JPH08691Y2 - Fixing roller cleaning device - Google Patents

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a cleaning device for removing toner adhering to a fixing roller in an image forming apparatus such as a laser printer using an electrophotographic process.

Prior Art FIG. 19 shows an outline of a conventional fixing device of a laser printer. In the figure, the fixing device 1 is mounted on a frame 4 rotatable around a shaft 3. The fixing device 1 includes a cleaning device 2, a fixing roller 5, a pressure roller 6, and a separation claw 7.
The sheet 8 after the image transfer is sandwiched between the fixing roller 5 and the pressure roller 6 and is fed while being heated. At that time, the image on the paper 8 is fixed, and the paper 8 is immediately separated from the fixing roller 5 by the separation claw 7 and is discharged along the paper discharge guide plate 9.

The cleaning device 2 holds the cleaning pad 12 on a pad holder 11 that slides along a pair of guides 10,
The pad holder 11 is pressed by the spring 13 to bring the cleaning pad 12 into pressure contact with the fixing roller 5, and the toner adhering to the fixing roller 5 is scraped off by the cleaning pad 12 as the toner rotates. In addition, 14 is the cleaning device 2
Lid plate, 15 is a lid retainer for holding the lid plate 14 in a closed state,
16 is the upper unit cover.

However, in the conventional fixing roller cleaning device 2, the offset toner 17 blocked by the cleaning pad 12 cannot be collected by the cleaning pad 12, and this toner is used as a silicone oil. For example, it became clay like and was excessively accumulated on the fixing roller 5. As the deposition progresses, there is a problem that the upper layer is dried by the heat of the fixing heater, peels off when the cleaning pad 12 is replaced, and falls into the machine, which adversely affects the power supply section and the like. Further, the accumulated toner always stays on the upstream side of the cleaning pad 12, which causes the performance of the cleaning pad 12 to deteriorate.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to prevent the offset toner from being excessively accumulated on the fixing roller, and to prevent the offset toner from being separated from the fixing roller and falling inside the machine. Another object is to prevent the performance of the cleaning pad from deteriorating.

Means for Solving the Problems To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a fixing roller that presses a cleaning pad onto a fixing roller that fixes an image transferred on a sheet, and removes toner attached to the fixing roller. In the cleaning device, a pad holder that holds the cleaning pad, and a replacement cleaning member that is detachably attached to the pad holder to remove the offset toner on the fixing roller by holding the removal pad when replacing the cleaning pad. The cleaning member at the time of replacement is provided with a scraping portion for scraping off the toner adhering to the fixing roller, and a magnet for magnetically holding the scraped toner.

Action When replacing the cleaning pad, remove the cleaning member from the pad holder when replacing it, hold it by hand and apply the scraping part to the fixing roller, scrape the toner adhering to the fixing roller, and remove the scraped toner with a magnet. Hold it magnetically so that it does not fall.

Embodiment Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 5 shows a laser printer equipped with a fixing roller cleaning device according to the present invention, and shows the overall schematic structure of its internal mechanism. Reference numeral 20 in the figure denotes the printer body. A photoconductor unit 21 is provided in the center of the printer body 20. Then, around the photoconductor unit 21, the charging charger 22, the optical unit 23, the developing unit 24, the transfer charger 25, and the discharge lamp 26 are arranged in this order in the rotation direction (clockwise direction in the figure) of the endless belt-shaped photoconductor 21a. -Place the cleaning device 27. Further, a paper feed tray 29 for accommodating the paper 28 is removably loaded on the right side of the printer body 20 in the drawing. Then, the attachment portion of the paper feed tray 29 is provided with a paper feed portion 33 having a calling roller 30, a paper feed roller 31, a separation roller 32, and the like. Further, on the side opposite to the sheet feeding section 33 with the transfer charger 25 interposed therebetween, a transport unit 34 and a fixing loader are provided.
Arrange 35 and so on in order. Then, the fixing device 35 communicates with the paper discharge tray 37 on the printer body 20 through the paper discharge unit 36. A pair of paper discharge rollers 38 is provided at the exit of the paper discharge unit 36.

Now, when performing printing by the electrophotographic method using the laser printer, the paper 28 is sequentially sent out from the paper feed tray 29 by driving the calling roller 30. Then, the sheet is conveyed by the sheet feed roller 31, and eventually the front end of the sheet 28 is detected by a registration sensor (not shown). Then the paper
The tip of 28 is brought into contact with the pair of registration rollers 39 and stopped.

