JP6056693B2 - Exposure apparatus and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an exposure apparatus and an image forming apparatus including the exposure apparatus.

  On the ceiling surface of the exposure apparatus described in Patent Document 1, a translucent plate formed of a material that transmits light is disposed. The exposure apparatus is provided with a right side plate and a left side plate that restrict the left and right movements of the cleaning tool that cleans the translucent plate while moving in contact with the translucent plate.

JP 2011-107204 A

  An object of the present invention is to provide a transmission member that suppresses an increase in size of a transmission member in a configuration in which a transmission member that transmits a light beam from the inside of the housing to the outside is attached to the lower surface of the housing. It is to clean the surface of the member.

  An exposure apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a light source that is disposed inside a housing and emits light toward an image holding member disposed below the housing, and is unidirectionally disposed on a lower surface of the housing. A transmissive member that extends and is attached to and transmits light emitted from the light source and directed to the image carrier, and covers at least a part of the surface of the transmissive member on one side in one direction of the transmissive member, A one-side fixing member that fixes one side of the transmissive member to the housing and a cleaning member that contacts the surface of the transmissive member and cleans the surface of the transmissive member do not contact the one-side fixing member. A guide member that guides from one side of the one direction to the other side of the one direction while changing the traveling direction to the width direction of the transmission member, and causes the cleaning member to clean the surface of the transmission member. Features.

  An exposure apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is the exposure apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the one-side fixing member has a base end portion fixed to the housing and a distal end portion of the surface of the transmission member. It is a leaf | plate spring which covers a part and presses the said permeation | transmission member to the said housing | casing.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus comprising: an image holding body; the exposure apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 that emits light toward the image holding body; and the light emitted from the exposure apparatus. A developing device that develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier as a toner image and a cleaning member that supports the exposure device and cleans the transmission member of the exposure device cleans the surface of the transmission member. In this case, a support member on which a pressing surface for pressing the cleaning member against the surface of the transmission member is formed.

  According to the exposure apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention, as compared with the case where the guide member guides the cleaning member linearly, the transmission member that transmits the light beam from the inside of the housing to the outside is provided in the housing. In the structure attached to the lower surface of the body, it is possible to clean the surface of the transmission member while suppressing the transmission member from becoming large.

  According to the exposure apparatus of the second aspect of the present invention, the transmissive member can be pressed against the housing as compared with the case where the one-side fixing member is an adhesive.

  According to the image forming apparatus of claim 3 of the present invention, the surface of the transmissive member can be effectively cleaned as compared with the case where the pressing surface for pressing the cleaning member against the surface of the transmissive member is not formed on the support member. Can do.

It is the bottom view which showed the lower surface of the housing | casing in the exposure unit which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 5 is an enlarged bottom view showing a lower surface of a housing in the exposure unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is an enlarged bottom view showing a lower surface of a housing in the exposure unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is an enlarged bottom view showing a lower surface of a housing in the exposure unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is an enlarged bottom view showing a lower surface of a housing in the exposure unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is an enlarged bottom view showing a lower surface of a housing in the exposure unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is an enlarged bottom view showing a lower surface of a housing in the exposure unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention. (A) (B) It is the disassembled perspective view and enlarged perspective view which showed a part of lower surface of the housing | casing in the exposure unit which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is an expanded sectional view showing a part of the lower surface of the housing in the exposure unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is the perspective view which showed the lower surface of the housing | casing in the exposure unit which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. (A) (B) It is the perspective view which showed the exposure unit and support frame which concern on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is the perspective view which showed the cleaning member used in order to clean the permeation | transmission glass of the exposure unit which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an image forming unit of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. (A) (B) (C) It is the perspective view and sectional drawing which showed a part of lower surface of the housing | casing in the exposure unit which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

<First Embodiment>
An example of an exposure apparatus and an image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. When the image forming apparatus is viewed from the front, the arrow X direction shown in each drawing corresponds to the apparatus width direction (horizontal direction), the arrow Y direction corresponds to the vertical direction, and the arrow Z direction corresponds to the apparatus depth direction. Equivalent to.

(overall structure)
As illustrated in FIG. 14, the image forming apparatus 10 includes a sheet storage unit 12 in which a sheet member P as an example of a recording medium is stored, and an upper side of the sheet storage unit 12 from the lower side to the upper side in the vertical direction. The main operation unit 14 that forms an image on the sheet member P supplied from the paper storage unit 12, the document reading unit 16 that is provided on the upper side of the main operation unit 14 and reads a document (not shown), and a sheet to each unit A conveyance unit 18 that conveys the member P and a main control unit 20 that is provided in the main operation unit 14 and controls the operation of each unit of the image forming apparatus 10 are configured. The image forming apparatus 10 includes an apparatus main body 10A as a casing made up of a plurality of frame members.

