JP7310183B2 - Image forming device and detachable unit - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a removable unit.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-200000 describes an image carrier unit that has an image carrier that holds an image and that moves in its axial direction so as to be detachable from the apparatus. This document describes an image forming apparatus provided with a cleaning unit that cleans the light irradiation surface by changing the cleaning surface of the cleaning unit.

Patent Document 2 describes an image forming apparatus in which a head cleaner for cleaning the surface of an LED head lens for exposure is provided at the head of an inserting/removing drum developing unit in the inserting direction.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-200002 describes an image forming apparatus which is detachably attached to an apparatus main body and has an image forming unit provided with an image carrier, and an image forming unit provided with a cleaning member for cleaning an exposure device when the image carrier is pulled out. ing.

In Patent Document 4, a cleaning member for cleaning the light exit surface of an exposure means is sandwiched between an image carrier and the light exit surface of the exposure means and moved along the longitudinal direction of the exposure means to clean the light exit surface. is reciprocated along the longitudinal direction of the exposure means by a drive mechanism comprising a screw shaft and a slider screwed on the screw shaft. there is

JP 2015-18132 A JP 2015-60132 A JP 2014-231207 A JP 2011-25631 A

According to the present invention, a space for storing cleaning means for cleaning the light-emitting surface of the exposing means by contacting the light-emitting surface of the exposing means is provided in the main body of the apparatus when the detachable unit having the image holding means is attached to the main body of the apparatus. To provide an image forming apparatus and a detachable unit used therein, in which a light emitting surface can be cleaned by a cleaning means in accordance with mounting work of the detachable unit without needing to provide the image forming apparatus.

The image forming apparatus of the invention described in claim 1,
a detachable unit that has image holding means for holding an image and is detachably attached to an apparatus main body by moving in a direction along the axial direction of the image holding means;
an exposing means provided in the apparatus main body for exposing the image holding means from a light emitting surface facing the image holding means with a required gap when the detachable unit is mounted;
Protective means attached to the detachable unit so as to cover and protect a portion along the axial direction of the image holding means, and removed by moving along the axial direction of the image holding means when the detachable unit is mounted. and,
with
The protection means is interposed between the image holding means and the light emitting surface of the exposure means, and has an intervening portion extending along the axial direction of the image holding means and having a shape facing the image holding means. and cleaning means for cleaning the light-emitting surface by contacting the light-emitting surface of the exposure means at least when the protection means is removed,
The cleaning means is a part of the intervening portion that faces the light emitting surface and is located at the rear end of the light emitting surface when the protective means is moved along the axial direction of the image holding means and attached. It is provided in the part corresponding to the position beyond the part .

Further, in the image forming apparatus of the invention according to claim 2, in the invention according to claim 1, the cleaning means corresponds to at least a leading end portion of the protective means in a moving direction when the detachable unit is mounted. It is provided in the part where
A third aspect of the present invention provides an image forming apparatus according to the first or second aspect of the invention, wherein the protective means is provided at a portion of the intervening portion facing the image holding means so that the intervening portion can hold the image. A contact prevention means is provided to prevent contact with the holding means .
According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects of the invention, wherein the light-emitting surface of the light-emitting surface of the detachable unit moves when the detachable unit is mounted. is provided so as to be kept at a constant distance from the image holding means of
The cleaning means is provided so as to be in contact with the light emitting surface even when it moves when the detachable unit is attached .

Furthermore, the detachable unit of the invention according to claim 5,
An image forming apparatus having an image holding means for holding an image and having an exposure means for exposing the image holding means from a light emitting surface is attached to and detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus by moving in a direction along the axial direction of the image holding means. A detachable unit that can be attached,
the image holding means; the support means for supporting the image holding means; protection means removed by moving along the axial direction of the image holding means in
with
The image holding means is configured to face the light-emitting surface with a required distance when the detachable unit is attached to the apparatus main body,
The protection means is interposed between the image holding means and the light emitting surface of the exposure means, and has an intervening portion extending along the axial direction of the image holding means and having a shape facing the image holding means. and cleaning means for cleaning the light-emitting surface by contacting the light-emitting surface of the exposure means at least when the protection means is removed,
The cleaning means is a part of the intervening portion that faces the light emitting surface and is located at the rear end of the light emitting surface when the protective means is moved along the axial direction of the image holding means and attached. It is provided in the part corresponding to the position beyond the part .

According to the image forming apparatus of the first aspect of the invention, at the stage when the detachable unit having the image holding means is attached to the apparatus main body, the cleaning means for cleaning the light emitting surface of the exposing means by coming into contact with the light emitting surface is housed. There is no need to provide a space on the side of the main body of the apparatus for storing the light-emitting surface, and the light-emitting surface can be cleaned by the cleaning means when the detachable unit is mounted.
Further, according to the image forming apparatus of the first aspect of the invention, the cleaning means is disposed at a portion of the intervening portion facing the light emitting surface and at a position beyond the light emitting surface when the protective means is attached. Compared to the case where the corresponding part is not provided, the cleaning means in the intervening part can be reliably brought into contact with and moved from one end of the light emitting surface at least when the protective means is removed, so that the light emitting surface can be cleaned.
Furthermore, according to the image forming apparatus of the first aspect of the invention, the protective means can be easily removed compared to the case where the intervening portion of the protective means does not extend along the axial direction of the image holding means and face each other. The light emitting surface can be cleaned in conjunction with the removal.

