JPH07134527A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To dispense with a specific driving source and to perform the cleaning with the clean face of a web with a simple constitution by winding up a specified amount of the cleaning web corresponding to the movement getting nearer to and away from the transferring drum. CONSTITUTION:The cleaning device C is provided with the supplying roller 2 for holding by winding the cleaning web 1 formed of nonwoven fabric between a pair of holding member 9a and 9b fitted freely swingingly and arranged in the axial direction of the transferring drum 56, the winding roller 5 for successively winding up the cleaning web 1, and pressing roller 3 engaged to the cleaning web 1 and elastically biased toward the transferring drum by applying the force of the spring 4. Then, the one of the end part of the winding roller 5 extends the outward from the holding member 9a, the swinging lever 6 is fitted in this position through the one way clutch 8, the cleaning web 1 is wound up by the roller 5 corresponding to the swinging amount by the action of the one way clutch 8 and the new part of the web is confronted with the transferring drum 56.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

[Object of the Invention]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus using an electrostatic transfer process such as an electrostatic copying machine and a printer.

[0002]

In the well-known image forming apparatus as described above, the same transfer material (or intermediate transfer member) is used.
The one in which the toner image is formed a plurality of times is widely used in the color image forming apparatus.

In such an apparatus, a rotating cylindrical transfer material carrier is provided in proximity to the image carrier on which a toner image is formed, and the image carrier holds the transfer material. The one that receives the toner image from the body a predetermined number of times is often used.

In the transfer material carrier as described above, a pair of ring members, which are usually arranged with a proper interval, are integrally connected by a narrow connecting member, and a cylindrical dielectric member is formed along the ring member. A transfer sheet which is formed by spreading a transfer sheet made of a body, and using the connecting member to grip the tip of the transfer sheet, and / or applying a charge to the transfer sheet and guiding the transfer sheet. A transfer drum that is configured to electrostatically attract and hold an electrostatic latent image is commonly used.

In the image forming apparatus having such a transfer drum, the transfer sheet forming the transfer drum is contaminated by the floating toner in the apparatus or an irregular state generated at the time of jamming, which causes backside smearing of the transfer material. Or, in the case of double-sided printing, the image becomes dirty, so it is customary to provide a cleaning fur brush that comes in contact with and separates from the transfer drum to clean the transfer drum when there is no transfer material on the transfer drum. Is.

At the same time, however, such a cleaning means needs to be rotated at a relatively high speed, which requires a dedicated motor, resulting in an increase in size of the apparatus and an increase in cost. Further, there is a drawback that sticky substances such as oil attached to the transfer sheet are further attached to the cleaning brush and do not function, and the life thereof is extremely shortened. Although it has been proposed to use a cleaning web in order to avoid such a problem, the need for a motor for driving the cleaning web remains unchanged, and it cannot be ignored.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus having a transfer material carrier as described above, in which a cleaning device having a cleaning web is disposed so as to be contactable with and separable from the transfer material carrier. During cleaning, the drive force of the transfer drum is used to rotate a predetermined amount in conjunction with this, and it is not necessary to separately install a special drive source, and the image can be always cleaned with a clean web surface. To provide a forming apparatus.

In the image forming apparatus as described above, which forms a color image by sequentially transferring the toner images of respective colors formed on the image carrier to the transfer material carried on the transfer material carrier a plurality of times, An electrostatic attraction force is used to support the transfer material on the transfer material carrier. For this reason, a corona discharger is installed inside the transfer material carrier, i.e., a position where the transfer material is introduced into the transfer material carrier. , A conductive roller that is a counter electrode is arranged at an outer position facing this, and an electric field for attraction is formed,
The transfer material is guided to the transfer drum surface from between the roller and the transfer drum surface.

By the way, since such a conductive roller may be contaminated by floating toner in the apparatus, it is necessary to provide a cleaning means such as a pressure contact with a cleaning blade.

It is also necessary to clean the transfer drum by an appropriate cleaning means such as a blade or a fur brush to prevent deterioration of image quality. In this case, the surface of the transfer drum is usually formed of a flexible dielectric sheet. Therefore, it is common to use a fur brush as the cleaning means.

