JP2000075750A - Cleaning device and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cleaning device capable of removing deposit such as a residual toner or paper powder clinging to a member to be cleaned, such as a fixing belt or intermediate transfer body, with efficiency over a long period, and an image forming device adopting the cleaning device. SOLUTION: A cleaning container 11 has a cleaning blade 12 for removing deposits such as a toner clinging to a cleaning roller 22 and a ceramic heater 13 for heating the cleaning blade 12 to temperature not less than the melting point of the toner. In this case, the angle of the end of the blade 12 making contact with the cleaning roller 22 is from 5 to 90 degrees inclusive, and the angle formed by the scooping surface of the blade 12 scooping the deposit on the cleaning roller 22 and by the surface of the cleaning roller 22 orthogonally intersecting the part of the roller 22 making contact with the blade 12 is from 0 to 85 degrees inclusive.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a deposit containing toner remaining on a member to be cleaned which is heated at a predetermined position on a circulating movement path while carrying or circulating with the toner image in contact with the toner image. The present invention relates to a cleaning device for removing the toner and an image forming apparatus to which the cleaning device is applied.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming apparatus for transferring a toner image formed on a photoconductor to a recording material and fixing the toner image transferred on the recording material using a fixing belt, 2. Description of the Related Art There is known an image forming apparatus in which a formed toner image is primarily transferred to an intermediate transfer member, and the toner image primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer member is transferred to a recording material and fixed. These image forming apparatuses are provided with cleaning means for cleaning the fixing belt or the intermediate transfer body because a toner image remains on the fixing belt or the intermediate transfer body during the process of forming an image on a recording material.

Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus provided with a cleaning unit for cleaning a fixing belt and an image forming apparatus provided with a cleaning unit for cleaning an intermediate transfer member will be sequentially described.

FIG. 13 is a view showing an image forming apparatus provided with means for cleaning the fixing belt.

[0005] The image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 13 includes a toner image forming device 8, and a charging device, an exposing device, and a developing device (not shown) are built in the toner image forming device 8.
The toner image forming device 8 forms a toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 7, and the toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 7 is transported to a transfer position T1. Further, a pressing roll 9 is arranged so as to face the photosensitive drum 7. The pressing roll 9 presses the recording material 5 and applies an electrostatic force to the toner image conveyed to the transfer position T <b> 1. The toner image subjected to the electrostatic force is transferred to the recording material 5. The image forming apparatus includes a fixing device. The fixing device includes an endless belt-shaped fixing belt 1, a heating roll 2 for driving and heating the fixing belt 1, a tension roll 3, and a fixing belt. A pressure roll 4 disposed opposite to a heating roll 2 via 1
And The fixing belt 1 is stretched by a heating roll 2 and a tension roll 3, and is fixed at a fixing position F.
And rotates in the direction of arrow A via.

The recording material 5 to which the toner image 10 has been transferred at the transfer position T1 is conveyed to the fixing position F and conveyed between the fixing belt 1 and the pressure roll 4, where it is heated together with the fixing belt 1 and the heating roll 2. Then, the toner image 10 is fixed on the recording material 5 by being heated and pressed by the pressure roll 4. The recording material 5 on which the toner image 10 is fixed is separated from the fixing belt 1. Further, the residue including the unfixed toner remaining on the fixing belt 1 after the fixing of the toner image 10 is conveyed to the cleaning position C by the rotation of the fixing belt 1. At the cleaning position C, a cleaning roll 6 that rotates in the direction of arrow P while being in contact with the fixing belt 1 is disposed, and the residue on the fixing belt 1 adheres to the cleaning roll 6, thereby fixing Belt 1
Cleaning is performed.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an image forming apparatus provided with a means for cleaning the intermediate transfer member.

The image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 14 has a photosensitive drum 100 rotating in the direction of arrow B via a primary transfer position T1, and a toner image 10 on the surface of the photosensitive drum 100.
And a primary transfer position T1
And an endless belt-shaped intermediate transfer body 34 rotating in the direction of arrow A via the heating and pressing position T2, and the intermediate transfer body 3
4, a pressing roll 102 disposed opposite to the photosensitive drum 100, a heating roll 35, a tension roll 36, and a heating roll 35 via the intermediate transfer body 34.
And a pressure roll 37 disposed opposite to the recording medium guide 34, and a recording material guide 38 for transporting the recording material 5 between the intermediate transfer body 34 and the pressure roll 37. The intermediate transfer member 34 is stretched by a heating roll 35 and a tension roll 36. The cleaning roll 6 is provided at a position facing the tension roll 36 with the intermediate transfer member 34 interposed therebetween.

The toner image 10 formed on the photosensitive drum 100 by the toner image forming device 101 is
By the rotation of 0, the sheet is conveyed to the primary transfer position T1. The pressing roll 102 presses the intermediate transfer member 34 at the primary transfer position T1 and applies an electrostatic force to the toner image 10 conveyed to the primary transfer position T1, and the toner image 10 is subjected to the intermediate transfer by the electrostatic force. Transcribed on body 34.
The toner image 10 transferred onto the intermediate transfer member 34 is conveyed to the heating and pressing position T2 by rotation of the intermediate transfer member 34. The recording material guide 3 is located at the heating / pressing position T2.
8, the recording material 5 is transported, and the toner image 10 transported to the heating / pressing position T2 is
And sandwiched between. Heating roll 35 and pressure roll 37
Heats and presses the intermediate transfer body 34 and the recording material 5 with the toner image 10 interposed therebetween. After the heating and pressurization are released, the recording material 5
6 at the entrance portion. The residue including the unfixed toner remaining on the intermediate transfer member 34 after the transfer and fixing is conveyed to the cleaning position C by the rotation of the intermediate transfer member 34. The cleaning roll 6 rotates in the direction of arrow P while being in contact with the intermediate transfer body 34 at the cleaning position C, and the deposits on the intermediate transfer body 34 adhere to the cleaning roll 6, thereby causing the intermediate transfer The cleaning of the body 34 is performed.

