Drum unit

Abstract

To provide a drum unit capable of suppressing leakage of a recovered material.SOLUTION: A drum unit comprises: a photosensitive drum 61; a first cleaning roller 110; a second cleaning roller 120; a cleaning pad 130; a plate 160 supporting the cleaning pad 130; a cleaning frame 200 which can house a recovered material, such as paper powder recovered from the periphery of the photosensitive drum 61, supports the first cleaning roller 110, the second cleaning roller 120 and the plate 160 and has a first groove 230 into which one end portion 160A of the plate 160 is inserted and which is positioned in the end portion of the cleaning frame 200; and a first seal S1 positioned between the one end portion 160A of the plate 160 and the first groove 230 while the one end portion 160A of the plate 160 is inserted into the first groove 230.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a drum unit including a first cleaning roller, a second cleaning roller, and a cleaning pad for cleaning a photosensitive drum.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as a drum unit, there is known one including a photosensitive drum, a first cleaning roller for cleaning the photosensitive drum, a second cleaning roller in contact with the first cleaning roller, a scraping member for scraping off paper dust adsorbed on the surface of the second cleaning roller, and a holder that houses the first cleaning roller and the second cleaning roller and has a storage portion for receiving the paper dust scraped off by the scraping member (Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in a drum unit, it is desired that recovered matter such as paper dust recovered from the photosensitive drum by a first cleaning roller or the like does not leak to the outside.

[0005] Therefore, an object is to provide a drum unit capable of suppressing leakage of the recovered matter.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The drum unit comprises a photosensitive drum rotatable about a drum shaft extending in a first direction, a first cleaning roller rotatable about a first axis extending in a first direction and in contact with the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum, a second cleaning roller rotatable about a second axis extending in a first direction and in contact with the circumferential surface of the first cleaning roller, a cleaning pad in contact with the circumferential surface of the second cleaning roller, a plate supporting the cleaning pad, and a cleaning frame capable of accommodating the collected material recovered from the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum, the cleaning frame supporting the first cleaning roller, the second cleaning roller and the plate, the cleaning frame having a first groove into which one end of the plate in a first direction is inserted, and the cleaning frame having a first groove located at one end of the cleaning frame in a first direction, and a first seal located between one end of the plate and the first groove when one end of the plate is inserted into the first groove.

[0007] With this configuration, the first seal can prevent the collected material in the cleaning frame from leaking out through the gap between the plate and the cleaning frame.

[0008] The first groove has a first surface, a second surface facing the first surface and located on the opposite side of the first surface to the plate when the plate is inserted into the first groove, and a first bottom surface connecting the first surface and the second surface. The first seal may have a first portion located between the plate and the first surface when the plate is inserted into the first groove, a second portion located between the plate and the first bottom surface when the plate is inserted into the first groove and extending from the end of the first portion, and a third portion located between the plate and the second surface when the plate is inserted into the first groove and extending from the end of the second portion.

[0009] With this configuration, the first seal can block the gap between the plate and the cleaning frame throughout the entire first groove, thereby further suppressing leakage of collected material.

[0010] The cleaning frame comprises a first frame having a first groove and a second frame between it and the first frame, forming a storage portion capable of accommodating the collected material recovered from the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum. The plate is a support portion for supporting the cleaning pad, comprising a support portion with one end in a first direction inserted into the first groove and an extension portion extending toward the first surface from the upstream end of the support portion in the direction of insertion of the plate into the first groove. The first seal may further have a fourth portion extending from the upstream end of the third portion in the insertion direction to the space between the extension portion and the second frame.

[0011] With this configuration, the fourth part can prevent the recovered material that has entered between the extension and the second frame from moving outward in the first direction.

[0012] The distance between the first and second faces may be narrower as it approaches the first base.

[0013] With this configuration, the opening of the first groove is widened, making it easier to insert one end of the plate into the first groove. Furthermore, inserting one end of the plate into the first groove improves the adhesion between the first seal and the plate and cleaning frame, thereby further suppressing leakage of collected material.

[0014] The cleaning frame has a first side wall located at one end of the cleaning frame in a first direction, the first side wall having a first groove, and the first side wall includes a first wall portion and a second wall portion having a first groove, the thickness of the second wall portion in the first direction may be greater than the thickness of the first wall portion in the first direction.

[0015] This configuration allows for an increased length of the first groove in the first direction, thereby ensuring sufficient length in the first direction for the portion sealed by the first seal. This further reduces leakage of the collected material.

[0016] The first seal may be attached to the plate.

[0017] According to this configuration, it is possible to suppress the formation of a gap between the first seal and the plate, so that it is possible to further suppress the leakage of the recovered material.

[0018] The plate may have a first mark indicating the attachment position of the first seal.

[0019] According to this configuration, the positional accuracy of the first seal can be improved, so that the leakage of the recovered material can be effectively suppressed.

[0020] The first mark may be a linear or dot-like indentation.

[0021] The first mark may include an indentation extending along the first seal.

[0022] The first mark may include a plurality of indentations arranged along the first seal.

[0023] The photosensitive drum has a contact area that can contact the sheet, and at least a part of the first seal may be located outside the contact area in the first direction.

[0024] According to this configuration, the gap between the plate and the cleaning frame can be blocked by the first seal at a position outside the contact area in the first direction, so that the leakage of the recovered material can be effectively suppressed.

[0025] The cleaning frame is a second groove into which the other end of the plate in the first direction is inserted, and has a second groove located at the other end of the cleaning frame in the first direction. The drum unit may further include a second seal located between the other end of the plate and the second groove in a state where the other end of the plate is inserted into the second groove.

[0026] According to this configuration, the second seal can prevent the recovered material in the cleaning frame from leaking through the gap between the plate and the cleaning frame.

[0027] The shape of the second seal may be the same as the shape of the first seal.

[0028] According to this configuration, since the first seal and the second seal are common parts, the types of parts required for manufacturing the drum unit can be reduced.

[0029] The second cleaning roller has a shaft rotatable about the second axis, and the drum unit has a bearing having a hole into which one end of the shaft in the first direction fits, and a bearing located at one end of the cleaning frame in the first direction, and a first side seal located between the cleaning frame and the bearing.

[0030] According to this configuration, the first side seal can prevent the recovered material in the cleaning frame from leaking through the gap between the cleaning frame and the bearing.

[0031] The cleaning frame has a first side wall located at one end of the cleaning frame in the first direction, and the first side wall has a first groove, and the first side seal may be located outside the first side wall in the first direction and between the first side wall and the bearing.

[0032] According to this configuration, even when the recovered material enters between the first side wall and the bearing, the first side seal can prevent the recovered material from leaking through the gap between the first side wall and the bearing.

[0033] The cleaning frame may have a first attachment surface with a planar shape to which the first side seal is attached.

[0034] With this configuration, the first side seal is attached to the first adhesive surface, which prevents gaps from forming between the first side seal and the cleaning frame, thus further suppressing leakage of collected material. In addition, since the first adhesive surface is flat, the first side seal can be easily attached.

[0035] The drum unit further comprises a film having a base end fixed to a cleaning frame and a tip end that contacts the circumferential surface of a second cleaning roller, and the cleaning frame may have a first side wall located at one end of the cleaning frame in a first direction, the first side wall having a first groove, and a first rib extending inward from the first side wall in the first direction towards the cleaning frame, the first rib located between a first seal and one end of the film in the first direction.

[0036] With this configuration, the first rib prevents the first seal from contacting one end of the film, thereby preventing the collected material in the cleaning frame from leaking between the film and the second cleaning roller.

[0037] The cleaning frame has a bottom wall extending from a first side wall toward the other end of the cleaning frame in a first direction, and the first rib extends from the bottom wall, and the first rib has a first rib base end connected to the bottom wall, and a first rib tip located further from the bottom wall than the first rib base end in the extension direction in which the first rib extends from the bottom wall, and the thickness of the first rib base end in an orthogonal direction perpendicular to both the first direction and the extension direction may be thicker than the thickness of the first rib tip in an orthogonal direction.

[0038] With this configuration, the thickness of the base end of the first rib is greater than the thickness of the tip end of the first rib, thus improving the rigidity of the first rib. Furthermore, since this first rib connects to both the first side wall and the bottom wall of the cleaning frame, the first rib can improve the rigidity of the cleaning frame while suppressing contact between the first seal and one end of the film.

[0039] The cleaning frame comprises a first frame having a first groove and a second frame between it and the first frame, forming a storage portion capable of accommodating collected material from the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum. The plate comprises a support portion for supporting the cleaning pad, one end of which in a first direction is inserted into the first groove, and an extension portion that bends from the upstream end of the support portion in the direction of insertion of the plate into the first groove and extends toward the side where the cleaning pad is located, and which faces the second frame. The drum unit may further comprise a third seal located between the extension portion and the second frame.

[0040] With this configuration, the third seal can prevent the collected material in the cleaning frame from leaking out between the plate and the cleaning frame.

[0041] One end of the third seal in the first direction may be in contact with the first seal.

