JPH10164289A - Image reader and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image reader in which an optical member such as a mirror provided in the inside of even a miniaturized device is periodically and automatically cleaned thereby ensuring high image quality for a long period and to provide an image forming device provided with the image reader. SOLUTION: A screw shaft 21 is placed along a mirror 13, and a cleaning member 29 is fitted to a mobile cylinder 26 reciprocated while being engaged with the screw shaft 21. The cleaning member 29 is in press contact with a surface of the mirror 13 by the turning of the screw shaft 21 and moved along the mirror 13 to clean the mirror 13, the screw shaft 21 is reversed at a turning point and the cleaning member 29 is retracted from the mirror 13 and returned to a home position.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus for reading an original image by illuminating an original such as a copying machine and forming reflected light, and an image forming apparatus having the same. The present invention relates to a technique for cleaning an optical member disposed on an optical path of light.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The configuration of a conventional copying machine is shown in FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 14A is an explanatory sectional view showing the configuration of the copying machine, and FIG. 14B is a plan view showing the configuration of the copying machine. As shown in FIG. 14A, a document 1 is placed on a transparent glass 2 and is illuminated in a slit shape by a document illuminating unit 5 including a light source 3 and a reflection shade 4. Reflects 12, 13 and passes through the lens unit 8,
The light is reflected on the mirrors 14, 15, and 16 and is irradiated on the surface of the rotating photosensitive drum 17. The image light flux applied to the surface of the photosensitive drum 17 is embodied as an image on a recording sheet (not shown) by the electrophotographic processing unit 18.

The mirrors 11, 12, and 13 move in the directions of arrows a in FIGS. 14A and 14B together with the original illuminating unit 5 and the mirror unit 7 that move along the optical rail 10 by a motor (not shown). Thus, the reading position is moved while moving the portion of the document 1 illuminating in a slit shape over the entire area of the document 1,
By irradiating the rotating photosensitive drum 17 with reflected light corresponding to the entire area of the document 1, image information of the original 1 is read and an image is formed on a recording sheet.

[0004]

However, according to the above-mentioned prior art, dust and cotton dust floating in the air inside the apparatus due to long-term use rise with the movement of the original illumination unit 5 and the mirror unit 7. Deposits on the reflecting surfaces of the mirrors 11 to 16 over time.

When a halogen lamp or the like is used in the document illumination system, a configuration is adopted in which air is taken in from outside using a fan (not shown) in order to cool the heat emitted from the halogen lamp. In this case, if the external environment where the device is placed is extremely
The contamination of the 16 reflecting surfaces will accelerate.

When dust or cotton dust accumulates on the reflecting surfaces of the mirrors 11 to 16 as described above, the amount of reflected light for image reading is insufficient and sufficient light does not reach the photosensitive drum 17. In addition, there is a possibility that image deterioration such as blackening of an image formed on the recording sheet may occur.

Normally, dust or cotton dust accumulated on the reflecting surfaces of the mirrors 11 to 16 is such that a user or a service person periodically inserts a hand into the inside of the apparatus to clean the reflecting surfaces of the mirrors 11 to 16. However, in recent copiers and the like, since the size of the apparatus is reduced, it is relatively difficult to access the inside of the apparatus, and it is also difficult to clean the reflecting surfaces of the mirrors 11 to 16. I have.

[0008] The present invention is to solve the above problems,
An object of the present invention is to provide an image reading apparatus capable of automatically cleaning periodically an optical member such as a mirror disposed therein even in a miniaturized apparatus, thereby ensuring high image quality for a long period of time. And an image forming apparatus provided with the same.

[0009]

A typical configuration according to the present invention for achieving the above object is to illuminate the image surface of a document placed on a transparent glass or a document conveyed on the transparent glass. An image reading device that forms an image on a photoconductor or a solid-state imaging device through an optical member that reflects or transmits the reflected light, and reads image information of a document, wherein a cleaning unit that cleans a surface of the optical member; Switching for changing the posture position of the cleaning means between a first position at which the cleaning means contacts the surface of the optical member to clean the optical member and a second position retracted from the surface of the optical member. An image reading apparatus comprising: a cleaning unit; and a moving unit that reciprocates the cleaning unit in a longitudinal direction of the optical member.

In the present invention, the cleaning means is switched to the first position where the cleaning means contacts the surface of the optical member by the switching means when the optical member is cleaned. By moving the cleaning means, the cleaning means moves while rubbing the surface of the optical member to clean the surface of the optical member, and after the cleaning means moves a predetermined distance, the switching means does not block the cleaning means from blocking the optical path. The image reading operation can be performed while being retracted to the second position.

[0011]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention applied to a copying machine as an example of an image reading apparatus according to the present invention and an image forming apparatus having the same. FIG. 1 is an explanatory cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a first embodiment of an image reading apparatus and an image forming apparatus including the same according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 illustrates a configuration of a first embodiment of the image reading apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a plan view, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a moving unit and a cleaning unit of the first embodiment, FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagrams showing a configuration of a spring wire member provided in the moving unit, and FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system for controlling operation timing of means.

In FIG. 1, an original 1 is placed stationary on a transparent glass 2 with its image surface facing down to read the original image, or is transported on the transparent glass 2 by an automatic original transport device (not shown). To read the original image.

An original 1 which is placed stationary on a transparent glass 2 and whose back is pressed by a pressure plate (not shown) includes a light source 3, an original illumination unit 5 including a reflector 4, a mirror 12, and a mirror 12.
The mirror unit 7 including 13 moves in the direction of arrow a in FIG. 1 along the optical rail 10 shown in FIG. 2 and is illuminated in a slit shape, and the reflected light 6 is reflected in the slit direction (up and down direction in FIG. 2). The mirrors 11, 12, and 13 serving as long optical members are disposed at the mirror, pass through the lens unit 8 that also serves as the optical member, and are mirrors serving as the optical member.
The light is irradiated onto the surface of an electrophotographic photosensitive drum 17 serving as an image forming means that reflects and rotates the light beams 14, 15, and 16.