Further, in the image carrier, as is well known, a cleaning blade is used for removing the residual toner, and an end cleaner for cleaning the outside of the cleaning region or the boundary is preferably developed. It is located between the site and the transcription site. This is to effectively remove the toner discharged from the end of the developing sleeve of the developing device to the outside by the centrifugal force of the sleeve.

Further, a cleaning blade may be provided at the outer edge of the image area so that the toner does not accumulate even if the toner adheres to the transfer drum.

When the unnecessary toner is removed by using the cleaning means, it is needless to say that each of them is collected in the waste toner container, but as described above, the image carrier, the transfer drum, and the electric field forming member are formed. Toner discharged from cleaners such as conductive rollers near each position is
Not only does it require space, but maintenance is also time consuming, at which time toner can dissipate again and secondary contamination can occur.

That is, another object of the present invention is to efficiently clean each part in the image forming apparatus as described above, reduce the number of waste toner collecting containers, and save the cost and space as much as possible. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of obtaining a high quality image.

In the image forming apparatus having the transfer material carrying member formed in the shape of a cylinder or an endless belt as described above, the cleaning means for the transfer material carrying member is provided, but its function is It is difficult to ensure the integrity, and in the long-term use, there is always the possibility of image deterioration due to toner adhesion and frequent occurrence of jams due to improper suction, so a serviceman is required during regular maintenance. It has been customary to manually clean the transfer sheet made of a dielectric material that constitutes the transfer drum.

At the same time, since the transfer sheet is made of a flexible dielectric material, cleaning it manually has a high possibility of giving damage or permanent deformation. In this case, the expensive transfer sheet must be replaced. It is not preferable because it causes such a situation.

That is, still another object of the present invention is to enable the transfer sheet in the image forming apparatus as described above to be easily cleaned by hand without fear of damage or deformation. is there.

[0018]

[Constitution of the invention]

In order to achieve the above objects, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus including an image carrier and a transfer material carrier disposed in proximity to the image carrier. Provided with a leaning web that is contactable and separable with respect to the material carrying body and comes into contact with the transfer material carrying body at the time of contact, and has a means for winding a predetermined amount of the cleaning web when displaced in the approaching and separating direction, Alternatively, the image carrier, the transfer material carrier for carrying the transfer material and transferring the toner image of the image carrier to the transfer material, and the transfer material guided to the transfer material carrier are electrostatically applied thereto. In an image forming apparatus provided with a charge injection unit for adsorbing to the image carrier, a first cleaning unit for removing residual toner on the image carrier and a second cleaning unit for removing toner attached to the charge injection unit.
Cleaning means and a single waste toner container for accommodating the toner removed from both of these cleaning means, or an image carrier and a transfer material are carried to form a toner image on the image carrier. In an image forming apparatus including a transfer material carrier for transferring to a transfer material and a charge injecting means for electrostatically adsorbing the transfer material guided to the transfer material carrier to the image forming apparatus, the image carrier remains A first cleaning unit that removes toner and a second cleaning unit that removes toner attached to the charge injection unit are provided, and the second cleaning unit also removes toner attached to the transfer material carrier. All the toners removed and collected from each cleaning unit are stored in the same waste toner container, or the transfer material is removed in an image forming apparatus equipped with a transfer material carrier. Inside the transfer material carrier formed by spreading a flexible dielectric sheet on the surface to be held, the dielectric sheet is permanently deformed or damaged when pressed from the outer surface without contacting the dielectric sheet. An image, characterized by having a transfer material characterized in that a cleaning auxiliary member having a flat or curved abutting surface is provided on the dielectric sheet side at a position where it can be contacted with a deformation that can prevent such It is a forming device.

With such a configuration, it is possible to always maintain a clean state of the image forming apparatus including the image bearing member and the transfer material bearing member disposed in the vicinity of the image bearing member, and obtain a high quality image. be able to.

[0020]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a cleaning device according to the present invention, in which only a transfer drum carrying a transfer material and a cleaning device C for cleaning the transfer drum are shown. .

The transfer drum 56 is formed in the shape of a rotating cylinder, and a transfer material (not shown) is held on the surface thereof by an electrostatic attraction action, and is arranged in the vicinity of the transfer drum. The color toner images of the respective colors formed on the carrier are sequentially transferred and received. After the predetermined transfer is completed, the transfer material is separated from the transfer drum and conveyed to a fixing portion (not shown).

