Image forming apparatus

Abstract

A known method involves using a cleaning tool to remove foreign matter adhering to the surface of a lens array. On the other hand, if no foreign matter is adhering to the surface of the lens array, cleaning with a cleaning rod is unnecessary. Therefore, a configuration that allows the cleaning rod attached to the image forming apparatus to be removed and used for cleaning as needed is desirable. [Solution] An image forming apparatus comprising a long cleaning member having a cleaning section for rubbing and cleaning the surface of the lens array, wherein the cleaning member further comprises a curved section and an engaging section provided on the outside of the curved section for engaging with a holding section.

Description

Technical Field

[0006] , , , ,

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

Background Art

[0002] In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, a method of exposing a photoreceptor using a solid-state exposure head in which light emitting parts such as LEDs are arranged in an array is known. The light emitted from the light emitting parts is condensed on the surface of the photoreceptor using a lens array. However, if foreign matter such as toner adheres to the surface of the lens array, the amount of light reaching the surface of the photoreceptor decreases. Therefore, in some cases, the surface of the lens array is cleaned using a cleaning bar provided with a cleaning member.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When no foreign matter adheres to the surface of the lens array, cleaning with a cleaning bar is unnecessary. Therefore, a configuration that allows the removal of the cleaning bar mounted on the image forming apparatus main body and its use for cleaning as needed is desirable.

[0005] [[ID=,38]] An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of mounting a cleaning bar.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The image forming apparatus according to the present invention comprises a rotating photoreceptor, a plurality of light-emitting units arranged in the direction of the rotation axis of the photoreceptor and emitting light to expose the surface of the photoreceptor, a lens array that focuses the light emitted by the plurality of light-emitting units onto the surface of the photoreceptor, an elongated cleaning member having a cleaning unit that rubs and cleans the surface of the lens array, and a holding unit that holds the cleaning member, wherein the cleaning member further comprises a curved portion that curves so as to be convex in one direction in the height direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the width direction, and an engaging portion provided on the outside of the curved portion in the longitudinal direction and engaging with the holding unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus to which a cleaning rod can be attached. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] A schematic diagram of the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] A perspective view of the solid-state exposure head 501 according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] A cross-sectional view of the solid exposure head 501 according to this embodiment. [Figure 4] A side view of the solid-state exposure head 501 according to this embodiment. [Figure 5] The connection portion between the link mechanism 530 and the solid exposure head 501 according to this embodiment. [Figure 6] A diagram showing the opening and closing of the opening / closing cover member 900 according to this embodiment. [Figure 7] External view of the cleaning member 600 according to this embodiment. [Figure 8] Detailed view of the cleaning unit 601 according to this embodiment. [Figure 9] External view of the insertion guide member 550 according to this embodiment. [Figure 10] A diagram showing the cleaning operation of the cleaning member 600 according to this embodiment. [Figure 11] This figure shows the cleaning member 600 according to this embodiment fixed to the main body of the device. [Figure 12] A diagram showing the detailed shape of the holding member 800 according to this embodiment. [Figure 13] A detailed diagram showing the B-B cross section in FIG. 11. [Figure 14] A detailed diagram showing the C-C cross section in FIG. 11. [Figure 15] A diagram showing the movement of the cleaning member 600 in the X direction according to this embodiment. [Figure 16] An enlarged view of the DT1 part in FIG. 15. [Figure 17] A diagram showing the movement of the cleaning member 600 in the -X direction according to this embodiment. [Figure 18] A diagram showing the gripping part of the cleaning member 600 according to this embodiment. [Figure 19] A diagram showing the A-A cross section in FIG. 18. [Figure 20] A diagram showing the movement of the cleaning member 600 in the X direction according to this embodiment. [Figure 21] A diagram showing the state where the cleaning member 600 according to this embodiment is released from the main body fixed state

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] <Example 1> Hereinafter, the mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to examples.

