JPH0318884A - Cleaning device for photosensitive body - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To surely perform the adhesion of lubricant to a blade leading edge part by bringing a holding member into contact with a blade and holding and containing the lubricant in a storage space whose opening part is closed before the holding member is attached to a main body. CONSTITUTION:The holding member 23 is locked at a position at which its leading edge part abuts on the blade 12 by a locking means until it is attached to an image forming device main body, and the holding space 24 is formed. The lubricant is contained in the holding space 24 and constantly maintains a state in which it is made to adhere to the leading edge part of the blade 12 until the holding member 23 is attached to the main body. When the holding member 23 is attached to the main body, the locking means is released from the locking state by a releasing means and the holding member 23 is separated from the blade 12 and opens the holding space 24. Then, the holding space 24 is used as an opening part 22 which recovers toner removed from a photosensitive body 1 by the blade 12 and the toner is recovered in a casing 14. Thus, the lubricant is surely made to adhere and held with respect to the leading edge part of the blade 12 until the attachment.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a cleaning device for a photoreceptor of an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer.

[Prior art]

In conventional copying machines and the like, in order to remove residual toner and the like on the photoreceptor, a cleaning device having a blade or the like whose tip comes into contact with the photoreceptor is widely used.

A polyurethane blade is often used as the blade of a cleaning device, and methods for bringing the blade into contact with the photoreceptor include a trailing method and a leading method. The leading method, in which the blade contacts the photoreceptor in a counter direction, has good cleaning performance and is widely used, but the tip tends to bite due to the way the blade contacts the photoreceptor. If the coefficient of friction of the blade against the photoreceptor exceeds a certain level, curling will occur at the tip of the blade. In order to prevent this entrainment, there is a method of lowering the coefficient of friction of the blade against the photoreceptor, for example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-106.
690 and Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 63-109488, for example, there is a method in which the static eliminating means is controlled so that the toner adheres to the non-image area of the photoreceptor, and the toner acts as a lubricant. This method has been proposed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 138369/1984, in which a shelf-like regulating section is attached near the edge of the blade, and the movement of the regulating section is geometrically restricted by a regulating member to mechanically prevent winding. For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 62-260182 proposes to prevent this.

The methods of lowering the coefficient of friction mentioned above involve using a special material or coating the blade itself, which increases the cost of the blade itself, or improves the prevention of entrapment but reduces the cleaning performance. The problem was that it got worse.

Furthermore, the method of attaching some toner to the photoreceptor has a problem in that it is difficult to attach a predetermined amount of toner only by controlling the static eliminating means.

In the method of mechanically regulating the winding of the blade, there is a problem that the blade itself has a special shape, which deteriorates the straightness of the edge of the blade and deteriorates the cleaning performance.

Therefore, in order to prevent the blade from becoming entangled in the leading method, vinylidene fluoride powder, which is commercially available under the trade name Kyna, has been applied to the tip of the blade as a powder that does not affect development. Ta. When a cleaning device is replaced by a service person, the service person applies Kyna (trade name) to the tip of the blade and attaches it to the machine, but this cannot be done by general users.

If the photoreceptor and cleaning device are formed as one unit so that the user can perform the work, and if the photoreceptor and cleaning device are replaced at the same time, Caina (product name) can be applied to the blade in advance when the unit is assembled. By leaving it on, the user only has to do the work of attaching and detaching it, but in this case, even if only one of the photoconductor and cleaning device reaches the end of its lifespan, both must be replaced, which is wasteful. .

