Cleaning device and image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide an elastic member, a cleaning device, and an image formation device that can increase the life.SOLUTION: The elastic member is in contact with a mobile body moving in a predetermined moving direction to remove a material on the mobile body, and includes a stress reduction unit provided in a contact end part near a side in contact with the mobile body. The stress reduction unit reduces vibration of an internal stress generated by the contact with the mobile body and the elastic member. The stress reduction unit extends in a direction that is not vertical to the moving direction when the elastic member is in contact with the mobile body.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an elastic member, a cleaning device, and an image forming apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] An electrophotographic image forming apparatus is provided with a cleaning device that removes adhesions from an image carrier (e.g., a moving body such as a photosensitive drum) that carries a toner image by contacting an elastic member such as a cleaning blade with the surface of the moving body.

[0003] However, as image forming devices have become faster in recent years, the moving speed of the moving body has also increased, which has increased the frictional force generated between the elastic member and the moving body, resulting in problems such as the elastic member becoming curled up or becoming more susceptible to wear, and ultimately becoming a target for part replacement.

[0004] Frequent part replacements affect the productivity of the image forming device due to the time lost during replacement. Therefore, from the perspective of improving productivity, it is important to reduce stress on the elastic member and extend its lifespan in order to reduce the time lost during part replacement.

[0005] To solve such problems, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which a cleaning member that contacts an image carrier is contacted at an angle with respect to the driving direction of the image carrier. Patent Document 2 discloses a configuration in which only the end portion can contact the image carrier at an angle. In the configurations described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, frictional force generated between the cleaning member and the image carrier is applied to the portion that is inclined with respect to the moving direction of the image carrier, thereby reducing the vibration of internal stress, and thus it is possible to suppress curling of the elastic member and wear of the elastic member.

[0006] Patent Document 3 discloses a configuration in which a cleaning member is formed with a slit extending in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the image carrier. In this technology, the slit is opened when the cleaning member is brought into contact with the image carrier, thereby increasing the contact pressure of the cleaning member. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] JP 2002-082587 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2018-189848 A [Patent Document 3] JP 2011-197251 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] However, in the configuration described in Patent Document 1, since the elastic member is brought into contact with the moving body at an angle with respect to the moving direction of the moving body, it is necessary to secure a space to place the elastic member. Similarly, in the configuration described in Patent Document 2, it is necessary to secure a space to place the diagonal part of the end.

[0009] Therefore, in the configurations described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, when the configuration has a relatively wide moving body, it may not be possible to arrange the elastic member, and so there are certain limitations to the configuration in terms of suppressing curling and wear of the elastic member, and the configuration is unable to extend the life of the elastic member.

[0010] Furthermore, the configuration described in Patent Document 3 cannot reduce the vibration of the internal stress described above, and therefore has certain limitations as a configuration for suppressing wear of the elastic member.

[0011] An object of the present invention is to provide an elastic member, a cleaning device, and an image forming apparatus that are capable of achieving a long service life. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] The elastic member according to the present invention comprises: An elastic member that comes into contact with a moving body moving in a predetermined moving direction and scrapes off deposits from the moving body, a stress reducing portion provided at a contact end portion on a side contacting the movable body, the stress reducing portion reducing vibration of an internal stress generated due to contact between the movable body and the elastic member; The stress reducing portion extends in a direction that is not perpendicular to the direction of movement when the elastic member abuts against the moving body.

[0013] The cleaning device according to the present invention comprises: A cleaning device for cleaning a moving body, comprising: It comes into contact with a moving body moving in a predetermined direction and scrapes off any deposits on the moving body. An elastic member; A support member that supports the elastic member; Equipped with 、 the elastic member includes a stress reducing portion provided at a contact end portion on a side contacting the moving body, the stress reducing portion reducing vibration of an internal stress generated due to contact between the moving body and the elastic member, the stress reducing portion extends in a direction that is not perpendicular to the moving direction when the elastic member abuts against the moving body, The support member supports the elastic member such that the stress reducing portion is on the opposite side of the contact end portion from the contact portion with the moving body. .