[0010] FIG. 1 shows an example of an image forming apparatus of the present invention. The image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 includes four image forming units 102Y, 102M, 102C, and 102K that form toner images of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black colors. The image forming units 102Y, 102M, 102C, and 102K each include a photosensitive drum 103Y, 103M, 103C, and 103K that are photoreceptors. Around the photosensitive drum, there are chargers 104Y, 104M, 104C, and 10K, solid (LED) exposure heads 501Y, 501M, 501C, and 501K, and developing devices 106Y, 106M, 106C, and 106K.

[0011] (Image Forming Process) The photosensitive drums 103Y, 103M, 103C, and 103K, which are uniformly charged by the chargers 104Y, 104M, 104C, and 104K, are exposed by the LED exposure heads 501Y, 501M, 501C, and 501K to form an electrostatic latent image. The electrostatic latent image is revealed as toner images of each color by the developer units 106Y, 106M, 106C, and 106K, and transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 107 in the primary transfer sections Ty, Tm, Tc, and Tk.

[0012] The toner images of each color, superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 107, are transferred collectively to the recording paper P transported from the paper feed unit 101 by the secondary transfer roller 109 in the secondary transfer unit T2. The recording paper P on which the toner images have been transferred is transported to the fuser unit 110, where the toner images are fixed by heat and pressure, and then discharged from the paper discharge unit 111.

[0013] (Solid-state exposure system) Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the solid-state exposure head 501 in this embodiment. Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the solid-state exposure head 501 in this embodiment. In the solid-state exposure head 501 in this embodiment, a long light-emitting substrate 502 with multiple LED chips arranged in the main scanning direction (the direction of the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum) and a lens array 506 with multiple cylindrical refractive index distribution lenses also arranged in the main scanning direction are held in a housing 505. The material of the housing 505 is a galvanized steel sheet or a cold-rolled steel sheet that has been plated afterwards. The lens array 506 focuses the light beam emitted from the LED light-emitting points 503 onto the photosensitive drum 103 as a 1:1 upright image. At this time, the distance from the LED light-emitting points to the incident surface of the lens array 506 and the distance from the exit surface of the lens array 506 to the surface of the photosensitive drum 103 are approximately equal. Each of the LED light-emitting points corresponds to a light-emitting part.

[0014] The distance between the LED light-emitting point 503 and the incident surface of the lens array 506 requires high precision on the order of micrometers. After precisely adjusting this distance, the light-emitting substrate 502 and the lens array 506 are fixed to the housing 505 by adhesive. In this embodiment, an LED is used as the solid-state exposure light source, and the unit comprising the light-emitting substrate 502, lens array 506, and housing 505 is referred to as the solid-state exposure head 501.

[0015] (Exposure head retraction mechanism) In this embodiment, the solid exposure head 501 moves between an exposure position where a latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 103, and a retracted position where it is moved away from the exposure position for maintenance such as cleaning. This retraction mechanism and the solid exposure head 501 described above are collectively referred to as the solid exposure apparatus 500 in this invention.

[0016] The mechanism for the solid exposure head 501 to move toward and away from the photosensitive drum 103 will now be described. In Figure 2, Figure 2(a) shows the exposure state where the head has risen to the vicinity of the photosensitive drum, and Figure 2(b) shows the retracted state where the head has descended and moved away from the photosensitive drum. The solid exposure head 501 is supported by link mechanisms 530 provided at the front and rear. The link mechanisms 530 are engaged with a slide mechanism 520 and move up and down in accordance with the forward and backward movement of the slide mechanism 520.

[0017] The slide mechanism 520 consists of a slide frame 526, which is bent into a U-shape from sheet metal and fixed to the main body of the device, and a slide bar 525 that moves back and forth inside the slide frame 526. Figure 4 is a side view of the solid exposure head 501, and the slide frame 526 has been omitted to make the lifting mechanism easier to see. The link mechanism 530 consists of a large link 535 and a small link 536, with one end of the large link 535 rotatably held by the slide bar 525. One end of the small link 536 is rotatably held by the slide frame 526 (omitted in Figure 4) which is fixed to the main body, and the other end is rotatably engaged with the center of the large link 535. As a result, when the slide bar 525 is pulled forward with the slide frame 526 fixed to the main body, one end of the large link 535 rises, and when it is pushed backward, it lowers.

