JPH0954484A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent irregularities in a formed image and to provide a high- quality output image by quickly removing dust on the surface of a reflection mirror by a cleaning member where the dust is hardly accumulated. SOLUTION: In this image forming device equipped with the long-length reflection mirror 21 ; a cleaning means 1 equipped with a turning shaft 6 in parallel with the reflection area of the mirror 21, an actuating means 2 turning the shaft 6, and a long-length cleaning blade 1a (abutting member) abutting on all of the reflection area while moving in the short side direction of the mirror 21 by engaging with the shaft 6 is provided at a position where the means 1 does not interfere in scanning light beams in an area surrounded by the scanning light beam L1 made incident on the mirror 21, the reflection area of the mirror 21 and the scanning light beam L2 reflected from the mirror 21.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to the reflection of an image forming apparatus such as a laser beam printer, a copying machine or a facsimile which uses a reflection mirror in an optical system for reflecting and refracting a band-shaped scanning light and guiding it to a photosensitive drum or a line sensor. Mirror cleaning means.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus such as a laser beam printer, laser light emitted from a laser scanner which is an exposure light source has to be focused and exposed on the surface of a photosensitive drum.

In this case, it is usually difficult to arrange the laser scanner and the photosensitive drum in a straight line so as to satisfy the focal length of the laser beam, because of the constitution of the main body of the image forming apparatus.

Therefore, a reflection mirror is arranged between the laser scanner and the photosensitive drum so that the laser light emitted from the laser scanner is reflected and refracted by the reflection mirror to form a focused latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum. It is common to configure

[0005]

However, inside the image forming apparatus such as a laser beam printer, paper dust and toner are scattered by the air flow of the cooling fan, and when these are attached to the surface of the reflection mirror, the scanning light is emitted. It will be blocked and disturb the image.

Particularly in a laser beam printer, an electrostatic latent image is formed on a photosensitive drum by a laser beam and the latent image is developed to obtain an output image. Therefore, if the laser light is blocked by paper dust, toner, or the like, a latent image at that portion cannot be obtained and white spots appear on the output image. Since the laser beam printer has a high resolution and is expected to have a high quality image, the above-mentioned blank areas become a fatal defect.

Therefore, in order to remove dust on the surface of the reflecting mirror, as shown in FIG.
There is one provided with a cleaning unit represented by "a device for wiping dirt off an optical system mirror of a copying machine".

This is because the cleaning member 102, which moves in the longitudinal direction of the reflecting mirror 101, is attached to the spline shaft 103, and the spline shaft 10 is driven by the driving means 104.
3 is rotated to move it in the direction of the arrow A105 to wipe off dust on the surface of the reflection mirror 101.

However, in such a conventional mechanism, it takes a long time for cleaning, and since the cleaning member 102 is always in contact with the surface of the reflection mirror, dust wiped off the cleaning member 102 and the reflection mirror 101. There is also a problem that the accumulated dust is reattached even if a cleaning operation is performed during the period.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and removes dust on the surface of the reflecting mirror quickly by using a cleaning member with less dust accumulation, thereby disturbing the formed image. It is intended to prevent and provide a high quality output image.

[0011]

To achieve the above object, in the present invention, in an image forming apparatus provided with a long reflection mirror for reflecting a band-shaped scanning light, the scanning light incident on the reflection mirror is provided. A rotation axis parallel to the reflection area of the reflection mirror and a rotation axis parallel to the reflection area of the reflection mirror in a position surrounded by the reflection area of the reflection mirror and the scanning light reflected from the reflection mirror and not interfering with the scanning light. Actuating means for moving, and a long contact member that is attached to the rotation shaft and moves in the direction of the short piece of the reflection mirror to contact the entire reflection area.
It is characterized in that a cleaning means provided with is provided.

Further, in the image forming apparatus provided with the elongated reflection mirror for reflecting the band-shaped scanning light, the scanning light incident on the reflection mirror, the reflection area of the reflection mirror and the scanning light reflected from the reflection mirror are used. A slide means that moves parallel to the short piece direction of the reflection mirror at a position outside the enclosed area and that does not interfere with the scanning light, an operation means that slides the slide means, and a slide mirror that is attached to the slide means. The cleaning means is provided with an elongated contact member that contacts the entire reflection area while moving in the short piece direction.

