JP6447440B2 - Cleaning device, intermediate transfer unit including the same, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

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

  Conventionally, as an image forming apparatus such as a printer or a copying machine employing an electrophotographic method, a photosensitive drum that carries an electrostatic latent image, and an intermediate transfer unit that transfers a toner image from the photosensitive drum to a sheet, What you have is known. In order to transfer an image composed of a plurality of colors typified by a full-color image onto a sheet, the intermediate transfer unit includes an intermediate transfer belt and a primary transfer roller. The intermediate transfer belt is circulated so as to face the plurality of photosensitive drums, and a toner image is transferred from each photosensitive drum onto the intermediate transfer belt by a primary transfer voltage applied to the primary transfer roller.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a cleaning device that cleans the surface of an intermediate transfer belt. The cleaning device includes a pre-brush extending in the width direction of the intermediate transfer belt, and a cleaning roller. The pre-brush contacts the surface of the intermediate transfer belt and temporarily holds the toner. For this reason, a predetermined bias is applied to the pre-brush.

JP 2009-181115 A

  The pre-brush as described above is formed by fixing a plurality of conductive brush layers with a double-sided tape on a metal plate. In this case, since a double-sided tape is interposed between the brush and the plate, there is a problem that a bias application failure to the brush is likely to occur.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a cleaning device that prevents a bias application failure to a brush with a simple configuration, an intermediate transfer unit including the same, and an image forming apparatus. To do.

  A cleaning device according to one aspect of the present invention is a cleaning device that cleans a cleaning target that is driven to circulate along a predetermined rotating direction and carries a toner image on a surface thereof. A cleaning member that cleans the surface of the cleaning body; and a brush unit that is disposed upstream of the cleaning member in the circumferential direction and includes a plurality of conductive brushes that contact the body to be cleaned. The unit extends in a width direction intersecting the circumferential direction, includes a facing surface facing the object to be cleaned, a conductive plate to which a predetermined voltage is applied, and a base attached to the facing surface of the plate A brush body including a material and the conductive brush planted on the base material, and the pre-press from the one end side in the circumferential direction so as to sandwich the plate and the brush body. Mounted on the bets, characterized in that it comprises a locking member for conducting to conduct the conductive brush and the plate.

  According to this configuration, the locking member is attached to the plate so as to sandwich the plate and the brush body, whereby the plate and the brush body can be easily conducted. For this reason, improper application of bias to the brush body is suppressed. Further, even when the base material of the brush body is attached to the plate with a double-sided tape or the like, the locking member has a function of holding the brush body. This prevents the brush body from being detached from the plate. Further, as compared with the case where the brush body is fastened to the plate by a screw or the like, the assembly of the brush unit is realized easily and quickly.

  Said structure WHEREIN: The said locking member presses the said 1st press part which presses the surface on the opposite side to the said opposing surface among the said plates, and the said brush body, Between the said 1st press part, the said A second pressing portion that sandwiches the plate and the brush body, and a connecting portion that is disposed opposite to the one end side in the circumferential direction of the plate and connects the first pressing portion and the second pressing portion. It is desirable to provide.

  According to this configuration, since the locking member includes the first pressing portion and the second pressing portion, the plate and the brush body can be easily conducted.

  In the above configuration, the locking member includes an engagement portion coupled to the other end side of the circumferential direction of the first pressing portion, and the plate is engaged with the engagement member when the engagement member is attached. It is desirable to provide a hole part with which the joint part engages.

  According to this configuration, the engaging portion engages with the hole portion as the locking member is attached. For this reason, detachment of the locking member is prevented during use of the cleaning device.

  In the above configuration, the locking member is coupled to the other end side of the second pressing portion in the circumferential direction, and is separated from the facing surface along the mounting direction of the locking member with respect to the plate. It is desirable to provide an inclined guide part.

  According to this structure, the guide part is provided with the inclined shape which spreads forward along the mounting direction. For this reason, mounting | wearing with respect to the plate of a locking member is implement | achieved smoothly.

  In the above configuration, it is desirable that the locking member is composed of a single linear member.

  According to this configuration, the locking member is formed with an inexpensive and simple configuration.