On the other hand, the photoconductor unit 21 includes an endless belt-shaped photoconductor 21a.
While rotating clockwise in the figure, the surface of the photoconductor 21a is sequentially and uniformly charged by the charging charger 22, and a laser beam is irradiated by the next optical unit 23 to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoconductor 21a. Then, subsequently, when passing through the developing unit 24, the electrostatic latent image is sequentially visualized by toner. Then, in time with the image, the paper 28 hitting the registration roller pair 39 is sent toward the photoconductor 21a. Then, the image on the photoconductor 21a is transferred to the paper 28 by the transfer charger 25. After the transfer, the electric charge remaining on the photoconductor 21a is discharged by the discharging lamp 26, and the residual toner is cleaned by the cleaning device 27.

On the other hand, the paper 28 is fixed to the fixing device 35 by the transport unit 34.
The image is transferred between the fixing roller 40 and the pressure roller 41, and the transferred image is thermally fixed by the fixing device 35. The residual toner on the fixing roller 40 is cleaned by the fixing roller cleaning device 42 according to the present invention. After that, the paper 28 is sent toward the paper discharge unit 36, discharged through the paper discharge unit 36 by the paper discharge roller 38, and the recorded papers are sequentially stacked on the paper discharge receiver 37.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged schematic diagram of the fixing device 35 of the printer body 20 of FIG. The fixing device 35 is mounted on a frame 44 rotatable about a shaft 43. The fixing device 35 of FIG. 6 opens the upper unit cover 45 from the installation position of FIG. 5 as shown in FIG. 7, and rotates the frame 44 counterclockwise about the shaft 43 by 90 degrees. It shows the state. In FIG. 6, 46 is a separation claw that separates the paper from the fixing roller 40, and 47 is a paper ejection guide of the paper ejection unit 36 that guides the separated paper to the paper ejection receiver 37. The cleaning device 42 for the fixing roller 40 is arranged above the fixing roller 40, and the pad holder 48 thereof slides up and down along a pair of guides 49. The pad holder 48 has a box shape with an open bottom surface, and holds a cleaning pad 50 therein.
A lid plate 51 of the cleaning device 42 is hinged on the upper portion of the frame 44. When this lid plate 51 is closed and held in that state by the lid retainer 52, the pad holder 48 is pushed downward by the spring 53 attached to the lid plate 51, and the cleaning pad 50 is pressed against the fixing roller 40 from above. . This cleaning pad 50 opens the upper unit cover 45 of the printer body 20 as shown in FIG. 7, and FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7, the cover plate 51 is opened and replaced.

A cleaning member 55 for wiping offset toner as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is detachably attached to the pad holder 48. The cleaning member 55 is a box-shaped pad holder.
A clip 56 that can be removably fitted into one end 48a of the 48, a plate-shaped magnet 57, and a flexible wiping and scraping member.
58 and 58, which are glued together. The clip 56 is provided with a knob 56a. The wiping and scraping member 58 is adhered to the magnet 57 so as to cover it.

The cleaning member 55 is used as follows. When the cleaning pad 50 set on the fixing roller 40 is taken out, the offset toner 59 remains on the fixing roller 40 as shown in FIG. Therefore, the cleaning member 55 is previously attached to the pad holder 48 of the new cleaning pad 50 as described above, and the pad holder 48 is set upright as shown in FIGS.
And the offset toner 59 is wiped off by the wiping and scraping member 58. At this time, when the offset toner 59 is a magnetic toner, it can be attracted by the magnet 57, so wiping is easy. Further, the grip portion 56a of the clip 56 can be gripped to perform a wiping operation. After the work is completed, the cleaning member 55 is removed from the pad holder 48 and the cleaning pad 50 is set between the guides 49. Also,
The cleaning member 55 is disposable. At the time of its removal, the clip 56 has the grip portion 56a, so that the hands can be kept clean.

Next, FIGS. 8 to 13 show an embodiment of a fixing roller cleaning device according to the present invention when the offset toner is a magnetic toner, and FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the cleaning device. In the figure, 60 is a pad holder. The pad holder 60 is in the shape of a rectangular box whose lower surface is open, and holds the cleaning pad 61 therein. In addition, on the upper surface of the pad holder 60, convex ridges 62 are provided vertically and horizontally to form concave portions 63. Then, a cleaning member 64 for adsorbing magnetic toner is detachably attached to the recess 63.
The cleaning member 64 is composed of a rectangular small body 65 and a sheet-shaped magnet 66. And the small body 65 is the ninth
As shown in the drawings and FIG. 10, one wide surface is referred to as a front portion 67. Then, in the small body 65, one end of the front surface portion 67 and one end surface subsequent to the front surface portion 67 are opened, and a scraping portion for the magnetic toner is formed.
Provide 68. The scraping portion 68, as shown in FIG.
The left and right side surfaces 69, 69 and the back surface 70 are formed in a U-shaped cross section. Then, the front surface scraping opening 68a and the lower surface scraping opening 68b of the scraping portion 68 are opened at one end and one end surface of the front surface portion 67 of the small body 65. Further, the scraping portion 68 is provided with an arc-shaped scraping edge 71 having the same curvature as that of the fixing roller at one end of the back surface portion 70. The scraping edge 71 allows the lower surface scraping port 68b to be in close contact with the fixing roller.

