JP6264650B2 - Cleaning device and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a cleaning device having a plurality of cleaning members that scrape off deposits adhering to the surface of an object to be cleaned, and an image forming apparatus for cleaning toner on the surface of an image carrier using such a cleaning device. It is.

  Conventionally, as this type of image forming apparatus, the one described in Patent Document 1 is known. FIG. 19 is an enlarged configuration diagram illustrating the cleaning device 900 in the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1 together with the intermediate transfer belt 908 serving as an image carrier. The cleaning device 900 includes a first subunit 901, a second subunit 911, a third subunit 921, a subunit holder 950 that holds these subunits, and the like. Further, the three subunits (901, 911, 921) hold various members such as cleaning brush rollers (902, 912, 922) by a subunit casing (906, 916, 926) as a holding body. .

  The subunit holding body 950 has a first support portion 951 that supports the first subunit 901 so as to be slidable in the longitudinal direction (direction perpendicular to the drawing sheet). Further, the second support unit 952 that supports the second subunit 911 so as to be slidable in the longitudinal direction and the third support unit 953 that supports the third subunit 921 so as to be slidable in the longitudinal direction are also provided. Yes. By such slide movement, the three subunits (901, 911, 921) can be attached to and detached from the subunit holder 950.

  In this configuration, it is assumed that any one of the three cleaning brush rollers (902, 912, 922) has reached the end of its life. In this case, by replacing only the subunit holding the cleaning brush roller that has reached the end of life among the plurality of subunits, the user can leave the other subunits in the cleaning device and continue to use them. Is possible. Therefore, the maintenance cost of the cleaning device can be reduced as compared with a configuration in which various components are held by one holding body without being made into subunits.

  However, in this image forming apparatus, if the subunit casing (906, 916, 926) is extended due to a dimensional error or a temperature change, the subunit (901, 911, 921) can be attached to the subunit holder 950. There was a risk of being unable to do so. Specifically, in the same figure, the support portions (951, 952, 953) of the subunit holder 950 are shaped to receive the subunit casings (906, 916, 926) without gaps. For the support portions (951, 952, 953) having such shapes, the size in the short direction (left and right direction in the figure) is slightly larger than the design value due to dimensional error or extension. The casing (906, 916, 926) cannot be fitted. For this reason, the subunits (901, 911, 921) cannot be mounted on the subunit holder 950 due to dimensional error or extension.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above background, and an object thereof is to provide the following cleaning device and image forming apparatus. That is, even if there is a dimensional error or extension in the short direction of the holding unit (for example, casing) of the cleaning subunit, the cleaning device can mount the cleaning subunit in the longitudinal direction on the subunit holding unit. Etc.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 comprises: a cleaning member that scrapes off adhering matter adhering to the surface while being in contact with the surface of the object to be cleaned; and a holding body that holds the cleaning member. A plurality of cleaning subunits, and a subunit holder that individually holds the plurality of cleaning subunits, and the holders of the plurality of cleaning subunits are moved in the longitudinal direction thereof. In the cleaning device comprising a plurality of supports that can be individually supported in the subunit holder, as the support, while supporting one end in the short direction of the holder movably in the longitudinal direction, One end support portion that allows the one end portion to move in the short direction, and the other end portion of the holding body in the short direction is the longitudinal direction. While movably supporting the combination of the other end supporting portion to allow the rattling in the lateral direction of the second end within a predetermined range is provided, it is provided on the longitudinal end surface of the cleaning subunit A first positioning portion that is coupled to the first positioned portion and positions one end portion of the cleaning subunit in the longitudinal direction; and a second positioned portion provided on the other end surface in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning subunit. A plurality of combinations with a second positioning portion for positioning the other end portion in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning subunit in combination with each of the plurality of cleaning subunits. For each of the plurality of cleaning subunits, the first positioned portion is coupled to the first positioning portion; and The serial second portion to be positioned in a state of being coupled to said second positioning portion, and is characterized in that it has to float the bottom surface of the cleaning subunits in the air.

  In the present invention, the one end support portion that supports one end portion in the short direction of the holder of the cleaning subunit and the other end support portion that supports the other end portion each allow the holder to move in the short direction. . In such a configuration, even if the size of the cleaning subunit holding body in the short direction is larger than the design value within the movable range, the holding body is held between the one end supporting portion and the other end supporting portion. It can be inserted in the longitudinal direction of the body and supported by these support portions. Therefore, even if there is a dimensional error or extension in the short direction on the holder of the cleaning subunit, the cleaning subunit can be attached to the subunit holder in the longitudinal direction.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a main part of a printer according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective explanatory view of an intermediate transfer belt showing a gradation pattern and an optical sensor of the printer. FIG. 3 is an enlarged schematic diagram illustrating a chevron patch formed on an intermediate transfer belt of the printer. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the intermediate transfer belt and a toner consumption pattern formed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt. FIG. 3 is an enlarged configuration diagram illustrating a belt cleaning device of the printer. FIG. 3 is an enlarged configuration diagram showing an enlarged view of a first cleaning subunit and its surrounding configuration in the cleaning device. FIG. 4 is an enlarged configuration diagram illustrating an enlarged view of a second cleaning subunit and its surrounding configuration in the cleaning device. FIG. 4 is an enlarged configuration diagram illustrating an enlarged third cleaning subunit and the surrounding configuration in the cleaning device. The rear view which shows the back side board of the subunit holding | maintenance casing of the same cleaning apparatus. The rear view which shows the upper part of the back side board with the 3rd cleaning subunit. The partial expansion perspective view which shows the rear-end part and joint cap of the 3rd cleaning subunit. The partial expansion perspective view which shows the 3rd back main positioning pin and the back side board of the 3rd cleaning subunit. The partial expansion perspective view which shows the 3rd back subpositioning pin and the back side board of the 3rd cleaning subunit. The perspective view which shows the belt drive part arrange | positioned at the transfer unit of the printer with a part of the 3rd cleaning subunit. The partial expansion perspective view which shows the front-end part of the same belt cleaning apparatus. FIG. 16 is a perspective explanatory view of a belt cleaning device in which a reinforcing plate, a bearing case 311 and a front plate handle are provided on the front plate shown in FIG. 15. Sectional drawing explaining the relationship between a bearing case and a reinforcement board. The perspective enlarged view which looked at the position where a bearing case engages with a reinforcement board from the back side in FIG. FIG. 6 is an enlarged configuration diagram showing a cleaning device in an image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1 together with an intermediate transfer belt.

  Hereinafter, as an embodiment of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied, a so-called tandem type intermediate transfer type printer (hereinafter simply referred to as a printer 500) will be described. First, the basic configuration of the printer 500 will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a main part of the printer 500. The printer 500 includes four process units 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K for generating toner images of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black (hereinafter referred to as Y, M, C, and K). The four process units 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K have drum-shaped photoreceptors 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K, respectively.

  Around the photoreceptors 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K, charging devices 2Y, 2M, 2C, and 3K, developing devices 5Y, 5C, 1M, and 1K, drum cleaning devices 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 1K, a static eliminator (not shown). ) Etc. The process units 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K use Y, M, C, and K toners of different colors, but have the same configuration. Such a process unit 6 constitutes a part of the toner image creating means. Above the process units 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K, there is an optical writing unit (not shown) for irradiating the surface of the photoreceptors 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K with laser light L to write an electrostatic latent image. It is arranged.

  Below the process units 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K, a transfer unit 7 including an endless intermediate transfer belt 8 serving as an image carrier is disposed. In addition to the intermediate transfer belt 8, a plurality of stretching rollers disposed inside the loop, a secondary transfer roller 18, a tension roller 16, a belt cleaning device 100, a lubricant application device 200, and the like disposed outside the loop. have.

  Inside the loop of the intermediate transfer belt 8, four primary transfer rollers 9Y, 9M, 9C, 9K, a driven roller 10, a driving roller 11, a secondary transfer counter roller 12, and three cleaning counter rollers 13, 14 are provided. 15 and an application brush facing roller 17 are disposed. Each of these rollers functions as a stretching roller that stretches the intermediate transfer belt 8 around a part of its peripheral surface to stretch the belt. The cleaning counter rollers 13, 14, and 15 do not necessarily have to have a function of applying a constant tension, and may be driven to rotate as the intermediate transfer belt 8 rotates. The intermediate transfer belt 8 is moved endlessly in the clockwise direction as indicated by an arrow in the drawing by the rotation of the driving roller 11 that is driven to rotate counterclockwise in the drawing by a driving means (not shown).

  The four primary transfer rollers 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K disposed inside the belt loop sandwich the intermediate transfer belt 8 between the photoreceptors 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K. As a result, primary transfer nips for Y, M, C, and K where the front surface of the intermediate transfer belt 8 and the photoreceptors 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K come into contact are formed. A primary transfer bias having a polarity opposite to that of the toner is applied to the primary transfer rollers 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K by a power source (not shown).

  Further, the intermediate transfer belt 8 is sandwiched between the secondary transfer counter roller 12 disposed inside the belt loop and the secondary transfer roller 18 disposed outside the belt loop. As a result, a secondary transfer nip where the front surface of the intermediate transfer belt 8 and the secondary transfer roller 18 abut is formed. Note that a secondary transfer bias having a polarity opposite to that of the toner is applied to the secondary transfer roller 18 by a power source (not shown). Further, the paper transfer belt is bridged by the secondary transfer roller 18, several support rollers, and a drive roller, and the intermediate transfer belt 8 and the paper transfer belt are interposed between the secondary transfer roller 18 and the secondary transfer counter roller 12. It is good also as a structure which inserted | pinched.

  Further, the three cleaning facing rollers 13, 14, 15 disposed inside the belt loop are connected to three cleaning brush rollers (details will be described later) of the belt cleaning device 100 disposed outside the belt loop. The intermediate transfer belt 8 is sandwiched between the two. Thus, a cleaning nip is formed in which the front surface of the intermediate transfer belt 8 and the three cleaning brush rollers abut. The belt cleaning device 100 can be replaced integrally with the transfer unit 7. Further, the belt cleaning device 100 can be removed from the transfer unit 7 removed from the printer 500 main body. Further, a cleaning subunit, which will be described later, in the belt cleaning device 100 can be attached to and detached from the belt cleaning device 100 while the transfer unit 7 and the belt cleaning device 100 are attached to the printer 500 main body. Details of the belt cleaning device 100 will be described later.

  The printer 500 includes a paper feeding unit (not shown) having a paper feeding cassette that stores the recording paper P, a paper feeding roller that feeds the recording paper P from the paper feeding cassette to the paper feeding path, and the like. In addition, a registration roller pair (not shown) that receives the recording paper sent from the paper feeding unit and feeds it at a predetermined timing toward the secondary transfer nip is provided on the right side of the secondary transfer nip in the drawing. In addition, a fixing device (not shown) that receives the recording paper P sent out from the secondary transfer nip and fixes the toner image to the recording paper P is provided on the left side of the secondary transfer nip in the drawing. . Further, Y, M, C, and K toner supply devices (not shown) for supplying Y, M, C, and K toners to the developing devices 5Y, M, C, and K are provided as necessary.

