JP3462825B2 - Image forming device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus which is used in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile and a printer for executing an electrophotographic process, and which charges a photosensitive member to a predetermined potential.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A copying machine 1 as an image forming apparatus of this type.
As shown in FIG. 19, the photosensitive drums 00 are arranged around the photosensitive drum 101 having photoconductivity in order along the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 101 by corona discharge.
A charger 102 that applies a predetermined potential to the surface of 01, and irradiates light corresponding to a desired image to the photosensitive drum 10
An exposure device 103 that selectively attenuates the surface potential of No. 1 to form an electrostatic latent image, and a developing device 104 that develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 101 with toner to form a toner image. A transfer roller 105 for transferring a toner image formed on the photoconductor drum 101 onto a transfer sheet, a cleaning blade 106 for removing toner remaining on the surface of the photoconductor drum 101, and a lamp for charging the surface charge of the photoconductor drum 101. A static eliminator 107 that removes static electricity by light is arranged. The paper on which the toner image is transferred by the transfer roller 105 is heated and pressed by the heat roller 108 and the pressure roller 109 (fixing section) to fix the toner image, and then the paper is discharged by the paper discharge roller 110. It is designed to be discharged onto the upper part of the body 111.

A charger 102 of such an image forming apparatus.
20, has a charging wire 112, a shield member 113, and a grid 114, and the charger 102 is a photosensitive drum via the grid 114 by the positive corona discharge from the charging wire 112. The surface layer 31 is charged to a predetermined + potential. The charging wire 112 is arranged across the width of the photosensitive drum 101, and a high voltage is applied thereto. Shield member 113
Is configured in a box shape having an opening on the surface side of the photosensitive drum 101, and houses the charging wire 112 inside the box body. The grid 114 is the shield member 1
It is provided in 13 openings.

In the charger 102, while the electric current is applied to the charging wire 112 to repeat the corona discharge, the charging wire 1
On the surface of 12, silica (Si
O ₂ ) and toner are attached as discharge products. As a result, the corona discharge from the charging wire 112 becomes uneven, and the surface of the photoconductor drum 101 cannot be uniformly charged. This results in uneven density during image formation, and also causes image defects during image transfer onto paper.

For this reason, conventionally, the user has been required to regularly perform a cleaning operation for wiping off the deposits on the charging wire 112.

[0006]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in this way,
When the cleaning work is entrusted to the user, the user forgets the cleaning work, and the cleaning work may not be regularly performed. For this reason, a large amount of discharge products adhere to the charging wire 112 to contaminate it, and uniform charging cannot be performed, and the user must perform cleaning work after image unevenness or transfer failure occurs. For cleaning after a large amount of the discharge product adheres to the charging wire 112 and is contaminated, it is difficult to wipe off the discharge product by welding to the charging wire 112. In this case, the charging wire 112 had to be replaced.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of regularly and reliably cleaning the charging wire.

[0008]

An image forming apparatus of the present invention is an image provided with a charging wire which is stretched in the width direction of a photoconductor and charges a surface of the photoconductor to a predetermined potential when a high voltage is applied. In the forming apparatus, a slide operation supporting unit that supports at least one of the cleaning tool that contacts the charging wire and the charging wire so that the cleaning tool can slide relative to the other in the longitudinal direction of the charging wire; in conjunction with one of the toner supply operation to the other with respect to the apparatus, and a operation interlock means so as to slide operation forcibly performed at the time of toner replenishment, operation interlocking hands
The step is a toner replenishment operation blocking hand that blocks the toner replenishment operation.
Has a step and prevents the toner replenishment operation in conjunction with the slide operation
It is characterized in that the blocking of the toner replenishing operation by the means is released (Claim 1) . in this case,
To force the sliding operation when replenishing toner means, specifically, that the charging wire must be cleaned.
This includes a configuration in which the toner replenishing operation is disabled, and a configuration in which the charging wire is forcibly cleaned when the toner replenishing operation is performed. That is, the slide operation is linked to the toner replenishing operation to change the toner replenishing operation from the operation blocking state to the operable state, or the toner replenishing operation is linked to the slide operation to operate from the compulsory sliding operation blocking state. It is to make it a state.

With this configuration, one of the relative sliding operation of the cleaning tool and the charging wire and the toner replenishing operation is interlocked with the other, so that the sliding operation is forcibly performed during toner replenishment. If the cleaning tool and the charging wire are not slid relative to each other, the toner replenishing operation cannot be performed regularly, or if the cleaning toner and the charging wire are regularly performed, the cleaning tool and the charging wire are relatively moved. The compulsory sliding motion is performed in. Therefore, the cleaning operation of the charging wire by this sliding operation is performed regularly and surely.

Further, the blocking state of the toner replenishing operation by the toner replenishing operation prevention means, since the to release in conjunction with the charging wire and relative sliding operation and the cleaning tool, with a simple configuration, charging by the sliding operation The cleaning work of the wire will be performed regularly and reliably.

Further, preferably, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the toner replenishing operation preventing means prevents either the start operation or the end operation of the toner replenishing operation (claim 2) .

With this configuration, if the relative sliding operation between the cleaning tool and the charging wire is performed, the blocking of the toner replenishing operation is released by either the start operation or the end operation of the periodic toner replenishing operation. Therefore, the cleaning work of the charging wire is surely performed during the regular toner replenishing operation.

Further preferably, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the toner replenishing operation inhibiting means has a toner replenishing operation member for performing the toner replenishing operation, and the operation interlocking means has the toner replenishing operation member's toner replenishing operation member. Regulate the operation,
The regulation is released in association with the slide operation (claim 3) .

With this configuration, the operation interlocking means interlocks with the relative sliding operation of the cleaning tool and the charging wire to release the regulation of the toner replenishing operation by the toner replenishing operation member, so that the toner is replenished regularly. As a result, the cleaning operation of the charging wire by the sliding operation can be reliably performed.

Further, preferably, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the toner replenishing operation member is provided between a cartridge fixing position for fixing the toner cartridge at a predetermined position and a cartridge removing position for enabling the toner cartridge to be taken out. A fixing member regulating unit that has a moving cartridge fixing member, regulates the movement of the cartridge fixing member at either the cartridge fixing position or the cartridge ejecting position, and the operation interlocking unit releases the regulation in conjunction with the slide operation. (Claim 4) .

With this structure, the fixing member regulating means releases the regulation of the movement of the cartridge fixing member in association with the relative sliding movement of the cleaning tool and the charging wire, so that the toner can be replenished periodically. For this reason, when the toner is replenished periodically, the cleaning operation is always performed by the relative sliding operation of the cleaning tool and the charging wire.

The fixing member restricting means is preferably an interlocking member that operates in association with a relative sliding operation of the cleaning tool and the charging wire, and, for example, a tip end portion of the cartridge, which corresponds to the operation of the interlocking member. The locking member is configured to be able to move in and out of the fixed member between the restriction position and the restriction release position. With this configuration, the tip of the fixing member restricting member moves back and forth with respect to the fixing member in accordance with the movement of the interlocking member that interlocks with the relative sliding movement of the cleaning tool and the charging wire. The toner cartridge fixing member can be restricted or released with a simple structure.

Further, the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the photosensitive member
It is stretched in the width direction and is applied with a high voltage
Equipped with a charging wire that charges the surface of the photoconductor to a predetermined potential
In the image forming apparatus, cleaning for contact with the charging wire
And at least one of the charging wire to the other
On the other hand, the charging wire slides relatively in the longitudinal direction.
And a slide operation supporting means for supporting the movable member,
Operation or toner supply operation for this device
By linking one to the other, the slider
Operation interlocking means for forcibly performing
The operation interlocking means includes a slide operation starting means for forcibly starting the sliding operation, and the sliding operation starting means starts the compulsory sliding operation of the charging wire in association with the toner replenishing operation , The slide movement
The work starting means slides the charging wire in the longitudinal direction.
It characterized by having a sliding operation means for operating
Monodea Ru (claim 5).

With this configuration, the sliding operation start means forcibly starts the sliding operation in synchronism with the toner replenishing operation. Therefore, the cleaning operation of the charging wire by the sliding operation is performed regularly with a simple structure. And surely it will be done.

The charging charge is interlocked with the toner replenishing operation.
Sliding motion of the ear is forced by the sliding motion means
Be sure to do so, so do not forget to clean the charging wire.
It becomes possible to perform it regularly and reliably.

Further, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, preferably, the operation interlocking means interlocks with either the start operation or the end operation of the toner replenishing operation to forcibly slide the charging wire by the slide operation start means. Is started (claim 6) .

