JPH0149948B2 - - Google Patents

Info

Publication number
JPH0149948B2
JPH0149948B2 JP57121823A JP12182382A JPH0149948B2 JP H0149948 B2 JPH0149948 B2 JP H0149948B2 JP 57121823 A JP57121823 A JP 57121823A JP 12182382 A JP12182382 A JP 12182382A JP H0149948 B2 JPH0149948 B2 JP H0149948B2
Authority
JP
Japan
Prior art keywords
developer
blade
image carrier
cleaning
contact
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
JP57121823A
Other languages
Japanese (ja)
Other versions
JPS5912477A (en
Inventor
Hiroyuki Adachi
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Canon Inc
Original Assignee
Canon Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Canon Inc filed Critical Canon Inc
Priority to JP12182382A priority Critical patent/JPS5912477A/en
Priority to US06/494,525 priority patent/US4530594A/en
Publication of JPS5912477A publication Critical patent/JPS5912477A/en
Publication of JPH0149948B2 publication Critical patent/JPH0149948B2/ja
Granted legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • GPHYSICS
    • G03PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03GELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G21/00Arrangements not provided for by groups G03G13/00 - G03G19/00, e.g. cleaning, elimination of residual charge
    • G03G21/0005Arrangements not provided for by groups G03G13/00 - G03G19/00, e.g. cleaning, elimination of residual charge for removing solid developer or debris from the electrographic recording medium
    • G03G21/007Arrangement or disposition of parts of the cleaning unit
    • GPHYSICS
    • G03PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03GELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G21/00Arrangements not provided for by groups G03G13/00 - G03G19/00, e.g. cleaning, elimination of residual charge
    • G03G21/10Collecting or recycling waste developer
    • G03G21/12Toner waste containers

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Sustainable Development (AREA)

Description

【発明の詳細な説明】 本発明は、クリーニング装置に係り、詳しくは
ブレード状クリーニング部材で、像担持体上の残
留現像剤を効果的に除去するクリーニング装置に
関する。
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a cleaning device, and more particularly to a cleaning device that uses a blade-like cleaning member to effectively remove residual developer on an image carrier.

従来、電子写真感光体等の像担持体上に潜像を
形成し、現像・転写して形成画像を利用する画像
形成装置に於て、像担持体を繰返し利用する為に
像担持体上の残留現像剤を除去するクリーニング
装置としてブレードクリーニング方式が汎用され
ている。
Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus that forms a latent image on an image carrier such as an electrophotographic photoreceptor, develops it, transfers it, and uses the formed image, in order to use the image carrier repeatedly, A blade cleaning method is commonly used as a cleaning device for removing residual developer.

このブレード方式のクリーニング装置は、ゴ
ム、合成樹脂等の弾性ブレードを用いるので構成
が簡易で、高効率なクリーニングを可能とするも
のである。
This blade-type cleaning device uses an elastic blade made of rubber, synthetic resin, or the like, so it has a simple configuration and can perform highly efficient cleaning.

ところで、このブレード方式のクリーニング装
置では、ブレード当接部に介在する現像剤が、像
担持体表面とブレード間の摺擦を容易とする所謂
潤滑剤の作用をする。
Incidentally, in this blade type cleaning device, the developer present in the blade contact portion acts as a so-called lubricant that facilitates sliding between the surface of the image carrier and the blade.

ところが、像担持体上に残留する現像剤は、形
成画像毎に残留位置濃度が異なるので、ブレード
当接部に至る現像剤の量も部分的時間的に不均一
である。そして時としてブレード当接部の一部で
は現像剤の不足から潤滑効果が不十分となり、不
均一な力の発生を生ずる恐れがあつた。これが原
因となり更に、ブレードの不均一摩耗が生じ、ク
リーニング不良、感光体損耗等を起す恐れがあつ
た。
However, since the developer remaining on the image carrier has a different residual position density depending on the formed image, the amount of the developer reaching the blade contact portion is also partially and temporally non-uniform. In some cases, the lubricating effect may be insufficient due to lack of developer in a portion of the blade contact area, which may result in uneven force being generated. This may further cause uneven wear of the blade, leading to poor cleaning, wear and tear on the photoreceptor, and the like.