[Paper compartment]
The sheet storage unit 12 includes a first storage unit 22, a second storage unit 24, a third storage unit 26, and a fourth storage unit 28 that can store sheet members P having different sizes. The 1st accommodating part 22, the 2nd accommodating part 24, the 3rd accommodating part 26, and the 4th accommodating part 28 are the delivery roll 32 which sends out the accommodated sheet member P sheet by sheet, and the sent sheet member P is an image. A transport roll 34 that transports the transport path 30 provided in the forming apparatus 10.

[Transport section]
The conveyance unit 18 is arranged downstream of the conveyance roll 34 in the conveyance direction of the sheet member P (hereinafter simply referred to as “sheet conveyance direction”), and a plurality of conveyance rolls 36 that convey the sheet member P one by one. It has. Further, the sheet member P is stopped once on the downstream side with respect to the conveyance roll 36 in the sheet conveyance direction, and image transfer alignment is performed by sending the sheet member P to a secondary transfer position described later at a predetermined timing. An alignment roll 38 for performing the above is disposed.

  The upstream portion of the conveyance path 30 in the sheet conveyance direction is a vertical direction from the left side in the drawing in the apparatus width direction of the sheet storage unit 12 to the left side in the drawing in the apparatus width direction of the main operation unit 14 in the front view of the image forming apparatus 10. It is made into the linear form extended to. The downstream portion of the transport path 30 extends from the left side of the main operating unit 14 in the apparatus width direction to the paper discharge unit 13 provided on the right side of the main operating unit 14 in the apparatus width direction.

  Further, a double-sided conveyance path 31 through which the sheet member P is conveyed and reversed in order to form an image on both sides of the sheet member P is connected to the conveyance path 30. The conveyance direction of the sheet member P when the double-sided conveyance is not performed is indicated by an arrow A.

  The double-sided conveyance path 31 is provided in a straight line in the vertical direction from the lower right side in the apparatus width direction of the main operation unit 14 to the right side of the sheet storage unit 12 in the apparatus width direction in the front view of the image forming apparatus 10. The reversing unit 33 and the conveying unit 35 that conveys the sheet member P in the illustrated apparatus width direction (indicated by an arrow B) while the rear end of the sheet member P conveyed to the reversing unit 33 enters. The downstream end of the transport unit 35 is connected to the upstream side of the alignment roll 38 of the transport path 30 by a guide member (not shown). In FIG. 14, the illustration of a switching member that switches between the transport path 30 and the double-sided transport path 31 and a switching member that switches between the reversing unit 33 and the transport unit 35 are omitted.

[Original reading section]
The document reading unit 16 has a document table 41 on which a plurality of documents (not shown) can be placed, a platen glass 42 on which a single document is placed, and a document reading device 44 that reads a document placed on the platen glass 42. And a document discharge section 43 for discharging the read document.

  The document reading device 44 irradiates light on a document placed on the platen glass 42, and reflects reflected light emitted from the light irradiation unit 46 and reflected from the document in a direction parallel to the platen glass 42. One full-rate mirror 48 and two half-rate mirrors 52 folded back, an imaging lens 54 on which the reflected light reflected by the full-rate mirror 48 and the half-rate mirror 52 enters, and an image formed by the imaging lens 54 And a photoelectric conversion element 56 that converts the reflected light into an electric signal.

  The electric signal converted by the photoelectric conversion element 56 is subjected to image processing by an image processing apparatus (not shown) and used for image formation. The full rate mirror 48 moves at a full rate along the platen glass 42, and the half rate mirror 52 moves at a half rate along the platen glass 42.

[Main operation part]
The main operation unit 14 fixes the toner image formed on the sheet member P formed by the image forming unit 60 to the sheet member P by heat and pressure. And a fixing device 100.

[Image forming unit]
The image forming unit 60 includes image forming units 64K, 64C including image holding bodies 62K, 62C, 62M, 62Y corresponding to yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) toners. 64M, 64Y, exposure units 66K, 66C, 66M, 66Y as an example of an exposure apparatus that performs exposure by emitting a light beam L toward the outer peripheral surfaces of the image carriers 62K, 62C, 62M, 62Y, and an image And a transfer unit 68 that transfers the toner image formed by the forming units 64K, 64C, 64M, and 64Y onto the sheet member P.

  In the following description, if it is necessary to distinguish Y, M, C, and K, an alphabetic letter Y, M, C, or K will be added after the numeral, and the same configuration will be used. , M, C, and K need not be distinguished from each other, description of Y, M, C, and K is omitted.

[Exposure unit (image forming unit)]
The exposure unit 66 scans the light beam L emitted from the light source 70 with a rotating polygon mirror (polygon mirror: unsigned) and reflects the light beam with a plurality of optical components including a reflection mirror so as to correspond to each color toner. The light is emitted toward the image carrier 62 while scanning L in the main scanning direction (the axial direction of the image carrier 62). Further, the image carrier 62 is disposed on the lower side in the vertical direction of the exposure unit 66.