With this configuration, when either the start operation or the end operation of the regular toner supply operation is performed, the compulsory sliding operation is started, so that the cleaning operation of the charging wire is performed regularly and It will certainly be done.

Further, preferably, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the charging unit is provided with a charging unit configured to be slidable in the longitudinal direction of the charging wire together with the charging wire. A biasing means for biasing the charging wire in any one of the longitudinal directions, and the slide operation starting means locks the movement of the charging unit against the biasing force of the biasing means; And a unit lock releasing means for releasing the lock of the charging unit in association with the toner replenishing operation (claim 7) .

With this configuration, the charging unit is unlocked by the unit unlocking unit, and the charging unit automatically slides by the biasing unit, so that the cleaning operation of the charging wire can be performed more easily. Will be able to. Further, the slide operation means is simply constituted by the biasing means, and the slide operation start means is simply constituted by the unit lock means and the unit lock release means.

Further, preferably, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, unit movement restricting means for restricting movement of the charging unit in a direction opposite to the urging direction by the urging means,
When the charging unit moves in the urging direction, when the entire length of the portion of the charging wire facing the photoconductor passes a predetermined stationary position, the unit movement restricting means releases the restriction on the movement of the charging unit. Has means
(Claim 8) .

With this structure, when the charging unit is started to move in the urging direction, the charging wire is spread over the entire width of the photoconductor so that the entire length of the portion of the charging wire facing the photoconductor passes a predetermined stationary position. As long as the charging unit is not moved to the end, the charging unit is locked so that it cannot be returned to the original storage state, so move the charging wire together with the charging unit across the width of the photoconductor to the end and then return to the original storage position. The reciprocating cleaning operation is surely performed by the user's hand, so that the user never forgets to clean.

When the charging wire is cleaned,
In the case where the toner can be supplied in association with this cleaning operation, the case where the interlocking is not mechanical but the interlocking is performed electrically will be described. In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the fixed The member regulation means preferably includes a cleaning operation detection means for generating a detection signal according to the presence or absence of the cleaning operation, and a tip portion or the like between the regulation position and the regulation release position with respect to the fixed member in response to the detection signal. It suffices to have lock driving means for moving in and out. With this configuration, it becomes possible to regulate or deregulate the cartridge fixing member via the detection signal according to the presence or absence of the cleaning operation. In this case, since the interlocking can be performed via the detection signal which is an electric signal, the layout of each member can be freely set. Further, to explain the case of automatically moving the cleaning tool, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention,
Preferably, a cleaning tool moving mechanism that allows the cleaning tool to move along the longitudinal direction of the charging member, a cleaning starting means that generates a cleaning start signal, a driving means that drives this cleaning tool moving mechanism, and this cleaning. A drive control means for receiving the start signal and controlling the drive of the drive means may be further provided. With this configuration, the cleaning operation of the cleaning tool can be automatically performed only by the user or the like operating the cleaning start means, and the cleaning work does not take time.

When toner is replenished, when the charging wire cleaning operation is forcibly performed in conjunction with the toner replenishment, the interlocking is not mechanical but the interlocking is electrically performed. Explaining the case, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, preferably, the unit lock releasing means has a detecting means, the detecting means detects a toner replenishing operation and outputs a detection signal, and the unit lock releasing means is The unit lock means is unlocked by the detection signal. With this configuration, the unlocking of the unit unlocking means can be performed based on the electrically detected signal. In this case, since the interlocking can be performed via the detection signal which is an electric signal, the layout of each member can be freely set. Further, to describe a case where the cleaning tool is automatically moved, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, preferably, the charging wire is accommodated, and a charging unit configured to be slidable in the longitudinal direction of the charging wire together with the charging wire is provided, The sliding operation means moves the charging unit along the longitudinal direction of the charging wire, a charging unit moving mechanism, driving means for driving the charging unit moving mechanism, and drive control of the driving means based on the toner replenishing operation. Drive control means. With this configuration, it becomes possible to automatically control the slide operation means that moves the charging unit. In this case, the drive control means may have a detection means, the detection means may detect the toner supply operation and output a detection signal, and the drive control means may be configured to drive-control the drive means by the detection signal. .

[0029]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION (Embodiment 1) In the following, first, an overall configuration of Embodiment 1 in which an image forming apparatus according to the present invention is applied to a copying machine will be described, and then a characteristic portion of the present invention will be described. The configuration, that is, the image forming apparatus will be described.

FIG. 1 is an overall sectional view of a first embodiment in which an image forming apparatus according to the present invention is applied to a copying machine. In FIG. 1, a copying machine 1 includes a device body 2 and a document retainer 3 which is mounted on the device body 2 in an openable and closable manner. In the apparatus main body 2, a paper feed unit 10 arranged at a lower portion, a paper conveyance unit 20 arranged above the paper feed unit 10, and an image arranged above the paper conveyance unit 20. Forming part 30
An image reading unit 50 including a fixing unit 40 arranged downstream of the image forming unit 30 in the sheet conveyance direction, and an optical system member arranged above the image forming unit 30 and the fixing unit 40. It has and.

The paper feed section 10 is provided with a paper feed cassette 11 or 1
The transfer sheets 13 stacked on the second sheet are sent to the outlet side (left side in FIG. 1) of the sheet feeding cassette 11 or 12 by the rotation operation of the sheet feeding roller 14 having an arc outer peripheral portion (substantially semicircular shape), and The uppermost transfer sheets 13 are fed one by one to the sheet conveying unit 20 side by separating the sheets with the separating claws (not shown) provided on both upper ends of the sheet feeding cassettes 11 and 12 in the width direction. ing.

The sheet conveying section 20 conveys the transfer sheet 13 fed from the sheet feeding section 10 toward the image forming section 30 by means of a pair of conveying rollers 21 and a pair of registration rollers 22. Further, the paper transport unit 20 fixes the transfer paper 13 on which the image is formed by the image forming unit 30 to the fixing unit 4.
From 0, the branch claw 23 guides the transfer sheet 13 to the discharge roller pair 24 side, and further, the transfer sheet 13 is discharged onto the discharge tray 25 by the discharge roller pair 24. In addition,
In the copying machine according to the present embodiment, in the case of image formation on both sides of the sheet, the transfer sheet 13 which has finished image formation on one side
To the image forming unit 30 via the branching claw 28 and the double-sided conveying path 29 after the conveying roller pair 24 is reversed and the conveying direction is switched back. Image formation can be performed on both sides of 13.

The image forming section 30 forms a predetermined toner image on the photosensitive drum 31 by an electrophotographic process and transfers it onto the transfer paper 13. The image forming unit 30 includes a photoconductive drum 31 that is rotatably supported and has photoconductivity, and a charger 32, an exposure unit 33, and a developing unit around the photoconductive drum 31 in the rotation direction. It is provided with a device 34, a transfer device 35, a cleaning device 36, and a charge eliminating lamp 37.

The exposure device 33 outputs the laser light R, whose intensity is added according to the image data of the original read by the image reading section 50 described later, from the laser light emitter 331 to output the polygon mirror 332 and the reflecting mirror 333. The photoconductor drum 31 is irradiated with light through the. The irradiated laser light R selectively attenuates the surface potential of the photoconductor drum 31 to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoconductor drum 31 according to the original image data. This light irradiation is repeatedly scanned by the polygon mirror 332 in the width direction of the rotating photosensitive drum 31 between the charging device 32 and the developing device 34.

The developing device 34 electrostatically attaches positively charged toner to the portion of the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 31 where the + charge has been lost by the laser beam R. As a result, the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 31 is developed by the toner, and a toner image is formed as a visible image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 31.

The transfer portion 35 is formed on the photosensitive drum 31 by performing a negative corona discharge from the back surface of the transfer paper 13 by the transfer roller 351 which is arranged to face the photosensitive drum 31 in a non-contact state. The toner image is electrostatically transferred onto the transfer paper 13.

The cleaning device 36 collects the residual toner adhering to the surface of the photosensitive drum 31 after the transfer.

The static elimination lamps 37 are formed in an array shape in which a plurality of LED lamps are arranged in one row or a plurality of rows along the longitudinal direction (width direction) of the photosensitive drum 31. The charge eliminating lamp 37 irradiates the surface of the photosensitive drum 31 with lamp light to remove the residual charges on the surface of the photosensitive drum 31.

The fixing section 40 is arranged on the downstream side of the image forming section 30 in the sheet conveying direction, and heats the transfer sheet 13 on which the toner image is transferred in the image forming section 30 with the heating roller 41.
And the pressure roller 4 pressed against the heating roller 41.
It is sandwiched by 2 and heat-pressed to fuse and fix the toner image on the transfer paper 13.

