Image forming apparatus

Abstract

To prevent displacement of a cleaning member in the movement direction of the moving part more, which may occur due to adjustment of the position of the cleaning member compared to a configuration in which the cleaning member does not move in the extension direction of an inclined surface in adjusting the position of the cleaning member supported by the inclined surface arranged in an inclined state with respect to the movement direction of the moving part.SOLUTION: A positioning part 91 is formed linearly and arranged in an inclined state with respect to a normal extension direction 69. The positioning part 91 is inclined with respect to the normal extension direction 69 so as to go downstream in a plane extension direction 62M more as it progresses downstream in the normal extension direction 69. The arrangement position of a cleaning member in the plane extension direction 62M moves downstream in the plane extension direction 62M according to a change in the arrangement position of the cleaning member to a downstream side in the normal extension direction 69 by providing the positioning part 91.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a cleaning device including a blade member, a vibration member to which the blade member is attached, and vibration means attached to the vibration member. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2004-109587 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In an image forming apparatus, a cleaning member is sometimes used to clean a moving part that moves, and the moving part is cleaned. Here, when the position of the cleaning member is adjusted, the cleaning member may be displaced upstream or downstream in the moving direction of the moving part. If the cleaning member is displaced in the moving direction of the moving part, there is a risk of problems such as a decrease in the cleaning performance of the cleaning member. The object of the present invention is to make it less likely for the cleaning member to be displaced in the movement direction of the moving part when adjusting the position of the cleaning member, which can occur when adjusting the position of the cleaning member, compared to a configuration in which the cleaning member does not move in the extension direction of the inclined surface when adjusting the position of the cleaning member supported by the inclined surface arranged at an angle with respect to the movement direction of the moving part. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The invention described in claim 1 is an image forming apparatus comprising: a moving part that moves in one direction; an inclined surface that is arranged inclined with respect to the one direction, having one end located closer to the moving part and the other end located farther from the moving part than the one end, extending in a direction from the other end toward the one end; a cleaning member that is supported by the inclined surface and cleans the moving part, the cleaning member being capable of changing its position in a normal extension direction, which is the direction in which a normal to the inclined surface extends; and a positioning part used to position the cleaning member in a surface extension direction, which is the direction from the other end toward the one end, the positioning part that positions the cleaning member such that the position of the cleaning member in the surface extension direction moves downstream in the surface extension direction in response to changing the position of the cleaning member downstream in the normal extension direction. The invention described in claim 2 is the image forming apparatus described in claim 1, wherein the positioning portion is formed in a straight line and is arranged at an inclination with respect to the normal extension direction so that it moves toward the downstream side in the surface extension direction as it progresses toward the downstream side in the normal extension direction. The invention described in claim 3 is an image forming device described in claim 2, wherein the angle between the extension direction of the positioning part formed in a straight line and the one direction in which the moving part moves is greater than the angle between the one direction and the normal extension direction. The invention described in claim 4 is the image forming apparatus described in claim 1, wherein the positioning portion restricts movement of the cleaning member to the downstream side and the upstream side in the surface extension direction. The invention described in claim 5 is the image forming apparatus described in claim 4, wherein a recess or through hole into which the positioning portion fits is formed in the cleaning member or an interlocking portion that moves in conjunction with the cleaning member, and the cleaning member or the interlocking portion abuts against the positioning portion that has entered the recess or through hole, thereby regulating movement of the cleaning member to the downstream side and the upstream side. The invention described in claim 6 is the image forming apparatus described in claim 4, in which the cleaning member or an interlocking part that moves in conjunction with the cleaning member is provided with a convex portion that fits into the concave positioning portion, and the movement of the cleaning member to the downstream side and the upstream side is regulated by the convex portion abutting against the inner surface of the concave positioning portion. The invention described in claim 7 is the image forming device described in claim 1, wherein when the cleaning member is moved downstream in the normal extension direction, the cleaning member moves downstream while being guided by the positioning portion by the cleaning member or an interlocking part that moves in conjunction with the cleaning member. The invention described in claim 8 is the image forming apparatus described in claim 1, in which, when the position of the cleaning member is changed downstream in the normal extension direction, a positioning member is arranged between the cleaning member or an interlocking part that moves in conjunction with the cleaning member and the inclined surface, and a regulating portion is provided on the inclined surface to regulate the movement of the positioning member in the extension direction of the inclined surface. The invention described in claim 9 is the image forming apparatus described in claim 1, wherein the cleaning member or an interlocking part that moves in conjunction with the cleaning member is formed with a hole for passing a fixing member used to fix the cleaning member to the inclined surface, and the hole is an elongated hole and extends in the direction of extension of the surface. Effect of the Invention