  In recent years, in addition to plain paper that has been widely used as recording paper, special recording paper that is used for thermal transfer such as special paper having an uneven surface or iron print as a design has been increasingly used. When such special paper is used, transfer defects are more likely to occur when the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 8 on which the color toners are superimposed is secondarily transferred onto the paper, as compared with conventional plain paper. Therefore, in the printer 500, an elastic layer having a low hardness is provided on the intermediate transfer belt 8 so that the toner layer and recording paper with poor smoothness can be deformed at the transfer nip portion. By providing the intermediate transfer belt 8 with an elastic layer having low hardness and making the intermediate transfer belt 8 elastic, the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 8 can be deformed following local irregularities. Thereby, without excessively increasing the transfer pressure with respect to the toner layer, good adhesion can be obtained, there is no loss of transfer of characters, and there is no transfer unevenness even on paper with poor smoothness, A transfer image having excellent uniformity can be obtained.

  In the printer 500, the intermediate transfer belt 8 includes at least a base layer, an elastic layer, and a surface coat layer.

  Examples of the material used for the elastic layer of the intermediate transfer belt 8 include elastic members such as elastic material rubber and elastomer. Specifically, butyl rubber, fluorine rubber, acrylic rubber, EPDM, NBR, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene rubber, natural rubber, isoprene rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, butadiene rubber, urethane rubber, syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene , Epichlorohydrin rubber, polysulfide rubber, polynorbornene rubber, thermoplastic elastomer (for example, polystyrene, polyolefin, polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, polyamide, polyurea, polyester, fluorine resin) One type or two or more types selected from the group can be used. However, it is not limited to these materials.

  The thickness of the elastic layer depends on the hardness and the layer structure, but is preferably in the range of 0.07 to 0.5 [mm]. More preferably, the range of 0.25-0.5 [mm] is good. Further, if the thickness of the intermediate transfer belt 8 is as thin as 0.07 [mm] or less, the pressure on the toner on the intermediate transfer belt 8 at the secondary transfer nip portion becomes high, and transfer deficiency is likely to occur. The toner transfer rate decreases.

  The hardness of the elastic layer is preferably 10 [°] ≦ HS ≦ 65 [°] (JIS-A). Although the optimum hardness varies depending on the layer thickness of the intermediate transfer belt 8, if the hardness is lower than 10 [°] (JIS-A), transfer dipping is likely to occur. On the other hand, when the hardness is higher than 65 [°] JIS-A, it is difficult to stretch the roller, and since it is stretched by long-term stretching, there is no durability and early replacement is necessary.

  The base layer of the intermediate transfer belt 8 is made of a resin with little elongation. Specifically, materials used for the base layer include polycarbonate, fluororesin (ETFE, PVDF, etc.), polystyrene, chloropolystyrene, poly-α-methylstyrene, styrene-butadiene copolymer, styrene-vinyl chloride copolymer, Styrene-vinyl acetate copolymer, styrene-maleic acid copolymer, styrene-acrylic acid ester copolymer (styrene-methyl acrylate copolymer, styrene-ethyl acrylate copolymer, styrene-butyl acrylate copolymer) Styrene-octyl acrylate copolymer and styrene-phenyl acrylate copolymer), styrene-methacrylic acid ester copolymer (styrene-methyl methacrylate copolymer, styrene-ethyl methacrylate copolymer, styrene) -Phenyl methacrylate copolymer, etc.), steel -Α-chloromethyl acrylate copolymer, styrene resin such as styrene-acrylonitrile-acrylate ester copolymer (monopolymer or copolymer containing styrene or styrene substitution product), methyl methacrylate resin, methacryl Acid butyl resin, ethyl acrylate resin, butyl acrylate resin, modified acrylic resin (silicone modified acrylic resin, vinyl chloride resin modified acrylic resin, acrylic / urethane resin, etc.), vinyl chloride resin, styrene-vinyl acetate copolymer, chloride Pinyl-vinyl acetate copolymer, rosin-modified maleic acid resin, phenol resin, epoxy resin, polyester resin, polyester polyurethane resin, polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutadiene, polyvinylidene chloride, ionomer resin, polyurethane resin, silicone Fat, ketone resins, ethylene - can be used ethyl acrylate copolymer, xylene resin and polyvinyl butyral resin, polyamide resin, one kind or two kinds or more selected from the group consisting of modified polyphenylene oxide resin. However, it is not limited to these materials.

  In addition, in order to prevent the elastic layer made of a rubber material having a large elongation from extending, a core layer made of a material such as a canvas may be provided between the base layer and the elastic layer. Examples of materials for preventing elongation used in the core layer include natural fibers such as cotton and silk, polyester fibers, nylon fibers, acrylic fibers, polyolefin fibers, polyvinyl alcohol fibers, polyvinyl chloride fibers, and polyvinylidene chloride fibers. , One or more selected from the group consisting of synthetic fibers such as polyurethane fiber, polyacetal fiber, polyfluoroethylene fiber and phenol fiber, inorganic fibers such as carbon fiber and glass fiber, and metal fibers such as iron fiber and copper fiber Threaded or woven fabric can be used. Of course, the material is not limited to the above. The above-described yarn may be twisted in any manner, such as one or a plurality of filaments twisted, one-twisted yarn, various twisted yarns, double yarn, or the like. Further, for example, fibers of a material selected from the above material group may be blended. Of course, the yarn can be used after being subjected to an appropriate conductive treatment. On the other hand, as the woven fabric, any woven fabric such as knitted fabric can be used, a cross-woven fabric can be used, and a conductive treatment can be performed.

  The coat layer on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 8 is for coating the surface of the elastic layer, and is composed of a layer having good smoothness. The material used for the coating layer is not particularly limited, but generally, a material that increases the secondary transferability by reducing the amount of toner adhering to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 8 is used. For example, one or more types of polyurethane, polyester, epoxy resin, etc., or materials that reduce surface energy and increase lubricity, such as fluorine fats, fluorine compounds, fluorocarbons, titanium oxide, silicon carbide, etc. Can be used by dispersing one type or two or more types or changing the particle size as required. Further, it is also possible to use a material such as a fluorine-based rubber material in which a heat treatment is performed to form a fluorine layer on the surface and the surface energy is reduced.

If necessary, the base layer, the elastic layer, or the coating layer is, for example, carbon black, graphite, metal powder such as aluminum or nickel, tin oxide, titanium oxide, antimony oxide, indium oxide, for the purpose of adjusting resistance. Conductive metal oxides such as potassium titanate, antimony oxide-tin oxide composite oxide (ATO), and indium oxide-tin oxide composite oxide (ITO) can be used. Here, the conductive metal oxide may be coated with insulating fine particles such as barium sulfate, magnesium silicate, and calcium carbonate. However, it is not limited to these materials.

  The surface of the intermediate transfer belt 8 is coated with a lubricant by a lubricant coating device 200 in order to protect the belt surface. The lubricant application device 200 is a coating that abuts on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 8 with a solid lubricant 202 such as a zinc stearate lump and a lubricant powder that comes into contact with the solid lubricant and is scraped off from the solid lubricant by rotation. And a coating brush roller 201 as a member. Although the printer 500 is provided with the lubricant application device 200, it may not be necessary depending on the toner to be used, the material of the intermediate transfer belt 8, and the surface friction coefficient.

  When image information is sent from a personal computer or the like, the printer 500 rotates the drive roller 11 to move the intermediate transfer belt 8 endlessly. The stretching rollers other than the driving roller 11 are driven and rotated by the belt. At the same time, the photosensitive members 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K of the process units 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K are rotationally driven. Further, an electrostatic latent image is formed by irradiating the charged surface with laser light L while uniformly charging the surfaces of the photoreceptors 1Y, 1M, 1C, 1K with the charging devices 2Y, 2M, 2C, and 2K. To do. The electrostatic latent images formed on the surfaces of the photoreceptors 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K are developed by the developing devices 5Y, 5M, 5C, and 5K, so that the Y, M on the photoreceptors 1Y, 1M, 1C, 1K are developed. , C, K toner images are obtained. The Y, M, C, and K toner images are primarily transferred while being superimposed on the front surface of the intermediate transfer belt 8 in the above-described primary transfer nips for Y, M, C, and K. As a result, a four-color superimposed toner image is formed on the front surface of the intermediate transfer belt 8.

  On the other hand, in a paper feeding unit (not shown), the recording paper P is sent out one by one from the paper feeding cassette by the paper feeding roller and conveyed to the registration roller pair. Then, at a timing that can be synchronized with the four-color superimposed toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 8, the registration roller pair is driven to feed the recording paper P to the secondary transfer nip, and the four-color superimposed toner image on the belt is transferred. Batch transfer onto the recording paper P is performed. Thereby, a full-color image is formed on the surface of the recording paper P. The recording paper P after the formation of a full-color image is conveyed from the secondary transfer nip to a fixing device (not shown) and subjected to toner image fixing processing.

  For the photoreceptors 1Y, M, C, and K after the Y, M, C, and K toner images are primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 8, the remaining toner is cleaned by the drum cleaning devices 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4K. Apply. Then, after neutralizing with a neutralizing lamp (not shown), it is uniformly charged with the charging devices 2Y, 2M, 2C, and 3K, and is ready for the next image formation. Further, the intermediate transfer belt 8 after the primary transfer to the recording paper P is subjected to a cleaning process for residual toner by the belt cleaning device 100.

  On the right side of the K process unit 6K in the figure, an optical sensor unit 90 is disposed so as to face the front surface of the intermediate transfer belt 8 with a predetermined gap. As shown in FIG. 2, the optical sensor unit 90 includes a Y optical sensor 91Y, a C optical sensor 91C, an M optical sensor 91M, and a K optical sensor 91K arranged in the width direction of the intermediate transfer belt 8. Each of these sensors is a reflection type photosensor, and reflects light emitted from a light emitting element (not shown) by a toner image on the front surface of the intermediate transfer belt 8 or the belt, and detects the amount of reflected light by a light receiving element (not shown). To do. A control unit (not shown) can detect the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 8 or the image density (toner adhesion amount per unit area) based on the output voltage values from these sensors. .

