JPH1010941A - Cleaning blade used for electrophotographic recording device, manufacture thereof and cleaning unit used for electrophotographic recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the generation of a peeling phenomenon on a cleaning blade due to the separation of a lubricant from the blade surface. SOLUTION: In a cleaning blade 49, an edge part 49a is formed at a boundary between a tip face 49b and an opposed face 49c to a photoconductor drum, and a part near the edge part 49a comes in pressure contact with the photoconductor. A lubricant holding part 49d is formed in an area close to the edge part 49a in the tip face 49b and the opposed face 49c, and corrugated or scratch-like fine unevenness, for instance, is evenly formed at the lubricant holding part 49d so as to form an unsmooth face in the tip face 49b and the opposed face 49c. A lubricant such as vinylidene fluoride resin powder for suppressing frictional resistance between the cleaning blade 49 and the photoconductor drum is applied to the lubricant holding part 49d before the plant delivery of a CTM(cleaning toner magazine) part cartridge.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is applied to a cleaning unit which is mounted on an electrophotographic recording apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile apparatus, etc. and removes / collects residual toner on a photosensitive member, and is applied to the cleaning unit. The present invention relates to a cleaning blade and a method for manufacturing the cleaning blade.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIGS. 9 and 10 are side cross-sectional views showing a printer having a detachable process cartridge. FIG. 9 shows the printer with a process cartridge mounted. FIG. 10 shows the printer device in a state where an opening / closing portion for exchanging a process cartridge and the like is opened. 1 is a photosensitive drum, 2 is a cleaning unit in which a cleaning blade 2a is pressed against the photosensitive drum 1, 3 is a charger for uniformly charging the photosensitive drum 1, and 4 is a photosensitive drum 1 charged by the charger 3. An optical writing unit for forming an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 1 by scanning the photosensitive drum 1 with a laser beam L; It is. Here, the photosensitive drum 1, the cleaning unit 2, the charging device 3 and the developing device 5 are integrally formed as a process cartridge 6, and the process cartridge 6 is detachably mounted in a mounting position shown in the printer. Is done.

Reference numeral 7 denotes a transfer roller in contact with the photosensitive drum 1, reference numeral 8 denotes a separation charger, reference numeral 9 denotes a discharge lamp, reference numeral 10 denotes a fixing device, reference numeral 11 denotes a power supply 12, a printed board 13, and a controller board.
An electrical / control component case in which electrical / control components such as 14 are stored; 15 is an exhaust fan for preventing a rise in temperature inside the apparatus; 16 is a paper feed cassette for storing recording paper P as a recording medium; A paper feed tray 18 on which the recording paper P is placed is a paper output tray formed on the upper surface of the apparatus main body.
Is provided with a stopper plate 18a that can be extended / retracted in accordance with the size of the recording paper P to be discharged. Reference numerals 19 and 20 denote paper feed rollers for separately feeding the recording paper P from the paper feed cassette 16 and the paper feed tray 17, a pair of registration rollers 21, and a discharge of the recording paper P to a paper discharge tray 18. A pair of paper discharge rollers 23 and 24 are sensors arranged on the conveyance path of the recording paper P, respectively. The sensor 23 is disposed at an upstream position of the registration roller pair 21 and detects the recording paper P to detect the recording paper P.
A signal for controlling ON / OFF of 21 and detecting a jam of the recording paper P is output, and a sensor 24 is disposed between the fixing device 10 and the discharge roller pair 22 to detect the recording paper P. Then, a signal for detecting the completion of the discharge of the recording sheet P or a jam is output.

Next, the operation of the printer shown in FIG. 9 when forming an image will be briefly described. The charging device 3 is configured such that a bias voltage is applied to the charge wire 3a by a bias power supply (not shown) so that the charge wire 3a is not charged.
A corona discharge is generated from a, and the photoconductor drum 1 is uniformly charged by the corona discharge. The optical writing unit 4 forms an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 1 by scanning the uniformly charged photosensitive drum 1 with the laser light L. The optical writing unit 4 includes a polygon mirror, a polygon motor, and an optical component for deflecting the optical path of the laser beam L from the polygon mirror into a substantially U-shape. It is arranged below the drum 1. The developing device 5 develops the electrostatic latent image into a toner image by thinning the toner T on the developing roller and charging the toner T to a predetermined polarity, and transferring the toner T to the photosensitive drum 1.

