Cleaning device

Abstract

A cleaning device includes a blade, a support plate for supporting the blade, and a reinforcing plate fixed to the support plate. The support plate is provided with a first flat portion, and a first end portion and a first other end portion of the first flat portion. The reinforcing plate has a second flat portion provided along the longitudinal direction and along the first flat portion, and a second end portion and a second other end portion of the second flat portion. The second end portion is provided with a first protruding portion protruding from the second flat portion in a first direction crossing a short side direction when viewed in a long side direction, and the second other end portion is provided with a second protruding portion protruding in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cleaning device for an image forming apparatus. Background Art

[0002] Generally, in an image forming apparatus that applies electrophotographic processing and forms an image, such as a copying machine, toner on an image bearing member is removed by a cleaning device. As the cleaning device, a cleaning blade (hereinafter referred to as a "blade") is often used as a cleaning member, and the blade is pressed against the surface of the image bearing member to scrape off and remove the toner on the image bearing member.

[0003] In such a cleaning device, when the contact pressure of the blade against the image bearing member changes, cleaning failure, flipping of the cleaning blade, or abnormal noise may occur. The contact pressure of the blade against the image bearing member can be caused by a change in the position of the blade relative to the image bearing member. Therefore, it is crucial to correctly support the blade and maintain its position relative to the image bearing member with high precision.

[0004] In an image forming apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (JP-A) 2016-130819, a support plate bent into a substantially L-shaped cross section is used as a support member for supporting the blade. By bending the support plate into a substantially L-shaped cross section, deformation of the support plate due to a reaction force applied to the blade can be suppressed, and the rigidity of the support plate can be increased. However, in the conventional configuration, the bent portion having a substantially L-shaped cross section for increasing the rigidity of the support plate is provided away from the contact portion where the blade abuts against the image bearing member. Therefore, in the conventional configuration, in order to sufficiently increase the rigidity against the reaction force applied to the blade, it is necessary to increase the bending height of the substantially L-shaped cross section. In order to ensure a space for this bending height, the size of the image forming apparatus may increase. Summary of the Invention

[0005] An object of the present invention is to effectively increase the rigidity of a support structure of a blade in a small space.

[0006] The above object is achieved by a cleaning device according to the present invention. In summary, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cleaning device including: a blade that contacts the surface of an image carrier member along a long side direction and is configured to remove toner from the surface of the image carrier member at a contact portion with the image carrier member; a support plate configured to support the blade; and a reinforcement plate fixed to the support plate; wherein the support plate has a first flat portion provided along the long side direction and including a fixing portion for fixing the blade; a first end portion of the first flat portion on a side of the first flat portion closer to the contact portion along a short side direction of the blade; and a second end portion of the first flat portion on a side of the first flat portion farther from the contact portion; wherein the reinforcement plate has a second flat portion provided along the long side direction and along the first flat portion; a first end portion of the second flat portion on a side of the second flat portion closer to the contact portion in the short side direction of the blade; and a second end portion of the second flat portion on a side of the second flat portion farther from the contact portion; wherein, when viewed in the long side direction, a first protruding portion protruding from the second flat portion in a first direction crossing the short side direction of the blade is provided at the first end portion, and a second protruding portion protruding in a second direction opposite to the first direction is provided at the second end portion.

[0007] In addition, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus including an image carrier member on which a toner image is formed and the above-described cleaning device.

[0008] Further, the features of the present invention will become clearer by the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus.

[0010] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of an image forming section.

[0011] Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a drum cartridge.

[0012] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the cleaning device.

[0013] Figure 5 is a top view of a support structure of the blade.

[0014] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the drum cartridge showing a modified example of the support structure of the blade.

[0015] Figure 7It is a top view showing a modified example of the support structure of the blade.

[0016] Figure 8 It is a cross-sectional view of the drum cartridge, showing a modified example of the support structure of the blade.

[0017] Figure 9 It is a cross-sectional view of the drum cartridge, showing a modified example of the support structure of the blade.

[0018] Figure 10 It is a cross-sectional view of a conventional cleaning device. Detailed Description

[0019] Hereinafter, the cleaning device according to the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0020] [Reference Example]

[0021] 1. Overall Structure and Operation of the Image Forming Apparatus

[0022] First, the overall structure and operation of the image forming apparatus in the reference example will be described. Figure 1 It is a schematic cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus 100 in the reference example (the cross-sectional view is shown in a direction substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum 1 to be described later). The image forming apparatus 100 in the reference example is a tandem type multi-functional printer (including functions of a copying machine, a printer, and a fax machine) that adopts an intermediate transfer method and can form a full-color image by an electrophotographic method. The image forming apparatus 100 can form an image on a recording material P (such as paper) as a sheet according to image information transmitted from an external device (such as a personal computer) and image information read by an image reading unit 120 provided on the image forming apparatus 100.

[0023] In this document, for the image forming apparatus 100 and its elements, Figure 1 the front side of the sheet is the "front side (front)", and the rear side of the sheet is the "rear side (rear)". The front-rear direction connecting the front side and the rear side should be substantially parallel to the direction of the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum 1 to be described later. In addition, for the image forming apparatus 100 and its elements, the up-down direction refers to the direction of gravity (vertical direction). However, this means not only including the directly above and directly below, but also including the higher side and the lower side than the horizontal plane passing through the target element or position.

[0024] The image forming apparatus 100 includes four image forming units SY, SM, SC, and SK that respectively form images of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), as a plurality of image forming units (stations). The configurations and operations of the image forming units SY, SM, SC, and SK are basically the same, except for the colors of the toners used. It should be noted that elements having the same or corresponding functions or configurations for each color can be described collectively by omitting the suffixes Y, M, C, and K of the reference marks corresponding to one color. Figure 2 FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing one of the image forming units S as a representative example. In the reference example, the image forming unit S is configured to include a photosensitive drum 1 (1Y, 1M, 1C, 1K), a charging roller 2 (2Y, 2M, 2C, 2K), an exposure device 3 (3Y, 3M, 3C, 3K), a developing device 4 (4Y, 4M, 4C, 4K), a cleaning device 5 (5Y, 5M, 5C, 5K), a cleaning roller 6 (6Y, 6M, 6C, 6K), and other elements.

[0025] The image forming unit S is provided with a photosensitive drum 1 as a first image carrier member. The photosensitive drum 1 is a rotatable drum-shaped (cylindrical) photosensitive member (electrophotographic photosensitive member). When a driving force is transmitted from a drum driving unit (not shown in the figure) as a driving means, the photosensitive drum 1 is rotationally driven in the direction of arrow R1 (clockwise direction) in the figure. The surface of the rotating photosensitive drum 1 is uniformly charged to a predetermined potential of a predetermined polarity (negative polarity in the reference example) by a charging roller 2 as a charging means (which is a roller-shaped charging member). The charging roller 2 is provided in contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 and is rotationally driven as the photosensitive drum 1 rotates. During the charging process, the charging roller 2 is charged by a charging power source (high-voltage power source, not shown in the figure) as a charging voltage application unit with a predetermined charging voltage (charging bias). Therefore, discharge occurs between the surface of the charging roller 2 and the surface of the photosensitive drum 1, so that the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is charged.

