JPH0968875A - Image forming device with cleaning blade - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device which can scrape off the remaining toner without damaging an intermediate transfer sheet and cleaning blade by a simple constitution. SOLUTION: The contact end 63a of the cleaning blade 63 is brought in to contact with an intermediate transfer sheet 26 in a position 82A which is upstream side only a distance R from the position 81 of the contact of the intermediate transfer sheet 26 and a backup roller 58D positioned on a center line 80 radially drawn from the rotation center of an intermediate transfer drum 11. By putting the contact position 82A upstream side from the contact position 81, the counterclockwise energizing force of a holder 62 is absorbed by the rotation center 58Da of the backup roller 58D, the locus 26A of the intermediate transfer sheet 26 does not change and an angle θdoes not change either, and the intermediate transfer sheet can therefore be driven steadily.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly, to an image having a cleaning blade that scrapes off the toner on the intermediate transfer body after transferring the image transferred from the photosensitive drum to the intermediate transfer body onto a recording medium. Forming apparatus

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming apparatus having a cleaning blade for scraping off toner on an intermediate transfer body after transferring an image transferred to a sheet-shaped intermediate transfer body to a recording medium is disclosed in JP-A-5-6128. JP-A-5-3073
No. 42 publication and the like.

Both of these hold the intermediate transfer sheet from the back surface of the intermediate transfer sheet to a backup roller or the like, while pressing the cleaning blade against the surface of the intermediate transfer sheet against the backup roller to scrape off the residual toner. It is a thing.

[0004]

However, according to the conventional technique described above, the contact edge of the cleaning blade bites into the intermediate transfer sheet due to the positional relationship between the backup roller and the cleaning blade, and an excessive load is applied to drive the apparatus. However, there is no problem with respect to the risk of image misalignment due to fluctuations in the number of rotations of the motor, blade turning over, or damage to the device.

Now, this problem will be described with reference to FIG. In the figure, the intermediate transfer sheet 26A is rotated clockwise in the figure by a mechanism not shown, and the backup roller 58D is arranged so as to be rotatable in the arrow direction as the intermediate transfer sheet 26A is rotated. The cleaning blade 63 is fixed to a holder 62, and the holder 62 is biased in the arrow direction. The contact end portion 63a of the cleaning blade 63 is intermediate at a position 82B on the downstream side of a position 81 where the contact end 63a of the backup roller 58D, which is located on the center line 80 radially emitted from the rotation center of the intermediate transfer drum 11, contacts the intermediate transfer sheet 26. It is in contact with the transfer sheet 26.

Now, as shown in FIG. 11 (a), a position 81 of the backup roller 58D in contact with the intermediate transfer sheet 26.
When the end 63a of the cleaning blade 63 comes into contact with the intermediate transfer sheet 26 on the further downstream side, a counterclockwise rotational force is applied to the auxiliary tool 62, and the backup roller 58D rotates in the arrow direction. Therefore, the intermediate transfer sheet 26 having the locus of 26A at the beginning becomes the locus of 26B due to the frictional force of the contact position 82B, and the contact angle between the intermediate transfer sheet 26 and the cleaning blade 63 changes from the angle θ1 to the angle θ2. The pressure contact force of 63 increases, resulting in image misalignment, blade curling, and damage to the intermediate transfer sheet 26 and the cleaning blade 63.

Therefore, it is necessary to bring the tip 63a of the cleaning blade 63 into contact with the position 81 which is not on the downstream side. However, there is a problem that the contact position between the tip of the cleaning blade and the intermediate transfer sheet 26 is located on the downstream side due to manufacturing error of the member, assembling error, or even when the member is initially placed at the regular position due to aging. is there. In view of the above-mentioned circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus which has a simple structure and can scrape off residual toner without damaging the intermediate transfer sheet and the cleaning blade.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a cleaning method in which a sheet formed in a rectangular shape is surrounded in a drum shape, and the intermediate transfer sheet on which an image is transferred is arranged so as to be able to come into contact with and separate from the surface. In an image forming apparatus having a blade, a backup roller is provided on the back surface of the intermediate transfer sheet, and is located upstream of the center position of the contact nip portion between the backup roller and the intermediate transfer sheet in the rotating direction of the intermediate transfer sheet. The cleaning blade is arranged so as to come into pressure contact with the surface of the intermediate transfer sheet.

With this construction, the contact end of the cleaning blade bites into the intermediate transfer sheet, and an excessive load is applied to drive the apparatus, which may cause image misalignment, blade flipping, or damage to the apparatus. Not,
Even if a manufacturing error of a member, an assembly error, or an initial position of the intermediate transfer sheet, the contact position between the tip of the cleaning blade and the intermediate transfer sheet is not located on the downstream side.

Further, the scraped edge of the toner, which is formed by a ridgeline where the long side and the short side on the side of the intermediate transfer sheet of the cleaning blade formed in a rectangular cross section intersect, contacts the surface of the intermediate transfer sheet. It is preferable that the contact angle formed by the tangent line of the intermediate transfer sheet and the long side at the contact point be an acute angle. Further, it is more preferable that the pressure contact angle is set to 16 ° to 26 °. Since the angle θ3 in FIG. 11B is set to an acute angle, that is, an angle smaller than a right angle, the contact between the intermediate transfer sheet and the scraped edge of the toner is good, and the tip portion 63a that contacts the position 82A of the intermediate transfer sheet 26A. The angle δ of the corner is economical because it can be formed by simply pressing a urethane sheet having a rectangular cross section without special processing.

Further, the cleaning blade is pressed and urged to the surface of the intermediate transfer sheet via a shaft center, and the shaft center has a long side on the side of the surface of the intermediate transfer sheet of the cleaning blade formed in a rectangular cross section. And a shaving edge formed by a ridgeline intersecting the short side is on the backup roller side opposite to the tangent line of the intermediate transfer sheet at the contact point where it contacts the surface of the intermediate transfer sheet. It is preferable to be configured to be located on the downstream side of a line connecting the center position of the contact nip portion with the transfer sheet and the backup roller shaft.

