JP6763158B2 - Cleaner and image forming device - Google Patents

Description

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

The technique described in Patent Document 1 below is conventionally known for a cleaner for cleaning a photoconductor and an intermediate transfer body in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer.

In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-145661 as Patent Document 1, in the photoconductor cleaner (CLy to CLk), the developer recovered by the cleaning blade (31) is applied to the recovery container body (33) by the stirring member (36). The configuration to be transported is described. In Patent Document 1, the stirring member (36) is formed with an inclined window portion (38a1) inclined with respect to the transport direction of the developer, and the stirring member (36) intersects the transport direction of the developer in the horizontal direction. A configuration is described in which the developer is conveyed at the edge of the inclined window portion (38a1) when reciprocating to and from the window.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2009-145661 (“0027” to “0035", FIGS. 3 to 5)

An object of the present invention is to improve the recovery efficiency of the developer as compared with the case where the developer is simply transported in the transport direction.

In order to solve the technical problem, the cleaning device of the invention according to claim 1 is used.
A cleaning member that removes the developer from the surface of the image holder,
A housing unit that houses the removed developer and
A transport member for transporting the developer removed by the cleaning member to the accommodating portion, which has a plurality of transport unit main bodies extending in a direction intersecting the transport direction of the developer, and the plurality of transport unit main bodies. The transport member, which has a wider downstream portion than the upstream portion, has a wider interval in the transport direction.
With
The main body of the transport unit is inclined to the side where the developer is pressed toward the bottom surface of the transport path with respect to the transport direction of the developer.
The angle of inclination of the main body of the transport unit is larger on the upstream side than on the downstream side in the transport direction of the developer.
It is characterized by that.

The invention according to claim 2 is the cleaning device according to claim 1 .
The downstream part, which does not have the carrying power of the developer,
It is characterized by being equipped with.

The invention according to claim 3 is the cleaning device according to claim 1 or 2 .
The accommodating portion, in which the upstream end of the accommodating portion is arranged on the upstream side of the downstream end of the downstream portion with respect to the conveying direction of the developer and is arranged below the conveying member in the gravitational direction.
It is characterized by being equipped with.

In order to solve the technical problem, the image forming apparatus of the invention according to claim 4 is used.
Image holder and
A latent image forming device that forms a latent image on the image holder,
A developing device that develops a latent image of the image holder into a visible image,
A transfer device that transfers a visible image of the image holder to a medium,
The cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , which removes the developer on the surface of the image holder after transfer.
It is characterized by being equipped with.

According to the inventions of claims 1 and 4 , the recovery efficiency of the developer can be improved as compared with the case where the developer is simply transported in the transport direction.
Further , according to the inventions of claims 1 and 4 , the transport efficiency of the developer can be improved as compared with the case where the inclination angle is the same from the upstream to the downstream.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the developer from receiving a force in the backflow direction of the developer in the downstream portion.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the developer conveyed to the downstream portion reaches the upstream end of the accommodating portion, the developer is dropped and conveyed to the accommodating portion by its own weight. Therefore, the developer can be transported more efficiently than when the weight of the developer is not used.

FIG. 1 is an overall explanatory view of the image forming apparatus of the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a main part of the photoconductor cleaner of Example 1. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a main part of the photoconductor cleaner of Example 1. FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of the inclination angle of the horizontal frame portion of the first embodiment. 5A and 5B are explanatory views of the operation of the transport member according to the first embodiment, FIG. 5A is an explanatory view of the same state as that of FIG. 2, and FIG. 5B is an explanatory view of a state rotated by 30 ° about a rotation axis from the state of FIG. 5A. FIG. 5C is an explanatory diagram of a state rotated by 30 ° about the rotation axis from the state of FIG. 5B, and FIG. 5D is an explanatory diagram of a state of rotating 30 ° about the rotation axis from the state of FIG. 5C. 6A and 6B are explanatory views of the operation of the transport member according to the first embodiment, FIG. 6A is an explanatory view of a state rotated by 30 ° about the rotation axis from the state of FIG. 5D, and FIG. 6B shows the rotation axis from the state of FIG. 6A. Explanatory drawing of the state rotated by 30 ° as the center, FIG. 6C is an explanatory view of the state of rotating 30 ° around the rotation axis from the state of FIG. 6B, and FIG. 6D shows the state of rotating 30 ° around the rotation axis from the state of FIG. 6C. It is explanatory drawing of the state. 7A and 7B are explanatory views of the operation of the transport member according to the first embodiment, FIG. 7A is an explanatory view of a state rotated by 30 ° about the rotation axis from the state of FIG. 6D, and FIG. 7B shows the rotation axis from the state of FIG. 7A. Explanatory drawing of the state rotated by 30 ° as the center, FIG. 7C is an explanatory view of the state of rotating 30 ° about the rotation axis from the state of FIG. 7B, and FIG. 7D is the state of FIG. 7C rotated by 30 ° around the rotation axis. It is explanatory drawing of the state.