[0026] The surface of the charged photosensitive drum 1 is exposed by an exposure device 3 as an exposure means (electrostatic image forming means), thereby forming an electrostatic image (electrostatic latent image) on the photosensitive drum 1. In the reference example, the exposure device 3 irradiates the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 with light emitted by an LED as a light source according to image information (image signal). It should be noted that the exposure device 3 can be a laser scanner device or the like, and can also be configured as a single unit that exposes four photosensitive drums 1, for example.

[0027] When toner is supplied by the developing device 4 as a developing means, the electrostatic image formed on the photosensitive drum 1 is developed (visualized), and a toner image (toner picture, developer image) is formed on the photosensitive drum 1. In this reference example, the developing device 4 uses a two-component developer composed of toner (non-magnetic toner particles) and carrier (magnetic carrier particles). The developing device 4 includes a developing sleeve 401 as a developer-carrying member and a developer container 402 that houses the developer. The developing sleeve 401 carries the developer in the developer container 402 and transports the developer to the developing position opposite the photosensitive drum 1. During the developing process, for example, when a driving force is transmitted from the drum driving unit, the developing sleeve 401 is rotationally driven. Further, during the developing process, a predetermined developing voltage (developing bias) is applied to the developing sleeve 401 by a developing power source (high-voltage power source, not shown in the figure) as a developing voltage application unit. Therefore, the toner in the developer carried on the developing sleeve 401 is supplied to the photosensitive drum 1 according to the electrostatic image, and a toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 1. In the reference example, toner having the same charging polarity as the charging polarity of the photosensitive drum 1 (negative polarity in the reference example) adheres to the exposed portion (image portion) of the photosensitive drum 1, and thus the absolute value of the potential decreases after uniform charging and exposure (reverse development method). In the reference example, the normal charged polarity of the toner, that is, the main charging characteristic of the toner during the developing process, is negative polarity. The toner is replenished from the toner cartridges 20 (20Y, 20M, 20C, 20K) as developer replenishing containers to the developing device 4 via a developer transport unit (transport path, not shown in the figure).

[0028] The intermediate transfer belt 7 as the second image carrier member is an intermediate transfer member configured as a rotatable endless belt, and the intermediate transfer belt 7 is disposed opposite to the four photosensitive drums 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K. The intermediate transfer belt 7 is formed into a ring by a dielectric resin such as polyimide. The intermediate transfer belt 7 is stretched with a predetermined tension by being stretched over a driving roller 71, a tension roller 72, an upstream assist roller 73, and a secondary pre-transfer roller 74, which are a plurality of stretching rollers (support rollers). The driving roller 71 is rotationally driven by a driving force transmitted from a belt driving unit (not shown in the figure) as a driving means. When the driving force is transmitted by the driving roller 71, the intermediate transfer belt 7 rotates (circularly moves) in the direction of arrow R2 (counterclockwise direction) in the figure. The tension roller 72 applies a predetermined tension to the intermediate transfer belt 7. The upstream assist roller 73 is disposed on the upstream side of a primary transfer portion N1, which will be described later, in the rotation direction (the moving direction of the surface, the conveying direction) of the intermediate transfer belt 7, and together with the secondary pre-transfer roller 74, forms an image transfer surface that is substantially horizontally disposed. The secondary pre-transfer roller 74 forms the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 7 near the upstream side of a secondary transfer portion N2, which will be described later, in the rotation direction of the intermediate transfer belt 7. The driving roller 71 also functions as a secondary transfer opposed roller (secondary transfer inner roller) as an opposed member (opposed electrode) to a secondary transfer roller 9, which will be described later. On the intermediate transfer belt 7, the primary transfer rollers 8Y, 8M, 8C, and 8K are roller-shaped primary transfer members as primary transfer means, and respectively correspond to the photosensitive drums 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K. The primary transfer rollers 8 are pressed against the photosensitive drums 1, contact the photosensitive drums 1 through the intermediate transfer belt 7, and form a primary transfer portion (primary transfer clamping portion) N1 (N1Y, N1M, N1C, N1K) as a contact portion between the photosensitive drums 1 and the intermediate transfer belt 7. The stretching rollers other than the driving roller 71 and each primary transfer roller 8 are rotationally driven as the intermediate transfer belt 7 rotates.

[0029] Under the action of the primary transfer rollers 8, at the primary transfer portion N1, the toner images formed on the photosensitive drums 1 are transferred (primary transfer) to the rotating intermediate transfer belt 7 that rotates as the transferred member. During the primary transfer process, a primary transfer voltage (primary transfer bias) is applied to the primary transfer rollers 8 by a primary transfer power source (high-voltage power source) as a primary transfer voltage application unit (not shown in the figure), and the primary transfer voltage is a DC voltage having a polarity opposite to the normal polarity of the toner (positive polarity in the reference example). For example, when forming a full-color image, the respective yellow, magenta, cyan, and black toner images formed on each photosensitive drum 1 are sequentially transferred so that they are superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 7.

[0030] On the outer peripheral surface side of the intermediate transfer belt 7, a secondary transfer roller (secondary transfer outer roller) 9 as a secondary transfer means is arranged as a roller-shaped secondary transfer member (rotatable transfer member) at a position opposite to the drive roller 71. The secondary transfer roller 9 presses against the drive roller 71, contacts the drive roller 71 through the intermediate transfer belt 7, and forms a secondary transfer portion (secondary transfer clamping portion) N2 as a contact portion between the intermediate transfer belt 7 and the secondary transfer roller 9. In the reference example, the secondary transfer roller 9 is rotationally driven as the intermediate transfer belt 7 rotates. It should be noted that the secondary transfer roller 9 can be configured to be rotationally driven. Under the action of the secondary transfer roller 9, at the secondary transfer portion N2, the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 7 is transferred (secondary transfer) to the recording material P conveyed between the intermediate transfer belt 7 and the secondary transfer roller 9 as the transfer member. During the secondary transfer process, a secondary transfer voltage (secondary transfer bias) is applied to the secondary transfer roller 9 through a secondary transfer power supply (high-voltage power supply) as a secondary transfer voltage application portion (not shown in the figure), where the secondary transfer voltage is a DC voltage having a polarity opposite to the normal polarity of the toner (positive polarity in the reference example). The drive roller (secondary transfer opposed roller) 71 is electrically grounded (connected to the ground). It should be noted that a secondary transfer voltage having the same polarity as the normal charging polarity of the toner can be applied to the inner roller corresponding to the drive roller 71 in the reference example, and the outer roller corresponding to the secondary transfer roller 9 in the reference example can be electrically grounded. The recording material (transfer member, sheet, recording medium) P is accommodated in a cassette 11 as a supply portion (recording material accommodation portion). The recording material P is fed out one sheet at a time from the cassette 11 by a supply roller 12 as a supply member and is conveyed to a registration roller pair 13 as a recording material transfer member. After the recording material P is aligned by the registration roller pair 13, the recording material P is conveyed to the secondary transfer portion N2 at a predetermined time point with respect to the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 7.

[0031] The recording material P with the toner image transferred thereon is conveyed to a fixing device 10 as a fixing means. The fixing device 10 fixes (melts and adheres) the toner image to the surface of the recording material P by heating and pressing the recording material P carrying the unfixed toner image. The recording material P with the toner image fixed thereon is discharged (output) to a discharge tray 15 as a discharge portion through components such as a discharge roller pair 14 as a discharge member, and the discharge tray 15 is provided outside the main assembly 110 (hereinafter simply referred to as the "main assembly") of the image forming apparatus 100 (outside the apparatus).