According to the second aspect of the invention, compared to the case where the cleaning means is not provided in the portion of the protection means corresponding to the leading end portion in the moving direction when the detachable unit is attached, the cleaning means is cleaned at least when the protection means is removed. The light-emitting surface can be cleaned by
According to the third aspect of the invention, it is possible to prevent the intervening portion from coming into contact with the image holding means when the protecting means is removed .
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the light-emitting surface can be cleaned by the cleaning means of the protection means even when moving during the installation work of the detachable unit.

According to the detachable unit of the fifth aspect of the invention, when the detachable unit is attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus and at least the protecting means is removed, the cleaning means of the protecting means cleans the exposing means. The light emitting surface can be cleaned, and there is no need to provide a space for storing the cleaning means while the detachable unit is attached to the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus.
In addition, according to the detachable unit of the invention of claim 5, the cleaning means is located at a portion of the intervening portion facing the light emitting surface and corresponding to a position beyond the light emitting surface when the protective means is attached. Compared to the case where the protection means is not provided in the part where the protection means is removed, the cleaning means in the intervening part can be surely brought into contact with one end of the light emission surface and moved to clean the light emission surface.
Further, according to the attachment/detachment unit of the fifth aspect of the invention, the protection means can be easily removed and removed compared to the case where the intervening portion of the protection means does not have a shape that extends along the axial direction of the image holding means and faces the image holding means. The light-emitting surface can be cleaned in conjunction with the removal.

1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1; FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a part (mainly an image forming device) in the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1; FIG. (A) is a perspective view showing the detachable unit to which the protective member is not attached, and (B) is a perspective view showing the protective member attached to the detachable unit. (A) is a perspective view showing the detachable unit to which the protective member is attached, and (B) is a perspective view showing a state in the process of removing the protective member from the detachable unit. (A) is a side view showing a detachable unit to which a protective member is attached, and (B) is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration and mounting state of an exposure device. (A) is a side view showing a protection member, and (B) is an enlarged perspective view showing a state when a portion of the back side of the protection member in (A) is looked up from diagonally below. FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a detachable unit to which a protective member is attached; (A) is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state in the process of attaching the removable unit with the protective member attached, and (B) is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the state when the removable unit of (A) is attached together with the exposure apparatus. is. FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing the state of the removable unit and the exposure apparatus when the mounting of the removable unit is completed; (A) is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state in the process of removing the protective member from the attached removable unit, and (B) shows the state of the removable unit and the exposure apparatus after the protective member in (A) is removed. It is a schematic sectional view. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the state of the protective member, the cleaning device, and the exposure device in the detachable unit when they are attached. FIG. FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view showing how the cleaning member cleans the light-emitting surface when the protective member is removed from the mounted detachable unit. (A) is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the positional relationship between the detachable unit and the exposure apparatus during attachment, and (B) is the positional relationship with the exposure apparatus when the attachment of the detachable unit in (A) is completed. It is a schematic diagram showing a state. (A) is a schematic diagram showing another configuration of the positional relationship between the detachable unit and the exposure apparatus during attachment, and (B) is the position with respect to the exposure apparatus when the attachment of the detachable unit in (A) is completed. 1 is a schematic diagram showing states of relationships; FIG. FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another configuration of an auxiliary member provided with a cleaning member in the protective member;

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[Embodiment 1]
FIG. 1 shows an image forming apparatus 1 according to Embodiment 1. As shown in FIG. Arrows labeled X, Y, and Z in other drawings including FIG. 1 indicate directions of width, height, and depth assumed in each drawing. 1, 2, etc., the circular symbol at the intersection of the X and Y direction arrows indicates that the Z direction is vertically downward in the drawings.

<Image forming apparatus>
The image forming apparatus 1 is an apparatus that forms an image formed of toner as a developer on a sheet of paper 9, which is an example of a recording medium, using an image forming method such as an electrophotographic method. The image forming apparatus 1 is configured as a printer that forms an image corresponding to image information acquired from an external device such as an information terminal or an image reading device.

As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 includes image forming means 2 for forming a toner image as an unfixed image made of toner based on image information in an internal space of a housing 10, which is an example of an apparatus main body. , an intermediate transfer unit 3 that temporarily holds and conveys the toner image formed by the image forming unit 2 and then secondarily transfers it onto a sheet of paper 9; 9, a fixing means 5 for fixing the toner image secondarily transferred by the intermediate transfer means 3 to the paper 9, and the like.

The housing 10 is a structure formed into a required structure and shape from materials such as various support members and exterior materials. The casing 10 has a discharge/accommodation section 12 formed in a part of the upper surface thereof to contain the stacked sheets of paper 9 to be discharged after the image is formed. A dashed line in FIG. 1 indicates a main transport path along which the paper 9 is transported within the housing 10 .