The image reading section 50 includes a contact glass 51.
By irradiating the original placed on the original with light from the exposure lamp 52 and guiding the reflected light through the reflecting mirrors 53, 54, 55 and the lens 56 to the photoelectric conversion unit 57 including a CCD line sensor or the like. , To read the image information of a document. The exposure lamp 52 and the reflecting mirror 53 constitute a scanning operation unit, and the scanning operation unit moves in the left-right direction in FIG. 1 at a predetermined speed, so that the document placed on the contact glass 51 is scanned. The entire surface of the document can be scanned and the image information of the entire surface of the document can be read.

Here, after the structure of the charger 32 is described in detail, the image forming apparatus according to the characteristic part of the present invention will be described. The charger 32, as shown in FIG.
Shield member 321 having a long box shape, and shield member 32
Grid 322 arranged on the side of the photosensitive drum 31 of No. 1
And a charging wire 323 for corona discharge housed in the shield member 321, and a positive corona discharge generated by applying a high voltage (4 to 6 KV) to the charging wire 323 causes the surface of the photosensitive drum 31 to be exposed. Opposite grid 3
The surface layer (OPC layer) of the photoconductor drum 31 is charged to a predetermined + potential via 22. Also, the charger 3
2, the cleaning device 60 is provided to wipe and clean the charging wire 323, which will be described later in detail.

The shield member 321 is the photosensitive drum 31.
It is configured as a long box body arranged in the longitudinal direction. The elongated box body has an elongated opening 321b that is open to the front surface side of the photosensitive drum 31 across the width of the photosensitive drum 31. The outer surface of the shield member 321 is made of a resin material that is an insulating material, and the inner surface of the shield member 321 is made of a metal material that is shielded, and has a predetermined voltage (for example, 800 V).
Is being applied.

The grid 322 is arranged in the opening 321b. The voltage applied to the grid 322 is the shield member 3
It has the same voltage as the shield (inner surface) of 21.

The charging wire 323 is connected to the shield member 321.
Inside, it is stretched across the width direction of the photosensitive drum 31, and a high voltage (for example, 4 to 5 KV) is applied to generate positive corona discharge. Charging wire 3
For feeding power to 23, a terminal is provided at one end of the wire,
This is performed from a leaf spring-shaped contact piece (not shown) that presses against this terminal portion, and constant current control is performed.

The cleaning device 60 for the charging wire 323 has operation interlocking means for enabling the toner replenishing operation in synchronism with the sliding operation of the cleaning tool 61 in contact with the charging wire 323. The operation interlocking means is the toner cartridge 62.
A cartridge fixing member 63 (hereinafter, referred to as a hopper 63) as a toner replenishment prevention unit (a toner replenishing operation member in the present embodiment) that can lock the cleaning tool 61 and a cleaning tool 61 that is manually moved along the charging wire 323. The hopper 63 is locked in a linked state (movement blocked state)
From the lock release state (operable state) to the lock means 64 as a fixing member regulating means.

As shown in FIG. 3, the cleaning tool 61 is provided with a metal piece 611 having a spring property and bent so as to urge it inward, and the metal piece 611 is used to sponge-like member 612 (or stains). In severe cases, the charging wire 323 is sandwiched from above and below via sandpaper or the like. As shown in FIG. 4, the width W of the metal piece 611 and the sponge-like member 612 is set to a width that does not interfere with charging at the cleaning standby position X. The cleaning standby position X is a position deviated from a position right above the surface of the photosensitive drum 31.

Further, the slide operation supporting means for supporting the cleaning tool 61 in a slidable manner is the charging wire 323.
A long cleaning rod 613 arranged in the longitudinal direction of
It has a guide member 614 which guides a long cleaning rod 613 slidably along its longitudinal direction. Further, the lower surface of the cleaning rod 613 and the upper surface of the metal piece 611 are connected by a connecting member 615 that penetrates the elongated hole of the shield member 321. A protrusion 616 for pressing and moving an interlocking member 643 described later is provided on the inner side of the upper surface of the cleaning rod 613.

The toner cartridge 62 is placed in the storage opening 621 shown in FIG. 2 and then moved to the left side to be set at a predetermined position while being engaged with the left side edge 621a. In addition, a lock groove 622 is formed in the bottom surface portion of the toner cartridge 62 in an oblique direction as shown in FIG. At this set position, the toner cartridge 62 supplies toner to the developing device 34 until the toner in the toner cartridge 62 is exhausted. When the toner is exhausted and the toner empty display is made in this apparatus, the user or the like replaces the toner cartridge 62 together.

Although not shown, the hopper 63 receives toner from the toner cartridge 62 (not shown).
It is configured as described above and is disposed below the toner cartridge 62. The hopper 63, as shown in FIG.
The central shaft 365 on the right end 632 side is pivotally supported as a center of rotation. The left end 631 side of the hopper 63 is rotatable between a lock position (closed position) and a lock release position (open position) pulled out to the front side.
A lock pin 633 for fixing the cartridge is erected on the upper surface of the hopper 63. Lock pin 633
The rotation of the hopper 63 in the closing direction (the direction opposite to the arrow E) presses the inner wall of the lock groove 622 formed obliquely on the bottom surface of the toner cartridge 62 as shown by the broken line in FIG. The toner cartridge 62 is pressed to the left side (the direction opposite to the direction of arrow B) and fixed at the set position. Conversely, the hopper 63
The toner cartridge 62 moves to the right (the direction of arrow B) by the rotation in the opening direction (the direction of arrow E). In addition, on the end face of the left end 631 of the hopper 63, the hopper 63
A hopper lock recess 634 for preventing the rotation of the hopper is formed.

The lock means 64 is a long lock member capable of locking the rotation of the hopper 63, serving as a long lock member, a guide member 642 for guiding the hopper lock rod 641 in a predetermined direction, and a cleaning rod 613 being pulled out. It has an interlocking member 643 for moving the hopper lock bar 641 in the unlocking direction (leftward direction) in conjunction with the operation (cleaning operation).

The hopper lock rod 641 has a large-diameter portion 641a having one end thickened and a hopper lock concave portion 63.
A spring member 641c biasing to the fourth side is a bar member 641b having a small diameter integrally formed on the same axis as the large diameter portion 641a.
Is provided by being penetrated. The hopper lock rod 641 has a pin member 641d provided upright on the rod member 641b at the other end. The tip portion of the large diameter portion 641a has an inclined portion 641e formed on the front side thereof and a corner portion 641f formed on the rear side thereof.

The guide member 642 is the hopper lock bar 6
41 is guided in the insertion / removal direction of the hopper lock recess 634, and the spring member 64 loosely fitted to the rod member 641b.
1c is housed together with the rod member 641b.

The interlocking member 643 is rotatably supported about a central shaft 643a, and has one end bent and the other end linear. An elongated hole 643b is formed in the bent side portion. Pin member 64 erected on hopper lock bar 641
1d is connected to the connecting member 643 through the elongated hole 643b.

When the cleaning rod 613 is pulled in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 4, the interlocking member 643 has a protrusion 6 on the cleaning rod 613.
It is pushed by 16 and rotated in the left direction of arrow C to move the hopper lock bar 641 in the left direction (the direction of arrow D) to be pulled out from the hopper lock recess 634 against the biasing force of the spring member 641c. It has become. When the cleaning rod 613 is returned in the direction opposite to the arrow A,
The tip of the hopper lock bar 641 is moved by the biasing force of the spring member 641c in the right direction (the direction opposite to the arrow D) to be inserted into the hopper lock recess 634.

With the above structure, first, the document retainer 3 is opened, and the document is placed on the contact glass 51 with the document surface facing down. When the print key switch for instructing printing is turned on, light is emitted to the document surface, the reflected light is guided to the photoelectric conversion unit 57 to read the document image information, and the transfer paper 13 fed from the paper feed unit 10 is The registration roller pair 22 conveys the recording material to the transfer portion 35 at a predetermined timing.

In the image forming section 30, the surface layer of the photosensitive drum 31 is charged to a predetermined potential by the charger 32, and the laser beam R having the intensity corresponding to the original image data read by the image reading section 50 is charged. The photosensitive drum 31 is irradiated to form an electrostatic latent image, and the toner image developed by toner is transferred onto the transfer paper 13 which is conveyed by the registration roller pair 22 at a predetermined timing. The transfer is performed by the roller 351.

Thereafter, the transfer paper 13 is heated by the heating roller 41.
Then, after the toner image is fixed by being thermally pressed by the pressure roller 42, the toner image is discharged from the branch claw 23 onto the discharge tray 25 by the discharge roller pair 24.