[0032] On the other hand, the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 1 after the first transfer (first transfer residual toner) is removed and collected from the photosensitive drum 1 by a cleaning device 5 as a cleaning means. The cleaning device 5 uses a blade 501 as a cleaning member that contacts the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 to scrape off the first transfer residual toner from the surface of the rotating photosensitive drum 1 and accommodates the first transfer residual toner in a toner collection accommodating portion 505. Details of the cleaning device 5 will be described later. In addition, a belt cleaning device 76 as an intermediate transfer member cleaning means is provided on the outer peripheral surface side of the intermediate transfer belt 7, at a position outside the intermediate transfer belt 7 opposite to the tension roller 72. After the second transfer, the toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 7 (second transfer residual toner) and the adhering material (such as paper scraps) adhering to the intermediate transfer belt 7 from the recording material P are removed and collected from the intermediate transfer belt 7 by the belt cleaning device 76. In addition, the surface of the charging roller 2 is cleaned by a cleaning roller 6 as a charging member cleaning means. The cleaning roller 6 is a rotatable roller-shaped charging member cleaning member and is provided in contact with the surface of the charging roller 2.

[0033] In the reference example, the photosensitive drum 1, the charging roller 2, the cleaning roller 6, and the cleaning device (cleaning unit) 5 constitute a drum cartridge 30 at each image forming unit S. The drum cartridge 30 can be integrally mounted on and detached from the main assembly 110. In addition, in the reference example, the developing device (developing unit) 4 in each image forming unit S constitutes a developing cartridge, which can be substantially independently mounted on and detached from the main assembly 110.

[0034] 2. Drum Cartridge

[0035] Next, the drum cartridge 30 in the reference example will be described.

[0036] The drum cartridge 30 is constituted when the photosensitive drum 1, the charging roller 2, the cleaning roller 6, the blade 501, etc. are held by a cleaning container (hereinafter also referred to as "container") 504. The drum cartridge 30 is constructed to be mountable on and detachable from the main assembly 110 and can be replaced for maintenance of the image forming apparatus 100, etc. For example, when the service life of the photosensitive drum 1 expires, the drum cartridge 30 is replaced with a new one.

[0037] The photosensitive drum 1 is rotatably supported in the container 504 via a bearing (not shown). When a driving force is transmitted from a drum driving portion as a driving means provided in the main assembly 110, the photosensitive drum 1 is rotationally driven. The photosensitive drum 1 rotates in the direction of arrow R1 in the figure (clockwise direction).

[0038] In addition, the charging roller 2 is rotatably supported in the container 504 via a bearing (not shown). The charging roller 2 is pressed against the photosensitive drum 1 via its bearing by a compression spring (not shown), and the compression spring is a pushing member as a pushing means. The charging roller 2 is rotationally driven as the photosensitive drum 1 rotates.

[0039] In addition, the cleaning roller 6 is rotatably supported in the container 504 via a bearing (not shown). The cleaning roller 6 is pressed against the charging roller 2 via its bearing by a compression spring (not shown), and the compression spring is a pushing member as a pushing means. The cleaning roller 6 is rotationally driven as the charging roller 2 rotates.

[0040] It should be noted that the rotational axis directions of the photosensitive drum 1, the charging roller 2, and the cleaning roller 6 are substantially parallel to each other.

[0041] In addition, as will be described in detail later, a cleaning device 5 is provided in the drum cartridge 30. The cleaning device 5 is equipped with a blade 501 and a toner collection and accommodation portion 505 formed by the container 504.

[0042] 3. Cleaning Device

[0043] Next, the cleaning device 5 in the reference example will be described. Figure 3 FIG. is a schematic cross-sectional view of the drum cartridge 30 as a reference example, where the drum cartridge 30 is provided with the cleaning device 5. Figure 4 FIG. is a perspective view of the cleaning device 5 as a reference example shown from the side of the photosensitive drum 1 (where the conveying coil 506 to be described later is omitted). In addition, Figure 5 FIG. is a top view of the support structure (the support plate 502 and the reinforcement plate 503, which will be described later) of the blade 501 in the cleaning device 5 as a reference example. Figure 3 、 Figure 4 and Figure 5 FIGS. are shape diagrams of the reinforcement plate 503 in the support structure (the support plate 502 and the reinforcement plate 503) of the blade 501 shown in the reference example.

[0044] It should be noted that, for the cleaning device 5 and its components, the direction substantially parallel to the rotational axis direction of the photosensitive drum 1 is referred to as the long side direction (the direction of arrow X in the figure), and the direction substantially perpendicular to the long side direction is referred to as the short side direction (the direction of arrow Y in the figure). The rotational axis direction of the photosensitive drum 1 is substantially perpendicular to the surface movement direction of the photosensitive drum 1.

[0045] The cleaning device 5 is configured to include a blade (cleaning blade) 501 as a cleaning member, a support plate 502 as a support member, a reinforcement plate 503 as a reinforcement member, a container (cleaning container) 504 as a holding member, a toner collection and accommodation portion 505 formed by the container 504, a conveying coil 506 as a conveying member, and the like.

[0046] The blade 501 is formed of rubber (elastic member) as an elastic material, such as polyurethane rubber. The plan view of the blade 501 is substantially a rectangular plate-shaped (blade-shaped) member having a predetermined length in the long side direction substantially parallel to the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum 1, a predetermined length in the short side direction substantially perpendicular to the long side direction, and a predetermined thickness. The length of the blade 501 in the long side direction is equal to the length of the photosensitive drum 1 in the rotation axis direction. One end portion (the lower end portion in the reference example) of the surface of the blade 501 facing the photosensitive drum 1 in the short side direction is fixed to the support plate 502. Further, as will be described later, the support plate 502 is mounted on the container 504, so that the blade 501 is fixed to the container 504.

[0047] The support plate 502 is formed of a plate-shaped member (metal plate) made of metal (SUS (stainless steel) in the reference example). The support plate 502 includes a blade fixing portion 521 (first flat portion), which is a flat plate portion extending along the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum 1. That is, the blade fixing portion 521 is the first flat portion, and the first flat portion includes a fixing portion for fixing the blade 501. As Figure 4 shown, the support plate 502 is fixed to the mounting surfaces 541 at both end portions in the long side direction of the container 504 by support plate fixing screws 507 as fixing means. At the mounting surfaces 541 at both end portions in the long side direction of the container 504, positioning portions (boss portions) 542 and support plate fixing portions (screw hole portions) 543 are respectively provided. Further, at both end portions in the long side direction of the support plate 502, positioning holes 528 and support plate fixing holes (through holes) 529 are provided. The support plate 502 is positioned by fitting the positioning holes 528 with the positioning portions 542, and is fixed to the mounting surface 541 by screwing the support plate fixing screws 507 into the support plate fixing portions 543. Further, the blade 501 is fixed (adhesive bonding) to the surface of the blade fixing portion 521 of the support plate 502 on the side of the photosensitive drum 1 by an adhesive as a fixing means. The length of the blade 501 in the long side direction is equal to the length of the support plate 502, but the regions where the positioning holes 528 and the support plate fixing holes 529 are provided at both end portions in the long side direction of the support plate 502 are excluded.