The image forming means 2 includes four image forming devices 2Y, 2M, 2C, and 2K that form toner images of four colors, for example, yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). It is composed of The four imaging devices 2 (Y, M, C, K) in Embodiment 1 are arranged so as to be tilted upward to the right inside the housing 10 shown in FIG.

Each of the four image forming devices 2 (Y, M, C, K) has a photosensitive drum 21, which is an example of image holding means, rotating in the direction indicated by the arrow, as shown in FIGS. ing. In each of the image forming devices 2 (Y, M, C, K), a charging device 22 for charging the image holding area of the photosensitive drum 21 and an image holding device in which the photosensitive drum 21 is charged are provided around the photosensitive drum 21 . An exposure device 23, which is an example of exposure means for exposing an area to light according to image information to form an electrostatic latent image, and a toner of a color corresponding to the electrostatic latent image formed on the image forming surface of the photosensitive drum 21. Developing devices 24 (Y, M, C, K) for developing with , and a first cleaning device 26 for cleaning the image forming surface of the photosensitive drum 21 are arranged. In FIG. 1, the reference numerals 21 to 24 and 26 are all shown for the black (K) image forming device 2K for the sake of convenience, but only some of them are shown for the other color image forming devices 2Y, 2M and 2C. described.

The intermediate transfer means 3 is arranged above the image forming device 2 (Y, M, C, K) as the image forming means 2 inside the housing 10 .
The intermediate transfer means 3 receives and holds the toner images respectively formed by the image forming devices 2 (Y, M, C, and K) by primary transfer, and then rotates to convey them to a position where they are secondary-transferred onto the paper 9 . A primary transfer device that primarily transfers each toner image formed on the transfer belt 31 and each photosensitive drum 21 of the image forming device 2 (Y, M, C, K) to an image holding area on the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 31. 33, a secondary transfer device 35 that secondarily transfers the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 31 onto the paper 9, and a second cleaning device 36 that cleans the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 31. ing. The intermediate transfer belt 31 passes through the photosensitive drums 21 of the image forming devices 2 (Y, M, C, and K), the secondary transfer device 35, and the like in order while being stretched around a plurality of support rolls 32a to 32d. while rotating in the direction indicated by the arrow.

The paper feeding unit 4 is configured by arranging devices such as a paper container 41 for containing the paper 9 and a feeding device 43 for feeding the paper 9 from the paper container 41 one by one. The paper 9 sent out from the paper feeding means 4 passes between the intermediate transfer belt 31 and the secondary transfer device 35 in the intermediate transfer means 3 via a paper feed transport path composed of paper transport rolls, transport guides, and the like. is conveyed to the secondary transfer position where the
The fixing device 5 is arranged above the secondary transfer position of the intermediate transfer device 3 . The fixing unit 5 is configured by arranging devices such as a heating rotator 51 and a pressurizing rotator 52 in the inner space of the housing 50 . The paper 9 sent out from the fixing device 5 after fixing is conveyed to the discharge/accommodation unit 12 via a discharge path composed of paper transport rolls, a transport guide, and the like.

<Removable unit>
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3A, the image forming apparatus 1 includes photosensitive drums 21, charging devices 22, and first cleaning devices 26 in four image forming devices 2 (Y, M, C, and K). is attached to the support frame 201 to form an integrated structure, and the photosensitive drum 21 is pushed in and pulled out from the mounting portion formed in the housing 10 in the axial direction D of the photosensitive drum 21 to be attached and detached. It is configured as a detachable unit 20 (Y, M, C, K) that can be attached.

The detachable unit 20 (Y, M, C, K) is a predetermined mounting portion (inside the space) formed on each step of the mounting base frame 14 having four steps as indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. , respectively. The mounting base frame 14 forms part of the housing 10 .
In the image forming apparatus 1, when the detachable units 20 (Y, M, C, K) are attached and detached, the intermediate transfer means 3 is moved upward from the normal attachment position by operating a moving mechanism (not shown) prior to the attachment and detachment work. It is configured to be moved to the retracted position. As a result, in the image forming apparatus 1, the intermediate transfer belt 31 of the intermediate transfer means 3 is kept in a non-contact state away from the photosensitive drums 21 of the detachable units 20 (Y, M, C, K). The unit 20 (Y, M, C, K) is in a state in which attachment and detachment operations can be performed.

2, 3(A), 5(A), 8(A), etc., each of the detachable units 20 (Y, M, C, K) is attached to the support frame 201. to rotatably support the photosensitive drum 21, support the charging device 22 so as to be arranged at the position where the photosensitive drum 21 should be charged, and support so as to arrange the first cleaning device 26 at the position where the photosensitive drum 21 should be cleaned. are doing.

More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 5A, the photosensitive drum 21 includes a photosensitive portion 21a in which at least a photosensitive layer is formed on the outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical substrate; It is composed of left and right flange portions 21b and 21c that support both ends of the photosensitive portion 21a.
3, 5, 8, etc., the right side (direction of arrow Z) corresponds to the back side (rear side) of image forming apparatus 1, and the left side thereof (opposite side to the direction of arrow Z). corresponds to the front side of the image forming apparatus 1 .