[0014] The image forming apparatus according to the present invention comprises: A moving body moving in a predetermined moving direction; The above cleaning device; Equipped with. Effect of the Invention

[0015] According to the present invention, the life of the elastic member can be extended. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 2 is a diagram showing a main part of a control system of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 3]FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a view of the elastic member as viewed from the negative side in the Z direction. [Diagram 5] FIG. [Figure 6] 13 is a view of an elastic member according to a modified example, viewed from the negative side in the Z direction. FIG. [Figure 7] 13 is a view of an elastic member according to a modified example, viewed from the negative side in the Z direction. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an experimental apparatus used in a first evaluation experiment. [Figure 9A] FIG. 4 is a view showing a photoelastic image of the first comparative example. [Figure 9B] FIG. 13 is a view showing a photoelastic image of a second comparative example. [Figure 9C] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a photoelastic image of the first embodiment. [Figure 9D] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a photoelastic image of the second embodiment. [Figure 10] 13 is a table showing the experimental results of the first evaluation experiment. [Figure 11] 13 is a table showing the experimental results of the second evaluation experiment. [Figure 12] 13 is a table showing the experimental results of the third evaluation experiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic overall configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a main part of a control system of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment.

[0018] 1 and 2 is an intermediate transfer type color image forming apparatus that utilizes electrophotographic process technology. That is, the image forming apparatus 1 primarily transfers the toner images of each color, Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and K (black), formed on the photosensitive drum 413 onto an intermediate transfer belt 421, and then superimposes the four color toner images on the intermediate transfer belt 421, and then secondarily transfers the images onto paper S (recording medium), thereby forming an image.

[0019] In addition, the image forming apparatus 1 employs a tandem system in which photosensitive drums 413 corresponding to the four colors YMCK are arranged in series in the running direction of an intermediate transfer belt 421, and each color toner image is transferred sequentially to the intermediate transfer belt 421 in a single step.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 1 includes an image reading section 10, an operation display section 20, an image processing section 30, an image forming section 40, a paper conveying section 50, a fixing section 60, and a control section 101.

[0021] The control unit 101 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 102, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 103, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 104, etc. The CPU 102 reads out a program corresponding to the processing contents from the ROM 103, loads it in the RAM 104, and centrally controls the operation of each block of the image forming apparatus 1 in cooperation with the loaded program. At this time, various data stored in the storage unit 72 is referenced. The storage unit 72 is composed of, for example, a non-volatile semiconductor memory (so-called flash memory) or a hard disk drive.

[0022] The control unit 101 transmits and receives various data to and from an external device (e.g., a personal computer) connected to a communication network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide Area Network) via the communication unit 71. The control unit 101 receives, for example, image data transmitted from an external device, and forms an image on a sheet S based on this image data (input image data). The communication unit 71 is formed of, for example, a communication control card such as a LAN card.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 1, the image reading unit 10 includes an automatic document feeder 11 called an ADF (Auto Document Feeder), a document image scanning device 12 (scanner), and the like.

[0024] The automatic document feeder 11 conveys the document D placed on the document tray by a conveying mechanism and sends it to the document image scanning device 12. The automatic document feeder 11 makes it possible to continuously read images (including both sides) of multiple sheets of the document D placed on the document tray all at once.

[0025] The document image scanning device 12 optically scans the document conveyed from the automatic document feeder 11 onto the contact glass or the document placed on the contact glass, and forms an image of the reflected light from the document on the light receiving surface of a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor 12a to read the document image. The image reading unit 10 generates input image data based on the reading result by the document image scanning device 12. The input image data is subjected to a predetermined image processing in the image processing unit 30.

[0026] 2, the operation display unit 20 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) with a touch panel, and functions as a display unit 21 and an operation unit 22. The display unit 21 displays various operation screens, image states, operation statuses of each function, etc., according to a display control signal input from the control unit 101. The operation unit 22 has various operation keys such as a numeric keypad and a start key, accepts various input operations by the user, and outputs operation signals to the control unit 101.

