiving unit 130 is located at a separation position. It is sectional drawing for demonstrating each component of 11 A of cleaning apparatuses in the printer 1 of 2nd Embodiment. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view for explaining each component of the cleaning device 11B in the printer 1 of the third embodiment, and shows a case where a toner receiving portion 130a is located at a receiving position. It is a figure explaining the structure of the leaf | plate spring members 142a to 142d mainly in the printer 1 of 3rd Embodiment. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view for explaining each component of the cleaning device 11B in the printer 1 of the third embodiment, and showing a case where a toner receiving portion 130a is located at a separation position.

Hereinafter, embodiments of an image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the arrangement of each component of the printer 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
In the following description, when viewed from the user standing on the front side of the printer 1, the left-right direction is the X direction of the arrow X, the front-rear (depth) direction is the Y-direction of the arrow Y (see FIG. 2), and the up-down direction (vertical direction) ) Is the Z direction of arrow Z.

As shown in FIG. 1, a printer 1 as an image forming apparatus includes an apparatus main body M, an image forming unit GK that forms a predetermined toner image on a sheet-like paper T based on predetermined image information, and a paper T. A paper supply / discharge unit KH that supplies paper to the image forming unit GK and discharges the paper T on which the toner image is formed.
The outer shape of the apparatus main body M is configured by a case body BD as a casing.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming unit GK includes photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d as image carriers, charging units 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d, a laser scanner unit 4a as an exposure unit, 4b, 4c, 4d, developing devices 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, toner cartridges 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, toner supply units 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, and cleaning devices 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d. The static eliminators 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, the intermediate transfer belt 7, the primary transfer rollers 37a, 37b, 37c, 37d, the secondary transfer roller 8, the opposing roller 18, and the fixing unit 9. Prepare.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the paper feed / discharge unit KH includes a paper feed cassette 52, a manual paper feed unit 64, a paper T conveyance path L, a registration roller pair 80, a plurality of rollers or roller pairs, and a paper discharge unit. A paper unit 50. As will be described later, the transport path L is an aggregate of a first transport path L1, a second transport path L2, a third transport path L3, a manual transport path La, and a return transport path Lb.

Hereinafter, each configuration of the image forming unit GK and the paper supply / discharge unit KH will be described in detail.
First, the image forming unit GK will be described.
In the image forming unit GK, the charging by the charging units 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d, the laser scanner unit 4a, the charging unit 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d in order from the upstream side to the downstream side along the surface of each of the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d. Exposure by 4b, 4c, 4d, development by developing devices 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, primary transfer by intermediate transfer belt 7 and primary transfer rollers 37a, 37b, 37c, 37d, static eliminators 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d Is eliminated, and cleaning is performed by the cleaning devices 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d.
In the image forming unit GK, the secondary transfer by the intermediate transfer belt 7, the secondary transfer roller 8 and the opposing roller 18 and the fixing by the fixing unit 9 are performed.

  Each of the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d is formed of a cylindrical member and functions as a photosensitive member or an image carrier. Each of the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d is disposed so as to be rotatable in the direction of the arrow about a first rotation axis J1 (see FIG. 2) extending in a direction orthogonal to the traveling direction of the intermediate transfer belt 7. The An electrostatic latent image can be formed on the surface of each of the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d.

  Each of the charging units 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d is disposed to face the surface of each of the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d. Each of the charging units 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d uniformly charges the surface of each of the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d negatively (minus polarity) or positively (plus polarity).

  The laser scanner units 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d function as exposure units, and are spaced apart from the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d. Each of the laser scanner units 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d includes a laser light source (not shown), a polygon mirror, a polygon mirror driving motor, and the like.

  Each of the laser scanner units 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d scans and exposes the surface of each of the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d based on image information input from an external device such as a PC (personal computer). The scanning exposure is performed by each of the laser scanner units 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d, thereby removing the charges on the exposed portions of the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d. Thereby, electrostatic latent images are formed on the respective surfaces of the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d.

  The developing devices 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d are provided corresponding to the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d, respectively, and are disposed to face the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d. Each of the developing devices 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d attaches the toner of each color to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of each of the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d, and converts the color toner image into the photosensitive drum. 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d are formed on the respective surfaces. Each of the developing devices 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d corresponds to four colors of yellow, cyan, magenta, and black. Each of the developing devices 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d includes a developing roller disposed opposite to the surface of the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d, a stirring roller for stirring the toner, and the like.

  Each of the toner cartridges 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d is provided corresponding to each of the developing devices 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d, and each color toner supplied to each of the developing devices 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d. To accommodate. Each of the toner cartridges 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d accommodates yellow toner, cyan toner, magenta toner, and black toner.

  The toner supply units 6a, 6b, 6c, and 6d are provided corresponding to the toner cartridges 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d and the developing devices 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d, respectively. The toners of the respective colors accommodated in 5d are supplied to the developing devices 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d, respectively. Each of the toner supply units 6a, 6b, 6c, and 6d and each of the developing devices 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d are connected by a toner supply path (not shown).

  To the intermediate transfer belt 7, the toner images of the respective colors formed on the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d are sequentially primary-transferred. The intermediate transfer belt 7 is stretched over a driven roller 35, a counter roller 18 including a driving roller, a tension roller 36, and the like. Since the tension roller 36 biases the intermediate transfer belt 7 from the inside to the outside, a predetermined tension is applied to the intermediate transfer belt 7.