Parts of left and right flange portions 21 b and 21 c of the photosensitive drum 21 are rotatably supported by left and right end portions 201 b and 201 c of the support frame 201 .
Further, the photosensitive drum 21 is provided outside the right flange portion 21c with a driving connection member (one side of the coupling) 215 that receives rotational power output from the rotational driving mechanism on the housing 10 side. When the detachable unit 20 is mounted, the drive connecting member 215 is detachably connected to a connecting member (the other side of the coupling) (not shown) attached to the output shaft of the rotary drive device on the housing 10 side to generate rotational power. can be transmitted.

The charging device 22 is a contact charging type charging device that uses a charging roll 221 that rotates so as to contact and follow the image holding surface of the photosensitive drum 21 and is supplied with a charging voltage.
Both ends of the charging roll 221 of the charging device 22 are rotatably supported by the left and right ends 201 b and 201 c of the support frame 201 . When the detachable unit 20 is attached to the charging roll 221, the charging roll 221 is connected to the connection portion of the power supply device on the side of the housing 10 so that charging voltage can be supplied.
The charging device 22 includes a cleaning roll 223 that contacts and cleans the outer peripheral surface of the charging roll 221 . This cleaning roll 223 may be omitted.

The first cleaning device 26 is a plate disposed inside an elongated container-like casing 261 extending along the axial direction D of the photosensitive drum 21 so as to come into contact with the photosensitive portion 21a of the photosensitive drum 21 along the axial direction D. and a screw-shaped conveying member 263 which is rotatably mounted so as to collect unnecessary matter such as toner removed from the photosensitive drum 21 by the cleaning member 262 and convey it toward a collection container (not shown). I have.
A connecting member 265 that receives rotational power from a rotational drive mechanism on the housing 10 side is provided at the right end of the transport member 263 so as to protrude outward from the right end of the housing 261 . At the left end of the conveying member 263, a cylindrical discharge pipe 266 for sending waste materials such as collected toner to a collection container (not shown) protrudes outward from the left end of the housing 261. is provided in

3(A), 5(A), etc., the detachable unit 20 (Y, M, C, K) has a side plate portion extending downward from the left end portion 201b of the support frame 201, as shown in FIGS. 201d.
Inside the side plate portion 201d, there is formed a housing portion 202 consisting of a space for housing a left end portion (235) on the front side of a housing (231) of the exposure device 23, which will be described later. A front-side projection 203 is provided on the side portion and is inserted into the positioning hole 15a in the front-side side portion 15 of the mount frame 14 to fix the mounting position.

Also, as shown in FIG. The portion is provided with a rear projection 204 whose mounting position is fixed. The depth-side projection 204 is inserted into the positioning hole 16a in the side face portion 16 of the mount frame 14 on the depth side. As a result, the mounting position on the back side of the detachable unit 20 (Y, M, C, K) is fixed.

On the other hand, the remaining exposure device 23 and developing device 24 (Y, M, C, K) constituting the imaging device 2 (Y, M, C, K) are arranged on the housing 10 side.

Of these, the exposure device 23 employs an LED print head (LPH: LED Print Head) using an LED (Light Emitting Diode) as a light source.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5B, the exposure device 23 comprising this LED print head is a light-emitting chip in which a plurality of LEDs are arranged in a predetermined pattern along the axial direction D of the photosensitive drum 21. and a light-emitting substrate 234 provided with circuits and wiring for driving the light-emitting chips, a lens array 232 for forming an image of the light emitted from the light-emitting substrate 234 on the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 21, and the light-emitting substrate 234. and a housing 231 that holds and integrates a lens array 232 .
The lens array 232 has a light emitting surface 232a from which light is finally emitted at its upper end. The light emitting surface 232a is formed as an elongated surface extending substantially linearly in the direction along the axial direction D of the photosensitive drum 21 (FIG. 12).

The exposure device 23 also includes a holding frame 233 that holds a head unit composed of the light emitting substrate 234, the lens array 232, and the housing 231, as shown in FIG. 5B and the like.
The holding frame 233 is attached to the mounting position on each step of the mounting base frame 14 .
Specifically, the holding frame 233 has a rear projection 236 provided on the rear right end face thereof, and is formed on the rear side surface portion 16 of each stepped portion of the mounting base frame 14 . By inserting it into the positioning hole 16a, the mounting position on the far side is fixed.
The holding frame 233 has a front left side portion 235 attached and fixed to the front side portion 15 of each stepped portion of the mounting base frame 14 by fastening means such as screws. there is

Further, as shown in FIGS. 5B, 9, etc., the head unit of the exposure device 23 has an elastic spring or the like with respect to the left end on the front side and the right end on the back side of the holding frame 233. It is biased upward with the member 237 interposed. Due to this biasing, the front and rear end portions of the housing 231 abut against the rise restricting portions 242 provided on the holding frame 233 and remain stationary.
Further, the head unit of the exposure device 23 is provided with push-in portions 238 and 239 at the front side end and the back side end of the housing 231 . When the detachable unit 20 is inserted into the head unit, the push-in portions 238 and 239 of the detachable unit 20 are connected to the lower pressing portion at the right end 201c of the support frame of the detachable unit 20 and the lower pressing portion at the left end 201b. When they come into contact with the parts, they are pushed downward. As a result, the head unit is held at a predetermined operating position within the holding frame 233 (FIG. 9).

