JP4821241B2 - Image forming apparatus and image forming system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming system.

  Image forming apparatuses such as laser beam printers are already well known. Such an image forming apparatus includes, for example, a developer moving body that rotates and moves the developer while carrying the developer in order to transfer the developer to the medium, and a developer moving body that is not transferred to the medium. And a recovery unit for recovering the remaining developer.

  The recovery unit is provided with a scraping blade, and the scraping blade comes into contact with the developer moving body to recover the developer remaining on the developer moving body. The developer on the moving body (developer that moves as the developer moving body rotates) is scraped off. In addition, a seal member is provided in the collection unit, and the seal member contacts the developer moving body at the contact unit, and the developer scraped off by the scraping blade is discharged to the outside of the collection unit. Prevent leakage. Further, the scraping blade and the seal member are configured to be able to contact and separate from the developer moving body. That is, the scraping blade moves between a contact position and a non-contact position, and the seal member can move between a contact position and a non-contact position.

Some of the image forming apparatuses include a vent for moving the air in the collection unit to the outside of the collection unit. When the scraping blade and the seal member move (contact / separate), the volume of the recovery unit (for example, the housing of the recovery unit, the scraping blade, the seal member, the member that supports the scraping blade, and the seal member) The volume of the portion surrounded by the member to be changed). Due to the change in volume, an air flow is generated in the collection unit, and the air flow causes the developer to leak from between the separated scraping blade and the developer moving body by moving the developer in the collection unit. Problem arises. The vent is for solving the problem, and the air in the recovery unit is moved out of the recovery unit to reduce the air pressure in the recovery unit, thereby separating the scraping blade and the developer moving body separated from each other. Properly prevent the developer from leaking through.
JP 2004-157285 A

  Incidentally, some of the image forming apparatuses described above include a valve for adjusting the amount of air passing through the vent. Then, it is desirable that the amount of air is adjusted by a valve so that the amount of developer leakage from between the separated scraping blade and the developer moving body is minimized.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object of the present invention is to realize an image forming apparatus and an image forming system in which leakage of developer is appropriately suppressed.

  The main aspect of the present invention is: (a) a developer moving body that rotates and moves the developer while carrying the developer to transfer the developer to the medium; and (b1) the developer moving body that is not transferred to the medium. A recovery unit for recovering the developer remaining on the developer moving body, and (b2) scraping for contacting the developer moving body and scraping off the developer on the developer moving body A scraping blade that moves between a contact position and a non-contact position; and a seal member that contacts the developer moving body and prevents leakage of the developer outside the recovery unit A seal member that moves between a contact position and a non-contact position, a vent for moving the air in the recovery unit to the outside of the recovery unit, and an amount of air that passes through the vent And a transfer valve for removing the scraping blade and the seal member. And (c) an image forming apparatus comprising: a first valve and a second valve that move as the seal member moves. A first valve provided at the inlet of the vent and a second valve provided at the outlet of the vent, and (e) a first distance between the first valve and the housing at the inlet is The first valve closes the inlet when 0 and the second valve closes the outlet when the second distance between the second valve and the housing at the outlet is zero (F) with the movement of the seal member from the contact position to the non-contact position, the first distance decreases and the second distance increases; and (g) the first distance and the first distance Passes through the vent when the smaller of the two distances is maximized (H) When the seal member is located at the contact position, the first distance is maximized while the second distance is 0, so that the smaller distance is 0. (I) When the seal member starts to move and then continues to move, the first distance becomes equal to the second distance, and the smaller distance becomes the maximum. (J) Thereafter, the seal member Reaches the non-contact position, the second distance becomes maximum while the first distance becomes 0, so that the smaller distance becomes 0, and (k) the scraping blade and the seal member The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the smaller distance is maximized when the rate of change of the volume that changes due to movement of the image becomes maximum.

  Other features of the present invention will become apparent from the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

  At least the following will be made clear by the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

(A) a developer moving member that rotates and moves the developer while carrying the developer to transfer the developer to the medium; and (b1) on the developer moving member without being transferred to the medium. (B2) a scraping blade for coming into contact with the developer moving body and scraping the developer on the developer moving body, A scraping blade that moves between a contact position and a non-contact position; and a seal member that contacts the developer moving body to prevent the developer from leaking out of the recovery unit, A seal member that moves between a position and a non-contact position, a vent for moving the air in the recovery unit to the outside of the recovery unit, and a valve for adjusting the amount of air passing through the vent And the recovery by moving the scraping blade and the seal member An image forming apparatus comprising: (c) a recovery unit in which a volume of the volume changes; and (d) the valve has a maximum amount when the rate of change of the volume that changes due to the movement is maximized. An image forming apparatus, wherein the amount is adjusted so as to be.
According to such an image forming apparatus, the leakage of the developer is appropriately suppressed.

In addition, the valve may adjust the amount so that the amount does not decrease when the rate of change is increasing and does not increase when the rate of change is decreasing.
In such a case, developer leakage is more appropriately suppressed.

The recovery unit may include a seal support member that supports the seal member and is movable together with the seal member, and the valve may be provided on the seal support member.
In such a case, it is possible to simply configure an image forming apparatus in which developer leakage is appropriately suppressed.

The seal member may move in conjunction with the movement of the scraping blade.
In such a case, it is possible to simply configure an image forming apparatus in which developer leakage is appropriately suppressed.

The valve may be a first valve provided inside the collection unit and a second valve provided outside the collection unit.
In such a case, it is possible to simply configure an image forming apparatus in which developer leakage is appropriately suppressed.

Further, a developer receiving portion for receiving a developer that passes through the vent and moves to the outside of the collecting portion may be provided.
In such a case, even when the developer passes through the vent, it is possible to prevent the developer from scattering by receiving the developer.

And (a) a developer moving body that rotates and moves the developer while carrying the developer to transfer the developer to the medium, and (b1) the developer movement without being transferred to the medium. (B2) a scraping blade for coming into contact with the developer moving body and scraping off the developer on the developer moving body. A scraping blade that moves between a contact position and a non-contact position, and a seal member that contacts the developer moving body and prevents leakage of the developer outside the recovery unit. A seal member that moves between a contact position and a non-contact position, a vent for moving the air in the recovery unit to the outside of the recovery unit, and an amount of air that passes through the vent A valve, and moved forward by movement of the scraping blade and the seal member An image forming apparatus comprising: a recovery unit in which the volume of the recovery unit changes; and (c), wherein (d) the valve has the amount when the rate of change of the volume that changes due to the movement is maximized. The amount is adjusted to maximize, and (e) the valve does not decrease when the rate of change is increasing and does not increase when the rate of change is decreasing. (F) the recovery unit has a seal support member that supports the seal member and is movable together with the seal member, and the valve is provided on the seal support member. (G) The seal member moves in conjunction with the movement of the scraping blade, and (h) the valve is provided outside the recovery unit and a first valve provided inside the recovery unit. (I) passing through the vent and moving out of the recovery part. An image forming apparatus comprising the developer receiving portion for receiving the developer is provided which can be realized.
In this way, the effects of the present invention can be achieved more effectively because all the effects described above can be achieved.