At the time when the transfer material is not present on the transfer drum after the transfer is completed, the cleaning device C, which is arranged so as to come in contact with and separate from the transfer drum, arrives at an operating position approaching the transfer drum and the transfer drum The dielectric sheet 57 is cleaned.

As shown in FIG. 1, the cleaning device C includes a pair of swingable support members 9a and 9b arranged at appropriate intervals in the axial direction of the transfer drum 56, and between them. A supply roller 2 for winding and holding a cleaning web 1 formed of a non-woven fabric, a winding roller 5 for successively winding the cleaning web, a cleaning roller located between these rollers and engaged with the cleaning web, and a transfer drum The pressing roller 3 which is elastically biased in the direction by the action of the spring 4 is rotatably arranged on the supporting members 9a and 9b.

As shown in the figure, one end of the take-up roller 5 extends outwardly from the support member 9a, and a swing lever 6 is attached to that portion via a one-way clutch 8, and the lever is attached. A roller 7 is arranged at the free end of.
The one-way clutch 8 is connected to the take-up roller 5 and rotates it only when the lever 6 rotates in the direction of arrow B in the drawing, and idles when the lever 6 rotates in the opposite direction. It is configured to do. Further, the roller 7 is positioned so as to face the above-mentioned ring member constituting the transfer drum.

Next, referring to FIG. 2, the structure of the cleaning device will be further described and its operation will be described.

The free ends of the support members 9a and 9b are engaged with the other end of a spring 14 whose one end is locked at a fixed position in the apparatus in the upper part of the figure, and the cleaning device C as a whole is shown in the counterclockwise direction. Biased in the direction. Further, a cam 10 supported by a shaft 11 and rotated by an appropriate drive source is in contact with the support members 9a and / or 9b, and the rotation of the cam causes the support members 9a and 9b to move as shown in FIG. It is possible to take an inoperative position (during the transfer operation) shown in FIG. 2) and an operating position rotated counterclockwise from this.

The lever 6 is arranged between the lever 6 and a proper position of the support member 9a, and is always biased counterclockwise in the drawing by a spring 12 weaker than the spring 14, and a roller 7 attached to the tip of the lever 6 is Transfer drum 5 in the inoperative position shown
6 is located closer to the support member 9a than the support member 9a in a range where it does not contact the support member 9a. Reference numeral 13 is a stopper that regulates the position of the lever.

During the transfer operation shown, the cam 1
0 is at the position shown in the drawing, and the support members 9a and 9b are biased in the clockwise direction to retract the cleaning device C from the transfer drum 56.

When there is no transfer material on the transfer drum 56 and cleaning is performed, the cam 10 is rotated by 180 ° from the position shown in the drawing, and the spring 14 acts to support the support member 9a.
9b rotates counterclockwise. At this time, the lever 6 is
As shown in the drawing, the transfer drum 56 is more than the supporting member 9a
Since it is located close to the roller 7, first the roller 7
6, the lever 6 stops at that position, and in this state, the support members 9a and 9b further rotate in the counterclockwise direction, and the cleaning web 1 contacting the pressing roller 3 moves to the transfer drum 5
Stop in the state of contacting 6.

In the above process, the lever 6 rotates relative to the support member 9a in the direction of arrow B (see FIG. 1), so that the one-way clutch 8 acts and cleaning is performed by the amount corresponding to the rotation amount. The web 1 is wound on a roller 5 so that the new part of the web faces the transfer drum. Therefore, in this state, the drum is cleaned by rotating the transfer drum for one rotation or more.

After the cleaning is completed, when the cam 10 is rotated again by 180 °, the supporting members 9a and 9b stop at the positions shown in FIG. 2, and at the same time, the lever 6 moves relative to the supporting member 9a. Since it rotates in the direction opposite to the arrow B direction, the one-way clutch 8 idles.

The means for rotating the support members 9a, 9b is not limited to the cam shown in the figure, but for example, the energizing force of a solenoid can be used, and
Although the transfer drum and the cleaning device are brought into contact with and separated from each other by swinging the support member 9a or the like, the same effect can be obtained even if the lever 6 is swung by the operation of moving the transfer drum. It's easy to understand.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a cleaning device showing another embodiment.