Next, an embodiment as a specific example of the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the following examples.
In order to facilitate the understanding of the following explanations, in the drawings, the front-back direction is the X-axis direction, the left-right direction is the Y-axis direction, and the up-down direction is the Z-axis direction, and the arrows X, -X, Y, -Y,. The directions indicated by Z and −Z or the indicated sides are defined as front, rear, right, left, upward, downward, or front, rear, right, left, upper, and lower, respectively.
In addition, in the figure, the one with "・" in "○" means the arrow from the back to the front of the paper, and the one with "×" in "○" is the front of the paper. It shall mean an arrow pointing from to the back.
In addition, in the explanation using the following drawings, the illustrations other than the members necessary for the explanation are appropriately omitted for the sake of easy understanding.

FIG. 1 is an overall explanatory view of the image forming apparatus of the first embodiment.
In FIG. 1, in the printer U as an example of the image forming apparatus of the first embodiment of the present invention, a front cover U1a as an example of an opening / closing member is supported on the front surface of the printer main body U1 as an example of the image forming apparatus main body. .. The front cover U1a is supported so as to be openable and closable around the lower end. The front cover U1a can open and close the front surface of the printer main body U1 when the recording sheet S as an example of the medium is inserted and accommodated.
Further, a discharge tray TRh as an example of the discharge unit is formed on the upper surface of the printer U. Further, a rear cover U1b as an example of the opening / closing member is rotatably supported on the rear surface of the printer main body U1. The rear cover U1b is rotatably supported between the closed position shown by the solid line and the open position shown by the broken line. The rear cover U1b as an example of the opening / closing member can open the rear surface of the printer main body U1 when a paper jam, an internal inspection, or the like is performed.

The printer U of the first embodiment has a controller C as an example of a control unit. The image processing unit IPS, the laser drive circuit DL as an example of the latent image forming circuit, and the power supply circuit E are electrically connected to the controller C. Therefore, the controller C can output a control signal to the image processing unit IPS or the like.
At the rear of the printer U, a photoconductor PR as an example of a rotationally driven image holder is supported. Around the photoconductor PR as an example of the rotating member, a charging roll CR, a latent image forming device LH, a developing device G, a transfer roll Tr as an example of the transfer member, and an image holding along the rotation direction of the photoconductor PR. A photoconductor cleaner CL is arranged as an example of a body cleaner.

In FIG. 1, a charging roll cleaner CRc as an example of a cleaning device for a charging device is arranged on the charging roll CR so as to face and contact each other.
The latent image forming apparatus LH of the first embodiment is provided by an apparatus in which LEDs as an example of latent image writing elements: Light Emitting Diodes are linearly arranged at preset intervals along the left-right direction, that is, a so-called LED head. It is configured.
The developing apparatus G has a developing container V in which a developing agent is housed. In the developing container V, a developing roll Ga as an example of the developer holder is arranged so as to face the photoconductor PR. In the developing container V, a pair of circulation transport members Gb and Gc and a supply member Gd are arranged in order of distance from the developing roll Ga. Further, in the developing container V, a layer thickness regulating member Ge is arranged so as to face the developing roll Ga.

A developer replenishment port V1 as an example of the replenishment unit is formed on the front upper surface of the developing container V. A developer supply path V3 as an example of a developer transfer path is connected to the developer supply port V1. The developer supply path V3 is formed in a tubular shape extending forward. Inside the developer supply path V3, a supply auger V4 as an example of the developer transfer member is rotatably supported. A cartridge holder KH as an example of the attachment / detachment portion is connected to the front end of the developer supply path V3. A toner cartridge TC as an example of a developer container is detachably supported on the cartridge holder KH. The cartridge holder KH is formed with an inflow port (not shown) so that the developer can flow in from the toner cartridge TC.