The original 1 conveyed on the transparent glass 2 by an automatic document conveying device (not shown) placed on the transparent glass 2 is slit-shaped by an original illumination unit 5 and a mirror unit 7 fixed at predetermined positions. And the reflected light 6 is reflected by mirrors 11, 12, 13 in the same manner as described above.
Is reflected and passes through the lens unit 8, and the mirrors 14, 15,
The light is reflected on the surface of the rotating photosensitive drum 17 after being reflected.

The image light beam irradiated on the surface of the photosensitive drum 17 is embodied as an image on a recording sheet (not shown) conveyed to the photosensitive drum 17 by a recording sheet conveying means (not shown) by an electrophotographic processing unit 18. Is done.

In the present embodiment, the reflected light 6 containing image information is formed directly on the photosensitive drum 17 to read the image information of the original, and at the same time a latent image is formed and an image is formed on a recording sheet by a developing material. A description will be given of a case in which the image forming apparatus is configured to form the image. However, as another configuration, after the reflected light 6 is once formed on a solid-state imaging device such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) to read the image information of the document, A configuration may be adopted in which a latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 17 from an image sensor via a laser optical unit or the like (not shown), and an image is formed on a recording sheet using a developing material.

The optical rail 10 slidably supports a document illuminating unit 5 and a mirror unit 7 as a first mirror table, and as shown in FIG. And in the direction of arrow a in FIG. Further, a lens unit 8 is provided substantially near the center of an optical bench 9 serving as an image reading apparatus main body frame.

The original illuminating unit 5 and the mirror unit 7 on which the mirrors 11, 12, and 13 are mounted are driven by a motor by a wire driving device (not shown) and are appropriately moved along the optical rail 10 in the directions of arrows a in FIGS. Move and manuscript 1
The reflected light 6 illuminated and reflected by the light source 3 in the form of a slit by the light source 3 is reflected by the first mirror 11 provided on the original illumination unit 5 and the second mirror 1 provided on the mirror unit 7.
2. The light is reflected by the third mirror 13 and guided to the lens unit 8.

At the downstream side of the optical path of the lens unit 8, a fourth
A mirror 14, a fifth mirror 15, and a sixth mirror 16 are provided, and the reflected light 6 that has passed through the lens unit 8 is a mirror.
The light is guided to 14, 15, and 16 to form an image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 17.

In the case of the original 1 placed stationary on the transparent glass 2, the original illumination unit 5 and the mirror unit 7 are moved along the optical rail 10 in the direction of arrow a in FIG. By moving the reading position over the entire area of the original 1 and irradiating the reflected light of the entire area of the original 1 onto the surface of the rotating photosensitive drum 17, the image information of the original 1 is read and the image is recorded on the recording sheet. It is configured to form.

In the case of the original 1 which is conveyed on the transparent glass 2 and the original image is flowed and read, the original illumination unit 5 and the mirror unit 7 are fixed on predetermined positions on the transparent glass 2 at a reading position. By transporting the original, the reflected light of the entire area of the original 1 is irradiated onto the surface of the rotating photosensitive drum 17 to read image information of the original 1 and form an image on a recording sheet. .

Next, the structure of the cleaning mechanism, which is a feature of the present invention, will be described with reference to FIGS. In the following description, an example in which a cleaning mechanism corresponding to the third mirror 13 mounted on the mirror unit 7 is provided will be described.
Similarly, a cleaning mechanism for cleaning the reflection surfaces of the other mirrors 11, 12, 14, 15, 16 and the surface of the lens of the lens unit 8 can be provided.

A screw shaft 21 having a length corresponding to the length of the third mirror 13 is provided in the longitudinal direction (the vertical direction in FIG. 2) of the third mirror 13 serving as an optical member.
The mirror unit 7 is disposed at a low height position that does not hinder the movement of the mirror unit 7 at a predetermined distance in parallel with the lens unit, and both ends thereof are rotatably supported by bearings 22 fixed to the optical bench 9.

The screw shaft 21 is formed with a right-handed spiral groove in the traveling direction indicated by the arrow b in FIG. 2, and a gear 23 is fixed to the front side of the screw shaft 21 (the lower side in FIG. 2). Thus, it rotates integrally with the screw shaft 21.

The gear 23 is a pinion gear 25 fixed to the output shaft of a forward / reverse rotatable DC motor 24 fixed to the optical base 9.
When the motor 24 rotates in a predetermined direction, the gear 23 meshing with the pinion gear 25 rotates to rotate the screw shaft.
21 rotates in a predetermined direction.

As shown in FIG. 3, the screw shaft 21 has
While being fitted to the screw shaft 21, the screw shaft 21
A movable cylinder 26 that engages with the spiral groove of the screw shaft 21 is provided, and the screw shaft 21 and the movable cylinder 26 have a relationship of a male screw and a female screw with each other.

FIG. 4 (a) shows the inner diameter of the movable cylinder 26.
A substantially U-shaped spring wire member 27 as shown in (b) penetrates into a through hole 26a provided orthogonally to the axial direction of the moving cylinder 26, and is locked. Both distal ends of the later spring wire member 27 are bent so as to prevent the spring wire member 27 from falling off the movable cylinder 26.

As shown in FIG. 3, the spring wire member 27
By engaging with the spiral groove of the screw shaft 21, the movable cylinder 26 can move along the screw shaft 21 with the rotation of the screw shaft 21, and this spring wire member 27 is engaged with the screw shaft 21. With such a configuration, the frictional force can be made stronger than that of a general female screw.

With the above configuration, it is possible to generate a torque sufficient to rotate the arm 28 provided integrally with the moving cylinder 26 by the frictional force generated by the engagement between the spring wire member 27 and the screw shaft 21. At the same time, a cleaning member 29 serving as cleaning means, which will be described later, can move in the direction of arrow b in FIG. 2 along the screw shaft 21 while applying a predetermined pressure to the surface of the mirror 13, whereby the cleaning member 29 It is possible to obtain a sufficient pressure contact force necessary for wiping dust and the like adhered to the surface.

An arm 28 composed of a plate-like member orthogonal to the axial direction of the movable cylinder 26 is formed on the outer peripheral portion of the movable cylinder 26, and the surface of the mirror 13 is provided at the tip of the arm 28. A cleaning member 29 serving as a cleaning unit for cleaning is provided. The surface of the cleaning member 29 is provided with chamois suitable for mirror cleaning.

