JP6960100B2 - Image forming device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

It is configured to be movable between a latent image carrier such as a photoconductor, an exposure position close to the latent image carrier and a retracted position away from the latent image carrier, and the lens is moved when it is close to the latent image carrier. An exposure device that exposes the latent image carrier by irradiating light through it, a moving means that moves the exposure device between the exposure position and the retracted position by the operation of the user, and the surface of the lens of the exposure device. An image forming apparatus including a cleaning member for cleaning is known.

Patent Document 1 describes the image forming apparatus in which the exposure apparatus is moved between the exposure position and the retracted position by opening and closing the opening / closing lid of the user, and the opening / closing lid is used as the moving means. Has been done. Further, as the opening / closing lid is closed, the cleaning member comes into contact with the surface of the lens of the exposure apparatus to clean the surface of the lens.

However, for example, when an image defect occurs, the exposure apparatus is instructed in an operation manual or the like to open and close the opening / closing lid several times to clean the surface of the lens of the exposure apparatus with a cleaning member multiple times. When cleaning the surface of the lens a plurality of times, there is a risk that the burden on the user will increase.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is configured to be movable between the latent image carrier, an exposure position close to the latent image carrier, and a retracted position away from the latent image carrier. An exposure device that exposes the latent image carrier by irradiating light through a lens when it is close to the latent image carrier, and a user's operation to rotate the exposed position and the retracted image by the rotation. In an image forming apparatus including a moving means for moving the exposure apparatus to and from a position and a cleaning member for cleaning the surface of the lens of the exposure apparatus, the image forming apparatus is rotated by the operation of the user, and the rotation thereof is performed. A cleaning operation means for causing the cleaning member to clean the surface of the lens by motion is provided , the cleaning member is arranged on a moving track of the exposure device, and the cleaning operation means is operated by the user. The exposure device in the retracted position is moved toward the exposure position, and has a stopper member that stops the operation of the cleaning operation means before the exposure device reaches the exposure position. It is a feature.

According to the present invention, the cleaning work of the lens surface of the exposure apparatus can be easily performed.

The schematic block diagram which shows an example of the image forming apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. (A) is a front view showing a schematic configuration around an exposure apparatus. (B) is a side view showing a schematic configuration around an exposure apparatus. (A) is a front view showing a state in which the exposure apparatus is positioned with respect to the photoconductor. (B) is a side view showing a state in which the exposure apparatus is positioned with respect to the photoconductor. The perspective view which shows the evacuation apparatus, the exposure apparatus, and a photoconductor drum. Schematic diagram of the evacuation mechanism. FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram of a retracting mechanism in which the second connecting member is pulled by using a tension spring. Schematic configuration perspective view of the retracting mechanism covered with the device body side plate and the cover member. The figure which shows the evacuation mechanism while moving an exposure apparatus from an exposure position (exposure position) to a retreat position. The figure which shows the retracting mechanism when the exposure apparatus is in the retracting position. The figure which shows the relationship between the 1st link member of the retracting mechanism, and the opening / closing cover when moving an exposure apparatus from an exposure position to a retracting position. The figure which shows the relationship between the 1st link member of the retracting mechanism, and an opening / closing cover when the exposure apparatus moves from an exposure position to a retracting position. An explanatory view of a configuration in which a cleaning member for cleaning the lens surface is arranged in the middle of the evacuation path of the exposure apparatus. An explanatory view of a configuration in which a cleaning member for cleaning the lens surface is arranged in the middle of the evacuation path of the exposure apparatus. The figure which shows the example which used the cleaning member as a brush. The figure which looked at the retracting mechanism from the side opposite to the direction shown in FIG. 12 above when the exposure apparatus was in the retracting position. The figure which shows how the cleaning lever is operated to move an exposure apparatus from a retracted position to an exposure position. The figure which shows the state that the rotation of a cleaning lever is regulated. The figure explaining the operation amount of the opening / closing operation of the opening / closing cover 91, and the operation amount of a cleaning lever. FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example in which a switch mechanism is used as a mechanism for moving the exposure apparatus by being operated by a user when cleaning the exposure apparatus. FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing an example in which the cleaning member is provided at a predetermined angle θ tilted with respect to the longitudinal direction of the exposure apparatus. The figure explaining the cleaning of the lens surface of an exposure apparatus when the cleaning member is provided at a predetermined angle θ tilted. The schematic block diagram which shows the cleaning member of the 1st modification. The schematic block diagram which shows the cleaning member of the 2nd modification. The schematic diagram which shows how the exposure apparatus enters the cleaning position of a cleaning member by causing the operation deviation between the retracting mechanism on one end side and the retracting mechanism on the other end side.

Hereinafter, embodiments in which the present invention is applied to a laser printer (hereinafter, simply referred to as “printer”) which is an image forming apparatus will be described.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a printer 1 according to the present embodiment.
The printer 1 includes a process cartridge 50 that is detachably attached to the main body of the device, an exposure device 60 as a latent image forming means, a transfer roller 70, a paper cassette 10, a fixing device 80, and the like.

The process cartridge 50 includes a photoconductor drum 3 as a latent image carrier, a charging roller 4 as a charging means, a developing device 2 as a developing means, a cleaning device 5 as a cleaning means, and the like.

The surface of the photoconductor drum 3 is uniformly charged by the charging roller 4 as a charging means while being rotationally driven counterclockwise in the drawing. After that, it is exposed based on the image information by the exposure apparatus 60 as a latent image forming means, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photoconductor drum 3. The electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor drum 3 is developed by the developing device 2, and a toner image is formed on the photoconductor drum 3. The toner image formed on the photoconductor drum 3 is conveyed as a recording material from the paper cassette 10 via the paper feed roller 12 and the resist roller pair 14 by the transfer unit as a transfer means provided with the transfer roller 70. Transferred on paper.

After the transfer is completed, the toner image is fixed by the fixing device 80 as the fixing means, and the paper is discharged to the outside of the machine by the paper ejection roller 15. The transfer residual toner that remains on the photoconductor drum 3 without being transferred is removed from the surface of the photoconductor drum 3 by the cleaning device 5 as a cleaning means. Further, the residual charge on the photoconductor drum 3 is removed by a static elimination lamp as a static elimination means.

When the process cartridge 50 needs to be replaced due to deterioration of the photoconductor drum 3 and the developing device 2 over time, the opening / closing cover 91, which is an opening / closing member provided on the left side surface portion in the drawing of the printer body, can be opened. ing. By opening the opening / closing cover 91, the process cartridge 50 can be taken out from the left side surface portion in the drawing. In the present embodiment, the process cartridge 50 that integrally supports the photoconductor drum 3 and the developing device 2 is used, but the photoconductor drum 3 and the developing device 2 may be detachably attached to each other.

2A and 2B are schematic configuration views around the exposure apparatus 60, FIG. 2A is a front view, and FIG. 2B is a side view.
As shown in FIG. 2, the exposure apparatus 60 includes a plurality of light emitting elements such as LEDs and organic EL elements arranged in the longitudinal direction of the photoconductor drum 3, and a plurality of lenses arranged in the photoconductor drum 3 and the light emitting element. It has a write head (LED array) 64 composed of. Further, a holder 65 is provided as an exposure apparatus holding mechanism (exposure apparatus holding member) for holding the writing head 64. The writing head 64 is urged by the spring member 66 in the photoconductor drum 3 directions and held in the holder 65. The writing head 64 exposes the photoconductor drum 3 by causing a light emitting element at a predetermined position to emit light based on image information and irradiating the photoconductor drum 3 through a lens, and electrostatically charges the photoconductor drum 3. A latent image is formed. Support protrusions 62 supported by a retracting mechanism, which will be described later, and guide protrusions 63 are provided side by side in the vertical direction at both ends of the holder 65 in the longitudinal direction.

A spacer member 21 which is a regulating member for regulating the distance between the photoconductor drum 3 and the writing head 64 is arranged. The spacer member 21 is slidably provided in the non-image forming region of the photoconductor drum 3 with respect to the photoconductor drum 3 so as to face the writing head 64. Further, positioning bosses 22 are provided at both ends of the case 50a of the process cartridge 50 in the axial direction. A round hole-shaped positioning hole 67a, which is a main reference for positioning, is provided at one end (right side in the drawing) of the writing head 64 in the axial direction. Further, at the other end of the writing head 64 in the axial direction (left side in the drawing), a long hole-shaped positioning hole 67b that serves as a reference for positioning is provided.