In FIG. 1, a paper feed tray TR1 as an example of a medium accommodating portion is arranged below the printer U. A pickup roll Rp as an example of a medium take-out member is arranged at the rear of the paper feed tray TR1. Behind the pickup roll Rp, a handling roll Rs as an example of the medium handling member is arranged. A registration roll Rr as an example of a timing adjusting member is arranged above the handling roll Rs.
The fixing device F is arranged above the transfer region Q4 where the photoconductor PR and the transfer roll Tr face each other. The fixing device F has a pair of fixing rolls Fh and Fp as an example of the fixing member, and the fixing region Q6 is formed by the pressure contact region of the pair of fixing rolls Fh and Fp.
Above the fixing device F, sheet guides SG1 and SG2 are arranged as an example of a medium guide member. A discharge roll R1 as an example of a discharge member is arranged in front of the seat guides SG1 and SG2.

(Explanation of image formation operation)
Print information is transmitted to the controller C of the printer U from a host computer or the like as an example of an external information transmission device. When the controller C receives the print information, the image forming operation is started. The controller C outputs the print information to the image processing unit IPS. The image processing unit IPS converts the print information into image information for forming a latent image, and outputs the print information to the laser drive circuit DL as an example of the image writing circuit at a preset time, that is, at the timing. The laser drive circuit DL outputs a drive signal to the latent image forming apparatus LH according to the input image information.

When the image forming operation is started, the photoconductor PR starts rotating.
A charging voltage is applied to the charging roll CR from the power supply circuit E. In the charging region Q1 where the charging roll CR and the photoconductor PR face each other, the charging roll CR charges the surface of the photoconductor PR.
The charged roll cleaner CRc cleans the surface of the charged roll CR.
The latent image forming apparatus LH forms an electrostatic latent image according to the image information on the surface of the photoconductor PR in the writing region Q2.

In the developing apparatus G, the pair of circulating transport members Gb and Gc circulate and transport the developer inside the developing container V while stirring. The supply member Gd transports the developer stirred by the circulation transport members Gb and Gc to the developing roll Ga. The developer on the surface of the developing roll Ga is regulated in layer thickness when passing through the region facing the layer thickness regulating member Ge. A developing voltage is applied to the developing roll Ga from the power supply circuit E. In the developing region Q3 where the developing roll Ga and the photoconductor PR face each other, the electrostatic latent image of the photoconductor PR is developed into a visible image by the developing agent of the developing roll Ga.
The replenishment auger V4 is driven according to the consumption of the developer in the developing device G, and the developing agent is supplied from the toner cartridge TC to the developing device G.

The pickup roll Rp sends out the recording sheet S housed in the paper feed tray TR1.
When the pickup roll Rp sends out a plurality of recording sheets S, the handling rolls Rs are separated one by one. The recording sheets S separated one by one by the handling roll Rs are sent to the registration roll Rr. The registration roll Rr conveys the recording sheet S to the transfer region Q4 at a preset timing.
A transfer voltage is applied to the transfer roll Tr from the power supply circuit E. The transfer roll Tr transfers the toner image on the photoconductor PR to the recording sheet S that passes through the transfer region Q4.
The photoconductor cleaner CL removes residual toner on the surface of the photoconductor PR in the cleaning area Q5 as an example of the cleaning area set on the downstream side of the transfer area Q4.

The recording sheet S on which the toner image is transferred in the transfer region Q4 is conveyed to the fixing device F in a state where the toner image is not fixed.
In the fixing device F, the fixing region Q6 is formed by the pressure contact regions of the fixing rolls Fh and Fp. In the recording sheet S conveyed to the fixing device F, a toner image is fixed by a pair of fixing rolls Fh and Fp in the fixing region Q6.
The recording sheet S on which the toner image is fixed is guided by the sheet guides SG1 and SG2.
The discharge roll R1 discharges the recording sheet S to the discharge tray TRh.

(Explanation of Photoreceptor Cleaner CL)
FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a main part of the photoconductor cleaner of Example 1.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a main part of the photoconductor cleaner of Example 1.
In FIGS. 1 to 3, the photoconductor cleaner CL of Example 1 has a cleaner container 1 as an example of a cleaning container. In FIGS. 2 and 3, the cleaner container 1 has a lower container main body 2 and a cover 3 as an example of an upper lid portion.

