Cleaning device

Abstract

To efficiently increase the rigidity of a support construction of a blade in a small space.SOLUTION: A cleaning device 5 has a blade 501 that removes toner from a surface of an image carrier 1, a support plate 502 that supports the blade, and a reinforcement plate 503 that is fixed to the support plate. The support plate includes a first flat part 521 that includes a fixation part to which the blade is fixed, first one end 521b that is on a side closer to a contact part of the first flat part with respect to a short direction of the blade, and first the other end 521a that is on a side farther from the contact part of the first flat part. The reinforcement plate includes a second flat part 531 that is arranged along the first flat part, and second one end 531b and second the other end 531b with respect to the short direction of the blade. The second one end includes a first projection 532 that projects in a first direction intersecting the short direction of the blade from the second flat part. The second the other end includes a second projection 534 that projects in a second direction opposite to the first direction from the second flat part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cleaning device used in an image forming apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine that forms an image using, for example, an electrophotographic process, toner on an image carrier is removed by a cleaning device. As the cleaning device, a cleaning blade (hereinafter also referred to as a "blade") as a cleaning member is often used by pressing it against the surface of the image carrier to scrape and remove the toner on the image carrier with the blade.

[0003] In such a cleaning device, if the contact pressure of the blade against the image carrier changes, there is a possibility of poor cleaning, or the blade may curl or generate abnormal noise.

[0004] The contact pressure of the blade against the image carrier may be caused by a change in the position of the blade relative to the image carrier. Therefore, it is important to properly support the blade and accurately maintain the position of the blade relative to the image carrier.

[0005] In the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1, a support plate bent into a substantially L-shaped cross section is used as a support member for the blade. By bending the support plate into a substantially L-shaped cross section, the rigidity of the support plate can be increased, and deformation of the support plate due to the reaction force applied to the blade can be suppressed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] 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 at a position away from the contact portion with respect to the image carrier of the blade. 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. And in order to secure the space corresponding to the bending height, the size of the image forming apparatus may increase.

[0008] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to effectively increase the rigidity of the blade support structure in a small space.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] The above object is achieved by a cleaning device according to the present invention. Briefly, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a blade that abuts along the longitudinal direction on the surface of an image carrier and removes toner from the surface of the image carrier at the contact portion with respect to the image carrier, a support plate that supports the blade, and a reinforcing plate fixed to the support plate. The support plate is arranged along the longitudinal direction and includes a first flat portion including a fixing portion to which the blade is fixed, a first one end portion that is closer to the contact portion of the first flat portion with respect to the short direction of the blade, and a first other end portion that is farther from the contact portion of the first flat portion. The reinforcing plate includes a second flat portion arranged along the longitudinal direction so as to be along the first flat portion, a second one end portion that is closer to the contact portion of the second flat portion with respect to the short direction of the blade, and a second other end portion that is farther from the contact portion of the second flat portion. The second one end portion includes a first protruding portion that protrudes from the second flat portion in a first direction intersecting the short direction of the blade, and the second other end portion includes a second protruding portion that protrudes from the second flat portion in a second direction opposite to the first direction. A cleaning device is provided.

[0010] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cleaning device having a blade that abuts along the longitudinal direction on the surface of an image carrier and removes toner from the surface of the image carrier at the abutting portion against the image carrier, a support plate that supports the blade, and a reinforcing plate fixed to the support plate. The support plate is arranged along the longitudinal direction and includes a first flat portion including a fixing portion to which the blade is fixed, a first one end portion that is closer to the abutting portion of the first flat portion with respect to the short direction of the blade, and a first other end portion that is farther from the abutting portion of the first flat portion. The support plate has a container provided with a support plate fixing portion to which the first flat portion of the support plate is fixed. The reinforcing plate includes a second flat portion arranged along the longitudinal direction so as to be along the first flat portion, a second one end portion that is closer to the abutting portion of the second flat portion with respect to the short direction of the blade, and a second other end portion that is farther from the abutting portion of the second flat portion. The second one end portion of the reinforcing plate includes a first protruding portion that protrudes in a first direction intersecting the short direction of the blade from the second flat portion, and the first other end portion of the support plate includes a second protruding portion that protrudes in a second direction opposite to the first direction from the first flat portion.

Advantages of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, the rigidity of the support structure of the blade can be effectively increased in a small space.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

[0013] Hereinafter, the cleaning device according to the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

[0014] [Reference Example] 1. Overall Configuration and Operation of the Image Forming Apparatus First, the overall configuration and operation of the image forming apparatus of this reference example will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus 100 of this reference example (showing a cross-section substantially orthogonal to the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum 1 to be described later). The image forming apparatus 100 of this reference example is a tandem type multifunction machine (having functions of a copier, a printer, and a facsimile machine) that employs an intermediate transfer method and is capable of forming a full-color image using the electrophotographic method. The image forming apparatus 100 can form an image on a sheet-like recording material P such as paper according to image information transmitted from an external device such as a personal computer or image information read by an image reading unit 120 provided in the image forming apparatus 100.

[0015] Here, regarding the image forming apparatus 1 and its elements, the front side (front) of the paper surface in FIG. 1 is defined as the "front side", and the back side (rear) of the paper surface is defined as the "rear side". The front-rear direction connecting the front side and the rear side is assumed to be substantially parallel to the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum 1 to be described later. Also, regarding the image forming apparatus 1 and its elements, the up-down direction refers to the up-down direction in the gravitational direction (vertical direction), but it does not mean only directly above and directly below, but includes the upper side and the lower side with respect to the horizontal plane passing through the element or position of interest.

[0016] The image forming apparatus 100 has four image forming units SY, SM, SC, and SK that form images of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) respectively as a plurality of image forming units (stations). The configurations and operations of these image forming units SY, SM, SC, and SK are substantially the same except that the colors of the toners used are different. For elements having the same or corresponding functions or configurations provided for each color, the Y, M, C, and K at the end of the reference numerals indicating elements for any one of the colors may be omitted and they may be collectively described. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing one representative image forming unit S. In this reference example, the image forming unit S includes 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), etc.

[0017] The image forming unit S is provided with a photosensitive drum 1 which is a rotatable drum-shaped (cylindrical) photoreceptor (electrophotographic photoreceptor) as a first image carrier. The photosensitive drum 1 is rotationally driven in the direction of arrow R1 (clockwise direction) in the figure by the transmission of a driving force from a drum driving unit as a driving means (not shown). The surface of the rotating photosensitive drum 1 is uniformly charged to a predetermined potential of a predetermined polarity (negative polarity in this reference example) by a charging roller 2 which is a roller-shaped charging member as a charging means. The charging roller 2 is disposed in contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 and is driven to rotate passively as the photosensitive drum 1 rotates. During the charging process, a predetermined charging voltage (charging bias) is applied to the charging roller 2 by a charging power source (high voltage power source) as a charging voltage applying unit (not shown). Thereby, discharge occurs between the charging roller 2 and the surface of the photosensitive drum 1, and the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is charged.

