JPH05313541A - Cleaning member on electrophotographic printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make cleaning easy and to obtain an inexpensive constitution even if powder magnetic toner is scattered inside a device and it is soiled, by composing a cleaning member of a magnetic substance having magnetization, at least, on a part of it. CONSTITUTION:The cleaning member 10 has a recessed part 11 on a part of it, and is composed of a member main body 12 made of an ABS resin, etc., a brush part 13 having bristles on a part of it at one end in the longitudinal direction of the member main body 12, and the magnetic substance 14 stuck to the other end of the member main body 12 and magnetized in the longiduinal direction of the member main body 12. On the other hand, the magnetized magnetic substance 14 is covered with a nonmagnetic member 15, and, the nonmagnetic member 15 is constituted so as to freely attach/detach to/from the magnetized magnetic substance 14. Then, the cleaning member 10 is used so as to remove the powder magnetic toner dropped in a device main body by the magnetic substance 14 provided on the main body 12 by a manual operation. Moreover, the cleaning member 10 can be attached/detached to/from the end part of a carrying guide.

Description

【発明の詳細な説明】Detailed Description of the Invention

【０００１】[0001]

【産業上の利用分野】本発明は、光導電性を有する感光
体の周囲に、靜電潜像を形成するための帯電、露光装
置、磁性トナーにより該靜電潜像を可視像化するための
現像装置、該可視像化された像を記録紙に転写するため
の転写装置、及び、該転写後の該感光体上の残留トナー
を除去するためのクリーニング装置を配置した電子写真
装置における手動操作にて清掃可能な清掃部材に関す
る。BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a charging, exposing device for forming a latent electrostatic image around a photoconductor having photoconductivity, and a magnetic toner for visualizing the latent electrostatic image. Manual in an electrophotographic apparatus provided with a developing device, a transfer device for transferring the visualized image to a recording sheet, and a cleaning device for removing residual toner on the photoconductor after the transfer The present invention relates to a cleaning member that can be cleaned by operation.

【０００２】[0002]

【従来の技術】従来、この種の装置は、粉体トナーを使
用することが多く、そのため、装置本体内部に、未定着
のトナー飛散を生じさせることがあった。2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, this type of apparatus often uses powdered toner, and therefore, unfixed toner scattering may occur inside the apparatus body.

【０００３】図６は、レーザープリンタ等の、電子写真
装置の要部断面図である。光導電性を有する感光体４０
の周囲には、帯電器４２、露光装置４４、現像装置４
６、転写帯電器４８、除電帯電器５０、クリーニング装
置５２、光除電装置５４が、それぞれ配置されている。
感光体４０は、図示されない駆動用モータにより矢印方
向に定速回転する。感光体４０は、帯電器４２により所
定の電位となる様全面帯電され、レーザ光等適当な露光
装置４４により靜電潜像が形成される。FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of essential parts of an electrophotographic apparatus such as a laser printer. Photoconductor 40 having photoconductivity
The charger 42, the exposure device 44, and the developing device 4 are
6, a transfer charger 48, a discharging charger 50, a cleaning device 52, and an optical discharging device 54 are arranged.
The photoconductor 40 is rotated at a constant speed in the arrow direction by a driving motor (not shown). The photoconductor 40 is entirely charged by a charger 42 so as to have a predetermined potential, and a latent electrostatic image is formed by an appropriate exposure device 44 such as laser light.