  An intermediate transfer unit according to another aspect of the present invention includes a cleaning device according to any one of the above, the intermediate transfer belt as the member to be cleaned, and a pair of rollers that support the intermediate transfer belt so as to be able to go around. It is characterized by having.

  According to this configuration, the locking member is attached to the plate so as to sandwich the plate and the brush body, whereby the plate and the brush body can be easily conducted. Therefore, the bias is stably applied to the brush body, and the toner can be removed from the intermediate transfer belt.

  An image forming apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention includes: the above-described intermediate transfer unit; and a plurality of image carriers that are disposed to face the intermediate transfer belt and carry the toner image. Features.

  According to this configuration, an image forming apparatus including a cleaning device that suppresses a bias application failure to the brush with a simple configuration is provided.

  According to the present invention, there is provided a cleaning device that suppresses a bias application failure to a brush with a simple configuration, an intermediate transfer unit, and an image forming apparatus provided with the same.

1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an internal structure of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front view of an intermediate transfer unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an intermediate transfer unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a part of an intermediate transfer unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a one part perspective view of the brush unit which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a one part perspective view of the brush unit which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a section perspective view of the brush unit concerning the embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing of the brush unit which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view of the locking member concerning the embodiment of the present invention. It is a front view of the locking member concerning the embodiment of the present invention. 1 is an enlarged perspective view of the inside of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is an enlarged perspective view of the inside of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, a tandem color printer is illustrated as an example of an image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus may be, for example, a copying machine, a facsimile machine, and a complex machine of these.

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the image forming apparatus 10. The image forming apparatus 10 includes an apparatus main body 11 having a box-shaped housing structure. In the apparatus main body 11, a sheet feeding unit 12 that feeds the sheet P, an image forming unit 13 that forms a toner image to be transferred to the sheet P fed from the sheet feeding unit 12, and the toner image are primarily transferred. Intermediate transfer unit 14, secondary transfer roller 145, toner replenishing unit 15 for replenishing toner to the image forming unit 13, and fixing unit for performing a process of fixing an unfixed toner image formed on the sheet P to the sheet P 16 are decorated. Further, a discharge unit 17 that discharges the sheet P that has been subjected to the fixing process by the fixing unit 16 is provided on the upper portion of the apparatus main body 11.

  A sheet conveyance path 111 extending in the vertical direction is formed in the apparatus main body 11 at a position on the right side of the image forming unit 13. In the sheet conveyance path 111, a conveyance roller pair 112 and a registration roller pair 113 for conveying a sheet to an appropriate place are provided. The sheet conveyance path 111 is a conveyance path that conveys the sheet P from the paper feeding unit 12 to the paper discharge unit 17 via the image forming unit 13 (secondary transfer nip unit) and the fixing unit 16.

  The sheet feeding unit 12 includes a sheet feeding tray 121 that stores a sheet bundle P1 in which a plurality of sheets P are stacked, a pickup roller 122, a sheet feeding roller pair 123, and a manual feed tray 124.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 10 includes a right cover unit 10R (FIG. 1). The right cover unit 10 </ b> R defines a right side portion of the apparatus main body 11. The right cover unit 10R includes a cover fulcrum portion 10R1. The right cover unit 10R can be opened with respect to the apparatus main body 11 in the direction of the arrow DA around the cover fulcrum portion 10R1. On the right cover unit 10R, the secondary transfer roller 145, the right roller of the registration roller pair 113, and the like are rotatably supported. When the right cover unit 10R is opened, the sheet conveyance path 111 is exposed to the outside of the apparatus main body 11. In this state, the intermediate transfer unit 14 can be mounted inside the apparatus main body 11.

  The image forming unit 13 forms a toner image to be transferred to the sheet P, and includes a plurality of image forming units that form toner images of different colors. As this image forming unit, in the present embodiment, a developer of magenta (M) color sequentially disposed from the upstream side to the downstream side in the rotation direction of the intermediate transfer belt 141 (from the left side to the right side in FIG. 1). 13M for magenta, 13C for cyan using cyan (C) developer, 13Y for yellow using yellow (Y) developer, and black using black (Bk) developer A unit 13Bk is provided. Each of the units 13M, 13C, 13Y, and 13Bk includes a photosensitive drum 20 (image carrier), a charging device 21, a developing device 23, and a cleaning device 25 disposed around the photosensitive drum 20. An exposure device 22 common to the units 13M, 13C, 13Y, and 13Bk is disposed below the image forming unit.