Due to the above structure, FIG.
In (b), the shaft center 73 is a toner scraping end 63d constituted by a ridge line where a long side 63b and a short side 63c of the cleaning blade 63 formed in a rectangular cross section intersect with the intermediate transfer sheet 26A side. (FIG. 8) is the left hand side of the tangent line 84 passing through the contact point 82A that contacts the surface of the intermediate transfer sheet 26A, and the contact position 81 between the backup roller 58D and the intermediate transfer sheet 26A and the backup roller shaft. It is located on the downstream side of the line connecting with 58 Da.

Therefore, the stress due to the intermediate transfer sheet 26A which the end portion 63a receives is applied in the counterclockwise direction around the axis 73, so that the residual toner can be scraped off well.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be exemplarily described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, unless otherwise specified, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, and the like of the components described in this embodiment are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention thereto, but are merely illustrative examples. Only.

FIG. 1 is an external view of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied, FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing an intermediate transfer drum and its peripheral mechanism, and FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 4 is a view as seen from the direction BB of FIG. 3, FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of the rollers arranged in the intermediate transfer drum, and FIG. 6 is an operation diagram of the rollers arranged in the intermediate transfer drum. 7 is a mechanical view of the cleaner portion and the recording paper transfer portion, FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the cleaner portion, FIG. 9, a perspective view of the recording paper transfer portion, FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged view of the cleaner portion, and FIG. FIG. 8 is an explanatory view of the action of the cleaner section.

In the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, a light beam from a light source (not shown) is mirrored by an optical scanning system 1 including a polygon mirror 2, a lens system 3, and the like. Photosensitive drum 9 through 5, 6 and 7, 8.
An electrostatic latent image is formed on A and 9B. Further, a developing device 10A for black toner and a developing device 10B for magenta color toner are attached to the photosensitive drum 9A, and a developing device 10C for cyan toner and a developing device 10D for yellow toner are attached to the photosensitive drum 9B. Has been done.

The surfaces of the photosensitive drums 9A and 9B are in contact with the intermediate transfer sheet 26, which is a resistor having a volume resistivity in the medium resistance region of 10 ¹⁰ to 10 ¹⁴ Ωcm and a thickness of 150 μm. It is molded with a certain amount of polycarbonate, polyimide, polyether ether ketone, or the like.

The photosensitive drums 9A and 9B are sequentially developed one color at a time from the developing device for each rotation of the drum and transferred to the intermediate transfer sheet 26 by Coulomb force. When the transfer of one color is completed, the photosensitive drum removes toner by a cleaner mechanism (not shown), and then another color is developed on the photosensitive drum. Specifically, black is transferred from the photosensitive drum 9A to the intermediate transfer sheet 26, and the cyan color is transferred from the photosensitive drum 9B to the intermediate transfer sheet 26 rotated to the position of the photosensitive drum 9B.

After transferring the black color to the intermediate transfer sheet 26, the photosensitive drum 9A removes the residual toner with a cleaner, develops the magenta color, and transfers the magenta color to the intermediate transfer sheet 26. Similarly, after transferring the cyan color on the photosensitive drum 9B, the residual toner is removed with a cleaner,
The yellow color is developed and transferred.

When the four color toners are transferred to the intermediate transfer sheet 26, the paper stored in the paper cassette 14 passes through the passages 16 and 17 by the roller 15 and the like, and the intermediate transfer sheet 26 and the second transfer roller 19 are passed. Toner for forming each image is transferred to the sheet, and the transferred sheet is discharged to the transport device 20 and transported to the fixing unit 22 by the transport belt 21. In the fixing unit 22, fixing is performed by the fixing roller 23 and the pressure roller 24, and the roller 2
5 is discharged to the outside.

Next, the intermediate transfer drum 11 formed by the intermediate transfer sheet 26 and its internal structure will be described. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an intermediate transfer drum and a mechanism around it. In the figure, a cylindrical intermediate transfer drum 11 surrounds an outer peripheral portion of the photosensitive drums 9A and 9B.
The intermediate transfer sheet 26, which comes into contact with the
6 is fixed.

The state will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. 3 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is taken along line B- of FIG.
It is the figure seen from the B direction. As shown in FIG. 3, the intermediate transfer drum 11 formed in a cylindrical shape is provided with flanges 29 at both ends of the cylindrical shape, and an opening hole 29b is formed in the center of the flange 29, and the opening hole 29b is formed in the opening hole 29b. The base portion 28b of the shaft head 28 is rotatably fitted to the flange 29, and the flange portion 2
The 8c screw 31 regulates the vertical position of the flange 29.

A hole 28d is formed at the center of the shaft head 28,
Small-diameter end portions 27a provided at both ends of the intermediate transfer member shaft 27 are fitted into the holes 28d, and fixed by screws 30.
A gear 29a is cut on the outer peripheral portion of the flange 29, and the gear 29a meshes with a gear 44 (FIGS. 2 and 4) connected to the drive source 12 (FIG. 1). The shaft head 28 is fixed to a substrate portion of a device (not shown), and the flange 29 has the shaft head 28 as an axis.
It is configured to be rotatable by receiving a driving force from the driving source 12.

In FIGS. 3 and 4, the flange 29 is provided with a recessed portion 29c near the gear 29a, and a support 36 is fixed to the recessed portion 29c by a screw 32. It is integrated by the body 36. The intermediate transfer sheet 26 formed in a rectangular shape has a pressing plate 37 attached to an end thereof by a double-sided tape 78,
The pressing plate 37 is attached to the support body 36 by fixing them with screws 32.

On the other hand, inside the intermediate transfer drum 11, as shown in FIG. 2, backup auxiliary rollers 57A and 57B made of rubber rollers, backup rollers 58A to 58D made of iron rollers, and conductive rubber rollers. The first transfer rollers 59A, 59B, etc.
3A to 53H, the intermediate transfer sheet 26 is urged by a predetermined pressing force.