  In the exposure unit 66, details of the transmissive glass 112 as an example of a transmissive member that transmits the light beam L from the inside of the housing 110 of the exposure unit 66 to the outside will be described later.

[Image forming unit (image forming unit)]
As shown in FIG. 13, the image forming unit 64 has a cylindrical image holding body 62 that can be rotated in an arrow + R direction (clockwise direction in the drawing), and an outer peripheral surface of the image holding body 62. The charging unit 72, the developing unit 74, and the cleaning member 76 are sequentially arranged from the upstream side to the downstream side in the rotation direction.

  The charging device 72 and the developing device 74 are arranged so that the light beam L is irradiated between the charging device 72 and the developing device 74 on the outer peripheral surface of the image carrier 62. Further, an intermediate transfer belt 82 as an example of a transfer body described later is in contact with the developing device 74 and the cleaning member 76 on the outer peripheral surface of the image carrier 62.

  The image holding body 62 can be rotated in the arrow + R direction by driving a motor (not shown). The charger 72 includes, for example, a corotron charging unit that applies a voltage to the wire and charges the outer peripheral surface of the image holding member 62 with the same polarity as the toner by corona discharge. Here, the latent image (electrostatic latent image) is formed by irradiating the outer peripheral surface of the charged image carrier 62 with the light beam L based on the image data.

  As an example, the developing device 74 contains a developer G in which carrier particles made of a magnetic material and negatively charged toner are mixed, and a magnet roll (not shown) having a plurality of magnetic poles in the circumferential direction is disposed inside. A provided cylindrical developing sleeve 75 is provided. Then, the developing device 74 forms a magnetic brush at a portion facing the image carrier 62 as the developing sleeve 75 rotates. Further, the developing device 74 applies a developing bias to the developing sleeve 75 by a voltage applying means (not shown), thereby revealing the latent image on the outer peripheral surface of the image holding body 62 with toner, thereby developing a toner image (developer). Image). Each developing device 74 is supplied with toner from each toner cartridge 79 (see FIG. 14) provided above the image forming unit 60.

  The cleaning member 76 includes a cleaning blade 77 that comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the image carrier 62, and the toner remaining on the outer peripheral surface of the image carrier 62 is scraped off and collected by the cleaning blade 77. Further, an intermediate transfer belt 82 to which the toner image developed by the developing device 74 is primarily transferred is provided downstream of the developing device 74 in the rotation direction of the image holding body 62.

[Transfer unit (image forming unit)]
As shown in FIG. 14, the transfer unit 68 includes an endless intermediate transfer belt 82 and a primary transfer roll 84 as an example of a primary transfer member that primarily transfers a toner image from the image carrier 62 onto the intermediate transfer belt 82. And a secondary transfer roll 86 and an auxiliary roll 88 as an example of a secondary transfer member for secondary transfer of the toner images sequentially stacked on the intermediate transfer belt 82 to the sheet member P.

  Inside the intermediate transfer belt 82, a driving roll 92 that is driven to rotate and a plurality of conveying rolls 94 that are rotatably provided are arranged. The intermediate transfer belt 82 is wound around primary transfer rolls 84K, 84C, 84M, and 84Y, a drive roll 92, a transport roll 94, and an auxiliary roll 88. As a result, the intermediate transfer belt 82 rotates in the direction of arrow C (counterclockwise direction in the figure) when the drive roll 92 rotates counterclockwise in the figure.

  As an example, the primary transfer roll 84 has a configuration in which an elastic layer (not shown) is formed around a cylindrical shaft made of a metal such as stainless steel, and both ends of the shaft are supported by bearings. Can be rotated. Further, the primary transfer roll 84 is configured such that a voltage (positive voltage) having a polarity opposite to the polarity of the toner is applied to the shaft from a power source (not shown).

  As an example, the secondary transfer roll 86 has the same configuration as the primary transfer roll 84, and is disposed downstream of the alignment roll 38 in the transport path 30 and is rotatably provided. The secondary transfer roll 86 is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 82 at the secondary transfer position so that the intermediate transfer belt 82 is sandwiched between the auxiliary roll 88.

  The secondary transfer roll 86 is grounded. The auxiliary roll 88 forms a counter electrode of the secondary transfer roll 86, and a secondary transfer voltage is applied via a metal power supply roll (not shown) arranged in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the auxiliary roll 88. It has come to be. Here, when a secondary transfer voltage (negative voltage) is applied to the auxiliary roll 88 and a potential difference is generated between the auxiliary roll 88 and the secondary transfer roll 86, the secondary transfer roll 86 and the intermediate transfer belt 82 are The toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 82 is secondarily transferred onto the sheet member P conveyed to the contact portion.