In the case of a structure in which the photoconductor and cleaning device are replaced separately, it is possible to apply Kyna (trade name) to the tip of the blade of the cleaning device and the surface of the photoconductor if both are to be replaced at the same time. Generally, the photoconductor is left as is and only the cleaning device is replaced. In this case, the surface of the photoconductor is clean and there is almost no Toner Caina (product name) attached, so a new cleaning device is required. When setting the blade, even if the blade is coated with KYNA (trade name), the area coated with KYNA (trade name) on the surface of the photoreceptor may not adhere to the entire surface, and it may not be possible to adhere to the surface of the photoreceptor during storage or transportation. The applied Kyna (trade name) may fall off due to vibrations inside, and there is a high possibility that it will get caught in the blade due to the high coefficient of friction on the surface of the photoreceptor.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems and provides a leaning device that can be easily replaced.Moreover, the lubricant such as Kyna (trade name) is reliably adhered to and retained at the tip of the blade until it is installed. The objective is to provide a cleaning device that can perform the following tasks.

[Means to solve the problem]

The present invention solves the above problem by providing a holding member that is supported by a casing that supports a blade and is rotatable between an operating position in which the tip portion contacts the blade and a non-operating position in which the tip part is away from the blade.
A holding space is formed by the blade, the holding member, and the casing that are in contact with each other, and the lubricant is stored and held in the holding space. This problem has been solved by a photoreceptor cleaning device characterized in that when the locking means is released by the release means, the holding member is rotated and separated from the blade, thereby opening the holding space.

The locking means is fixed to a casing lid that closes the holding space to the outside, and the unlocking movement of the locking means and the opening movement of the lid can be linked.

An elastic body can be attached to a portion of the tip of the holding member that comes into contact with the blade.

[Effect]

According to the present invention, until the cleaning device is attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus, the holding member is locked by the locking means at a position where the tip portion contacts the blade, a holding space is formed, and a lubricant such as Kyna (trade name) is used. is accommodated in the holding space. The lubricant remains attached to the tip of the blade at all times while it is housed in the holding space, and even if vibrations occur during transport or storage of the cleaning device, the holding member is locked by the locking means. Therefore, the holding space is not affected by vibration and continues to reliably hold the lubricant.

When the cleaning device is attached to the main body, the locking means is unlocked by the release means, and the holding member is separated from the blade to open the holding space. The holding space opened by the holding member can be used as an opening for collecting the toner removed by the photoreceptor with the blade, and the toner is collected into the casing without being obstructed by the holding member or the like. can be done.

〔Example〕

The details of the present invention will be explained based on embodiments shown in the drawings.

In FIG. 1 showing a laser printer as an example of an image forming apparatus using the present invention, a photoreceptor 1 is charged by a charger 2, exposed to image light by a laser optical system 3, and developed by a developing device 4 to produce toner. An image is formed, is sent out by a paper feeder 5, is transferred to a recording paper 7 fed by a registration roller 6 in timing with the photoreceptor 1, and under the action of a separation charge 8, the toner image on the photoreceptor 1 is transferred. After the transfer, the recording paper 7 is separated from the photoreceptor l.

The separated recording paper is fixed by the fixing device 9 and delivered to the paper discharge section 1.
Paper is ejected at 0. On the other hand, residual toner is removed from the photoreceptor 1 after the transfer by a cleaning device 11, and the next image forming process is repeated by charging again.

As shown in FIG. 2, the cleaning device 11 has a blade 12 arranged so that its tip is in contact with the photoreceptor 1 in the installed state.

The blade 12 is fixed to a holder 13 as shown in FIG. 3, and the holder 13 is supported by a casing 14 of the cleaning device 11. The casing 14 can also be formed as a single box, as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, it is also possible to form a lower case 14a and an upper case 14b which are used as a primary tank so as to be separable. The holder 13 is rotatably supported by a bottle 15 fixed to the casing 14 or the upper case 14b, and is biased by a spring (not shown) to press the tip of the blade 12 against the photoreceptor 1. The lower casing 14a can be fixed to the upper case 14b with screws 20.

The toner scraped off from the photoreceptor 1 by the blade 12 is removed by a rotating blade 16 rotatably supported by the casing 14 or upper case 14b, and an elastic member fixed to the casing 14 or upper case 14b so as to be in contact with the rotating blade 16. A gear 19 is fixed to the shaft of the zero-rotation blade 16 housed in the toner tank through the cooperation of the recovery blade 17 and the guide plate 18 fixed to the casing 14 or the upper case 14b, and is driven by a drive system (not shown). Ru.