The printer 500 executes image density control for optimizing the image density of each color when the power is turned on or whenever a predetermined number of prints are performed. In the image density control, first, gradation patterns Sk, Sm, Sc, Sy of each color as shown in FIG. 2 are formed on the intermediate transfer belt 8 at positions facing the optical sensors 91Y, 91M, 91C, 91K. To do. The gradation pattern of each color is composed of 10 toner patches having an area of 2 [cm] × 2 [cm] having different image densities. The charging potentials of the photoreceptors 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K when creating the gradation patterns Sk, Sm, Sc, and Sy for each color are different from the uniform drum charging potential in the printing process and gradually increase in value. To do. Then, while forming a plurality of patch electrostatic latent images for forming a gradation pattern image on the photoreceptors 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K by scanning with laser light, they are used for Y, M, C, and K, respectively. Development is performed by the developing devices 5Y, 5M, 5C, and 5K. During this development, the value of the developing bias applied to the Y, M, C, and K developing rollers is gradually increased. By such development, gradation pattern images of Y, M, C, and K are formed on the photoreceptors 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K. These are primarily transferred so as to be arranged at a predetermined interval in the main scanning direction of the intermediate transfer belt 8. At this time, the toner adhesion amount of the toner patch in the gradation pattern of each color is about 0.1 [mg / cm ² ] at the minimum and 0.55 [mg / cm ² ] at the maximum, and the toner Q / d distribution When measured, it is almost aligned with the regular charging polarity.

  Each toner pattern (Sk, Sm, Sc, Sy) formed on the intermediate transfer belt 8 passes through a position facing the optical sensor 91 as the intermediate transfer belt 8 moves endlessly. At this time, the optical sensor 91 receives an amount of light corresponding to the toner adhesion amount per unit area with respect to the toner patch of each gradation pattern.

  Next, from the output voltage of the optical sensor 91 when each color toner patch is detected and the adhesion amount conversion algorithm, the adhesion amount of each color toner pattern in each toner patch is calculated, and the image forming condition is based on the calculated adhesion amount. Adjust. Specifically, a function (y = ax + b) indicating a straight line graph is calculated by regression analysis based on the result of detecting the toner adhesion amount on the toner patch and the development potential when each toner patch is imaged. Then, an appropriate development bias value is calculated by substituting a target value of image density into this function, and development bias values for Y, M, C, and K are specified.

  The memory stores an image forming condition data table in which several tens of development bias values and appropriate drum charging potentials individually corresponding to the values are associated in advance. For each of the process units 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K, a developing bias value closest to the specified developing bias value is selected from the image forming condition table, and the drum charging potential associated therewith is specified.

The printer 500 also performs color misregistration correction processing when the power is turned on or whenever a predetermined number of prints are performed. In this color misregistration correction process, Y, M, C, and K color toners called chevron patches PV as shown in FIG. 3 are respectively provided at one end and the other end in the width direction of the intermediate transfer belt 8. An image for color misregistration detection composed of an image is formed. As shown in FIG. 3, the chevron patch PV is predetermined in the belt moving direction, which is the sub-scanning direction, with the toner images of the respective colors Y, M, C, and K inclined by about 45 [°] from the main scanning direction. A line pattern group arranged in a pitch. The amount of the chevron patch PV attached is about 0.3 [mg / cm ² ].

  Each color toner image in the chevron patch PV formed at both ends in the width direction of the intermediate transfer belt 8 is detected. As a result, the position in the main scanning direction (photosensitive member axis direction), the position in the sub-scanning direction (belt movement direction), the magnification error in the main scanning direction, and the skew from the main scanning direction are detected in each color toner image. The main scanning direction is a direction in which the laser light is phased on the surface of the photosensitive member as it is reflected by the polygon mirror.

  For such Y, M, C toner images in the chevron patch PV, the optical sensor 91 reads the detection time difference from the K toner image. In the figure, the vertical direction of the paper surface corresponds to the main scanning direction, and after the Y, M, C, and K toner images are arranged in order from the left, the postures are different from those by 90 [°]. , Y toner images are further arranged.

  Based on the difference between the actual measurement value and the theoretical value of the detection time differences tyk, tmk, and tck with respect to K as the reference color, the shift amount in the sub-scanning direction of each color toner image, that is, the registration shift amount is obtained. Then, based on the amount of registration deviation, light on the photosensitive member 1 is formed with every other polygon mirror of an optical writing unit (not shown), which is a part of the toner image forming unit, on one surface, that is, with one scanning line pitch as one unit. The registration start of each color toner image is reduced by correcting the writing start timing.

  Further, the inclination (skew) of each color toner image from the main scanning direction is obtained based on the difference in the amount of deviation in the sub-scanning direction between both ends of the belt. Based on the result, surface tilt correction of the optical system reflection mirror is performed to reduce skew of each color toner image. As described above, the color misregistration correction process is a process that corrects the optical writing start timing and surface tilt based on the detection timing of each toner image in the chevron patch PV to reduce registration deviation and skew deviation. By such a color misregistration correction process, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of color misregistration of an image due to a shift in the formation position of each color toner image with respect to the intermediate transfer belt 8 due to a temperature change or the like.

  Further, if the image forming operation with a low image area continues, the amount of old toner that stays in the developing device 5 for a long time increases, so that the toner charging characteristics deteriorate and the image quality deteriorates when used for image formation (deterioration of developing ability). , Transferability decline). In order to prevent such old toner from staying in the developing device, the toner is discharged to a non-image area of the photosensitive member 1 at a fixed timing, and new toner is replenished to the developing device whose toner density has been lowered after the discharging to refresh the inside of the developing device. It has a refresh mode.

  A control unit (not shown) stores the toner consumption amounts of the developing devices 5Y, 5M, C, and K and the operation times of the developing devices 5Y, M, C, and K. Then, at a predetermined timing, each developing device is checked whether or not the toner consumption amount is equal to or less than a threshold with respect to the operation time of the developing device for a predetermined period, and the refresh mode is executed for the developing device below the threshold.

When the refresh mode is executed, a toner consumption pattern ((a) in FIG. 4) is created in the non-image forming area corresponding to the space between the sheets of the photoreceptor 1 and transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 8. The adhesion amount of the toner consumption pattern is determined based on the toner consumption amount with respect to the operation time of the developing device for a predetermined period, and the maximum adhesion amount per unit area on the intermediate transfer belt is about 1.2 [mg / cm ² ]. May be. Further, when the toner Q / d distribution of the toner consumption pattern (a) transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 8 is measured, it is substantially aligned with the normal charging polarity. In this embodiment, the size of the toner consumption pattern is 25 [mm] × 250 [mm].

  Each color gradation pattern, chevron patch, and toner consumption pattern formed on the intermediate transfer belt 8 are collected by the belt cleaning device 100. At this time, the belt cleaning device 100 must remove a large amount of toner from the intermediate transfer belt 8. However, it cannot be removed by a conventional cleaning device including a polarity control means and a brush roller, or a cleaning device including a brush roller for removing positive toner and a brush roller for removing negative toner. More specifically, untransferred toner images such as each color gradation pattern, chevron patch, and toner consumption pattern could not be removed at once. In such a case, the toner on the intermediate transfer belt 8 that could not be cleaned may be transferred onto the recording paper during the next printing operation, resulting in an abnormal image.

  Therefore, the belt cleaning apparatus 100 of the printer 500 can remove untransferred toner images such as each color gradation pattern, chevron patch, and toner consumption pattern at a time.

  FIG. 5 is an enlarged configuration diagram showing the belt cleaning device 100. In the figure, a belt cleaning apparatus 100 includes a first cleaning subunit 101 and a second cleaning subunit 111 adjacent thereto on the downstream side in the belt moving direction. Further, it also has a third cleaning subunit 121 adjacent to the second cleaning subunit 111 on the downstream side in the belt movement direction.

  The first cleaning subunit 101 has a first cleaning brush roller 102 that is a cleaning member that scrapes off the transfer residual toner from the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 8. Further, the first recovery roller 103 that rotates while contacting the first cleaning brush roller 102 and recovers the transfer residual toner from the brush roller, and the first scraping blade that scrapes the transfer residual toner from the surface of the first recovery roller 103. 104 or the like. The first subunit casing 106 as a holding body also includes a first conveying screw 105 that discharges the transfer residual toner scraped off from the first recovery roller 103 to the outside of the first subunit casing 106. .

  Similar to the first cleaning subunit 101, the second cleaning subunit 111 has the following configuration. That is, the second cleaning brush roller 112, the second recovery roller 113, the second scraping blade 114, the second conveying screw 115, and the second subunit casing 116, which are cleaning members. The third cleaning subunit 121 also has the following configuration, similar to the first cleaning subunit 101. That is, the third cleaning brush roller 122, the third recovery roller 123, the third scraping blade 124, the third transport screw 125, and the third subunit casing 126, which are cleaning members.

  The first cleaning subunit 101, the second cleaning subunit 111, and the third cleaning subunit 121 are individually attached to and detached from a subunit holding casing 150 that is a subunit holder of the belt cleaning device. .

  Most of the toner constituting the transfer residual toner is charged with a normal charging polarity (negative polarity). Therefore, in the first cleaning subunit 101 located on the most upstream side among the three cleaning subunits, a cleaning bias having a polarity (positive polarity) opposite to the normal charging polarity of the toner is applied to the first cleaning brush roller 102. Is applied. As a result, the transfer residual toner charged to the charging polarity (negative polarity) generated on the intermediate transfer belt 8 is electrostatically captured in the brush of the first cleaning brush roller 102. A positive recovery bias having a value larger than the above-described cleaning bias is applied to the first recovery roller 103. In the belt cleaning device 100, a cleaning bias and the like are set so that about 90 [%] of transfer residual toner generated on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 8 is removed by the first cleaning brush roller 102.

  The transfer residual toner includes a small amount of reversely charged toner that has been charged to a polarity opposite to the normal charged polarity. Therefore, a cleaning bias having the same polarity as the normal charging polarity (negative polarity) of the toner is applied to the second cleaning brush roller 112 of the second cleaning subunit 111. Thereby, the reversely charged toner particles of the transfer residual toner are electrostatically captured in the brush of the second cleaning brush roller 112. A negative recovery bias having a value larger than the above-described cleaning bias is applied to the second recovery roller 113. The second cleaning brush roller 112 injects negative charges having a normal charging polarity to the reversely charged toner particles on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 8 to return the reversely charged toner particles to the normal polarity. It also functions as a means.

  A positive cleaning bias that is opposite to the normal charging polarity of the toner is applied to the third cleaning brush roller 122 of the third cleaning subunit 121. Further, a positive collection bias having a value larger than the above-described cleaning bias is applied to the third collection roller 123.

  In the second subunit casing 116 of the second cleaning subunit 111, in the vicinity of the opening for exposing the second cleaning brush roller 112, a first insulating seal member 171 for preventing the reversely charged toner from dropping is provided. Is provided. The first insulating seal member 171 prevents discharge between the first cleaning brush roller 102 and the second cleaning brush roller 112. Furthermore, transfer of the reversely charged toner from the second subunit casing 116 to the first subunit casing 106 is prevented.

  In the third subunit casing 126 of the third cleaning subunit 121, a second insulating seal member 172 for preventing the transfer residual toner from falling is provided in the vicinity of the opening for exposing the third cleaning brush roller 122. Is provided. The second insulating seal member 172 prevents discharge between the third cleaning brush roller 122 and the second cleaning brush roller 112. In addition, transfer residual toner (normally charged polarity) from the third subunit casing 126 to the second subunit casing 116 is prevented.