Shafts 53A and 53D to which backup auxiliary rollers 57A and 57B are attached, and backup roller 58
The shaft 53G to which C is attached and the shaft 53H to which the backup roller 58D is attached are the rotation center 11a of the intermediate transfer member 11.
Configured as a radial axis that radiates outward from the axis 53A
A first transfer roller 59 provided in the vicinity of and parallel to the shaft 53A.
In the vicinity of the shaft 53B with the A attached and the shaft 53D, the shaft 5
The shaft 53E having the first transfer roller 59B and the shafts 53C and 53F having the backup rollers 58A and 58B, which are provided in parallel with the 3D, extend outward from a position distant to the right from the rotation center 11a of the intermediate transfer drum 11. Configured as an outgoing non-radial axis.

The axis 5 such as these radial axis and non-radial axis
As shown in FIG. 3, 3 is planted on a shaft support 52 fixed to the intermediate transfer shaft 27 with screws 51, and a damper 55 formed of an elastic member such as rubber is attached to the head 53a. A shaft hole 56b of a biaxial bearing 56 is slidably fitted in the shaft 53, and the biaxial bearing 56 is wound around the shaft 53 by a coil spring 5
4, the roller 57A is urged in the leftward direction in FIG. 3 and the roller 55A is in contact with the biaxial bearing.
6 is configured to be pressed with a predetermined pressing force.

The structure in which the shaft 53, the coil spring 54, the damper 55, and the roller 57 press the intermediate transfer sheet 26 with a predetermined pressing force is the backup auxiliary roller 57B.
The same applies to the other rollers 58A to 58A.
58D and the first transfer rollers 59A and 59B have the same other configurations, although there is a difference in the predetermined pressing force applied to the intermediate transfer sheet 26.

Now, returning to FIG. 2 again, inside the intermediate transfer drum 11, a cam 35 is provided on a support 36. When the intermediate transfer drum 11 rotates clockwise, the cam 35 separates each roller from the intermediate transfer sheet 26 and pushes down so that the roller does not come into contact with the support 36. As shown in FIG. 4, the cams 35 are provided one by one near the end of the support 36,
As shown in FIG. 3, the roller 57 is brought into contact with a step portion 57Ab having a diameter larger than that of the shaft portion 57Aa located between the small diameter shaft portion 57Aa that fits into the shaft hole 56a of the biaxial bearing 56 and the roller outermost diameter portion. The roller is pushed down so as not to be in contact with the intermediate transfer sheet 26.

The relationship between each roller and the cam 35 and the biaxial bearing 56 is shown in FIG. (A) shows the configuration of the roller 58D, the cam 35 contacts the step portion 58Db, and the support 36 and the outer diameter of the roller 58D are separated from each other with a distance T.
(B) shows the configuration of the backup roller 58 and the first transfer roller 59, and the cam 35 includes a step portion 59b (58Ab,
58Bb, 59Ab, 59Bb) to contact the support 36
And the outer diameter of the roller are separated by a distance T. Further, (c) shows the configuration of the backup auxiliary roller 57, the cam 35 contacts the step portion 57Ab (57Bb), and the support 36 and the outer diameter of the roller 57 are separated from each other with a distance T.

Next, the operation of this embodiment thus constructed will be described with reference to FIG. When the intermediate transfer sheet 26 rotates clockwise, the lower side 35a of the cam 35 first contacts the step 57Ab of the roller 57A at an angle α57A formed by the line L1 and the center line S1 of the shaft 53A. And cam 3
With rotation of 5, the lower side 35a of the cam 35 moves while increasing the angle α57A as shown by the line L2.

As the cam 35 moves, the roller 57
A descends as shown by the phantom line (dashed line),
The shaft 53B to which the transfer roller 59A is attached is the shaft 53a.
Since the roller 57A is inclined parallel to
There is no contact with A. The lower side 35a of the cam 35 is L3
When the position (angle α59A) is reached, the step portion 5 of the roller 59A is reached.
9Ab comes into contact, and the roller 57A and the roller 59A also start descending. As the cam 35 moves, the roller 57A
Starts to rise from the lowest point indicated by the phantom line, and the lower side 3 of the cam 35
When 5a reaches the position of L4 (angle β57A), the cam 35
The lower side 35a starts to separate from the step 57Ab of the roller 57A.

Around the same time as this L4, the roller 59A reaches the lowest point indicated by a virtual line, and the lower side 35a of the cam 35 is L.
The position 5 (angle α58A) is reached. As the cam 35 moves, the roller 59A starts to rise from the lowest point shown by the imaginary line, and the lower side 35a of the cam 35 is at the position of L6 (angle β59A).
Then, the lower side 35a of the cam 35 starts to separate from the stepped portion 59Ab of the roller 59A. At about the same time as this L6,
The roller 58A reaches the lowermost point indicated by the imaginary line, and as the cam 35 moves, the roller 58A starts to rise from the lowermost point indicated by the imaginary line, and the lower side 35a of the cam 35 is at the position L7 (angle β).
58A), the lower side 35a of the cam 35 is moved to the roller 58.
Detachment starts from the step 58Ab of A.

About the same time as this L7, the lower side 35a of the cam 35 contacts the step 57Bb of the roller 57B. After that, the rollers 57B, 59B, and 58B perform the same operation as the rollers 57A, 59A, and 58A described above, and the lower side 35a of the cam 35 reaches the line L8 (angle α58C) as the cam 35 rotates. As the cam 35 moves, the roller 58C reaches the lowermost point indicated by the imaginary line, and as the cam 35 moves, the roller 58C starts to rise from the lowermost point indicated by the imaginary line and the lower side 35a of the cam 35 moves to the position L9 (angle). β58
When C) is reached, the lower side 35a of the cam 35 starts to separate from the step 58Cb of the roller 58C.

As the cam 35 rotates, the lower side 35a of the cam 35 reaches the line L10 (angle α58D). As the cam 35 moves, the roller 58D reaches the lowermost point indicated by the virtual line, and as the cam 35 moves, the roller 58D starts to rise from the lowermost point indicated by the virtual line, and the lower side 35a of the cam 35 starts.
Reaches the position of L11 (angle β58D), the lower side 35a of the cam 35 starts to separate from the step 58Db of the roller 58D.