[0042] This configuration makes it possible to prevent a gap from forming between one end of the third seal and the first seal, thereby further suppressing leakage of the collected material. [Effects of the Invention]

[0043] According to the drum unit described above, leakage of collected material can be suppressed. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0044] [Figure 1]This is a cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus equipped with a drum cartridge as an example of a drum unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a magnified cross-sectional view showing the area around the drum cartridge cleaning unit. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view of the cleaning unit. [Figure 4] This is a disassembled perspective view of the cleaning unit. [Figure 5] This is a perspective view showing the first cleaning roller, the second cleaning roller, the cleaning pad and one end of the plate, and the first and second bearings. [Figure 6] This is a perspective view showing the first cleaning roller, the second cleaning roller, the cleaning pad and the other end of the plate, and the third and fourth bearings. [Figure 7] (a) is a perspective view showing the first side wall and the first groove, and (b) is a perspective view showing the second side wall and the second groove. [Figure 8] This is a cross-sectional view of the cleaning unit, showing the first groove and the first seal. [Figure 9] This is a cross-sectional view showing the cleaning unit after disassembly. [Figure 10] These are perspective views of the plate (a) to (c). [Figure 11] This diagram shows the positional relationship between the first seal, the second seal, and the contact area of ​​the photosensitive drum. [Figure 12] This is an exploded perspective view of the cleaning unit according to the second embodiment. [Figure 13] Figure (a) shows a cross-sectional view of the cleaning unit, with Figure (b) showing one end of the film, the first seal, and the first rib, and Figure (b) showing the other end of the film, the second seal, and the second rib. [Figure 14] (a) is a perspective view showing the first side wall and the first rib, and (b) is a perspective view showing the second side wall and the second rib. [Figure 15] This is a perspective view showing the first frame, plate, one end of the second frame, the second bearing, and the first side seal. [Figure 16]This is a perspective view showing the first frame, the plate, the other end of the second frame, the fourth bearing, and the second side seal. [Figure 17] (a) is a cross-sectional view showing the first side seal, the first side wall, and the second bearing, and (b) is a cross-sectional view showing the second side seal, the second side wall, and the fourth bearing. [Figure 18] Figure 17(a) shows the XX cross-section, and Figure 17(b) shows the YY cross-section. [Figure 19] This diagram shows the positional relationship between the third seal and the first and second seals. [Figure 20] This is a perspective view showing the second frame inverted, with figure (a) showing the third side wall and figure (b) showing the fourth side wall. [Figure 21] These are side views of the cleaning unit with the first and third bearings removed, with Figure (a) showing the second bearing and the third side wall, and Figure (b) showing the fourth bearing and the fourth side wall. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0045] Next, the first embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. As shown in Figure 1, the image forming apparatus 1 comprises a main housing 2, a sheet supply unit 3, an exposure device 4, a drum cartridge 6 as an example of a drum unit, a developing cartridge 7, and a fixing device 8. The main housing 2 has an openable and closable front cover 21.

[0046] The sheet supply unit 3 is located in the lower part of the main body housing 2. The sheet supply unit 3 comprises a sheet tray 31, a pressure plate 32, and a sheet supply mechanism 33. The sheet tray 31 is detachable from the main body housing 2. The sheet supply unit 3 uses the pressure plate 32 to push the sheets S contained in the sheet tray 31 towards the sheet supply mechanism 33, and the sheet supply mechanism 33 supplies the sheets one by one between the photosensitive drum 61 and the transfer roller 63 of the drum cartridge 6.

[0047] The exposure device 4 is located at the top of the main housing 2. The exposure device 4 includes a light source (not shown), a polygon mirror (with reference numerals omitted), a lens, a reflector, and the like. The exposure device 4 exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 61 by irradiating the surface of the photosensitive drum 61 with a light beam (shown by dashed lines).

[0048] The drum cartridge 6 is located below the exposure apparatus 4. The drum cartridge 6 can be attached to and detached from the main body housing 2 through the opening in the main body housing 2 when the front cover 21 is open. The drum cartridge 6 comprises a photosensitive drum 61, a charger 62, and a transfer roller 63.

[0049] The developing cartridge 7 is detachable from the drum cartridge 6. The developing cartridge 7 is detachable from the main unit housing 2 while mounted on the drum cartridge 6. The developing cartridge 7 comprises a developing roller 71, a supply roller 72, a layer thickness regulating blade 73, a toner storage section 74 for storing toner, and an agitator 75. The agitator 75 supplies the toner stored in the toner storage section 74 to the supply roller 72. The supply roller 72 supplies the toner supplied to the supply roller 72 to the developing roller 71 by the rotation of the supply roller 72. The developing roller 71 causes the toner supplied to the developing roller 71 to enter between the developing roller 71 and the layer thickness regulating blade 73 by the rotation of the developing roller 71. The layer thickness regulating blade 73 causes the toner to be carried on the developing roller 71 as a thin layer of a certain thickness.

[0050] The fixing device 8 is located behind the drum cartridge 6. The fixing device 8 comprises a heating unit 81 and a pressure roller 82. The heating unit 81 includes a heater, fixing belt, nip plate, etc. (parts shown without reference numerals). The pressure roller 82 is pressed against the heating unit 81 and clamps the fixing belt between itself and the nip plate of the heating unit 81.

[0051] The charger 62 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 61. The exposure device 4 exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 61 to form an electrostatic latent image based on image data on the photosensitive drum 61. The developing roller 71 supplies toner supported on the developing roller 71 to the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 61 to form a toner image on the photosensitive drum 61.

[0052] The photosensitive drum 61 and transfer roller 63 transport the sheet S supplied from the sheet supply unit 3 between the photosensitive drum 61 and the transfer roller 63. At this time, the transfer roller 63 transfers the toner image on the photosensitive drum 61 to the sheet S. The heating unit 81 and pressure roller 82 transport the sheet S, on which the toner image has been transferred, between the heating unit 81 and the pressure roller 82. At this time, the heating unit 81 and pressure roller 82 fix the toner image to the sheet S. The transport roller 23 and discharge roller 24 discharge the sheet S, on which the toner image has been fixed, onto the discharge tray 22.

[0053] As shown in Figure 2, the drum cartridge 6 further comprises a cleaning unit 64 and a drum frame 65, in addition to the photosensitive drum 61.

[0054] The drum frame 65 supports the photosensitive drum 61 and the cleaning unit 64. The drum frame 65 rotatably supports the photosensitive drum 61. The photosensitive drum 61 is rotatable about a drum axis 61A extending in a first direction. In this embodiment, the first direction is the same as the left-right direction of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0055] The cleaning unit 64 cleans paper dust adhering to the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 61. The cleaning unit 64 comprises a first cleaning roller 110, a second cleaning roller 120, a cleaning pad 130, a cleaning sheet 140, a plate 160, and a cleaning frame 200.

[0056] The first cleaning roller 110 cleans paper dust from the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 61. More specifically, the first cleaning roller 110 collects powdery paper dust adhering to the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 61. The first cleaning roller 110 has a first shaft 111 and a first roller body 112. The first shaft 111 is rotatable about a first axis A1 extending in a first direction. The first shaft 111 is made of metal. The first roller body 112 is made of conductive rubber or the like and is formed to cover the first shaft 111. The circumferential surface of the first roller body 112 of the first cleaning roller 110 is in contact with the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 61.

[0057] The second cleaning roller 120 cleans paper dust from the circumferential surface of the first cleaning roller 110. More specifically, the second cleaning roller 120 collects paper dust adhering to the circumferential surface of the first cleaning roller 110. The second cleaning roller 120 has a second shaft 121 and a second roller body 122. The second shaft 121 is rotatable about a second axis A2 extending in a first direction. The second shaft 121 and the second roller body 122 are made of metal and are integrally formed. The circumferential surface of the second roller body 122 of the second cleaning roller 120 is in contact with the circumferential surface of the first roller body 112 of the first cleaning roller 110.

[0058] The cleaning pad 130 cleans paper dust from the circumferential surface of the second cleaning roller 120. Specifically, the cleaning pad 130 comes into contact with the circumferential surface of the second roller body 122 of the second cleaning roller 120. The cleaning pad 130 then scrapes off the paper dust adhering to the circumferential surface of the second cleaning roller 120. The paper dust scraped off from the circumferential surface of the second cleaning roller 120 by the cleaning pad 130 is collected in the storage section 201 of the cleaning frame 200. The cleaning pad 130 is a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped member that is elongated in the first direction and is made of silicone rubber.

[0059] The cleaning sheet 140 cleans paper dust from the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 61. More specifically, the cleaning sheet 140 collects fibrous paper dust adhering to the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 61. The cleaning sheet 140 has a flocked cloth 141 that is long in the first direction. The flocked cloth 141 of the cleaning sheet 140 is in contact with the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 61.

[0060] The plate 160 supports the cleaning pad 130. The plate 160 is a roughly L-shaped member made of a metal plate. Specifically, the plate 160 has a support portion 161 that supports the cleaning pad 130 and an extension portion 162 that extends to cover the cleaning pad 130. The cleaning pad 130 is attached to the support portion 161 of the plate 160 with double-sided tape or adhesive.

[0061] The cleaning frame 200 supports the first cleaning roller 110, the second cleaning roller 120, the cleaning sheet 140, and the plate 160. The cleaning frame 200 rotatably supports the first cleaning roller 110 and the second cleaning roller 120 via bearings B1 to B4 (see Figure 4). The cleaning frame 200 also supports the cleaning pad 130 via the plate 160.

[0062] The cleaning frame 200 is capable of accommodating paper dust, which is an example of collected material recovered from the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 61 by the first cleaning roller 110 or the like. The cleaning frame 200 has a storage section 201 capable of accommodating paper dust. The cleaning frame 200 also has a first frame 210 and a second frame 220 which forms the storage section 201 between itself and the first frame 210.

[0063] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the cleaning unit 64 further comprises a first bearing B1, a second bearing B2, a third bearing B3, and a fourth bearing B4. The first bearing B1 and the second bearing B2 are located at one end of the cleaning frame 200 in the first direction. The third bearing B3 and the fourth bearing B4 are located at the other end of the cleaning frame 200 in the first direction.

[0064] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the first bearing B1 and the third bearing B3 rotatably support the first cleaning roller 110 and the second cleaning roller 120. Specifically, the first bearing B1 rotatably supports one end of the first cleaning roller 110 and the second cleaning roller 120 in the first direction. The third bearing B3 rotatably supports the other end of the first cleaning roller 110 and the second cleaning roller 120 in the first direction.

[0065] In this embodiment, the shape of the third bearing B3 is the same as that of the first bearing B1. Furthermore, the size of the third bearing B3 is the same as that of the first bearing B1. In other words, the first bearing B1 and the third bearing B3 are common parts. Below, the first bearing B1 will be described, and for the third bearing B3, the same reference numerals will be used for components similar to those of the first bearing B1, while the differences from the first bearing B1 will be explained.

[0066] As shown in Figure 5, the first bearing B1 has a first bearing portion 171, a second bearing portion 172, and a connecting portion 173 that connects the first bearing portion 171 and the second bearing portion 172.

[0067] The first bearing portion 171 rotatably supports the first shaft 111 of the first cleaning roller 110. The first bearing portion 171 has a first hole 171A that penetrates in a first direction. One end 111A of the first shaft 111 in the first direction fits into the first hole 171A of the first bearing B1. The first bearing portion 171 of the first bearing B1 rotatably supports one end 111A of the first shaft 111.

[0068] The second bearing portion 172 rotatably supports the second shaft 121 of the second cleaning roller 120. The second bearing portion 172 has a second hole 172A that penetrates in the first direction. One end 121A of the second shaft 121 in the first direction fits into the second hole 172A of the first bearing B1. The second bearing portion 172 of the first bearing B1 rotatably supports one end 121A of the second shaft 121.