[0010]

The image forming apparatus shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 has an adhesive layer on the surface of the cleaning roll 6, and removes impurities by the adhesive force of the adhesive layer. Therefore, for example, when the residue on the fixing belt 1 or the intermediate transfer member 34 continues to adhere to a specific position of the cleaning roll 6, irregularities are formed on the surface of the cleaning roll 6. As described above, when the surface of the cleaning roll 6 has irregularities, the adhesion between the cleaning roll 6 and the fixing belt 1 or the intermediate transfer member 34 is hindered, and there is a problem that the cleaning ability is reduced.

When cleaning is performed for a long time,
A large amount of toner accumulates on the cleaning roll 6. As described above, when a large amount of toner accumulates on the cleaning roll 6, it is necessary to keep the cleaning conditions optimal due to a change in the heat capacity of the cleaning roll 6, a temperature distribution in the thickness direction of the adhesive layer on the surface of the cleaning roll 6, and the like. Is difficult.

In order to solve the above problem, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-189878 discloses a method in which a metal roller is brought into contact with an intermediate transfer member, and a deposit such as toner on the intermediate transfer member is attached to the metal roller. An image forming apparatus that cleans the surface of the intermediate transfer member by removing the adhered matter from the surface of the metal roller is disclosed. The residue of the metal roller adheres to the removal roller,
If irregularities are formed on the surface of the adhering matter removing roller,
Since the surface of the metal roller is not easily deformed, the adhesion between the adhering matter removing roller and the metal roller deteriorates. Therefore, there is a problem that the adhering matter removing performance of the adhering matter removing roller is reduced, and it is difficult to clean the metal roller for a long period of time.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-13944 discloses a method of removing a substance adhering to a cleaning roller by contacting a substance removing roller having a surface covered with a toner layer with a cleaning roller for cleaning a member to be cleaned. There is disclosed an image forming apparatus having a large number of openings for moving attached matter removed from a cleaning roller to the inside of the attached matter removing roller on the surface of the attached matter removing roller, In this apparatus, there is a problem that the cleaning of the cleaning roller cannot be completely performed only by rotating the adhered matter removing roller once.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above circumstances, the present invention provides a cleaning device and a cleaning device capable of efficiently removing adhering matters such as residual toner and paper powder adhering to a member to be cleaned such as a fixing belt and an intermediate transfer member for a long period of time. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus to which is applied.

[0015]

According to the present invention, there is provided a cleaning device which carries a toner image or which is heated at a predetermined position on a circulation path while circulating and moving in contact with the toner image. In the cleaning device for removing the adhered matter containing toner remaining on the cleaning member, the adhered material on the cleaned member is circulated and moved in contact with the member to be cleaned, whereby the adhered material on the member to be cleaned is removed from the member to be cleaned. A cleaning member to be removed; a blade having a tip contacting the cleaning member to remove the deposits on the cleaning member; and blade heating means for heating the blade to a temperature equal to or higher than the melting temperature of the toner. I do.

Further, a first image forming apparatus of the present invention forms a toner image according to image information and transfers the toner image onto a predetermined material to be transferred in an unfixed state. And a fixing unit that has a heating and pressing member that heats and presses the transferred unfixed toner image in contact with the transferred material, and fixes the toner image on the transferred material. An image forming apparatus for forming an image composed of a fixed toner image on a transfer material, comprising: a cleaning unit for removing an adhering substance containing toner remaining on the heating and pressing member, wherein the cleaning unit includes the heating and pressing member. The cleaning member removes the adhered substance from the heating / pressurizing member by adhering the adhered substance on the heating / pressing member to itself, and the cleaning member contacts the cleaning member. A blade for removing the deposits on the cleaning member, characterized in that a blade heating means for heating the blade to a temperature above the melting temperature of the toner.

According to a second image forming apparatus of the present invention, there is provided an image carrier having a toner image formed on a surface thereof, and a toner image forming device for forming a toner image corresponding to image information on the image carrier. Means, a roller-shaped or endless belt-shaped intermediate transfer body that receives a transfer of the toner image from the image carrier and conveys the toner image to a predetermined heating and pressing position, and the intermediate transfer member at the heating and pressing position A predetermined transfer material is superimposed on the intermediate transfer body with the toner image interposed therebetween, heated and pressed, and the transfer material after the heating and pressurization is released is separated from the intermediate transfer body. An image forming apparatus for forming an image composed of a fixed toner image on a material to be transferred, the image forming apparatus comprising: a cleaning unit that removes toner-containing deposits remaining on the intermediate transfer body; Cree A cleaning member that circulates and moves in contact with the intermediate transfer member, removes the deposit from the intermediate transfer member by attaching the deposit on the intermediate transfer member to itself, and a cleaning member that contacts the cleaning member. And a blade heating means for heating the blade to a temperature higher than the melting temperature of the toner.