A computer and an image forming apparatus connectable to the computer, wherein the developer moving body rotates to move the developer while carrying the developer to transfer the developer to a medium; and A collection unit for collecting the developer that has not been transferred to the medium and remains on the developer moving body, and scrapes the developer on the developer moving body in contact with the developer moving body. A scraping blade for removing the scraping blade that moves between a contact position and a non-contact position, and prevents the developer from leaking out of the recovery unit by contacting the developer moving body. A sealing member for moving between a contact position and a non-contact position, a vent for moving the air in the recovery unit to the outside of the recovery unit, and passing through the vent A valve for adjusting the amount of air, and An image forming apparatus comprising: a scraping blade; and a recovery unit that changes a volume of the recovery unit by movement of the seal member, wherein the valve has a maximum rate of change of the volume that changes due to the movement. It is also possible to realize an image forming system including an image forming apparatus that adjusts the amount so that the amount is maximized.
According to such an image forming system, leakage of the developer is appropriately suppressed.

=== Example of Overall Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus ===
Next, an outline of a laser beam printer (hereinafter also referred to as a printer) 10 as an example of the image forming apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating main components constituting the printer 10. In FIG. 1, the up and down direction (vertical direction) is indicated by an arrow. For example, the paper feed tray 92 is disposed at the lower part of the printer 10, and the fixing unit 90 is disposed at the upper part of the printer 10. Has been.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 10 according to the present embodiment includes a charging unit 30, an exposure unit 40, a YMCK developing unit 50, a primary transfer unit 60, and a developer moving body along the rotation direction of the photosensitive member 20. An intermediate transfer body 70 as an example and a photoreceptor cleaning unit 75 are provided, and further, a secondary transfer unit 80, an intermediate transfer body cleaning unit 85 as an example of a collection unit, a fixing unit 90, and a means for notifying a user are provided. The display unit 95 includes a panel, and a control unit 100 (FIG. 2) that controls these units and controls the operation as a printer.

  The photoreceptor 20 has a cylindrical conductive substrate and a photosensitive layer formed on the outer peripheral surface thereof, and is rotatable around a central axis. In the present embodiment, the photoreceptor 20 is indicated by an arrow in FIG. Rotate clockwise.

  The charging unit 30 is a device for charging the photoconductor 20, and the exposure unit 40 is a device for forming a latent image on the photoconductor 20 charged by irradiating a laser. The exposure unit 40 includes a semiconductor laser, a polygon mirror, an F-θ lens, and the like, and charges the modulated laser based on an image signal input from a host computer (not shown) such as a personal computer or a word processor. The irradiated photoconductor 20 is irradiated.

  The YMCK developing unit 50 converts the latent image formed on the photoconductor 20 into toner as an example of a developer contained in the developing device, that is, black (K) toner contained in the black developing device 51, magenta development. An apparatus for developing using magenta (M) toner stored in the device 52, cyan (C) toner stored in the cyan developing device 53, and yellow (Y) toner stored in the yellow developing device 54. is there.

  The YMCK developing unit 50 can move the positions of the four developing devices 51, 52, 53, 54 by rotating with the four developing devices 51, 52, 53, 54 mounted. Yes. That is, the YMCK developing unit 50 holds the four developing devices 51, 52, 53, and 54 by four holding portions 55a, 55b, 55c, and 55d (in FIG. 1, the yellow developing device 54 is shown). Only the black developing device 51 is held in the holding portion 55c, the magenta developing device 52 is held in the holding portion 55a, and the cyan developing device 53 is held in the holding portion 55b. The four developing devices 51, 52, 53, and 54 are rotatable about the central axis 50a while maintaining their relative positions. Each time image formation for one page is completed, it is selectively opposed to the photoconductor 20, and is formed on the photoconductor 20 with the toner accommodated in each developing device 51, 52, 53, 54. The latent images are developed sequentially. Each of the four developing devices 51, 52, 53, 54 described above is detachably attached to the image forming apparatus main body, more specifically, the holding portions 55a, 55b, 55c, 55d of the YMCK developing unit 50. It is possible.

  The primary transfer unit 60 is a device for transferring a single color toner image formed on the photoconductor 20 to the intermediate transfer body 70. When four color toners are sequentially transferred in a superimposed manner, the full color toner is transferred to the intermediate transfer body 70. An image is formed.

  The intermediate transfer body 70 is an intermediate medium for transferring the toner image on the photoconductor 20 to a recording material (paper, film, cloth, etc.) as an example of the medium, and transfers the toner (toner image) to the recording material. For this purpose, the toner (toner image) is rotated in a predetermined rotation direction (indicated by an arrow in FIG. 1) while the toner (toner image) is carried. The intermediate transfer body 70 is an endless belt in which a tin vapor deposition layer is provided on the surface of a PET film and a semiconductive paint is formed on the surface layer and laminated. The intermediate transfer member 70 is wound around and stretched around a driving roller 71, a driven roller 72, and the like, and is driven to rotate at substantially the same peripheral speed as the photosensitive member 20.

  Further, a patch sensor 73 as a density detection member for detecting the density of a toner image (toner) on the intermediate transfer body 70 is provided in the vicinity of the intermediate transfer body 70 and an intermediate transfer body cleaning unit 85 described later. Yes. The printer 10 executes a control operation for controlling the density of the image at a predetermined timing. At this time, the patch sensor 73 is used. That is, when the control operation is executed, a patch image (test pattern) as a toner image is developed, and the patch image is transferred to the intermediate transfer member 70. Then, the density of the patch image transferred to the intermediate transfer body 70 is detected by the patch sensor 73, and the density of the image is adjusted based on the detected density of the patch image.

  The photoconductor cleaning unit 75 is provided between the primary transfer unit 60 and the charging unit 30 and has a rubber photoconductor cleaning blade 76 in contact with the surface of the photoconductor 20. This is a device for scraping and collecting the toner remaining on the photoconductor 20 by the photoconductor cleaning blade 76 after the toner image is transferred onto the transfer body 70.

The secondary transfer unit 80 is a device for transferring a single color toner image or a full color toner image formed on the intermediate transfer body 70 to a recording material.
The intermediate transfer body cleaning unit 85 is an apparatus that is provided above the YMCK developing unit 50 and collects the toner that is not transferred to the recording material but remains on the intermediate transfer body 70. The intermediate transfer member cleaning unit 85 will be described in detail later.