As described above, in the present embodiment, in the intermediate transfer drum 11, the primary transfer roller 69 that transfers the latent image from the photosensitive drum 9 to the intermediate transfer sheet 26, and on the upstream side of this transfer roller. Position the intermediate transfer sheet 26
Is provided with a backup auxiliary roller 57 that pushes up to the photosensitive drum side, and a backup roller 58 that favorably rotates the intermediate transfer sheet 26. The rotation shafts of these rollers are rotatably fitted to bearings that are biased by springs toward the intermediate transfer sheet 26, and are interposed between a large diameter portion that contacts the intermediate transfer sheet 26 and the bearing. A step portion having a diameter smaller than that of the large diameter portion is provided.

On the other hand, the cam 35 serves as the intermediate transfer sheet 26.
Is provided integrally with the intermediate transfer sheet 26 by the rotation of the intermediate transfer sheet 26, and the rotation of the intermediate transfer sheet 26 is synchronized with the rotation of the intermediate transfer sheet 26 by pressing the roller against the biasing force by the rotation of the intermediate transfer sheet 26. A plurality of rollers are sequentially separated from the intermediate transfer sheet 26 by a predetermined amount.

Therefore, by appropriately selecting the shape of the cam for pushing down the roller, the pushing depth,
Also, the rotation angle of the intermediate transfer sheet that contributes to the pressing can be set. Therefore, the intermediate transfer sheet 26
When it is not necessary to contact the roller, the durability of the roller can be improved by separating the roller from the sheet. Although the cam 35 contacts the step portion of the roller to push down the roller, the cam portion may push down the step portion or the bearing portion.

Further, a supporting member 36 is provided so as to extend between two circularly formed flanges, and the end portion of the intermediate transfer sheet surrounding the sheet in a cylindrical shape is attached to the supporting member 36.
Since the roller is fixed by the cam 35 so that the roller is in a non-contact state with the supporting member 36 by a predetermined amount, the roller is separated from the intermediate transfer sheet 26 in the rotation axis direction. Even if the supporting member does not come into contact with the supporting member and the supporting member is located at the seam of the end portion of the intermediate transfer sheet 26, the rollers do not come into contact with the supporting member and the rollers are deformed to form an image. It does not adversely affect the formation or reduce the durability of each roller.

Further, a plurality of rollers are provided with radial shafts 53A, 53D, 53G, 53H having axial center directions radially outward from the rotation center 11a of the intermediate transfer drum,
The non-radial shafts 53B, 53C, 53E, 53F each having an axial direction outward from a position deviated from the center of the rotation shaft are respectively held, and the non-radial shafts adjacent to the radial shafts are both The rollers are separated from each other within a range where they do not interfere with each other.

Therefore, the distance between the plurality of rollers can be set to the minimum distance. That is, if the two adjacent rollers are arranged so that both rollers slide in the radial direction with respect to the center of the rotation axis of the intermediate transfer sheet 26, when both rollers are pushed by the cam and descend, the two rollers come close to each other. Then, the outer circumference comes into contact. However, if one of the rollers is set to slide in the radial direction and the other roller is set to slide in the non-radial direction, even if the two rollers are arranged close to each other, when both rollers are pushed down, they may not come close to each other, Or, it does not interfere even if it approaches. Therefore, more rollers can be arranged in a space-saving manner without increasing the outer diameter of the intermediate transfer sheet, and the outer diameter of the roller can be selected according to each application.

Further, since the non-radial shaft has a parallel non-radial shaft which is arranged in parallel with the adjacent radial shaft, both rollers are arranged even if they are arranged close to each other. When pushed down, they do not approach each other. And since it is arranged in parallel with the one adjacent radial axis, it does not approach the other adjacent radial axis until it comes out of the parallel state with the one radial axis, and an intermediate transfer member with a smaller diameter is used. It is possible to provide a small-sized image forming apparatus.

As shown in FIG. 6, the lower side 35a of the cam 35 is formed.
Enters into contact with each roller at an angle α and leaves at an angle β. The angle of intrusion contact can be made large if the axis of each roller is not a radial axis but a non-radial axis from a position shifted in the clockwise direction. By making this angle large, the force applied in the direction perpendicular to the shaft when the cam 35 contacts the stepped portion of each roller can be weakened, and the durability of the shaft is improved, which is desirable.

However, from the viewpoint of space saving, if all of them are non-radial shafts, the size of the rollers is rather increased when the rollers need to be arranged close to each other. Therefore, in that case, a combination of the radial axis and the non-radial axis is desirable. Then, considering manufacturing and assembling errors and the like between 62 ° and 115 °, it is desirable that the roller and the cam 35 come into contact with and separate from each other between 60 ° and 120 °.

Further, the radial shaft and the non-radial shaft each having an elastic cushioning member on the head are provided, and a biaxial bearing having two shaft holes opened at right angles to each other is provided, and one of the biaxial bearings is provided. One of the plurality of rollers is rotatably fitted in the shaft hole of the other, and the radial shaft or the non-radial shaft can be slid in the other shaft hole by applying an urging force in the pressing direction of the intermediate transfer sheet. And is configured to absorb the impact of the plurality of rollers when the pressure is restored to the front intermediate transfer recording sheet.

Thus, the elastic cushioning member alleviates the impact of the roller upon returning contact with the intermediate transfer sheet, and suppresses the vibration as much as possible even if the plurality of rollers are successively successively contacted with the intermediate transfer sheet while being spaced apart from each other. In addition, it is possible to provide an intermediate transfer member with less load variation, eliminate adverse effects on image formation, and provide an image forming apparatus with less noise and noise and improved durability.

Next, the structures of the cleaner section and the recording sheet transfer section according to this embodiment will be described. In FIG. 7, a cleaner unit 13 for removing the residual toner on the intermediate transfer sheet 26
The cleaning blade 63 is provided on the holder 62 so that the cleaning blade 63 can be brought into contact with and separated from the intermediate transfer sheet 26 of the intermediate transfer drum 11, and the residual toner on the intermediate transfer sheet 26 which has been transferred to the recording sheet by the recording sheet transfer section 79 is removed. Is composed of.