[0006] According to the invention of claim 1, it is possible to make it less likely for the cleaning member to be displaced in the movement direction of the moving part, which may occur when adjusting the position of the cleaning member, compared to a configuration in which the cleaning member supported by an inclined surface arranged at an angle with respect to the movement direction of the moving part does not move in the extension direction of the inclined surface when adjusting the position of the cleaning member. According to the invention of claim 2, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of displacement of the cleaning member in the movement direction of the moving part, which may occur when adjusting the position of the cleaning member in the normal extension direction, compared to when the positioning portion is arranged along the normal extension direction. According to the invention of claim 3, it is possible to make it less likely for the cleaning member to be displaced in the movement direction of the moving part, which may occur when adjusting the position of the cleaning member in the normal extension direction, compared to a case in which the angle between the normal extension direction and one direction in which the moving part moves is equal to the angle between the extension direction of the positioning part and this one direction. According to the invention of claim 4, not only can the cleaning member be positioned so that the position of the cleaning member moves downstream in the surface extension direction, but movement of the cleaning member downstream in the surface extension direction and upstream in the surface extension direction can be restricted. According to the invention of claim 5, not only can the cleaning member be positioned so that the position of the cleaning member moves downstream in the surface extension direction, but movement of the cleaning member downstream in the surface extension direction and upstream in the surface extension direction can be restricted. According to the invention of claim 6, not only can the cleaning member be positioned so that the position of the cleaning member moves downstream in the surface extension direction, but movement of the cleaning member downstream in the surface extension direction and upstream in the surface extension direction can be restricted. According to the invention of claim 7, the operability when moving the cleaning member can be improved compared to a case where the cleaning member or the interlocking part that moves in conjunction with the cleaning member is not guided by the positioning part. According to the invention of claim 8, it is possible to make it less likely for the placement member to shift relative to the inclined surface or fall off from the inclined surface, compared to a configuration in which a regulating portion is not provided to regulate the movement of the placement member in the extension direction of the inclined surface. According to the invention of claim 9, interference between the fixing member and the cleaning member or interlocking portion can be made less likely to occur, compared to a configuration in which the hole does not extend in the plane extension direction. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus. [Diagram 2] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the belt cleaner seen from the rear side of the image forming apparatus. FIG. [Diagram 3]3 is a perspective view of one end portion in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning member, as viewed from the direction indicated by the arrow III in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 4 is a cross-sectional view of an interlocking member and the like taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 3. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing another configuration example. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] 7 is a view of the positioning portion as viewed from the direction indicated by arrow VII in FIG. 6. [Figure 8] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing other configuration examples of the belt cleaner. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus 1. Fig. 1 shows the image forming apparatus 1 as viewed from the front side. The image forming apparatus 1 according to this embodiment includes a paper feed unit 1A, a printing unit 1B, and a paper discharge unit 1C. The paper feed unit 1A includes a first paper storage section 11 to a fourth paper storage section 14 for storing paper P as an example of a recording medium. The paper feed unit 1A also has feed rolls 15-18 that correspond to the first paper storage section 11 to the fourth paper storage section 14, respectively, and feed the paper P stored in each paper storage section to a transport path connected to the printing unit 1B.

[0009] The printing unit 1B includes an image forming section 20 that forms an image on a sheet P. The printing unit 1B also includes a control section 21 that controls each section of the image forming apparatus 1. The printing unit 1B also includes an image processing section 22. The image processing section 22 performs image processing on image data transmitted from the image reading device 4 and the personal computer (PC) 5. The printing unit 1B is also provided with a UI (User Interface) 23, which is configured with a touch panel or the like and notifies the user of information and receives information input from the user.

[0010] Image forming section 20, as an example of an image forming means, is provided with six image forming units 30T, 30P, 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K (hereinafter, sometimes simply referred to as "image forming units 30") arranged in parallel at regular intervals. Each image forming unit 30 includes a photosensitive drum 31 on which an electrostatic latent image is formed while rotating in the direction of arrow A, a charging roll 32 which charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 31, a developing device 33 which develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 31, and a drum cleaner 34 which removes toner and the like from the surface of the photosensitive drum 31.

[0011] The image forming section 20 is also provided with an exposure device 26 that exposes the photoconductor drum 31 of each image forming unit 30 to laser light. The exposure of the photoconductor drum 31 by the exposure device 26 is not limited to using laser light. For example, a light source such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode) may be provided for each image forming unit 30, and the photoconductor drum 31 may be exposed to light emitted from the light source.

[0012] Each image forming unit 30 is configured similarly, except for the toner contained in the developer 33. The image forming units 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K form toner images of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), respectively. Further, the image forming units 30T and 30P form toner images using toner corresponding to a corporate color, foaming toner for Braille, fluorescent color toner, toner for improving gloss, etc. In other words, the image forming units 30T and 30P form toner images using toner of a special color.

[0013] The image forming section 20 is also provided with an intermediate transfer belt 41 onto which the toner images of each color formed on the photosensitive drums 31 of the image forming units 30 are transferred. The image forming section 20 is also provided with a primary transfer roll 42 that transfers the respective color toner images of the respective image forming units 30 onto the intermediate transfer belt 41 at a primary transfer portion T1. The image forming unit 20 is also provided with a secondary transfer roll 40 that transfers the toner image transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 41 onto the paper P at a secondary transfer portion T2. Furthermore, the image forming section 20 is provided with a belt cleaner 45 that removes toner and the like from the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 41, and a fixing device 80 that fixes the secondarily transferred image onto the paper P.

[0014] The image forming unit 20 performs an image forming operation based on a control signal from the control unit 21 . Specifically, in the image forming unit 20, first, image processing is performed on the image data input from the image reading device 4 or the PC 5 by the image processing unit 22, and the image data after image processing is supplied to the exposure device 26. Then, for example, in a magenta (M) image forming unit 30M, after the surface of the photosensitive drum 31 is charged by the charging roll 32, the exposure device 26 irradiates the photosensitive drum 31 with laser light modulated by image data obtained from the image processing unit 22.

