JPH09258631A - Cleaning device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provied a device capable of realizing excellent cleaning processing without causing faulty cleaning. SOLUTION: In a principle for removing a residual toner lump 34a remaining on an endless belt 30 where a toner image can be formed by a cleaning member 32, residual toner particles 34 put between the surface of the endless belt 30 and the surface of the cleaning member 32 are heated by a thermal toner softening means 36, so that the residual toner particles take on viscosity and also the residual toner particles are melted and integrated to form the residual toner lump having specified cohesive force F3. In such a case, when adhesive force F1 between the residual toner lump 34a and the surface of the cleaning member 32 is stronger than the adhesive force F2 between the residual toner lump 34a and the surface of the endless belt 30, the residual toner lump 34a sticks to the cleaning member 32 and is removed from the endless belt.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a cleaning device for cleaning toner remaining on an endless belt after transferring a toner image formed on the endless belt to a recording medium or an intermediate transfer medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a cleaning device of this type, for example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-309378, a cleaning device having a cleaning roller for softening and removing the residual toner by heating means (hereinafter referred to as “first cleaning device”) will be described.
Prior art) is disclosed.

As shown in FIG. 22, in the first prior art cleaning device, the fixing film 2 is wound around the driving roller 4, the driven roller 6 and the heater 8 and driven by the driving roller 4. . At this time, when the toner is fixed on the recording paper 12 via the heater 8 and the pressure roller 10, the offset toner 14 adheres to the fixing film 2. And offset toner 1
4 is melted by the driven roller 6 heated by the halogen lamp 16 and adheres to the cleaning roller 18. As a result, the fixing film 2 is cleaned.

FIG. 23 shows the configuration of an apparatus according to a modified example of the first prior art, in which the halogen lamp 16 is arranged inside the cleaning roller 18. With such a configuration, the offset toner 14 attached to the fixing film 2 is melted by the cleaning roller 18 heated by the halogen lamp 16, and the melted toner adheres to the cleaning roller 18. As a result, the fixing film 2 is cleaned.

Further, for example, Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 4-45829 discloses an image forming apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a second prior art) for transferring a toner image formed on an image carrier onto a recording paper.

As shown in FIG. 24, in the second conventional image forming apparatus, the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 20 is transferred to the intermediate transfer roller 22 after being transferred to the intermediate transfer roller 22. On the other hand, the image is transferred to the recording paper 26 pressed via the fixing pressure roller 24. After this transfer, the residual toner remaining on the intermediate transfer roller 22 is removed by the cleaning roller 28.

As shown in FIG. 25, the cleaning roller 28 includes a roller core 28a made of a metal such as aluminum, a heat-resistant rubber layer 28b provided on the outer periphery of the roller core 28a, and this rubber. The thin nickel layer 28c is provided on the outer periphery of the layer 28b. This thin nickel layer 28c is
The outermost layer 22a made of silicone rubber of the intermediate transfer roller 22 is in good contact with the outermost layer 22a. Also, the nickel thin layer 28c
Since its specific heat is small, the temperature easily rises to the temperature of the intermediate transfer roller 22.

According to this structure, the residual toner remaining on the intermediate transfer roller 22 without being transferred to the recording paper 26 is not cleaned by the cleaning roller 2 at the cleaning position.
8 and the intermediate transfer roller 22
Is heated to the temperature of. The molten toner melted at this time efficiently adheres to the nickel thin layer 28c of the cleaning roller 28 having a strong adhesive force. As a result, the intermediate transfer roller 22 is cleaned.

[0009]

However, in the first and second prior arts, the change in the cohesive force (viscoelasticity) of the residual toner due to the temperature change is not taken into consideration. Therefore, it is difficult to perform a good cleaning process without a cleaning failure (no offset).

The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and an object thereof is to provide a cleaning device capable of realizing a good cleaning process without cleaning defects.

[0011]

In order to achieve such an object, the present invention provides an endless belt running along a predetermined running path and a visible image forming a desired toner image on the endless belt. A cleaning device provided in an image forming apparatus, comprising: a forming unit; and a transfer unit that transfers the toner image conveyed by the endless belt onto a recording medium. Temperature changing means for changing the temperature of the residual toner remaining on the endless belt, and a predetermined value for the endless belt so as to remove the residual toner whose temperature has been changed by the temperature changing means from the endless belt. And a cleaning member which has a contact area and is in contact therewith.

[0012]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The principle of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.
3 to 3, a cleaning device according to each embodiment of the present invention to which this principle is applied will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1A shows, as an example, a principle diagram for cleaning the residual toner lump 34a remaining on the endless belt 30 capable of forming a toner image by the cleaning member 32. Note that, in FIG. 1B, in the principle of FIG. 1A, the changing state of the cohesive force F3 of the residual toner particles 34 (residual toner mass 34a) with respect to the temperature and the adhesive force of the residual toner mass 34a to the endless belt 30 are shown. The change state of F2 is shown in FIG.
In (a), the temperature distribution in the layer direction of the residual toner mass 34a is shown.

As shown in FIG. 1A, the endless belt 30
When the residual toner particles 34 sandwiched between the surface of the cleaning member 32 and the surface of the cleaning member 32 are heated by the thermal toner softening means 36, the residual toner particles 34 become viscous and the residual toner particles 34 are melted and integrated with each other. ,
A residual toner mass 34a is formed.

In this state, the cleaning member 32
When the adhesive force F1 between the residual toner lump 34a and the surface of the cleaning member 32 is larger than the adhesive force F2 between the residual toner lump 34a and the surface of the endless belt 30 when the endless belt 30 and the endless belt 30 are separated, The residual toner lump 34 a is attached to the cleaning member 32, whereby the residual toner lump 34 a is removed (cleaned) from the endless belt 30.

By the way, in order to attach the residual toner lump 34a to the surface of the cleaning member 32, it is necessary to heat the residual toner particles 34 at a certain temperature or higher.

However, when the temperature does not reach a certain level,
Since the residual toner particles 34 do not melt, the residual toner particles 34 continue to exist as they are. In this case, the residual toner particles 3
Since cohesive force (viscoelasticity) F3 cannot be generated between the four, residual toner particles 34 remain on the endless belt 30. As a result, defective cleaning (cold offset) of the endless belt 30 occurs. On the other hand, when the temperature reaches a certain temperature or higher, the cohesive force F3 of the residual toner particles 34 is extremely reduced by the resin forming the residual toner particles 34, and therefore the cohesive force F3 of the residual toner lump 34a is increased.
Becomes weak. As a result, hot offset occurs in which the residual toner lump 34a itself is divided into the surface of the cleaning member 32 and the surface of the endless belt 30. Thus, it is understood that the cohesive force F3 of the residual toner particles 34 (residual toner lumps 34a) cannot be obtained when the heating temperature is too high or too low.

Therefore, in order to realize the optimum cleaning effect, as shown in FIG. 1B, the cohesive force F3 of the residual toner particles 34 (residual toner mass 34a) is changed to the residual toner mass 34a and the endless belt 30. It is necessary to maintain the temperature of the residual toner lump 34a in the proper temperature region S1 so that the adhesion force F2 between the toner and the toner is higher.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2A, the residual toner particles 34 (residual toner lumps 34a) are transferred to the endless belt 30 by a thermal toner softening means 36 provided on the back surface side of the endless belt 30. To be heated through 30 (Fig. 1
(See (a)), the temperature T1 of the residual toner lump 34a in the portion in contact with the endless belt 30 is different from the temperature T2 of the residual toner lump 34a in the portion in contact with the cleaning member 32. Therefore, even if the temperature gradients P1, P2, P3 occur inside the residual toner lump 34a, in order to realize the optimum cleaning effect, the temperature of the entire residual toner lump 34a is set to a temperature other than the cold offset region S2 and the hot offset region S3. The temperature range, that is, the proper temperature range S1 must be maintained.