[0027] The image processing unit 30 includes a circuit that performs digital image processing on the input image data according to initial settings or user settings. For example, the image processing unit 30 performs gradation correction based on gradation correction data (gradation correction table) under the control of the control unit 101. The image processing unit 30 also performs various correction processes such as color correction and shading correction, as well as compression processing, on the input image data in addition to gradation correction. The image forming unit 40 is controlled based on the image data that has been subjected to these processes.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming section 40 includes image forming units 41Y, 41M, 41C, and 41K for forming images using color toners of Y, M, C, and K components based on input image data, an intermediate transfer unit 42, and the like.

[0029] The image forming units 41Y, 41M, 41C, and 41K for the Y, M, C, and K components have the same configuration. For ease of illustration and explanation, common components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and when they are to be distinguished from one another, the reference numerals are denoted by the suffix Y, M, C, or K. In Fig. 1, reference numerals are given only to the components of the image forming unit 41Y for the Y component, and reference numerals are omitted for the components of the other image forming units 41M, 41C, and 41K.

[0030] The image forming unit 41 includes an exposure device 411, a developing device 412, a photoconductor drum 413, a charging device 414, a drum cleaning device 415, and the like.

[0031] Photoconductor drum 413 is made of an organic photoconductor in which a photosensitive layer made of a resin containing an organic photoconductor is formed on the outer peripheral surface of a drum-shaped metal base, for example.

[0032] The control unit 101 controls a drive current supplied to a drive motor (not shown) that rotates the photoconductor drum 413, thereby rotating the photoconductor drum 413 at a constant peripheral speed.

[0033] The charging device 414 is, for example, a charger, and generates a corona discharge to uniformly charge the surface of the photoconductor drum 413 having photoconductivity to a negative polarity.

[0034] Exposure device 411 is composed of, for example, a semiconductor laser, and irradiates laser light corresponding to an image of each color component onto photoconductor drum 413. As a result, an electrostatic latent image of each color component is formed in the image area on the surface of photoconductor drum 413 irradiated with the laser light due to a potential difference with the background area.

[0035] The developing device 412 is a two-component reverse type developing device, and visualizes the electrostatic latent image by depositing developers of each color component onto the surface of the photoconductor drum 413, thereby forming a toner image.

[0036] To the developing device 412, for example, a DC developing bias having the same polarity as the charging polarity of the charging device 414, or a developing bias in which an AC voltage and a DC voltage having the same polarity as the charging polarity of the charging device 414 are superimposed is applied. As a result, reversal development is performed in which toner adheres to the electrostatic latent image formed by the exposure device 411.

[0037] Drum cleaning device 415 has cleaning unit 200 for cleaning photoconductor drum 413 that carries a toner image, and removes toner remaining on the surface of photoconductor drum 413 without being transferred to intermediate transfer belt 421. Drum cleaning device 415 corresponds to the "cleaning device" of the present invention. Details of drum cleaning device 415 will be described later.

[0038] The intermediate transfer unit 42 includes an intermediate transfer belt 421, a primary transfer roller 422, a plurality of support rollers 423, a secondary transfer roller 424, a belt cleaning device 426, and the like.

[0039] The intermediate transfer unit 42 is configured as an endless belt, and is stretched in a loop shape around a plurality of support rollers 423. At least one of the plurality of support rollers 423 is configured as a drive roller, and the others are configured as driven rollers. For example, it is preferable that roller 423A, which is disposed downstream of primary transfer roller 422 for K component in the belt running direction, is the drive roller. This makes it easier to maintain a constant running speed of the belt in the primary transfer nip. As the drive roller 423A rotates, intermediate transfer belt 421 runs at a constant speed in the direction of arrow A.

[0040] Primary transfer roller 422 faces photoconductor drum 413 of each color component and is disposed on the inner peripheral surface side of intermediate transfer belt 421. Primary transfer roller 422 is pressed against photoconductor drum 413 with intermediate transfer belt 421 sandwiched therebetween, thereby forming a primary transfer nip for transferring a toner image from photoconductor drum 413 to intermediate transfer belt 421.