On the other hand, the recording paper P separated and fed from the paper feed cassette 16 or the paper feed tray 17 is temporarily held by a pair of registration rollers 21, which synchronize with the toner image on the photosensitive drum 1. Then, conveyance of the recording paper P is started. The transfer roller 7 transfers the toner image on the photosensitive drum 1 to the recording paper P at a portion where the recording paper P is held between the transfer roller 7 and the photosensitive drum 1. The separation charger 8 neutralizes the electric charge of the recording paper P adhered to the photoconductor drum 1 by charging at the time of transfer, and facilitates the separation of the recording paper P from the photoconductor drum 1. After this,
The recording paper P is separated from the photosensitive drum 1 by a separation claw or the like (not shown), and the photosensitive drum 1 from which the recording paper P has been peeled is neutralized by discharging light from a discharging lamp 9 to neutralize the charge. Is done.

The recording paper P peeled off from the photosensitive drum 1 is conveyed to a fixing device 10 where the toner image is fixed by being heated and pressed in the fixing device 10, and then discharged by a discharge roller pair 22. The paper is discharged onto the tray 18.

In the above-described printer, the photosensitive drum 1, the cleaning device 2, the charging device 3 and the developing device 5 are integrally formed as a process cartridge 6 as described above. It is detachably attached to the attachment position inside. When replacing the process cartridge 6, as shown in FIG. 9, the open / close plate 18 b forming a part of the sheet discharge tray 18 is opened above the process cartridge 6, and further disposed above the photosensitive drum 1. By opening the opening / closing section 25 supporting the members such as the fixing device 10 around the support shaft 26, the process cartridge 6 can be lifted upward from the mounting position.

[0008] A member such as the photosensitive drum 1 and the cleaning device 2 which needs to be replaced at regular intervals, or a developing device 5
By integrating a member containing consumables like the toner T in the above as the process cartridge 6, a plurality of members can be replaced at the same time, and the replacement work becomes easy. The control unit (not shown) outputs an alarm signal to the operation unit 28 when detecting that the remaining amount of the toner T in the developing device 5 has become equal to or less than a predetermined value based on a signal from the toner sensor 27, for example. Accordingly, the user is caused to display the replacement time of the process cartridge 6 by the operation unit 28.

After the transfer is completed, the photosensitive drum 1
The edge of the tip of the cleaning blade 2a supported by the cleaning unit 2 comes into pressure contact, and the rotation of the photosensitive drum 1 causes the toner T remaining on the photosensitive drum 1 to be separated and removed by the cleaning blade 2a. Collected in the unit 2. Here, when the inside of the cleaning unit 2 is full of the toner T or when the cleaning blade 2a is deteriorated, it is necessary to replace the process cartridge 6 with an unused one. The process cartridge 6 is configured such that there is no need to replace the toner cartridge T when the amount of toner T stored in the cleaning unit 2 becomes full.

The process cartridge 6 also needs to be replaced due to deterioration of the photoconductor in the photosensitive drum 1. The replacement cycle of the photosensitive drum 1 is considerably longer than the replacement cycle of the developing unit 5 or the cleaning unit 2. Because of its length, the process cartridge 6 is configured such that at least a portion including the toner tank portion 5a and the cleaning unit 2 of the developing device 5 can be separated from the photosensitive drum 1 and replaced.

[0011]

In the printer device configured as described above, the process cartridge 6
It is configured so that it can be easily replaced by the user. However, generally, the cleaning blade 2a
Is formed of a material having elasticity and flexibility, such as urethane foam, and is supported by the cleaning unit 2 in a state in which a tip portion protrudes outside.
Therefore, the process cartridge 6 or the photosensitive drum 1
When the toner T having a lubricating action does not adhere to the photosensitive drum 1 or the cleaning blade 2a, for example, immediately after the replacement of the photosensitive drum 1, the cleaning blade 2a starts rotating the photosensitive drum 1 immediately after the rotation of the photosensitive drum 1 starts. A so-called turn-over phenomenon that turns up in the direction may occur. In order to prevent such a turning phenomenon, a lubricant such as vinylidene fluoride resin powder is previously attached to the cleaning blade 2a before shipment from the factory. However, the vibration adhered to the cleaning blade 2a due to vibration during shipping, the user accidentally touching the cleaning blade 2a when replacing the process cartridge 6, or the cleaning blade 2a contacting another member. The lubricant may peel off.

When the lubricant is separated from the cleaning blade 2a, immediately after the replacement of the process cartridge 6,
In particular, immediately after the entire process cartridge 6 including the photosensitive drum 1 has been replaced with a new one, the friction between the cleaning blade 2a and the photosensitive drum 1 becomes extremely large, so that the cleaning blade 2a is turned over. When such a turning-up phenomenon of the cleaning blade 2a occurs, the process cartridge 6
Alternatively, there is a possibility that the printer main body is destroyed.