[0018] The surface of the charged photosensitive drum 1 is exposed by an exposure device 3 as an exposure means (electrostatic image forming means), and an electrostatic image (electrostatic latent image) is formed on the photosensitive drum 1. In this 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). Note that the exposure device 3 may be a laser scanner device or the like, and may be configured as a single unit that exposes, for example, four photosensitive drums 1.

[0019] The electrostatic image formed on the photosensitive drum 1 is developed (visualized) by supplying toner by a developing device 4 as a developing means, 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 including toner (non-magnetic toner particles) and a carrier (magnetic carrier particles) as a developer. The developing device 4 has a developing sleeve 401 as a developer carrier and a developing container 402 that houses the developer.

[0020] The developing sleeve 401 carries the developer in the developing container 402 and transports it to a developing position that is a facing portion with the photosensitive drum 1. At the time of development, the developing sleeve 401 is rotationally driven by transmitting a driving force from, for example, a drum driving unit. Also, at the time of development, a predetermined developing voltage (developing bias) is applied to the developing sleeve 401 by a developing power source (high-voltage power source) as a developing voltage applying unit (not shown). Thereby, the toner of the developer carried on the developing sleeve 401 is supplied onto the photosensitive drum 1 according to the electrostatic image, and a toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 1. In this reference example, toner charged with the same polarity as the charging polarity of the photosensitive drum 1 (negative polarity in this reference example) adheres to the exposed portion (image portion) on the photosensitive drum 1 where the absolute value of the potential has decreased by being exposed after being uniformly charged (inversion development method). In this reference example, the normal charging polarity of the toner, which is the main charging polarity of the toner at the time of development, is negative polarity. Toner is supplied to the developing device 4 from a toner cartridge 20 (20Y, 20M, 20C, 20K) as a developer supply container through a developer transport unit (transport path) (not shown).

[0021] An intermediate transfer belt 7, which is a rotatable endless belt and serves as a second image carrier, is disposed so as to face four photosensitive drums 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K. The intermediate transfer belt 7 is formed in an endless shape by a dielectric resin such as polyimide. The intermediate transfer belt 7 is stretched over a plurality of stretching rollers (support rollers), i.e., a driving roller 71, a tension roller 72, an upstream auxiliary roller 73, and a pre-secondary transfer roller 74, and is stretched with a predetermined tension. The driving roller 71 is rotationally driven by transmission of a driving force from a belt driving unit as driving means (not shown). The intermediate transfer belt 7 is input with a driving force from the driving roller 71 and rotates (moves circularly) in the direction of arrow R2 (counterclockwise) in the figure. The tension roller 72 applies a predetermined tension (tension) to the intermediate transfer belt 7.

[0022] The upstream auxiliary roller 73 is disposed upstream of a primary transfer unit N1, which will be described later, in the rotation direction (surface movement direction, conveyance direction) of the intermediate transfer belt 7, and forms an image transfer surface that is disposed substantially horizontally together with the pre-secondary transfer roller 74. The pre-secondary transfer roller 74 forms the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 7 in the vicinity of the upstream of a secondary transfer unit 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 counter roller (inner secondary transfer roller), which is a counter member (counter electrode) of a secondary transfer roller 9, which will be described later. On the inner peripheral surface side of the intermediate transfer belt 7, roller-shaped primary transfer members 8Y, 8M, 8C, and 8K, which are primary transfer means, are respectively disposed corresponding to the photosensitive drums 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K. The primary transfer roller 8 is pressed toward the photosensitive drum 1, abuts on the photosensitive drum 1 via the intermediate transfer belt 7, and forms a primary transfer unit (primary transfer nip unit) N1 (N1Y, N1M, N1C, N1K), which is a contact portion between the photosensitive drum 1 and the intermediate transfer belt 7. The stretching rollers other than the driving roller 71 and each primary transfer roller 8 are driven to rotate passively as the intermediate transfer belt 7 rotates.

[0023] The toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 1 is transferred (primary transfer) onto the rotating intermediate transfer belt 7 as the transfer medium by the action of the primary transfer roller 8 in the primary transfer section N1. At the time of primary transfer, a primary transfer voltage (primary transfer bias), which is a DC voltage of the opposite polarity to the normal charging polarity of the toner (positive polarity in this reference example), is applied to the primary transfer roller 7 by a primary transfer power source (high-voltage power source) serving as a primary transfer voltage application section (not shown). For example, when forming a full-color image, the toner images of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black formed on each photosensitive drum 1 are sequentially transferred so as to be superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 7.

[0024] On the outer peripheral surface side of the intermediate transfer belt 7, at a position facing the driving roller 71, a secondary transfer roller (secondary transfer outer roller) 9, which is a roller-shaped secondary transfer member (transfer rotating body) as the secondary transfer means, is disposed. The secondary transfer roller 9 is pressed toward the driving roller 71 and abuts against the driving roller 71 via the intermediate transfer belt 7, forming a secondary transfer portion (secondary transfer nip portion) N2, which is the contact portion between the intermediate transfer belt 7 and the secondary transfer roller 9. In this reference example, the secondary transfer roller 9 rotates in a driven manner as the intermediate transfer belt 7 rotates. Note that the secondary transfer roller 9 may be configured to rotate in a driving manner. The toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 7 is transferred (secondary transferred) onto a recording material P, which is a transfer material to be conveyed while being sandwiched between the intermediate transfer belt 7 and the secondary transfer roller 9 by the action of the secondary transfer roller 9 at the secondary transfer portion N2. At the time of secondary transfer, a secondary transfer voltage (secondary transfer bias), which is a DC voltage having a polarity opposite to the normal charging polarity of the toner (positive polarity in this reference example), is applied to the secondary transfer roller 9 by a secondary transfer power source (high-voltage power source), which is a secondary transfer voltage application portion not shown in the figure. The driving roller (secondary transfer opposing roller) 71 is electrically grounded (connected to the ground). Note that a secondary transfer voltage having the same polarity as the normal charging polarity of the toner may be applied to the inner roller corresponding to the driving roller 71 in this reference example, and the outer roller corresponding to the secondary transfer roller 9 in this reference example may be electrically grounded. The recording material (transfer material, sheet, recording medium) P is accommodated in a cassette 11 as a feeding portion (recording material accommodating portion). The recording material P is fed out one by one from the cassette 11 by a feeding roller 12 or the like as a feeding member and conveyed to a registration roller pair 13 as a recording material conveying member. After the attitude of the recording material P is adjusted by the registration roller pair 13, the recording material P is conveyed to the secondary transfer portion N2 at a predetermined timing with respect to the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 7.