[0018] Figure 5 is an enlarged view of the connection between the link mechanism 530 and the solid exposure head 501, showing the exposure state where the head has risen to the vicinity of the photosensitive drum.

[0019] A cantilever shaft 540 is provided at the end of the large link 535. Meanwhile, a torsion coil spring 547 is stretched across the housing 505 of the solid exposure head 501, and the cantilever shaft 540 is in contact with its antinode in a direction that is almost perpendicular to it. When the large link 535 rises, the cantilever shaft 540 pushes against the antinode of the torsion coil spring 547, indirectly pushing up the solid exposure head 501.

[0020] The solid exposure head 501 is provided with positioning pins 514 and 515. The positioning pins are made of metal and are fixed to the housing 505 by welding or adhesive. When the solid exposure head 501 is pushed up by the link mechanism 530, the tips of the positioning pins 514 and 515 abut against predetermined contact surfaces provided on a drum cartridge unit (not shown), and the solid exposure head 501 stops rising. At this time, the upward stroke of the link mechanism 530 is set to be greater than the required amount, and the torsion coil spring 547 absorbs the overstroke and biases the solid exposure head to ensure that it abuts against the drum cartridge unit. In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus has a main body cover 900 that can be opened and closed to access the inside of the apparatus body, as shown in Figure 6. An example of an operation to move the slide bar 525 is a configuration that is linked to the opening and closing of the main body cover 900. That is, the opening and closing cover 900 corresponds to an opening and closing member.

[0021] (Cleaning components) As mentioned earlier, if foreign matter such as toner adheres to the emission surface of the lens array 506, it partially blocks the light emitted from the light-emitting elements, resulting in a decrease in the quality of the output image. Therefore, the emission surface of the lens array 506 needs to be cleaned regularly.

[0022] Figure 7(a) is a perspective view of the cleaning member 600 for cleaning the lens array 506. The cleaning member 600 is slender and rod-shaped overall. In this embodiment, the cleaning member 600 has a rod-shaped body portion 603 in the longitudinal direction, with a gripping portion 602 at one end and a cleaning portion 601 at the other end. The body portion 603 is made of engineering plastic such as ABS or PP and does not easily break even when bent.

[0023] Figure 7(b) is a side view of the cleaning member 600. In this embodiment, the rod-shaped body portion 603 of the cleaning member 600 is formed in a shape that is curved in an arc with respect to the longitudinal direction. More specifically, in the height direction perpendicular to the longitudinal and width directions of the cleaning member 600, it is curved in an arc so as to be convex on one side. When the insertion guide 550, which will be described later, is inserted, it deforms in the direction of the lens eye 506, allowing the cleaning portion 601 to generate the contact pressure necessary for cleaning.

[0024] Figure 8 shows the component configuration of the cleaning unit 601. The cleaning unit 601 is provided with a groove 601a into which a T-shaped cleaning blade 604 is inserted. The horizontal portion of the cleaning blade 604 is supported by the bottom surface of the groove 601a and does not fall down. The upper surface of the cleaning blade 604 is covered by cover members 605 that are inserted into the cleaning unit 601 at both ends, preventing it from coming out upwards.

[0025] The cover component 605 uses PET or PC sheet material, but it can also be fixed with double-sided tape instead of being inserted. The cleaning blade 604 is made of urethane rubber with a thickness of about 0.5 mm to 1 mm, and the tip of the blade wipes the lens array emission surface to remove foreign matter. However, this thickness and material are just examples, and other materials such as silicone rubber or chloroprene rubber may also be used. Furthermore, a configuration in which nonwoven fabric is used for cleaning instead of a blade is also conceivable.

[0026] In this embodiment, the cleaning blade 604 is provided so as to protrude in the height direction of the cleaning member 600 in the direction opposite to the convex direction in which the cleaning member 600 curves.

[0027] (Cleaning operation) The solid exposure head 501 is cleaned by moving the cleaning member 600 back and forth while it is in contact with the lens array 506, with the exposure head 501 in a retracted state, separated from the photosensitive drum 103. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 6, opening the cover provided on the front of the image forming apparatus body causes the solid exposure head 501 to move to the retracted position in conjunction with this.