[0013] An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and to provide a cleaning blade capable of preventing the occurrence of a turning phenomenon due to peeling of a lubricant from the blade surface, and a cleaning blade which facilitates the manufacture of the cleaning blade. And a cleaning unit using the cleaning blade.

[0014]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a cleaning blade according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises:
A cleaning blade which is supported by a cleaning unit disposed in the main body of the electrophotographic recording apparatus and presses an edge formed at a boundary between a front end surface thereof and a surface facing the photoconductor with pressure to the electrophotographic photoconductor. A non-smooth surface having fine irregularities is formed in a region near at least one of the front end surface and the facing surface with the edge portion to suppress friction between the cleaning blade and the electrophotographic photosensitive member. And a lubricant holding section for holding a lubricant for use.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a cleaning blade, comprising cutting a material plate of the cleaning blade with a cutting blade having a non-linear portion bent in an uneven manner in a blade passing direction. The lubricant holding portion according to claim 1 is formed on the leading end surface or the opposing surface of the cleaning blade by the non-linear portion.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the cleaning blade, the cutting blade cuts the material plate of the cleaning blade, and the scraper member that moves with the cutting blade scratches the front end surface or the opposing surface of the cleaning blade. In addition, the lubricant holding portion according to claim 1 is formed.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a cleaning blade according to the present invention, wherein the cleaning blade is detachably mounted on a main body of the electrophotographic recording apparatus, and the cleaning blade is brought into contact with the photoconductor. A cleaning unit for removing the toner remaining on the cleaning blade by the cleaning blade and collecting the toner into the unit includes a cleaning blade according to claim 1 as the cleaning blade.

A cleaning unit according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is supported by a cleaning unit disposed on a main body of the electrophotographic recording apparatus, and is formed at a boundary between a front end surface thereof and a surface facing the photosensitive member. A cleaning blade for bringing the edge portion into pressure contact with the photoconductor,
A lubricant is applied to the blade surface so as to cover at least the area including the edge portion, and a lubricant for suppressing friction between the cleaning blade and the photoreceptor is held between the blade surface and an image forming device for the photoreceptor. A lubricant holding sheet that is peeled off from the cleaning blade before starting is provided.

In the cleaning blade according to a sixth aspect of the present invention, one lubricant holding sheet is adhered to the blade surface, and the lubricant holding portion holds the lubricant in the lubricant holding sheet. The edge portion is sandwiched so as to cover a region extending over both the tip end surface and the opposing surface.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cleaning blade including a release sheet connected to the lubricant holding sheet, wherein the release sheet is pulled out in a predetermined peeling direction, and the lubrication holding sheet is removed. It is characterized in that it is peeled off from the surface, and a portion of the lubricant holding sheet separated from the blade surface is in close contact with the peeling sheet.

Further, in the cleaning blade according to the present invention, the peeling sheet has an adhesive portion having an adhesive property on an outer peripheral portion in a contact surface with the lubricant holding sheet, and the adhesive portion has It is characterized in that a portion of the lubricant holding sheet that is separated from the blade surface is attached.

Further, the cleaning blade according to the ninth aspect of the present invention is arranged such that the surface of the peeling sheet facing the photosensitive member is prevented from being damaged when the photosensitive member is pulled out in the peeling direction. It is characterized by imparting flexibility.

Further, the cleaning unit according to the tenth aspect of the present invention is detachably mounted on the main body of the electrophotographic recording apparatus, contacts the cleaning blade with the photoconductor, and remains on the photoconductor after the transfer of the toner image is completed. 10. A cleaning unit for removing toner by the cleaning blade and collecting the toner in the unit, wherein the cleaning blade is used as the cleaning blade.
A cleaning blade according to any of the preceding claims is provided.

[0024]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing a configuration of a process cartridge provided with a cleaning unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. Members corresponding to those described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10 are denoted by the same reference numerals. The description is omitted. Reference numeral 30 denotes a process cartridge which is mounted at the mounting position in the printer shown in FIG. 1 similarly to the conventional process cartridge 6, and the process cartridge 30 is a developing unit cartridge 31 which can be separated from each other.
And a CTM (cleaning / toner magazine) cartridge 41.
The developing unit cartridge 31 is configured to be replaceable at a different time. In the developing unit cartridge 31, 32
Is a storage section for storing the toner tank section 42 of the CTM section cartridge 41 as shown by a two-dot chain line.
The developing cartridge 31 and the CTM cartridge 41 are integrally assembled as the process cartridge 30 by storing the toner tank section 42 in the printer. 33 agitates the toner T replenished from the CTM cartridge 41 to form the first toner T;
A conveying member 35 for contacting the developing roller 34 is a charging blade for thinning and charging the toner T attached to the first developing roller 34. The toner T charged by the first developing roller 34 is The second developing roller 36 transfers the toner T to the photosensitive drum 1 to develop the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 1 into a toner image.