[0069] As shown in Figure 6, the other end 111B of the first shaft 111 in the first direction fits into the first hole 171A of the third bearing B3. The first bearing portion 171 of the third bearing B3 rotatably supports the other end 111B of the first shaft 111. The other end 121B of the second shaft 121 in the first direction fits into the second hole 172A of the third bearing B3. The second bearing portion 172 of the third bearing B3 rotatably supports the other end 121B of the second shaft 121.

[0070] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the second bearing B2 and the fourth bearing B4 rotatably support the second cleaning roller 120. Specifically, the second bearing B2 rotatably supports one end of the second cleaning roller 120 in the first direction, and the fourth bearing B4 rotatably supports the other end of the second cleaning roller 120 in the first direction. A plate 160 that supports the cleaning pad 130 is fixed to the second bearing B2 and the fourth bearing B4.

[0071] In this embodiment, the shape of the fourth bearing B4 is the same as that of the second bearing B2. Also, the size of the fourth bearing B4 is the same as that of the second bearing B2. In other words, the second bearing B2 and the fourth bearing B4 are common parts. Below, the second bearing B2 will be described, and for the fourth bearing B4, the same reference numerals will be used for the same components as the second bearing B2, and the differences from the second bearing B2 will be described.

[0072] As shown in Figure 5, the second bearing B2 has a third bearing portion 181, a plate fixing portion 182, and a boss 186.

[0073] The third bearing portion 181 rotatably supports the second shaft 121 of the second cleaning roller 120. The third bearing portion 181 has a third hole 181A that penetrates in the first direction. One end 121A of the second shaft 121 in the first direction fits into the third hole 181A of the second bearing B2. The third bearing portion 181 of the second bearing B2 rotatably supports one end 121A of the second shaft 121.

[0074] As shown in Figure 6, the other end 121B of the second shaft 121 in the first direction fits into the third hole 181A of the fourth bearing B4. The third bearing portion 181 of the fourth bearing B4 rotatably supports the other end 121B of the second shaft 121.

[0075] As shown in Figure 5, the plate 160 is fixed to the plate fixing part 182. The plate fixing part 182 has a screw hole 182A. The screw hole 182A of the second bearing B2 is the hole to which the first screw 191 is fixed. The screw hole 182A of the fourth bearing B4 (see Figure 6) is the hole to which the second screw 192 is fixed. Note that the screw hole 182A may be a hole that already has a screw groove on its inner circumferential surface, or it may be a hole where a screw groove is created when the screws 191 and 192 are fixed.

[0076] The boss 186 of the second bearing B2 fits into the third opening 164A of the plate 160. The boss 186 of the fourth bearing B4 (see Figure 6) fits into the fourth opening 164B of the plate 160. The boss 186 also fits into the boss hole 221B of the cleaning frame 200 (see Figure 4).

[0077] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the support portion 161 of the plate 160 has a first opening 163A, a second opening 163B, a third opening 164A, and a fourth opening 164B.

[0078] As shown in Figure 5, the first opening 163A and the third opening 164A are located at one end 161A of the support portion 161 in the first direction. The first opening 163A and the third opening 164A are circular holes that penetrate in the second direction. The second direction is a direction that intersects with the first direction. In this embodiment, the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction. The first opening 163A is a hole through which the first screw 191 passes. The first opening 163A is located further from the extension portion 162 than the third opening 164A. The third opening 164A is a hole into which the boss 186 of the second bearing B2 fits.

[0079] As shown in Figure 6, the second opening 163B and the fourth opening 164B are located at the other end 161B of the support portion 161 in the first direction. The second opening 163B is a notch that penetrates in the second direction and opens on the other end side (the front side in Figure 6) of the support portion 161 in the first direction. The second opening 163B is a notch through which the second screw 192 passes. In this embodiment, the shape of the second screw 192 is the same as the shape of the first screw 191. Also, the size of the second screw 192 is the same as the size of the first screw 191. The second opening 163B is located further from the extension portion 162 than the fourth opening 164B. The fourth opening 164B is a hole that penetrates in the second direction. The fourth opening 164B is an elongated hole that is longer in the first direction. The fourth opening 164B is a hole through which the boss 186 of the fourth bearing B4 fits.

[0080] Furthermore, since the second opening 163B is a notch that opens in the first direction, and the fourth opening 164B is an elongated hole that is longer in the first direction, dimensional errors between the first opening 163A and the second opening 163B, and between the third opening 164A and the fourth opening 164B, can be absorbed in the first direction. In addition, linear expansion of the plate 160 in the first direction can be absorbed.

[0081] As shown in Figure 4, the second frame 220 of the cleaning frame 200 further has fixing portions 221. The fixing portions 221 are formed at both ends of the cleaning frame 200 in the first direction.

[0082] The plate 160 and bearings B2 and B4 are fixed to the fixing part 221. The fixing part 221 has a through hole 221A and a boss hole 221B. The through hole 221A and the boss hole 221B are holes that penetrate in the second direction. The through hole 221A is a hole through which screws 191 and 192 (see Figures 5 and 6) pass. The through hole 221A is located closer to the tip of the fixing part 221 than the boss hole 221B. The boss hole 221B is a hole into which the boss 186 of bearings B2 and B4 is fitted.

[0083] When fixing the second frame 220, plate 160, and second bearing B2 of the cleaning frame 200, first, the boss 186 of the second bearing B2 is inserted from one side in the second direction into the third opening 164A of the support part 161 and the boss hole 221B of the fixing part 221. Then, the first screw 191 (see Figure 5) is passed from the other side in the second direction through the through hole 221A of the fixing part 221 and the first opening 163A of the support part 161, and fixed into the screw hole 182A of the second bearing B2. The same procedure is followed when fixing the second frame 220, plate 160, and fourth bearing B4.

[0084] As shown in Figure 4, the cleaning unit 64 further comprises a first seal S1 and a second seal S2. The first frame 210 of the cleaning frame 200 has a first side wall 211 located at one end of the cleaning frame 200 in a first direction and a second side wall 212 located at the other end of the cleaning frame 200 in a first direction. The first side wall 211 of the first frame 210 has a first groove 230. The second side wall 212 of the first frame 210 has a second groove 240.

[0085] In this embodiment, the shape of the second seal S2 is the same as that of the first seal S1. Also, the size of the second seal S2 is the same as that of the first seal S1. That is, the first seal S1 and the second seal S2 are common parts. Furthermore, the second side wall 212 has a shape symmetrical to the first side wall 211 in the first direction. Also, the second groove 240 has a shape symmetrical to the first groove 230 in the first direction.

[0086] As shown in Figure 7(a), the first side wall 211 is the side wall on one end of the housing 201 in the first direction. The first side wall 211 includes a first wall portion 211A and a second wall portion 211B. The thickness of the second wall portion 211B in the first direction is greater than the thickness of the first wall portion 211A in the first direction. The second wall portion 211B protrudes further inward from the cleaning frame 200 in the first direction than the first wall portion 211A. The second wall portion 211B has a first groove 230.

[0087] The first groove 230 is a groove that penetrates in the first direction. The first groove 230 is located at one end of the cleaning frame 200 in the first direction. As shown in Figure 8, one end 160A of the plate 160 in the first direction is inserted into the first groove 230. More specifically, one end 161A of the support portion 161 in the first direction is inserted into the first groove 230.

[0088] The first groove 230 has a first surface 231, a second surface 232, and a first bottom surface 233. The first surface 231 is located closer to the first cleaning roller 110 than the second surface 232 in the second direction. In this embodiment, the extension 162 of the plate 160 extends from the upstream end (upper side in Figure 8) of the support 161 in the insertion direction toward the first surface 231 side (left side in Figure 8). The insertion direction is the direction in which the plate 160 is inserted into the first groove 230 and the second groove 240 (see also Figure 9). The insertion direction intersects both the first and second directions. In this embodiment, the insertion direction is perpendicular to both the first and second directions.

[0089] The second surface 232 faces the first surface 231 in the second direction. More specifically, the second surface 232 is located on the opposite side of the first surface 231 from the support portion 161 of the plate 160 when the support portion 161 of the plate 160 is inserted into the first groove 230. The first bottom surface 233 connects the first surface 231 and the second surface 232. The first bottom surface 233 is located at the downstream end of the first groove 230 in the insertion direction. The distance between the first surface 231 and the second surface 232 narrows as you move downstream in the insertion direction. That is, the distance between the first surface 231 and the second surface 232 narrows as you approach the first bottom surface 233.

[0090] The first seal S1 is made of, for example, polyurethane. The first seal S1 is located between one end 160A of the plate 160 and the first groove 230 when one end 160A of the plate 160 is inserted into the first groove 230. More specifically, the first seal S1 is located between one end 161A of the support portion 161 and the first groove 230 when one end 161A of the support portion 161 is inserted into the first groove 230.

[0091] As shown in Figure 9, the first seal S1 has a first portion 310, a second portion 320, and a third portion 330. As shown in Figure 8, the first portion 310 of the first seal S1 is located between the support portion 161 and the first surface 231 of the plate 160 when the plate 160 is inserted into the first groove 230.

[0092] The second portion 320 of the first seal S1 is located between the support portion 161 of the plate 160 and the first bottom surface 233 when the plate 160 is inserted into the first groove 230. The second portion 320 extends continuously from the end of the first portion 310. The third portion 330 of the first seal S1 is located between the support portion 161 and the second surface 232 of the plate 160 when the plate 160 is inserted into the first groove 230. The third portion 330 extends continuously from the end of the second portion 320.

[0093] The first seal S1 further has a fourth portion 340. The fourth section 340 has a roughly L-shape. More specifically, the fourth section 340 extends continuously upstream in the insertion direction from the upstream end of the third section 330 in the insertion direction (see near the dashed line), and bends to extend between the extension 162 of the plate 160 and the second frame 220. The extension 162 of the plate 160 and the second frame 220 sandwich the fourth section 340.

[0094] As shown in Figure 7(b), the second side wall 212 is the side wall on the other end side of the housing 201 in the first direction. The second side wall 212 includes a third wall portion 212A and a fourth wall portion 212B. The thickness of the fourth wall portion 212B in the first direction is greater than the thickness of the third wall portion 212A in the first direction. The fourth wall portion 212B protrudes further inward from the cleaning frame 200 in the first direction than the third wall portion 212A. The fourth wall portion 212B has a second groove 240.