The container body 2 is formed in a box shape arranged in front of the charging roll CR. A storage portion 2a is formed inside the container body 2. At the rear portion of the accommodating portion 2a, an inclined surface 2b that inclines upward toward the rear is formed. First lower guide portions 6 are formed at both left and right ends of the container body 2 at positions corresponding to above the inclined surface 2b. The upper surface of the first lower guide portion 6 is inclined downward as it goes backward. A second lower guide portion 7 is formed behind the first lower guide portion 6. The upper surface of the second lower guide portion 7 is inclined downward as it goes backward. The upper surface of the second lower guide portion 7 is formed along the transport direction Ya of the recovered developer, and has a larger inclination angle with respect to the horizontal than the upper surface of the first lower guide portion 6.

The cover 3 is formed in a lid shape that covers the upper surface of the container body 2. The rear end of the cover 3 extends to the rear of the cleaning area Q5. In FIG. 3, a release claw 9 as an example of a medium release member is supported at the rear end of the cover 3. Two peeling claws 9 are arranged at intervals in the width direction of the recording sheet S.
A first upper guide portion 11 is formed at both left and right ends of the cover 3 at a position facing the first lower guide portion 6. The lower surface of the first upper guide portion 11 is formed in parallel with the upper surface of the first lower guide portion 6. The space between the first lower guide portion 6 and the first upper guide portion 11 constitutes the first guide groove 12.

Further, at both left and right ends of the cover 3, a second upper guide portion 13 is formed at a position facing the second lower guide portion 7. The lower surface of the second upper guide portion 13 is formed parallel to the upper surface of the second lower guide portion 7. The space between the second lower guide portion 7 and the second upper guide portion 13 constitutes the second guide groove 14.
Further, bearing portions 16 are formed on the left and right ends of the cover 3 below the front of the first lower guide portion 6.

In FIGS. 2 and 3, a blade holder 21 as an example of a support is supported on the outer surface of the upper part of the rear end of the container body 2. The blade holder 21 of the first embodiment is supported by the container body 2 via a seal 22 as an example of the sealing member.
Further, the blade holder 21 of the first embodiment is formed by bending a sheet metal into an L shape. The blade holder 21 has a supported portion 21a supported by the seal 22 and a holder main body 21b extending from the upper end of the supported portion 21a toward the cleaning area Q5.
A cleaning blade 23 as an example of a cleaning member is supported on the lower surface of the rear end of the holder body 21b. The tip of the cleaning blade 23 is in contact with the photoconductor PR in the cleaning region Q5. The cleaning blade 23 of the first embodiment is composed of a rubber blade as an example of an elastic material.
Therefore, in the first embodiment, the space surrounded by the upper surface of the holder body 21b and the cleaning blade 23 and the cover 3 is a transport path for transporting the developer recovered in the cleaning region Q5.

In FIGS. 2 and 3, the transport member 31 is arranged above the cleaning blade 23. The transport member 31 has a stirring portion 32 on the front side and a transport portion 33 on the rear side.
The stirring unit 32 has a lattice-like structure in which plate-shaped members extending in the left-right direction and the front-back direction are combined. A rotation shaft S1 as an example of the transmitted portion is arranged at the central portion in the front-rear direction of the stirring portion 32. The rotating shaft S1 and the stirring unit 32 are connected by a connecting member S1a. The connecting member S1a is composed of a member extending in the radial direction of the rotating shaft S1. That is, the rotation of the rotation shaft S1 is transmitted to the stirring unit 32 in the same manner as in the case of the crank shape.
The left and right ends of the rotating shaft S1 are rotatably supported by the bearing portion 16. The rotation shaft S1 is formed in a rod shape extending in the left-right direction. The left end of the rotating shaft S1 penetrates the cleaner container 1 and extends to the outside, and the drive is transmitted from a motor (not shown) as an example of the drive source.

Further, at the rear end portion of the stirring portion 32, a first guide protrusion 32b is formed as an example of the first guided portion. The first guide protrusion 32b is formed so as to project outward from the left and right ends of the stirring portion 32. The first guide protrusion 32b is supported in a state of being fitted in the first guide groove 12. Therefore, the first guide protrusion 32b is movably supported along the first guide groove 12. Therefore, the stirring unit 32 is supported by the rotation shaft S1 and the first guide protrusion 32b, and is supported in the cleaner container 1 in a posture of being inclined downward as it goes to the left.
The front end of the transport unit 33 is rotatably supported by the rear end of the stirring unit 32. The transport portion 33 has a downstream portion 34 on the front side and an upstream portion 36 on the rear side.