[0025] The recording material P onto which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to a fixing device 10 as a fixing means. The fixing device 10 fixes (melts and adheres) the toner image onto the surface of the recording material P by heating and pressing the recording material P carrying the unfixed toner image. The recording material P onto which the toner image has been fixed is discharged (output) to a discharge tray 15 as a discharge unit provided outside (outside the machine) of the apparatus main body 110 of the image forming apparatus 1 (hereinafter, also simply referred to as the "apparatus main body") by a pair of discharge rollers 14 as a discharge member.

[0026] On the other hand, the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 1 after the primary transfer (primary transfer residual toner) is removed and recovered from the photosensitive drum 1 by a cleaning device 5 as a cleaning means. The cleaning device 5 scrapes off the primary transfer residual toner from the surface of the rotating photosensitive drum 1 by a blade 501 as a cleaning member disposed in contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 1, and accommodates it in a recovered toner storage unit 505. Details of the cleaning device 5 will be described later. Further, on the outer peripheral surface side of the intermediate transfer belt 7, a belt cleaning device 76 as an intermediate transfer body cleaning means is disposed at a position facing the tension roller 72 via the intermediate transfer belt 7. Toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 7 after the secondary transfer (secondary transfer residual toner) and deposits such as paper powder adhering to the intermediate transfer belt 7 from the recording material P are removed and recovered from the intermediate transfer belt 7 by the belt cleaning device 76. Further, the surface of the charging roller 2 is cleaned by a cleaning roller 6 which is a rotatable roller-shaped charging member cleaning member as a charging member cleaning means disposed in contact with the surface of the charging roller 2.

[0027] In this reference example, in each image forming unit S, the photosensitive drum 1, the charging roller 2, the cleaning roller 6, and the cleaning device (cleaning unit) 5 integrally constitute a drum cartridge 30 that is detachable from the apparatus main body 110. Further, in this reference example, in each image forming unit S, the developing device (developing unit) 4 substantially constitutes a developing cartridge that is detachable from the apparatus main body 110 alone.

[0028] 2. Drum Cartridge Next, the drum cartridge 30 in this reference example will be described.

[0029] The drum cartridge 30 is configured such that a photosensitive drum 1, a charging roller 2, a cleaning roller 6, a blade 501, etc. are held by a cleaning container (hereinafter also referred to as "container") 504. The drum cartridge 30 is configured to be detachable from the apparatus main body 110 and can be replaced during maintenance of the image forming apparatus 1 etc. The drum cartridge 30 is replaced with a new one, for example, when the photosensitive drum 1 reaches the end of its life.

[0030] In the container 504, the photosensitive drum 1 is rotatably supported via a bearing (not shown). The photosensitive drum 1 is rotationally driven by the driving force transmitted from a drum driving unit as driving means provided in the apparatus main body 110. The photosensitive drum 1 rotates in the direction of arrow R1 (clockwise direction) in the figure.

[0031] Also, in the container 504, the charging roller 2 is rotatably supported via a bearing (not shown). The charging roller 2 is pressed against the photosensitive drum 1 by a pressurizing spring (not shown) which is a biasing member as biasing means via its bearing. The charging roller 2 rotates passively as the photosensitive drum 1 rotates.

[0032] Also, in the container 504, the cleaning roller 6 is rotatably supported via a bearing (not shown). The cleaning roller 6 is pressed against the charging roller 2 by a pressurizing spring (not shown) which is a biasing member as biasing means via its bearing. The cleaning roller 6 rotates passively as the charging roller 2 rotates.

[0033] Note 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.

[0034] Further, as will be described in detail later, the drum cartridge 30 is provided with a cleaning device 5 configured to include a recovery toner storage portion 505 formed by a blade 501 and a container 504, among other components.

[0035] 3. Cleaning Device Next, the cleaning device 5 of this reference example will be described. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a drum cartridge 30 equipped with a cleaning device 5 as a reference example. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the cleaning device 5 as a reference example seen from the photosensitive drum 1 side (the illustration of the transport coil 506 to be described later is omitted). Further, FIG. 5 is a top view of the support structure (support plate 502 and reinforcement plate 503 to be described later) of the blade 501 in the cleaning device 5 as a reference example. FIGS. 3, 4, and 5 are reference examples regarding the shape of the reinforcement plate 503 among the support structures (support plate 502 and reinforcement plate 503) of the blade 501.

[0036] Regarding the cleaning device 5 and its elements, a direction substantially parallel to the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum 1 is also referred to as the longitudinal direction (arrow X direction in the figure), and a direction substantially orthogonal to this longitudinal direction is also referred to as the short-side direction (arrow Y direction in the figure). The rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum 1 is a direction substantially orthogonal to the moving direction of the surface of the photosensitive drum 1.

[0037] 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 body, a recovery toner storage portion 505 formed by the container 504, a transport coil 506 as a transport member, and the like.

[0038] The blade 501 is made of rubber such as urethane rubber which is an elastomer (elastic member). The blade 501 has a predetermined length in the longitudinal direction arranged substantially parallel to the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum 1, and a predetermined length in the short direction substantially orthogonal to this longitudinal direction, and has a predetermined thickness, and is a plate-shaped (blade-shaped) member that is substantially rectangular in plan view. The length of the blade 501 in the longitudinal direction is equal to the length of the photosensitive drum 1 in the rotation axis direction. One end of the blade 501 in the short direction (the lower end in this reference example) on the side opposite to the photosensitive drum 1 is fixed to the support plate 502. Further, the support plate 502 is attached to the container 504 as described later, so that the blade 501 is fixed to the container 504.

[0039] The support plate 502 is formed of a plate-shaped member (sheet metal) made of metal (SUS (stainless steel) in this reference example). The support plate 502 has a blade fixing portion (first flat portion) 521 which is a flat plate-shaped portion extending along the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum 1. As shown in FIG. 4, the support plate 502 is fixed to the mounting surfaces 541 provided at both longitudinal ends of the container 504 by support plate fixing screws 507 as fixing means. Positioning portions (boss portions) 542 and support plate fixing portions (screw hole portions) 543 are provided on the mounting surfaces 541 at both longitudinal ends of the container 504, respectively. Further, positioning holes 528 and support plate fixing holes (through holes) 529 are provided at both longitudinal ends of the support plate 502. Then, the support plate 502 is positioned by fitting the positioning holes 528 into the positioning portions 542, and the support plate fixing screws 507 are screwed into the support plate fixing portions 543 to be fixed to the mounting surface 541. Further, the blade 501 is fixed (adhesively bonded) to the surface of the blade fixing portion 521 of the support plate 502 on the side of the photosensitive drum 1 by adhesion as fixing means. The length of the blade 501 in the longitudinal direction is equal to the length of the support plate 502 in the longitudinal direction of the portion excluding the regions where the positioning holes 528 and the support plate fixing holes 529 are provided at both longitudinal ends of the support plate 502.