  On the downstream side of the secondary transfer roll 86 in the moving direction of the sheet member P, a conveyance belt 96 that conveys the sheet member P, on which the secondary transfer of the toner image has been completed, to the fixing device 100 is provided. The conveyance belt 96 is wound around a support roll 97 and a drive roll 98 and is moved so as to circulate the sheet member P to the fixing device 100.

(Operation of the overall configuration)
Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

  When an image is formed on the sheet member P, as shown in FIG. 13, each image carrier 62 is charged by a charger 72, and from each exposure unit 66 (see FIG. 14) according to image data. Exposure is performed by the emitted light beam L, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the image carrier 62.

  Subsequently, the electrostatic latent image formed on the outer peripheral surface of each image carrier 62 is subjected to toner of each color of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) by the developing device 74, respectively. Developed as an image.

  Subsequently, each toner image formed on the surface of each image holding member 62 is sequentially multiplex-transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 82 by each primary transfer roll 84 at the primary transfer position. As shown in FIG. 14, the toner image that has been multiplex-transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 82 is transferred to the secondary transfer roll 86 and the auxiliary roller 86 on the sheet member P that has been conveyed through the conveyance path 30 at the secondary transfer position. Secondary transfer is performed by the roll 88.

  Subsequently, the sheet member P to which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed toward the fixing device 100 by the conveyance belt 96. In the fixing device 100, the toner image on the sheet member P is fixed by being heated and pressed. The sheet member P on which the toner image is fixed is discharged to the paper discharge unit 13. In this way, a series of image forming steps are performed.

  When a toner image is formed on a non-image surface on which no image is formed (in the case of double-sided image formation), after fixing the image on the surface with the fixing device 100, the sheet member P is fed into the double-sided conveyance path 31. The back side image is formed and fixed.

(Main part configuration)
Next, a transmission glass 112 that transmits the light beam L from the inside of the housing 110 of the exposure unit 66 to the outside, a structure that supports the transmission glass 12, a cleaning member 150 that cleans the transmission glass 112, and the exposure unit 66 are provided. A support frame 190 as an example of a support member to be supported will be described. In the following description, the shape and the like of the exposure unit 66 will be described using the directions described above.

[Cleaning member]
As shown in FIG. 12, the cleaning member 150 includes a long rod portion 152, a grip portion 154 formed on one end side of the rod portion 152, and a cleaning portion attached to the other end side of the rod portion 152. 156.

  In the apparatus width direction, the size of the cleaning unit 156 is made longer than the size of the transmissive glass 112 (see FIG. 9). The cleaning unit 156 includes a plate-shaped base unit 158 formed integrally with the bar unit 152, an elastic unit 160 fixed to the base unit 158 and formed of an elastic material (for example, sponge material), and a base unit. 158, and a wiping portion 162 that is fixed to the elastic portion 160 so as to sandwich the elastic portion 160 and formed of a nonwoven fabric.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the base portion 158 includes a fixing portion 158A to which the elastic portion 160 is fixed, and a base portion 158B that is wider than the outer shape of the fixing portion 158A when viewed from the plate thickness direction of the base portion 158. ing. Specifically, when viewed from the thickness direction of the base portion 158, the base portion 158B has a rectangular shape, and the fixing portion 158A has a rectangular shape that is slightly smaller than the base portion 158B (see FIG. 2).

  Then, when viewed from the thickness direction of the base portion 158, the outer shape of the fixed portion 158A and the outer shape of the elastic portion 160 have the same shape.

[Exposure unit]
As described above, the exposure unit 66 includes the housing 110, and the light beam L emitted from the inside of the housing 110 to the outside is projected from the lower surface 110A of the housing 110 as shown in FIG. A passage hole 118 is formed to pass therethrough. The passage hole 118 extends in the apparatus depth direction so that the light beam L scanned in the main scanning direction (the same direction as the “apparatus depth direction” in this embodiment) can pass.

  Further, on the lower surface 110A of the housing 110, a plate-shaped transmission glass 112 that blocks the passage hole 118 and transmits the light beam L from the inside of the housing 110 of the exposure unit 66 to the outside is disposed in contact with the lower surface 110A. Has been. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 10, the transmission glass 112 has a rectangular shape extending in the apparatus depth direction (an example of one direction) when viewed from the lower side in the vertical direction.

  Further, a rib or the like for arranging the transmissive glass 112 at a predetermined position is formed so as to protrude from the lower surface 110A of the housing, and further, a fixture 170 for attaching the transmissive glass 112 to the housing 110, and A fixing tool 172 as an example of the one-side fixing member is attached.