[0015] As a result, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photoconductor drum 31 . The formed electrostatic latent image is developed by the developing unit 33, and a magenta toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 31. Similarly, yellow, cyan and black toner images are formed in the image forming units 30Y, 30C and 30K, and special color toner images are formed in the image forming units 30T and 30P.

[0016] The respective color toner images formed in each image forming unit 30 are electrostatically transferred sequentially by a primary transfer roll 42 onto an intermediate transfer belt 41 rotating in the direction of arrow C in Figure 1, and superimposed toner images are formed on the intermediate transfer belt 41. The superimposed toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 41 is transported to a secondary transfer portion T2 constituted by a secondary transfer roll 40 and a backup roll 49 as the intermediate transfer belt 41 moves.

[0017] On the other hand, the paper P is taken out from the first paper storage unit 11 by, for example, the delivery roll 15, and then transported to the position of the registration roll 74 via the transport path. When the superimposed toner image is transported to the secondary transfer portion T2, a sheet of paper P is supplied from the registration roll 74 to the secondary transfer portion T2 in accordance with the transport timing. Then, in the secondary transfer portion T2, the superimposed toner images are electrostatically transferred onto the paper P all at once by the action of a transfer electric field formed between the secondary transfer roll 40 and the backup roll 49.

[0018] Thereafter, the paper P onto which the superimposed toner images have been electrostatically transferred is transported to a fixing device 80. In the fixing device 80, pressure and heat are applied to the paper P on which the unfixed toner image has been formed, and the toner image is fixed to the paper P. Then, the sheet P on which the fixing process has been performed passes through a curl correction section 81 provided in the sheet discharge unit 1C, and is then conveyed to a sheet stacking section (not shown).

[0019] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the belt cleaner 45 as seen from the rear side of the image forming apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. The belt cleaner 45 of the present embodiment is provided with a cleaning member 61 that cleans the intermediate transfer belt 41, which is an example of a moving part. The cleaning member 61 is made of a plate-like member and is made of rubber and has elasticity. In this embodiment, at a location facing the belt cleaner 45, the intermediate transfer belt 41 moves in one direction 2A.

[0020] The cleaning member 61 is disposed in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 41 moving in one direction 2A, and cleans the intermediate transfer belt 41. More specifically, the cleaning member 61 is disposed in contact with the outer peripheral surface 41A of the intermediate transfer belt 41, and scrapes off and removes powder such as toner and paper dust adhering to the outer peripheral surface 41A. The removed powder is transported by a transport member (not shown) and moves to a powder container (not shown).

[0021] The belt cleaner 45 is further provided with an inclined surface 62 that is disposed in a state inclined with respect to the above-mentioned one direction 2A, which is the moving direction of the intermediate transfer belt 41. In this embodiment, a base 63 that supports the cleaning member 61 is provided, and the surface of the base 63 is an inclined surface 62. In this embodiment, the cleaning member 61 is supported by the inclined surface 62. As described above, the inclined surface 62 is inclined with respect to the direction 2A, which is the moving direction of the intermediate transfer belt 41. As a result, in this embodiment, the cleaning member 61 supported by the inclined surface 62 is also disposed in a state inclined with respect to the one direction 2A. In other words, the cleaning member 61 is disposed in a state having an angle with respect to the moving direction of the intermediate transfer belt 41.

[0022] The inclined surface 62 is disposed at a position facing the outer circumferential surface 41A of the intermediate transfer belt 41. Moreover, the inclined surface 62 is disposed with a gap between it and the outer circumferential surface 41A of the intermediate transfer belt 41. Moreover, the inclined surface 62 is flat. The inclined surface 62 has one end 62A located on the side closer to the intermediate transfer belt 41 and the other end 62B located on the side farther from the intermediate transfer belt 41 than the one end 62A.

[0023] One end 62A and the other end 62B of the inclined surface 62 are located at different positions in the movement direction of the intermediate transfer belt 41. One end 62A of the inclined surface 62 is located on the upstream side in the movement direction of the intermediate transfer belt 41, and the other end 62B of the inclined surface 62 is located on the downstream side of the one end 62A in the movement direction of the intermediate transfer belt 41. The inclined surface 62 is provided so as to extend in a direction from the other end 62B toward the one end 62A. Hereinafter, in this specification, the direction from the other end 62B toward the one end 62A is referred to as a "surface extending direction 62M."

[0024] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a pressed member 64 against which the cleaning member 61 is pressed via the intermediate transfer belt 41 is provided at a position facing the inner circumferential surface 41B of the intermediate transfer belt 41. The pressed member 64 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and is rotatable about a rotation axis 64A that is aligned in the width direction of the intermediate transfer belt 41. The width direction of the intermediate transfer belt 41 is the same direction as the direction perpendicular to the direction 2A, which is the movement direction of the intermediate transfer belt 41, and the pressed member 64 is rotatable around a rotation axis 64A extending in a direction perpendicular to the movement direction of the intermediate transfer belt 41. The pressed member 64 receives a force from the inner circumferential surface 41B of the moving intermediate transfer belt 41 and rotates in the clockwise direction in the figure. The pressed member 64 supports a portion of the intermediate transfer belt 41 against which the cleaning member 61 is pressed, from the inner circumferential surface 41B side of the intermediate transfer belt 41.