The arm 28 has a first position where the cleaning member 29 can be cleaned by contacting the surface of the mirror 13 by the rotation of the screw shaft 21 as shown by a broken line in FIG. 1, and a solid line in FIG. As described above, the cleaning member 29 can be changed to the second position retracted from the surface of the mirror 13, and when reading an image, the cleaning member 29 and the arm 28 are switched to the second position where the optical path is not blocked. At the time of cleaning, the cleaning member 29 is switched to the first position, and the cleaning member 29 comes into contact with the surface of the mirror 13, so that the entire surface of the reflection surface of the mirror 13 can be cleaned while rubbing the surface of the mirror 13. It has become.

The arm 28 is at the second position retracted to the side opposite to the mirror 13 with respect to the screw shaft 21 as shown by the solid line in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, and on the front side of the apparatus (the lower side in FIG. 2). A home for detecting the movement start position and the stop position of the movable barrel 26 is located at a position corresponding to the arm 28 (cleaning member 29) when the home position is set at a position deviated from one end of the mirror 13 of FIG. A position sensor 30 is provided fixed to the optical bench 9.

The arm 28 is tilted toward the mirror 13 with respect to the screw shaft 21 as shown by the broken line in FIG. 1, and at a first position where the cleaning member 29 abuts on the surface of the mirror 13, and The arm 28 is inverted to the second position at a position corresponding to the arm 28 when it reaches the turning position set at a position deviated from the other end of the mirror 13 on the back side of the apparatus (the upper side in FIG. 2). A folding sensor 31 for detecting the position where the moving cylinder 26 is folded is fixedly provided on the optical bench 9.

With the above configuration, first, when the arm 28 is in the home position shown by the solid line in FIG.
When the screw shaft 21 rotates in a predetermined direction and the screw shaft 21 rotates counterclockwise (in the direction of arrow c in FIG. 1) in the traveling direction of the arrow b in FIG. 2 via the pinion gear 25 and the gear 23, the screw shaft 21 and the spring wire member are rotated. The moving cylinder 26 is turned into the screw shaft 21 by the frictional force with 27.
1 and rotate to the first position shown by the broken line in FIG. 1 to bring the cleaning member 29 into contact with the surface of the mirror 13.

Then, while the cleaning member 29 is kept pressed against the mirror 13 with a predetermined pressing force corresponding to the frictional force between the screw shaft 21 and the spring wire member 27, the movable cylinder 26 is moved to the screw shaft 21. Along the arrow b in FIG. At this time, the cleaning member 29 moves while rubbing the reflection surface of the mirror 13, and wipes off dust, cotton dust and the like attached to the reflection surface of the mirror 13 to clean it.

When the movable cylinder 26 moves to the folding position and the folding sensor 31 detects the arm 28, the motor
When the screw shaft 21 rotates in the clockwise direction (the direction opposite to the arrow c in FIG. 1) in the traveling direction of the arrow b in FIG.
26 rotates integrally with the screw shaft 21 in the direction opposite to the arrow c in FIG. 1, and the cleaning member 29 separates from the surface of the mirror 13;
It rotates to the second position shown by the solid line in FIG. 1 and retracts to a position where the optical path is not interrupted, and switches to the return mode.

When the screw shaft 21 further continues to rotate clockwise in the direction of the arrow b in FIG. 2, the arm 28 is placed in a posture shown by a solid line in FIG. Abut on the back while sliding on the screw shaft
When the home position sensor 30 detects the movement of the motor 24 along the direction 21 and the rotation of the screw 24, the rotation of the screw shaft 21 stops, and the arm 28 returns to the home position. Return.

In the above configuration, the cleaning member 29 as the cleaning means is used.
The switching means for switching between the first position and the second position, and the moving means for reciprocating the cleaning member 29 in the longitudinal direction of the mirror 13 which is an optical member include a screw shaft 21 and a moving cylinder 26, etc. It is constituted by.

In the above embodiment, the case where the motor 24 is constituted by a DC motor has been described. However, the motor 24 can be constituted by a pulse motor or the like. In this case, the moving cylinder is counted by counting the number of pulses of the pulse motor.
It is relatively easy to control the 26 to return after returning a predetermined distance (the length to clean the reflecting surface of the mirror 13), and to reduce the cost of parts by omitting the return sensor 31. Can be done.

In the above embodiment, the user or service person may recognize the dirt on the mirror 13 and periodically rotate the motor 24 to clean the mirror 13, but another configuration is shown in FIG. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which a cleaning operation is automatically performed at a predetermined timing using a control system.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a control system for driving the motor 24 to rotate. In FIG. 5, the power switch 41 is
This is the main switch of the main unit.
Is turned on, a predetermined voltage V ₁ is input to the monostable circuit 42, and in response to this, the monostable circuit 42
_A high signal is output by one and input to the arithmetic circuit 47. The manual switch 43 is a switch that can be arbitrarily switched to an on / off state such as a cleaning-only mode. When the manual switch 43 is on, a high signal is input to the arithmetic circuit 47.

The AE sensor 44 is provided in the optical path of the optical member.
Of the original 1 provided near the lens unit 8
A part of the light 6 is input, the light amount is detected, and one of the comparators 45 is detected.
Voltage V corresponding to the light amount_TwoIs output.
A reference voltage source 46 is connected to the other input terminal of the comparator 45.
The original 1 is not placed on the transparent glass 2
AE when only white light from a pressure plate (not shown) is reflected
Output voltage V of sensor 44 _TwoOutput from the reference voltage source 46
The reference voltage Vs is compared and calculated by the comparator 45.

When the reference voltage Vs output from the reference voltage source 46 is higher than the output voltage V ₂ of the AE sensor 44, a high signal is output from the comparator 45 to the arithmetic circuit 47.
Is input to

The recording sheet detection sensor 48 is provided inside a sheet cassette, a sheet deck, or the like (not shown), and detects a recording sheet made of paper, synthetic resin, or the like housed inside the sheet cassette, a sheet deck, or the like (not shown). Detect presence / absence. Then, when the recording sheet runs out, a predetermined detection signal is output, and a high signal is input to the arithmetic circuit 47 in accordance with the signal.

