Rotating body support structure

Abstract

The present invention relates to a rotating body support structure. The rotating body support structure comprises: a rotating body having a contact portion spirally circumferentially about a rotation axis; and a bearing unit that rotationally supports the rotating body, wherein when the rotating body moves unidirectionally along the axial direction of the rotation axis, the amount by which the rotating body is sunken relative to an abutted object abutting against the contact portion of the rotating body changes.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a rotating body supporting structure. Background Art

[0002] An image forming device is known, which includes: an image holding body that holds an image on its surface; a charging device; a rotation control unit that controls the rotation direction of a charging roller between a forward direction and a reverse direction; and an image forming unit that forms an electrostatic latent image on the image holding body charged by the charging device and develops the electrostatic latent image to form a developed image, wherein the charging device includes: a charging roller that contacts the image holding body and rotates in a predetermined forward direction while applying an electric charge to the surface of the charged body, and rotates in a reverse direction opposite to the forward direction. a cleaning roller that contacts the charged roller and rotates therefrom, thereby removing attachments on the surface of the charged roller; and a holding portion that holds the cleaning roller so as to rotate freely, holding the cleaning roller in a first posture that generates a predetermined contact pressure between the charged roller and the cleaning roller when the charged roller rotates in the forward direction, and holding the cleaning roller in a second posture that generates a contact pressure lower than the predetermined contact pressure between the charged roller and the cleaning roller when the charged roller rotates in the reverse direction (Japanese Patent Gazette No. 2009-042535). Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present invention provides a rotating body support structure capable of reducing the amount of depression of a rotating body relative to an abutted body when the rotating body stops rotating.

[0004] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a rotating body support structure comprising: a rotating body having a contact portion spirally disposed about a rotation axis; and a bearing unit for rotatably supporting the rotating body. When the rotating body moves unidirectionally along the axial direction of the rotation axis, the amount by which the rotating body is sunken relative to an abutted member abutting against the contact portion of the rotating body changes.

[0005] According to the second embodiment of the present invention, the bearing unit comprises: a contact body which is embedded in the rotating shaft of the rotating body and has a diameter larger than the diameter of the rotating shaft; and an inclined portion which contacts and supports the contact body, and the contact body is supported in the following manner: when the rotating body moves along the axial direction of the rotating shaft, the contact body can move in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the rotating shaft.

[0006] According to a third aspect of the present invention, the contact body is in an annular shape with a circular outer circumference.

[0007] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the contact body has a tapered shape with its outer periphery inclined in the axial direction of the rotation shaft.

[0008] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the contact body is a ball bearing including an outer ring that contacts the inclined portion and an inner ring attached to the rotating shaft.

[0009] According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the contact body is fitted on one side of the rotating shaft.

[0010] According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the inclined portion is formed on one side of the rotating shaft and contacts the rotating shaft, and the contact body having a tapered outer circumference inclined in the axial direction of the rotating shaft is fitted on the other side of the rotating shaft.

[0011] According to the 8th embodiment of the present invention, the abutted body is a charged roller that rotates while in contact with the photosensitive drum to charge the photosensitive drum, and the rotating body is a cleaning roller. The cleaning roller has a contact portion that contacts the charged roller while rotating to clean the surface of the charged roller, and the contact portion is composed of an elastic body spirally wound around the outer periphery of the rotating shaft.

[0012] According to the 9th scheme of the present invention, the abutted body is a photosensitive drum, the rotating body is a cleaning brush, and the cleaning brush has a contact portion, which contacts the photosensitive drum while rotating to clean the surface of the photosensitive drum. The contact portion is composed of a brush spirally wound around the outer periphery of the rotating shaft.

[0013] According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, the cleaning brush is rotationally driven via a belt.

[0014] According to the 11th embodiment of the present invention, the abutted body is the ground, the rotating body is a vacuum cleaner brush, and the vacuum cleaner brush has a contact portion that rotates by suctioning air while contacting the ground to clean the ground, and the contact portion is composed of a brush spirally wound around the outer circumference of the rotating shaft.

[0015] (Effect)

[0016] According to the first aspect, the amount of depression of the rotating body relative to the abutted body when the rotation stops can be reduced.

[0017] According to the second aspect, the movement of the rotating body in the axial direction of the rotation axis can be changed to movement in a direction intersecting the rotation axis.