[0040] The edge portion (hereinafter also referred to as the "blade contact portion") 511 of one end portion (the upper end portion in this reference example) of the blade 501 in its short side direction is pressed against the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 so as to be aligned with the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum 1. The blade 501 is arranged such that the free end portion, which is the above-mentioned one end portion, is located upstream in the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 1 from the fixed end portion, which is the other end portion (the lower end portion in this reference example), and is brought into contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 1. That is, the blade 501 is brought into contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 in a counter direction with respect to the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 1.

[0041] The blade 501 scrapes off and removes toner from the surface of the rotating photosensitive drum 1 and stores it in the recovered toner storage portion 505 formed by the container 504. The recovered toner storage portion 505 is formed by the container 504 so as to be located on the side opposite to the photosensitive drum 1 with the blade 501 interposed therebetween. In the vicinity of the blade 501 in the recovered toner storage portion 505 (in the vicinity of the bottom of the recovered toner storage portion 505), a conveying coil 506 is arranged along the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum 1. The conveying coil 506 is rotationally driven by transmitting the driving force from a belt driving portion as driving means provided in the apparatus main body 110, for example. The toner (recovered toner) stored in the recovered toner storage portion 505 is conveyed by the conveying coil 506 along the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum 1, for example, toward the rear side. Then, the toner conveyed by the conveying coil 506 is discharged to the outside of the drum cartridge 30 (container 504) through a discharge port (not shown) provided in the container 504. The toner discharged from the drum cartridge 30 is conveyed through a conveying portion (conveying path) not shown provided in the apparatus main body 110 to a recovered toner box (not shown) as a developer recovery container (recovery portion) arranged in the apparatus main body 110.

[0042] As described above, the blade 501 is brought into contact with 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. Then, the toner adhering to the surface of the rotating photosensitive drum 1 is scraped off by the blade 501 and removed from the surface of the photosensitive drum 1. For the cleaning performance of the cleaning device 5, the contact pressure of the blade 501 against the photosensitive drum 1 is important. If this contact pressure becomes higher than the predetermined contact pressure, the blade 501, the support plate 502, or the container 504 may vibrate due to excessive frictional force, resulting in abnormal noise or the blade 501 being turned up. On the other hand, if this contact pressure becomes 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 occur. If the support plate 502 supporting the blade 501 is deformed by the reaction force of the contact pressure of the blade 501, it may affect the contact pressure of the blade 501 and cause problems as described above.

[0043] FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the vicinity of a cleaning device for explaining the configuration of a conventional cleaning device. Note that, for the conventional cleaning device as well, elements corresponding to those of the cleaning device of this reference example are denoted by the same reference numerals and described. As shown in FIG. 10, conventionally, in order to reduce the deformation of the support plate 502, the support plate 502 has been bent to increase its rigidity. The support plate 502 shown in FIG. 10 has a blade fixing portion 521 and a support plate protruding portion 522 extending in a direction intersecting (substantially orthogonal in the illustrated example) with respect to the plane of the blade fixing portion 521. That is, this support plate 502 has a support plate bending portion (bending portion) 523 bent so as to have a substantially L-shaped cross section. This support plate bending portion 523 is located at the end portion (first other end portion) 521a on the side opposite to the blade contact portion 511 of the blade fixing portion 521 in the short side direction of the blade fixing portion 521. Note that the short side direction of the blade fixing portion 521 is the direction along the blade fixing portion 521 when viewed along the long side direction. Also, this support plate protruding portion 522 extends on the side opposite to the photosensitive drum 1 with respect to the blade fixing portion 521.

[0044] However, when bending the support plate 502, it is necessary to consider the influence on the accuracy (such as flatness) of the attachment surface of the blade 501 on the support plate 502 and ensuring the space for the fixed position of the support plate 502 with respect to the container 504. Therefore, the distance L between 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 and the support plate bending portion 523 in the short direction of the blade fixing portion 521 becomes large. Here, the adhesion position of the blade 501 on the support plate 502 is represented by the end portion (first end portion) 521b on the blade contact portion 511 side of the blade fixing portion 521 in the short direction of the blade fixing portion 521. That is, reinforcement is performed at a position away from the position where reinforcement is actually required on the support plate 502 (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). Therefore, in order to ensure sufficient rigidity of the support plate 502, it may be necessary to increase the bending height of the support plate 502. However, if the bending height of the support plate 502 is increased, the width of the cleaning device 5 becomes large, which may lead to an increase in the size of the image forming apparatus 100. In particular, when an exposure device 3 is provided in each image forming unit S as in the image forming apparatus 100 of this reference example, it is necessary to secure that much space in each image forming unit S. Therefore, when trying to reduce the size of the image forming apparatus 100 by reducing the distance between the image forming units S, it is important to minimize the width of the cleaning device 5 as much as possible.

[0045] In addition, in the support plate 502 shown in FIG. 10, the support plate protrusion 522 extends to the side opposite to the photosensitive drum 1 with respect to the blade fixing portion 521. On the other hand, it is conceivable to extend the support plate protrusion 522 to the side of the photosensitive drum 1 to increase the bending height while suppressing an increase in the width of the cleaning device 5. However, it is difficult to secure sufficient space on the side of the photosensitive drum 1 due to the arrangement of the charging means and the like. If we try to avoid the charging means and the like, the above-mentioned distance L becomes even larger, and it is required to further increase the bending height of the support plate 502, which is not easy from the viewpoints of space, cost, and the like.

[0046] Therefore, in this reference example, a reinforcing plate 503 is fixed to the support plate 502. The reinforcing plate 503 is formed of a plate-like member made of metal (SUS in this reference example). The reinforcing plate 503 has a fixing portion (second flat portion) 531 which is a flat plate-like portion extending along the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum 1, and a protruding portion 532 extending in a direction intersecting (substantially orthogonal in this reference example) with respect to the plane of the fixing portion 531. That is, the reinforcing plate 503 has a bent portion (bent processing portion) 533 bent so as to have a substantially L-shaped cross section. This bent portion 533 is located at an end portion (second one end portion) 531b on the blade contact portion 511 side of the fixing portion 531 in the short direction of the fixing portion 531. Further, the protruding portion 532 extends on the side opposite to the photosensitive drum 1 with respect to the fixing portion 531. The short direction of the fixing portion 531 is the direction along the fixing portion 531 when viewed along the longitudinal direction.