The document presence sensor 54 detects the presence or absence of the document 1 supplied on the transparent glass 2. When the document presence sensor 54 detects that the document 1 is not supplied on the transparent glass 2, it outputs a predetermined detection signal, and a high signal is input to the arithmetic circuit 47 according to the signal. It has become so.

The sheet cassette presence / absence sensor 55 detects that the sheet cassette is detached when the sheet cassette detachable from the image forming apparatus main body is detached from the apparatus main body. When the sheet cassette presence sensor 55 detects that the sheet cassette has been detached, it outputs a predetermined detection signal, and a high signal is input to the arithmetic circuit 47 in accordance with the signal. ing.

The arithmetic circuit 47 includes a rising signal of the monostable circuit 42, a rising signal of the manual switch 43, a rising signal of the comparator 45, a rising signal of the recording sheet detecting sensor 48, a rising signal of the document presence sensor 54, and a sheet cassette. Of the rising signal of the presence sensor 55,
When at least one signal is input, a high signal is input to an AND circuit 49 for a predetermined time to turn on the switching circuit 50.

The drive detection circuit 51 is a detection circuit for detecting a drive signal of a mirror scan motor (not shown). When the reading operation of the document 1 is performed, the drive signal is in a high state. During the first image reading operation, the output of the drive detection circuit 51 is in a high state.
The output of the drive detection circuit 51 is input to an inversion circuit 52 to invert the signal, and the output of the inversion circuit 52 is connected to another input side of the AND circuit 49.

The AND circuit 49 turns on the switching circuit 50 only when the output of the arithmetic circuit 47 and the output of the inverting circuit 52 are both high. Therefore, manuscript 1
During the image reading operation of (1), one input side of the AND circuit 49 is always maintained in a low state.
Even when a high signal is transmitted from the arithmetic circuit 47 to the other input side of 49, the AND circuit 49 maintains the switching circuit 50 in the off state.

Then, when the image reading operation of the original 1 is completed and the output of the drive detection circuit 51 becomes low, the input of the AND circuit 49 becomes high by the operation of the inversion circuit 52. When a high signal is transmitted from the arithmetic circuit 47 to the other input side of the AND circuit 49 in this state, the AND circuit 49 switches to the switching circuit 50.
Turn on.

When the switching circuit 50 is turned on,
The motor forward / reverse rotation circuit 53 operates, and the motor 24 shown in FIG. 2 rotates forward / reverse to clean the mirror 13 as described above.

The drive detection circuit 51, the inversion circuit 52, and the AND circuit 49 are so-called prohibition circuits, and are safety protection circuits for preventing the cleaning member 29 and the mirror 13 from colliding during the mirror scan. .

As another safety protection circuit, even if an image reading operation start command is issued until the cleaning operation of the mirror 13 which is the optical member of the cleaning member 29 which is the cleaning means is completed,
The image reading operation may not be started. For example, when there is no cleaning member 29 at the home position according to the output signal of the home position sensor 30 in FIG.
Even if an image reading operation start command is issued, control is performed so that the image reading operation is not started.

As another configuration, when an image reading apparatus such as a copying machine detects a jam of a recording sheet or a document 1 and stops the reading operation, the cleaning member 29 serving as cleaning means is prevented from moving. It can also be controlled.

According to the above configuration, when the power of the image reading apparatus main body is turned on, the arithmetic circuit 47 is operated by the output signal of the power switch 41 shown in FIG.
The cleaning member 29, which is a cleaning means, automatically moves to automatically clean the surface of the mirror 13, which is an optical member.

When the output of the AE sensor 44, which is provided near the lens provided in the optical path of the optical member and detects the amount of reflected light from the original 1, is less than the reference value, the output signal from the comparator 45 The arithmetic circuit 47 operates to rotationally drive the motor 24, so that the cleaning member 29, which is a cleaning means, automatically moves to automatically clean the surface of the mirror 13, which is an optical member.

The original 1 supplied on the transparent glass 2
If the document presence sensor 54 for detecting the presence of the document is provided and the output signal of the document presence sensor 54 is connected to the arithmetic circuit 47 in the same manner, the document presence sensor 54 does not supply the document 1 on the transparent glass 2. When this is detected, the arithmetic circuit 47 operates to rotate the motor 24, and the cleaning member 29, which is a cleaning means, automatically moves to automatically clean the surface of the mirror 13, which is an optical member. it can.

The arithmetic circuit 47 operates to rotate the motor 24 by operating the manual switch 43 for activating the exclusive mode for performing the cleaning operation of the mirror 13 as the optical member by the cleaning member 29 as the cleaning means. When driven, the cleaning member 29, which is a cleaning means, automatically moves, and the surface of the mirror 13, which is an optical member, can be automatically cleaned.

Further, the cleaning member 29 serving as the cleaning means can be controlled to be movable only during a time other than the copying operation.

When a sheet cassette detachable from the image forming apparatus main body is detached from the apparatus main body, the sheet cassette presence / absence sensor 55 detects that the sheet cassette has been detached, and outputs an output signal to an arithmetic circuit. 47, the arithmetic circuit 47 operates to rotate the motor 24, and the cleaning member 29, which is a cleaning means, automatically moves to the mirror 13 which is an optical member.
Surface can be automatically cleaned.

When the recording sheet detecting sensor 48 detects that there is no recording sheet stored in the sheet cassette, the arithmetic circuit 47 is operated by the output signal of the recording sheet detecting sensor 48 to drive the motor 24 to rotate. The cleaning member 29, which is a cleaning means, automatically moves to the mirror, which is an optical member.
13 surfaces can be cleaned automatically.

Next, a second embodiment of the image reading apparatus and the image forming apparatus having the same according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
This will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is an explanatory cross-sectional view showing a configuration of an image reading apparatus according to the present invention and an image forming apparatus including the same according to a second embodiment, and FIG. 7 is a second embodiment of the image reading apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a configuration of the embodiment, and FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration of a moving unit and a cleaning unit of the second embodiment. The same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

In the first embodiment, the cleaning of the optical members such as the mirror 13 is performed by using the fixed cleaning member 29 using chamois on the surface of the plate-like member. Although the type in which dust is wiped has been described, in the present embodiment, a case will be described in which a rotating brush that rotates the cleaning unit simultaneously with the movement of the cleaning unit is used.