  The photosensitive drum 20 is driven to rotate about its axis, and an electrostatic latent image and a toner image are formed on its peripheral surface. The rotating shaft of the photoconductor drum 20 extends in the front-rear direction (a direction orthogonal to the paper surface of FIG. 1). As this photosensitive drum 20, a photosensitive drum using an amorphous silicon (a-Si) material can be used. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the plurality of photosensitive drums 20 corresponding to the respective colors are arranged at predetermined intervals in a second direction (left-right direction and horizontal direction) intersecting the first direction.

  The charging device 21 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 20. The exposure device 22 irradiates the circumferential surface of the uniformly charged photoreceptor drum 20 with light modulated based on image data, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image. The cleaning device 25 cleans the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 20 after the toner image is transferred.

  The developing device 23 supplies toner to the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 20. The developing device 23 is for a two-component developer composed of toner and carrier. The toner of the developing device 23 is supplied to the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 20, and the electrostatic latent image is developed. In this embodiment, the toner has a characteristic of being charged to a positive polarity.

  The intermediate transfer unit 14 is disposed in a space provided between the image forming unit 13 and the toner supply unit 15. The intermediate transfer unit 14 includes an intermediate transfer belt 141, a drive roller 142, a tension roller 143, a plurality of primary transfer rollers 24 (transfer rollers), and a belt cleaning device 144.

  The intermediate transfer belt 141 is an endless belt-like rotator, and is stretched around the drive roller 142 and the tension roller 143 so that the circumferential surface side thereof is in contact with the circumferential surface of each photosensitive drum 20. The intermediate transfer belt 141 is driven to rotate in one direction along the horizontal direction (see the arrow in FIG. 1), and carries the toner images transferred from the plurality of photosensitive drums 20 on the surface. The intermediate transfer belt 141 is a conductive soft belt having a laminated structure including a base layer, an elastic layer, and a coat layer.

  The drive roller 142 stretches the intermediate transfer belt 141 on the right end side of the intermediate transfer unit 14 and drives the intermediate transfer belt 141 to rotate. The driving roller 142 is a metal roller. The tension roller 143 stretches the intermediate transfer belt 141 on the left end side of the intermediate transfer unit 14. The tension roller 143 applies tension to the intermediate transfer belt 141. The driving roller 142 and the tension roller 143 function as a pair of rollers that support the intermediate transfer belt 141 so as to be able to go around. In the vicinity of the tension roller 143, a belt cleaning device 144 (FIG. 1) that removes toner remaining on the peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 141 is disposed.

  The primary transfer roller 24 is disposed to face the photosensitive drum 20 with the intermediate transfer belt 141 interposed therebetween. As a result, the primary transfer roller 24 forms a primary transfer nip portion with the photosensitive drum 20, and primarily transfers the toner image on the photosensitive drum 20 onto the intermediate transfer belt 141. As shown in FIG. 1, a primary transfer roller 24 is disposed to face the photosensitive drum 20 of each color. The primary transfer roller 24 is a roller extending in the front-rear direction and is rotated together with the intermediate transfer belt 141.

  The secondary transfer roller 145 is disposed to face the driving roller 142 with the intermediate transfer belt 141 interposed therebetween. The secondary transfer roller 145 is pressed against the peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 141 to form a secondary transfer nip portion. The toner image primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 141 is secondarily transferred to the sheet P supplied from the paper feeding unit 12 at the secondary transfer nip portion.

  The toner replenishing unit 15 stores toner used for image formation, and includes a magenta toner container 15M, a cyan toner container 15C, a yellow toner container 15Y, and a black toner container 15Bk in this embodiment. These toner containers 15M, 15C, 15Y, and 15Bk respectively store replenishment toners for each color of MCYBk, and image forming units 13M, 13C, and 13C corresponding to each color of MCYBk from a toner discharge port 15H formed on the bottom surface of the container. The 13Y and 13Bk developing devices 23 are supplied with toner of each color through a toner transport unit (not shown).