<Protective material>
Further, the unused detachable units 20 (Y, M, C, K) are designed to cover and protect the portion along the axial direction D of the photosensitive drum 21, as shown in FIGS. It is provided with a protective member 6 which is an example of a protective means attached to and removed when the detachable unit 20 is mounted.

As shown in FIGS. 3B, 4, 6A, etc., the protective member 6 is a portion of the photosensitive drum 21 facing the primary transfer device 33 of the intermediate transfer belt 31 in the intermediate transfer means 3 ( Primary transfer position: FIG. 2) is covered along the axial direction D with a width corresponding to the range to be protected, and the left end of the main body 61 is exposed to light from the front side. A handle portion 62 is provided so as to protrude from the drum 21 in the diametrical direction.

The body portion 61 is formed with a dimension longer than the length of the photosensitive drum 21 in the axial direction D. As shown in FIG.
Further, the main body portion 61 has left and right ends 61a and 61b in the longitudinal direction thereof held by a pair of right and left front side holding portions 205a provided respectively above the left end portion 201b and the right end portion 201c of the support frame 201 of the detachable unit 20. and the holding groove of the back side holding portion 205b. The protective member 6 is attached to the detachable unit 20 by fitting the left and right ends 61a and 61b of the body portion 61 into the holding grooves of the pair of left and right front side holding portions 205a and back side holding portions 205b.
Further, the body portion 61 is provided with a guiding inclined portion 63 at the right end thereof, which is located on the far side, for guiding the detachable unit 20 to be easily inserted during the installation work.

4(B), 10(A), etc., after the detachable unit 20 is formally attached to the attachment portion of the housing 10, the user holds the handle portion 62 and moves toward the direction indicated by the arrow J. It is removed from the mounted detachable unit 20 by pulling it out in the direction indicated by (front side).

<Cleaning member>
In the image forming apparatus 1, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, when the protective member 6 is removed, the light emitting surface 232a of the lens array 232 of the exposure device 23 is brought into contact with the light emitting surface 232a. A cleaning member 7, which is an example of cleaning means for cleaning, is provided.

The cleaning member 7 is an example of an intervening portion interposed between the photosensitive drum 21 and the light emitting surface 232a of the exposure device 23 in a non-contact state in the protective member 6, as shown in FIGS. After providing the auxiliary portion 65, it is provided at a portion (lower surface) of the auxiliary portion 65 facing the light emitting surface 232a.

The auxiliary portion 65 is formed as an elongated plate-like portion that extends along the axial direction D of the photosensitive drum 21 from the lower end portion of the handle portion 62 and faces the photosensitive drum 21 .
Further, the auxiliary portion 65 is formed as a portion extending substantially parallel to the main body portion 61 . Further, the distal end portion 65c of the auxiliary portion 65, which is located at the far side at the right end thereof, reaches approximately the middle position of the far side flange portion 21c at the right end of the photosensitive drum 21 when the protective member 6 is attached to the detachable unit 20. It is formed with a certain length.
Further, the auxiliary portion 65 is provided with left and right projecting portions 65a and 65b projecting downward along the longitudinal direction at both left and right end portions in the longitudinal direction along the axial direction D of the portion (lower surface) facing the light emitting surface 232a. there is The left and right protrusions 65 a and 65 b contact the housing 231 of the exposure device 23 or the upper surface of the holding frame 233 at their lower ends, but the body of the auxiliary portion 65 contacts the light emitting surface 232 a of the lens array 232 . It has a function to prevent

Further, the cleaning member 7 is provided in a portion of the auxiliary portion 65 near at least the tip portion 65c in the moving direction E1 when the detachable unit 20 is attached. More specifically, when the detachable unit 20 is attached to the attachment portion of the housing 10 as shown in FIG. The lens array 232 is provided at a portion corresponding to a position exceeding the rear end 232c by a slight length (for example, about 1 cm). As a result, when the protective member 6 is removed, the cleaning member 7 reliably comes into contact with the light emitting surface 232a of the lens array 232 from the far side end and starts moving.

Further, the cleaning member 7 is made of a material such as rubber or felt that does not scratch the light emitting surface 232a. In addition, the cleaning member 7 is configured as a member having a short dimension (for example, about several millimeters) in the longitudinal direction (direction along the axial direction D) of the light emitting surface 232a of the lens array 232 that hardly requires a storage space. It is 9, 12, etc., the cleaning member 7 hangs down (protrudes) from the lower surface of the auxiliary portion 65 toward the light emitting surface 232a of the lens array 232, and its lower end is slightly above the light emitting surface 232a. It is provided so that it can come into contact with it in a state of biting into it.