[0095] The second groove 240 is a groove that penetrates in the first direction. The second groove 240 is located at the other end of the cleaning frame 200 in the first direction. As shown in Figure 2, the other end 160B of the plate 160 in the first direction is inserted into the second groove 240. More specifically, the other end 161B of the support portion 161 in the first direction is inserted into the second groove 240.

[0096] The second groove 240 has a third surface 241, a fourth surface 242, and a second bottom surface 243. The third surface 241 is located closer to the first cleaning roller 110 than the fourth surface 242 in the second direction.

[0097] The fourth surface 242 faces the third surface 241 in the second direction. More specifically, the fourth surface 242 is located on the opposite side of the third surface 241 from the support portion 161 of the plate 160 when the support portion 161 of the plate 160 is inserted into the second groove 240. The second bottom surface 243 connects the third surface 241 and the fourth surface 242. The second bottom surface 243 is located at the downstream end of the second groove 240 in the insertion direction. The gap between the third surface 241 and the fourth surface 242 narrows as you move downstream in the insertion direction. That is, the gap between the third surface 241 and the fourth surface 242 narrows as you approach the second bottom surface 243.

[0098] The second seal S2 is made of, for example, polyurethane. The second seal S2 is located between the other end 160B of the plate 160 and the second groove 240 when the other end 160B of the plate 160 is inserted into the second groove 240. More specifically, the second seal S2 is located between the other end 161B of the support portion 161 and the second groove 240 when the other end 161B of the support portion 161 is inserted into the second groove 240.

[0099] The second seal S2, like the first seal S1 which is a common component, has a first portion 310, a second portion 320, a third portion 330, and a fourth portion 340. The differences between the second seal S2 and the first seal S1 will be explained below.

[0100] The first portion 310 of the second seal S2 is located between the support portion 161 of the plate 160 and the third surface 241 when the plate 160 is inserted into the second groove 240. The second portion 320 of the second seal S2 is located between the support portion 161 of the plate 160 and the second bottom surface 243 when the plate 160 is inserted into the second groove 240. The third portion 330 of the second seal S2 is located between the support portion 161 and the fourth surface 242 of the plate 160 when the plate 160 is inserted into the second groove 240.

[0101] As shown in Figures 10(a) to (c), the first seal S1 and the second seal S2 are attached to the plate 160, respectively. More specifically, the first seal S1 and the second seal S2 are attached to the plate 160 using double-sided tape or adhesive, respectively.

[0102] The support portion 161 of the plate 160 has one end 161A, the other end 161B, and a central portion 161C located between the one end 161A and the other end 161B in the first direction. The one end 161A and the other end 161B protrude downstream of the central portion 161C in the insertion direction. The one end 161A and the other end 161B have a substantially rectangular outer shape. The support portion 161 has a support surface F1 that supports the cleaning pad 130 and a back surface F2 on the back side of the support surface F1. The extension portion 162 has an upstream surface F3 which is the surface on the upstream side in the insertion direction.

[0103] The first seal S1 is attached to one end 160A of the plate 160, spanning the support surface F1 and back surface F2 of one end 161A of the support portion 161, and the upstream surface F3 of the extension portion 162. The second seal S2 is attached to the other end 160B of the plate 160, spanning the support surface F1 and back surface F2 of the other end 161B of the support portion 161, and the upstream surface F3 of the extension portion 162.

[0104] Plate 160 further has a first mark 165, a second mark 166, and a third mark 167. The first mark 165, the second mark 166, and the third mark 167 are linear indentations. The depth of the first mark 165, the second mark 166, and the third mark 167 is, for example, 0.1 mm.

[0105] The first marker 165 indicates the placement position of the first seal S1. The first marker 165 is located at one end 160A of the plate 160 in a first direction. The first marker 165 includes a recess extending along the first seal S1. The first marker 165 also includes a plurality of recesses aligned along the first seal S1. Specifically, the first marker 165 has a first line 165A, a second line 165B, and a third line 165C.

[0106] The first line 165A is located on the support surface F1 of one end 161A of the support portion 161. The first line 165A has an L-shape. Specifically, the first line 165A has a first longitudinal line L1 that extends in the insertion direction along the edge on one end side in the first direction of the first seal S1, and a first transverse line L2 that extends inward in the first direction from the upstream end of the first longitudinal line L1 in the insertion direction along the upstream edge of the first seal S1 in the insertion direction.

[0107] The second line 165B is located on the back surface F2 of one end 161A of the support portion 161. The second line 165B extends in the insertion direction along the edge of one end of the first seal S1 in the first direction. The third line 165C is located on the upstream side surface F3 of the extension 162. The third line 165C extends in a second direction along the edge of one end of the first seal S1 in a first direction.

[0108] The first longitudinal line L1, the second line 165B, and the third line 165C of the first line 165A are aligned along the edge of one end of the first seal S1 in the first direction. The first longitudinal line L1, the second line 165B, and the third line 165C are located in the same position in the first direction. The first seal S1 is attached to one end 160A of the plate 160 along the first mark 165.

[0109] The second marker 166 indicates the placement position of the second seal S2. The second marker 166 is located at the other end 160B of the plate 160 in the first direction. The second marker 166 has a shape symmetrical to the first marker 165 in the first direction. The second marker 166 includes a recess extending along the second seal S2. The second marker 166 also includes a plurality of recesses aligned along the second seal S2. Specifically, the second marker 166 has a fourth line 166A, a fifth line 166B, and a sixth line 166C.

[0110] The fourth line 166A is located on the support surface F1 of the other end 161B of the support portion 161. The fourth line 166A has a shape symmetrical to the first line 165A in the first direction. The fourth line 166A has an L-shape. Specifically, the fourth line 166A has a second longitudinal line L3 that extends in the insertion direction along the edge of the other end of the second seal S2 in the first direction, and a second transverse line L4 that extends inward in the first direction along the upstream edge of the second seal S2 in the insertion direction from the upstream end of the second longitudinal line L3 in the insertion direction.

[0111] The fifth line 166B is located on the back surface F2 of the other end 161B of the support portion 161. The fifth line 166B has a shape symmetrical to the second line 165B in the first direction. The fifth line 166B extends in the insertion direction along the edge of the other end of the second seal S2 in the first direction. The sixth line 166C is located on the upstream side surface F3 of the extension 162. The sixth line 166C has a shape symmetrical to the third line 165C in the first direction. The sixth line 166C extends in the second direction along the edge of the other end of the second seal S2 in the first direction.

[0112] The second vertical line L3, the fifth line 166B, and the sixth line 166C of the fourth line 166A are aligned along the edge of the second seal S2 on the other end side in the first direction. The second vertical line L3, the fifth line 166B, and the sixth line 166C are located in the same position in the first direction. The second seal S2 is attached to the other end 160B of the plate 160 along the second marker 166.

[0113] The third marker 167 indicates the attachment position of the cleaning pad 130. The third marker 167 has a seventh line 167A located at one end 160A of the plate 160 and an eighth line 167B located at the other end 160B of the plate 160.

[0114] The seventh line 167A is located on the support surface F1 of one end 161A of the support portion 161. The seventh line 167A has an L-shape. Specifically, the seventh line 167A has a third longitudinal line L5 that extends in the insertion direction along the edge of one end of the cleaning pad 130 in the first direction, and a third transverse line L6 that extends inward in the first direction from the downstream end of the third longitudinal line L5 in the insertion direction along the downstream edge of the cleaning pad 130 in the insertion direction.

[0115] The eighth line 167B is located on the support surface F1 of the other end 161B of the support portion 161. The eighth line 167B has a shape symmetrical to the seventh line 167A in the first direction. The eighth line 167B has an L-shape. Specifically, the eighth line 167B has a fourth longitudinal line L7 that extends in the insertion direction along the edge of the other end of the cleaning pad 130 in the first direction, and a fourth transverse line L8 that extends inward in the first direction from the downstream end of the fourth longitudinal line L7 in the insertion direction along the downstream edge of the cleaning pad 130 in the insertion direction.

[0116] The cleaning pad 130 is attached to the plate 160 along the third marker 167.

[0117] As shown in Figure 11, the photosensitive drum 61 has a contact area 61C on its circumferential surface that can come into contact with the sheet S being transported between it and the transfer roller 63 (see Figure 1). The width of the contact area 61C in the first direction is the same as the width of the sheet S in the first direction of the maximum width that can be printed by the image forming apparatus 1.

[0118] The first groove 230 of the cleaning frame 200 is located outside the contact area 61C in the first direction. Also, a portion of the first seal S1 is located outside the contact area 61C in the first direction. More specifically, a portion of the first seal S1 located between one end 160A of the plate 160 and the first groove 230 is located outside the contact area 61C in the first direction. That is, a portion of the first seal S1 that seals the gap between the plate 160 and the first groove 230 is located outside the contact area 61C in the first direction.

[0119] The second groove 240 of the cleaning frame 200 is located outside the contact area 61C in the first direction. Also, a portion of the second seal S2 is located outside the contact area 61C in the first direction. More specifically, a portion of the second seal S2 located between the other end 160B of the plate 160 and the second groove 240 is located outside the contact area 61C in the first direction. That is, a portion of the second seal S2 that seals the gap between the plate 160 and the second groove 240 is located outside the contact area 61C in the first direction.

[0120] According to the drum cartridge 6 of the first embodiment, the first seal S1 prevents collected material such as paper dust in the cleaning frame 200 from leaking out through the gap between the plate 160 and the cleaning frame 200 at one end of the cleaning frame 200 in the first direction.

[0121] Furthermore, since the first seal S1 has a first portion 310, a second portion 320, and a third portion 330, the first seal S1 can seal the gap between the plate 160 and the cleaning frame 200 over the entire length of the first groove 230. This further suppresses the leakage of collected materials such as paper dust.

[0122] Furthermore, since the first seal S1 further has a fourth portion 340, the fourth portion 340 can suppress the movement of collected material such as paper dust that has entered between the extension portion 162 of the plate 160 and the second frame 220 outwards in the first direction.

[0123] Furthermore, the gap between the first surface 231 and the second surface 232 of the first groove 230 narrows as it approaches the first bottom surface 233, thus widening the opening of the first groove 230. This makes it easier to insert one end 160A of the plate 160 into the first groove 230. Also, when one end 160A of the plate 160 is inserted into the first groove 230, the first seal S1 is compressed, which increases the adhesion between the first seal S1 and the plate 160 and cleaning frame 200, thus further suppressing leakage of collected materials such as paper dust.