  The fixing unit 16 fixes the toner image transferred to the sheet P.

  The paper discharge unit 17 is formed by recessing the top of the apparatus main body 11, and a paper discharge tray 171 for receiving the discharged sheet P is formed at the bottom of the concave portion. The sheet P on which the fixing process has been performed is discharged toward the discharge tray 151 via the sheet conveyance path 111 extending from the upper part of the fixing unit 16.

  FIG. 2 is a front view of the intermediate transfer unit 14 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the intermediate transfer unit 14. The intermediate transfer unit 14 is a unit having a flat rectangular parallelepiped shape extending in the front-rear and left-right directions. As shown in FIG. 2, the intermediate transfer unit 14 extends in the left-right direction. The intermediate transfer unit 14 is disposed above the plurality of photosensitive drums 20 so as to be adjacent to the photosensitive drums 20. The intermediate transfer unit 14 includes a unit front wall 51 (side wall) and a unit rear wall 52 (side wall). The unit front wall 51 and the unit rear wall 52 are a pair of side walls arranged so as to extend in the left-right direction at both ends in the front-rear direction. The unit front wall 51 and the unit rear wall 52 are frames made of a resin material. The unit front wall 51 and the unit rear wall 52 support the intermediate transfer belt 141 so as to be able to go around. Specifically, the drive roller 142, the tension roller 143, and the plurality of primary transfer rollers 24 described above are rotatably supported by the unit front wall 51 and the unit rear wall 52. 2 and 3, a driving roller shaft 142A and a tension roller shaft 142B, which are rotation axes of the driving roller 142 and the tension roller 143, respectively appear.

  The belt cleaning device 144 described above is supported on the left end side of the unit front wall 51 and the unit rear wall 52. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the intermediate transfer unit 14 and enlarging the periphery of the belt cleaning device 144. 3 and 4, the belt cleaning device 144 includes a housing 144H, a brush roller 144A (cleaning member), a collection roller 144B, a blade 144C, a conveying screw 144D, and a brush unit 60. The housing 144H is a resin casing that supports each member of the belt cleaning device 144.

  The brush roller 144A is a roller in which conductive brushes are provided radially around a shaft, and is disposed to face the tension roller 143 with the intermediate transfer belt 141 interposed therebetween. The brush roller 144A rotates and contacts the intermediate transfer belt 141 (object to be cleaned), thereby cleaning the toner remaining on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 141. A cleaning bias is applied to the brush roller 144A from a bias applying unit (not shown). The collection roller 144B is a roller that rotates while contacting the brush roller 144A. A collection bias is applied to the collection roller 144B from a bias application unit. As a result, the toner is moved from the brush roller 144A to the collection roller 144B. The blade 144C scrapes the toner collected by the collection roller 144B by contacting the collection roller 144B. The conveying screw 144D is disposed immediately below the contact position of the blade 144C with respect to the collection roller 144B. The transport screw 144D is rotated and transports the toner scraped off by the blade 144C to a collection box (not shown).

  The brush unit 60 is disposed on the upstream side of the brush roller 144 </ b> A in the circumferential direction of the intermediate transfer belt 141. The brush unit 60 extends long in the width direction (front-rear direction) intersecting the circumferential direction of the intermediate transfer belt 141 (FIG. 3). The brush unit 60 includes a plurality of conductive brushes (brush portions 622) that are in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 141. The brush unit 60 is in contact with the toner on the intermediate transfer belt 141 prior to the brush roller 144A, thereby improving the recoverability of the toner by the brush roller 144A. For this reason, a predetermined bias is also applied to the conductive brush of the brush unit 60. 5 and 6 are perspective views of a part of the brush unit 60 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the brush unit 60.

  The brush unit 60 includes a support plate 61 (plate), a pre-brush 62 (brush body), and a conduction clip 63 (locking member).

  The support plate 61 is a conductive sheet metal member extending in the width direction of the brush unit 60. As will be described later, a bias is applied to the support plate 61 from the unit rear wall 52 side of the intermediate transfer unit 14. The support plate 61 includes a plate portion 610 (FIG. 5), a bent portion 611, a rear side wall 612 (FIG. 5), and a front side wall 613 (see FIG. 12).