[0025] In this embodiment, the cleaning member 61 is supported by the inclined surface 62 . More specifically, in this embodiment, the cleaning member 61 is attached to an interlocking member 65 as an example of an interlocking part that moves in conjunction with the cleaning member 61, and in this embodiment, the cleaning member 61 is supported by the inclined surface 62 via the interlocking member 65. The interlocking member 65 is made of, for example, sheet metal, and in this embodiment, the bending rigidity of the interlocking member 65 is greater than the bending rigidity of the cleaning member 61. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the interlocking member 65 is not provided and the cleaning member 61 is directly supported by the inclined surface 62.

[0026] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the position of the cleaning member 61 in a normal extension direction 69, which is the direction in which a normal line 68 to the inclined surface 62 extends, can be changed. In this embodiment, a positioning member 70 having a thickness can be arranged between the inclined surface 62 and the interlocking member 65, and by placing this positioning member 70 between the inclined surface 62 and the interlocking member 65, the positioning position of the cleaning member 61 in the normal extension direction 69 is changed. In this embodiment, by arranging the arrangement member 70 on the inclined surface 62, the arrangement position of the cleaning member 61 in the normal extension direction 69 is changed. When the positioning member 70 is disposed between the interlocking member 65 and the inclined surface 62, the cleaning member 61 moves downstream in the normal extension direction 69, and the position of the cleaning member 61 in the normal extension direction 69 is changed.

[0027] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a fixing member 71 is provided for fixing the interlocking member 65 to the base 63. This fixing member 71 is a male screw, and is fixed to a fixed portion 72 provided on the base 63. The fixed portion 72 is configured with a female screw. In this embodiment, the cleaning member 61 is fixed to the base 63 by sandwiching the interlocking member 65 between the head 71A of the fixing member 71 formed of a male screw and the base 63. The fixing member 71 and the fixed portion 72 are disposed along the normal extension direction 69 and are disposed in a perpendicular relationship to the inclined surface 62 .

[0028] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of one end of the cleaning member 61 in the longitudinal direction as viewed from the direction indicated by arrow III in Fig. 2. More specifically, Fig. 3 is a perspective view of one end of the cleaning member 61 shown in Fig. 2, the end being located on the far side of the paper surface of Fig. 2. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the interlocking member 65 and other components taken along line IV-IV in FIG. FIG. 3 shows one end 61A of the cleaning member 61 located on the front side of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0029] The cleaning member 61 (see FIG. 3) is disposed along the width direction of the intermediate transfer belt 41, and has one end 61A on one side in this width direction. In other words, the cleaning member 61 is disposed along a direction perpendicular to one direction 2A which is the moving direction of the intermediate transfer belt 41, and has one end 61A on one side in this perpendicular direction. The interlocking member 65 is also disposed along the width direction of the intermediate transfer belt 41, and has one end 65A on one side in the width direction. In other words, the interlocking member 65 is disposed along a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the intermediate transfer belt 41, and has one end 65A on one side in the perpendicular direction.

[0030] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the inclined surface 62 described above is disposed at a position facing one end 65A of the interlocking member 65. In Fig. 3, the inclined surface 62 is provided inside the dashed line 3A. It should be noted that the intermediate transfer belt 41 is omitted from Fig. 3. Also, Fig. 3 describes one end 61A in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning member 61 and one end 65A in the longitudinal direction of the interlocking member 65, but the other end portions in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning member 61 and the interlocking member 65 have the same configuration as the one end portions.

[0031] 3, a positioning portion 91 is provided for positioning the cleaning member 61. The positioning portion 91 is used for positioning the cleaning member 61 in the surface extending direction 62M, which is the direction from the other end 62B of the inclined surface 62 toward one end 62A. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the positioning portion 91 is configured by a protrusion extending in the direction indicated by the arrow 4A in the figure. 4 is formed in a straight line and disposed in a state inclined with respect to the normal extension direction 69. The positioning portion 91 is inclined with respect to the normal extension direction 69 so as to move toward the downstream side in the surface extension direction 62M as it proceeds toward the downstream side in the normal extension direction 69.

[0032] In this embodiment, by providing this positioning portion 91 shown in Figure 4, when the position of the cleaning member 61 (not shown in Figure 4) is changed downstream in the normal extension direction 69, the position of the cleaning member 61 in the planar extension direction 62M moves downstream in this planar extension direction 62M. FIG. 4 shows a state in which a placement member 70 is placed on the inclined surface 62. In this embodiment, the positioning member 70 placed on the inclined surface 62 changes the position of the cleaning member 61 to the downstream side in the normal extension direction 69. At this time, the interlocking member 65 is guided by the positioning portion 91 in the inclined state and moves to the downstream side in the surface extension direction 62M.