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

FIG. 1 is a view showing an embodiment of the first image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows the first embodiment of the present invention.
An example is shown in which the cleaning device of the embodiment is applied to cleaning of a fixing belt.

In the description of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1, the same components as those of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. Only the differences will be described.

The image forming apparatus shown in FIG. The cleaning device 11 includes a cleaning roll 22. The cleaning roll 22 is disposed so as to be able to freely contact and separate from the fixing belt 1 in the R1 direction. The cleaning device 11 includes a cleaning blade 12 for removing extraneous matter such as toner adhering to the cleaning roll 22, a ceramic heater 13 for heating the cleaning blade 12 to a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point of the toner, An adhering matter collecting member 14 for collecting adhering matter such as toner removed by the cleaning blade 12 is provided. Cleaning blade 1
Reference numeral 2 is disposed so as to be able to freely contact and separate from the cleaning roll 22 in the R2 direction. Further, the cleaning device 11
Has a moving unit 15, a heating temperature adjusting unit 16, and a rotation speed adjusting unit 17. The operation of these means will be described later.

FIG. 2 is a view showing a cleaning device of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a front view of a cleaning blade and a ceramic heater provided in the cleaning device, and FIG. 4 is a side view thereof. . In FIG. 2, the attached matter collecting member 14 is not shown.

The cleaning roll 22 has a cleaning roll substrate 19. An elastic layer 20 having a thickness of 2 mm is formed on the surface of the cleaning roll base material 19, and a resin layer 21 (thickness 50 μm) which develops adhesiveness by heating is formed on the surface of the elastic layer 20. Further, a heater 18 for heating the resin layer 21 to a temperature equal to or higher than the glass transition temperature is provided in the cleaning roll base material 19. The cleaning roll substrate 19 has a diameter of 50 mm,
It is an aluminum roll having a length of 340 mm. The elastic layer 20 is a silicone rubber having a hardness of 30 °, and the resin layer 21 is a polyester resin having a melting point of 120 ° C. and a glass transition point of 70 ° C. Although the cleaning roll substrate 19 is made of aluminum here, it may be made of a heat-resistant resin such as polyimide or PPS. Further, although silicone rubber having a hardness of 30 ° is used as the elastic layer 20, for example, fluorine rubber may be used.

The moving means 15 of the cleaning device 11 moves the cleaning roll 22 and the cleaning blade 12 in the R1 direction and the R2 direction, respectively.
The moving means 15
Cleaning roll 22 and cleaning blade 1
2 is controlled so as to be relatively movable toward and away from each other. The heating temperature adjusting means 16 changes the heating temperature of the heater 18 in a state where the cleaning roll 22 and the cleaning blade 12 are in contact with each other and in a state where they are separated from each other. When the cleaning roller 2 and the cleaning blade 12 are in contact with each other and separated from each other,
2 is to change the rotation speed.

The cleaning blade 12, as shown in FIG. 4, is a single-edged blade and is made of stainless steel.
The cleaning blade 12 removes deposits attached to the resin layer 21 of the cleaning roll 22.
In order to efficiently remove the deposits attached to the resin layer 21, the angle of the tip of the cleaning blade 12 is preferably 5 to 90 degrees. Here, as shown in FIG. 4, the angle of the tip is 20 degrees.

A ceramic heater 13 for heating the cleaning blade 12 to a temperature higher than the melting temperature of the toner is attached to the cleaning blade 12. Here, the ceramic heater 13 is used to heat the cleaning blade 12, but, for example, a silicone rubber heater or the like can be used instead of the ceramic heater 13. Further, the cleaning blade 12 may be heated in a non-contact manner by using the radiant heat of the lamp, or a heater is attached to a holder (not shown) supporting the cleaning blade 12, and the heat of the heater is passed through the holder. By transferring the heat to the cleaning blade 12, the cleaning blade 12 can be heated.

In order to remove the deposits attached to the surface of the resin layer 21 of the cleaning roll 22, the cleaning blade 12 and the resin layer 21 of the cleaning roll 22 are removed.
It is necessary to set the angle between the cleaning blade 12 and the surface T of the resin layer 21 that is in contact with the portion of the resin layer 21 that contacts the cleaning blade 12 in a state where the two are in contact with each other. The optimum angle for removing the deposits varies depending on the diameter of the cleaning roll 22, the surface temperature, the rotation speed, the angle of the tip of the cleaning blade 12, the temperature of the tip, and the like. It is necessary to set an angle between the cleaning blade 12 and the surface T. Here, the angle between the cleaning blade 12 and the surface T is set to 25 degrees as shown in FIG. Further, in order to efficiently remove the deposits adhered to the resin layer 21, the cleaning blade 12 and the resin layer 21 of the cleaning roll 22 are in contact with each other when the cleaning blade 12 is in contact with each other.
Scooping surface 12a for scooping the attached matter adhered to the resin layer 21
And the surface N of the resin layer 21 that intersects perpendicularly with the contact portion with the cleaning blade 12 is 0 degree or more and 85 degrees or more.
Degree or less. Here, as described above, the angle of the tip of the cleaning blade 12 is 20 degrees (see FIG. 4).
When the cleaning blade 12 and the resin layer 21 of the cleaning roll 22 are in contact with each other, the angle between the cleaning blade 12 and the surface T is 25 degrees. Therefore, the angle between the scooping surface 12a of the cleaning blade 12 and the perpendicular N is 45
It becomes degree.