The sheet-shaped magnet 66 is bonded to the inner surface of the back surface portion 70 at a position directly above the scraping edge 71. Then, the N-S poles are arranged in the same direction as the axial direction of the fixing roller.

Therefore, the cleaning member 64 for attracting the magnetic toner described above is used.
Is used as follows.

That is, the cleaning member 64 is attached to the concave portion 63 of the new pad holder 60. Then, when replacing the old cleaning pad, the cleaning member 64 is removed from the recess 63 of the new pad holder 60. Then, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the cleaning member 64 has the front portion 67 directed in the axial direction of the fixing roller 41, and the lower surface scraping opening 68b of the scraping portion is fixed to the fixing roller 41.
Set it upright with it closely attached. And thirteenth
As indicated by arrow D in the figure, the fixing roller is moved in the axial direction to scrape off the magnetic toner 72 adhering to the roller.
Scrap with 71. The scraped magnetic toner 72 has U-shaped portions on the left and right sides of the scraped portion 68, so that the escape along the circumference of the roller is restricted, and as shown by arrow C, the magnet 66 is removed.
Gather in parts. Then, it is magnetically attracted by the magnet 66 and removed.

Since the cleaning member is provided with the magnet as in the above configuration, when the offset toner is the magnetic toner, the cleaning is sure and easy.

Further, since the magnetic toner is directly magnetically attracted by the sheet-shaped magnet, cleaning can be performed without the need for a strong magnet as in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 4.

After this work is completed, a pad holder 60 for holding a new cleaning pad as in the embodiment shown in FIGS.
Is set on the guides 49, 49 of the cleaning device 42 shown in FIG. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 to 13, the new pad holder 60 has the cleaning member 64 attached to the upper surface of the pad holder 60. Therefore, the spring 53 interferes with the cleaning member 64 and the fixing member 35 is set in the fixing device 35. It will not be possible. This prevents forgetting to clean the fixing roller 40 when replacing the cleaning pad.

Further, the sheet-shaped magnet 66 may be provided not only on the back surface portion 70 but also on the left and right side surface portions 69, 69.

Next, FIGS. 14 to 18 show another embodiment of the cleaning member for adsorbing the magnetic toner.

In the cleaning members 74 and 75 shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the magnetic toner scraping portion 76 is provided with a lid 77. The lid 77 has a cleaning member 74.
-The same material as 75, which is connected to the lower end of the front part 78 and is integrally provided. Then, the front scraping opening 79a is closed, the lower surface scraping opening 79b is closed by the bent portion 77a, and the scraping portion 79a is formed.
Block the whole. Then, when the cleaning member 74 of FIG. 14 is used, the connection member is bent along the folding curve 80, the lid 77 is pulled up to the front surface 78 side, and the scraping portion 79 is opened.

In FIG. 15, the lid 77 is opened and closed by the slider 82. That is, the slider 82 is formed in the shape of a square tube, such as a sheet of Mylar or coated cardboard, and is slidably attached to the outer periphery of the cleaning member 75. Then, the slider 82 and the lid 77 are connected by a strip 83. The tip 83a of the strip 83 is bonded to the bent portion 77a of the lid 77.

Then, when the slider 82 slides in the separating direction of the lid 77, the lid 77 is pulled by the strip-shaped piece 83 and pulled up to remove the scraping portion.
Open 79. On the other hand, when sliding on the same side of the lid 77, the strip 83
The lid 77 is pushed down with and is pressed against the scraping portion 79 to close it.

The structure of the cleaning members 74 and 75 excluding the lid 77, the slider 82, and the strip 83 is the same as that of the cleaning member 64 shown in FIGS.
Is the same as 83 is a sheet-shaped magnet.

In this way, since the lid 77 is provided on the scraping portions 79 of the cleaning members 74 and 75, it is possible to prevent the toner from spilling from the scraping portions 79, which may be spilled, only by the attraction force of the magnet 83.