[0033] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the interlocking member 65 is provided with a recess 65C into which the positioning portion 91 is inserted. In this embodiment, the interlocking member 65 is formed in a rectangular shape. The interlocking member 65 has two long sides 65D that extend in the width direction of the intermediate transfer belt 41 and are parallel to each other, and two short sides 65E that are perpendicular to the long sides 65D and parallel to each other. Note that only one of the two short sides 65E is shown in FIG. 3. The recess 65C is provided on one short side 65E of the interlocking member 65. The recess 65C is recessed from the one short side 65E toward the other short side 65E (not shown).

[0034] In this embodiment, the positioning portion 91 restricts the movement of the cleaning member 61 to the downstream side and the upstream side in the surface extending direction 62M. In this embodiment, when the cleaning member 61 attempts to move downstream or upstream in the surface extending direction 62M, the interlocking member 65 abuts against the positioning portion 91 in the recess 65C, and the movement of the cleaning member 61 is restricted.

[0035] When the cleaning member 61 attempts to move downstream in the surface extending direction 62M, the interlocking member 65 abuts against one side portion 91A of the positioning portion 91. Furthermore, when the cleaning member 61 attempts to move upstream in the surface extending direction 62M, the interlocking member 65 abuts against the other side portion 91B of the positioning portion 91. This restricts the movement of the interlocking member 65 to the downstream side and the upstream side in the plane extending direction 62M, and accordingly restricts the movement of the cleaning member 61 to the downstream side and the upstream side in the plane extending direction 62M.

[0036] In this embodiment, an example in which recess 65C is formed in interlocking member 65 will be described, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and for example, a through hole may be formed in interlocking member 65 along the thickness direction of interlocking member 65. A rod-shaped positioning portion 91 (not shown) disposed at an angle with respect to normal extension direction 69 (see FIG. 4) may be configured to pass through this through hole. Furthermore, when the interlocking member 65 is omitted and the cleaning member 61 is placed directly on the inclined surface 62, the cleaning member 61 may be formed with a recess 65C or a through hole.

[0037] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing another configuration example. Alternatively, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, a protrusion 65F protruding in a direction away from the interlocking member 65 may be provided on the short side 65E of the interlocking member 65, and a positioning portion 91 constituted by a recess 45B into which the protrusion 65F fits may be provided on the main body 45A side of the belt cleaner 45. In this configuration example, the protrusion 65F abuts against the inner surface of the positioning portion 91, which is formed in a concave shape, thereby restricting the movement of the cleaning member 61 to the downstream side and the upstream side in the surface extending direction 62M.

[0038] When providing this concave positioning portion 91, like the positioning portion 91 shown in Figs. 3 and 4, this concave positioning portion 91 is provided in a state inclined with respect to the normal extension direction 69 (see Fig. 4). More specifically, the concave positioning portion 91 is inclined with respect to the normal extension direction 69 so that as the concave positioning portion 91 advances toward the downstream side in the normal extension direction 69, it approaches the downstream side in the surface extension direction 62M. When the interlocking member 65 is omitted and the cleaning member 61 is placed directly on the inclined surface 62, the cleaning member 61 is provided with a protrusion 65F.

[0039] Fig. 6 is a diagram illustrating the arrangement member 70. Fig. 6 shows the state of the base 63 with the cleaning member 61 and the interlocking member 65 removed. In this embodiment, when the position of the cleaning member 61 (not shown in FIG. 6) is changed downstream in the normal extension direction 69, a plate-shaped positioning member 70 is positioned between the inclined surface 62 and the interlocking member 65 (see FIG. 3), as shown in FIG. 6. In this embodiment, the arrangement member 70 is arranged in a state in which it is placed on the inclined surface 62. Then, in this embodiment, the interlocking member 65 with the cleaning member 61 attached thereto is placed on the arrangement member 70 placed on the inclined surface 62.

[0040] In this embodiment, when changing the position of the cleaning member 61 in the normal extension direction 69, the number of positioning members 70 installed is increased or decreased, and / or the positioning member 70 placed on the inclined surface 62 is changed to another positioning member 70 having a different thickness. This changes the position of the cleaning member 61 in the normal extension direction 69. When the position of the cleaning member 61 in the normal extension direction 69 changes, the contact pressure between the intermediate transfer belt 41 (see FIG. 2) and the cleaning member 61 changes, and the cleaning performance changes. When the interlocking member 65 is not provided and the cleaning member 61 is placed directly on the inclined surface 62 , the positioning member 70 is disposed between the cleaning member 61 and the inclined surface 62 .

[0041] The inclined surface 62 (see FIG. 6) is provided with a restricting portion 88 that restricts movement of the arrangement member 70 in the extension direction of the inclined surface 62. This "extension direction" includes both the planar extension direction 62M and a direction perpendicular to this planar extension direction 62M. The restricting portion 88 is configured by a protruding portion protruding from the inclined surface 62. When this protruding portion enters a through hole 70H formed in the arrangement member 70, the movement of the arrangement member 70 is restricted. In this embodiment, the inclined surface 62 is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction, and the placement member 70 placed on the inclined surface 62 is likely to move. By providing the restricting portion 88, the movement of the placement member 70 with respect to the inclined surface 62 is restricted.