The structure of each component of the fixing device provided in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 will be briefly described below.

A fixing belt is formed by coating a polyimide belt base material having a thickness of 75 μm with a fluororesin layer having a thickness of 30 μm. Heating roll: An HTV silicone rubber having a thickness of 3 mm and a rubber hardness of 50 ° is coated on an aluminum core having a thickness of 7 mm. The diameter is 50mm. Pressure roll: An HTV silicone rubber having a thickness of 1.5 mm and a rubber hardness of 50 ° is coated on an aluminum core having a thickness of 7 mm. 50m diameter
m. Tension roll; diameter 40 mm. Made of stainless steel. Next, the operation of the cleaning device 11 provided in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 will be described.

In the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.
The cleaning of the fixing belt 1 is performed separately and not simultaneously with the removal of the adhering matter adhering to the cleaning roll 22. When the fixing belt 1 is cleaned, the resin layer 21 (see FIG. 2) of the cleaning roll 22 is fixed. The moving unit 15 moves the cleaning blade 22 and the cleaning blade 12 so that the cleaning blade 12 comes into contact with the belt 1 and separates from the cleaning roller 22.
To move. At this time, the heater 18 (see FIG. 2) of the cleaning roll 22 heats the resin layer 21. Resin layer 2
1 is in contact with the fixing belt 1 so that its resin layer 21
Is heated, the toner attached to the fixing belt 1 is melted. Therefore, the toner adhered to the fixing belt 1 can be easily adhered to the cleaning roll 22. Further, the cleaning roll 22 is provided with an elastic layer 20 (see FIG. 2).
Therefore, for example, even if the cleaning roll 22 adheres to the deposit on the fixing belt 1 and the unevenness due to the deposit is formed on the surface of the cleaning roll 22, the elastic layer 20 deforms. Adhesion between the surface of the resin layer 21 and the surface of the fixing belt 1 can be secured, and good cleaning can be stably performed for a long period of time.

On the other hand, when removing the adhering matter adhering to the cleaning roll 22, the moving means 15 separates the cleaning roll 22 from the fixing belt 1 and contacts the cleaning blade 12, and the heating temperature adjusting means 16 controls the resin layer. The temperature of the fixing roller 1 is adjusted to be higher than the temperature of the fixing belt 1 at the time of cleaning, and the rotation speed of the cleaning roll 22 is reduced by the rotation speed adjusting means 17 to a speed lower than the speed of the fixing belt 1 at the time of cleaning (here, , 20 mm / sec). Further, the cleaning blade 12 is heated by the ceramic heater 13 to a temperature equal to or higher than the melting temperature of the toner. Thus, the resin layer 2
1 is adjusted to be higher than the temperature at the time of cleaning the fixing belt 1 and the cleaning blade 12
Is heated so that the cleaning roll 22
The toner adhered to the cleaning roller 22 is easily melted, and the adhered matter such as the toner adhered to the cleaning roll 22 is scraped off from the cleaning roll 22 by the cleaning blade 12.
At this time, in order to melt the toner adhered to the cleaning roll 22 in a shorter time, for example, heat transmitted from the ceramic heater 13 to the cleaning blade 12 may be efficiently transmitted to the cleaning roll 22. In order to efficiently transfer the heat of the ceramic heater 13 to the cleaning roll 22, the cleaning roll 22 is
It is preferable to rotate the cleaning blade 12 at a speed of 100 mm / sec or less. Here, as described above, the cleaning roller 22 is rotated at a speed of 20 mm / sec with respect to the cleaning blade 12 so that the heat of the ceramic heater 13 is removed from the cleaning roller 2.
2 efficiently.

When the substances adhered to the cleaning roll 22 are scraped off, a clean resin layer 21 appears on the surface of the cleaning roll 22. The cleaning blade 12 not only removes deposits but also reduces a step due to unevenness on the surface of the cleaning roll 22. Thus, the cleaning roll 22
Is removed.

The cleaning device 11 includes a cleaning blade 12 as a member for removing the deposit on the cleaning roll 22. If a roll is used instead of the cleaning blade 12 as a member for removing the deposit, the cleaning roll 22 is attached to the roll itself.
It is necessary to remove the adhered substance from the cleaning roll 22 by attaching the adhered substance. Therefore, the adherence of the roll itself is reduced by continuing to adhere the adhered substance, and the adhered substance is removed from the cleaning roll 22 for a long time. Although it is difficult, the cleaning blade 12 removes the adhered substance from the cleaning roll 22 by scraping the adhered substance, so that the adhered substance scarcely adheres to the cleaning blade 12 and is removed from the cleaning roll 22 for a long time. Kimono can be efficiently removed.

Further, in the present embodiment, the moving means 15 for controlling the cleaning roll 22 and the cleaning blade 12 so as to be relatively movable toward and away from each other is provided. Reference numeral 15 designates the cleaning roll 22 as the fixing belt 1
From the cleaning blade 12. On the other hand, when cleaning the fixing belt 1,
The moving unit 15 separates the cleaning roll 22 from the cleaning blade 12 and contacts the fixing belt 1. Therefore, the vibration generated by the contact between the cleaning blade 12 and the cleaning roll 22 is prevented from being transmitted to the fixing belt 1 via the cleaning roll 22. Thus, since the propagation of the vibration to the fixing belt 1 is prevented, the toner 10 transferred to the recording medium 5 is removed at the same time as removing the adhered substance from the cleaning roll 22 or cleaning the fixing belt 1. Even after fixing, a beautiful image is formed on the recording medium 5.