3A and 3B are views showing a state in which the exposure apparatus 60 is positioned, FIG. 3A is a front view, and FIG. 3B is a side view.
As shown in FIG. 3, each positioning boss 22 fits into the positioning holes 67a and 67b of the writing head 64, so that the writing head 64 is in the Y direction (axial direction: main scanning direction) in the drawing and the X direction in the drawing. Positioned in (secondary scanning direction). Further, when the writing head 64 comes into contact with the spacer member 21, the writing head 64 is positioned in the Z direction (normal direction of the photoconductor drum 3) in the drawing.

The exposure device 60 moves from the retracted position to the exposed position by the retracting device described later, and even after the writing head 64 hits the spacer member 21, the holder 65 moves toward the photoconductor drum 3 by the retracting device. .. Then, the spring member 66 is compressed, and the movement restricting portion 68 of the writing head 64 is separated from the holder 65. As a result, the writing head 64 is pressed against the spacer member 21 by the urging force of the spring member 66.

Further, in order to securely fit the positioning holes 67a and 67b of the writing head 64 into the positioning boss 22, the width of the exposure guide hole 105b shown in FIGS. It is almost the same as the diameter of 62. At the exposure position, the holder 65 is positioned by the exposure guide hole 105b. By positioning the holder 65 of the exposure apparatus 60 in the exposure guide hole 105b, it is possible to suppress the holder 65 from rattling due to vibration or the like during the formation of the latent image, and it is possible to suppress the latent image from being disturbed by the vibration of the holder 65. can. The write head 64 and the holder 65 have predetermined backlash in the X direction and the Y direction so that the write head 64 can be positioned in the X direction and the Y direction in the drawing by the positioning boss 22.

Since the writing head 64 has a short focal length, it is necessary to arrange the exposure apparatus 60 close to the photoconductor drum 3. Since the exposure apparatus 60 is arranged close to the photoconductor drum 3 in this way, it becomes an obstacle when the process cartridge 50 is attached to and detached from the apparatus main body. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the evacuation device for moving the exposure device 60 is provided between the exposure position close to the photoconductor drum 3 and the evacuation position away from the photoconductor drum 3. The evacuation device of the present embodiment will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the evacuation device 20, the exposure device 60, and the photoconductor drum 3.
As shown in FIG. 4, the evacuation device 20 is provided with evacuation mechanisms 100a and 100b having the same configuration on one end side and the other end side in the longitudinal direction of the exposure device 60, respectively. In the following description, when the evacuation mechanism is not distinguished between the one end side and the other end side, it will be described as "evacuation mechanism 100".

FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of the evacuation mechanism 100. FIG. 5 shows the case where the exposure apparatus 60 is located at an exposure position where a latent image is formed on the photoconductor drum 3.
As shown in FIG. 5, the retracting mechanism 100, which is a moving mechanism, holds the first link member 101 rotatably supported by the apparatus main body and the exposure apparatus 60, and is rotatably supported by the apparatus main body. It includes a two-link member 102. Further, a connecting mechanism 103 is provided as a connecting means for connecting the first link member 101 and the second link member 102.

The connecting mechanism 103 has a first connecting member 103a and a second connecting member 103b. One end of the first connecting member 103a is rotatably supported by a support shaft 101b provided on the first link member 101, and the other end is rotatably supported by a connecting shaft 103c. Further, one end of the second connecting member 103b is rotatably supported by the connecting shaft 103c, and the other end is rotatably supported by the second link member 102. The connecting shaft 103c penetrates the connecting guide hole 105a provided in the cover member 105 and extends to the left and right in the drawing.

The second link member 102 has a long hole-shaped support hole through which support protrusions 62 provided at both ends of the holder 65 of the exposure apparatus 60 in the longitudinal direction penetrate and extend toward the rotation fulcrum A1 of the second link member 102. 102a is provided. The exposure device 60 is supported by the retracting mechanism 100 by the support projection 62 of the exposure device 60 penetrating the support hole 102a. Further, the support protrusion 62 penetrates the exposure guide hole 105b, which is a guide portion provided in the cover member 105 (see FIGS. 6 and 7). Further, the holder 65 of the exposure apparatus 60 is provided with a guide protrusion 63, and the guide protrusion 63 also penetrates the exposure guide hole 105b.

The first link member 101 has a fan shape with a central angle of approximately 90 °, and a support shaft 101b that rotatably supports the first connecting member 103a is provided at one end of the first link member 101 in the circumferential direction. ing. Further, a boss portion 101a is provided at the other end of the first link member 101 in the circumferential direction.

The second link member 102 is provided with a hooking portion 102b for hooking one end of the torsion spring 104 as an urging means. One end of the torsion spring 104 is hooked on the hooking portion 102b, and the other end is hooked on the cover member 105 to urge the second link member 102 in the direction of arrow S in the drawing.

Due to the urging force of the torsion spring 104, the second link member 102 and the connecting shaft 103c (first connecting member 103a, second connecting member 103b) receive a force that moves toward the first link member 101 side. At this time, the first connecting member support position A3 (supporting shaft 101b) of the first connecting member 103a is on the lower side in the drawing than the line segment A connecting the rotation fulcrum A2 of the first link member 101 and the connecting shaft 103c. It is in. As a result, a force that moves the connecting shaft 103c toward the first link member 101 generates a force that tends to move the connecting shaft 103c toward the first link member 101 in the direction of the arrow T1 at the first connecting member support position A3. A force is generated to rotate it counterclockwise. As a result, the exposure apparatus 60 is urged toward the photoconductor drum 3 side, and is positioned at the exposure position together with the urging force of the spring member 66 in the writing head 64.

FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram of a retracting mechanism having a configuration in which the second connecting member 103b is pulled by using a tension spring 104'.
In the configuration shown in FIG. 6, on one end side of the second connecting member 103b (the side rotatably supported by the connecting shaft 103c), a hooking portion 113 for hooking one end of the pulling spring 104'as an urging means is provided. It is provided. One end of the tension spring 104'is hooked on the hook portion 113 to urge the second connecting member 103b in the direction of arrow S in the drawing. At this time, the first connecting member support position A3 (supporting shaft 101b) of the first connecting member 103a is on the lower side in the drawing than the line segment A connecting the rotation fulcrum A2 of the first link member 101 and the connecting shaft 103c. In the case of, a force is generated at the first connecting member support position A3 in the same direction as described above in the direction of the arrow T1. As a result, a force is generated that causes the first link member 101 to rotate counterclockwise in the drawing.

Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, retracting mechanisms are provided at both ends of the exposure apparatus 60. By providing the retracting mechanisms 100 at both ends of the exposure apparatus 60 as in the present embodiment, it is possible to suppress the deviation of the movement of both ends of the exposure apparatus 60. Further, the retracting mechanism 100 may be provided on either one end side or the other end side of the exposure apparatus 60. In this case, the difference in operation between one end side and the other end side of the exposure apparatus 60 becomes large, but the apparatus can be made inexpensive.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the evacuation mechanism 100a on one end side and the evacuation mechanism 100b on the other end side are connected by the evacuation mechanism connecting member 107. Specifically, the evacuation mechanism connecting member 107 connects the second link member 102 of the evacuation mechanism on one end side and the second link member 102 of the evacuation mechanism on the other end side. As a result, the evacuation mechanism 100a on one end side and the evacuation mechanism 100b on the other end side can be operated integrally, and the operation deviation between the evacuation mechanism 100a on one end side and the evacuation mechanism 100b on the other end side occurs. It can be suppressed from occurring. The retracting mechanism connecting member 107 may be the same member as the second link member 102.

Further, when the process cartridge 50 is mounted on the main body of the apparatus, the exposure apparatus 60 may be damaged by hitting the exposure apparatus 60 in the retracted position. Further, when the opening / closing cover 91 is opened, the user may touch the exposure device 60 through the opening opened by the opening / closing cover 91 to damage the exposure device 60. Therefore, a protective member for protecting the exposure apparatus 60 in the retracted position is provided. The protective member extends in the longitudinal direction of the exposure apparatus 60, one end of which is fixed to the side plate on one end side of the apparatus main body, and the other end of which is fixed to the side plate on one end side of the apparatus main body. The protective member can be protected, for example, by having a substantially L-shaped cross section.

FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration perspective view of the retracting mechanism covered with the device main body side plate 111 and the cover member 105.
As shown in FIG. 7, the first link member 101, the first connecting member 103a, and the second connecting member 103b are covered with the device main body side plate 111 and the cover member 105. As a result, when the opening / closing cover 91 is opened, it is possible to prevent the user from touching the first link member 101, the first connecting member 103a, and the second connecting member 103b. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the user from moving the exposure apparatus 60 from the retracted position to the exposed position. As a result, when the process cartridge is mounted, the exposure apparatus 60 is in the exposure position, and the exposure apparatus 60 can be prevented from colliding with the process cartridge 50.
Further, the cover member 105 is provided with a connecting guide hole 105a for guiding the connecting shaft 103c and an exposure guide hole 105b for guiding the support protrusion 62 and the guide protrusion 63.

Next, the movement of the exposure apparatus 60 between the exposure position and the retracted position will be described.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a retracting mechanism 100 while the exposure apparatus 60 is moving from the exposure position to the retracting position, and FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the retracting mechanism 100 when the exposure apparatus 60 is in the retracting position. 10 and 11 are views showing the relationship between the first link member 101 of the retracting mechanism 100 and the opening / closing cover 91 when the exposure apparatus 60 is moved from the exposure position to the retracting position. Further, FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the relationship between the first link member 101 of the retracting mechanism 100 and the open / close cover 91 when the exposure apparatus 60 is moved from the retracted position to the exposed position.
8 to 12 will be described by taking as an example a retracting mechanism in which the second connecting member 103b is pulled by using the tension spring 104'shown in FIG. 6, but is shown in FIG. 5 above. The same operation is performed for the retracting mechanism configured to pull the second link member 102 by the urging force of the torsion spring 104.

As shown in FIG. 10, the opening / closing cover 91, which is a moving means, is provided with a hook lever 91a as a hook-shaped acting member for hooking the boss portion 101a of the first link member 101. When the opening / closing cover 91 is closed and the exposure device 60 is in the exposure position, the hook lever 91a is separated from the boss portion 101a.

As the opening / closing cover 91 is opened, the hook lever 91a comes into contact with the boss portion 101a, and the first link member 101 rotates counterclockwise in the drawing. At this time, the first link member 101 rotates in the direction of rotation (in the drawing) in which the exposure device 60 is moved to the retracted position by the tension spring 104'(in the configuration of FIG. 5 above, the torsion spring 104) via the connecting mechanism 103. It is urged in the opposite direction (counterclockwise). Therefore, at this time, the hook lever 91a rotates the first link member 101 against the urging force of the pulling spring 104'.

When the first link member 101 is rotated to FIG. 8 against the urging force of the tension spring 104'(in the configuration of FIG. 5 above, the torsion spring 104), it is connected to the rotation fulcrum A2 of the first link member 101. The first connecting member support position A3 of the first link member 101 comes on the line segment A connecting the shaft 103c. Until the first connecting member support position A3 (support shaft 101b) comes on the line segment A, the connecting shaft 103c moves in a direction away from the first link member 101. As a result, the holder 65 of the exposure apparatus 60 compresses the spring member 66 and moves from the exposure position shown in FIG. 3 to a position close to the photoconductor drum 3. As shown in FIG. 3B above, when the exposure apparatus 60 is in the exposure position, there is a predetermined gap between the guide projection 63 and the photoconductor drum side end of the exposure guide hole 105b. Therefore, the holder 65 can move from the exposure position to a position close to the photoconductor drum 3 until the first connecting member support position A3 comes on the line segment A.

When the first link member 101 is further rotated counterclockwise by the hook lever 91a from the state where the first connecting member support position A3 is on the line segment A, the first connecting member support position A3 is moved from the line segment A. Also moves to the upper side of FIG. Then, due to the force of the pulling spring 104'that moves the connecting shaft 103c to the first link member 101 side (left side in the drawing), a force that tries to move the connecting shaft 103c upward is generated at the first connecting member support position A3. As a result, the first link member 101 is urged in the rotation direction (counterclockwise in the drawing) for moving the exposure device 60 to the retracted position by the pulling spring 104'via the connecting mechanism 103. As a result, the first link member 101 automatically rotates in the rotation direction (counterclockwise in the drawing) for moving the exposure device 60 to the retracted position by the urging force of the tension spring 104', and the exposure device 60 is moved to the retracted position. Move to.

Further, when the first link member 101 rotates counterclockwise, the connecting shaft 103c is guided by the connecting guide hole 105a and moves to the opening / closing cover 91 side (left side in FIG. 8). Then, the second connecting member 103b also moves to the opening / closing cover side (left side in FIG. 8), and the second link member 102 rotates counterclockwise with the fulcrum A1 as the fulcrum. Then, the support projection 62 and the guide projection 63 of the exposure apparatus 60 penetrating the support hole 102a of the second link member 102 are lifted in a direction away from the photoconductor drum 3 while being guided by the exposure guide hole 105b. ..

The support hole 102a that supports the support projection 62 of the second link member 102 has an elongated hole shape that extends toward the fulcrum A1. Therefore, the exposure apparatus 60 does not take an arcuate locus, but moves linearly from the exposure position to the retracted position along the normal direction of the photoconductor drum 3 while being guided by the exposure guide hole 105b.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the exposure apparatus 60 moves linearly from the exposure position to the retracted position along the normal direction of the photoconductor drum 3. Therefore, even if the charging roller 4 and the developing device 2 are arranged close to the exposure device 60, they do not interfere with the movement when the exposure device 60 is moved from the exposure position to the retracted position.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the exposure guide hole 105b includes a first straight line portion 155a extending linearly in the normal direction of the photoconductor drum 3 and a second straight line portion 155c extending linearly diagonally upward to the left in the drawing. Have. Further, the exposure guide hole 105b has an arcuate portion 155b having a small radius of curvature connecting the first straight line portion 155a and the second straight line portion 155c. The second straight line portion 155c extends substantially parallel to the withdrawal direction of the process cartridge 50, as shown by the arrow X1 in FIG. When the support protrusion 62 is guided to the arcuate portion 155b of the exposure guide hole 105b, the exposure device 60 rotates counterclockwise in the drawing with the guide protrusion 63 as a fulcrum, and the posture of the exposure device 60 is changed. NS. Then, as shown in FIG. 9, when the guide protrusion 63 comes to the second straight line portion 155c of the exposure guide hole 105b, the exposure device 60 is in a retracted posture substantially parallel to the process cartridge withdrawal direction.

In this way, after moving the exposure apparatus 60 linearly along the normal direction of the photoconductor drum 3, the exposure apparatus 60 is rotated so as to be substantially parallel to the process cartridge withdrawal direction. As a result, the amount of movement in the vertical direction in the drawing when the exposure device 60 is moved to a retracted position that does not interfere with the attachment / detachment of the process cartridge 50 can be reduced as compared with the case where the exposure device 60 is not rotated. As a result, the vertical space in the drawing for moving the exposure apparatus 60 between the exposure position and the retracted position can be narrowed, and the apparatus can be miniaturized.

When the opening / closing cover 91 is closed from the state where the opening / closing cover 91 shown in FIG. 11 is in the open position by exchanging the process cartridge 50 or the like, the tip surface 911 of the hook lever 91a is supported as shown in FIG. It abuts on the shaft 101b.

When the opening / closing cover 91 is further closed from the state shown in FIG. 12, the support shaft 101b is pushed by the hook lever 91a, and the first link member 101 is rotated clockwise in the drawing against the urging force of the tension spring 104'. Rotate to. Then, at the position shown in FIG. 8 or higher, the support shaft 101b is pushed by the tip surface 911 of the hook lever 91a, and the first link member 101 is rotated clockwise in the drawing against the urging force of the tension spring 104'. Let me. Then, the first connecting member support position A3 (support shaft 101b) is located below the line segment A, and the rotation direction of the first link member 101 is switched by the urging force of the tension spring 104'. As a result, the first link member 101 automatically rotates clockwise in the figure due to the urging force of the tension spring 104', and the exposure apparatus 60 moves to the exposure position.