[Bottom of casing]
As shown in FIG. 1, ribs 116 facing or in contact with one side surface of the transmissive glass 112 extending in the apparatus depth direction and a transmissive glass 112 extending in the apparatus depth direction so as to protrude from the lower surface 110 </ b> A of the housing 110. A rib 114 is formed as an example of a guide member that faces or contacts the other side surface.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the tip (lower end) of the rib 114 is arranged below the surface 112A facing the lower side of the transmission glass 112 in the vertical direction, and the tip (lower end) of the rib 116 is The surface 112A is disposed above the surface 112A in the vertical direction. Note that the front end of the rib 114 in the apparatus depth direction does not reach the front end of the transmission glass 112 in the apparatus depth direction as shown in FIG. And in the depth direction of the device.

  In this configuration, the transmission glass 112 is sandwiched between the rib 114 and the rib 116, and the transmission glass 112 is placed along one of the ribs, thereby determining the position of the transmission glass 112 in the apparatus width direction (X direction in the figure). It is supposed to be. Further, the side surface 114A of the rib 114 on the transmission glass 112 side guides the cleaning portion 156 of the cleaning member 150 when the cleaning member 150 is moved in the apparatus depth direction.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the contact portion 120 that contacts the end surface of the transmission glass 112 in the depth direction of the device (other side: right side in the drawing) is provided so as to protrude from the lower surface 110 </ b> A of the housing 110. Is formed. In this configuration, the position of the transmission glass 112 in the apparatus depth direction can be determined by abutting the end surface of the transmission glass 112 against the contact portion 120.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9, a rib 122 as an example of a guide member is formed on the lower surface 110 </ b> A of the housing 110 on the opposite side of the rib 114 with the rib 116 interposed therebetween. And the front-end | tip (lower end) of this rib 122 is arrange | positioned below the vertical direction with respect to the surface 112A of the transmissive glass 112 similarly to the rib 114. FIG.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the rib 122 has a receiving part 124 that receives the cleaning part 156 of the cleaning member 150 on the front side of the apparatus in the apparatus depth direction (one side: left side in the figure), and an end of the receiving part 124. And a first straight portion 126 having a start end connected and extending in the apparatus depth direction. Further, the rib 122 includes a second straight portion 128 that is spaced apart from the first straight portion 126 in the apparatus depth direction and that approaches the rib 114 with respect to the first straight portion 126 and extends in the device depth direction. The rib 122 includes an inclined portion 130 that connects the end portion of the first straight portion 126 and the end portion of the second straight portion 128 and is inclined with respect to the apparatus depth direction.

  In this configuration, the side surfaces 124A, 126A, 130A, and 128A on the transmission glass 112 side of the receiving portion 124, the first straight portion 126, the inclined portion 130, and the second straight portion 128 have moved the cleaning member 150 in the apparatus depth direction. At this time, the cleaning unit 156 of the cleaning member 150 is guided.

  Further, the rib 132 faces the receiving portion 124 of the rib 122 in the apparatus width direction so as to protrude from the lower surface 110 </ b> A of the housing 110, widens the opening with the receiving portion 124, and receives the cleaning portion 156 of the cleaning member 150. Is formed.

  In addition, a rib 134 that extends in the apparatus width direction from the side surface 128A of the second linear portion 128 of the rib 122 toward the inner end of the transmission glass 112 in the apparatus depth direction so as to protrude from the lower surface 110A of the housing 110. Is formed. And the front-end | tip (lower end) of this rib 134 is arrange | positioned below the vertical direction with respect to the surface 112A of the transmissive glass 112 similarly to the rib 122. FIG. In this configuration, when the cleaning unit 156 of the cleaning member 150 is moved from the front side in the apparatus depth direction to the back side, the cleaning unit 156 comes into contact with the side surface 134A of the rib 134 and the further cleaning unit 156 in the apparatus depth direction. Movement to the back side is regulated.

  The configuration (process) in which the cleaning unit 156 of the cleaning member 150 moving in the apparatus depth direction is guided by the rib 114, the rib 122, and the rib 132 will be described together with the operation of the main configuration described later.

[Fixture]
As shown in FIG. 1, the fixture 170 is used to fix the rear side of the transmission glass 112 in the apparatus depth direction to the housing 110. On the other hand, the fixture 172 is used to fix the front side of the transmission glass 112 in the apparatus depth direction to the housing 110.

  The fixture 170 is disposed on the back side in the apparatus depth direction with respect to the transmissive glass 112. The fixture 170 is a leaf spring, and is connected to a pair of pressing portions 170A that come into contact with the surface 112A of the transmission glass 112 and press the transmission glass 112 against the housing 110, and a base end of the pair of pressing portions 170A. 178 and a base portion 170B fixed to the housing 110.

  Specifically, the pressing portion 170A covers a part of the surface 112A of the transmissive glass 112 when viewed from below in the vertical direction, and comes into contact with the side surface 134A of the rib 134 and the cleaning portion 156 whose movement is restricted. It is arranged at a position where it does not touch.