Then, the second transfer roller 19 of the recording paper transfer section 79 and the cleaning blade 6 of the cleaner section 13
3, the pressing force is applied to the intermediate transfer sheet 26 by the spring, but the plunger is acted on by the action of the plunger so as to be separated from the intermediate transfer sheet 26 and locked, but the plunger is locked. When is released, the spring force approaches the intermediate transfer sheet 26. However, the approach speed of this spring is regulated by the reduction gear connected from the drive source 12, and the intermediate transfer sheet 26
It is configured to reduce the impact on the. Hereinafter, this mechanism will be described.

In FIG. 7, the driving force from the driving source 12 (FIG. 1) is connected to the gear 38. Then, the driving force is further transmitted to the gears 38, 39, 40, 41 and the cleaner portion 13 side. Eventually, it is transmitted from the gear 41 to the gear 42, the details of which are shown in FIG. 8 described later. Further, the driving force is transmitted from the gear 38 to the gears 39, 43, 4
4, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49 and recording paper transfer section 79
Transmitted to the side. Eventually, it is transmitted from the gear 49 to the gear 50, the details of which are shown in FIG. 9 described later.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the cleaner section 13.
The rotary shaft 70 is rotatably arranged at its ends 70a and 70b on a main plate of a device (not shown). A gear 71 is integrally fixed to the shaft 70, and the gear 71 meshes with the gear 41. A one-way clutch is interposed between the gear 42 inserted into the shaft 70 and the shaft 70, and the gear 42 is free to rotate counterclockwise, but the clockwise rotation follows the rotation of the shaft 70. Is permitted, but is restricted so that it cannot rotate beyond the rotation of the shaft 70.

The gear 42 is provided with a rack 65A which is guided by guide shafts 72, 72 planted in the base plate of a device (not shown) in the elongated hole 65Aa and is arranged so as to be movable left and right. One end is connected to the drive shaft of the plunger 66A, the other end is connected to one end of the connecting plate 64, and the other end of the connecting plate 64 moves left and right with the shaft 73 planted in the main plate of the device (not shown) as a fulcrum. It is rotatably connected to a pin 62a that is planted at a lower end portion of a holding tool 62 that is provided so as to be capable.

On the intermediate transfer sheet 26 side of the holder 62,
A cleaning blade 63 that comes in contact with the intermediate transfer sheet 26 and removes residual toner is fixed by an adhesive or the like, and a biasing force is applied to the roof portion 62a of the holder 62 by a coil spring 68 in a counterclockwise direction about a shaft 73. Has been. The illustration shows the rack 6 by the plunger 66A.
5A is in a state in which it is pulled to the left all the way, and the ridgeline 63d of the cleaning blade 63 and the intermediate transfer sheet 26 are kept in a non-contact state.

In this embodiment having such a configuration, when the gear 71 rotates clockwise by the driving force from the driving source 12 (FIG. 1) and the shaft 70 rotates in the same direction, the shaft 7 is rotated.
The one-way clutch between 0 and the gear 42 prevents the gear 42 from rotating. On the other hand, when an electric signal arrives at the plunger 66A and the force pulling to the left is released, the rack 65A tries to move to the right due to the urging force of the spring 68, but reaches the gear 71 from the drive source 12. When the speed is sufficiently reduced in the process, the gear 42 is restricted by the rotation speed of the shaft 70, and the gear 42 cannot move beyond that, and the cleaning blade 63 collides with the intermediate transfer sheet 26 at a high speed, Both members are not damaged by the impact, durability is not reduced, and noise is not generated.

Even when the shaft 70 is rotating clockwise, the plunger 66A suction-drives the rack 65A when an electric signal comes in while the plunger 66A releases the holding force. Then, since the gear 42 can freely rotate in the counterclockwise direction, the holder 62 automatically returns to the initial position.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the recording paper transfer portion 79.
The rotary shaft 74 is rotatably arranged at its end portions 74a and 74b on a main plate of a device (not shown). A gear 83 is integrally fixed to the shaft 74, and the gear 83 meshes with the gear 49. A one-way clutch is interposed between the gear 50 inserted into the shaft 74 and the shaft 74, and the gear 50 can freely rotate in the clockwise direction, but the counterclockwise rotation follows the rotation of the shaft 74. Is allowed, but is regulated so that it cannot rotate beyond the rotation of the shaft 74.

The gear 50 is provided with a rack 65B which is guided in a long hole 65Ba by a guide shaft 75 which is planted in the main plate of a device (not shown) and is arranged so as to be movable left and right. One end of the rack 65B is provided. A second transfer roller holding plate provided with a second transfer roller 19 that is connected to the drive shaft of the plunger 66B, and has the other end rotatably provided with a shaft 67a planted in the base plate of a device (not shown) as a fulcrum. A coil spring 69 applies an urging force to the other end of the holding plate 67 in the clockwise direction in the figure. In the drawing, the rack 65B is pulled to the left by the plunger 66B, and the second transfer roller 19 and the intermediate transfer sheet 26 are not in contact with each other.

In this embodiment having such a configuration, when the gear 83 is rotated counterclockwise by the driving force from the driving source 12 (FIG. 1) and the shaft 74 is rotating in the same direction, the shaft 74 is rotated. One-way clutch between gear and gear 50
Does not rotate. On the other hand, when an electric signal comes in to the plunger 66B, the force pulling to the left is released and the spring 69
The rack 65B tries to move to the right due to the urging force of the gear. However, when the rack 65B is sufficiently decelerated in the process from the drive source 12 to the gear 83, the gear 50 is restricted by the rotation speed of the shaft 74,
The gear 50 cannot move beyond that, and the second transfer roller 19 collides with the intermediate transfer sheet 26 at a high speed,
Both members are not damaged by the impact, durability is not reduced, and noise is not generated.