The downstream portion 34 has a pair of left and right frame portions 34a at both left and right ends. In the downstream portion 34 of the first embodiment, no member is arranged inside the frame portion 34a. At the rear end of the downstream portion 34, a position regulating protrusion 34b, which is an example of the regulating portion and is an example of the second guide portion, is formed. The position regulating protrusion 34b is movably supported along the second guide groove 14. In the first embodiment, the movable range of the position-regulating protrusion 34b along the developer transport direction is set to the downstream side across the position of the supported portion 21a of the blade holder 21.
Therefore, the transport unit 33 of the first embodiment is supported in the cleaner container 1 by the connecting portion with the stirring unit 32 and the position regulating protrusion 34b.

The upstream portion 36 is formed in a grid pattern having a vertical frame portion 37 as an example of a support portion and a horizontal frame portion 38 as an example of a transport portion main body. The vertical frame portion 37 is formed in a plate shape extending in the front-rear direction, and the horizontal frame portion 38 is formed in a plate shape extending in the left-right direction. In the first embodiment, the lower surfaces of the upstream portion 36 are arranged at intervals so as not to come into contact with the upper surface of the holder main body 21b or the cleaning blade 23 when the transport member 31 is moved.
The vertical frame portion 37 is configured so that the width in the vertical direction increases from the rear on the upstream side to the front on the downstream side with respect to the developer transport direction Ya along the holder main body 21b. There is. Further, a plurality of vertical frame portions 37 are arranged at intervals with respect to the width direction of the recording sheet S.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of the inclination angle of the horizontal frame portion of the first embodiment.
In FIGS. 2 to 4, the horizontal frame portion 38 is formed so as to connect the vertical frame portions 37 in the left-right direction. Four horizontal frame portions 38 are arranged at intervals with respect to the developer transport direction Ya. That is, in FIG. 4, in the first embodiment, the first horizontal frame portion 38a, the second horizontal frame portion 38b, the third horizontal frame portion 38c, and the fourth horizontal frame portion 38c, in order from the upstream side in the developing agent transport direction Ya. It has a horizontal frame portion 38d.
In FIG. 4, in the first embodiment, the front surfaces of the horizontal frame portions 38a to 38d are inclined in a direction closer to the holder body 21b and the cleaning blade 23 as they go upstream with respect to the developer transport direction Ya. are doing. The front surface of the first horizontal frame portion 38a and the second horizontal frame portion 38b arranged corresponding to the position of the cleaning blade 23 has an inclination angle α1 with respect to the developer transport direction Ya corresponding to the holder body 21b. It is set to a large angle with respect to the inclination angle α2 on the front surface of the arranged third horizontal frame portion 38c and the fourth horizontal frame portion 38d. That is, α1> α2 is set.

(Function of photoconductor cleaner)
5A and 5B are explanatory views of the operation of the transport member according to the first embodiment, FIG. 5A is an explanatory view of the same state as that of FIG. 2, and FIG. 5B is an explanatory view of a state rotated by 30 ° about a rotation axis from the state of FIG. 5A. 5C and 5C are explanatory views of a state rotated by 30 ° about the rotation axis from the state of FIG. 5B, and FIG. 5D is an explanatory view of a state of rotating 30 ° about the rotation axis from the state of FIG. 5C.
6A and 6B are explanatory views of the operation of the transport member according to the first embodiment, FIG. 6A is an explanatory view of a state rotated by 30 ° about the rotation axis from the state of FIG. 5D, and FIG. 6B shows the rotation axis from the state of FIG. 6A. Explanatory drawing of the state rotated by 30 ° as the center, FIG. 6C is an explanatory view of the state of rotating 30 ° around the rotation axis from the state of FIG. 6B, and FIG. 6D shows the state of rotating 30 ° around the rotation axis from the state of FIG. 6C. It is explanatory drawing of the state.
7A and 7B are explanatory views of the operation of the transport member according to the first embodiment, FIG. 7A is an explanatory view of a state rotated by 30 ° about the rotation axis from the state of FIG. 6D, and FIG. 7B shows the rotation axis from the state of FIG. 7A. Explanatory drawing of the state rotated by 30 ° as the center, FIG. 7C is an explanatory view of the state of rotating 30 ° about the rotation axis from the state of FIG. 7B, and FIG. 7D is the state of FIG. 7C rotated by 30 ° around the rotation axis. It is explanatory drawing of the state.