[0047] Here, the protruding portion 532 is not limited to extending in a direction substantially orthogonal to the fixing portion 531. For example, it may extend at an angle in the range of ±45 degrees, preferably ±30 degrees, from the direction orthogonal to the fixing portion 531. Note that this point is the same for the extending direction of the second protruding portion 534 with respect to the fixing portion 531 described in the embodiments to be described later, and the extending direction of the support plate protruding portion 524 with respect to the blade fixing portion 521 described in the embodiments. Further, the substantially orthogonal includes not only being completely orthogonal but also the case where it deviates from the orthogonal within the error range (for example, ±15 degrees). Further, the substantially parallel includes not only being completely parallel but also the case where it deviates from the parallel within the error range (for example, ±15 degrees).

[0048] As shown in FIG. 4, the reinforcing plate 503 is fixed to the support plate 502 by the reinforcing plate fixing screws 508 as fixing means at a plurality of positions along the longitudinal direction. The support plate 502 is provided with reinforcing plate fixing holes (through holes) 527 at a plurality of positions (five positions in this reference example) in the longitudinal direction of the blade fixing portion 521. Then, by screwing the reinforcing plate fixing screws 508 through the respective reinforcing plate fixing holes 527 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 may be provided in the reinforcing plate 503 in advance, and the reinforcing plate fixing screws 508 may be screwed into the screw holes, or the reinforcing plate fixing screws 508 may be screwed into the reinforcing plate 503 by self-tapping. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the length of the reinforcing plate 503 in the longitudinal direction is equal to the length of the support plate 502 in the longitudinal direction of the portion excluding the positioning holes 528 and the support plate fixing holes 529 at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the support plate 502. That is, the length of the reinforcing plate 503 in the longitudinal direction is equal to the length of the blade 501 in the longitudinal direction.

[0049] Thus, in this reference example, the bent reinforcing plate 503 is fixed to the support plate 502. By reinforcing the support plate 502 with a separate member, the support plate 502 is no longer subject to the above-described constraints. Therefore, the distance L between 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 and the bent portion 533 in the short direction of the fixing portion 531 (or the short direction of the blade fixing portion 521) can be reduced. That is, the bent portion 533 of the reinforcing plate 503 can be positioned closer to the blade contact portion 511 side than the end portion (first other end portion) 521a on the opposite side of the blade contact portion 511 of the blade fixing portion 521 in the short direction of the fixing portion 531. For example, the bent portion 533 of the reinforcing plate 503 is positioned closer to the blade contact portion 511 side than the intermediate position (the central position of the support plate 502 in the short direction of the blade 501) between the fixing position (adhesion position, fixing portion) of the blade 501 on 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 direction of the fixing portion 531. Typically, the bent portion 533 of the reinforcing plate 503 is positioned closer to the blade contact portion 511 side than the fixing position (support plate fixing portion 543) of the support plate 502 with respect to the container 504 in the short direction of the fixing portion 531.

[0050] Therefore, it becomes possible to perform reinforcement at a position where the above-described distance L is small. In this way, since it becomes possible to perform reinforcement at a position close to the position where reinforcement is actually required on the support plate 502 (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), reinforcement can be performed efficiently. As a result, reinforcement at a lower bending height becomes possible. As a result, the width of the cleaning device 5 can be reduced, and the image forming apparatus 100 can be downsized.

[0051] Here, if another member is inserted between the support plate 502 and the reinforcing plate 503, it may affect the contact pressure of the blade 501 due to the difference in flatness and the difference in thermal expansion between the members. Therefore, it is desirable to directly fix the support plate 502 and the reinforcing plate 503. In this reference example, the surface of the blade fixing portion 521 and the surface of the fixing portion 531 are brought into direct contact to fix the support plate 502 and the reinforcing plate 503. Also, from the same perspective, it is desirable that the support plate 502 and the reinforcing plate 503 are made of the same material. In this reference example, the support plate 502 and the reinforcing plate 503 are each made of a sheet metal made of SUS, which is the same material.

[0052] In addition, in this reference example, the support plate 502 and the reinforcing plate 503 are screwed together at five locations in the longitudinal direction, but it is not limited to this. The support plate 502 and the reinforcing plate 503 may be fixed as long as the contact pressure of the blade 501 is not affected. Also, the reinforcing plate 503 is not limited to being fixed to the support plate 502 by screws. For example, the reinforcing plate 503 can be fixed to the support plate 502 by any other fixing means such as spot welding.

[0053] Also, in this reference example, the reinforcing plate 503 is provided on the side opposite to the photosensitive drum 1 of the support plate 502, and the protruding portion 532 extends toward the side opposite to the photosensitive drum 1, but it is not limited to this. If it is allowed from the perspective of space, etc., the reinforcing plate 503 may be provided on the photosensitive drum 1 side of the support plate 502, and the protruding portion 532 may extend toward the photosensitive drum 1 side.

[0054] As described above, in this reference example, the cleaning device 5 abuts against the surface of the image carrier (photosensitive drum) 1 along the longitudinal direction X, and at the contact portion (blade contact portion) 511 with respect to the image carrier 1, a blade (cleaning blade) 501 that removes toner from the surface of the image carrier 1, a support plate 502 that supports the blade 501, and a reinforcing plate 503 fixed to the support plate 502 are provided. The support plate 502 is arranged along the longitudinal direction X and includes a blade fixing portion 521 to which the blade 501 is fixed. The reinforcing plate 503 is arranged along the blade fixing portion 521 and includes a fixing portion 531 fixed to the blade fixing portion 521, and a protruding portion 532 provided so as 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 along the fixing portion 531 (the short side direction of the blade 501) when viewed along the longitudinal direction X. The one end portion 531b of the fixing portion 531 is located closer to the contact portion 511 side than the end portion 521a on the side opposite to the contact portion 511 of the blade fixing portion 521 in the direction along the fixing portion 531 when viewed along the longitudinal direction X. In this reference example, the reinforcing plate 503 is arranged along the blade fixing portion 521 and includes a fixing portion 531 fixed to the surface of the blade fixing portion 521 on the side opposite to the image carrier 1, and a protruding portion 532 provided so as to protrude from the fixing portion 531 to the side opposite to the image carrier 1 at one end portion 531b on the contact portion 511 side of the fixing portion 531 in the direction along the fixing portion 531 when viewed along the longitudinal direction X. The one end portion 531b of the fixing portion 531 is located closer to the contact portion 511 side than the end portion 521a on the side opposite to the contact portion 511 of the blade fixing portion 521 in the direction along the fixing portion 531 when viewed along the longitudinal direction X. For example, the one end portion 531b of the fixing portion 531 is located closer to the contact portion 511 side than the intermediate position (the position at half of the distance between them) between the end portion 521a on the side opposite to the contact portion 511 of the blade fixing portion 521 and the position where the blade 501 is fixed in the blade fixing portion 521 in the direction along the fixing portion 531 when viewed along the longitudinal direction X.Typically, the cleaning device 5 has a container (cleaning container) 504 provided with a support plate fixing portion 543 to which a support plate 502 is fixed. One end portion 531b of the fixing portion 531 is located on the contact portion side rather than the support plate fixing portion 543 in the direction along the fixing portion 531 when viewed along the longitudinal direction X. In this 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. Further, in this reference example, the support plate 502 and the reinforcing plate 503 are formed of the same material. Further, according to this reference example, an image forming apparatus 100 having an image carrier 1 on which a toner image is formed and a cleaning device 5 having the above-described configuration is provided.