In the present embodiment, when removing the deposit from the cleaning roll 22, the cleaning roll 22 is separated from the fixing belt 1. However, when the cleaning roll 22 is brought into contact with the fixing belt 1, the cleaning is performed. When the roller 22 is rotated following the fixing belt 1, and the cleaning blade 12 is brought into contact with the cleaning roller 22, the rotation speed of the fixing belt 1 is adjusted to a speed suitable for removing the deposits from the cleaning roller 22. By doing so, it is possible to remove the deposit without having the image forming apparatus have a dedicated rotation mechanism for rotating the cleaning roll 22.

In this embodiment, the moving means 15, the heating temperature adjusting means 16 and the rotational speed adjusting means 17 are provided. However, even without these means, the cleaning blade 12 is brought into contact with the cleaning roll 22. Thereby, the deposit can be removed from the cleaning roll 22 for a long time.

FIG. 5 is a view showing a first embodiment of the second image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 5 shows an example in which the cleaning device according to the second embodiment of the present invention is applied to cleaning of an intermediate transfer member.

In the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 5, the same components as those of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 14 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and only the differences from the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. I do.

The image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 5 has one photosensitive drum 100 provided in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.
And four photosensitive drums 31 instead of the toner image forming device 101 for forming a toner image on the photosensitive drum 100
And a toner image forming device 32 for forming a toner image on the four photosensitive drums 31. These four photosensitive drums 31 are for forming toner images of respective colors of yellow, magenta, cyan and black. The toner image forming device 32 has built-in developing units for yellow, magenta, sian, and black, and the developing units for these colors include a charger,
An exposure unit and a developing unit are provided. By these developing units for each color, toner images of respective colors of yellow, magenta, sian, and black are formed on the four photosensitive drums 31, respectively. Four photosensitive drums 3
1 is conveyed to the primary transfer position T1 by the rotation of the four photosensitive drums 31. Further, the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 5 is different from the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.
It has four pressing rolls 33. These pressing rolls 33 are connected to the four photosensitive drums 3 via the intermediate transfer body 34.
The pressing rolls 33 press the intermediate transfer member 34 and apply an electrostatic force to the toner image conveyed to the primary transfer position T1. The toner image subjected to the electrostatic force is the intermediate transfer member 3
4 and transferred to the heating / pressing position T2.

The image forming apparatus shown in FIG. In describing the cleaning device 40, only differences from the cleaning device 11 of the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1 will be described.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a cleaning device of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 5, and FIG. 7 is a side view of a cleaning blade and a ceramic heater provided in the cleaning device. Incidentally, in FIG.
Are not shown. The cleaning device 40 cleans the intermediate transfer member 34, and the cleaning roll 22 provided in the cleaning device 40 is disposed so as to be able to freely contact and separate in the R1 direction (see FIG. 5) with respect to the intermediate transfer member 34. .

The cleaning roll substrate 19 constituting the cleaning roll 22 has a diameter of 28 mm and a length of 340.
mm stainless steel. The elastic layer 20 formed on the surface of the cleaning roll substrate 19 has a thickness of 3 m.
m, a silicone rubber having a hardness of 20 °. The resin layer 21 formed on the surface of the elastic layer 20 has a temperature of 100 ° C.
And a glass transition point of 60 ° C.

The cleaning blade 12 is a double-edged blade, and its tip has an angle of 45 degrees (see FIG. 7). Further, the cleaning device 40 is configured such that when the cleaning blade 12 and the resin layer 21 of the cleaning roll 22 are in contact with each other, the cleaning blade 12
And the surface T of the resin layer 21 in contact with the contact portion with the cleaning blade 12 is set to 15 degrees. Therefore, the scooping surface 12a of the cleaning blade 12
And the surface N of the resin layer 21 that intersects perpendicularly with the contact portion of the resin layer 21 with the cleaning blade 12, the angle is 37.5.
It becomes degree.

Hereinafter, the operation of the cleaning device 40 provided in the image forming apparatus thus configured will be described.

In the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 5, the cleaning of the intermediate transfer member 34 is performed separately without simultaneously removing the adhered matter on the cleaning roll 22, and the cleaning of the intermediate transfer member 34 is performed. In some cases, the moving unit 15 moves so that the resin layer 21 (see FIG. 6) of the cleaning roll 22 comes into contact with the intermediate transfer body 34 and the cleaning blade 12 is separated from the cleaning roll 22.
Moves the cleaning roll 22 and the cleaning blade 12. At this time, the heater 18 of the cleaning roll 22 heats the resin layer 21. Since the resin layer 21 is in contact with the intermediate transfer member 34, when the resin layer 21 is heated, the toner attached to the intermediate transfer member 34 is melted. Therefore, the toner attached to the intermediate transfer member 34 can be easily attached to the cleaning roll 22.