この対策として、転写後、クリーニングに先立
つ位置で再度感光体表面に現像剤を塗布する方式
も考えられているが、感光体表面に現像剤を付着
させる為にクリーニング負荷が増大し、クリーニ
ング能力を過大に要求することになり装置の大型
化、又、ブレードの耐用時間の低下等実用上の問
題がある。
As a countermeasure to this problem, a method has been considered in which the developer is reapplied to the photoreceptor surface at a position prior to cleaning after transfer, but this increases the cleaning load and reduces the cleaning ability because the developer adheres to the photoreceptor surface. Excessive requirements lead to practical problems such as an increase in the size of the device and a reduction in the service life of the blade.

本発明は、上述の点に鑑み成されたもので、簡
易にして良好なクリーニング装置に関する。
The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and relates to a simple and good cleaning device.

以下、本発明の詳細を具体例により図面を参照
しつつ説明する。
Hereinafter, details of the present invention will be explained using specific examples with reference to the drawings.

第1図は、本発明に基く具体例クリーニング装
置の側断面図で、第2図は、同装置の斜視図であ
る。
FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of an exemplary cleaning device according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the same device.

1は、感光体ドラム等の像担持体で、不図示の
駆動手段で矢印方向に回動する。像担持体1の移
動路沿には不図示の潜像形成手段、現像手段、転
写手段等が配置され画像形成が行なわれる。次い
で、像担持体上に残留する現像剤は、本発明に基
くクリーニング装置によりクリーニングされ
る。
Reference numeral 1 denotes an image carrier such as a photoreceptor drum, which is rotated in the direction of the arrow by a drive means (not shown). A latent image forming means, a developing means, a transfer means, etc. (not shown) are arranged along the moving path of the image carrier 1 to form an image. Next, the developer remaining on the image carrier is cleaned by the cleaning device 2 according to the present invention.

クリーニング装置は、ハウジング3で、像担
持体側に開口を有する。ハウジング開口上縁側に
は、ポリウレタンゴム製のブレード4が配設さ
れ、開口下縁側には、トナー受シートが配設され
る。ハウジングの開口幅は、像担持体の幅と等長
或は、少なくとも像担持体上の画像形成域幅より
大である。そしてブレード4、及びトナー受シー
ト5も、画像形成域幅を覆うのに十分な長さであ
る。ハウジング内には、ブレード4の像担持体当
接部に現像剤を散布付与する手段として可撓性羽
根部材6が、回動自在に支持される。回動支軸6
は、ハウジング開口に平行して配置される。そ
の支軸61の両端は各々ハウジング側板で支承さ
れる。支軸61は、不図示の駆動手段で回動され、
可撓性羽根部材6は、矢印方向に回動する。可撓
性羽根部材6の移動路に、ハウジング内天井部に
固定した仕切部材7の下端71が突出して配設さ
れる。この仕切部材7は、ハウジング3の奥側に
現像剤貯蔵空間を形成する。一方、上記下端71
には、可撓性羽根部材6の通過の度にその羽根部
材の先端が衝き当り、可撓性羽根部材6が撓めら
れて下端71位置を通過する。この動作により羽
根部材は、振動して、羽根部材上に付着した現像
剤をブレード4の像担持体当接部近傍に散布飛着
させる。こうして、ブレード4の当接部近傍に
は、潤滑効果を発揮する為に十分な現像剤の付与
が成される。
The cleaning device 2 has a housing 3 and has an opening on the image carrier side. A blade 4 made of polyurethane rubber is disposed on the upper edge of the housing opening, and a toner receiving sheet is disposed on the lower edge of the opening. The opening width of the housing is equal to the width of the image carrier, or at least larger than the width of the image forming area on the image carrier. The blade 4 and the toner receiving sheet 5 are also long enough to cover the width of the image forming area. A flexible blade member 6 is rotatably supported within the housing as a means for spraying and applying developer to the portion of the blade 4 that contacts the image carrier. Rotation shaft 6
1 is arranged parallel to the housing opening. Both ends of the support shaft 61 are supported by housing side plates. The support shaft 6 1 is rotated by a drive means (not shown),
The flexible blade member 6 rotates in the direction of the arrow. A lower end 7 1 of a partition member 7 fixed to the ceiling inside the housing is disposed in a protruding manner on the movement path of the flexible blade member 6 . This partition member 7 forms a developer storage space on the back side of the housing 3. On the other hand, the lower end 7 1
In this case, each time the flexible blade member 6 passes, the tip of the blade member collides with the flexible blade member 6, and the flexible blade member 6 is bent and passes through the lower end 71 position. This action causes the blade member to vibrate, causing the developer attached to the blade member to scatter and land near the portion of the blade 4 in contact with the image carrier. In this way, sufficient developer is applied to the vicinity of the contact portion of the blade 4 to exhibit a lubricating effect.