The fixing unit 90 is a device for fusing a single color toner image or a full color toner image transferred onto a recording material to the recording material to obtain a permanent image.
As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 100 includes a main controller 101 and a unit controller 102. An image signal and a control signal are input to the main controller 101, and in response to a command based on the image signal and the control signal. A unit controller 102 controls each of the units and forms an image.

Next, the operation of the printer 10 configured as described above will be described.
First, when an image signal and a control signal from a host computer (not shown) are input to the main controller 101 of the printer 10 via the interface (I / F) 112, the unit controller 102 based on a command from the main controller 101. The photosensitive member 20 and the intermediate transfer member 70 are rotated by the control. The photoconductor 20 is sequentially charged by the charging unit 30 at the charging position while rotating.

  The charged area of the photoconductor 20 reaches an exposure position as the photoconductor 20 rotates, and a latent image corresponding to image information of the first color, for example, yellow Y, is formed in the area by the exposure unit 40. . In the YMCK developing unit 50, a yellow developing device 54 that contains yellow (Y) toner is located at a developing position facing the photoconductor 20.

  The latent image formed on the photoconductor 20 reaches the development position as the photoconductor 20 rotates, and is developed with yellow toner by the yellow developing device 54. That is, the yellow developing device 54 visualizes the latent image carried on the photoreceptor 20 as a toner image with toner. As a result, a yellow toner image is formed on the photoreceptor 20.

  The yellow toner image formed on the photoconductor 20 reaches the primary transfer position as the photoconductor 20 rotates, and is transferred to the intermediate transfer body 70 by the primary transfer unit 60. At this time, a primary transfer voltage having a polarity opposite to the charging polarity of the toner is applied to the intermediate transfer member 70 via the primary transfer unit 60, and the intermediate transfer member 70 is charged with the opposite characteristics. During this time, the photosensitive member 20 and the intermediate transfer member 70 are in contact with each other, and the secondary transfer unit 80 is separated from the intermediate transfer member 70.

  The above processing is sequentially executed for each developing device for the second color, the third color, and the fourth color, so that four color toner images corresponding to the respective image signals are transferred to the intermediate transfer member 70. It is transcribed and superimposed. As a result, a full color toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer member 70.

The full-color toner image formed on the intermediate transfer member 70 reaches the secondary transfer position as the intermediate transfer member 70 rotates, and is transferred to the recording material by the secondary transfer unit 80. The recording material is conveyed from the paper feed tray 92 to the secondary transfer unit 80 via the paper feed roller 94 and the registration roller 96. Further, when performing the transfer operation, the secondary transfer unit 80 is pressed against the intermediate transfer body 70 and a secondary transfer voltage is applied to the secondary transfer unit 80. Further, the toner remaining on the intermediate transfer member 70 without being transferred to the recording material is collected by the intermediate transfer member cleaning unit 85.
The full-color toner image transferred to the recording material is heated and pressed by the fixing unit 90 and fused to the recording material.

  On the other hand, after the primary transfer position has passed, the photosensitive member 20 collects the toner adhering to the surface thereof by the photosensitive member cleaning unit 75, and prepares for charging for forming the next latent image.

=== Overview of Control Unit ===
Next, the configuration of the control unit 100 will be described with reference to FIG. The main controller 101 of the control unit 100 is connected to a host computer via an interface 112 and includes an image memory 113 for storing image signals input from the host computer. The unit controller 102 includes units of the apparatus main body (charging unit 30, exposure unit 40, YMCK developing unit 50, primary transfer unit 60, intermediate transfer member 70, photosensitive member cleaning unit 75, secondary transfer unit 80, intermediate transfer member cleaning. Unit 85, fixing unit 90, and display unit 95), and based on signals input from the main controller 101 while detecting the state of each unit by receiving signals from sensors included therein. Control each unit.

=== Configuration Example of Intermediate Transfer Member Cleaning Unit 85 ===
Next, a configuration example of the intermediate transfer member cleaning unit 85 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 8. 3 and 4 are schematic views showing a cross section of the intermediate transfer member cleaning unit 85. FIG. 3 shows the intermediate transfer member cleaning blade 210 at the contact position and the upper seal 220 at the contact position. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing how the intermediate transfer member cleaning blade 210 is located at the non-contact position and the upper seal 220 is located at the non-contact position. FIG. 5 is a view of the intermediate transfer member cleaning unit 85 shown in FIG. 3 as viewed from the X direction. FIG. 6 is a view showing a state in which the second valve 228 and the sheet material 238 are removed from the intermediate transfer member cleaning unit 85 shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a view corresponding to FIG. 3 and shows a state of the contact / separation mechanism 300 and the like when the intermediate transfer member cleaning blade 210 is located at the contact position and the upper seal 220 is located at the contact position. It is a schematic diagram. FIG. 8 is a view corresponding to FIG. 4 and shows the state of the contact / separation mechanism 300 and the like when the intermediate transfer member cleaning blade 210 is located at the non-contact position and the upper seal 220 is located at the non-contact position. It is the schematic diagram which showed.

  The intermediate transfer body cleaning unit 85 is for recovering the toner that is not transferred to the recording material but remains on the intermediate transfer body 70. Transfer body cleaning blade 210, upper seal 220 as an example of a seal member, vent 224, valve 225, first toner receiver 235, second toner receiver 239 as an example of a developer receiver, contact / separation mechanism 300, etc. have.

  The housing 202 cooperates with the upper seal 220 and the intermediate transfer member cleaning blade 210 to prevent the collected toner from leaking out of the intermediate transfer member cleaning unit 85. Inside the housing 202, a toner accommodating portion 205 and a first toner receiving portion 235 are formed, and an intermediate transfer member cleaning blade 210 and the like are provided.

  The intermediate transfer body cleaning blade 210 has a function of coming into contact with the intermediate transfer body 70 at the contact portion 210a and scraping off the toner on the intermediate transfer body 70 (that is, toner that moves as the intermediate transfer body 70 rotates). Have. The intermediate transfer member cleaning blade 210 is provided such that its longitudinal direction is along the width direction of the intermediate transfer member 70 (direction orthogonal to the paper surface in FIGS. 3 and 4). The intermediate transfer member cleaning blade 210 is a rubber blade having a thickness of about 2 mm, and is arranged so that the tip thereof faces the upstream side in the rotation direction of the intermediate transfer member 70. The intermediate transfer body cleaning blade 210 is a part of the intermediate transfer body 70 that is wound around the driven roller 72 (upper right side portion when the positions indicated by symbols A and B in FIG. 3 are used as boundaries). It abuts on a portion of the driven roller 72 that is located on the lower side in the vertical direction from the central shaft 72a.