[0018] According to the third aspect, the sliding resistance of the contact body is small, and the movement of the rotating body in the axial direction of the rotating shaft can be smoothed.

[0019] According to the fourth aspect, the entire surface of the contact body contacts the inclined portion, and when the rotating body rotates, the amount of depression of the rotating body relative to the abutted body can be maintained with high accuracy.

[0020] According to the fifth aspect, wear of the inclined portion of the bearing unit can be suppressed, and the rotation of the rotating body can be smoothed.

[0021] According to the sixth aspect, the bearing unit can be simplified.

[0022] According to the seventh aspect, the bearing unit can be simplified.

[0023] According to the eighth aspect, deformation of the cleaning roller during storage can be suppressed.

[0024] According to the ninth aspect, deformation of the cleaning brush during storage can be suppressed.

[0025] According to the tenth aspect, the cleaning brush is movable in the axial direction of the rotation shaft.

[0026] According to the eleventh aspect, the amount of depression of the cleaner brush relative to the floor surface can be changed in conjunction with the suction force. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Figure 1 It is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the rotating body support structure according to the present embodiment.

[0028] Figure 2 This is a diagram illustrating a rotating body.

[0029] Figure 3 It is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining the operation of the rotating body support structure.

[0030] Figure 4 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a rotating body support structure according to Modification 1.

[0031] Figure 5 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a rotating body support structure according to Modification 2.

[0032] Figure 6 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a rotating body support structure according to Modification 3.

[0033] Figure 7 It is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of another embodiment of the rotating body support structure according to Modification 3.

[0034] Figure 8 It is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a main part of an image forming unit of an image forming apparatus to which the rotating body support structure of the present embodiment is applied.

[0035] Figure 9 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a charger of a photoreceptor unit including a rotating body support structure according to the present embodiment.

[0036] Figure 10This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a cleaning device of a photoreceptor unit including the rotating body support structure according to the present embodiment.

[0037] Figure 11 This is a diagram illustrating a cleaning brush.

[0038] Figure 12 1 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing a head of an electric vacuum cleaner including the rotating body support structure according to the present embodiment.

[0039] Figure 13 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a head of an electric vacuum cleaner including the rotating body support structure according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] Next, the present invention will be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings by way of embodiments and specific examples, but the present invention is not limited to these embodiments and specific examples.

[0041] In the description using the following drawings, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic and that the ratios of dimensions and the like differ from actual ones. For ease of understanding, illustration of components other than those necessary for the description is omitted as appropriate.

[0042] In order to facilitate understanding of the following description, in the drawings, the front-back direction is referred to as the X-axis direction, the left-right direction is referred to as the Y-axis direction, and the up-down direction is referred to as the Z-axis direction.

[0043] (1) Overall structure and movement of the rotating body support structure

[0044] Figure 1 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a rotating body support structure 1 according to this embodiment. Figure 2 1 is a diagram illustrating a rotating body 10. Figure 3 It is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining the operation of the rotating body support structure 1 .

[0045] Hereinafter, the overall structure of the rotating body support structure 1 will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0046] (1.1) Overall structure of the rotating body support structure

[0047] like Figure 1 As shown, the rotating body support structure 1 includes a rotating body 10 and a holding member 20 as an example of a bearing unit that rotatably supports the rotating body 10 .

[0048] The rotating body 10 is composed of a core material 11 as an example of a rotating shaft and a belt-shaped contact portion 12 that is spirally wound and fixed on the outer surface of the core material 11 .

[0049] The core material 11 is a cylindrical shaft. Metals such as SUS (stainless steel) and SUM (free-cutting steel) can be used as the material used for the core material 11. Furthermore, materials other than metals can be used as long as they have appropriate rigidity. For example, synthetic resin molded products can be used. Furthermore, in addition to the roller shape, the core material 11 can also be formed into a hollow tube shape.

[0050] like Figure 2 As shown, as an example, in the contact portion 12, a strip-shaped component 12A composed of a sponge layer of foamed elastic body is wound and fixed on the outer surface of the core material 11, and on the outer surface of the core material 11, the adhesive is applied in a spiral shape extending along the axial direction of the core material 11 with gaps provided at prescribed intervals.