Even if the shaft 74 is rotating counterclockwise,
When an electric signal comes in while the plunger 66B releases the holding force, the plunger 66B suction-drives the rack 65B. Since the gear 50 can be freely rotated in the clockwise direction, the second transfer roller holding plate 67 automatically returns to the initial position.

Since the present embodiment is constructed as described above, when the moving member comes into contact with the intermediate transfer sheet, no impact is applied to the surface of the intermediate transfer sheet without using a special damper, and the damper is It is possible to provide an image forming apparatus having improved durability without causing time loss until stable pressing of the intermediate transfer sheet to the outer surface of the moving member by vibration or the like.

If the moving member is applied to a cleaning blade, the moving member does not give a shock to the surface when the moving member comes into contact with the intermediate transfer sheet without using a special damper, and the moving member moves due to vibration of the damper or the like. Since no time loss occurs until stable pressing of the member to the intermediate transfer sheet, the cleaner section can be located close to the recording transfer section on the upstream side, and the apparatus can be downsized. .

Further, when the moving member is applied to the recording paper transfer roller, no impact is applied to the surface when the moving member comes into contact with the intermediate transfer sheet without using a special damper, and vibration of the damper or the like occurs. Since a time loss does not occur until the moving member is pressed stably on the intermediate transfer sheet, the image can be transferred to an accurate position on the recording paper in synchronism with the recording paper for which the margin is determined.

Further, if the moving member is a recording paper transfer roller and a cleaning blade, and the unidirectional rotation driving member, which is a rotation shaft connected to both of them, is driven by the same driving source, the cleaner portion is formed. Even when they are located close to the recording transfer unit on the upstream side, the driving speed of both moving members can be controlled to be constant, and the pressing stable position of both can be accurately controlled.

Further, the recording paper transfer roller, the one-way rotation driving member which is each rotation shaft connected to the cleaning blade, and the intermediate transfer sheet are driven by a reduction gear train connected to the same drive source. Then,
The moving speed of the intermediate transfer sheet and the moving speed of the one-way rotation driving member are made to correspond to the number of teeth of the gear, and when the intermediate transfer sheet rotates with respect to the number of moving teeth of the intermediate transfer sheet, The contact with the surface can be precisely controlled.

Further, when the holding means is a plunger and the suction / holding / release of the moving member is controlled by an electric signal, the moving member does not need to drive a driving mechanism or the like to return to the initial position. Since the plunger can be driven and returned by the electric signal, the return can be completed quickly without driving an extra mechanism with a simple structure. Therefore, when a trouble occurs due to a jam of the recording transfer sheet, it is not necessary to reversely drive the moving member to reverse the driving member to return to the initial position after removing the transfer sheet.
Since the drive mechanism is not accidentally driven from the drive source, the durability is improved.

Further, the holding means of this embodiment is constituted by a plunger, and the moving member is attracted / held / holded by an electric signal.
It is configured to control the release. Therefore, prepare a capacitor and pulse generator, etc. as a means to generate an electric signal, charge the capacitor while power is supplied to the device, and discharge the electric charge charged in the capacitor after a predetermined time in synchronization with the power shutdown. Then, by applying the electric signal in a pulse form to the plunger, the plunger can be driven to return the moving member to the initial position.

Further, the moving member is self-held in the initial position by the permanent magnet in the plunger, and the electric power is supplied to drive the moving member against the self-holding force, and the moving member is shut off by powering off. It may be configured to return to the initial position by the attraction force of the permanent magnet.

According to this structure, the holding means can suck and hold the moving member in synchronization with the shutoff of the power source, and when the power source is shut off due to jam of recording paper, power failure, etc., the moving member automatically moves. To return to the initial position,
Since the intermediate transfer sheet and the moving member are not in contact with each other when the power is cut off, the moving member or the intermediate transfer sheet is deformed by pressing because the moving member is held in the non-contact state with the intermediate transfer sheet when not in use. It does not adversely affect the image formation.

Next, the auxiliary roller mechanism that efficiently rotates the intermediate transfer sheet 26 of the intermediate transfer drum 11 which is a feature of the present invention will be described. In FIG. 2, the intermediate transfer drum 11 is rotated by the driving force of the gear 29a at the flange 29. The photosensitive drums 9A and 9B of the intermediate transfer sheet 26, and the first
The transfer rollers 59A and 59B are efficiently rotated, but the other parts only of the backup roller 58 cannot obtain sufficient pressing force by the rollers, and the intermediate transfer sheet 26 is partially delayed. As a result, distortion occurs and affects image formation.

In this embodiment, an auxiliary roller 60 made of a hard material such as hard rubber, synthetic resin or iron is rotatably arranged on the auxiliary roller retainer 61 having a spring property. As shown, the backup rollers 58A, 58B, 58
The auxiliary roller holders 61A, 61B, 61C, 61 are provided with appropriate pressing force at the positions of both ends of C, 58D in the longitudinal direction.
D is arranged (FIG. 2).

As shown in FIG. 7, these auxiliary roller pressers 61 are fixed to the main plate portion of an apparatus not shown, and the auxiliary rollers 60 arranged on the auxiliary roller presser 61 are shown in FIG.
Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the backup roller 58 is pressed through both ends in the longitudinal direction of the intermediate transfer sheet 26. Further, the backup roller presses the intermediate transfer sheet 26 with 250 to 350 gf, whereas the backup roller presses with the auxiliary roller 100 to 200 gf.

Since this embodiment is constructed in this way,
250-350g of backup rollers 58A-58D
The intermediate transfer sheet 26 is moved by sandwiching the intermediate transfer sheet 26 by auxiliary rollers 60A to 60D that press-contact from the back surface side by the pressing biasing force of f and press against the backup roller from the front surface side of the intermediate transfer sheet 26. Therefore, the contact between both rollers is sufficiently maintained, the slip between the roller and the sheet 26 does not occur, and the sheet 26 is not significantly worn. Further, the pressure applied to the sheet 26 becomes uniform over the entire surface of the roller, uneven application does not occur, and even when a roller having high hardness is used, the intermediate transfer sheet 26 meanders and disturbs the image. It never happens.