However, if the operating speed of the device is increased,
Since the thermal resistance of the residual toner particles 34 hinders the heat transfer in the residual toner lump 34a, the temperature gradient P1 becomes more remarkable.

Further, in recent years, when the melting point of the toner is being lowered, the change in the cohesive force becomes more remarkable, so that the proper temperature region S1 becomes the proper temperature region S4 of the low melting point toner. There are cases. When the suitable temperature range is narrowed in this way, extremely accurate temperature control must be performed. Then, when the resin constituting the residual toner particles has a very narrow molecular weight distribution (or is constituted by a single molecular weight), the cohesive force F associated with the temperature change is F.
In some cases, the change in No. 3 becomes more significant, and the proper temperature region S4 cannot be found. As a result, it can be seen that it is difficult to maintain the entire temperature of the residual toner lump 34a in the layer direction in the proper temperature region S1.

In this case, if the contact area between the endless belt 30 and the cleaning member 32 is expanded to some extent, it is possible to secure a sufficient time for heat transfer to the entire layer direction of the residual toner lump 34a. I understand. With such a configuration, the temperature gradient in the residual toner lump 34a can be reduced, so that the temperature gradient P3 can be maintained in the appropriate temperature region S4. Furthermore, since the time for heat transfer can be sufficiently secured, it is not necessary to raise the heating temperature more than necessary, and it is possible to reduce energy consumption.

Since the adhesive force F1 between the residual toner lump 34a and the surface of the cleaning member 32 has a relationship with the temperature as shown in FIG. 2B, the residual toner lump 34a is present.
A high temperature is preferable for adhering to the surface of the cleaning member 32. Since the characteristic curve of the adhesive force F1 is variously changed depending on the type of resin forming the residual toner particles 34 or the material of the cleaning member 32, the characteristic curve may become higher than the appropriate temperature region S1. In this case, even if the contact region between the endless belt 30 and the cleaning member 32 is widened to some extent to reduce the temperature gradient, it is difficult to attach the residual toner lump 34a to the surface of the cleaning member 32.

Further, the endless belt 3 shown in FIG. 1 (a)
The surface of No. 0 is generally covered with a member having a good releasability, but due to mechanical wear caused by durable use and deposits attached to the surface of the endless belt 30 through the image forming process, Releasability may be impaired. As a result, the adhesive force F2 between the residual toner lump 34a and the endless belt 30 increases, and the appropriate temperature region S1 may not be found in some cases.

Therefore, the following process is proposed as a cleaning method for solving this problem.

First, the residual toner particles 34 are melted and integrated with each other so that they are brought into close contact with the surface of the cleaning member 32. Next, the temperature is lowered to improve the cohesive force F3 of the residual toner lump 34a. Then, the cleaning member 32 is separated from the endless belt 30.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1A, after the residual toner particles 34 are once heated until they are integrated with each other, the temperature of the residual toner lump 34a is lowered to further improve the cohesive force F3 thereof. . Then, the endless belt 30 and the cleaning member 32 are separated. According to such a process, it becomes possible to prevent cleaning failure (offset).

When the temperature of the downstream side region of the contact region between the endless belt 30 and the cleaning member 32 is lower than the temperature of the upstream side region, the residual toner mass 34a generated on the upstream side and the downstream side of the contact region. Temperature gradient M1, M2
As described above, which satisfies the relationship shown in FIG. 3A, when the cleaning member 32 and the endless belt 30 are separated, in order to remove the residual toner mass 34a from the endless belt 30, the residual toner mass 34a is removed. 34a and cleaning member 3
The adhesion force F1 with the surface of the second toner is larger than the adhesion force F2 between the residual toner lump 34a and the surface of the endless belt 30, and the cohesive force F3 of the residual toner lump 34a is with the residual toner lump 34a. Adhesive force F with the surface of the endless belt 30
It must be greater than 2.

Generally, the adhesive force F1 is sufficiently larger than the adhesive force F2, so that the force relationship between the cohesive force F3 of the residual toner lump 34a and the adhesive force F2 may be taken into consideration. Therefore, the residual toner mass 34 having the temperature gradients M1 and M2 is
a. The temperature of the whole a is lowered to reduce the cohesive force F of the residual toner lump 34a.
3 must be improved.

FIG. 3B shows a process for lowering the temperature of the residual toner mass 34a to a desired temperature.

As shown in FIG. 3B, the proper temperature range S
Even if 1 is very narrow (or not present), first, of the contact area between the endless belt 30 and the cleaning member 32, the upstream area is sufficiently heated to melt and integrate the residual toner mass. 34a is brought into close contact with the surface of the cleaning member 32. Then, the residual toner mass 34
By lowering the temperature of a, the cohesive force F3 is improved. Then, after the temperature of the residual toner lump 34a falls below the hot offset region S3, the cleaning member 32 is separated from the endless belt 30. That is, by lowering the temperature of the surface of the endless belt 30 to a temperature at which the cohesive force F3 is larger than the adhesive force F2 of the residual toner lump 34a and then separating the cleaning member 32, there is no cleaning failure (no offset). The cleaning process can be performed.

Thus, according to the present principle, the endless belt 3
When the temperature is lowered even when the releasability of 0 is lowered, the residual toner particles 34 (residual toner lumps 34a) having a very small appropriate temperature region S1 and the cleaning member 32 which is hard to fit into the residual toner lumps 34a are used. By controlling the temperature of the endless belt 30 and the cleaning member 32,
It is possible to surely prevent the offset at the time of separation. As a result, it is possible to realize a reliable cleaning process for the residual toner lump 34a. Furthermore, since the cleaning ability can be maintained at a constant level even during high-speed operation of the apparatus, it is possible to provide a highly reliable image forming apparatus that can withstand continuous operation for a long time.

Next, a cleaning device according to the first embodiment of the present invention to which the above principle is applied will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 4, in this embodiment, a visible image forming means 42 for forming a desired toner image 38 on the endless belt 40, and a toner image 38 conveyed by the endless belt 40 are recorded on a recording medium 44. A cleaning device 48 provided in an image forming apparatus having a transfer means 46 for transferring the image onto the endless belt 4
0, the temperature changing means for changing the temperature of the residual toner 38a remaining on the surface of the endless belt 40, and the residual toner 38a changed in temperature by the temperature changing means.
The cleaning member is provided in contact with the endless belt 40 with a predetermined contact area W so as to be removed from the cleaning member.

The endless belt 40 has a first structure so that it can travel between the visible image forming means 42 and the transfer means 46.
And the second supporting rollers 50 and 52.

The visible image forming means 42 is the second supporting roller 5
A chargeable drum 54 that is rotatable while contacting the endless belt 40 that runs on the drum 2, an electrostatic latent image forming device 56 that forms a desired electrostatic latent image on the drum 54, and a drum 54. A developing device 58 for developing the electrostatic latent image with toner to form a toner image 38 on the drum 54, and a transfer element 6 for transferring the toner image 38 to the endless belt 40.
0. The electrostatic latent image forming device 56 is, for example, an ion flow control recording device or the drum 54.
It is possible to apply a device that forms an electrostatic latent image by, for example, laser light after uniformly charging the toner.

According to this structure, the toner image 38 formed on the drum 54 via the electrostatic latent image forming device 56 and the developing device 58 is transferred to the endless belt 4 by the transfer element 60.
Transcribed to 0. Further, the visible image forming means 42 is provided with a cleaner 62 and an eraser 64 for removing the toner image 38 and the electrostatic latent image formed on the drum 54, and remains on the drum 54 after transfer. The formed residual toner image (not shown) is cleaned by the cleaner 62, and the electrostatic latent image remaining on the drum 54 after cleaning the residual toner image is erased by the eraser 6.
It is electrically removed by 4.