[0051] The holding member 20 includes a contact body 21 into which the core member 11 of the rotating body 10 is fitted, and a bearing portion 22 that contacts the contact body 21 and supports the contact body 21 .

[0052] like Figure 1 As shown, the contact body 21 is a ring-shaped body having a diameter larger than that of the core material 11 and a circular outer circumference. In order to press the core material 11 into contact with the bearing portion 22 and rotate, a synthetic resin such as POM with high wear resistance and sliding properties is preferably used.

[0053] like Figure 1 As shown, the bearing portion 22 is formed in a concave shape for the contact body 21 to enter, and a tapered inclined portion 22 a is provided on a surface that contacts and supports the contact body 21 .

[0054] In addition, in this embodiment, although the second bearing portion 25 is provided on the retaining component 20 to support the rotating shaft 31 of the abutted body 30 abutting the contact portion 12 of the rotating body 10, the second bearing portion 25 does not need to be provided integrally with the retaining component 20 and can also be a separate body.

[0055] In the rotating body support structure 1 constructed in this manner, the abutted body 30 is rotatably supported by the second bearing portion 25 of the holding member 20, and the rotating body 10 is rotatably supported by the bearing portion 22 via the contact body 21. Figure 1 As shown, the rotating body 10 and the abutted body 30 rotatably supported on the retaining component 20 are in a state where the contact portion 12 is in contact with the abutted body 30 with a specified recessed amount δ0, and the force applying component (spring) S is used to apply force to the retaining component 20 so that the abutted body 30 abuts against the abutting body 40.

[0056] (1.2) Movement of the rotating body support structure

[0057] Rotating body support structure 1 Figure 3As shown by the arrow R1, when the abutting body 40 is driven to rotate, the abutted body 30 abutting against the abutting body 40 is as shown in FIG. Figure 3 As shown by the arrow R2, the rotating body 10 rotates as the driven body 30 rotates. Figure 3 As indicated by the arrow R3 , the rotating body 10 is driven to rotate, and the contact portion 12 of the rotating body 10 contacts the abutted body 30 by a predetermined recessed amount δ0 .

[0058] Since the contact portion 12 is spirally wound around the rotating body 10 at a predetermined interval, a thrust is generated in the axial direction of the core material 11 by the rotation. Figure 3 As indicated by the arrow R4 , the abutment body 30 is pushed and moved relative to the abutted body 30 .

[0059] When the rotating body 10 is pushed and moved, the contact body 21, which is pressed and embedded by the core material 11 of the rotating body 10, also moves axially in the bearing portion 22. The contact body 21 is formed into a ring with a circular outer circumference and is in point contact with the inclined portion 22a in the bearing portion 22, so the sliding resistance is small. When the contact body 21 moves in the axial direction, as shown in FIG. Figure 3 As indicated by the arrow R5 , the rotating body 10 moves in a direction intersecting (orthogonal to) the axial direction according to the inclination of the inclined portion 22 a .

[0060] As a result, the contact portion 12 of the rotating body 10 is recessed relative to the abutted body 30 by a greater amount than the recessed amount δ0 before the rotation (at Figure 3 (denoted by δ1 in the figure), while the abutting body 40 is being driven and rotated, the rotating body 10 rotates via the abutted body 30, maintaining the state in which the depression between the contact portion 12 and the abutted body 30 increases to δ1. In this way, by making the inclined portion 22a of the bearing portion 22 contact the contact body 21 in which the core material 11 is embedded, the rotating body 10 is supported, and the pushing movement of the rotating body 10 in the axial direction can be changed to movement in a direction intersecting the axial direction.

[0061] Then, when the abutment 40 stops rotating, the rotating body 10 also stops rotating, and the thrust acting on the rotating body 10 disappears. When the thrust acting on the rotating body 10 disappears, the rotating body 10 moves axially along the inclined portion 22a of the bearing portion 22 due to the repulsive force of the contact portion 12, which is in contact with the abutted body 30 and is recessed relative to the abutted body 30, thereby reducing the amount of recess. This can reduce the amount of recess of the rotating body 10 relative to the abutted body 30 when the rotating body 10 stops rotating.

[0062] Modification 1

[0063] Figure 4 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a rotating body support structure 1 according to Modification 1.