The reflecting mirror and the abutting member of the cleaning means are made of a flexible plate-shaped urethane resin having a thickness of 0.05 mm to 0.5 mm, and static electricity prevents dust and fluff. It is also preferable that antistatic treatment is performed to prevent foreign matter from adhering, and that the actuating means moves from a position where it does not interfere with the scanning light to move to a position that covers the surface of the reflection mirror.

The operating means is operated by opening and closing an outer cover of the apparatus main body, is operated by inserting / removing a process cartridge attached to the apparatus main body, the driving means, and a control means for controlling the driving means. It is also preferable to have and.

The control means drives the driving means in synchronism with turning on the power of the apparatus main body, and includes a counter for counting the number of image forming sheets. The driving means is driven corresponding to the counted number of sheets of the counter. Further, it is preferable that a timer for measuring the energization time is further provided, and the driving means is driven in correspondence with the measured time of the timer.

In the image forming apparatus of the present invention configured as described above, the cleaning means is at a position where it does not interfere with the scanning light, and the rotating shaft is rotated by the operating means, or the operating means slides the sliding means. By doing so, the contact member contacts the surface of the reflection mirror while moving in the short piece direction over the entire reflection region of the reflection mirror, and cleans the mirror surface.

By using a flexible plate-shaped urethane resin having a thickness of 0.05 mm to 0.5 mm as the contact member with the reflection mirror of the cleaning means, the contact member is rotated. When it comes into contact with the surface of the reflection mirror, the contact member bends and comes into contact with the reflection mirror, and unnecessary pressure and scratches are not given.

Further, by applying the antistatic treatment to the contact member, foreign matter such as dust and fluff due to static electricity does not adhere to the contact member.

Further, the abutting member is actuated by the actuating means from a position where it does not interfere with the scanning light and moves to a position where it covers the surface of the reflecting mirror, thereby protecting the surface of the reflecting mirror.

The actuating means is actuated by being pushed by the outer cover or the process cartridge by opening and closing the outer cover of the apparatus main body and inserting and removing the process cartridge.

The actuating means can be actuated by the drive means, and the control means for controlling the drive means drives the drive means in synchronization with the power-on of the apparatus main body and counts the number of image forming sheets. When a counter is provided, the driving means is driven in correspondence with the number of counts of the counter, and when a timer for measuring the energization time is provided, the driving means is operated in correspondence with the measurement time of the timer. To drive.

[0022]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of an apparatus main body 10 of a laser beam printer which forms an image by an electrophotographic method to which the present invention is applied. This laser beam printer, as shown in FIG.
1a, a process cartridge 11 that integrally includes a charger, a developing device, etc. (not shown) are provided. By replacing the process cartridge 11, the user can easily replace consumable parts and the like. Is.

The process cartridge 11 is attached to and detached from the apparatus main body 10 by opening and closing a CRG cover 25 as an exterior cover disposed above the process cartridge 11 and inserting and removing it from the opening.

Below the process cartridge 11, a feeding cassette 1 for stacking and accommodating the transfer material P is provided as a paper feeding portion.
2. A feeding roller 13 is provided. Feeding roller 13
The transfer material P separated one by one by the conveyance roller 14, the first, second and third conveyance rollers 15 contacting the conveyance roller 14,
16 and 17 are conveyed. 18 is a photosensitive drum 11a
It is a transfer roller in contact with.

A transfer guide 19 and a fixing device 20 using a heating roller are arranged on the downstream side thereof, and the transfer material P after fixing is discharged by a discharge roller 23, and also discharges which also serves as an exterior cover of the apparatus main body 10. It is discharged onto the tray 24.

On the other hand, above the process cartridge 11, a laser scanner 2 which irradiates the scanning light L in a zigzag shape.
2 and an elongated reflection mirror 21 that reflects the scanning light L and guides it to the photosensitive drum 11a.

In the above structure, when the scanning light L emitted from the laser scanner 22 is exposed through the reflection mirror 21 to the photosensitive drum 11a which is uniformly charged by a charging device (not shown), the photosensitive drum 11a is exposed. An electrostatic latent image is formed on. This electrostatic latent image is visualized as a toner image developed by a developing device (not shown) included in the process cartridge 11 as the photosensitive drum 11a rotates, and then transferred onto the transfer material P by the transfer roller 18. The photosensitive drum 11a after the transfer is cleaned by a cleaning device (not shown) and is prepared for the next image formation.

