JP2015079076A - Cleaning unit, image holding body unit, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the load of developer to be held.SOLUTION: A cleaning unit (CLp) includes: a cleaning member (18) for removing and cleaning developer adhered to an image holding body (PR); a cleaning container (1) for housing the developer removed by the cleaning member (18); and a hold member (21) which holds the developer removed by the cleaning member (18) in a space (23) between the hold member (21) and the image holding body (PR), has a base end part (21a) arranged in an upper part and supported by the cleaning container (1) and a free end part (21b) arranged below a contact position (Q12) between the cleaning member (18) and the image holding body (PR), and moves between an inclined position where the hold member is inclined to approach the image holding body (PR) as the free end part (21b) goes down and a moving position where a tip of the free end part (21b) is moved downward from the inclined position due to the weight of the removed developer.

Description

  The present invention relates to a cleaner, an image carrier unit, and an image forming apparatus.

  Conventionally, the developer remaining on the surface of the image carrier is removed and the surface of the image carrier is cleaned. Techniques described in Patent Documents 1 to 4 below are known as techniques relating to such cleaning.

  Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2012-78467 as Patent Document 1 discloses a blade (151) for scraping off the developer remaining on the surface of the photoconductor (11), and a scraper disposed below the blade (151). A cleaner having a lower seal (155) for preventing the removed developer from spilling out of the container (152), and a conveying member (153) for conveying the scraped developer to the outside of the container (152). (15) is described. In the cleaner (15) of Patent Document 1, a film-like damming seal (in the axial direction of the photoconductor (11) corresponding to the position between the lower seal (155) and the conveying member (153) ( 155) is arranged. The dam seal (155) dams off the developer and the like scraped off to the photoconductor (11) side, and causes the excessively accumulated developer to flow into the container (152) to be conveyed by the conveying member (155). Transported outside. At this time, in Patent Document 1, the upper end of the cross section of the damming seal (155) is supported by the casing (150) of the cleaner (15) and the lower end of the cross section is used as a free end, or the lower end of the cross section is supported by the casing (150). The upper end of the cross section is made a free end. In any case, the damming seal (155) is arranged along the direction of gravity.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-72538 as Patent Document 2 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-78718 as Patent Document 3 describe a dam seal (60) supported in the same manner as Patent Document 1. That is, Patent Documents 2 and 3 describe a dam seal (60) in which the upper end of the cross section is supported and the lower end of the cross section is a free end. In Patent Documents 2 and 3, the dam seal (60) is arranged along the direction of gravity.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-134478 as Patent Document 4 describes a cleaning device (7) disposed above the photosensitive drum (3) in the direction of gravity. In the cleaning device (7), the rubbing roller (21) is in contact with the upper surface of the photosensitive drum (3). A cleaning blade (22) for scraping off the developer on the upper surface of the photosensitive drum (3) is disposed downstream of the rubbing roller (21) in the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum (3). In Patent Document 4, the scraped developer is collected between the rubbing roller (21) and the cleaning blade (22). When the amount of developer accumulates and rises, the conveying spiral (23) on the upper side with respect to the rubbing roller (21) and the cleaning blade (11) conveys the developer to the outside of the cleaning device (7).
In Patent Document 4, a sheet-like scraping member (40) extending in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum (3) is provided between the upper conveying spiral (23) and the lower cleaning blade (22). Has been placed. The scraping member (40) has one end of the cross section supported by the device (7), and the other end of the cross section is set as a free end. In Patent Document 4, the other end side of the scraping member (40) vibrates in contact with the rotating shaft (23a) or the spiral blade (23b) of the rotating conveying spiral (23), and the rubbing roller (21) or the like. Is breaking up the accumulated developer. In Patent Document 4, the scraping member (40) is supported so as to contact the rotating shaft (23a) when elastically restored.

JP 2012-78467 A ("0032" to "0037", FIGS. 3 and 11) JP 2010-72538 A ("0023" to "0027", FIG. 5) JP 2010-78718 A ("0025" to "0029", FIG. 5) JP 2008-134478 A (“0028” to “0036”, “0037” to “0039”, FIG. 2)

  An object of the present invention is to reduce the load of a developer that is blocked.

In order to solve the technical problem, the cleaning device of the invention according to claim 1,
A cleaning member that contacts an image carrier that holds an image on the surface, and removes and removes the developer attached to the surface of the image carrier;
A cleaning container in which the developer removed by the cleaning member is stored;
A damming member disposed inside the cleaning container relative to the cleaning member and capable of damming the developer removed by the cleaning member in a space between the surface of the image carrier and above in the gravity direction And a free end portion disposed below the gravity direction and below the contact position between the cleaning member and the image carrier. And an inclined position that is inclined in a direction approaching the image carrier as the free end is lowered in the direction of gravity, and the weight of the removed developer acts to The damming member which is movable between a moving position where the tip has moved downward in the direction of gravity from the inclined position;
It is provided with.

In order to solve the technical problem, the cleaning device according to claim 2 comprises:
A cleaning member that contacts an image carrier that holds an image on the surface, and removes and removes the developer attached to the surface of the image carrier;
A cleaning container in which the developer removed by the cleaning member is stored;
A damming member disposed inside the cleaning container relative to the cleaning member and capable of damming the developer removed by the cleaning member in a space between the surface of the image carrier and above in the gravity direction And a free end portion disposed below the gravity direction and below the contact position between the cleaning member and the image carrier. And an inclined position that is inclined in a direction approaching the image carrier as the free end is lowered in the direction of gravity, and the weight of the removed developer acts to The damming member that is movable between a movement position in which a tip moves in a direction away from the image holding body rather than the inclined position; and
It is provided with.

In order to solve the technical problem, the image carrier unit of the invention according to claim 3 comprises:
An image carrier for holding an image on the surface;
The cleaner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the developer attached to the surface of the image carrier is removed and cleaned.
It is provided with.