Further, since the pressing force of the auxiliary roller is configured to be smaller than the pressing force in the normal line direction in which the backup roller comes into contact with the intermediate transfer sheet, the backup roller is vertically moved to a predetermined position by a predetermined amount. Allow
Moreover, a predetermined pressing force is applied to the intermediate transfer sheet so that the intermediate transfer sheet is pressed against the intermediate transfer sheet. Then, since the auxiliary roller applies a pressing force to the backup roller with a force smaller than the pressing force, the intermediate transfer sheet holds a predetermined outer diameter and is pressed and nipped by the auxiliary roller at that position. Drive while being run.

Therefore, the intermediate transfer sheet 26 can be fed with a predetermined tension to the backup auxiliary roller 57B and the first transfer roller 59B on the downstream side, and the pressure on the sheet is uniform over the entire surface of the roller. Therefore, uneven application does not occur, and even when a roller having high hardness is used, the sheet does not meander and the image is not disturbed. In particular, when the intermediate transfer sheet 26 is charged and discharged via the backup roller 58, the hardness is high because the backup roller 58 is made of metal, and this embodiment is effective.

The auxiliary rollers 60A-60D are
Since the portions corresponding to both ends of the pressing area of the backup roller outside the image area of the transferred image of the intermediate transfer sheet 26 are arranged to be pressed (FIGS. 8 and 9), the image forming area is formed. In addition, since both end portions are pressed against the backup roller, both end portions are in good contact with each other, so that the intermediate transfer sheet does not meander and the image is not disturbed. .

Further, the intermediate transfer sheet 26 formed in a rectangular shape is surrounded in a drum shape, and both ends thereof are fixed to the supporting portions 36, and the supporting portion 3 on the back surface side of the intermediate transfer sheet 26.
6, a cam 35 is provided, first transfer rollers 59A and 59B, which are intermediate transfer rollers, are provided, and the intermediate transfer roller and the backup roller are sequentially separated from the back surface of the intermediate transfer sheet 26. One of the backup rollers (for example, 58A, 58B) is provided on the downstream side of the intermediate transfer roller in synchronization with the returning operation of the intermediate transfer roller to the back surface of the intermediate transfer sheet 26.
The separating operation is performed.

Therefore, since the intermediate transfer sheet 26 having a seam is fixed to the support portion on the back surface side of the sheet 26, the roller group such as the intermediate transfer roller and the backup roller is supported by the support portion while the sheet is running. The roller group is sequentially driven by the cam so as to be separated from the back surface of the intermediate transfer sheet without being pressed and contacted.

Therefore, the supporting portion does not come into contact with the roller, and the roller is not scratched, so that the image on the intermediate transfer sheet is not disturbed by the scratch. Further, one of the backup rollers is provided on the downstream side of the intermediate transfer roller, and the separating operation is performed in synchronization with the returning operation of the intermediate transfer roller to the back surface of the intermediate transfer sheet.
The tension of the intermediate transfer sheet to the downstream side, that is, the fluctuation of the tension can be suppressed to a small extent, and the image formation on the downstream side can be stably performed.

As described above, since the backup roller is driven by the intermediate transfer sheet, the roller diameter can be appropriately selected according to the application. Further, even if a metal is selected as the material of the backup roller, slippage between the backup roller and the intermediate transfer sheet can be prevented, the intermediate transfer sheet does not meander, image misalignment is eliminated, cost can be reduced, and durability can be improved. .

Next, the cleaning blade 63 of the cleaner section 13 and the intermediate transfer sheet 26 used in this embodiment.
The contact position with will be described. In FIG. 10, the contact end 63a of the cleaning blade 63 is the intermediate transfer drum 11
Of the backup roller 58D, which is located on the center line 80 radially radiating from the center of rotation, contacts the intermediate transfer sheet 26 at a position 82A upstream of the position 81 where the backup roller 58D contacts the intermediate transfer sheet 26 by a dimension R.

The operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. When the contact position 82A is placed on the upstream side of the contact position 81, the counterclockwise urging force of the holder 62 is absorbed by the rotation center 58Da of the backup roller 58D, and the locus 26A of the intermediate transfer sheet 26 does not change. The angle θ3 does not change, and the intermediate transfer sheet can be stably driven.

In this embodiment, a backup roller 58D is provided on the back surface of the intermediate transfer sheet 26A, and is located upstream of the contact position between the backup roller and the intermediate transfer sheet in the rotating direction of the intermediate transfer sheet. ,
Since the cleaning blade is arranged so as to come into pressure contact with the surface of the intermediate transfer sheet, the contact edge of the cleaning blade bites into the intermediate transfer sheet, an excessive load is applied to drive the apparatus, and the image changes due to fluctuations in the motor rotation speed. There is no risk of misalignment, turning of the blade, or damage to the device.Because of the manufacturing error of the member, the assembly error, or even if it is initially placed in the normal position, the cleaning blade tip and The contact position with the intermediate transfer sheet will not be located on the downstream side.

Also, the long side 6 of the cleaning blade 63 formed in a rectangular cross section on the side of the intermediate transfer sheet surface.
3b and a ridge line 63d (FIG. 8) that intersects the short side 63c, the shaving end 63a forms a tangent line 84 passing through a contact point where the toner scraping end 63a contacts the surface of the intermediate transfer sheet, and a press contact angle θ3 formed by the long side. Is 16 ° to 26 °, it is possible to remove residual toner satisfactorily.
Tip portion 6 in contact with position 82A of intermediate transfer sheet 26A
The angle δ of the corner of 3a can be formed simply by pressing and cutting a urethane sheet having a rectangular cross section without any special processing, which is economical.