The transfer element 6 applied to the present embodiment
As the transfer method of 0, for example, any of an electric method, a pressure method and a thermal method may be used.

Further, the transfer means 46 is provided with a transfer member 66 facing the endless belt 40 running on the first support roller 50, and is defined by the transfer member 66 and the first support roller 50. At the transferred position T
The toner image 38 can be transferred onto the recording medium 44 conveyed through the conveying roller pair 68. With such a configuration, the toner image 38 conveyed to the transfer position T by the endless belt 40 is transferred to the transfer member 6 by the transfer member 6.
6 is transferred onto the recording medium 44. As a toner image transfer method of the transfer member 66 applied to the present embodiment, for example, any of an electric method, a pressure method and a thermal method may be used.

The recording medium 44 to which the toner image 38 has been transferred from the endless belt 40 by the transfer means 46 is separated from the endless belt 40 by a separating device (not shown) and then discharged to a paper discharge tray or the like (not shown). To be done.

By the way, in general, the surface of the endless belt 44 is covered with a material such as fluororesin or silicone which has a good releasability for the toner and abundant heat resistance. Since the rate does not reach 100%, a small amount of residual toner 38a remains on the endless belt 40.

Therefore, in the cleaning device 48 of the present embodiment, a cleaning member for removing the residual toner 38a on the endless belt 40, that is, an endless cleaning belt 70, and a back surface of the endless belt 40 (residual toner 38a).
To the temperature changing means, that is, the heat roller 72 that is rotatable while contacting the surface on the side opposite to the surface on which the remains, and the endless belt 40 running on the heat roller 72. A pair of pressure supporting rollers 74 having a region W for making contact are provided. The heat roller 72 contains a halogen lamp 76 as a heating element.

According to this structure, the endless belt 40
By providing the contact area W between the cleaning belt 70 and the cleaning belt 70, when the heat roller 72 heats and softens the residual toner 38a from the rear surface of the endless belt 40, heat is transferred to the entire residual toner 38a in the toner layer direction. It is possible to secure sufficient time for As a result,
The temperature gradient in the toner layer of the residual toner 38a can be reduced, and the residual toner 3 on the endless belt 40 can be reduced.
Since it is not necessary to heat 8a more than necessary, hot offset can be eliminated. Therefore, it is possible to realize a high-quality cleaning effect, and it is possible to realize a cleaning effect without cleaning defects, especially when the apparatus is operating at high speed or when a low melting point toner is used. Further, since it is not necessary to heat more than necessary, power consumption can be reduced.

The endless belt 40 from which the residual toner 38a has been removed by such a cleaning device 48 is used.
Runs again to the visible image forming means 42, and the next new toner image 38 is formed.

Here, as the material of the cleaning belt 70 applied to this embodiment, it is preferable to use a heat-resistant resin or rubber which does not damage the endless belt 40 and has a surface energy higher than that of the surface of the endless belt 40. Examples of the resin include phenol resin, melamine resin, allyl resin, furan resin, unsaturated polyester resin, alkyd resin, epoxy resin, silicone resin, polyimide, polyamideimide, polyether sulfone, polysulfone, polyallyl ether, polyallyl. Sulfone, butadiene, fluororesin, thermoreversible polyester and polyphenylene sulfide are preferable. Further, as the rubber, for example, chloroprene acrylic rubber, nitrile butadiene rubber, butyl rubber, ethylene propylene rubber, silicone rubber, chlorosulfonated polyethylene rubber, chlorinated polyethylene rubber, acrylic rubber, epichlorohydrin rubber and the like are preferable. According to the experimental results, particularly good results were obtained when polyimide, mylar, polyolefin resin and silicone rubber were used.

The cleaning belt 70 preferably has a small heat capacity and is thin. Specifically, the thickness is 100 μm or less, preferably about 25 to 50 μm.

The pair of pressure supporting rollers 74 for supporting the cleaning belt 70 have a structure covered with a heat insulating member for preventing heat radiation, and specifically include silicone rubber or the like. Rubber is used.

The cleaning device of the present invention not only removes the residual toner 38a remaining on the endless belt 40 after transfer, but also removes the residual toner 38a once when the device is stopped during operation. In some cases, the residual toner 3 remaining on the endless belt 40 before the operation of the apparatus is started.
It goes without saying that the same can be applied to the case of removing 8a.

Next, a cleaning device according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the description of the present embodiment, the same components as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

The endless belt 40 has a heat roller (thermal transfer member) 78 and a plurality of support rollers 80 so that the endless belt 40 can travel between the visible image forming means 42 and the transfer means 46.
And a visible image forming means 42 and a transfer means 46.
And a heat exchange part 82 in which the endless belts 40 are in contact with each other. In the heat exchange section 82, by bringing the endless belt 40 after being heated by the heat roller 78 into contact with the endless belt 40 before being heated, the endless belt 40 sent from the visible image forming means 42 to the transfer means 46. At the same time as the temperature is raised, the endless belt 4 sent from the transfer means 46 to the visible image forming means 42.
It is possible to reduce the temperature of 0. As a result, the thermal transfer efficiency of the toner image 38 onto the recording medium 44 can be improved.

The visible image forming means 42 applied to this embodiment.
In, the electrostatic latent image forming device 56 and the developing device 58 are arranged along the traveling path of the endless belt 40 so that the desired toner image 38 can be formed directly on the endless belt 40. Then, the toner image 38 formed by such a visible image forming unit 42 is conveyed to the transfer unit 46 by the endless belt 40.

The transfer means 46 applied to this embodiment is
As a heating element, for example, a heat roller 78 incorporating a halogen lamp 84, and a pressure roller 86 for pressing the recording medium 44 to the endless belt 40 running on the heat roller 78 are configured. In such a configuration,
The toner image 38 conveyed to the transfer position T of the transfer unit 46 by the endless belt 40 is heated and softened by the heat roller 78 from the back surface of the endless belt 40 (the surface opposite to the surface on which the toner image 38 is formed). To do. At this time, the toner image 38 is thermally transferred onto the recording medium 44. Then, the toner image 38 is thermally transferred onto the recording medium 44, and at the same time, the thermally transferred toner image 38 is pressed onto the recording medium 44 by the pressure roller 86.
The image is fixed on the recording medium 44. As a result, the toner image 38 is formed on the recording medium 44.

Further, the cleaning device 4 of the present embodiment
The endless cleaning belt 70 of No. 8 is movably supported by the first to third support rollers 88 a, 88 b, 88 c, and the first and second support rollers 88.
a and 88b have a predetermined contact area W and are in contact with the endless belt 40.

According to this structure, the endless belt 40
By providing the contact area W between the cleaning belt 70 and the cleaning belt 70, it is possible to secure a sufficient time for heat transfer of the residual toner 38a softened by the heat roller 78 in the entire toner layer direction. As a result, the temperature gradient in the toner layer of the residual toner 38a can be reduced, and since the residual toner 38a on the endless belt 40 does not need to be heated more than necessary, hot offset can be eliminated. Therefore, it is possible to realize a high-quality cleaning effect, and it is possible to realize a cleaning effect without cleaning defects, especially when the apparatus is operating at high speed or when a low melting point toner is used. Further, since it is not necessary to heat more than necessary, power consumption can be reduced. Further, according to the present embodiment, the heat roller 78 of the transfer means 46 is also used as the temperature changing means of the cleaning device 48, so that the device configuration is simplified and the number of parts is reduced, so that the manufacturing cost is reduced. Is possible.