In the CTM cartridge 41,
42 is a toner tank unit for storing unused toner T, 43 is an agitator for stirring the toner T in the toner tank unit 42,
A replenishing roller 44 replenishes the toner T stirred by the agitator 43 to the developing unit cartridge 31, a cleaning unit 45 disposed above the toner tank unit 42 in the CTM unit cartridge 41, and a cleaning unit 46.
This is a handle provided on the upper surface of 45, and the user can easily replace the CTM cartridge 41 by gripping the handle 46 when replacing the CTM cartridge 41. 47 is a charger for generating a corona discharge by applying a predetermined charging voltage to the charge wire 47a, 61
Is an operation member disposed on the upper surface of the cleaning unit 45, 62 is a holder member supported by the shield case 47b of the charger 47, and the holder member 62 contacts the sponge-like cleaning pad 62a with the charge wire 47a, Charge wire 47 together with operating member 61 and connecting member 63
It constitutes a cleaning mechanism for a.

In a state where the developing unit cartridge 31 and the CTM unit cartridge 41 are assembled as the process cartridge 30, the charging unit 47 of the CTM unit cartridge 41 faces the photosensitive drum 1. The cleaning unit 45 supports a cleaning blade 49 via a holder plate 48, and attaches the edge of the tip of the cleaning blade 49 to the photosensitive drum 1
The toner T remaining on the photoreceptor drum 1 after the transfer of the toner image has been completed by the cleaning blade 49 is peeled off by the cleaning blade 49.
The toner is conveyed into the waste toner tank 51 by the above method.

When the remaining amount of the toner T stored in the toner tank unit 42 becomes less than a predetermined amount, the CTM unit cartridge 41 is replaced with a new one, and about 5,000 sheets of recording paper P (A4 size, The time when an image is formed at a printing rate of 5% is the replacement time. Further, the developing unit cartridge 31 includes:
The time when an image is formed on about 45,000 sheets of recording paper P (A4 size, conversion rate of 5%) due to deterioration of the photoconductor of the photosensitive drum 1 is the replacement time.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are a perspective view and a side view, respectively, showing an example of a cleaning blade in the cleaning unit according to the present embodiment. In the cleaning blade 49 formed in a rectangular plate shape, 49a is an edge portion formed at the boundary between the tip surface 49b and the surface 49c facing the photosensitive drum 1, and the cleaning blade 49 has an edge portion 49a near the edge portion 49a. The photosensitive drum 1 is brought into pressure contact with the photosensitive drum 1. Reference numerals 49d and 49e denote lubricant retaining portions formed in the vicinity of the edge portion 49a on the front end surface 49b and the opposing surface 49c, respectively. These lubricant retaining portions 49d and 49e include, for example, wavy or scratched portions. Are unevenly formed, and a non-smooth surface is formed on the front end surface 49b and the opposing surface 49c.

Before the CTM section cartridge 41 is shipped from the factory, a lubricant for suppressing frictional resistance between the cleaning blade 49 and the photosensitive drum 1, for example, vinylidene fluoride resin powder is applied to the lubricant holding sections 49d and 49e. Is done. Since the lubricant holding portions 49d and 49e are formed of non-smooth surfaces, the user may accidentally touch the cleaning blade 49 when the process cartridge 30 is replaced or when the process cartridge 30 is replaced. By contacting with the member, it is possible to prevent the attached lubricant from peeling off. Therefore, even after the process cartridge 30 is replaced, the friction between the cleaning blade 49 and the photosensitive drum 1 is significantly increased. Can be prevented. As a result, it is possible to prevent the cleaning blade 49 from being turned up and the process cartridge 30 or the printer main body from being destroyed.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are a perspective view and a side view of a material plate and a cutting blade of the cleaning blade for explaining the method of manufacturing the cleaning blade of the present embodiment.
S is a material plate for forming the cleaning blade 49, and the cleaning blade 49 is manufactured by processing the material plate S. The material plate S is formed by molding a resin, and is cast so that the other five surfaces except the opposing surface 49c become the casting surface that was in contact with the mold at the time of molding. Further, the material plate S extracted from the mold
Various processes are performed as necessary so that sufficient accuracy can be obtained for the surface smoothness and the like.