At this time, in the image forming section 30, the residual toner adhering to the surface of the photosensitive drum 31 is collected at the tip of the cleaning device 36, and further, the lamp light from the charge eliminating lamp 37 causes the photosensitive drum 31 to move. The residual charge on the surface has been removed.

Here, the cleaning operation of the charging wire 323 when replacing the toner cartridge 62 will be described.
Toner empty display is made and the toner cartridge 6
When replacing 2, the hopper 63 is locked by the large diameter portion 641a of the hopper lock bar 641 and the toner cartridge 62 cannot be taken out. In order to unlock the hopper 63, the cleaning rod 613 must be pulled in the direction of the arrow A on the front side to clean the charging wire 323.

When the cleaning rod 613 is pulled to the front side, the cleaning rod 6
The protrusion 616 on the back side of 13 presses the interlocking member 643,
The interlocking member 643 rotates counterclockwise (in the direction of arrow C) with the central shaft 643a as the center of rotation. By rotating the long hole 643b on the other end side of the interlocking member 643, the long hole 643b
The pin member 641d passed through is in the direction of arrow D (leftward direction)
Move to. The hopper lock rod 641 has a large diameter portion 64.
Arrow D for pulling 1a out of the hopper lock recess 641
The hopper 63 is unlocked by moving in the direction of.

When the lock of the hopper 63 is released, the left end portion 631 of the hopper 63 is pulled so as to rotate toward the front side to be in the open state. At this time, the hopper 63 rotates counterclockwise in the direction of arrow E with the central shaft 635 as the center of rotation. The rotation of the hopper 63 causes the lock pin 633 to move into the lock groove 622 of the toner cartridge 62.
The toner cartridge 62 is moved in the direction of arrow B by pressing the inner wall of the. As a result, the empty toner cartridge 62 can be taken out upward from the storage opening 621.

On the other hand, after opening the hopper 63,
The cleaning rod 613 is returned in the direction opposite to the arrow A, and the cleaning operation is completed. At this time, the biasing force of the spring member 641c moves the hopper lock bar 641 in the right direction (the direction opposite to the arrow D), but the hopper 63 is in the open state, so the large diameter portion 641a and the hopper lock recess 641 are formed. Is not fitted with.

The user can select a new toner cartridge 62
The lock groove 622 is inserted into the storage opening 621 so as to be fitted into the lock pin 633 of the hopper 63 from the front upper side. Then, the hopper 63 is rotated clockwise to return to the original closed position. By the rotation of this hopper 63,
The lock pin 633 pushes the inside of the lock groove 622 of the toner cartridge 62 to the left side to move the toner cartridge 62 to the left side and set it at a predetermined position. Also, the hopper 6
When 3 is rotated and returned to the original position, the back corner of the hopper 63 presses the inclined portion 641e of the large diameter portion 641a. As a result, the hopper lock bar 641 moves in the direction of the arrow D against the biasing force of the spring member 641c, and the biasing force of the spring member 641c causes the hopper lock recess 6 to move.
The hopper 63 can be locked by fitting the large diameter portion 641a into the inside 34.

As described above, when the toner cartridge 62 becomes empty, the sponge-like member 612 holding the charging wire 323 is moved along the longitudinal direction of the charging wire 323 before the wiping operation is performed. In conjunction with the operation, the large diameter portion 641a of the hopper lock bar 641 is pulled out from the inside of the hopper lock recess 634 to pull out the hopper 6.
3 is unlocked. As a result, the hopper 63 can be turned to the front side to be in the open state,
The fixing of the toner cartridge 62 by the lock pin 633 can be released, and the new toner cartridge 63
Can be exchanged. Therefore, the user can surely perform the cleaning work of the charging wire 323 regularly.
Therefore, the charging wire 323 does not become excessively dirty due to the adhesion of the discharge product, and the discharge product adhered to the charging wire 323 can be easily wiped by the cleaning tool 61, and more uniform charging can be performed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent image defects such as image unevenness and extend the life of the charging wire 323.

(Second Embodiment) In the cleaning device 60 of the first embodiment, the charging wire 323 is used.
Along with the cleaning operation of manually moving the cleaning rod 613 so as to pull it out.
The cleaning device according to the second embodiment, on the contrary, operates the cartridge fixing member (toner supply operation) when the toner cartridge is replaced. In this case, the charging wire 323 side is moved in synchronism with the above, and the charging wire 323 is forcibly cleaned by the cleaning tool on the fixed side. In the second embodiment, members having the same effects as the members described in the first embodiment will be described with the same reference numerals.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the shield member 321Y of the second embodiment has a collar portion 321a on one end side.
And is configured as a long box body arranged in the width direction of the photosensitive drum 31 (the front-back direction of arrow A).
This elongated box body has an elongated opening 3 that is open to the surface side of the photosensitive drum 31 across the width direction of the photosensitive drum 31.
21b is formed, and an opening 321c is also formed in the center of the facing surface side of the opening 321b. Further, the elongated box body is guided in the front-rear direction of the arrow A by a housing outer frame member (not shown) as a slide operation supporting means so that it can be slidably inserted into and removed from the housing outer frame member. It has become. Further, the outer surface of the elongated box body is made of a resin material which is an insulating material, the inner surface of which is shielded by a metal material, and a predetermined voltage (for example, 800 V) is applied.

The grid 322 is arranged in the opening 321b, and the same voltage (800V) as that of the shield (inner surface) of the shield member 321Y is applied.

The charging wire 323 is connected to the shield member 321.
It is housed in Y and stretched across the width of the photosensitive drum 31, and a high voltage (for example, 4 to 5 KV) is applied to generate positive corona discharge. Power is supplied to the charging wire 323 from a leaf spring-shaped contact piece (not shown) which is provided with a terminal portion at one end of the wire and is pressed against the terminal portion, and constant current control is performed. Has become.

The cleaning device 80 includes a cleaning member 81 having a cleaning tool 811 as a wiping member, and an urging means 82 as a sliding operation means for urging the charger 32Y (charging unit) in the direction of arrow B. , And an operation interlocking means (not shown) for forcibly sliding the charger 32Y in association with the toner replenishment operation, and the charger 32Y side having the charging wire 323 stretched therein is attached. When moving in the direction of arrow B by the urging force of the urging means 82, the cleaning tool 8
11, the charging wire 323 is wiped off for cleaning. The operation interlocking means has a slide operation starting means for forcibly starting the slide operation. The sliding operation starting means releases the lock (operable state) of the unit lock means 831 that locks the movement of the charger 32Y (operation blocking state) against the urging force of the urging means 82. Unit unlocking means 832
And have. Further, the biasing means 82, the unit lock means 831 and the unit lock release means 832
Thus, moving means for moving the charger 32Y in the longitudinal direction is configured. Further, the cleaning device 80 has a unit movement restriction / regulation release means 84 described later.

Further, the cleaning member 81 includes a cleaning tool 811 made of a metal piece and a sponge member, a tray 812 for receiving the cleaning tool 811 from below, and a connecting member 813 for fixing the tray 812 to the housing outer frame member. I have it. In this way, the cleaning member 81 is attached to the housing outer frame member and fixed at a predetermined stationary position (hereinafter referred to as the cleaning position X). The cleaning position X is outside the width A of the photoconductor drum 31, and the surface of the photoconductor drum 31 is not located directly below the cleaning tool 811 and the tray 812, so that charging of the photoconductor drum 31 is not hindered. The position.

The cleaning tool 811 is provided with a metal piece (not shown) having a spring property and bent so as to urge it inward, and the sponge member (or, if it is extremely dirty, is used with this metal piece). Charging wire 3 via sand paper)
23 is sandwiched between, for example, the upper and lower sides or the left and right sides and abutted.

The tray 812 is designed to support the cleaning tool 811 above from the center thereof.
The dirt (adhered matter) of the charging wire 323 wiped by 1 is received.

One end of the connecting member 813, which is on the lower side, is fixed to the outer peripheral edge of the tray 812, and the upper side thereof is on the tray 812.
Is bent once in the upper central part of the above, and is extended upward, and its upper end is fixed to a housing outer frame member (not shown) outside the charger 32Y through the upper opening 321c.

The biasing means 82 is composed of an elastic member such as a spring member as shown in FIG. This spring member
The shield member 321Y is arranged at the center position on the back side, and the charger 32Y (charging unit) can be biased and moved in the direction of arrow B.