On the other hand, the transfer material P taken out from the feeding cassette 12 by the feeding roller 13 is transferred to the conveying roller 14,
The sheet is conveyed by the first, second, and third conveying rollers 15, 16, 17, and is conveyed to the photosensitive drum 11a with timing adjusted by a registration sensor (not shown). Then, the transfer material P, on which the toner image is transferred from the photosensitive drum 11a by the transfer roller 18, is subjected to the heat fixing of the toner image by the fixing device 20 along the conveyance guide 19, and thereafter,
Ejection tray 2 that also serves as an exterior cover by ejection roller 23
4 is loaded.

While the apparatus body 10 having the above-described configuration conveys the transfer material P and repeats the process of transferring and fixing to form an image, paper dust and toner are accumulated inside the apparatus body 10. At the same time, dust, fluff, and dust enter from the outside. These paper dust, toner, dust, fluff, etc.
Airflow from a cooling fan or the like (not shown) scatters in the apparatus body 10 and adheres to the reflection mirror 21 to cause image disturbance such as white spots.

2 and 3 are explanatory views of a state in which the cleaning means 1 of the present invention is applied to the reflection mirror 21.
2 is a perspective view of the cleaning means 1 as a whole, and FIG. 3 is an exploded view for explaining a combined state of components.

Reference numeral 1a is a cleaning blade serving as an abutting member for rubbing the surface of the reflection mirror 21.
The rotary shaft 6 is rotated by the actuating means 2 so that the surface of the reflection mirror 21 is rubbed.

The cleaning blade 1a is a reflection mirror 2
It is an essential condition that the surface of No. 1 is not damaged such as scratches, and in this embodiment, the flexible plate-shaped urethane resin is used. Since the urethane resin has a soft surface and can be manufactured in any thickness and shape, it is most suitable for rubbing scratch-proof objects such as the surface of the reflection mirror 21. Particularly, by setting the thickness in the range of 0.05 mm to 0.5 mm, it is possible to maintain an appropriate contact pressure.

However, the contact member with the surface of the reflection mirror is not limited to the urethane resin, but may be a cleaning brush made of a resin such as nylon or animal hair, or a urethane foam or a long fiber wiping cloth. The same cleaning effect can be obtained with a cleaning pad made of.

The cleaning blade 1a, the cleaning brush, and the cleaning pad are reflection mirrors 2.
Since the surface of No. 1 is rubbed, it is charged and adsorbs paper dust, toner, dust, fluff, etc. to itself. Even if the cleaning operation is performed in this state, the reflection mirror 21
Stains the surface of. Therefore, in the present embodiment,
The cleaning blade 1a, a cleaning brush,
The surface of the cleaning pad is subjected to antistatic treatment to prevent paper dust, toner, dust, fluff, etc. from adsorbing to the cleaning blade 1a.

The operating means 2 includes a holder 2a, a lever 4,
It has a gear 5 and is covered with a holder cap 3.
Reference numeral 6 denotes a rotary shaft to which the cleaning blade 1a is attached by adhesion or the like, which is inserted into and fitted into a shaft hole 5a provided at the end of the gear 5. Reference numeral 7 is a return spring for returning the cleaner blade 1a, the rotating shaft 6, the gear 5, and the lever 4 to the initial positions, and 8 is a spring hook with which the return spring 7 is engaged.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are views for explaining the relative positional relationship with the reflection mirror 21 of the cleaning means 1 having the above-described structure and the operation thereof, which is provided at the tip of the lever 4 by pushing down the lever 4. Gear 5 by rack 4a
At the same time, the rotating shaft 6 fitted with the gear 5 also rotates, thereby rotating the cleaning blade 1a.

At this time, the cleaning blade 1a rubs the surface of the reflection mirror 21 to scrape off paper dust, toner, dust, fluff, etc. adhering to the surface of the reflection mirror 21.
Next, when the lever 4 is released, the return spring 7 causes the cleaning blade 1a, the rotating shaft 6, the gear 5, and the lever 4 to move.
Returns to the initial position.