[0042] The manner in which the restricting portion 88 restricts the movement of the arrangement member 70 is not limited to the manner shown in FIG. 6. A protrusion may be provided on the arrangement member 70, and a recess may be provided on the inclined surface 62 into which the protrusion fits. Also, in Figure 6, a through hole 70H is provided in the positioning member 70, and a regulating portion 88 consisting of a protrusion is inserted into this through hole 70H, but instead of using a through hole 70H, the portion of the positioning member 70 into which the regulating portion 88 is inserted may be a recess that is recessed from the surface of the positioning member 70 toward the inside of the positioning member 70. Alternatively, for example, protrusions may be provided on both the inclined surface 62 and the positioning member 70, and the protrusions may be hooked together to restrict the movement of the positioning member 70.

[0043] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the arrangement member 70 is provided with a screw through hole 70N for passing the fixing member 71 (see FIG. 3) constituted by a male screw. Below this screw through hole 70N, a fixed portion 72 formed in the base 63 and consisting of a female screw is provided. Furthermore, the positioning member 70 is provided with a recess 70K for preventing interference between the positioning member 70 and the positioning portion 91, and the positioning portion 91 is placed within this recess 70K.

[0044] FIG. 7 is a diagram of the positioning portion 91 as viewed from the direction indicated by the arrow VII in FIG. In this embodiment, the angle θ2 between the extension direction 91X of the linearly formed positioning portion 91 and one direction 2A, which is the direction in which the intermediate transfer belt 41 moves, is larger than the angle θ1 between the normal extension direction 69 and the one direction 2A. In this embodiment, the angle θ2 between the extension direction 91X of the positioning portion 91 and the one direction 2A is approximately 90°, and the extension direction 91X of the positioning portion 91 and the one direction 2A are in a relationship of being approximately perpendicular to each other.

[0045] In this embodiment, when there are two angles, an obtuse angle and an acute angle, "angle θ1" and "angle θ2" refer to the acute angle. In this embodiment, there are two angles, an obtuse angle and an acute angle, between one direction 2A in which the intermediate transfer belt 41 moves and the normal extension direction 69. In this embodiment, as described above, the "angle" refers to the acute angle, and in this case, the angle θ1 refers to the acute angle.

[0046] In this embodiment, when the cleaning member 61 is moved downstream in the normal extension direction 69 from the state shown in FIG. 7, the interlocking member 65 is guided by the positioning portion 91, and the cleaning member 61 moves downstream in the planar extension direction 62M while moving downstream. In this embodiment, if the user wishes to change the cleaning performance, as described above, the user can increase or decrease the number of positioning members 70 installed and / or change the positioning member 70 placed on the inclined surface 62 to another positioning member 70 having a different thickness. As a result, the cleaning member 61 moves upstream or downstream in the normal extension direction 69. At this time, the cleaning member 61 moves downstream or upstream in the surface extension direction 62M. When the cleaning member 61 moves upstream or downstream in the normal extension direction 69, the degree of pressing of the cleaning member 61 against the intermediate transfer belt 41 changes, and the cleaning performance of the cleaning member 61 changes.

[0047] Here, it is assumed that the positioning portion 91 is not provided. In this case, the tip 61S of the cleaning member 61 moves along the normal extension direction 69, and thus moves along the path 7B. In this case, the contact position between the cleaning member 61 and the intermediate transfer belt 41 moves upstream or downstream in the moving direction of the intermediate transfer belt 41. This may cause an unintended change in cleaning performance.

[0048] In this embodiment, a cylindrical pressed member 64 is provided on the inner circumferential surface 41B side of the intermediate transfer belt 41. In this embodiment, when the contact position between the cleaning member 61 and the intermediate transfer belt 41 moves upstream or downstream in the moving direction of the intermediate transfer belt 41, the attitude of the cleaning member 61 with respect to the pressed member 64 changes. In this case, this change in attitude may result in unintended changes in cleaning performance.

[0049] In contrast, in this embodiment, even if the position of the cleaning member 61 changes, for example, toward the downstream side in the normal extension direction 69, the interlocking member 65 is guided by the positioning portion 91, and the tip portion 61S of the cleaning member 61 moves along the line indicated by the symbol 7D. The line indicated by the symbol 7D is a line extending along a direction perpendicular to the direction 2A which is the movement direction of the intermediate transfer belt 41, and the tip 61S of the cleaning member 61 moves in a direction perpendicular to the movement direction of the intermediate transfer belt 41. In this embodiment, the tip 61S of the cleaning member 61 moves toward the rotation center 64CH of the pressed member 64.

[0050] In this embodiment, as the position of the cleaning member 61 is changed downstream in the normal extension direction 69, the position of the cleaning member 61 in the surface extension direction 62M moves downstream in this surface extension direction 62M. In this case, the position of the cleaning member 61 relative to the pressed member 64 is less likely to change, and unintended changes in cleaning performance are less likely to occur, compared to when the position of the cleaning member 61 does not move downstream in the surface extending direction 62M. In this embodiment, even when the cleaning member 61 is placed directly on the inclined surface 62, the cleaning member 61 is guided by the positioning portion 91. In this case as well, the attitude of the cleaning member 61 with respect to the pressed member 64 is less likely to change, and unintended changes in cleaning performance are less likely to occur.