  Primary transfer rollers 37a, 37b, 37c, and 37d are arranged to face each other on the side opposite to the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d with the intermediate transfer belt 7 interposed therebetween.

  The predetermined portion of the intermediate transfer belt 7 is sandwiched between the primary transfer rollers 37a, 37b, 37c, and 37d and the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d, respectively. The predetermined portion thus sandwiched is pressed against the surface of each of the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d. Primary transfer nips N1a, N1b, N1c, and N1d are formed between the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d and the primary transfer rollers 37a, 37b, 37c, and 37d, respectively. In each of the primary transfer nips N1a, N1b, N1c, and N1d, the toner images of the respective colors developed on the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d are sequentially primary-transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 7, respectively. As a result, a full-color toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 7.

  To the primary transfer rollers 37a, 37b, 37c, and 37d, toner images of the respective colors formed on the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d are respectively transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 7 by a primary transfer bias applying unit (not shown). A primary transfer bias for transferring the toner image is applied.

  The static eliminators 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d are arranged to face the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d, respectively. The static eliminators 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d respectively irradiate the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d to irradiate light, and the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, and 2c after the primary transfer is performed. 2d, each surface is neutralized (charge is removed).

The cleaning devices 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d are disposed to face the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d, respectively. Each of the cleaning devices 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d removes toner and adhering matter remaining on the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d, and conveys the removed toner and the like to a predetermined recovery mechanism. And collect.
Details of the cleaning devices 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d will be described later.

  The secondary transfer roller 8 secondarily transfers the full-color toner image primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 7 onto the paper T. A secondary transfer bias for transferring a full color toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 7 to the paper T is applied to the secondary transfer roller 8 by a secondary transfer bias applying unit (not shown).

  The secondary transfer roller 8 contacts or separates from the intermediate transfer belt 7. Specifically, the secondary transfer roller 8 is configured to be movable between a contact position where the secondary transfer roller 8 is in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 7 and a separation position where the secondary transfer roller 8 is separated from the intermediate transfer belt 7. Specifically, the secondary transfer roller 8 is disposed at a contact position when the full-color toner image primarily transferred onto the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 7 is secondarily transferred to the paper T, and in other cases. It is arranged at a separated position.

  A counter roller 18 is disposed on the opposite side of the intermediate transfer belt 7 from the secondary transfer roller 8. A predetermined portion of the intermediate transfer belt 7 is sandwiched between the secondary transfer roller 8 and the counter roller 18. Then, the paper T is pressed against the outer surface of the intermediate transfer belt 7 (the surface on which the toner image is primarily transferred). A secondary transfer nip N <b> 2 is formed between the intermediate transfer belt 7 and the secondary transfer roller 8. In the secondary transfer nip N2, the full-color toner image primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 7 is secondarily transferred to the paper T.

  The fixing unit 9 melts and presses the toner of each color constituting the toner image secondarily transferred onto the paper T and fixes the toner on the paper T. The fixing unit 9 includes a heating rotator 9a heated by a heater and a pressure rotator 9b pressed against the heating rotator 9a. The heating rotator 9a and the pressure rotator 9b sandwich and pressurize the paper T onto which the toner image has been secondarily transferred, and convey the paper T. When the paper T is conveyed while being sandwiched between the heating rotator 9a and the pressure rotator 9b, the toner transferred to the paper T is fixed on the paper T by being melted and pressurized. Is done.

Next, the paper supply / discharge unit KH will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, a sheet feeding cassette 52 as a case body that accommodates the paper T is disposed below the apparatus main body M. The paper feed cassette 52 is configured to be pulled out from the housing of the apparatus main body M in the horizontal direction. In the paper feed cassette 52, a placement plate 60 on which the paper T is placed is disposed. In the paper feed cassette 52, the paper T is stored in a state of being stacked on the placement plate 60. The paper T placed on the placement plate 60 is transported by the cassette paper feed unit 51 as a feed unit disposed at the end of the paper feed cassette 52 on the paper feed side (the right end in FIG. 1). Sent to L. The cassette paper feeding unit 51 includes a forward feed roller 61 for taking out the paper T on the loading plate 60 and a paper feed roller pair 81 for feeding the paper T one by one to the transport path L. Is provided.

  A manual paper feed unit 64 is provided on the right side surface (right side in FIG. 1) of the apparatus main body M. The manual paper feed unit 64 is provided mainly for supplying the apparatus main body M with a paper T of a size and type different from the paper T set in the paper feed cassette 52. The manual paper feed unit 64 includes a manual feed tray 65 that forms part of the right side surface of the apparatus main body M in the closed state, and a paper feed roller 66. The manual feed tray 65 is attached at its lower end to the apparatus body M in the vicinity of the paper feed roller 66 so as to be rotatable (openable and closable). The paper T is placed on the open manual feed tray 65. The paper feed roller 66 feeds the paper T placed on the open manual feed tray 65 to the manual feed path La.

  The conveyance path L for conveying the paper T includes a first conveyance path L1 from the cassette paper feeding unit 51 to the secondary transfer nip N2, a second conveyance path L2 from the secondary transfer nip N2 to the fixing unit 9, and a fixing unit. 9 to the paper discharge unit 50, the manual conveyance path La for joining the paper supplied from the manual paper feed unit 64 to the first conveyance path L1, and the third conveyance path L3 from the downstream side to the upstream side. And a return conveyance path Lb for reversing the sheet conveyed to the side and returning it to the first conveyance path L1.