In this embodiment, the initial position of the cleaning blade 1a is the position A shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, and the process cartridge 1 is in operation when the apparatus main body 10 is in operation.
Since the lever 4 is pressed by the pressing member 26 (shown in FIG. 2) provided on the CRG cover 25 that opens and closes when the 1 is attached or detached, the lever 4 is automatically pressed during image formation as shown in FIG. The cleaning blade 1a is fixed at the B position.

In the present embodiment, however, if the cleaning blade 1a is at the B position, the laser beam L ₁ incident on the reflecting mirror 21 and the reflected laser beam L ₂ are blocked by the cleaning blade 1a as shown in the figure. The laser light L reaches the photosensitive drum 10 without being reflected.

When the process cartridge 11 is replaced or the jam is cleared, the CRG cover 25 is opened. At the same time, the lever 4 is also released, so that the cleaning blade 1a returns to the A position. As shown in the drawing, when the cleaning blade 1a is at the position A, it is also a position that blocks the laser light L ₂ reflected from the reflection mirror 21 and covers the surface of the reflection mirror 21. That is, CR
When the G cover 25 is opened, the cleaning blade 1a can serve as a shutter that protects the surface of the reflection mirror 21.

Further, the cleaning means 1 including the cleaning blade 1a, as shown in FIG.
1 is provided over substantially the entire area in the width direction. However, the cleaning means 1 cannot block the incident light and the reflected light of the laser light when the apparatus main body is in operation. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, the cleaning means 1 is in a region surrounded by the scanning light L ₁ incident on the reflection mirror 21, the reflection region of the reflection mirror 21 and the scanning light L ₂ reflected from the reflection mirror, and the scanning light L _1, by arranging at a position not interfering with L _2, can be prevented to block the scanning light L _1, L _2.

The position of the cleaning means 1 is set so that the rotary shaft 6 of the cleaning blade 1a is located substantially on the center line of the angle formed by the incident angle of the laser beam and the reflection angle with respect to the reflection mirror 21, so that the reflection mirror 21 is reflected. A uniform area will be cleaned around the area.

By providing the cleaning means 1 having the above-described structure, every time the CRG cover 25 is opened and closed, paper components, toner, dust, fluff, etc. which cause white spots are removed from the surface of the reflection mirror 21. It is possible to obtain a high quality output image. Further, when the process cartridge 11 is replaced or a user operation such as a jam process is performed, the cleaning blade 1a serves as a shutter that protects the surface of the reflection mirror 21, and the surface of the reflection mirror is damaged from an unexpected accident. It becomes possible to prevent contamination and improve the reliability of the device.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 is a partial side sectional view of the apparatus main body 30 of the image forming apparatus of the second embodiment, and FIGS. 7 and 8 are a perspective view and an enlarged sectional view showing the structure of the cleaning means 31.

Here, 31a is a cleaner brush as an abutting member that comes into contact with the surface of the reflection mirror 21 made of a resin such as nylon or animal hair, and 32 is a cleaner brush 31.
a slide plate to which a is attached by flocking or adhesion / welding, 33 is a slide spring for returning the slide plate 32,
34 is a slide plate 32, a slide spring 33, and a gear 3.
5, a holder for holding the slide lever 36, 3
7 is held by the slide lever 36, and the CRG cover 25
The contact rollers are contacted by the inner contact ribs 25b.

The cleaning means 31 interferes with the scanning lights L ₁ and L ₂ outside the range surrounded by the scanning light L ₁ incident on the reflection mirror 21, the reflection area of the reflection mirror 21 and the reflected scanning light L _2. It is placed in a position that does not.

In the above structure, when the pair of left and right contact rollers 37 and the slide lever 36 are pushed by the CRG cover 25b, the slide plate 32 and the cleaner brush 31a are in the plane opposite to the reflection mirror 21 via the gear 35. To slide. At this time, the cleaner brush 31a rubs the surface of the reflection mirror 21 for cleaning. When the CRG cover 25 is opened, the slide lever 36 is also released, and the cleaner brush 31a and the slide plate 32 are moved to the reflection mirror 2 by the slide spring 33.
1 Cover the surface and return to the protected position. Therefore, it is possible to clean the reflection mirror 21 as in the first embodiment.

Other structures and operations are the same as those of the first embodiment described above, and therefore, the same components are designated by the same reference numerals and their description is omitted.