  Further, the intermediate transfer body cleaning blade 210 is configured so as to be able to come into contact with (separate from) the intermediate transfer body 70. That is, the intermediate transfer member cleaning blade 210 is fixed to the rotation shaft 302 via the blade support metal plate 212 that supports the intermediate transfer member cleaning blade 210, and the rotation shaft 302 has a first rotation position and a second rotation position. The intermediate transfer member cleaning blade 210 reciprocates between the contact position (FIG. 3) and the non-contact position (FIG. 4). The configuration of the contact / separation mechanism 300 of the intermediate transfer member cleaning blade 210 will be described in detail later.

  A lower seal is provided between the blade support sheet metal 212 and the housing 202 to prevent toner from leaking from between the blade support sheet metal 212 and the housing 202 toward a first toner receiving portion 235 described later. 213 is provided. The lower seal 213 is made of sponge and is provided so that its longitudinal direction is along the longitudinal direction of the intermediate transfer body cleaning blade 210.

  The toner storage unit 205 is for storing the toner scraped off by the intermediate transfer member cleaning blade 210. The toner storage unit 205 is formed below the intermediate transfer member cleaning unit 85, and includes a screw unit 207 that can rotate about the central axis. The screw unit 207 is rotated so that the toner stored in the toner storage unit 205 is provided in front of the screw unit 207 in a waste toner box (not shown) (in a direction orthogonal to the paper surface of FIG. 3). ). That is, the toner storage unit 205 and the waste toner box serve as a primary storage unit and a secondary storage unit of toner, respectively.

  The first toner receiving portion 235 has a function of receiving toner that has not been accommodated in the toner accommodating portion 205 and has moved to the opposite side of the toner accommodating portion 205 when viewed from the intermediate transfer member cleaning blade 210. The first toner receiving portion 235 is formed below the intermediate transfer member cleaning unit 85 and on the side opposite to the toner storage portion 205 (the photoconductor 20 side) when viewed from the intermediate transfer member cleaning blade 210. .

  The upper seal 220 contacts the intermediate transfer member 70 at the contact portion 220a, and prevents the collected toner from leaking out of the intermediate transfer member cleaning unit 85. The upper seal 220 is positioned above the intermediate transfer body cleaning blade 210 in the vertical direction, and its longitudinal direction is along the width direction of the intermediate transfer body 70 (a direction orthogonal to the paper surface in FIGS. 3 and 4). Is provided. The upper seal 220 is a sheet-like member having a thickness of about 120 μm, and is arranged so that the tip thereof faces the downstream side in the rotation direction of the intermediate transfer body 70. The material of the upper seal 220 is the same material as that of the intermediate transfer body 70. That is, the upper seal 220 is obtained by providing a tin vapor deposition layer on the surface of a PET film and further forming and laminating a semiconductive paint on the surface layer. The upper seal 220 is, as with the intermediate transfer body cleaning blade 210, a portion of the intermediate transfer body 70 that is wound around the driven roller 72, a portion that is positioned vertically below the central axis 72a of the driven roller 72, To touch. Further, the contact part 220 a is located on the upper side in the vertical direction and on the upstream side in the rotation direction of the intermediate transfer body 70 with respect to the contact part 210 a of the intermediate transfer body cleaning blade 210.

  Further, the upper seal 220 is configured to be able to come into contact with and separate from the intermediate transfer body 70 as with the intermediate transfer body cleaning blade 210. That is, the upper seal 220 is fixed to the rotating portion 320 via a seal support member 222 that supports the upper seal 220 and is movable together with the upper seal 220. By reciprocating between the two rotation positions, the upper seal 220 reciprocates between the contact position (FIG. 3) and the non-contact position (FIG. 4). Further, in the present embodiment, the upper seal 220 moves in conjunction with the movement of the intermediate transfer member cleaning blade 210 (described in detail later), and the abutment of the intermediate transfer member cleaning blade 210 is performed. In conjunction with the movement from the position to the non-contact position, the upper seal 220 moves from the contact position to the non-contact position, and the intermediate transfer body cleaning blade 210 moves from the non-contact position to the contact position. In conjunction with the movement, the upper seal 220 moves from the non-contact position to the contact position. The configuration of the contact / separation mechanism 300 for the upper seal 220 will be described in detail later.

  The vent 224 is for moving the air in the intermediate transfer member cleaning unit 85 to the outside of the intermediate transfer member cleaning unit 85 in order to lower the atmospheric pressure in the intermediate transfer member cleaning unit 85. The vent 224 is provided in the upper part of the intermediate transfer member cleaning unit 85 and communicates from the inside of the intermediate transfer member cleaning unit 85 to the outside. As shown in FIG. 6, the vent hole 224 is provided such that its longitudinal direction is along the width direction of the intermediate transfer body 70 (direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIGS. 3 and 4). Further, the air vent 224 is formed by the housing 202 and the seal support member 222.

  The valve 225 is for adjusting the amount of air passing through the vent 224. In the present embodiment, the valve 225 includes a first valve 226 provided inside the intermediate transfer member cleaning unit 85 and a second valve 228 provided outside the intermediate transfer member cleaning unit 85. .

  Both the first valve 226 and the second valve 228 are provided so that the longitudinal direction thereof is along the width direction of the intermediate transfer body 70 (the direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIGS. 3 and 4) (the second valve). The manner in which the longitudinal direction of the valve 228 follows the width direction is shown in FIG. Both the first valve 226 and the second valve 228 are attached to the seal support member 222. Accordingly, the first valve 226 and the second valve 228 move in conjunction with the movement of the upper seal 220 (the upper seal 220 moves in conjunction with the movement of the intermediate transfer member cleaning blade 210. 226 and the second valve 228 can be said to move in conjunction with the movement of the intermediate transfer member cleaning blade 210), and adjust the amount of air passing through the vent 224. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, when the intermediate transfer member cleaning blade 210 is located at the contact position and the upper seal 220 is located at the contact position, the second valve 228 is provided with a vent hole. As shown in FIG. 4, when the intermediate transfer member cleaning blade 210 is located at the non-contact position and the upper seal 220 is located at the non-contact position, the first valve 226 is vented. The entrance of the mouth 224 is blocked.

  The second toner receiving portion 239 is for receiving the toner that passes through the vent 224 and moves out of the intermediate transfer member cleaning unit 85. As shown in FIG. 6, a plurality of reinforcing ribs 237 are provided on the outer surface of the housing 202, and as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a sheet made of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) along the ribs 237. A material 238 is provided. The second toner receiving portion 239 is configured by the outer surface of the housing 202 and the sheet material 238.

  The contact / separation mechanism 300 is a mechanism for contacting and separating the intermediate transfer member cleaning blade 210 and the upper seal 220. The contact / separation mechanism 300 is provided outside the intermediate transfer body 70 in the width direction of the intermediate transfer body 70 (the direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIGS. 3 and 4), as shown in FIGS. , The rotation shaft 302, the lever 306, the cam 310, the tension spring 314, the rotation unit 320, the torsion spring, and the like described above.