Moreover, the 1st junction part P1 and the 2nd junction part P2 are provided in the middle of the 1st conveyance path L1. A first branch portion Q1 is provided in the middle of the third transport path L3.
The first joining part P1 is a joining part where the manual feed path La joins the first transport path L1. The second junction P2 is a junction where the return conveyance path Lb merges with the first conveyance path L1.
The first branch portion Q1 is a branch portion where the return transport path Lb branches from the third transport path L3.

  In the middle of the first conveyance path L1 (specifically, between the second joining portion P2 and the secondary transfer roller 8), a paper detection sensor (not shown) for detecting the paper T, A registration roller pair 80 for adjusting the skew (oblique paper feeding) correction and the toner image formation in the image forming unit GK and the conveyance timing of the paper T is disposed. The paper detection sensor is disposed immediately before the registration roller pair 80 in the transport direction of the paper T (upstream in the transport direction). The registration roller pair 80 conveys the paper T by performing the above correction and timing adjustment based on the detection signal information from the paper detection sensor.

  An intermediate roller pair 82 is disposed between the first joining portion P1 and the second joining portion P2 in the first transport path L1. The intermediate roller pair 82 is disposed on the downstream side of the paper feed roller pair 81, sandwiches the paper T transported from the paper feed roller pair 81, and transports it to the registration roller pair 80.

  The return conveyance path Lb is a conveyance path that is provided to make the opposite surface (unprinted surface) opposite to the already printed surface to the intermediate transfer belt 7 when performing duplex printing on the paper T. According to the return transport path Lb, the paper T transported from the first branching section Q1 to the paper discharge section 50 is turned upside down and returned to the first transport path L1, and is disposed upstream of the secondary transfer roller 8. It can be conveyed upstream of the registration roller pair 80. A predetermined toner image is transferred onto the unprinted surface in the secondary transfer nip N2 on the paper T that is reversed upside down by the return conveyance path Lb.

  A branch member 58 is provided in the first branch portion Q1. The branching member 58 branches the transport direction of the paper T that is transported from the fixing unit 9 and transports the third transport path L3 from the upstream side toward the downstream side in a direction toward the paper discharge unit 50 and the paper discharge unit 50. The conveyance direction of the paper T that conveys the third conveyance path L3 from the downstream side toward the upstream side is branched in a direction toward the return conveyance path Lb.

  A paper discharge unit 50 is formed at the end of the third transport path L3. The paper discharge unit 50 is disposed on the upper side of the apparatus main body M. The paper discharge unit 50 opens toward the left side of the apparatus body M (left side in FIG. 1). The paper discharge unit 50 discharges the paper T to the outside of the apparatus main body M. The paper discharge unit 50 includes a third roller pair 53. According to the third roller pair 53, the paper T conveyed from the upstream side to the downstream side on the third conveyance path L3 is ejected to the outside of the apparatus body M, and the conveyance direction of the paper T is reversed in the paper ejection unit 50. Thus, the paper T can be transported toward the upstream side of the third transport path L3.

On the opening side of the paper discharge unit 50, a paper discharge stacking unit M1 is formed. The paper discharge stacking unit M1 is formed on the upper surface (outer surface) of the apparatus main body M. The paper discharge stacking unit M1 is a part formed by the upper surface of the apparatus main body M being depressed downward. The bottom surface of the paper discharge stacking unit M1 constitutes a part of the top surface of the apparatus main body M. In the paper discharge stacking unit M1, sheets T formed with a predetermined toner image and discharged from the paper discharge unit 50 are stacked and stacked.
A sheet detection sensor is disposed at a predetermined position in each conveyance path.

  Next, details of the cleaning devices 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d, which are features of the present invention, will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view for explaining each component of the cleaning device 11 in the printer 1 of the first embodiment, and shows a case where the toner receiving unit 130 is located at the receiving position. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view for explaining each component of the cleaning device 11 in the printer 1 according to the first embodiment, and shows a case where the toner receiving portion 130 is located at the separation position.

  The cleaning devices 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d shown in FIG. 1 have the same configuration. Therefore, in FIGS. 2 and 3, the cleaning devices 11 a, 11 b, 11 c, and 11 d are not distinguished from each other and are described with the same reference numeral “11”. Also, the photosensitive drums 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d and other components are denoted by the same reference numerals “a”, “b”, “c”, and “d” as long as it is not necessary to distinguish them. The description is omitted without distinguishing each.

  The cleaning device 11 of the first embodiment cleans (cleans) the surface of the photosensitive drum 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the cleaning device 11 is located downstream of the primary transfer nip N <b> 1 in the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 2, on one side in the X direction of the photosensitive drum 2. It is arrange | positioned facing the surface of. The charging roller 101 of the charging unit 10 is disposed in contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 2 with respect to the cleaning device 11 and on the lower side in the Z direction of the photosensitive drum 2. Is done.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the cleaning device 11 includes a housing 110, a cleaning blade 120 as a scraping member, a toner receiving portion 130, a coil spring member 141 as an urging portion, and a waste toner discharging screw. 150.

  The cleaning device 11 includes a toner receiving portion 130, a coil spring member 141, and a waste toner discharge screw 150 inside the housing 110. The housing 110 is a frame that is open on the photosensitive drum 2 side. The cleaning blade 120 is disposed on the lower side in the Z direction of the opened portion of the housing 110 so as to block the opened portion of the housing 110.