[0124] Furthermore, in the first direction, the thickness of the second wall portion 211B having the first groove 230 is greater than the thickness of the first wall portion 211A, so the length of the first groove 230 in the first direction can be increased. This ensures that the length of the portion sealed by the first seal S1 in the first direction is secured, thereby further suppressing leakage of collected materials such as paper dust. In addition, by not thickening the entire first side wall 211, but only thickening a part of it (the second wall portion 211B), the manufacturing cost of the drum cartridge 6 can be reduced. Also, because only the portion of the second wall portion 211B of the first side wall 211 protrudes inward from the cleaning frame 200 in the first direction, it is possible to prevent a reduction in the capacity of the storage portion 201. In other words, the capacity of the storage portion 201 can be secured.

[0125] Furthermore, because the first seal S1 is attached to the plate 160, it is possible to suppress the formation of a gap between the first seal S1 and the plate 160, thereby further suppressing the leakage of collected materials such as paper dust. In addition, by inserting the plate 160 with the first seal S1 attached into the first groove 230, the first seal S1 can be easily positioned between the plate 160 and the cleaning frame 200. This is also easier than when the first seal S1 is attached to the first groove 230. Moreover, compared to when the first seal S1 is positioned between the plate 160 and the cleaning frame 200 without being attached to the plate 160 or the first groove 230, a gap is less likely to form between the first seal S1 and the plate 160 or the cleaning frame 200, thus further suppressing the leakage of collected materials such as paper dust.

[0126] Furthermore, since the plate 160 has a first mark 165, the positional accuracy of the first seal S1 relative to the plate 160 and the first groove 230 into which the plate 160 is inserted can be improved, thereby effectively suppressing leakage of collected materials such as paper dust.

[0127] Furthermore, since a portion of the first seal S1 is located outside the contact area 61C of the photosensitive drum 61 in the first direction, the gap between the plate 160 and the cleaning frame 200 can be sealed by the first seal S1 at a position outside the contact area 61C in the first direction. To elaborate, since collected materials such as paper dust tend to adhere to the part of the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 61 that is in contact with the edge of the sheet S, the collected materials such as paper dust tend to accumulate at the position in the first direction that is in contact with the edge of the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 61. By sealing the gap between the plate 160 and the cleaning frame 200 at a position outside the contact area 61C in the first direction, the leak of accumulated collected materials such as paper dust can be effectively suppressed by the first seal S1.

[0128] Furthermore, the second seal S2 prevents collected material such as paper dust inside the cleaning frame 200 from leaking out through the gap between the plate 160 and the cleaning frame 200 at the other end of the cleaning frame 200 in the first direction.

[0129] Furthermore, since the second seal S2 has a first portion 310, a second portion 320, and a third portion 330, the second seal S2 can seal the gap between the plate 160 and the cleaning frame 200 over the entire second groove 240. This further suppresses the leakage of collected materials such as paper dust.

[0130] Furthermore, since the second seal S2 has a fourth portion 340, the fourth portion 340 can prevent collected material such as paper dust that has entered between the extension portion 162 of the plate 160 and the second frame 220 from moving outward in the first direction.

[0131] Furthermore, the gap between the third surface 241 and the fourth surface 242 of the second groove 240 narrows as it approaches the second bottom surface 243, widening the opening of the second groove 240. This makes it easier to insert the other end 160B of the plate 160 into the second groove 240. Also, when the other end 160B of the plate 160 is inserted into the second groove 240, the second seal S2 is compressed, improving the adhesion between the second seal S2 and the plate 160 and cleaning frame 200, thereby further suppressing leakage of collected materials such as paper dust.

[0132] Furthermore, in the second side wall 212, the thickness of the fourth wall portion 212B having the second groove 240 is greater than the thickness of the third wall portion 212A in the first direction, so the length of the second groove 240 in the first direction can be increased. This ensures that the length of the portion sealed by the second seal S2 in the first direction is secured, thereby further suppressing leakage of collected materials such as paper dust. In addition, by not thickening the entire second side wall 212, but only thickening a part of it (the fourth wall portion 212B), the manufacturing cost of the drum cartridge 6 can be reduced. Also, since only the portion of the fourth wall portion 212B of the second side wall 212 protrudes inward from the cleaning frame 200 in the first direction, the capacity of the storage portion 201 can be secured.

[0133] Furthermore, because the second seal S2 is attached to the plate 160, it is possible to suppress the formation of a gap between the second seal S2 and the plate 160, thereby further suppressing the leakage of collected materials such as paper dust. In addition, by inserting the plate 160 with the second seal S2 attached into the second groove 240, the second seal S2 can be easily positioned between the plate 160 and the cleaning frame 200. This is also easier than when the second seal S2 is attached to the second groove 240. Moreover, compared to when the second seal S2 is positioned between the plate 160 and the cleaning frame 200 without being attached to the plate 160 or the second groove 240, a gap is less likely to form between the second seal S2 and the plate 160 or the cleaning frame 200, thus further suppressing the leakage of collected materials such as paper dust.

[0134] Furthermore, since the plate 160 has a second marker 166, the positional accuracy of the second seal S2 relative to the plate 160 and the second groove 240 into which the plate 160 is inserted can be improved, thereby effectively suppressing leakage of collected materials such as paper dust.

[0135] Furthermore, since a portion of the second seal S2 is located outside the contact area 61C of the photosensitive drum 61 in the first direction, the second seal S2 can seal the gap between the plate 160 and the cleaning frame 200 at a position outside the contact area 61C in the first direction. This effectively prevents the leakage of collected materials such as paper dust that have accumulated at the contact point with the edge of the sheet S on the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 61.

[0136] Furthermore, since the shape of the second seal S2 is the same as that of the first seal S1, the first seal S1 and the second seal S2 are common parts, thus reducing the number of parts required to manufacture the drum cartridge 6. The same applies to the first bearing B1 and the third bearing B3, and the second bearing B2 and the fourth bearing B4.

[0137] Furthermore, since the plate 160 has a third marker 167, the positional accuracy between the cleaning pad 130 attached to the plate 160 and the second cleaning roller 120 can be improved, so that the cleaning pad 130 can effectively scrape off collected materials such as paper dust from the circumferential surface of the second cleaning roller 120.

[0138] Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the following, the differences from the first embodiment will be described, and for the same components, the same reference numerals will be used and their descriptions will be omitted as appropriate. As shown in Figure 12, the cleaning unit 64 further comprises a film 150, a first side seal SS1, a second side seal SS2, and a third seal S3.

[0139] The film 150 is a rectangular film that is long in the first direction and is flexible. The film 150 is made of, for example, resin. The film 150 has a base end 151 that is fixed to the film attachment surface 215 of the cleaning frame 200 and a tip end 152 that contacts the circumferential surface of the second cleaning roller 120.

[0140] The first frame 210 of the cleaning frame 200 has a first side wall 211, a second side wall 212, a bottom wall 213 (see Figure 13), an inner wall 214, and a film attachment surface 215. As shown in Figure 13, the bottom wall 213 extends from the first side wall 211 toward the other end of the cleaning frame 200 in the first direction. Specifically, the bottom wall 213 extends from the first side wall 211 toward the second side wall 212. The bottom wall 213 connects the downstream end of the first side wall 211 and the downstream end of the second side wall 212 in the insertion direction.

[0141] The inner wall 214 is a wall that extends from the bottom wall 213 toward the upstream side in the insertion direction. The inner wall 214 extends in a first direction and connects the first side wall 211 and the second side wall 212. Specifically, one end of the inner wall 214 in the first direction connects to the first side wall 211. The other end of the inner wall 214 in the first direction connects to the second side wall 212. The inner wall 214 has a gap between it and the second cleaning roller 120.

[0142] The film attachment surface 215 is the surface to which the base end 151 of the film 150 is attached. The film attachment surface 215 extends in a first direction. The film attachment surface 215 is inclined such that as it moves upstream in the insertion direction, it approaches the side where the first groove 230 and the second groove 240 are located in a second direction. In this embodiment, the film attachment surface 215 spans the first side wall 211, the inner wall 214, and the second side wall 212. Specifically, as shown in Figure 14(a), the first side wall 211 has one end of the film attachment surface 215 in the first direction. As shown in Figure 14(b), the second side wall 212 has the other end of the film attachment surface 215 in the first direction. The inner wall 214 has the portion between the one end and the other end of the film attachment surface 215 in the first direction.

[0143] The first frame 210 has a first reference surface 215A and a second reference surface 215B (see Figure 13(b)). As shown in Figure 13, the first reference surface 215A and the second reference surface 215B are surfaces that extend from the downstream end of the film application surface 215 in the insertion direction toward the first cleaning roller 110. The first reference surface 215A and the second reference surface 215B extend in a direction intersecting the film application surface 215. In this embodiment, the first reference surface 215A and the second reference surface 215B extend in a direction perpendicular to the film application surface 215. The first reference surface 215A is located adjacent to one end of the film application surface 215 in the first direction. The second reference surface 215B is located adjacent to the other end of the film application surface 215 in the first direction.

[0144] The base end 151 of the film 150 is attached to the film mounting surface 215 by double-sided tape or adhesive, with one end in the first direction abutting against the first reference surface 215A and the other end in the first direction abutting against the second reference surface 215B. The base end 151 of the film 150 is attached to the film mounting surface 215, and the tip 152 is in contact with the circumferential surface of the second roller body 122 of the second cleaning roller 120. As a result, the film 150 prevents paper dust contained in the storage section 201 from leaking out through the gap between the second cleaning roller 120 and the inner wall 214.

[0145] As shown in Figure 14, the first frame 210 further includes a first rib 216 and a second rib 217. As shown in Figure 14(a), the first rib 216 extends inward from the first side wall 211 towards the inside of the cleaning frame 200 in the first direction. More specifically, in the first direction, the first rib 216 extends further inward from the second wall portion 211B of the first side wall 211, which protrudes inward from the first wall portion 211A. Also, as shown in Figure 13(a), the first rib 216 extends upstream from the bottom wall 213 in the insertion direction. The outer end of the first rib 216 in the first direction is connected to the first side wall 211, and the downstream end in the insertion direction is connected to the bottom wall 213.