In order to solve the technical problem, an image forming apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention provides:
A rotating image carrier;
A charging member for charging the surface of the image carrier;
A latent image forming apparatus for forming a latent image on the image carrier;
A developing device for developing a latent image on the surface of the image carrier into a visible image with a developer;
A transfer device for transferring a visible image of the surface of the image carrier to a transfer target;
The cleaner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the developer attached to the surface of the image carrier after transfer is removed and cleaned.
It is provided with.

  According to the first, second, third, and fourth aspects of the invention, it is possible to reduce the load of the developer to be dammed as compared with the case where the free end portion of the damming member does not move to the inclined position.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a main part of the cleaner according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of the position of the damming member according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG. FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of a conventional cleaner. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the conventional technology, and is a diagram for explaining the flow of the developer in the pool space. 6A and 6B are explanatory views of the operation of the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6A is an explanatory view when the damming member is held at the inclined position, and FIG. 6B is an explanatory view of the continuation of FIG. FIG. 6C is an explanatory diagram subsequent to FIG. 6B and is an explanatory diagram after the damming member has moved to the movement position. FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a main part of the cleaner according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a main part of the cleaner according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

Next, specific examples of embodiments of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as examples) will be described with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the following examples.
In order to facilitate understanding of the following description, in the drawings, the front-rear direction is the X-axis direction, the left-right direction is the Y-axis direction, the up-down direction is the Z-axis direction, and arrows X, -X, Y, -Y, The direction indicated by Z and -Z or the indicated side is defined as the front side, the rear side, the right side, the left side, the upper side, the lower side, or the front side, the rear side, the right side, the left side, the upper side, and the lower side, respectively.
In the figure, “•” in “○” means an arrow heading from the back of the page to the front, and “×” in “○” is the front of the page. It means an arrow pointing from the back to the back.
In the following description using the drawings, illustrations other than members necessary for the description are omitted as appropriate for easy understanding.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 1, a copier U as an example of an image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment is an example of a recording unit, and includes a printer unit U1 as an example of an image recording apparatus. A scanner unit U2 as an example of a reading unit and an example of an image reading device is supported on the upper portion of the printer unit U1. An auto feeder U3 as an example of a document transport device is supported on the upper portion of the scanner unit U2. The scanner unit U2 of the first embodiment supports a user interface U0 as an example of an input unit. The user interface U0 can be operated by the operator by inputting the user interface U0.

  A document tray TG1 as an example of a medium container is disposed on the upper part of the auto feeder U3. A plurality of documents Gi to be copied can be stacked and stored in the document tray TG1. A document discharge tray TG2 as an example of a document discharge unit is formed below the document tray TG1. A document transport roll U3b is disposed between the document tray TG1 and the document discharge tray TG2 along the document transport path U3a.

A platen glass PG as an example of a transparent document table is disposed on the upper surface of the scanner unit U2. In the scanner unit U2 of the first embodiment, a reading optical system A is disposed below the platen glass PG. The optical system A for reading in Example 1 is supported so as to be movable in the left-right direction along the lower surface of the platen glass PG. The reading optical system A is normally stopped at the initial position shown in FIG.
On the right side of the optical system A for reading, an imaging element CCD as an example of an imaging member is arranged. An image processing unit GS is electrically connected to the image sensor CCD.
The image processing unit GS is electrically connected to the writing circuit DL of the printer unit U1. The writing circuit DL is electrically connected to an exposure apparatus ROS as an example of a latent image forming apparatus.

A photosensitive drum PR, which is an example of an image carrier, is disposed below the exposure apparatus ROS. The photosensitive drum PR rotates in the direction of the arrow Ya.
On the photosensitive drum PR, a charging roll CR, which is an example of a charging member, is disposed opposite to the charging region Q0.
A charging voltage is applied from the power supply circuit E to the charging roll CR. The power supply circuit E is controlled by a controller C as an example of a control unit. The controller C performs various controls by transmitting and receiving signals to and from the image processing unit GS and the writing circuit DL. Further, a personal computer PC as an example of an information transmission device is connected to the controller C of the first embodiment via a connection line for transmitting and receiving information to the copying machine U. The controller C receives the image information to be printed transmitted from the personal computer PC.

In the writing area Q1 set on the downstream side of the charging area Q0 with respect to the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum PR, a laser beam L as an example of writing light from the exposure device ROS is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum PR. Is irradiated.
In the developing area Q2 set on the downstream side of the writing area Q1 with respect to the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum PR, the developing device G is disposed to face the surface of the photosensitive drum PR.
A cartridge K as an example of a developer container is disposed on the right side of the developing device G. The cartridge K is detachably attached to a cartridge holder KS as an example of a container support member. Below the cartridge holder KS, a reserve tank RT as an example of a temporary storage portion for the developer is disposed. The reserve tank RT and the developing device G are connected by a developer transport device GH.
A transfer area Q3 is set on the downstream side of the development area Q2 with respect to the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum PR.

Under the printer unit U1, paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 as examples of a medium container are detachably supported. Sheets T as an example of a medium are accommodated in the sheet feed trays TR1 to TR4.
A pickup roll Rp as an example of a medium take-out member is disposed on the upper right side of the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4. On the right side of the pick-up roll Rp, a separating roll Rs as an example of a separating member is disposed.
On the right side of each of the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4, a medium transport path SH1 extending upward is formed. A plurality of transport rolls Ra as an example of a medium transport member are arranged in the transport path SH1. In the conveyance path SH1, a registration roll Rr as an example of a feeding member is disposed on the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the sheet S and on the upstream side of the transfer region Q3.

  On the right side of the cartridge holder KS or the like, a manual feed tray TRt, which is an example of a medium storage container and serves as a manual feed portion, is installed. The manual feed tray TRt according to the first exemplary embodiment is supported to be rotatable about the rotation center TRt0. Therefore, the manual feed tray TRt is configured to be movable between a housed position indicated by a solid line in FIG. 1 and a feedable position indicated by a one-dot chain line in FIG. When the manual feed tray TRt according to the first embodiment is moved to the stored position, a part TRt1 of the manual feed tray TRt is accommodated in a state of entering the lower side of the cartridge holder KS and the right side of the reserve tank RT. . Accordingly, the entire copying machine U is reduced in capacity and reduced in size.