[0055] As described above, according to this reference example, the rigidity of the support structure of the blade 501 can be effectively increased in a small space. Thereby, deformation of the support plate 502 against the reaction force applied to the blade 501 can be suppressed, and a change in the contact pressure of the blade 501 can be suppressed. As a result, it becomes possible to appropriately clean the photosensitive drum 1 and suppress the occurrence of cleaning defects. Further, it becomes possible to suppress the generation of abnormal noise and the turning up of the blade 501.

[0056] [Embodiment] Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described. The basic configuration and operation of the image forming apparatus of this embodiment are the same as those of the reference example. Therefore, in the image forming apparatus of this embodiment, elements having the same or corresponding functions or configurations as those of the image forming apparatus of the reference example are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the image forming apparatus of the reference example, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0057] In this embodiment, modified examples (Example 1-1, Example 1-2, Example 1-3) of the support structure (support plate 502 and reinforcing plate 503) of the blade 501 will be described.

[0058] <Example 1-1> FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the drum cartridge 30 provided with the cleaning device 5 of Example 1-1. Further, FIG. 7 is a top view of the support configuration (support plate 502 and reinforcing plate 503) of the blade 501 in the cleaning device 5 of Example 1-1.

[0059] In Example 1-1, in addition to the configuration similar to the reference example, the reinforcing plate 503 has a second bent portion 535 at an end portion (second other end portion) 531a on the side opposite to the blade contact portion 511 of the fixing portion 531 in the short direction of the fixing portion (second flat portion) 531. Thereby, in Example 1-1, the reinforcing plate 503 has a second protruding portion (second protruding portion) 534 that extends toward the photosensitive drum 1 side with respect to the fixing portion 531. In Example 1-1, the bending height of the second protruding portion 534 is smaller than the bending height of the protruding portion (first protruding portion) 532.

[0060] The container 504 supports both end portions in the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum 1 and receives the reaction force of the blade 501 from the mounting surface 541 to which the support plate 502 is fixed. Therefore, as shown by the arrow in FIG. 7, the central portion of the container 504 in the longitudinal direction may be bent. By performing bending on both end portions in the short direction of the reinforcing plate 503, the width (thickness in a direction substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal direction and the short direction) W of the reinforcing plate 503 that contributes to the rigidity of the container 504 can be increased with respect to the deformation in which the central portion of the container 504 in the longitudinal direction is bent. Thereby, it becomes possible to reduce the deformation including not only the support plate 502 but also the container 504.

[0061] In Example 1-1, the reinforcing plate 503 was provided on the side of the support plate 502 opposite to the photosensitive drum 1, the protruding portion 532 extended toward the side opposite to the photosensitive drum 1, and the second protruding portion 534 extended toward the photosensitive drum 1 side. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. If permitted from the perspective of space or the like, the reinforcing plate 503 may be provided on the photosensitive drum 1 side of the support plate 502. And the protruding portion 532 may extend toward the photosensitive drum 1 side, and the second protruding portion 534 may extend toward the side opposite to the photosensitive drum 1. If the protruding portion 532 and the second protruding portion 534 protrude toward opposite sides from each other, the same effects as described above can be obtained.

[0062] Here, in Example 1-1 (the same applies to Example 1-2 and Example 1-3 described later), among the support structures (support plate 502 and reinforcing plate 503) of the blade 501, elements having the same or corresponding functions or configurations as those of the cleaning device 5 of the reference example will be described. In Example 1-1 (the same applies to Example 1-2 and Example 1-3 described later), positioning portions (boss portions) 542 and support plate fixing portions (screw hole portions) 543 are provided on the mounting surfaces 541 at both longitudinal ends of the container 504 (see FIG. 4).

[0063] Also, in Example 1-1 (the same applies to Example 1-2 and Example 1-3 described later), positioning holes 528 and support plate fixing holes (through holes) 529 are provided at both longitudinal ends of the support plate 502 (see FIG. 4).

[0064] Also, in Example 1-1 (the same applies to Example 1-2 and Example 1-3 described later), the length of the blade 501 in the longitudinal direction is equal to the length of the support plate 502 in the longitudinal direction of the portion excluding the region where the positioning holes 528 and the support plate fixing holes (through holes) 529 are provided at both longitudinal ends of the support plate 502 (see FIG. 4).

[0065] Also, in Example 1-1 (the same applies to Example 1-2 and Example 1-3 described later), the length of the reinforcing plate 503 in the longitudinal direction is equal to the length of the support plate 502 in the longitudinal direction, excluding the regions where the positioning holes 528 and the support plate fixing holes 529 are provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the support plate 502. That is, the length of the reinforcing plate 503 in the longitudinal direction is equal to the length of the blade 501 in the longitudinal direction.

[0066] Also, in Example 1-1 (the same applies to Example 1-2 and Example 1-3 described later), the reinforcing plate 503 is fixed to the support plate 502 by the reinforcing plate fixing screws 508 as fixing means at a plurality of positions along the longitudinal direction (see Fig. 4).

[0067] Also, in Example 1-1 (the same applies to Example 1-2 and Example 1-3 described later), the positioning holes 528 and the support plate fixing holes 529 at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the support plate 502 are located outside the region where the blade 501 is provided with respect to the longitudinal direction (the direction of arrow X in the figure) substantially parallel to the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum 1 (see Fig. 4). The reason for this will be explained.

[0068] Suppose that the positioning holes 528 and the support plate fixing holes 529 at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the support plate 502 are located inside the region where the blade 501 is provided with respect to the longitudinal direction (the direction of arrow X in the figure). In the case of such a configuration, since the reinforcing plate 503 is provided within the region where the blade 501 is provided with respect to the longitudinal direction (the direction of arrow X in the figure), the support plate 502 cannot be fixed to the container 504.

[0069] Therefore, in Example 1-1 (the same applies to Example 1-2 and Example 1-3 described later), positioning portions (boss portions) 542 and support plate fixing portions (screw hole portions) 543 are provided on the mounting surfaces 541 at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the container 504, and positioning holes 528 and support plate fixing holes (through holes) 529 are provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the support plate 502 (see Fig. 4).