【０００４】次に、現像装置４６により粉体磁性トナー
を感光体４０上に付着させ靜電潜像を可視像とする。記
録用紙５６は、内部に記録用紙５６を含むカセット５８
から給紙ローラ５９により供給され、レジストローラ６
０から所定のタイミングにて、転写帯電器４８上に搬送
される。転写帯電器４８により、可視像を転写された記
録用紙５６は、除電帯電器５０により感光体４０より分
離され搬送ガイド６０上を通り、定着器６２へ送られ
る。定着器６２では、記録用紙５６上の未定着トナーを
熱融解させて、記録用紙５６上に定着させ、その後排紙
トレイ６４へ送る。記録用紙５６上に転写後の感光体４
０は、感光体４０上の残留トナーをクリーニング装置５
２により除去し、光除電装置５４で全面除電され、再び
前述の静電潜像形成工程が繰り返される。Next, the powder magnetic toner is adhered onto the photosensitive member 40 by the developing device 46 to form a latent electrostatic image into a visible image. The recording paper 56 is a cassette 58 containing the recording paper 56 inside.
From the paper feed roller 59, and the registration roller 6
It is conveyed onto the transfer charger 48 from 0 at a predetermined timing. The recording paper 56, onto which the visible image has been transferred by the transfer charger 48, is separated from the photoconductor 40 by the discharging charger 50, passes through the transport guide 60, and is sent to the fixing device 62. In the fixing device 62, the unfixed toner on the recording paper 56 is melted by heat, fixed on the recording paper 56, and then sent to the paper discharge tray 64. Photosensitive member 4 after transfer onto recording paper 56
0 is a cleaning device for cleaning the residual toner on the photoconductor 40.
2), the entire surface is neutralized by the optical neutralization device 54, and the above-mentioned electrostatic latent image forming step is repeated again.

【０００５】又、装置本体カバー６６Ａ、６６Ｂは前述
の電子写真装置全体を被う様構成されている。装置本体
カバー６６Ａには、感光体４０、帯電器４２、露光装置
４４、現像装置４６、クリーニング装置５２、光除電装
置５４が固定されていて、装置本体カバー６６Ｂに対し
て回転軸６８を中心として上部に回動可能と成る様構成
されている。Further, the apparatus main body covers 66A and 66B are constructed so as to cover the entire electrophotographic apparatus described above. The photoconductor 40, the charger 42, the exposure device 44, the developing device 46, the cleaning device 52, and the optical static eliminator 54 are fixed to the device body cover 66A, and the rotation shaft 68 is centered with respect to the device body cover 66B. It is configured to be rotatable on the top.

【０００６】図７は、装置本体カバー６６Ａを上部に回
動させた状態を示している。装置本体カバー６６Ａを上
部に回動させる事により、転写帯電器４８、除電帯電器
５０、搬送ガイド６０を、感光体４０から放す事ができ
る。FIG. 7 shows a state in which the apparatus body cover 66A is rotated upward. By rotating the apparatus main body cover 66A upward, the transfer charger 48, the discharging charger 50, and the conveyance guide 60 can be released from the photoconductor 40.

【０００７】前述の電子写真装置においては、静電潜像
形成工程、及び、転写帯電器より定着器迄搬送される記
録媒体上に、未定着の粉体磁性トナーを有しているた
め、装置本体内部が、この粉体磁性トナーにより汚れる
場合がある。In the above-mentioned electrophotographic apparatus, since the unfixed powder magnetic toner is present on the electrostatic latent image forming step and the recording medium conveyed from the transfer charging device to the fixing device, The inside of the main body may be soiled by the powder magnetic toner.

【０００８】そのため、付属品として、一部をブラシで
構成し、樹脂部材より成る手動操作にて清掃可能な清掃
部材を同梱していた。このブラシは、装置本体内部が粉
体磁性トナーで汚れた場合、図７の様に装置本体カバー
６６Ａを上部に回動させて使用する事は周知の通りであ
る。Therefore, as an accessory, a cleaning member, which is partially made up of a brush and which is made of a resin member and which can be cleaned by manual operation, is included. It is well known that, when the inside of the main body of the apparatus is contaminated with the magnetic powder toner, the brush is used by rotating the main body cover 66A upward as shown in FIG.

【０００９】[0009]

【発明が解決しようとする課題】しかしながら、前述の
清掃部材では、転写帯電器、除電帯電器内部、及び、搬
送ガイド等の隙間に飛散した粉体磁性トナーは、清掃部
材のブラシ部を使用し一方向に集めることはできても十
分取り除くことができなかった。なぜなら、この種の清
掃部材では粉体磁性トナーを吸引する吸引部を持たない
ため、結局、飛散した粉体磁性トナーは取り除けず移動
させることしかできないからである。However, in the above-mentioned cleaning member, the powder magnetic toner scattered in the transfer charger, the discharging charger, and the gaps such as the transport guide uses the brush portion of the cleaning member. I could collect them in one direction, but I could not remove them enough. This is because this type of cleaning member does not have a suction portion that sucks the powder magnetic toner, and thus the scattered powder magnetic toner cannot be removed and can only be moved.