In the transfer area Q3, a transfer unit TU, which is an example of a transfer device and an example of a medium transport device, is disposed below the photosensitive drum PR. The transfer unit TU includes an endless transfer belt TB as an example of a medium transport member.
The transfer belt TB is rotatably supported by a driving roll Rd as an example of a driving member and a driven roll Rf as an example of a driven member.
Inside the transfer belt TB, a transfer roll TR as an example of a transfer device is supported. The transfer roll TR is disposed to face the photosensitive drum PR with the transfer belt TB interposed therebetween. Therefore, the transfer region Q3 is constituted by the region where the transfer roll TR and the photosensitive drum PR face each other. A transfer voltage is applied from the power supply circuit E to the transfer roll TR.

A peeling claw SC as an example of a medium peeling member is disposed on the left end of the transfer belt TB. Below the peeling claw SC, a belt cleaner CLb as an example of a cleaner of the transfer device is disposed to face the surface of the transfer belt TB.
Note that a drum cleaner CLp, which is an example of an image carrier cleaner, is disposed on the downstream side of the transfer region Q3 with respect to the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum PR so as to face the surface of the photosensitive drum PR. Yes. In the first embodiment, the photosensitive drum PR, the charging roll CR, and the drum cleaner CLp are configured by a drum unit as an example of a detachable body, and are configured to be detachable and replaceable integrally with the copying machine U. ing.

A fixing device F as an example of a heat source member is disposed on the left side of the transfer unit TU.
The fixing device F includes a heating roll Fh as an example of a heating rotating member and a pressure roll Fp as an example of a pressing rotating member.
To the left of the fixing device F, a discharge path SH2 extending upward is connected as an example of a medium transport path.
In the discharge path SH2, as an example of a medium transport member, a transport roll Rb and a discharge roll Rh capable of transporting the medium and rotating in the forward and reverse directions are arranged.
A paper discharge tray TRh as an example of a medium discharge unit is formed on the upper surface of the printer unit U1.

A reversing path SH3, which is an example of a medium transport path, is formed below the discharge path SH2. The reversing path SH3 according to the first embodiment branches from the discharge path SH2 and extends downward, and joins the transport path SH1 on the upstream side in the sheet transport direction from the registration roll Rr.
A gate MG as an example of a transfer direction switching member is disposed at a branch portion between the discharge path SH2 and the reversal path SH3. The gate MG of the first embodiment is formed of an elastically deformable thin film shape, so-called film. When the sheet S conveyed from the fixing device F passes through the gate MG, the gate MG is pushed by the sheet S and is elastically deformed so that the sheet S can pass through the discharge path SH2. When the sheet S is conveyed from the discharge path SH2 to the reversing path SH3, the gate MG is held in an elastically restored state, preventing the sheet S from entering the fixing device F, and the reversing path SH3. It arrange | positions so that the sheet | seat S may be guided to the side.

(Description of image forming operation)
The plurality of documents Gi stored in the document tray TG1 sequentially passes through the document reading position on the platen glass PG and is discharged to the document discharge tray TG2.
When the automatic feeder U3 is used to automatically convey and copy a document, each document that sequentially passes through the reading position on the platen glass PG with the reading optical system A stopped at the initial position. Gi is exposed.
When the operator places the document Gi on the platen glass PG by hand, the optical system A for reading moves in the left-right direction, and the document on the platen glass PG is scanned while being exposed.
The reflected light from the document Gi passes through the optical system A and is collected on the image sensor CCD. The image pickup device CCD converts the reflected light of the original collected on the image pickup surface into an electric signal.

The image processing unit GS converts the read signal input from the image sensor CCD into a digital image signal and outputs the digital image signal to the writing circuit DL of the printer unit U1. The writing circuit DL outputs a control signal corresponding to the input image writing signal to the exposure apparatus ROS.
The surface of the photosensitive drum PR is charged by the charging roll CR in the charging region Q0. At the latent image writing position Q1, the laser beam L output from the exposure apparatus ROS forms an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum PR. In the developing region Q2, the developing device G develops the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum PR that passes through the developing region Q2 into a toner image Tn as an example of a visible image. When the developer is consumed in the developing device G, the developer transport device GH is operated according to the consumption amount, and the developer is supplied from the cartridge K to the developing device G.

The sheets S of the respective trays TR1 to TR4 are taken out by the pickup roll Rp at a preset sheet feeding time. The sheets S picked up by the pickup roll Rp are separated one by one by the separating roll Rs when picked up in a state where a plurality of sheets S are overlapped. The sheet S that has passed the separating roll Rs is conveyed to the registration roll Rr by a plurality of conveyance rolls Ra.
The sheet S fed from the manual feed tray TRt also joins the transport path SH and is transported to the registration roll Rr.

The sheet S conveyed to the registration roll Rr is transferred from the sheet guide SG1 before transfer as an example of a guide member before transfer to the transfer area according to the timing when the toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum PR moves to the transfer area Q3. It is transported toward Q3.
The sheet S conveyed from the registration roll Rr is supported on the surface of the transfer belt TB and passes through the transfer region Q3. The toner image Tn on the surface of the photosensitive drum PR is transferred to the sheet S passing through the transfer region Q3 by the transfer voltage applied to the transfer roll TR.
The surface of the photosensitive drum PR after passing through the transfer region Q3 is cleaned by removing residual toner by the drum cleaner CLp. The surface of the photosensitive drum PR after cleaning is recharged by the charging roll CR.