  The cleaning blade 120, the toner receiving portion 130, and the waste toner discharge screw 150 are formed so as to extend in the Y direction, and have substantially the same length as the length of the first rotating shaft J1 of the photosensitive drum 2 in the axial direction. The first rotation axis J1 direction is parallel to the Y direction.

The cleaning blade 120 scrapes off the remaining toner adhering to the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 after the toner image is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 7 from the surface of the photosensitive drum 2, thereby removing the surface of the photosensitive drum 2. It is a member to be cleaned.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the cleaning blade 120 has a tip 121. The leading end 121 is disposed in contact with or close to the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 2 with respect to the primary transfer nip N1 in the photosensitive drum 2.

  The cleaning blade 120 is formed of a rectangular plate material. The cleaning blade 120 is formed so as to extend from the tip portion 121 toward the lower side in the Z direction. The cleaning blade 120 is formed to extend in the Y direction (the second rotation axis J2 direction).

The cleaning blade 120 is arranged to be in a counter state with respect to the photosensitive drum 2. The counter state of the cleaning blade 120 is a state where the direction from the rear end portion 122 to the front end portion 121 of the cleaning blade 120 and the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 2 face each other.
A rear end portion 122 of the cleaning blade 120 (a portion opposite to the front end portion 121 of the cleaning blade 120) is attached to the housing 110 by the attachment plate 123.
The cleaning blade 120 is made of, for example, polyurethane rubber or the like.

  The toner receiving unit 130 receives the toner scraped off from the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 by the cleaning blade 120. The toner receiving portion 130 is formed to extend in the Y direction. As shown in FIG. 2, the toner receiving portion 130 is formed to be curved so as to protrude downward when viewed in the Y direction when positioned at a receiving position described later. The toner receiving portion 130 has a free end portion 131 formed on one end side.

The toner receiving portion 130 is movable between a receiving position (see FIG. 2) and a separated position (see FIG. 3) by rotating around a support portion 140 described later. The receiving position (see FIG. 2) is a position where the free end 131 comes into contact with or is close to a portion of the cleaning blade 120 on the front end 121 side. The separation position (see FIG. 3) is a position where the free end 131 is separated from the portion of the cleaning blade 120 on the front end 121 side.
The toner receiving portion 130 is made of, for example, metal (for example, SUS (stainless steel)), ABS resin, or the like.

  The support portion 140 is provided on the end side opposite to the free end portion 131 in the toner receiving portion 130. The support unit 140 rotatably supports the toner receiving unit 130 such that the toner receiving unit 130 is positioned at a receiving position (see FIG. 2) or a separated position (see FIG. 3).

One end of the coil spring member 141 is attached to the lower surface of the toner receiving portion 130 and the other end is attached to the housing 110 or the like. The coil spring member 141 urges the toner receiving portion 130 with a predetermined urging force so that the toner receiving portion 130 is positioned at the receiving position (see FIG. 2).
Thus, when the toner receiving portion 130 receives toner of a predetermined weight or more exceeding a predetermined biasing force of the coil spring member 141, the toner receiving portion 130 is separated from the receiving position (see FIG. 2) (see FIG. 3). It rotates around the support part 140 so as to move to.
Further, the toner receiving unit 130 causes the toner received by the toner receiving unit 130 to fall when the toner receiving unit 130 moves from the receiving position (see FIG. 2) to the separated position (see FIG. 3). Thus, the coil spring member 141 is moved back from the separated position (see FIG. 3) to the receiving position (see FIG. 2) by the urging force of the coil spring member 141.

  The waste toner discharge screw 150 is disposed on the lower side in the Z direction inside the housing 110. The waste toner discharge screw 150 includes a rotation shaft (not shown) and a blade portion 151 formed to intersect the rotation shaft (not shown). The waste toner discharge screw 150 sends the waste toner in a direction in which the rotation shaft (not shown) extends in accordance with the rotation about the rotation shaft (not shown), and the waste toner is directed toward the waste toner container (not shown). Send it out.

Next, the operation of the printer 1 according to the present embodiment will be briefly described with reference to FIG.
A case where single-sided printing is performed on the paper T accommodated in the paper feed cassette 52 will be described.
The paper T accommodated in the paper feed cassette 52 is sent out to the first transport path L1 by the forward feed roller 61 and the paper feed roller pair 81, and then intermediated via the first junction P1 and the first transport path L1. The pair of rollers is conveyed to the pair of registration rollers 80.
In the registration roller pair 80, skew correction of the paper T and timing adjustment with the toner image are performed.

The paper T discharged from the registration roller pair 80 is introduced between the intermediate transfer belt 7 and the secondary transfer roller 8 (secondary transfer nip N2) via the first conveyance path L1. Then, a toner image is transferred onto the paper T between the intermediate transfer belt 7 and the secondary transfer roller 8.
Thereafter, the paper T is discharged from between the intermediate transfer belt 7 and the secondary transfer roller 8, and is interposed between the heating rotator 9a and the pressure rotator 9b in the fixing unit 9 via the second conveyance path L2. Introduced into the fixing nip. Then, the toner melts in the fixing nip, and the toner is fixed on the paper T.