Next, a cleaning device according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Note that this embodiment relates to an improvement of the second embodiment,
It has the same configuration as that of the second embodiment except that an intermediate transfer medium 90 is added as the transfer means 46. Therefore, in the description of this embodiment, the same components as those in the second embodiment will be designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

According to the present embodiment, the toner image 38 conveyed to the heat roller 78 by the endless belt 40 is
After being thermally softened by the heat roller 78, it is thermally transferred to the intermediate transfer medium 90. At this time, the toner image 38 transferred onto the intermediate transfer medium 90 is transferred to the halogen lamp 92.
It is heated by and maintained in a softened state. Then, at the transfer position T defined between the intermediate transfer medium 90 and the pressure roller 86, the toner image 38 is thermally transferred onto the recording medium 44.

After that, the residual toner 38a remaining on the endless belt 40 is removed by the cleaning device 48, as in the second embodiment.

Since the operation and effect of this embodiment are the same as those of the second embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

Next, a cleaning device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. It should be noted that the present embodiment relates to an improvement of the cleaning device 48 of the first embodiment (see FIG. 4), and other parts are the same as the first embodiment.
It has the same configuration as the embodiment. Therefore, in the description of this embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment will be designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

The cleaning device 48 of this embodiment is
The temperature changing means, that is, the first and second heat rollers 9 that support the cleaning member, that is, the endless cleaning belt 70 so as to travel freely, and have the predetermined contact area W with respect to the endless belt 40, contact the cleaning belt 70.
4, 96, cleaning belt 70 and endless belt 40
And a pressure roller 98 for improving the contact efficiency with The first heat roller 94 includes, for example, a first halogen lamp 100 as a heating element.
The second heat roller 96 has, for example, a second halogen lamp 102 as a temperature lowering means. Then, the heating temperature of the second halogen lamp 102 is set so that the heating temperature of the second heat roller 96 becomes lower than the heating temperature of the first heat roller 94.
It is set lower than the heating temperature of the first halogen lamp 100.

In such a structure, the endless belt 40
The upper residual toner 38 a is heated and softened by the first heat roller 94, and sufficiently adheres to and adheres to the cleaning belt 70. As a result, the residual toner 38a is fused and integrated, and the adhesion to the cleaning belt 70 is improved. After that, the residual toner 38a fused and integrated
The temperature is lowered by the second heat roller 96 while being sandwiched between the endless belt 40 and the cleaning belt 70. As a result, the cohesive force of the residual toner 38a can be improved more than the adhesive force between the endless belt 40 and the residual toner 38a.
At the separation point R of the cleaning belt 70, the residual toner 38a is surely removed from the endless belt 40 by the cleaning belt 70.

As described above, by lowering the temperature until the cohesive force of the residual toner 38a becomes larger than the adhesive force between the endless belt 40 and the residual toner 38a, it is possible to reliably prevent the cleaning failure (offset). Therefore, a high-quality cleaning effect can be realized.

The other operational effects of the present embodiment are similar to those of the first embodiment, and therefore their explanations are omitted.

Next, a cleaning device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. It should be noted that the present embodiment relates to an improvement of the cleaning device 48 of the first embodiment (see FIG. 4), and other parts are the same as the first embodiment.
It has the same configuration as the embodiment. Therefore, in the description of this embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment will be designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

The cleaning device 48 of this embodiment is
Residual toner 38a heated by heat roller 72
The temperature of is reduced by the effect of natural cooling.

In such a structure, the endless belt 40
The upper residual toner 38a is heated by the heat roller 72 and softened, and sufficiently adheres to the cleaning belt 70. As a result, the residual toner 38a is fused and integrated, and the adhesion to the cleaning belt 70 is improved. After that, the residual toner 38 a that has been melted and integrated is conveyed in the contact region W while being sandwiched between the endless belt 40 and the cleaning belt 70. Then, the temperature of the residual toner 38a is lowered by the natural cooling action that is exerted while being conveyed through the contact area W. As a result, the cohesive force of the residual toner 38a can be improved more than the adhesive force between the endless belt 40 and the residual toner 38a.
At the separation point R between the endless belt 40 and the cleaning belt 70, the residual toner 38a is reliably removed from the endless belt 40 by the cleaning belt 70.

As described above, by lowering the temperature until the cohesive force of the residual toner 38a becomes larger than the adhesive force between the endless belt 40 and the residual toner 38a, it is possible to reliably prevent the cleaning failure (offset). Therefore, a high-quality cleaning effect can be realized.

The other operational effects of the present embodiment are similar to those of the first embodiment, and therefore their explanations are omitted.

Next, a cleaning device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. It should be noted that this embodiment is the same as the first and fifth embodiments (see FIG. 4).
And FIG. 8) of the cleaning device 48,
The other parts have the same configurations as those of the first and fifth embodiments. Therefore, in the description of this embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals,
The description is omitted. The cleaning device 48 of the present embodiment supports the cleaning member, that is, the endless cleaning belt 70 so that it can travel, and has a predetermined contact area W with respect to the endless belt 40.
Temperature changing means for bringing 0 into contact, that is, a pair of heat rollers 1
04 and a pair of support rollers 106, and three pressure contact rollers 98 for improving the contact efficiency between the cleaning belt 70 and the endless belt 40. The pair of heat rollers 104 each include, for example, a halogen lamp 108 as a heating element.

In such a structure, the endless belt 40
The upper residual toner 38 a is heated by the pair of heat rollers 104 to be softened, and sufficiently adheres to the cleaning belt 70. As a result, the residual toner 38a is fused and integrated, and the adhesion to the cleaning belt 70 is improved. After that, the residual toner 38a fused and integrated
Is conveyed in the contact region W while being sandwiched between the endless belt 40 and the cleaning belt 70 via the pair of support rollers 106. Then, due to the natural cooling action that is exerted while being conveyed in the contact area W, the residual toner 38
The temperature of a is lowered. As a result, the residual toner 38a is stronger than the adhesive force between the endless belt 40 and the residual toner 38a.
Since the cohesive force of the endless belt 4 can be improved.
At the separation point R between 0 and the cleaning belt 70, the residual toner 38a is reliably removed from the endless belt 40 by the cleaning belt 70.

As described above, by lowering the temperature until the cohesive force of the residual toner 38a becomes larger than the adhesive force between the endless belt 40 and the residual toner 38a, it is possible to reliably prevent the cleaning failure (offset). Therefore, a high-quality cleaning effect can be realized.

The other operational effects of the present embodiment are the same as those of the first and fifth embodiments, and the description thereof will be omitted.

Next, a cleaning device according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
The present embodiment is the same as the first embodiment (see FIG. 4).
With respect to the improvement of the cleaning device 48, other parts have the same configuration as that of the first embodiment. For this reason,
In the description of this embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

The cleaning device 48 of this embodiment is
A temperature changing means, that is, a heat roller 110 and a cooling roller 112, which support the cleaning member, that is, the endless cleaning belt 70, so that the cleaning belt 70 can travel, and have the predetermined contact area W with respect to the endless belt 40. The pressure roller 9 for improving the contact efficiency between the cleaning belt 70 and the endless belt 40.
And 8. The heat roller 110 has, for example, a halogen lamp 114 built therein as a heating element, and the cooling roller 112 integrally has, for example, a cooling fan, a radiation fin, and a cooling roller 112 as a temperature lowering means. A cooling means 116 such as a configured heat pipe is built in.

In such a structure, the endless belt 40
The upper residual toner 38a is heated by the heat roller 110 to be softened and sufficiently adheres to the cleaning belt 70. As a result, the residual toner 38a is fused and integrated, and the adhesion to the cleaning belt 70 is improved. After that, the residual toner 38 a that has been melted and integrated is cooled by the cooling roller 112 while being sandwiched between the endless belt 40 and the cleaning belt 70. As a result, the cohesive force of the residual toner 38a can be improved more than the adhesive force between the endless belt 40 and the residual toner 38a.
At the separation point R of 0, the residual toner 38a is reliably removed from the endless belt 40 by the cleaning belt 70.