On the other hand, when removing the adhered matter adhered to the cleaning roll 22, the moving means 15 separates the cleaning roll 22 from the intermediate transfer member 34 to contact the cleaning blade 12, and the heating temperature adjusting means 16 controls the resin. The temperature of the layer 21 is adjusted to be higher than the temperature at the time of cleaning the intermediate transfer member 34, and the rotation speed of the cleaning roll 22 is reduced by the rotation speed adjusting means 17 at a speed lower than the speed at which the intermediate transfer member 34 is cleaned (here, Then, it is adjusted to 80 mm / sec). Further, the cleaning blade 12 is heated by the ceramic heater 13 to a temperature equal to or higher than the melting temperature of the toner. In this manner, the adhered matter on the cleaning roll 22 is removed.

The intermediate transfer member 34, the heating roll 35, and the pressure roll 3 provided in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.
7, and the structure of the tension roll 36 will be briefly described.

Intermediate transfer body 34: A polyimide belt having a thickness of 75 μm and a volume resistivity ρ = 10 ⁹ Ωcm is coated with silicone rubber having a thickness of 50 μm and a volume resistivity ρ = 10 ¹⁴ Ωcm. .

Heating roll 35: A 3 mm thick H rubber having a rubber hardness of 50 degrees was placed on a 7 mm thick aluminum cored bar.
It is configured by being coated with TV silicone rubber. The diameter is 50mm. Pressure roll 37: A 1.5 mm thick HTV silicone rubber with a rubber hardness of 50 degrees is coated on a 7 mm thick aluminum core. The diameter is 50mm. Tension roll 36; diameter 50 mm. Made of stainless steel.
Next, a second embodiment of the second image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a side of the image forming apparatus where the cleaning device is disposed. The cleaning device according to the third embodiment of the present invention is applied to this image forming apparatus. In the description of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 8, only differences from the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 5 will be described.

The difference between the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 8 and the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 5 is that the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.
Cleaning device 4 provided in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.
The only difference is that a cleaning device 50 different from 0 is provided.

The cleaning device 50 shown in FIG. 8 is provided with an endless belt 51 which is in contact with the intermediate transfer member 34 and removes adhered matter from the intermediate transfer member 34.
Is disposed so as to be able to freely contact and separate from the intermediate transfer body 34 in the R1 direction at the cleaning position C. Further, the cleaning device 50 includes a tension roll 52 and a pressing roll 53, and the endless belt 51 is stretched by the tension roll 52 and the pressing roll 53. The pressing roll 53 presses the endless belt 51 against the intermediate transfer body 34, and the pressing roll 53
An elastic layer 53a is provided on the surface that contacts the endless belt 51. In addition, the cleaning blade 54 to which the heater 55 is attached is disposed so as to be able to freely contact and separate from the endless belt 51 in the R2 direction. Moving means for moving the endless belt 51 and the cleaning blade 54 in the R1 and R2 directions are not shown.

By providing the elastic layer 53a on the surface of the pressing roll 53, the endless belt 51 and the intermediate transfer member 34 are provided.
And the intermediate transfer member 34
Can be efficiently cleaned.

As described above, the intermediate transfer member 34 may be cleaned by the endless belt 51.

Next, the third image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
An embodiment will be described.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the side of the image forming apparatus where the cleaning device is disposed. In the description of this image forming apparatus, only the differences from the image forming apparatus described with reference to FIG. 8 will be described.

The difference between the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 9 and the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 8 is that the cleaning device 60 of the image forming device shown in FIG. The only difference is that an endless belt 51 and a pressing roll 62 different from the endless belt 51 and the pressing roll 53 are provided.

The endless belt 61 provided in the cleaning device 60 shown in FIG. 9 has a three-layer structure in which a base material layer 61a, an elastic layer 61b, and a resin layer 61c are laminated.
The pressing roll 62 is a metal roll. The moving means of the cleaning device 60 is not shown.

In the cleaning device 50 shown in FIG. 8, the endless belt 51 and the intermediate transfer body 34 are brought into close contact with each other by providing the pressing roller 53 with the elastic layer 53. Instead of providing the pressing roller with the elastic layer, As in a cleaning device 60 shown in FIG. 9, an endless belt 61 for removing adhering matter from the intermediate transfer body 34 is provided with an elastic layer 61b, and the endless belt 61 and the intermediate transfer body 34 are brought into close contact with the elastic layer 61b. You may.

Next, the cleaning device 40 shown in FIG.
An example used for cleaning the pressure roll 37 will be described.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram thereof. The moving means, the heating temperature adjusting means, the rotation speed adjusting means, and the attached matter collecting member of the cleaning device are not shown.

As shown in FIG. 10, the cleaning device of the present invention is not limited to cleaning the fixing belt and the intermediate transfer member, but may be used for cleaning the pressure roller 37, for example.

[0063]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

FIGS. 1 and 5 show Embodiments 1 and 2, respectively.
The image forming apparatus shown was used. Hereinafter, an experiment performed on the cleaning effect of the cleaning device included in each of the image forming apparatuses illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 5 will be described. (Example 1) Using the cleaning device 11 shown in FIG.
The image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 fixes the toner image on the recording material 5 to remove the toner accumulated on the fixing belt 1, and conducted an experiment of maintaining the cleaning effect by the cleaning device 11. Normally, when an image is continuously formed on a recording material, the surface of the fixing belt 1 is contaminated with toner and paper dust, and the gloss of image quality is reduced. Here, 10
000 sheets of recording material were conveyed to the fixing belt 1, and the maintenance effect of the cleaning effect when the toner image was fixed on each recording material was confirmed by the state of the attached matter on the fixing belt 1. The experimental conditions are shown below.