[0048] Press the blade 501 against the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 such that the edge portion (hereinafter also referred to as "blade contact portion") 511 at one end in the short side direction (the upper end portion in the reference example) is aligned with the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum 1. The blade 501 is arranged such that the free end of the above-mentioned end portion is positioned on the upstream side with respect to the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 1 and contacts the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 relative to the fixed end portion (the lower end portion in the reference example). That is, the blade 501 contacts the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 in a direction opposite to the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 1.

[0049] The blade 501 scrapes off and removes the toner from the surface of the rotating photosensitive drum 1 and accommodates the toner in the toner collection accommodating portion 505 formed by the container 504. The toner collection accommodating portion 505 is formed by the container 504 such that the toner collection accommodating portion 505 is positioned on the opposite side of the photosensitive drum 1 across the blade 501. The conveying coil 506 is provided along the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum 1 near the blade 501 (near the bottom of the toner collection accommodating portion 505). For example, when the driving force is transmitted from the belt driving portion as the driving means provided in the main assembly 110, the conveying coil 506 is rotationally driven. The toner (the collected toner) accommodated in the toner collection accommodating portion 505 is conveyed along the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum 1 by the conveying coil 506, for example, conveyed toward the rear side. The toner conveyed by the conveying coil 506 is discharged to the outside of the drum cartridge 30 (container 504) through the discharge port (not shown) provided in the container 504. The toner discharged from the drum cartridge 30 is conveyed to the collection toner cartridge (not shown) provided in the main assembly 110 as the developer collection container (collection portion) through the conveying portion (conveying passage, not shown) provided in the main assembly 110.

[0050] As described above, the blade 501 contacts the photosensitive drum 1 at a predetermined position and pressure, and the photosensitive drum 1 rotates in the direction of arrow R1 in the figure. The toner adhered to the surface of the rotating photosensitive drum 1 is scraped off by the blade 501 and removed from the surface of the rotating photosensitive drum 1. The contact pressure of the blade 501 against the photosensitive drum 1 is crucial for the cleaning performance of the cleaning device 5. When the contact pressure is higher than the predetermined contact pressure, the blade 501, the support plate 502, or the container 504 may vibrate due to excessive friction, and abnormal noise may be generated, and the blade 501 may flip. On the other hand, when the contact pressure is lower than the predetermined contact pressure, the toner on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 may not be sufficiently scraped off by the blade 501, and image defects may be generated. When the support plate 502 supporting the blade 501 is deformed due to the reaction force received by the contact pressure of the blade 501, it may affect the contact pressure of the blade 501 and cause the above problems.

[0051] Figure 10is a schematic cross-sectional view near the cleaning device to show the structure of a conventional cleaning device. It should be noted that the conventional cleaning device is also described by attaching the same reference numerals to the elements corresponding to the elements of the cleaning device in the reference example. As Figure 10 shown, conventionally, in order to reduce the deformation of the support plate 502, the support plate 502 is bent to increase its rigidity. Figure 10 The support plate 502 shown in includes a blade fixing portion 521 and a support plate protruding portion 522, and the support plate protruding portion 522 extends in a direction (substantially perpendicular in the shown example) intersecting the plane of the blade fixing portion 521. That is, the support plate 502 includes a support plate bending portion (bending processing portion) 523, and the support plate bending portion 523 is bent to form a shape with a substantially L-shaped cross section. The support plate bending portion 523 is located at the end portion 521a (the first other end portion) of the blade fixing portion 521, and this end portion 521a is opposite to the blade contact portion 511 in the short side direction of the blade fixing portion 521. It should be noted that, when observed in the long side direction, the short side direction of the blade fixing portion 521 refers to the direction along the blade fixing portion 521. It should be noted that the support plate protruding portion 522 extends toward the opposite side of the photosensitive drum 1 with respect to the blade fixing portion 521.

[0052] However, in the case of the bending process applied to the support plate 502, it is necessary to consider the influence on the accuracy (flatness, etc.) of the adhesion surface of the blade 501 on the support plate 502, and ensure sufficient space for fixing the support plate 502 to the container 504 or the like. Therefore, in the short side direction of the blade fixing portion 521, the distance L between the adhesion position of the blade 501 and the support plate 502 (which receives the reaction force of the contact pressure of the blade 501) and the support plate bending portion 523 becomes larger. In this article, the adhesion position of the blade 501 on the support plate 502 is represented by the end portion 521b (the first end portion) of the blade fixing portion 521, and the end portion 521b is located on the side of the blade contact portion 511 in the short side direction of the blade fixing portion 521. That is to say, the position where reinforcement is carried out is far from the position on the support plate 502 where reinforcement is actually required (the adhesion position of the blade 501 and the support plate 502, at which position the support plate 502 receives the reaction force of the contact pressure of the blade 501). Therefore, in order to ensure that the support plate 502 has sufficient rigidity, it may be necessary to increase the bending height of the support plate 502. However, when the bending height of the support plate 502 increases, the width of the cleaning device 5 increases, which may cause an increase in the size of the image forming apparatus 100. In particular, as in the image forming apparatus 100 of the reference example, when an exposure device 3 is provided in each image forming section S, each image forming section S needs to ensure space for the exposure device 3. Therefore, when attempting to reduce the size of the image forming apparatus 100 by reducing the distance between the image forming sections S, it is crucial to make the width of the cleaning device 5 as small as possible.

[0053] It should be noted that, in Figure 10 the support plate 502 shown, the support plate protrusion 522 extends toward the opposite side of the photosensitive drum 1 with respect to the blade fixing portion 521. On the contrary, the bending height can be increased while suppressing an increase in the width of the cleaning device 5 by causing the support plate protrusion 522 to extend toward the photosensitive drum 1. However, due to the provision of charging means or the like, it is difficult to ensure sufficient space on the side of the photosensitive drum 1. When attempting to avoid the charging means, the above distance L becomes larger, and a higher bending height of the support plate 502 is required, so this is not easily achievable from the viewpoints of space and cost.

[0054] Therefore, in the reference example, the reinforcing plate 503 is fixed to the support plate 502. The reinforcing plate 503 is formed of a plate-shaped member made of metal (SUS in the reference example). The reinforcing plate 503 includes a fixing portion 531 (second flat portion) and a protruding portion 532. The fixing portion 531 is a flat plate portion extending along the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum 1, and the protruding portion 532 extends in a direction (substantially perpendicular in the reference example) intersecting the plane of the fixing portion 531. That is, the reinforcing plate 503 includes a bent portion (bending processing portion) 533 that is bent to form a shape having a substantially L-shaped cross section. The bent portion 533 is located at an end portion 531b (second other end portion), and the end portion 531b is located in the short side direction of the fixing portion 531, on the side of the blade contact portion 511 of the fixing portion 531. In addition, the protruding portion 532 extends toward the opposite side of the photosensitive drum 1 with respect to the fixing portion 531. It should be noted that, when viewed along the long side direction, the short side direction of the fixing portion 531 refers to the direction along the fixing portion 531.