[0041] Secondary transfer roller 424 is disposed on the outer circumferential surface side of intermediate transfer belt 421, facing backup roller 423B disposed downstream in the belt running direction of drive roller 423A. Secondary transfer roller 424 is pressed against backup roller 423B with intermediate transfer belt 421 sandwiched therebetween, thereby forming a secondary transfer nip for transferring a toner image from intermediate transfer belt 421 to paper S.

[0042] When the intermediate transfer belt 421 passes through the primary transfer nip, the toner images on the photoconductor drum 413 are primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 421 in a sequentially overlapping manner. Specifically, a primary transfer bias is applied to the primary transfer roller 422, and a charge of the opposite polarity to that of the toner is applied to the back side of the intermediate transfer belt 421, that is, the side that contacts the primary transfer roller 422, so that the toner images are electrostatically transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 421.

[0043] Thereafter, when the paper S passes through the secondary transfer nip, the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 421 is secondarily transferred to the paper S. Specifically, a secondary transfer bias is applied to the backup roller 423B, and a charge of the same polarity as the toner is applied to the front side of the paper S, that is, the side that contacts the intermediate transfer belt 421, so that the toner image is electrostatically transferred to the paper S, and the paper S is transported toward the fixing unit 60.

[0044] The belt cleaning device 426 removes residual toner remaining on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 421 after the secondary transfer. Note that instead of the secondary transfer roller 424, a so-called belt-type secondary transfer unit may be used in which the secondary transfer belt is stretched in a loop shape around a plurality of support rollers including the secondary transfer roller.

[0045] Fixing section 60 includes upper fixing section 60A having a fixing surface side member arranged on the fixing surface of paper S, i.e., the surface side on which a toner image is formed, lower fixing section 60B having a back surface side support member arranged on the back surface of paper S, i.e., the surface side opposite to the fixing surface, and heating source 60C. The back surface side support member is pressed against the fixing surface side member to form a fixing nip that holds and transports paper S.

[0046] The fixing unit 60 heats and presses the conveyed paper S, to which the toner image has been secondarily transferred, in a fixing nip, thereby fixing the toner image to the paper S. The fixing unit 60 is disposed as a unit within the fixing device F.

[0047] The paper transport section 50 includes a paper feed section 51, a paper discharge section 52, and a transport path section 53. The three paper feed tray units 51a to 51c that make up the paper feed section 51 store paper S that has been identified based on basis weight, size, etc., for each preset type. The transport path section 53 has a plurality of transport rollers, including a pair of registration rollers 53a.

[0048] The sheets S stored in the sheet feed tray units 51a to 51c are sent out one by one from the top, and are transported to the image forming unit 40 by the transport path unit 53. Then, in the image forming unit 40, the toner images on the intermediate transfer belt 421 are secondarily transferred all at once onto one side of the sheets S, and a fixing process is performed in the fixing unit 60. The sheets S on which the images have been formed are discharged outside the apparatus by the sheet discharge unit 52 equipped with the sheet discharge rollers 52a.

[0049] Next, a detailed description will be given of drum cleaning device 415. FIG.

[0050] In addition, a Cartesian coordinate system (X, Y, Z) is used to explain the structure of the cleaning unit 200 of this embodiment. The Cartesian coordinate system (X, Y, Z) is also used in the drawings described later. The X direction is a direction parallel to the width direction of the photosensitive drum 413, and is a direction (predetermined direction) along the contact end of the elastic member 210 described later. The Y direction is a direction perpendicular to the width direction (X direction) of the photosensitive drum 413 and the thickness direction of the elastic member 210, and is a direction in which the elastic member 210 described later extends from a support portion of the support member 220 described later. The Z direction is the thickness direction of the elastic member 210.

[0051] 3, as described above, drum cleaning device 415 has cleaning section 200 for cleaning photoconductor drum 413. Cleaning section 200 has elastic member 210 and support member 220.

[0052] The elastic member 210 is a plate-like member extending in the X and Y directions, and is made of, for example, polyurethane. The length of the elastic member 210 in the X direction is longer than the length of the elastic member 210 in the Y direction.