(Embodiment 3) FIGS. 9 and 10 show cleaning pads 41, 51 made of urethane foam, long-fiber wiping cloth or the like as the material of the contact member with the surface of the reflection mirror 21 of the cleaning means. Shows the configuration when is used.

In FIG. 9, instead of the cleaning blade 1a in the first embodiment, a cleaner pad 41 is provided in front of the rotary plate 42.

In FIG. 10, instead of the cleaner brush 31a in the second embodiment, a cleaner pad 51 is provided at the tip of the slide plate 52.

Other structures and operations are the same as those in the first and second embodiments described above, and therefore, the same components are designated by the same reference numerals and their description is omitted.

In addition, the CRG cover 25 in each of the above embodiments is also provided.
The operating means and the CRG cover are separated with the CRG cover opened, but the two members are the same and the CRG cover 2
It goes without saying that the same operation is performed even if a part of 5 serves as an operating means.

(Fourth Embodiment) The fourth embodiment is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, the surface of the reflection mirror 21 is cleaned by attaching and detaching the process cartridge 11. FIG. 11 is an enlarged view around the reflection mirror 21 and the cleaning means 53. The state before the process cartridge 11 is inserted is shown by a chain double-dashed line,
The process cartridge 11 is at the position D, and the rotating shaft 6
The lever 54 fixed to is in a state of hanging down to the position F by its own weight, and the cleaning blade 53a is in the position H avoiding above the reflection mirror 21.

Next, when the process cartridge 11 is further inserted from the position D, the lever 54 comes into contact with the process cartridge 11 and rotates in the clockwise direction, and at the position C where the process cartridge 11 is completely inserted, the cartridge contact portion. It is stopped at the position indicated by E by 11b. As a result, the cleaning blade 53 rotates to the position G to clean the surface of the reflection mirror 21.

(Fifth Embodiment) In the fifth embodiment, the operating means for operating the cleaning means is moved by a driving means such as a motor.

FIG. 12 corresponds to FIG. 1 described in the first embodiment, and in order to rotate the rotary shaft 6, a motor 55 as a driving means is attached to the rotary shaft 6. It is a thing.

The fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
The motor 55 rotates the rotating shaft 6 to rotate the cleaning blade 1 a, and cleans the surface of the reflection mirror 21. Here, in order to save the cleaning blade 1a at a position where it does not interfere with the scanning light L during image formation, the actuator 68 and the sensor 6 attached to the rotary shaft 6 for detecting the position of the cleaning blade 1a.
9 is provided.

As a control means for driving and controlling the motor 55, a well-known control circuit can drive the motor 55 in synchronism with power-on of the image forming apparatus. Alternatively, it is also possible to provide a counter that counts the number of images formed on the transfer material and drive the motor 55 in synchronization with a predetermined output number. It is also possible to provide a timer for measuring the energization time of the image forming apparatus and drive the motor 55 in synchronization with a predetermined energization elapsed time.

The operation of the cleaning blade 1a is such that the cleaning blade 1a is rotated in a fixed direction an arbitrary number of times, or the cleaning blade 1a slides on the reflection mirror 21 back and forth a predetermined number of times. It is also possible to stop the cleaning blade 1a at a position where it does not.

When the motor 55 as the driving means is a rotary solenoid (not shown), a reciprocating motion between the home position and the rubbing end position is eliminated, and the actuator 68 and the sensor 69 are unnecessary, which is advantageous in layout. It also reduces costs.

Needless to say, the same action and effect can be obtained even when the driving means is a solenoid (not shown) via a lever.

[0064]

According to the present invention having the above-mentioned structure and operation, the entire contact area of the reflecting mirror is directed toward the short piece direction of the reflecting mirror as the contact member of the cleaning means is rotated by the rotating shaft. By contacting with each other, quick cleaning can be performed, and a high-quality output image without image distortion can be provided. Further, since the contact member of the cleaning means contacts the surface of the reflection mirror only when cleaning the reflection mirror, accumulation of dust is prevented.

Further, the slide means moves the contact member over the entire reflection area of the reflection mirror in the direction of the short piece of the reflection mirror, so that the contact member is quickly cleaned with a constant contact pressure.

The contact member of the cleaning means has a thickness of 0.
By using a flexible plate-shaped urethane resin in the range of 05 mm to 0.5 mm, the surface is not damaged when it comes into contact with the reflection mirror, and paper dust or toner Does not adsorb dust or fluff.