[0028] Figure 9 shows an insertion guide member 550 that guides the cleaning member 600 inserted from outside the main body of the device. Figure 10 is a side view showing the cleaning operation in this embodiment. In this embodiment, the cleaning member 600 is inserted into the insertion guide member 550 from diagonally above in the vertical direction. At this time, the cleaning member 600 is curved in a shape that is convex upward in the vertical direction, and therefore elastically deforms in the opposite direction to the curvature. The elastically deformed cleaning member 600 generates a restoring force, and this reaction force presses the cleaning blade 604 against the surface of the lens array 506. As a result, the cleaning blade 604, having obtained sufficient contact pressure, can rub against the surface of the lens array 506 and reliably clean it.

[0029] (Method for securing cleaning components) Figure 11 shows the cleaning member 600 fixed to the main body of the device. In this embodiment, the cleaning member 600 is attached to the back surface of the main body outer cover 700. A retaining member 800 for holding the cleaning member 600 is attached to the main body outer cover 700, and the cleaning member 600 is housed in the retaining member 800 in a predetermined position.

[0030] Figure 12 shows the detailed shape of the retaining member 800 for fixing the cleaning member 600 to the main body. The retaining member 800 has a retaining portion 801 for restricting the position of the cleaning member 600 in the X direction, and multiple retaining ribs 804 for holding the body portion 603 of the cleaning member 600 in the Y direction. The length of the retaining ribs 804 in the Y direction varies depending on where they are positioned to match the shape of the curved body portion 603 of the cleaning member 600. In addition, a curved retaining wall 807 is positioned on the opposite side of the retaining ribs 804 to match the shape of the curved body portion 603, and the cleaning member 600 is held in the Y direction by being sandwiched between the retaining ribs 804 and the retaining wall 807. Furthermore, the retaining member 800 is provided with a tip retaining portion 805 to support the cleaning portion 601.

[0031] The holding member 800 is provided with four air outlets 803 for supplying cooling air to the four image forming units 102Y, 102M, 102C, and 102Bk.

[0032] Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view showing the BB section in Figure 11. Figure 13 shows the holding of the cleaning section 601, which is the tip of the cleaning member 600. The holding member 800 is provided with a support rib 806 for holding the cleaning member 600 in the -Z direction, and contacts the supported section 603a provided on the body section 603 to hold it in the -Z direction. That is, the supported section 603a corresponds to the second engaging section. In addition, the lower surface of the aforementioned tip holding section 805 is positioned to restrict the movement of the supported section 603a in the Z direction. The distance from the lower surface of the supported section 603a to the upper surface of the tip holding section 805 is denoted as distance L. Distance L will be described later.

[0033] Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view showing the CC section in Figure 11. Figure 14 shows the holding of the curved body portion 603 of the cleaning member 600. In Figure 14, as in Figure 13, the support rib 806 and the supported portion 603a are in contact, holding it in the -Z direction. The aforementioned holding member 800 has a holding wall 807 and a holding rib 804 on the opposite side, restricting the movement of the cleaning member 600 in the Y direction. The lower surface portion 603b of the cleaning member, which is on the side opposite to the supported portion 603a of the cleaning member 600, is in contact with the aforementioned holding wall 807 and holding rib 804, respectively, thereby restricting movement in the Y direction. At this time, if the distance between the holding wall 807 and the holding rib 804 is G, and the distance between the supported portion 603a and the lower surface portion 603b of the cleaning member is H, then the relationship G > H holds. Cross-sectional view CC shows a part of the body portion 603, but a similar cross-section is formed throughout the entire curved body portion 603.

[0034] Figure 15 shows the cleaning member 600 moved a predetermined amount in the X direction from its holding position. This arrangement represents the position where the cleaning member 600 is set on the holding member 800, or where the engagement of the cleaning member 600 with the holding member 800 is released.

[0035] Figures 16 and 17 show enlarged views of the front and rear ends of the cleaning member 600 at this time.