[0051] Although not described above, in this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 3, the interlocking member 65 is formed with a hole 65T for passing the fixing member 71. As described above, in this embodiment, the cleaning member 61 is fixed to the inclined surface 62 by the fixing member 71. The hole 65T formed in the interlocking member 65 is an elongated hole. The elongated hole 65T extends in the plane extending direction 62M. As a result, even in a configuration in which the interlocking member 65 moves to the downstream side or the upstream side in the plane extending direction 62M as in this embodiment, interference between the fixing member 71 and the interlocking member 65 does not occur. Furthermore, even when the cleaning member 61 is placed directly on the inclined surface 62, the hole formed in the cleaning member 61 for passing the fixing member 71 therethrough is made an elongated hole, so that interference between the fixing member 71 and the cleaning member 61 does not occur.

[0052] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing another example of the configuration of the belt cleaner 45. In FIG. In the above, a configuration has been described in which the positioning portion 91 contacts the portion where the short side 65E is located at one end 65A (see Figure 3) in the longitudinal direction of the interlocking member 65. However, the positioning portion 91 may also contact another portion of the interlocking member 65 to position the cleaning member 61 in the surface extension direction 62M. In the configuration example shown in FIG. 8, the interlocking member 65 has two long sides 65D, of which one long side 65D indicated by reference symbol 8A is in contact with the positioning portion 91. As shown in FIG. More specifically, of the two long sides 65D of the interlocking member 65, the long side 65D located downstream in the direction 2A, which is the movement direction of the intermediate transfer belt 41, is configured to contact a positioning portion 91 extending along the width direction of the intermediate transfer belt 41.

[0053] The positioning portion 91 is formed in a planar shape. Similarly to the above, the positioning portion 91 is disposed in a state inclined with respect to the normal extension direction 69. In this configuration example as well, even if the arrangement position of the cleaning member 61 is changed to the downstream side in the normal extension direction 69, the positioning portion 91 moves the cleaning member 61 to the downstream side in the surface extension direction 62M. As a result, also in this case, the attitude of the cleaning member 61 relative to the pressed member 64 is less likely to change, and unintended changes in cleaning performance are less likely to occur.

[0054] The above-described configuration may be provided at a location other than the belt cleaner 45. The configuration described above may be provided, for example, in the drum cleaner 34 (see FIG. 1) or the fixing device 80. In the above, the configuration in which the cleaning member 61 comes into contact with the intermediate transfer belt 41 as an example of a moving part has been described, but the object to be cleaned may also be the outer circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 31 or the outer circumferential surface of a belt provided in the fixing device 80. When providing a cleaning member 61 for cleaning the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 31 and the outer peripheral surface of the belt provided in the fixing device 80, by providing the above-mentioned positioning portion 91, unintended changes in cleaning performance are less likely to occur, as described above.

[0055] (Additional Note) (((1))) A moving unit that moves in one direction; an inclined surface disposed in a tilted state with respect to the one direction, the inclined surface having one end located closer to the moving part and another end located farther from the moving part than the one end, the inclined surface extending in a direction from the other end toward the one end; a cleaning member that is supported by the inclined surface and cleans the moving part, the cleaning member being capable of changing its position in a normal extension direction, which is a direction in which a normal to the inclined surface extends; a positioning unit used for positioning the cleaning member in a surface extension direction, which is a direction from the other end toward the one end, the positioning unit positions the cleaning member such that the position of the cleaning member in the surface extension direction moves downstream in the surface extension direction in response to changing the position of the cleaning member toward the downstream side in the normal extension direction; An image forming apparatus comprising: (((2))) The positioning portion is formed in a straight line and is arranged at an incline with respect to the normal extension direction so that as it proceeds toward the downstream side in the normal extension direction, it moves toward the downstream side in the planar extension direction. (((1))) of the image forming apparatus. (((3))) The image forming apparatus described in (((2))) wherein the angle between the extension direction of the positioning part, which is formed in a straight line, and the one direction, in which the moving part moves, is greater than the angle between the one direction and the normal extension direction. (((4))) The image forming apparatus according to (((1))), wherein the positioning portion regulates movement of the cleaning member toward the downstream side and the upstream side in the surface extension direction. (((5))) a recess or a through hole into which the positioning part is inserted is formed in the cleaning member or a linking part that moves in linkage with the cleaning member, The image forming apparatus described in (((4))) above, wherein the cleaning member or the interlocking portion abuts against the positioning portion that is inserted into the recess or through hole, thereby restricting movement of the cleaning member to the downstream side and the upstream side. (((6))) a protrusion that fits into the positioning portion that is formed in a recess is provided on the cleaning member or a linking portion that moves in linkage with the cleaning member, The image forming apparatus according to ((4))), wherein the movement of the cleaning member to the downstream side and the upstream side is restricted by the protrusion abutting against the inner surface of the positioning portion which is formed in a concave shape. (((7))) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the cleaning member is moved downstream in the normal extension direction, the cleaning member or an interlocking part that moves in conjunction with the cleaning member is guided by the positioning part, and the cleaning member moves downstream. (((8))) When the position of the cleaning member is changed toward the downstream side in the normal extension direction, a positioning member is disposed between the cleaning member or an interlocking portion that moves in conjunction with the cleaning member and the inclined surface, The image forming apparatus according to (((1))), wherein the inclined surface is provided with a regulating portion that regulates movement of the placement member in the extending direction of the inclined surface. (((9))) a hole for passing a fixing member used to fix the cleaning member to the inclined surface is formed in the cleaning member or an interlocking portion that moves in conjunction with the cleaning member; The hole is an elongated hole extending in the plane extension direction.