[0055] In this article, the protruding portion 532 is not limited to extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the fixing portion 531. Instead, for example, the protruding portion 532 can extend in a direction at an angle of ±45 degrees or preferably ±30 degrees with respect to the direction perpendicular to the fixing portion 531. It should be noted that the extending direction of the second protruding portion 534 described in the following embodiments and the extending direction of the support plate protruding portion 524 with respect to the blade fixing portion 521 described in the embodiments are similar. In addition, "substantially perpendicular" includes not only the case where the angle is completely perpendicular, but also the case where the angle deviates from the perpendicular by a certain error amount (for example, ±15 degrees). In addition, "substantially parallel" includes not only the case where the angle is completely parallel, but also the case where the angle deviates from the parallel by a certain error amount (for example, ±15 degrees).

[0056] As Figure 3 and Figure 4 shown, the reinforcing plate 503 is fixed to a plurality of positions in the long side direction of the support plate 502 by the reinforcing plate fixing screws 508 as a fixing means. The support plate 502 is provided with reinforcing plate fixing holes (through holes) 527 at a plurality of positions (five positions in the reference example) in the long side direction of the blade fixing portion 521. By passing the reinforcing plate fixing screws 508 through each reinforcing plate fixing hole 527 and screwing them into the fixing portion 531 of the reinforcing plate 503, the reinforcing plate 503 is fixed to the support plate 502. At this time, screw holes can be provided in advance in the reinforcing plate 503 and the reinforcing plate fixing screws 508 can be screwed into the screw holes, or the reinforcing plate fixing screws 508 can be screwed into the reinforcing plate 503 by self-tapping. In addition, as Figure 5As shown, the length of the reinforcing plate 503 in the long side direction is equal to the length of the support plate 502 in the long side direction, but excluding the areas where the positioning holes 528 and the support plate fixing holes 529 are provided at both ends in the long side direction of the support plate 502. That is to say, the length of the reinforcing plate 503 in the long side direction is equal to the length of the blade 501 in the long side direction.

[0057] In this way, in the reference example, the bent reinforcing plate 503 is fixed to the support plate 502. By strengthening the support plate 502 with a replacement part, the aforementioned support plate 502 is no longer restricted. Therefore, the distance L between the adhesion position of the blade 501 on the support plate 502 and the bent portion 533 can be reduced, where the support plate 502 receives the reaction force of the contact pressure of the blade 501 in the short side direction of the fixing portion 531 (or the short side direction of the blade fixing portion 521). That is to say, the bent portion 533 of the reinforcing plate 503 can be positioned closer to the blade contact portion 511 of the blade fixing portion 521 than the end portion 521a (the first other end portion) on the opposite side of the blade contact portion 511 in the short side direction of the fixing portion 531. For example, the positioning of the bent portion 533 of the reinforcing plate 503 is closer to the blade contact portion 511 than the intermediate position (the central position of the support plate 502 in the short side direction of the blade 501) between the fixing position (adhesion position, fixing portion) of the blade 501 at the blade fixing portion 521 of the support plate 502 and the end portion 521a on the opposite side of the blade contact portion 511 of the blade fixing portion 521 in the short side direction of the fixing portion. Generally, the positioning of the bent portion 533 of the reinforcing plate 503 is closer to the blade contact portion 511 than the fixing position (support plate fixing portion 543) of the support plate 502 relative to the container 504 in the short side direction of the fixing portion 531.

[0058] Therefore, strengthening can be performed at a position where the above distance L is small. In this way, since the support plate 502 can be strengthened at a position close to the actual position where strengthening is required (the adhesion position of the blade 501 on the support plate 502, where the support plate 502 receives the reaction force of the contact pressure of the blade 501), effective strengthening can be achieved. Therefore, strengthening can be performed at a lower bending height. As a result, the width of the cleaning device 5 can be reduced and the size of the image forming apparatus 100 can be minimized.

[0059] In this text, when an additional component is inserted between the support plate 502 and the reinforcement plate 503, the flatness and the difference in thermal expansion between the components may affect the contact pressure of the squeegee 501. For this reason, it is desirable to directly fix the support plate 502 and the reinforcement plate 503. In the reference example, the surface of the squeegee fixing portion 521 and the surface of the fixing portion 531 are in direct contact, and the support plate 502 and the reinforcement plate 503 are fixed. In addition, from a similar perspective, it is desirable that the support plate 502 and the reinforcement plate 503 be made of the same material. In the reference example, the support plate 502 and the reinforcement plate 503 are each composed of a metal plate made of the same material (SUS).

[0060] It should be noted that, in the reference example, the support plate 502 and the reinforcement plate 503 are fixed with screws at five points in the long side direction. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The support plate 502 and the reinforcement plate 503 can be fixed without affecting the contact pressure of the squeegee 501. In addition, the reinforcement plate 503 is not limited to being fixed to the support plate 502 by screws, and the reinforcement plate 503 can also be fixed to the support plate 502 by any other fixing means, such as spot welding.

[0061] In addition, in the reference example, the reinforcement plate 503 is provided on the opposite side of the support plate 502 with respect to the photosensitive drum 1, and the protruding portion 532 extends toward the opposite side of the photosensitive drum 1. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. When acceptable from the perspective of space or the like, the reinforcement plate 503 can be provided on the photosensitive drum 1 side of the support plate 502, and the protruding portion 532 can extend toward the photosensitive drum 1 side.

[0062] In this way, in the reference example, the cleaning device 5 contacts the surface of the image carrier member (photosensitive drum) 1 in the long side direction X. The cleaning device 5 includes a blade (cleaning blade) 501, a support plate 502 that supports the blade 501, and a reinforcing plate 503 fixed to the support plate 502. The blade 501 removes toner from the surface of the image carrier member 1 at the contact portion (blade contact portion) 511 with the image carrier member 1. The support plate 502 is arranged in the long side direction X as described above and is provided with a blade fixing portion 521 for fixing the blade 501. The reinforcing plate 503 is arranged along the blade fixing portion 521 and is provided with a fixing portion 531 fixed to the blade fixing portion 521 and a protruding portion 532. The protruding portion 532 is arranged to protrude from the fixing portion 531 at one end portion 531b on the contact portion 511 side of the fixing portion 531 in the direction of the fixing portion 531 when observed in the long side direction X. And the one end portion 531b of the fixing portion 531 is positioned such that when observed in the long side direction X, in the direction of the fixing portion 531 (the short side direction of the blade 501), it is closer to the contact portion 511 than the end portion 521a on the opposite side of the contact portion 511 of the blade fixing portion 521. In the reference example, the reinforcing plate 503 is arranged along the blade fixing portion 521 and is provided with a fixing portion 531 and a protruding portion 532. The fixing portion 531 is fixed to the surface on the opposite side of the image carrier member 1 of the blade fixing portion 521. The protruding portion 532 is arranged to protrude from the fixing portion 531 toward the opposite side of the image carrier member 1 at one end portion 531b on the contact portion 511 side of the fixing portion 531 in the direction of the fixing portion 531 when observed in the long side direction X. One end portion 531b of the fixing portion 531 is positioned such that when observed in the long side direction X, it is closer to the contact portion 511 than the end portion 521a on the opposite side of the contact portion 511 of the blade fixing portion 521. For example, the one end portion 531b of the fixing portion 531 is positioned such that when observed in the long side direction X, it is closer to the contact portion 511 than the intermediate position (the position of half the distance between them) between the end portion 521a on the opposite side of the contact portion 511 of the blade fixing portion 521 and the fixing position of the blade 501 on the blade fixing portion 521. Generally, the cleaning device 5 includes a container (cleaning container) 504. The container 504 is provided with a support plate fixing portion 543. The support plate 502 is fixed to the support plate fixing portion 543. And the one end portion 531b of the fixing portion 531 is positioned such that when observed in the long side direction X, in the direction of the fixing portion 531, it is closer to the contact portion than the support plate fixing portion 543. In the reference example, the reinforcing plate 503 is fixed to the support plate 502 such that the surface of the fixing portion 531 contacts the surface of the blade fixing portion 521. In addition, in the reference example, the support plate 502 and the reinforcing plate 503 are made of the same material.In addition, according to the reference example, an image forming apparatus 100 is provided, which includes an image bearing member 1 on which a toner image is formed and a cleaning device 5 configured as described above.