Reference numeral 71 denotes a cutting blade for cutting the material plate S. The cutting edge of the cutting blade 71 is formed with a non-linear portion 71a which is bent in an uneven manner in the cutting direction. A holder 72 supports the cutting blade 71. The holder 72 is supported by a moving mechanism (not shown) so as to be movable in a cutting direction and a returning direction (arrows A1 and A2 directions) with respect to the material plate S. Reference numeral 73 denotes a scraper member provided with a scraper portion 73a having a large number of fine projections having sharp tips implanted thereon. The scraper member 73 moves in the directions of arrows A1 and A2 together with the cutting blade 71 when cutting the material plate S.

If the material plate S is fixed so that the cutting line (dashed line shown in FIG. 4) defining the cutting position on the material plate S coincides with the movement locus of the cutting blade 71, the holder 72 is moved in the cutting direction. The material plate S is cut by the cutting blade 71 along the cutting line. At this time, the non-linear portion 71a of the cutting blade 71 is provided with corrugated fine irregularities on the cut surface serving as the front end surface 49b of the cleaning blade 49, and a lubrication consisting of a non-smooth surface is provided in the vicinity of the edge portion 49a on the front end surface 49b. The agent holding part 49d is formed. In addition, the scraper member 73 that moves together with the cutting blade 71 slides the scraper portion 73a on the upper surface serving as the opposing surface 49c of the cleaning blade 49, thereby giving fine abrasions to the edge portion 49a of the opposing surface 49c. Lubricant holding part 4 consisting of non-smooth surface in the area near
Form 9e. As described above, the material plate S is cut by the cutting blade 71 having the non-linear portion 71a formed thereon, and the lubricant holding portion 49d is formed on the distal end surface 49b of the cleaning blade 49 by the non-linear portion 71a. The lubricant holding portion 49e is formed on the opposing surface 49c of the cleaning blade 49 by the scraper member 73 that moves together with the scraper member 73, so that the cleaning blade 49 cut out from the material plate S by one cutting operation on the material plate S is provided with two lubricants. Agent holder 49
Since d and 49e are formed at the same time, the cleaning blade
The lubricant holding portions 49d and 49e can be formed on the front end surface 49b and the opposing surface 49c of the cleaning blade 49 without increasing the number of steps in manufacturing the 49.

FIG. 6 is a side view showing an example of a lubricant holding sheet and a peeling sheet adhered to the cleaning blade of the present embodiment. FIGS. 7 and 8 show peeling from the cleaning blade of the present embodiment, respectively. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a lubricant holding sheet and a release sheet. Reference numeral 81 denotes a lubricant holding sheet formed of a nylon sheet or the like, 82 denotes a release sheet, and the lubricant holding sheet 81 and the release sheet 82
Are joined to each other at their rear ends.

Lubricant holding sheet 81 and release sheet 82
Is mounted on the cleaning blade 49 before the CTM unit cartridge 41 is shipped from the factory, and after the CTM unit cartridge 41 is assembled as the process cartridge 30 together with the developing unit cartridge 31, image formation on the photosensitive drum 1 is started. Before being removed from the cleaning blade 49 by the user.

Adhesive sticking portions 81a and 81b are provided on one surface of the lubricant holding sheet 81, and the sticking portion 81a provided at the leading end of the sheet is provided with a cleaning blade 49a.
The sticking portion 81b attached to the tip surface 49b of the cleaning blade 49 and provided at a predetermined distance from the sticking portion 81a is attached to the facing surface 49c of the cleaning blade 49. The portion of the lubricant holding sheet 81 sandwiched between the sticking portion 81a and the sticking portion 81b is configured as a lubricant holding portion 81c. With the lubricant holding sheet 81 adhered to the cleaning blade 49, the lubricant holding portion 81c is moved to the front end surface 49b and the opposing surface 4 across the edge portion 49a.
A lubricant L for covering the region straddling both of the cleaning blade 49c and the friction between the cleaning blade 49 and the photosensitive drum 1 is held between the cleaning blade 49 and the surface of the cleaning blade 49.

A grip 83 projects from the rear end of the lubricant holding sheet 81 and the release sheet 82 joined to each other, and the grip 83 is attached to the developing section cartridge 31 by the CTM section cartridge 41. Cleaning blade so that it can be easily gripped by the user in the
Process cartridge 30 from between 49 and photosensitive drum 1
To the outside of the Before the image formation on the photosensitive drum 1 is started, the user pulls out the peeling sheet 82 in the peeling direction (the direction of the arrow B shown in FIG. 6), so that the peeling sheet 8
At first, the sticking portion 81a peels off from the facing surface 49c according to the amount of movement of 2, and then the sticking portion 81b peels off from the front end surface 49b, and the lubricant holding sheet 81 is removed from the cleaning blade 49. At this time, the portion of the lubricant holding sheet 81 that is separated from the cleaning blade 49 is in close contact with the separation sheet 82 and is pulled out in the separation direction together with the separation sheet 82, and the lubricant held by the lubricant holding portion 81c L, excluding the one adhered to the cleaning blade 49, falls on the release sheet 82 and the release sheet 82 and the lubricant holding sheet.
It is held between 81 and.