Depending on the configuration of the device, the inner cover may be provided inside the exterior cover, and the hook lever 91a may not be provided on the opening / closing cover 91 constituting the exterior cover. In such a case, the hook lever 91a is provided on the cover that opens and closes the inside of the device of the inner cover, and the exposure device 60 is moved between the retracted position and the exposure position in conjunction with the opening and closing of the inner cover. do it.

Next, a specific embodiment for cleaning the lens surface 64a of the exposure apparatus 60 will be described.
FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration in which a cleaning member 69 for cleaning the lens surface 64a is arranged in the middle of the evacuation path R of the exposure apparatus 60. The cleaning member 69 is a member that can be deformed so as to come into contact with the lens surface 64a of the exposure apparatus 60 and tilt the cleaning surface forming portion. As shown in FIG. 12, by opening and closing the opening / closing cover 91, the exposure apparatus 60 moves the evacuation path R from the exposure position to the evacuation position in a straight line and a curved trajectory. In the present embodiment, the cleaning member 69 having elasticity is arranged in the middle of the curved trajectory of the retracting path R, and the lens surface 64a is pushed against the cleaning member 69 when the exposure apparatus 60 moves from the retracted position to the exposed position. You can guess. As a result, deposits such as toner and dust are transferred from the lens surface 64a to the cleaning member 69, and the deposits on the lens surface 64a can be removed. The cleaning member 69 has elasticity, and examples thereof include a member in which a non-woven fabric as a cloth member is attached to a thin mylar as a base material, a brush, and the like, but a sponge sealing material or the like can also be used as a substitute. The cleaning member 69 is fixed to the L-shaped holding member 72 as shown in FIG. 13 with double-sided tape or the like, and the holding member 72 is fixed to the main body stay 71 with screws or the like.

14A and 14B are views showing an example in which a cleaning member is used as a brush, FIG. 14A is a perspective view, and FIG. 14B is a side view.
The brush 691a, which is a cleaning member, is woven into the base material 691b, and the back surface of the base material 691b and the holding member 72 are fixed with double-sided tape or the like. In addition to its cleanability, the cleaning member must be selected in consideration of the fact that if the cleaning pressure is strong, the cleaning member will be caught by the cleaning member when the exposure apparatus 60 is retracted. The brush 691a is made of resin PET, polyester, nylon, etc., which is easy to clean and is good because it is a soft material. In addition, SUS fiber having excellent static elimination performance may be used, but care must be taken not to damage the lens surface 64a of the exposure apparatus 60. Further, the brush 691a is preferably one having high cleanability, fine fibers to be softer, and a high density.

Since the brush 691a can be cleaned evenly in the longitudinal direction of the exposure apparatus 60, it is preferable that the length of the bristles of the brush 691a is uniformly the same in the longitudinal direction, but the length of the bristles may be changed depending on the location. Since the brush 691a holds the dust, toner, etc. adhering to the exposure device 60 in the hair, by arranging the hairs in the direction of the retracting track, more dust, toner, etc. can be cleaned. Become.

Further, in the present embodiment, the cleaning member 69 is arranged in the middle of positioning and retracting the exposure device 60 to the photoconductor drum 3, but since the retracting of the exposure device 60 is linked with the opening and closing of the opening / closing cover 91, the cleaning member 69 is opened / closed. It will be automatically cleaned by opening and closing the cover 91. An image-forming PCDU and a transport path exist inside the opening / closing cover 91, and the opening / closing cover 91 is opened / closed in order to clear a paper jam or when the process cartridge 50 is replaced. Is automatically cleaned, so it is easy to maintain.

By arranging the cleaning member 69 between the orbital paths of the exposure position and the retracted position, the exposure device 60 is cleaned by opening and closing the opening / closing cover 91. Therefore, when an image defect occurs due to dirt on the lens surface 64a, the lens surface 64a can be cleaned by the opening / closing operation of the opening / closing cover 91 to improve the image defect. However, there are cases where the deposits on the lens surface 64a cannot be completely removed by the cleaning operation by opening and closing once. Therefore, when an image defect occurs due to dirt on the lens surface 64a, it is described in an operation manual or the like so that the opening / closing operation of the opening / closing cover 91 is performed a plurality of times to stain the lens surface 64a. However, opening and closing the large opening / closing cover 91 a plurality of times for cleaning the exposure apparatus 60 imposes a certain workload on the operator. Further, in order to move the exposure device 60 to the exposure position, the urging direction of the spring (torsion spring 104 or tension spring 104') moves the exposure device 60 from the direction of moving the exposure device 60 to the retracted position to the exposure position. It switches in the direction of movement. Therefore, it is necessary to open the opening / closing cover 91 after closing the opening / closing cover 91, which imposes a heavy work load. Since the exposure apparatus 60 is moved to the exposure position, the amount of operation (rotation amount) is large, which also leads to the burden of cleaning work.

Further, in the closing operation of the opening / closing cover 91, as shown in FIG. 3, each positioning boss 22 fits into the positioning holes 67a and 67b of the writing head 64, and the writing head 64 hits the spacer member 21. The exposure apparatus 60 is in contact with the exposure device 60 and is positioned at the exposure position. By performing the cleaning operation a plurality of times by opening and closing the opening / closing cover 91 a plurality of times, a load is applied to each positioning boss 22, the positioning holes 67a and 67b of the writing head 64, the spacer member 21, and the like more than expected. .. As a result, there is a possibility that a problem such as the positioning boss 22 being broken from the root may occur.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, a cleaning lever 106 as a cleaning operation means is provided next to the first link member 101 so that the exposure apparatus 60 can be cleaned in addition to opening and closing the opening / closing cover 91 (FIGS. 5 and 7). , 12). The cleaning lever 106 is rotatably held by the cover member 105, and by rotating the cleaning lever 106, it comes into contact with the cleaning boss portion 101c formed directly behind the support shaft 101b of the first link member 101 for cleaning. Press the boss portion 101c for use. When the cleaning boss portion 101c is pushed, the first link member 101 rotates. As the first link member 101 rotates, the exposure device 60 moves from the retracted position and comes into contact with the cleaning member 69 on the way, so that the exposure device 60 is cleaned. The cleaning lever 106 is in a position that can be seen when the open / close cover 91 is opened, and when the cleaning lever 106 is pushed from the state where the exposure device 60 is in the retracted position, the exposure device 60 moves through the retracting mechanism 100 and moves toward the exposed position. It will be cleaned on the way.

Further, the rotation of the cleaning lever 106 is restricted before the exposure device 60 reaches the exposure position. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, before the first connecting member support position A3 comes on the line segment A connecting the rotation fulcrum A2 of the first link member 101 and the connecting shaft 103c. The rotation of the cleaning lever 106 is restricted. As a result, the exposure device 60 is not positioned at the exposure position by operating the cleaning lever 106. Further, after rotating the cleaning lever 106 to a position where rotation is restricted, when the cleaning lever 106 is released, the cleaning lever 106 returns to the original retracted position by the spring. As a result, it is only necessary to push the cleaning lever 106. Further, since the rotation is restricted by the movement to the front of the exposure position, the operation amount (rotation amount) is smaller than that of the opening / closing cover 91 which is moved to the exposure position. Therefore, when it is necessary to bring the lens surface 64a of the exposure device 60 into contact with the cleaning member 69 for cleaning, such as when a large amount of foreign matter adheres to the exposure device 60, it is easier than opening and closing the opening / closing cover 91. Cleaning becomes possible, and the work load on the user can be reduced.

Further, since the exposure apparatus 60 does not move to the exposure position, the positioning bosses 22 are fitted into the positioning holes 67a and 67b of the writing head 64, and the writing head 64 is not positioned so as to come into contact with the spacer member 21. As a result, it is possible to prevent the positioning boss 22, the positioning holes 67a and 67b of the writing head 64, the spacer member 21 and the like from being loaded more than expected, and to prevent the positioning boss 22 and the like from being damaged. Can be done.

Next, the regulation of the rotation of the cleaning lever 106 will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. 15, 16, and 17. The cleaning lever 106 shown in FIGS. 15, 16 and 17 has an operation unit 106a that makes it easy for the user to push the cleaning lever 106, but other than that, the cleaning lever 106 is shown in FIGS. It has the same configuration as the cleaning lever 106 shown.
FIG. 15 is a view of the retracting mechanism viewed from the side opposite to the direction shown in FIG. 12 when the exposure apparatus 60 is in the retracted position. Further, FIG. 16 is a diagram showing how the cleaning lever 106 is operated to move the exposure apparatus 60 from the retracted position to the exposed position. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a state in which the rotation of the cleaning lever 106 is restricted.