[0063] As described above, according to the reference example, the rigidity of the support structure of the blade 501 can be effectively increased in a small space. Therefore, by overcoming the reaction force applied to the blade 501, the deformation of the support plate 502 can be suppressed, and thus the change in the contact pressure of the blade 501 can be suppressed. Therefore, the photosensitive drum 1 can be properly cleaned and the occurrence of cleaning defects can be suppressed. In addition, the generation of abnormal noise of the blade 501 and the occurrence of flipping can be suppressed.

[0064] [Embodiment]

[0065] Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described. The basic configuration and operation of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment are the same as those of the reference example. Therefore, in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, for elements having the same or corresponding functions or configurations as those of the image forming apparatus of the reference example, the same reference numerals as those of the image forming apparatus of the reference example will be added, and the detailed description will be omitted.

[0066] In this embodiment, modified examples (Embodiment 1-1, Embodiment 1-2, Embodiment 1-3) of the support structure (support plate 502 and reinforcing plate 503) of the blade 501 are shown.

[0067] <Embodiment 1-1>

[0068] Figure 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a drum cartridge 30 provided with a cleaning device 5 according to Embodiment 1-1. In addition, Figure 7 is a top view of the support structure (support plate 502 and reinforcing plate 503) of the blade 501 in the cleaning device 5 according to Embodiment 1-1.

[0069] In Embodiment 1-1, in addition to the same configuration as the reference example, the reinforcing plate 503 further includes a second bending portion 535 located at an end portion 531a (second other end portion) in the short side direction of the fixing portion 531 (second flat portion) on the side opposite to the blade contact portion 511 of the fixing portion 531 (second flat portion). Therefore, in Embodiment 1-1, the reinforcing plate 503 includes a second protruding portion 534 (second protruding portion) extending from the fixing portion 531 toward the photosensitive drum 1 side. In Embodiment 1-1, the bending height of the second protruding portion 534 is smaller than the bending height of the protruding portion 532 (first protruding portion).

[0070] The container 504 supports both ends of the photosensitive drum 1 in the direction of the rotation axis, and the container 504 receives the reaction force of the blade 501 from the mounting surface 541 of the fixed support plate 502. Therefore, the container 504 may bend at the middle part in the long side direction, as shown by the arrow in Figure 7 . By bending both ends of the reinforcing plate 503 in the short side direction, the width (thickness in the direction substantially perpendicular to the long side direction and the short side direction) W of the reinforcing plate 503 can be increased, which helps to improve the rigidity of the container 504 to counteract the deformation of the middle part of the container 504 bending in the long side direction. Therefore, the deformation of the support plate 502 and the container 504 can be reduced.

[0071] It should be noted that in Embodiment 1-1, the support plate 502 is provided on the side of the photosensitive drum 1 of the reinforcing plate 503, the protruding portion 532 extends toward the opposite side of the photosensitive drum 1, and the second protruding portion 534 extends toward the side of the photosensitive drum 1. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. When it is acceptable from the perspective of space or the like, the support plate 502 can be provided on the opposite side of the photosensitive drum 1 of the reinforcing plate 503. The protruding portion 532 can extend toward the side of the photosensitive drum 1, and the second protruding portion 534 can extend toward the opposite side of the photosensitive drum 1. When the protruding portion 532 and the second protruding portion 534 protrude in opposite directions from each other, a similar effect can be obtained.

[0072] In this article, in Embodiment 1-1 (Embodiments 1-2 and 1-3 described later are similar), elements having the same or corresponding functions or structures as the support structure (support plate 502 and reinforcing plate 503) of the blade 501 in the image forming apparatus of the reference example will be described. In Embodiment 1-1 (Embodiments 1-2 and 1-3 described later are similar), on the mounting surfaces 541 at both ends in the long side direction of the container 504, a positioning portion (boss portion) 542 and a support plate fixing portion (screw hole portion) 543 are respectively provided (see Figure 4 ).

[0073] In addition, in Embodiment 1-1 (Embodiments 1-2 and 1-3 described later are similar), positioning holes 528 and support plate fixing holes (through holes) 529 are provided at both ends in the long side direction of the support plate 502 (see Figure 4 ).

[0074] In addition, in Embodiment 1-1 (Embodiments 1-2 and 1-3 described later are similar), the length of the blade 501 in the long side direction is equal to the length of the support plate 502 in the long side direction, but this length does not include the regions where the positioning holes 528 and the support plate fixing holes (through holes) 529 are provided at both ends of the support plate 502 in the long side direction (see Figure 4 ).

[0075] In addition, in Embodiment 1-1 (Embodiments 1-2 and 1-3 described later are similar), the length of the reinforcing plate 503 in the long side direction is equal to the length of the support plate 502 in the long side direction, but this length does not include the regions where the positioning holes 528 and the support plate fixing holes 529 are provided at both ends of the support plate 502 in the long side direction. That is to say, the length of the reinforcing plate 503 in the long side direction is equal to the length of the blade 501 in the long side direction.

[0076] In addition, in Embodiment 1-1 (Embodiments 1-2 and 1-3 described later are similar), the reinforcing plate 503 is fixed at a plurality of positions along the long side direction of the support plate 502 by the reinforcing plate fixing screws 508 as fixing means (see Figure 4 ).

[0077] In addition, in Embodiment 1-1 (Embodiments 1-2 and 1-3 described later are similar), the positioning holes 528 and the support plate fixing holes 529 provided at both ends of the support plate 502 in the long side direction are located outside the region where the blade 501 is provided in the long side direction (the direction of arrow X in the figure), and this long side direction is substantially parallel to the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum 1 (see Figure 4 ). The reason will be described below.

[0078] In the case where the positioning holes 528 and the support plate fixing holes 529 provided at both ends of the support plate 502 in the long side direction are located within the region where the blade 501 is provided in the long side direction (the direction of arrow X in the figure), since the reinforcing plate 503 is provided within the region where the blade 501 is provided in the long side direction (the direction of arrow X in the figure), it is impossible to fix the support plate 502 to the container 504.

[0079] Therefore, in Embodiment 1-1 (Embodiments 1-2 and 1-3 described later are similar), on the mounting surfaces 541 at both ends of the container 504 in the long side direction, a positioning portion (boss portion) 542 and a support plate fixing portion (screw hole portion) 543 are respectively provided, and on both ends of the support plate 502 in the long side direction, a positioning hole 528 and a support plate fixing hole (through hole) 529 are provided (see Figure 4 ).