In the printer U of the first embodiment having the above configuration, when the image forming operation is started, the motor is driven and the rotation shaft S1 is rotated. The stirring unit 32 is connected to the rotating shaft S1 by a connecting member S1a and is supported by the first guide groove 12 by the first guide protrusion 32b. Therefore, when the rotation axis S1 rotates, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the front end reciprocates along a substantially elliptical locus around the upper right and the lower left.
Along with this, as shown in FIGS. 5A to 5D, the first horizontal frame portion 38a at the tip of the transport portion 33 also moves downstream along the developer transport direction Ya, and then FIGS. 6A to 6A to As shown in FIG. 6D, the developer moves upward while moving upward, which is the direction opposite to the transport direction Ya of the developer, and moves downward to the right as shown in FIGS. 7A to 7D. Therefore, the tip of the transport unit 33 also reciprocates along a substantially elliptical locus.

Therefore, in the photoconductor cleaner CL of Example 1, in the state shown in FIGS. 5A to 5D, the transport portion 33 is pushed to the front surface of the first horizontal frame portion 38a and recovered from the photoconductor PR by the cleaning blade 23. The developer is conveyed toward the accommodating portion 2a. Further, in the state shown in FIGS. 6A to 6D, the first horizontal frame portion 38a moves to the upstream side in the developing agent transport direction Ya while being separated from the cleaning blade 23 and the holder main body 21b. Therefore, as compared with the case where the first horizontal frame portion 38a is not separated from the cleaning blade 23 and the like, the developer conveyed to the downstream side in FIGS. 5A to 5D is less likely to be conveyed in the opposite direction. Then, as shown in FIGS. 7A to 7D, the first horizontal frame portion 38a moves to the vicinity of the cleaning area Q5 and returns to the state of FIG. 5A. Therefore, in the photoconductor cleaner CL of Example 1, the developer recovered by the cleaning blade 23 is conveyed to the accommodating portion 2a by the conveying member 31. Then, when the developer conveyed to the accommodating portion 2a is deposited, it is agitated and leveled by the reciprocating stirring unit 32. In particular, in Example 1, the stirring unit 32 reciprocates in a relatively vertically long elliptical locus. Therefore, it is easy to push the developer downward and stir while compressing. Therefore, the recovered developer is easily compressed, and the amount of recoverable developer can be increased as compared with the case where the recovered developer is not compressed.

Here, in the photoconductor cleaner CL of Example 1, the surfaces (upper surface and lower surface) in which the horizontal frame portions 38a to 38d are inclined toward the upper surface side of the holder body 21b or the like as they go to the upstream side in the developing agent transport direction Ya. )have. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 5A to 5D, when the horizontal frame portions 38a to 38d move from the upstream side to the downstream side in the developer transport direction Ya, the upper surface of the holder body 21b and the cleaning blade 23 is developed. The agent receives a force in the direction of being pressed against the upper surface of the holder body 21b or the like. As in the configuration described in Patent Document 1, in a configuration in which a gap is opened between the bottom surface of the transport path and the transport member and the developer moves back and forth only in the transport direction of the developer, the developer in the gap is not transported. There is. If the developer stays without being conveyed, the developer adheres over time and becomes a transfer resistance of the developer. If the transport resistance increases, the reciprocating movement of the transport member is hindered, which may cause a transport defect.

On the other hand, in the first embodiment, a force for pressing the developer acts on the upper surface of the holder body 21b or the like which is the bottom surface of the transport path. Therefore, when the transport unit 33 moves in the transport direction Ya of the developer while the pressing force is applied, it is pushed not only by the developer that directly contacts the horizontal frame portions 38a to 38d but also by the developer that directly contacts the developer. The developer between the transport unit 33 and the upper surface of the holder body 21b or the like is also easily transported in the developer transport direction Ya. Therefore, the transport efficiency (recovery efficiency) of the developer is improved as compared with the technique described in Patent Document 1. Therefore, the retention of the developer is reduced, and the transfer defect of the developer is also reduced.