[0070] As a result, in the longitudinal direction (the direction of arrow X in the figure), the positioning hole 528 and the support plate fixing hole 529 are located in the region where the blade 501 is not provided (that is, the region where the reinforcing plate 503 is not provided). Therefore, the support plate 502 can be fixed to the container 504 (see Fig. 4).

[0071] Also, in Example 1-1 (the same applies to Example 1-2 and Example 1-3 described later), the positioning hole 528 and the support plate fixing hole 529 are arranged in the short-side direction (the direction of arrow Y in the figure) that is substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal direction (the direction of arrow X in the figure) (see Fig. 4). The reason will be explained below.

[0072] Suppose that the positioning hole 528 and the support plate fixing hole 529 are arranged along the longitudinal direction (the direction of arrow X in the figure). In such a configuration, there is a possibility that a separation gear (not shown) for bringing the charging roller 2 into contact with and separating from the photosensitive drum 1 and the support plate fixing screw 507 screwed into the support plate fixing portion 543 may interfere with each other. Therefore, it is necessary to avoid the position of the support plate fixing screw 507 so that the separation gear (not shown) and the support plate fixing screw 507 screwed into the support plate fixing portion 543 do not interfere with each other.

[0073] Therefore, when arranging the positioning hole 528 and the support plate fixing hole 529 in the region where the blade 501 is not provided (that is, the region where the reinforcing plate 503 is not provided), in Example 1-1 (the same applies to Example 1-2 and Example 1-3 described later), it is done as follows. That is, in Example 1-1 (the same applies to Example 1-2 and Example 1-3 described later), the positioning hole 528 and the support plate fixing hole 529 are not arranged along the longitudinal direction (the direction of arrow X in the figure), but are arranged along the short-side direction (the direction of arrow Y in the figure) (see Fig. 4).

[0074] Furthermore, in Example 1-1 (the same applies to Example 1-2 and Example 1-3 described later), the support plate fixing hole 529 is provided above the positioning hole 528 in the short side direction (the direction of arrow Y in the figure) (see Fig. 4). This is advantageous because the moment is smaller compared to the case where the support plate fixing hole 529 is provided below the positioning hole 528 in the short side direction (the direction of arrow Y in the figure). This is because when the support plate fixing hole 529 is provided above the positioning hole 528 in the short side direction (the direction of arrow Y in the figure), the distance between the tip of the blade 501 that receives the reaction force of the contact pressure of the blade 501 and the support plate fixing screw 507 becomes shorter compared to the case where it is provided below the positioning hole 528.

[0075] Furthermore, in Example 1-1 (the same applies to Example 1-2 and Example 1-3 described later), each reinforcing plate fixing hole 527 is provided at a position shifted downward from the support plate fixing hole 529 in the short side direction (the direction of arrow Y in the figure) (see Fig. 4). Thereby, the position of each reinforcing plate fixing hole 527 can be separated from the bent portion (projecting portion 532) of the reinforcing plate 503, so the accuracy of each reinforcing plate fixing hole 527 can be improved.

[0076] <Example 1-2> Fig. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the drum cartridge 30 equipped with the cleaning device 5 of Example 1-2.

[0077] In Example 1-2, in addition to the same configuration as Example 1-1, the support plate 502 has a support plate bending portion 525 at the end portion 521a on the side opposite to the blade contact portion 511 of the blade fixing portion 521 in the short side direction of the blade fixing portion 521. Thereby, in Example 1-2, the support plate 502 has a support plate protruding portion 524 that extends toward the photosensitive drum 1 side with respect to the blade fixing portion 521.

[0078] With such a configuration, the rigidity of the support structure of the blade 501 can be further enhanced.

[0079] Also, in Example 1-2, in the direction substantially orthogonal to the surface of the fixing portion 521 (the direction of the above-mentioned width W), the tip 524a of the support plate protrusion 524 protrudes toward the photosensitive drum 1 side more than the tip 534a of the second protrusion 534 of the reinforcing plate 503. As a result, as the entire support structure of the blade 501 formed by the support plate 502 and the reinforcing plate 503, the above-mentioned width W can be made larger than in Example 1-1. Thereby, the effect of reducing deformation including not only the support plate 502 but also the container 504 can be enhanced more than in Example 1-1.

[0080] In addition, in Example 1-2, the support plate protrusion 524 extended toward the photosensitive drum 1 side, but it is not limited thereto. As described above, the reinforcing plate 503 may be provided on the photosensitive drum 1 side of the support plate 502. In such a case, the support plate protrusion 524 may extend toward the side opposite to 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 direction. Further, if the protrusion 532 and the support plate protrusion 524 protrude on opposite sides of each other, the same effect as described above by increasing the above-mentioned width W can be obtained.

[0081] <Example 1-3> FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a drum cartridge 30 provided with the cleaning device 5 of Example 1-3.

[0082] In Example 1-3, the support plate 502 has the same support plate protrusion 524 as in Example 1-2, but the reinforcing plate 503 does not have the second protrusion 534 as in Example 1-1 (similar to the reference example).

[0083] If bending is applied to both ends of the reinforcing plate 503 in the short side direction, it is conceivable that the processing will become difficult. On the other hand, the support plate 502 may be desired to enhance its own rigidity, 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. Therefore, a support plate protruding portion (second protruding portion) 524 is provided on the support plate 502, and only a protruding portion (first protruding portion) 532 is provided on the reinforcing plate 503 without providing a second protruding portion 534. Thereby, while enhancing the rigidity of the support plate 502 itself and making the processing of the reinforcing plate 503 easy, the above-described width W can be increased as a whole of the support structure of the blade 501 formed by the support plate 502 and the reinforcing plate 503. This facilitates the manufacture of the cleaning device 5 and can obtain the effect of reducing deformation including not only the support plate 502 but also the container 504.

[0084] Note that, similar to the case of the first and second embodiments, the support plate protruding portion 524 may extend toward the photosensitive drum 1 side or may extend toward the side opposite to the photosensitive drum 1. By providing the support plate protruding portion 524, the effect of enhancing the rigidity of the support plate 502 itself can be obtained regardless of its direction. Further, if the protruding portion 532 and the support plate protruding portion 524 protrude on opposite sides from each other, the same effect as described above can be obtained by increasing the above-described width W.