  The rotation shaft 302 is a shaft that can reciprocate between the first rotation position (the position shown in FIG. 7) and the second rotation position (the position shown in FIG. 8). As described above, the intermediate transfer member cleaning blade 210 is fixed to the rotating shaft 302 via the blade support metal plate 212.

  A lever 306 is fixed to the rotating shaft 302 at one end thereof. Therefore, the lever 306, the rotation shaft 302, and the intermediate transfer member cleaning blade 210 are configured to rotate integrally. Further, the lever 306 rotates to contact and press the rotating unit 320 to rotate the rotating unit 320.

  The cam 310 is in contact with the lever 306 to rotate the lever 306, the rotation shaft 302, and the intermediate transfer member cleaning blade 210, and is rotated by a drive source (not shown).

  The tension spring 314 is a biasing member that biases the lever 306 counterclockwise in FIGS. One end 314a of the tension spring 314 is connected to the other end of the lever 306, and the other end (not shown) is connected to a spring hook (not shown) provided in the intermediate transfer member cleaning unit 85. Yes.

  The rotation unit 320 can reciprocally rotate between a first rotation position (position shown in FIG. 7) and a second rotation position (position shown in FIG. 8) around the shaft 320a. Yes, as described above, the upper seal 220 is fixed to the rotating portion 320 via the seal support member 222. Therefore, the rotation unit 320 and the upper seal 220 are configured to rotate integrally.

  The torsion spring (not shown) is a biasing member that biases the rotating portion 320 in the clockwise direction in FIGS. 7 and 8. The torsion spring is attached to the shaft 320 a, one end of which is connected to the rotation unit 320, and the other end is connected to a spring hook (not shown) provided in the intermediate transfer body cleaning unit 85. Has been.

  The operation of the contact / separation mechanism 300 and the contact / separation operation of the intermediate transfer member cleaning blade 210 and the upper seal 220 by the operation will be described in detail in the next section.

=== About Contacting / Separating Operation of Intermediate Transfer Member Cleaning Blade 210 and Upper Seal 220 ===
Here, the contact / separation operation of the intermediate transfer member cleaning blade 210 and the upper seal 220 will be described. In this section, before explaining the contact / separation operation, first, the contact / separation timing of the intermediate transfer member cleaning blade 210 and the upper seal 220 when the above-described image forming operation by the printer 10 is executed will be described. Subsequently, a specific contact / separation operation of the intermediate transfer member cleaning blade 210 and the upper seal 220 will be described.

<<< Contacting / separating timing of the intermediate transfer member cleaning blade 210 and the upper seal 220 when the image forming operation is performed >>>
Here, the contact timing of the intermediate transfer member cleaning blade 210 and the upper seal 220 will be described.

  As described above, the primary transfer unit 60 sequentially transfers the toner images of the respective colors formed on the photosensitive member 20 to the intermediate transfer member 70, whereby the four color toner images are transferred to the intermediate transfer member 70 in an overlapping manner, A full-color toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer member 70. The full-color toner image formed on the intermediate transfer member 70 reaches the secondary transfer position as the intermediate transfer member 70 rotates, and is transferred to the recording material by the secondary transfer unit 80.

  The intermediate transfer body cleaning blade 210 immediately before the toner remaining on the intermediate transfer body 70 without being transferred to the recording material reaches the intermediate transfer body cleaning unit 85 as the intermediate transfer body 70 rotates. The upper seal 220 comes into contact with the intermediate transfer body 70 and comes into contact with the intermediate transfer body 70. When the intermediate transfer body cleaning blade 210 finishes scraping off the toner remaining on the intermediate transfer body 70, the intermediate transfer body cleaning blade 210 and the upper seal 220 are separated from the intermediate transfer body 70 and are moved by the primary transfer unit 60. In preparation for the next transfer of each color toner image on the photoreceptor 20.

<<< Contacting / separating operation of the intermediate transfer member cleaning blade 210 and the upper seal 220 >>>
Here, the contact / separation operation of the intermediate transfer member cleaning blade 210 and the upper seal 220 will be described with reference to FIGS. In the following description, the operation of the valve 225 (the first valve 226 and the second valve 228) is also referred to.

  First, when the drive source rotates the cam 310 in a state where the intermediate transfer body cleaning blade 210 is in contact with the intermediate transfer body 70 and the upper seal 220 is in contact with the intermediate transfer body 70 (FIG. 7), 310 contacts the lever 306 and presses the lever 306. The lever 306 pressed by the cam 310 starts to rotate clockwise in FIG. 7 against the urging force of the tension spring 314.

  Further, since the lever 306 and the intermediate transfer member cleaning blade 210 are fixed to the rotation shaft 302, the rotation shaft 302 and the intermediate transfer member cleaning blade 210 are also rotated in the clockwise direction in FIG. To turn. As a result, the intermediate transfer body cleaning blade 210 located at the contact position is separated from the intermediate transfer body 70 and starts to move to the non-contact position.

  When the lever 306 continues to rotate clockwise in FIG. 7 (in this case, the intermediate transfer member cleaning blade 210 continues to move to the non-contact position), the lever 306 eventually. Contacts the rotating part 320 and presses the rotating part 320. The rotating part 320 pressed by the lever 306 starts to rotate counterclockwise in FIG. 7 against the biasing force of the torsion spring.

  Further, since the upper seal 220 is fixed to the rotating part 320, the upper seal 220 also rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 7 as the rotating part 320 rotates. As a result, the upper seal 220 located at the contact position is separated from the intermediate transfer body 70 and starts to move to the non-contact position. Further, since the valve 225 (the first valve 226 and the second valve 228) and the upper seal 220 are both provided on the seal support member 222, when the upper seal 220 starts moving, the valve 225 also starts moving.

  When the lever 306 and the rotation unit 320 continue to rotate in conjunction with each other, the intermediate transfer member cleaning blade 210 eventually reaches the non-contact position and the upper seal 220 reaches the non-contact position (FIG. 8). During this time, the second valve 228 (FIG. 7), which has blocked the outlet of the vent 224, moves to open the outlet of the vent 224 (FIG. 8). Conversely, the first valve 226 (FIG. 7) that has opened the inlet of the vent 224 closes the inlet of the vent 224 by moving (FIG. 8).