As shown in FIGS. 3B and 6A, the protective member 6 is attached to or removed from the portion (upper surface) of the auxiliary portion 65 facing the photosensitive drum 21. A contact prevention member 8 , which is an example of contact prevention means, is provided to prevent the auxiliary portion 65 from contacting the photosensitive drum 21 .
A plurality of (for example, three) contact prevention members 8 are provided at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the upper surface of the auxiliary portion 65, but may be provided continuously along the longitudinal direction. The contact prevention member 8 is made of a material such as urethane sponge, for example.

<Attaching the detachable unit and removing the protective member>
Next, mounting of the detachable unit 20 will be described.

The attachment of the detachable unit 20 is temporary as necessary when using a new detachable unit 20 which is unused for the first time, when replacing the detachable unit 20 with a new detachable unit 20 due to a malfunction of the photosensitive drum 21 or the like, or during inspection or repair work. The detachable unit 20 that has been removed during the period of time is remounted. Here, it is assumed that a new detachable unit 20 is attached.

The detachable unit 20 having the protective member 6 is mounted on the stepped portion of the mount frame 14 constituting the mounting portion of the housing 10 of the image forming apparatus 1, as shown in FIG. 8A. It is pushed and inserted into the space for installation in 1 so as to move in the direction indicated by the arrow E1 along the axial direction D of the photosensitive drum 21 .

At this time, the detachable unit 20 is guided by a guide portion (not shown) provided in the mounting portion of the housing 10 and moves in the direction indicated by the arrow E1. In addition, the detachable unit 20 at this time is in a state in which the photosensitive drum 21 is separated from the light emitting surface 232a of the lens array 232 in the exposure device 23 by a predetermined separation distance (a distance larger than the normal interval α during exposure). be moved. The separation distance at this time is such that the cleaning member 7 on the auxiliary portion 65 of the protection member 6 does not come into contact with the light emitting surface 232 a of the exposure device 23 . At this time, when the detachable unit 20 is not attached to the exposure apparatus 23, the lens array 232 (including the light-emitting substrate 234) is subjected to the biasing force of the elastic member 237, thereby moving upward from the normal operating position. It is kept in a state of floating only slightly (for example, about several millimeters).

Also, when the detachable unit 20 is inserted in the direction indicated by the arrow E1, it is in a state described below, whereby the mounting is completed.

That is, as shown in FIG. 8(B), the attachment/detachment unit 20 is inserted into the positioning hole 16a in the side surface 16 on the back side of the mount frame 14 by inserting the rear projection 204 on the support frame 201 thereof. The mounting position on the far side is fixed. At this time, the driving connecting member 215 of the photosensitive drum 21 and the connecting member 265 of the conveying member 263 of the first cleaning device 26 on the back side of the detachable unit 20, etc. etc. are connected to each other.

Approximately at the same time, the attachment/detachment unit 20 is inserted into the positioning hole 15a in the front side surface portion 15 of the mounting base frame 14 by inserting the projection 203 on the front side of the support frame 201 into the mounting position on the front side. becomes fixed. At this time, the front left side portion 235 of the holding frame 233 of the exposure device 23 is accommodated in the accommodation portion 202 on the front side of the support frame 201 of the detachable unit 20 .

Further, as shown in FIGS. 8(B) and 9, the attachment/detachment unit 20 has a right end portion 201c on the back side of the support frame 201 at the stage where the back projection 204 is inserted into the positioning hole 16a. The lower pressing portion comes into contact with the push-in portion 239 on the far side of the exposure device 23 and pushes it downward. Also, in the attachment/detachment unit 20, the lower pressing portion of the left end portion 201b on the front side of the support frame 201 becomes the pressing portion 238 on the front side of the exposure device 23 when the front projection 203 is inserted into the positioning hole 15a. It touches and is pushed downward.
As a result, the entire head unit consisting of the lens array 232, the light emitting substrate 234 and the housing 231 of the exposure device 23 is pushed downward through the housing 231 and moved to the normal operating position and fixed.
As a result, the photosensitive drum 21 in the attached detachable unit 20 and the light emitting surface 232a of the lens array 232 in the exposure device 23 are separated from each other by a regular required interval α as shown in FIGS. kept in good condition.

When the mounting of the detachable unit 20 is completed, as shown in an enlarged view in FIG. It stops at a position beyond the edge 232c. The position beyond the end 232c on the back side of the lens array 232 at this time is also a position that almost reaches the push-in portion 239 on the back side, for example.
Also, the cleaning member 7 provided on the lower surface of the auxiliary portion 65 stops at a position slightly beyond the rear end 232c of the lens array 232 of the exposure device 23. As shown in FIG. The position slightly beyond the far side end 232c of the lens array 232 at this time is also a position between the far side end 232c of the lens array 232 and the far side pushing portion 239, for example.

Subsequently, when the mounting of the detachable unit 20 is completed, as shown in FIG. 10A, the protective member 6 on the detachable unit 20 is removed.