[0053] The thickness (length in the Z direction) of the elastic member 210 is set appropriately depending on the size of the image forming apparatus 1. The length of the elastic member 210 in the Y direction is set appropriately depending on the size of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0054] Elastic member 210 is arranged so as to be parallel to the X direction and such that a corner portion (contact portion) on the +Z side of the contact end portion on the +Y side contacts the surface of photoconductor drum 413. In this way, elastic member 210 comes into contact with photoconductor drum 413 which rotates and moves, thereby removing toner remaining on the surface of photoconductor drum 413 without being transferred to intermediate transfer belt 421. Photoconductor drum 413 corresponds to the "moving body" of the present invention.

[0055] Support member 220 is a metal plate that supports elastic member 210, and is fixed to a housing or the like that constitutes drum cleaning device 415. Support member 220 is formed by bending a steel plate such as SECC into an L-shape.

[0056] The supporting member 220 supports the negative end of the elastic member 210 in the Y direction from the negative side of the elastic member 210 in the Z direction at the end on the positive side in the Y direction. The supporting member 220 and the elastic member 210 are bonded together with an adhesive, double-sided tape, or the like.

[0057] 4 and 5, a stress reducing portion 211 is provided at a contact end portion of the elastic member 210 on the side that contacts the photoconductor drum 413 (the positive side in the Y direction). The stress reducing portion 211 is, for example, a groove or a notch, and reduces vibration of internal stress caused by the contact between the photoconductor drum 413 and the elastic member 210.

[0058] In addition, when the stress reduction portion is a groove, a groove-shaped recess can be provided in the elastic member using an elastic member molding device, and when the stress reduction portion is a notch, a notch can be provided in an elastic member that does not have a stress reduction portion by using a tool such as a cutter to provide the stress reduction portion in the elastic member.

[0059] Internal stress vibration is vibration excited by friction at the contact point when two components moving relative to each other come into contact with each other while one of the components is subjected to a restoring force.

[0060] The stress reduction portion 211 is provided on the opposite side (- side in the Z direction) to the contact portion (+ side in the Z direction) of the contact end portion of the elastic member 210 with the photoconductor drum 413. In other words, the support member 220 supports the elastic member 210 such that the stress reduction portion 211 is on the opposite side to the contact portion side with the photoconductor drum 413 at the contact end portion.

[0061] Furthermore, a plurality of stress reduction portions 211 are provided lined up in the X direction over the entire area in the X direction of the contact end portion, and extend in a direction non-perpendicular to the movement direction (Y direction) of the photoconductor drum 413 when the elastic member 210 contacts the photoconductor drum 413. Specifically, the stress reduction portions 211 are inclined from the contact end portion of the elastic member 210 with respect to the Y direction, and the angle formed by the stress reduction portions 211 and the Y direction is within a range of 10° to 80°. The plurality of stress reduction portions 211 are lined up so as to be parallel to each other.

[0062] Since the elastic member 210 is in contact with the photosensitive drum 413, a frictional force is generated between the elastic member 210 and the photosensitive drum 413 when the photosensitive drum 413 rotates (moves).

[0063] It is generally known that when two such members moving relative to each other come into contact with each other, internal stress vibrations occur at the contacting portion of the two members due to frictional forces.

[0064] Specifically, stress is generated inside the elastic member due to the frictional force generated between the elastic member and the photosensitive drum, and the above-mentioned internal stress vibration occurs. When the internal stress vibration occurs, the elastic member becomes more likely to curl up or become worn due to the frictional force generated between the elastic member and the photosensitive drum and the internal stress vibration caused by the frictional force.

[0065] In this embodiment, the stress reduction portion 211 is provided on the elastic member 210. Therefore, when a frictional force occurs between the elastic member 210 and the photosensitive drum 413, the frictional force acts on the stress reduction portion 211, which is inclined with respect to the movement direction (Y direction) of the photosensitive drum 413.

[0066] Then, the stress generated along a direction parallel to the Y direction can be made to act in a direction oblique to the Y direction due to the presence of the stress reducing portion 211. This makes it possible to reduce the stress inside the elastic member 210, thereby reducing the vibration of the internal stress caused by the frictional force, and ultimately suppressing the curling and wear of the elastic member 210.