Here, FIGS. 9 to 15 will be briefly described. FIG. 9 is a plan view schematically showing the overall configuration of the charger 32Y and the cleaning device 80, FIG. 10 is a front view of relevant parts schematically showing a toner cartridge set state, and FIG. 11 is FIG.
FIG. 12, FIG. 12 is a front view of relevant parts schematically showing the set release state, FIG. 13 is a plan view of FIG. 12, and FIGS. 14 and 15 show the respective states of the unit lock means 831 and the unit lock release means 832. It is a top view shown.

The unit lock means 831 is the urging means 8
The movement of the charging device 32Y is locked against the biasing force of the charging device 32Y in the direction of the arrow B by 2. As shown in FIG. 9, the unit locking means 831 is inserted into an opening 321d formed in the flange 321a of the charger 32Y and is engaged with the opening 321d.
a. As shown in detail in FIG. 14, the claw member 831a is rotatably supported by a shaft member 831c in a direction of an arrow D1 (disengagement direction) and a direction of an arrow D2 (engagement direction), and is further wound. Arrow D2 by spring 831b
Is biased in the direction of.

The toner cartridge 85 is set in the predetermined setting position shown in FIGS.
The toner is replenished to the developing device 34 until the internal toner is used up. When the toner is exhausted and the toner empty display is made, the toner cartridge 85 is replaced.

The cartridge fixing member 86 has a cartridge setting position (FIGS. 10 and 11) at which the toner cartridge 85 is set and a cartridge extraction position (FIGS. 12 and 1) at which the toner cartridge 85 can be replaced.
3) and 3) are slidable in the direction of arrow C or in the direction opposite to arrow C. Toner cartridge 8
5 is a storage opening 852 at the cartridge take-out position.
It is possible to mount the cartridge on the cartridge fixing member 86. At this time, the leg portion 8 of the toner cartridge 85 is placed in the fitting recess 861 of the cartridge fixing member 86.
51 is fitted and the toner cartridge 85 is placed on the cartridge fixing member 86. When the user slides the cartridge fixing member 86 on which the toner cartridge 85 is placed in the direction opposite to the arrow C, the toner cartridge 85 is left side edge portion 852a at the set position.
It is designed to move in.

The unit lock releasing means 832 is the fixing releasing side of the cartridge fixing member 86 (in the direction of arrow C) which enables fixing of the toner cartridge 85 for toner replenishment.
The unit lock means 831 is unlocked in conjunction with the movement to the. Further, the unit lock releasing means 832 starts moving the entire charging unit (charger 32Y) in the direction of arrow B by unlocking the unit locking means 831. In this way, the unit lock means 831 and the unit lock release means 832 constitute the movement control means 83, and the movement control means 83 mechanically controls the movement / stop of the charger 32Y.

Further, the unit lock releasing means 832 is
One end side is composed of a rod-shaped member fixed to the cartridge fixing member 86. An inclined portion 832a and a claw portion 832b are formed at the other end of the rod-shaped member. Then, as shown in FIGS. 14 (a) and 14 (b), the unit lock releasing means 832 moves in the direction of arrow C, whereby the claw portion 832b is moved to the claw member 8 by the claw member 832.
By engaging with 31a, the claw member 831a can be rotated toward the engagement release side (lock release side; arrow direction D in FIG. 14B). As shown in FIGS. 15 (a) and 15 (b), the unit unlocking means 832 moves in the direction C1 opposite to the arrow C, so that the portion 832a presses the claw member 831a. By overcoming, the claw portion 832b and the claw member 831a can be returned to the engageable state (the state shown in FIG. 15B).

The unit movement regulation / regulation releasing means 84 is
The unit movement restricting means for restricting the movement of the charger 32Y only in the direction opposite to the direction of the biasing by the biasing means 82 (the direction of the arrow B) and the charger 32Y over the entire width of the photoconductor drum 31 to the end of the user. Has a restriction releasing means for releasing the restriction of the movement of the charger 32Y by the unit movement restricting means when the user moves the charger 32Y in the urging direction. It is configured so that it can be returned to its original storage position. As shown in FIG. 9, this unit movement restricting means has a plurality of sawtooth-shaped engaging claws 841 and a locking claw means 842 capable of engaging or disengaging the engaging claws 841. ing.

The engaging claw 841 has a slope 841a and a right angle surface 84.
1b is formed in the shape of a right triangle, and slopes 84 are formed at a predetermined pitch from the front side (the flange portion 321a side) to the back side (the direction opposite to the arrow B) along the longitudinal direction of one side surface of the charger 32Y.
They are arranged side by side so that the side 1a faces the side of the flange 321a.

The lock claw means 842 has a rod-shaped claw member 842b that is rotatably supported at a substantially central portion, and a claw member 842.
A winding spring 842c for biasing b in the direction of arrow F in FIG.
2b has a stopper 842d that prevents the claw member 842b from rotating so as to maintain the upright state. For this reason,
The locking claw means 842 rotates in the direction of arrow B by the claw member 842b rotating over the engaging claw 841 with respect to the engaging claw 841 that moves in the direction of arrow B together with the charger 32Y. In the direction opposite to the arrow B, the claw member 842b engages with the engagement claw 841 with respect to the engagement claw 841 that is allowed to move and moves with the charger 32Y in the direction opposite to the arrow B. The charging device 32Y is prevented from moving. The claw member 842b includes
Inclined portion 8 that can come into contact with the inclined surface 841a of the engaging claw 841
42a is provided on one tip side, and the inclined portion 842 is provided.
Due to a, the claw member 842b easily moves over the engagement claw 841 and rotates.

The restriction releasing means is the lock claw means 842.
Is rotated to a direction parallel to the side wall of the charger 32Y, and the end claw 843 and the lock claw means 842 are included in the charger 32Y.
A lock claw holding member 844 capable of holding the disengaged position in a direction parallel to the side wall.

The terminal end claw 843 is arranged on the side wall of the charger 32Y, behind the plurality of engagement claws 841 and is taller than the plurality of engagement claws 841. The terminal claw 843 pushes the claw member 842b by pulling out the charger 32Y in the direction of the arrow B to the end in the width direction of the photoconductor drum 31, and as shown in FIG. 16, charges the claw member 842b to the charger. The rotation shaft 842e is rotated in the direction of arrow F1 around the rotation shaft 842e as a rotation center to an engagement release position parallel to the side wall of 32Y.

The lock claw holding member 844 is formed in an L shape as shown in FIG. 17A, and is rotatably supported about a turning shaft 844b shown in FIG. 17B. 844a, a winding spring (not shown) for urging the holding member 844a in the direction opposite to the arrow E, and the holding member 844a is positioned in the predetermined direction shown in b of FIG. 17 against the urging force of the winding spring. Stopper (not shown) to prevent rotation
And have. On one end side of the holding member 844a,
Holding recess 844c for holding the claw member 842b in a predetermined direction
The holding recess 844c holds the claw member 842b in an engagement free state with respect to the engaging claw 841 so that the charger 32Y can be easily pushed back to the original storage position. ing. The inlet portion 844e of the holding recess 844c has a tapered shape so that the claw member 842b can be easily fitted into the holding recess 844c. Further, an inclined surface 844d for releasing the engagement is provided on the other end surface side of the holding member 844a.

The charging unit reciprocating movement permitting means 84 is, in addition to the unit movement restricting means and the restriction releasing means, a resetting means for engaging the lock claw means 842 with its disengaged position (front-back direction; parallel to the side wall of the charger 32Y). The lock claw holding / releasing member 845 that returns the engagement position to the original engagement position (the left-right direction; the direction orthogonal to the side wall of the charger 32Y).

The lock claw holding / releasing member 845 is composed of a projection, and this projection is an inclined surface 844 of the holding member 844a.
It is provided on the back surface position of the collar portion 321a corresponding to d. The lock claw holding release member 845 causes the charger 32Y to return to its original storage position in the storage frame member.
The protrusion provided on the back surface of the collar portion 321a of the
4d is pressed to rotate the holding member 844a together with the holding recess 844c in the direction of arrow E, so that the claw member 842b is disengaged from the holding recess 844c.

With the above structure, first, the document retainer 3 is opened and the document is placed on the contact glass 51 with the document surface facing down. When the print key switch for instructing printing is turned on, light is emitted to the document surface, the reflected light is guided to the photoelectric conversion unit 57 to read the document image information, and the transfer paper 13 fed from the paper feed unit 10 is The registration roller pair 22 conveys the recording material to the transfer portion 35 at a predetermined timing.