Here, the release sheet 82 is formed to be larger than the lubricant holding sheet 81 in the peeling direction and the width direction perpendicular to the peeling direction.
The distance from the cleaning blade 49 at 81 is
As shown in FIG. 7, the lubricant holding sheet 81 is in close contact with the lubricant holding sheet 81 so as not to extend outward from the release sheet 82. Further, the release sheet 82 includes an adhesive portion 82a having an adhesive property on an outer peripheral portion of a contact surface with the lubricant holding sheet 81, and the adhesive portion 82a
By sticking a portion of the lubricant holding sheet 81 separated from the cleaning blade 49, the lubricant L held between the lubricant holding sheet 81 and the lubricant holding sheet 81 is sealed between the sheets 81 and 82 so as not to be scattered outside. .

When the lubricant holding sheet 81 is peeled off from the cleaning blade 49, the peeling sheet 82 is moved in the peeling direction with the opposing surface 49c facing the photosensitive drum 1 being in contact with the photosensitive drum 1. Pulled out. For this reason, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 may be damaged by sliding contact with the peeling sheet 82. In order to prevent this, the peeling sheet 82 is formed of a polycarbonate sheet or the like having sufficient flexibility from the surface layer of the photosensitive drum 1, and the facing surface 49c is finished sufficiently smoothly. Also, facing surface 49c
By finely implanting fine resin fibers having flexibility to the opposing surface 49c, sufficient flexibility is imparted, and friction with the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is suppressed. Therefore, it is effective to prevent the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 from being damaged.

As described above, the lubricant holding sheet 81
Is adhered to the cleaning blade 49, and the cleaning blade 4 is
In FIG. 9, the lubricant L is held between the region and the region including the edge portion 49a, so that the user may accidentally touch the cleaning blade 49 when the process cartridge 30 is replaced or when the process cartridge 30 is replaced. When the process cartridge 30 is replaced, the friction between the cleaning blade 49 and the photosensitive drum 1 is remarkably increased even after the process cartridge 30 is replaced. Can be prevented. As a result, it is possible to prevent the cleaning blade 49 from being turned up and the process cartridge 30 or the printer main body from being destroyed.

[0040]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention,
According to the cleaning blade described above, a non-smooth surface having fine irregularities is formed in a region near at least one of the tip end surface and the opposing surface of the cleaning blade with the edge portion, and the cleaning blade and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are formed. By providing a lubricant holding section for holding a lubricant for suppressing friction with the lubricant, the lubricant holding section can hold the lubricant in a stable state, so even immediately after replacing the cleaning unit. In addition, it is possible to prevent the friction between the cleaning blade and the photosensitive member from being significantly increased, and to prevent the cleaning blade from being turned up.

According to the method of manufacturing a cleaning blade according to the second aspect, the material plate of the cleaning blade is cut by the cutting blade having the non-linear portion bent in an uneven manner in the blade passing direction. By forming the lubricant holding portion according to claim 1 on the front end surface or the opposing surface of the cleaning blade by the straight portion, the lubricant is applied to the cut surface of the cleaning blade cut out from the material plate by one cutting operation on the material plate. Since the holding portion is formed at the same time, the lubricant holding portion can be formed on the distal end surface or the cut surface of the opposite surface of the cleaning blade without increasing the number of steps in manufacturing the cleaning blade.

According to the method of manufacturing a cleaning blade according to the third aspect of the present invention, the material plate of the cleaning blade is cut by the cutting blade, and the tip surface or the opposing surface of the cleaning blade is moved by the scraper member moving together with the cutting blade. By forming the lubricant holding portion according to claim 1 by making an abrasion, the lubricant holding portion is simultaneously formed on a surface adjacent to a cut surface of the cleaning blade cut out from the material plate by one cutting operation on the material plate. Since it is formed, the lubricant holding portion can be formed on the distal end surface or the opposing surface of the cleaning blade without increasing the number of steps in manufacturing the cleaning blade.