At this time, the protective member 6 is removed from the detachable unit 20 by the user holding the handle portion 62 and pulling it out in the direction indicated by the arrow J, which is the front side of the image forming apparatus 1 . A direction J in which the protective member 6 is pulled out is a direction substantially along the axial direction D of the photosensitive drum 21 .
4(B), left and right ends 61a and 61b of the body portion 61 of the protective member 6 are attached to the front side of the support frame 201 of the detachable unit 20. It is moved so as to be mainly supported and guided by the holding groove of the holding portion 205a. As a result, the main body 61 is moved in a stable state and removed from the detachable unit 20, so that there is no risk of contact with the photosensitive drum 21 during removal.

When removing the protective member 6, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the cleaning member 7 provided in the auxiliary portion 65 of the protective member 6 should be removed from the rear end of the lens array 232 of the exposure device 23. 232c to the light emitting surface 232a, and is moved in the direction indicated by the arrow J, which is the front side of the image forming apparatus 1. As shown in FIG.
As a result, the light-emitting surface 232a of the lens array 232 in the exposure device 23 is cleaned by removing dust and the like by the cleaning member 7 that moves while being in contact with the protective member 6 when the protective member 6 is removed. In this case, since the auxiliary portion 65 on which the cleaning member 7 is provided extends along the axial direction D of the photosensitive drum 21 and faces the photosensitive drum 21, the protective member 6 can be easily removed without any special operation. be

Therefore, in the image forming apparatus 1, when a new detachable unit 20 is installed and the protective member 6 is removed, the light-emitting surface 232a of the lens array 232 in the exposure device 23 is cleaned by cleaning the protective member 6 in accordance with the removal. It is easily cleaned by the member 7 without being conscious of it.
Moreover, when the cleaning member 7 is provided on the protective member 6 in this way, the cleaning member 7 can be stored only when the detachable unit 20 is attached to the attachment portion of the housing 10 of the apparatus main body. There is no need to provide a space for , on the housing 10 side.

Further, in the image forming apparatus 1, since the contact prevention member 8 is provided on the auxiliary portion 65, the auxiliary portion 65 does not come into contact with the photosensitive drum 21 when the protective member 6 is removed, and the photosensitive drum 21 is not damaged. There is no danger that it will be lost.
Further, in the image forming apparatus 1, the auxiliary portion 65 is provided with the left and right projecting portions 65a and 65b. There is no risk of damaging the light emitting surface 232a.

In the image forming apparatus 1, when the protective member 6 is removed, as shown in FIG. They face each other with a required space α, and the exposure operation of the exposure device 23 becomes possible.
In the image forming apparatus 1, the light emitting surface 232a of the lens array 232 in the exposure device 23 is cleaned in accordance with the work of removing the protective member 6. Therefore, the exposure operation by the exposure device 23 caused the light emitting surface 232a to become dirty. It is performed normally without causing exposure failure .

[Other Modifications]
The present invention is by no means limited to the content exemplified in Embodiment 1, and can be modified in various ways without departing from the gist of each invention described in each claim. For example, the present invention includes modifications such as those listed below.

Regarding the positional relationship between the detachable unit 20 and the exposure device 23 in the mounting portion of the housing 10 during mounting, the positional relationship between the detachable unit 20 and the exposure device 23 in the case of the first embodiment or as illustrated in FIG. The separation distance β between the photosensitive drum 21 and the light emitting surface 232a of the exposure device 23 is often configured to be such a distance that the cleaning member 7 of the protective member 6 does not come into contact with the light emitting surface 232a.
A chain double-dashed line M in FIG. 13 and the like indicates a normal operating position of the light emitting surface 232a when the exposure device 23 operates. In the configuration illustrated in FIG. 13A, the head unit of the exposure device 23 is separated from the detachable unit 20 while the detachable unit 20 is being attached (just before the attachment is completed). It is configured such that the portion is lowered and tilted from the end on the back side.

In this case, while the detachable unit 20 is being attached, the cleaning member 7 on the protective member 6 of the detachable unit 20 does not come into contact with the light emitting surface 232a. can't break Also, in this case, as shown in FIG. Both are maintained at the normal distance α. As a result, when removing the protective member 6, the cleaning member 7 cleans the light emitting surface 232a as described above.

Further, regarding the positional relationship between the detachable unit 20 and the exposure device 23 in the mounting portion of the housing 10 during mounting, as illustrated in FIG. may be configured so that the distance γ (>α) between the light emitting surface 232a and the cleaning member 7 of the protective member 6 is in contact with the light emitting surface 232a.

In this case, while the detachable unit 20 is attached, the cleaning member 7 on the protective member 6 of the detachable unit 20 comes into contact with the light emitting surface 232a. This is also performed when the unit 20 is mounted. Also, in this case, as shown in FIG. Both are maintained at the regular distance α. Therefore, in this case, the light emitting surface 232a is cleaned by the cleaning member 7 as described above not only when the detachable unit 20 is attached but also when the protective member 6 is removed.