[0080] Therefore, in the long side direction (the direction of arrow X in the figure), the positioning hole 528 and the support plate fixing hole 529 are provided in the region where the blade 501 is not provided (that is, the region where the reinforcing plate 503 is not provided), so that the support plate 502 can be fixed to the container 504 (see Figure 4 ).

[0081] In addition, in Embodiment 1-1 (Embodiments 1-2 and 1-3 described later are similar), the positioning holes 528 and the support plate fixing holes 529 are provided in the short side direction (the direction of arrow Y in the figure), which is substantially perpendicular to the long side direction (the direction of arrow X in the figure) (see Figure 4 ). The reason will be described below.

[0082] When the positioning holes 528 and the support plate fixing holes 529 are provided in the long side direction (the direction of arrow X in the figure), an idler gear (not shown in the figure) that makes the charging roller 2 contact and separate from the photosensitive drum 1 may be interfered with by the support plate fixing screw 507 screwed onto the support plate fixing portion 543. Therefore, it is necessary to release the position of the support plate fixing screw 507 so that the idler gear (not shown in the figure) is not interfered with by the support plate fixing screw 507 screwed onto the support plate fixing portion 543.

[0083] Therefore, when the positioning holes 528 and the support plate fixing holes 529 are provided in the area where the blade 501 is not provided (i.e., the area where the reinforcement plate 503 is not provided), in Embodiment 1-1 (Embodiments 1-2 and 1-3 described later are similar), the setting method is as described below. That is to say, in Embodiment 1-1 (Embodiments 1-2 and 1-3 described later are similar), the positioning holes 528 and the support plate fixing holes 529 are not provided in the long side direction (the direction of arrow X in the figure), but in the short side direction (the direction of arrow Y in the figure) (see Figure 4 ).

[0084] In addition, in Embodiment 1-1 (Embodiments 1-2 and 1-3 described later are similar), the support plate fixing holes 529 are provided above the positioning holes 528 in the short side direction (the direction of arrow Y in the figure). Since the moment is small when the support plate fixing holes 529 are provided below the positioning holes 528 in the short side direction (the direction of arrow Y in the figure), the above setting method is more advantageous because when the support plate fixing holes 529 are provided above the positioning holes 528 in the short side direction (the direction of arrow Y in the figure) compared to when the support plate fixing holes 529 are provided below the positioning holes 528, the distance between the front end of the blade 501 (the reaction force receiving the contact pressure of the blade 501) and the support plate fixing screw 507 is shorter.

[0085] In addition, in Embodiment 1-1 (Embodiments 1-2 and 1-3 described later are similar), the position of each reinforcement plate fixing hole 527 is lower than the support plate fixing hole 529 in the short side direction (the direction of arrow Y in the figure) (see Figure 4)。Therefore, since the position of each reinforcing plate fixing hole 527 can be separated from the bent portion (protrusion 532) of the reinforcing plate 503, the accuracy of each reinforcing plate fixing hole 527 can be improved.

[0086] <Embodiment 1-2>

[0087] Figure 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the drum cartridge 30 provided with the cleaning device 5 according to Embodiment 1-2.

[0088] In Embodiment 1-2, in addition to the configuration similar to that of Embodiment 1-1, the support plate 502 further includes a support plate bent portion 525, which is located at an end 521a of the blade fixing portion 521 (first flat portion) opposite to the blade contact portion 511 in the short side direction of the blade fixing portion 521. Therefore, in Embodiment 1-2, the support plate 502 includes a support plate protrusion 524 extending from the blade fixing portion 521 toward the photosensitive drum 1 side.

[0089] Due to this structure, the rigidity of the support structure of the blade 501 can be further increased. In addition, in Embodiment 1-2, in the direction substantially perpendicular to the surface of the fixing portion 521 (the direction of the above width W), the front end 524a of the support plate protrusion 524 protrudes more toward the photosensitive drum 1 side than the front end 534a of the second protrusion 534 of the reinforcing plate 503. Therefore, as the overall support structure of the blade 501 formed by the support plate 502 and the reinforcing plate 503, the width W in the above Embodiment 1-1 can be increased. Therefore, compared with Embodiment 1-1, the effect of reducing the deformation of the support plate 502 and the container 504 can be more enhanced.

[0090] It should be noted that in Embodiment 1-2, the support plate protrusion 524 extends toward the photosensitive drum 1 side, however, the present invention is not limited thereto. As described above, the support plate 502 can be provided on the photosensitive drum 1 side of the reinforcing plate 503. In this case, the support plate protrusion 524 can extend toward the opposite side of the photosensitive drum 1. By providing the support plate protrusion 524, the effect of enhancing the rigidity of the support plate 502 itself can be obtained regardless of its orientation. In addition, when the protrusion 532 and the support plate protrusion 524 protrude in opposite directions from each other, a similar effect to the above can be obtained by increasing the above width W.

[0091] <Embodiment 1-3>

[0092] Figure 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the drum cartridge 30 provided with the cleaning device 5 according to Embodiment 1-3.

[0093] In Embodiments 1-3, the support plate 502 includes a support plate protrusion 524 similar to the support plate protrusion 524 of the support plate according to Embodiments 1-2. However, the reinforcement plate 503 does not include a second protrusion 534 similar to the second protrusion 534 of Embodiment 1-1 (similar to the reference example).

[0094] When bending the two ends of the reinforcement plate 503 in the short side direction, it may become difficult to handle. On the other hand, it is sometimes necessary to enhance the rigidity of the support plate 502 itself. For example, when fixing the blade 501 to the support plate 502, or when fixing the support plate 502 to which the blade 501 is fixed to the container 504, etc., it is necessary to enhance the rigidity of the support plate 502 itself. Therefore, the support plate 502 is provided with a support plate protrusion 524 (second protrusion). In addition, the reinforcement plate 503 is not provided with a second protrusion 534 but only with a protrusion 532 (first protrusion). Therefore, the rigidity of the support plate 502 itself can be enhanced, and it is further easier to handle the reinforcement plate 503. At the same time, the above-mentioned width W of the overall support structure of the blade 501 formed by the support plate 502 and the reinforcement plate 503 can be increased. Therefore, not only can the cleaning device 5 be manufactured more easily, but also the effect of reducing the deformation of the support plate 502 and the container 504 can be obtained by increasing the above-mentioned width W.

[0095] It should be noted that, similar to the case of Embodiment 1-2, the support plate protrusion 524 can extend toward the photosensitive drum 1 side or toward the opposite side of the photosensitive drum 1. By providing the support plate protrusion 524, the effect of enhancing the rigidity of the support plate 502 itself can be obtained regardless of its orientation. In addition, when the protrusion 532 and the support plate protrusion 524 protrude in opposite directions from each other, a similar effect to the above can be obtained.