また、上記のように、羽根部材6が振動させら
れることにより、羽根部材6に現像剤が固着状態
となり、ブレード当接部近傍に現像剤を付与する
機能が低下することもなく、さらに現像剤の固ま
りがあつた場合でも上記振動により固まりがほぐ
されてブレード当接部近傍に均一に現像剤を付与
でき潤滑効果がより向上させられる。
In addition, as described above, by vibrating the blade member 6, the developer becomes stuck to the blade member 6, and the function of applying the developer to the vicinity of the blade contact area does not deteriorate, and furthermore, the developer Even if there is a clump, the clump is loosened by the vibration, and the developer can be uniformly applied to the vicinity of the blade contact area, thereby further improving the lubrication effect.

可撓性羽根部材としては、ゴム・合成樹脂等の
弾性材料、或は〓青銅等の金属薄板等が用いられ
る。又、ポリエチレン等の高分子フイルムやナイ
ロン等の基布にゴムをコートしたシート状羽根と
しても良い。
As the flexible blade member, an elastic material such as rubber or synthetic resin, or a thin metal plate such as bronze is used. Alternatively, it may be a sheet-like blade made of a polymer film such as polyethylene or a base cloth such as nylon coated with rubber.

一方、仕切部材7は、羽根部材を撓めるに十分
な剛性を有すれば良く、各種金属の外、アクリル
等の合成樹脂でも良い。
On the other hand, the partition member 7 only needs to have sufficient rigidity to bend the blade member, and in addition to various metals, it may also be made of synthetic resin such as acrylic.

又、図示例装置に於ては、前記可撓性羽根部材
は、その円運動の下半分の動作に於て、ブレード
4で除去した現像剤をハウジング3の奥の仕切空
間内へ搬送する動作機能を果す。そして、前記羽
根部材の搬送動作により、ハウジング奥の仕切空
間内に現像剤を送り込む。この可撓性羽根部材に
よる搬送は、単に現像剤に搬送力を付与するのみ
ならず、圧縮力も付与出来るので、ハウジング奥
の仕切空間内に高密度で収容することを可能とす
る。因に、従来の方式で0.5〜〜0.6gr/cm3のも
のが、本方式例では0.75〜0.8gr/cm3と向上す
る。仕切部材7の下端71は、仕切空間の開口を
規定する。又、前述散布動作をさせる外、前記羽
根部材に搬送中付着した現像剤の一部を掻き落
し、仕切空間内への移動を促す。
Further, in the illustrated example device, the flexible blade member, in the lower half of its circular motion, carries the developer removed by the blade 4 into the partition space at the back of the housing 3. fulfill a function. Then, the developer is sent into the partition space at the back of the housing by the conveying operation of the blade member. Conveyance using this flexible blade member not only imparts a conveying force to the developer, but also compressive force, making it possible to accommodate the developer at high density in the partition space at the back of the housing. Incidentally, 0.5 to 0.6 gr/cm 3 in the conventional method is improved to 0.75 to 0.8 gr/cm 3 in the present method. The lower end 71 of the partition member 7 defines the opening of the partition space. In addition to the above-mentioned scattering operation, a portion of the developer that has adhered to the blade member during conveyance is scraped off to encourage movement into the partitioned space.