Further, the contact member of the cleaning means is moved to a position where it covers the surface of the reflection mirror, so that the surface of the reflection mirror is protected by the contact member when the process cartridge is replaced or when the jam is removed, and scratches or dirt are caused.・ No dust will adhere.

Further, the operating means of the cleaning means is operated by opening / closing the outer cover or by inserting / removing the process cartridge attached to the main body of the apparatus, thereby opening / closing the outer cover for exchanging process cartridges or handling jams. It is possible to protect the reflection mirror at the time of user's operation, and the cleaning member can also serve as the protection member, so that multi-functionalization and cost reduction can be achieved.

By providing the driving means and the control means as the operating means of the cleaning means, the cleaning by the manual operation of the user becomes unnecessary, and the timing of starting the operation of the cleaning means is controlled by the control means. It is possible to perform cleaning at an appropriate frequency.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of a device body according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an overall perspective view of the cleaning means according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of components of a cleaning unit according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an operation explanatory diagram of a cleaning unit according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an operation explanatory diagram of the cleaning unit according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of a device body according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the entire cleaning means of the second exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the cleaning means according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the cleaning means according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the cleaning means according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the cleaning means according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a side sectional view of a device body according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the entire cleaning means of the fifth exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an entire conventional cleaning means.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Cleaning Means 1a Cleaning Blade (Abutting Member) 2 Actuating Means 2a Holder 3 Holder Cap 4 Lever 4a Rack 5 Gear 5a Shaft Hole 6 Rotating Shaft 7 Return Spring 8 Spring Hook 10 Device Main Body 11 Process Cartridge 11a Photosensitive Drum 12 Feeding Cassette 13 Feeding Roller 14 Conveying Roller 15, 16, 17 Conveying Roller 18 Transfer Roller 19 Conveying Guide 20 Fixing Device 21 Reflecting Mirror 22 Laser Scanner 23 Discharging Roller 24 Discharging Tray 26 Pressing Member P Transfer Material L, L ₁ , L ₂ Scanning Light

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus having an elongated reflection mirror for reflecting a band-shaped scanning light, the scanning light incident on the reflection mirror, the reflection area of the reflection mirror, and the scanning light reflected from the reflection mirror. At a position within the enclosed area that does not interfere with the scanning light, a rotation axis parallel to the reflection area of the reflection mirror, actuating means for rotating the rotation axis, and reflection by being attached to the rotation axis. An image forming apparatus comprising: a cleaning unit including an elongated contact member that contacts the entire reflection region while moving in the short piece direction of the mirror. 2. An image forming apparatus having a long reflection mirror for reflecting a band-shaped scanning light, the scanning light incident on the reflection mirror, the reflection area of the reflection mirror, and the scanning light reflected from the reflection mirror. A slide means that moves parallel to the short piece direction of the reflection mirror at a position outside the enclosed area and that does not interfere with the scanning light, an operation means that slides the slide means, and a slide mirror that is attached to the slide means. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a cleaning unit including an elongated contact member that contacts the entire reflection region while moving in the short piece direction. 3. The abutting member of the cleaning means for contacting the reflection mirror is a flexible plate-shaped urethane resin having a thickness in the range of 0.05 mm to 0.5 mm. Alternatively, the image forming apparatus described in 2. 4. The antistatic treatment of the contact member of the cleaning means with the reflection mirror is performed so that foreign matter such as dust and fluff does not adhere due to static electricity. The image forming apparatus according to item 1. 5. The contact member of the cleaning means with the reflection mirror is moved from a position where it does not interfere with the scanning light by the operation means to a position where it covers the surface of the reflection mirror. , 2, 3 and 4, the image forming apparatus. 6. The operating means is operated by opening and closing an exterior cover of the apparatus body.
The image forming apparatus described in 3, 4, and 5. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the actuating means is actuated by inserting / removing a process cartridge attached to the apparatus main body. 8. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, wherein the actuating means includes a driving means and a control means for controlling the driving means. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the control unit drives the driving unit in synchronization with power-on of the apparatus body. 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the control unit includes a counter that counts the number of image forming sheets, and drives the driving unit according to the counted number of images of the counter. 11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the control unit is provided with a timer for measuring an energization time, and the driving unit is driven according to the time measured by the timer.