  In the third subunit casing 126 of the third cleaning subunit 121, a third insulating seal member 173 is provided above the opening for exposing the third cleaning brush roller 122. The third insulating seal member 173 prevents discharge between the third cleaning brush roller 122 and the tension roller (16 in FIG. 1).

  Each of the three cleaning brush rollers (102, 112, 122) includes a metal rotary shaft member that is rotatably supported and a brush portion that includes a plurality of raised brushes erected on the peripheral surface thereof. The outer diameter is 15 to 16 [mm]. The raised nail has a two-layer core-sheath structure in which the inside is made of a conductive material such as conductive carbon and the surface portion is made of an insulating material such as polyester. As a result, the lead has substantially the same potential as the cleaning bias applied to the cleaning brush rollers (102, 112, 122), and the toner can be electrostatically attracted to the raised surface. As a result, the toner on the intermediate transfer belt 8 is captured by the raised brushes of the cleaning brush rollers (102, 112, 122).

  In addition, you may comprise the raising | fluff of the cleaning brush roller (102,112,122) only with a conductive fiber instead of the core-sheath structure of a two-layer structure. Moreover, you may make it the so-called oblique hair planted in the attitude | position inclined with respect to the normal line direction of a rotating shaft member. Further, the raised portions of the first cleaning brush roller 102 and the third cleaning brush roller 122 to which a positive cleaning bias is applied may have a core-sheath structure, and the raised portions of the second cleaning brush roller 112 may be formed of only conductive fibers. Good. By forming the raised portions of the second cleaning brush roller 112 to which the negative cleaning bias is applied only with conductive fibers, it is possible to easily generate charge injection from the second cleaning brush roller 112 to the toner. Accordingly, the second cleaning brush roller 112 can satisfactorily align the toner on the intermediate transfer belt 8 with negative polarity. On the other hand, the brushing of the first cleaning brush roller 102 and the third cleaning brush roller 122 has a core-sheath structure, so that charge injection into the toner can be suppressed, and the toner on the intermediate transfer belt 8 is charged positively. To suppress. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the first cleaning brush roller 102 and the third cleaning brush roller 122 from generating toner that cannot be removed electrostatically.

  Further, the three cleaning brush rollers (102, 112, 122) are bitten into the intermediate transfer belt 8 by a biting amount of 1 [mm]. The brush roller is rotationally driven by a driving means (not shown) so as to move the raised hair in the contact position in the direction opposite to the moving direction of the intermediate transfer belt 8 (counter direction). By rotating the raised hair so as to move in the counter direction at the contact position, the linear velocity difference between the cleaning brush roller and the intermediate transfer belt 8 can be increased. This increases the probability of contact with the raised hair until a portion of the intermediate transfer belt 8 passes through the contact range with the cleaning brush roller, and the toner can be removed from the intermediate transfer belt 8 satisfactorily.

  As the three collection rollers (103, 113, 123), all are made of SUS (stainless steel) rollers. The collection rollers (103, 113, 123) may be made of any material as long as they can function and exhibit the following functions. In other words, the toner adhering to the cleaning brush rollers (102, 112, 122) is transferred from the cleaning brush roller to the collecting roller by the potential gradient between the raised brush and the collecting roller. For example, as a collecting roller, a roller resistance is set to log R = 12 to 13 [Ω] by covering a conductive core metal with a high resistance elastic tube of several [μm] to 100 [μm] or by insulating coating. May be used. By using a SUS roller as the collection roller, there is an advantage that the cost can be reduced, the applied voltage can be kept low, and the power can be saved. On the other hand, by setting the roller resistance to logR = 12 to 13 [Ω], the charge injection into the toner during the collection to the collection roller is suppressed, and the toner has the same polarity as the applied voltage of the collection roller. It can suppress that a recovery rate falls.

The conditions of the three cleaning brush rollers (102, 112, 122) are as follows.
・ Brush material: Conductive polyester (Contains conductive carbon inside the fiber, the fiber surface is polyester, so-called core-sheath structure)
・ Brush resistance: 10E6 to 10E8 [Ω]
・ Brush flocking density: 60,000 to 150,000 [lines / inch ² ]
・ Brush fiber diameter: about 25 to 35 [μm]
-Brush tipping treatment: None-Brush diameter φ: 14-20 [mm]
-Brush fiber biting amount into the intermediate transfer belt 8: 1 [mm]

  The cleaning bias applied to the first cleaning brush roller 102 is set to such a value that a good cleaning performance can be obtained when a large amount of untransferred toner is generated on the intermediate transfer belt 8. The cleaning bias applied to the second cleaning brush roller 112 is set to a high absolute value so that electric charge is injected into the toner on the intermediate transfer belt 8. Further, the brush flocking density, brush resistance, fiber diameter, applied voltage, fiber type, and brush fiber biting amount can be optimized by the system, and thus are not limited thereto. Examples of the types of fibers that can be used include nylon, acrylic, and polyester.

The conditions of the three collection rollers (103, 113, 123) are as follows.
・ Recovery roller core material: SUS303
-Brush fiber biting amount into the collection roller: 1.5 [mm]
The collection roller material, brush fiber entrapment amount, and applied voltage can be optimized by the system, and are not limited thereto.

The conditions of the three scraping blades (104, 114, 124) are as follows.
・ Material: SUS304
・ Blade contact angle: 20 [°]
・ Blade thickness: 0.1 [mm]
・ Blade biting amount into collection roller: 1.0 [mm]
The blade contact angle, the blade thickness, and the amount of biting into the collection roller can be optimized by the system, and are not limited thereto.

  In FIG. 5, the untransferred toner that has passed through the secondary transfer nip (not shown) passes the contact portion between the inlet seal 174 and the belt and moves to the position of the first cleaning brush roller 102 as the intermediate transfer belt 8 moves. Be transported. A cleaning bias having a polarity (positive polarity) opposite to the normal charging polarity of the toner is applied to the first cleaning brush roller 102. The negatively charged toner on the intermediate transfer belt 8 is electrostatically applied to the brush of the first cleaning brush roller 102 by the electric field formed by the potential difference between the intermediate transfer belt 8 and the surface potential of the first cleaning brush roller 102. Adsorb. The negative toner transferred to the first cleaning brush roller 102 is transferred to a contact position with the first recovery roller 103 to which a positive recovery bias having a value larger than that of the first cleaning brush roller 102 is applied. Then, due to the electric field formed by the potential difference between the surface potential of the first cleaning brush roller 102 and the surface potential of the first recovery roller 103, the transfer residual toner in the brush of the first cleaning brush roller 102 is transferred onto the first recovery roller 103. Is electrostatically transferred to. Then, after being scraped off from the surface of the first recovery roller 103 by the first scraping blade 104, it is transported by a first transport screw 105 to a toner storage section (not shown) of the first cleaning subunit 101.

  The transfer residual toner on the intermediate transfer belt 8 that could not be removed by the first cleaning brush roller 102 includes negative polarity toner, positive polarity weakly charged toner, and the like. These untransferred toners are transferred to a contact position with the second cleaning brush roller 112. A voltage having the same polarity (negative polarity) as the normal charging polarity of the toner is applied to the second cleaning brush roller 112, and the polarity of the toner on the intermediate transfer belt 8 is made negative by charge injection or discharge. At the same time, the electric field generated by the potential difference between the intermediate transfer belt 8 and the surface potential of the second cleaning brush roller 112 is transferred into the brush of the second cleaning brush roller 112. Thereafter, after electrostatic transfer to the second recovery roller 113, the second scraping blade 114 is scraped off the second recovery roller 113, and then the second cleaning subunit 111 is not shown by the second transport screw 115. It is transported to the toner reservoir.

  The negative toner that has not been completely removed by the second cleaning brush roller 112 is transferred to a contact position with the third cleaning brush roller 122 as the belt moves. The amount of negative polarity toner transferred in this manner is very small. The toner is electrostatically transferred sequentially to the third cleaning brush roller 122 and the third recovery roller 123 and then scraped off from the third recovery roller 123 by the third scraping blade 124. Then, the toner is transported to a toner storage unit (not shown) of the third cleaning subunit 121 by the third transport screw 125.

Next, a characteristic configuration of the printer 500 will be described.
FIG. 6 is an enlarged configuration diagram illustrating the first cleaning subunit 101 and its surrounding configuration in the belt cleaning apparatus 100 in an enlarged manner. The subunit holding casing 150 of the belt cleaning device 100 has two support portions for detachably supporting the first cleaning subunit 101. It is the 1st left support part 151 as an end support part, and the 1st right support part 152 as an other end support part. In the state where the first cleaning sub-unit 101 is completely set in the sub-unit holding casing 150, the first sub-unit casing 106 is removed from the first left support 151 and the first right support 152 as illustrated. It will be in a floating state. On the other hand, during the operation of sliding the first cleaning subunit 101 in the longitudinal direction with respect to the subunit holding casing 150 and attaching / detaching the first cleaning subunit 101, the first subunit casing 106 has the first left support 151 and the first 1 Place on the right support 152.

  The first left support portion 151 supports the left end portion as one end portion in the short direction (left-right direction in the drawing) of the first subunit casing 106 of the first cleaning sub-unit 101 from below in the vertical direction. More specifically, while supporting the left end portion of the first subunit casing 106 so as to be slidable in the longitudinal direction of the first subunit casing 106 (direction perpendicular to the drawing sheet), the left end portion extends in the short direction. Allow to move. The first left support portion 151 can support the left end portion slidably in the longitudinal direction by a receiving portion that receives the left end portion in a state of extending in the longitudinal direction. It does not have any part that prevents the left end from moving in the short direction. For this reason, movement in the short direction of the left end is allowed.

  The 1st right support part 152 supports the right side edge part as the other end part in the transversal direction of the 1st subunit casing 106 of the 1st cleaning subunit 101 from the perpendicular direction lower part. More specifically, the first right support portion 152 slides the left end portion in the longitudinal direction by the receiving portion that receives the right end portion of the first subunit casing 106 while extending in the longitudinal direction of the first subunit casing 106. Support in a movable manner. Further, the first right support portion 152 includes a left side wall located on the left side of the right end portion of the first subunit casing 106 and a right side wall located on the right side of the right end portion in addition to the receiving portion described above. doing. The right end portion of the first subunit casing 106 is inserted between the left side wall and the right side wall of the first right support portion 152. The distance between the left side wall and the right side wall is set to be greater than the length in the short side direction of the right end portion of the first subunit casing 106. For this reason, as shown, between the right end of the first subunit casing 106 and the left side wall of the first right support 152, the right end and the right side wall of the first right support 152 A gap G is formed between the two. The first right support portion 152 allows the right end portion of the first subunit casing 106 to move in the short direction within the range of the total size of the gaps G.