Next, the paper T is transported to the paper discharge unit 50 through the third transport path L3, and is discharged from the paper discharge unit 50 to the paper discharge stacking unit M1 by the third roller pair 53.
In this way, single-sided printing of the paper T stored in the paper feed cassette 52 is completed.

Next, the operation of the cleaning device 11 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 2, residual toner adheres to the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 after the primary transfer by the intermediate transfer belt 7. In this state, when the photosensitive drum 2 rotates around the first rotation axis J1, the toner adhering to the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 is conveyed to a portion where the photosensitive drum 2 and the cleaning blade 120 face each other. The

The cleaning blade 120 is arranged such that the front end 121 is in contact with or close to the surface of the photosensitive drum 2. Therefore, the cleaning blade 120 scrapes off the toner adhering to the surface of the photosensitive drum 2.
The toner scraped off from the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 by the cleaning blade 120 is received by the toner receiving unit 130.

  The toner receiving portion 130 is urged by a coil spring member 141 with a predetermined urging force so as to be positioned at the receiving position (see FIG. 2). Therefore, toner scraped off by the cleaning blade 120 is accumulated in the toner receiving portion 130 up to a limit weight of toner that can be received by a predetermined urging force of the coil spring member 141.

  The toner collected by the toner receiving unit 130 stays in the vicinity of the tip 121 of the cleaning blade 120. The toner staying in the vicinity of the front end 121 of the cleaning blade 120 passes between the front end 121 of the cleaning blade 120 and the surface of the photosensitive drum 2. As a result, a toner layer whose layer thickness is adjusted is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 2. The toner layer formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 functions as a lubricant between the photosensitive drum 2 and the cleaning blade 120. Therefore, damage such as chipping of the cleaning blade 120 can be reduced.

  Thereafter, when the toner receiving unit 130 receives a toner having a predetermined weight or more exceeding a predetermined biasing force of the coil spring member 141, the toner receiving unit 130 moves from the receiving position (see FIG. 2) to the separated position (see FIG. 3). It rotates toward the lower side around the support portion 140 so as to move. As a result, the toner collected by the toner receiving unit 130 is dropped from the toner receiving unit 130 downward. The toner dropped downward from the toner receiving portion 130 is sent out by a waste toner discharge screw 150 toward a waste toner container (not shown).

  Thereafter, the weight of the toner accumulated in the toner receiving portion 130 is the weight limit of the toner that can be received with a predetermined biasing force of the coil spring member 141 when the toner collected in the toner receiving portion 130 is dropped. Below. Therefore, the toner receiving unit 130 is moved by the biasing force of the coil spring member 141 so as to return from the separated position (see FIG. 3) to the receiving position (see FIG. 2).

Then, the toner receiving unit 130 located at the receiving position (see FIG. 2) receives the toner scraped off from the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 by the cleaning blade 120 again. As a result, the old toner collected by the toner receiving unit 130 is replaced with new toner scraped off from the photosensitive drum 2. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the toner from staying at the tip 121 of the cleaning blade 120 for a long time.
The movement of the toner receiving unit 130 from the receiving position (see FIG. 2) to the separated position (see FIG. 3) and the movement from the separated position (see FIG. 3) to the receiving position (see FIG. 2) During the operation of the cleaning device 11, the operation is repeated continuously.

  In the cleaning device 11 configured as described above, the toner scraped off from the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 to the cleaning blade 120 functions as a lubricant between the photosensitive drum 2 and the cleaning blade 120. Further, the toner scraped off from the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 by the cleaning blade 120 is conveyed toward the charging unit 10 by rotating the photosensitive drum 2 while being replaced with new toner.

According to the cleaning device 11 of the first embodiment, for example, the following effects are exhibited.
In the present embodiment, the cleaning device 11 has a tip 121 that is disposed in contact with or close to the surface of the photosensitive drum 2, and a cleaning blade 120 that scrapes off toner adhering to the surface of the photosensitive drum 2. And a toner receiving portion 130 that receives toner scraped off from the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 by the cleaning blade 120, and has a free end 131, and the free end 131 is on the tip 121 side of the cleaning blade 120. A receiving position (see FIG. 2) that is in contact with or close to this portion, and a separated position (see FIG. 3) in which the free end 131 is away from the tip 121 side portion of the cleaning blade 120. A toner receiving portion 130 that is movable, and provided on the end of the toner receiving portion 130 opposite to the free end portion 131, the toner receiving portion 1 A support portion 140 that rotatably supports the toner receiving portion 130 so that 0 is located at the receiving position (see FIG. 2) or the separated position (see FIG. 3), and the toner receiving portion 130 is the receiving position. A coil spring member 141 that is biased with a predetermined biasing force so as to be positioned (see FIG. 2), and the toner receiving portion 130 has a weight that exceeds a predetermined biasing force of the coil spring member 141 and has a weight that exceeds a predetermined level. When the toner is received, the support portion 140 is pivoted so as to move from the receiving position (see FIG. 2) to the separated position (see FIG. 3).

Therefore, the toner that accumulates in the toner receiving portion 130 and adheres to the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 functions as a lubricant in the vicinity of the edge of the front end portion 121 of the cleaning blade 120, thereby reducing damage to the cleaning blade 120. it can.
Further, the toner receiving unit 130 moves from the receiving position (see FIG. 2) to the separated position (see FIG. 3) when receiving a toner having a predetermined weight or more exceeding the predetermined biasing force of the coil spring member 141. The toner is rotated around the support portion 140 so as to move, and the toner accumulated in the toner receiving portion 130 is dropped. As a result, the toner accumulated in the toner receiving portion 130 is discarded when the weight reaches a predetermined level. As a result, since the old toner is discarded, it is possible to reduce the toner from staying at the tip 121 of the cleaning blade 120 for a long time.