【００１０】この種の汚れは、帯電器に使用されるワイ
ヤーの経年劣化、叉は、ワイヤーの異物付着に伴う感光
体の帯電不良により生じる。つまり、ワイヤーが劣化、
叉は、異物付着することにより感光体が所定の電位まで
帯電されず、露光装置による静電潜像形成がなくても現
像装置により感光体上に粉体磁性トナーが付着し、この
粉体磁性トナーが転写帯電器付近に落下し汚す場合が多
い。This kind of stain is caused by deterioration of the wire used in the charger over time, or defective charging of the photosensitive member due to adhesion of foreign matter on the wire. In other words, the wire deteriorates,
In other words, due to the adhesion of foreign matter, the photoconductor is not charged to a predetermined potential, and the powder magnetic toner adheres to the photoconductor by the developing device even if the electrostatic latent image is not formed by the exposing device. Toner often falls near the transfer charger and becomes dirty.

【００１１】帯電器のワイヤーに問題がなくても、記録
媒体の搬送不良が生じ、この搬送不良により転写部から
定着器の間に記録媒体を有した状態で記録媒体の搬送が
停止した様な場合には、使用者が搬送不良の記録媒体を
除去しなければならないが、この時、記録媒体上の未定
着状態の粉体磁性トナーが搬送ガイド、及び転写帯電器
付近に落下し汚す場合もある。Even if there is no problem with the wire of the charging device, the recording medium is not conveyed properly. Due to the conveyance error, the conveyance of the recording medium is stopped while the recording medium is held between the transfer section and the fixing device. In this case, the user must remove the recording medium that is not conveyed properly, but at this time, the unfixed powder magnetic toner on the recording medium may fall near the conveyance guide and the transfer charger and become dirty. is there.

【００１２】又、装置本体に問題がなくても、使用者の
誤操作による記録媒体のサイズ違いにより転写帯電器付
近を汚す場合もあり、装置本体を汚さないで使用するこ
とはなかなか困難であった。Even if there is no problem in the main body of the apparatus, there is a case where the vicinity of the transfer charger is soiled due to a size difference of the recording medium due to a user's erroneous operation, and it is difficult to use the main body of the apparatus without being soiled. ..

【００１３】装置本体内部を汚したまま装置を使用し続
けると、転写帯電器、除電帯電器が帯電不良を起こし、
記録媒体上の印字品質が劣化したり、記録媒体の下面側
が汚れることがあり、望ましくない。If the apparatus is continuously used while the inside of the apparatus is contaminated, the transfer charger and the discharging charger cause charging failure,
The print quality on the recording medium may deteriorate and the lower surface side of the recording medium may become dirty, which is not desirable.

【００１４】そのため、掃除機等を使用し粉体磁性トナ
ーを取り除く事が最も良い方法であったが、使用者が常
に掃除機を有していない上、隙間に落下した粉体磁性ト
ナーを吸引するためには吸引力のかなり大きな掃除機を
必要とし、かつ、作業が困難であった。装置に専用の掃
除機を付属品として付ける事も可能ではあるが、かなり
高価なものになるという欠点を有していた。Therefore, the best method is to remove the powder magnetic toner by using a cleaner or the like. However, the user does not always have a cleaner, and the powder magnetic toner dropped in the gap is sucked. In order to do so, a vacuum cleaner having a considerably large suction force is required, and the work is difficult. It is possible to attach a dedicated vacuum cleaner to the device as an accessory, but it has the drawback of being quite expensive.

【００１５】本発明は、上述した問題点を解決するため
になされたものであり、電子写真装置内部に落下した粉
体磁性トナーを確実に除去可能で、かつ安価な、手動操
作にて清掃可能な電子写真装置における清掃部材を提供
する事にある。The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and can reliably remove powder magnetic toner that has fallen into the interior of an electrophotographic apparatus and is inexpensive and can be cleaned by manual operation. Another object of the present invention is to provide a cleaning member for an electrophotographic apparatus.