The sheet S to which the toner image Tn is transferred is peeled from the transfer belt TB by the peeling claw SC. From the transfer belt TB from which the sheet S has been peeled off, deposits such as developer and paper dust attached to the surface of the transfer belt TB are removed by the belt cleaner CLb. When the sheet S peeled from the transfer belt TB passes through the contact area between the heating roll Fh and the pressure roll Fp, the toner image is heated and pressed to be fixed.
The recording sheet S on which the toner image is fixed passes through the gate MG while being elastically deformed, and is conveyed to the discharge path SH2. The sheet S discharged to the paper discharge tray TRh is transported by the transport roll Rb and discharged to the paper discharge tray TRh by the discharge roll Rh.

  When duplex printing is performed, the trailing edge of the sheet S on which one side has been recorded is conveyed downstream by the conveyance roll Rb and the discharge roll Rh until it passes through the gate MG. When the trailing edge of the sheet S passes through the gate MG, the transport roll Rb and the discharge roll Rh rotate in the reverse direction and are transported from the discharge path SH2 toward the reversal path SH3. That is, the sheet S is so-called switched back with the conveyance direction reversed. The switched sheet S is guided by the gate MG and conveyed through the reversing path SH3. The sheet S conveyed on the reversing path SH3 joins the conveying path SH1, and is conveyed to the registration roll Rr with the front and back sides reversed. Then, an image is printed on the second surface of the sheet S in the transfer region Q3.

(Description of cleaner)
FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a main part of the cleaner according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 2, a cleaner CLp as an example of the cleaner according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a housing 1 as an example of a cleaning container. The housing 1 extends in the front-rear direction along the photosensitive drum PR. The housing 1 has an inner wall surface 2 inclined from the upper side to the lower left side. The housing 1 has a bottom 3 that is recessed in a semicircular arc from the lower end of the inner wall surface 2 toward the photosensitive drum PR. A rear wall 4 and a front wall 6 are formed before and after the inner wall surface 2 and the bottom portion 3. The inner wall 2, the bottom 3, the rear wall 4, and the inner peripheral edge that is closed by the front wall 6 form an opening 7 that is open on the photosensitive drum PR side.

  At the upper end portion of the housing 1, a plate support portion 8 as an example of a support portion of a support member is formed corresponding to the outer surface above the opening 7. A seal support portion 9 is formed below the housing 1 as an example of a support portion for a leakage prevention member, corresponding to the outer surface below the opening 7. Further, a support portion for the photosensitive drum PR (not shown) is formed before and after the housing 1. Therefore, the housing 1 supports the photosensitive drum PR. Therefore, the cleaner CLp and the photosensitive drum PR are held in a preset positional relationship.

  In FIG. 2, a seal 12 as an example of a leakage prevention member is supported on a seal support portion 9 of the housing 1 via a double-sided tape 11 as an example of a sticking member. The seal 12 is formed in a thin film shape extending along the axial direction of the photosensitive drum PR. The seal 12 extends from the outer surface of the housing 1 to the upper right. Therefore, the lower inner edge 7 a of the opening 7 of the housing 1 forms a step with respect to the upper surface 12 a of the seal 12. The upper right end of the seal 12, that is, the front end 12b of the seal 12 is in contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum PR at the closing position Q11. The tip 12b of the seal 12 is in contact with the photosensitive drum PR with a weak force that does not cause the developer held on the photosensitive drum PR to slide off. Accordingly, the developer remaining on the photosensitive drum PR is not slid off by the seal 12 and passes through the closing position Q11 as the photosensitive drum PR rotates. On the other hand, the space between the photosensitive drum PR and the housing 1 is closed with a seal 12, and the developer is prevented from leaking from the tip 12 b of the seal 12.

  In FIG. 2, a plate 14 as an example of a support member of a cleaning member is supported on a support portion 8 of the plate of the housing 1 via a sponge 13 as an example of a sealing member. The plate 14 has a flat plate-like supported portion 16 extending in the left-right direction. The supported portion 16 is supported by the support portion 8 of the plate. At the right end of the supported portion 16, a flat plate-like inclined portion 17 extending toward the lower right is formed. The inclined portion 17 is inclined at a preset angle θ with respect to the direction of gravity. In Example 1, an angle of 10 ° to 60 ° is preferably used as the angle θ.

  A plate-like blade 18 as an example of a cleaning member is supported on the surface 17 a on the photosensitive drum PR side of the inclined portion 17. The blade 18 extends to the lower right along the surface 17 a of the inclined portion 17. The lower end 18a which is the tip of the blade 18 is in contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum PR at an angle based on the angle θ at a preset cleaning position Q12 as an example of a contact position. The cleaning position Q12 is set corresponding to the left surface of the photosensitive drum PR. Further, the cleaning position Q12 is set on the downstream side in the rotation direction Ya of the photosensitive drum PR compared to the closed position Q11, and is set above the gravity direction compared to the closed position Q11. . That is, the cleaning position Q12 is set at a position where the developer scraped off by the blade 18 can move under its own weight in the direction of gravity even when the photosensitive drum PR is rotating.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of the position of the damming member according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG.
2 and 3, a film 21 as an example of a damming member is supported on a surface 17 b on the housing 1 side of the inclined portion 17 via a double-sided tape 19. Therefore, the film 21 is disposed inside the cleaner CLp with respect to the blade 18. The film 21 is formed in a thin film shape extending along the axial direction of the photosensitive drum PR. The film 21 extends to the lower right along the surface 17 b of the inclined portion 17. Here, the film 21 has flexibility. The film 21 is supported by the inclined portion 17 at an upper end portion 21a which is a base end portion.

  Therefore, the lower end 21b of the film 21 is a free end. Accordingly, the film 21 is held at an initial position indicated by a solid line in FIG. 3 extending along the inclined portion 17 as an example of an inclined position in a natural state where no external force is applied. That is, at the initial position, the lower end portion 21b is inclined in a direction approaching the photosensitive drum PR as it becomes lower in the gravity direction. Further, when an external force is applied by being pushed by the developer, the film 21 moves from the initial position to a separation position indicated by a broken line in FIG. 3 as an example of the movement position. In the separation position, the lower end portion 21b is moved away from the photosensitive drum PR as compared with the initial position. In the separated position, the tip 21b1 of the lower end 21b is moved downward in the gravitational direction from the initial position. In Example 1, the lower end 21b of the film 21 is formed with a plurality of cuts from the tip 21b1 toward the upper end 21a.