As described above, since toner can be prevented from staying at the tip 121 of the cleaning blade 120 for a long time, external additives such as silica and titanium oxide are detached from the toner scraped off by the cleaning blade 120. Can be reduced. Thereby, for example, even when the charging roller 101 that is in contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 is arranged downstream of the cleaning blade 120 in the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 2, the charging failure of the charging roller 101 is reduced. And the occurrence of defective image formation can be reduced.
Further, since the toner can be prevented from staying at the tip 121 of the cleaning blade 120 for a long time, the charge-up phenomenon, which is a phenomenon in which the toner scraped off by the cleaning blade 120 is excessively charged, can be reduced. it can. As a result, the occurrence of discharge (leak phenomenon) on the surface of the photosensitive drum can be reduced, and the occurrence of damage on the surface of the photosensitive drum can be reduced.

  In the present embodiment, when the toner receiving unit 130 moves from the receiving position (see FIG. 2) to the separated position (see FIG. 3), the toner received by the toner receiving unit 130 falls. The toner receiving portion 130 is moved by the biasing force of the coil spring member 141 so as to return from the separated position (see FIG. 3) to the receiving position (see FIG. 2). Therefore, after discarding the old toner, the toner receiving unit 130 returns to the receiving position (see FIG. 2) again. As a result, the old toner received by the toner receiving unit 130 is replaced with new toner. Then, the operation of replacing the toner received by the toner receiving unit 130 can be performed repeatedly and continuously. Therefore, it is possible to reduce toner from staying at the tip 121 of the cleaning blade 120 for a long time with a simple configuration in which the toner receiving portion 130 is urged by a predetermined urging force of the coil spring member 141.

Second Embodiment
Next, a cleaning device 11A of the second embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description of the second embodiment, the same constituent elements as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted or simplified. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view for explaining each component of the cleaning device 11A in the printer 1 of the second embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 4, the cleaning device 11A of the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment mainly in that a cleaning roller 160 as a cleaning rotator is provided.

As shown in FIG. 4, the cleaning device 11 </ b> A in the second embodiment further includes a cleaning roller 160 in addition to the configuration of the cleaning device 11 in the first embodiment.
The cleaning roller 160 is a roller made of a cylindrical member and removes toner and discharge products from the surface of the photosensitive drum 2. The cleaning roller 160 is disposed in sliding contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 on the upstream side in the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 2 with respect to the tip 121 of the cleaning blade 120.

  The cleaning roller 160 is rotatable about a second rotation axis J2 that is parallel to the first rotation axis J1. The rotation direction of the cleaning roller 160 is the same in the portion where the photosensitive drum 2 and the cleaning roller 160 face each other. The cleaning roller 160 polishes the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 by rotating with a difference in peripheral speed from the rotation of the photosensitive drum 2.

  The cleaning roller 160 is disposed so as to be able to contact the toner received by the toner receiving unit 130. The toner collected by the toner receiving unit 130 contacts the surface of the cleaning roller 160. As a result, toner is held on the surface of the cleaning roller 160 to form a toner layer.

  The cleaning roller 160 configured as described above is disposed in sliding contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 2. On the surface of the cleaning roller 160, toner is held and a toner layer is formed. Thereby, the cleaning roller 160 can polish the surface of the photosensitive drum 2. Note that an abrasive such as titanium oxide is added to the toner in this embodiment.

The cleaning device 11A of the second embodiment has the following effects in addition to the effects exhibited by the cleaning device 11 of the first embodiment.
In the present embodiment, the photosensitive drum 2 is rotatable about the second rotation axis J2 parallel to the first rotation axis J1 and upstream of the tip 121 of the cleaning blade 120 in the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 2. It further includes a cleaning roller 160 disposed in sliding contact with the surface of the body drum 2 and disposed so as to be able to contact the toner received by the toner receiving portion 130.
Therefore, the toner collected by the toner receiving unit 130 comes into contact with the surface of the cleaning roller 160. As a result, toner is held on the surface of the cleaning roller 160 to form a toner layer. Therefore, the polishing force for polishing the surface of the photosensitive drum in the cleaning roller 160 can be increased. As a result, residual toner, discharge products, and the like attached to the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 can be effectively removed.

<Third Embodiment>
Next, a cleaning device 11B according to a third embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description of the third embodiment, the same constituent elements as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted or simplified. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view for explaining each component of the cleaning device 11B in the printer 1 of the third embodiment, and shows a case where the toner receiving portion 130a is located at the receiving position. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining mainly the configuration of the leaf spring members 142a to 142d in the printer 1 of the third embodiment. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view for explaining each component of the cleaning device 11B in the printer 1 of the third embodiment, and shows a case where the toner receiving portion 130a is located at the separation position.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the cleaning device 11B according to the third embodiment mainly includes a plurality of toner receiving portions 130a, 130b, 130c, and 130d as compared with the first embodiment, and the support portion 140A includes a plurality of toners. The difference is that each of the receiving portions 130a, 130b, 130c, and 130d is rotatably supported.