  In such a configuration, it is assumed that the size in the short direction of the first subunit casing 106 serving as the holding body is larger than the design value within the playable range described above. Even in such a case, the first subunit casing 106 can be inserted between the first left support portion 151 and the first right support portion 152 and supported by the support portions. Therefore, even if the first subunit casing 106 has a dimensional error or extension in the short direction, the first cleaning subunit 101 can be mounted on the subunit holding casing 150.

  FIG. 7 is an enlarged configuration diagram showing the second cleaning subunit 111 and its surrounding configuration in the belt cleaning apparatus 100 in an enlarged manner. The subunit holding casing 150 of the belt cleaning device 100 has two support portions for detachably supporting the second cleaning subunit 111. A second left support portion 153 as one end support portion and a second right support portion 154 as the other end support portion. When the second cleaning subunit 111 is completely set in the subunit holding casing 150, the second subunit casing 116 is removed from the second left support portion 153 and the second right support portion 154 as shown in the figure. It will be in a floating state. On the other hand, when the second cleaning subunit 111 is slidably moved in the longitudinal direction with respect to the subunit holding casing 150 and attached / detached, the second subunit casing 116 is attached to the second left support portion 153 or the second support portion 153. 2 Place on the right support 154.

  The second left support portion 153 supports the left end as one end in the short direction of the second subunit casing 116 of the second cleaning subunit 111 from below in the vertical direction. The left end portion of the second subunit casing 116 is supported so as to be slidable in the longitudinal direction, while allowing the left end portion to move in the short direction. The second right support portion 154 supports the right end portion as the other end portion in the short direction of the second subunit casing 116 from below in the vertical direction. The left end portion is supported so as to be slidable in the longitudinal direction by a receiving portion that receives the right end portion of the second subunit casing 116 while extending in the longitudinal direction of the second subunit casing 116. Further, the second right support part 154 includes a left side wall and a right side wall in addition to the receiving part described above. The right end portion of the second subunit casing 116 is inserted between the left side wall and the right side wall of the second right support portion 154. The distance between the left side wall and the right side wall is set to be larger than the length in the short side direction of the right end portion of the second subunit casing 116. For this reason, as shown in the drawing, between the right end portion of the second subunit casing 116 and the left side wall of the second right support portion 154, the right end portion, and the right side wall of the second right support portion 154 A gap G is formed between the two. The second right support portion 154 allows the right end of the second subunit casing 116 to move in the short direction within the range of the total size of the gaps G.

  In such a configuration, the second cleaning subunit 111 can be mounted on the subunit holding casing 150 even if the second subunit casing 116 has a dimensional error or extension in the short direction.

  FIG. 8 is an enlarged configuration diagram showing the third cleaning subunit 121 and its surrounding configuration in the belt cleaning apparatus 100 in an enlarged manner. The subunit holding casing 150 of the belt cleaning device 100 has two support portions for detachably supporting the third cleaning subunit 121. A third left support 155 as one end support and a third right support 156 as the other end support. In the state where the third cleaning subunit 121 is completely set in the subunit holding casing 150, the third subunit casing 126 is removed from the third left support portion 155 and the third right support portion 156 as shown in the figure. It will be in a floating state. On the other hand, when the third cleaning sub-unit 121 is slidably moved in the longitudinal direction with respect to the sub-unit holding casing 150 and attached / detached, the third sub-unit casing 126 is connected to the third left support portion 155 or the 3 Place on the right support 156.

  The third left support portion 155 supports the left end portion as one end portion in the short direction of the third subunit casing 126 of the third cleaning subunit 121 from below in the vertical direction. The left end portion of the third subunit casing 126 is supported so as to be slidable in the longitudinal direction, while allowing the left end portion to move in the short direction. The third right support portion 156 supports the right end portion as the other end portion in the short direction of the third subunit casing 126 from below in the vertical direction. The left end portion is supported so as to be slidable in the longitudinal direction by the receiving portion that receives the right end portion of the third subunit casing 126 while extending in the longitudinal direction of the third subunit casing 126. The third right support part 156 includes a left side wall and a right side wall in addition to the receiving part described above. The right end portion of the third subunit casing 126 is inserted between the left side wall and the right side wall of the third right support portion 156. The distance between the left side wall and the right side wall is set larger than the length in the short side direction of the right end portion of the third subunit casing 126. Therefore, as shown in the drawing, between the right end portion of the third subunit casing 126 and the left side wall of the third right support portion 156, the right end portion, and the right side wall of the third right support portion 156 A gap G is formed between the two. The third right support portion 156 allows the right end portion of the third subunit casing 126 to move in the short direction within the range of the total size of the gaps G.

  In such a configuration, the third cleaning subunit 121 can be mounted on the subunit holding casing 150 even if the third subunit casing 126 has a dimensional error or extension in the short direction.

  The three cleaning subunits (101, 11, 121) are inserted into the subunit holding casing 150 while being slid from the near side to the far side in the direction orthogonal to the paper surface of FIG. The On the other hand, it is taken out from the subunit holding casing 150 while being slid from the back side to the front side in the direction orthogonal to the drawing sheet. Therefore, when the operator performs the attaching / detaching operation of the cleaning subunit, the operator is positioned on the near side of the printer 500 shown in FIG. Hereinafter, the front (side) in the above direction with respect to the printer 500 shown in FIG.

  FIG. 9 is a rear view showing the rear plate 160 of the subunit holding casing 150. The figure shows the rear plate 160 from the rear side of the subunit holding casing 150. The rear plate 160 includes a first reservoir receiving hole 162a, a first main positioning pin receiving hole 163a, a first sub positioning pin receiving hole 164a, and a first recovery bias pin receiving hole 166a corresponding to the first cleaning subunit 101. Have. Further, it also has a first cleaning bias pin receiving hole 165a. Further, the second reservoir receiving hole 162b, the second main positioning pin receiving hole 163b, the second sub positioning pin receiving hole 164b, the second recovery bias pin receiving hole 166b, and the second corresponding to the second cleaning subunit 111 are provided. A cleaning bias pin receiving hole 165b is provided. Further, the third reservoir receiving hole 162c, the third main positioning pin receiving hole 163c, the third sub positioning pin receiving hole 164c, the third recovery bias pin receiving hole 166c, and the third corresponding to the third cleaning subunit 121 are provided. A cleaning bias pin receiving hole 165c is provided. Furthermore, it also has a drive shaft receiving hole 161.

  FIG. 10 is a rear view showing the upper part of the rear plate 160 together with the third cleaning subunit 121. In the drawing, a drive shaft 130 (described later) of the belt cleaning device 100 passes through the drive shaft receiving hole 161 of the rear plate 160. By this penetration, the rear end portion of the drive shaft 130 projects rearward from the rear plate 160, so that the drive transmission system on the printer 500 main body side can be connected to the rear end portion.

  The circular toner storage portion 129 of the third cleaning subunit 121 passes through the third storage portion receiving hole 162c of the rear plate 160. The toner reservoir 129 protrudes in a columnar shape from the rear plate of the third subunit casing 126 of the third cleaning subunit 121. A clearance exists between the inner wall of the third reservoir receiving hole 162c and the toner reservoir 129. Since the toner storage portion 129 passes through the third storage portion receiving hole 162c of the rear side plate 160, the following operation can be performed. That is, with the belt cleaning device 100 removed from the main body of the printer 500, the toner storage portion 129 screwed into the rear plate of the third subunit casing 126 is rotated and removed from the rear plate, and then the internal waste toner is removed. Is a work to dispose of.

  The third cleaning bias pin 127a of the third cleaning subunit 121 passes through the third cleaning bias pin receiving hole 165c of the rear plate 160. The third cleaning bias pin 127a protrudes rearward from the rear plate of the third subunit casing 126 and is electrically connected to the third cleaning brush roller 122 via a metal bearing (not shown). A clearance exists between the inner wall of the third cleaning bias pin receiving hole 165c and the third cleaning bias pin 127a. Since the rear end portion of the third cleaning bias pin 127a passes through the third cleaning bias pin receiving hole 165c, the following is possible. That is, as shown in FIG. 11, the coupling cap 191 provided on the printer 500 main body side is coupled to the rear end portion of the third cleaning bias pin 127a. Then, a cleaning bias is applied from the coupling cap 191 to the third cleaning brush roller 122 via the third cleaning bias pin 127a and a metal bearing (not shown).

  In FIG. 10, the third recovery bias pin 127 b of the third cleaning subunit 121 passes through the third recovery bias pin receiving hole 166 c of the rear plate 160. The third recovery bias pin 127b protrudes rearward from the rear plate of the third subunit casing 126, and is electrically connected to the third recovery roller 123 via a metal bearing (not shown). A clearance exists between the inner wall of the third recovery bias pin receiving hole 166c and the third recovery bias pin 127b. Since the rear end portion of the third recovery bias pin 127b passes through the third recovery bias pin receiving hole 166c, the following is possible. That is, as shown in FIG. 11, the coupling cap 191 provided on the printer 500 main body side is coupled to the rear end portion of the third recovery bias pin 127b. Then, a recovery bias is applied from the coupling cap 191 to the third recovery roller 123 via the third recovery bias pin 127b and a metal bearing (not shown).

  In FIG. 10, the third rear main positioning pin 128 a of the third cleaning subunit 121 is fitted in the third main positioning pin receiving hole 163 c of the rear side plate 160. The third rear main positioning pin 128a protrudes from the rear plate of the third subunit casing 126 of the third cleaning subunit 121. There is no clearance between the inner wall of the third main positioning pin receiving hole 163c and the third rear main positioning pin 128a, and both are in close contact with each other. As a result, the rear end portion of the third cleaning subunit 121 is positioned.

  The third rear sub-positioning pin 128b of the third cleaning subunit 121 is fitted in the third sub-positioning pin receiving hole 164c of the rear plate 160. The third rear sub-positioning pin 128b protrudes from the rear plate of the third subunit casing 126 of the third cleaning subunit 121. No clearance exists between the upper and lower inner walls and the third rear sub-positioning pin 128b among the upper, lower, left and right inner walls of the third sub-positioning pin receiving hole 164c. However, a clearance exists between each of the left and right inner walls and the third rear sub-positioning pin 128b.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the third rear main positioning pin 128a of the third cleaning subunit 121 is tapered. When the third cleaning subunit 121 is mounted, the third cleaning subunit 121 is pushed into the subunit holding casing 150 from the front side to the rear side of the printer 500. At this time, even if there is a slight misalignment, the tip of the third rear main positioning pin 128a enters the third main positioning pin receiving hole 163c. Thereafter, when the third cleaning sub-unit 121 is further pushed in, the root portion of the third rear main positioning pin 128a slides on the inner wall of the third main positioning pin receiving hole 163c. Then, the root portion of the third rear main positioning pin 128a comes into close contact with the entire inner wall of the third main positioning pin receiving hole 163c.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the third rear sub-positioning pin 128b of the third cleaning subunit 121 is tapered. When the third cleaning subunit 121 is mounted, the third cleaning subunit 121 is pushed into the subunit holding casing 150 from the front side of the printer 500 toward the rear side. At this time, even if there is a slight misalignment, the tip of the third rear sub-positioning pin 128b enters the third sub-positioning pin receiving hole 164c. Thereafter, when the third cleaning sub-unit 121 is further pushed in, the base portion of the third rear sub-positioning pin 128b slides on the inner wall of the third sub-positioning pin receiving hole 164c. The root portion of the third rear sub-positioning pin 128b comes into contact with the upper and lower inner walls of the third sub-positioning pin receiving hole 164c.