[0146] The first rib 216 is located between the first seal S1 and one end of the film 150 in the first direction. More specifically, the first rib 216 is located between the first portion 310 of the first seal S1 and one end of the film 150 in the first direction. In other words, the first rib 216 extends to a position between the first portion 310 of the first seal S1 and one end of the film 150.

[0147] The first rib 216 has a first rib base portion 216A that connects to the bottom wall 213, and a first rib tip portion 216B that is located further from the bottom wall 213 than the first rib base portion 216A in the extension direction in which the first rib 216 extends from the bottom wall 213. The thickness of the first rib base portion 216A in the second direction is greater than the thickness of the first rib tip portion 216B in the second direction.

[0148] As shown in Figure 14(b), the second rib 217 has a shape symmetrical to the first rib 216 in the first direction. The second rib 217 extends inward from the second side wall 212 towards the inside of the cleaning frame 200 in the first direction. More specifically, in the first direction, the second rib 217 extends further inward from the fourth wall portion 212B of the second side wall 212, which protrudes inward from the third wall portion 212A. Also, as shown in Figure 13(b), the second rib 217 extends upstream from the bottom wall 213 in the insertion direction. The outer end of the second rib 217 in the first direction is connected to the second side wall 212, and the downstream end in the insertion direction is connected to the bottom wall 213.

[0149] The second rib 217 is located between the second seal S2 and the other end of the film 150 in the first direction. More specifically, the second rib 217 is located between the first portion 310 of the second seal S2 and the other end of the film 150 in the first direction. In other words, the second rib 217 extends to the position between the first portion 310 of the second seal S2 and the other end of the film 150.

[0150] The second rib 217 has a second rib base portion 217A that connects to the bottom wall 213, and a second rib tip portion 217B that is located further from the bottom wall 213 than the second rib base portion 217A in the extension direction in which the second rib 217 extends from the bottom wall 213. The thickness of the second rib base portion 217A in the second direction is greater than the thickness of the second rib tip portion 217B in the second direction.

[0151] In this embodiment, the extension directions of the first rib 216 and the second rib 217 are parallel to the insertion direction of the plate 160 into the first groove 230 and the second groove 240. In this embodiment, the second direction is an example of an orthogonal direction that is perpendicular to both the first direction and the extension direction.

[0152] As shown in Figure 15, the first side seal SS1 is made of, for example, polyurethane. In this embodiment, the first side seal SS1 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape. As shown in Figure 17(a), the first side seal SS1 is located between the cleaning frame 200 and the second bearing B2. More specifically, the first side seal SS1 is located outside the first side wall 211 in the first direction, and between the first side wall 211 and the second bearing B2. In this embodiment, the second bearing B2 is an example of a "bearing". The third hole 181A of the second bearing B2 (see Figure 15) is an example of a "hole". The second shaft 121 that fits into the third hole 181A is an example of a "shaft".

[0153] As shown in Figure 15, the first frame 210 of the cleaning frame 200 has a first adhesive surface 218A to which the first side seal SS1 is attached. More specifically, the first frame 210 has a first adhesive portion 218 that extends from the first side wall 211 toward the outside of the cleaning frame 200 in a first direction. The first adhesive surface 218A is the surface on the upstream side (upper side in Figure 15) of the first adhesive portion 218 in the insertion direction. The first adhesive surface 218A has a planar shape. As shown by the dashed line, the first side seal SS1 is attached to the first adhesive surface 218A by double-sided tape or adhesive.

[0154] The second bearing B2 further includes a third rib 187 and a fourth rib 188. The third rib 187 and the fourth rib 188 protrude radially from the plate fixing portion 182. The third rib 187 and the fourth rib 188 are plate-shaped. The fourth rib 188 is located away from the third rib 187 in the circumferential direction of the plate fixing portion 182. Specifically, the third rib 187 extends radially from the plate fixing portion 182 toward the side where the third bearing portion 181 is located. The fourth rib 188 extends radially from the plate fixing portion 182 toward the side opposite to the third rib 187.

[0155] The first attachment portion 218 has a first rib receiving hole 218B into which the fourth rib 188 of the second bearing B2 fits. The first rib receiving hole 218B is located further from the first side wall 211 than the first attachment surface 218A in the first direction.

[0156] As shown in Figure 17(a), the first side seal SS1 attached to the first adhesive surface 218A is crushed by the plate fixing portion 182 of the second bearing B2 while the second bearing B2 is fixed to the cleaning frame 200. As a result, the first side seal SS1 is in close contact with the first side wall 211 of the cleaning frame 200 and the plate fixing portion 182 of the second bearing B2. As shown in Figure 18(a), one end of the first side seal SS1 in the second direction abuts against the first side wall 211 while the second bearing B2 is fixed to the cleaning frame 200. The other end of the first side seal SS1 in the second direction is crushed by the support portion 161 of the plate 160 and the fixing portion 221 of the second frame 220 while the second bearing B2 is fixed to the cleaning frame 200. As a result, the first side seal SS1 is in close contact with the plate 160 and the second frame 220.

[0157] As shown in Figure 16, the second side seal SS2 is made of, for example, polyurethane. In this embodiment, the shape of the second side seal SS2 is the same as that of the first side seal SS1. Also, the size of the second side seal SS2 is the same as that of the first side seal SS1. In other words, the first side seal SS1 and the second side seal SS2 are common parts.

[0158] As shown in Figure 17(b), the second side seal SS2 is located between the cleaning frame 200 and the fourth bearing B4. More specifically, the second side seal SS2 is located outside the second side wall 212 in the first direction, and between the second side wall 212 and the fourth bearing B4.

[0159] As shown in Figure 16, the first frame 210 of the cleaning frame 200 has a second adhesive surface 219A to which the second side seal SS2 is attached. More specifically, the first frame 210 has a second adhesive portion 219 extending outward from the second side wall 212 in the first direction of the cleaning frame 200. The second adhesive surface 219A is the surface on the upstream side (upper side in Figure 16) of the second adhesive portion 219 in the insertion direction. The second adhesive surface 219A has a planar shape. As shown by the dashed line, the second side seal SS2 is attached to the second adhesive surface 219A by double-sided tape or adhesive.

[0160] The fourth bearing B4, like the second bearing B2 which is a common component, has a third rib 187 and a fourth rib 188. The second attachment portion 219 has a second rib receiving hole 219B into which the fourth rib 188 of the fourth bearing B4 fits. The second rib receiving hole 219B is located further from the second side wall 212 than the second attachment surface 219A in the first direction.

[0161] As shown in Figure 17(b), the second side seal SS2 attached to the second adhesive surface 219A is crushed by the plate fixing portion 182 of the fourth bearing B4 while the fourth bearing B4 is fixed to the cleaning frame 200. As a result, the second side seal SS2 is in close contact with the second side wall 212 of the cleaning frame 200 and the plate fixing portion 182 of the fourth bearing B4. As shown in Figure 18(b), one end of the second side seal SS2 in the second direction abuts against the second side wall 212 while the fourth bearing B4 is fixed to the cleaning frame 200. The other end of the second side seal SS2 in the second direction is crushed by the support portion 161 of the plate 160 and the fixing portion 221 of the second frame 220 while the fourth bearing B4 is fixed to the cleaning frame 200. As a result, the second side seal SS2 is in close contact with the plate 160 and the second frame 220.

[0162] As shown in Figure 12, the third seal S3 is a seal that is elongated in the first direction and is made of, for example, polyurethane. As shown in Figure 13, the third seal S3 is located between the extension 162 of the plate 160 and the second frame 220. The extension 162 of the plate 160 bends from the upstream end (upper side in Figure 13) of the support portion 161 in the insertion direction of the plate 160 into the first groove 230 and the second groove 240 and extends to the side where the cleaning pad 130 is located (left side in Figure 13(a)). The extension 162 faces the second frame 220 in the insertion direction.

[0163] The third seal S3 is positioned between the extension portion 162 of the plate 160 and the second frame 220, in a state of being compressed by the plate 160 and the second frame 220. In this embodiment, the third seal S3 contacts the plate 160 across the extension portion 162, the corner between the extension portion 162 and the support portion 161, and the support portion 161. The third seal S3 is attached to the second frame 220 by double-sided tape or adhesive.

[0164] As shown in Figure 19, one end S31 of the third seal S3 in the first direction is in contact with the first seal S1. More specifically, one end S31 of the third seal S3 in the first direction is in contact with the fourth portion 340 of the first seal S1 in an overlapping manner in the insertion direction. Also, the other end S32 of the third seal S3 in the first direction is in contact with the second seal S2. More specifically, the other end S32 of the third seal S3 in the first direction is in contact with the fourth portion 340 of the second seal S2 in an overlapping manner in the insertion direction.

[0165] As shown in Figure 12, the second frame 220 of the cleaning frame 200 has a third side wall 223 located at one end of the cleaning frame 200 in the first direction, and a fourth side wall 224 located at the other end of the cleaning frame 200 in the first direction.

[0166] As shown in Figure 20(a), the third side wall 223 includes a fifth wall portion 223A and a sixth wall portion 223B. The sixth wall portion 223B protrudes further inward from the cleaning frame 200 in the first direction than the fifth wall portion 223A. Specifically, as shown in Figure 17(a), the sixth wall portion 223B protrudes further toward the third rib 187 of the second bearing B2 than the fifth wall portion 223A. As a result, the sixth wall portion 223B faces the third rib 187 of the second bearing B2 in close proximity in the first direction. Also, as shown in Figure 18(a), the sixth wall portion 223B faces the end of the extension portion 162 of the plate 160 in close proximity in the second direction.

[0167] As shown in Figure 20(a), the fifth wall portion 223A has a first recess 223C. As shown in Figure 21(a), a portion of the second bearing B2 fits into the first recess 223C when the second bearing B2 is fixed to the second frame 220. More specifically, a portion of the third bearing portion 181 of the second bearing B2 fits into the first recess 223C when the second bearing B2 is fixed to the second frame 220. The first recess 223C has a shape that conforms to the shape of the second bearing B2 and faces the second bearing B2 in close proximity. More specifically, the first recess 223C has an arc shape that conforms to the shape of the cylindrical third bearing portion 181 of the second bearing B2 and faces the outer circumferential surface of the third bearing portion 181 of the second bearing B2 in close proximity. The clearance between the first recess 223C and the outer circumferential surface of the third bearing portion 181 of the second bearing B2 is, for example, 0.1 to 0.5 mm.