  On the other hand, the fixture 172 is arranged side by side in the apparatus width direction with respect to the front side of the transmission glass 112 in the apparatus depth direction. And the fixing tool 172 is a leaf | plate spring, and as shown to FIG. 8 (A) (B), it contacts the surface 112A of the transmissive glass 112, and presses the transmissive glass 112 against the housing | casing 110 172A (front-end | tip) And a base end portion 172B that is connected to the base end of the pressing portion 170A and is fixed to the housing 110 with a bolt 186.

  Specifically, the pressing portion 172A covers a part of the surface 112A of the transmission glass 112 when viewed from below in the vertical direction (see FIG. 1), and protrudes downward in the vertical direction with respect to the surface 112B. . In addition, the base end portion 172B is fixed to a fixing base 146 formed on the lower surface 110A of the housing 110 with a bolt 186. The base end portion 172B is formed with two positioning holes 174 into which the two pins 148 formed on the fixing base 146 fit, and mounting holes 176 through which the bolts 186 pass.

[Other]
A guide plate 180 as an example of a guide member is stacked on the fixture 172 from the lower side in the vertical direction, and is fixed to the fixing base 146 by a bolt 186 together with the fixture 172. The guide plate 180 is disposed below the surface 112A of the transmission glass 112 in the vertical direction.

  Specifically, the guide plate 180 is formed with two positioning holes 182 into which the two pins 148 formed on the fixed base 146 fit, and mounting holes 184 through which the bolts 186 pass.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, a part of the guide plate 180 overlaps the surface 112 </ b> A of the transmission glass 112 when viewed from below in the vertical direction, and covers the pressing portion 172 </ b> A of the fixture 172. And in the part which overlapped with the surface 112A of the transmissive glass 112 in the guide plate 180, the linear end surface 180A extending in the apparatus depth direction, and from the end of the linear end surface 180A toward the end of the rib 114, with respect to the apparatus depth direction An inclined end face 180B extending in the inclined direction is formed. The straight end surface 180A faces the side surface 126A of the first straight portion 126, and the inclined end surface 180B faces the inclined end surface 180B.

  In this configuration, the linear end surface 180A and the inclined end surface 180B of the guide plate 180 guide the cleaning unit 156 of the cleaning member 150 when the cleaning member 150 is moved in the apparatus depth direction.

  The configuration (step) in which the cleaning portion 156 of the cleaning member 150 moving in the apparatus depth direction is guided by the linear end surface 180A and the inclined end surface 180B of the guide plate 180 will be described together with the operation of the main configuration described later.

[Support frame]
The support frame 190 constitutes a part of the apparatus main body 10A of the image forming apparatus 10, and is provided for each color exposure unit 66 to support the exposure unit 66.

  As shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, the support frame 190 is formed by bending a sheet metal and is disposed so as to support the casing 110 of the exposure unit 66 from below in the vertical direction. The exposure unit 66 is attached to the support frame 190 using a fixing member (not shown).

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the support frame 190 has a facing surface 192 as an example of a pressing surface that faces the lower surface 110 </ b> A of the housing 110 in the vertical direction. Further, a through hole 194 through which the light beam L emitted from the exposure unit 66 passes is formed in the facing surface 192.

  In this configuration, when the cleaning portion 156 of the cleaning member 150 that moves in the depth direction of the apparatus is pressed (squeezed) by the facing surface 192, the elastic portion 160 is deformed and the wiping portion 162 of the cleaning member 150 becomes the transmissive glass 112. It is configured to be pressed against the surface 112A.

(Effects of main components)
Next, with respect to the operation of the main part configuration, the cleaning member 150 removes foreign matter or the like that has been soared by wind generated by a fan (not shown) disposed in the apparatus main body 10A of the image forming apparatus 10 and adhered to the surface 112A of the transmission glass 112. The cleaning operation for removing the glass from the transmission glass 112 and cleaning it will be described. Specifically, a cleaning operation for cleaning a portion (not shown) through which the light beam L is transmitted on the surface 112A of the transmission glass 112 will be described.

  First, an operator opens a maintenance door (not shown) arranged in front of the image forming apparatus 10 and holds the grip 154 of the cleaning member 150 as shown in FIGS. The cleaning unit 156 of the cleaning member 150 is inserted between the receiving unit 124 and the rib 132 so that the wiping unit 162 of the cleaning unit 156 contacts the surface 112A (see FIG. 9) of the transmission glass 112.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the cleaning unit 156 inserted between the receiving unit 124 and the rib 132 is interposed between the linear end surface 180 </ b> A and the first linear unit 126 by the receiving unit 124 and the rib 132. Guided. Specifically, the side surface (see FIG. 9) of the fixing portion 158A in the base portion 158 of the cleaning portion 156 comes into contact with the side surface 132A of the rib 132 or the side surface 124A of the receiving portion 124, and the cleaning portion 156 and the linear end surface 180A. Guided between the first straight portion 126 and the first straight portion 126.