[0064] like Figure 4 As shown, in the rotating body support structure 1 of the modification 1, the contact body 21A into which the core material 11 of the rotating body 10 is embedded has a tapered shape whose outer circumference is inclined in the axial direction of the core material 11 .

[0065] like Figure 3 As shown, the contact body 21A is pressed into the two ends of the core material 11 of the rotating body 10 in a manner such that the left and right conical surfaces are oriented in the same direction, and the entire outer periphery is in contact with the inclined portion 22a of the bearing portion 22, thereby being supported by the inclined portion 22a of the bearing portion 22.

[0066] Therefore, when the rotating body 10 rotates and generates an axial thrust, the contact body 21A contacts the inclined portion 22a with its entire surface and moves in a direction intersecting (orthogonal) to the axial direction according to the inclination, thereby maintaining the amount of depression of the rotating body 10 relative to the abutted body 30 with high precision.

[0067] Modification 2

[0068] Figure 5 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a rotating body support structure 1 according to a second modification.

[0069] like Figure 5 As shown, in the rotating body support structure 1 of the second modification, the contact body embedded in the core material 11 of the rotating body 10 is a ball bearing 21B having an outer ring 21Ba in contact with the inclined portion 22 a and an inner ring 21Bb mounted on the core material 11 .

[0070] In the rotating body support structure 1 of Modification 2, the core 11 is rotatably supported by the ball bearing 21B, and the outer ring 21Aa, which contacts the inclined portion 22a of the bearing portion 22, does not rotate or slide. Therefore, the rotating body 10 can rotate smoothly while suppressing wear of the inclined portion 22a of the bearing portion 22.

[0071] Modification 3

[0072] Figure 6 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a rotating body support structure 1 according to a third modification.

[0073] like Figure 6 As shown, in the rotating body support structure 1 of the modified example 3, the contact body 21 is embedded in one side of the core material 11. Figure 5 As shown, the bearing portion 22 on the side without the mating contact body 21 is structured so that the inclined portion 22a directly supports the end 11a of the core material 11 of the rotating body 10. Therefore, it is preferable to form an R portion or a C surface on the end 11a to reduce the sliding resistance between the inclined portion 22a.

[0074] The bearing portion 22 that directly supports the end portion 11a of the core 11 without being embedded in the contact body 21 is preferably formed of a conductive material. Specifically, the entire holding member 20A is preferably formed of a synthetic resin such as POM having conductivity and sliding properties.

[0075] exist Figure 6 In the embodiment, the contact body 21 fitted on one side of the core material 11 is in the shape of a ring with a circular outer circumference. However, the contact body may also be in the shape of a tapered surface with an outer circumference inclined toward the axial direction of the core material 11 as in Modification 1, or may be a ball bearing as in Modification 2. In this way, by adopting a structure in which the contact body 21 is fitted on one side of the core material 11 and the other side of the core material 11 is directly supported by the bearing portion 22, the retaining member 20 serving as the bearing unit can be simplified.

[0076] also, Figure 7 An example of another embodiment of the rotating body support structure 1 of the modification 3 is shown. Figure 7 As shown, the inclined portion 22a of the bearing portion 22 is formed on one side of the core material 11 and contacts the core material 11, and the contact body 21A having a conical surface shape with an outer periphery inclined in the axial direction is embedded in the other side of the core material 11. Figure 7 As shown, the bearing portion 22 that rotatably supports the contact body 21A does not have a tapered inclined portion, but has a stepped portion 22b formed in a portion.

[0077] When the rotating body 10 rotates while abutting against the abutted body 30, a thrust is generated in the axial direction of the core material 11, thereby pushing and moving the core material 11 relative to the abutted body 30. The end 11a of the core material 11 on one side directly contacts the inclined portion 22a of the bearing portion 22, and moves in a direction intersecting (orthogonal) with the axial direction according to the inclination of the inclined portion 22a. In addition, on the other side of the core material 11 where the contact body 21A is embedded, the contact body 21A contacts the step portion 22b formed on the bearing portion 22, and moves in a direction intersecting (orthogonal) with the axial direction. In this way, the axial pushing movement of the rotating body 10 is changed to a movement in a direction intersecting with the axial direction, thereby increasing the amount of depression of the contact portion 12.