Further, in the first embodiment, when the developer is pressed toward the holder body 21b or the like, the developer is compressed and the volume is reduced. Therefore, in the transport member 31 of Example 1, the developer tends to be in the form of a lump. With the powdery developer as it is, in the configuration described in Patent Document 1, the developer moves so as to flow out from the top, bottom, left and right, and the transport efficiency of the developer decreases. However, as in Example 1, agglomerate developing is performed. If it is an agent, it is easily transported by being pushed by the horizontal frame portion 38. Therefore, the transport efficiency of the developer is improved.
In the configuration in which the transport members are formed by assembling the wires in a grid pattern as in the configuration described in Patent Document 2, it is extremely difficult to apply a force for pressing the developer toward the bottom surface of the transport path. ..

Further, in the first embodiment, the inclination angle α1 of the horizontal frame portions 38a and 38b corresponding to the cleaning blade 23 is larger than the inclination angle α2 of the horizontal frame portions 38c and 38d corresponding to the holder main body 21b. If the inclination angle α1 is small, the force for pushing the developer against the cleaning blade 23 and the holder body 21b becomes strong. When the cleaning blade 23 made of an elastic material receives an external force, the pressure value and the pressure distribution in the width direction in the cleaning region Q5 may be adversely affected. That is, the cleaning efficiency may decrease and cleaning defects may occur. On the other hand, in the first embodiment, the inclination angle α1 of the horizontal frame portions 38a and 38b corresponding to the cleaning blade 23 is the same as the inclination angle α2 of the horizontal frame portions 38c and 38d corresponding to the holder main body 21b. Therefore, the adverse effect on the cleaning blade 23 is reduced. Therefore, the occurrence of cleaning defects is reduced.

Further, in the first embodiment, the transport member 31 is provided with a horizontal frame portion 38 in the upstream portion 36, but is not provided in the downstream portion 34. Therefore, the downstream portion 34 has a lower ability to convey the developer to the downstream side in the conveying direction Ya than the upstream portion 36.
The transport member 31 of the first embodiment flows backward with respect to the transport direction Ya when the trajectory of the reciprocating motion shifts from the state shown in FIG. 6A to the state shown in FIG. 7A via FIGS. 6B, 6C, and 6D. Move in the direction. Here, when the transport force is the same in the upstream portion and the downstream portion, and the amount of the recovered developer is large, when the transport member moves in the backflow direction (-Ya), a part of the developer flows backward. There is. When a part of the developer flows backward, the developer is not transported to the downstream side, and a part of the developer stays. Therefore, the accumulated state is accumulated toward the downstream side with respect to the developer transport direction Ya. Therefore, on the downstream side of the developer transport direction Ya, the developer may be aggregated by the force of transporting the developer from the upstream and the force of pushing in the backflow direction. If the developing agent aggregates at a position in the middle of the conveying member, the developing agent may be clogged and defective transfer of the developing agent may occur.

On the other hand, in the first embodiment, the carrying force of the downstream portion 34 is lower than that of the upstream portion 36. Therefore, the force received by the developer is smaller in the backflow direction than the force in the transport direction Ya. Therefore, in the first embodiment, the aggregation of the developer is reduced as compared with the case where the carrying force is the same in the upstream portion and the downstream portion. Therefore, defective transport of the developer is reduced.
In particular, in the transport member 31 of the first embodiment, when moving in the backflow direction (-Ya direction), it moves in the backflow direction (-Ya direction) while moving upward, as compared with the configuration in which it does not move upward. Backflow is further reduced.
Further, in the first embodiment, the carrying force of the developer in the downstream portion 34 is zero. Therefore, the force received by the developer in the backflow direction is zero. Therefore, the aggregation of the developer is further reduced as compared with the case where the downstream portion 34 has a carrying force. The developer conveyed to the range of the downstream portion 34 is pushed by the developer sent from the upstream in the upstream portion 36 and conveyed to the downstream side.

Further, in the first embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the downstream end of the downstream portion 34 is arranged on the downstream side of the upstream end of the inclined surface 2b of the container body 2. In particular, in the first embodiment, the downstream portion 34 is arranged so as to straddle the upstream end of the inclined surface 2b of the container body 2. Therefore, the downstream portion 34 is arranged so as to straddle the upstream end of the inclined surface 2b with respect to the transport direction Ya.
Therefore, when the developer conveyed to the range of the downstream portion 34 approaches the position of the upstream end of the inclined surface 2b, it falls toward the inclined surface 2b by gravity. Therefore, clogging of the developer in the range of the downstream portion 34 is reduced.