Regarding the protection member 6, as an intervening portion where the cleaning member 7 is provided, instead of the auxiliary portion 65 in the first embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. An auxiliary member 66 having a shape extending downward along the surface to be present between the light emitting surface 232a of the exposure device 23 and the photosensitive drum 21 (gap α) may be employed.

In this case, the auxiliary member 66 can move in the direction indicated by the arrow J without hindrance when the protective member 6 is removed from the attachment/detachment unit 20, and does not come into contact with the developing device 24 and block its course. I wish I had. Further, the auxiliary member 66 is provided so as to exist at a position slightly beyond the rear end of the lens array 232 of the exposure device 23 when the attachment of the detachable unit 20 is completed. Further, the auxiliary member 66 is provided with left and right protrusions 66 a and 66 b continuously protruding toward the exposure device 23 on the lower surface of the portion facing the lens array 232 . Further, the auxiliary member 66 may be provided with the contact prevention member 8 in the same manner as in the first embodiment at a portion facing the photosensitive drum 21 .

The protective member 6 may be removed from the detachable unit 20 and then stored, inserted into the detachable unit 20 to which it has already been mounted, and then removed again. In this case, the protective member 6 after removal can be used as a cleaning member for the light emitting surface 232 a of the exposure device 23 .

Further, the image forming apparatus including the detachable unit 20 may be an image forming apparatus that employs a method of directly transferring (primary transfer) the toner image onto the paper 9 without using the intermediate transfer means 3 . In addition, it may be an image forming apparatus that forms a monochrome image such as black (K). As long as the exposure device 23 has a light-emitting surface (or a light-emitting surface) that requires cleaning, it may be an exposure device of a system other than the LED print head system.

The detachable unit 20 may include at least the photosensitive drum 21 and the protective member 6 to be removed after being attached to the attachment portion of the apparatus main body. For this reason, the detachable unit 20 may be composed only of the photosensitive drum 21, and other components of the imaging device 2 (charging device 22, developing device 24, first cleaning device) combined with the photosensitive drum may be used. device 26, etc.) is also not particularly limited.

1 ... Image forming apparatus 6 ... Protective member (an example of protective means)
7 ... Cleaning member (an example of cleaning means)
8 ... contact prevention member (an example of contact prevention means)
10 ... housing (an example of the device main body)
20 Detachable unit 21 Photosensitive drum (an example of image holding means)
23 ... Exposure device (an example of exposure means)
65 Auxiliary portion (an example of an intervening portion)
232a... Light-emitting surface (an example of light-emitting surface)
D … Axial direction J … Moving direction α … Regular interval (an example of required interval)

Claims (5)

a detachable unit that has image holding means for holding an image and is detachably attached to an apparatus main body by moving in a direction along the axial direction of the image holding means;
an exposing means provided in the apparatus main body for exposing the image holding means from a light emitting surface facing the image holding means with a required gap when the detachable unit is mounted;
Protective means attached to the detachable unit so as to cover and protect a portion along the axial direction of the image holding means, and removed by moving along the axial direction of the image holding means when the detachable unit is mounted. and,
with
The protection means is interposed between the image holding means and the light emitting surface of the exposure means, and has an intervening portion extending along the axial direction of the image holding means and having a shape facing the image holding means. and cleaning means for cleaning the light-emitting surface by contacting the light-emitting surface of the exposure means at least when the protection means is removed,
The cleaning means is a part of the intervening portion that faces the light emitting surface and is located at the rear end of the light emitting surface when the protective means is moved along the axial direction of the image holding means and attached. An image forming apparatus provided in a portion corresponding to a position beyond the section . 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said cleaning means is provided at a portion of said protecting means corresponding to at least a leading end portion in a moving direction when said detachable unit is attached. 3. The protection device according to claim 1, wherein the protection device is provided with a contact prevention device for preventing the intervening portion from coming into contact with the image holding device at a portion of the intervening portion facing the image holding device. image forming device. The exposure means is provided so that the light-emitting surface is kept at a constant distance from the image holding means of the detachable unit when the detachable unit is moved when the detachable unit is attached,
4. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said cleaning means is provided so as to come into contact with said light emitting surface even when said cleaning means moves when said detachable unit is attached. An image forming apparatus having an image holding means for holding an image and having an exposure means for exposing the image holding means from a light emitting surface is attached to and detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus by moving in a direction along the axial direction of the image holding means. A detachable unit that can be attached,
the image holding means; the support means for supporting the image holding means; protection means removed by moving along the axial direction of the image holding means in
with
The image holding means is configured to face the light-emitting surface with a required distance when the detachable unit is attached to the apparatus main body,
The protection means is interposed between the image holding means and the light emitting surface of the exposure means, and has an intervening portion extending along the axial direction of the image holding means and having a shape facing the image holding means. and cleaning means for cleaning the light-emitting surface by contacting the light-emitting surface of the exposure means at least when the protection means is removed,
The cleaning means is a part of the intervening portion that faces the light emitting surface and is located at the rear end of the light emitting surface when the protective means is moved along the axial direction of the image holding means and attached. Detachable unit provided in the part corresponding to the position beyond the part .

Images