According to the cleaning unit of the fourth aspect of the present invention, the cleaning blade is detachably mounted on the main body of the electrophotographic recording apparatus, contacts the cleaning blade with the photosensitive member, and contacts the photosensitive member after the transfer of the toner image is completed. In the cleaning unit for removing the remaining toner by the cleaning blade and collecting the toner in the unit,
Since the cleaning blade according to claim 1 is provided as the cleaning blade, the lubricant can be held in a stable state by the lubricant holding portion of the cleaning blade. It is possible to prevent the friction with the photoreceptor from increasing remarkably, and to prevent the cleaning blade from being turned up.

According to the cleaning blade of the fifth aspect of the present invention, the cleaning blade is adhered to the blade surface so as to cover at least the area including the edge portion, and the lubrication for suppressing friction between the cleaning blade and the photosensitive member. By holding the lubricant between the blade surface and the lubricant holding sheet that is peeled off from the cleaning blade before the start of image formation on the photoreceptor, vibration during shipping and replacement of the cleaning unit If the user accidentally touches the cleaning blade or brings the cleaning blade into contact with other members, the adhered lubricant can be prevented from peeling off. The friction with the photosensitive drum can be prevented from increasing significantly, It can provide a cleaning unit that can prevent the phenomenon curling the blade occurs.

According to the cleaning blade of the present invention, one lubricant holding sheet is attached to the blade surface, and the lubricant holding section holds the lubricant on the lubricant holding sheet. The edge portion of the cleaning blade is brought into pressure contact with the photosensitive member until immediately before the use of the cleaning blade, by covering the region extending over both the front end surface and the opposing surface with the edge portion interposed therebetween. And, since it becomes possible to make sure that the lubricant adheres to the area close to it,
The turning-up phenomenon of the cleaning blade can be reliably prevented.

Further, according to the cleaning blade of the present invention, the cleaning blade is provided with a release sheet connected to the lubricant holding sheet, the release sheet is pulled out in a predetermined peeling direction, and the lubrication holding sheet is removed. By separating from the blade surface, and by making the separated portion of the lubricant holding sheet from the blade surface adhere to the release sheet, the lubricant held by the lubricant holding portion adhered to the cleaning blade. Except for the lubricant, it falls on the release sheet and is held between the release sheet and the lubricant holding sheet, so that the lubricant can be prevented from being scattered outside when the lubricant holding sheet is peeled off, and further lubricated. Since the agent holding sheet can be easily peeled off from the cleaning blade, for example, the cleaning unit can be electrophotographically recorded. While wearing the location of the body, it is possible to peel from the cleaning blade in a short time the lubricant holding sheet.

Further, according to the cleaning blade of the present invention, the peeling sheet is provided with an adhesive portion having an adhesive property on an outer peripheral portion of a contact surface with the lubricant holding sheet, and the adhesive portion is provided with the adhesive portion. By sticking a portion of the lubricant holding sheet away from the blade surface, the lubricant held between the lubricant holding sheet and the release sheet is sealed between the sheets so that the lubricant does not scatter outside. Therefore, even when the lubricant holding sheet and the release sheet are taken out of the apparatus, it is possible to reliably prevent the lubricant from scattering to the outside.

Further, according to the cleaning blade of the ninth aspect of the present invention, the surface of the peeling sheet facing the photoreceptor is flexible so that the surface of the photoreceptor is prevented from being damaged when pulled out in the peeling direction. By giving the property,
When the lubricant holding sheet is peeled off from the cleaning blade, even if the peeling sheet is pulled out in the peeling direction with the photosensitive member in contact with the photosensitive member, the surface of the photosensitive member is damaged by sliding contact with the peeling sheet. Can be prevented.

Further, according to the cleaning unit of the present invention, the cleaning blade is detachably attached to the main body of the electrophotographic recording apparatus, and the cleaning blade is brought into contact with the photoconductor, and after the transfer of the toner image is completed, the cleaning blade is applied to the photoconductor. In the cleaning unit for removing the remaining toner by the cleaning blade and collecting the toner in the unit,
By providing the cleaning blade according to the fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth or ninth aspect as a cleaning blade, it is possible to suppress the lubricant adhering to the cleaning blade from being peeled off. It is possible to prevent the friction between the cleaning blade and the photosensitive drum from being significantly increased, to prevent the cleaning blade from being turned over, and to scatter the lubricant when peeling the lubricant holding sheet from the cleaning blade. A cleaning unit capable of easily peeling off the lubricant holding sheet without damaging the photoconductor can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing a configuration of a process cartridge including a cleaning unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a cleaning blade in the cleaning unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing an example of a cleaning blade in the cleaning unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a material plate and a cutting blade of the cleaning blade for describing a method of manufacturing the cleaning blade according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a side view of a material plate and a cutting blade of the cleaning blade for describing a method of manufacturing the cleaning blade according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a side view showing an example of a lubricant holding sheet and a release sheet adhered to the cleaning blade according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a lubricant holding sheet and a release sheet according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a lubricant holding sheet and a release sheet according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating a printer device including a detachable process cartridge.