The upper case 14b of the casing 14 is provided with a sensor 21 for detecting when the collected toner is full.

A holding member 23, for example a holding lever, for holding lubricant near the opening 22 facing the photoreceptor 1 for collecting toner in the casing 14 or upper case 14b is rotatably supported. Before the holding member 23 is attached to the main body, the holding member 23 is as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.
A lubricant 25, such as Kyna (trade name), is applied to the holding space 24 formed by the casing 14 or upper case 4b, the holding member 23, and the blade 12. ) is held so that it can be attached to the tip of the blade 12. The lubricant 25 is released when the tip of the holding member 23 comes into direct contact with the blade 12 or lightly contacts the holder 13 that supports the blade.
is prevented from falling, and will not fall even if the entire cleaning device is vibrated (it is held in the holding space 24).

As shown in FIG. 6, a sponge is attached to the tip of the holding member 23.
If a coating 26 made of a sponge-like elastic material such as a polyester film is provided and the coating 26 is brought into contact with the blade 12 or holder 13, a stable contact state can be maintained, which is convenient for retaining the lubricant. If it is spongy, it will have many foam holes that will make it easier for lubricant to adhere to it.

A lid 27 for opening and closing the opening 22 of the casing 14, that is, the opening 22 that also forms the opening for the holding space 24, is attached to the casing 14 by a pin 28 in the open and closed positions. By rotatably mounting the lubricant and the toner therein, it is possible to prevent the lubricant from scattering to the outside and also prevent the contained toner from scattering to the outside.

Figure 4 shows the cleaning device ll before installation on the main body.
As shown in FIG. 5, locking means are provided for locking the retaining member 24 into contact with the blade 12.

For example, as shown in FIG. 1O, the locking means is formed by a lever 29 that is fixed to the shaft of the holding member 23 and rotates together with the holding member 23, and a locking arm 30 that presses and holds the lever 29 in the locked position. be done. Lock arm 30 is! The support arm 31 is fixed to the support arm 31 which is fixed to the support arm 27.

While the lid 27 is closed, the lever 29 is held in the locked position by the lock arm 30, and the holding member 23 maintains contact with the blade 12.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 8, and 1, the cleaning device with the lid 27 closed is attached to the main body, that is, the main body frame 31.
When inserted as shown by arrow A in Figure 8, 1M2
A guide protrusion 32 attached to the main body frame 31 engages with a guide groove 33 formed in a part of the main body frame 31. The guide protrusion 32 is formed as a band-shaped protrusion that gradually slopes upward from the side where it first enters the main body frame 31 of 127, so it engages with a short guide groove 33 provided at an arbitrary position at the entrance or inside of the main body frame 31. As a result, the lid 27 gradually swings downward depending on the amount of insertion of the casing 14 into the main body frame 31, and opens the opening 22. When the casing 14 is installed in a predetermined position, the lid 32 is in the open position as shown in FIGS. 9 and 11. In the open position, the lock arm 30 releases the locking action on the lever 29, so the holding member 23 rotates under its own weight and becomes the state shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, and the tip of the holding member 23 is separated from the blade 12. Leave. As a result, the lower part of the holding space is opened, and the lubricant flows down fW into the toner tank, leaving behind the lubricant attached to the tip of the blade 12. The lock arm 30 serves both as a locking means and as a releasing means for releasing the lock, but it can also be formed as a separate member. Lid 2
Since the locking effect on the holding member 23 continues until the lever 7 moves from the closed position to the open position, the opening lock arm 30 is locked so that it can be moved while maintaining the holding state a' without moving the lever 29. The arm 30 is formed into a curved shape centered on the center of rotation of the lid 27.