【００１６】[0016]

【課題を解決するための手段】この目的を達成するため
に本発明の清掃部材は、光導電性を有する感光体の周囲
に、靜電潜像を形成するための帯電、露光装置、粉体磁
性トナーにより該靜電潜像を可視像化するための現像装
置、該可視像化された像を記録紙に転写するための転写
装置、及び、該転写後の該感光体上の残留トナーを除去
するためのクリーニング装置を配置した電子写真装置に
おける手動操作にて清掃可能な清掃部材において、粉体
磁性トナーを集める作用部を有し、その作用部の少なく
とも一部を着磁された磁性体を有する構成としたもので
ある。In order to achieve this object, the cleaning member of the present invention comprises a charging, exposing device, and powder magnetic material for forming a latent electrostatic image around a photoconductor having photoconductivity. A developing device for visualizing the electrostatic latent image with toner, a transfer device for transferring the visualized image to a recording sheet, and a residual toner on the photoconductor after the transfer. A cleaning member that can be manually cleaned in an electrophotographic apparatus in which a cleaning device for removing is disposed has an action portion that collects powder magnetic toner, and at least a part of the action portion is a magnetized magnetic body. It is configured to have.

【００１７】[0017]

【作用】上記の構成を有する本発明の清掃部材は、その
本体に設けられた磁性体により、装置本体内部に落下し
た粉体磁性トナーを、手動操作にて除去するものであ
る。In the cleaning member of the present invention having the above-mentioned structure, the magnetic substance provided in the main body removes the powder magnetic toner dropped inside the main body of the apparatus by manual operation.

【００１８】[0018]

【実施例】以下、本発明を具体化した一実施例を図面を
参照して説明する。DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

【００１９】図１（ａ）、（ｂ）はそれぞれ、本実施例
の清掃部材の上面図、側面図である。清掃部材１０は、
一部に凹部１１を有し、ＡＢＳ等の樹脂にて構成された
部材本体１２、部材本体１２の長手方向の一端に一部分
を植毛されたブラシ部１３、及び、部材本体１２の他端
に接着され、部材本体１２の長手方向に着磁された磁性
体１４とで構成されている。又、着磁された磁性体１４
は、非磁性部材１５により被われており、非磁性部材１
５は、着磁された磁性体１４に対し着脱自在となる様構
成されている。1A and 1B are a top view and a side view, respectively, of the cleaning member of this embodiment. The cleaning member 10 is
A member main body 12 having a recess 11 in a part thereof and made of a resin such as ABS, a brush part 13 partly bristled at one end in the longitudinal direction of the member main body 12, and bonded to the other end of the member main body 12. And a magnetic body 14 magnetized in the longitudinal direction of the member main body 12. Also, the magnetized magnetic body 14
Is covered with the non-magnetic member 15, and the non-magnetic member 1
5 is configured to be attachable to and detachable from the magnetized magnetic body 14.

【００２０】図２に、搬送ガイド１９の、記録用紙５６
の搬送方向に垂直な断面図を示す。搬送ガイド１９は、
記録媒体の通過しない端部に搬送ガイド１９と一体に成
型された突起部２０を有し、その先端は概略Ｌ字状にな
っている。突起部２０の先端は、清掃部材１０の凹部１
１に係合する様構成され、清掃部材１０を容易に上方へ
突起部２０より取り外し可能となる様に構成されてい
る。本実施例では、清掃部材１０を、搬送ガイド１９端
部に脱着可能となる様にしたが、清掃部材の取り付け位
置は、搬送ガイド端部に限定されるものではない。たと
えば、搬送ガイド１９横の装置本体カバー内壁２１の一
部に突起部を設けてもよい。In FIG. 2, the recording paper 56 of the conveyance guide 19 is shown.
2 is a sectional view perpendicular to the transport direction of FIG. The transport guide 19 is
A protrusion 20 integrally formed with the transport guide 19 is provided at the end where the recording medium does not pass, and the tip is approximately L-shaped. The tip of the protrusion 20 is the recess 1 of the cleaning member 10.
1 so that the cleaning member 10 can be easily removed upward from the protrusion 20. In this embodiment, the cleaning member 10 can be attached to and detached from the end of the transport guide 19, but the mounting position of the cleaning member is not limited to the end of the transport guide. For example, a protrusion may be provided on a part of the inner wall 21 of the apparatus main body cover beside the transport guide 19.