第3図は、前述図示例装置に於ける可撓性羽根
部材と振動作用を与える仕切部材先端(即ち振動
付与部)との位置関係を変えた場合にブレード当
接部へ現像剤を散布する割合、(即ち、現像剤散
布率)の変化例及び、仕切空間への現像剤の搬送
率の変化例を示したものである。
FIG. 3 shows how the developer is dispersed to the blade contact area when the positional relationship between the flexible blade member and the tip of the partition member that applies vibration (i.e., the vibration applying part) in the illustrated example device described above is changed. This figure shows examples of changes in the ratio (that is, developer dispersion rate) and changes in the developer conveyance rate to the partitioned space.

第3図aが、可撓性羽根部材に対する仕切部材
の先端位置関係を説明するものである。可撓性羽
根部材の回動支軸を含む水平軸にて、支軸に対
し、像担持体より遠い側(即ち、ハウジング奥
側)を基軸とし、上方側を+、下方側を−とした
ものである。即ち、仕切部材の下端(即ち振動付
与部)が基軸の上方の7′位置であれば+θ゜であ
り、基軸の下方の7″位置であれば−θ゜である。
FIG. 3a explains the positional relationship of the tip of the partition member with respect to the flexible blade member. With respect to the horizontal axis that includes the rotation support shaft of the flexible blade member, the side farther from the image carrier (i.e., the rear side of the housing) with respect to the support axis is the base axis, and the upper side is + and the lower side is -. It is something. That is, if the lower end of the partition member (i.e., the vibration imparting part) is at the 7' position above the base axis, the angle is +θ°, and when the lower end of the partition member is at the 7″ position below the base axis, the angle is −θ°.

第3図bに於て、横軸が、振動付与部位置を示
し、右縦軸が、ブレード当接部への現像剤散布
率、左縦軸が仕切空間内への現像剤搬送率であ
る。
In Fig. 3b, the horizontal axis shows the position of the vibration applying part, the right vertical axis shows the developer dispersion rate to the blade contact part, and the left vertical axis shows the developer transport rate into the partition space. .

図示例装置の如く現像剤散布と現像剤搬送を兼
用した場合には、−30゜≦θ≦30゜が良好であり、
好適には0゜≦θ≦10゜である。
When the device is used for both developer dispersion and developer transport as in the illustrated example device, -30°≦θ≦30° is good.
Preferably, 0°≦θ≦10°.

第3図bより明らかな如く搬送率はθが一側
(即ち基軸より下方)が良く、一方散布率はθが
+側(即ち基軸より上方)が良い。
As is clear from FIG. 3b, the conveyance rate is better when θ is on one side (ie, below the base axis), while the dispersion rate is better when θ is on the + side (ie, above the base axis).

従つて、仕切部材の下端を振動付与部として兼
用することに替えて、仕切部材の下端は、−側迄
伸ばし、一方、振動付与部を別に+θ側に設ける
ことは有効である。このときは、、各部材位置を
各各の効果の最適位置に定めることができるの
で、各効率が、いずれも更に優れたものとするこ
とができる。
Therefore, instead of using the lower end of the partition member as the vibration applying section, it is effective to extend the lower end of the partition member to the - side, while separately providing the vibration applying section on the +θ side. At this time, the positions of each member can be set at optimal positions for each effect, so each efficiency can be further improved.

以上、具体例により詳述した如く、本発明は像
担持体上の残留現像剤を除去するクリーニング装
置に於て、像担持体に当接するブレード状クリー
ニング部材と、クリーニング部材の像担持体当接
部近傍に現像剤を付与する手段と、現像剤付与手
段に接触して弾性変形を与える突き当て手段とを
有し、現像剤付与手段は、その接触変形後の振動
により現像剤を上記接触方向に飛ばすことを特徴
とする構成により、現像剤の固まりがほぐされ、
クリーニング過大な負荷を加えることなく均一良
好なクリーニングを可能とする顕著な効果を発揮
する。しかも、クリーニング部材に不均一な負荷
が加わる恐れが除かれ、クリーニング部材の異常
摩耗が防止できる。従つて、クリーニング部材の
頻繁な交換を要さず、長期間安定した動作を可と
する。
As described above in detail using specific examples, the present invention provides a cleaning device for removing residual developer on an image carrier, including a blade-shaped cleaning member that comes into contact with the image carrier, and a cleaning member that contacts the image carrier. and an abutting means that contacts the developer applying means to apply elastic deformation, and the developer applying means applies the developer in the contact direction by vibration after the contact deformation. The structure is characterized by the ability to blow away developer particles, which loosens developer clumps.
It exhibits a remarkable effect of enabling uniform and good cleaning without applying an excessive cleaning load. Moreover, the possibility of applying an uneven load to the cleaning member is eliminated, and abnormal wear of the cleaning member can be prevented. Therefore, frequent replacement of the cleaning member is not required, and stable operation is possible for a long period of time.