[0036] Figure 16 is an enlarged view of the DT1 portion of Figure 14. Figure 16(a) shows the cleaning member 600 in the same set position as in Figure 15, and Figure 16(b) shows the arrangement after it has been moved to the holding position in the -X direction. As shown in Figure 16(a), in the set position, the tip holding portion 805 and the supported portion 603a do not interfere with each other even when the cleaning member 600 is moved in the Z and -Z directions.

[0037] Figure 16(b) shows the cleaning member 600 after it has been moved a predetermined amount in the -X direction, where the supported portion 603a tucks under the lower surface of the tip holding portion 805, restricting movement in the Z direction (see Figure 12).

[0038] When the cleaning member 600 is moved from the set position to the holding position, if the supported portion 603a rides up onto the upper surface (in the Z direction) of the tip holding portion 805 during assembly, there is a risk of damage to the cleaning member 600. Therefore, the distance L from the lower surface of the supported portion 603a to the upper surface of the tip holding portion 805 is ensured to prevent incorrect assembly when a user attaches the cleaning member 600. In this embodiment, the distance L is approximately 15.2 mm.

[0039] Figure 17 is an enlarged view of the DT2 section of Figure 15. Figure 17(a) shows the cleaning member 600 in the same set position as in Figure 15, and Figure 17(b) shows the arrangement after it has been moved to the holding position in the -X direction. As shown in Figure 17(a), in the set position, even if the cleaning member 600 is moved in the Z and -Z directions, it is arranged so that it does not interfere with the holding part 801, the lower surface part 603b of the cleaning member, and the protrusion 602a (details will be described later) provided on the cleaning member 600.

[0040] Figure 17(b) shows the cleaning member 600 after it has been moved a predetermined amount in the -X direction, where the protrusion 602a tucks under the lower surface of the holding part 801, restricting movement in the Z direction.

[0041] (Attachment / detachment force of cleaning components) Figure 18 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the gripping portion 602 of the cleaning member 600. Figure 19 shows a cross-sectional view of the AA section shown in Figure 18. The holding member 800 has a holding portion 801 to prevent the cleaning member 600 from easily falling off and to create an operation feel that makes it easy for the user to attach and detach it. The holding portion 801 is provided with a projection 801a that generates an operating force when moving the cleaning member 600 in the X direction and removing the cleaning member 600 from the holding member 800.

[0042] Here, using Figure 20, we will explain the relationships between the shapes necessary to generate the operating force when the cleaning member 600 is moved in the X direction.

[0043] The retaining member 800 has a retaining end portion 802 that holds the lower surface of the cleaning member and a distance D from the aforementioned projection 801a. The outer cover 700 is also provided with a guide portion 701 having an inclined surface at a position in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning member 600 from the retaining end portion 802. The distance from the end of the retaining end portion 802 to the inclined surface of the guide portion 701 is defined as distance F.

[0044] The cleaning member 600 has an outer surface portion 606 that contacts the aforementioned holding portion end 802, and a protrusion 602a that protrudes outward from the outer surface portion 606. The distance in the width direction between the outer surface portion 606 and the protrusion 602a is defined as distance E. In this case, the shapes of each are formed such that distance D < distance E.

[0045] Figure 21 shows the state in which the cleaning member 600 has been moved by a predetermined amount in the X direction from its fixed position on the main body. Figure 21 shows the state in which the apex of the projection 801a of the holding member 800 and the convex portion 602a of the cleaning member 600 are engaged, that is, the arrangement in which the difference between distance D and distance E is at its maximum value. In other words, the convex portion 602a corresponds to the first engaging portion.

[0046] At this time, the gripping end portion 602b of the cleaning member 600 and the guide portion 701 of the outer cover 700 are in contact, forming the aforementioned distance F. Because the gripping end portion 602b of the cleaning member 600 is in contact with the guide portion 701, it deforms in the -Z direction by the difference between distance D and distance E, i.e., by the amount of interference between the convex portion 602a and the projection portion 801a. This deformation occurs over the length of distance F of the cleaning member 600, generating the operating force required to attach and detach the cleaning member 600. In this embodiment, the parameters such as the amount of interference are set so that this operating force is approximately 19N.