As shown in FIG. 8, on the outer peripheral portion of the movable cylinder 26, a support shaft serving as a rotation axis in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the movable cylinder 26 is provided.
A brush holder 62 is rotatably fitted to the support shaft 61. Mirror 13 of brush holder 62
A rotating brush 63 in which chamois is formed in a cylindrical or cylindrical shape is implanted at a position corresponding to a rotating member that meshes with the rack 65 at a position corresponding to a rack 65 serving as a rail described later. Pinion gear 64 is fixed.

The optical table 9 is disposed between the screw shaft 21 and the mirror 13 in parallel with the screw shaft 21.
A rack 65 serving as a rail having a length corresponding to the screw shaft 21 is fixed, and the screw shaft 21 rotates counterclockwise (in the direction of arrow c in FIG. 6) in the traveling direction of arrow b in FIG. When the cylinder 26 rotates in the direction of arrow c in FIG. 6, the rotating brush 63 comes into contact with the surface of the mirror 13, and the pinion gear 64 meshes with the rack 65.

When the screw shaft 21 further rotates counterclockwise in the traveling direction of arrow b in FIG.
As in the embodiment, the movement is started in the direction of the arrow b in FIG. At this time, since the pinion gear 64 meshes with the rack 65, the pinion gear 64 moves in the direction of the arrow b in FIG. 7 while rotating along the rack 65, and the brush holder 62 is rotated integrally with the rotation of the pinion gear 64. Rotates about the support shaft 61, and the rotating brush 63 rotates while abutting on the surface of the mirror 13 and moves along the mirror 13 in the direction of arrow b in FIG. At this time, the rotating direction of the rotating brush 63 rotates in the forward direction with respect to the moving direction of the rotating brush 63 in the direction of arrow b in FIG.

Therefore, the rotating brush 63 cleans the surface of the mirror 13 while rotating, and after moving a predetermined distance, the return sensor 31 detects the position of the brush holder 62 and rotates the motor 24 in the reverse direction. In the same manner as described above, the movable cylinder 26 returns to the home position. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and similar effects can be obtained.

Next, a third embodiment of the image reading apparatus and the image forming apparatus provided with the same according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
This will be described using 10. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a configuration of a moving unit and a cleaning unit according to a third embodiment of the image reading apparatus and the image forming apparatus having the same according to the present invention, and FIG.
It is sectional drawing. The same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

In the first embodiment, the cleaning member 29 is pressed against the surface of the mirror 13 at right angles to the longitudinal direction of the mirror 13, but in the present embodiment, the cleaning member is The mirror 13 and the cleaning member are brought into contact with each other while being inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction thereof.

In the first embodiment, while the cleaning member 29 is moving, the pressure that comes into contact with the surface of the mirror 13 is controlled by the screw shaft.
Although it was obtained by the frictional force acting between the moving cylinder 21 and the moving cylinder 26, in the present embodiment, the attracting force of the magnet is increased in order to increase the pressing force of the cleaning member pressed against the surface of the mirror 13. The case where the information is used will also be described.

In FIG. 9, the optical bench 9 has a relatively high magnetic permeability such as an iron plate formed between the screw shaft 21 and the mirror 13 and having a U-shaped cross section disposed in parallel with the screw shaft 21. A rail 71 made of a material and having a length corresponding to the screw shaft 21 is provided, and a magnet, which will be described later, is provided at a position corresponding to a turning point where the turning sensor 31 is provided at an end of the rail 71 on the inner side of the device. A square hole 71a having a slightly larger outer shape is formed corresponding to the outer shape of 78.

An arm 72 projecting from the outer peripheral portion of the movable cylinder 26 in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the movable cylinder 26 is provided with a mirror 72.
Before 13, it is inclined with a delay of an angle α with respect to the traveling direction of the arrow b in FIG. 9. A cleaning member 74 is detachably and loosely fitted to the arm 72 at the tip of the arm 72.

The cleaning member 74 includes a holder 73, a wiper blade 75 formed of a plate-like member formed of chamois, and a holder claw.
It is configured with 76. The cleaning member 74 can be easily removed from the arm 72 by releasing the engagement between the holder claw 76 and the locking claw 77 formed on the arm 72, and according to the life of the wiper blade 75. Thus, a new cleaning member 74 can be replaced and attached.

A magnet 78 serving as magnetic means is provided at a position facing the rail 71 on the back surface of the arm 72, that is, between the cleaning member 74 and the movable cylinder 26.

When the screw shaft 21 rotates counterclockwise in the traveling direction of the arrow b in FIG. 9 as in the first embodiment, the arm 72 rotates from the retracted position to the cleaning position with the rotation of the screw shaft 21. To move the cleaning member on the surface of the mirror 13.
The 74 wiper blades 75 abut. At this time, the attracting force of the magnet 78 by the magnetic force acts on the rail 71 and is attracted, so that the pressing force of the cleaning member 74 against the mirror 13 is increased.

Then, as shown in FIG. 9, the wiper blade 75 of the cleaning member 74 is pressed against the reflecting surface of the mirror 13 in a state where the contact line in contact with the reflecting surface is inclined with respect to the moving direction of the cleaning member 74. Move and wiper blade 75 is mirror
It moves while rubbing the 13 reflective surfaces, but the wiper blade
Since 75 is inclined by the angle α in the delay direction, chattering noise and vibration are less likely to occur during movement, and when the wiper blade 75 moves while rubbing the reflecting surface of the mirror 13, the screw shaft 21 And the moving cylinder 26 can be smoothly engaged, and the moving cylinder 26 can move smoothly along the screw shaft 21.

When the arm 72 reaches the turning point provided with the turning sensor 31 deviated from the end position of the mirror 13, the magnet 78 reaches the position facing the square hole 71a,
The attraction force due to the magnetic force acting between the magnet 78 and the rail 71 is released, and the arm 72 can easily rotate and retract.