[0168] As shown in Figure 20(b), the fourth side wall 224 includes a seventh wall portion 224A and an eighth wall portion 224B. The eighth wall portion 224B protrudes further inward from the cleaning frame 200 in the first direction than the seventh wall portion 224A. Specifically, as shown in Figure 17(b), the eighth wall portion 224B protrudes further toward the third rib 187 of the fourth bearing B4 than the seventh wall portion 224A. As a result, the eighth wall portion 224B faces the third rib 187 of the fourth bearing B4 in close proximity in the first direction. Also, as shown in Figure 18(b), the eighth wall portion 224B faces the end of the extension portion 162 of the plate 160 in close proximity in the second direction.

[0169] As shown in Figure 20(b), the seventh wall portion 224A has a second recess 224C. As shown in Figure 21(b), a portion of the fourth bearing B4 fits into the second recess 224C when the fourth bearing B4 is fixed to the second frame 220. More specifically, a portion of the third bearing portion 181 of the fourth bearing B4 fits into the second recess 224C when the fourth bearing B4 is fixed to the second frame 220. The second recess 224C has a shape that conforms to the shape of the fourth bearing B4 and faces the fourth bearing B4 in close proximity. More specifically, the second recess 224C has an arc shape that conforms to the shape of the cylindrical third bearing portion 181 of the fourth bearing B4 and faces the outer circumferential surface of the third bearing portion 181 of the fourth bearing B4 in close proximity. The clearance between the second recess 224C and the outer circumferential surface of the third bearing portion 181 of the fourth bearing B4 is, for example, 0.1 to 0.5 mm.

[0170] According to the drum cartridge 6 of the second embodiment, the first side seal SS1 can prevent collected material such as paper dust in the cleaning frame 200 from leaking out between the cleaning frame 200 and the second bearing B2 at one end of the cleaning frame 200 in the first direction.

[0171] Furthermore, since the first side seal SS1 is located outside the first side wall 211 in the first direction and between the first side wall 211 and the second bearing B2, even if collected material such as paper dust gets into the space between the first side wall 211 and the second bearing B2, the first side seal SS1 can prevent the collected material such as paper dust from leaking out from between the first side wall 211 and the second bearing B2.

[0172] Furthermore, by attaching the first side seal SS1 to the first adhesive surface 218A of the cleaning frame 200, it is possible to suppress the formation of a gap between the first side seal SS1 and the cleaning frame 200, thereby further suppressing the leakage of collected materials such as paper dust. In addition, since the first adhesive surface 218A has a flat shape, the first side seal SS1 can be easily attached.

[0173] Furthermore, the first rib 216, located between the first seal S1 and one end of the film 150 in the first direction, prevents the first seal S1 from contacting one end of the film 150, thereby preventing collected materials such as paper dust in the cleaning frame 200 from leaking between the film 150 and the second cleaning roller 120. To elaborate, if the first seal S1 contacts one end of the film 150 and presses against that end, the end of the film 150 will deform, creating a gap between the leading edge 152 of the film 150 and the circumferential surface of the second cleaning roller 120, potentially allowing collected materials such as paper dust to leak through this gap. By preventing the first seal S1 from contacting one end of the film 150, it is possible to prevent a gap from forming between the leading edge 152 of the film 150 and the circumferential surface of the second cleaning roller 120, thus preventing collected materials such as paper dust from leaking between the film 150 and the second cleaning roller 120.

[0174] Furthermore, since the thickness of the base portion 216A of the first rib in the second direction is greater than the thickness of the tip portion 216B of the first rib, the rigidity of the first rib 216 can be improved. And since such a first rib 216 connects to both the first side wall 211 and the bottom wall 213 of the cleaning frame 200, the rigidity of the cleaning frame 200 can be improved by the first rib 216 while suppressing contact between the first seal S1 and one end of the film 150.

[0175] Furthermore, the third seal S3, located between the extension portion 162 of the plate 160 and the second frame 220, prevents collected materials such as paper dust in the cleaning frame 200 from leaking out between the plate 160 and the cleaning frame 200.

[0176] Furthermore, since one end S31 of the third seal S3 in the first direction is in contact with the first seal S1, it is possible to suppress the formation of a gap between the one end S31 of the third seal S3 and the first seal S1, thereby further suppressing the leakage of collected materials such as paper dust.

[0177] Furthermore, since the sixth wall portion 223B of the third side wall 223 of the second frame 220 is positioned in close proximity to the third rib 187 of the second bearing B2 in the first direction, the gap between the third side wall 223 of the second frame 220 and the third rib 187 of the second bearing B2 can be reduced. This prevents collected materials such as paper dust in the cleaning unit 64 from entering the space between the third rib 187 of the second bearing B2 and the third side wall 223 of the second frame 220.

[0178] Furthermore, since the sixth wall portion 223B is positioned in close proximity to the end of the extension portion 162 of the plate 160 in the second direction, the gap between the third side wall 223 of the second frame 220 and the end of the extension portion 162 of the plate 160 can be reduced.

[0179] Furthermore, the first recess 223C of the second frame 220 has a shape that conforms to the shape of the second bearing B2 and faces the second bearing B2 in close proximity, which reduces the gap between the third side wall 223 of the second frame 220 and the third bearing portion 181 of the second bearing B2. As a result, even if collected material such as paper dust gets trapped between the third rib 187 of the second bearing B2 and the third side wall 223 of the second frame 220, leakage from between the second frame 220 and the second bearing B2 can be suppressed.

[0180] Furthermore, the second side seal SS2 prevents collected material such as paper dust inside the cleaning frame 200 from leaking out between the cleaning frame 200 and the fourth bearing B4 at the other end of the cleaning frame 200 in the first direction.

[0181] Furthermore, since the second side seal SS2 is located outside the second side wall 212 in the first direction and between the second side wall 212 and the fourth bearing B4, even if collected material such as paper dust gets into the space between the second side wall 212 and the fourth bearing B4, the second side seal SS2 can prevent the collected material such as paper dust from leaking out from between the second side wall 212 and the fourth bearing B4.

[0182] Furthermore, by attaching the second side seal SS2 to the second adhesive surface 219A of the cleaning frame 200, it is possible to suppress the formation of a gap between the second side seal SS2 and the cleaning frame 200, thereby further suppressing the leakage of collected materials such as paper dust. In addition, since the second adhesive surface 219A has a flat shape, the second side seal SS2 can be easily attached.

[0183] Furthermore, the second rib 217, located between the second seal S2 and the other end of the film 150 in the first direction, prevents the second seal S2 from contacting the other end of the film 150. This prevents collected materials such as paper dust in the cleaning frame 200 from leaking between the film 150 and the second cleaning roller 120.

[0184] Furthermore, since the thickness of the base portion 217A of the second rib in the second direction is greater than the thickness of the tip portion 217B of the second rib, the rigidity of the second rib 217 can be improved. And since such a second rib 217 connects to both the second side wall 212 and the bottom wall 213 of the cleaning frame 200, the rigidity of the cleaning frame 200 can be improved by the second rib 217 while suppressing contact between the second seal S2 and the other end of the film 150.

[0185] Furthermore, since the other end S32 of the third seal S3 in the first direction is in contact with the second seal S2, it is possible to suppress the formation of a gap between the other end S32 of the third seal S3 and the second seal S2, thereby further suppressing the leakage of collected materials such as paper dust.

[0186] Furthermore, since the eighth wall portion 224B of the fourth side wall 224 of the second frame 220 is positioned in close proximity to the third rib 187 of the fourth bearing B4 in the first direction, the gap between the fourth side wall 224 of the second frame 220 and the third rib 187 of the fourth bearing B4 can be reduced. This prevents collected materials such as paper dust in the cleaning unit 64 from entering the space between the third rib 187 of the fourth bearing B4 and the fourth side wall 224 of the second frame 220.

[0187] Furthermore, since the eighth wall portion 224B is positioned in close proximity to the end of the extension portion 162 of the plate 160 in the second direction, the gap between the fourth side wall 224 of the second frame 220 and the end of the extension portion 162 of the plate 160 can be reduced.

[0188] Furthermore, the second recess 224C of the second frame 220 has a shape that conforms to the shape of the fourth bearing B4 and faces the fourth bearing B4 in close proximity, thereby reducing the gap between the fourth side wall 224 of the second frame 220 and the third bearing portion 181 of the fourth bearing B4. As a result, even if collected material such as paper dust gets trapped between the third rib 187 of the fourth bearing B4 and the fourth side wall 224 of the second frame 220, leakage from between the second frame 220 and the fourth bearing B4 can be suppressed.

[0189] The embodiments have been described above, but the drum unit can be modified as appropriate, as illustrated below.

[0190] In the above-described embodiment, the shape of the second seal S2 was the same as the shape of the first seal S1, but for example, the shape of the second seal may be different from the shape of the first seal. In other words, the first seal and the second seal do not have to be common parts. The same applies to the first bearing and the third bearing, and the second bearing and the fourth bearing.

[0191] In the embodiment described above, as shown in Figure 11, a portion of the first seal S1 was located outside the contact area 61C of the photosensitive drum 61 in the first direction. However, for example, the entire first seal may be located outside the contact area in the first direction. The same applies to the second seal.

[0192] In the embodiment described above, as shown in Figure 10, the first vertical line L1, the second line 165B, and the third line 165C of the first line 165A were arranged along the edge of one end of the first seal S1 in the first direction. However, for example, they may be configured to extend continuously along the edge of one end of the first seal in the first direction. That is, in the embodiment described above, the first marker 165 was a plurality of linear recesses, but for example, the first marker may be a single continuous linear recess. The same applies to the second marker.

[0193] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the second line 165B was a line that extended continuously in the insertion direction, but for example, it may be a plurality of lines aligned in the insertion direction. The same applies to the first vertical line L1. The first horizontal line L2 may also be a plurality of lines aligned in the first direction. The third line 165C may also be a plurality of lines aligned in the second direction. The same applies to the second and third markers.

[0194] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the first marker 165 was a linear recess, but for example, the first marker may be a dot-shaped recess. In this case, for example, the first marker may be configured as a plurality of dot-shaped recesses lined up along the edge of the first seal. Alternatively, the first marker may be a combination of a linear recess and a dot-shaped recess. Also, the first marker may be a projection instead of a recess. Furthermore, the plate may be configured without the first marker. The same applies to the second and third markers.