[0067] As a result, the life of the elastic member 210 can be extended, so that the frequency of replacing the elastic member 210 can be reduced, which in turn contributes to extending the life of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0068] However, in a configuration having a notch (or groove) extending in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the photosensitive drum, the notch is perpendicular to the frictional force generated between the photosensitive drum and the elastic member, so stress is generated in a direction perpendicular to the notch. Therefore, this type of configuration cannot reduce the vibration of internal stress, and therefore cannot suppress the curling and wear of the elastic member caused by the vibration of internal stress.

[0069] In contrast, in this embodiment, since the stress reducing sections 211 extend in a direction non-perpendicular to the frictional force (Y direction), it is possible to apply stress in a direction oblique to the frictional force. As a result, it is possible to reduce the vibration of the internal stress, and in turn, it is possible to extend the life of the elastic member 210.

[0070] Furthermore, since the multiple stress reducing portions 211 are provided over the entire area of ​​the elastic member 210 in the X direction, it is possible to reduce vibration of internal stress in the entire elastic member 210.

[0071] In the above embodiment, the stress reduction portions 211 are arranged parallel to each other in the X direction, but the present invention is not limited to this, and they do not have to be arranged parallel to each other in the X direction. For example, as shown in Fig. 6, the inclination direction of the stress reduction portions 211 may be different from the center of the elastic member 210 in the X direction.

[0072] Specifically, the stress reducing portion 211 is inclined from the contact end of the elastic member 210 toward the opposite side to the center of the contact end of the elastic member 210 in the X direction.

[0073] By doing so, the frictional force acting on the stress reduction portion 211 can be directed toward the end portion of the elastic member 210, that is, toward the outside. As a result, the effect of reducing the vibration of the internal stress can be further increased.

[0074] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the stress reducing portion 211 is provided over the entire area in the X direction, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the stress reducing portion 211 may be provided over a portion of the elastic member 210 in the X direction.

[0075] For example, as shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of stress reducing portions 211 are provided at the ends of an elastic member 210 in the X direction.

[0076] The position of the end of elastic member 210 in the X direction corresponds to the position of the end of photoconductor drum 413 in the X direction. In other words, the position of the end of elastic member 210 in the X direction is a position where the amount of lubricant applied to the surface of photoconductor drum 413 is likely to be small, or a position at the edge of the image forming area where the toner image is likely to be small.

[0077] Therefore, the ends of the elastic member 210 in the X direction are portions where curling of the elastic member 210 is likely to occur. By providing the stress reducing portions 211 only at the ends of the elastic member 210 in the X direction, it is possible to prevent curling of the elastic member 210. Furthermore, since the stress reducing portions 211 are provided only at locations where it is highly necessary to provide the stress reducing portions 211, the manufacturing process of the elastic member 210 can be simplified.

[0078] Furthermore, in the case where there are parts of the elastic member other than the ends in the X direction that are susceptible to load, the stress reducing parts may be provided only in parts other than the ends.

[0079] In addition, in the above embodiment, the stress reduction portion is located on the opposite side of the contact portion with the photosensitive drum at the contact end portion, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the stress reduction portion may be located on the side of the contact portion with the photosensitive drum.

[0080] However, if the stress reduction portion is located on the contact portion side, there is a possibility that deposits on the photosensitive drum may enter the stress reduction portion, so it is preferable to provide the stress reduction portion on the side opposite the contact portion with the photosensitive drum. Also, when the stress reduction portion is provided on the contact portion side, it is preferable to provide the stress reduction portion on the outer side of the contact portion between the elastic member and the photosensitive drum, from the viewpoint of preventing deposits from entering the stress reduction portion.

[0081] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the stress reducing portions are grooves or notches, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the stress reducing portions may be protrusions extending in a direction inclined with respect to the Y direction.

[0082] In the above embodiment, the elastic member 210 is arranged parallel to the X direction, but the present invention is not limited to this. As long as the stress reduction portion is not perpendicular to the moving direction, the elastic member may be arranged inclined with respect to the X direction. By doing so, the stress reduction portion is also inclined, so that the inclination amount of the elastic member can be reduced. However, from the viewpoint of arrangement space in the image forming apparatus, it is preferable that the elastic member is arranged parallel to the X direction.