As described above, by lowering the temperature until the cohesive force of the residual toner 38a becomes larger than the adhesive force between the endless belt 40 and the residual toner 38a, cleaning failure (offset) can be reliably prevented. Therefore, a high-quality cleaning effect can be realized.

The other operational effects of the present embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

Next, a cleaning device according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
The present embodiment is the same as the first embodiment (see FIG. 4).
And the improvement of the cleaning device 48 of the sixth embodiment (see FIG. 9), the other parts have the same configurations as those of the first and sixth embodiments. Therefore, in the description of this embodiment, the same components as those in the first and sixth embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

The cleaning device 48 of this embodiment is
The cleaning member, that is, the endless cleaning belt 70, is supported so as to be capable of running, and has a predetermined contact area W with respect to the endless belt 40. The temperature changing means, that is, the pair of heat rollers 104 and the pair of supports. 3 for improving the contact efficiency between the roller 106 and the cleaning belt 70 and the endless belt 40.
It is composed of individual pressure contact rollers 98. Further, the cleaning device 48 of the present embodiment is provided with a cooling unit 118 as a temperature changing unit that cools the cleaning belt 70 by cooling the pair of support rollers 106. In addition, the pair of heat rollers 104,
For example, a halogen lamp 108 is built in as a heating element. Further, as the cooling means 118 applied to the present embodiment, a cooling fan or an electronic cooling device provided near the pair of support rollers 106, a heat pipe arranged in contact with the pair of support rollers 106, and the like are applicable. .

In such a structure, the endless belt 40
The upper residual toner 38 a is heated by the pair of heat rollers 104 to be softened, and sufficiently adheres to the cleaning belt 70. As a result, the residual toner 38a is fused and integrated, and the adhesion to the cleaning belt 70 is improved. After that, the residual toner 38a fused and integrated
Is conveyed in the contact region W while being sandwiched between the endless belt 40 and the cleaning belt 70 via the pair of support rollers 106. Then, the residual toner 38a is cooled by the cooling action acting via the cooling means 118 while being conveyed in the contact area W. As a result, the cohesive force of the residual toner 38a can be improved more than the adhesive force between the endless belt 40 and the residual toner 38a.
At the separation point R between the endless belt 40 and the cleaning belt 70, the residual toner 38a is reliably removed from the endless belt 40 by the cleaning belt 70.

As described above, by rapidly cooling through the cooling means 118 until the cohesive force of the residual toner 38a becomes larger than the adhesive force between the endless belt 40 and the residual toner 38a, a cleaning failure (offset) is performed. ) Can be reliably prevented, it is possible to realize a high-quality cleaning effect.

The other operational effects of the present embodiment are the same as those of the first and sixth embodiments, and the description thereof will be omitted.

Next, a cleaning device according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
The present embodiment is the same as the first embodiment (see FIG. 4).
And the improvement of the cleaning device 48 of the seventh embodiment (see FIG. 10), the other parts have the same configurations as those of the first and seventh embodiments. Therefore, in the description of the present embodiment, the same components as those in the first and seventh embodiments will be designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

The cleaning device 48 of this embodiment is
A temperature changing means, that is, a heat roller 110 and a support roller 120, which supports the cleaning member, that is, the endless cleaning belt 70 so that it can travel, and has the predetermined contact area W with respect to the endless belt 40. Cleaning belt 70 and endless belt 4
And a pressure contact roller 98 for improving the contact efficiency during zero. Further, the cleaning device 48 of the present embodiment includes the heat roller 110 and the support roller 12
In the region between 0 and 0, as cooling means, for example, a cooling fan, a radiation fin, a cooling means 122 such as an electronic cooling device is used.
Is arranged. The heat roller 110 includes, for example, a halogen lamp 114 as a heating element.

In such a structure, the endless belt 40
The upper residual toner 38a is heated by the heat roller 110 to be softened and sufficiently adheres to the cleaning belt 70. As a result, the residual toner 38a is fused and integrated, and the adhesion to the cleaning belt 70 is improved. After that, the melted and integrated residual toner 38 a is cooled by the cooling fan 122 via the cleaning belt 70 while being sandwiched between the endless belt 40 and the cleaning belt 70. As a result, the endless belt 4
Since the cohesive force of the residual toner 38a can be improved more than the adhesive force between the residual toner 38a and the residual toner 38a, the residual toner 38a is surely attached to the cleaning belt 7 at the separation point R between the endless belt 40 and the cleaning belt 70.
0 will remove it from the endless belt 40.

As described above, the defective cleaning (offset) is performed by rapidly cooling the residual toner 38a through the cooling means 122 until the cohesive force of the residual toner 38a becomes larger than the adhesive force between the endless belt 40 and the residual toner 38a. ) Can be reliably prevented, it is possible to realize a high-quality cleaning effect.

The other operational effects of the present embodiment are the same as those of the first and seventh embodiments, and therefore their explanations are omitted.

Next, a cleaning device according to the tenth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Note that this embodiment relates to an improvement of the cleaning device 48 of the second embodiment (see FIG. 5), and the other parts have the same configuration as the second embodiment. Therefore, in the description of this embodiment, the same components as those in the second embodiment will be designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

The cleaning device 48 of this embodiment is provided with a cooling means 124 as a temperature lowering means for cooling the endless belt 40 heated by the heat roller 78 in the contact area W of the endless cleaning belt 70. There is. As the cooling means 124, for example, an electronic cooling device, a radiation fin, a roller having a built-in cooling fan, a roller integrally configured with a heat pipe, or the like can be applied. Such a cooling means 124 can be used as the endless belt 40. Is positioned so as to partially or wholly contact the back surface (the surface opposite to the surface on which the residual toner 38a remains).

According to this structure, the endless belt 40
At the contact start point S between the cleaning belt 70 and the cleaning belt 70
Is conveyed in the contact area W while being sandwiched between the endless belt 40 and the cleaning belt 70. Then, the residual toner 38a is cooled by the cooling action that is exerted via the cooling means 124 while being conveyed in the contact area W. As a result, the cohesive force of the residual toner 38a can be improved more than the adhesive force between the endless belt 40 and the residual toner 38a. Therefore, at the separation point R between the endless belt 40 and the cleaning belt 70, the residual toner 38a is The cleaning belt 70 ensures that the endless belt 40
Will be removed from the

In this way, the defective cleaning (offset) is performed by rapidly cooling through the cooling means 124 until the cohesive force of the residual toner 38a becomes larger than the adhesive force between the endless belt 40 and the residual toner 38a. ) Can be reliably prevented, it is possible to realize a high-quality cleaning effect.

The other operational effects of this embodiment are the same as those of the second embodiment, and therefore their explanations are omitted.

Next, a cleaning device according to the eleventh embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Note that this embodiment relates to an improvement of the cleaning device 48 of the second embodiment (see FIG. 5), and the other parts have the same configuration as the second embodiment. Therefore, in the description of this embodiment, the same components as those in the second embodiment will be designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

The endless cleaning belt 70 of the cleaning device 48 of the present embodiment is arranged in the heat exchange section 82 in which the endless belts 40 are in contact with each other. Specifically, in this heat exchange section 82, Cleaning belt 7
0 has a predetermined contact area W by the pair of support rollers 126 and is in contact with the endless belt 40.