As shown in FIG. 15, the cleaning lever 106 includes a plate-shaped mounting portion 106c having a mounting hole that is rotatably mounted on the lever support shaft 105e provided on the cover member 105, and the left side of the mounting portion 106c in the drawing. It has an operating portion 106b extending upward from the portion and facing the cleaning boss portion 101c of the first link member 101, and an operating portion 106a for the user to operate the cleaning lever 106. Further, the cover member 105 has a relief groove 105d for allowing the cleaning boss portion 101c to escape, and a regulation protrusion 105c for restricting the rotation of the cleaning lever 106.

When the user pushes the operation unit 106a of the cleaning lever 106 to the right side (inside the device) in the drawing from the state shown in FIG. 15, the cleaning lever 106 rotates clockwise in the drawing with the lever support shaft 105e as a fulcrum. do. Then, the operating portion 106b of the cleaning lever 106 comes into contact with the cleaning boss portion 101c, and the first link member 101 is rotated clockwise in the drawing. Then, as shown in FIG. 16, the exposure device 60 moves to a cleaning position where the lens surface 64a of the exposure device 60 comes into contact with the cleaning member 69, and the lens surface 64a is cleaned by the cleaning member 69. When the cleaning lever 106 is further pushed in from the state shown in FIG. 16, as shown in FIG. 17, the operating portion 106b of the cleaning lever 106 comes into contact with the regulation protrusion 105c, and the clockwise rotation in the figure is restricted. NS.

As shown in FIG. 17, in a state where the rotation of the cleaning lever 106 is restricted by the regulation protrusion 105c, the first connecting member support position A3 is the fulcrum A2 of the rotation of the first link member 101 and the connecting shaft 103c. It is located on the upper side of the figure with respect to the line segment A connecting the above. Therefore, in this state, the first link member 101 is urged by the spring (torsion spring 104 or tension spring 104') in the direction of rotating counterclockwise in the drawing. Therefore, when the user releases the cleaning lever 106, the exposure device 60 returns to the original retracted position by the spring.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an operation amount Q1 of the opening / closing operation of the opening / closing cover 91 and an operation amount Q2 of the cleaning lever 106.
The operation amount when the opening / closing cover 91 is closed from the open state, the exposure device 60 is moved from the retracted position to the exposure position, and the lens surface 64a of the exposure device 60 is cleaned once by the cleaning member 69 is Q1. When cleaning with the cleaning member twice, the operation amount is 2Q1 because the opening / closing cover 91 is closed from the opened state and then reopened. On the other hand, in the operation of the cleaning lever 106, the exposure device 60 can be cleaned by the cleaning member 69 twice by pushing the cleaning lever 106 in Q2 in the drawing. By cleaning the exposure device 60 by operating the cleaning lever 106 in this way, the amount of operation can be overwhelmingly reduced as compared with the case where the exposure device 60 is cleaned a plurality of times by opening and closing the opening / closing cover 91. It is possible to reduce the work load of the user.

As shown in FIG. 18, the exposure apparatus 60 moves from the exposure position to the retracted position without moving the opening / closing cover 91 to the completely opened position, and the cleaning member cleans the lens surface 64a. .. However, the user does not know how long the opening / closing cover 91 should be opened to move to the evacuation position. Therefore, even if the opening / closing cover 91 is not completely opened, the opening / closing cover 91 is opened to some extent. Similarly, even if the opening / closing cover 91 is not completely closed, the lens surface 64a of the exposure apparatus 60 is cleaned by the cleaning member 69. However, since the user does not know whether or not the exposure device 60 has passed the cleaning position, the opening / closing cover 91 is operated until the opening / closing cover 91 is closed. Therefore, in reality, the operation amount Q1 shown in FIG. 18 may be smaller than the operation amount Q2 of the cleaning lever 106 prepared for cleaning.

FIG. 19 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example in which a switch mechanism 160 is used as a mechanism for moving the exposure device 60 by being operated by a user when cleaning the exposure device 60.
As shown in FIG. 19, the switch mechanism 160 has a switch member 161 and a cylindrical housing 162 that houses the switch member 161 so as to be slidable. The switch member 161 is composed of a switch portion 161a for the user to push the switch member 161, a pushing portion 161c for pushing the cleaning boss portion 101c, and a regulating portion 161b for restricting the pushing amount. The regulation portion 161b is provided between the push-in portion 161c and the switch portion 161a, and has an outer diameter larger than that of the push-in portion 161c and the switch portion 161a. The housing 162 has an operation hole portion 162a through which the switch portion 161a of the switch member 161 penetrates, and an operation hole portion 162b from which the push-in portion 161c of the switch member 161 protrudes. When the switch member 161 is not operated, the restricting portion 161b and the pushing portion 161c are housed inside the housing 162. The outer diameter of the regulating portion 161b is larger than the hole diameter of the operating hole portion 162b and the hole diameter of the operating hole portion 162a. Although the switch mechanism 160 is attached to the cover member 105, it may be attached to another member in the apparatus.

When cleaning the exposure device 60, first, the open / close cover 91 is opened to expose the switch portion 161a of the switch mechanism 160 provided inside the device. The user pushes in the exposed switch unit 161a. Then, the switch member 161 slides to the right side (inside the device) in the drawing, and the tip of the pushing portion 161c comes into contact with the cleaning boss portion 101c of the first link member 101. Further, as the switch portion 161a is pushed in, the cleaning boss portion 101c is pushed to the right side in the drawing against the urging force of the spring (torsion spring 104 or tension spring 104'). Then, the first link member 101 rotates, and the exposure apparatus 60 moves from the retracted position to the exposed position. Further, as the switch member 161 is pushed in, the exposure device 60 passes through the cleaning position, and the lens surface of the exposure device 60 is cleaned by the cleaning member 69. Then, before the exposure apparatus 60 reaches the exposure position, more specifically, the first connecting member support position A3 is a line segment A connecting the rotation fulcrum A2 of the first link member 101 and the connecting shaft 103c. Before reaching the top, the regulating portion 161b abuts on the edge of the working hole 162b of the housing 162. As a result, the slide movement of the switch member 161 is restricted, and the exposure device 60 cannot be moved to the exposure position any more. When the user separates the restricting portion 161b from the switch member 161 in a state where the regulating portion 161b abuts against the edge portion of the operating hole portion 162b of the housing 162, the user is exposed by the urging force of the spring (torsion spring 104 or tension spring 104'). The device 60 returns to the original retracted position. While automatically moving to the original retracted position, the exposure apparatus 60 passes through the cleaning position again, and the lens surface 64a is cleaned by the cleaning member 69. Further, the cleaning boss portion 101c pushes the switch member 161 to move the switch member 161 to the left side in the drawing, and returns the switch member 161 to the state shown in FIG.

Even in such a configuration, the user can perform cleaning twice by simply pushing in the switch member 161, which is easier than cleaning by opening and closing the opening / closing cover 91, and the exposure device 60 can be cleaned a plurality of times. Can be cleaned. Further, the exposure device 60 can be cleaned twice with an operation amount smaller than the operation amount of the opening / closing cover 91, and the burden of cleaning work of the exposure device 60 can be reduced. Furthermore, since the exposure apparatus 60 is not moved to the exposure position, the exposure apparatus 60 is not positioned at the exposure position. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the load from being applied to each of the positioning bosses 22, the positioning holes 67a and 67b of the writing head 64, the spacer member 21, and the like more than expected, and it is possible to suppress damage to the positioning boss 22 and the like. can.

Further, the exposure apparatus 60 can be moved by a simple operation of pushing the switch member 161 straight, and the burden of cleaning the lens surface 64a of the exposure apparatus 60 can be reduced. On the other hand, in the configuration in which the exposure device 60 is moved by using the cleaning lever 106, the first link member 101 can be rotated by the principle of the lever, as compared with the configuration in which the exposure device 60 is moved by the switch member 161. There is an advantage that the exposure apparatus 60 can be moved with a light operation.

Further, the cleaning member 69 may be moved by the cleaning lever 106 to clean the lens surface 64a of the exposure apparatus 60 in the retracted position.