The cleaning member 84 shown in FIG. 16 is provided with magnetic toner scraping portions 85 and 86 at both ends in the lengthwise direction. The configuration of the scraping portions 85 and 86 is the same as that of the scraping portion 79 of the cleaning member 64 shown in FIGS. 8 to 13 described above. 87 is a sheet-shaped magnet.

This allows the scraping parts 85 and 86 on both sides to be used twice with one cleaning member 84.
Material costs can be saved and costs can be reduced.

The cleaning member 88 of FIG. 17 is provided with a tool, for example, a clip 89 for attaching and detaching the pad holder. That clip 89
Is made of the same material as the cleaning member 88, for example, coated cardboard or the like, and is provided integrally with a part thereof protruding. In addition, 90 is a scraping part and 91 is a sheet-like magnet.

Accordingly, when the cleaning pad is replaced, the pad holder 92, which cannot be held by hand due to high temperature, can be held and taken out. Since the clip 89 of the tool is provided integrally with the cleaning member 88, the number of parts can be reduced and the cost can be reduced.

FIG. 18 shows a construction in which the cleaning member 93 is an assembly type.
That is, for example, a toner packing box 94 made of coated cardboard or the like
The developed shape of the cleaning member 93 is provided on any arbitrary side of the mold so that it can be extracted. After the removal, the cleaning member 93 is assembled with an adhesive tape, an adhesive material, a stapler or the like. In addition, 95 is a sheet-shaped magnet. As a result, the cleaning member is formed using a part of the packaging box 94, so that the cost can be reduced.

Effects of the Invention According to the present invention, there are the following effects.

Since offset toner can be removed from the fixing roller with a cleaning member every time the cleaning pad is replaced,
The offset toner does not excessively accumulate on the fixing roller.

It is possible to prevent the lump of toner from falling into the machine, and to eliminate the adverse effect on the power supply unit and the like due to it.

The desired performance of the cleaning pad can be maintained and the print quality can be improved.

The cleaning member can be detachably attached to the pad holder so as to be disposable.

At the time of replacement, the toner scraped by the cleaning member is attracted by the magnet provided on the cleaning member and is securely held so as not to fall, so that the toner scraped by the cleaning member is not scattered.

If the toner scraped by the scraping portion is attracted by the magnet, the toner is not accumulated in the scraping portion, and the cleaning effect can be enhanced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a fixing roller cleaning device according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of a part thereof, and FIGS. 3 and 4 are front views of the cleaning member for wiping offset toner. It is a figure and a top view. FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of a laser printer to which this cleaning device is applied, FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram showing a relationship between the cleaning device and a fixing device, and FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a cleaning pad exchange state in the laser printer. Is. Figures 8 through
FIG. 13 is another embodiment of the fixing roller cleaning device of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the cleaning device. 9 is a front view of the cleaning member, FIG. 10 is a side view thereof,
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. First
12 and 13 are a front view and a side view of a usage state of the cleaning member for adsorbing the offset toner. Figures 14 through
FIG. 18 shows another embodiment of the cleaning member for adsorbing magnetic toner, and FIGS. 14 and 15 are perspective views of the cleaning member provided with a lid and FIG.
16 is a perspective view of the cleaning member with scraping parts at both ends,
FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a cleaning member including a clip, and FIG. 18 is a schematic configuration diagram of an assembly type cleaning member. FIG. 19 is a schematic configuration diagram of a conventional fixing device and its cleaning device. 40 …… Fixing roller 42 …… Fixing roller cleaning device 48 ・ 60 …… Pad holder 50 ・ 61 …… Cleaning pad 55 …… Cleaning member for offset toner wiping 64 ・ 74 ・ 75 ・ 84 ・ 88 ・ 93 …… Cleaning member for attracting magnetic toner

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── --- Continuation of the front page (56) Reference JP-A-60-108872 (JP, A) JP-A-58-187973 (JP, A) JP-A-60-86576 (JP, A) JP-A-60- 86579 (JP, A) JP 60-608577 (JP, A) Actually opened 62-146171 (JP, U) Actually opened 63-100764 (JP, U) Actually opened 63-100761 (JP, U) Actually open 51-74442 (JP, U) Actually open 63-65069 (JP, U) Actually open 61-46535 (JP, U)

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A fixing roller cleaning device for pressing a cleaning pad onto a fixing roller for fixing an image transferred on a sheet to remove toner adhering to the fixing roller, and a pad holder for holding the cleaning pad. A detachable cleaning member that is detachably attached to the pad holder to remove the offset toner on the fixing roller when detaching the cleaning pad when replacing the cleaning pad. A fixing roller cleaning device comprising a scraping section for scraping off the adhered toner and a magnet for magnetically holding the scraped toner.