【００２１】又、突起部を設けず磁石の磁力により装置
本体内部に固定する方法もある。There is also a method of fixing inside the apparatus main body by the magnetic force of a magnet without providing a protrusion.

【００２２】図３は、図１の清掃部材の変形例を示して
いる。清掃部材７０は、着磁された磁性体７２を部材本
体７１の一部に有した構成となっている。FIG. 3 shows a modification of the cleaning member shown in FIG. The cleaning member 70 has a structure in which a magnetized magnetic body 72 is included in a part of the member main body 71.

【００２３】図４に、搬送ガイド８２の、記録用紙５６
の搬送方向に垂直な断面図を示す。搬送ガイド８２の両
端には、装置本体カバー内壁８４の一部に、磁性体より
成る固定板８０を設けている。清掃部材７０は、着磁さ
れた磁性体７２と、固定板８０とを接触させる事により
磁力で固定できる。突起部８６は清掃部材７０が装置本
体が輸送等により下方へ落下するのを防止するために設
けられている。本実施例では清掃部材７０側に着磁され
た磁性体７２を設けたが、清掃部材７０側を非着磁な磁
性体とし、固定板８０を着磁された磁性体としてもよ
い。In FIG. 4, the recording paper 56 of the conveyance guide 82 is shown.
2 is a sectional view perpendicular to the transport direction of FIG. A fixing plate 80 made of a magnetic material is provided at a part of the inner wall 84 of the apparatus main body cover at both ends of the transport guide 82. The cleaning member 70 can be fixed by magnetic force by bringing the magnetized magnetic body 72 and the fixing plate 80 into contact with each other. The protrusion 86 is provided to prevent the cleaning member 70 from falling downward due to transportation of the apparatus body. In this embodiment, the magnetized magnetic body 72 is provided on the cleaning member 70 side, but the cleaning member 70 side may be a non-magnetized magnetic body and the fixed plate 80 may be a magnetized magnetic body.

【００２４】図５は、搬送ガイド１９上に粉体磁性トナ
ーが飛散した状態を表わしている。清掃部材１０の着磁
された磁性体部分１４を粉体磁性トナー３０に近づける
と、粉体磁性トナー３０は磁化され、清掃部材１０の着
磁された磁性体部分１４に引き寄せられる。つまり、清
掃部材１０を用いる事により搬送ガイド１９上に飛散し
たトナーを、簡単かつ確実に引き寄せ、除去することが
できる訳である。FIG. 5 shows a state in which the magnetic powder toner is scattered on the transport guide 19. When the magnetized magnetic material portion 14 of the cleaning member 10 is brought close to the powder magnetic toner 30, the powder magnetic toner 30 is magnetized and attracted to the magnetized magnetic material portion 14 of the cleaning member 10. That is, by using the cleaning member 10, the toner scattered on the transport guide 19 can be attracted and removed easily and reliably.

【００２５】飛散した粉体磁性トナー３０が広範囲に及
ぶ場合には、図１のブラシ部１３を使用して一旦、粉体
磁性トナー３０を集め、その後着磁された磁性体部分１
４にて除去する事により、より速く清掃が可能となる。When the scattered powder magnetic toner 30 covers a wide range, the powder magnetic toner 30 is once collected using the brush portion 13 of FIG. 1, and then the magnetized magnetic material portion 1 is used.
By removing in 4, it becomes possible to clean faster.

【００２６】清掃部材１０に引き寄せられた粉体磁性ト
ナー３０は、そのまま布等で拭き取っても良いが、非磁
性部材１５を、着磁された磁性体１４部より外す事によ
り粉体磁性トナーが非着磁状態となり布等で拭きとらな
くても容易に除去する事ができる。The powder magnetic toner 30 attracted to the cleaning member 10 may be wiped off with a cloth as it is, but the powder magnetic toner 30 is removed by removing the non-magnetic member 15 from the magnetized magnetic body 14 part. It becomes non-magnetized and can be easily removed without wiping with a cloth.