The cleaning device ll is inserted into the main body frame 31 and the predetermined value is reached! When this state is reached, the opening of the casing 14 is separated from the photoreceptor 1, as shown in FIG. Although FIG. 4 shows the lid 27 in a closed state before insertion, the lid 27 is open when the predetermined position is reached. When the handle 34 is rotated from this state, the presser 35 presses the upper end of the casing 14 toward the photoreceptor l. The groove 36 formed in the bottom of the casing 14 is connected to the guide rail 3 of the main body frame 31.
7, the blade 12 rotates around the guide rail 37, and as shown in FIGS. In this set state, the space between the blade 12 and the holding member 23 is completely opened as shown in FIG. will be collected.

When the cleaning device reaches the end of its life, the casing 14 is pulled out from the main body frame 31 by an operator or service person in a manner opposite to that described above.

When pulled out, the lid 27 gradually closes. At this time, the lock arm 30 does not act on the lever 29 and does not move the lever 29, that is, the holding member 23. Therefore, the toner inside the casing 14 is not spread by the holding member 23, and the lid 27 is completely closed. In the closed state, the lock arm 30 comes into contact with the lever 29 and is in a state of preventing the holding member 23 from moving.

〔effect〕

According to the present invention, before the cleaning device is attached to the main body, a storage space with a closed opening is formed by bringing the holding member into contact with the blade, and the powdered lubricant is held and accommodated in the storage space. When the opening of the casing is closed with a lid, the holding space becomes airtight, preventing the lubricant from scattering due to vibrations during transportation of the cleaning device, and ensuring that the lubricant adheres to the tip of the blade. Ru. Therefore, when a new cleaning device is installed, it is possible to prevent the coefficient of friction with the surface of the photoreceptor from becoming too high, and to prevent the blade from becoming entangled or chattering.

Furthermore, since the holding member remains open when the cleaning device is removed from the main body, scattering of toner is also prevented.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall schematic diagram of an example of an image forming apparatus using the present invention, FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the cleaning device in the centered state, FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the cleaning device, and FIG.
The figure shows the state of the cleaning device just before it is attached to the main body.
Figures 5 to 7 are partial sectional views of the opening of the cleaning device, with Figure 5 showing the main body before installation, Figure 6 showing a modification of Figure 5, and Figure 7 showing the example shown in Figure 5 when set up. 8 is a perspective view of the cleaning device immediately before it is attached to the main body frame, FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the cleaning device in the middle of attachment, FIG. 10 is a partial perspective view showing the relationship between the holding member and the locking means, and FIGS. Figure 13 is a perspective view of one end of the cleaning device, Figure 11 is before installation, and Figure 12 is a perspective view of one end of the cleaning device.
The figure shows the state after the device has been installed, and the 13th time is after the device has been installed and pulled out. 1... Photoreceptor 11... Cleaning device 12
...Blade 13...Holder 14...Casing 23...Holding member 24...Holding space 2
5... Lubricant 27... Lid 29... Lever (locking means) 30... Lock lever (locking means, release means)] 4 6 7 Fig. 7

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) In a photoconductor cleaning device having an elastic blade that contacts the photoconductor carrying a toner image in a counter direction and has a tip facing upward, the tip is supported by a casing that supports the blade, and the tip a holding member that is rotatable between an operating position in which the blade contacts the blade and a non-operating position in which the blade is separated from the blade; locking means for locking the holding member in the operating position; and release means for releasing the locking member. A holding space is formed by the blade, the holding member, and the casing that are in contact with each other, and a lubricant can be accommodated and held in the holding space, and when the lock is released by the releasing means, the holding member rotates and the lubricant is held in the holding space. A cleaning device for a photoreceptor, characterized in that the holding space is opened away from the blade. (2) The locking means is fixed to a casing lid that closes the holding space to the outside, and the unlocking movement of the locking means and the opening movement of the lid are linked. The photoreceptor cleaning device described above. (3) Claim 1 characterized in that an elastic body is attached to a portion of the tip of the holding member that comes into contact with the blade.
Or the photoconductor cleaning device according to 2.