JPS58137869A - Blade cleaning device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To clean a toner image carrier stably and thoroughly without damaging the toner image carrier, by pressing a blade to the toner image carrier while the blade is held elastically so that the blade and the toner image carrier form an acute intersection angle in the uncleaning side. CONSTITUTION:An elastic material 5 is provided between a blade holder piece 32, which is detained by a stopper 6, and an elastic blade 2, and the blade 2 held elastically is pressed to a toner image carrier 1 so that the blade 2 and the toner image carrier 1 form an acute intersection angle phi in the side of an uncleaning region. By this constitution, an excess toner is swept off stably and thoroughly without damaging the toner image carrier.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a cleaning device for an electrostatic recording device in which a photoconductive photoconductor 1+ made of selenium or the like is made of a dielectric material such as polycarbonate as a toner carrier, and more specifically, the present invention relates to a cleaning device for an electrostatic recording device in which a photoconductive photoreceptor 1+ made of selenium or the like is made of a dielectric material such as polycarbonate as a toner carrier. The present invention relates to a blade cleaning device for removing residual toner on the surface of a carrier.

In an electrostatic recording device using a photoconductive photoreceptor with a smooth surface such as selenium, an organic photoconductor, or cadmium sulfide, or a dielectric material such as polycarbonate, the photoconductive photoreceptor or dielectric material, that is, the toner carrier, is used. It is necessary to clean the toner remaining on the divine body surface.

An effective cleaning method is to use an elastic blade. There are two types of conventional blade cleaning devices shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. For example, a round plate-shaped elastic blade 2 supported by a holder 3 is in contact with a toner carrier 1 having a drum shape and rotating in a clockwise direction using a person as a contact point. Among the angles formed by the tangent plane X-X to the toner carrying member 1 at point A and the blade plane rIjiYY where the holder 3 holds the blade 2, this type of angle makes it difficult for the toner carrying member to move. Accordingly, due to the frictional force acting between the toner bearer and the blade, the blade is compressed and deformed to compensate for the cleaning side, and due to the reaction force of 7, the etched part of the blade presses against the toner bearer surface with a large force. . Therefore, the cleaning power for residual toner is great, but the disadvantage is that excessive force is applied to the surface of the toner image carrier, which may damage the surface. Further, the frictional force acts as a compressive force in the direction in which the blade is installed in the holder, and slight fluctuations in the frictional force appear as flapping of the blade.

Due to the frictional force between the blade and the surface of the toner image carrier, a strong reaction force from the blade does not act, and there are no problems like the method (1), but on the other hand, the cleaning force is weak and cleaning is difficult. There is a tendency for defects to occur.

In general, the cleaning performance improves as the blade increases, and the phenomenon of toner filming, in which toner components adhere to the surface of the toner image carrier and form a ruptured film, becomes less likely to occur, but the bending moment acts on the blade and causes vibration. This makes it difficult to bring the blade into uniform contact with the surface of the toner image carrier.

Further, in order to suppress the occurrence of the above-mentioned vibrations, it is possible to reduce φ, but if it is made smaller, the cleaning force becomes weaker and toner filming occurs.

Furthermore, foreign objects such as carriers are likely to be caught between the toner particle carrier and the blade, causing scratches on the surface of the toner particle carrier.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a blade cleaning device that eliminates the blade cleaning defects shown in the two types described above and provides stable and good cleaning performance. be.

The above-described object of the present invention is to provide a blade cleaning device for removing toner remaining on a surface of a toner image carrier, in which the intersection angle where the blade surface of the blade cleaning device and the surface of the toner image carrier contact and intersect is related to the scissors contact point. An elastic body is attached for pressing the toner image carrier surface with the ridge line of the blade so that the uncleaned side forms an acute angle, and urging the blade toward the side opposite to the toner image carrier surface of the blade. This can be achieved by a blade cleaning device characterized by:

The present invention will be explained in detail below using the drawings.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an electrostatic recording device equipped with the blade cleaning device of the present invention.

In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a toner carrier, which is in the form of a drum. Reference numeral F denotes an electrostatic latent flaw forming means, which forms electrostatic latent flaws on the surface of the toner carrier 1 based on electrical or optical light sent from an image pickup means (not shown) of the document. The electromagnetic power is transferred to the toner by the current device.

T is the toner transfer means, and paper feeding means 'II
The toner paper (not shown) carried in from ' 1 receives the transfer of the toner at the transfer peeling electrode part T2, is peeled off from the surface of the toner carrier l, and is transferred to the fixing means (not shown) by the conveying means T3. (not shown) is conveyed, the toner is fixed on the recording paper, and recording is completed. The prize transfer means T may also use a method of once transferring the toner to an intermediate transfer body and then transferring it again to a recording paper.