  On the other hand, when the driving source rotates the cam 310 in a state where the intermediate transfer member cleaning blade 210 and the upper seal 220 are separated from the intermediate transfer member 70 (FIG. 8), the lever 306 causes the biasing force of the tension spring 314 to move. As a result, it rotates counterclockwise in FIG. As the lever 306 rotates, the rotation shaft 302 and the intermediate transfer member cleaning blade 210 also rotate counterclockwise in FIG. 8, and the intermediate transfer member cleaning blade 210 eventually moves to the intermediate transfer member 70. Contact (moves to the contact position shown in FIG. 7). Further rotation of the lever 306, the rotation shaft 302, and the intermediate transfer member cleaning blade 210 in the counterclockwise direction is restricted by the intermediate transfer member cleaning blade 210 coming into contact with the intermediate transfer member 70.

  When the lever 306 is rotated counterclockwise in FIG. 8, the rotating unit 320 is rotated clockwise in FIG. 8 by the biasing force of the torsion spring. Then, the upper seal 220 also rotates clockwise in FIG. 8 along with the rotation of the rotation unit 320, and eventually the upper seal 220 comes into contact with the intermediate transfer body 70 (contact position shown in FIG. 7). Move to). The intermediate transfer body cleaning unit 85 is provided with a stopper (not shown) for restricting the rotation of the rotation unit 320 when the upper seal 220 comes into contact with the intermediate transfer body 70. Further, the rotation of the rotation unit 320 in the clockwise direction is restricted by the stopper. During this time, the first valve 226 (FIG. 8) that has blocked the inlet of the vent 224 moves to open the inlet of the vent 224 (FIG. 7). Conversely, the second valve 228 (FIG. 8) that has opened the outlet of the vent 224 closes the outlet of the vent 224 by moving (FIG. 7).

=== Relationship Between Volume Change Rate of Intermediate Transfer Member Cleaning Unit 85 and Amount of Air Passing Vent 224 ===
As described above, in the present embodiment, the intermediate transfer member cleaning blade 210 and the upper seal 220 are configured to be able to come into contact with and separate from the intermediate transfer member 70. The upper seal 220 moves between the contact position and the non-contact position, and moves between the contact position and the non-contact position. When the intermediate transfer member cleaning blade 210 and the upper seal 220 move (contact / separate), the volume of the intermediate transfer member cleaning unit 85 (that is, the housing 202 and the intermediate transfer member cleaning blade 210 in FIGS. 3 and 4). , The volume of the portion surrounded by the upper seal 220, the blade support sheet metal 212, and the seal support member 222) changes. On the other hand, the intermediate transfer body cleaning unit 85 is provided with a vent 224 and a valve 225, and the valve 225 adjusts the amount of air passing through the vent 224.

  The intermediate transfer member cleaning unit 85 according to the present embodiment adjusts the rate of change of the volume (that is, the amount of change of the volume per unit time; hereinafter, also simply referred to as the volume change rate). Designed so that the amount of air has a certain relationship (shape, position, etc. of intermediate transfer member cleaning blade 210, upper seal 220, blade support sheet metal 212, seal support member 222, contact / separation mechanism 300, etc. Is decided). In this section, this will be described with reference to FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 9, and FIG. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a cross section of the intermediate transfer member cleaning unit 85 when the first distance d1 is equal to the second distance d2. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the transition of the volume change rate of the intermediate transfer member cleaning unit 85.

  First, the amount of air passing through the vent 224 will be described. As described above, in the intermediate transfer member cleaning unit 85 according to the present embodiment, the valve 225 is provided outside the intermediate transfer member cleaning unit 85 and the first valve 226 provided inside the intermediate transfer member cleaning unit 85. A second valve 228 is provided. Accordingly, in such a case, the amount of air passing through the vent 224 depends on the first distance between the first valve 226 and the housing 202 (indicated by the symbol d1 in FIG. 9) and the second valve 228 and the housing 202. Depending on the smaller one of the second distances (indicated by symbol d2 in FIG. 9) (that is, if the smaller distance is larger, the amount of air passing through the vent 224 is If the smaller distance is small, the amount of air passing through the vent 224 is small).

  When the upper seal 220 is located at the contact position, the first distance d1 is the maximum, but the second distance d2 is 0. Therefore, the smaller distance is 0, and air does not pass through the vent 224. From this state, when the upper seal 220 moves away from the intermediate transfer body 70 and starts to move to the non-contact position, the first distance d1 gradually decreases and the second distance d2 gradually increases. Therefore, the smaller distance (that is, the second distance d2) is gradually increased, and the amount of air passing through the vent 224 is gradually increased.

  When the upper seal 220 continues to move, the first distance d1 eventually becomes equal to the second distance d2, as shown in FIG. At this time, the smaller distance is the maximum, and the amount of air passing through the vent 224 is the largest. Thereafter, the smaller distance (that is, the first distance d1) is gradually reduced, and therefore, the amount of air passing through the vent 224 is gradually reduced. Finally, when the upper seal 220 reaches the non-contact position, the first distance d1 becomes zero (although the second distance d2 is maximized). Therefore, the smaller distance is 0, and air does not pass through the vent 224.

  Next, the volume change rate will be described with reference to FIG. In a state where the intermediate transfer body cleaning blade 210 is located at the contact position and the upper seal 220 is located at the contact position (time T1 in FIG. 10), the intermediate transfer body cleaning blade 210 is moved from the intermediate transfer body 70. As it moves away and begins to move to the non-contact position, the volume change rate gradually increases. Thereafter, at time T2, the upper seal 220 starts to move away from the intermediate transfer body 70 and move to the non-contact position behind the intermediate transfer body cleaning blade 210, but the volume change rate gradually increases. Absent. However, after that, at time T3, the volume change rate becomes maximum, and thereafter, the volume change rate starts to decrease. The volume change rate continues to decrease until the intermediate transfer member cleaning blade 210 reaches the non-contact position and the upper seal 220 reaches the non-contact position (time T4 in FIG. 10).

  Then, considering the relationship between the volume change rate and the amount of air passing through the vent 224, the valve 225 provided in the intermediate transfer member cleaning unit 85 according to the present embodiment has the maximum volume change rate ( At time T3), the amount of air passing through the vent 224 is maximized (in other words, the smaller distance is maximized). Further, the valve 225 does not decrease the amount of air passing through the vent 224 when the volume change rate is increasing (ie, from time T1 to time T3) (more specifically, From time T1 to time T2 is constant and increases from time T2 to time T3), when the volume change rate is decreasing (ie, from time T3 to time T4), the vent 224 is opened. The amount is adjusted so that the amount of air passing therethrough does not increase (decrease).