Next, an image reading apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention and an image forming apparatus having the same will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a configuration of a moving unit and a cleaning unit according to a fourth embodiment of the image reading apparatus and the image forming apparatus having the same according to the present invention. The same components as those in the first and second embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

In the second embodiment, the rotation center axis of the rotating brush 63 is perpendicular to the axial direction of the movable barrel 26, and the rotating direction of the rotating brush 63 is the traveling direction of the rotating brush 63 (FIG. 7).
However, in the present embodiment, the rotation center axis of the rotary brush 81 is inclined and delayed by an angle β with respect to the traveling direction of the arrow b in FIG. The rotation direction of the rotating brush 81 is opposite to the traveling direction of the rotating brush 81 (the direction of the arrow b in FIG. 11).

In FIG. 11, an arm 83 projects from an outer peripheral portion of the movable cylinder 26 in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the movable cylinder 26, and a brush holder having a rotating brush 81 implanted on the outer peripheral surface of the arm 83 is provided. A support shaft 82 that rotatably supports 89 is provided.
The support shaft 82 is arranged so as to be inclined at an angle β with respect to the traveling direction of the arrow b in FIG.
At the end on the 83 side, a bevel gear 84 is provided which is configured to be rotatable integrally with the rotating brush 81 with respect to the support shaft 82.

A gear 85 meshing with a rack 65 disposed in parallel with the screw shaft 21 and rotatable is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the movable cylinder 26, and the bevel gear is rotated integrally with the gear 85 while being rotated. 2 formed integrally with bevel gear 86 meshing with 84
A step gear 87 is rotatably supported by a support shaft 88.

A claw 90 is provided at the end of the brush holder 89. The claw 90 engages with a step formed at the end of the support shaft 82 to move the brush holder 89 to the support shaft 82. Even when the brush holder 89 is rotated by being locked, the brush holder 89 is easily protruded and does not come off.

With the above configuration, when the screw shaft 21 rotates counterclockwise in the traveling direction of the arrow b in FIG. 11 and the movable barrel 26 rotates to the cleaning position, the rotating brush 81 contacts the surface of the mirror 13 and The gear 85 meshes with the rack 65.

Then, when the screw shaft 21 further rotates counterclockwise in the traveling direction of the arrow b in FIG.
The movement is started in the direction of the arrow b in FIG. At this time, since the gear 85 meshes with the rack 65, the gear 85 moves in the direction of the arrow b in FIG. 11 while rotating along the rack 65, and the bevel gear 86 that rotates integrally with the gear 85.
The brush holder 89 rotates around the support shaft 82 by meshing with the bevel gear 84 that rotates integrally with the rotating brush 81,
The rotating brush 81 rotates while contacting the reflecting surface of the mirror 13 and moves along the mirror 13 in the direction of arrow b in FIG. At this time, the rotating direction of the rotating brush 81 rotates in the opposite direction to the movement of the rotating brush 81 in the direction of arrow b in FIG.

Accordingly, the rotating brush 81 is tilted with a delay of the angle β with respect to the traveling direction of the arrow b in FIG. While rotating in the opposite direction, the reflecting surface of the mirror 13 is cleaned and moved a predetermined distance, and then the return sensor 31 detects the position of the brush holder 89 and reverses the motor 24 to move in the same manner as in the first embodiment. The cylinder 26 returns to the home position. Other configurations are the same as those of the first and second embodiments, and the same effects can be obtained.

Next, a fifth embodiment of the image reading apparatus according to the present invention and the image forming apparatus having the same will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 12A is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a cleaning unit according to a fifth embodiment of the image reading apparatus and the image forming apparatus including the image reading apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG.
12A is a sectional view taken along line BB, and FIG. 12C is a sectional view taken along line C-B of FIG.
It is C sectional drawing. The same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12A, a holder of a cleaning member 102 also having a rectangular parallelepiped shape is attached to an arm 101 having a rectangular parallelepiped shape protruding perpendicular to the axial direction of the movable cylinder 26. 103 are fitted and engaged, and the holder 103 is inserted into a locking groove 101a formed at the base of the arm 101.
The cleaning member 102 is configured to be detachable from the arm 101 by engaging and locking the claw 103a.

As shown in FIG. 12B, the cleaning member 102 has cleaning surfaces 102a, 102b, 102c, and 102d formed on four sides, and the direction of attachment to the arm 101 of the holder 103 is 90 degrees around the axis. By rotating them one by one, the cleaning surfaces 102a, 102b, 102c, and 102d that are in pressure contact with the surface of the mirror 13 can be appropriately replaced and used.

Therefore, for example, when the first cleaning surface 102a has reached the end of its life, the claw 103a is removed from the locking groove 101a, and the cleaning member 102 is pulled out of the arm 101 integrally with the holder 103. Rotate it 90 degrees to the center, and then again
2 into the arm 101 with the holder 103
3a is engaged with the locking groove 101a and locked, and the second cleaning surface 102b is locked.
Can be configured to be used.

According to the above configuration, the cleaning member 102 is
If you insert the 101 in the wrong direction, 4 fresh cleaning surfaces
The mirrors 102a, 102b, 102c, and 102d can be disposed so as to face the reflecting surface of the mirror 13.

In this embodiment, the cleaning member 102 and the arm
Although the cross-sectional shape of 101 is configured as a quadrangle, if it is configured as a hexagon, six fresh cleaning surfaces can be used, and if it is configured with other polygons, a large number of fresh cleaning surfaces can be used. It can be configured as follows.

Next, a sixth embodiment of the image reading apparatus and the image forming apparatus provided with the same according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIGS. FIGS. 13 (a) to 13 (c) are views showing the configuration of a cleaning unit of a sixth embodiment of the image reading apparatus according to the present invention and the image forming apparatus having the same. The same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

In each of the above-described embodiments, in a device placed in an extremely dirty environment, dust and cotton dust floating in the air in the device on the cleaning surface of a cleaning member as a cleaning means due to long-term use. If the dust is accumulated and contaminated, the mirror 13 serving as the optical member may be contaminated when the cleaning operation is performed.
Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the cleaning member 29 as the cleaning means is at the home position, the cleaning member 29 is formed of a flexible material such as a PET (polyethylene terephthalate) plate for covering the cleaning member 29 above the cleaning member 29. The cover member 111 is disposed so that the cleaning member 29 pushes away the cover member 111 and jumps out of the cover member 111 during cleaning.