[0078] Example

[0079] Figure 8 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a main portion of an image forming unit of an image forming apparatus 100 to which the rotating body support structure 1 according to the present embodiment is applied.

[0080] The image forming apparatus 100 includes an image forming unit 110 that forms an image using an electrophotographic method. The image forming unit 110 includes an exposure device 120, a photoreceptor unit 130, a developing device 140, a transfer device 150, a paper conveying device (not shown), and a fixing device (not shown), and is used to form a toner image on a paper fed from a paper feeding device (not shown). Figure 8 , a set of photoreceptor units 130 and developing devices 140 arranged for each color of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) is shown.

[0081] The photoconductor unit 130 includes a rotationally driven photoconductor drum 131 , and arranged along the rotation direction of the photoconductor drum 131 are a charger 132 , an exposure device 120 , a developing device 140 , a primary transfer roller 152 , and a cleaning device 134 .

[0082] The developing device 140 includes a developing housing 141 that contains a developer. A developing roller 142 is disposed within the developing housing 141 and faces the photosensitive drum 131. Aside from the developer contained in the developing housing 141, each developing device 140 has a substantially identical configuration, and forms toner images of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K).

[0083] The surface of the rotating photosensitive drum 131 is charged by the charger 132, and an electrostatic latent image is formed by latent image forming light emitted from the exposure device 120. The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 131 is developed into a toner image by the developing roller 142.

[0084] The transfer device 15 is constructed to include an intermediate transfer belt 151, a primary transfer roller 152 and a secondary transfer roller 153 (not shown), wherein the intermediate transfer belt 151 is multiply transferred with colorant images of various colors formed by the photosensitive drum 131, the primary transfer roller 152 transfers the colorant images of various colors formed by each photosensitive unit 130 to the intermediate transfer belt 151 in sequence (primary transfer), and the secondary transfer roller 153 transfers the colorant images overlappingly transferred on the intermediate transfer belt 151 to the paper at the same time (secondary transfer).

[0085] The colorant image formed on the photosensitive drum 131 of each photosensitive unit 130 is electrostatically transferred (primary transfer) to the intermediate transfer belt 151 through the intermediate transfer belt 151 and the primary transfer part in contact with each photosensitive drum 131 using the primary transfer roller 152 to which a prescribed primary transfer voltage is applied, thereby forming an overlapping colorant image in which the colorants of each color overlap.

[0086] The superimposed toner images on the intermediate transfer belt 151 are conveyed to a secondary transfer portion TR where a secondary transfer roller 153 is arranged in pressure contact with the intermediate transfer belt 151 as the intermediate transfer belt 151 moves.

[0087] When the superimposed toner images are conveyed to the secondary transfer portion TR, paper is fed from the paper feed device to the secondary transfer portion TR at that timing, and the multiple toner images on the intermediate transfer belt 151 are collectively transferred to the paper.

[0088] Residual toner on the surface of the photosensitive drum 131 is removed by the cleaning device 134 , and the surface of the photosensitive drum 131 is charged again by the charger 132 .

[0089] The paper with the transferred toner image is conveyed to the fixing device via the paper conveying device in a state where the toner image is not fixed. The toner image on the paper conveyed to the fixing device is fixed by the action of heat and pressure.

[0090] Example 1

[0091] Figure 9 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the charger 132 of the photoreceptor unit 130 including the rotating body support structure 1 according to the present embodiment.

[0092] The charger 132 of the image forming apparatus 100 is composed of the following components: a charging roller 132A as an example of an abutted body, which contacts the photosensitive drum 131 and rotates to charge the photosensitive drum 131; and a cleaning roller 132B as an example of a rotating body, which contacts the charging roller 132A and rotates to clean the charging roller 132A.

[0093] like Figure 8 As shown, the cleaning roller 132B has a belt-shaped contact portion 132Bb, which is formed by spirally winding a belt-shaped member made of foam sponge and fixing it to a rotating shaft 132Ba. The two ends of the rotating shaft 132Ba are press-fitted into a ring body 132Bc, which is an example of a contact body, formed of a synthetic resin such as POM.

[0094] The charging roller 132A and the cleaning roller 132B are rotatably supported by the holding member 20 .