On the other hand, untransferred toner remains on the surface of the toner carrier 1 that has passed through the transfer means T, and the nuclear residual toner is removed by the cleaning device C, so that the toner blue re-enters the electrostatic conduction forming means F. The surface of the carrier 1 is cleaned so as not to interfere with the formation of electrostatic latent deposits. The degree of cleaning of the surface affects the image quality of the recorded image (degree of fogging, ghost marks, etc.), and the cleaning device performs the cleaning, and therefore the cleaning device affects the image quality. Decide whether it is good or bad. On the other hand, the suitability of its functional structure also influences the degree of damage to the toner carrier 1, and is an important point in performing electrostatic recording, and is the reason for carrying out the present invention.

Among the above-mentioned cleaning devices, a blade cleaning device of the present invention that performs cleaning with a blade will be explained with reference to the drawings. FIG. 4 shows an example of a blade portion of an embodiment of the present invention.

The toner carrier 1 rotates clockwise, and residual toner on the carrier after transfer is removed by a blade cleaning device. The elastic blade 2 has the blade plane YY
The intersection angle φ between the elastic blade 2 and the tangential plane xx of the toner carrier 1 at the contact point A of the elastic blade 2 and the toner carrier 1 is the contact point AK.
Pressing means (not shown) for supporting body IK
Being oppressed. The elastic blade 2 is held between a blade holder piece 31 and a grade holder piece 32, and is biased by an elastic body 5 provided between the blade 2 and the blade holder piece 32.

The nine elastic blades 2 pressed against the surface of the toner pellet carrier 1 are
When the toner groove carrier 1 starts to rotate in the direction of the arrow in the figure, the elastic blade 2 is dragged in the rotational direction of the toner carrier 1 due to the frictional force between the elastic blade 2 and the toner carrier 1, and the blade Although the entire holder 3 is also subjected to a force that displaces it in the rotational direction of the toner carrier 1, the blade holder piece 32
By providing a stopper 6 very close to or in contact with the blade holder piece 32, displacement of the entire blade holder 3 is regulated. When this state is reached, the elastic body 5 provided between the back surface of the elastic blade 2 and the blade holder piece 32 receives a compressive force due to the deformation of the elastic grade 2. A reaction force to this compressive force acts on the elastic blade 2. In particular, if this elastic body 5 is attached in a situation where a reaction force against the compressive force is applied to the blade from the back side of the elastic blade 2, the reaction force in response to the deformation of the blade will be extremely difficult to clean. The effect of is increased and it is favorable.

0<φ<i, which is a drawback in that there is almost no reaction force from the blade against blade deformation, by providing the suppressing elastic body 5 near the tip of the elastic blade 2 as in the present invention, o In response to the blade deformation at <φ<-, the blade is pressed, and the pressing force acting in response to the deformation of each part is applied over the entire blade ridge line, resulting in a dramatic improvement in cleaning performance and improved toner fill construction. without causing
Elasticity grade 2 without causing vibration of Maku blade
The toner contacts the surface of the toner-bearing body 1 uniformly, and uniform leaning is possible. Furthermore, since there is no possibility of interposition of foreign matter and therefore no risk of damaging the surface of the toner carrier 1,
This results in extremely good blade cleaning.

For the elastic blade 2, conventionally known synthetic rubbers such as urethane, silicone, nitrile, neoprene, or perflon, or natural rubber can be used. Moreover, the above materials can of course be used alone, and may also be used as a multi-layered material, or may be used in combination with elastically reinforced rounded steel plates or the like.

The shape of the blade may be cut in a plane that is perpendicular to the tangential plane XX of the surface of the toner carrier at the contact point λ and includes the moving direction of the surface, and the blade may have a short round cross section. It may have a shape with a transverse central origin toward the center, and various other convenient shapes can be given in consideration of pressing force, coefficient of friction, thickness, wear, fatigue durability, etc. Further, the longitudinal direction of the blade along the width direction of the toner damage body may be simply parallel to the upper i-pi width direction, or may be set at a certain angle. In this case, if the toner carrier is a drum, the blade has a spiral shape on the cylindrical surface of the drum.

Next, the elastic body 5 that urges the elastic blade 2 is shaped to fit the gap between the elastic blade 2 and the blade holder piece 32, and has a round cross section such as a rectangle, an ellipse, or a circle, and has air inside it. An elastic chip filled with liquid, rubber having the above-mentioned cross section, sponge having closed cells, etc. are used,
It may be an elastic mechanism made of a coil spring or a steel plate.

A plurality of elastic bodies 5 may be attached if necessary.

(9) A pressure contact member for the elastic body 5 is provided on the blade holder piece 32, and the elastic blade 2 is pressed by the person pressing the elastic body 5, and the force with which the elastic blade 2 presses the surface of the toner carrier 1 is adjusted. It can also be a mechanism.

Although the above-mentioned air-filled nine-elastic tip is a simple elastic body, it generates a pressing force that is sensitive to uneven deformation of the blade, based on Pascal's principle, and also extends over the entire length of the blade. Since it works uniformly, the elastic blade 2 always contacts the toner image carrier evenly, which is convenient.