As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the cleaning device 11B according to the third embodiment includes a plurality of toner receiving portions 130a, 130b, 130c, and 130d, a support portion 140A, and a plurality of leaf spring members as biasing portions. 142a, 142b, 142c, 142d.
The support portion 140A includes a plurality of toner receiving portions 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d such that each of the plurality of toner receiving portions 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d is located at a receiving position (see FIG. 5) or a separated position (see FIG. 7). Each of 130b, 130c, and 130d is rotatably supported.

Each of the plurality of toner receiving portions 130a, 130b, 130c, and 130d is arranged to extend radially from the support portion 140A. In the present embodiment, the four toner receiving portions 130a, 130b, 130c, and 130d are arranged so as to extend radially from the support portion 140A so as to be substantially orthogonal to each other.
The plurality of toner receiving portions 130a, 130b, 130c, and 130d are formed longer than the photosensitive drum 2 in the Y direction.

  Each of the plurality of toner receiving portions 130a, 130b, 130c, and 130d has free end portions 131a, 131b, 131c, and 131d. Each of the plurality of free end portions 131a, 131b, 131c, and 131d has brush portions 132a, 132b, 132c, and 132d.

  Each of the plurality of brush portions 132a, 132b, 132c, 132d is disposed at the tip of each of the plurality of free end portions 131a, 131b, 131c, 131d, corresponding to each of the plurality of free end portions 131a, 131b, 131c, 131d. The Each of the plurality of brush portions 132a, 132b, 132c, and 132d rotates around the support portion 140A to come into contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 and remove the toner attached to the surface of the photosensitive drum 2.

  The plurality of brush portions 132a, 132b, 132c, and 132d are made of, for example, conductive nylon, non-conductive nylon, or the like. When the plurality of brush portions 132a, 132b, 132c, and 132d are made of conductive nylon, it is easy to remove and remove the overcharged toner from the surface of the photosensitive drum.

  As shown in FIG. 6, each of the leaf spring members 142a, 142b, 142c, and 142d has a plurality of toner receiving portions 130a, 130b, 130c, and 130d on the free end portions 131a, 131b, 131c, and 131d side. It is provided corresponding to each of the toner receiving portions 130a, 130b, 130c, and 130d. Each of the leaf spring members 142a, 142b, 142c, 142d is attached to the upstream surface in the rotational direction of the free end portions 131a, 131b, 131c, 131d.

  The leaf spring members 142a, 142b, 142c, 142d are provided in two sets, one set at each end in the Y direction of the plurality of toner receiving portions 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d, one outside the photosensitive drum 2. It is done. The leaf spring members 142a, 142b, 142c, and 142d are disposed so as to protrude outward from the front end side edges of the free ends 131a, 131b, 131c, and 131d.

  Each of the leaf spring members 142a, 142b, 142c, 142d has a predetermined tip 121 of the cleaning blade 120 so that the plurality of toner receiving portions 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d are positioned at the receiving positions (see FIG. 5). Energize with the energizing power of. The plurality of toner receiving portions 130a, 130b, 130c, and 130d receive the toner when the toner exceeds the predetermined biasing force of the leaf spring members 142a, 142b, 142c, and 142d and receives a toner having a weight that is equal to or greater than a predetermined weight. The support portion 140A rotates around the support portion 140A so as to move from the position (see FIG. 5) to the separated position (see FIG. 7).

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, for example, when a predetermined toner receiving portion 130a among the plurality of toner receiving portions 130a, 130b, 130c, and 130d is located at the receiving position (see FIG. 5). In this case, the toner receiving unit 130 a receives the toner scraped off by the cleaning blade 120. The toner receiving portion 130a moves from the receiving position (see FIG. 5) to the separated position (see FIG. 7) when receiving a toner having a predetermined weight or more exceeding the predetermined biasing force of the leaf spring member 142a. Rotate around the support portion 140A.

Then, for example, when a predetermined toner receiving portion 130a among the plurality of toner receiving portions 130a, 130b, 130c, and 130d is moved from the receiving position (see FIG. 5) to the separated position (see FIG. 7). The toner receiving portion 130b adjacent to the predetermined toner receiving portion 130a is rotated around the support portion 140A so that the toner receiving portion 130b is positioned at the receiving position.
Here, as shown in FIG. 7, when the toner receiving portion 130b of the predetermined toner receiving portion 130a rotates around the support portion 140A, the toner receiving portion 130b comes into contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 2, and the photosensitive drum The toner on the surface 2 is scraped off, and the old toner accumulated near the tip 121 of the cleaning blade 120 is swept down and discarded.

Thereafter, the toner receiving portion 130b adjacent to the predetermined toner receiving portion 130a moves to the receiving position. The toner receiving unit 130b receives the toner scraped off by the cleaning blade 120.
Subsequently, when each of the plurality of toner receiving portions 130a, 130b, 130c, and 130d receives a toner having a predetermined weight or more exceeding a predetermined biasing force of the leaf spring member 142a, the toner receiving portions 130a, 130b, 130c, and 130d are moved away from the receiving position. It rotates in the direction of the arrow shown in FIGS. 5 to 7 around the support portion 140A so as to move sequentially. Each of the plurality of toner receiving portions 130a, 130b, 130c, and 130d is repeatedly and continuously rotated around the support portion 140A.
Since the operations of the toner receiving units 130a, 130b, 130c, and 130d that are repeatedly performed are the same as the operations of the predetermined toner receiving unit 130a, the description thereof is omitted.