  The plate portion 610 is a main body portion of the support plate 61, has a predetermined length in the left-right direction, and extends long in the front-rear direction. The plate portion 610 includes a facing surface 610P and an upper surface portion 610Q. The facing surface 610P is a surface of the plate portion 610 that faces the intermediate transfer belt 141. On the other hand, the upper surface portion 610Q is an upper surface portion of the plate portion 610, and is a surface of the plate portion 610 opposite to the facing surface 610P. The bent portion 611 is formed by bending the right end portion of the plate portion 610 upward. Further, the plate portion 610 includes a locking hole 610A and a notch 610B. The locking hole 610 </ b> A is a circular hole opened in a region near the bent portion 611 in the rear end portion of the plate portion 610. The locking hole 610A penetrates the plate portion 610 in the thickness direction. With the attachment of the conductive clip 63, the locking tip portion 631 described later engages with the locking hole 610A. The notch 610B is formed by cutting out a part of the left edge of the plate 610 on the left side of the locking hole 610A. The notch portion 610B engages with a folded portion 633, which will be described later, of the conductive clip 63.

  The rear side wall 612 is a side wall formed by bending a rear end portion of the plate portion 610 at a right angle. Referring to FIG. 5, the rear side wall 612 includes a rear bearing portion 612A, a grip portion 612B, and a conduction portion 612C. The rear bearing portion 612 </ b> A is disposed at the left end portion of the rear side wall 612. The rear bearing portion 612A is a substantially C-shaped bearing portion. A rear shaft portion 71 (FIG. 11), which will be described later, is inserted through the rear bearing portion 612A. The grip portion 612 </ b> B is a protruding piece portion that protrudes downward at the right end portion of the rear side wall 612. As will be described later, the grip portion 612B is gripped by an operator during maintenance, replacement work, or the like of the brush unit 60. The conducting portion 612C is an arc-shaped cutout portion formed at the proximal end portion of the grip portion 612B. As will be described later, the first locking end 72A (FIG. 11) of the bias applying member 72 is locked to the conducting portion 612C.

  Referring to FIG. 12, front side wall 613 (FIG. 12) is a side wall formed by bending the front end of plate portion 610 at a right angle. The front side wall 613 includes a front bearing portion 613A and a biased portion 613B. The front bearing portion 613A is disposed at the left end portion of the front side wall 613. The front bearing portion 613A is a substantially C-shaped bearing portion. A front shaft portion 73 (FIG. 12), which will be described later, is inserted through the front bearing portion 613A. The to-be-biased part 613B is a notch part in which the upper end edge of the front side wall 613 is partially notched. As will be described later, the second locking end portion 74A (FIG. 12) of the biasing spring 74 is locked to the biased portion 613B.

  The pre-brush 62 (FIG. 7) includes a base 621 and a brush part 622 (conductive brush). The base material 621 is a thin plate-like member that extends long in the front-rear direction. The base material 621 is made of a conductive material. The brush part 622 is composed of a plurality of conductive brushes. 6 and 7, the brush portion 622 is illustrated in a simplified shape of a rectangular parallelepiped. Actually, the brush portion 622 is an aggregate of a number of conductive brushes extending in the vertical direction. These brushes are implanted in the base material 621 in advance. And the prebrush 62 is affixed on the opposing surface 610P of the support plate 61 by arrange | positioning the double-sided tape not shown in the upper surface part of the base material 621 of the prebrush 62. FIG.

  FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the brush unit 60 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the conductive clip 63 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 10 is a front view of the conductive clip 63.