【００２７】[0027]

【発明の効果】以上説明したことから明かなように、本
発明の清掃部材によれば、少なくとも一部を着磁された
磁性体にて構成されているため、装置内部に粉体磁性ト
ナーが飛散し汚れた場合でも、清掃が容易になる上、安
価に構成できるという利点を有する。As is apparent from the above description, according to the cleaning member of the present invention, at least a part of the cleaning member is made of a magnetized magnetic material, so that the powder magnetic toner is not contained inside the apparatus. Even if it scatters and becomes dirty, it has the advantages that it is easy to clean and can be constructed at low cost.

【００２８】又、清掃部材の着磁された磁性体の少なく
とも一部を取り外し可能な非磁性部材で被えば、清掃
後、この非磁性部材を磁性体より取り外すことにより、
引き寄せられた粉体磁性トナーを清掃部材より簡単に除
去出来るという利点を有する。If at least a part of the magnetized magnetic material of the cleaning member is covered with a removable non-magnetic member, the non-magnetic member is removed from the magnetic material after cleaning,
It has an advantage that the attracted powder magnetic toner can be easily removed from the cleaning member.

【図面の簡単な説明】[Brief description of drawings]

【図１】図１（ａ）は本発明の清掃部材の上面図であ
る。図１（ｂ）はその側面図である。FIG. 1A is a top view of a cleaning member of the present invention. FIG. 1B is a side view thereof.

【図２】図２は搬送ガイドの断面図である。FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a conveyance guide.

【図３】図３（ａ）は本発明の清掃部材の他の実施例の
上面図である。図３（ｂ）はその側面図である。FIG. 3 (a) is a top view of another embodiment of the cleaning member of the present invention. FIG. 3B is a side view thereof.

【図４】図４は搬送ガイドの断面図である。FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a conveyance guide.

【図５】図５は、搬送ガイド上に粉体磁性トナーが飛散
した状態を表わす図である。FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state in which magnetic powder toner is scattered on a conveyance guide.

【図６】図６は、電子写真装置の要部断面図である。FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of essential parts of the electrophotographic apparatus.

【図７】図７は、電子写真装置のカバーを開けた状態の
要部断面図である。FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of essential parts of the electrophotographic apparatus in a state where a cover is opened.

【符号の説明】[Explanation of symbols]

１０ 清掃部材 １４ 着磁された磁性体 １５ 非磁性部材 ２０ 突起部 ３０ 粉体磁性トナー １９ 搬送ガイド 10 Cleaning Member 14 Magnetized Magnetic Material 15 Non-Magnetic Member 20 Projection 30 Powder Magnetic Toner 19 Transport Guide

Claims (2)

【特許請求の範囲】[Claims] 【請求項１】 光導電性を有する感光体の周囲に、靜電
潜像を形成するための帯電、露光装置、粉体磁性トナー
により該靜電潜像を可視像化するための現像装置、該可
視像化された像を記録媒体に転写するための転写装置、
及び、該転写後の該感光体上の残留トナーを除去するた
めのクリーニング装置を配置した電子写真装置における
手動操作にて清掃可能な清掃部材において、粉体磁性ト
ナーを集める作用部を有し、その作用部の少なくとも一
部を着磁された磁性体にて構成したことを特徴とする電
子写真装置における清掃部材。1. A charging and exposing device for forming a latent electrostatic image around a photoconductive photoreceptor, a developing device for visualizing the latent electrostatic image with powder magnetic toner, A transfer device for transferring a visible image to a recording medium,
And a cleaning member that can be manually cleaned in an electrophotographic apparatus in which a cleaning device for removing the residual toner on the photoconductor after the transfer is arranged, has an action part for collecting the powder magnetic toner, A cleaning member in an electrophotographic apparatus, characterized in that at least a part of its operating portion is composed of a magnetized magnetic material. 【請求項２】 該着磁された磁性体の少なくとも一部を
非磁性部材にて被う事を特徴とする請求項１記載の電子
写真装置における清掃部材。2. The cleaning member in an electrophotographic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the magnetized magnetic body is covered with a non-magnetic member.