A pair of supporting members 9a and 9b are arranged so as to face the transfer drum 56, and between the supporting members, a supply roller 2 around which the cleaning web 1 is wound, and a cleaning web is unwound in sequence from the roller. A winding roller 5 and a pressing roller 3 which is between these rollers and abuts on the cleaning web and is constantly biased toward the transfer drum by a spring 4 arranged on the supporting member are arranged. The take-off roller 5 is rotatable with respect to the main body of the apparatus and also with respect to the current-conditioning members 9a and 9b, and this shaft serves as the swing center of the supporting member.

One end of the take-up roller 5 projects outward from the support member 9a, and a one-way clutch 15 is arranged at this portion. The outer ring of the one-way clutch 15 is attached to a proper position of the main body frame 16, and the inner ring is attached to the roller 5. This one-way clutch 1
The roller 5 is arranged such that the roller 5 idles in the direction of the arrow D in the figure. That is, the winding roller 5 is allowed only to rotate in the direction of arrow D with respect to the main body.

Reference numeral 17 in the drawing denotes an elastic stopper, one end of which is attached to a proper position of the support member 9a, and the other end of which comes into contact with the winding roller 5 to impart a braking action to its rotation. "

FIG. 4 is a side view of the above-mentioned cleaning device. In the figure, the transfer drum 56 is in the transfer operation. At this time, the cleaning device C is similar to the case of the above-described embodiment in that the spring 1 is used.
4. By the action of the cam 10, it is in the retracted position shown in the drawing, and does not hinder the transfer.

When the cam 10 is rotated 180 ° from the position shown in the figure after the transfer is completed, the action of the spring 14 causes the supporting member 9 to move.
a and 9b rotate counterclockwise in the drawing. At this time, the one-way clutch 15 is in the locking direction as seen from the take-up roller 5, so that the roller 5 does not rotate.

On the other hand, since the supply roller 2 and the pressing roller 3 rotate together with the supporting members 9a and 9b with respect to the winding roller 5, the cleaning web 1 is rotated by a predetermined amount during the rotation. It is assumed that the new surface of the web comes close to the pressing roller 3 and comes into contact with the transfer drum 56, and the cleaning is performed in this state.

To return to the transfer operation, when the cam 10 is rotated again by 180 ° and is rotated clockwise to the position shown in FIG. 4, the stopper 17 is pressed against the winding roller 5 and is supported. Since the take-up roller 5 is rotatable in this direction of the member, the support member and the rollers 2, 3 supported by the support member substantially rotate integrally with the take-up roller 5. With the cleaning web immobile, the cleaning device C returns to the inoperative position.

With the above-described structure, a cleaning web is used with a simple structure without requiring a special drive source, and the clean surface of the cleaning web is opposed to the transfer drum to clean the flexible dielectric sheet. be able to.

Next, a description will be given of an embodiment in which waste toner generated during image formation can be efficiently processed.

FIG. 6 is a schematic side view showing a main part of an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a color image forming apparatus. In a well-known manner, a latent image of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black component colors of the original, and then a color toner image corresponding to these are formed on the rotary cylindrical image carrier 2-1 having an axis line in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface. Are sequentially formed at predetermined time intervals.

A transfer drum 2-9 formed by spreading a dielectric sheet made of a dielectric material on the surface is provided in the vicinity of the image carrier 2-1. A transfer brush 16 is provided inside the transfer drum at a position contacting the image carrier 2-1 to form a transfer portion. When the above-mentioned color toner image arrives at the transfer portion, a transfer bias is applied to the transfer brush, and the toner image on the image carrier side is transferred to the transfer material carried on the transfer drum.

After that, the transfer drum 2-9 rotates while carrying the transfer material, and every time the transfer material arrives at the transfer site, the color toner image formed on the image carrier 2-1 by that time is transferred. The original toner image is superimposed and transferred. When all the transfer is completed, the transfer material is separated from the transfer drum by the action of the discharging charger 2-11 and the separating claw 2-12, and is conveyed to the fixing portion (not shown) via the conveying path 2-20.

The means for supplying the transfer material to the transfer drum and the means for processing the collected waste toner in the illustrated image forming apparatus will be described below.

A cleaning device 2-6 is disposed downstream of the developing device indicated by the white arrow in the running direction of the image carrier 2-1 and has the image area of the image carrier as described above. Blade 62 for removing toner adhering to both outer sides
(Only one is shown in the figure) is attached to the waste toner container 63 of the cleaning device.