  Here, in the film 21 held at the initial position, the lower end portion 21b of the film 21 is disposed at a position separated from the photosensitive drum PR. That is, the lower end portion 21b of the film 21 at the initial position is arranged to face the preset reservoir position Q13 on the photosensitive drum PR. The reservoir position Q13 is set on the upstream side in the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum PR and below the gravity direction with respect to the cleaning position Q12. In Example 1, the reservoir position Q13 is set on the upstream side in the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum PR and below the gravity direction with respect to the closing position Q11.

In Example 1, the leading end 21b1 of the film 21 at the initial position is disposed closer to the photosensitive drum PR in the horizontal direction than the inner edge 7a on the lower side of the opening 7. At this time, the film 21 can dam the developer between the tip 21b1 of the film 21 and the upper surface 12a of the seal 12, and the film 21 can move when pressed by the developer. A gap 22 is formed. Further, in the first embodiment, the leading end 21b1 of the film 21 at the separated position is set so as to move to the inside of the housing 1 in the horizontal direction with respect to the lower inner edge 7a of the opening 7.
A space surrounded by the seal 12, the blade 18, the film 21, and the surface of the photosensitive drum PR forms a pool space 23 as an example of a space where the developer is blocked.

  In FIG. 2, an auger 24 as an example of a developer conveying member is disposed on the bottom 3 of the housing 1. The auger 24 conveys the developer that has entered the bottom 3 from the opening 7 of the housing 1 toward a collection container (not shown).

(Function of the cleaner)
In the cleaner CLp of the copying machine U according to the first embodiment having the above-described configuration, the developer remaining on the photosensitive drum PR passes through the closing position Q11 and is conveyed to the cleaning position Q12. At the cleaning position Q12, the blade 18 scrapes off the developer remaining on the photosensitive drum PR. The developer scraped off by the blade 18 falls due to the action of gravity. The dropped developer is prevented from leaking out of the cleaner CLp by the seal 12. Further, the dropped developer is blocked by the film 21. Therefore, the developer accumulates in the accumulation space 23 surrounded by the film 21 and the photosensitive drum PR, and is supplied again to the photosensitive drum PR. That is, the developer accumulated in the accumulation space 23 is supplied to the blade 18 again.

  Here, the blade 18 contacts the photosensitive drum PR in a preset posture, and scrapes off the developer on the surface of the photosensitive drum PR. At this time, if the frictional force between the blade 18 and the photosensitive drum PR is too large, the tip 18a of the blade 18 is dragged in the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum PR, or the blade 18 is turned over, resulting in poor cleaning. May occur. In particular, when the photosensitive drum PR and the cleaner CLp are new, or when there is little contamination by the developer on the surface of the blade 18 or the photosensitive drum PR, such as when an image is hardly formed, cleaning is performed. Defects are likely to occur. Therefore, the blade 18 is supplied with a developer, in particular, an external additive having a small particle size contained in the developer, so that it is used like a lubricant.

  However, in the configuration in which the developer is accumulated in the accumulation space 23 and is not supplied again to the blade 18, the developer scraped off by the blade 18 is easily collected in the housing 1 quickly. Therefore, only the developer remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum PR without being transferred in the transfer region Q3 becomes difficult to be transported to the cleaning position Q12 where the blade 18 is located. The amount of developer remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum PR is likely to change depending on the size, density, shape, etc. of the image formed on the photosensitive drum PR. In particular, in recent years, the transfer efficiency of the developer has increased. Therefore, the amount of developer remaining without being transferred in the transfer region Q3 is originally reduced. Therefore, in the configuration in which the developer is stored in the pool space 23 and is not supplied again to the blade 18, the developer supplied to the blade 18 may be small.

  On the other hand, in Example 1, the scraped developer is accumulated in the accumulation space 23 and re-supplied to the blade 18. In other words, the cleaner CLp of the first embodiment is provided with the film 21 and the developer is accumulated in the accumulation space 23. When the developer accumulates in the accumulation space 23, the developer can be stably supplied to the blade 18 even if the amount of the developer remaining on the photosensitive drum PR is small. Therefore, in the cleaner CLp of the first embodiment, it is reduced that the blade 18 fails to scrape off the developer remaining on the photosensitive drum PR or the blade 18 is turned up. That is, in Example 1, poor cleaning is reduced.

  Here, the developer remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum PR in the transfer region Q3 is less deteriorated than the developer in the pool space 23. When the developer accumulated in the accumulation space 23 is repeatedly used, the developer deteriorates and the risk of poor cleaning increases. Therefore, it is desirable to stably supply a developer with little deterioration to the blade 18. When the blade 18 scrapes off the developer with little deterioration, the developer with little deterioration accumulates and accumulates above the space 23 and is easily supplied to the blade 18 again. However, in the conventional configuration, it is difficult to supply a developer with little deterioration to the blade for the following reason.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of a conventional cleaner.
In FIG. 4, in the conventional cleaner 01, the damming film 02 that dams the developer is disposed in a state along the direction of gravity. Therefore, the developer scraped off by the blade 03 is accumulated and accumulated in the accumulation space 04 surrounded by the film 02 extending in the gravity direction and the photosensitive drum PR. When the developer accumulates in the pool space 04 and accumulates, the lower the developer, the greater the pressure applied by the weight of the developer accumulated above. Therefore, the internal pressure of the developer accumulated below increases, and the developer below presses the film 02. When the film 02 is pushed in the horizontal direction and the film 02 is elastically deformed, the gap 06 is widened. As a result, the developer flows out of the pool space 04, and the developer in the pool space 04 is collected in the housing 07 little by little. Therefore, in the conventional configuration, the gap 06 does not widen unless a large amount of developer accumulates in the accumulation space 04. Therefore, in the conventional configuration, the pressure received by the developer tends to increase in the pool space 04.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the conventional technology, and is a diagram for explaining the flow of the developer in the pool space.
At this time, when the developer remaining on the surface of the photoconductive drum PR in the transfer region Q3 is conveyed into the cleaner 01, the surface of the photoconductive drum PR is subjected to a large pressure from the accumulated developer in the pool space 04. receive. Therefore, the developer with little deterioration on the surface of the photosensitive drum PR is easily scraped off from the surface of the photosensitive drum PR in the pool space 04 before reaching the blade 03. That is, the developer with little deterioration is easily scraped under the pool space 04 as indicated by an arrow Ya1 in FIG.