The cleaning device 11B of the third embodiment has the following effects.
In the present embodiment, a plurality of toner receiving portions 130a, 130b, 130c, and 130d are provided, and each of the plurality of toner receiving portions 130a, 130b, 130c, and 130d is disposed so as to extend radially from the support portion 140A. The portion 140A includes a plurality of toner receiving portions 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d such that each of the plurality of toner receiving portions 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d is located at a receiving position (see FIG. 5) or a separated position (see FIG. 7). , 130c, 130d are rotatably supported, and predetermined toner receiving portions 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d among the plurality of toner receiving portions 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d are in the receiving positions (FIG. 5). The toner receiving portions 130a, 130b, and 130c when moving from the reference position to the separation position (see FIG. 7). Different toner receiving portion 130a and 130d, 130b, 130c, 130d is to be located in the receiving position (see FIG. 5), it rotates around the supporting portion 140A.

  Therefore, the cleaning device 11B of the third embodiment has the same effect as the cleaning device 11 of the first embodiment. Specifically, the toner accumulated in the toner receiving portions 130 a, 130 b, 130 c, and 130 d and attached to the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 functions as a lubricant at the tip 121 of the cleaning blade 120, and Damage can be reduced. In addition, the toner accumulated in the toner receiving unit 130 is discarded when the weight reaches a predetermined level. As a result, since the old toner is discarded, it is possible to reduce the toner from staying at the tip 121 of the cleaning blade 120 for a long time.

  In the present embodiment, each of the plurality of free ends 131a, 131b, 131c, and 131d is a brush portion 132a, 132b, 132c, which is disposed at the tip of each of the plurality of free ends 131a, 131b, 131c, and 131d. 132d, and has brush portions 132a, 132b, 132c, and 132d that contact the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 and remove toner adhering to the surface of the photosensitive drum 2.

  Therefore, in addition to the above effects, the brush portions 132a, 132b, 132c, and 132d can scrape off toner adhering to the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 by rotating around the support portion 140A. Thereby, the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 can be more effectively cleaned.

  Further, the brush portions 132a, 132b, 132c, and 132d rotate around the support portion 140A, thereby sweeping out and discarding old toner accumulated near the tip portion 121 of the cleaning blade 120.

As mentioned above, although preferred embodiment was described, this invention is not limited to embodiment mentioned above, It can implement with a various form.
For example, in the first embodiment, the toner receiving portion is configured by one toner receiving portion 130, and in the third embodiment, the toner receiving portions are four toner receiving portions 130a, 130b, 130c, and 130d. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the toner receiving portion may be composed of two, three, or five or more.
The type of the image forming apparatus of the present invention is not particularly limited, and may be a copier, a facsimile, or a complex machine of these in addition to a printer.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Printer (image forming apparatus), 2 (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) ... Photosensitive drum (image carrier), 11, 11A, 11B ... Cleaning device, 120 ... Cleaning blade (scraping member) ), 121... Tip portion, 130, 130 a, 130 b, 130 c, 130 d... Toner receiving portion, 131, 131 a, 131 b, 131 c, 131 d ...... free end portion, 132 a, 132 b, 132 c, 132 d ...... brush portion , 140, 140A... Support portion, 141... Coil spring member (biasing portion), 142a, 142b, 142c, 142d .. leaf spring member (biasing portion), 160... Cleaning roller (cleaning rotator), J1 …… First rotation axis, J2 …… Second rotation axis

Claims (3)

A cleaning device for cleaning the surface of an image carrier that is rotatable about a first rotation axis,
A scraping member having a tip disposed in contact with or close to the surface of the image carrier, and scraping off toner adhering to the surface of the image carrier;
A toner receiving portion of the number of multiple of Ru receiving the toner scraped off from the surface of the image bearing member by the scraping member has a free end portion, the distal end portion of the dropped free end scraping the member and the receiving position the part of the side which is contact with or close to the position, the free ends multiple movable in and a is separated position located away from the tip end portion of the scraper toner catch And
The toner receiving portion is provided on an end portion opposite to the free end portion of the toner receiving portion, and the toner receiving portion is rotated or rotated so that the toner receiving portion is located at the receiving position or the separated position. A support part that supports it,
A biasing portion that biases with a predetermined biasing force so that the toner receiving portion is located at the receiving position;
The toner receiving portion is configured to center the support portion so that the toner receiving portion moves from the receiving position to the separated position when receiving a toner having a predetermined weight or more exceeding a predetermined urging force of the urging portion. rotated or pivoted in,
Each of the plurality of toner receiving portions is arranged to extend radially from the support portion,
The support portion rotatably supports each of the plurality of toner receiving portions so that each of the plurality of toner receiving portions is located at the receiving position or the separated position.
When a predetermined toner receiving portion of the plurality of toner receiving portions is moved from the receiving position to the separated position, a toner receiving portion different from the predetermined toner receiving portion is the receiving portion. A cleaning device that rotates about the support portion so as to be positioned . Each of the free ends of the plurality of toner receiving portions is
A brush unit disposed in the respective distal free ends of the plurality of, in claim 1 having a brush portion for removing the toner in contact with the surface of the image bearing member attached to the surface of the image bearing member The cleaning device described. One or more image carriers on which electrostatic latent images are formed; and
Image forming apparatus and a cleaning apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

Images