  The positioning of the rear end portion in the longitudinal direction of the third subunit casing 126 is completed at the next timing. That is, the root portion of the third rear main positioning pin 128a is in close contact with the entire inner wall of the third main positioning pin receiving hole 163c, and the root portion of the third rear sub positioning pin 128b is the third sub positioning pin receiving hole 164c. It is the timing which contacted the inner wall. The bottom of the rear end portion of the third subunit casing 126 thus positioned is in a state of floating from the third left support portion 155 and the third right support portion 156 of the subunit holding casing 150.

  In FIG. 10, the third rear main positioning pin 128a is located near the third cleaning bias pin 127a to which a high voltage cleaning bias is applied. For this reason, if the third rear main positioning pin 128a is made of a metal material, there is a risk of generating a discharge between the third cleaning bias pin 127a and the third rear main positioning pin 128a. Therefore, in the printer 500, the third rear main positioning pin 128a is made of an insulating resin material. On the other hand, the third rear sub-positioning pin 128b is located relatively far from the third cleaning bias pin 127a and the third recovery bias pin 127b to which a high voltage recovery bias is applied, and between these bias pins. Does not cause a discharge. Therefore, the third rear auxiliary positioning pin 128b is made of a metal material.

  Although the relationship between the various members at the rear end of the third cleaning subunit 121 and the various holes provided in the rear plate 160 has been described, the various members at the rear end of the first cleaning subunit 101 and the rear plate 160 are described. The relationship with the various holes provided in is also the same. The relationship between various members at the rear end portion of the second cleaning subunit 111 and various holes provided in the rear plate 160 is also the same.

  FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing the belt driving unit disposed in the transfer unit 7 together with a part of the third cleaning subunit 121. In the figure, the belt drive unit includes an output coupling 190, a drive output shaft 192, a drive transmission unit 193 including a timing belt, a drive motor 194, and the like. The belt driving unit is provided on the unit rear plate of the transfer unit 7. When the drive motor 194 is rotationally driven, the rotational driving force is transmitted to the drive output shaft 192 via the drive transmission unit 193, and the drive output shaft 192 rotates. An output coupling 190 is fixed to the tip of the drive output shaft 192.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 10, in the belt cleaning device 100, the drive shaft 130 is passed through the drive shaft receiving hole 161 of the rear plate 160 of the subunit holding casing 150. The drive shaft 130 passes through the drive shaft receiving hole of the front side plate (“140” in FIG. 15) of the subunit holding casing 150, passes through the inside of the subunit holding casing 150, and passes through the drive shaft receiving hole of the rear side plate 160. 161 also penetrates. The rear end portion protrudes rearward from the rear side plate 160. FIG. 14 shows the rear end portion of the drive shaft 130 protruding in this manner. An input coupling 131 is fixed to the rear end portion as shown in the figure, and is connected to the output coupling 190 of the belt drive unit. Thereby, the rotational driving force of the drive output shaft 192 is transmitted to the drive shaft 130, and the drive shaft 130 rotates.

  FIG. 15 is a partially enlarged perspective view showing the front end portion of the belt cleaning device 100. The front plate 140 of the belt cleaning device 100 rotatably supports the front end portions of the three cleaning subunits (101, 111, 121) and the front end portion of the drive shaft 130, respectively.

  On the front surface of the front plate 140, a first subunit face plate 141a is fixed by bolts. The first subunit face plate 141a and the front plate 140 are each provided with a first main positioning pin receiving hole (not shown), and both are in communication with each other. Further, the first sub unit face plate 141a and the front side plate 140 are each provided with a first sub positioning pin receiving hole (not shown), and both communicate with each other.

  On the other hand, a first front main positioning pin 108c and a first front sub positioning pin 108d project from the front side plate of the subunit casing of the first cleaning subunit 101. When the first subunit face plate 141a is fixed to the front side plate 140 of the subunit holding casing 150, the front end portion of the first cleaning subunit 101 is positioned as follows. That is, the first front sub-positioning pin 108d of the first cleaning sub-unit 101 is fitted in the first sub-positioning pin receiving hole of the front side plate 140 or the first subunit face plate 141a. At the same time, the first front main positioning pin 108c of the first cleaning subunit 101 is fitted into the first main positioning pin receiving hole of the front plate 140 or the first subunit face plate 141a. Thereby, positioning is made.

  At the time of positioning, the floor at the front end portion of the subunit casing of the first cleaning subunit 101 is the first left support portion (151 in FIG. 6) or the first right support portion (152 in FIG. 6) of the subunit holding casing 150. Floating). Prior to this, the floor of the rear end portion in the subunit casing of the first cleaning sub-unit 101 has already been moved to the first left support portion (151 in FIG. 6) and the first right support portion ( Floating from 152) in FIG. Therefore, when the first subunit face plate 141a is fixed to the front side plate 140 and the front end portion of the first cleaning subunit 101 is positioned, the entire floor of the subunit casing of the first cleaning subunit 101 becomes the first left support portion. Or float from the first right support. In this way, by floating the entire floor of the subunit casing along with the positioning, the subunit casing can be reliably positioned regardless of the dimensional error, extension, deformation, etc. of the subunit casing. On the other hand, if positioning is performed with the floor of the subunit casing attached to the support portion, the positioning of the subunit casing becomes unstable due to dimensional error, extension, deformation, etc. of the subunit casing, so that positioning can be performed. It may disappear.

  The first subunit face plate 141a supports a first drive transmission portion 146a including a first recovery gear 142a, a first screw gear 143a, a first cleaning pulley 144a, a first relay pulley gear 145a, and the like. The first recovery gear 142a, the first screw gear 143a, the first cleaning pulley 144a, and the first relay pulley gear 145a are all rotatably supported by the first subunit face plate 141a.

  The first collection gear 142a is connected to the shaft member of the first collection roller 103 (not shown) by a coupling (not shown) on the back side of the first subunit face plate 141a. The first screw gear 143a is connected to a shaft member of the first transport screw 105 (not shown) by a coupling (not shown) on the back side of the first subunit face plate 141a. The first cleaning pulley 144a is connected to the shaft member of the first cleaning brush roller 102 (not shown) by a coupling (not shown) on the back side of the first subunit face plate 141a.

  The first relay pulley gear 145a meshes with the first recovery gear 142a at the gear portion. Thereby, the rotational driving force of the first relay pulley gear 145a is transmitted to the first recovery gear 142a, and the first recovery roller 103 (not shown) rotates inside the first cleaning subunit 101. Further, when the first recovery gear 142a rotates, the first screw gear 143a meshing with the first recovery gear 142a rotates. As a result, the first transport screw 105 (not shown) rotates inside the first cleaning subunit 101.

  A timing belt is wound around the first relay pulley gear 145a and the first cleaning pulley 144a. As a result, the rotational driving force of the first relay pulley gear 145a is transmitted to the first cleaning pulley 144a, and the first cleaning brush roller 102 (not shown) rotates inside the first cleaning subunit 101.

  Although the positioning of the front end portion in the longitudinal direction of the first cleaning subunit 101 has been described, the positioning of the front end portion of the second cleaning subunit 111 and the third cleaning subunit 121 is similarly performed. Further, the first drive transmission unit 146a of the first cleaning subunit 101 has been described, but the same applies to the second drive transmission unit 146b of the second cleaning subunit 111 and the third drive transmission unit 146c of the third cleaning subunit 121. It is the composition of.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the rotational driving force transmitted to the drive shaft 130 behind the belt cleaning device 100 is transmitted to the front of the belt cleaning device 100 by the drive shaft 130 as shown in FIG. 15. Specifically, the front end portion of the drive shaft 130 passes through a through hole provided in the front side plate 140 of the subunit holding casing 150 and projects forward from the front side plate 140. An output pulley 1301 is fixed to the front end portion of the drive shaft 130, and a timing belt is wound around the output pulley 1301 and the third relay pulley gear 145c on the third subunit face plate 141c. . As a result, the rotational driving force of the drive shaft 130 is transmitted to the third relay pulley gear 145c, and various rotary members (for example, the third cleaning brush roller 122) in the third cleaning subunit 121 are rotationally driven. The timing belt is also wound around the third cleaning pulley 144c on the third subunit face plate 141c and the second relay pulley gear 145b on the second subunit face plate 141b. As a result, the rotational driving force of the third cleaning pulley 144c is transmitted to the second relay pulley gear 145b, and various rotary members in the second cleaning subunit 111 are rotationally driven. The timing belt is also wound around the second cleaning pulley 144b on the second subunit face plate 141b and the first relay pulley gear 145a on the first subunit face plate 141a. As a result, the rotational driving force of the second cleaning pulley 144b is transmitted to the first relay pulley gear 145a, and various rotary members in the first cleaning subunit 101 are rotationally driven.

  Thus, in the printer 500, the drive transmission system of the belt cleaning device 100 is concentrated in front of the front side plate 140. On the other hand, a coupling cap 191 for applying a cleaning bias and a recovery bias is concentrated behind the rear side plate 160. This realizes a layout in which the coupling cap 191 and the bias pin to which a high voltage is applied and the metal rotation shaft of the drive transmission system cannot be brought close to each other, and the occurrence of discharge between them can be avoided. .

  The first cleaning subunit 101 is detached from the subunit holding casing 150 as follows. First, the two timing belts are removed from the first drive transmission portion 146a of the first subunit face plate 141a. Then, the bolts of the first subunit face plate 141 a are loosened and the first subunit face plate 141 a is removed from the front side plate 140. Then, the subunit removal opening covered by the first subunit face plate 141a opens a large opening. Next, a hand is put into this subunit removal opening provided in the front side plate 140, and the first cleaning subunit 101 is pulled out from the subunit holding casing 150. When the first cleaning sub-unit 101 is set in the sub-unit holding casing 150, a reverse process to the pulling out process may be performed. Similarly, the second cleaning subunit 111 and the third cleaning subunit 121 can be attached to and detached from the subunit holding casing 150.

FIG. 16 is a perspective explanatory view of the belt cleaning device 100 in which the front plate 140 shown in FIG. 15 is provided with a reinforcing plate 310, six bearing cases 311 and a front plate handle portion 410. The reinforcing plate 310 is fixed to the front side plate 140 by screw fastening.
As shown in FIG. 15, the first collection shaft 245 a that is the rotation shaft of the first collection roller 103, the second collection shaft 245 b that is the rotation shaft of the second collection roller 113, and the first collection shaft that is the rotation shaft of the third collection roller 123. The portion of the 3 recovery shaft 245c that protrudes from the front side plate 140 is long. Further, the second brush shaft 244b, which is the rotation shaft of the second cleaning brush roller 112, the third brush shaft 244c, which is the rotation shaft of the third cleaning brush roller 122, and the drive shaft 130 also protrude from the front plate 140. The part is long. The protruding portions of these rotating shafts become long because it is necessary to attach a plurality of gears or pulleys to one shaft in order to frustrate the drive system.