As shown in FIG. 5, at the transfer material introducing portion of the transfer drum 2-9, a suction brush 2-15 is provided inside the drum, and at the drum outer position corresponding to the suction brush 2-15. A conductive roller 2-10, which is a counter electrode, is provided, and a pair of registration rollers 18a, 18b, a conveyance guide 19a, 1 are provided.
The transfer material that has passed through 9b and has reached the position of the conductive roller 2-10 is electrostatically held on the transfer drum by the action of an attracting electric field, and rotates and runs along with it to enter the image forming step as described above. Become.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view taken along line (6)-(6) of FIG. 5, and as will be understood from this, the conductive roller 2-10 is a pair of registration rollers. It is attached to an arm 19c pivotally supported by one roller 18a, and as shown in FIG.
By 9d, the conductive roller 2-10 is biased in the direction of contacting the transfer drum 2-9. Further, one member 19a of the transport guide is attached to the arm 19c. Further, the conductive roller 2-10 and the registration roller 18a are connected by pulleys 65 and 66 arranged on their respective shafts and a belt 67 wound around the pulleys 65 and 66.
The shaft is connected to the drive source by means of a pulley 68 and a belt 69 arranged on the shaft.

Further, as can be seen from FIG. 5, a plunger of a solenoid 71 is connected to the arm 19c, and the energizing force of this causes the conductive roller 2-10 to move to the operating position shown by the solid line in FIG. , It is designed to take the retracted position shown by the dotted line.

When the conductive roller 2-10 is at the position shown by the dotted line in FIG. 5, the blade 61 provided in the waste toner container 63 comes into contact with the roller 2-10 for cleaning.

The end cleaning blade 62 and the cleaning blade 61 are both waste toner containers 63.
The container 63 is attached to the device main body side plates 70 and 71 as shown in FIG.
, And is mounted so as to be slidably attached in the direction of the double arrow in the figure.

The image forming operation will be briefly described. At the time of image formation, the solenoid 71 is deenergized and the conductive roller 2-10 serving as the counter electrode is in contact with the transfer drum 2-9 as indicated by the solid line in the figure. The transfer material to be processed is a resist roller pair 1.
It is temporarily stopped by 8a and 18b, and is guided to the transfer drum 2-9 via the conveying paths 19a and 19b in time with the toner image of the first color toner formed on the image carrier 2-1.

When the transfer material reaches the transfer drum, it is electrostatically adsorbed to the transfer drum by the action of the electric field formed between the suction brush and the conductive roller 2-10, and the image carrier 2-1 and the transfer brush 16 are provided. Reach a transfer site facing each other, and the first color toner image is transferred to the transfer material there.

Thereafter, the transfer material rotates together with the transfer drum while carrying the toner image, and when it reaches the transfer portion again, by this time, the toner image of the second color toner is formed so as to match the toner image. As a result, the toner image of the second color is superimposed and transferred by the action of the transfer electric field by the transfer brush 2-16. Similarly, the toner images of all the color toners are transferred, and the transfer process ends.

During this time, since the transfer material rotates while being placed on the transfer drum a plurality of times, after the transfer material is first adsorbed on the transfer drum, the solenoid 71 is energized to cause the conductive roller 2 to rotate.
-10 moves back to the position indicated by the dotted line, and further the separating claw 2-1
2. All of the brushes 2-14, etc., which come into contact with and separate from the transfer drum for cleaning the transfer drum, are set at positions retracted from the transfer drum so that transfer is not hindered.

When the transfer is completed, the separating claw 2-1
2. The separation assisting roller 2-21 comes close to the transfer drum, the transfer material is separated from the transfer drum 2-9, and the transfer path 2-20
And reaches a fixing portion (not shown). In the figure, reference numeral 2-11 is a charger for preventing peeling discharge at the time of separation, and reference numerals 2-13, 2-17 are dielectric sheets constituting a transfer drum that are charged up to adsorb the transfer material. Is a means for removing electricity.