[0096] In this way, the reinforcing plate 503 may include a second protrusion 534 that is provided to protrude from the fixing portion 531 at the end portion 531a when viewed along the long side direction X of the blade 501, and the end portion 531a is located on the side opposite to the end portion 531b of the fixing portion 531 where the protrusion 532 is provided along the direction of the fixing portion 531 (the short side direction of the blade 501). In this case, preferably, the protrusion 532 and the second protrusion 534 protrude in opposite directions from each other. In addition, in this case, similar to the reference example, the protrusion 532 is provided to protrude toward the opposite side of the image bearing member 1. Generally, the reinforcing plate 503 includes a second protrusion 534 that is provided to protrude from the fixing portion 531 at the end portion 531a toward the image bearing member 1 side when viewed along the above-mentioned long side direction, and the end portion 531a is located on the side opposite to the above-mentioned end portion 531b of the fixing portion 531 along the direction of the fixing portion 531. In addition, the support plate 502 may include a support plate protrusion 524 that is provided to protrude from the blade fixing portion 521 at the end portion 521a when viewed along the above-mentioned long side direction X, and the end portion 521a is located on the side of the blade fixing portion 521 opposite to the contact portion (the contact portion where the blade 501 abuts against the image bearing member 1) 511 along the direction of the blade fixing portion 521 (the short side direction of the blade 501). In this case, preferably, the protrusion 532 and the support plate protrusion 524 protrude in opposite directions from each other. In addition, in this case, similar to the reference example, the protrusion 532 is provided to protrude toward the opposite side of the image bearing member 1. Generally, the support plate 502 includes a support plate protrusion 524 that is provided to protrude from the blade fixing portion 521 at the end portion 521a toward the image bearing member side when viewed along the above-mentioned long side direction X, and the end portion 521a is located on the side of the blade fixing portion 521 opposite to the above-mentioned contact portion 511 along the direction of the blade fixing portion 521. In addition, the reinforcing plate 503 may include the protrusion 532 and the second protrusion 534, and the support plate 502 may include the support plate protrusion 524. In this case, preferably, the protrusion 532 and the second protrusion 534 protrude in opposite directions from each other, and the protrusion 532 and the support plate protrusion 524 protrude in opposite directions from each other. In this case, generally as described above, the protrusion 532 is provided to protrude toward the opposite side of the image bearing member 1, the second protrusion 534 is provided to protrude toward the image bearing member 1, and the support plate protrusion 524 is provided to protrude toward the image bearing member 1. In addition, in this case, for example, when viewed along the long side direction X as described above, in the direction substantially perpendicular to the surface of the blade fixing portion 521, the front end 524a of the support plate protrusion 524 is positioned closer to the image bearing member 1 than the front end 534a of the second protrusion 534.

[0097] As described above, according to this embodiment, effects similar to those of the reference example can be obtained. In addition, the change in the contact pressure of the blade 501 can be further suppressed by reducing the deformation of the support plate 502 and the container 504.

[0098] [Other]

[0099] As described above, the present invention has been described according to specific embodiments, however, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments.

[0100] In the above embodiment, the present invention is applied to a cleaning device for cleaning a photosensitive drum (first image carrier), however, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the present invention can be applied to a cleaning device for cleaning an intermediate transfer member (second image carrier) such as an intermediate transfer belt. In addition, the photosensitive member is not limited to a drum shape, and can also be, for example, an endless belt. In addition, the image carrier can be an electrostatic recording dielectric.

[0101] In addition, in the above embodiment, the support structure of the blade is fixed to the container. The present invention is particularly effective in suppressing the change in the contact pressure of the blade caused by the deformation of the support structure of the blade in such a structure. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The present invention can also be applied to a structure in which the support structure of the blade can move (for example, swing) relative to the container to enhance the rigidity of the support structure of the blade in such a structure.

[0102] In addition, the image forming apparatus is not limited to a color image forming apparatus, and the present invention can also be applied to a monochrome image forming apparatus.

[0103] According to the present invention, the rigidity of the blade support structure can be effectively increased in a very small space.

[0104] Although the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the appended claims should be given the broadest interpretation so as to include all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.

Claims

1. A cleaning device, comprising: a scraper which is in contact with the surface of the image bearing member along the longitudinal direction and is configured to remove toner from the surface of the image bearing member at a contact portion with the image bearing member; a support plate configured to support the scraper; and A reinforcing plate fixed to the supporting plate; The support plate comprises: a first flat portion, which is arranged along the long side direction and includes a fixing portion for fixing the scraper; a first end portion of the first flat portion, which is a side of the first flat portion close to the contact portion in the short side direction of the scraper; and a first other end portion of the first flat portion, which is a side of the first flat portion away from the contact portion; The reinforcing plate comprises: a second flat portion, which is arranged along the long side in a manner along the first flat portion; a second first end portion of the second flat portion, which is a side of the second flat portion close to the contact portion in the short side direction of the scraper; and a second other end portion of the second flat portion, which is a side of the second flat portion away from the contact portion; and When viewed in the long side direction, the second first end portion is provided with a first protrusion protruding from the second flat portion in a first direction intersecting the short side direction of the scraper, and the second other end portion is provided with a second protrusion protruding from the second flat portion in a second direction opposite to the first direction. 2 . The cleaning device according to claim 1 , wherein the first protrusion is located closer to the contact portion than to a center position of the support plate in a short side direction of the scraper. 3 . The cleaning device according to claim 1 , further comprising a container provided with a support plate fixing portion to fix the first flat portion. 4 . The cleaning device according to claim 3 , wherein the first protrusion is located closer to the contact portion than the support plate fixing portion in the short side direction of the scraper. 5 . The cleaning device according to claim 1 , wherein the first other end portion of the support plate further includes a support plate protrusion, the support plate protrusion being provided to protrude from the first flat portion. 6 . The cleaning device according to claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing plate is fixed to the supporting plate such that the second flat portion contacts the first flat portion. 7 . The cleaning device according to claim 1 , wherein the support plate and the reinforcement plate are formed of the same material. 8 . The cleaning device according to claim 1 , wherein the first protrusion and the second protrusion are formed by bending the reinforcing plate.

9. A cleaning device comprising: a scraper which is in contact with the surface of the image bearing member along the longitudinal direction and is configured to remove toner from the surface of the image bearing member at a contact portion with the image bearing member; a support plate configured to support the scraper; A reinforcing plate fixed to the supporting plate; The support plate comprises: a first flat portion, which is arranged along the long side direction and includes a fixing portion for fixing the scraper; a first end portion of the first flat portion, which is a side of the first flat portion close to the contact portion in the short side direction of the scraper; and a first other end portion of the first flat portion, which is a side of the first flat portion away from the contact portion; and a container, provided with a support plate fixing portion for fixing the first flat portion of the support plate, The reinforcing plate comprises: a second flat portion, which is arranged along the long side in a manner along the first flat portion; a second first end portion of the second flat portion, which is a side of the second flat portion close to the contact portion in the short side direction of the scraper; and a second other end portion of the second flat portion, which is a side of the second flat portion away from the contact portion; and When viewed in the long side direction, the second first end portion is provided with a first protrusion protruding from the second flat portion in a first direction intersecting the short side direction of the scraper, and the second other end portion is provided with a second protrusion protruding from the first flat portion in a second direction opposite to the first direction. 10 . The cleaning device according to claim 9 , wherein the first protrusion is located closer to the contact portion than to a center position of the support plate in a short side direction of the scraper. 11 . The cleaning device according to claim 9 , wherein the first protrusion is located closer to the contact portion than the support plate fixing portion in a short side direction of the scraper. 12 . The cleaning device according to claim 9 , wherein the reinforcing plate is fixed to the supporting plate such that the second flat portion contacts the first flat portion.

13. The cleaning device according to claim 9, wherein the support plate and the reinforcement plate are formed of the same material. 14 . The cleaning device according to claim 9 , wherein the first protrusion and the second protrusion are formed by bending the reinforcing plate.

Images