  Further, when the cleaning unit 156 is moved to the back side in the apparatus depth direction, the cleaning unit 156 is guided by the first straight part 126 and moved to the back side in the apparatus depth direction as shown in FIGS. . Specifically, the cleaning unit 156 moves to the back side in the apparatus depth direction while the side surface (see FIG. 9) of the fixing unit 158A in the base unit 158 of the cleaning unit 156 is in contact with the side surface 126A of the first straight portion 126. .

  Here, the base portion 158 of the cleaning member 150 moving in the depth direction of the apparatus is pushed by the facing surface 192, the elastic portion 160 is deformed, and the wiping portion 162 of the cleaning member 150 is pushed against the surface 112A of the transmissive glass 112. (See FIG. 9).

  Further, when the cleaning unit 156 that moves while being in contact with the side surface 126A of the first straight portion 126 moves in the apparatus width direction and comes into contact with the pressing unit 172A of the fixture 172, the fixing unit of the base unit 158 of the cleaning unit 156 is fixed. It is suppressed that the side surface of 158A contacts the linear end surface 180A of the guide plate 180 and the cleaning unit 156 contacts the pressing unit 172A.

  Further, when the cleaning unit 156 is moved to the back side in the apparatus depth direction, the cleaning unit 156 is guided by the inclined unit 130 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, and the traveling direction is changed to the apparatus width direction (transmission glass 112. In the depth direction of the apparatus while moving to the back side. Further, after the traveling direction is changed, the cleaning unit 156 is guided by the second linear portion 128 and the rib 114 and moves to the back side in the apparatus depth direction.

  Specifically, when the cleaning unit 156 moves while the side surface of the fixing unit 158A in the base unit 158 of the cleaning unit 156 is in contact with the side surface 130A of the inclined unit 130, the traveling direction of the cleaning unit 156 changes to the apparatus width direction. It is done. Furthermore, in the apparatus width direction, when the wiping portion 162 of the cleaning portion 156 generally contacts the surface 112A of the transmission glass 112, as shown in FIG. 9, the fixing portion 158A of the base portion 158 of the cleaning portion 156 While the side surface is in contact with the side surface 128A of the second straight portion 128 or the side surface 114A of the rib 114, the cleaning unit 156 moves to the back side in the apparatus depth direction.

  Further, when the cleaning unit 156 is moved to the back side in the apparatus depth direction, the cleaning unit 156 is guided by the second straight portion 128 and the rib 114 as shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 7. It moves to the depth side in the depth direction and contacts the side surface 134A of the rib 134, and the movement of the cleaning unit 156 to the depth side in the apparatus depth direction is restricted.

  Specifically, the cleaning unit 156 moves in the apparatus depth direction while the side surface of the fixing unit 158A in the base unit 158 of the cleaning unit 156 contacts the side surface 128A of the rib 128 or the side surface 114A of the rib 114. Furthermore, the side surface of the fixing portion 158A in the base portion 158 of the cleaning portion 156 comes into contact with the side surface 134A of the rib 134, and the movement of the cleaning portion 156 toward the back side in the apparatus depth direction is restricted.

  In contrast, when the cleaning unit 156 that is restricted from moving in the depth direction of the apparatus is moved to the front side in the apparatus depth direction, the cleaning unit 156 is not the inclined unit 130 but the inclined end surface 180B of the guide plate 180, The cleaning member 150 is pulled out from the lower surface 110 </ b> A of the housing 110 through a process reverse to the process described above except that the traveling direction is changed by being guided by the linear end surface 180 </ b> A.

  Specifically, when the cleaning unit 156 moves while the side surface of the fixing unit 158A in the base unit 158 of the cleaning unit 156 is in contact with the inclined end surface 180B, the traveling direction of the cleaning unit 156 is changed to the apparatus width direction. Furthermore, the cleaning unit 156 moves to the near side in the apparatus depth direction while the side surface of the fixing unit 158A in the base unit 158 of the cleaning unit 156 is in contact with the linear end surface 180A (see FIG. 3).

  Thus, the surface 112A of the transmissive glass 112 is cleaned by the movement of the cleaning unit 156.

(Summary)
As described above, even when the transmissive glass 112 is attached to the lower surface 110A of the casing 110 and the pressing portion 172A covers a part of the surface 112A of the transmissive glass 112, the traveling direction is changed to the apparatus width direction. While moving the cleaning unit 156 in the apparatus depth direction, the surface of the transmission glass 112 is cleaned.

  Also, compared with the case where the transmission glass is attached to the casing by pressing the surface of the transmission glass in the width direction of the transmission glass and pressing the surface of the transmission glass on the lower surface of the casing 110, the traveling direction is the apparatus width direction. The surface of the transmissive glass 112 is cleaned while the transmissive glass 112 is prevented from being enlarged in the width direction of the transmissive glass 112 by moving the cleaning unit 156 in the depth direction of the apparatus while changing the position.