After the transfer material is adsorbed and held on the transfer drum, the conductive roller 2-10 takes the retracted position shown by the dotted line in the above-mentioned manner, whereby the roller rotates while contacting the cleaning blade 61. The toner or the like adhering thereto is cleaned and the waste toner container 63
Will be collected. Since the edge cleaning blade 62 that is in contact with the image carrier 2-1 is always in contact with the image carrier, the adhered toner and the like is removed by the blade and collected in the waste toner container 63. When the transfer material does not exist on the transfer drum 2-9, the cleaning device 2-14 takes an operating position close to the transfer drum 2-9 to clean the surface of the drum to store toner and the like in the container 2-14a. To collect.

With this structure, by sliding the container 63 out of the main body of the apparatus during maintenance, unnecessary toner and other foreign matter near the end of the image carrier and the conductive roller can be easily treated. Maintenance time can be shortened and waste storage space can be saved.

FIG. 7 is a schematic side view of an image forming apparatus showing another embodiment, and like the above apparatus, the image carrier 1
The waste toner container 63 is disposed between the transfer drum 2-9 and the transfer drum 2-9, and other parts corresponding to those of the apparatus shown in FIG. 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. .

A charging device 80 for injecting electric charges is arranged outside the drum 2-9 so as to face the adsorption charging device 15 arranged at a portion for introducing the transfer material to the transfer drum 2-9. The charging wire of the outer charger 80 is provided with a cleaning member 82 that engages with a screw 81 arranged in a suitable place in the vicinity and runs along the charging wire. The cleaning member 82 scrapes the charging wire from the charging wire. Waste toner container 63
There is formed an opening 80a for dropping the toner to the inside, and an inclined surface 63a for guiding the toner coming out of the opening 80a to the container 63.

With such a structure, by applying a bias to the charger 80 at a predetermined time, the toner adhering to the transfer drum 2-9 can be sucked and removed into the charger. When the bias is stopped, the toner collected in the charger is guided to the waste toner container 63. The charging wire is cleaned by timely sliding the cleaning member along it. The cleaning member may be configured to clean not only the charging wire but also the inner surface of the shield case.

FIG. 8 is a schematic side view of an image forming apparatus showing still another embodiment, the basic construction thereof is the same as that shown in FIG. 5 and the same reference numerals are given to corresponding portions. Is attached. In this apparatus, a fur brush 2-14 for cleaning the transfer drum is arranged in the vicinity of the conductive roller 2-10, and is configured to contact the conductive roller 2-10 together with the transfer drum 2-9.

With this structure, the toner attached to the transfer drum can be collected in the container 63.
The container 14a in the device shown in FIG. 5 is not necessary, which further contributes to space saving and cost reduction. In this case, the fur brush 2-14 is configured so as to be freely contactable and separable with respect to the transfer drum so that the conductive roller is cleaned immediately upon contact, and immediately upon non-transfer, but when separated, the roller is cleaned. Of course, it is also possible.

FIG. 9 shows a further embodiment of the present invention. This device also has basically the same configuration as the device shown in FIG. 5, and the same reference numerals are given to corresponding parts. Are attached, and the description thereof will be omitted.

In this apparatus, a blade 75 is disposed in the waste toner container 63, and the blade 75 adheres to the transfer drum at the end portion of the transfer drum 2-9 and outside the cleaning area of the fur brush 2-14. It is designed to remove toner. The toner removed by this blade is directly collected in the container 63. With such a configuration, the transfer drum is further cleaned.

Normally, the transfer material cleaning member on the transfer drum is disposed inside the transfer device, and therefore, it was necessary to remove the cleaning member first when replacing the dielectric sheet forming the transfer drum. With the above-mentioned configuration, since there is no need for this, maintenance time can be saved.

Next, an embodiment of means for cleaning the transfer drum, which is frequently used in the color image forming apparatus, will be described.

In a well-known color image forming apparatus, a transfer drum that runs in synchronization with the image carrier is provided so that the toner image on the image carrier can be transferred multiple times while supporting the transfer material. Some are used a lot.

In such a transfer drum, usually, a pair of ring members arranged at appropriate intervals are integrally joined by a narrow connecting member, and a dielectric sheet is spread along the outer periphery of the ring member. A structure configured to hold a transfer material on it is often used.

FIG. 10 shows a transfer drum as such a transfer material carrier, in which ring members 102 and 102 are connected by a connecting member 102a, and a dielectric sheet 101 is spread around the periphery. ing. The transfer drum is rotatably supported by a transfer drum support frame (not shown) which is detachably arranged in the apparatus main body.