In the image forming section 30, the surface layer of the photosensitive drum 31 is charged to a predetermined potential by the charger 32Y, and the laser beam R having the intensity corresponding to the original image data read by the image reading section 50 is charged. The photosensitive drum 31 is irradiated to form an electrostatic latent image, and the toner image developed by toner is transferred onto the transfer paper 13 which is conveyed by the registration roller pair 22 at a predetermined timing. The transfer is performed by the roller 351.

After that, the transfer paper 13 is heated by the heating roller 41.
Then, after the toner image is fixed by being thermally pressed by the pressure roller 42, the toner image is discharged from the branch claw 23 onto the discharge tray 25 by the discharge roller pair 24.

At this time, in the image forming section 30, the residual toner adhering to the surface of the photosensitive drum 31 is collected at the tip of the cleaning device 36, and further, the lamp light from the charge eliminating lamp 37 causes the photosensitive drum 31 to move. The residual charge on the surface has been removed.

Here, the cleaning operation of the charging wire 323 performed when the toner cartridge 85 is replaced will be described. First, when the toner empty display is made and the toner cartridge 85 is replaced, the toner cartridge shown in FIG.
1 from the set position of the toner cartridge 85 shown in FIG.
When the cartridge fixing member 86 is moved in the direction of the arrow C to the take-out position of the toner cartridge 85 shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 13, the toner cartridge 85 is also moved in the direction of the arrow C from the predetermined set position and is moved from the storage opening 852. The toner cartridge 85 can be taken out.

At this time, the claw portion 832b rotates the claw member 831a of the unit locking means 831 in conjunction with the movement of the cartridge fixing member 86 in the direction of the arrow C,
The engagement between the claw member 831a and the opening 321d is released.

Next, the charging device 32Y is moved out of the housing outer frame in the direction of arrow B (front side when viewed from the user) by the urging force of the spring member as the urging means 82. At this time, the charging wire 323 slides in the longitudinal direction while the cleaning tool 811 holding the charging wire 323 is fixed at a predetermined stationary position, so that the charging wire 32 is held.
The adhered matter of No. 3 is wiped off by the cleaning tool 811 at a constant cleaning position X. As a result, the adhering matter wiped from the charging wire 323 is not scattered over a wide range even if it falls off from the cleaning tool 811, and the saucer 8 below it is not scattered.
Since the photoconductor drum 31 is received at 12, and the photoconductor drum 31 is not positioned below the photoconductor drum 12, the adhered substance wiped off does not adhere to the surface of the photoconductor drum 31 or the like.

Further, even when the charger 32Y that has come out from the inside of the housing outer frame is only part way out, the engaging claw 841 of the charger 32Y has a claw member provided on the housing outer frame side. The charger 32Y cannot be returned to the inside of the housing outer frame by being caught by 842b. In order to return the charger 32Y into the housing outer frame, the user or the like needs to pull out the charger 32Y to the end.

When the charger 32Y is pulled out to the end,
The claw member 842b of the lock claw means 842 is pressed by the terminal claw 843 provided on the charger 32Y, and the claw member 8 is placed in the engagement free state in the direction parallel to the side wall of the charger 32Y.
42b is rotated in the direction of arrow F1 as shown in FIG. At the time of this rotation, the claw member 842b holds the holding recess 844c.
It fits inside and is retained. In this way, the claw member 84
Since 2b is held in the holding concave portion 844a in a state where it is free of engagement with the engaging claw 841, a user or the like can easily push the charger 32Y into the housing outer frame to house it.

At this time as well, the charging wire 323 moves in the longitudinal direction with respect to the cleaning tool 811 on the fixed side which holds the charging wire 323 in between.
The deposits of No. 3 are wiped off by the cleaning tool 811. As a result, the adhered matter wiped from the charging wire 323 is removed by the cleaning tool 811.
Even if it is dropped from the inside, it is not scattered over a wide area, and is received by the receiving tray 812 below it, and the surface of the photosensitive drum 31 is not located below it, so it was wiped off. Adhesion is the photoconductor drum 3
It does not adhere to 1.

When the charger 32Y is pushed all the way into the housing outer frame, the protrusion of the lock claw holding release member 845 presses the inclined surface 844d of the lock claw holding member 844,
The holding member 844a rotates together with the holding recess 844c,
The fitting between the claw member 842b and the holding recess 844c is released.
As a result, the pawl member 842b is reset to the original engageable state by the biasing force of the coil spring 842c.

On the other hand, the user or the like moves the cartridge fixing member 86 together with the toner cartridge 85 in the setting direction opposite to the arrow C after inserting the new toner cartridge 85 into the storage opening 852. As a result, the toner cartridge 85 is moved to the left side and set at a predetermined position. At this time, as shown in (a) of FIG. 15, the inclined portion 832a of the unit lock releasing means 832 with respect to the claw member 831a of the unit locking means 831.
And the claw member 832b engages with the claw member 831a.

As described above, when the toner cartridge 85 becomes empty, the claw of the unit lock releasing means 832 is interlocked with the movement of the cartridge fixing member 86 in the direction of arrow C in order to replace the toner cartridge 85. The portion 832b is the claw member 831 of the unit locking means 831.
By rotating a, the engagement between the claw member 831a and the opening 321d is released. As a result, the cleaning device 80 can perform the wiping operation of moving the charging wire 323 held by the cleaning tool 811 along the longitudinal direction thereof at the constant cleaning position X. Thereby, the charging wire 323
Even if the discharge products adhered to the cleaning tool 811 fall off from the cleaning tool 811, they are not scattered over a wide area, and are received by the receiving tray 812 below the surface, and the surface of the photoconductor drum 31 is positioned below the receiving tray 812. Because not
It is possible to prevent the discharge products from adhering to the surrounding members, especially the surface of the photoconductor drum 31, and to uniformly charge the surface of the photoconductor drum 31, and further to prevent image defects such as image unevenness. It can be prevented.

The present invention can employ the following various configurations in place of this embodiment.

(1) In the first embodiment, the charging wire 32
Although the cleaning tool 61 is configured to reciprocate manually with respect to 3, the cleaning tool 61 contacting the charging wire 323 is fixed at a predetermined stationary position, and the cleaning tool 61 is not limited to this.
Alternatively, the charging wire 323 may be configured to slide manually or automatically in the longitudinal direction of the charging wire 323 together with the charging unit. Also in this case, the effect of the present invention that the cleaning operation of the charging wire 323 can be regularly and reliably performed is achieved. Further, the cleaning position of the cleaning tool 61 is a position on the near side, which is off the surface of the photoconductor drum 31. The cleaning tool 61 and the charging wire 323 may move together, and in this case, the slide stroke is halved.

(2) In the first embodiment, when the toner cartridge 62 becomes empty, the sponge member 612 holding the charging wire 323 is interlocked with the wiping operation of moving the sponge member 612 along the longitudinal direction of the charging wire 323. Then, the fitting between the hopper locking recess 634 and the large diameter portion 641a is released (the inhibition of the start operation of the toner replenishing operation is released), whereby the hopper 63 is rotated to rotate the toner cartridge 62.
It is possible to replace the toner cartridge 63 with a new one by replacing it with a new one, but the present invention is not limited to this, and as shown in FIG.
May be provided on the back side opposite to the front side inclined portion 641e shown in FIG. In this case, when the toner cartridge 62 becomes empty and the hopper 63 is rotated so as to be in the open state, the left end portion 631 is moved to the inclined portion 6.
Although the lock can be released by pressing 41f to easily move the hopper lock bar 641 in the direction of arrow D, a cleaning operation of moving the sponge-like member 612 holding the charging wire 323 along the longitudinal direction of the charging wire 323. Unless the above procedure is performed, the hopper 63 cannot be rotated to return to the original closed position (cannot be released from blocking the end operation of the toner supply operation), and the new toner cartridge 63 cannot be set to the predetermined position. (Cannot replenish toner)
It is like this. In this case as well, similar to the present embodiment, the effect of the present invention that the user or the like can surely perform the cleaning work is exhibited.

(3) In the first embodiment, the charging wire 32
The hopper lock recess 634 is interlocked with the cleaning operation in which the cleaning rod 613 is manually moved to be pulled out along
Although the fitting between the large diameter portion 641a and the large diameter portion 641a is released, the charging wire 323 is not limited to this, and the cleaning start switch (cleaning start means) is operated when the toner cartridge 62 becomes empty. The cleaning rod 613 can be automatically cleaned so as to be automatically moved to the front side along.