  In particular, in the conventional configuration in which the pressure in the pool space 04 is large, when the cleaner 01 is driven and vibrated, the developer may be densely aggregated. In addition, when a high-density image is printed and a large amount of developer is temporarily transported to the accumulation space 04, a situation occurs in which the developer is pushed in the accumulation space 04. Therefore, in this case as well, the developer may aggregate. When the developer aggregates, the flowability of the developer deteriorates in the pool space 04. Therefore, especially when aggregation occurs, the developer that has poor fluidity is prevented from moving, and the developer that has entered from below stays below the accumulation space 04 as indicated by the arrow Ya1 in FIG. easy.

Therefore, the developer with little deterioration easily flows out of the gap 06 and is easily collected in the housing 07. Therefore, in the upper part of the pool space 04, the inflow of the developer with little deterioration scraped off by the blade 03 is reduced. Therefore, in the pool space 04, the ratio of the deteriorated old developer tends to increase. In particular, when aggregation occurs, the developer dropped from above is prevented from moving by the developer having poor fluidity accumulated below. Therefore, as indicated by the arrow Ya2, it tends to stay above the pool space 04.
Therefore, in the conventional configuration, it is difficult for the developer with little deterioration to be directly supplied to the blade 03, and only the old developer is hardly supplied to the blade 03 even through the pool space 04. Therefore, it is difficult to supply the external additive to the blade 03, which may cause poor cleaning.

6A and 6B are explanatory views of the operation of the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6A is an explanatory view when the damming member is held at the inclined position, and FIG. 6B is an explanatory view of the continuation of FIG. FIG. 6C is an explanatory diagram subsequent to FIG. 6B and is an explanatory diagram after the damming member has moved to the movement position.
On the other hand, in the cleaner CLp of Example 1, the film 21 at the initial position is disposed so as to be inclined with respect to the direction of gravity as indicated by the solid line in FIG. 6A. Therefore, when the developer scraped off by the blade 18 accumulates in the accumulation space 23, the developer accumulates on the film 21, as shown in FIG. 6B. At this time, the weight directly acts on the film 21 from the developer accumulated on the film 21. Therefore, a force F based on the weight of the developer acts on the film 21. Therefore, in Example 1, since the weight of the developer acts, the film 21 is easily deformed even if the internal pressure from the developer is small. Therefore, in the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6C, the gap 22 is widened and the developer is more likely to flow out before the developer pressure in the accumulation space 23 becomes higher than in the conventional configuration.

  Therefore, in the first embodiment, when the developer remaining in the transfer region Q3 is conveyed into the cleaner CLp, the developer with little deterioration is hardly scraped off by the pressure in the accumulation space 23. Therefore, as shown by the arrow Ya11 in FIG. 6C, the developer with little deterioration is easily conveyed to the blade 18 while being held on the photosensitive drum PR. In the blade 18, the developer with little deterioration is scraped off and falls into the accumulation space 23. Therefore, in the first embodiment, the developer with little deterioration is easily supplied to the blade 18 from the accumulation space 23.

Further, a relatively new developer scraped by the blade 18 is accumulated on the developer already accumulated in the accumulation space 23. At this time, the relatively old developer that has already accumulated has a low internal pressure and is less likely to agglomerate. Therefore, as shown by the arrow Ya12 in FIG. 6C, the developer smoothly flows out from the accumulation space 23. Therefore, the old developer in the accumulation space 23 is collected in the housing 1 little by little.
That is, in Example 1, the film 21 is disposed to be inclined with respect to the direction of gravity, and the load on the developer in the pool space 23 is reduced. Further, the aggregation of the developer in the pool space 23 is reduced, and the movement of the developer is hardly hindered. Therefore, in Example 1, a developer with little deterioration is easily supplied stably to the blade 18, and poor cleaning is less likely to occur.

  In Example 1, the leading end 21b1 of the film 21 at the initial position is disposed at a position closer to the photosensitive drum PR than the inner edge 7a below the opening 7 of the housing 1 in the horizontal direction. If the tip 21b1 of the film 21 at the initial position is disposed on the housing 1 side with respect to the lower inner edge 7a, the scraped developer may fall directly into the housing 1. Further, the scraped developer may be guided by the film 21 and fall into the housing 1. The developer easily moves on the wall surface of the housing 1 and is easily collected by the auger 24 quickly. Therefore, the developer may not be easily collected in the accumulation space 23. On the other hand, in Example 1, the front end 21b1 of the film 21 is arranged on the photosensitive drum PR side outside the lower inner edge 7a. Therefore, the developer thus scraped off tends to accumulate at a level difference between the lower inner edge 7a of the opening 7 and the upper surface 12 of the seal on the way to the housing 1. That is, in the first embodiment, the developer can be easily stored in the storage space 23 by using the step between the lower inner edge 7 a of the opening 7 and the upper surface 12 of the seal.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the description of the second embodiment, components corresponding to the components of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. To do.
This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the following points, but is configured in the same manner as the first embodiment in other points.

(Description of the cleaning device of Example 2)
FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a main part of the cleaner according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 7, the cleaner CLp of the second embodiment has a plate 14 ′ and a film 21 ′ of the second embodiment instead of the plate 14 and the film 21 of the first embodiment.
The plate 14 ′ as an example of the support member of the cleaning member of the second embodiment includes a supported portion 16 similar to the first embodiment and a vertical portion 17 ′ extending downward along the direction of gravity from the right end of the supported portion 16. And have. That is, the plate 14 ′ of the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the portion corresponding to the inclined portion 17 of the first embodiment, that is, the vertical portion 17 ′ extends along the direction of gravity.