Further, as described above, in the cleaning member 69, the lens surface 64a is pressed against the cleaning member 69 when the exposure device 60 moves from the retracted position to the exposure position, and the cleaning member 69 slides the lens surface 64a while elastically deforming. By rubbing, dirt on the lens surface 64a is removed. When the exposure apparatus 60 passes through the cleaning position, a pressing force due to elastic deformation of the cleaning member 69 and a frictional force with the cleaning member 69 are applied to the exposure apparatus 60. Therefore, these pressing force and frictional force serve as a moving load of the exposure apparatus 60.

When the cleaning member 69 is provided parallel to the longitudinal direction of the exposure device 60 and the cleaning member 69 comes into contact with the lens surface 64a of the exposure device 60 at substantially the same time in the longitudinal direction, the cleaning member 69 is elastically deformed at substantially the same time in the longitudinal direction. The lens surface 64a is rubbed. Therefore, the moving load of the exposure apparatus 60 due to the pressing force and the frictional force of the cleaning member 69 increases sharply. As a result, the load suddenly increases when the opening / closing cover 91 is opened / closed, which may interfere with the operation of the opening / closing cover 91. Similarly, the operation of the cleaning lever 106 and the switch member 161 may be hindered. Further, when the exposure apparatus 60 moves to the retracted position by the urging force of the spring, the exposure apparatus 60 may stop at the cleaning position due to the load when passing through the cleaning position, and the exposure apparatus 60 may not move to the retracted position.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the cleaning members 69 are configured to come into contact with each other on different orbital trajectories in the longitudinal direction of the exposure apparatus 60.

FIG. 20 is a schematic view showing an example in which the cleaning member 69 is provided with the cleaning member 69 tilted by a predetermined angle θ with respect to the longitudinal direction of the exposure apparatus 60 (the axial direction of the photoconductor drum 3).
The cleaning member 69 shown in FIG. 20 is formed by attaching a non-woven fabric as a cloth member to, for example, a thin mylar as a base material, and is held by the holding member 72. Then, the holding member 72 is screwed to the main body stay 71 at a predetermined angle θ with respect to the axial direction B of the photoconductor drum 3, and the cleaning member 69 is predetermined with respect to the axial direction B of the photoconductor drum 3. Angle θ tilted.

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating cleaning of the lens surface 64a of the exposure apparatus 60 when the cleaning member 69 is provided at a predetermined angle θ tilted.
By tilting the cleaning member 69 with respect to the axial direction B of the photoconductor by a predetermined angle θ, first, at point b in the figure on the curved trajectory of the retracting path R, the other end side 69b of the cleaning member 69 in the longitudinal direction is exposed. It comes into contact with the lens surface 64a of the device 60, and the other end side 69b in the longitudinal direction is elastically deformed. Then, as the exposure apparatus 60 moves, the cleaning member 69 sequentially contacts the lens surface 64a of the exposure apparatus 60 from the other end side to the one end side to clean the lens surface 64a. Finally, at point a in the figure on the curved trajectory of the retracting path R, the longitudinal end side 69a of the cleaning member 69 comes into contact with the lens surface 64a of the exposure apparatus 60, and the lens surface 64a on the longitudinal end side is cleaned. do.

By tilting the cleaning member 69 with respect to the longitudinal direction of the exposure apparatus 60 (the axial direction of the photoconductor drum 3) in this way, the timing at which the cleaning member 69 comes into contact with the lens surface 64a of the exposure apparatus 60 is set in the longitudinal direction. Can be different. As a result, the pressing force on the exposure device 60 due to the elastic deformation of the cleaning member 69 and the frictional force with the lens surface 64a gradually increase, and the opening / closing of the opening / closing cover 91 and the operation of the cleaning lever 106 or the switch member 161 are performed. The load gradually increases.

Further, as shown in FIG. 21, after the other end side 69b of the cleaning member 69 in the longitudinal direction comes into contact with the lens surface 64a of the exposure device 60, the one end side 69a of the cleaning member 69 in the longitudinal direction is the lens of the exposure device 60. The distance of the curved trajectory of the retracted path R until it comes into contact with the surface 64a (the distance from the point b in the figure to the point a) is longer than the length of the lens surface 64a in the lateral direction. Therefore, at least when one end side 69a of the cleaning member 69 in the longitudinal direction comes into contact with the lens surface 64a of the exposure device 60, the other end side 69b of the cleaning member 69 in the longitudinal direction can clean the lens surface 64a of the exposure device 60. It is finished and is separated from the lens surface 64a. In this way, the cleaning member 69 does not come into contact with the lens surface 64a of the exposure apparatus 60 over the entire longitudinal direction. Therefore, the magnitude of the load on the pressing force and the frictional force applied from the cleaning member 69 to the lens surface 64a can be reduced as compared with the case where the cleaning member 69 comes into contact with the lens surface 64a of the exposure apparatus 60 at substantially the same time in the longitudinal direction. ..

By tilting the cleaning member 69 with respect to the axial direction B of the photoconductor drum 3 by a predetermined angle θ in this way, the load of opening and closing the opening / closing cover 91 and the operation of the cleaning lever 106 and the switch member 161 gradually increases. Moreover, the magnitude of the load on the pressing force and the frictional force applied from the cleaning member 69 to the lens surface 64a can be reduced. As a result, it is possible to prevent the opening / closing of the opening / closing cover 91 and the operability of the switch member 161 or the cleaning lever 106 from being impaired. Further, the exposure device 60 can be moved to the retracted position by the urging force of the spring without stopping at the cleaning position due to the load when passing through the cleaning position.

FIG. 22 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a cleaning member 169 of the first modification.
As shown in FIG. 22, the cleaning member 169 of the first modification has three cleaning members 169a, 169b, and 169c that are shorter than half the length of the exposure apparatus 60 in the longitudinal direction. Then, these are attached to the holding member 72 at different positions in the longitudinal direction and on the curved trajectory (vertical direction in the drawing) of the evacuation path R of the exposure apparatus 60.

In this first modification, first, the cleaning member 169c on the other end side in the longitudinal direction at the right end in the drawing comes into contact with the lens surface 64a of the exposure apparatus 60. Next, after the cleaning member 169c on the other end side in the longitudinal direction cleans the lens surface 64a on the other end side in the longitudinal direction of the exposure apparatus 60 (the cleaning member 169c is separated from the lens surface 64a), the cleaning member 169b in the center in the longitudinal direction is used. , Contact with the lens surface 64a at the center in the longitudinal direction of the exposure apparatus 60. Then, after the cleaning member 169b at the center in the longitudinal direction cleans the lens surface 64a at the center in the longitudinal direction, the cleaning member 169a on one end side in the longitudinal direction comes into contact with the lens surface 64a on the one end side in the longitudinal direction of the exposure apparatus 60 to clean it. ..

As described above, even in the first modification, the timing at which the cleaning member comes into contact with the lens surface 64a of the exposure apparatus 60 can be made different in the longitudinal direction. As a result, it is possible to suppress the pressing force on the exposure device 60 due to the elastic deformation of the cleaning member and the increase in the frictional force with the lens surface 64a, and the opening / closing of the opening / closing cover 91 and the operability of the cleaning lever 106 or the switch member 161. Can be suppressed from being impaired. Further, the exposure device 60 can be moved to the retracted position by the urging force of the spring without stopping at the cleaning position due to the load when passing through the cleaning position.

FIG. 23 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a cleaning member 269 of the second modification. FIG. 23 (a) is a side view showing a state immediately before the exposure apparatus 60 reaches the cleaning position of the cleaning member 269 of the second modified example, and FIG. 23 (b) is a side view showing the direction of arrow C in FIG. 23. It is a figure seen from.

The cleaning member 269 of this second modification is a brush, and as shown in FIG. 23 (b), the cleaning member 269 is inclined by an angle θ1 with respect to the trajectory (vertical direction in the figure) in the contact range of the exposure device 60 with the cleaning member. A plurality of hair bundles 269b are planted on the base material 691b on the straight line α. Further, the hair bundle group 269a composed of a plurality of hair bundles 269b arranged on the straight line α is arranged in the longitudinal direction with an interval J.