  The conductive clip 63 is attached to the support plate 61 from one end side (left end side) of the intermediate transfer belt 141 in the circumferential direction so as to sandwich the support plate 61 and the brush portion 622 of the pre-brush 62. The conductive clip 63 has a function of conducting the conductive brush of the pre-brush 62 and the support plate 61. In the present embodiment, the conductive clip 63 is formed by bending one conductive linear member. The conductive clip 63 includes a locking tip portion 631 (engagement portion), an arm portion 632 (first pressing portion), a folded portion 633 (connecting portion), a brush pressing portion 634 (second pressing portion), and a guide. Part 635 (guide part). With reference to FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, both end portions (one end portion and the other end portion) of one linear member are aligned to form a locking tip portion 631. The pair of locking tip portions 631 are arranged so as to extend upward, and then bent to a substantially right angle and then extend to the left. At this time, the pair of linear portions are arranged so as to expand toward the left, and an arm portion 632 is formed. Eventually, the pair of linear portions are bent so as to form an arc shape, and a folded portion 633 is formed. After that, the pair of linear portions are each extended upward toward the right, and then a brush pressing portion 634 is formed at the apex portion. The pair of linear portions extends from the brush pressing portion 634 downward toward the right, and is curved so as to form an arc shape when viewed from above, and then connected to each other. A guide portion 635 is formed in a region from the brush pressing portion 634 to the connection portion. Thus, since the conduction | electrical_connection clip 63 consists of one linear member, it can be formed with an inexpensive and simple structure.

  In other words, when the conductive clip 63 is attached to the support plate 61, the pair of arm portions 632 (FIG. 8) presses the upper surface portion 610Q of the plate portion 610. Further, the brush pressing portion 634 (FIG. 8) presses the pre-brush 62 and is disposed so as to sandwich the support plate 61 and the pre-brush 62 with the arm portion 632. Further, the folded portion 633 (FIG. 8) is disposed to face one end side (left end side) of the intermediate transfer belt 141 in the circumferential direction of the support plate 61, and connects the arm portion 632 and the brush pressing portion 634 to each other. The locking tip 631 is connected to the other end side of the arm portion 632 in the circumferential direction. Further, the guide portion 635 is connected to the other end side of the brush pressing portion 634 in the circumferential direction. And the guide part 635 inclines forwardly so that it may space apart from the opposing surface 610P along the mounting direction (right direction) with respect to the support plate 61 of the conduction | electrical_connection clip 63. As shown in FIG.

  11 and 12 are enlarged perspective views of the inside of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment. In particular, FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate the periphery of the rear side wall 612 and the front side wall 613 with the pre-brush 62 mounted on the intermediate transfer unit 14.

  The intermediate transfer unit 14 includes a rear shaft portion 71, a bias applying member 72, a front shaft portion 73, and a biasing spring 74. The rear shaft portion 71 is a shaft portion protruding from the inner wall surface of the unit rear wall 52. The rear shaft portion 71 rotatably supports the rear bearing portion 612A of the support plate 61. Similarly, the front shaft portion 73 is a shaft portion protruding from the inner wall surface of the unit front wall 51. The front shaft portion 73 rotatably supports the front bearing portion 613A of the support plate 61.

  The bias applying member 72 is a wire member arranged to extend in the front-rear direction on the upper surface portion of the unit rear wall 52. The bias applying member 72 includes a first locking end portion 72A, a first coil portion 72B, and a first base end portion 72C. The first locking end portion 72A is a tip portion of the bias applying member 72, and is composed of a substantially C-shaped hook. The first locking end portion 72A is locked to the conducting portion 612C of the support plate 61. The first coil portion 72B is a coil spring portion connected to the first locking end portion 72A. The first base end portion 72C is a base end portion of the bias applying member 72 connected to the first coil portion 72B. The first base end portion 72C is electrically connected to a bias application unit (high voltage power source) (not shown) provided in the apparatus main body 11 of the image forming apparatus 10. The bias applying member 72 applies a bias to the pre-brush 62 via the support plate 61 and the conductive clip 63.

  The urging spring 74 (FIG. 12) is a spring member provided between the unit front wall 51 and the support plate 61. The biasing spring 74 includes a second locking end portion 74A and a second coil portion 74B. The second coil portion 74 </ b> B is fitted on the front shaft portion 73. The second locking end portion 74A extends to the right from the second coil portion 74B and is locked to the biased portion 613B of the support plate 61. The urging spring 74 urges the support plate 61 around the front shaft portion 73 so that the bent portion 611 of the support plate 61 moves downward (arrow D1 in FIG. 4).