[0056] According to the image forming device of (((1))), it is possible to make it less likely for the cleaning member to be displaced in the movement direction of the moving part, which may occur when adjusting the position of the cleaning member, compared to a configuration in which the cleaning member supported by an inclined surface arranged at an angle with respect to the movement direction of the moving part does not move in the extension direction of the inclined surface when adjusting the position of the cleaning member. According to the image forming device of (((2))), it is possible to prevent the cleaning member from being displaced in the movement direction of the moving part, which may occur when adjusting the position of the cleaning member in the normal extension direction, compared to when the positioning part is arranged along the normal extension direction. According to the image forming device of (((3))), the angle between the normal extension direction and one direction in which the moving part moves is equal to the angle between the extension direction of the positioning part and this one direction, and it is possible to make it less likely that the cleaning member will be displaced in the moving direction of the moving part, which may occur when the position of the cleaning member is adjusted in the normal extension direction. According to the image forming apparatus of (((4))), not only can the cleaning member be positioned so that the position of the cleaning member moves downstream in the surface extension direction, but the movement of the cleaning member downstream in the surface extension direction and upstream in the surface extension direction can also be regulated. According to the image forming apparatus of (((5))), not only can the cleaning member be positioned so that the position of the cleaning member moves downstream in the surface extension direction, but the movement of the cleaning member downstream in the surface extension direction and upstream in the surface extension direction can also be regulated. According to the image forming apparatus of (((6))), not only can the cleaning member be positioned so that the position of the cleaning member moves downstream in the surface extension direction, but the movement of the cleaning member downstream in the surface extension direction and upstream in the surface extension direction can also be regulated. According to the image forming device of (((7))), the operability when moving the cleaning member can be improved compared to a case where the cleaning member or the interlocking part that moves in conjunction with the cleaning member is not guided by the positioning part. According to the image forming device of (((8))), the positioning member is less likely to shift relative to the inclined surface or fall off from the inclined surface, compared to a configuration in which a regulating section is not provided to regulate the movement of the positioning member in the extension direction of the inclined surface. According to the image forming device of (((9))), interference between the fixing member and the cleaning member or interlocking part can be reduced compared to a configuration in which the hole does not extend in the plane extension direction. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 1...image forming apparatus, 41...intermediate transfer belt, 45B...recess, 61...cleaning member, 62...inclined surface, 62A...one end, 62B...other end, 62M...surface extension direction, 65...interlocking member, 65C...recess, 65F...projection, 65T...hole, 69...normal extension direction, 70...positioning member, 88...regulating portion, 91...positioning portion

Claims

1. A moving unit that moves in one direction; an inclined surface disposed in a tilted state with respect to the one direction, the inclined surface having one end located closer to the moving part and another end located farther from the moving part than the one end, the inclined surface extending in a direction from the other end toward the one end; a cleaning member that is supported by the inclined surface and cleans the moving part, the cleaning member being capable of changing its position in a normal extension direction, which is a direction in which a normal to the inclined surface extends; a positioning unit used for positioning the cleaning member in a surface extension direction, which is a direction from the other end toward the one end, the positioning unit positions the cleaning member such that the position of the cleaning member in the surface extension direction moves downstream in the surface extension direction in response to changing the position of the cleaning member toward the downstream side in the normal extension direction; An image forming apparatus comprising:

2. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the positioning portion is formed in a straight line and is arranged at an incline with respect to the normal extension direction so that the positioning portion progresses toward the downstream side in the surface extension direction as it progresses toward the downstream side in the normal extension direction.

3. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein an angle formed between the extension direction of the positioning portion, which is formed linearly, and the one direction, in which the moving portion moves, is larger than an angle formed between the one direction and the normal extension direction.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the positioning portion restricts movement of the cleaning member to the downstream side and the upstream side in the surface extending direction.

5. a recess or a through hole into which the positioning part is inserted is formed in the cleaning member or a linking part that moves in linkage with the cleaning member, The image forming apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the cleaning member or the interlocking portion abuts against the positioning portion that is inserted into the recess or through hole, thereby restricting movement of the cleaning member to the downstream side and the upstream side.

6. a protrusion that fits into the positioning portion that is formed in a recess is provided on the cleaning member or a linking portion that moves in linkage with the cleaning member, The image forming apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the movement of the cleaning member to the downstream side and the upstream side is restricted by the protrusion abutting against an inner surface of the positioning portion that is formed in a concave shape.

7. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the cleaning member is moved downstream in the normal extension direction, the cleaning member or an interlocking part that moves in conjunction with the cleaning member is guided by the positioning portion while the cleaning member moves downstream.

8. When the position of the cleaning member is changed toward the downstream side in the normal extension direction, a positioning member is disposed between the cleaning member or an interlocking portion that moves in conjunction with the cleaning member and the inclined surface, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the inclined surface is provided with a restricting portion that restricts movement of the arrangement member in the extending direction of the inclined surface.

9. a hole for passing a fixing member used to fix the cleaning member to the inclined surface is formed in the cleaning member or an interlocking portion that moves in conjunction with the cleaning member; 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the hole is an elongated hole extending in the surface extending direction.

Images