A rotating shaft with a long protruding portion with respect to the front side plate 140 falls under the influence of a gear, a timing belt, etc., and the rotating shaft is shaken by rotating as it is. When the rotating shaft swings by rotating, the rotating shaft is repeatedly deformed and may be damaged by fatigue.
In the belt cleaning device 100 of the present embodiment, as a configuration for preventing the rotation of the rotating shaft, a reinforcing plate 310 that restricts the movement of the tip of the rotating shaft and six bearing cases 311 are provided. The bearing case 311 prevents movement of the rotating shaft by restricting the movement of the tip of the rotating shaft.

  Of the six bearing cases 311, the first bearing case 311a restricts the movement of the tip of the drive shaft 130, and the second bearing case 311b restricts the movement of the tip of the third recovery shaft 245c. The third bearing case 311c restricts the movement of the tip of the third brush shaft 244c, and the fourth bearing case 311d restricts the movement of the tip of the second recovery shaft 245b. Further, the fifth bearing case 311e restricts the movement of the tip of the second brush shaft 244b, and the sixth bearing case 311f restricts the movement of the tip of the first recovery shaft 245a.

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the relationship between one of the six bearing cases 311 and the reinforcing plate 310. 18 is an enlarged perspective view of a position where one of the six bearing cases 311 engages with the reinforcing plate 310 as seen from the back side in FIG.
Since the six bearing cases 311 have the same configuration except that the positions to be arranged with respect to the reinforcing plate 310 are different, in FIG. 17 and FIG. The rotation axis to be regulated is described as the rotation axis 250.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the bearing case 311 has a configuration in which a bearing 313 is press-fitted into the case engaging portion 312. As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the reinforcing plate 310 is provided with a case through hole 320 through which the case engaging portion 312 of the bearing case 311 passes. As shown in FIG. 18, the case engaging portion 312 is cylindrical and forms a case through hole 320. Furthermore, the outer peripheral diameter (D1 in FIG. 17) of the cylindrical case engaging portion 312 is smaller than the inner peripheral diameter (D2 in FIG. 17) of the case through-hole 320. For this reason, when the bearing case 311 is attached to the reinforcing plate 310, a gap is left between the case through-hole 320 and the outer periphery of the case engaging portion 312 as shown in FIG. As a result, the bearing case 311 can be attached to a position that matches the position of the tip of the rotating shaft 250.

The rotating shaft 250 (130, 245c, 244c, 245b, 244b and 245a) is also supported by the rear side plate 160 and the front side plate 140, and is already supported at two points other than the front end to which the bearing case 311 is attached. For this reason, if the position of the front-end | tip of the rotating shaft 250 is positioned with the bearing case 311, the rotating shaft 250 will be supported by three points. In such a configuration, there is no problem if the three points are on an ideal straight line, but if one point is not located on the virtual straight line connecting the other two points, The distortion force works, causing the rotating shaft 250 and the bearing to collide and scrape, causing a problem such as breakage of the member.
Therefore, in the belt cleaning device 100 of the present embodiment, the bearing 313 that is a bearing that supports the tip of the rotating shaft 250 does not force the rotating shaft 250 to be positioned with respect to the reinforcing plate 310, and the tip of the rotating shaft 250 is not forcedly positioned. It can be fixed at a position that matches the position. Thereby, it becomes possible to arrange | position two bearings which support the rotating shaft 250 in the rear side board 160 and the front side board 140, and the bearing 313 on a straight line, and generation | occurrence | production of malfunctions, such as a failure | damage of the member mentioned above, is prevented. be able to.

  The bearing case 311 is fixed to the reinforcing plate 310 by screwing the reinforcing case 310 in a state where the bearing 313 is positioned at a position corresponding to the position of the tip of the rotating shaft 250. At this time, the diameter of the hole through which the screw of the bearing case 311 passes is larger than the diameter of the screw shaft so that the bearing case 311 can be displaced with respect to the screw hole provided in the reinforcing plate 310. Even if the hole through which the screw of the bearing case 311 passes is larger than the diameter of the shaft of the screw, the bearing case 311 can be fixed to the reinforcing plate 310 by tightening the screw.

When the screw is tightened, a force in the rotational direction acts on the bearing case 311. If the bearing case 311 rotates about the axis of the screw due to this force, the position of the bearing 313 in accordance with the position of the tip of the rotating shaft 250 will fluctuate, and the above-mentioned members will be damaged. May occur.
In order to prevent this, when the bearing case 311 is fixed to the reinforcing plate 310, the bearing case 311 is fixed to the reinforcing plate 310 with a contact agent in a state where the bearing 313 aligned with the position of the tip of the rotating shaft 250 is located. To do. As a result, when the screw is tightened, the bearing case 311 can be prevented from rotating and the position of the bearing 313 can be prevented from shifting. Further, by fixing the bearing case 311 to the reinforcing plate 310 by screw fastening, the fixing strength can be improved as compared with the case where only the adhesive is fixed, and the rotation of the rotary shaft 250 can be stabilized over a long period of time.

  Further, when no adhesive is used, a rotating force is exerted at the time of screw tightening such that the bearing case 311 rotates in a direction in which the gear provided on the rotating shaft 250 hits another gear that is in contact with the gear. The bearing case 311 is disposed on the surface. In addition, the bearing case 311 is arranged so that a rotating force acts at the time of screw tightening so that the bearing case 311 rotates in a direction opposite to the direction in which the pulley provided on the rotating shaft is pulled by the timing belt. Also good.

  Specifically, when the rotary shaft 250 is the second recovery shaft 245b, the second relay pulley gear 145b provided on the second recovery shaft 245b is moved upward by the timing belt wound around the third cleaning pulley 144c. The force that is pulled up is applied. For this reason, when the fourth bearing case 311d is attached to the second recovery shaft 245b, when the fourth bearing case 311d is rotated by tightening the screws, the position where the bearing 313 is provided is directed downward. A case 311d is arranged. As a result, even after the fourth bearing case 311d is attached to the tip of the second recovery shaft 245b and the fourth bearing case 311d is about to rotate by tightening the screw, the timing belt moves the second recovery shaft 245b upward. Pulling force acts. Therefore, when the screw is tightened, it is possible to suppress the rotation of the fourth bearing case 311d, and it is possible to suppress the position of the bearing 313 from fluctuating with respect to the tip of the second recovery shaft 245b.

What has been described above is merely an example, and the present invention has a specific effect for each of the following modes.
[Aspect A]
Aspect A includes a cleaning member (for example, cleaning brush rollers 102, 112, and 122) that scrapes off adhering matter adhering to the surface of the object to be cleaned (for example, intermediate transfer belt 8), and a cleaning member. A plurality of cleaning subunits (for example, 101, 111, 121) having a holding body (for example, subunit casings 106, 116, 126), and a sub for individually holding the plurality of cleaning subunits. And a plurality of supports that individually support the respective holding bodies in the plurality of cleaning subunits so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction thereof. A cleaning device (for example, a belt cleaning device) 100), the one end support in which the one end portion in the short direction of the holding body is slidably supported in the longitudinal direction of the holding body, and the one end portion is allowed to move in the short direction. A portion (for example, left support portions 151, 153, and 155) and the other end portion of the holding body in the short direction so as to be slidable in the longitudinal direction, and the other end portion in the short direction. A combination with the other end support portion (for example, the right support portions 152, 154, 156) that allows the free movement within a predetermined range is provided.
According to this, as described in the above embodiment, the one end support portion that supports one end portion in the short direction of the holder of the cleaning subunit and the other end support portion that supports the other end portion are respectively the holders. The movement in the short direction is allowed. In such a configuration, even if the size of the cleaning subunit holding body in the short direction is larger than the design value within the movable range, the holding body is held between the one end supporting portion and the other end supporting portion. It can be inserted in the longitudinal direction of the body and supported by these support portions. Therefore, even if there is a dimensional error or extension in the short direction on the holder of the cleaning subunit, the cleaning subunit can be attached to the subunit holder in the longitudinal direction.

[Aspect B]
Aspect B is the same as aspect A in that the first positioned portion (for example, the third rear main positioning pin 128a, the third rear end) provided on one end surface of the cleaning subunit in the longitudinal direction (for example, the surface of the rear plate 160). A first positioning portion (for example, main positioning pin receiving holes 163a to 163c, sub positioning pin receiving holes 164a to c) that is coupled to the sub positioning pins 128b) and positions one end portion of the cleaning subunit in the longitudinal direction; The cleaning sub unit is coupled to a second positioned portion (for example, front main positioning pins 108c, 118c, 128c, front sub positioning pins 108d, 118d, 128d) provided on the other end surface in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning sub unit. A second positioning portion for positioning the other end of the unit in the longitudinal direction (for example, the front plate 140 or the sub-plate A plurality of combinations of the main positioning pin receiving hole and the sub positioning pin receiving hole) of the knit face plate are provided on the subunit holding body individually corresponding to the plurality of cleaning subunits. The bottom surface of the cleaning subunit is suspended in the air in a state where the first positioned portion is coupled to the first positioning portion and the second positioned portion is coupled to the second positioning portion, respectively. .
According to this, as described in the above embodiment, the bottom surface of the cleaning subunit (for example, the entire floor of the subunit casing) is floated along with the positioning. Accordingly, the cleaning subunit can be reliably positioned regardless of the dimensional error, extension, deformation, etc. of the cleaning subunit.

[Aspect C]
Aspect C is the aspect of the cleaning subunit in the aspect A or B, when the cleaning subunit is pushed inward from the outside to the inside of the subunit holder along the longitudinal direction. An electrode (for example, a third cleaning bias pin 127a) for receiving a cleaning bias from the outside to be applied to the cleaning member is provided at the one end (for example, the rear end) which is the downstream end in the pushing direction. It is characterized by.
According to this, as described in the above embodiment, when the cleaning subunit is mounted on the subunit holder, the electrode (for example, the coupling cap 191) provided on the subunit holder side receives the cleaning bias from the outside. Combines with the receiving electrode. Then, a cleaning bias can be applied to the cleaning member from the electrode provided on the subunit holder side.