[0095] The holding member 20 is provided with the following components: a bearing 22, which contacts the contact body 132Bc into which the rotating shaft 132Ba of the cleaning roller 132B is embedded, thereby supporting the ring body 132Bc; and a second bearing 25, which supports the rotating shaft 132Aa of the charging roller 132A. The bearing 22 is formed into a concave shape to allow the ring body 132Bc to enter, and a tapered inclined portion 22a is provided on the surface that contacts and supports the ring body 132Bc.

[0096] The cleaning roller 132B and the charging roller 132A rotatably supported by the holding member 20 are in a state where the contact portion 132Bb contacts the charging roller 132A with a predetermined recessed amount, and the holding member 20 is biased by the biasing member (spring) S so that the charging roller 132A contacts the photosensitive drum 131 .

[0097] When Figure 9 As shown by the arrow R1 in the middle, when the photosensitive drum 131 is rotated and driven in a state where the charging roller 132A contacts the photosensitive drum 131 in this manner, the charging roller 132A in contact with the photosensitive drum 131 is as shown in FIG. Figure 9 The cleaning roller 132B is driven to rotate as shown by the arrow R2, and the cleaning roller 132B contacts the charging roller 132A by a predetermined amount of depression. Figure 9 The driven rotation is performed as shown by the arrow R3.

[0098] In the cleaning roller 132B, since the contact portion 132Bb is spirally wound at predetermined intervals, a thrust is generated in the axial direction of the rotating shaft 132Ba by the rotation. Figure 9 As indicated by the middle arrow R4 , the cleaning roller 132B is pushed relative to the charging roller 132A.

[0099] When the cleaning roller 132B is pushed and moved, the contact body 132Bc also moves in the axial direction in the bearing portion 22. The cleaning roller 132B moves in the axial direction according to the inclination of the inclined portion 22a provided in the bearing portion 22. Figure 9 As shown by the arrow R5 in the middle, it moves in a direction intersecting (orthogonal) to the axial direction.

[0100] As a result, the contact portion 132Bb of the cleaning roller 132B is recessed relative to the charging roller 132A by a larger amount than before the rotation, and the state of the increased recessed amount is maintained while the photosensitive drum 131 is rotationally driven.

[0101] Then, when the rotation of the photosensitive drum 131 stops, the cleaning roller 132B also stops rotating, and the thrust acting on the cleaning roller 132B disappears. Therefore, the cleaning roller 132B moves axially along the inclined portion 22a of the bearing portion 22 under the action of the repulsive force of the contact portion 132Bb, thereby reducing the amount of depression.

[0102] Thus, when cleaning roller 132B stops rotating, the amount of depression of cleaning roller 132B relative to charging roller 132A, with which it abuts, is maintained at a reduced level, thereby suppressing deformation of cleaning roller 132B caused by the abutment between the two rollers. This can particularly suppress deformation of cleaning roller 132B during storage when photoreceptor unit 130 is not in use.

[0103] Example 2

[0104] Figure 10FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a cleaning device 134 of a photoreceptor unit 130 including the rotating body support structure 1 according to the present embodiment. Figure 11 It is a diagram for explaining the cleaning brush 134A.

[0105] The cleaning device 134 of the image forming apparatus 100 includes a cleaning brush 134A and a cleaning blade 134B as examples of rotating bodies arranged in contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 131, and is used to remove residual colorant on the surface of the photosensitive drum 131 and collect it in a waste colorant storage unit (not shown).

[0106] like Figure 11 As shown, cleaning brush 134A is composed of a base fabric, bristles 134Aa, which serve as an example of a contact portion for raising yarn from the base fabric, and a metal shaft 134Ab, which serves as an example of a rotating shaft. Bristles 134Aa are spirally wound around shaft 134Ab to form a roller shape. The ends of shaft 134Ab are pressed into ball bearings 21B, which serve as an example of a contact body. Although the contact body can be made of synthetic resin with a circular outer ring shape or a conical shape with an outer circumference inclined axially toward shaft 134Ab, ball bearings 21B are preferred from the perspective of maintaining smooth rotation of cleaning brush 134A.

[0107] Cleaning brush 134A is rotatably supported by holding member 20. Holding member 20 is provided with a bearing portion 22. This bearing portion 22 contacts and supports ball bearing 21B, into which shaft 134Ab of cleaning brush 134A is embedded. Bearing portion 22 is formed into a concave shape for ball bearing 21B to enter, and a tapered inclined portion 22a is provided on the surface that contacts and supports ball bearing 21B.