[0195] In the embodiment described above, the first seal S1 was attached to the plate 160, but for example, the first seal does not have to be attached to the plate. The same applies to the second seal.

[0196] In the above-described embodiment, the second wall portion 211B of the first side wall 211 protruded inward from the cleaning frame 200 in the first direction, but for example, the second wall portion may protrude outward from the cleaning frame. Also, for example, the entire first side wall may have the same thickness as the second wall portion 211B in the above-described embodiment. The same applies to the second side wall.

[0197] In the embodiment described above, the first groove 230 had a gap between the first surface 231 and the second surface 232 that narrowed as it approached the first bottom surface 233. However, for example, the first groove may have a first surface and a second surface that are substantially parallel to the insertion direction. The same applies to the second groove.

[0198] In the above-described embodiment, the first seal S1 was configured to have a first portion 310, a second portion 320, a third portion 330, and a fourth portion 340. However, the first seal may be configured without the fourth portion, for example, as long as the leakage of paper dust can be suppressed. Furthermore, the first seal may be configured without the first portion or the third portion, for example. The same applies to the second seal.

[0199] In the embodiment described above, the thickness of the base end 216A of the first rib 216 was greater than the thickness of the tip end 216B of the first rib. However, for example, the thickness of the base end of the first rib may be the same as the thickness of the tip end of the first rib. The same applies to the second rib.

[0200] In the above-described embodiment, the first adhesive surface 218A to which the first side seal SS1 is attached was planar, but for example, the first adhesive surface may be a slightly curved surface. The same applies to the second adhesive surface. Also, in the above-described embodiment, the first side seal SS1 was attached to the cleaning frame 200, but for example, the first side seal does not have to be attached to the cleaning frame. The same applies to the second side seal.

[0201] In the embodiment described above, the shape of the second side seal SS2 was the same as the shape of the first side seal SS1, but for example, the shape of the second side seal may be different from the shape of the first side seal. In other words, the first side seal and the second side seal do not have to be common parts. Also, for example, the drum unit may have a configuration that includes the first side seal but does not include the second side seal.

[0202] In the above-described embodiment, one end S31 of the third seal S3 in the first direction was in contact with the first seal S1 while overlapping it. However, for example, one end of the third seal may not overlap with the first seal, but rather be in contact with it while abutting against it. Also, for example, one end of the third seal does not need to be in contact with the first seal as long as the leakage of paper dust can be suppressed. The same applies to the other end of the third seal in the first direction.

[0203] In the embodiment described above, the third seal S3 was attached to the second frame 220, but for example, the third seal may be attached to a plate. Also, the third seal does not have to be attached to the second frame or plate.

[0204] In the above-described embodiment, the plate 160 was configured to include a support portion 161 and an extension portion 162, but for example, the plate may be configured without an extension portion.

[0205] In the above-described embodiment, the entire cleaning pad 130 was made of silicone rubber. However, for example, the cleaning pad may be configured so that only the portion that contacts the circumferential surface of the second cleaning roller is made of silicone rubber. Alternatively, the cleaning pad may be made of a sponge or the like. Furthermore, if the cleaning pad is made of silicone rubber at least in the portion that contacts the circumferential surface of the second cleaning roller, the paper dust can be cleaned without compacting the paper dust.

[0206] In the above-described embodiment, the drum cartridge 6 (drum unit) was configured to include a second groove 240 and a second seal S2. However, for example, the drum unit may be configured not to include a second groove and a second seal.

[0207] In the above-described embodiment, the first cleaning roller 110, the second cleaning roller 120, and the cleaning pad 130 were configured to collect paper dust from the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 61. However, the configuration may also collect materials other than paper dust, such as toner that remains on the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum without being transferred. In other words, the collected material may be toner or the like. Furthermore, the first cleaning roller, the second cleaning roller, and the cleaning pad may be configured to collect both paper dust and toner from the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum.

[0208] The elements described in the above embodiments and modifications may be implemented in any combination. [Explanation of symbols]

[0209] 6 Drum Cartridges 61 Photosensitive drum 61A Drum shaft 61C Contact area 110 First cleaning roller 120 Second cleaning roller 121 Second shaft 130 Cleaning Pads 150 film 151 Proximal end 152 Tip 160 Plates 160A One end 160B Other end 161 Support part 161A One end 162 Extension 165 First landmark 181A Third hole 200 Cleaning Frames 201 Storage Unit 210 Frame 1 211 First side wall 211A 1st wall section 211B 2nd wall section 213 Bottom wall 216 First Rib 216A First rib base end 216B First rib tip 218A First adhesive surface 220 2nd Frame 230 First groove 231 Page 1 232 2nd page 233 1st bottom surface 240 2nd groove 310 Part 1 320 Part 2 330 Part 3 340 Part 4 A1 First Axis A2 2nd axis B2 Second bearing S Seat S1 1st Seal S2 2nd seal S3 3rd Seal SS1 First side seal

Claims

1. A photosensitive drum that is rotatable with respect to a drum shaft extending in a first direction, A first cleaning roller rotatable about a first axis extending in the first direction, the first cleaning roller in contact with the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum, A second cleaning roller rotatable about a second axis extending in the first direction, the second cleaning roller in contact with the circumferential surface of the first cleaning roller, A cleaning pad that contacts the circumferential surface of the second cleaning roller, A plate supporting the cleaning pad, A cleaning frame capable of accommodating the collected material recovered from the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum, the cleaning frame supporting the first cleaning roller, the second cleaning roller, and the plate, the cleaning frame having a first groove into which one end of the plate in a first direction is inserted, the first groove located at one end of the cleaning frame in a first direction, A drum unit characterized by comprising a first seal located between the one end of the plate and the first groove, with the one end of the plate inserted into the first groove.

2. The first groove is Page 1 and, A second surface facing the first surface, the second surface located on the opposite side of the first surface relative to the plate when the plate is inserted into the first groove, It has a first bottom surface that connects the first surface and the second surface, The first seal is With the plate inserted into the first groove, a first portion is located between the plate and the first surface, With the plate inserted into the first groove, the second portion is located between the plate and the first bottom surface, and comprises a second portion extending from the end of the first portion, The drum unit according to claim 1, characterized in that it has a third portion located between the plate and the second surface when the plate is inserted into the first groove, the third portion extending from the end of the second portion.

3. The aforementioned cleaning frame is The first frame having the first groove, It has a second frame that forms a storage section between itself and the first frame, capable of accommodating the collected material recovered from the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum, The aforementioned plate is A support portion for supporting the cleaning pad, the support portion having one end in the first direction inserted into the first groove, It has an extension portion that extends from the upstream end of the support portion toward the first surface side in the direction in which the plate is inserted into the first groove, The drum unit according to claim 2, wherein the first seal further has a fourth portion extending from the upstream end of the third portion in the insertion direction to the space between the extension and the second frame.

4. The drum unit according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the distance between the first surface and the second surface becomes narrower as it approaches the first bottom surface.

5. The cleaning frame has a first side wall located at one end of the cleaning frame in the first direction, and the first side wall has the first groove, The first side wall is, The first wall section and, The second wall portion having the first groove, The drum unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the thickness of the second wall in the first direction is greater than the thickness of the first wall in the first direction.

6. The drum unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the first seal is attached to the plate.

7. The drum unit according to claim 6, characterized in that the plate has a first mark indicating the position for attaching the first seal.

8. The drum unit according to claim 7, characterized in that the first mark is a linear or dotted recess.

9. The drum unit according to claim 7, characterized in that the first mark includes a recess extending along the first seal.

10. The drum unit according to claim 7, characterized in that the first mark includes a plurality of recesses arranged along the first seal.

11. The photosensitive drum has a contact area that can come into contact with the sheet. The drum unit according to claim 1, characterized in that at least a portion of the first seal is located outside the contact area in the first direction.

12. The cleaning frame has a second groove into which the other end of the plate in the first direction is inserted, and the second groove is located at the other end of the cleaning frame in the first direction. The drum unit according to claim 1, further comprising a second seal located between the other end of the plate and the second groove, with the other end of the plate inserted into the second groove.

13. The drum unit according to claim 12, characterized in that the shape of the second seal is the same as the shape of the first seal.

14. The second cleaning roller has a shaft that is rotatable with respect to the second axis, The drum unit is A bearing having a hole into which one end of the shaft in the first direction fits, the bearing located at one end of the cleaning frame in the first direction, The drum unit according to claim 1, further comprising a first side seal located between the cleaning frame and the bearing.

15. The cleaning frame has a first side wall located at one end of the cleaning frame in the first direction, and the first side wall has the first groove, The drum unit according to claim 14, characterized in that the first side seal is located outside the first side wall in the first direction and between the first side wall and the bearing.

16. The drum unit according to claim 15, characterized in that the cleaning frame has a planar first adhesive surface to which the first side seal is attached.

17. The drum unit further comprises a film having a base end fixed to the cleaning frame and a tip end that contacts the circumferential surface of the second cleaning roller. The aforementioned cleaning frame is A first side wall located at one end of the cleaning frame in the first direction, the first side wall having the first groove, The drum unit according to claim 1, further comprising a first rib extending from the first side wall toward the inside of the cleaning frame in the first direction, the first rib located between the first seal and one end of the film in the first direction.

18. The cleaning frame has a bottom wall extending from the first side wall toward the other end of the cleaning frame in the first direction, The first rib extends from the bottom wall, The first rib has a first rib base end that connects to the bottom wall, and a first rib tip that is located further from the bottom wall than the first rib base end in the extension direction in which the first rib extends from the bottom wall. The drum unit according to claim 17, characterized in that the thickness of the base end of the first rib in an orthogonal direction perpendicular to both the first direction and the extension direction is greater than the thickness of the tip of the first rib in the orthogonal direction.

19. The aforementioned cleaning frame is The first frame having the first groove, It has a second frame that forms a storage section between itself and the first frame, capable of accommodating the collected material recovered from the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum, The aforementioned plate is A support portion for supporting the cleaning pad, the support portion having one end in the first direction inserted into the first groove, An extension portion that bends from the upstream end of the support portion in the insertion direction of the plate into the first groove and extends toward the side where the cleaning pad is located, and has an extension portion that faces the second frame, The drum unit according to claim 1, further comprising a third seal located between the extension and the second frame.

20. The drum unit according to claim 19, characterized in that one end of the third seal in the first direction is in contact with the first seal.

Images