[0083] In addition, in the above embodiment, a drum cleaning device in which a photosensitive drum is a moving body is used as an example of a cleaning device, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a device in which something other than a photosensitive drum is a moving body, such as a belt cleaning device, may also be used as a cleaning device.

[0084] In addition, the above-mentioned embodiments are merely examples of the embodiment of the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited by them. In other words, the present invention can be embodied in various forms without departing from the gist or main characteristics of the present invention.

[0085] Next, an evaluation experiment of the cleaning device according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an outline of an experimental device 300 used in a first evaluation experiment. As shown in FIG. 8, the experimental device 300 has a disk member 310 (moving body) configured to be rotatable (movable), and a blade member 320 that comes into contact with the disk member 310. The disk member 310 rotates by receiving a driving force from a driving source (not shown). The blade member 320 is an elastic member made of polyurethane, and has a size of 2 mm×10 mm×14 mm. The mounting angle and the amount of depression of the blade member 320 can be adjusted by a support part (not shown).

[0086] Furthermore, the experimental device 300 is provided with an imaging member (not shown) with a built-in quarter-wave plate and a high-brightness LED (Light Emitting Diode) light source (not shown) with a built-in circular polarizing filter in order to visualize the stress distribution in the blade member 320 using the photoelastic method. These make it possible to simultaneously obtain an optical image and a photoelastic image of the contact portion with the blade member 320 from the back side of the disk member 310.

[0087] First, in the first evaluation experiment, photoelastic images were obtained for each of the following configurations: a configuration without a stress reduction section (first comparison example), a configuration in which the blade member was tilted at 10° relative to the movement direction (second comparison example), a configuration in which the stress reduction section had an inclination angle of 0° relative to the movement direction (first embodiment), and a configuration in which the stress reduction section had an inclination angle of 45° relative to the movement direction (second embodiment), and the stress, the amount of retraction of the end of the elastic member, and the vibration of the end of the elastic member were measured.

[0088] The stress reduction portions in the first and second examples were cuts with a depth of 1 mm, a length of 5 mm, and a distance of 1 mm between adjacent stress reduction portions. The same applies to the stress reduction portions in the examples described below.

[0089] As shown in Fig. 9A, in the photoelastic image of the first comparative example, multiple circular stress isochromatic lines are generated, the number of fringe orders is high, and the stress inside the blade member is high. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 10, it was confirmed that the stress, retraction amount, and vibration of the first comparative example were measured at relatively large values ​​("large" in Fig. 10).

[0090] Moreover, as shown in Fig. 9B, in the second comparative example, the stress fringe order is small in the photoelastic image, and the stress inside the blade member is reduced. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 10, it was confirmed that the stress, retraction amount, and vibration in the second comparative example were measured at relatively small values ​​("small" in Fig. 10). However, in the second comparative example, it is necessary to provide a space for arranging the blade member, and therefore this is not a practical configuration.

[0091] As shown in FIG. 9C, in the first embodiment, the stress stripes in the photoelastic image are linearly separated along the stress reducing portion, and the stripe order is reduced, resulting in a state in which the internal stress of the blade member is reduced. In other words, in the first embodiment, like the first comparative example, the internal stress is reduced. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10, it was confirmed that the stress and retraction amount in the first embodiment were measured at relatively small values ​​("small" in FIG. 10). Also, it was confirmed that the vibration was not reduced as much as in the second comparative example, but was measured at a sufficiently small value ("medium" in FIG. 10) compared to the first comparative example.

[0092] As shown in Fig. 9D, in the second embodiment, the stress in the X direction in the photoelastic image is transmitted to the Y direction along the stress reducing portion and suppressed, the fringe order is reduced, and the internal stress of the blade member is reduced. In other words, in the second embodiment, the internal stress is reduced as in the first comparative example. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 10, it was confirmed that the stress, retraction amount, and vibration of the second embodiment were all measured at relatively small values ​​("small" in Fig. 10).