In the first embodiment, in the transport member 31, the stirring unit 32 and the transport unit 33 are rotatably connected to each other. When the transport member has a flat plate shape as in the configurations described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the length along the transport direction is also long, and it is difficult to reduce the overall size of the photoconductor cleaner CL. .. On the other hand, in the first embodiment, the stirring unit 32 and the conveying unit 33 are rotatably connected and supported in a bent state. Therefore, as compared with the configurations described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the overall length of the transport member 31 can be shortened, and the photoconductor cleaner CL can be miniaturized.

(Change example)
Although the examples of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned examples, and various modifications are made within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims. It is possible. Examples of modifications (H01) to (H06) of the present invention are illustrated below.
(H01) In the above embodiment, the printer U as an example of the image forming apparatus has been illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the printer U is composed of, for example, a copying machine, a fax machine, or a multifunction device having a plurality of or all of these functions. It is also possible to do.
(H02) In the above embodiment, the printer U illustrates a configuration in which a monochromatic developer is used, but the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to, for example, a multicolor image forming apparatus having two or more colors. is there.

(H03) In the above-described embodiment, the inclination angles α1 and α2 of the horizontal frame portion 38 are preferably α1> α2 as illustrated in the embodiment, but are not limited thereto. For example, it is possible to set α1 = α2. Further, it is possible to change the four horizontal frame portions 38a to 38d so that the inclination angle is increased toward the downstream side. The number of horizontal frame portions 38a to 38d is not limited to four, and may be three or less or five or more. It is desirable that the vertical frame portion 37 is provided for strength, but it is also possible to provide a configuration in which the vertical frame portion 37 is not provided.

(H04) In the above embodiment, a configuration in which the downstream portion 34 of the transport member 31 does not have a transport capacity is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this. It is also possible to provide a structure having a smaller carrying capacity than the upstream portion 36, for example, a horizontal frame portion having a wider interval than the upstream portion 36 in the downstream portion 34, or a horizontal frame portion having a lower height.
(H05) In the above embodiment, it is desirable that the downstream end of the downstream portion 34 is arranged on the downstream side of the upstream end of the inclined surface 2b, but the downstream end of the downstream portion 34 is on the upstream side of the upstream end of the inclined surface 2b. It is also possible to have the configuration of.

(H06) In the above embodiment, it is desirable to incline the horizontal frame portion 38 with respect to the transport direction, but it is also possible to have a configuration orthogonal to the transport direction.

2 ... Containment section,
21 ... Support,
23 ... Cleaning member,
31 ... Transport member,
34 ... downstream,
36 ... upstream,
CL ... Cleaner,
G ... Developer,
LH ... Latent image forming device,
PR ... Image holder,
Tr ... Transfer device,
U ... Image forming apparatus.

Claims (4)

A cleaning member that removes the developer from the surface of the image holder,
A housing unit that houses the removed developer and
A transport member for transporting the developer removed by the cleaning member to the accommodating portion, which has a plurality of transport unit main bodies extending in a direction intersecting the transport direction of the developer, and the plurality of transport unit main bodies. The transport member, which has a wider downstream portion than the upstream portion, has a wider interval in the transport direction.
With
The main body of the transport unit is inclined to the side where the developer is pressed toward the bottom surface of the transport path with respect to the transport direction of the developer.
The angle of inclination of the main body of the transport unit is larger on the upstream side than on the downstream side in the transport direction of the developer.
A cleaner that features that. The downstream part, which does not have the carrying power of the developer,
The cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning device is provided. The accommodating portion, in which the upstream end of the accommodating portion is arranged on the upstream side of the downstream end of the downstream portion with respect to the conveying direction of the developer and is arranged below the conveying member in the gravitational direction.
The cleaner according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the cleaning device is provided. Image holder and
A latent image forming device that forms a latent image on the image holder,
A developing device that develops a latent image of the image holder into a visible image,
A transfer device that transfers a visible image of the image holder to a medium,
The cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , which removes the developer on the surface of the image holder after transfer.
An image forming apparatus characterized by being provided with.

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