[0108] The cleaning brush 134A rotatably supported by the holding member 20 is rotationally driven by a driving mechanism (not shown) via the belt T, with the bristles 134Aa in contact with the photosensitive drum 131 with a predetermined recess. The belt T is flexible and can transmit rotation even when the cleaning brush 134A moves unidirectionally in the axial direction.

[0109] Thus, when the cleaning brush 134A is driven to rotate while in contact with the photosensitive drum 131, the bristles 134Aa of the cleaning brush 134A are wound in a spiral shape, and therefore, a thrust is generated in the axial direction of the shaft 134Ab by the rotation. Figure 10 As indicated by the middle arrow R1 , the cleaning brush 134A is pushed relative to the photosensitive drum 131 .

[0110] When the cleaning brush 134A is pushed and moved, the ball bearing 21B also moves axially in the bearing portion 22. The cleaning brush 134A moves in accordance with the inclination of the inclined portion 22a provided on the bearing portion 22. Figure 10As shown by the arrow R2 in the middle, it moves in a direction intersecting (orthogonal) to the axial direction.

[0111] As a result, the bristles 134Aa of the cleaning brush 134A are recessed further relative to the photosensitive drum 131 than before the rotation, and the increased recessed amount is maintained while the cleaning brush 134A is rotationally driven.

[0112] Then, when the rotation of the cleaning brush 134A stops, the thrust acting on the cleaning brush 134A disappears, and the cleaning brush 134A moves axially along the inclined portion 22a of the bearing portion 22 by the repulsive force of the bristles 134Aa, thereby reducing the amount of depression.

[0113] Thus, when the rotation of the cleaning brush 134A stops, the amount of depression of the cleaning brush 134A relative to the contacted photosensitive drum 131 can be maintained in a state where the amount of depression is reduced, thereby suppressing the bristles 134Aa from being bent due to the depression of the cleaning roller 132B relative to the photosensitive drum 131. Thus, the cleaning brush 134A is depressed and engaged with the photosensitive drum 131 during rotation, and the amount of depression is reduced when the rotation stops, thereby preventing the bristles 134Aa from being bent while maintaining cleaning performance.

[0114] Example 3

[0115] Figure 12 1 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing the head of an electric vacuum cleaner including the rotating body support structure 1 according to the present embodiment. Figure 13 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a head of an electric vacuum cleaner including the rotating body support structure 1 according to the present embodiment.

[0116] like Figure 12 and Figure 13 As shown, the head 200 of an electric vacuum cleaner for sucking in dust and the like from the floor F includes a housing 210 that is generally T-shaped when viewed from above. One end of a connecting pipe 220 is connected to the rear end of the housing 210 so as to be rotatable relative to the housing 210, while the other end of the connecting pipe 220 is connected to the main body of the electric vacuum cleaner (not shown). A rectangular suction port 211, which is elongated in the left-right direction, is formed at the front end of the bottom wall of the housing 210, extending through the bottom wall.

[0117] A rectangular frame-shaped partition plate 212 is erected on the inner bottom surface of the housing 210 so as to surround the air inlet 211 , and an air suction port 213 is formed in the center of the rear wall of the partition plate 212 so as to penetrate the rear wall.

[0118] A holding member 20 is provided on each of the left and right side walls of the partition plate 212. A rotating brush 214, an example of a rotating body, is rotatably supported by the holding member 20. The rotating brush 214 does not have a drive source such as a motor, and is rotated by the negative pressure of air drawn in from the air suction port 213.

[0119] The rotating brush 214 is composed of bristles 214A as an example of a contact portion and a rotating shaft 214B. The bristles 214A are spirally wound around the rotating shaft 214B to form a roller shape. Both ends of the rotating shaft 214B are press-fitted into the contact body 21.

[0120] The contact body 21 may be a synthetic resin contact body having a tapered surface shape inclined in the axial direction of the outer circumferential axis 134Ab, or a ball bearing from the viewpoint of smoothly rotating the rotating brush 214 using the negative pressure of the sucked air.