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the conductive clip 63 is attached from the notch 610 </ b> B side of the support plate 61 in a state where the pre-brush 62 is attached to the facing surface 610 </ b> P of the support plate 61. At this time, since the guide portion 635 of the conductive clip 63 has an inclined shape that expands along the mounting direction, the mounting of the conductive clip 63 is realized smoothly.

  When the conductive clip 63 is attached, the brush pressing portion 634 of the conductive clip 63 presses a part of the brush portion 622, so that a concave portion 622S (FIG. 7) is formed in the brush portion 622. As described above, when the concave portion 622S is formed in the brush portion 622, the area where the brush portion 622 contacts the intermediate transfer belt 141 is partially reduced. However, in the present embodiment, the conductive clip 63 is disposed outside the toner image forming region in the width direction (front-rear direction) of the intermediate transfer belt 141. For this reason, in the image forming area, the brush portion 622 is stably in contact with the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 141, so that the intermediate transfer belt 141 is suitably cleaned.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the conductive clip 63 is attached to the support plate 61 so as to sandwich the support plate 61 and the pre-brush 62, whereby the support plate 61 and the pre-brush 62 can be easily conducted. For this reason, improper application of bias to the pre-brush 62 is suppressed. In particular, since the conduction clip 63 includes the arm portion 632 and the brush pressing portion 634, the support plate 61 and the pre-brush 62 can be easily conducted.

  Further, even when the base material 621 of the prebrush 62 is attached to the support plate 61 with a double-sided tape or the like, the conductive clip 63 has a function of holding the prebrush 62 in addition to the above conductive function. For this reason, the prebrush 62 is prevented from being detached from the support plate 61. Further, as compared with the case where the pre-brush 62 is fastened to the support plate 61 with a screw or the like, the assembly of the brush unit 60 is easily and quickly realized.

  When the conductive clip 63 is attached to the support plate 61, the locking tip 631 of the conductive clip 63 engages with the locking hole 610 </ b> A of the support plate 61. For this reason, detachment of the conductive clip 63 is prevented while the belt cleaning device 144 is in use. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 7, since the folded-back portion 633 of the conductive clip 63 is fitted in the notch 610B, the conductive clip 63 is prevented from shifting in the front-rear direction.

  11 and 12, when the first locking end 72A of the bias applying member 72 is removed from the conducting portion 612C, the brush unit 60 rotates around the rear shaft portion 71 and the front shaft portion 73. It is possible. At this time, the operator can rotate the brush unit 60 so that the bending portion 611 moves upward against the biasing force of the biasing spring 74 while gripping the grip portion 612B. For this reason, even when a foreign substance is caught between the brush portion 622 and the intermediate transfer belt 141, the foreign substance can be easily removed. Further, when the bias applying member 72 is again locked to the conducting portion 612C of the support plate 61, an urging force directed backward is applied to the support plate 61 by the elastic force of the first coil portion 72B (FIG. 11). Arrow D2). For this reason, backlash of the brush unit 60 in the front-rear direction is preferably prevented. At this time, since the bias applying member 72 urges the brush unit 60 along the front-rear direction, the position of the brush unit 60 is regulated by the urging spring 74 (FIG. 12) (the contact of the brush portion 622 with the intermediate transfer belt 141). ) Is prevented from being hindered. In addition, the bias applying member 72 is provided on one end side in the front-rear direction of the brush unit 60, and the biasing spring 74 is provided on the other end side in the front-rear direction of the brush unit 60. Matching is suppressed.

  The belt cleaning device 144 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the intermediate transfer unit 14 including the belt cleaning device 144, and the image forming apparatus 10 have been described in detail above. According to such a configuration, since the support plate 61 and the pre-brush 62 can be easily conducted, a bias is stably applied to the brush portion 622, and the toner can be stably removed from the intermediate transfer belt 141. it can. Note that the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can take, for example, the following modified embodiments.

  (1) Although the above embodiment has been described using the belt cleaning device 144 as the cleaning device, the present invention is not limited to this. The cleaning device according to the present invention may clean the photosensitive drum 20 and other rotating bodies (circular members).