[0047] Furthermore, the shape related to the operating force of the cleaning member 600 is provided on the gripping portion 602 rather than the curved body portion 603. This is to generate the contact pressure necessary for cleaning as described above. If the curved body portion 603 were provided with a concave shape to engage with the convex shape of the mating part that generates the operating force, then when the cleaning member 600 is inserted into the insertion guide member 550, the strength of the concave shape would be lower in the longitudinal direction, making it impossible to meet the contact pressure required for cleaning. To obtain the contact pressure, it would be necessary to enlarge the cleaning member 600 overall and increase its strength, but since this embodiment is originally intended for use in a small-space body, enlarging the cleaning member itself to increase its strength would be contrary to its purpose.

[0048] On the other hand, if a convex shape is provided on the curved body portion 603 to generate operating force, the cleaning member 600 will interfere with the densely packed internal components of the main body when inserted into the compacted interior, thus failing to achieve its purpose. More specifically, in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning member 600, a first engaging portion, a convex portion 602a, is provided on one outer side of the curved body portion 603, and a second engaging portion, a supported portion 603a, is provided on the other outer side. Thus, in this invention, the shape related to the operating force when attaching the cleaning member 600 to the main body is provided on a part other than the curved body portion 603.

[0049] The above description concerns the force required to remove the cleaning component 600. However, the process for installation is the reverse, and the required force and steps are the same, so it will be omitted here.

[0050] As described above, according to this embodiment, in an image forming apparatus using a solid exposure head, a cleaning member having a curved portion can be attached to and detached from the main body without impairing the user's operability. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 103Y, 103M, 103C, 103K Photosensitive Drum 501Y, 501M, 501C, 501K Solid Exposure Heads 502 Light-emitting substrate 503 LED light-emitting points 505 Housing 506 Lens Array 600 Cleaning parts 601 Cleaning Department 602 Gripping part 602a protrusion 700 Main unit exterior cover 701 Guidance part 800 Retaining member 801 Holding part 801a Protrusion 802 Holding part end

Claims

1. A rotating photoreceptor, A plurality of light-emitting units are arranged in the direction of the rotation axis of the photoreceptor and emit light to expose the surface of the photoreceptor, A lens array that focuses the light emitted by the plurality of light-emitting units onto the surface of the photoreceptor, A long cleaning member having a cleaning section for rubbing and cleaning the surface of the lens array, A holding portion for holding the cleaning member, Equipped with, The cleaning member further comprises a curved portion that curves so as to be convex in one direction in the height direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the width direction, and an engaging portion provided on the outside of the curved portion in the longitudinal direction and engaging with the holding portion. An image forming apparatus characterized by the following features.

2. The aforementioned engaging portion is a first engaging portion, The first engaging portion is located on one side of the curved portion in the longitudinal direction. The cleaning member further has a second engaging portion that engages with the holding portion, The second engaging portion is located on the other side of the curved portion in the longitudinal direction. The image forming apparatus according to feature 1.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the engagement between the holding portion and the engaging portion is released by moving the cleaning member in the longitudinal direction.

4. The image forming apparatus further comprises an exposure head having the plurality of light-emitting units and the lens array, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the exposure head is capable of moving between an exposure position for exposing the photoreceptor and a retracted position moved away from the exposure position.

5. The image forming apparatus further includes an opening / closing member that allows access to the inside of the image forming apparatus when opened. The exposure head moves between the exposure position and the retracted position in conjunction with the opening and closing of the opening and closing member. The image forming apparatus according to feature 4.

6. The cleaning member is inserted from outside the image forming apparatus and rubs against the surface of the lens array. When the exposure head is in the retracted position, the cleaning member is inserted from outside the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that when the exposure head is located in the exposure position, the cleaning member is not inserted from outside the image forming apparatus.

7. The cleaning member is inserted from outside the image forming apparatus and rubs against the surface of the lens array. When the cleaning member is inserted into the image forming apparatus, the cleaning member elastically deforms in the height direction. The image forming apparatus according to feature 1.

8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that the cleaning section is biased to the surface of the lens array by the restoring force of the cleaning member which has been elastically deformed in the height direction.

Images