The elastic blade 2 exerts a cushioning pressing force on the surface of the toner carrier 1 by the biasing force of the elastic body 5 described above.
requires the base point of the pressing force. That is, the holder 3 holding the elastic blade 2 can counteract the frictional force between the elastic blade 2 and the surface of the toner-111 carrier 1 by maintaining a fixed posture in a fixed position range with respect to the toner carrier 1. must be regulated accordingly.

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of the posture regulating means for the holder 3.

The holder pieces 31 and 32 holding the elastic blade 2 in their mouths are screwed onto a holder base material 33 to form the holder 3. The holder base material 33 is fitted onto a fixing member 4 that is immovably fixed relative to the toner carrier 1, and is rotated about the fixing member 4 to bring the elastic blade 2 into contact with the surface of the toner carrier 1. Then, lower the collar 6Ji and remove the holder piece 32.
to generate a coarse adjustment pressure force on the contact. Next, fine adjustment is made to the optimum pressing force using the eccentric cam stopper 6m. An example of the mechanism of the eccentric cam stopper is illustrated in FIG. Lower the eccentric cam stopper 6Jl and install the bone hair cam 62m.
The holder piece 32Vc is pressed against the holder piece 32Vc to fix the height of the camshaft 61Jl, and then the lever 63m is rotated around the camshaft 61m to rotate the eccentric cam 628 and finely adjust the pressing force. - The lever 631t is fixed in the fixing hole 64a. Furthermore, with the lever 63m as the base point, the 111 force is 62m.
It is also possible to use a mechanism that further applies a cushioning pressing force to the holder 3 by applying pressure to the holder 3.

Another embodiment of the posture regulating means for the holder 3 is shown in Fig. 1g7. The stopper 6b consists of a fine adjustment screw 62b and a stop member 61b. Stop member 61b as before
A coarse adjustment pressing force is applied to the contact point A, and then fine adjustment is performed using the fine adjustment screw 62bK.

The posture of the holder 3 can be controlled by means of two-stage regulation of coarse and fine adjustment as described above, as well as one-stage regulation means with automatic KIN impact. An example of this is illustrated in FIG. ls8 and FIG. 9.

FIG. 8 shows a fixing member 4c fixed immovably relative to the toner holder IK inserted into the holder 3, and a spring 6C with a large spring constant attached to the holder base material portion on the opposite side of the elastic blade 2 with respect to the fixing member 4C. This applies a pressing force that also has cushioning properties to the contact point AK.

In addition, in the example shown in Figure @9, a slide rod 4d is provided which is a modification of the fixing member fixed immovably in the same manner as described above, and the slide rod 4d can be fitted into the holder base material of the holder 3.
A sliding hole is provided to allow free sliding, and a weight 6d of a constant weight is attached to the holder base material portion on the opposite side of the elastic blade 2 with respect to the slide rod 4d. The balance between the inclination of the slide rod 4d and the weight of the weight 6d allows a pressing force with optimal cushioning properties to be applied to the contact person.

As a means of regulating the posture of the holder 3, the simple stopper 6 shown in FIG. 4 can be used to prevent damage to the surface of the toner carrier 1 and to clean it by the action of the elastic body 5 and the elastic blade 2. It is possible to adjust and implement the conditions to fully achieve the purpose.

The present invention has been described successfully above, but according to the present invention, the drawbacks that conventionally occur when the intersection angle φ is φ〉- and φ〉- can be solved: (1) Damage to the toner carrier. (2) Contact with the toner carrier is uniform at all times. (3) A stable state can be maintained against vibrations. (4)
It is possible to provide a blade cleaning device that has the advantage of not causing toner filming and has dramatically improved cleaning ability.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIGS. 1 and 2 are explanatory diagrams of two types of blade cleaning device regarding the intersection angle between the blade surface and the plane tangential to the toner carrier, and FIG. 3 is an electrostatic recording device equipped with the blade cleaning device of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the device. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the blade part according to the present invention;
FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 are explanatory diagrams of an example of a two-stage adjustable attitude regulating means for the holder, and FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of an example of another two-stage adjustable attitude regulating means. FIGS. 8 and 9 are explanatory diagrams of an embodiment of the one-stage adjustment posture regulating means of the holder. 1... Toner carrier, 2... Elastic blade. 3...Holder, 4...Fixing member. 5...Elastic body, 6...Stopper. A... Contact. Agent Yoshimi Kuwabara Figure 5 includes 414 X - + Figure Otsu 6α; 10 71 prisoners

Claims (1)

[Claims] In a blade cleaning device that removes toner remaining on the surface of the toner carrier, the blade surface of the blade cleaning device and the surface of the toner carrier are arranged such that the intersection angle at which they contact and intersect is an acute angle on the uncleaned side with respect to the skeleton contact point. (1) A blade cleaning device characterized in that an elastic body is attached for pressing the toner carrier surface with a ridgeline of the blade and urging the blade toward a side opposite to the toner carrier surface of the blade.