  (2) In the above embodiment, the conductive clip 63 is described as being formed of one linear member, but the present invention is not limited to this. The conducting clip 63 may be configured by a plate-like member that has been previously bent so as to have a cross-sectional shape as shown in FIG. Further, the conductive clip 63 may be formed by other manufacturing methods such as die molding.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image forming apparatus 11 Apparatus main body 14 Intermediate transfer unit (to-be-cleaned body)
141 Intermediate transfer belt 142 Driving roller (roller pair)
143 Tension roller (roller pair)
144 Belt cleaning device (cleaning device)
144A Brush roller (cleaning member)
144B Recovery roller 144C Blade 144D Conveying screw 144H Housing 20 Photosensitive drum (image carrier)
24 Primary transfer roller 60 Brush unit 61 Support plate (plate)
610 Plate part 610A Locking hole (hole)
610B Notch portion 610P Opposing surface 610Q Upper surface portion 612 Rear side wall 612A Rear bearing portion 612B Holding portion 612C Conductive portion 613 Front side wall 613A Front bearing portion 613B Energized portion 62 Pre-brush (brush body)
621 Base material 622 Brush part (conductive brush)
622S pressed part 63 conductive clip (locking member)
631 Locking tip (engaging part)
632 Arm part (first pressing part)
633 Folding part (connecting part)
634 Brush pressing part (second pressing part)
635 Guide portion 71 Rear shaft portion 72 Bias applying member 72A First locking end portion 72B First coil portion 72C First base end portion 73 Front shaft portion 74 Biasing spring 74A Second locking end portion 74B Second coil portion

Claims (4)

A cleaning device that cleans an object to be cleaned that is driven to circulate along a predetermined circulatory direction and carries a toner image on its surface,
A cleaning member that contacts the object to be cleaned and cleans the surface of the object to be cleaned;
A brush unit including a plurality of conductive brushes disposed on the upstream side of the cleaning member in the circumferential direction and in contact with the object to be cleaned;
Have
The brush unit is
A conductive plate that extends in a width direction intersecting the circumferential direction and includes a facing surface that faces the object to be cleaned, to which a predetermined voltage is applied;
A brush body including a base material attached to the facing surface of the plate, and the conductive brush planted on the base material;
The conductive brush and the plate are formed of a single linear member and are mounted on the plate along a mounting direction from one end side to the other end side in the circumferential direction so as to sandwich the plate and the brush body. A conductive locking member that conducts,
With
The locking member is
A pair of first pressing portions that are arranged at intervals in the width direction and extend so as to approach each other along the mounting direction, and press a surface of the plate opposite to the facing surface;
A pair of first members that are spaced apart from each other in the width direction and extend along the mounting direction, press the brush body, and sandwich the plate and the brush body between the pair of first pressing portions. 2 pressing parts;
Each of the linear members has a shape that is bent in an arc shape, and is arranged to face the one end side in the circumferential direction of the plate, and the pair of first pressing portions and the pair of second portions A pair of first connecting portions that respectively connect the pressing portions , wherein the pair of first connecting portions engages with a notch portion formed at an end portion on the one end side of the plate portion. A pair of first connecting portions for regulating the position of the locking member in the width direction ;
A second connecting portion that connects the other ends in the circumferential direction of the pair of second pressing portions in the width direction ;
Formed by bending one end and the other end of the linear member on the extension of the pair of first pressing portions extending so as to approach each other along the mounting direction and bending toward the plate ; A pair of engaging portions respectively connected to the other end side in the circumferential direction of the pair of first pressing portions;
With
The plate is a single hole disposed closer to the distal end side in the mounting direction than the pair of first pressing portions and the pair of second pressing portions of the locking member mounted on the plate. And a single hole portion that engages with the pair of engaging portions that have passed on the surface of the plate opposite to the opposing surface with the mounting of the locking member along the mounting direction. A cleaning device.   2. The cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the second connecting portion has a shape inclined so as to be separated from the facing surface along a mounting direction of the locking member with respect to the plate. A cleaning device according to claim 1 or 2,
An intermediate transfer belt as the object to be cleaned;
A pair of rollers for supporting the intermediate transfer belt so as to be capable of rotating;
An intermediate transfer unit comprising: An intermediate transfer unit according to claim 3;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a plurality of image carriers arranged to face the intermediate transfer belt and carrying the toner image.

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