FIG. 13A shows a state in which the motor 24 starts to rotate, the cleaning member 29 starts to lift, and the cover member 111 is pushed up from below. FIG. 13B shows a state in which the cleaning member 29 pushes up and deforms the cover member 111 and tries to fly out. After the cleaning member 29 jumps out of the cover member 111, the cover member 111 returns to the original shape shown in FIG. After the cleaning member 29 protrudes from the cover member 111, the cleaning member 29 comes into contact with the surface of the mirror 13 which is an optical member in the same manner as in the first embodiment described above, and is directed in the direction of the arrow b in FIG. Side) to clean the reflecting surface of the mirror 13.

FIG. 13C shows a state in which the cleaning of the reflecting surface of the mirror 13 is completed, the motor 24 rotates in the reverse direction, and the cleaning member 29 is retracted from the mirror 13, and the direction of the arrow d in FIG. To return to the home position and enter the lower part of the cover member 111 to cover the upper part, thereby preventing dust and cotton dust floating in the air in the apparatus from accumulating on the cleaning surface of the cleaning member 29. Indicates a state to prevent.

The cover member 111 has a thickness of 0.05 to
PET (polyethylene terephthalate) of about 0.2mm
It is preferable to use a plate or the like because it exhibits appropriate flexibility. Also, by attaching a brush (not shown) to the lower surface of the cover member 111, the cleaning surface of the cleaning member 29 is rubbed by the brush attached to the lower surface of the cover member 111 when pushed up by the cleaning member 29, and adheres to the cleaning member 29. Dust and cotton dust can be removed, the contamination of the cleaning surface of the cleaning member 29 can be alleviated, and the cleaning and removing effect of the cleaning member 29 can be continued for a longer period of time.

In the second and fourth embodiments,
As means for rotating the rotating brushes 63 and 81, a pinion gear 64 and a gear 85 are engaged with a rack 65, respectively, so that the rotating brushes are rotated.
Although the rotating brushes 63 and 81 are configured to rotate by the movement of the 63 and 81, as another configuration, the rotating brushes 63 and 81 may be rotated by a small separate motor independently of the moving operation. good.

In each of the above embodiments, the structure for cleaning the reflection surface of the mirror 13 has been described as an example of the optical member. However, the cleaning of the single-focus lens array used in other mirrors, small copiers and the like is described. It can also be applied to

[0099]

Since the present invention has the above-described configuration and operation, the apparatus itself cleans the reflection surface or the transmission surface of the optical member with a simple configuration, thereby taking the trouble of a user or a service person. It is possible to provide an image reading apparatus capable of obtaining a high-quality image without a decrease in light amount for a long period of time and an image forming apparatus including the same.

Further, by arranging the chamois on the surface of the cleaning means, the high-density fiber of the chamois has a high performance in wiping fine dust and removing cigarettes and dirt. The reflective surface or the transmissive surface of the member is not damaged, and has the effect of being strong against tensile force and durable.

If the cleaning means is configured not to move during the copying operation, there is no risk of damaging the optical member.

If the cleaning means is configured to automatically clean the optical member at a predetermined timing of the image reading apparatus, the optical member is automatically cleaned periodically without the user's awareness. I can do it.

If the cleaning means is configured to automatically clean the optical member when there is no sheet cassette, the copying operation is not started, there is no malfunction, and parts inside the apparatus may be damaged. There is no fear.

When the cleaning means is rotated, it is possible to improve the effect of removing dust especially among the dirt adhering to the optical member with an inexpensive and simple structure. In particular, when the cleaning unit is rotated in a direction opposite to the moving direction of the cleaning unit, a grinder effect for rubbing the dirt on the surface of the optical member quickly occurs, and it becomes possible to remove even a strongly sticky dirt. .

Further, by arranging the contact line of the cleaning means to the optical member obliquely to the moving direction of the cleaning means,
The cleaning means can be moved smoothly. When the cleaning means rotates, the cleaning operation is stabilized by arranging the cleaning means obliquely.

When the cleaning means is pressed against the surface of the optical member by the magnetic means, even the dirt stuck to the surface of the optical member can be removed.

When a plurality of cleaning surfaces of the cleaning means are arranged so that the cleaning surfaces can be appropriately replaced, cleaning can be performed a plurality of times with a fresh cleaning surface. Thereby, the cost per cleaning can be reduced.

Further, in the case where a cover member for covering the cleaning means is provided, it is possible to prevent dust carried by the airflow flowing around the cleaning means from being deposited on the cleaning means even in an apparatus which is placed in a highly dirty environment. Can be prevented. Further, when the brush is attached to the lower surface of the cover member, the life of the cleaning means can be extended.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a first embodiment of an image reading apparatus and an image forming apparatus including the same according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a configuration of a first embodiment of the image reading apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a moving unit and a cleaning unit according to the first embodiment.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagrams showing a configuration of a spring wire member provided in a moving unit.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control system that controls operation timing of a cleaning unit.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of an image reading apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention and an image forming apparatus including the image reading apparatus.

FIG. 7 is a plan view illustrating the configuration of a second embodiment of the image reading apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a moving unit and a cleaning unit according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a moving unit and a cleaning unit according to a third embodiment of the image reading apparatus and the image forming apparatus including the image reading apparatus.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along line AA ′ of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a moving unit and a cleaning unit according to a fourth embodiment of the image reading apparatus and the image forming apparatus including the same according to the present invention.

12A is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a cleaning unit of a fifth embodiment of the image reading apparatus according to the present invention and the image forming apparatus including the image reading apparatus, and FIG. 12B is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB of FIG. (C) is a sectional view taken along the line CC of (a).