[0085] Thus, the reinforcing plate 503 may have a second protruding portion 534 provided so as to protrude from the fixing portion 531 at an end portion 531a opposite to the end portion 531b where the protruding portion 532 of the fixing portion 531 is provided in the direction along the fixing portion 531 (the short side direction of the blade 501) when viewed along the longitudinal direction X of the blade 501. In this case, it is preferable that the protruding portion 532 and the second protruding portion 534 protrude in opposite directions from each other. Also, in this case, typically, as in the reference example, the protruding portion 532 is provided so as to protrude to the side opposite to the image carrier 1. And typically, the reinforcing plate 503 has a second protruding portion 534 provided so as to protrude from the fixing portion 531 toward the image carrier 1 side at an end portion 531a opposite to the end portion 531b of the fixing portion 531 in the direction along the fixing portion 531 when viewed along the longitudinal direction. Further, the support plate 502 may have a support plate protruding portion 524 provided so as to protrude from the blade fixing portion 521 at an end portion 521a opposite to the contact portion 511 (the contact portion of the blade 501 with respect to the image carrier 1) of the blade fixing portion 521 in the direction along the blade fixing portion 521 (the short side direction of the blade 501) when viewed along the longitudinal direction X. In this case, it is preferable that the protruding portion 532 and the support plate protruding portion 524 protrude in opposite directions from each other. Also, in this case, typically, as in the reference example, the protruding portion 532 is provided so as to protrude to the side opposite to the image carrier 1. And typically, the support plate 502 has a support plate protruding portion 524 provided so as to protrude from the blade fixing portion 521 toward the image carrier side at an end portion 521a opposite to the contact portion 511 of the blade fixing portion 521 in the direction along the blade fixing portion 521 when viewed along the longitudinal direction X. Further, a configuration may be adopted in which the reinforcing plate 503 has the protruding portion 532 and the second protruding portion 534, and the support plate 502 has the support plate protruding portion 524. In this case, it is preferable that the protruding portion 532 and the second protruding portion 534 protrude in opposite directions from each other, and the protruding portion 532 and the support plate protruding portion 524 protrude in opposite directions from each other. In this case, typically, as described above, the protruding portion 532 is provided so as to protrude to the side opposite to the image carrier 1, the second protruding portion 534 is provided so as to protrude toward the image carrier 1 side, and the support plate protruding portion 524 is provided so as to protrude toward the image carrier 1 side.Also, in this case, for example, when viewed along the longitudinal direction X, the tip 524a of the support plate protrusion 524 is located closer to the image carrier 1 side than the tip 534a of the second protrusion 534 in a direction substantially orthogonal to the surface of the blade fixing portion 521.

[0086] As described above, according to this embodiment, the same effects as in the reference example can be obtained, and the deformation including not only the support plate 502 but also the container 504 is reduced, further suppressing the change in the contact pressure of the blade 501.

[0087] [Others] As described above, the present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments.

[0088] In the above-described embodiment, the present invention is applied to a cleaning device for cleaning a photosensitive drum (first image carrier), but it is not limited thereto. For example, the present invention may be applied to a cleaning device for cleaning an intermediate transfer body (second image carrier) such as an intermediate transfer belt. Further, the photoreceptor is not limited to being drum-shaped, and may be, for example, an endless belt. Also, the image carrier may be an electrostatic recording dielectric.

[0089] Also, in the above-described embodiment, the support structure of the blade was fixed to the container. The present invention is particularly effective in suppressing the change in the contact pressure of the blade due to the deformation of the support structure of the blade in such a configuration, but is not limited thereto. There is a configuration in which the support structure of the blade is movable (for example, swingable) with respect to the container, and the present invention can also be applied to increase the rigidity of the support structure of the blade in such a configuration.

[0090] Also, 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.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0091] 1 Photosensitive drum 5 Cleaning device 7 Intermediate transfer belt 30 Drum cartridge 100 Image forming apparatus 501 Cleaning blade 502 Support plate 503 Reinforcing plate

Claims

1. A blade that abuts along the longitudinal direction on the surface of the image carrier and removes toner from the surface of the image carrier at the abutting portion against the image carrier; A support plate that supports the blade; A reinforcing plate fixed to the support plate; characterized by comprising: The support plate is arranged along the longitudinal direction and includes a first flat portion having a fixing portion to which the blade is fixed, a first one end portion that is closer to the abutting portion of the first flat portion in the short direction of the blade, and a first other end portion that is farther from the abutting portion of the first flat portion; The reinforcing plate is arranged along the longitudinal direction so as to follow the first flat portion, and includes a second flat portion, a second one end portion that is closer to the abutting portion of the second flat portion in the short direction of the blade, and a second other end portion that is farther from the abutting portion of the second flat portion; The second one end portion includes a first protruding portion that protrudes from the second flat portion in a first direction intersecting the short direction of the blade, and the second other end portion includes a second protruding portion that protrudes from the second flat portion in a second direction opposite to the first direction. A cleaning device characterized by this.

2. The cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the first protruding portion is located closer to the abutting portion side than the central position of the support plate in the short direction of the blade.

3. The cleaning device according to claim 1, further comprising a container having a support plate fixing portion to which the first flat portion is fixed.

4. The cleaning device according to claim 3, wherein the first protruding portion is located closer to the abutting portion side than the support plate fixing portion in the short direction of the blade.

5. The cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the first other end portion of the support plate has a support plate protruding portion provided so as to protrude from the first flat portion.

6. The cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing plate is fixed to the support 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 reinforcing plate are formed of the same material.

8. The cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the first protruding portion and the second protruding portion are formed by bending the reinforcing plate.

9. A blade that abuts against the surface of the image carrier along the longitudinal direction and removes toner from the surface of the image carrier at the abutting portion against the image carrier; A support plate that supports the blade; A reinforcing plate fixed to the support plate; and has; The support plate is arranged along the longitudinal direction and includes a first flat portion having a fixing portion to which the blade is fixed, a first one-end portion that is closer to the abutting portion of the first flat portion with respect to the short direction of the blade, and a first other-end portion that is farther from the abutting portion of the first flat portion, and is provided with; A container having a support plate fixing portion to which the first flat portion of the support plate is fixed; The reinforcing plate includes a second flat portion arranged along the longitudinal direction so as to be along the first flat portion, a second one-end portion that is closer to the abutting portion of the second flat portion with respect to the short direction of the blade, and a second other-end portion that is farther from the abutting portion of the second flat portion, and is provided with; A cleaning device, wherein the second one-end portion of the reinforcing plate includes a first protruding portion protruding in a first direction intersecting the short direction of the blade from the second flat portion, and the first other-end portion of the support plate includes a second protruding portion protruding in a second direction opposite to the first direction from the first flat portion.

10. The cleaning device according to claim 9, wherein the first protruding portion is located closer to the abutting portion than the central position of the support plate with respect to the short direction of the blade.

11. The cleaning device according to claim 9, wherein the first protruding portion is located closer to the abutting portion than the support plate fixing portion with respect to the short direction of the blade.

12. The cleaning device according to claim 9, wherein the reinforcing plate is fixed to the support 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 reinforcing plate are formed of the same material.

14. The cleaning device according to claim 9, wherein the first protruding portion is formed by bending the reinforcing plate, and the second protruding portion is formed by bending the support plate.

Images