  A film 21 ′ as an example of a damming member of the second embodiment is supported via a double-sided tape 19 on the surface 17 b ′ of the vertical portion 17 ′ on the housing 1 side. The film 21 'has a shape in which the film 21 of Example 1 is bent with a line extending in the front-rear direction as a broken line. That is, the film 21 'has an upper end 21a' extending in the direction of gravity. The upper end 21a 'is supported by the plate 14'. A lower end 21b 'extending in the lower right direction is supported at the lower end of the upper end 21a'. Therefore, in the film 21 ′ of the second embodiment, not the entire film 21 ′ but the lower end portion 21b ′ as an example of the free end portion is arranged to be inclined with respect to the direction of gravity. The film 21 'of Example 2 is supported so as to be movable between an initial position indicated by a solid line in FIG. 7 and a separated position indicated by a broken line in FIG. Note that the lower end 21b ′ at the initial position is inclined at an angle θ with respect to the direction of gravity. Further, the tip 21b1 'of the lower end 21b' at the initial position is disposed closer to the photosensitive drum PR than the inner edge 7a on the lower side of the opening 7. Further, the distal end 21b1 ′ of the lower end 21b ′ at the separation position is arranged so as to move inward of the housing 1 in the horizontal direction from the lower inner edge 7a.

(Function of the cleaning device of Example 2)
In the cleaner CLp of the copying machine U according to the second embodiment having the above-described configuration, the lower end portion 21b ′ of the film 21 ′ at the initial position is disposed to be inclined with respect to the direction of gravity. Therefore, in Example 2, the scraped developer is accumulated on the lower end portion 21b ′ of the film 21 ′, and the weight of the developer acts directly. Accordingly, in the second embodiment as well, as in the first embodiment, the gap 22 is widened and the developer easily flows out before the pressure of the developer in the pool space 23 increases. Therefore, also in Example 2, the load on the developer in the pool space 23 is reduced, and the aggregation of the developer is reduced. Accordingly, in the second embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, the developer with little deterioration is stably supplied to the blade 18 and it is difficult for defective cleaning to occur. In Example 2, the leading end 21b1 'of the film 21' at the initial position is disposed at a position closer to the photosensitive drum PR than the inner edge 7a on the lower side of the housing 1 in the horizontal direction. Therefore, also in Example 2, the developer can be easily stored in the storage space 23 by using the step between the lower inner edge 7 a and the seal 12.

Next, the third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the description of the third embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the components corresponding to the components of the first and second embodiments, and the detailed description thereof will be given. Is omitted.
This embodiment is different from the second embodiment in the following points, but is configured in the same manner as the second embodiment in other points.

(Description of the cleaning device of Example 3)
FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a main part of the cleaner according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 8, the cleaner CLp of Example 3 has a damming plate 31 of Example 3 instead of the film 21 ′ of Example 2.
A damming plate 31 as an example of the damming member of the third embodiment is supported on the surface 17b ′ on the housing 1 side of the vertical portion 17 ′ of the third embodiment. The damming plate 31 has a plate-like upper end plate 32 that extends along the axial direction of the photosensitive drum PR as an example of a base end portion. The upper end plate 32 is supported on the surface 17 b ′ of the plate 17 ′ via the double-sided tape 19. The upper end plate 32 is arranged in a state along the direction of gravity. On the lower end 32a of the upper end plate 32, a pair of cylindrical shaft support portions 33 extending in the front-rear direction are formed in the front-rear direction.

  A rotating shaft 34 extending in the front-rear direction is rotatably supported by the shaft support portion 33. A plate-like lower end plate 36 extending along the axial direction of the photosensitive drum PR is supported on the rotating shaft 34 as an example of a free end portion. The lower end plate 36 has a cross section extending in the direction of gravity. The lower end plate 36 is supported so as to be rotatable with respect to the upper end plate 32 with the rotation shaft 34 as a rotation center. Therefore, the lower end plate 36 is configured to be movable as an example of an inclined position to an initial position indicated by a solid line in FIG. Further, the lower end plate 36 is configured to be movable to a separated position indicated by a broken line in FIG. 8 where the tip 36a of the lower end plate 36 has moved downward in the direction of gravity as an example of a moving position.

A torsion spring 37 as an example of an elastic member is attached to the rotating shaft 34. One end 37 a of the torsion spring 37 is supported by the upper end plate 32. The other end 37 b of the torsion spring 37 is supported by the lower end plate 36. The torsion spring 37 holds the lower end plate 36 in the initial position when the weight of the developer is not acting. In Example 3, the tip 36a of the lower end plate 36 at the initial position is disposed closer to the photosensitive drum PR in the horizontal direction than the inner edge 7a on the lower side of the opening 7. Further, the distal end 36a of the lower end plate 36 at the separated position is set so as to move inward of the housing 1 in the horizontal direction with respect to the lower inner edge 7a of the opening 7.
The upper end plate 32, the support portion 33, the rotating shaft 34, the lower end plate 36, and the torsion spring 37 constitute a dam plate 31 as an example of the dam member of the third embodiment.

(Function of the cleaning device of Example 3)
In the cleaner CLp of the copying machine U according to the third embodiment having the above-described configuration, the lower end plate 36 is inclined with respect to the direction of gravity when the damming plate 31 is moved to the initial position. Therefore, in Example 3, the developer is accumulated on the lower end plate 36 of the damming plate 31, and the weight of the developer scraped off directly acts. Accordingly, in the third embodiment, as in the first and second embodiments, the gap 22 is widened and the developer easily flows out before the developer pressure in the pool space 23 increases. Therefore, also in Example 3, the load on the developer in the accumulation space 23 is reduced, and the aggregation of the developer is reduced. Therefore, in the third embodiment, similarly to the first and second embodiments, the developer with little deterioration is stably supplied to the blade 18 and it is difficult for poor cleaning to occur. In the third embodiment as well, the tip 36a of the damming plate 31 at the initial position is arranged at a position closer to the photosensitive drum PR than the lower inner edge 7a in the horizontal direction. Therefore, also in the third embodiment, the developer can be easily stored in the storage space 23 by using the step between the lower inner edge 7 a and the seal 12.