According to such a configuration, the endless belt 40
At the contact start point S between the cleaning belt 70 and the cleaning belt 70
Is conveyed in the contact area W while being sandwiched between the endless belt 40 and the cleaning belt 70. Then, the endless belt 40 is cooled through the heat exchanging action of the heat exchanging portion 82, so that the residual toner 38a is cooled while being conveyed in the contact region W. As a result, the endless belt 40
The residual toner 3 rather than the adhesive force between the residual toner 38a and the residual toner 38a.
Since the cohesive force of 8a can be improved, at the separation point R between the endless belt 40 and the cleaning belt 70,
The residual toner 38a is reliably removed from the endless belt 40 by the cleaning belt 70.

As described above, by rapidly cooling through the heat exchange action of the heat exchange section 82 until the cohesive force of the residual toner 38a becomes larger than the adhesive force between the endless belt 40 and the residual toner 38a. Since the cleaning failure (offset) can be surely prevented, it is possible to realize a high-quality cleaning effect. Furthermore, since the endless belt 40 and the residual toner 38a can be cooled without providing other cooling means, the structure of the apparatus can be simplified and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

Since other operational effects of the present embodiment are the same as those of the second embodiment, description thereof will be omitted.

Next, a cleaning device according to the twelfth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Note that this embodiment relates to the improvement of the cleaning device 48 of the third and eleventh embodiments (see FIGS. 6 and 14), and other parts are the same as the third and eleventh embodiments. It has the configuration of. Therefore, in the description of the present embodiment, the same components as those in the third and eleventh embodiments will be designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

According to the present embodiment, since the heat transfer means 82 is formed by inserting the heat transfer means 128 between the endless belts 40, the endless belt 4 can be quickly and surely.
It is possible to reduce the temperature of the residual toner 38a sandwiched between 0 and the cleaning belt 70 to a required temperature.

Here, as the heat transfer means 128, for example, an electronic cooling device such as a heat pipe, a metal plate, a Peltier element or the like can be applied. In this case, when the Peltier element is used, it is preferable to arrange the Peltier element so that its heat absorbing portion faces the cleaning belt 70.

According to this structure, the high temperature residual toner 38a is absorbed by the endless belt 40 and the cleaning belt 70.
While being conveyed in the contact area W while being sandwiched between
The heat is absorbed and cooled via the heat transfer means 128. As a result, the cohesive force of the residual toner 38a can be improved more than the adhesive force between the endless belt 40 and the residual toner 38a.
At the separation point R, the residual toner 38a is reliably removed from the endless belt 40 by the cleaning belt 70.

Since other operational effects are the same as those of the third and eleventh embodiments, the description thereof will be omitted.

Next, a cleaning device according to the thirteenth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The present embodiment relates to the improvement of the cleaning device 48 of the first embodiment (see FIG. 4), and the other parts have the same configuration as the first embodiment. Therefore, in the description of this embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment will be designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

The cleaning device 48 of this embodiment is
A cleaning member for removing the residual toner 38a on the endless belt 40, that is, a cleaning roller 130, and a pair of pressure supports for contacting the endless belt 40 with the cleaning roller 130 with a predetermined contact area W. And a roller 132. Further, the cleaning roller 130 applied to the present embodiment incorporates, for example, a halogen lamp 134 as a heating element, and also has a function as a temperature changing means for changing the temperature of the residual toner 38a.

According to such a configuration, the endless belt 40
By providing the contact area W between the cleaning roller 130 and the cleaning roller 130, it is possible to secure a sufficient time for heat transfer of the residual toner 38a in the entire toner layer direction. As a result, the temperature gradient in the toner layer of the residual toner 38a can be reduced, and since the residual toner 38a on the endless belt 40 does not need to be heated more than necessary, hot offset can be eliminated. Therefore, it is possible to realize a high-quality cleaning effect, and it is possible to realize a cleaning effect without cleaning defects, especially when the apparatus is operating at high speed or when a low melting point toner is used. Further, since it is not necessary to heat more than necessary, power consumption can be reduced. Further, since the endless belt 40 is wound around the cleaning roller 130 to form the contact area W, the structure of the cleaning device 48 can be simplified and the reliability can be improved.

Here, as the material of the cleaning roller 130 applied to this embodiment, it is preferable to use a heat-resistant resin or rubber which does not damage the endless belt 40 and has a surface energy higher than that of the surface of the endless belt 40. Examples of the resin include phenol resin, melamine resin, allyl resin, furan resin, unsaturated polyester resin, alkyd resin, epoxy resin, silicone resin, polyimide,
Polyamide imide, polyether sulfone, polysulfone, polyallyl ether, polyallyl sulfone,
Butadiene, fluororesin, thermoreversible polyester and polyphenylene sulfide are preferred. As the rubber, for example, chloroprene acrylic rubber, nitrile butadiene rubber, butyl rubber, ethylene propylene rubber, silicone rubber, chlorosulfonated polyethylene rubber, chlorinated polyethylene rubber, acrylic rubber, epichlorohydrin rubber, etc. are preferable. According to the experimental results, particularly good results were obtained when polyimide, mylar, polyolefin resin and silicone rubber were used.

Next, a cleaning device according to the fourteenth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The present embodiment relates to the improvement of the cleaning device 48 of the first embodiment (see FIG. 4), and the other parts have the same configuration as the first embodiment. Therefore, in the description of this embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment will be designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

The cleaning device 48 of this embodiment is
A halogen lamp 136, for example, is incorporated as a temperature changing means, that is, a heating element, which is configured to be rotatable while being in contact with the back surface of the endless belt 40 carrying the residual toner 38a (the surface opposite to the surface carrying the residual toner 38a). A heat roller 138 and a cleaning member or cleaning roller 140 disposed adjacent to the heat roller 138,
Endless belt 40 running through the heat roller 138
The cleaning roller 140 has a predetermined contact area W.
And a pressure roller 142 which is brought into contact with
In addition, the cleaning roller 14 applied to the present embodiment
0 is, for example, a halogen lamp 14 as a temperature reducing means.
4 is built in and also serves as a temperature changing means for changing the temperature of the residual toner 38a. In this configuration, the cleaning roller 14
The heating temperature of the heat roller 138 is controlled to be higher than the heating temperature of 0.

In such a structure, the endless belt 40
The upper residual toner 38a is heated by the heat roller 138 to be softened. Then, at the contact start point S,
The residual toner 38a sufficiently fits and adheres to the cleaning roller 140. As a result, the residual toner 38a is fused and integrated, and the adhesion to the cleaning roller 140 is improved. After that, the residual toner 38a fused and integrated
Is kept sandwiched between the endless belt 40 and the cleaning roller 140, and its temperature is lowered. As a result,
Since the cohesive force of the residual toner 38a can be improved more than the adhesive force between the endless belt 40 and the residual toner 38a, the residual toner 38a is reliably cleaned at the separation point R between the endless belt 40 and the cleaning roller 140. It will be removed from the endless belt 40 by the roller 140.

As described above, by lowering the temperature until the cohesive force of the residual toner 38a becomes larger than the adhesive force between the endless belt 40 and the residual toner 38a, it is possible to reliably prevent the cleaning failure (offset). Therefore, a high-quality cleaning effect can be realized.

The other operational effects of this embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment, and therefore their explanations are omitted.

Next, a cleaning device according to the fifteenth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Note that this embodiment is the same as the fourteenth embodiment (see FIG.
7)), the other parts have the same configuration as the fourteenth embodiment.
Therefore, in the description of this embodiment, the same components as those of the fourteenth embodiment will be designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

The cleaning device 48 of this embodiment is
Residual toner 38 heated by heat roller 138
The temperature of a is configured to be lowered by the natural cooling effect.