13A to 13C are diagrams illustrating a configuration of a cleaning unit according to a sixth embodiment of the image reading apparatus and the image forming apparatus including the image reading apparatus according to the invention.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

1. Original document, 2. Transparent glass, 3. Light source, 4. Reflector shade, 5
Document illumination unit, 6 reflected light, 7 mirror unit, 8 lens unit, 9 optical bench, 10 optical rail, 11-16 mirror, 17 photoconductor drum, 18 electrophotographic process unit, 21 ... Screw shaft, 22 ... Bearing, 23 ... Gear, 24 ... Motor, 25 ... Pinion gear, 26 ... Movable cylinder, 26a
... Through hole, 27 ... Spring wire member, 28 ... Arm, 29 ... Cleaning member, 30 ... Home position sensor, 31 ... Folding sensor, 41 ... Power switch, 42 ... Monostable circuit, 43 ... Manual switch, 44 ... AE sensor , 45 ... Comparator, 46 ... Reference voltage source, 47 ... Calculation circuit, 48 ... Recording sheet detection sensor, 49 ...
AND circuit, 50: switching circuit, 51: drive detection circuit, 52: inversion circuit, 53: motor forward / reverse rotation circuit, 54: document presence sensor, 55: sheet cassette presence sensor, 61: support shaft,
62 ... brush holder, 63 ... rotating brush, 64 ... pinion gear, 65 ... rack, 71 ... rail, 71a ... square hole, 72 ... arm, 73 ... holder, 74 ... cleaning member, 75 ... wiper blade, 76 ... holder claw , 77 ... locking claw, 78 ... magnet, 81 ...
Rotary brush, 82 ... spindle, 83 ... arm, 84 ... bevel gear, 85
… Gear, 86… Bevel gear, 87… Two-stage gear, 88… Support shaft, 89…
Brush holder, 90… Claw, 101… Arm, 101a… Lock groove,
102: cleaning member, 102a to 102d: cleaning surface, 103: holder,
103a… Claw, 111… Cover member

Claims (20)

[Claims] 1. A photoconductor or a solid-state imaging device via an optical member that illuminates an image surface of a document placed on a transparent glass or a document conveyed on the transparent glass and reflects or transmits reflected light. An image reading apparatus that reads image information of a document by forming an image on the optical member, wherein: a cleaning unit that cleans a surface of the optical member; A first position at which the member can be cleaned;
An image reading apparatus, comprising: switching means for switching to a second position retracted from the surface of the optical member; and moving means for reciprocating the cleaning means in a longitudinal direction of the optical member. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the switching unit causes the cleaning unit to wait at the second position where the optical path is not blocked by the switching unit, and switches the cleaning unit to the first position by the switching unit when cleaning the optical member. Along with
After the cleaning unit moves by a predetermined distance while rubbing the surface of the optical member by the moving unit, the cleaning unit is switched to the second position by the switching unit, and then the cleaning unit is moved to the home position by the moving unit. 2. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image reading apparatus is configured to return. 3. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning unit has a plate-like member having at least a surface made of chamois. 4. The cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning device is rotated simultaneously with the movement of the cleaning device.
The image reading device according to claim 1. 5. A rotating member fixed to a rotating shaft of the rotatable cleaning means and having a rail arranged in parallel with a longitudinal direction of the optical member, and a rotating member integrally rotating with the rotating shaft is engaged with the rail. The cleaning member rotates on the surface of the optical member while rotating integrally with the rotating member by rotating the rotating member engaging with the rail with the movement of the cleaning device. The image reading device according to claim 4, wherein the image reading device is configured to be in contact with the image reading device. 6. The image reading apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the rail is a rack having a tooth portion, and the rotating member includes a pinion gear that meshes with the rack. 7. The cleaning means, wherein the chamois is formed in a cylindrical or cylindrical shape.
The image reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. 8. A magnetic means having a rail made of a material having a high magnetic permeability arranged in parallel with a longitudinal direction of the optical member, wherein the magnetic means is provided at a portion of the cleaning means not in contact with the optical member and at a position opposed to the rail. When the cleaning means contacts the surface of the optical member at the first position, the magnetic means exerts an attraction force on the rail, and the cleaning means is applied to the surface of the optical member. The image reading device according to claim 1, wherein the image reading device is configured to be in pressure contact with the image reading device. 9. When the cleaning means moves to a position deviated from the end position of the optical member at the first position, the attraction force of the magnetic means on the rail is released and the cleaning means moves. The image reading apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the direction is switched. 10. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a portion including a surface portion of the cleaning unit that contacts a surface of the optical member is replaceable. 11. A cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a contact line of said cleaning means for contacting a surface of said optical member is arranged obliquely to a moving direction of said cleaning means.
The image reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. 12. The cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of cleaning surfaces of the cleaning unit are arranged, and a cleaning surface of the cleaning unit that contacts a surface of the optical member is replaceable.
The image reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. 13. In a second position of the cleaning means, a cover member made of a flexible material for covering the cleaning means is disposed above the cleaning means, and when cleaning the optical member, The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning unit is configured to push the cover member out and to protrude from the cover member. 14. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the power of said image reading apparatus main body is turned on, said cleaning means automatically moves to clean the surface of said optical member. The image reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. 15. An optical sensor comprising: a lens provided in an optical path of the optical member; and an AE sensor provided near the lens and detecting a light amount. When an output of the AE sensor is less than a reference value, 14. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning unit automatically moves to clean the surface of the optical member. 16. A cleaning device, comprising: a document presence / absence sensor for detecting presence / absence of a document supplied on the transparent glass; and when the document presence / absence sensor detects that a document is not supplied on the transparent glass, 14. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means automatically moves to clean the surface of the optical member. 17. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image reading operation is not started even if an image reading operation start command is issued until the cleaning operation of the optical member by the cleaning unit is completed. 14. The image reading device according to any one of claims 13 to 13. 18. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a dedicated mode for performing an operation of cleaning the optical member by the cleaning unit. 19. An image reading apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an image forming unit configured to form an image on a recording sheet in accordance with image information of a document read by the image reading apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning unit is configured to control the cleaning unit to be movable only during a time period other than the copying operation. 20. A sheet cassette accommodating recording sheets and detachable from an apparatus main body, wherein when the sheet cassette is detached from the apparatus main body,
20. The image forming apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the cleaning unit automatically moves to clean the surface of the optical member.