JPH04320289A - Cleaning device for image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain an uniform cleaning effect even on any places of an abutting side without making cleaning properties different on both end parts of a cleaning blade and a central part by preventing reduction in pressure for abutting its both end parts on a photosensitive body. CONSTITUTION:The device to provided with a long, slender reinforcing member 3 for increasing the rigidity of the cleaning blade 1 which is stuck in parallel with the abutting side, in the vicinity of the abutting side of the cleaning blade 1 with the photosensitive body 4.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a cleaning device used in image forming apparatuses such as copying machines, printers, and facsimile machines, which cleans toner on a photoreceptor using a cleaning blade.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a cleaning device for removing toner adhering to a photoconductor such as a photoconductor drum in an image forming apparatus has a cleaning surface ( The remaining toner on the surface of the photosensitive drum is scraped off by rotating the photosensitive drum while the contact side (abutting side) is in pressure contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum.

In this cleaning device, when the blade comes into contact with the photosensitive drum, the cleaning surface of the blade is deflected by the contact pressure, and when the photosensitive drum starts to move, the amount of deflection is recorded. In other words, the frictional force between the blade and the photosensitive drum and the contact pressure of the blade pull the blade in the direction of rotation of the photosensitive drum, and against this, the blade tries to return to its original shape and the contact between the blade and the photosensitive drum reaches a balanced position. The contact position moves. At this time, since one side of both ends of the blade is free, the rigidity is low, and the amount of movement is greater than that of the central part. Therefore, the contact angle and contact pressure at both ends of the blade become small, and cleaning performance deteriorates.

[0004] Therefore, methods have been proposed to increase the rigidity of both ends of the blade.
In the publication, as shown in FIG. 3, a member 11 that increases the rigidity of the end of the blade is bonded in a direction perpendicular to the tangent between the blade 10 and the photosensitive drum 4, and the amount of deflection is restricted in this direction. A cleaning device is disclosed that attempts to prevent a drop in contact pressure between the parts.

[0005]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, since the blade of the conventional cleaning device described above bends more toward the end, a member (end reinforcing member) that increases the rigidity of the end is required to It is desirable to create a slope so that the stiffness increases as you go. Furthermore, when the end reinforcing member is provided, stress is concentrated around it, and the cross-sectional shape of the blade is curved at the center as shown in FIG. As shown in b), the blade is bent in the shape of a <, and the contact position, angle, and contact shape of the blade with respect to the photosensitive drum are different between the center portion and the end portion, so that the cleaning effect is also different.

[0006] As described above, the design of the appropriate shape of the conventional end reinforcing member that increases the end rigidity in the direction perpendicular to the contact side of the blade depends on various blade contact conditions (contact pressure, angle, blade This was not easy as the material and amount of protrusion from the blade holder had to be considered.

Therefore, the present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems and can prevent a decrease in the contact pressure at both ends of the blade, without being affected by various contact conditions.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a cleaning device for an image forming apparatus that can always exhibit the same cleaning performance on both ends and the central portion.

[0008]

[Means for Solving the Problems] The gist of the present invention is to remove residual toner on the surface of the photoreceptor by rotating the photoreceptor while the contact side of the cleaning blade is in contact with the surface of the photoreceptor. In the cleaning device for an image forming apparatus, an elongated reinforcing member for increasing the rigidity of the cleaning blade is bonded near the contact side of the cleaning blade in parallel with the contact side.

[0009]

[Operation] Therefore, since the reinforcing member is glued in parallel near the contact side of the blade, the contact position and contact angle of the blade to the photoreceptor are the same at the center and both ends, and are equivalent. It is possible to obtain the following cleaning properties.

0010

Embodiments Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In FIG. 1, a blade (cleaning blade) 1 is adhesively fixed to a blade holder 2. As shown in FIG. A rectangular reinforcing member 3 is bonded near the contact side 1a of the blade 1 that contacts the photosensitive drum (photoreceptor) 4 and parallel to the contact side 1a. This reinforcing member 3 is made of an elastic body or a rigid body.

In the above structure, since the reinforcing member 3 is provided parallel to the contact side 1a of the blade 1, the rigidity is increased in the direction of the contact side 1a, and the stiffness is increased in the direction perpendicular to the contact side 1a. Since the cross-sectional shape cut along the plane is the same at both ends and the center, the contact position and contact angle with respect to the photosensitive drum 4 are constant everywhere.

Further, the shape of the reinforcing member 3 is not limited to the rectangular shape as in the above embodiment, but if it is shaped so that the width becomes slightly wider as it approaches both ends, as shown in FIG. Since the rigidity can be increased, the contact position and angle of the blade 1 with respect to the photosensitive drum 4 can be made more uniform.

[0013]

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the present invention, the contact side (cleaning surface) of the blade with respect to the photoconductor
Since the reinforcing member is glued and fixed near a in parallel to the contact side, the contact position and contact angle of the contact side to the photoreceptor are the same at the center and both ends, and where on the contact side You can also get the same cleaning effect.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cleaning device showing an embodiment of this description.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cleaning device showing another example of loss according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a conventional cleaning device.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are explanatory diagrams showing cross-sectional views of the center and both ends of a conventional cleaning blade.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Cleaning blade 1a
Contact sides 3, 5 Reinforcement member 4 Photoreceptor

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A cleaning device for an image forming apparatus in which residual toner on the surface of a photoconductor is removed by rotating the photoconductor with a contact side of a cleaning blade in contact with the surface of the photoconductor, wherein the cleaning A cleaning device for an image forming apparatus, characterized in that an elongated reinforcing member for increasing the rigidity of the cleaning blade is adhered near the contact side of the blade in parallel with the contact side.