[0093] In the second example, similar measurements were also performed with the stress reduction portion having a depth of 0.5 mm, and good results were confirmed, but better results were confirmed with a depth of 1 mm.

[0094] Next, an evaluation experiment (second evaluation experiment) was conducted to evaluate the occurrence of curling in the elastic member using the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 11 is a table showing the experimental results of the second evaluation experiment. The third embodiment has the configuration shown in FIG. 4. The fourth embodiment has the configuration shown in FIG. 6. The fifth embodiment has the configuration shown in FIG. 7. The sixth embodiment has a configuration in which a stress reduction portion is provided on the part of the elastic member on the side that contacts the photosensitive drum, and the stress reduction portion is provided at a position 1 mm away from the contact portion with the photosensitive drum. The comparative example is the first comparative example of the first evaluation experiment.

[0095] As shown in Fig. 11, in the comparative example, it was confirmed that the elastic member was curled up ("X" in Fig. 11), whereas in the third to sixth examples, it was confirmed that the curling up was suppressed ("◯" or "◎" in Fig. 11). In particular, in the fourth example, it was confirmed that the curling up of the elastic member was significantly suppressed ("◎" in Fig. 11).

[0096] Next, an evaluation experiment was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the angle range of the stress reduction portion in the configuration shown in the fourth embodiment. Specifically, in the third evaluation experiment, an elastic member having a different angle with the Y direction in the stress reduction portion in the configuration of the fourth embodiment was used, and the occurrence of curling in the elastic member was evaluated in the same manner as in the second evaluation experiment. Figure 12 is a table showing the experimental results of the third evaluation experiment.

[0097] As shown in Fig. 12, it was confirmed that curling was suppressed at all angles (marked with "◯" or "◎" in Fig. 12). In particular, it was confirmed that curling of the elastic member was suppressed more significantly at angles of 10°, 45°, and 80° than at angles of 5° and 85° (marked with "◎" in Fig. 12). In other words, it was confirmed that the angle between the stress reducing portion and the Y direction in this embodiment is preferably within the range of 10° to 80°. [Explanation of symbols]

[0098] 1. Image forming device 40 Image forming section 200 Cleaning Department 210 Elastic member 211 Stress reduction section 220 Support member 413 Photoconductor drum 415 Drum cleaning device

Claims

1. A cleaning device for cleaning a moving body, comprising: an elastic member that comes into contact with a moving body moving in a predetermined moving direction and scrapes off any deposits on the moving body; A support member that supports the elastic member; Equipped with the elastic member includes a stress reducing portion provided at a contact end portion on a side contacting the moving body, the stress reducing portion reducing vibration of an internal stress generated due to contact between the moving body and the elastic member, the stress reducing portion extends in a direction that is not perpendicular to the moving direction when the elastic member abuts against the moving body, the support member supports the elastic member such that the stress reducing portion is on an opposite side to a contact portion side with the moving body at the contact end portion. Cleaning equipment.

2. The stress reducing portion is a groove or a notch. The cleaning device according to claim 1 .

3. The angle between the stress reduction portion and the moving direction is within a range of 10° to 80°. The cleaning device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The stress reducing portion is provided in a plurality of portions aligned in a predetermined direction along the contact end portion. The cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The stress reducing portion is provided in a part of the predetermined direction.

5. The cleaning device according to claim 4.

6. The stress reducing portion is provided at an end portion in the predetermined direction.

6. The cleaning device according to claim 5.

7. The stress reducing portion is provided over the entire area in the predetermined direction.

5. The cleaning device according to claim 4.

8. the stress reducing portion is inclined from the contact end portion with respect to the movement direction and is inclined toward a side opposite to a center portion of the contact end portion in the predetermined direction. The cleaning device according to any one of claims 5 to 7.

9. The moving body is an image carrier that carries an image to be formed on a medium, the stress reducing portion is provided in a portion of the elastic member corresponding to an image forming area of ​​the movable body, The cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. A moving body moving in a predetermined moving direction; A cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 9; An image forming apparatus comprising:

Images