According to this, the brush does not come into contact with the entire area of the lens surface 64a of the exposure apparatus 60 in the longitudinal direction. As a result, the load when passing through the cleaning position can be reduced as compared with the case where the brush contacts the entire area of the lens surface 64a of the exposure apparatus 60 in the longitudinal direction, and the opening / closing cover 91 can be opened / closed and the cleaning lever 106 can be opened / closed. Alternatively, it is possible to prevent the switch member 161 from being impaired in operability. Further, the exposure device 60 can be moved to the retracted position by the urging force of the spring without stopping at the cleaning position due to the load when passing through the cleaning position.

Further, the interval J is equal to or less than the longitudinal distance between the upper end hair bundle and the lower end hair bundle of the hair bundle group 269a. As a result, the longitudinal direction of the lens surface 64a of the exposure apparatus 60 can be evenly cleaned while passing through the cleaning range (K in FIG. 23) of the cleaning member 269.

Further, by moving the exposure device 60 so that the timing of entering the cleaning position of the cleaning member differs between the one end side and the other end side in the longitudinal direction of the exposure device 60, the load during cleaning of the lens surface 64a is reduced. You may. For example, the evacuation mechanism connecting member 107 (see FIG. 4) that connects the evacuation mechanism 100a on one end side and the evacuation mechanism 100b on the other end side is eliminated, and the evacuation mechanism 100a on one end side and the evacuation mechanism 100b on the other end side are eliminated. Only one of them is configured to apply a force to move the exposure apparatus 60. Specifically, only one of the retracting mechanism 100a on one end side and the retracting mechanism 100b on the other end side is provided with a spring (torsion spring 104 or tension spring 104'). Further, only one of the evacuation mechanism 100a on one end side and the evacuation mechanism 100b on the other end side may be brought into contact with the tip of the hook lever 91a, or the evacuation mechanism 100a on one end side and the evacuation mechanism 100b on the other end side may be brought into contact with each other. A cleaning lever 106 may be provided for only one of the above. As a result, only one of the retracting mechanism 100a on the one end side and the retracting mechanism 100b on the other end side can be configured to apply a force for moving the exposure apparatus 60. With such a configuration, it is possible to cause a deviation in operation between the retracting mechanism 100a on one end side and the retracting mechanism 100b on the other end side, and the exposure apparatus 60 can be displaced from each other on the one end side and the other end side in the longitudinal direction. The timing of entering the cleaning position of the cleaning member can be changed.

FIG. 24 is a schematic view showing how the exposure apparatus 60 enters the cleaning position of the cleaning member by causing a deviation in operation between the retracting mechanism 100a on one end side and the retracting mechanism 100b on the other end side. 23 (a) is a side view, and FIG. 24 (b) is a view seen from the direction of arrow D in FIG. 24 (a). Further, FIG. 24 shows a state in which the exposure apparatus 60 is moved from the retracted position to the exposed position.

In FIG. 24, a force for moving the exposure apparatus 60 is applied to the retracting mechanism 100a on one end side in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, a force is applied to move one end side of the exposure apparatus 60 in the longitudinal direction (left side in FIG. 24B) by the retracting mechanism and move it to the retracting mechanism 100b on the other end side in the longitudinal direction via the exposure apparatus 60. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 24B, one end side of the exposure apparatus 60 in the longitudinal direction moves to the exposure position prior to the other end side.

In this way, since one end side of the exposure apparatus 60 moves to the exposure position prior to the other end side, the one end side in the longitudinal direction of the exposure apparatus 60 comes into contact with the cleaning member before the other end side. Then, as the exposure apparatus 60 moves, the cleaning member 69 comes into contact with the lens surface 64a of the exposure apparatus 60 in sequence from one end side to the other end side, and the lens surface 64a is cleaned. Further, by making the operation deviation between one end side and the other end side larger than the length of the lens surface 64a in the lateral direction, after the one end side of the exposure apparatus 60 passes through the cleaning range in contact with the cleaning member 69, the lens The other end side of the surface 64a in the longitudinal direction can be brought into contact with the cleaning member 69. As a result, the cleaning member 69 does not come into contact with the lens surface 64a of the exposure apparatus 60 over the entire longitudinal direction.
Therefore, even in the configuration shown in FIG. 24, it is possible to prevent the opening / closing of the opening / closing cover 91 and the impaired operability of the cleaning lever 106 or the switch member 161. Further, the exposure device 60 can be moved to the retracted position by the urging force of the spring without stopping at the cleaning position due to the load when passing through the cleaning position.

The above description is an example, and the effect peculiar to each of the following aspects is exhibited.
(Aspect 1)
It is configured to be movable between a latent image carrier such as a photoconductor drum 3 and an exposure position close to the latent image carrier and a retracted position away from the latent image carrier, and when it is close to the latent image carrier. Movement of the exposure device 60 that exposes the latent image carrier by irradiating light through the lens, and the opening / closing cover 91 that moves the exposure device between the exposure position and the retracted position by the operation of the user. In the image forming apparatus including the means and the cleaning member 69 for cleaning the surface of the lens of the exposure device 60, the cleaning member 69 cleans the surface of the lens with an operation amount smaller than the operation amount of the moving means. A cleaning operation means such as a cleaning lever 106 is provided.
According to this, by providing a cleaning operation means such as a cleaning lever 106, the surface of the lens can be cleaned with a smaller amount of operation as compared with a device for cleaning the surface of the lens of the exposure apparatus 60 by operating a moving means such as an opening / closing lid. It can be cleaned by the cleaning member 69. As a result, when the surface of the lens is cleaned a plurality of times based on an instruction in a manual or the like, the burden on the user can be reduced as compared with the case where the surface of the lens is cleaned by operating a moving means.

(Aspect 2)
In aspect 1, the cleaning operation means such as the cleaning lever 106 moves the exposure device 60 so that the surface of the lens passes through a cleaning position where the cleaning member 69 cleans.
According to this, the surface of the lens can be cleaned by the cleaning member 69.

(Aspect 3)
In the second aspect, the moving range of the exposure device 60 by the cleaning operation means such as the cleaning lever 106 is narrower than the moving range of the exposure device 60 by the moving means such as the opening / closing cover 91.
According to this, the operation amount of the cleaning operation means such as the cleaning lever 106 can be reduced as compared with the operation amount of the moving means such as the opening / closing cover 91.

(Aspect 4)
In the third aspect, the cleaning member 69 is arranged on the moving track of the exposure device 60, and the cleaning operation means such as the cleaning lever 106 exposes the exposure device 60 in the retracted position by the operation of the user. It moves toward a position, and has a stopper member such as a regulation protrusion 105c that stops the operation of the cleaning operation means before the exposure device 60 reaches the exposure position.
According to this, as described in the embodiment, the load of the member for positioning the exposure apparatus 60 at the exposure position such as the exposure position (in this embodiment, the positioning holes 67a and 67b, the spacer member 21, and the positioning boss 22) is applied. It can be reduced, and damage to the positioning member can be suppressed.

(Aspect 5)
In the fourth aspect, the urging means for urging the exposure device 60 so as to move the exposure device 60 to the retracted position within the movement range of the exposure device 60 by the cleaning operation means such as the cleaning lever 106 (in the present embodiment). , Torsion spring 104 or tension spring 104').
According to this, when the user releases the cleaning operation means after the operation of the cleaning operation means such as the cleaning lever 106 is stopped by the stopper member such as the regulation protrusion 105c, the exposure device 60 causes the urging means (the present embodiment). Then, the urging force of the torsion spring 104 or the tension spring 104') automatically returns to the retracted position. As a result, the cleaning operation means may be operated so as to move the exposure apparatus 60 toward an exposure position such as an exposure position, and the burden of cleaning work on the lens surface 64a of the exposure apparatus 60 can be reduced.

(Aspect 6)
In the fifth aspect, the cleaning operation means is a pushing member such as a switch member 161 that pushes the exposure device 60 toward the exposure position.
According to this, as described with reference to FIG. 19 above, the exposure apparatus 60 can be moved by a simple operation of pushing the pressing member such as the switch member 161 to clean the lens surface of the exposure apparatus 60. The work load can be reduced.

(Aspect 7)
In any of aspects 1 to 5, the cleaning operating means is a lever member such as a rotatably held cleaning lever 106.
According to this, the operation can be performed using the principle of the lever, the exposure apparatus 60 can be moved with a light operation, and the burden of cleaning the lens surface of the exposure apparatus 60 can be reduced.