  And since the volume change rate and the amount of air passing through the vent 224 have the relationship as described above, the following effects are produced. That is, as described in the background art section and the like, when the volume changes, an air flow is generated in the intermediate transfer member cleaning unit 85, and the air flow moves the toner in the intermediate transfer member cleaning unit 85. There arises a problem that toner leaks from between the intermediate transfer member cleaning blade 210 and the intermediate transfer member 70 which are separated from each other. It is desirable that the amount of air is adjusted by the valve 225 so that the amount of toner leakage is as small as possible.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, when the volume change rate is maximized, the amount of air passing through the vent 224 is maximized, so that the air flow is most prominently generated by the large change in the volume. In other words, when the toner is most likely to leak from between the intermediate transfer member cleaning blade 210 and the intermediate transfer member 70 which are separated from each other, the amount of air passing through the vent 224 is maximized, and the intermediate transfer member cleaning unit 85. The atmospheric pressure inside is the lowest. Therefore, in the printer 10 according to the present embodiment, toner leakage is appropriately suppressed. Further, in the present embodiment, the volume does not change so much and, therefore, the occurrence of airflow is not significant (that is, toner leakage from between the separated intermediate transfer member cleaning blade 210 and the intermediate transfer member 70). Is less likely to occur), the amount of air passing through the vent 224 does not increase so much that the occurrence of inconvenience that the toner passes through the vent 224 together with air is reduced.

  Further, in the present embodiment, when the volume change rate is increasing (that is, in a situation where airflow is gradually generated), the amount of air passing through the vent 224 does not decrease, and the volume When the rate of change is decreasing (that is, in a situation where the airflow is gradually less likely to occur), the amount of air passing through the vent 224 does not increase, so that toner leakage is more appropriately suppressed. It will be.

=== Other Embodiments ===
The image forming apparatus and the like according to the present invention have been described above based on the above embodiment. However, the above embodiment of the present invention is for facilitating understanding of the present invention and limits the present invention. is not. The present invention can be changed and improved without departing from the gist thereof, and the present invention includes the equivalents thereof.

  In the above embodiment, a full color laser beam printer has been described as an example of the image forming apparatus. However, the present invention can be applied to various image forming apparatuses such as a monochrome laser beam printer, a copying machine, and a facsimile.

  In the above-described embodiment, the intermediate transfer body 70 that rotates and moves the toner in a state where the toner is carried to transfer the toner to a recording material as a medium is used as the developer moving body. The intermediate transfer body cleaning unit 85 for collecting the toner that has not been transferred to the recording material and remains on the intermediate transfer body 70 has been described as an example, but is not limited thereto. For example, the developer moving body is a photoconductor 20 that rotates and moves the toner in a state where the toner is carried in order to transfer the toner to an intermediate transfer body 70 as an intermediate medium. The photosensitive member cleaning unit 75 may be a unit that collects toner remaining on the photosensitive member 20 without being transferred to the photosensitive member 70. In such a case, the present invention can also be applied to laser printers other than the intermediate transfer type.

  Also, the photosensitive member is not limited to a so-called photosensitive roller, which is configured by providing a photosensitive layer on the outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical conductive substrate, and is configured by providing a photosensitive layer on the surface of a belt-shaped conductive substrate. A so-called photosensitive belt may be used.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the valve 225 prevents the amount of air passing through the vent 224 from decreasing when the volume change rate is increasing and does not increase when the volume change rate is decreasing. The amount is adjusted, but is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the valve 225 may adjust the amount of air passing through the vent 224 so that the amount of air passing through the vent 224 increases when the volume change rate is decreasing. Good.

In the above embodiment, the intermediate transfer member cleaning unit 85 has the seal support member 222 that supports the upper seal 220 and is movable together with the upper seal 220, and the valve 225 is provided on the seal support member 222. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the valve 225 may not be provided on the seal support member 222.
When the upper seal 220 relating to the magnitude of the volume change rate and the valve 225 for adjusting the amount of air passing through the vent 224 are provided on a common member (seal support member 222), the volume change rate The printer 10 (intermediate transfer body unit 65) having the above-described relationship with respect to the amount of air passing through the vent 224, in other words, the printer 10 in which toner leakage is appropriately suppressed can be configured easily. In this respect, the above embodiment is more desirable.

In the above embodiment, the upper seal 220 moves in conjunction with the movement of the intermediate transfer body cleaning blade 210. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the upper seal 220 and the intermediate transfer body The cleaning blade 210 may be moved independently.
Since the intermediate transfer member cleaning blade 210 is also related to the volume change rate, when the upper seal 220 moves in conjunction with the movement of the intermediate transfer member cleaning blade 210, it passes through the volume change rate and the vent 224. The printer 10 (intermediate transfer body unit 65) having the above-described relationship with respect to the amount of air, in other words, the printer 10 in which toner leakage is appropriately suppressed, can be easily configured. In this respect, the above embodiment is more desirable.

In the above embodiment, the valve 225 is the first valve 226 provided inside the intermediate transfer member cleaning unit 85 and the second valve 228 provided outside the intermediate transfer member cleaning unit 85. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the valve 225 may be a single sheet.
However, the printer 10 (intermediate transfer body unit 65) having the above-described relationship with respect to the volume change rate and the amount of air passing through the ventilation port 224, in other words, the printer 10 in which toner leakage is appropriately suppressed can be simplified. The above embodiment is more desirable in that it can be configured.

In the above embodiment, the second toner receiving portion 239 for receiving the toner that passes through the vent 224 and moves to the outside of the intermediate transfer body cleaning unit 85 is provided. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the second toner receiving portion 239 may not be provided.
However, even when the toner passes through the vent 224, the above embodiment is more preferable in that the toner can be prevented from scattering by receiving the toner.

=== Configuration of Image Forming System etc. ===
Next, an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing an external configuration of the image forming system. The image forming system 700 includes a computer 702, a display device 704, a printer 706, an input device 708, and a reading device 710. In this embodiment, the computer 702 is housed in a mini-tower type housing, but is not limited thereto. The display device 704 is generally a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), a plasma display, a liquid crystal display device, or the like, but is not limited thereto. As the printer 706, the printer described above is used. In this embodiment, the input device 708 uses a keyboard 708A and a mouse 708B, but is not limited thereto. In this embodiment, the reading device 710 uses a flexible disk drive device 710A and a CD-ROM drive device 710B. However, the reading device 710 is not limited to this. For example, an MO (Magneto Optical) disk drive device or a DVD (Digital Versatile) is used. Disk) etc. may be used.

  FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the image forming system shown in FIG. An internal memory 802 such as a RAM and an external memory such as a hard disk drive unit 804 are further provided in a housing in which the computer 702 is housed.

  In the above description, the example in which the printer 706 is connected to the computer 702, the display device 704, the input device 708, and the reading device 710 to configure the image forming system has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Absent. For example, the image forming system may include a computer 702 and a printer 706, and the image forming system may not include any of the display device 704, the input device 708, and the reading device 710.

  For example, the printer 706 may have a part of the functions or mechanisms of the computer 702, the display device 704, the input device 708, and the reading device 710. As an example, the printer 706 includes an image processing unit that performs image processing, a display unit that performs various displays, a recording medium attachment / detachment unit for attaching / detaching a recording medium that records image data captured by a digital camera or the like. It is good also as a structure to have.

