JPS62131267A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To remove deterioration of printing quality due to dirt in an optical system by providing a cleaning member for cleaning the optical system interlocking with the loading/unloading operation of a process unit on a proper position of the outer periphery of the processing unit to be loaded/unloaded to/form a device body. CONSTITUTION:A photosensitive drum, an electrostatic charger and other processing means necessary for image formation are set up in upper and lower units 2, 3 constituting an image forming device body 1 so as to be separated to upper and lower parts. The drum and at least one processing means arranged on the peripheral part of the photosensitive drum are built in a processing unit 4, the processing unit 4 is attachably/detachably stored in the upper unit 2 and the cleaning part 5 consisting of a soft material such as sponge is provided on a proper position of the outer peripheral surface of the processing unit 4. Every loading/unloading of the processing unit 4, the cleaning part 5 cleans the surface of a rod array lens 8 supported by an LED head 6 having a base 7 and adhering toner on the surface of the lens array 8 is completely wiped up.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to an image forming system in which a part of an image forming mechanism used in an electrophotographic recording machine, an electrostatic printing machine, etc. is made into a unit, and is incorporated into the main body of the device. This relates to improvements in equipment.

(Prior art) Image carriers such as photosensitive drums, as well as process means necessary for image formation, such as chargers, developers, static eliminators, and residual toner removal devices, can be individually installed and removed within the main body of the apparatus. In view of the drawbacks of the incorporated image forming apparatus,
As shown in Japanese Patent No. 64761, an image carrier, a charger and a residual toner removing device disposed around the image carrier are each integrated into a process unit, and the process unit is installed in the main body of the apparatus. An image forming apparatus is provided that is configured to be housed in a detachable manner.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) The optical system (optical writing section) in a normal image forming apparatus is located close to the developing device, so it is extremely susceptible to the effects of toner, etc. in the developing device. It is in a state where it is easily contaminated.

However, in the above-mentioned conventional image forming apparatus, by unitizing a part of the process means.

Even if the disadvantages and inconveniences in terms of maintenance of forming equipment in which each process means is individually assembled into the main body of the equipment can be solved to some extent, no measures have been taken to effectively prevent the optical system from becoming contaminated, so the optical system is extremely unstable. It was left in a condition where it could be easily defaced.

For this reason, if a laser beam method or the like is used for the optical system, this will not be a major problem, but if a liquid crystal shutter method or light emitting diode (LED) method is used, toner may be deposited on the light emitting surface of the optical system. This has resulted in problems such as white spots appearing in the print, which has an adverse effect on print quality.

(Means for Solving the Problems) The present invention has been developed to effectively solve the above-mentioned conventional problems. Assuming that the image forming apparatus has a structure in which at least one incorporated process unit is removably housed in the apparatus main body, the optical system is cleaned at an appropriate location on the outer peripheral surface of the process unit in conjunction with the attachment/detachment operation of the unit. A configuration with a cleaning section was adopted.

(Function) Therefore, in the present invention, each time the process unit is attached to or detached from the apparatus main body, the light emitting surface of the optical system is always cleaned by the cleaning section provided at an appropriate location on the outer peripheral surface of the process unit. There is no need to worry about the print quality being adversely affected by contamination of the optical system.

(Example) Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on an illustrative embodiment.

FIG. 1 is an external view showing an image forming apparatus of an electrophotographic recording machine according to this embodiment, and shows an image forming apparatus main body 1. FIG.

and an upper unit 2 that constitutes the upper side of the apparatus main body 1.

The upper and lower units 2 and 3 each contain a photosensitive drum, a charger, a remaining toner removing device, and other process means necessary for machine formation as appropriate. This means that the top and bottom can be separated.

However, in this embodiment, a photosensitive drum and at least one process means necessary for image formation disposed around the photosensitive drum are incorporated into a process unit 4 as shown in FIG. Unit 4 above unit 2
It is housed in a removable manner.

Then, place it on the outer peripheral surface of the process unit 4 at an appropriate location.

As shown in FIG. 2, a cleaning section 5 made of a flexible material such as a sponge is provided so that when the process unit 4 is attached or detached, the cleaning section 5 can clean the optical system, especially the light emitting surface, while sliding it. It is.

It should be noted that the cleaning section 5 comes into contact with the light emitting surface of the optical system without sliding when the process unit 4 is attached or detached, and when the process unit 4 is completely accommodated.

Since it is required to be away from the light emitting surface and not interfere with the operation of the optical system, it should be provided at a position that satisfies this requirement, for example, at the end of the process unit 4.

Therefore, if we explain the case where this is implemented in an image forming apparatus that employs a light emitting diode system in its optical system, as shown in FIG.
The cleaning unit 5 of the process unit 4 must clean the surface of the rod lens array 8 supported by the LED head 6 having the substrate 7 each time the process unit 4 is attached or detached. Even if toner or the like adheres to the surface, the adhered toner can be wiped cleanly.

Therefore, unlike in the past, there is no need to worry about toner adhering to the rod lens array 8 and causing white spots in the print, and since the luminous intensity does not deteriorate, clear print is always guaranteed. becomes.

(Effects of the Invention) As described above, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus having a structure in which a process unit incorporating an image carrier and at least one other process means necessary for image formation is removably housed in an apparatus main body. In the equipment, at an appropriate location on the outer circumferential surface of the process unit,
The present invention is characterized in that it is provided with a cleaning section that cleans the optical system in conjunction with the attachment/detachment operation of the unit.Therefore, each time the process unit is attached/detached to/from the apparatus main body, the cleaning section is provided at an appropriate location on the outer peripheral surface of the process unit. Since the light-emitting surface of the optical system is always cleaned by the cleaning section, there is no need to worry about the print quality being adversely affected by contamination of the optical system, and clear print is always guaranteed.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is an external view showing an image forming apparatus of an electrophotographic recording machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which a cleaning section is provided in a process unit, and Fig. 3 is a light emitting diode type image forming apparatus. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the employed optical system is cleaned. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Image forming apparatus main body, 4... Process unit, 5... Cleaning part, 6... LED head, 7... Substrate, 8... Rod lens array.

Claims (1)

[Claims] In an image forming apparatus configured to removably accommodate an image bearing member and a process unit incorporating at least one other process means necessary for image formation in an apparatus main body, a An image forming apparatus comprising a cleaning section that cleans an optical system in conjunction with the attachment/detachment operation of the unit.