(Example of change)
As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was explained in full detail, this invention is not limited to the said Example, A various change is made in the range of the summary of this invention described in the claim. Is possible. Modification examples (H01) to (H06) of the present invention are exemplified below.
(H01) In each of the above-described embodiments, the copying machine U as an example of the image forming apparatus is illustrated. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to a printer, a FAX, or a multifunction machine having a plurality of functions. . Further, the image forming apparatus is not limited to a single-color developing image forming apparatus, and can be configured by a multi-color, so-called color image forming apparatus.
(H02) In each of the above embodiments, the damming members such as the films 21 and 21 'and the damming plate 36 are exemplified to be supported by the plates 14 and 14' together with the blade 18, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the blocking members 21 to 36 can be supported by any member other than the plates 14 and 14 ′, such as being supported by the housing 1 via the double-sided tape 19.

(H03) In each of the above embodiments, the leading ends 21b1, 21b1 ', 36a of the damming members 21, 21', 36 at the initial position are in the horizontal direction more than the inner edge 7a below the opening of the housing 1 in the photosensitive drum. Although it is desirable to arrange | position in the position close | similar to PR, it is not limited to this. For example, the leading ends 21 b 1 to 36 a of the damming members 21 to 36 at the initial position can be arranged above the inner edge 7 a on the lower side of the opening 7 in the gravity direction or inside the housing 1.
(H04) In each of the above embodiments, the reservoir position Q13 on the photosensitive drum PR facing the lower end portions 21b, 21b ', 36 of the elastic members 21, 21', 36 is also relative to the closing position Q11 of the seal 12. Although the configuration is illustrated as being upstream of the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum PR and below the direction of gravity, the configuration is not limited thereto. For example, the reservoir position Q13 can be set to the downstream side in the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum PR or the upper side in the gravity direction with respect to the closing position Q11 of the seal 12. In other words, the reservoir position Q13 can be set in an arbitrary positional relationship with the closing position Q11.

(H05) In the first and second embodiments, the cuts are formed at the lower ends of the films 21 and 21 '. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the cuts can be omitted. Further, as described in Patent Document 1, it is also possible to form a plurality of slits having a width, that is, a plurality of slits, in the lower end portions 21b and 21b ′. Moreover, in the said Example 3, although the lower end plate 36 of the damming plate 31 illustrated the plate-shaped structure of one sheet, it is not limited to this. For example, it is possible to configure the lower end plate 36 with a plurality of plates arranged in the front-rear direction, and each plate constituting the lower end plate 36 can be moved by a torsion spring 37. That is, as long as the developer can be retained in the accumulation space 23, the damming members 21 to 36 can be arranged in any shape and inclined with respect to the direction of gravity.
(H06) In the third embodiment, the damming plate 31 includes the rotating shaft 34 and the torsion spring 37, and the configuration of moving between the initial position and the separated position is exemplified, but the present invention is not limited to this. Instead of the torsion spring 37, it is possible to move the initial position and the separated position with rubber as an example of an elastic member. Further, it is possible to omit the rotating shaft 37 and connect the upper end plate 32 and the lower end plate 36 with rubber so that the lower end plate 36 can be moved.

1 ... Cleaning container,
18 ... cleaning member,
21, 21 ′, 31 ... damming member,
21a, 21a ′, 32...
21b, 21b ', 36 ... free ends,
21b1, 21b1 ', 36a ... the tip of the free end,
23 ... space,
CLp ... cleaner,
CR: Charging member,
G: Developing device,
PR: Image carrier,
ROS ... latent image forming device,
TR ... Transfer,
PR + CR + CLp: Image carrier unit,
U: Image forming apparatus.

Claims (4)

A cleaning member that contacts an image carrier that holds an image on the surface, and removes and removes the developer attached to the surface of the image carrier;
A cleaning container in which the developer removed by the cleaning member is stored;
A damming member disposed inside the cleaning container relative to the cleaning member and capable of damming the developer removed by the cleaning member in a space between the surface of the image carrier and above in the gravity direction And a free end portion disposed below the gravity direction and below the contact position between the cleaning member and the image carrier. And an inclined position that is inclined in a direction approaching the image carrier as the free end is lowered in the direction of gravity, and the weight of the removed developer acts to The damming member which is movable between a moving position where the tip has moved downward in the direction of gravity from the inclined position;
A cleaning device comprising: A cleaning member that contacts an image carrier that holds an image on the surface, and removes and removes the developer attached to the surface of the image carrier;
A cleaning container in which the developer removed by the cleaning member is stored;
A damming member disposed inside the cleaning container relative to the cleaning member and capable of damming the developer removed by the cleaning member in a space between the surface of the image carrier and above in the gravity direction And a free end portion disposed below the gravity direction and below the contact position between the cleaning member and the image carrier. And an inclined position that is inclined in a direction approaching the image carrier as the free end is lowered in the direction of gravity, and the weight of the removed developer acts to The damming member that is movable between a movement position in which a tip moves in a direction away from the image holding body rather than the inclined position; and
A cleaning device comprising: An image carrier for holding an image on the surface;
The cleaner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the developer attached to the surface of the image carrier is removed and cleaned.
An image carrier unit comprising: A rotating image carrier;
A charging member for charging the surface of the image carrier;
A latent image forming apparatus for forming a latent image on the image carrier;
A developing device for developing a latent image on the surface of the image carrier into a visible image with a developer;
A transfer device for transferring a visible image of the surface of the image carrier to a transfer target;
The cleaner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the developer attached to the surface of the image carrier after transfer is removed and cleaned.
An image forming apparatus comprising:

Images