In such a structure, the endless belt 40
The upper residual toner 38a is heated by the heat roller 138 to be softened, and sufficiently adheres to the cleaning roller 140 to adhere thereto. As a result, the residual toner 38a is fused and integrated, and the adhesion to the cleaning roller 140 is improved. After that, the residual toner 38a fused and integrated
Is conveyed in the contact area W while being sandwiched between the endless belt 40 and the cleaning roller 140. Then, the temperature of the residual toner 38a is lowered by the natural cooling action that is exerted while being conveyed through the contact area W. As a result, the cohesive force of the residual toner 38a can be improved more than the adhesive force between the endless belt 40 and the residual toner 38a.
At the separation point R of 0, the residual toner 38a is reliably removed from the endless belt 40 by the cleaning roller 140.

As described above, by lowering the temperature until the cohesive force of the residual toner 38a becomes larger than the adhesive force between the endless belt 40 and the residual toner 38a, the cleaning failure (offset) can be surely prevented. Therefore, a high-quality cleaning effect can be realized. Further, according to the present embodiment, the residual toner 38a is removed by the natural cooling action of the cleaning roller 140.
Can be reduced to a required temperature, so that the structure of the device can be simplified and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

Since other operational effects of the present embodiment are the same as those of the fourteenth embodiment, description thereof will be omitted.

Next, a cleaning device according to the sixteenth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Note that this embodiment is the same as the fourteenth embodiment (see FIG.
7)), the other parts have the same configuration as the fourteenth embodiment.
Therefore, in the description of this embodiment, the same components as those of the fourteenth embodiment will be designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

The cleaning device 48 of this embodiment is
Residual toner 38 heated by heat roller 138
The cleaning roller 152 having the temperature lowering means, that is, the cooling means 150, lowers the temperature of a.

The cleaning roller 152 applied to this embodiment is a heat resistant heat insulating member 146 having high heat resistance.
The cleaning sheet 148 covers the outer peripheral surface of the sheet, and the cooling means 150 incorporated in the heat-resistant heat insulating member 146. The endless belt 40 running through the heat roller 138 is pressed against the cleaning sheet 148. The roller 142 is in contact with the predetermined contact area W. The cleaning sheet 148 is preferably a thin sheet having a small heat capacity. Specifically, the thickness is 100 μm or less, preferably about 25 to 50 μm. As the cooling means 150, for example, a cooling fan, a radiation fin, a heat pipe, an electronic cooling device, or the like can be applied. Furthermore, examples of the material of the heat resistant heat insulating member 146 include silicone sponge and fluorine sponge.

According to such a configuration, the endless belt 40
At the contact start point S between the cleaning roller 152 and the cleaning roller 152.
8a is conveyed in the contact area W while being sandwiched between the endless belt 40 and the cleaning roller 152. The cleaning roller 152 has a heat-resistant heat insulating material 14
Since 6 is provided, the thermal resistance at the contact start point S can be increased. Therefore, since the cleaning sheet 148 having a small heat capacity can be easily heated by the heat roller 138, it is possible to improve the adhesion between the residual toner 38a and the cleaning sheet 148.

After that, while being conveyed in the contact area W, the residual toner 38a is cooled by the cooling means 150 via the heat resistant heat insulating material 146 while being sandwiched between the endless belt 40 and the cleaning roller 152. To be done. As a result,
Since the cohesive force of the residual toner 38a can be improved, the residual toner 38a is reliably removed from the endless belt 40 by the cleaning roller 152 at the separation point R between the endless belt 40 and the cleaning roller 152.

Since other operational effects of the present embodiment are the same as those of the fourteenth embodiment, description thereof will be omitted.

Next, a cleaning device according to the seventeenth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Note that this embodiment relates to a combination of the second and sixteenth embodiments (see FIGS. 5 and 19), and replaces the first support roller 50 of the transfer unit 46 with the heat roller 78 and transfers the transfer unit. The transfer member 66 of 46 is replaced with a pressure roller 86. Since the other configurations have the same configurations as those of the second and sixteenth embodiments, the second and sixteenth aspects will be described when describing this embodiment.
The same configurations as those of the embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. According to the cleaning device 48 of the present embodiment, the residual toner 38a heated by the heat roller 78 is sandwiched between the endless belt 40 and the cleaning roller 152, and is cooled by the heat-resistant heat insulating material 146 through the cooling unit. It is cooled by 150. As a result,
Since the cohesive force of the residual toner 38a can be improved, the residual toner 38a is reliably removed from the endless belt 40 by the cleaning roller 152 at the separation point R between the endless belt 40 and the cleaning roller 152.

Since other operational effects of this embodiment are the same as those of the second and sixteenth embodiments, the description thereof will be omitted.

Next, a cleaning device according to the eighteenth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Note that this embodiment is the same as the sixteenth embodiment (see FIG.
9)), the other part has the same configuration as that of the 16th embodiment.
Therefore, in the description of the present embodiment, the same components as those in the sixteenth embodiment will be designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

The cleaning device 48 of this embodiment is
Endless belt 4 running against cleaning roller 152
The temperature of the residual toner 38a heated by the heat roller 138 is lowered by cooling 0 through the temperature lowering means, that is, the cooling means 154.
As the cooling means 154, for example, a cooling fan, a heat pipe, a radiation fin, an electronic cooling device or the like can be applied.

According to such a configuration, the endless belt 40
At the contact start point S between the cleaning roller 152 and the cleaning roller 152.
8a is conveyed in the contact area W while being sandwiched between the endless belt 40 and the cleaning roller 152. After that, while being conveyed through the contact area W, the residual toner 38a
While being sandwiched between the endless belt 40 and the cleaning roller 152, the cooling means 15 is inserted through the endless belt 40.
It is cooled by 4. As a result, since the cohesive force of the residual toner 38a can be improved, the endless belt 40
At the separation point R between the cleaning roller 152 and the cleaning roller 152, the residual toner 38a is reliably removed from the endless belt 40 by the cleaning roller 152.

Since other operational effects of the present embodiment are the same as those of the sixteenth embodiment, description thereof will be omitted.

The following inventions are included in this specification.

(1) An endless belt running along a predetermined running path, a visible image forming means for forming a desired toner image on the endless belt, and the toner image conveyed by the endless belt as a recording medium. A cleaning device provided in an image forming apparatus having a transfer unit for transferring onto the cleaning device, the cleaning device including a temperature changing unit for changing the temperature of the residual toner remaining on the endless belt. And a cleaning member which is in contact with the endless belt with a predetermined contact area so as to remove the residual toner whose temperature has been changed by the temperature changing means from the endless belt. A cleaning device characterized in that

(Structure) The present invention is a superordinate concept of the principle of the present invention and all the embodiments.

(Operation / Effect) By providing the contact area between the endless belt and the cleaning member, when the temperature of the residual toner is changed by the temperature changing means through the endless belt, the residual toner is heated in the entire toner layer direction. It becomes possible to secure a sufficient time for transmission. As a result, the temperature gradient of the residual toner in the toner layer can be reduced, and since it is not necessary to heat the residual toner on the endless belt more than necessary, hot offset can be eliminated. Therefore, it is possible to realize a high-quality cleaning effect, and it is possible to realize a cleaning effect without cleaning defects, especially when the apparatus is operating at high speed or when a low melting point toner is used. Further, since it is not necessary to heat more than necessary, power consumption can be reduced.

(2) The temperature changing means is provided with at least a heating element for heating and softening the residual toner remaining on the endless belt. Cleaning device.

(Structure) The present invention corresponds to the principle of the present invention and all the embodiments, and as a specific example of the heating element,
Halogen lamps 76, 84, 100, 108, 114,
134 and 136 correspond.