[0106] cleaning apparatus 70 of the charging wire 323, for example, as shown in (a) of FIG. 6, the cleaning start switch 7
1 and the cleaning tool 61 similar to that of the above-described embodiment, the charging wire 3
For example, a ball screw 72 as a cleaning tool moving mechanism that moves along the longitudinal direction of 23, a motor 73 that rotationally drives the ball screw 72, and a cleaning start switch 71.
Drive control means 74 for controlling the rotation of the motor 73 in response to a cleaning start signal from

(4) Cleaning device 70a for charging wire 323
As an alternative to the cleaning start switch 71, a detachment detection sensor 75 may be provided to detect (electrically interlock) with the toner cartridge 62 when the hopper 63 removes it and generate a cleaning start signal.

(5) As the cleaning device 70b, the locking means 64 of the first embodiment can be used, but instead of the locking means 64, it is interlocked with the automatic movement operation of the cleaning rod 613 to the front side. The hopper lock recess 634 and the large diameter portion 641a may be automatically released from the fitting.

That is, the cleaning device 70b for the charging wire 323.
Is, for example, as shown in FIG. 6B , a cleaning operation detection sensor 75 that generates a detection signal according to the presence or absence of the cleaning operation.
And a solenoid means 76 as a lock driving means for moving the tip end part of the hopper 63 back and forth between the lock position and the lock release position in response to the detection signal. The cleaning operation detection sensor 75 is constituted by, for example, an optical sensor or a limit switch, and the cleaning rod 613 is pulled out, the interlocking member 643 is rotated in the direction of arrow C, and the hopper lock rod 641 is moved by arrow D. The presence or absence of the cleaning operation can be detected by detecting the unlocked state of the hopper 63 such as the moving state in the direction. The solenoid means 76 electrically locks or unlocks the hopper 63 of the toner cartridge 62 depending on whether the cleaning operation is performed or not.

(6) In the second embodiment, the tray 812 is provided below the cleaning tool 811, but even when the cleaning member 81 is not provided with the tray 812, the wiping operation is performed at the constant cleaning position X. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the surface of the photoconductor drum 31 from being contaminated by the adhered matter that is peeled off at the time of wiping.

(7) In the second embodiment, a spring member is used as the urging means 82 to move the charging wire 323 held by the cleaning tool 811 together with the charger 32Y. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The biasing means 82 may be an elastic member such as rubber.

(8) In the second embodiment, when the toner cartridge 85 becomes empty, the cartridge fixing member 86 is moved from the fixing side to the fixing releasing side (toner replenishing operation) in order to replace it with a new toner cartridge 85. The cleaning operation (cleaning operation) for forcibly moving the charging wire 323 in the longitudinal direction is performed with respect to the fixed-side cleaning tool 811 holding the charging wire 323 therebetween. However, the toner cartridge 85 is not limited to this.
After replacement of the cartridge, the cleaning tool 81 on the fixed side holding the charging wire 323 is interlocked with the movement of the cartridge fixing member 86 from the release side to the fixed side (end operation of the toner replenishing operation).
It may be configured to perform a wiping operation (cleaning operation) for forcibly moving the charging wire 323 in the longitudinal direction with respect to 1. In this case as well, similar to the present embodiment, the effect of the present invention that the user or the like can surely perform the cleaning work is exhibited.

(9) In the second embodiment, the charging wire 323 is forcibly moved to the front side with respect to the cleaning tool 811 fixed at a predetermined stationary position. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The cleaning tool 61 contacting the 323 may be configured to be forcedly slid in the longitudinal direction of the charging wire 323 by an urging means or the like. Also in this case, the effect of the present invention that the cleaning operation of the charging wire 323 can be regularly and reliably performed is achieved. The cleaning tool 811 and the charging wire 323 may move together, and in this case, the slide stroke is halved.

(10) In the second embodiment, the cleaning tool 811
Although the charging wire 323 side contacted with is moved together with the charger 32Y by a spring member to perform cleaning at a fixed wiping position, the present invention is not limited to this.
When 5 is emptied, the cleaning start switch as a cleaning start means is operated, so that the charging wire 323 side is automatically pulled out together with the charger 32Y to the front side, and then returned and reciprocated to be cleaned. it can.

As a concrete example of this case, for example, in FIG.
As shown in (a) , a cleaning device 90 for the charging wire 323.
Is, for example, a ball screw as a charging unit moving mechanism for reciprocally moving the cleaning start switch 91 and the charging wire 323 side, which is in contact with the cleaning tool 811 similar to that of the above-described embodiment, together with the charger 32Y in the longitudinal direction thereof. 92,
For example, a motor 93 is provided as a drive unit that rotationally drives the ball screw 92, and a drive control unit 94 that receives a cleaning start signal from the cleaning start switch 91 and rotationally controls the motor 93. The ball screw 92, the motor 93, and the drive control means 94 constitute a moving force generating means.

(11) Instead of the cleaning start switch 91 of the cleaning device 90 of the above-described specific example, the cleaning device 90a is used when the toner cartridge 85 is removed or the cartridge fixing member 86 is moved in the arrow C direction. It is also possible to provide a cartridge removal detection sensor 91a indicated by a broken line in FIG. Even in this case, the same automatic movement effect as the cleaning device 90 can be obtained. The cartridge removal detection sensor 91a is composed of, for example, an optical sensor, a limit switch, or the like.
A cleaning start signal can be generated according to the movement state of the cartridge fixing member 86.

(12) Instead of the unit lock releasing means 832 of the second embodiment, a cleaning device 90b shown in FIG.
As shown in b of FIG.
A cartridge removal detection sensor 91a that generates a cleaning start signal in response to the movement of the cartridge fixing member 86 in the direction of arrow C, and a unit locking means 831 that restricts the movement of the charger 32Y in response to the cleaning start signal. You may make it provide with the solenoid means 95 as a lock release means which enables lock release. Solenoid means 9
5, the movable-side tip portion is, for example, the same inclined portion 832 as in the present embodiment that engages or disengages the claw member 831a and the opening 321d according to the cleaning start signal.
You may make it provide a and the claw part 832b.

(13) The case where the first and second embodiments are applied to the copying machine 1 has been described, but the invention can be applied to other image forming apparatuses such as a facsimile and a printer.

(14) In the first and second embodiments, the photoconductor drum 31 is used, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a flat photoconductor may be used.

(15) In the first and second embodiments, the copying machine has a vertical transport layout configuration (the paper transport direction is substantially vertical).
However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the copying machine may have a horizontal conveyance layout configuration (the paper conveyance direction is substantially horizontal). In the horizontal conveyance layout configuration, the transfer roller is arranged substantially directly below the photosensitive drum, and a cleaning blade, a static eliminator, a cleaning blade, a static eliminator, from the horizontal position of the photosensitive drum to the opposite horizontal position. The charging device, the exposing device, and the developing device are arranged in this order.

[0121]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, either one of the sliding operation relative to the cleaning tool and the charging wire and the toner replenishing operation is interlocked with the other so that the sliding operation is performed at the time of replenishing the toner. Since it is forcibly performed, regular toner replenishment operation cannot be performed unless the cleaning tool and the charging wire are slid relative to each other. A relative and compulsory sliding operation of the tool and the charging wire is carried out, whereby the cleaning operation of the charging wire by this sliding operation can be carried out regularly and surely.

[0122] Further, the blocking state of the toner replenishing operation by preparative toner replenishing operation preventing means, because you to release in conjunction with the charging wire and relative sliding operation and the cleaning tool, with a simple configuration, charging by the sliding operation The cleaning work of the wire can be performed regularly and reliably.

Further, according to the second aspect , if the relative sliding operation between the cleaning tool and the charging wire is performed, the toner replenishing operation is prevented by either the start operation or the end operation of the periodic toner replenishing operation. Since it can be released, the cleaning work of the charging wire can be surely performed at the time of the periodic toner supply operation.

Further, according to the third aspect , the operation interlocking means releases the regulation of the toner replenishing operation by the toner replenishing operation member in synchronism with the relative sliding movement of the cleaning tool and the charging wire. Since it is possible to replenish toner effectively, the cleaning operation of the charging wire by the sliding operation can be surely performed.

Further, according to the fourth aspect , the fixing member regulating means releases the regulation of the movement of the cartridge fixing member in association with the relative sliding operation of the cleaning tool and the charging wire, so that the toner is replenished regularly. Therefore, when the toner is replenished regularly, the cleaning operation can be always performed by the relative sliding operation of the cleaning tool and the charging wire.

Further, according to the fifth aspect , the forcible start of the sliding operation by the sliding operation starting means is performed in conjunction with the toner replenishing operation. Therefore, the charging wire is cleaned by the sliding operation with a simple structure. Work can be performed regularly and reliably.