When the transfer drum having such a structure is used, toner adheres to the surface of the transfer drum, making it difficult to secure holding of the transfer material. Therefore, it is necessary to clean the surface of the transfer drum during maintenance and inspection. However, since the dielectric sheet is flexible, it is not easy to clean it without causing irregular deformation such as distortion.

In order to avoid such a problem, in the present invention, as shown in FIG. 10, the cleaning assisting member 103 having an appropriate width is provided inside the transfer drum and at a position as close as possible to the dielectric sheet. Has been placed. The cleaning auxiliary member 1
03 is fixed to an angel or a drum support frame that supports the transfer drum and does not rotate together with the transfer drum. Further, the outer surface of the auxiliary member 103 is formed as an abutting curved surface that follows the curved surface formed by the dielectric sheet.

FIG. 11 is a partial side view showing the cleaning of the transfer drum. The transfer drum is taken out of the apparatus and the portion of the surface facing the auxiliary member 103 is wiped with a soft cloth or the like. It shall be done while rotating the transfer drum. In this way, the dielectric sheet is struck against another object for cleaning, so that dirt can be removed well. At this time, the dielectric sheet is slightly deformed, but it is deformed by arranging the auxiliary member 103 at an appropriate position. Can be made smaller, and permanent deformation and damage can be reliably prevented.

12 to 13C show an example in which the location of the auxiliary member 103 is clearly indicated at the time of cleaning.
FIG. 12 shows the case where the dielectric sheet is transparent, and at this time, characters or a pattern designating the cleaning range may be displayed on the outer surface of the auxiliary member 103.

When the dielectric sheet 101 is opaque,
As shown in “FIG. 13a”, “FIG. 13b”, and “FIG. 13c”, the auxiliary member 103 has the same circumferential length on both sides of the surface of the ring member 102 outside the range of the dielectric sheet. A display such as a sticker may be provided.

In the case of maintenance, when performing maintenance and inspection, when performing inspection and replacement of the inner static eliminator disposed inside the transfer drum by removing the dielectric sheet, the push-up roller used for separation, the adsorption charger, etc. The auxiliary member may be stored so that the work can be performed easily.

FIG. 14 is a side view of the main part showing an example of such a storage mode. Bending portions 103d are formed on both ends of the cleaning assisting member 103 (only one of them is shown in the drawing), and this portion is pivotally attached to a pin 103a attached at a proper position on the transfer drum supporting frame side. Further, one end of the spring 103c is locked to the bent portion 103d, and the auxiliary member 103 is always given a tendency to rotate clockwise in the drawing.

A long hole 103b is formed in one of the bent portions 103d, and a pin 106b provided at the other end of the arm 106 having one end pivotally attached to a pin 106a provided at an appropriate position of the immovable portion is formed therein. It is slidably engaged. Further, the operation lever 1 is provided on the pin 106a side of the arm 106.
06c is provided.

A protrusion 103e is formed in the elongated hole 103b near the right end in the figure, and when the cleaning assisting member 103 shown in the figure is in the operating position, the pin 106b of the arm 106 comes out of the protrusion 103e. Is also in the right lock position and holds the auxiliary member 103 in the position shown in the figure against the action of the spring 103c.

When the lever 106c is rotated counterclockwise in the figure from this position, the pin 106b moves over the projection 103e and moves leftward in the elongated hole 103b, and accordingly the auxiliary member 103 is clockwise in the figure. And moves to a position away from the dielectric sheet 101. In order to bring the auxiliary member 103 to the operating position, the lever 106c is rotated clockwise to move the pin 106b into the long hole 1.
It is possible to move the inside of 03b in the opposite direction to the lock position shown in the figure.

[0082]

As described above, according to the present invention, a cleaning web for cleaning a transfer material carrier is provided in an image forming apparatus having a transfer drum arranged in proximity to the image carrier for carrying the transfer material. The cleaning web is wound up by a certain amount in response to the contact with and separation from the transfer drum, so cleaning is performed on a clean surface of the web with a simple structure without the need for a special drive source. be able to. Further, since it is possible to reduce the number of storage containers for the unnecessary toner generated from the image carrier and the transfer drum in this type of image forming apparatus, it is possible to shorten the maintenance time and save space and cost. It is valid. Furthermore, since the dielectric sheet forming the transfer material carrier can be easily cleaned without damaging the sheet, maintenance can be effectively performed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a main part of a cleaning device showing an embodiment of a web cleaning device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the above.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a main part showing another embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the above.

FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of an image forming apparatus showing an embodiment of a waste toner processing unit of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a main part of the same.

[Figure 7]

FIG. 8 and

FIG. 9 is a schematic side view of an image forming apparatus showing another embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a means for cleaning a dielectric sheet of a transfer drum of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining how to clean the same as above.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing another embodiment.

FIG. 13a

FIG. 13b and

FIG. 13c is an explanatory diagram illustrating a display method in the above.

FIG. 14 is a side view showing another embodiment of the cleaning auxiliary member [Brief description of the drawings] 1 cleaning web 2 supply roller 3 pressing roller 5 winding roller 6 arms 8, 15 one-way clutch 9a, 9b support member 10 cam 12, 14 Spring 17 Braking Spring 56 Transfer Drum 2-1 Image Carrier 2-6 Cleaning Device 2-9 Transfer Drum 2-10 Conductive Roller 2-14 Cleaning Fur Brush 18a, 18b Registration Roller 19a, 19b Transport Guide 61 Cleaning blade for conductive roller 62 Edge cleaning blade 63 Waste toner container 71 Solenoid 80 Charger 82 Cleaning member

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] September 1, 1994

[Procedure Amendment 1]

[Document name to be corrected] Drawing

[Correction target item name] All drawings

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[Figure 10]

FIG. 11

[Fig. 12]

[Figure 1]

[Fig. 2]

[Figure 3]

[Figure 4]

[Figure 8]

FIG. 13a

FIG. 13b

FIG. 13c

[Figure 5]

[Figure 6]

FIG. 14

[Figure 7]

[Figure 9]

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus comprising an image carrier and a transfer material carrier arranged in proximity to the image carrier, wherein the transfer material carrier can be brought into and out of contact with the transfer material carrier at the time of contact. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a leaning web abutting on the cleaning web, and means for winding a predetermined amount of the cleaning web when the cleaning web is displaced in the contacting and separating direction. 2. An image carrier, a transfer material carrier for carrying a transfer material and transferring a toner image of the image carrier to the transfer material, and a transfer material guided to the transfer material carrier. In an image forming apparatus having a charge injection unit for electrostatically adsorbing the toner, a first toner for removing residual toner on the image carrier is provided.
The cleaning means, the second cleaning means for removing the toner adhering to the charge injecting means, and the single waste toner container for accommodating the toner removed from both of the cleaning means. Image forming apparatus. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first cleaning means cleans only the end portion of the non-image area of the image carrier. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the charge injecting means is a conductive roller and the second cleaning means is a cleaning blade capable of coming into contact with and separating from the conductive roller. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the charge injection means is a corona discharger. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the waste toner container is provided with a third cleaning unit for removing toner adhering to the transfer material carrier. . 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the third cleaning means cleans only the non-image areas at both ends of the transfer material carrier. 8. An image carrier, a transfer material carrier for carrying a transfer material to transfer the toner image of the image carrier to the transfer material, and a transfer material guided to the transfer material carrier. In an image forming apparatus provided with a charge injecting means for electrostatically adsorbing, a first cleaning means for removing residual toner on the image carrier and a second cleaning for removing toner adhering to the charge injecting means. And a means for removing the toner adhering to the transfer material carrier by the second cleaning means and storing all the toner collected from the respective cleaning means in the same waste toner container. Forming equipment. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the charge injecting means is a conductive roller and the second cleaning means is a fur brush. 10. An image forming apparatus having a transfer material carrier, wherein a dielectric sheet is formed on the inside of the transfer material carrier formed by spreading a flexible dielectric sheet on the surface to carry the transfer material. A cleaning auxiliary member having a flat or curved abutting surface on the side of the dielectric sheet at a position where it can be contacted by a deformation that can prevent permanent deformation or damage of the dielectric sheet when pressed from the outer surface without contacting. An image forming apparatus characterized by comprising a transfer material characterized by being provided with. 11. An image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the cleaning assisting member is provided with a display for indicating the existence range of the cleaning assisting member from the outside. 12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the cleaning auxiliary member can selectively take a position close to the dielectric sheet and a position separated from the dielectric sheet.