As shown in FIG. 11B, the shaft center 73 of the holder 62 for holding the cleaning blade 63 has a rectangular cross section, and the intermediate transfer sheet 26A of the cleaning blade 63 is formed. Long side of the side 6
The toner scraping edge 63d (FIG. 8) formed by the ridgeline where 3b and the short side 63c intersect is on the left-hand side of the tangent line 84 passing through the contact point 82A that contacts the surface of the intermediate transfer sheet 26A, and the backup roller. It is located on the downstream side of the line connecting the contact position 81 between the intermediate transfer sheet 26A and the backup roller shaft 58Da. Therefore, the stress due to the intermediate transfer sheet 26A received by the end portion 63a is applied counterclockwise around the shaft center 73, and the result is that the residual toner can be scraped off well.

[0084]

EXAMPLE As shown in FIG. 6, the lower side 35a of the cam 35
Enters into contact with each roller at an angle α and leaves at an angle β. These angles correspond to the backup auxiliary roller 57.
For A, α57A is 62 °, β57A is 115 °
It is. Hereinafter, describing these data for each roller, the first transfer roller 59A has α59A of 65 °,
β59A is 115 °, backup roller 58A is α
58A is 70 °, β58A is 115 °, backup roller 58C is α58C 70 °, β58C is 111 °.
°, backup roller 58D, α58D is 66 °,
β58D was 112 °.

The backup auxiliary roller 57B has 5
7A is the same as the radial axis extending from the rotation center 11a of the intermediate transfer drum 11 to the outside and the same member is used, and therefore has the same data as 57A. The first transfer roller 59B also has the same data as 59A, and the backup roller 58B also has the same data as 58A. As is clear from these data, the contact and separation of the roller and the cam 35 are performed between 62 ° and 115 °.

The width of each of the auxiliary rollers 60A to 60D is 5 mm, and the length of each of the photosensitive drums 9A and 9B is 260 m.
m, the length of the backup rollers 58A to 58D is 260
~ 280 mm, the width of the intermediate transfer sheet 26 is 280-35
It is 0 mm. The pressing force is the backup roller 58.
A to 58D is 250 to 350 gf, and the auxiliary roller 6
0A-60D is 100-200gf.

The cleaning blade 63 has a hardness of 6
A urethane rubber sheet having a cross-sectional shape of 0 kg / cm 2 and a thickness of 2.2 mm × 17.6 mm was press-cut and molded. The pressure contact angle θ3 of the cleaning blade 63 is 23
The backup roller 58D is a metal roller having a diameter of 20 mm, the intermediate transfer sheet 26A has a thickness of 0.15 mm,
The diameter of the intermediate transfer drum 11 is φ135 mm, and the distance R between the pressure contact of the cleaning blade 63 and the nip center (FIG. 10)
Is 0.5 mm, and the diameter of the photosensitive drum 9 is 45 mm.

[0088]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, the backup roller is provided on the back surface of the intermediate transfer sheet, and the intermediate transfer sheet is upstream of the contact position between the backup roller and the intermediate transfer sheet. On the side, since the cleaning blade is arranged so as to be in pressure contact with the surface of the intermediate transfer sheet, the contact edge of the cleaning blade bites into the intermediate transfer sheet, and an excessive load is applied to drive the apparatus, causing image misalignment. , There is no risk of turning the blade or damaging the device, and due to manufacturing error of the member, assembly error, or even if it is initially placed in the regular position, due to aging etc., the cleaning blade tip and the intermediate transfer sheet It is possible to provide the image forming apparatus in which the contact position is not located on the downstream side.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing a mechanism of an intermediate transfer drum and its periphery.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view as seen from the BB direction in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of rollers arranged in an intermediate transfer drum.

FIG. 6 is an operation diagram of rollers arranged in an intermediate transfer drum.

FIG. 7 is a mechanism diagram of a cleaner unit and a recording paper transfer unit.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a cleaner unit.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a recording paper transfer unit.

FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged view of the cleaner section.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory view of the action of the cleaner section.

[Explanation of symbols]

 9 Photosensitive Drum 11 Intermediate Transfer Drum 12 Drive Source 13 Cleaner Section 15, 25 Roller 19 Second Transfer Roller 26 Intermediate Transfer Sheet 27 Intermediate Transfer Drum Shaft 29 Flange 35 Cam 36 Support 37 Presser Plate 52 Shaft Support 53, 70, 74 Axis 56 Two-axis bearing 57 Backup auxiliary roller 58 Backup roller 59 First transfer roller 60 Auxiliary roller 61 Auxiliary roller retainer 62 Holding tool 63 Cleaning blade 64 Communication plate 65 Rack 66 Plunger 67 Second transfer roller holding plate

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus having a cleaning blade, which is formed by enclosing a square shaped sheet in a drum shape, and which is arranged so as to be in contact with and separated from the surface of an intermediate transfer sheet on which an image is transferred. A backup roller is provided on the back surface of the intermediate transfer sheet, and is in pressure contact with the surface of the intermediate transfer sheet on the upstream side in the rotation direction of the intermediate transfer sheet from the center position of the contact nip portion between the backup roller and the intermediate transfer sheet. An image forming apparatus having a cleaning blade, wherein the cleaning blade is arranged so as to 2. A toner scraping edge formed by a ridge line that intersects a long side and a short side on the side of the intermediate transfer sheet of the cleaning blade formed in a rectangular cross section contacts the surface of the intermediate transfer sheet. 2. The image forming apparatus having a cleaning blade according to claim 1, wherein a pressure contact angle formed by the tangent line of the intermediate transfer sheet and the long side at a contact point is an acute angle. 3. The cleaning blade is pressed and urged to the surface of the intermediate transfer sheet via a shaft center, and the shaft center has a long side on the intermediate transfer sheet surface side of the cleaning blade formed in a rectangular cross section. And a shaving edge formed by a ridgeline intersecting the short side is on the backup roller side opposite to the tangent line of the intermediate transfer sheet at the contact point where it contacts the surface of the intermediate transfer sheet. The image forming apparatus having a cleaning blade according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is located on a downstream side of a line connecting a center position of a contact nip portion with a transfer sheet and the backup roller shaft. 4. The image forming apparatus having a cleaning blade according to claim 2, wherein the press contact angle is 16 ° to 26 °.