  The image forming system realized in this way is a system superior to the conventional system as a whole system.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating main components constituting the printer. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a control unit of the printer 10 in FIG. 1. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a cross section of an intermediate transfer member cleaning unit 85. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a cross section of an intermediate transfer member cleaning unit 85. FIG. FIG. 4 is a view of the intermediate transfer member cleaning unit 85 shown in FIG. 3 when viewed from the X direction. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state where the second valve 228 and the sheet material 238 are removed from the intermediate transfer body cleaning unit 85 illustrated in FIG. 5. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a state of the contact / separation mechanism 300 and the like when the intermediate transfer body cleaning blade 210 is located at the contact position and the upper seal 220 is located at the contact position. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a state of the contact / separation mechanism 300 and the like when the intermediate transfer body cleaning blade 210 is located at the non-contact position and the upper seal 220 is located at the non-contact position. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a cross section of an intermediate transfer member cleaning unit 85. FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a change in the volume change rate of the intermediate transfer body cleaning unit 85. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a change in the volume change rate of the intermediate transfer body cleaning unit 85. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an external configuration of an image forming system. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the image forming system shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

10 laser beam printer, 20 photoconductor, 30 charging unit,
40 exposure unit, 50 YMCK development unit, 50a central axis,
51 black developing device, 52 magenta developing device, 53 cyan developing device,
54 Yellow developing device, 55a, 55b, 55c, 55d holding part,
60 primary transfer unit, 70 intermediate transfer member, 70a winding part,
71 driving roller, 72 driven roller, 72a central shaft, 73 patch sensor,
75 photoconductor cleaning unit, 76 photoconductor cleaning blade,
80 secondary transfer unit, 85 intermediate transfer member cleaning unit,
90 fixing unit, 92 paper feed tray, 94 paper feed roller, 95 display unit,
96 registration roller, 100 control unit, 101 main controller,
102 unit controller, 112 interface, 113 image memory,
202 housing, 205 toner accommodating portion, 207 screw portion,
210 intermediate transfer member cleaning blade, 210a contact portion,
212 Blade support sheet metal, 213 Lower seal, 220 Upper seal,
220a contact portion, 222 seal support member, 224 vent, 225 valve,
226 1st valve, 228 2nd valve, 235 1st toner receiving part, 237 rib,
238 sheet material, 239 second toner receiving portion, 300 contact / separation mechanism, 302 rotating shaft,
306 lever, 310 cam, 314 tension spring, 314a one end,
320 rotating part, 320a axis, 700 image forming system,
702 computer, 704 display device, 706 printer, 708 input device,
708A keyboard, 708B mouse, 710 reader,
710A flexible disk drive device,
710B CD-ROM drive device,
802 Internal memory, 804 Hard disk drive unit

Claims (5)

(A) a developer moving body that rotates in a state where the developer is carried to transfer the developer to the medium and moves the developer;
(B1) A recovery unit for recovering the developer that is not transferred to the medium and remains on the developer moving body,
(B2) A scraping blade for coming into contact with the developer moving body and scraping off the developer on the developer moving body, the scraping blade moving between a contact position and a non-contact position A seal member that contacts the developer moving body to prevent the developer from leaking out of the recovery unit, the seal member moving between a contact position and a non-contact position, and the recovery A vent for moving the air in the section to the outside of the recovery section, and a valve for adjusting the amount of air passing through the vent, and by moving the scraping blade and the seal member, A collection unit in which the volume of the collection unit changes;
An image forming apparatus comprising (c),
(D) The valve is a first valve and a second valve that move as the seal member moves, and is provided at the first valve provided at the inlet of the vent and the outlet of the vent. The second valve,
(E) when the first distance between the first valve and the housing at the inlet is 0, the first valve closes the inlet, and the second valve and the housing at the outlet When the distance is 0, the second valve closes the outlet;
(F) With the movement of the seal member from the contact position to the non-contact position, the first distance becomes smaller and the second distance becomes larger,
(G) When the smaller one of the first distance and the second distance is maximized, the amount of air passing through the vent is maximized,
(H) When the seal member is located at the contact position, the first distance is maximized while the second distance is 0, so that the smaller distance is 0,
(I) When the seal member starts to move and then continues to move, the first distance becomes equal to the second distance, and the smaller distance becomes maximum,
(J) Thereafter, when the seal member reaches the non-contact position, the second distance is maximized while the first distance is 0, so that the smaller distance is 0,
(K) The image forming apparatus characterized in that the smaller distance becomes the maximum when the rate of change of the volume that changes due to the movement of the scraping blade and the seal member is maximized . The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.
The recovery unit includes a seal support member that supports the seal member and is movable together with the seal member.
The image forming apparatus, wherein the valve is provided on the seal support member. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2.
The image forming apparatus, wherein the seal member moves in conjunction with movement of the scraping blade. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
An image forming apparatus comprising a developer receiving portion for receiving a developer that passes through the vent and moves to the outside of the collecting portion. Computer and
An image forming apparatus connectable to the computer, wherein the developer moving member rotates and moves the developer in a state where the developer is carried to transfer the developer to the medium, and is not transferred to the medium. And a scraping blade for scraping off the developer on the developer moving body in contact with the developer moving body. A scraping blade that moves between a contact position and a non-contact position, and a seal member that contacts the developer moving body and prevents leakage of the developer out of the recovery unit. A seal member that moves between a contact position and a non-contact position, a vent for moving the air in the collection unit to the outside of the collection unit, and an amount of air that passes through the vent. A valve for the scraping blade and the shim An image forming apparatus provided with a recovery unit for the volume of the recovery unit is changed by the movement of the seal member, wherein the valve is a the first valve and the second valve moves along with the movement of the sealing member A first valve provided at the inlet of the vent and a second valve provided at the outlet of the vent, and the first distance between the first valve and the housing at the inlet is zero. The first valve closes the inlet, and the second valve closes the outlet when the second distance between the second valve and the housing at the outlet is 0, and from the contact position As the seal member moves to the non-contact position, the first distance becomes smaller and the second distance becomes larger, and the smaller one of the first distance and the second distance is maximum. The amount of air passing through the vent Thus, when the seal member is located at the contact position, the first distance is maximized while the second distance is 0, so that the smaller distance is 0, and the seal member moves. For the first time, if the movement is continued thereafter, the first distance becomes equal to the second distance, the smaller distance becomes the maximum, and then, when the seal member reaches the non-contact position, the second distance becomes When the first distance becomes zero while the maximum distance becomes zero, the smaller distance becomes zero, and when the rate of change of the volume that changes due to the movement of the scraping blade and the seal member becomes maximum, An image forming apparatus in which the smaller distance is maximized ,
An image forming system comprising:

Images