FIG. 10 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating a printer device including a detachable process cartridge.

[Explanation of symbols]

1: photoreceptor drum, 30: process cartridge, 31
... Developing cartridge, 41 ... CTM cartridge
42 ... toner tank part, 45 ... cleaning unit,
48… Holder plate, 49… Cleaning blade, 49a…
Edge part, 49b: Tip surface, 49c: Opposite surface, 49d, 49e
... Lubricant holding part, 71 ... Cutting blade, 71a ... Non-linear part, 7
3… Scraper member, 73a… Scraper part, 81… Lubricant holding sheet, 81a, 81b… Adhering part, 81c… Lubricant holding part, 82… Peel off sheet, 82a… Adhering part, 83… Grip part, L ... lubricant, T: toner.

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. An electrophotographic recording apparatus, comprising: a cleaning unit disposed in a main body of the electrophotographic recording apparatus; and an edge portion formed at a boundary between a front end surface and a surface facing the photoconductor is brought into pressure contact with the electrophotographic photoconductor. A non-smooth surface having fine irregularities is formed in a region close to the edge portion on at least one of the front end surface and the opposing surface, and the cleaning blade and the electrophotographic photosensitive member A lubricant holding portion for holding a lubricant for suppressing friction of the cleaning blade. 2. A cutting blade having a non-linear portion bent in an uneven manner in a blade passing direction, wherein a cutting blade having a non-linear portion formed thereon cuts a raw material plate of the cleaning blade, and the non-linear portion forms a tip surface or an opposing surface of the cleaning blade. A method for manufacturing a cleaning blade, comprising forming the lubricant holding portion according to claim 1. 3. The lubricant holding section according to claim 1, wherein the cutting blade cuts the raw material plate of the cleaning blade, and the scraper member that moves together with the cutting blade scratches the leading end surface or the opposing surface of the cleaning blade. A method for manufacturing a cleaning blade, comprising: forming a cleaning blade; 4. A cleaning blade, which is detachably attached to a main body of the electrophotographic recording apparatus, makes a cleaning blade come into contact with the photoconductor, and after the transfer of the toner image is completed, the toner remaining on the photoconductor is peeled off by the cleaning blade. A cleaning unit that is collected in a unit, comprising: the cleaning blade according to claim 1 as the cleaning blade. 5. A cleaning device which is supported by a cleaning unit disposed in a main body of an electrophotographic recording apparatus, and presses an edge portion formed at a boundary between a front end surface thereof and a surface facing a photoreceptor with pressure to the photoreceptor. A blade, which is attached to the blade surface so as to cover at least a region including the edge portion, and holds a lubricant between the blade surface and a lubricant for suppressing friction between the cleaning blade and the photoconductor; and A cleaning blade comprising a lubricant holding sheet which is peeled off from a cleaning blade before image formation on a body is started. 6. A single lubricant holding sheet is adhered to a blade surface, and the tip end face and the facing face are sandwiched between the edge portions by a lubricant holding portion for holding a lubricant in the lubricant holding sheet. 6. The cleaning blade according to claim 5, wherein the cleaning blade covers an area extending over both sides of the cleaning blade. 7. A release sheet connected to the lubricant holding sheet, wherein the release sheet is pulled out in a predetermined peeling direction, the lubricant holding sheet is peeled off from the blade surface, and the blade in the lubricant holding sheet is removed. The cleaning blade according to claim 5, wherein a portion separated from the surface is in close contact with the release sheet. 8. The peeling sheet has an adhesive portion having an adhesive property on an outer peripheral portion of a contact surface with the lubricant holding sheet, and the adhesive portion separates the lubricant holding sheet from the cleaning blade. The cleaning blade according to claim 7, wherein a portion is attached. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the surface of the peeling sheet facing the photoreceptor is provided with flexibility so as to prevent the surface of the photoreceptor from being damaged when the sheet is pulled out in the peeling direction. 9. The cleaning blade according to 7 or 8. 10. A cleaning blade is detachably attached to a main body of an electrophotographic recording apparatus, and a cleaning blade is brought into contact with a photosensitive member.
9. A cleaning unit for removing toner remaining on a photoconductor after completion of transfer of a toner image by the cleaning blade and collecting the toner in the unit, wherein the cleaning blade is used as the cleaning blade.
A cleaning unit comprising the cleaning blade according to claim 9.