(Aspect 8)
In any one of aspects 1 to 7, the moving means is an exterior cover such as an opening / closing cover 91 that is openable / closable with respect to the main body of the device.
According to this, as described in the present embodiment, when the unit having the latent image carrier such as the photoconductor drum 3 is attached / detached, the exposure device 60 is moved to the retracted position and the exposure in conjunction with the opening / closing operation of the exterior cover. You can move between positions. This eliminates the need for the user to operate the moving means to move the exposure apparatus 60 between the retracted position and the exposed position after opening and closing the exterior cover.

(Aspect 9)
In the image forming apparatus according to any one of aspects 1 to 7, the moving means is an inner cover provided in the apparatus main body so as to be openable and closable.
According to this, when the unit having the latent image carrier is attached / detached, the exposure apparatus 60 can be moved between the retracted position and the exposed position in conjunction with the opening / closing operation of the inner cover. This eliminates the need for the user to operate the moving means to move the exposure apparatus 60 between the retracted position and the exposed position after opening and closing the inner cover.

(Aspect 10)
In the eighth or ninth aspect, the cleaning operation means such as the cleaning lever 106 is provided on the inner side of the device with respect to the moving means such as the opening / closing cover 91.
According to this, the inside of the device can be closed by the moving means of the inner cover or the outer cover, and the airtightness inside the device can be maintained.

(Aspect 11)
In any one of aspects 1 to 10, the cleaning member 69 is arranged on the moving track of the exposure apparatus, and the timing at which the surface of the lens surface 64a is cleaned by the cleaning member 69 is set by the photoconductor drum 3 or the like. The latent image carriers of the above were made different in the direction of the rotation axis.
According to this, as described with reference to FIG. 20 and the like, the surface of the lens surface 64a is simultaneously cleaned by the cleaning member 69 in the rotation axis direction of the latent image carrier such as the photoconductor drum 3. In comparison with the above, it is possible to suppress a rapid increase in the moving load of the exposure apparatus 60.

(Aspect 12)
In the eleventh aspect, the cleaning member 69 is arranged so as to be inclined with respect to the rotation axis direction.
According to this, as described with reference to FIG. 20, the timing at which the surface of the lens surface 64a is cleaned by the cleaning member 69 is made different in the rotation axis direction of the latent image carrier such as the photoconductor drum 3. be able to.

(Aspect 13)
In the eleventh aspect, a plurality of cleaning members are provided, and the plurality of cleaning members are arranged at different positions in the rotation axis direction and at different positions on the moving track.
According to this, as described with reference to FIG. 22, the timing at which the surface of the lens surface 64a is cleaned by the cleaning member 69 is made different in the rotation axis direction of the latent image carrier such as the photoconductor drum 3. be able to.

(Aspect 14)
In the eleventh aspect, the cleaning member 69 is a brush in which a plurality of hair bundle patterns arranged at an angle with respect to the moving direction of the exposure device 60 at the cleaning position are arranged in the rotation axis direction.
According to this, as described with reference to FIG. 23, the timing at which the surface of the lens surface 64a is cleaned by the cleaning member 69 is made different in the rotation axis direction of the latent image carrier such as the photoconductor drum 3. be able to.

(Aspect 15)
In the eleventh aspect, the exposure apparatus 60 moves the cleaning position in a state of being inclined with respect to the rotation axis direction.
According to this, as described with reference to FIG. 24, the timing at which the surface of the lens surface 64a is cleaned by the cleaning member 69 is made different in the rotation axis direction of the latent image carrier such as the photoconductor drum 3. be able to.

(Aspect 16)
In the fifteenth aspect, the one end side of the exposure apparatus 60 in the rotation axis direction moves ahead of the other end side.
According to this, as described with reference to FIG. 24, the cleaning position can be moved in a state where the exposure apparatus 60 is tilted with respect to the rotation axis direction.

1: Printer 2: Developer 3: Photoreceptor drum 4: Charging roller 5: Cleaning device 10: Paper cassette 12: Paper roller 14: Resist roller pair 15: Paper ejection roller 20: Retracting device 21: Spacer member 22: Positioning boss 50: Process cartridge 50a: Case 60: Exposure device 62: Support protrusion 63: Guide protrusion 64: Writing head 64a: Lens surface 65: Holder 66: Spring member 67a: Positioning hole 67b: Positioning hole 68: Movement control unit 69: Cleaning member 69a: One end side in the longitudinal direction 69b: The other end side in the longitudinal direction 70: Transfer roller 71: Main body stay 72: Holding member 80: Fixing device 91: Open / close cover 91a: Hook lever 100: Retract mechanism 100a: Retract mechanism 100b : Retracting mechanism 101: First link member 101a: Boss portion 101b: Support shaft 101c: Cleaning boss portion 102: Second link member 102a: Support hole 102b: Hooking portion 103: Connecting mechanism 103a: First connecting member 103b: First Two connecting members 103c: connecting shaft 104: torsion spring 104': tension spring 105: cover member 105a: connecting guide hole 105b: exposure guide hole 105c: regulating protrusion 105d: relief groove 105e: lever support shaft 106: cleaning lever 106a: operation Part 106b: Actuating part 106c: Mounting part 107: Retracting mechanism connecting member 111: Device main body side plate 113: Hooking part 160: Switch mechanism 161: Switch member 161a: Switch part 161b: Restricting part 161c: Pushing part 162: Housing 162a: Operation hole 162b: Operation hole

Japanese Patent No. 3713952

Claims (13)

Latent image carrier and
It is configured to be movable between an exposure position close to the latent image carrier and a retracted position away from the latent image carrier, and irradiates light through a lens when it is close to the latent image carrier. An exposure device that exposes the latent image carrier by
A moving means that rotates by the operation of the user and moves the exposure apparatus between the exposure position and the retracted position by the rotation.
In an image forming apparatus including a cleaning member for cleaning the surface of the lens of the exposure apparatus.
It is provided with a cleaning operation means that rotates by the operation of the user and causes the cleaning member to clean the surface of the lens by the rotation .
The cleaning member is arranged on the moving track of the exposure apparatus.
The cleaning operation means moves the exposure device in the retracted position toward the exposure position by the operation of the user.
An image forming apparatus comprising a stopper member that stops the operation of the cleaning operation means before the exposure apparatus reaches the exposure position . In the image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
An image forming apparatus including an urging means for urging the exposure apparatus so as to move the exposure apparatus to the retracted position within the moving range of the exposure apparatus by the cleaning operation means. In the image forming apparatus according to claim 2,
The cleaning operation means is an image forming apparatus, which is a pushing member that pushes the exposure apparatus toward the exposure position. In the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
The cleaning operation means is an image forming apparatus characterized by being a lever member held rotatably. The image forming apparatus according to an item of claims 1 to 4 have shifted,
The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the moving means is an exterior cover provided so as to be openable and closable with respect to the apparatus main body. The image forming apparatus according to an item of claims 1 to 5 have displacement,
The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the moving means is an inner cover provided in the apparatus main body so as to be openable and closable. In the image forming apparatus according to claim 5 or 6.
An image forming apparatus, wherein the cleaning operation means is provided on the inner side of the device with respect to the moving means. The image forming apparatus according to an item of claims 1 to 7 have shifted,
The cleaning member is arranged on the moving track of the exposure apparatus.
An image forming apparatus characterized in that the timing at which the surface of the lens is cleaned by the cleaning member is different in the direction of the rotation axis of the latent image carrier. In the image forming apparatus according to claim 8,
An image forming apparatus characterized in that the cleaning member is arranged so as to be inclined with respect to the rotation axis direction. In the image forming apparatus according to claim 9,
A plurality of the cleaning members are provided.
An image forming apparatus, characterized in that the plurality of cleaning members are arranged at different positions in the rotation axis direction and at different positions on the moving track. In the image forming apparatus according to claim 10,
In the cleaning member, a plurality of patterns of hair bundles arranged at an angle with respect to the moving direction at the cleaning position where the surface of the lens of the exposure device is cleaned by the cleaning member are arranged in the rotation axis direction. An image forming apparatus characterized by being a brush. In the image forming apparatus according to claim 10,
The exposure apparatus is an image forming apparatus characterized in that the surface of the lens is moved to a cleaning position where the surface of the lens is cleaned by the cleaning member in a state of being inclined with respect to the rotation axis direction. In the image forming apparatus according to claim 12,
An image forming apparatus, characterized in that one end side of the exposure apparatus in the direction of the rotation axis moves ahead of the other end side.

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