[Aspect D]
Aspect D, in embodiments C, the driving force receiving portion for receiving a driving force in the downstream side of the push-in direction of the downstream end of the sub-unit holding body (for example, input coupling 131), received by the drive Do受 only portion First driving force transmission means (for example, driving shaft 130) for transmitting the generated driving force to the upstream side of the upstream end in the pushing direction of the subunit holding body, and the driving force of the first driving force transmission means. Second drive driving force transmission means (for example, first to third drive transmission units 146a to 146c) that transmit to the cleaning members of the plurality of cleaning subunits are provided.
According to this, as described in the above embodiment, the drive system called the second drive driving force transmitting means can be arranged upstream of the cleaning subunit in the pushing direction, and the cleaning subunit is pulled out upstream in the pushing direction. It is possible to adopt an advantageous configuration. Further, the electrode that receives the cleaning bias from the outside is arranged downstream in the pushing direction, and the second driving driving force transmitting means is arranged upstream in the pushing direction, so that the electrode and the second driving driving force transmitting means are not brought close to each other. Can be realized. Thereby, when a metal member is present on the rotating shaft of the drive transmission system, it is possible to avoid the occurrence of discharge between the metal member and the electrode.

[Aspect E]
Aspect E is the aspect D, in which at least one of the first driving force transmission means (for example, the drive shaft 130) or the second driving driving force transmission means (for example, the first to third drive transmission portions 146a to 146c) is A rotating shaft (for example, the second recovery shaft 245b) and a rotating body (for example, the second relay pulley gear 145b) that transmits driving by rotating around the rotating shaft are provided to restrict the movement of the tip of the rotating shaft. A shaft tip regulating member (for example, a fourth bearing case 311d) is provided.
According to this, as described in the above embodiment, it is possible to prevent the rotation shaft from swinging.

[Aspect F]
In the aspect E, when the rotating shaft (for example, the second recovery shaft 245b) is supported by two points other than the tip (for example, the support portion of the front side plate 140 and the rear side plate 160), the two points The shaft tip regulating member (for example, the fourth bearing case 311d) is arranged in accordance with the determined position of the tip of the rotating shaft.
According to this, as described in the above embodiment, it is possible to prevent the rotation shaft from being twisted. Specifically, when the rotating shaft is supported at three points, if the positional relationship between the three points is fixed in advance, if the three points are not on a straight line, a distortion force acts on the rotating shaft, and the rotating shaft is twisted. To do. When the rotating shaft is twisted, the rotating shaft is broken or the rotating shaft is scraped. On the other hand, when the rotating shaft is supported at three points, the position for supporting the tip is not fixed in advance, and the shaft tip regulating member is arranged in accordance with the position of the tip of the rotating shaft determined by the other two points. The movement can be restricted without going against the position of the tip of the rotating shaft.

[Aspect G]
In aspect F, the shaft tip regulating member (for example, the fourth bearing case 311d) is fixed to a subunit holding body (for example, the reinforcing plate 310 fixed to the front side plate 140 of the subunit holding casing 150) by screw fastening. The shaft tip restricting member is bonded to the subunit holder before the screw is tightened.
According to this, as described in the above embodiment, even if a force for rotating the shaft tip regulating member is applied when the screw is tightened by fixing in advance before the screw is tightened, It is possible to prevent the position of the shaft tip regulating member from changing with respect to the tip.

[Aspect H]
In aspect F, the shaft tip regulating member (for example, the fourth bearing case 311d) is fixed to a subunit holding body (for example, the reinforcing plate 310 fixed to the front side plate 140 of the subunit holding casing 150) by screw fastening. And a rotation preventing means (for example, a timing belt) for preventing the shaft tip regulating member from rotating when the screw is tightened.
According to this, as described in the above embodiment, the rotation preventing means prevents the shaft tip regulating member from rotating when the screw is tightened. For this reason, even if the force which rotates a shaft front-end | tip regulating member acts when tightening a screw, it can prevent that the position of the shaft front-end | tip regulating member with respect to the front-end | tip of the said rotating shaft fluctuates.

[Aspect I]
Aspect H includes an image carrier (for example, intermediate transfer belt 8) that carries a toner image, toner image forming means (for example, process unit 6) that forms a toner image on the surface of the image carrier, and the image carrier. In an image forming apparatus (for example, the printer 500) including a cleaning device that scrapes and cleans toner that is attached to the surface of the body, the cleaning device according to any one of aspects A to H is used as the cleaning device. (For example, a belt cleaning device 100) is used.
According to this, as described in the above embodiment, the cleaning subunit is mounted in the longitudinal direction with respect to the subunit holding body even if there is a dimensional error or extension in the short direction on the holding body of the cleaning subunit. An image forming apparatus that can be used is realized.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Photoconductor 2 Charging device 4 Drum cleaning device 5 Developing device 6 Process unit 7 Transfer unit 8 Intermediate transfer belt 9 Primary transfer roller 10 Driven roller 11 Drive roller 12 Secondary transfer counter roller 13 Cleaning counter roller 16 Tension roller 17 Application brush counter Roller 18 Secondary transfer roller 90 Optical sensor unit 91 Optical sensor 91Y Y optical sensor 91M M optical sensor 91C C optical sensor 91K K optical sensor 100 Belt cleaning device 101 First cleaning subunit 102 First cleaning brush roller 103 First recovery roller 104 First scraping blade 105 Conveying screw 106 First subunit casing 108c First front main positioning pin 108d First front sub positioning pin 111 Second chest The cleaning subunit 112 The second cleaning brush roller 113 The second recovery roller 114 The second scraping blade 115 The second conveying screw 116 The second subunit casing 121 The third cleaning subunit 122 The third cleaning brush roller 123 The third recovery roller 124 Third scraping blade 125 Third transport screw 126 Third subunit casing 127a Cleaning bias pin 127b Recovery bias pin 128a Third rear main positioning pin 128b Third rear sub positioning pin 129 Toner reservoir 130 Drive shaft 131 Input coupling 140 Front plate 141a First subunit face plate 141b Second subunit face plate 141c Third subunit face plate 142a First recovery gear 143a First disc New gear 144a First cleaning pulley 144b Second cleaning pulley 144c Third cleaning pulley 145a First relay pulley gear 145c Third relay pulley gear 145b Second relay pulley gear 146a First drive transmission portion 146b Second drive transmission portion 146c Third drive transmission portion 150 Subunit holding casing 151 First left support portion 152 First right support portion 153 Second left support portion 154 Second right support portion 155 Third left support portion 156 Third right support portion 160 Rear side plate 161 Drive shaft receiving hole 162a First 1 storage portion receiving hole 162b second storage portion receiving hole 162c third storage portion receiving hole 163a first main positioning pin receiving hole 163b second main positioning pin receiving hole 163c third main positioning pin receiving hole 164a first sub positioning pin receiving hole 64b Second sub positioning pin receiving hole 164c Third sub positioning pin receiving hole 165a First cleaning bias pin receiving hole 165b Cleaning bias pin receiving hole 165c Cleaning bias pin receiving hole 166a First recovery bias pin receiving hole 166b Recovery bias pin receiving hole 166c Recovery bias pin receiving hole 171 First insulating seal member 172 Second insulating seal member 173 Third insulating seal member 174 Inlet seal 190 Output coupling 191 Coupling cap 192 Drive output shaft 193 Drive transmission unit 194 Drive motor 200 Lubrication Agent application device 201 Application brush roller 202 Solid lubricant 244b Second brush shaft 244c Third brush shaft 245a First recovery shaft 245b Second recovery shaft 245c Third recovery shaft 250 Rotating shaft 310 Reinforcement 311 Bearing case 311a 1st bearing case 311b 2nd bearing case 311c 3rd bearing case 311d 4th bearing case 311e 5th bearing case 311f 6th bearing case 312 Case engaging part 313 Bearing 320 Case through-hole 410 Front side plate handle part 500 Printer 900 Cleaning device 901 First subunit 908 Intermediate transfer belt 911 Second subunit 921 Third subunit 950 Subunit holder 951 First support portion 952 Second support portion 953 Third support portion 1301 Output pulley L Laser light P Recording paper

JP 2012-037744 A

Claims (8)

A plurality of cleaning subunits comprising a cleaning member that scrapes off deposits adhering to the surface while being in contact with the surface of the object to be cleaned, a holding body that holds the cleaning member, and the plurality of cleaning subunits Each of the plurality of cleaning subunits, and each of the plurality of cleaning bodies is individually supported so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction. In the cleaning device provided in the body,
As the support body, one end support part that allows one end part of the holding body to move in the longitudinal direction while supporting one end part in the short side direction of the holding body, A combination with the other end support portion that allows the other end portion to move in the short direction while supporting the other end portion in the short direction movably in the longitudinal direction ,
A first positioning portion that is coupled to a first positioned portion provided on one end surface in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning subunit and positions the one end portion in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning subunit; and the cleaning subunit A plurality of the cleaning subunits are combined with a second positioning portion that is coupled to a second positioned portion provided on the other end surface in the longitudinal direction and positions the other end portion in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning subunit. A plurality of the sub-unit holders are provided in correspondence with each other, and for each of the plurality of cleaning subunits, the first positioned portion is coupled to the first positioning portion, and the second positioned portion is connected to the second positioning portion. The bottom surface of the cleaning sub-unit is suspended in the air while being connected to the positioning unit. Cleaning apparatus, characterized in that the. In the cleaning apparatus of 請 Motomeko 1,
Each of the plurality of cleaning subunits is a downstream end portion in the pushing direction of the cleaning subunit when the cleaning subunit is pushed from the outside to the inside of the subunit holding body along the longitudinal direction. A cleaning apparatus, wherein an electrode for receiving a cleaning bias from the outside for applying to the cleaning member is provided at one end. The cleaning device according to claim 2 .
A drive receiving portion that receives a driving force downstream of the downstream end of the subunit holding body in the pushing direction, and a driving force received by the drive receiving portion from an upstream end of the subunit holding body in the pushing direction. also provided a first drive force transmission means for transmitting to the upstream side, the driving force of the first driving force transmitting means, and a second driving force transmitting means for transmitting to each of said cleaning member in a plurality of the cleaning subunit A cleaning device characterized by that. The cleaning device according to claim 3 .
Wherein at least one of the first driving force transmitting means or said second driving force transmission means, and a rotating body which transmits the driving by rotating around the rotation shaft and the rotation axis,
A cleaning device comprising: a shaft tip regulating member for regulating movement of the tip of the rotating shaft. The cleaning device according to claim 4 .
When the rotating shaft is supported at two points other than the tip, the shaft tip regulating member is arranged in accordance with the position of the tip of the rotating shaft determined by these two points. The cleaning device according to claim 5 .
The shaft tip regulating member is fixed to the subunit holding body by screw fastening,
Before the screw is tightened, the shaft tip regulating member is bonded to the subunit holder. The cleaning device according to claim 5 .
The shaft tip regulating member is fixed to the subunit holding body by screw fastening,
A cleaning device, comprising: a rotation preventing means for preventing the shaft tip regulating member from rotating when a screw is tightened. An image carrier that carries a toner image, a toner image forming unit that forms a toner image on the surface of the image carrier, and a cleaning that scrapes off and removes toner that is adhering to the surface of the image carrier. An image forming apparatus comprising:
As the cleaning device, an image forming apparatus characterized by using any of the cleaning apparatus of claims 1 to 7.

Images