(Operation / Effect) By providing the contact area between the endless belt and the cleaning member, when the heating element heats and softens the residual toner through the endless belt, the residual toner is heated in the entire toner layer direction. It becomes possible to secure a sufficient time for transmission. As a result, the temperature gradient of the residual toner in the toner layer can be reduced, and since it is not necessary to heat the residual toner on the endless belt more than necessary, hot offset can be eliminated. Therefore, it is possible to realize a high-quality cleaning effect, and it is possible to realize a cleaning effect without cleaning defects, especially when the apparatus is operating at high speed or when a low melting point toner is used. Further, since it is not necessary to heat more than necessary, power consumption can be reduced.

(3) The temperature changing means is provided with a temperature lowering means for lowering the temperature of the residual toner softened by being heated by the heating element. Cleaning device.

(Structure) The present invention includes the fourth to twelfth and fourteenth parts.
The eighteenth embodiment corresponds to, and concrete examples of the temperature lowering means include halogen lamps 102 and 144 (FIGS. 7 and 17),
The technical idea of naturally cooling the residual toner 38a while sandwiched between the cleaning belt 70 and the endless belt 40 (FIGS. 8 and 9), the cooling fans 116 and 122 (FIGS. 10 and 1).
2), cooling means 118, 150, 154 (Fig. 11, 1
9, 20, 21), the cooling member 124 (FIG. 13), and the technical idea using the heat exchange action of the heat exchange section 82 (FIGS. 14, 1).
5) The technical idea (FIG. 18) of naturally cooling the residual toner 38a while being sandwiched between the cleaning roller 140 and the endless belt 40 is applicable.

(Operation / Effect) For example, as shown in FIG.
The residual toner 38a on the endless belt 40 is heated and softened by the first heat roller 94 having a heating element incorporated therein, and sufficiently adheres to the cleaning belt 70.
As a result, the residual toner 38a is fused and integrated, and the adhesion to the cleaning belt 70 is improved. After this,
The melted and integrated residual toner 38a is held between the endless belt 40 and the cleaning belt 70 by the second heat roller 96 having a temperature lowering means built therein,
Its temperature is reduced. As a result, the residual toner 38a is stronger than the adhesive force between the endless belt 40 and the residual toner 38a.
Since the cohesive force of the endless belt 4 can be improved.
At the separation point R between 0 and the cleaning belt 70, the residual toner 38a is reliably removed from the endless belt 40 by the cleaning belt 70.

(4) The cleaning device according to (1), wherein the cleaning member is a cleaning belt made of a heat resistant resin member.

(Structure) The present invention corresponds to the first to twelfth embodiments.

(5) The cleaning apparatus according to (1) above, wherein the cleaning member is a cleaning roller made of a heat-resistant resin member.

(Structure) This invention corresponds to the thirteenth to eighteenth embodiments.

(6) The temperature lowering means of the endless belt heated by the heating element improves the cohesive force of the residual toner more than the adhesive force between the endless belt and the residual toner. The cleaning device according to (3) above, wherein the temperature of the residual toner is lowered.

(Structure) The present invention relates to fourth to twelfth and fourteenth parts.
Eighteen embodiments correspond.

(Operation / Effect) By reliably lowering the cleaning defect (offset) by lowering the temperature until the cohesive force of the residual toner 38a becomes larger than the adhesive force between the endless belt 40 and the residual toner 38a. Therefore, it is possible to realize a high-quality cleaning effect.

(7) In the image forming apparatus, a heat exchanging section for exchanging heat by bringing the endless belts into contact with or in close proximity to each other in a traveling path between the visible image forming means and the transfer means. The cleaning member has a predetermined contact with the heat exchange unit so that the residual toner on the endless belt cooled by the heat exchange action of the heat exchange unit can be removed. The cleaning device according to (1) above, which has a region and is in contact.

(Structure) The present invention corresponds to the eleventh and twelfth embodiments (FIGS. 14 and 15).

For example, as shown in FIG. 14, the endless cleaning belt 70 of the cleaning device 48 of the present invention.
Are arranged in the heat exchange section 82 in which the endless belts 40 are in contact with each other. Specifically, in the heat exchange section 82, the cleaning belt 70 includes the pair of support rollers 12
6 has a predetermined contact area W and is in contact with the endless belt 40.

(Operation / Effect) At the contact start point S between the endless belt 40 and the cleaning belt 70, the high-temperature residual toner 38a that is in close contact with the cleaning belt 70 is sandwiched between the endless belt 40 and the cleaning belt 70. It is transported in the contact area W. Then, the heat exchange section 82
The endless belt 40 is cooled through the heat exchange action of the residual toner 38 while being conveyed in the contact area W.
a is cooled. As a result, the cohesive force of the residual toner 38a can be improved more than the adhesive force between the endless belt 40 and the residual toner 38a. Therefore, at the separation point R between the endless belt 40 and the cleaning belt 70, the residual toner 38a is The cleaning belt 70 reliably removes the endless belt 40.

[0149]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a cleaning device which can realize a good cleaning process without cleaning failure.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1A is a principle diagram for cleaning a residual toner lump remaining on an endless belt capable of forming a toner image by a cleaning member, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing the temperature in the principle of FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a relationship between a change state of a cohesive force of residual toner particles (residual toner lumps) and a change state of an adhesive force of residual toner lumps to an endless belt.

FIG. 2A is a diagram showing a temperature distribution in a layer direction of a residual toner lump, and FIG. 2B is a diagram showing a change in adhesive force between the residual toner lump and a surface of a cleaning member with respect to a temperature change.

FIG. 3A is a residual toner generated on the upstream side and the downstream side of the contact area when the temperature of the downstream area is lower than the temperature of the upstream area in the contact area between the endless belt and the cleaning member. Diagram showing change in temperature gradient of lump, (b)
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a process for reducing the temperature of the residual toner mass to a desired temperature.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a cleaning device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of a cleaning device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration of a cleaning device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration of a cleaning device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration of a cleaning device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a configuration of a cleaning device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a configuration of a cleaning device according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a configuration of a cleaning device according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a configuration of a cleaning device according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the configuration of a cleaning device according to a tenth embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a configuration of a cleaning device according to an eleventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a configuration of a cleaning device according to a twelfth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a configuration of a cleaning device according to a thirteenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a configuration of a cleaning device according to a fourteenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a configuration of a cleaning device according to a fifteenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a configuration of a cleaning device according to a sixteenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a configuration of a cleaning device according to a seventeenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing the configuration of a cleaning device according to an eighteenth embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a configuration of a first conventional cleaning device.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a configuration of an apparatus according to a modified example of the first conventional technology.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a configuration of a second prior art cleaning device.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing internal configurations of an intermediate transfer roller and a cleaning roller shown in FIG. 24.

[Explanation of symbols]

30 ... Endless belt, 32 ... Cleaning member, 34 ... Residual toner particles, 34a ... Residual toner mass, 36 ... Thermal toner softening means, F1 ... Adhesive force between residual toner mass and surface of cleaning member, F2 ... Residual Adhesive force between the toner lump and the surface of the endless belt, F3 ... Cohesive force of the residual toner lump.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An endless belt running along a predetermined running path, a visible image forming means for forming a desired toner image on the endless belt, and the toner image conveyed by the endless belt on a recording medium. A cleaning device provided in an image forming apparatus having a transfer means for transferring to a toner, the cleaning device including a temperature changing means for changing a temperature of residual toner remaining on the endless belt. , So as to remove the residual toner whose temperature has been changed by the temperature changing means from the endless belt,
And a cleaning member that is in contact with the endless belt with a predetermined contact area. 2. The cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the temperature changing unit is provided with at least a heating element for heating and softening the residual toner remaining on the endless belt. apparatus. 3. The cleaning according to claim 2, wherein the temperature changing unit is provided with a temperature lowering unit for lowering a temperature of the residual toner which is heated and softened by the heating element. apparatus.