  Further, since the fixture 172 is a leaf spring, the transmissive glass 112 is easily pressed against the lower surface 110 </ b> A of the housing 110.

  Further, the transmissive glass 112 is attached to the housing 110 without applying an adhesive between the back surface of the transmissive glass 112 and the housing 110. For this reason, the position shift of the transmission glass 112 in the plate | board thickness direction of the transmission glass 112 is suppressed.

  Further, as described above, the base portion 158 of the cleaning member 150 that moves in the depth direction of the apparatus is pressed against the facing surface 192, and the wiping portion 162 of the cleaning member 150 is pressed against the surface 112A of the transmission glass 112. For this reason, the surface 112A of the transmissive glass 112 is effectively cleaned.

Second Embodiment
Next, an example of an exposure apparatus and an image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, about the same member as 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected, the description is abbreviate | omitted, and a different part from 1st Embodiment is mainly demonstrated.

  In 2nd Embodiment, the leaf | plate spring which attaches the near side of the apparatus depth direction of the permeation | transmission glass 112 to the housing | casing 110 is not provided, but as shown in FIG.15 (C), as an example of one side fixing member, The front side of the transmission glass 112 in the apparatus depth direction is attached to the casing 110 by the adhesive 200.

  Specifically, a rib 202 whose tip height is the same as the surface 112A of the transmissive glass 112 is connected to the front side of the rib 114 in the apparatus depth direction, as shown in FIG. Yes. Further, a U-shaped notch 202A is formed on the rib 202, and as shown in FIG. 15B, the adhesive 200 is applied to the notch 202A, and a part of the adhesive 200 is formed. A part of the surface 112A of the transmission glass 112 is covered. Thereby, the near side of the transmission glass 112 in the apparatus depth direction is attached to the housing 110. In addition, about the effect | action of 2nd Embodiment, it is the same as that of effects other than the effect | action which the fixing tool 172 played in 1st Embodiment.

  Although the present invention has been described in detail with respect to specific embodiments, the present invention is not limited to such embodiments, and various other embodiments can be taken within the scope of the present invention. This will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, although not specifically described in the above embodiment, a storage space for storing the cleaning member 150 may be provided in the apparatus main body 10A.

  Moreover, although the said embodiment demonstrated using the transmissive glass 112 as an example of the transmissive member which permeate | transmits the light beam L, for example, a transmissive member is shape | molded using transparent resin materials, such as polycarbonate resin and an acrylic resin. Also good.

  Although not specifically described in the above embodiment, the elastic portion 160 is gradually compressed when the cleaning portion 150 of the cleaning member 156 is inserted between the lower surface 110A of the housing 110 and the opposing surface 192. A slope (inclination) may be provided on the lower surface 110A or the opposing surface 192.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image forming apparatus 62 Image holding body 66 Exposure unit (an example of exposure apparatus)
70 Light source 74 Developer (an example of a developing device)
110 Housing 112 Transmission glass (an example of a transmission member)
112A surface 122 rib (an example of a guide member)
132 rib (an example of a guide member)
150 Cleaning member 172 Fixing tool (an example of one side fixing member)
172A Pressing part (an example of the tip part)
172B Base end portion 180 Guide plate (an example of a guide member)
190 Support frame (an example of a support member)
192 Opposing surface (example of pressing surface)
200 Adhesive (an example of one side fixing member)

Claims (3)

A light source that is disposed inside the housing and emits light toward an image carrier disposed below the housing;
A transmissive member attached to the lower surface of the housing so as to extend in one direction and transmit light emitted from the light source and directed to the image holding body;
A one-side fixing member that covers at least a part of the surface of the transmission member on one side in one direction of the transmission member and fixes one side of the transmission member in the housing;
The cleaning member for cleaning the surface of the transmission member in contact with the surface of the transmission member is changed from one side of the one direction while changing the traveling direction to the width direction of the transmission member so as not to contact the one-side fixing member. A guide member that guides the other side in one direction, and causes the cleaning member to clean the surface of the transmission member;
An exposure apparatus comprising:   The said one side fixing member is a leaf | plate spring by which a base end part is fixed to the said housing | casing, and covers a part of surface of the said permeable member by a front-end | tip part, and presses the said permeable member to the said housing | casing. Exposure equipment. An image carrier,
The exposure apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein light is emitted toward the image carrier.
A developing device that develops, as a toner image, an electrostatic latent image formed on the image holding member by light emitted from the exposure device;
A support member that supports the exposure apparatus and has a pressing surface that presses the cleaning member against the surface of the transmission member when the surface of the transmission member is cleaned with a cleaning member that cleans the transmission member of the exposure apparatus. When,
An image forming apparatus comprising:

Images