Also , since the sliding operation means forcibly performs the sliding operation of the charging wire in conjunction with the toner replenishing operation, the cleaning operation of the charging wire can be surely performed without fail without fail.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, since the forcible sliding operation is started when either the start operation or the end operation of the periodic toner replenishing operation is performed, the cleaning work of the charging wire is performed. Can be done regularly and reliably.

Further, according to the seventh aspect , since the charging unit is unlocked by the unit lock releasing means, the charging unit automatically slides by the urging means, so that the cleaning work of the charging wire is performed. It can be done more easily. Further, the sliding operation means can be easily constructed by the biasing means, and the sliding operation start means can be easily constructed by the unit lock means and the unit lock release means.

Further, according to the eighth aspect , when the charging unit is started to move in the urging direction, the entire length of the portion of the charging wire facing the photoconductor passes through a predetermined stationary position.
Unless the charging wire is moved to the end across the entire width of the photoconductor, the charging unit is locked so that it cannot be returned to the original storage state, so the charging wire moves to the end along the width of the photoconductor together with the charging unit. The reciprocal cleaning operation of returning to the original storage position after the operation can be reliably performed by the user's hand, and forgetting to clean can be prevented.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall sectional view of a first embodiment in which an image forming apparatus according to the present invention is applied to a copying machine.

FIG. 2 is a front view schematically showing each configuration of the charger, toner cartridge and image forming apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the cleaning tool of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a planar configuration of the toner cartridge and the image forming apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a planar configuration of an image forming apparatus according to another embodiment different from FIG.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an automatic control configuration of an image forming apparatus according to another embodiment different from that of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a front view schematically showing the configuration of the cleaning tool in the charger according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

8 is a side view schematically showing configurations of a cleaning tool and a spring member in the charger of FIG.

9 is a plan view schematically showing the overall configuration of the cleaning device in the side configuration of the charger of FIG.

FIG. 10 is a front view of a main part schematically showing a set state of the toner cartridge.

11 is a plan view of FIG.

FIG. 12 is a front view of a main part schematically showing a setting release state of the toner cartridge.

FIG. 13 is a plan view of FIG.

FIG. 14 is a plan view showing each state of the movement control means of FIG. 9 when the setting of the toner cartridge is released;
Is a diagram showing an engaged state, b is a diagram showing a state at the time of disengagement,
c is a diagram showing a state after the engagement is released.

FIG. 15 is a diagram when the toner cartridge is set;
2A is a plan view showing the state of the movement starting means of FIG. 3, where a is a state immediately before engagement and b is a state at the time of engagement. FIG.

16 is a plan view schematically showing a case where the lock claw member of FIG. 9 is held in an engagement free state.

17 is a diagram showing a holding state of the claw member in the lock claw member of FIG. 9, a is a plan view thereof, and b is a side view thereof.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing an automatic control configuration of an image forming apparatus according to another embodiment different from FIG.

FIG. 19 is a schematic view showing a vertical cross-sectional structure of a main part of a conventional copying machine.

20 is an enlarged view schematically showing a cross-sectional configuration of the charger of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Copier 2 Device Main Body 13 Transfer Paper 30 Image Forming Section 31 Photosensitive Drum 32, 32Y Charger 321, 321Y Shielding Member 321a Collar 321d Opening 322 Grid 323 Charging Wire 60, 70, 80, 90, 90a, 90b Cleaning Device 61 Cleaning tool 611 Metal piece 612 Sponge-like member 613 Cleaning rod 614 Guide member 615 Connecting member 616 Projection 62 Toner cartridge 621 Storage opening 621a Left edge 622 Lock groove 63 Hopper 631 Left end 632 Right end 633 Lock pin 634 Hopper lock recess 64, 64a Locking means 641 Hopper lock bar 641a Large diameter part 641b Bar member 641c Spring member 641d Pin member 641e, 641g Inclined part 641f Corner part 642 Guide member 643 Interlocking member 64 a central shaft 643b oblong holes 71, 91 cleaning start switch 72, 92 ball screw 73, 93 motor 74, 94 drive control means 75 cleaning operation detection sensor 76, 95 solenoid means 81 cleaning member 811 cleaning tool 812 saucer 813 with connecting member 82 Biasing means 83 Movement control means 831 Unit locking means 831a Claw member 831b Winding spring 832 Unit lock releasing means 832a Inclined portion 832b Claw portion 84 Unit movement restriction / regulation releasing means 841 Engaging claw 841a Slope 841b Right angle surface 842 Lock claw means 842a Inclined Part 842b Claw member 842c Winding spring 842d Stoppers 842e, 844b Rotating shaft 843 End claw 844 Lock claw holding member 844a Holding member 844c Holding recess 844d Sloping surface 845 Lock claw holding release member 85 Toner cartridge 851 leg 852 housing opening 852a left side edge portion 86 cartridge fixing member 91a cartridge detaching detection sensor

Front page continuation (72) Inventor Takaki Kamei 1-2-2 Tamatsukuri, Chuo-ku, Osaka Kyocera Mita Co., Ltd. (56) Reference JP-A-9-101660 (JP, A) JP-A-63-226673 (JP, A) JP 11-212340 (JP, A) JP 9-68848 (JP, A) JP 5-289474 (JP, A) JP 54-28639 (JP, A) (JP 58) Fields surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G03G 15/02 103 G03G 15/08 112 G03G 21/00 370

Claims (8)

(57) [Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus comprising a charging wire which is stretched in the width direction of a photoconductor and charges a surface of the photoconductor to a predetermined potential when a high voltage is applied to the image forming apparatus. Means for supporting at least one of the tool and the charging wire so as to be slidable relative to the other in the longitudinal direction of the charging wire, the sliding operation, and the toner replenishing operation for the apparatus. One of them is linked to the other,
And an operation interlocking means for forcibly performing the slide operation at the time of replenishing the toner , the operation interlocking means blocking the toner replenishing operation.
It has a replenishing operation blocking means and is linked to the sliding operation.
Then, the toner is replenished by the toner replenishing operation preventing means.
An image forming apparatus characterized in that the blocking of the operation is released . Wherein said toner replenishing operation blocking means, the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it is prevented either start operation and termination operation of the toner replenishing operation. 3. The toner replenishing operation inhibiting means has a toner replenishing operation member for performing the toner replenishing operation, and the operation interlocking means regulates the toner replenishing operation of the toner replenishing operation member to perform the sliding operation. conjunction with the is characterized in that so as to release the restriction claim 1 or 2
The image forming apparatus described. 4. The toner replenishing operation member has a cartridge fixing position for fixing the toner cartridge at a predetermined position and a cartridge fixing member movable between a cartridge taking out position enabling the taking out of the toner cartridge. , Restricting the movement of the cartridge fixing member at either the cartridge fixing position or the cartridge unloading position, and the operation interlocking means has a fixing member restricting means for releasing the restriction in conjunction with the slide operation. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. 5. A photosensitive member is stretched across the width of the photosensitive member so that a high voltage is applied.
The surface of the photoconductor is charged to a predetermined potential by being applied.
In an image forming apparatus provided with a charging wire that allows the charging wire to contact the charging wire and the cleaning tool,
At least one of the charging wires of the other with respect to the other
A sly that supports slidably in the longitudinal direction.
To the sliding motion and this device.
Either one of the toner supply operations for the
Force the slide operation when the toner is replenished.
The operation interlocking means, the operation interlocking means includes a slide operation starting means for forcibly starting the sliding operation, and the sliding operation starting means interlocks with the charging operation by interlocking with the toner supply operation. The forced sliding motion of the wire is started, and the sliding motion starting means moves the charging wire in its longitudinal direction.
Images forming device you characterized by having a sliding operation means for sliding operation direction. 6. The operation interlocking means starts the compulsory sliding operation of the charging wire by the sliding operation starting means in conjunction with either the start operation or the ending operation of the toner supply operation. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein 7. A charging unit that accommodates the charging wire and is configured to be slidable in the longitudinal direction of the charging wire together with the charging wire, wherein the sliding operation unit moves the charging unit in the longitudinal direction of the charging wire. And a biasing means for biasing in one direction, the slide operation starting means locks the movement of the charging unit against the biasing force of the biasing means, and the toner. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5 , further comprising a unit unlocking unit that unlocks the charging unit in association with a replenishing operation. 8. A unit movement restricting means for restricting the movement of the charging unit in a direction opposite to the urging direction of the urging means, and the charging unit moving in the urging direction to move the charging wire. when the entire length of the opposing portion between the photosensitive member has passed the predetermined rest position, according to claim 7, characterized in that it comprises a regulation release means for releasing the restriction of movement of the charging unit by the unit movement restricting means
The image forming apparatus described.