Fixing conditions Recording material conveyance speed; 120 mm / sec. Surface temperature of fixing belt 1; 130 ° C. at Nip portion between heating roll 2 and pressure roll 4 Fixing pressure; Nip portion between heating roll 2 and pressure roll 4 5 kg / cm ² cleaning pressure; 1 kg / cm ² recording material in the Nip portion between the cleaning roll 22 and the tension roll 3; J paper A3 size (manufactured by Fuji Xerox): basis weight 8
2 g / m ² , thickness 98 μm Toner; toner used in A-color 635 manufactured by Fuji Xerox; toner area ratio; 20% image pattern; character chart (black toner) Removal condition of toner accumulated on cleaning roll 22 Toner removal Frequency: Every time a toner image is fixed on 200 recording materials, the toner accumulated on the cleaning roll 22 is removed. Cleaning roll 22 rotation speed; 20 mm / sec Cleaning roll 22 temperature; 100 ° C. Cleaning blade 12 temperature; 180 ° C. FIG. 11 is a graph showing test results. The horizontal axis of this graph is the number of recording materials on which the toner image has been fixed at the fixing position F. The vertical axis represents the grade indicating the toner adhesion state when the fixing belt 1 is observed each time the toner image is fixed on 1000 recording materials. Here, the grade is 6 based on the following criteria. Classified into stages. Grade 0: A state in which the toner cannot be seen even when observed with a loupe (25 times). Grade 0.5; a state in which the toner is slightly visible when observed with a loupe (25 times). Grade 1.0; toner can be seen with a loupe (25 times), but cannot be seen visually. Grade 1.5: A state in which the toner is slightly visible when visually observed. Grade 2.0: a state in which the toner is visible when visually observed and closely observed. Grade 2.5: A state in which the toner is clearly visible by visual observation.

Generally, if the toner is not visible when the fixing belt 1 is visually observed, or if the toner is visible when the toner is visually observed, if the amount of the visible toner is small (that is, grade 0 to grade 1.5), It can be considered that the cleaning of the fixing belt 1 is efficiently performed by the cleaning device.

From the graph shown in FIG. 11, the grade is 1. even when a large number of recording materials of 10,000 sheets are run.
5 or less, which indicates that the cleaning device has a sufficient cleaning ability. (Embodiment 2) Using the cleaning device 40 shown in FIG.
An image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 5 removes toner accumulated on the intermediate transfer body 34 by transferring and fixing a toner image on a recording material, and an experiment of maintaining the cleaning effect of the cleaning device 40 was performed. The test conditions are shown below. Image output condition Recording material conveyance speed; 180 mm / sec Temperature of cleaning roll 22; 110 ° C. Surface temperature of intermediate transfer body 34; 120 ° C. at Nip portion of heating roll 35 and pressure roll 37 Transfer pressure; Heat roll 35 and pressure roll 37 kg of Nip part, 2 kg / cm ² cleaning pressure; Nip part of cleaning roll 22 and heating roll 35, 1 kg / cm ² recording material 132; J paper A3 size (Fuji Xerox)
.. basis weight 82 g / m ² , thickness 98 μm toner; toner used in Fuji Xerox A-color 635 toner area ratio: 20% image pattern; character chart (black toner) halftone chart (yellow / magenta / cyan) (Process black by toner) alternately every 50 sheets. Removal Condition of Toner Accumulated on Cleaning Roll 22 Toner removal frequency: Every time a toner image is transferred and fixed to 500 recording materials, the toner accumulated on cleaning roll 22 is removed. Cleaning roll 22 rotation speed; 80 mm / sec Cleaning roll 22 temperature; 130 ° C. Cleaning blade 12 temperature; 200 ° C. FIG. 12 is a graph showing test results. The horizontal axis of this graph is the number of recording materials on which the toner image has been transferred and fixed at the transfer fixing position T2. The vertical axis is the grade indicating the toner adhesion state when the intermediate transfer member 34 is observed each time the toner image is transferred and fixed to 1000 recording materials, and is shown in Example 1 here. It was classified into 6 stages based on the same standard as Grade 0 to Grade 2.5.

As in the case of observing the fixing belt 1 of the image forming apparatus of Example 1, the toner is not visible when the intermediate transfer member 34 is visually observed, or the toner is visible even when the toner is visually observed. If the amount of toner is small (that is, grade 0 to grade 1.5), it can be considered that the cleaning of the intermediate transfer body 34 is efficiently performed by the cleaning device.

From the graph shown in FIG. 12, the grade is 1. even when a large number of recording materials of 10,000 sheets are run.
5 or less, indicating that the cleaning device has a sufficient cleaning ability.

[0070]

As described above, according to the present invention,
A cleaning device capable of efficiently removing adhering matter such as residual toner and paper powder adhering to a member to be cleaned such as a fixing belt and an intermediate transfer member over a long period of time, and an image forming apparatus to which the cleaning device is applied are obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a first image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a cleaning device of the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view of a cleaning blade and a ceramic heater.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a cleaning blade and a ceramic heater.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a first embodiment of a second image forming apparatus of the present invention.

6 is a diagram showing a cleaning device of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a side view of a cleaning blade and a ceramic heater.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a side of the image forming apparatus on which a cleaning device is disposed.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a side of the image forming apparatus different from FIG. 8 on which a cleaning device is disposed.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of an example in which a cleaning device is used for cleaning a pressure roll.