[0121] The holding member 20 is provided with a bearing portion 22 that contacts the contact body 21 into which the rotating shaft 214B of the rotating brush 214 is embedded, thereby supporting the contact body 21. Figure 12 As shown, the bearing portion 22 is formed with a groove portion 22B so that the rotating brush 214 can move relative to the direction of travel of the head of the electric vacuum cleaner ( Figure 12 The vehicle moves in a direction away from the ground (as indicated by the arrow R in the middle).

[0122] Furthermore, the bearing portion 22 is formed into a concave shape in a plan view so that the contact body 21 can enter, and a tapered inclined portion 22 a is provided on a surface that contacts and supports the contact body 21 .

[0123] When the head of the electric vacuum cleaner constructed in this manner sucks air in a state where the rotating brush 214 is in contact with the floor F, the rotating brush 214 moves toward the floor F. Figure 12 Furthermore, when the air suction becomes stronger, the brush 214 rotates at a high speed. Since the bristles 214A are wound into a spiral shape, the rotating brush 214 generates thrust in the axial direction of the rotating shaft 214B by rotating. Figure 13 As shown by the middle arrow R2, the rotating brush 214 is pushed relative to the ground F.

[0124] When the rotating brush 214 pushes and moves, the contact body 21 also moves in the axial direction within the bearing portion 22 . The rotating brush 214 moves along the groove portion 22B in a direction intersecting (orthogonal to) the axial direction according to the inclination of the inclined portion 22 a provided in the bearing portion 22 .

[0125] As a result, the bristles 214A of the rotating brush 214 increase their engagement with the floor surface F, improving cleaning performance. Furthermore, in situations where a load is applied to the floor surface F when the rotating brush 214 rotates, such as on a carpet, the grooves 22B formed in the bearing 22 allow the rotating brush 214 to move away from the floor surface F. This reduces the amount of engagement with the floor surface F, thereby reducing the load on the motor that generates the air suction force of the electric vacuum cleaner.

Claims

1. A rotating body support structure comprising: a rotating body having a contact portion spirally arranged about a rotation axis; and a bearing unit for rotatably supporting the rotating body; When the rotating body moves unidirectionally along the axial direction of the rotating shaft, the amount of depression of the rotating body relative to the abutted body abutting against the contact portion of the rotating body changes. The bearing unit comprises: a contact body fitted on the rotating shaft of the rotating body and having a diameter larger than that of the rotating shaft; and an inclined portion that contacts the contact body and supports the contact body, The contact body is supported so as to be movable in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the rotation shaft when the rotating body moves in the axial direction of the rotation shaft.

2. The rotating body support structure according to claim 1, wherein: The contact body is in an annular shape with a circular outer circumference.

3. The rotating body support structure according to claim 1, wherein: The contact body has a tapered shape with an outer circumference inclined in the axial direction of the rotation axis.

4. The rotating body support structure according to claim 1, wherein: The contact body is a ball bearing having an outer ring in contact with the inclined portion and an inner ring mounted on the rotating shaft.

5. The rotating body support structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The contact body is fitted on one side of the rotating shaft.

6. The rotating body support structure according to claim 5, wherein: The inclined portion is formed on one side of the rotating shaft and contacts the rotating shaft, and the contact body having a tapered shape and an outer circumference inclined in the axial direction of the rotating shaft is fitted on the other side of the rotating shaft.

7. The rotating body support structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The abutted body is a charging roller that rotates while in contact with the photosensitive drum to charge the photosensitive drum. The rotating body is a cleaning roller having a contact portion that contacts the charging roller while rotating to clean the surface of the charging roller. The contact portion is formed of an elastic body spirally wound around the outer circumference of a rotating shaft.

8. The rotating body support structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The abutted body is a photosensitive drum, The rotating body is a cleaning brush having a contact portion that contacts the photosensitive drum while rotating to clean the surface of the photosensitive drum. The contact portion is composed of a brush spirally wound around the outer circumference of a rotating shaft.

9. The rotating body support structure according to claim 8, wherein: The cleaning brush is rotationally driven by means of a belt.

10. The rotating body support structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The abutted object is a floor surface, and the rotating body is a cleaner brush having a contact portion that rotates by suctioning air while contacting the floor surface to clean the floor surface. The contact portion is composed of a brush spirally wound around the outer circumference of a rotating shaft.

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