【図面の簡単な説明】[Brief explanation of drawings]

第1図は、本発明に基く具体例装置の側断面
図、第2図は、第1図示装置の斜視図、第3図a
は、可撓性羽根部材の仕切部材先端(振動付与
部)位置関係の説明図、第3図bは、仕切部材先
端(振動付与部)位置変化に対する現像剤散布率
及び現像剤搬送率の関係説明図。 図中、1:像担持体、:クリーニング装置、
3:ハウジング、4:ブレード状クリーニング部
材、5:トナー受シート、6:可撓性羽根部材。
FIG. 1 is a sectional side view of an embodiment of the device according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the device shown in FIG. 3, and FIG.
is an explanatory diagram of the positional relationship of the partition member tip (vibration applying portion) of the flexible blade member, and FIG. Explanatory diagram. In the figure, 1: image carrier, 2 : cleaning device,
3: Housing, 4: Blade-shaped cleaning member, 5: Toner receiving sheet, 6: Flexible blade member.

Claims (1)

【特許請求の範囲】 1 像担持体上の残留現像剤を除去するために像
担持体に当接するクリーニング部材を有するクリ
ーニング装置において、 上記クリーニング部材の像担持体当接部近傍に
現像剤を付与する可動で可撓性を有する現像剤付
与手段と、上記現像剤付与手段の移動範囲内に設
けられ、この現像剤付与手段の移動により現像剤
付与手段に接触して、弾性変形を与える突き当て
手段とを有し、上記現像剤付与手段は、その接触
変形後の振動により現像剤を上記当接部方向に飛
ばすことを特徴とするクリーニング装置。
[Scope of Claims] 1. In a cleaning device having a cleaning member that comes into contact with the image carrier to remove residual developer on the image carrier, the developer is applied to a portion of the cleaning member that comes into contact with the image carrier. a movable and flexible developer applying means; and an abutment that is provided within a movement range of the developer applying means and comes into contact with the developer applying means and elastically deforms as the developer applying means moves. means, wherein the developer applying means scatters the developer toward the contact portion by vibration after contact deformation.
JP12182382A 1982-05-21 1982-07-13 Cleaning device Granted JPS5912477A (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP12182382A JPS5912477A (en) 1982-07-13 1982-07-13 Cleaning device
US06/494,525 US4530594A (en) 1982-05-21 1983-05-13 Cleaning device

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP12182382A JPS5912477A (en) 1982-07-13 1982-07-13 Cleaning device

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
JPS5912477A JPS5912477A (en) 1984-01-23
JPH0149948B2 true JPH0149948B2 (en) 1989-10-26

Family

ID=14820810

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
JP12182382A Granted JPS5912477A (en) 1982-05-21 1982-07-13 Cleaning device

Country Status (1)

Country Link
JP (1) JPS5912477A (en)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2827142B2 (en) * 1991-07-15 1998-11-18 株式会社リコー Photoconductor cleaning device, cleaner / toner magazine, and image forming apparatus
JP2582990Y2 (en) * 1992-07-06 1998-10-15 株式会社東芝 Electrophotographic process unit

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS566285A (en) * 1979-06-29 1981-01-22 Nippon Telegr & Teleph Corp <Ntt> Cleaning method

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS566285A (en) * 1979-06-29 1981-01-22 Nippon Telegr & Teleph Corp <Ntt> Cleaning method

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JPS5912477A (en) 1984-01-23

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