11 is a graph showing the results of a test performed using the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.

12 is a graph showing the results of a test performed using the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus including a unit that cleans a fixing belt.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus provided with a unit for cleaning an intermediate transfer member.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Fixing belt 2, 35 Heating roll 3, 36, 52 Tension roll 4, 37 Pressure roll 5 Recording material 7, 31 Photoconductor drum 8, 32 Toner image forming unit 9, 33, 53, 62 Press roll 10 Toner image 11 , 40, 50, 60 Cleaning device 12, 54 Cleaning blade 12a Scooping surface 13 Ceramic heater 14 Adhered matter collecting member 15 Moving means 16 Heating temperature adjusting means 17 Rotation speed adjusting means 18, 55 Heater 19 Cleaning roll base material 20, 53a, 61b Elastic layer 21 Resin layer 22 Cleaning roll 34 Intermediate transfer body 38 Recording medium guide 51, 61 Endless belt 61a Base layer 61c Resin layer

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Nobuhiro Katsuta 430 Sakai, Nakai-cho, Ashigara-gun, Kanagawa Green Tech Nakai F-term in Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. (Reference) 2H032 BA05 BA08 BA09 BA18 BA30 2H033 BA49 BA50 BA54 BA55 BA56 BB01 2H034 AA00 AA02 BC01 BC03 BC08 BF00 BF01 BF03 BF07 BF08

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A cleaning device for removing adhered matter containing toner remaining on a member to be cleaned which is heated at a predetermined position on a circulation moving path while carrying or circulating with and contacting the toner image, A cleaning member that circulates in contact with the member to be cleaned and removes the adhered substance from the member to be cleaned by attaching the substance on the member to be cleaned to itself; A cleaning device, comprising: a blade for removing deposits on a member; and a blade heating means for heating the blade to a temperature equal to or higher than a melting temperature of toner. 2. The cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning member and the blade are relatively movable. 3. The cleaning member has a resin layer that develops tackiness when heated on the surface of the cleaning member, and the cleaning device moves the resin layer on the surface of the cleaning member to a glass transition temperature or higher. 2. The cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a resin layer heating means for heating the resin layer to a temperature of: 4. The cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the angle of the tip of the blade that contacts the cleaning member is 5 degrees or more and 90 degrees or less. 5. An angle between a scooping surface of the blade for scooping the adhered matter adhered to the cleaning member and a surface of the cleaning member perpendicular to a portion in contact with the blade is 0 degree or more and 85 degrees or more. The cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein: 6. The cleaning member, wherein a contact portion of the cleaning member with the blade moves at a relative speed of 100 mm / sec or less with respect to a contact portion of the blade with the cleaning member. The cleaning device according to claim 1. 7. A heating temperature adjusting means for changing a heating temperature of the resin layer heating means when the cleaning member and the blade are in contact with each other and when the cleaning member and the blade are separated from each other. A cleaning device as described. 8. The apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising moving speed adjusting means for changing a moving speed of the cleaning member when the cleaning member and the blade are in contact with each other and when the blade is separated from the blade. Cleaning device. 9. The cleaning apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the cleaning member is in a roll shape, has an elastic layer, and has the resin layer formed on the elastic layer. . 10. The cleaning apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the cleaning member is a belt-shaped member, and has an elastic layer and the resin layer is formed on the elastic layer. . 11. A pressing member that presses the cleaning member against the cleaning member at a position facing the cleaning member with the cleaning member interposed therebetween, wherein the pressing member has an elastic layer on a surface. The cleaning device according to claim 10, wherein the cleaning device is provided. 12. A toner image forming and transferring means for forming a toner image according to image information and transferring the toner image onto a predetermined transfer receiving material in an unfixed state, and carrying the transferred unfixed toner image. Fixing means for fixing a toner image on the transfer material, the fixing means having a heating / pressing member for heating and pressing in contact with the transferred material, and fixing the image comprising the fixed toner image on the transfer material. The image forming apparatus includes a cleaning unit that removes adhered matter including toner remaining on the heating and pressing member. The cleaning unit circulates in contact with the heating and pressing member, and A cleaning member that removes deposits from the heating and pressurizing member by attaching the deposits on the pressure member to itself; and a brake that contacts the cleaning member and removes deposits on the cleaning member. When the image forming apparatus characterized by comprising a blade heating means for heating the blade to a temperature above the melting temperature of the toner. 13. An image carrier having a surface on which a toner image is formed, a toner image forming means for forming a toner image corresponding to image information on the image carrier, and a toner image Roll transfer or endless belt-shaped intermediate transfer body that receives the transfer and conveys the toner image to a predetermined heating and pressing position,
At the heating / pressing position, a predetermined material to be transferred is superimposed on the intermediate transfer body in a state where the toner image is sandwiched between the intermediate transfer body and the intermediate transfer body. And an image forming apparatus for forming an image composed of a fixed toner image on the material to be transferred, comprising: a toner remaining on the intermediate transfer material. Cleaning means for removing the deposits, the cleaning means circulating and moving in contact with the intermediate transfer body, and removing the deposits from the intermediate transfer body by attaching the deposits on the intermediate transfer body to itself; A cleaning member, a blade that contacts the cleaning member and removes deposits on the cleaning member, and a blade that heats the blade to a temperature equal to or higher than a melting temperature of toner. An image forming apparatus characterized by comprising a de heating means.